Exchanged Read online

  Breathing became almost impossible as Callannon’s arms tightened further. “Must I answer that question?” He sighed. “I know of a way. It was meant to be a surprise in case you wished to visit your world for any reason. There is a gateway that I managed to get my hands on, what with the old one sealed off.” His grip lessened and she gasped in breath. “Forgive me. I...”

  Bree pulled back and took his face in her hands, tracing his downturned mouth with her thumbs. “Our time is short, and I don’t want to waste a moment of it.”

  “No moment with you is wasted.” He ran his hands through her hair. “If this is to be the last night in the manor with you and all of my family here, then I wish to share it with everyone. Come, we’ll all dine together tonight.”

  Before she could respond, he grasped her hand and tugged her out of the room, through the manor, and to the dining room where they found Mrs. Delia. She curtsied. “Lord Thray, how may I be of assistance?” she asked quietly.

  “I need the dining room set for fifty tonight.”

  “Fifty, my lord?” She blinked in bewilderment, but covered it quickly. “May I ask who will be joining us this evening?”

  “You will be. Tell the rest of the staff that they are to join myself and Miss Aubriel here tonight and every night thereafter. You are my family. It’s time I start truly treating you as such.”

  Mrs. Delia flushed and curtsied again, bowing her head to hide her shining eyes. “It will be my greatest pleasure.”

  ~*~

  The dining room bustled with warm conversation in undertones of umber. Aubriel smiled the entire evening, but her heart broke bit by bit the longer she held it. It was the happiest moment and the saddest. She enjoyed sharing a table with her new family, but who knew how long it would be until she did so again—if ever.

  Callannon sat at the head of the table with Aubriel on one side and Mrs. Delia on the other. A moving tree, who was apparently the cook, sat beside the brownie, making comments to her in low tones. Even without being able to distinguish what they said, she would have easily recognized the flush on Mrs. Delia’s cheeks and the glint in the cook’s eye. She wondered if there was any history between them. If only there had been time to get to know them better.

  Callannon wore a smile throughout dinner as well, chatting with his staff—with his family—but his hand never left Aubriel. He laughed, most comfortable with Mrs. Delia but making a point to speak with as many fey at the table as he could. This might be one of the last times he got to eat with them all as well.

  When night had long since descended, they stood. Before all the dishes could be cleared, Aubriel scooped them up and carried them to the kitchen alongside the fey, finally feeling like she was really at home now that she was helping. Callannon laughed and followed her to the kitchen, conjuring a powerful enchantment to clean all the dishes at once, which he claimed to be an old trick from his days before being advisor. With no more work for the evening, Callannon wished the staff a good and restful evening. Her heart heavy, Bree held his hand and went with him to the bedroom.

  She paused outside the door even as he whispered a chant and pushed it ajar. “Our last night in your room.” She almost whispered it. It would have been better to stay positive, to confidently say that Rabek would lead her back here someday, but she felt so uncertain.

  “This room belongs to you as well, my love. When you’re the lady of this manor, we’ll share all things equally. To me, we already do.”

  A warm blush spread over her cheeks. She began to compare Elston’s duplicity to Callannon’s commitment in her mind, but she caught herself and stopped. No more comparisons. That part of my life was sad and difficult, but it’s done. Now I have other trials to overcome. And someone who loves me dearly.

  “And it won’t be the last night,” Callannon continued. “Whether here or in a shed somewhere in the wilderness, I will do whatever it takes to be with you again.”

  The desperation in his voice scared her. Aubriel clutched his hands. “I love you because of who you are, Callannon. Don’t doubt that I’ll be with you in every way I can be. Besides, even if I did stay here with you, I wouldn’t be sitting in this manor being your pretty exchanged. I can’t do that. Whether in the mortal realm or here, I would find some way to make myself useful and likely worry you.”

  He tilted his head back to laugh and pulled her into the bedroom. “True enough, my beloved exchanged. True enough.”

