Chapter 2: Whisked Away
I only saw Lysandra once a day for the following week, usually at dinner. I learned real quick that she was an expert at changing the subject and deflecting when she didn’t want to answer a question.
Aside from the once a day meetings, they mostly left me to my own devices. I had pretty much free rein of the estate, and while there wasn’t much in the way of modern entertainment, I found plenty to keep myself occupied.
The first day, I only met two of the Fae, besides Lysandra, but in the week since I’d dined with a dozen others. Most were as curious about me as I was about them. Finding someone to talk with, or play cards with, was relatively easy, though few could give me any insight into why Lysandra saved me, and none knew what she wanted with me. Not that they would admit knowing, anyway.
I glanced up as the door creaked open.
"One Sèadna Ardtúr to see you, Miss Aria," Lyssa announced formally before withdrawing.
A figure strode through the entrance, a Sidhe unlike any I'd encountered. Standing at a height similar to mine, she possessed a slender frame, piercing sapphire eyes, and an enchanting smile. Her chestnut hair cascaded down past her hips in waves.
As she gracefully moved into the room, I found myself entranced by her presence. Her floor-length shoulderless gown seemed woven from live vines and moss, adding to her mystical allure.
"I hope I am not disturbing you?" Her voice held a comforting warmth as she inquired, her head tilting slightly, causing the charms on her delicate horns to jingle.
Those horns, adorned with charms, caught my attention; I wondered if they were merely ornamental or an integral part of her. Delicately curled back, they formed a crown adorned with woven flowers around her head.
"Not at all, Lady... Shadena, was it?" I stumbled over her name.
"Sèadna, but you can call me Sidney, if it would be easier." She said with a smile.
She lightly tapped her fingers on the cover of a hefty tome while she approached, and it was then that I noticed the ornate bronze covers on her right hand's fingers. Delicate chains ran from them, linking to a matching bracelet.
Some unexplainable impulse prompted me to rise, welcoming this intriguing Sidhe.
"I'm honored, Lady Sidney," I spoke, sensing the importance of formality in her presence. "Please, take a seat."
Extending her hand adorned with bronze finger covers, she offered it to me. Leaning forward, I gently clasped her hand, pressing a kiss to its back—an action that felt oddly fitting, though I couldn't quite place why.
I waited until she settled herself in the other armchair in front of the fire before taking my seat.
“So you are the young wildling everyone is talking about.” She said, her warm smile softening the impact of the words.
“I’m sorry, but wildling?” I asked, bewildered.
“Yes, probably not the most accurate term, but until we know more about you, it will do. It is not an insult, Aria. It simply means that you have Fae blood, but the Fae did not raise you.
“Are there many like me? Wildlings?” I asked.
“Wildlings, yes. Like you? No. Most offspring of Fae and humans are more, forgive the term, mundane. Most of them might have a Fae gift or two, like luck or intuition, but it is relatively minor in the grand scheme of things. Most wildlings would have never been noticed by Lysandra, or by the Fomorian that attacked you.” She explained.
“What does that mean for me?” I asked.
“Most likely, one of your recent ancestors was one of the Sidhe. The Sidhe lords enjoy spreading their seed far and wide. If you were the offspring of a Sidhe Lady, we would likely know about you already. Lysandra checked the records the day after she rescued you.” She said.
“Why do you just call her Lysandra? Why don’t you use a title or honorific?” I asked.
“Lysandra and I have known each other for over a thousand years, and as powerful as she is, I am not one of her vassals. It would take longer than I have today to explain the intricacies of Fae's social structures. Now, please tell me about yourself and your family tree, as much as you can.” She said.
She opened the large tome she was holding and flipped to a blank page near the back. A fountain pen and bottle of ink materialized in her hand, and she began taking notes as I told her as much as I could remember about my family.
She would stop me to ask a question from time to time, but mostly she wrote what I told her. By the time I ran out of things to talk to her, she had filled two pages and part of a third with notes.
“Thank you.” She said once she closed her tome.
“Do you think you’ll be able to figure out who my fae ancestor was?” I asked.
“Possibly. I will continue my research, but it will take some time. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have other matters I must see to while I am here.” She said as she stood.
I stood with her and walked her to the door, opening it for her.
“Hopefully, we will speak again. I would love to learn more about the world of the fae.” I said.
“I am certain we will, Aria. Be careful, especially if you leave Lysandra’s estates. That charm on your neck will give you some protection, but it also marks you as one of hers. There are few that would outright attack you, but there are some that would try to arrange an accident.” She said before turning and gliding out of the room.
Just as I was about to shut the door, Lyssa came around the corner.
“Miss Aria, Lady Lysandra, sent me to get you ready.” She said as she stopped in the doorway.
“Get ready for what?” I asked, bewildered. It was a couple of hours before our customary dinner.
“She wants you to attend her at an event. Let’s get you ready for it. She is leaving within the hour.” Lyssa said as she herded me into the dressing room.
“An event? What kind of event?” I asked as Lyssa turned into a tornado of clothes and accessories, holding them up to me before tossing them aside.
“Court.” Lyssa said from inside a rack of clothes.
“You’re not making much sense. What do you mean by attending her and court? You mean like a trial? Is she going to imprison someone?” I asked, even more confused now.
“My apologies, miss. How to put it so you would understand.” She stopped and pursed her lips for a moment of contemplation. “Think of it as being her escort, or date, to a dance.”
“A d-date?” I said, feeling myself blushing.
“Yes, I think that would be an accurate description of your duties. You will be her date, you will dine with her, and dance with her. You will also need to keep your eyes and ears open. If you are away from her, you will listen to what others say so you can let her know afterwards.” She explained as she undressed me.
She had me down to just my underwear before I realized what she was doing. I doubted I would get used to how relaxed the fae were about nudity. My first exposure to it was when a younger Sidhe woman, maybe 200 years old, joined me in my bath to continue a conversation we had over breakfast. She just walked in, undressed, and joined me in the tub like we had grown up together.
I learned quickly that Lyssa was an expert in fashion, and let her work her magic at dressing me. I had been to school dances, of course, and have been out to the clubs with friends, but I had the feeling this was going to be unlike any event I had ever been to.
Nearly an hour later, I looked myself over in the standing mirror and whistled. She had me in a low cut dress that hugged my body like a glove. It was the icy blue I associated with Lysandra; it was slit most of the way up my left thigh and hung down to just below my knees. She had me in black stockings, and black shoes with a two-inch heel. Simple, but elegant.
The jewelry was a different story. A silver bracelet with snowflake patterns and sapphires set into it, with a matching necklace and earrings. The jewelry was likely worth more than my college tuition. All four years’ worth.
“Perfect.” Lyssa said as she admired her handiwork.
If I didn’t believe she was one of the Fae before now, this would have convinced me of it. I could have spent two hours in here trying to get ready and not come out looking half as good.
“Try not to worry too much. Most of the people in attendance tonight will be Lady Lysandra’s allies. Try to enjoy yourself and make sure Lady Lysandra does as well.” Lyssa said as she guided me out of the room.
She lead me down a staircase I don’t remember going down before. It lead to a garage, which had the blue town car I remember from that night, and a few others in stalls that may have at one time housed horses.
It was the white limousine with silver trim that had my attention, though. It looked to be at least thirty years older than I was, and in immaculate shape. Lyssa lead me around the front of it, and I saw the Rolls Royce emblem as I passed it.
“Have a wonderful night.” She said as she opened the door for me.
“Thank you Lyssa.” I said, before climbing into the limo.