"Hi!" it greeted, "My name's Violet, what's yours?" She was adorable, just like Lattie. Her shimmery skin was a pretty shade of purple and her spiked hair was blazing red.
"Hi Violet, my name is Avery Quinn, pleased to meet you."
"Oh! You’re my Latties Avery!" she cried enthusiastically and let go of her vine to crawl onto my knee. "I've heard many wonderful stories about you."
"Oh, you know Lattie?" I asked.
"Of course I do, Lattie is my sister! Did she come with you tonight? Are you here for the party? Do you like to dance?" Violet was way more hyper and scatter brained than her sister. "We are celebrating in hope for our Queens return. Do you want to celebrate with us?" Her oversized black eyes blinked at me, pleading and waiting for me to answer.
"Oh, you're a summer fairy?" I asked. Lattie never told me that she was a summer fey. All I knew is that she belonged to the Seelie court once upon a time.
"Oh yes, it is the best court to live in. The flowers, the fruit and wine, the sunshine, how can anyone ever choose to be part of the winter court? So awful, cold and colorless," she explained. I wonder if there were courts for all of the seasons. I had never asked. Just then, my friends ran back.
"Lattie, you never told me you had a sister," I said. She stopped in her tracks when she spotted Violet.
“Well, I…” Lattie began but was interrupted by her energetic sibling.
"Come, let’s dance!" suggested Violet to all of us. And, right before my eyes, the forest around me changed. It was as if a veil had fallen down around us, revealing colors, music and sweet scents that were secretly always there but hidden from us.
The guests were completely different than before. There were no scary ogres or creepy little nymphs hanging from trees. All of the fey here tonight were beautiful, happy and colorful. The Maidens were here too. I'm guessing that they’re either part of the Summer Court or they are just like VIPs’ or something. The one with cotton candy colored hair waved me over to come and dance.
"You know the Maidens?" Julie asked me in astonishment. Of course she would probably know who or what every fairy is that's here.
"No, just that one, I only met her once before, but she seems really nice."
"Well, of course she's nice. That's Moya. The Maidens used to be mermaids once upon a time. It's said that the three sisters were given a gift from their father that allowed them to temporarily live on land. Only, they loved it here so much, they decided to stay. Well, after Moya pledged herself to the fey, the sisters pretty much had no other choice," she explained. “The myth has been loosely translated for today’s children.”
"Wow, like real mermaids?" I asked.
"Yeah, apparently the most beautiful of them all are the sisters, Moya, Aya and Brie. Let’s go dance with them!" Julie suggested as she tugged on my arm.
"Avery, you came back! How wonderful. Did you come to dance, or take me up on the offer to weave beautiful things into your hair?" Moya smiled as she took my hands and spun me around.
"I'm here for the party, to celebrate in hope of the Queens return," I replied, copying Violets words. "But I’ll still hold you to that offer, if you don't mind."
We laughed and danced together for hours. Julie had made friends with almost everyone at the party, but that's nothing unusual. I bet she feels right at home here, among people just like her. She had dropped her glamour at some point during the night. It still amazed me how stunningly beautiful she was, just as much as the Maidens if you ask me. Her platinum hair flowed long down her back and shimmered like her powder colored wings as she danced around joyously. Lattie was off playing with her sister Violet somewhere. I wondered if that's who she went off to see whenever she left the apartment.
"I knew the Summer Queen, once upon a time," Moya claimed when we sat down to sip some wine. She assured me nothing would happen if I drank it, and I strangely trusted her. "She was lovely and warm. Everyone loved her, they still do. Sadly, I think they will always wait for her return."
"Tell me about her. I know that she was a great ruler, but what did she look like? Where did she come from?" I asked. I wanted to learn as much about Julies world as possible. I was just a mere human among this complex magical place; the least I could do is keep up.
