Ember (Faylinn Series)

by Mindy Hayes

  I peered up at them and chuckled at the sight. “Don’t you two get bored of constantly hanging around me?”

  “Isn’t this our job?” Kai raised his eyebrows. “Or did you not assign us to do just that?”

  “I just mean you guys are taking it so seriously. I’m never alone. You guys take little breaks here and there and change up shifts sometimes, but do I really need to be under constant surveillance? I feel like I’m being babysat. When I was at home you two let me have more space than this. You weren’t always around, and wasn’t I in more danger there than I am here?”

  “We nearly lost you once, we’re not going to take that chance now,” Declan said.

  “But that was because Favner was still alive. We have nothing to worry about here.”

  They both gave me a leveled stare as if I didn’t know what I was talking about.

  I sighed and leaned back in my chair. “Can we at least have a point during the day where I get some private time? Not that I don’t love you guys. I just can’t stand knowing you two are constantly there. It was comforting at first, but now I think I’ve got this. And I know you two would lose it if you knew someone was watching your every move.”

  “You have alone time in here all the time,” Declan tried to appease.

  “That’s completely different. Every time I’m in this room I associate it with stressful decision-making and Evan. I can’t breathe in here. I need to get out in the forest and feel the breeze and smell the fresh air and know that for one moment I’m free.”

  Declan began to protest when Kai interjected, “Declan, let the woman have her time. You know she’s only going to keep fighting for it, and we will eventually give in because we won’t be able to stand hearing one more word come out of her mouth about it.”

  I opened my mouth to give him a tongue-lashing, but I realized even through his obnoxious remark, he was on my side, in his own Kai-ish way.

  “You get an hour, Calliope,” Declan permitted with one finger raised to emphasize. “And it can never be at the same time throughout the day. I don’t want the kingdom becoming familiar with your routine.”

  “You really don’t trust the fae here that much? I thought I was pretty safe.”

  “It’s not that. It’s just … anything is possible, Calliope. We didn’t get rid of any of Favner’s followers. I’m not even sure who is still an actual follower. And who knows when the other kingdoms will finally venture through the passageway without our knowledge. I don’t know what has gone on in the other kingdoms while Favner was reigning, and I don’t want to take any chances. You are the last direct descendant of the True Royal Bloodline. I will not be the Keeper that goes down with dishonor for destroying that.”

  “True Royal Bloodline? Does that make me different from other Royals?”

  “All Royals have a hint of Royal blood in them, but your blood is directly from the genuine line. You are the last True Royal in existence. Yes, that makes you different. That makes you more vital. Nothing can ever happen to you.”

  “Oh lighten up, Declan.” Kai looked over his shoulder at Declan. “Now you’re just scaring her. Isn’t that normally my job?”

  “I just want her to be prepared. She shouldn’t just go out without us and not have any idea of what the possibilities are.”

  “I think I’m perfectly capable of handling myself.” I stood and walked to the front of the table to lean against it, making the conversation much less formal. “If I think there is even a possibility of danger, I’ll bolt. And if it makes you feel better, you could give me a weapon. A dagger perhaps?”

  “That’s actually a pretty smart idea,” Kai said before bending down to his ankle and retrieving a small blade from the strap wrapped around his calf.

  “She doesn’t know how to use it yet.” Declan came forward to intercede.

  “Well, she’ll have to learn somehow.” Kai handed it to me with the bone-carved handle facing me.

  “Whatever,” Declan huffed in defeat. “It’s better than nothing.”

  “Thank you.” I accepted the knife. “But where should I put it?”

  Kai unwrapped the long strap from his calf and reached his arms around my waist. I sucked in a breath, surprised by his closeness and the ease with which he touched me. His eyes caught my stare, flashing violet-blue before looking back down at his hands. His fingers grazed my waist as he tied the strap like a belt and then placed the dagger back in its small case.

  “There. Now she’s as prepared as she’ll ever be.”

  “Yes.” Declan crossed his arms. “May the mini dagger save her from all things evil.”

