“You, of all people!” Donella’s voice was acid. “A rhin! After we welcomed you into our arms and gave you everything you could ever desire! Yet, you did what no human has been brazen enough to try in centuries, and you tried to murder my people in cold—”
“I did nothing of the sort!”
A quite gasp went up from the crowd, but Peter focused his glare on his accuser.
“I was attacked after your assistant led me into the garden to talk!” He glared at Jagan, who stared blankly into the distance.
“Now he’s lying to our faces!”
“Why would I seek out a group of fairies to kill them?” Peter scoffed. “I want to marry one! Why would I kill her kind?”
“Revenge.” Donella’s eyes burned as they bored into his. “Plain and simple. You wanted revenge for the decision of the chancel. And being the monster you are, you decided to attack our people when they were at their most vulnerable!” She spun and cursed as she threw her hands in the air. “This is why he’s the last man on earth who should kneel at the tree,” she muttered. As she did, Peter caught Karel’s eye. Karel gave the slightest of nods. And Peter understood.
“No.”
Donella turned. “Excuse me?”
Peter did his best to lift his chin defiantly as he spoke. “My nature is not the reason you want to prevent me from kneeling. You don’t want me to kneel because you know that if I were chosen as High King, I would refuse to give you whatever you wanted. Unlike the poor people of this isle,” Peter wanted to raise his arms, but they were strapped to his sides.
Then, suddenly, it dawned on him. “That’s why you baited me.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “Isn’t it? As soon as Katy turned her back, you decided to strike first.”
“This is ridiculous,” Donella sneered, but Peter continued.
“You want a High King that you can order around, just like you do to the people of this isle. And accusing me of murder is a surefire way to ensure I never even get the chance, whether Katy chooses to marry me or not!” The crowds began to murmur nervously again. Peter took that as encouragement. “You don’t want to wait on Atharo,” he continued, projecting his voice so that it echoed off the arena walls. “You want to choose the best king for you. But I happen to believe that Atharo is quite capable of choosing—”
“You’re delusional,” she snapped.
“Donella,” William said, casting a nervous glance at Ethemu again, “this isn’t how—”
“I wasn’t asking you!” Donella cried.
“With every word,” Peter called, “you do your best to undermine me in the eyes of these people and all the others they will share their experiences with!” If only he could expose her for what she really was to everyone listening. He needed to show them her true self. “And I find that disturbing.”
“May I ask why?” Akello frowned as William and Donella glared daggers at one another.
“If you think Atharo’s plans can be thwarted by a single renegade prince, then your view of Atharo seems quite low—”
“You blasphemous wretch!” Donella screeched.
“The worst part is your constant testing of Atharo’s patience!” Peter continued. “You love to talk about hope of his mercy and return. You talk of him as if he’s a weak old man who does naught but fret all day, hoping we make the right decisions so he can return. But you refuse to obey him and then wonder when you taste his wrath!”
Donella slammed her fist on the table in front of her. “I will see you hanged for this!”
“Donella!” William stood so fast his chair hit the floor. “This is highly improper!” He looked around, making eye contact with the rest of the chancel members, or at least those who would look at him. “Let us resettle ourselves,” he continued in a quieter voice, “and reconvene when tempers have cooled and we have done a more thorough investigation.”
“Unlike you, I have twelve fae in the infirmary because of him. So you can remain silent!” Donella barked. “Besides, I don’t recall you ever being proclaimed orator.”
“Any member is allowed to speak during a session,” Sebastian called quietly. “Orators are allowed to break ties and address the people. Not to dictate who talks.”
“You would know about blasphemy better than I!” Peter shot back. “You put words in Atharo’s mouth that aren’t there! You speak for him as though he has spoken to you personally! Well, you know what? I don’t give a flying mushroom for what you think. Your words are false, and your actions reveal your true intent. You have done everything in your power to separate Katy from me, and I’m through allowing you to trample over the trust we mistakenly placed in you upon coming here!”
“Your ancestors shed a lot of blood for you to be so self-righteous,” Ethemu growled. “And so have you.”
“Because we’re all in agreement with what our blood relations do, aren’t we?” Peter spat. Karel stiffened, but Peter went on. “And if you want to talk about self-righteous, why am I being treated as though I’m condemned already without even finishing my trial? And you,” Peter continued, looking back at Donella. “When was the last time you read the Chronicles for yourself?”
“You know nothing!” Donella shrieked so loudly that the rest of the chancel members startled. But she didn’t seem to notice. She leaned over the table, her words pouring out faster and faster. “You’re an ignorant farm boy who’s read just enough to be dangerous. You know nothing and you care about nothing but lusting after the only woman who would ever have you despite the repulsive monster you’ve become!”
“Donella!” William shouted.
“This is truly not appropriate,” Sebastian added, but Donella’s tirade continued.
“And when you get your hands on her, you’ll make sure she stays yours and yours alone, leaving the rest of the isles to their doom!”
