Exchanged Read online

  He guided her into the seat. “Might you care for something to drink?”

  “That would be wonderful.” She smiled back to him. As he turned to a drink cart, she looked about the room more, her eyes settling on a few trinkets on the dresser-top. A small ship, an immaculate miniature the size of her hand, caught her eye. “Where did you get that?”

  Callannon follow her gaze. “That would be a reminder of home...and of my family.” He handed Aubriel a goblet of wine and sat in the chair next to her. “It’s a more recent acquisition but familiar all the same.”

  Speaking of his family was difficult, but if she didn't press now, there might not be another opportunity for some time. “Tell me about them. I want to know about your home and where you come from.”

  “I was an only child, like most fey children.” He took a small sip of wine and looked into the fire thoughtfully and fondly. “My parents were lesser nobles and oversaw a shipping harbor far in the south of the Summer Kingdom. I found that I had a knack for politics, and rather than learning about shipping, I became involved in minor political arenas with much success.”

  His features darkened. “There was a fire. It enveloped half the harbor. My parents were caught in it, along with many other fey nearby, and didn’t make it out. That fire left me without a family or home to return to. I threw myself into politics, eventually becoming the advisor to a local lord, and gained notoriety. I met Oberon when I politically outmaneuvered his advisor during my early days at the Summer Court, and Oberon was impressed enough that he began occasionally calling on me to discuss political matters. After a year or so of this, he dismissed the advisor I outwitted and installed me as his permanent advisor.

  “Oberon put me in a trusted position, even though he hardly knew me. It was stupid of him, though I couldn’t help but reciprocate his trust. Unlike other nobles and royals, he spoke his mind and was open with others about how he felt. And I saw how much he cared for Titania when she first arrived in the court. Oberon may scheme, but he’s trustworthy. Titania on the other hand... I’ve been Oberon’s advisor long enough that I saw his and Titania’s relationship from the beginning to where it’s fallen now.”

  “What happened?”

  Callannon sighed, staring into his goblet. “That story would take many nights to tell in full, but in short, she broke his trust, and he broke hers in return. Of course, it’s become much more complex than that as time has continued. Titania is the reason Captain Salda will be at the ball, and we must be careful to limit your interactions with the captain as much as possible. It was only once Oberon and Titania’s relationship started becoming strained that the queen began keeping Salda at her side.” Callannon clenched his fists.

  “Who is Captain Salda?” Aubriel asked. Whoever this captain was, she obviously meant trouble. The only other time she’d seen Callannon look so angry was their first meeting when Elston stood over her with a bloody gauntlet.

  “Technically, she’s Captain of the King’s Guard, but she serves as Titania’s lackey. If Titania asks Salda to do something or to retrieve some information, Salda has no qualms about what she has to do or who she has to ruin to please her queen.”

  Aubriel took Callannon’s hands in hers and gave them a squeeze. It took effort to mask the worry in her voice when she posed her next question. “She can’t break our exchange, can she?”

  Callannon looked to her sharply, the question breaking him from his thoughts. “No. Only those bound through the exchange have the power to break it.”

  She sighed in relief. She couldn’t stand to think of losing Callannon when they’d just found each other. “Then we’ll avoid her or ignore her. This is your ball. I’m sure you can make some kind of excuse to not see her.”

  Before Aubriel realized what was happening, Callannon scooped her out of the chair and into his arms. Laughing, she set her wine glass on a side table and threw her arms around his neck to keep from falling to the floor as he carried her to the bed. The bed frame was crafted of silver metal that interlocked in braids and held the largest mattress she had ever seen. He deposited them both onto the divinely soft sheets, but his demeanor was full of concern. “Captain Salda worries me for another reason. She and I are two of the few people at the ball skilled enough in magic to contend with the Sorcerers’ Enclave. She’s the one person who has the ability, determination, and motive to see through the illusion I will need to place on you, and I wouldn’t put it past her to torment you in an attempt to get at me.”