  He pulled her to him and kissed her. She savored his taste, his touch as their hands slowly explored each other and removed the clothing that impeded them. The brush of Callannon’s skin against hers, his lips against her own, his hands on her body, his tongue in her mouth, made her burn for him. She pulled him down onto the bed, basking as his lips traveled her body, licking here, sucking there, kissing everywhere. They joined and reveled in each other more times than she bothered to count. Every movement was deliberate and savored. Their pending loss fueled them both, driving them to heights again and again. A glow slowly grew in the window, and Aubriel realized they hadn’t slept. She didn’t care. She kissed Callannon’s mouth once more, tracing his body, tasting every inch of him until he was burned into her memory.

  “I don’t want to leave you,” Aubriel said, strewn over his chest, so exhausted her body felt as if it was made of stone.

  “We’re bonded.” Callannon stroked his hand through her mussed hair. “It doesn’t matter which realm either of us are in, we will always be together.”

  “Keep learning about gateways, Callannon. I’ll try and learn what I can too at the places I visit.”

  “There’s nothing I’d rather dedicate my time to more.”

  ~*~

  Callannon swallowed the sorrow that threatened to rise and overtake him. The morning was still early, but he was already dressed, watching as Aubriel gathered the last of her things. The red ball that was Acorn curled up on his boot looked up at him, making him smile miserably.

  “Let me check one more time to make sure I didn’t forget anything.”

  That was the third time she’d said that. Aubriel hadn’t brought much with her, and they both knew she was trying to stall just a bit more to lengthen the time they had together. It wasn’t as if they would never see each other again. There was always the dreamscape, assuming he maintained his place as advisor and therefore the funds to continue purchasing the materials to meet there.

  Acorn let out a low whine as she uncurled and stretched. It was time.

  “Shall we?” He asked, extending a hand.

  Aubriel hesitated, looking like she wanted to announce she was staying and to call Eder right away to take her place. Perhaps Callannon was simply projecting his thoughts onto her, for she deflated and grasped his hand tightly. They walked into the hallway, with its high ceilings and windows, slowly making their way down the stairs to the ballroom and then through a back hallway to another set of stairs that led down to a lower level.

  You will see each other again. Advisor or not, materials or not, you are bonded. Nothing can take that away.

  The lower level had no windows and was lit by glowing orbs of magic in sconces along the walls. The bare stone path wrapped around two corners before they came to the door Callannon needed, and Mrs. Delia already waited outside. It took both of their magic to open this particular door, the one where his most valuable treasures were stored.

  A quick chant caused their magic to intertwine and unlock the door. Callannon pushed it open to reveal a dusty but neatly organized room containing shelves, chests, and drawers full of esoteric objects. A large mirror gleamed from its place propped against the far wall as the sconces burst to life with yet another chant from him. The frame was made of intricately woven silver, so fine that the vines and leaves nearly seemed real.

  “It’s like a cellar,” Aubriel breathed. “But instead of wine, you’re collecting...”

  “Enchantments,” Callannon said. “Some members of court like to display their treasures for all to s
ee. I prefer to leave everyone guessing, except when it comes to you.”

  Aubriel rewarded him with a pretty blush.

  “You would do better to open this room more often and let it air out,” Mrs. Delia said in a scolding manner that lacked all bite. “But I’ll be a pixie before that happens.” Her large eyes gleamed as she turned to Aubriel. “Miss Aubriel, King Jekob sent along these instructions for you this morning.” She pulled an envelope from her pocket and handed it to Aubriel. “Also, the staff and I have something we would like to give you.”

  Callannon watched in quiet curiosity as Mrs. Delia chanted a string of words, summoning a large pouch. He had no idea the staff were planning some kind of present, but he was touched that they had.

  “Some treats and pastries for your journey.” Mrs. Delia passed the pouch to Aubriel. “Lord Thray mentioned you would be in the forest, and you’re a practical woman, so we thought you would like these.”

  “I do,” Aubriel said, peeking in the bag. “Everything looks delicious. Thank you.” She bent down to hug Mrs. Delia. “Please look after Callannon. I’ll miss him and you terribly.”

