“It’s awfully quiet in here,” I said aloud. “I never thought I’d say that I missed TV, but at least it would be some company.” Mr. Rumblebutt purped at me, his wide eyes staring at me. “I don’t mean that you aren’t good company. I’m not used to so much quiet.”
Back in Cernunnos’s palace there had been a constant bustle as people moved through the hallways. I suspected that within a few weeks it would be the same here once everyone had settled in. But the castle felt huge compared to the number of people who were currently in it.
“Good morning,” Elta said. She bustled in with her arms full of books and a clipboard. “I hope you don’t mind me intruding into your breakfast, but we have a lot to do today. You have a fitting this afternoon for your wedding dress, and this morning we need to get you situated in your Morning Room, and we’ll go over the schedule you want to keep. You’ll need to interview secretaries, of course.”
“Why can’t you be my secretary?” I blurted out. “I already know you and we get along.”
It was true, I liked Elta a lot. She was never condescending when I didn’t understand something, and she did a good job of explaining why I needed to know certain things for my new position. A couple of the tutors looked at me with suspicion, as though I wasn’t deserving of becoming a goddess. They always deferred to me, but there was something behind their assumed respect that told me they weren’t happy with the situation.
Elta stared at me for a moment. “Are you serious? Do you truly want me to be your secretary? That would be quite a step up for me.”
“Can you do both? Would it be too much of an imposition?”
She laughed. “It’s not for me to tell you that you’re imposing. Your will is my command.”
I stared at her, frozen in my seat. She meant it. She would do anything I asked her to, without complaint. Even if it ate into her time or energy.
“Are you all right?” Elta asked. She seldom called me by my title, because I had asked her not to. It made me uncomfortable to hear “Your Majesty” or “your ladyship” in every single sentence.
“I think I just realized that I don’t have to ask for things, do I?”
It wasn’t the same as being a kid alone in a candy shop. In fact, the realization overwhelmed me. What if I hurt someone without meaning to? My powers were growing and I felt the need to keep them in check. But the realization that anything I said would be obeyed almost made me queasy.
Elta set the books on the table and pulled up a chair beside me.
“Lady Ember, you have to get used to this. And you will. I’ve been around a long time, and I understand what you’re going through. At least from the outside. Remember, I helped Lady Morgana through the same situation. She was terrified she would make a mistake. To be honest, you’re doing quite well compared to how she weathered the transition. Now, you wouldn’t know that she was nervous at all. Those nerves have worn off after so many centuries. But it took her a while to adapt, and she didn’t have a great many friends by her side.”
I worried my lip, turning over her words in my head. “I know that her father didn’t favor her choice. The Merlin wanted her to join the Force Majeure.”
“Her mother was happy about the situation—it meant that she would never go poor or hungry. But Lady Morgana’s friends turned away. Some were jealous, some were afraid. None of them wanted to stick around.”
“I didn’t know that,” I said, suddenly grateful for my friends who had joined us here in Annwn. When I thought about what it would be like to make this transition by myself, with only Herne by my side, I began to relax.
“It was hard on her. She had to start from the ground up. But his lordship Cernunnos was always by her side. And eventually his people began to accept her. He assigned me to guide her through the changes, and we became good friends. She still invites me over for tea to her castle by the sea.” Elta’s eyes were kind, and the warmth shone through them.
“I’m grateful that she assigned you to help me. And yes, I would very much love for you to be my secretary. I trust you, and you’ve been nothing but kind and patient.”
I decided to stop feeling sorry for myself. If Morgana could get through this, with no friends by her side except for a very patient Elven tutor, then I should be able to make the transition with all of the friends I had.
“I can probably still help tutor you as well as being your secretary. Come, now. We have a busy day ahead of us.” She stood, gathering the books and clipboard. “If you’ll follow me, we’ll get you settled in your office. While it’s called the Morning Room, I think you might feel more comfortable using your own terminology.”
“Office” was a term I was familiar with and could deal with.
“All right, let’s get a move on. So, what’s on the schedule today?” I asked as we headed out the door and she led me down the massive hallway.
Chapter Six
My Morning Room—or office—was down the hall, and up a stairway to the second floor of the castle.
“How many floors does this joint have?” I asked.
“Seven,” Elta said, looking at me. “It’s actually rather small compared to most of the gods’ palaces. There are seventy-five rooms in Briar Shore. That doesn’t include the outbuildings—the stables and larders and storage sheds. And the workmen still have to build the stone barrier around the castle and its outbuildings. After that, the village can start to grow.” She gave me a sideways glance. “You do realize that a village will be built down in the forest?”
I nodded. “Herne told me. I will say, I’m grateful for the sea. Considering I’m connected to the water element, it gives me the opportunity to recharge my magic.” I suddenly stopped, thinking of Marilee back home. She had taught me my magic, or rather—taught me how to control it. I hope she was okay. She had declined the invitation to join us over in Annwn, and I prayed that she was still alive. Who knew what the dragons were up to at this point?
The double doors leading to my office were large and imposing, with beautiful forest scenery painted across them. I stared at the paintings. There were some talented artists in Annwn. Elta stood back while I examined the mural. It was exquisite, and I was determined to find out who had painted it and commission some artwork from them.
“Can you find out the name of the artist for me? I’d like to see them after we get settled in.”
Elta gave me a satisfied nod. “I thought you’d like this. I happen to know who painted them. He’s actually quite famous and he’s painted murals for most of the gods. I assume that’s why you want to see him?” She opened the doors and ushered me in.
“Yes, I think I’d like some artwork for the bedroom and my office.” I looked around, taking in the room in which I would probably be spending most of my time. Large and spacious, my office had windows that looked out over the sea. I caught my breath as a wave came rolling toward shore to crash on the rocks at the base of the cliff.
“We must be directly over the edge,” I said, unable to pull my attention away from the rolling water. “I know it’s not an ocean, but it sure makes up for not being on the coast.”