The Quicksilver Faire by Gillian Summers Read Free Book Online

strode forward, pushing aside Keelie.
    "She's like a kid in first grade who always wants to be first," Keelie said to Sean under her breath.
    Miszrial overheard and gave her a frosty smile. "Lady Elia is a true elf, and despite her unfortunate choice of mates, she outranks you. May we speak frankly?" She looked Keelie up and down. "Many of us think it unwise that the elders have decided to summon help from outside, and disastrous that Lord Zekeliel chose you as his ambassador. We know why, of course." She sniffed. "It can't be helped that you are such a sad mongrel, and Lord Terciel thinks you may redeem your family's name if you succeed."
    "Redeem my family's name? There's nothing wrong-"
    Sean grabbed Keelie's hand, encasing it in his, and she realized she'd drawn back her fist. She took a deep breath and forced herself to relax. She'd never been a brawler. The girls of the Baywood Academy could be snarky, but they never had fistfights.
    Lord Terciel's eyebrows rose. "Miszrial, please show Lady Elia to her seat."
    Miszrial's angry expression faded, and she bowed to the Council leader before slipping past him into the building. Lord Terciel turned to Keelie and Sean. "You must forgive Miszrial. She blames humans for the situation we are in." His lips thinned out. If it was supposed to be a smile, it failed.
    Keelie went in, followed by Terciel. Sean closed the door behind them.
    Inside, a small circular vestibule with white plastered walls held doors leading to rooms. The spaces between the doors were hung with tapestries. Elia and Miszrial were admiring them, no doubt aiming their pointed ears toward the conversation.
    "So just what is the situation, Lord Terciel?" Keelie asked, then looked quickly toward Elia. The elf girl closed her eyes, eyebrows together in a frown. Okay, so it was probably rude to ask.
    Terciel eyed her sourly. "I shall fill you in as we dine. Shall we take our seats?" He gestured toward another room, which held a long granite table with uncomfortable-looking stone benches around it. Five of them had place settings in front of them, although there were eighteen more benches around the table.
    Elia stared at the five seats as if they were giant signs pointing out how unloved she was. Keelie watched her swal low hard and turn her face. Sean caught Keelie's eyes and lifted his brows; yeah, he'd seen it too. Elia had hoped that a feast awaited them, a feast where she would be honored.
    A small, black-haired elf appeared at the door opposite them, a large wooden bowl in his arms.
    "Ah, Saliel is here with our dinner." Terciel waved them to their seats.
    "Where's Lord Norzan?" Keelie asked. "I heard he was doing better."
    "He's still at the Hall of Healing," Terciel said.
    "He is here." A tall figure stepped through the door. He lowered the hood of his robe, revealing a handsome, unlined face and long, gleaming silver hair.
    "Norzan!" Keelie jumped up, lifting her wide blue skirts as she ran around the side of the table to hug him. He hugged her back, holding her close for a moment.
    "Keliel Heartwood. We could ask for none braver to help us in our time of need. And Lord Sean, how fare you?" Norzan bowed and Sean, who had stood up again, bowed gravely from his waist, then smiled broadly.
    "And Lady Elia." Norzan walked to her side and took her hand in his, looking deep into her eyes with his unusual blue ones. "The very trees rejoice at your news, and greet the new life you bring within you."
    Elia's face shone and tears glistened in her eyes. "I thank you, Tree Shepherd of the Northwoods. You do me honor."
    Terciel looked as if he'd swallowed a lemon whole.
    "I must take my leave to rest again," Norzan said. "I hope to speak with you again before you travel to the High Court."
    Keelie hoped her disappointment didn't show. "You look much better."
    "Good night, Lord Norzan," Sean said, echoed by Elia.
    The tree shepherd left, and Keelie noticed how slowly he moved.
    They sat, Terciel at the head of the table