  The brownie gave a soft laugh. “Don’t worry about that. I’ve been watching after Lord Thray for decades. There’s no one better at it than I am.” She pulled back. “We look forward to you returning and taking your place as Lady.”

  “Well I—” she sputtered. “T—thank you.”

  “I’ll leave you to it.” With a curtsey to them both, Mrs. Delia quietly walked out.

  Aubriel held the pouch tightly to her chest, looking as if the slightest breeze might send her crashing to the floor in tiny bits. “I guess this is it.”

  Callannon closed the distance between them and scooped her into his arms, doing his best to hold her close and not crush the pastries. “I love you, Aubriel.” He didn’t know what else to say, and he wanted her to never forget how strong his feelings were for her.

  “I love you, Callannon.” She nuzzled his neck. “I don’t want to leave, but the longer I stay, the less strength I have to go back.”

  Taking her head in his hands, he kissed her hard. It was a passionate, all consuming blaze that intensified as she opened her mouth to him. He wanted nothing more than to push her against one of the walls and give them both the most delightful pleasure one more time, but he tore his mouth away from hers, leaving them panting. “The longer you stay, the less I feel able to let you go.”

  She nodded glumly. “Send me back.”

  He led her to the mirror, watching their reflections as they approached and admiring Aubriel in her yellow dress. He was so used to Aubriel dressing in the fey garments that it hadn’t occurred to him that she would be better suited wearing her hunting leathers as she entered the forest. Perhaps the thought had occurred to her but she’d had chosen to wear the yellow dress regardless, knowing it was his favorite.

  “This is the gateway?” she asked. “Where will it take me?”

  “It’s not active at the moment, but when it is, it should drop you off at the tree where we entered together. It won’t always be connected to that place, so don’t stay near there. I’ll let you know which gateways are nearby once you finish making all of the contracts.”

  “I’ll make as many as I can as fast as I can.”

  With a nod, he regretfully hovered a hand over the mirror and spoke the incantation. The light reflected in the mirror gleamed until the entire surface glowed like golden fire. Callannon grasped Aubriel’s hands, the fear of losing her taking over his rational senses. “Be careful.”

  It wasn’t enough to convey his desire to see her protected and safe, but it was all he could manage.

  “Make sure to do the same,” she said, rising on her tiptoes to give him a soft kiss.

  Their hands still clasped, she carefully backed herself toward the mirror, her gaze fastened to his. He wasn’t ready to let her go, but already she stepped back into the engulfing glow. She hesitated for just a moment, telling him with her eyes all the things neither of them had the words to say, and with that, she released his hands and disappeared completely.

  Acorn nuzzled Callannon, then quietly followed Aubriel through the glow. How long Callannon stood there staring at the opaque gateway he couldn’t tell. Eventually, it closed of its own accord and returned to being a regular mirror. Her touch still lingered on his hands and mouth.

  That’s it.

  ~*~

  Never had Oberon given Callannon so many worried looks in the span of one court session. I must not be hiding my misery well.

  He couldn’t even muster the motivation to put on his neutral face. Logically, he knew it wouldn’t help his cause to mope over the loss of his exchanged, but Aubriel’s absence was fresh from that morning. With all of the court sessions he’d skipped to delegate the treaty with Ginette and Jekob, an avalanche of work hit him the moment he stepped into the Summer Court, which hadn’t brightened his mood.

  A bell rang to signal the end of the court session.

  Callannon stood and raised a hand to catch everyone’s attention. This moment would make or break him, and he was no longer sure which outcome he preferred. “Before ending for the day, I have an announcement.”

  The nobles paused in their milling to look at him curiously. By now, most everyone had heard of Captain Salda turning in her resignation as Captain of the King’s Guard to take a position at the Sorcerers’ Enclave. The news had buzzed about every spare moment, each noble sharing their own incorrect version of what they thought was really happening.

