by Alison Pensy
He inclined his head, unfurled his wings and in a few short bursts that ruffled Faedra’s hair with the wind he created, he was airborne once more.
Faedra took a deep steadying breath and headed for the entrance to the castle.
She wandered down the corridors trying to look like she had every right to be there, but as usual, she could see by the look on the inhabitant’s faces that it was anything but. She knew she stood out like a sore thumb dressed in her World of Men clothing and cursed under her breath.
It wasn’t long before a couple of guards approached her. She gave them a wary look, which they returned with a warm smile.
“May we help you, Miss?” One of the guards asked, as they fell in line on either side of her.
She tried not to look too intimidated by their presence but her insides were quaking.
“I need to see the king,” she stated in what she hoped sounded like a no-nonsense request.
“I am afraid that is not possible today, Miss. He is not taking audience with anyone. Maybe if you come back tomorrow.”
Faedra stopped dead. The guards carried on for a stride or two, realized she had stopped and turned to face her, their expressions questioning.
It sounded so cliché and she cringed as she said it, but goodness if she couldn’t think of anything else to say.
“Do you have any idea who I am?” For effect she lifted the amulet from under her shirt and dangled it in front of their faces.
Their eyes widened and they looked at each other in surprise, then back to her. She pinched her eyebrows together when she saw them crane their necks to either side and look behind her. They looked back at each other, confusion creeping across their faces then returned back to craning their necks to either side of her. They gave each other a bemused look and shrugged their shoulders. Faedra couldn’t help herself, she turned to look down the corridor, too.
“What are you looking at? There’s nothing there,” she asked after turning back from an empty corridor to face the guards again. Faedra could feel her impatience bubbling under the surface, her energy starting to crackle.
“Will you take me to the king or not?” she demanded after the guards had returned their attention to her.
The guards looked at each other again and gulped.
“We are sorry, Miss, but he expressly stated no visitors today. He is busy with an assignment in his library.
Faedra gave the guards the dirtiest glare she could muster and strode forward. She knew where the library was and there was no way these two fools were going to stop her.
The guards crossed their spears and blocked her path. “Miss, we just told you, you cannot see the king today.”
Something snapped in Faedra’s mind and her anger flared to the surface. She held her palms up to show the two bright blue energy balls now bobbing an inch above them.
The guards had obviously heard about her power. The story of how she and her two friends had defeated Vivianna and returned the Book of Anohs was running rife throughout the kingdom. They both took an involuntary step back, and a flicker of fear skittered over their faces.
“And you think you’re going to stop me?” Faedra asked the question that dripped insolence. They didn’t answer her, just held their position.
“Look, I really didn’t want to be unpleasant about this but if you don’t let me pass, you give me no choice.” She held up the balls poised to throw them. The guard’s eyes widened and they stepped aside, slumping their shoulders in defeat.
“Thank you,” Faedra said as she stepped passed them. She kept her energy balls alive, as she could hear their footsteps and mutterings to one another close behind her. She didn’t look back though. Anger seemed to take over from the nervousness she had been feeling just a few minutes before. When she arrived at the library doors she stood and took a deep breath.
“Miss, you cannot go in there.” One of the guards said, much too loudly to be for her benefit alone.
She glared at him and burst through the double doors.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“Who am I?” Faedra demanded as she burst into the king’s library.
He looked up from his desk, startled for a second before regaining his composure. The two guards scuttled in after her and flanked her on either side.
The king gave them both a questioning look.
“We are sorry, Your Majesty, but she forced her way in.” The guard who spoke grabbed her by the arm.
The king raised his eyebrows.
Faedra glared at the guard and then down at the hand gripping her arm. She tried to jerk it free but felt like she’d been clamped in irons, his grip was so firm. She glared at him again.
“Let me go, right now,” her tone was calm but deadly, as she opened up her free hand to show the orb of energy dancing above her palm.
The guard’s nervous face looked to the king for permission. The king nodded to the guard and he released his grip. Faedra could hear a barely discernable sigh of relief as he and the other guard stepped back from her and took their positions to either side of the door.
The king craned his neck to one side and looked behind her, much as the guards had done a few moments before in the empty corridor. A look of confusion swept across his face. She could tell he wasn’t looking at the guards.
“What?” she asked, looking behind her, wondering why everyone was so interested in what was there, which was nothing.
“Where is your Guardian?” The king’s voice was stern but Faedra could detect the concern it was trying to conceal.
“I told him to leave.”
“You did what?!” The king bellowed, bringing his attention back to her, making Faedra jump a little, but she stood her ground and held her gaze steady.
“I told you she should have a Guardian with her.” Faedra heard one guard whisper to the other behind her back.
“I told him to leave,” she repeated.
“And he did as you asked?” The king questioned, incredulous.
Faedra could see his jaw tick and the muscles in his neck tense.
“Why wouldn’t he?”
