Acotar retelling

Mother Hold You, Cauldron Save You

After soaking in the bath for nearly an hour, I found myself sitting in a low-backed chair before my room's roaring fireplace, savoring the feel of Alis brushing out my damp hair. Though dinner was to be served soon, Alis had a cup of molten chocolate brought up and refused to do anything until I'd had a few sips.

It was the best thing I'd ever tasted. I drank from the thick mug as she brushed my hair, nearly purring at the feel of her thin fingers along my scalp.

But when the other maids had gone downstairs to help with the evening meal, I lowered my mug into my lap. "If more faeries keep crossing the court borders and attacking, is there going to be a war?"

The brush stilled. "Don't ask such questions. You'll call down bad luck."

I twisted in my seat, glaring up into her masked face. "Why aren't the other High Lords keeping their subjects in line? Why are these awful creatures allowed to roam wherever they want? Someone —someone began telling me a story about a king in Hybern—"

Alis grabbed my shoulder and pivoted me around. "It's none of your concern."

"Oh, I think it is." I turned around again, gripping the back of the wooden chair. "If this spills into the human world—if there's war, or this blight poisons our lands ..." I pushed back against the crushing panic. I have dealt with this before and once again I will arrive on the other side.

"The less you know, the better. Let Lord Tamlin deal with it—he's the only one who can."

"Do you have a family?"

"Yes, I do."

"My sister and her mate were murdered fifty years ago, leaving two younglings behind. Everything I do, everything I work for, is for those boys."

"Where are they? Do they live here?"

"No, they don't live here," she said, sharply. "They are somewhere else—far away."

"Some fae age like you and can breed as often as rabbits, but there are kinds—like me, like the High Fae—who are rarely able to produce younglings. The ones who are born age quite a bit slower. We all had a shock when my sister conceived the second one only five years later—and the eldest won't even reach adulthood until he's seventy-five. But they're so rare—all our young are—and more precious to us than jewels or gold." She clenched her jaw tightly enough that I knew that was all I would get out of her tonight. I relished my bond with Alis and I would make sure she was protected.

~~~~~

By the time I entered the dining room I'd stopped shaking, and some semblance of warmth had returned to my veins. I wouldn't cower—not after what I'd been through today.

Lucien and Tamlin were already waiting for me at the table. "Good evening," I said, moving to my usual seat. Lucien cocked his head in a silent inquiry, and I gave him a subtle nod as I sat.

Lucien slouched a bit in his chair. "I heard you two had a rather exciting afternoon. I wish I could have been there to help."

A hidden, perhaps half hearted apology, but I gave him another little nod.

He said with forced lightness, "Well, you still look lovely, regardless of your Hell-sent afternoon."

I swallowed hard. "If I never encounter a naga again, I'll consider myself fortunate."

I ate in silence, and I didn't realize when Lucien excused himself before dessert. I was left alone with Tamlin.

The walls of the room pressed in on me.

"What were you doing out in the western woods?"

Truth or lie, lie or truth ... both. "I heard a legend once about a creature who answers your questions, if you can catch it."