Page 39 of Fae Tithe

“Roses,” Helena replied.

Normally, she would enjoy looking at such exquisite blooms. Spring was her favourite season for all the wildflowers after the winter rains. Helena examined the blossoming hedges. The greenery circled around dozens of fountains dotted throughout the grounds, each featuring granite statues of exquisitely carved Fae.

“Roses? Like our Rose? This is the flower she is named after?” Lance asked.

It occurred to Helena that the Merman may well have never encountered a rose before. The villa’s garden had only useful plants, like fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

“Yes, that’s right.”

She studied them. The longer she stared at green briar hedges, the worse she felt. To her, the red blooms looked like bleeding hearts skewered onto the savage thorns.

“Len… I don’t see a way from here. Let’s walk around?” Lance suggested.

Helena nodded in agreement. Together, they slowly circled the manor, set back a fair distance, trying not to draw attention to themselves. Their eyes were trained on the wrapround border fence, trying to spot a way in.

“There is something wrong here,” Lance concluded with a frown.

“What’s that?” Helena tilted her head up to him curiously.

“No guards… you’d think two strangers walking around like this would draw them out, but nothing.”

“I was so focused on looking for a way in, I didn’t even think of that,” Helena admitted through gritted teeth. Get it together.

“I can smell magic here.” Lance stopped and picked up a small stone. “Something is in place…” He rolled the pebble along the cobblestone. Three steps from the iron-barred fence, it bounced off, clattering against the road.

Helena’s eyebrows flew up in surprise. “What’s that?”

“A ward, I think. It’s woven into the fence and gates…” Lance straightened, pinching the bridge of his nose, and scoffed. “The arrogance of Fae! They’re warded, so they don’t even bother posting guards in the gardens. This could work to our advantage. If we can find a weakness in the ward, then I may be able to sense it.”

“And we could get in from there?” Helena ventured, hope blooming in her chest.

“If there is a hole in it somewhere… possibly.” Lance nodded.

They continued walking for hours around Tithe Manor, searching for some kind of weakness or fault. The sun began to set, catching the glint of the black fence in its light. Helena, once again, eyed the savage briar thorns growing along the top of the tall fence that completely encircled the gardens of the manor. It was a fortress, seemingly impenetrable. Helena felt her stomach drop the longer she stared at the defences of the opulent building.

She felt Lance’s eyes on her and he gently squeezed her shoulder. Helena had been staring at the locked gate for quite some time, and her Merman’s gentle touch blinked her out of it.

“Sweetheart, it’s sunset. We should head back to Bright Sun. Have a meal? Bath? Sleep?”

Helena looked up at him. “You want to leave?”

“No, I just think we will be able to think more clearly after some food and rest. We can come back first thing tomorrow. Find a weakness. Help El,” Lance explained.

Helena’s eyes glanced back to the manor again before returning to meet his face. She felt pulled two ways. She needed to stay. Figure it out.

Frustration needled her as she clenched and unclenched her fists. She’s so close, and I can’t get in.

She also knew she was in no condition to get her daughter out, even if she managed to get through the ward and inside the building. Exhaustion dogged Helena’s steps and hunger gnawed at her empty stomach.

“Tomorrow,” she conceded, turning her back on Tithe Manor.

The following day, Lance and Helena returned, standing side by side outside the ward. Lance stood for a while, cupping his chin, gaze focused on a gate. His mind turned as he flicked through his limited knowledge on Fae and their magic.

“The gates are the secure points,” the Merman theorised. “I think that, perhaps, if they are unlocked, it may lower the ward. We need to watch for people coming and going. Then perhaps we can slip in?”

Helena nodded. “How do you know so much about wards?”

“I have my own, made from my water magic, but these are different. The spell is in the material, rather than needing the concentration of the person who cast it. These are all just ideas – guesses, really – so I am open to anything else you might suggest,” Lance admitted.