by Riana Lucas
As I watch my mother, I feel a slight tug on my dress. I glance down to see a smiling little fae child at my feet. I recognize her immediately.
Returning her brilliant smile with one of my own, I crouch down to speak to her. “Well, hello, young Lily. How are you? Are you enjoying the party?” I can tell by her smile and the chocolate on her face that she is but I wait for her answer, knowing it will be entertaining.
She does not disappoint. Lily nods eagerly as she speaks. “Oh, yes. I am having so much fun. But I want to speak with you.” Her eyes grow serious. I have to try hard to keep from smiling at her attempt at maturity.
“Oh?” My eyebrows quirk up, inviting her to go on.
“Yes. I want to know when I can start training with you. I wish to be a warrior, brave and strong like you, and I only want you to train me. So when can we start?” While still serious, she begins to bounce on her feet with excitement.
I allow only a small smile to slip through, not wishing for her to think I am only humoring her. “Well, you are still very young. Are you sure you’re ready to begin training already? Don’t you want to spend more time playing with your friends?”
“Nope.” She shakes her head, causing her hair to swish around her shoulders. “I am ready now. My mother said you started training when you just a little older than I am. That’s why you’re so good. I need to start now if I’m going to be as good as you.” Her eyes are wide and serious. Her eagerness is sweet but heartbreaking. I would never wish my childhood and upbringing on anyone, much less this sweet little fae child.
I lean close and whisper softly. “Can I tell you a secret?” Her eyes widen further as she leans a little closer and nods once. “I was horrible when I was young. I didn’t understand anything and I hated training. I would have much rather been playing with my friends. I didn’t even get good until I was a teenager.”
“Really?” she whispers back, still caught up in the idea that I am sharing a secret with her.
I nod solemnly then continue, still whispering. “I think you should wait a few more years as well, and then I vow that I will be the one to train you. And I will make you an even better warrior than I am.”
Now her mouth is hanging open in awe. I chuckle at how cute she looks while using the tip of my finger to close her gaping mouth. “Now, why don’t you go play with your friends? I am sure I will be seeing you very soon.” I tug slightly at a strand of her baby-soft hair when she nods her agreement and then she is off, running toward a group of fae children on the other side of the room.
I watch her go until I feel the presence of Reed and Rowan behind me. “I think you have made a friend,” Rowan chuckles as I stand and turn to face them. I do not return the warm smile he and Reed offer me. I have not forgotten the look on their faces just moments ago as they began making their way across the room toward me. Instead I cross my arms over my chest, tilt my head to the side, and wait.
Rowan sighs but has the decency to look embarrassed as well. “I guess I should just get straight to the point, huh?”
“Yep.”
He sighs again, glances at Reed who shakes his head, then looks back at me. “Okay. I know you aren’t going to like this and I feel awful for asking it of you. Please believe that I wouldn’t unless I felt it was necessary.” He pauses as if waiting for some sort of reassurance. I do not offer any. “Anna and I would like for you and Reed to come back to the Unseelie court with us tonight.”
I drop my arms to my sides and allow my shoulders to sag slightly. I knew this was what he was going to ask but still had a tiny bit of hope I was wrong. I let out a sigh of my own. “Why, and for how long?”
“Not long at all, I promise. I just would like you to be there to help with the transition for the unclaimed…”
“Skye.”
“Yes, Skye. I would like you to assist with the transition of rule from Skye to myself.”
I straighten at his words, growing a little concerned. “Do you think there will be a problem?”
Rowan quickly reassures me with a soft smile. “No, no, of course not. I think he was the best for the job and I think he will be fine with handing things over to me. But you and him seem to have an understanding, and I think it would be a lot smoother if you were there.” Reed lets out a huff and I can tell it is out of jealousy. Skye and I do seem to have some sort of understanding, but that is all it is. I smile when I roll my eyes at Reed, but Rowan and I both ignore him otherwise. “I would also like your opinion on a few other things and some basic information on how the king ran the court, including a layout and anything else you think I should know. I thought it might be easier to do there, where you can show me some of these things.”
“Okay. I understand. I don’t like it, but I do understand and I think you’re right.” I pause, unsure about giving Rowan advice, but decide to just say what I have been thinking. “I would also like to suggest that you name Skye as your second-in-command. I know you do not know him, but I have a strong feeling he will prove to be invaluable later.”
Rowan nods, thinking about my words. “Thank you, Poppy. I had actually considered that myself, but hearing your opinion makes me feel better about the decision. I will speak with him about it.” He pauses, then takes my hand in his. “You also need to know that I know how much you hate that place, but Anna and I are hopeful that we will make it a place you and Reed will enjoy coming to visit, often.” He winks, but I know that he is also nervous that my reluctance to go back will result in them not being able to see their son very much.
After everything they have been through, this makes me feel bad. I do not want to be the reason they would see so little of each other. “I am sure you will and that Reed and I will visit as much as possible.” I smile reassuringly at him and squeeze his hand softly.
He squeezes back before dropping my hand gently and smiling at me. “Great! Anna will be so happy to hear that.”
“Speaking of mom…” Reed trails off, not needing to continue. Rowan’s eyes are already scanning the room for his wife. They light up as soon as he sees her and with a mumbled goodbye he is headed toward her.
Reed speaks from beside me as we watch his mother and father talking to my mother. “So, are you sure about going back there? It hasn’t even been a full day since you left and you said you never wanted to go back. I’m pretty sure that meant you didn’t plan on going back tonight.”
“I know, but your father is right, and the sooner we get this over with, the sooner things can get back to normal. Whatever that is?”
Reed takes my hand and gives it a reassuring squeeze. “You won’t know what to do with yourself when you have a normal life.”
“Well, we won’t know until we try, will we?” I smile over at him.
“Guess not." He smiles back at me. Then he pulls me out onto the dance floor, holding me tight as he tells me of all the normal boring things I have to look forward to, with him.
About the Author
Riana Lucas is actually a duo of writers who are best friends and go by the names Nichole and Angela in the real world. Realizing that gobbling up books like hungry caterpillars and then discussing them for hours at a time wasn't fulfilling enough, the team decided to write their first book together. The Deadly Flowers Series was born out of a kernel of an idea and has grown into a four books series. The two have realized their true calling in life and plan to make a career out of writing books with strong characters who evoke true emotion.
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