“Because he is your Guardian! Do you have any idea how much danger you are in every moment you are without him?”
Faedra didn’t like his tone. She was not his child to reprimand and she was not in the mood to take a telling off.
“I got here in one piece, didn’t I?” The insolence leaked back into her voice.
The king looked annoyed at her insolence for a second, then his expression turned thoughtful. “Why are you here?”
“You owe me some answers.” Faedra demanded.
“I do not owe you anything,” the king replied, raising his eyebrows at her. “And need I remind you to whom you are speaking.”
Faedra shrugged with disrespect “You’re not my king.”
“But I am a king, and as such will be treated with respect.” His voice was stern and reprimanding.
Faedra’s throat dried up, it started to feel like the Sahara Desert in her mouth. Her bravado was slipping. She wasn’t sure how long she could keep up this act of defiance, but she had to find some answers, for her father’s sake.
“Who am I?” she asked again, less demanding this time.
The king gave her a questioning look.
“Vivianna hates me so much, and I can’t understand why. I have never done anything to her. For goodness sake, I didn’t even know her or any of this until a few months ago, yet she seems intent on destroying my family…and me.” Faedra’s voice faltered a little. “She kidnapped my father last night and has given me seven days to hand over the amulet or she’ll kill him.”
The king sucked in a breath and hung his head in shame.
“She keeps calling me samtero kruwos.”
At the mention of those words, the king brought his focus back to meet Faedra’s gaze and his features softened a little.
“I know what it means,” she continued, sensing the king’s hesitation.
“And?”
the king asked after a short pause, interested to see what conclusions the Custodian may have come to.
“I need to know why Vivianna hates me so much. Why does she keep calling me half-blood?”
The king hissed out a sigh and closed his eyes.
“Tell me who I am. I have a right to know!” her voice was rising again, frustration getting the better of her.
The king sat down behind his desk, and Faedra could see the indecision clouding his features.
“Sit down, Faedra.”
“I’m perfectly alright standing, thank you.”
The king looked at the young woman and saw the determination burning with ferocity in her eyes.
“Very well,” he conceded, as he steepled his fingers in front of his face, masking his features just a little.
“You’re not going to tell me, are you?” Faedra accused, after a moment passed and the king remained silent. “I’ll find out, you mark my words. I’ll find out why you people want to destroy everything I love!” She turned on her heel to leave but only got a stride forward.
“She is your sister,” the king blurted the statement, his voice sounded laden with guilt.
Faedra stopped in her tracks. She felt her knees buckle as the impact of what she just heard reached her brain. It took all of her willpower to remain standing. She turned with a hesitant step to face the king, a look of disbelief creeping across her features. She opened her mouth to speak but no words came.
Her questioning eyes met the king’s intense gaze and he held them captive.
“Who are you? You… are my daughter,” he stated, his expression neutral.
He waited for a response but when the only one he got was a look of shocked disbelief and silence he felt compelled to explain.
“My wife, Vivianna’s mother, died many years ago by human measure. I met your mother when she made the rather unusual request to seek an audience with me. I fell in love with her almost instantly, and to my delight she fell in love with me, too. I was completely enraptured and broke a number of our laws when she fell pregnant with you. We decided it would be safer for you to be brought up in a normal human environment and we ended our relationship when Henry walked into her life.
When you were just a baby she brought you here to show me. Vivianna walked in on us and found out about you and our prior relationship. She was angry beyond belief and swore vengeance in the name of her mother’s memory. That is why you were warded until you turned of age; you could not have your Guardian at school with you. I was hoping that Vivianna’s anger would dissipate over the years, but it just seems to fester and grow, instead.”
Faedra couldn’t take another bombshell, not today. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from the imposing man sitting behind his desk looking at her with a mixture of pride and remorse. She stood rooted to the spot and stared at the king, her real father. After a moment she dropped her head, closed her eyes, and massaged her forehead, unable to think.
“This can’t be happening,” she mumbled to the floor.
She heard a rustle to her left, then a hand rested on her shoulder. When she looked up, it was into the eyes of the king who was now standing in front of her, his face full of compassion.
“I am sorry, Faedra. On so many levels.”
A feeling of suffocation crept around her like tendrils. The walls seemed to be closing in on her and she could feel her focus dwindling. If she didn’t get out of there she was at major risk of losing control again, and pride would not let her do that in front of anyone. She certainly didn’t want to injure anyone that may be within her presence, however accidental it would be.
She couldn’t hide the look of betrayal she felt. Carefully moving her shoulder away from the king’s touch, she backed up a few steps.
“I - I…” No words came. The young Custodian turned and ran out of the library.
The king looked at one of the guards. “Do not let her leave the castle. She is far too upset and could do much damage if her power gets away from her.”
The guard nodded and turned to leave.
“And for the love of Kernunnos, someone find her Guardian!” the king bellowed to no one in particular as he turned to his desk, made a fist and hesitated a second before slamming it down. Various objects bounced off the surface with the force of his frustration. The guards ran out of the door, gave each other a fleeting glance and headed in opposite directions.
