Page 60 of Wings of Snow
“This is the palace’s main foyer.” Bavar waved to the golden-rimmed doors. “Those lead out to the capital. I’m afraid that since you all came in such a rush, that I brought you to the nearest room.” He waved to the chambers we’d just exited. “I apologize for the informality. That receiving room is usually used for admitting service fae, but seeing as you’re here to press upon me urgent matters, it seems only fitting that we move into a more comfortable space in order to discuss such issues while allowing you to rest.”
Bavar strode ahead of us, his orange hair shining like my acorlis vines at sunset. He led us down endless halls and past spiraling staircases until we reached a large sitting area with an open balcony.
Bright sunlight streamed into the sitting room. Rich, plush carpet covered the floor, and dozens of plump sofas and chaise lounges filled the space. Tapestries hung from the walls. Some depicted various battle scenes, others more like artwork of country estates.
Everywhere I looked was vibrant and filled with color. This entire area of the realm seemed so alive and warm.
“Hopefully this will suffice?” Bavar waved toward a chaise lounge near a cold fireplace. The mint-green pillows decoratively displayed on the dark-blue lounge reminded me of my former lady servant’s affinity. Daiseeum could make anything look beautiful. She would have thrived if hired to decorate this room.
A frown downturned my lips when I pictured Daiseeum assisting Georgyanna now.
“Thank you.” Norivun set me on the chaise, and I gratefully leaned against the supporting pillows.
“I’m usually not like this,” I said, blushing under Bavar’s concerned appraisal.
“Now, now, none of that.” He waved his finger at me. “Every fairy who’s suffered what you have would be in a state such as this. Nothing to apologize for.” He clasped his hands behind his back again and dipped forward on the balls of his feet. “Would you care for some refreshments?” He beckoned a staff member who stood near the door.
The young male bustled over and deposited a tray filled with cakes, crumpets, pies, cookies, and every other sweet imaginable.
Bavar’s eyes lit up with delight. “I do so love the kitchen’s sweets. Please, take whatever your heart desires.”
I leaned over and helped myself to several of the miniature fruit pies. My stomach growled in appreciation of the sugary fragrances.
Everyone took part in the delectable sweets, even Nish. Once everyone had a plate and was seated, Bavar addressed the crown prince.
“Prince Norivun, as lovely as it is to see you again, I must say that I’m dreadfully curious what brings you today. I can’t recall the last time a royal Solis set foot in our capital.”
Norivun adjusted how he was sitting at my side, and through the bond, a hint of his embarrassment flowed into me.
He cleared his throat. “We are in need of your...assistance.” The last word felt forced, as though he was loathed to ask for help at all, especially from our southerly neighbors.
Bavar’s eyebrows rose clear to his hairline. “Oh? Do continue.”
“Something is amiss on our continent and has been for some time.” In a begrudging tone, the prince told Bavar about the suppressedorem, our dying crops, and what’d happened to me in the Isalee field that had affected my affinities. He further told him about my visit to the Adrall Temple and how God Zorifel had insisted whatever magic we felt on our continent originated in theotherrealm. Following that, he told him how we suspected an individual from theotherrealm was behind the veil in our soil.
The crown prince divulged enough information for me to realize that he was bordering on desperation. With only weeks until his wedding to Georgyanna and the Solis king’s council becoming more and more supportive of marching upon the Nolus continent, time truly was of the essence.
The only thing Norivun didn’t share was that he suspected his father was ultimately behind it all and that we believed King Novakin was working with the supernatural from theotherrealm. But we had no proof that the king was the culprit, so I wasn’t surprised he withheld that detail.
When Norivun finally finished, Bavar tapped his chin, then shot to standing and began to pace in front of the cold fireplace. “So the God of Power actually came to you?” He looked at me, his smile widening. “Fascinating, indeed. It’s been years since I’ve heard of the gods willingly interacting with us. You must have made quite an impression.” He winked, then continued in a more serious tone. “And God Zorifel said that the substance in your land that is suppressing your magicaloremand also had suppressed Ilara’s affinities wasn’t of our universe, and you think that substance may stem from a supernatural individual. Hmm, most curious indeed.”
He turned swiftly on his heel and began to pace back in front of us. “How very baffling, although, to think that such a dire state could lead to your kingdom marching on ours...” He shook his head. “That I find quite troubling, obviously.”
Bavar stopped at the refreshment tray and picked up a cookie. I’d lost count of how many he’d consumed. While munching on it, he placed his free hand on his hip and faced Norivun. “What can I do to be of assistance?”
The prince and I shared a look before I said, “We’re hoping that perhaps you would know somebody from thatotherrealm who could help us. We need to figure out what’s suppressing our land and how to stop it.”
He laughed lightly. “Ah, yes. Indeed, I have many contacts on that planet. As a commander in the Supernatural Forces, I deal regularly with troubling occurrences on Earth, but you have to understand, the SF’s jurisdiction stops at theotherrealm. They have no authority in the fae lands.”
I swallowed the ball in my throat. This entire conversation made me feel nauseous, and given Prince Norivun’s barely contained scowl, I garnered he felt the same.
My entire life, I’d been taught that the Solis relied on the Solis only, and while traveling to this continent had indeed been eye-opening and entertaining prior to Drachu’s attack on me, it didn’t mean that my pride had disappeared. We currently appeared weak and unable to handle our issues on our own. But since so much was at stake, I was willing to admit our faults and ask for help.
Even if that help came fromEarth.
“Is there anything you can do?” the prince asked, his voice gruff.
“Oh, of course!” Bavar dusted off his fingers after finishing his cookie, and a swell of magic cleansed his hands. “There are many things I can do. I was simply saying that the SF may not be the best resource since I would need to obtain permission from my uncle to allow a squad entry, but that doesn’t mean we need a squad to investigate this field in your territory.”