“I’m the one who has dedicated my life to protecting her!” Peter roared back. “I was the one who bled for her when we were children and the others decided to throw rocks. I nearly died in the hands of the madman fairy you allowed to roam the isles! I was the one who held her as she screamed during her manifestation! And yet, I have never told her to pick me or you! The only one forcing her to choose is you!” Peter breathed hard as the ice pressed harder against him. “You’ve made all this nonsense up without even a second thought to what Atharo might be doing!”
Donella shot into the air. “You are a demon Atharo has loosed on us as a test! And I will die before I allow the autumn fairy to ever share her life with the likes of you!”
For the third time that day, Peter felt the familiar snap deep inside, and before he even considered the words, they ripped their way from his throat.
“That can be arranged!”
As he spoke, the familiar heat began to radiate out from within him, and he could feel the creature inside, that formidable warrior longing to arise and take control. The ice began to run down his arms and stomach and legs, and he felt himself smile as he coiled his muscles to strike. He could break these bonds they’d cast upon him. It would be easy, like snapping sticks.
But just as he began to see red, a large hand pressed down on his shoulder. He turned to see William.
“Don’t do it,” William whispered. “Don’t give them another reason—”
Peter stared at the man as he continued to whisper. Part of him wanted to gnash his teeth and remove the arm that was pressing him back. How dare he suggest Peter leave Katy to their devices? If Peter fought his hardest now, taking them by surprise, he just might get away, and in the process leave a few less of them to deter him later.
And yet, there was just enough sense left in him to pause. But only just. Peter struggled to keep his breathing steady and the creature inside contained. Every muscle taut, he closed his eyes and tried to calm the beast. William was right, as little as he liked it. There were too many surrounding him now for an escape, and most likely, all he would have to show for his efforts would be a trail of bodies before they captured him
again.
“Look at him. He cannot even think without fighting himself.”
Peter looked up to see Donella turn away, a look of disgust on her face. “I’m done here. Take his sword and kill him.”
“Hold now!” William bellowed from beside him, still keeping a firm grip on his arm. “You may be the orator, but you cannot order the death of a rhin!”
“I can do what is necessary to protect my people!” she shouted back.
“And I will do what is necessary to protect mine! And I’m beginning to think he has a shred of truth to his testimony!”
“You would believe this lying boy over me?”
“The depth of your hate makes me wonder!” William looked back up at the chancels. “Well, what say you?” He stared at each person in turn. “Will you stand by and allow this rhin to be put to death without even a concluded trial?”
Every fairy but Shauna turned and looked at Donella. William then turned to his human friends, desperation straining his words. “Sebastian? Akello? Ethemu? Will you stand by while a fairy orders the death of your brother?”
“I say let her have him.” Akello scowled. “He’s brought nothing but chaos.”
“Should have known better than to ask you,” William muttered. “Sebastian?”
The king of the Fourth Isle frowned down at his hands, where he’d woven a small circle of colorful string around his fingers. “I must admit,” he said slowly, staring at the string, “I am conflicted. The young man I have seen in our sessions has acted in a worthy manner. But I do not understand nor do I trust his other nature, which is obviously under very little control. And yet…” He pulled the string taut. “I cannot justify death. I’m afraid, my friend,” he said, looking back up at William, “that this is one vote from which I shall abstain.”
William stared at Sebastian as though he’d been slapped, shock and hurt flashing across his face until he hardened it and looked finally at Ethemu. “Surely,” he said, “you cannot condone the killing of a rhin. And for what? Being more like them—” he jerked his chin at Donella, “—than like us?”
“His mark has nothing to do with this,” Donella grumbled.
“It was your idea to bait him at the test,” William said, his frown deepening. “Which makes me wonder, after this debacle, what else you’ve done to make him appear his worst.” He turned to Ethemu once again. “So, what say you?”
By now, the creature inside of Peter was quiet once again as Peter watched Ethemu stare at his hands with an empty expression on his face.
“Well?” Donella spat.
“I…I cannot say,” Ethemu finally said, his voice flat.
“Ethemu—” Donella snapped.
Ethemu closed his eyes. “Do what she says.”
As William raged and argued with Ethemu and Donella, Peter felt as though he were watching from far away again. But this time, it wasn’t because the creature was trying to claw its way out. He was fully aware of his surroundings and in control of his body. Rather, he simply couldn’t understand. How had it come to this?
William glowered at Donella. “You’ll not lay a hand on him. We’re going to sort this out like any decent people would.”
“If you’re open to discussion with a clear threat to my kind, then I am finished discussing.” Donella shook her head and flew away, uttering a string of curses.
“I’ll come to you soon, but I need for you to go with them now.” William turned to Peter as the guards came and loaded his half-frozen body up onto the cart again. “Please, for the love of all that’s holy, do not try to escape. Prove to them you’re not a monster!”
“But I need to find Katy—”
“You are strong, but you cannot risk the entire isle turned against you!” William hissed. “I’m begging you, for the sake of the isles and the sake of your girl, please do not attempt to fight your way out this time. Please!”
