Exchanged Read online

Callannon sat at the garden table, looking drained. At her approach, he perked up, and his features brightened, but it wasn’t enough to erase the dark shadows cast across his handsome face.

  Every insecurity fled. Did the assassins go after him and the king? “Callannon, are you alright?”

  “I’m doing quite well now.”

  Aubriel’s heart swelled in hope. She sat at the table before he could follow through with the usual customs. It was a relief to see him well and smiling before her, but part of her was still hurt that she hadn’t heard from him in so long. “I wondered if I would meet you again soon.”

  “I’m sorry for that,” he said. “There were rebellious frost giants I had to take care of.”

  Her mouth fell open. “Frost giants?”

  “Yes, I was surprised at how many of them rallied together. Usually, it’s difficult for more than two hundred to gather, but there were six hundred in one place. Fortunately, we were able to put a stop to them.”

  “In one week?” she asked in disbelief.

  “I was able to help end the situation peacefully. No blood was shed.”

  Bree relaxed a little at this. Seeing him weary from his endeavor, but ever happy to see her, tugged at her heart. Almost unconsciously, she felt her hand grasping at the amulet around her neck. She pulled it over her head and held it out to Callannon, not giving herself a chance to second-guess what she was doing. “Ever since we met, you’ve been so kind to me. I know you don’t expect anything in return for what you’ve done, but I wanted to give you something. It’s not much, but I hope you like it.”

  Callannon looked so surprised that Aubriel nearly forgot her nerves. He had been telling the truth all along—he really hadn’t been expecting a gift from her. He extended his slightly silvery hand and took hold of hers, reaching out with his other hand to turn the amulet this way and that. Gently, he took it from her. After holding it a moment longer, he drew it over his head and let if fall against his forest green doublet. She flexed her hand slightly, his warmth lingering on her skin.

  “I would like to show you something,” he said, standing abruptly.

  Without waiting, he took her hand and guided her out of her seat. Bewildered, she followed him to the edge of the clearing. Callannon waved his free hand, opening a pathway through the shrubs. They took the path into a new garden, circular and lined with low hedges. It was a different world, where night painted the sky in dark hues of blue and violet, and the stars glowed brightly.

  Blankets and plush cushions littered the grass. “Please, sit,” he said, gesturing to a pile of cushions arranged on a blanket. Bree flushed, though she didn’t know why, and let Callannon guide her down to sit. Once she was settled, he sat down next to her, leaving little distance between them. Although they didn’t touch, there was something different about the way he held himself. Something had changed, and it had to do with the amulet. He had given her plenty of gifts without batting an eye, but receiving one was plainly different.

  “Do you see that dark plant?” He pointed to the leafy hedges with dark purple and green buds. “It needs special care, attention, and patience. The only time it blooms is under starlight. If I’m correct, it may be opening tonight.”

  “But this is a dream, isn’t it?” She looked up into his eyes that were now dark with only a thin ring of silver. “Couldn’t you make it bloom whenever you wanted?”

  “I could if I had any idea what the nightflowers looked like, but I do not. This,” he gestured toward the plant and surrounding garden, “is a secluded garden at my manor. We’re able to see it because of a scrying spell I have on the land.”

  “Scrying?”

  “It’s a kind of magic.” He motioned with his hand in explanation. “It lets us see something far away.”

  There was obviously still much left for Bree to learn, but she didn’t want to talk about that right now. “So, this is where you live.” She looked around but couldn’t see much beyond the garden. There was night sky forever and the forms of a large building in the distance.

  “Yes. I’m glad I didn’t miss the bloom while I was away.”

  “But you’re away now,” she teased. It was her first time doing that. She’d always been too scared that he might turn and snap at her like the hungry wolf almost had. Like Elston had.

  Callannon didn’t snap, or insult her, or ignore her. He kept smiling down at her. “Yes, but this way, you get to see it.”

  His gaze intensified on her, as if he saw inside her. The tension between them was thick, but part of her was still afraid. “You’re too generous.”