"Hmm, well she was a loyal friend for one. I knew her when I was a young mermaid. She would sneak away from the court and come to the sea side to spend time with me. We would spend hours talking and sharing. She's the reason I wanted to live on land, so I pledged myself to her and Kheelan. My sisters couldn't bear to be without me so they decided to come as well." Moya smiled thoughtfully as she remembered her old friend.
"Do you know where she is?" I asked.
"Of course not!" she cried, offended. "If I knew something of that extreme importance I would surely not keep it a secret."
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you, I just thought about my friend Julie. If she had disappeared, I would definitely know where she is, or I hope that I would."
"It's okay sweetheart. You know, you remind me quite a bit of the Queen. She was kind and considerate like you. Her hair flowed down her back in pale blonde waves like the water and was very petite like a child. She came from an elfish heritage before she was Queen, and they are quite tiny."
"How did she become Queen if she was an elf?" I asked.
"Well, any fey can be a Monarch, as long as another Monarch chooses them to be. Kheelan, the Summer King, he was smitten the moment he laid eyes on her. Everyone was."
"Moya, can I ask you a question?" I began. She nodded and waited for me to continue. "How did Mabry become Queen of the Seelie court?"
She looked around for anyone who would be close enough to hear and then leaned in closer to me. "Well, Mabry was a humble Summer Fey once. She lived in the hills with her companion, who happens to be the Summer Queens brother. Once Kheelan chose his Sumer Queen it was only a matter of time when Orion, Kheelan’s father and King of the Seelie court, met Mabry. He fell in love instantly and pursued her every day. Eventually, Mabry's companion gave up and let her go. He was left heartbroken and alone.”
"How sad, everyone lives happily ever after except the elf," I said. "I can sort of relate with him a little. My mother left us was an infant so I know what it’s like to just be abandoned."
"Where is your father now? You speak as if he left as well," Moya inquired as she put a comforting arm around my shoulders.
"Oh no, he's still around. But, his job takes him away all over the world for long periods of time. So, he left me with my Aunt Tess. She pretty much raised me.”
"Oh, that's funny," she said. "The Summer Queens name is Tessana, your aunt’s name reminded me of it."
"Yeah, that is funny," I agreed. Just then, I noticed that a group of pixies and sprites had gathered around us in a semi-circle.
"Well, I guess your story was interesting for them as well Moya," I claimed.
"No sweetheart, I think they are interested in you. A human from Iron World who is so knowledgeable and welcoming of our kind, it is very rare."
"Really, but you're all so wonderful. How can anyone not be so welcoming of you? Except ly ergs or nymphs, they're not so friendly, or kelpies," I said. The little fey around me laughed but I wasn’t kidding.
Soon, I was telling them of my run in with the kelpie and how Oliver had saved me. They wanted to know of my life in Iron World with my unique roommates. They wanted to know all about school and the gallery, pretty much anything I could tell them they were eager to hear.
"So, this Max, what kind of creature is she?" asked a little sprite who was perched on my knee. His skin was bright green and looked as if it were covered in powder or flour. So did his black hair, which was twisted in all directions and twirled on top of his head like liquorices.
"Oh no, Max is a human; she’s just super mean and unhappy because she doesn't have any friends," I c
omforted the little guy.
"Why don't you become friends with her Avery? That should make her very happy," piped in a little pink pixie with yellow ribbons for hair.
"Oh that’s sweet, but I’ve tried. Trust me. Max is a different kind of human. Sometimes I wish she would just leave me alone, she's not an easy person to have in your life," I explained. They all nodded in agreement, but I doubt they had any real idea of what I was talking about. Normal human problems didn’t really register the same over here.
After a few more hours of celebrating with my new found friends, Lattie and Violet came to find me.
"Avery, I’m ready to go home now," squeaked Lattie. "My wings can barely flutter, I’m so tired." She flopped down in my palm and cuddled into my thumb as her long legs dangled off the side.
"You are the sprite who lives with Avery?!" cried a couple of the sprites. "You are so lucky! We love Avery!" I smiled and laughed at them, they had to be the happiest creatures I had ever met.
