It was dawn by that point and I found myself sharing breakfast with them once more, though not fully enjoying it as I had the previous morning because of the ill feeling in the pit of my stomach.
We were back on the horses in short order and I felt we must have been close to the castle now. Dark gray rocks spotted the mountain and the haze was beginning to thicken. And while I felt we were close, I really had no idea, so it was strange to me when we rode through a familiar pass. I slowed as I surveyed the land, trying to shake that eerie feeling that I'd been there before, but it didn't shake. In fact, it only worsened. I found that I knew what was coming, how the path would curve just so past the tall jagged rock that slanted toward us, how the shadows fell in the crevices where the rocks met, all of it. But I had no memory here, I was not even sure where here was.
I'd started to turn, almost automatically, off our path when Chevelle called to me, requesting that I please pay attention. I stared back at him blank-faced, not wanting to argue that I had been paying attention, and he explained that we were nearing the castle and I would need to ride amid the group. That bit of information was enough to derail me from wherever the impulse had been taking me, but upon seeing Ruby cut off from the group, even the idea of the unknown route had been forgotten.
Per Chevelle's instruction, Anvil and Grey had fallen behind me, leaving Steed and Chevelle to the front. Anvil was closest to me, near my side, so I turned to him. "Where's Ruby going?"
"The castle, same as we."
Confusion was plain on my face, I didn't have to ask why she'd left us.
"She is taking an alternate pass, as it is midday."
My expression didn't clear with understanding but apparently he didn't feel the need to clarify further. "Anvil, why is Ruby taking a different way because it's the middle of the day?"
This time, he uncharacteristically used a low tone as his lips twisted into a mocking smile. "Truth be told, Elfreda, your previous self was not so keen on fairies."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"It is unfair to place my rendering of the events upon you, but suffice it to say, you dealt with them quite sportingly." His laugh was almost wicked.
And then the memory that came to mind was not my own, but that of my mother's, her telling in the diary of her father, Asher, killing the fairies for fun. I felt the blood drain from my face. Surely, though, I'd not his inclination. Surely.
He could see my concern and offered comfort. "Do not fret, you have treated Ruby well. It was merely the nefarious that you disciplined."
"How?" I asked.
He smiled again. "Rather publically."
I didn't know whether that was reassuring or not, but I didn't think public discipline implied execution. "Does Ruby know?"
He laughed. "Everyone knows."
Ugh. She couldn't be seen with me, with the old Elfreda.
And then Grey threw in from behind us. "You know, Freya, Ruby is not the only of us affected by your... aversion."
I spun in my saddle to see him, positive I'd not want to hear what he was telling me but unable to resist. He smirked at Anvil as he began to reply but Chevelle cut him off. "Silence until we are inside the walls."
And it was silent, until late afternoon when we arrived at the castle. Dree escorted me to my room, where I fell fast asleep.
Chapter Eight
Disclosure
When I woke, I was famished. I strode from my room and down the corridors, directly into the dining area. I had no idea how I'd found it.
I was surprised to see Anvil, Grey, Rhys and Rider there. "Don't you ever sleep?" I asked. That was amusing for some reason.
They beckoned to me to join them, which I did as soon as I spotted the display of food. They had already eaten and were enjoying drink, the roar of their laughter increasing with each swig.
The food smelled delicious and, as I selected a piece of meat from one of the trays, I asked, "What are we having?"
"Mountain lion."
I froze mid-bite until Grey chuckled and offered me a glass of wine. I joined them because I was thirsty, but it wasn't long before I found myself matching their pace.
Anvil and Grey began an intense conversation to one end of the table and so I took the opportunity to speak with Rhys and Rider. I didn't have much to talk about but the wine had loosened me up. "Where are the wolves?"
They smiled in unison and for a brief moment I was afraid that was how they would reply. But they did not. Only Rhys answered. "They are enjoying the mountains tonight, searching."
I wanted to question them more about the wolves, I had ever since I'd been unable to slip into their minds, but I was certain I could not walk that line in my condition, not without giving away too much of my own. I settled for a general inquiry. "Tell me about them?"
Rider spoke up now. "Ahh, they are incredible beasts. But beasts, we do not know. It is said the wolves instead are ancients, some of the very first."