  Callannon held her so tightly it was difficult to breathe, but she felt his worry for her. “Why does she want to get at you?” Aubriel snaked her limbs between his, loosening his grip on her enough to take a deep breath.

  “In truth, I don’t know. Our relationship has been strained from the beginning. Though she and I both serve Oberon in title, she’s always seen Oberon and myself as her opponents rather than her allies. The king doesn’t tolerate Salda’s behavior, but she’s clever and knows what boundaries she can push without reprimand. Queen Titania may be Salda’s true ally in the court, but the queen married into royalty. Oberon is reasonable, but he could relieve Salda of her position in the King’s Guard if he truly wanted. It’s his guard, and Salda remembers that.”

  The more Aubriel learned, the more complex the situation became. There were some people in Viget that were manipulative and duplicitous, but until Elston’s interest in her, such people had been easy to avoid. Except for one week of guiding the paladin through the forest and the experience of his gauntlet meeting her face, she had little first-hand experience with someone like Salda. “Perhaps we should just stay as close to Oberon as possible during the ball. From what you’ve said, you’re the person Oberon trusts most. If we stay near him, she’s not likely to do anything we don’t want her to.”

  Callannon tensed against her. She pulled back to look at his face, but he rested his cheek atop her head. “That may not be so easy. Oberon is always the most popular guest at parties, regardless where the party is hosted or for what purpose. Being the king will do that. As his advisor, I’m often welcome into secluded social circles or meetings with him, but you would not be. Also, Oberon likes to get into his fair share of trouble, which would leave you only marginally safer than if you were locked in a room with Salda.”

  Aubriel frowned in dismay. “If we can’t stay with Oberon, is there some way we might appease Salda? Even for just a little while?”

  “I wish there were, but she’s not reasonable, Aubriel. You are good and kind. You expect the best from people. Salda and the other nobles have no good side to show.”

  She began to say something comforting but thought better of it. Callannon had been through many difficulties with the noble fey, certainly more than he could explain in one night. He himself was noble, as were his parents and his best—if only—friend. She couldn’t understand how he could then say that nobles had no good side, but she could also guess how his opinions of nobles and the court might have changed throughout his life.

  How many bad experiences had he gone through? Aubriel wondered if any of them had to do with his former exchanged. After all, wasn’t she hesitant at the notion of putting her trust in a paladin after her awful experience? The situations might not be all that different, so how could she comfort him and tell him that it wasn’t as bad as he thought?

  Banishing the thoughts from her mind, she pulled back enough to meet Callannon’s gaze. “Perhaps we’re getting ahead of ourselves. We talk of balls and nobles, but we still have no way of getting me to you.”

  A deep chuckle reverberated through Callannon’s chest. “You guessed my surprise before I could even tell you.”

  A smile spread across her face as she wrung his exquisite doublet shamelessly. “Truly? You found a way?”

  “Yes.” He took her face in his hands and kissed her. “I found a gateway.”

  With a delighted cry, she flung her arms around his neck and kissed him, pressing against him as fully as she could. “Whe
re is it? When can we use it?”

  “The morning of the ball, the same day as the summer solstice, which I’ve found to be a day when many gateways open between our realms. I know where the gate lies on my side. Now we must find where it lies on yours.”

  Chapter 7

  Aubriel woke with fluttering fairies in her stomach. Today was the day. She would finally travel to the Summer Kingdom and be with Callannon outside of the dreamscape. She would get to feel his warmth and his solidness as he wrapped his arms around her, and when she woke up, she’d still be right there next to him. Assuming no one found out who or what she really was.

  She pushed the idea from her mind as she got up and dressed. Once she was through the gateway, she and Callannon could really begin building their relationship together. As long as she stayed by his side, she wouldn’t need to worry about Salda or Titania or any other fey who might be interested in her. Though from how Callannon spoke, that might be every noble in court.

  Aubriel felt a soft nuzzle against her leg, and Acorn looked up at her sweetly. Bless Rabek for the fox staying with her this whole time. She knelt and rubbed behind Acorn’s ears. “Yes, I know you’ll be there with me too, Acorn. We’ll all keep each other safe.” Acorn let out a soft coo and waited as Aubriel packed up the camp.

