I still wasn’t revealing my identity.
Owein stared me down, but my expression remained impassive. “Not even a little hint?”
I gave the slightest headshake.
Owein grinned. “Fine. As I was saying, if you’re not from this place, I’d think you’d enjoy the chance to rub elbows with humans.”
“Why would you even think I’m not from this place?”
“Your dragon referred to me as mortal.”
I laughed. “You’re as observant as you are persistent. Who says mortals are the only ones who dwell on this plane?”
Owein’s eyebrows lifted. “That spoke boatloads. So other planes do exist.”
Rats. He was quite astute.
Owein will know the ins and outs of Gorlassar by morning. Seren sighed.
I’ll redeem myself, Seren. “Let’s just say I’m visiting.”
His head cocked as he studied me. “So, will you have me as your escort? To show you the flavors of this world? I’ll reveal the secrets of us mere mortals, even if you aren’t willing to reveal yours. That’s how trust is built. One shares secrets, does he not?”
He’s bold, I said. I have too many secrets, and none I can share—yet.
Are you really going to trust him? Seren asked.
His intentions are pure. You can sense that. I think I shall. This is just the adventure to take my mind off Aneirin.
Seren’s hesitation filtered through me.
Please, Seren. I’ll be fine. I want to explore this world.
I’ll support you, but I’m keeping my eye on you both.
I’m your guardian, silly, I said.
We all need someone to watch out for us.
Her concession was all I required. Thank you, Seren! Thank you for understanding.
I stood. “I accept your offer, Owein. Show me this world.”
FIVE
“Does she look like a Gwyll to you?” Owein asked the company.
A freckled, redheaded man leered at me. “Oy, she’s a ghost. Near as pale as my poor weary bones.”
“Where be her creature?” a portly, purple-faced woman asked while securing a bucket outside her wagon.
Introductions were going splendidly. I tried to appear sweet and inviting as I gazed at my judges, even though I resented being compared to bones. Their skin ranged in all hues and textures—mostly rough and dried out, as if the sun baked them like shriveling fruit on the vine. The sun had no effect on emrys skin. Our ability to harness the power of light and heal ourselves negated any influence the daystar held. Certainly these humans really did come in all shapes and sizes and colors. Every emrys I knew had porcelain skin, slender physiques, and various shades of gold- or silver-blond hair. We all had green eyes to one degree or another.
The pride of my people and their beauty was a far cry from what I beheld. I caught a whiff of pungent body odor and wriggled my nose. Owein told me the group had been on the road for three weeks. My guess was they hadn’t bathed during the entire journey. A taller man on my right had a trim build, but when I gave him a smile, the one I received in return had more than one brown, rotting tooth.
My face flushed.
I glanced at Owein, pleading with my eyes. What had I gotten myself into? The lot seemed harmless, but I wasn’t sure of the customs their world would reveal. I missed Gorlassar already.
Regretting anything? Seren asked with a hint of amusement.
She waited back where we camped. We intended to meet up once my companions were asleep. Owein agreed to the idea, saying that flying at night was safer for Seren.
Not yet, I said. We’ll call this research. I want to find a home with people I can tolerate. Or at least ones who have a full set of teeth.
You’re intent on staying.
I’m not committing to anything.
What would your father say? Seren asked.
It’s too late for that. My father would have already disowned me. I no longer existed to him. Caledu was an enforcer of Gorlassar’s laws. Having a defiant daughter embarrassed him. He slammed me with that emotion repeatedly.
And I concealed my shame. I didn’t want him to know how his attitude tortured me. Well, I wondered how humiliated he was. What excuse would he give for my exit? Would he brush it off and lift his head high?
Owein snickered and took my arm. “Come. I want you to meet Arnall. You’ll find him an agreeable character.”
Owein led me to a horse-drawn cart, where a man was tugging on canvas, to secure it over their belongings. He turned around and saw Owein first. “There you are, man. I was going to leave camp without you. I thought that Gwyll snared you in her conniving web. Wasn’t about to send a search party. Can’t afford to waste precious life on your curious hide.”
“Not so, my good friend. You’ll never be rid of me.” Owein gripped Arnall’s forearm in greeting. “I’d like you to meet—”
“Holy stars in the heavens!” Arnall took in my attire, starting from my expertly crafted shoes, on to the supremely stitched and embroidered tunic, until he stopped at my face. He got lost in my eyes. “Far from a Gwyll if I’ve ever seen one. By the Creator, who are you?”
A mole sat at the corner of his right eye, and I was relieved when he smiled and his teeth were intact. My regal garb outshone the simple attire of both Arnall and Owein, even though they were well-groomed. I sensed this assessment in Arnall. He brushed his dusty hand on his pants and straightened his shirt before holding his hand out to mine.
I wasn’t sure what the tradition for greeting was, so I extended my hand toward his and allowed him to take the lead. “I’m Niawen.”
“Arnall,