  Callannon shifted and placed his hand over Aubriel’s, warming her. She caught her breath and slowly looked up to his face. The light from the stars brought out the silver in his skin, hair, and eyes. He held her gaze. There was something he was trying to tell her, but she didn’t want to assume. She didn’t want to be wrong.

  They were close, much closer than she had realized. She could feel heat radiating off of his body. His scent filled her every breath, intoxicating her, making her eyelids droop slightly. He brushed a bit of hair behind her pointed ear and leaned in closer.

  A flash of lights dotted her vision. Bree clutched a hand to her chest, hoping to muffle the sound of her galloping heart. She turned and felt him do the same as they gazed at the beautiful purple and gold nightflowers blooming in the hedges. The petals opened slowly, with a dazzle of light that calmed to a soft glow as they rested, fully exposed.

  With a quick rustle, Callannon went to the flowers. Aubriel attempted a smile, but it did nothing to ease her rapidly beating heart or burning face. It was safer to remain on the blanket, unnoticed until she could collect herself. If the flowers hadn’t opened...

  Her eyebrows went up as Callannon bent and plucked one of the nightflowers by the stem. After what he described as a difficult time of caring for the plant and waiting for the flowers to open, why would he pick one? He returned and held his hand out to her, the luminescent flower nestled in his palm.

  “Will you accept this token of my favor?”

  Aubriel tilted her head to the side. She wasn’t sure what that meant, but hope stirred within her. She nodded. Callannon reclaimed his place beside her on the blanket and gently tucked the flower in her hair. It smelled faintly sweet and felt right, as if were meant to be there. He brushed her hair behind her ear once more, causing her to freeze and lock eyes with him. He stayed still for a long moment, then leaned in and kissed her.

  The warmth of his mouth and softness of his lips overtook her. She tilted her head slightly and fell deeper into his kiss. He was gentle and cautious, drawing her into him. She leaned to press against him, to finally know what his body would feel like against hers. Her eyes fluttered up to him and saw the bright light of morning against the canvas of her tent.

  Chapter 4

  Callannon tightened his arms around Aubriel, the sweet scents of her hair and the nightflower intermixing. He reveled in the warm press of her body and in the way her chest rose and fell against his. Her ornamental comb filled his vision as his cheek pressed against the top of her head. She was everywhere, invading his senses, just as he wanted her to be. Their kiss had been cut short in the garden, but he would make sure that didn’t happen this time.

  I never thought I’d be with a mortal, Callannon thought as he nuzzled Aubriel’s soft, pink hair. He’d seen the color many times on fey, but they had always put it on for show. For Aubriel, this was normal. This was her. He inhaled her scent deeply. It’s not as though I’d even imagined myself with a trustworthy fey either. Far better a genuine, kind mortal. Far better this genuine, kind mortal.

  Aubriel cleared her throat gently.

  What am I doing? He ran a hand under her chin, tilting it up to meet her gaze. The depth in those green eyes stunned him. We were in the middle of something. He reached a hand and plucked the comb from her hair, causing the dusky pink locks to spill down her shoulders. He leaned down, his eyes lowering to the soft richness of
her lips. He closed his eyes as his lips nearly touched hers, ready—so completely ready—to return to what they had been pulled away from.

  Someone cleared their throat, but it wasn’t Aubriel.

  Callannon blinked and turned his head toward the sound, finding King Oberon looking at him, concerned and bewildered. What is Oberon doing here? I didn’t summon him. As Callannon’s own face knit in confusion, he felt his eyes tugged beyond King Oberon to Queen Titania’s fiery gaze, which bored into him. With a jolt, his daydream fell away, and he found himself the subject of all manner of looks and comments from the assorted nobles in court.

  “Well, Lord Thray?” King Oberon asked. “Do you have any input on the matter?”

  Callannon glanced to the fey addressing the king and queen. No, not fey, he realized, but a human. Someone must have sent their servant to convey a message.

  “Lord Thray, do you have anything to add or not?” Queen Titania said, her eyes still fixed on him.