  They’d go through together, but when would they be able to come back? Aubriel felt a pang of guilt for leaving home and letting people worry about her. She’d sent the letter to ease any fears, and she supposed that she could always return through a gateway later when one opened, but she didn’t know when that might be. For now, she needed to pack her necessary belongings and hide the rest.

  Resolutely, Aubriel stood with the empty camp behind her, listening to the sounds of the forest and for Callannon. It was surreal that she would be leaving the forest for a life where Bree the huntress would be no more. She pressed her hand to the token in her hair. It’s not as if that part of her would be lost forever, just hidden so no one could see.

  Acorn brushed her head against Aubriel’s leg, earning her a few scratches, then turned her head to the side suddenly, looking intently into the trees. Aubriel stilled and turned the same way, listening. She didn’t hear anything but the normal sounds of the forest. Will he come? Was there a problem?

  A faint sound drifted through the trees. “—iel!”

  It was all she needed. At once Aubriel shouldered her pack and rushed toward the voice, Acorn at her side. The pounding of her heart and feet filled her ears, but she heard the sound again.

  “Aubriel! Aubriel, where are you?”

  She burst into a clearing to find Callannon wandering through the trees, his opulent clothing clashing with the forest around him. The outfit wasn’t so different from what he normally wore with the exception of a silver cloak heavily embroidered with the leaf and vine pattern he favored. Aubriel suddenly became bashful. She wasn’t in the dress she always wore in the dreamscape. Although she was as clean as she could manage, she was still dirty compared to him, and her clothing was rough and hand-mended, showing the many long days in the forest it had seen.

  His eyes alighted on her, and a smile filled his face. “Aubriel!” He ran to embrace her, but pulled back suddenly. “We have to hurry. I’ve rerouted the gateway to lead to my manor, but if we don’t cross over quickly we could end up facing the gateway’s keeper.”

  “That would be bad?” she asked, trying to keep the confusion from her voice.

  “Extremely.”

  Aubriel nodded in acceptance though she didn’t understand. Callannon pulled her into the dense trees. After jogging for some time, Aubriel could see where they were headed: a large oak tree. Something about it was magnetic, and she felt more than her eagerness to be in the fey realm pulling her toward it. The leaves were lush, the bark luminescent.

  Callannon paused just before reaching the tree and turned to face her. “Stand still just a moment. You don’t want to reach the other side before I give you an illusion.”

  Part of her wanted to protest, but he quickly chanted and drew symbols in the air with his hands, touching her forehead, then nose, then chin. With each brief touch, she felt a tiny swell of power course through her. The more elaborate his spell became, the greater the power within her grew until it rippled along her skin. Her veins bulged with pressure until she thought she might burst, then it suddenly stopped, and she felt normal.

  Without delay, Callannon took Aubriel’s hand. “Hold tight, and don’t let go.”

  She managed a shaky nod, and Callannon stepped toward the tree. No, Aubriel realized, he stepped into the tree. She went with him, passing through the radiant bark. In a blurry haze of light, the world shifted around her, rotating, rising, and sliding before quickly falling back into place.

  The forest’s bright shine of morning warmed to a golden glow in this place. She felt something soft brush against her leg and was glad to see Acorn finding her footing as well. When she turned back to the oak tree, there was a tall hedge in its place. Besides the iridescent foliage shimmering back at her, it appeared normal. The hedge was shaped to form a wall—many walls that formed all around them. The towers and parapets of Sagma House stood elegantly with a backdrop of cloudless sky above the hedge-line.

  “We’re really here.” Aubriel squeezed Callannon’s hand tighter. “We’re together outside the dreamscape.”

  “That we are, my exchanged.” He tugged her closer to him. “Let me show you my home and make proper introductions.” Callannon led Aubriel from the maze, deftly and confidently taking each turn until they spilled onto a walkway leading to the front of the manor. It was even larger than it had been in the dreamscape, and the grounds were more lush. Aubriel had seen the place before, but she tried to take in every detail as Callannon lead her up the steps, Acorn in tow.