  “So will you release me now?” I looked pointedly at Declan. “Is it safe to go, all-knowing-one?”

  Kai chortled.

  Declan glared at me with disapproval that scarily resembled my father. “I won’t stop you.”

  • • •

  Free. I was finally free. Flying through the trees, I landed on branch after branch, leaping over wide gullies and loving every minute of it. It was the first time I’d been in the trees without a chaperone. I could do whatever I wanted without feeling insecure about who was watching and ready to tweak whatever mistake I might have made.

  I got a little daring and did a few twirls and flips in the process that may not have looked nearly as cool as when Kai and Declan did them, but they sure felt awesome. With practice, I would get better.

  I’m not sure how far I had traveled when my ears perked up to the sound of quiet chatter. The sound of my name halted me on the branch I had just landed on. It wasn’t so much that it was my name, but the disdain underlining it. If I were smart, I would do as I told Declan and bolt in the other direction at the first sight of trouble, but I had to know what was being said. I didn’t think I was in any danger, any physical danger that is.

  I crept through the trees to be closer to the conversation. As I moved closer I was able to distinguish a few female voices—three, maybe four. I didn’t want to get any closer. If I could see them, they could see me.

  “I could do better than her.”

  “Anyone of us could do better than her.”

  “I don’t understand why they had to bring her back. Favner is gone. Why couldn’t we choose someone from within our kingdom? It would have made so much more sense.”

  “Didn’t they bring her because she’s a True Royal?” a timid voice asked. “Like, isn’t she the only one left? Doesn’t that make more sense to have her than someone who’s not?”

  “That’s beside the point,” another female voice spoke up.

  “Did you hear she made honorary Keepers out of Declan and Kai? What does that even mean? They didn’t even get the option. She must be using her Supremacy.”

  “How must that make the actual Keepers feel?” another chimed. “Not even their inherent gifts were good enough for her.”

  “She orders Kai and Declan around like pets. Do you see the way they trail after her? Kai would never do that if he wasn’t under Supremacy.”

  “Declan and Kai were the ones to protect her before. I think it makes sense she chose them,” the gentle voice spoke up again. “Maybe they wanted to keep doing it.”

  “But it’s not what we believe, Quinn. You can’t just pick and choose whatever you feel like doing. We are blessed to have these natural gifts. They should be used as such.”

  Quinn didn’t say anything back, chastened for speaking up against the one I could only assume was Dahlia.

  A part of me wanted to show myself, to put them in their place for being so spiteful and disrespectful. Not because I’m Queen, but simply as one fae to another. Apparently girl drama and backstabbing was another common link between humans and faeries. I decided against interrupting them. I doubted they would even be ashamed for talking about me behind my back. Except for maybe Quinn. Not that she had anything bad to say. At least not in this conversation.

  “Don’t worry. There’s already a plan in place.”

  “What?” several voice
s questioned.

  “It’s my understanding that she won’t be a problem for much longer.”

  I hadn’t realized how far I had been leaning over the branch in front of me until I heard it creak from my weight.

  “Did you hear that?”

  It was then that I fled, definitely not prepared for whatever repercussions could have resulted from them knowing I heard every word.

  What did she mean? Why wouldn’t I be a problem for much longer?

  I hated that their words affected me. I hated that as petty and misguided as they were I cared about what they said, about what they really thought about me. I wish I could have seen them so I knew exactly who was there. The only one I knew for sure was Quinn, and she didn’t seem like the one I had to watch my back for. A wall slowly began to build inside of me—protecting what self-worth I had left.

  How many others felt the way they did? Who else did I have to trust at the length of a ten-foot pole? It seemed the only two I knew I could trust completely were Kai and Declan.

  • • •

  When I came back from my time away Evan was waiting for me in the atrium. “I have news, Calliope. Callastonia has made contact. They would like to meet.”

  “Okay. I assume Callastonia is another kingdom?” Evan smiled. “Do what you need to do, Evan.”

  He eyed me carefully. “My Queen, you seem troubled.” His voice was kind. “Can I help with anything?”