  “No, your highnesses.” Callannon had no idea what they were discussing, but better to feign disinterest than assume a topic and misjudge the conversation. “There is nothing I wish to say.”

  Queen Titania’s violet eyes narrowed, her gaze lingering a moment longer before shifting back to the human. “Tell your masters that it’s been arranged. You may leave.”

  The human nodded and stepped away from the raised dais, bowing and turning to leave without a word.

  Callannon stiffened in apprehension as Titania turned on him. “Lord Thray—”

  “I need to stretch my legs,” King Oberon interrupted as he stood from his throne. “I think a small recess is in order. After that, my dear queen, please watch the throne for me if Lord Thray and I return a bit late from our stroll?”

  Titania’s lips pursed thin at the interruption but softened slightly at Oberon’s suggestion.

  Nothing would make the queen happier than a throne room without the king. Callannon wisely kept the thought to himself, though the growing smile on Titania’s face was enough to reinforce his feelings on the matter. She nodded to Oberon, and the king swept down from the throne, hooking Callannon by the arm and nearly dragging him from the room.

  The pair strode down the sun-dappled hallway from the throne room, receiving curious glances the nobles and messengers gave them as they passed. Whether Oberon was oblivious to the looks or simply didn’t care about them, Callannon couldn’t tell.

  “Lord Thray, what’s bothering you?” Oberon gave him a sidelong glance. “No, you're not bothered, but something’s on your mind.”

  Callannon shook his head, the token beneath his doublet brushing against his skin. He wasn’t going to tell anyone of Aubriel if he could help it, particularly in a hallway full of nobles and servants. That would end in disaster. “Nothing, my king. I was simply thinking about something that happened at the manor recently. My apologies for allowing it to distract me during court.”

  “Liar,” Oberon accused with a smile.

  Callannon kept his gaze fixed ahead, not looking to his friend. Oberon caught sight of a vacant meeting room and pulled Callannon inside. The door snicked shut behind them and locked with a wave of Oberon’s hand. The room was empty except for the table, chairs, and magnificent stained glass windows along the far wall.

  “Must we really, Oberon?”

  “Yes, apparently. I know something’s going on. First, you’re my only—and therefore best—friend. I can tell when you’re hiding something. Second, you’ve never been good at hiding things from me. You can trick everyone else, but not me. Remember that fairy you had your eye on a while back?”

  Callannon sighed in exasperation. “Oberon, that was over 500 years ago, and no, I didn’t have my eye on her. You were trying to pair me with her.” Oberon shrugged, and Callannon could tell the king hardly cared to make the distinction.

  “She’s still available and interested, by the way,” Oberon said, giving Callannon a wink. Callannon waved it away dismissively. “Third, Titania doesn’t make a habit of getting angry over inconsequential matters, and you always make a point of giving input on those same matters. But you didn’t today. Something more than a small issue at the manor came up. I remember that you were perfectly fine the day that one of your guest houses was fractured into four different dimensions, even if it was as a prank. So yes, you’re hiding something from me.” Oberon sat with a smug expression and waited.

  I suppose he deserves at least some sort of explanation. Then again, no he doesn't, but I can’t completely hide this from him no matter if I try or not. “Yes, Oberon. Something is going on.”

  The king pulled up a chair and motioned for Callannon to sit. “Well? Out with it.”

  Callannon took his time sitting in a chair of his own. “I’ve...become exchanged with someone. Recently.”

  Oberon blinked, surprised into silence. After collecting himself for a moment, he asked, “Wait, you’re exchanged?” His smile returned, mixed with a look that Callannon could only interpret as pride. “When did you have the time to meet someone? And just how long have you been holding out on me? What’s she like? I need details, Callannon!”

  “She’s not from the Summer Kingdom.” She’s not from the fey realms at all.

  “Well, where is she from then?”

  Callannon couldn’t tell Oberon the truth. If any gossip got out that Aubriel was mortal, she’d be an immediate target for anyone wanting leverage against Callannon. He had too many would-be enemies—or at least knew too many eager opportunists.

