The queen gave a slow nod. "Beyond the houses, at the far end of the courtyard opposite the palace is our Sacred Arboretum or Sacred Forest. It's where the seedlings of our trees are raised to be given to extended family members so that they remain connected to their House."
"Cool," Izzy said. She had always loved trees.
"Why is it sacred?" Meryn asked.
"It isn't generally discussed outside of Éire Danu, but since you're family, I have no reservations telling you about our forest." She folded her hands in her lap. "Each Founding, Noble and Warrior house has a correlating scared tree. My own house of EirDan is guarded by the spirit of the Oak tree. Vampires have their Books of Life that they created based on our trees, our family trees. The inner courtyard is lined with sacred trees, each one acts as the core of the Royal, Founding, Noble, or Warrior house. As family members are born branches are added, when they pass the branch petrifies to act as a memorial."
"Our house of Eirlea is guarded
by the spirit of the Elder tree," Brennus added.
"House Alina is guarded by the spirit of the Holly," Darian continued.
Izzy looked up at her mate, did his house have one? He looked down at her, his eyes filled with sadness. "House Eirson is guarded by the spirit of the Birch tree, but she isn't doing well."
"She?" Amelia, Meryn, and Izzy asked together.
Oron nodded solemnly. "They are true spirits that live within their tree. Many of the sprites can also claim a flower or an herb as their guardian spirit. The sprites are closer to their counterparts though, if their flower dies, so can the sprite."
Meryn turned to look at Felix, who was perched on her shoulder. "You better make me your guardian Felix, because I ain't losing you to some accidentally sprayed Round-Up, you hear?"
Felix smiled and flew up until their cheeks rubbed together. "Together, forever," he said in a piping little voice. Felix kissed her cheek then floated over to the window to sit amongst the flowers on the ledge."
Izzy was curious to see that Brennus' eyes had taken on a sheen. "Papa?" she asked, worried for the fae.
He shook his head as if to escape his own train of thought. "The Skysong clan was a part of the palace long before the Eirleas returned to Éire Danu..."
"Return?" Amelia asked.
Doran turned to her. "Our parents were heavily involved with the humans of our village, and when the queen created the city to move us to another plane, our family chose to stay. It's why Brennus didn't meet his mate, our queen, until seven hundred years ago." He gave her a droll look. "It was quite the shock to see your older brother swing the queen into his arms and kiss her in her own throne room."
The queen sighed happily. "It was the best day of my life."
Brennus huffed. "If I had known you were waiting with our sons, I would have returned when you created the city."
Meryn waved her hand. "What about the Skysongs?"
"Well, when we returned and I mated Aleks, the Skysongs sort of adopted the Eirleas and began looking after us as well. He looked over to Felix. "He was supposed to be with my brother, but Eamon said he was too young to go out in the human world, so he stayed behind," his voice trailed off.
"Is he okay?" Amelia asked, looking between Doran, Celyn, and Brennus.
Brennus shook his head. "He was killed by ferals. That's when Felix left the garden to go to Lycaonia to be with Celyn, he felt like he failed Eamon." He looked at Meryn. "You have given him a new purpose in life."
Meryn's eyes filled. "My poor little buddy." She turned to look at Felix and her eyes filled with anger. She popped up out of her chair and ran over to the window.
Izzy looked over to where Felix was wrestling with an older sprite his hands clutched around something at his chest.
Brennus and Aiden stood so quickly their chairs were knocked over. Meryn was already at Felix's side. She peeled the older sprite away from Felix and dropped him on the ledge. She held up her forefinger and her thumb menacingly. "Sprite or not, I will thump the shit outta you if you don't leave Felix alone!"
"Holy shit!" Izzy exclaimed.
She exchanged looks with Oron, and they both stood and rushed over to help Meryn.
CHAPTER SEVEN
"Garrick! What is the meaning of this?" Brennus roared.
"That insolent youngling has gone too far!" The older sprite shouted.