In Little Stars is a short story written for Seanan McGuire's Patreon supporters.
When he shall die,
Take him and cut him out in little stars,
And he will make the face of heaven so fine
That all the world will be in love with night...
—William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
Author's Summary[]
Prince Gilad tries to come to terms with his future at the founding of the Kingdom in the Mists.[1]
Plot []
Gilad watches humans cut down the majestic redwood trees that have been standing in the Muir Woods since the days of Oberon himself. He wants to interfere, but his father, Denley Windermere has forbidden it. Despite this, Gilad chases the humans off with the help of some pixies.
Despite being Crown Prince, Gilad has all the free time in the world, because the new Kingdom has no Court or many inhabitants yet. That all changes when the Kingdom of Silences is founded, and Gilad's parents decide that having a neighbor (in addition to the Kingdom of Leucothea, which already exists in the Undersea) is a good time to teach him some manners. They have recruited Sebille, the daughter of Nola's friend to teach Gilad in the ways of etiquette.
Gilad initially hates Sebille's presence and tries to get away from her by using his teleports, but she follows him easily, saying that she grew up with several siblings and learned all the tricks already. Sebille explains that she was exiled by her family when she left Scotland - she cannot go back, and she could never marry well, because she had no title anymore. The two of them grow to like each other, but when Gilad proposes a relationship, Sebille turns him down because of his status and his responsibilities. After some encouragement from Jin, Gilad goes to Sebille to confess his love and tell her that he cannot promise her forever, but he will love her as long as she wishes.
Characters []
- Prince Gilad Windermere
- Nola Windermere
- Denley Windermere
- Sebille
- Jin, court medic
Mentioned only []
Locations[]
- Kingdom in the Mists
- Redwood Valley, California