Rose says with a bright smile, her sapphire eyes gleaming with happiness. “The perfect outfit for your return.”
There it is again, the implication that I’ve returned, like I’ve been here before, but I don’t have time to think on it as the elves flutter around me again.
“Are you ready? They will be waiting for us,” she inquires, gesturing for me to follow her. Nodding my head, I take a deep breath and trail after her. One of the things I’ve noticed is that none of the wood elves wear shoes, and they haven’t provided me with any now, which suits me. Wearing shoes was one of my biggest adjustments when Grayson saved me, so there’s something comforting about not wearing them here.
Exiting the house, I finally take in the forest around me. Now that the sun is starting to set, small lanterns line the walkways that connect the trees together. There are dozens of houses like the one I’m staying in, but I can see lanterns farther off in the trees, so I’m sure there are even more. There are several more huts and slightly bigger buildings built into the trees on the ground, but most of the activity seems to be up in the canopy. Following Rose over a rope bridge to the next tree, I can’t help but smile. Vaeril and I stayed in trees when we were escaping Arhaven, but I hadn’t really had the time or energy to think about it. On our journey here, Vaeril and Naril explained that most of the buildings here were built into the trees. I’ve seen a few like this on the outskirts of Galandell, but they were nothing like this, and the thought of living in a tree had been completely alien to me. But being up here now, it feels comfortable, and I hardly notice I’m suspended high above the ground.
We appear to be walking towards a large platform built around the biggest tree I’ve ever seen. Elves are gathered there on colourful cushions, sitting together in groups. Reaching the tree, I pause on the edge of the platform as I take everything in. Rose and her companions wave at me and hurry off to join another group of elves, and I feel the eyes of many turn to look at me. They’re curious, kind looks, completely unlike the unfriendly stares I’m used to. To my relief, all the females seem to be wearing dresses like mine in a variety of colours. The men are wearing leggings and colourful jackets, with leaves of various colours woven and embroidered into them.
On the other side of the platform, I see Vaeril and a very uncomfortable looking Naril climbing from the staircase. Vaeril’s gaze instantly locks onto mine and a hungry, predatory look flashes into his eyes as he stalks towards me. Like I’m being pulled by an invisible thread, I begin to move towards him, and we meet in the middle, stopping only when we are chest to chest, completely ignoring the onlooking elves.
“You look…” He trails off, the heat in his eyes awaking my desire.
A loud cough comes from Vaeril’s side, and a frustrated Naril raises an eyebrow at us before shuffling between us, looking me up and down.
“You look like a fae,” he announces with a twist of his mouth. “Being here is unlocking it.”
I’ve heard people talking about this before. Eldrin had been trying to unlock my fae powers, but we hadn’t had much luck other than the occasional burst of speed. However, I’ve no idea how they could unlock part of how I look. “What do you mean? Being here can’t change my appearance,” I protest, as thoughts of sprouting branches from my arms like some of the fae I’ve seen flash through my mind.
“No, but it can change how you behave, how you hold yourself,” he explains, gesturing to the way I’m standing. “Plus, their fashions enhance your fae side.” What he says makes sense, and I have to admit I have changed a lot since my time back in Arhaven. Perhaps he’s right, not that I would ever let him know that though.
Vaeril pushes the lord out the way and takes my hand before raising it to his lips to press a warm kiss there. “No, I was going to say you look beautiful, but the word didn’t seem like enough to describe how you look tonight.” Naril makes a gagging sound, but I can’t pull my eyes from Vaeril, his words bringing a