  The door opened at the top of the stairs before them, and Mrs. Delia stood waiting patiently as they ascended the steps. The housekeeper hid it well, but Aubriel felt the curiosity in her gaze. She supposed this would be but the first of many curious looks she’d be getting in the Summer Kingdom.

  “Mrs. Delia,” Callannon began as they reached the top of the stairs, “thank you for greeting us. This is Miss Aubriel of the Forgotten Mists. Aubriel, this is Mrs. Delia, the housekeeper. If you need anything, Mrs. Delia is the best person to ask.”

  Aubriel gave a polite nod. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Delia.”

  “As it is for me to meet you, Miss Aubriel,” the brownie said as she dipped into a bow. “The whole staff is happy to meet you and excited for your stay here with us.” Aubriel glanced into the entryway at a few curious faces. “Is there anything I can assist you with at the moment?”

  Aubriel heard a loud clatter and shatter followed by a string of muted shouting from down one of the hallways. “Party preparations, I assume?” asked Callannon as Mrs. Delia did her best to maintain her composure.

  “Yes, my lord. I’ll go see what mess they’ve gotten into and remind them of proper behavior in the manor.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Delia. We’ll be fine on our own for a while. Lady Aubriel is in need of a great deal of rest after her travels.” Callannon’s hand gently squeezed Aubriel’s, and she felt a small surge of excitement. “We’ll come down later,” he added with a faint note of finality.

  “Of course, my lord. I’ll have drinks and food awaiting you.”

  “Thank you again, Mrs. Delia,” he said with a small nod.

  Aubriel nodded to the housekeeper and followed Callannon up the stairs, passing his study, his library, all the various rooms he’d shown her in the dreamscape. She noted that all of them were brighter and more colorful in reality. Her heart pounded as they reached his bedroom. The heavy doors swung open to reveal the large four-post bed, the fireplace with intricate detailing, and the curtain-draped windows. Callannon held the door open to her, and she entered. She hadn’t noticed it before, but as she focused on it, she was nearly overwhelmed by the pleasant scent of Callannon all a
round her.

  Her eyes alighted on the tub through the washroom doorway, and her bashfulness at her clothing and state of cleanliness came back in full force. Illusion or not, she preferred to be clean. “Do you mind if I take a moment to wash up?” Aubriel asked over her shoulder, trying to hide her embarrassment.

  “Of course not,” came Callannon’s reply. He was closer behind her than she’d thought, but the surprise and the subtle huskiness in his voice made warmth pool beneath her stomach. He took her elbow and led her in.

  Marble countertops with lush plants surrounded a copper tub large enough to fit two, maybe even three. Callannon turned a knob and soapy water came pouring out of a spout, filling the tub rapidly. “Various soaps here, towels here.” He pointed to a small shelf next to the tub. “I had some specialty items brought in for you. I’ll pull out a change of clothes in the bedroom.”

  “Thank you. I need to wash my hair, but I won’t be too long.”

  “I’ll be waiting.” Callannon brushed her lips with his, then left Aubriel to bathe.

  She stripped off her dirty, worn clothing and set it aside, then tested the water. Finding it perfectly warm, she slowly sank in, watching as the spout kept filling the tub. What a wonderful creation to have warm water fill a tub so quickly and easily! She turned off the spout, letting the warmth quickly suffuse her body, and truly relaxed for the first time since heading out of Viget with Elston. She wore an illusion, and she wasn’t even in her homeland, but she felt safe in the scented bath with the man she trusted residing patiently in the adjacent room.

  The thought of Callannon roused Aubriel from her bath-induced lethargy. He was waiting. She scrubbed herself, cleaning at a brisk pace, excitement enlivening her. After her thorough wash, she wrapped herself in the softest towel she’d ever felt and pushed open the door to the bedroom. “I’m feeling much more myself. I didn’t know that magic bathtubs existed, but I’m very glad I’m acquainted with one now.”