  “As you know, we sealed the treaty with Queen Ginette and King Jekob of the Deepwood Realm and managed to convince her and his highnesses to put an end to the enslavement of mortals in their kingdom.” He paused, letting them nod and murmur their acknowledgment. “There is more that I have not yet shared with you, and you deserve to know the truth.” That brought absolute silence through the court. They were curious more than anything, wondering about this new information and how they might work it into their own agendas. They wouldn’t be disappointed.

  “My exchanged, Miss Aubriel of the Forgotten Mists, was key in helping to bring a resolution to the treaty. Without her help, I doubt we would have been successful. However, Miss Aubriel is not from the Forgotten Mists. She is a mortal and has returned to her realm to help establish trade between her people and those of the Deepwood Realm per the terms of the treaty.”

  Callannon cursed himself as soon as he finished. That had come out much too quickly. He should’ve eased them into each piece of information carefully. The nobles confusedly stared at him and whispered to each other, but a few fey loudly voiced what everyone else was sure to be thinking.

  “Lord Thray exchanged with a mortal?”

  “Is he charmed yet again?”

  “They lied to us!”

  Oberon rose from his throne and stood next to Callannon. The presence of the king at his side quelled the rising panic and fury from the court. Oberon spoke in a slow, commanding tone. “Miss Aubriel is mortal, and I witnessed her put as much effort into sealing the treaty with the Deepwood Realm as Lord Thray did into creating peace with the frost giants.”

  A hush swept the room at the comparison.

  “Much like Lord Thray, Miss Aubriel is loyal to the Summer Court.” Oberon waved his hand about the room emphatically. “I can assure you that she takes her exchange with Lord Thray completely seriously.”

  “And I can assure you that Miss Aubriel will be able to secure trade between the mortals and the Summer Court as well,” Titania said, rising and standing on Callannon’s other side. “Something that she will be able to do only in the event that she and Lord Thray remain exchanged.”

  Callannon went rigid with anger at Titania’s claims. Never had they spoken of such an arrangement, and Aubriel was not an errand girl. She was not to be commanded about or taken for granted, especially since she wasn’t beholden to Titania and Oberon as a resident of the Summer Kingdom. Yet even as he fumed, the nobles calmed
, their looks turning inward. Calculating. Whether Titania’s intentions were good or not, she managed to satisfy the hungry animal that was the court—for now.

  Let them think they will benefit. There will be plenty of time to put them in their place later.

  Oberon’s thoughts must have been similar, for his controlled expression never faltered. “Any questions or concerns may be addressed in court tomorrow. Until then, rest well knowing that, yet again, Lord Thray has been instrumental in ensuring the impossible came to pass.”

  With that, Oberon turned and exited the court, pulling Callannon with him. In the rear hallway, the king clapped a hand to Callannon’s shoulder. “That didn’t go as badly as I was expecting, to be honest. But it’s still time for you to head out.” Callannon opened his mouth to protest, but Oberon continued speaking over him. “Go home and keep as low a profile as you can manage until this blows over. Deal with the mountain of work I know you have waiting. I’ll call for you when we need you.”

  “Keep a low profile? There’s much to discuss and much work to be done to make sure no one is plotting anything.”

  “They’re always plotting, Thray, and your presence would only incite them to do it more.” Titania exited the chamber, passing by the two men and giving them a brief nod, though her eyes lingered on Oberon for a moment longer than they normally might. “Besides, there’s much that needs to be sorted out here before we can do anything,” Oberon said, his eyes training on his wife.

  “Oberon,” Callannon growled.

  “I’m being serious, Callannon. Yes, things are oddly good between Titania and I at the moment, but she obviously has her own agenda in regards to Aubriel, and I plan to figure out what it is. Go home, friend.”

  The trip back to Sagma House was quiet and empty. Callannon went straight to his room. He could still smell Aubriel. Determinedly, he walked to the dresser, removed a vial of iron, placed it under his pillow, and lay down. It wasn’t time to sleep, or even night, but he didn’t care. He tried to force himself to doze. Aubriel’s scent was even more fresh on the pillows and sheets. He hoped that whenever he managed to sleep, he’d find her in his dreams.