  “She’s from the Forgotten Mists.”

  Oberon raised his eyebrows again. After seeing him surprised twice in a single conversation, Callannon thought he could could get used to that look.

  “When did you have time to go to the Mists? And what was it like there?” Oberon rested his hands on his knees.

  “I didn’t. We met while we were both doing some travelling and found that we rather enjoyed each other’s company.”

  “I would hope so if you became exchanged with her. Congratulations, my friend!” Oberon’s smile tightened a bit, and his tone deepened. “Callannon, I’m happy for you, but the fey from the Mists...well, they’re very mysterious. Are you sure you really know what you’re getting into? Do you really know her?”

  Callannon’s own smile faltered, his head dipping in thought and recollection. “I assure you, Oberon, this time it’s different. Aubriel is nothing like Venta.”

  The king leaned forward and clapped a comforting hand on Callannon’s arm, a wide smile returning to his face. “Good. As long as you’re satisfied, I’m happy for you. So, where were you travelling when you two met? When did this all happen exactly? When can I meet her?”

  Callannon laughed at Oberon’s abrupt change in tone. “You’re good at that, you know.”

  “This isn’t about me. It’s not even about you. It’s about her. Now what does she look like?”

  Callannon put a hand to about the middle of his chest. “About this tall.”

  “A bit short, don’t you think?”

  Callannon shrugged as he dropped his hand.

  “And? What else? What color is her hair?”

  “Pink.”

  Oberon’s face screwed up in confusion. “Actually pink? How?”

  A bell chimed, signaling the end to the recess.

  “Now is not the time or place for this, Oberon,” Callannon said with a shake of his head. “You have the queen running the kingdom for you at the moment. We should get back before she bans you from the throne room.”

  “Is that your way of telling me that’s all I’m going to get out of you?”

  “Yes. Now let’s return while we can.” Without waiting for a response, Callannon used his magic to unlock the door and strode out, leaving Oberon to catch up.

  Queen Titania was already listening to a noble as Oberon and Callannon entered the throne room and took their places. Oberon received a glare from her as he took his seat. The afternoon cast its golden hue over t
he room, reminding Callannon of meeting Aubriel in the dreamscape. The tiled, arched ceiling glowed from the sunlight that filtered through the towering windows. He attempted to pay attention but failed miserably. The courtiers sitting at the sides of the room couldn’t occupy him, nor the nobles that approached the king and queen one after another with their grievances. It was all so common, so normal for him.

  The bell tolled again, shocking Callannon from his bout of daydreaming. Court couldn’t be over already. Yet Oberon and Titania rose from their seats, and the nobles and courtiers filtered out of the room. Callannon followed the king and queen from the throne room to the same meeting room he and Oberon had used earlier. They typically only met after court to discuss topics of particular interest, but he wasn’t aware of any.

  As soon as the door closed behind them, Titania wheeled on Callannon. “What has gotten into you today?” Apparently he was the topic of interest. “You weren’t paying attention to any of our guests, and you didn’t venture so much as a comment, even after your little ‘recess.’ What good did that do?”

  Callannon opened his mouth to respond, but the queen turned her focus to Oberon. “And what of you? You’re the one that’s been dragging your advisor to every one of your ridiculous parties. You’ve obviously compromised his impeccable mental acuity!”

  Was that a compliment?

  Oberon shook his head. “If you spent more time at those parties, you would realize they’re just as important as court. It’s important to listen to what your subjects want and need, both in and out of the throne room. If you joined me at these events, you’d see for yourself.”

  Titania scoffed. “You’re one to talk about listening and working together, seeing as you never listen to a thing I say and rule however you like.”

  “Enough,” Callannon interjected. Both Oberon and Titania looked to him with irritation. He sighed inwardly. Why do they seem to enjoy this competition? “My apologies for today. I was not as attentive as I typically am, and it wore on you, my queen.” Titania’s gaze softened slightly, and both she and Oberon quietly nodded acceptance to the apology.