As Peter let them carry him away, only one thought allowed him to cling to reality. Katy was gone. Which meant she was safe from them. If Donella knew where Katy was, she wouldn’t have allowed herself to lose control where Katy might see. Of that Peter was sure. And if Katy was safe, he could endure anything.
Only, he couldn’t help wondering, for how long? And what would Katy do when she returned? How long would she make him wait?
Keeping the creature contained was made difficult again when a winter fairy approached and melted the ice just enough to remove his sword. His father’s sword. In a moment of panic, Peter nearly let the monster slip as he shouted for his sword to be returned.
“What do we do with it?” the fairy asked Ethemu.
“We’ll need it for the High King’s return,” Ethemu said, glancing upward in the direction Donella had gone. “Give it to Donella.”
“No one should be holding a rhin’s sword but a rhin!” William cried. “And if you’re not brave enough to take it, I will.” He held out his hand, but Ethemu shook his head. “Maybe it’s troubles like this that have prevented us from finding the High King. Maybe we ought to let the fairies have their way after all.”
Peter found his attention wandering as they continued to argue. He felt naked without the sword. He’d only had it back a few months, but even then, the sword felt like it was an extension of him. Losing it was like losing an arm. Actually, it was nearly like losing his father all over again.
As he struggled with its loss, he did his best to keep the rage inside. He might stave it off for the moment, but eventually the creature inside would become riled beyond what he could stand. Sooner or later, he would have to get his sword. Then he would use it to find Katy. He would convince her that he was sorry, and they would have to find a way off this dreadful isle. If only, he prayed as they moved him, he could do it before the creature decided to return again.
“And if he tries to escape,” Donella shouted from above, “I want you to kill him on the spot! And anyone who helps will suffer the same!”
28
Ages
Katy knew staring was rude, but she couldn’t take her eyes off of her hostess. And the few times she did manage to tear her eyes away, they would immediately move to the glittering room she sat in and then back to her hostess again.
Well, it wasn’t a room, really. Katy was seated in a cavern about the size of Peter’s chambers back at the castle on the Third Isle. But unlike Peter’s stone walls, the cavern’s walls were completely covered by crystals of every color, shape, and size. The large fireplace in the corner made the crystals dance and twinkle in a merry way. It was somewhat akin to the kind of sitting room any respectable lady would keep in a castle. There were several divans, chairs, tables, and stools. None of them matched in paint or design, but they were covered by dozens of pillows and blankets, and the one she was now reclined on was quite cozy. Several door-sized openings along the far wall led to what looked like similar rooms deeper in the cavern.
“That was a nasty fall,” the beautiful woman said, walking toward Katy with a tea tray. She set the silver tray down on the little table in front of Katy and began to serve tea as she spoke. “But really, your flight is much better since we last spoke.” She peeked up at Katy and gave her an ornery grin.
“You…you were the voice!” Katy sputtered. “I mean, the voice was yours!” Katy accepted the tea without even realizing it until she accidentally dipped her finger in the scalding liquid.
Her hostess gave her a grin as she sipped her tea. “Yes.”
“I…thank you.” Katy struggled to find words. “But why didn’t you tell me?”
“I apologize for all the annoying little hints I had to drop along the way,” the woman said, setting her tea on her own little table and studying Katy.
She didn’t look like the spirit from Morvyn’s stories. In fact, she looked very much human. She had no marks on her arms or head. Her hair was blond with a near red tone to it, and her chin was sharp, but not in an unattractive way. It only made her look more thoughtful. She was tall and slim, and from wha
t Katy could tell in the light of the crystals, her eyes were green. She still wore her white cloak as she reclined, but a simple, practical brown dress peeked out from underneath. Still, she was breathtaking. For some reason, though, Katy couldn’t settle on an appropriate age to assign the woman in her head.
“Unfortunately,” Aisling continued, putting a finger to her jaw and tilting her head thoughtfully, “most people run at my first whisper. On both occasions where I addressed you, I was impressed by both you and your beloved’s abilities to handle the unfamiliar. Most people I talk to either run or faint.” She held a small plate out toward Katy. “Scone?”
She had spoken to Peter? Katy gave her a wary grin as she accepted the treat. “We’ve grown rather accustomed to the unfamiliar.”
“I know.” The woman clasped her hands in her lap and leaned forward. She tapped her fingers on her fists, almost nervously. “I have seen lots of ages and rhins come and go.” She shook her head at the ground. “Many people of influence and power. But I haven’t seen anyone like you in a long, long time.” She sighed, then in a near whisper added, “And you look just like her.”
Katy nearly dropped her tea. “Are you saying there was another autumn fairy?”
“There was.” The woman dusted the crumbs off her lap and stood. “Aisling’s eyes softened. “And she was my mother.”
***
Katy choked on her tea and coughed so hard it was several minutes before she could speak again.
There was another autumn fairy. Aisling was real. And now Katy was drinking tea in her sitting room. The whole situation would have been rather funny if Katy wasn’t still reeling in shock.
The Autumn Fairy of Ages Page 24