The forest grew thick on the other side of the gates, as if the wall had been built to keep it in check. A tunnel of flowering trees and branches stretched away from me, fully in bloom, the scent so overpowering I felt lightheaded.

The tunnel ended with a curtain of vines, opening up into a vast clearing surrounded by giant trees. The ancient trunks and interlocking branches made a sort of cathedral, a living palace of giant columns and a leafy vaulted ceiling. Even though I knew we were underground, and it was night outside, sunlight dappled the forest floor, slanting in through tiny cracks in the canopy. Glowing balls of light danced in the air, and a waterfall cascaded gently into a nearby pool. The colors here were dazzling.

A hundred faeries clustered around the middle of the clearing, dressed in brilliant, alien finery. By the look of it, I guessed these were the nobles of the court. Their hair hung long and flowing, or was styled in impossible fashions atop their heads. Satyrs, easily recognized by their shaggy goat legs, and furry little men padded back and forth, serving drinks and trays of food. Slender hounds with moss-green fur milled about, hoping for dropped crumbs. Elven knights in silvery chain armor stood stiffly around the room; a few held hawks or even tiny dragons.

In the center of this gathering sat a pair of thrones, seemingly grown out of the forest floor and flanked by two liveried centaurs.

Another feature of Arcadia:

The Hedge

The Hedge is a tamer section of the Briars that lies within the Summer Court. Unlike the wyldwood, the Hedge is quite predictable and will usually take a person wherever they’d like to go within the court.

Denizens of Arcadia:

Tansy

This female satyr befriends Meghan during her time in the Summer Court. She has large hazel eyes and matching curly hair, and is at least a foot shorter than Meghan. Tansy is a bit skittish, but seems to warm to Meghan, acting as her guide in Arcadia and warning her about the rules and politics of the faery world.

Sarah Skinflayer

This troll is tall, green-skinned, with tusks and long brown hair. She runs the kitchens in Arcadia and, under Titania’s orders, begrudgingly puts Meghan to work.

Lady Weaver

The tall, spidery seamstress with pale skin and long black hair designed the gossamer silver gown Meghan wears for Elysium.

TIR NA NOG

(the Unseelie Court, the Winter Realm)