Faen took a seat in one of the garden chairs surrounding an oak table and accepted the mug of brew his mother poured and offered him. She poured one for herself and took the chair next to her husband, who covered her hand with his. Faen did not miss the loving gesture between his parents and yearned to experience it with someone one day. He knew with whom, he just didn’t know if it would be possible.
“Where is the Custodian, Faen? Should she not be with you?” Janessa asked, snapping Faen from his thoughts. He brought his gaze up from his parent’s entwined fingers to meet his mother’s eyes.
Faen took a deep breath before responding. “She is at home.”
“But, Son, you should not leave a Custodian, you know that.” His father’s brow wrinkled with concern.
“She is sleeping. I will be back before she awakes; she is quite safe in the cottage, it is warded.”
“Nevertheless…” Faen’s father continued.
“Father, I need your help.” Faen cut in before his father could continue.
Faen recognized the ‘go ahead’ look in his father’s eyes and carried on.
“Vivianna kidnapped her father last evening.”
Janessa gasped. “She did what? Why?”
“She wants the amulet.”
“But the amulet is of no use to her now that the book has been recovered.” Faen’s father stated.
“I know but she insists that Faedra has seven days to give up the amulet or her father dies.” Faen dropped his gaze to the table. The hurt on Faedra’s face burning into his soul.
“Do you have any idea where she has taken him?” his father asked.
“That is why I am here, Father. You see, she has the ruby staff.”
Janessa put her hand to her mouth in shock, her eyes widened with horror. He could see his father’s features flicker with surprise before resuming back to his usual neutral expression.
Janessa turned to her husband. “But, Rowan, I thought the ruby staff had been destroyed along with Savu.”
Rowan said nothing.
“Father, I remembered the stories you used to tell me when I was a child, that is why I am here…”
“Excuse me, Master Faen,” the housekeeper interrupted.
All three turned towards where she was standing in the archway to the garden.
“What is it, Forbes?”
“There is a Messenger from the castle to see you. He says it is most urgent.”
“Thank you, Forbes, please send him in.”
She inclined her head and stepped aside to let the Messenger pass.
The thin gangly looking fae with huge outstretched wings scuttled passed the housekeeper, causing her to duck around his wing as he did. She gave him a reproving look before turning and heading back towards the kitchen.
The Messenger scuttled up to Faen unable to conceal the relieved look on his face. He was still out of breath when he started talking. “Oh, Mr. Faen, thank Kernunnos, I found you.” His speech was rushed and breathy.
“Sit down, Messenger. You look exhausted.” Janessa said, gesturing with her hand to the empty chair next to her son.
“Thank you, Madam.” The Messenger inclined his head and took the last empty chair around the table. He took a couple more deep breaths before continuing.
“It is the Custodian,” he said after catching his breath.
Faen stood up, sending his chair crashing backwards to the floor.
“What has happened? Is she alright?” Faen could feel his brows pinch together and a knot formed in his stomach.
“She is quite safe, Mr. Faen. She is
at the castle. The king demanded we find you.”
“The castle? What is she doing at the castle?” Faen questioned, trying to disguise the hint of panic in his voice.
The Messenger shrugged his shoulders. “I know nothing more. I was just sent to find you and send you back there.”
Faen looked at his mother and father who were trying, but failing, to hide their concern.
“I must go,” Faen said before running through the archway and taking to the sky.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Faedra sat with her back against the wall of one of the castle’s many turrets. Her backpack had become a burden and was now propped up against the wall beside her. She dare not take a sip of the sugar water held within it. She was having a hard enough job reining in her energy, as it was, and didn’t need to add to it. Her throat was parched, though, and she found herself wishing she’d packed some plain drinking water, too.
The cold stone wall was unforgiving against her back and she shifted a little to try and ease the discomfort. Her knees were drawn up to her chest and she was resting her head on them. Her arms hugged around her shins and she held herself tightly together, fearing that if she didn’t, she might just fall apart.
After leaving the king’s library she had run with no direction until she found somewhere quiet and secluded where she could think. Only once she found a place, no helpful thoughts had presented themselves so far.
Her energy crackled within her; and using all of her concentration to control the power surging with her emotions was at least keeping her mind somewhat occupied. What she wanted to do was blow something up, but that wasn’t going to help her father and it might just get her thrown in the dungeons, king’s daughter or not.
She was trying to digest all the information she’d been bombarded with over the past day or so, and was at a complete loss where to go next. She rifled the time-pebble out of her pocket and looked at it. The area of red was expanding and she didn’t have the first clue how to find her father and bring him back safely. Had she ever felt this helpless before? No, she didn’t think she had. With a sigh, she tucked the pebble back into her pocket and dropped her head to her knees again. A sense of desperation welling from the pit of her stomach.