  I didn’t want to tell Kai and Declan because I knew they would actually do something about it, and the last thing I needed was to make those girls even bigger enemies, but Evan might have some insight. “I hadn’t realized it would hurt so much to hear fae in the kingdom talking negatively about me.”

  “Who was talking poorly of you?”

  “I’m not sure exactly who, but I think they were Sowers. And I’m not sure if I should be worried. One of them had said she didn’t think I would be a problem for much longer. That there was a plan in place?”

  Evan’s face grew stern. “They should be reprimanded. It’s times such as that, Your Grace, that you should use your Supremacy.”

  “I don’t want to use my Supremacy. It’s called morals. I actually have them, Evan. I don’t want to take away someone’s free will just so they will do what I say, or force them to say things they don’t mean.”

  “But you are the Queen. How will you lead? How will they follow if they aren’t encouraged to do as you ask?”

  “If they want a leader to guide them, then they will listen to what I have to say.” It wasn’t as if I actually blamed those girls. If I were one of them, it’s possible I wouldn’t listen to me either. I was an eighteen year old half-breed who didn’t even know about their existence before a year ago. I didn’t know the first thing about leading a faery kingdom, but I was here. I cared. Didn’t that count for anything? Didn’t they care that they finally didn’t have a merciless King?

  No. Obviously, in their eyes a merciless King who knew how to lead was better than a kind Queen who was clueless.

  “I will be sure to make Declan and Kai aware that there is an issue. It will be handled properly.”

  “You don’t have to do that,” I insisted. “I can tell them.”

  “I do not mind, Your Majesty.”

  “I know, but I can handle it.” I smiled to reassure him.

  He nodded skeptically. “About Callastonia …” Evan continued.

  “What do you need from me?”

  “Well, I was thinking it would be a good idea if we held a celebration to rejoice in the Awakening of the oak and welcome all of the kingdoms back into Faylinn.”

  I nodded. “Okay. Good idea.”

  “And that way you can meet more Royals. I promise there are some strong future leaders that have a lot to offer Faylinn, Calliope.”

  At the prospect of meeting a possible future someone, I felt both hope and dread. “Is this the only way?”

  “It’s the best way.”

  “Send out the announcement or whatever it is we do.”

  “I’ll extend the invitation for the Awakening as soon as possible. We shall have the celebration next week.”

  • • •

  I laid back against the window seat in the atrium and let the sun trickle onto my face, taking in my last few minutes of free time.

  “How was your first official time alone?” Declan’s voice made me jump as he strode in through the open doorway.

  “Uneventful,” I lied, keeping my eyes closed. He’d see the truth in my eyes.

  “Was it all that you hoped it would be?”

  “Yes, it was. I’m already looking forward to the next time.”

  “Oh, My Queen, how you wound us,” Kai said. I hadn’t realized he had come in as well. With the sound of his voice I felt a flutter in my stomach. “You dismiss us so effortlessly. You can’t possibly feel that way.”

  I opened my eyes and twisted my head to see them comfortably situated on the couch beneath the window in the ceiling. “You’re becoming perceptive, Kai. There is hope for you after all.”

  He glared, but I saw the playfulness dance across his eyes.

  Declan interrupted our staring competition. “Evan mentioned that we are inviting all of the kingdoms to Faylinn to celebrate the restoration of the Waking Oak. Would you like us to give you a summary of each kingdom?”

  I sat straight up. “I hadn’t even thought about what I would need to know. Yes. I need to know what each kingdom is called and who rules each kingdom. Throw in any information you think might be necessary.”

  Kai rolled his eyes and rested his head back against the couch. “This might take a while.”

  A little smile curled the corner of my lips as I glanced over at Kai and Declan began.

  Chapter Nine

  I let Evette and Adelaide pick my dress for the Awakening. It was shorter than others they had chosen before, but they told me it was so I would have an easier time maneuvering. Apparently they expected me to do a lot more dancing tonight than I had planned on.

