Fae & Alchemy, #2
Brimstone
by Callie Hart
Contents
20 Huntsman
Overview
Saeris and Kingfisher unexpectedly meet in a shared dreamlike cottage, where their bond feels physically real and offers them a brief refuge from the dangers surrounding them. Their intimacy deepens, Saeris’s magic marks Fisher again, and Fisher heals by drinking from Saeris.
Afterward, they exchange crucial information: Saeris tells Fisher about Foley and Taladaius, while Fisher explains the brutal meaning of Foley’s gold-plated fangs. Fisher also reveals the root of Ren’s hostility toward Taladaius: Taladaius abandoned Everlayne before their wedding because Taladaius loved Zovena.
Summary
Saeris struggles to fall asleep in Ammontraíeth, then suddenly finds herself in a snowy valley at dusk. She sees Kingfisher chopping wood outside a small cottage and realizes they may both be sharing the same dreamlike space. Fisher first fears Saeris is dead because she seems too real, but Saeris assures Fisher she is only asleep.
Fisher embraces Saeris with relief, and the two compare the strangeness of the experience. Fisher explains that he and Carrion secured the silver but encountered a scorpion demon, leaving Fisher injured after punching through a tower wall. Fisher brings Saeris into the cottage, which Fisher identifies as a huntsman’s cottage near Cahlish that Fisher visited as a child.
Inside, Saeris finds Onyx already present, lively and affectionate, and Fisher admits the fox has been appearing in Fisher’s dreams for weeks. Saeris notices Fisher’s affection for Onyx despite Fisher’s protests. As Saeris and Fisher reconnect, Saeris’s touch causes new ink to appear on Fisher’s ankle, suggesting their bond can mark Fisher when Saeris feels desire, not only during sex.
Fisher and Saeris give in to their longing and claim a rare moment of safety together. Fisher drinks from Saeris to heal Fisher’s broken hand, and the two make love in the cottage. Afterward, Fisher remains alert enough to protect Saeris because Fisher does not fully understand whether the place is truly a dream, a magical space, or something else.
Later, Fisher feeds Saeris stew while Saeris recounts events in Ammontraíeth, including Taladaius’s plan to denounce Saeris publicly and Foley’s discovery in the Blood Court library. Fisher explains that Foley’s gold-plated teeth mark Foley as a shunned vampire whose fangs were ripped out for refusing allegiance to the crown. Fisher believes Taladaius must have kept Foley alive, likely while Malcolm used Foley’s presence to control or torment Taladaius.
Saeris asks why Ren hates Taladaius, and Fisher reveals that Everlayne once loved Taladaius and was betrothed to Taladaius. On the eve of the wedding, Taladaius fled the Winter Palace and knelt before Sanasroth’s throne, not for loyalty to Malcolm but because Taladaius loved someone else: Zovena.
Who Appears
- Saeris Faneenters a shared dream, reunites with Fisher, and reports events from Ammontraíeth.
- Kingfishershares the dream cottage with Saeris, heals by drinking from her, and explains Foley and Tal.
- Onyxappears in the dream cottage, affectionate with Saeris and quietly attached to Fisher.
- Foleyabsent but central to discussion; revealed as a shunned vampire kept alive at court.
- Taladaiusabsent but discussed; likely protected Foley and once abandoned Everlayne for Zovena.
- Malcolmabsent antagonist; reportedly tore out Foley’s fangs and used Foley to torment Taladaius.
- Renabsent but discussed; hates Taladaius because of Taladaius’s betrayal of Everlayne.
- Everlayneabsent figure from Fisher’s account; once betrothed to Taladaius before Taladaius fled.
- Zovenaabsent figure named as the person Taladaius loved when he left Everlayne.