Daughter of Winter

Chapter 25

Allyn

I kept waiting for Terrin to say something at the meeting. He had seemed so angry yesterday, but today he was quiet. I was impressed with how easily he inserted himself into the current political scene, though it brought me great fear.

I tried to pay attention as best I could, but all I could do was listen. I wished to be in the same position as Thalia's husband, capable to raising points and discussing with the others, but I was not able to. All I could do was sit, listen, watch, and smile.

Beyond the ever-looming threat of Terrin's existence, the meeting was dull. Incredibly dull. I tried to pay attention, but eventually gave in to the boredom and began to watch the other fae. The ones seated in the first few rows were mainly High Lords/Ladies and their seconds (for the autumn court, we awkwardly squeezed the three lesser lords into position). In order of importance, the rest of the fae in each group fanned out behind them.

It was the farthest back row of fae that I found the most entertaining. Particularly, two women from the Dawn Court kept making dramatic expressions at one another in response to whatever the "more important" fae were talking about. I would have laughed once or twice, if I was not feeling so depressed.

There were a few other highlights, like the Night Court member who had clearly fallen asleep, or a mated couple in the Summer Court who appeared to be playing various paper and pen games, but kept coming to a tie. I guess that's what happens when you're connected with your opponent on a deeper level.

I was starting to struggle to keep my eyes open when Thalia, who was seated beside her husband in the center of the room, drew the current conversation to a close and announced that it was time for an intermission. No words had ever made me happier.

As soon as we stood, Lysander took off across the room. He met Aibel at the entrance of a hallway, and they disappeared down it. I had a few guesses as to what they were going off to do.

I fell in line next to Kendryek and followed him to the dining room with the rest of the fae (not counting those who also retreated to their rooms). Along the way, someone stepped on the back of my shoe. In my heels, I nearly fell over, but Kendryek caught my arm and helped keep me stable.

"Thanks," I said under my breath, looking around at who could have tripped me. There were too many fae near us for me to be sure.

"Are you alright?" he asked me, letting go of my arm.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I didn't have the energy to be angry. I followed him to a round table like the one we had sat at the night before. Before sitting down, he pulled me into a hug.

In this brief moment, I felt more of a connection between us than I had felt all of last night. He made a few moves, all of which I shut down or ignored. I felt guilty for constantly rejecting him, but I could not help it. I just could not do it.

"You seem upset," he whispered in my ear. "Is there anything I can do to make it better?" If he could get rid of my Persuasion, or convince Lysander that I truly was sorry, or solve my stupid problems with being in bed with someone, I would be a lot happier.

"You could convince the other fae that I'm worthy of respect," I said. Kendryek looked down.

"There's nothing I would not give to be able to do that," he replied. I sat down and looked across the room at one of the Winter Court Fae, an older fae who was straightening her ear pieces.

"You could get me a pair of those," I said, gesturing in the general direction. "I'll hardly be anonymous tonight without them," I explained. "I think it might be better if I had some."