A ripple passed through the realm of the Fae, a whispering acknowledged by every leaf and spore and strand of hair. It felt to Elizabeth as if a million butterflies had fluttered their wings in the same instant, then stilled immediately afterward. There was no visible sign that anything had occurred, but she felt unsettled and anxious afterward.
It was clear that the Fae felt similarly, although they knew the reason for what they had felt. Elizabeth glanced up from her place at Finvarra’s feet, realizing that the Fae stood at attention or bowed toward one end of the court. They were fairly humming in their anticipation, some excited and some tremulous, and she guessed that the sensation had indicated the arrival of some personage of importance.
When Finvarra cleared his throat, Elizabeth
