The Pillars Of The World

asked.
    ‘’You wouldn’t understand,“ Ari said, her eyes fixed on the mug in her hands.
    Dianna thought she understood at least part of the problem. But how to say enough to get the girl to talk without saying too much? “I may be able to help. I’ve had . . . dealings . . . with the Fae.”
    Oh, that brought some interest.
    “Why do you think this concerns the Fae?” Ari asked cautiously.
    Why indeed ? “Because you look at some clouds that are shaped like sheep and a dragon and you act like some gentry lady who grows faint when confronted with the least little thing.” She had no firsthand knowledge of whether or not gentry ladies did this, but there were plenty of songs and stories whose complications began with a human female growing faint over anything and everything, “So it stands to reason that you’re upset because you believe someone did this for your benefit, and the only ones who could do this are the Fae.”
    Ari studied Dianna for a long moment. Then, haltingly, with her face turning pale and flushing in turn, she explained about the Summer Moon and having to offer the fancy to the first male she met.

    There were many things Dianna was sure were left unsaid, but what was most striking was that, while Ari finally admitted that the male she’d given the fancy to was a Fae Lord, she didn’t boast that it had been the Lightbringer who had come to her bed last night.
    “Gifting is a custom among the Fae,” Dianna said.
    “I made a promise,” Ari replied quietly. “I wasn’t expecting anything in return.”
    Not even pleasure for yourself, I’ll wager . Which probably explained why Lucian hadn’t done the easy thing and given Ari a small trinket as a gift. He would have had one or two in his coat pocket. All Fae men did.
    “You made a promise, which is important to you.” Dianna waited until Ari nodded agreement. “And he fulfilled the custom of gifting, which is important to him.”
    “But—”
    Dianna waved a hand impatiently. “He asked you what you wanted, did he not? So what’s wrong with him keeping his promise?”
    “Nothing, when you say it like that, but—”
    “So he gave you a softer day so that you could enjoy working in your garden... What’s wrong with that?
    It was something that was in his power to give. And the other gift. Consider the children who had looked up at the sky during those few moments and were delighted.“ Since Ari still seemed inclined to argue, Dianna cut her off. “You made a promise, and you would have kept it no matter what the man was like.
    Maybe . . .” Knowing her brother as she did, there was no “maybe” to it. “Maybe he wanted to soften the obligation a bit so that he wouldn’t be unwelcome if he came back.”
    Ari caught her lower lip between her teeth. “Do you mean he’ll do this every time ... if he chooses to come back?”
    Sensing there was trouble, but not sure what it was, Dianna answered cautiously. “He’s a Fae Lord. He’
    ll follow his own customs, Ari . . . just as you will follow yours. It will please him if you accept what you may be given.”
    Dianna rose. “I’m glad we met.”
    Ari escorted her to the kitchen door. “Thank you for listening—and for your advice.”
    Dianna just smiled.
    “Blessings of the day to you, Mistress,” Ari said.
    An odd farewell, Dianna thought as she headed back to Ahern’s farm. An odd young woman. Perhaps that was why Ari appealed to Lucian. She wouldn’t say the same things any Fae woman would say to him, or do the same things. There certainly was no harm in her, and hadn’t that been the question that had needed answering?
    There was power around that cottage, and it was strong. But it came from the Old Place, from the Great Mother. She had sensed no magic in the girl— had sensed nothing that might harm or alarm.
    Still, if Lucian decided to continue visiting the cottage and the girl for the full time allowed him by the fancy, it wouldn’t hurt to make a return visit herself.

    Sunset. Ari opened the top half of the kitchen door and looked at the meadow that gently rolled to the trees that marked the beginning of Brightwood’s forest.
    She brushed her hand over her best tunic and skirt, smoothing out nonexistent wrinkles.
    Would he come? Did she want him to?
    The thought of him and what he’d done with her in bed last night made her feel fluttery inside and produced a soft ache between her legs. She wanted to feel that way again, wanted to feel him again.