"Oh, I know that I’m lucky," agreed Lattie. "Avery is my best friend." She peered up at me with sleepy eyes and smiled.
"Come," suggested Moya. "I'll bring you to Julie. I think I spotted her a while ago dancing on the table tops." I waved bye to my new friends and they all excitedly yelled goodbye back to me with waves and hopes of my return.
Chapter Twenty Two-Answers
The next day at school was tough to sit through. I was hung over from sunshine, summer wine and too much dancing. I sat at my work station and stared out the French doors next to me, barely able to hold back my yawns.
"Avery!" hissed Max angrily with a kick to my stool.
My eyes snapped open and I nearly fell backwards off of my seat. "What? Max, geez..." I shrieked through another yawn.
"You were snoring and everyone was looking at us. It's embarrassing!" she exclaimed.
"Why are you embarrassed? You're not the one who's snoring," I muttered crankily. Normally I would be mortified that I fell asleep in class and began to snore, but the fact that it was bugging Max was worth it.
"It's embarrassing because I’m the one who is stuck sitting next to you and, since you’re asleep, I’m getting all the looks and stares," she claimed with a huff and sigh. Then she turned and faced the front of class with her arms crossed tight across her chest and her nose in the air. I rolled my eyes and went back to staring out the window.
After school that day, I headed home to take a much needed nap in my big, comfy bed. It was all I could think about the whole way there. Julie was at the library again and Will was working a shift at the coffee shop, so I had the apartment all to myself, except for Lattie. As soon as I opened the door she flew right over to me, bursting with excitement.
"Avery! You are home! I waited all day long for you to come home. Can we go somewhere? I'm very bored; I need to get out for a walk." She fluttered around my head, making me dizzy. I was so sleepy. I could practically hear my duvet beckoning me to curl up with it. The last thing I wanted to do was walk back down those stairs again and go for a walk.
"Um, Lattie I really need to take a nap. We never got home until like three in the morning. Can we go for a walk later?" I begged as I threw my bag and shoes in the corner.
"Oh...okay...I guess I could just watch a movie or something," she replied sadly. I looked at my tiny friend and how disappointed she was. I couldn't bear to see that look on her face.
"Alright, I’ll tell you what. Let me make something to eat and then we'll go for a walk. I can always sleep when we get back."
She brightened up instantly. "Thank you Avery!" And she flew over to the kitchen to sit on a tin of flour. "Can we have pancakes?"
We decided to take a walk through the park. We spent a lot of time here, but it was so enormous and beautiful that I never grew tired of being here. The sun was setting behind the trees and casted a hazy blue and orange hue through the autumn leaves. Plus, there was a hotdog stand down by the pond that had the best hotdogs ever.
Lattie flew next to my head, disguised as a small bird, as we strolled down the gravel path. I was finishing off my hotdog when I had a strange feeling come over me, a feeling almost like fear, but not quite. It was more like...like something else but I couldn't figure it out. It did, however, feel very familiar.
Then I realized I felt like this at the gallery, the same night that I met that scary woman. I stopped in my tracks and looked around for her. I never did get a real good look that night, but was sure I would know her when I saw her.
"Avery, what's wrong?" Lattie asked.
"Lattie, I think there may be someone from the Seelie court following me. You need to leave now," I warned her. If this chick was from the Seelie court and she saw Lattie, things could get bad because Lattie ran away from them.
"No, if you are in trouble then I am staying with you. I can't leave you alone Avery, what kind of friend would I be if I did?"
"And what kind of a friend would I be if I got you hurt? Lattie, go now," I ordered. She looked at me hesitantly, but then decided to leave. She flew off back towards the apartment. I felt better knowing that she would be safe.
I still didn't see anyone around, but I did still feel anxious, scared and tense. I walked towards the woods where I figured she might be. That's where she was outside of the gallery and I doubt that she would show herself in plain sight in the park. As I pushed small branches and bushes aside, I felt the fear grow stronger. I was heading in the right direction. But then I thought about something. Why was I going in the direction of the fear? Was this another manipulative skill of the scary woman?
