A Court of Stars and Memories

9. Uneasy Settling

She was greeted by the stale scent of juniper, seafoam, and something else. Mitsi drew another breath of the earthy scent and soon recognized it. It reminded her of clay, like the kind Lev Baird's wife used in her pottery. Mitsi had spent many hours in Lev Baird's classroom, working away to the sound of a pottery wheel spinning below her and the scent of damp clay wafting through the air.

Mitsi crossed the threshold and gazed about the room. It was larger than she'd expected. The room held a circular shape with high, vaulted ceilings. Faelights were strung across the polished beams while a simple light fixture dangled from their center point.

The walls were a pale gray. She could already tell that it was pale enough that it wouldn't dim the room when sunlight reached the windows during the day. Currently, only starlight shone through the panes of glass. Mitsi glanced at the balcony doors, but waited to explore there. She continued surveying the bedchamber.

The floors were wooden with two thick rugs lying on either side of the massive four-poster bed. More faelights wrapped around the bedposts and a trunk sat at the foot of it. A beautiful hunter green comforter was draped across the bed.

Upon the walls hung an empty rack and a few shelves that held books. Judging by the nicks in the rungs of the rack, Mitsi guessed it used to hold weapons of some kind. Besides those items, several beautiful paintings were also displayed.

One showed a mountain pass surrounded by dark swirling clouds. Another resembled Peregryn wings. Mitsi tilted her head, eyeing the painting. It had clearly been made by the hand of an expert. Each feather was made up of dozens of tiny brushstrokes in varying colors of white and gray, and there were even a few strands of gold.

"Lysander painted those," Seren said behind her. "This used to be his room."

"He's very talented," Mitsi replied.

"He doesn't think so." Seren came closer and crossed her arms, observing the Peregryn wings. "That one took him almost two years to complete."

Mitsi glanced at her, eyes widening. "Two years?"

Seren nodded. "He's very detail oriented and a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to his art. Every detail has to be perfect before he calls a painting complete. And he worked on this one in spurts. He was...having a rough time when he did it."

"I see." Mitsi looked away with a timid smile. "I don't know how to paint, though I've always admired artists. I'm better at weaving flower crowns, knitting clothes, or sewing quilts."

She sensed Seren's gaze, but didn't meet it. "Those are forms of art just as much as painting is. Now, do you like this room or would you prefer to see the others?"

Mitsi glanced over her shoulder and into the hallway, but Mina and Micah hadn't emerged from the rooms they'd entered. She guessed that meant they were pleased with their selections. "I'll be fine staying here," she replied.

Seren smiled and retreated in the hallway. A few minutes later, Mitsi heard her hollering for Lysander. Her cheeks warmed as her trunk appeared in the room with a flash of green light. Mitsi set to work unpacking, needing to keep herself busy somehow.

She opened the doors of an ornately carved wardrobe and paused. A few sets of Illyrian leathers still hung there and two pairs of boots sat in the bottom of the wardrobe. "I'll move those," Lysander said behind her. Mitsi nearly jumped, but managed to catch herself. She stepped aside and he gathered up the clothes.

"I meant to take them home a while ago but forgot," he added sheepishly.

Mitsi just smiled. She returned to her trunk and opened the lid, then went still. A rush of homesickness hit her and Mitsi blinked rapidly, refusing to let the burning in her eyes become actual tears. She knelt, exhaling slowly, and drew the ragged toy from her trunk.