a work shed,” said Zana, turning back and offering Andy a smile. “The Second has many. Though…he has less after today.”
“We have very different ideas on what constitutes a shed,” Andy muttered.
Steve glanced down a row of cozy-looking bungalows, the cobblestone path between them lined with flowers and hedges, green and well-tended. The elves favored magical gardening—everything perfect and similar—but the fae clearly nurtured their gardens by hand. A few weeds poked up between the cobbles, petals littered the ground, and sprigs stuck out every now and then. He liked Charity’s people better for it.
They were at the outskirts of what the fae had called a village, but what would be called a town in the Brink. It almost reminded him of Savannah, Georgia. The large cobblestone paths appeared to be organized in a grid system, dotted here and there with bench-laden parks. Trees surrounded the community, weeping with moss, and dotted the landscape, natural and beautiful, like the people as a whole. The place gave off a…serene sort of feel, easy and comfortable. Relaxing. He wanted to find a patch of sun-sprinkled grass and have a nice, long nap.
“We have not seen magical gifts like that since…” Their guide shrugged. “I never have, though in times of battle, gifts were more plentiful, I’m told. Miss Charity, the Arcana in training, seems like a relic of that time.”
“They didn’t do much investigation to make sure she was one of theirs,” Barbara said, limping badly, still covered in wounds and her face drawn. But damned if she wasn’t rising to the occasion. Steve was glad for it. They didn’t need to lose another one.
“The Arcana in training proved herself with her magic. That is not something that can be faked,” Zana said.
“Will she get a title, like her father and grandmother?” Devon asked.
Zana swished her long hair, and this time when she looked at him, her eyes were heated with lust. He didn’t appear to notice. “Yes, if she passes her tests.”
“And those tests are?”
They turned right down a path that looked like all the others, except the houses were a little smaller, probably one-bedrooms with tiny kitchens and little to no living rooms.
“They ask the same of all of us—to prove we are accomplished fighters with a desirable skill set, and to embark on a quest.” She smiled at him. “She is lucky—given her magic and her family, she will be highly regarded despite her halvsie status.”
Devon frowned at her as they walked down the street, half of them trying to hide limps. They needed a rest badly.
“Halvsie status?” he asked.
“Half-human, half-guardian. Usually that would greatly reduce an individual’s status. But she has an incredible amount of magic, and she is a result of the Second’s quest. She’ll make a good match and bring honor to her family.”
“Ah.” Steve shook his head and tried to peer into an open window to see what was going on in these houses. “Your system is set up like the elves’—kind of like the royalty in the Brink. Your level in society, your wealth, your…whatever—it all gives you status points. You guys marry within your station, right? High status doesn’t marry someone you deem low status.”
“Of course not.” She frowned as she looked back at Steve. Her crystal-blue eyes widened and fire licked their depths, indicating she’d given up on Devon and was willing to move on. Steve ever so slightly turned his torso in her direction, indicating his desire to ride the bang-bang train. Her pink tongue wet her lower lip. “If someone of lower status works hard enough, and has the right skill set, they can elevate themselves. Someone born high can fall, if they are lacking. In the end, you marry someone with whom you match.”
“That right? And what about outsiders? What’s their status?”
Her lips curved and her hips swung as she walked. “Hopefully very…very fun.”
Steve’s dick tented his stupid robe, and he didn’t mind if she noticed. If she wanted to try a shifter on for size, he was more than happy to oblige. It sucked for Devon, though. It was clear that a shifter didn’t even have low status in the eyes of the fae—as outsiders, they had no status. They were a red light when it came to marriage, and from what Steve had glimpsed, the head lady was stuffy, at best. While Steve was in Candy Land, with promiscuous ladies who weren’t looking for long term, Devon was in hell.