"Well, here we are," said a menacing voice. I turned to find her standing a few feet from me in torn and tattered black clothing. It was almost like combat wear. Then, for the first time, I noticed black bat-like wings tucked behind her. She was some sort of fairy that I was sure of.
"Who are you? I'm telling you lady, I’m not who you think I am," I pleaded with her again.
"Oh yes you are. I was right. I've been hearing things of you, whispers and stories of the beloved Iron Worlder who dances with the Summer Fey. You, my dear, are absolutely the one who painted the kingdom."
"But what does that have to do with anything?" I asked.
"Well, the painting is of the old kingdom, not as it is presently. How could you have known to paint it? You did not live in Faerie, obviously, because you are a mere human,” she spat. “So, someone must have told you about it."
"No, you're wrong. I'm telling you, I swear! I don't know any fairies!"
"You are lying!" she shrieked and moved towards me so swiftly that I didn't even see her legs move. She was now standing right in front of me, inches from my face. From this close, she smelled like ashes and burning flesh, like death almost. I was so scared that I couldn't blink or breathe.
"You do know fairies, plenty of them. You're name has been spoken among the solitaries for some time now, the Iron Worlder." She looked at me like I was the dirt beneath her feet.
"Look, yes, I do know some fairies. But none that would have told me about a kingdom or anything like that, I swear!"
"Just tell me where Orion is!" the crazy fairy screamed with sudden impatience. She grabbed my wrist and began to squeeze, as if she could force the answer out of me.
"I...I...thought he...died!" I cried back in agony. If she gripped it any tighter, my arm will break. I could feel my fragile mortal bones beginning to bend from pressure and it started to burn like she had lit a fire there.
"Do not mistaken me for a fool little one! Only a Monarch could have told you how to paint that painting! Now tell me where he is!" Her eyes were completely black like Latties, only they were far from cute. It's as if the angrier she became the darker and more menacing they got.
Now, when I glanced up at her face, I could see that the black began to run down her cheeks like her eyes were bleeding tar. The smell of burning
flesh was becoming too much for me to handle. I stole a glance over her shoulder to see if anyone was around to help me, or if there was a weapon that I could reach, a rock or a stick, anything? If I could just distract her for a second, maybe I could pull free and make a run for it. I wonder how fast she was.
And, as if she could read my thoughts, she spoke, "Don't even think about it. I can move much quicker than you could at your very fastest." Her grip on my wrist tightened some more and I lost my breath. I could feel the blood dripping down my arm as she broke through my skin. One tiniest bit of force and my arm will surely snap in half. The pain was starting to make me dizzy.
Where did she want to bring me? What was she going to do to me if I couldn't give her the answers she wanted? Because, I really couldn’t, I had no idea what she was talking about.
Just then, something moved in the bushes behind the bat fairy. She looked away for a brief second, that's all I needed. I swooped under her outreached arm and ran. I ran as fast as I could, but apparently not fast enough. Something came down from above, quickly grabbed me and took off into the sky again. I struggled with the creature that kidnapped me, but it was doing no good. Its grip was like an iron cage around my body. I kicked and screamed and tried to wiggle free, even though I probably wouldn't survive the fall.
"Stop it! I'm saving your life, damn it!" yelled an annoyed and familiar voice. "Avery, it's okay. It's me."
I looked up to see Jack's beautiful face. I never thought I would be so happy to see him, or so confused. I wish this wasn’t happening, I wish I never left my home in the country. I’m being attacked by fairies; no one is what they appear to be. Maybe this is all a nightmare. Maybe I never even left my home. But, then I realized that was just as crazy as the alternative. My throat closed up and I couldn't speak or move. Surprise, surprise, I think I was in shock. We flew through the air for a few seconds before Jack finally broke the silence.
Iron & Wine (The Iron World Series) Page 14