  The dress brushed the top of my knees and fell just off my shoulders with a ruffled neckline. It was a patchwork of cream and white vintage-like materials: lace, silk, and hemp. It amazed me how they made these kind of materials by hand from scratch.

  Kai and Declan were prepared to escort me from my room when I emerged. They stood a little taller as soon as they saw me. Not one word was said. I felt completely self-conscious by their silence.

  “What’s up guys?” I attempted to smile.

  Declan cleared his throat and bowed his head. “Calliope. Are you ready?”

  “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

  I glanced at Kai. His eyes drank me in with a stunned expression. It felt like a frozen moment in time, where Kai wasn’t a smart aleck and I wasn’t a Queen. We forgot where for were for just that moment, and I got a glimpse of what could be.

  Then I blinked.

  “Can I help you, Kai?” I lifted my eyebrows, hoping to get more of a response out of him.

  “Nice dress,” he said uninterestedly and began walking down the hall in front of us.

  I snorted and peered at Declan who merely shrugged and gestured me forward.

  When my Keepers and I appeared outside of the castle we were met with a burst of color. Floral garland draped in the trees and hung on the fronts of tables. Thick moss held together large arrangements of flowers dotting the center of every table. And somehow they had speckled the oaks and willows with fireflies like a field of lit Christmas trees.

  “Wow. Everyone really went all out this time,” I murmured in awe.

  “It’s a big celebration. We haven’t had all of the kingdoms together in Faylinn since The Divide,” Declan said, looking out over the decorated meadow.

  “Really?” I looked up at him.

  He nodded.

  “That makes this kind of historical.”

  He chuckled. “It kind of does.”

  It looked as if a couple of the kingdoms had star
ted to arrive. I could tell because they definitely dressed differently. One kingdom favored dressing in actual nature—large leaves and flowers barely covering their bodies while the other was adorned in excess amounts of colorful fabric. They looked like they had walked out of King Henry VIII’s castle. Observing both of these kingdoms, I was grateful Faylinn—with its simple bohemian wardrobe—was where I ended up.

  “Which ones are those?”

  Declan nodded his head toward a group of half-nakeds and said, “They are from Aurorali.”

  “Do you think it feels drafty?” Kai posed. “I mean I like to air out every once and a while, but that’s got to be a bit chilly.”

  Declan snickered, but didn’t respond. He pointed to the others. “And that is Mirrion.”

  I tucked the names away in my mind to remember for later. “And where are those kingdoms located again?”

  “Aurorali is in Maui and Mirrion is located in England.”

  Right. How fitting.

  As other kingdoms trickled in they didn’t seem to stand out as much. There were subtle differences I picked up on as Declan helped to point out who was from where. Callastonia favored cream. Every one of them wore cream and accented with pops of pale colors—a green vest, a pink headpiece, a blue sash. Elfland seemed to like fur—fur boots, fur shorts, fur vests. They were located in Finland, but I wasn’t sure if the weather affected them since weather didn’t really affect us here. Rymidon wore a lot of dark colors—browns, grays and blacks. And Oraelia adorned themselves in teeth and bone—earrings, necklaces, belts, and wristbands. I was torn between deciding if they looked more aboriginal-esque or alternative punk.

  Kai, of course, put in his two cents whenever he felt the urge. “How much do you think it hurt to poke holes in their ears?”

  I touched my earlobes. I’d never gotten my ears pierced so I didn’t know what it felt like. “Humans do it all the time. It can’t hurt that bad.”

  “Seems pointless.”

  Lia would have been in heaven. She’d have something to say about every single guy. When I let my eyes drift over the mass one faery caught my attention. He stood off to the side, surveying everyone, a bow and arrow slung over his shoulders. He wasn’t being social, which I found weird. Faeries didn’t seem to be the anti-social type. It was almost as if it was genetic to have the desire to mingle and party. His black hair was in a buzz cut. He held his head high with confidence, but a stoic confidence. When he turned, he caught me staring and nodded but didn’t smile. He merely kept walking, observing the dancing fae.