by Rachel Angel
“How about a drink before dinner?” he said. “A special drink for a very special person.”
I nodded. A nice, cool drink sounded perfect.
Few people were out and about as the heat of the day intensified. In fact, as we walked through the quaint little village that I had come to love so much these past few days, I noticed how eerily quiet it was.
We arrived at the shaded shelter which was a lot smaller than I remembered.
The chief sat on a small stool while I sat on the ground in front of him; no red cushions this time. A tall glass was set before me, its green liquid gleaming in the sunlight.
“I hope these past few days have been good to you,” he said.
“It has been like an unexpected holiday,” I said, remembering all the fun I’d had with Ollie and Reggie. “I think I was more exhausted than I even realized, and I really needed to rest and clear my mind.”
“Ah, yes,” he said. “I heard about your father. You must be devastated.”
I nodded as I took a small sip of the green drink.
“I do wish your father well and hope he recuperates quickly, but in the meantime…”
Again, I nodded. “Yes, I know. A kingmaker must be named. With everything that has been going on lately, I’m beginning to think that someone doesn’t want a kingmaker to be named at all.”
“It is clear that it is you who should take up your father’s responsibilities,” Chief Waikana said.
“Yes. That’s what I thought as well.”
“If you wish, I can help you.”
I looked at him and smiled, but my mind raced to make sense of what he was saying. Being from a small isolated portion of the island, how could he possibly help me? And why would he want to help me become kingmaker? I hated the sense of doubt and suspicion that suddenly filled me. Chief Waikana had been so kind to me. And yet… my sense of distrust grew quickly.
And then it struck me. Could Chief Waikana be responsible for the deaths of Gerr, Barnaby and Flamish? And if so, why?
“You seem to me to be wise and powerful,” I said, keeping my doubts and distrust to myself. “And I do truly appreciate the offer. But how can you help me become kingmaker? It seems as if all the leaders of the various kingdoms are against my becoming kingmaker. How can you get them to change their minds?”
“Finish your drink,” he said. “And we’ll go for a little walk. I’m certain it will enlighten you.”
I took the last sip of the shimmering green liquid and followed him out of the shelter. As we walked through the village, now so deathly silent, it didn’t seem as appealing as I remembered it. Some of the buildings were in decay and disrepair. The grass in many spots was yellow and dry, and many of the plants in the various gardens were wilting, their fruits rotting.
My heart sank as I tried to make sense of it all. I glanced back at the guest house where all my men were still sleeping. Or were they?
We’d spent an orgasmic day making love, out in the open, with the sun on our skin and a cool breeze caressing out sweaty limbs.
And yet, I had thrown on a gown that I had never seen before and had emerged from the guest house.
Confused, I smiled and looked straight ahead, refusing to allow the chief to see that I was onto him.
He led me between two of the brightly colored fields, both of which had yellowed somewhat. Beyond the fields was a forest of lush green.
I, along with Ollie and Reggie, had visited every corner of this crater. On one cool evening, we had even walked the entire perimeter of the crater. There was no forest directly adjacent to the crater’s rim.
And yet, here I was following the chief deeper and deeper into a forest of dark green and darker shadows.
“Have you been to this part of the island before?” the chief said.
I shook my head. “To see my ignorance of this part of the island, you would never guess that I was born in Arcadia. I’ve lived here all my life. I’ve grown up exploring so many parts of the island. But here… no. I never had any idea this part of the island existed.”
The dark shadows of the forest soon became illuminated, but I couldn’t understand where the source of the light was. The sun was completely blocked out by the dense canopy above.
The more I looked at the lively green and the brilliant spots of yellow, and shimmering neon pinks, it seemed that the light was coming from within. Everything had its own magical and enchanting light source.
“This is so pretty,” I said. “The colors here are positively alive.”
The chief smiled.
“Where are we?” I said, feeling like we’d entered another world. A world where things weren’t as they appeared.
A world of faes.
I looked at him and noticed how smooth his skin had become. He no longer had any winkles and there was no sign of any scruffy facial hair. His eyes were bigger and brighter than before, and his lips were soft and sensual. The teeth that had been yellow and oddly shaped were now brilliant white and beautiful.
The more I looked at him, the more he continued to change. His features became more and more delicate. For a moment, I thought he’d simply rejuvenated. That he had regained his youthful appearance by some trickery or magic. But it was more than that.
His features were growing more and more feminine… beautifully feminine.
The stiff tufts of hair grew long and shinning chestnut as his eyes turned big and dark. The sensual and feminine lips now took on a wickedly evil grin.
I stared at the young woman before me. Any and all traces of Chief Waikana were gone. In his place, this beautiful creature with a crazed look in her eye.
“Violet,” she finally said simply.
I nodded and we continued to look at one another, assessing each other.
“They call me Esmeralda,” the young woman said. “Seeker of all that is unjust in the fae realm.”
“Pleased to meet you,” I said, though I was far from being pleased.
“So, it is you,” Esmeralda said. “You were the one who was to be the most powerful fae in all the faery realm. You were the one who could have harvested all the power from the fae seer; the seer who not only saw the future of the fae realm, but that of the human realm as well. You were the one set to align yourself with the kings of the human realm, even endowed with the ability to choose the next king and guide them in their decisions.”
Confounded, I stared at her. “What are you talking about?”
Esmeralda chuckled, a sound that was sinister and frightening.
“Who are you talking about?” I said, wondering if she was referring to my mother. How could she know her? Know of her?
The evil fae looked at me with her knowing grin. “Think about it, Violet. Remember what your father told you.”
The memory was vague. It was so long ago, my father, distraught and heartbroken… he’d let it slip that my mother had been a fae.
How could I have forgotten that long ago conversation? Or had I simply refused to believe it?
“Your mother was a very foolish woman,” Esmeralda said. “Fortuna fell in love with a human.”
I took offence at that and glared at her. “My mother was not foolish. She was in love, something I’m sure you have no concept of. Hers was a true human love, one that led her to marry the man she loved.”
“The moment Fortuna wed that mere human, she lost a great deal of her powers. How thoughtless and irresponsible of her. But she was fortunate enough to maintain her sight and strength. Thus was the curse that your mother had to carry for marrying a human. She knew the only way she could regain some of her magical powers was for her to gain it by becoming one with the chosen princes she was to later choose as kings. This way, she would become one with them as they ruled their respective kingdoms. She would become their guide and her magical powers would guide them as they were one as lovers.”
“Why are you telling me all this?” I said, trying to wrap my head around the huge load of information she’d just dumped
on me.
“In order to enable you to make the right decision, dear Violet,” Esmeralda said sweetly.
Somehow, I felt that the right decision would probably be the decision she wanted me to make and not the one that I would naturally want to make.
“You see, Violet,” Esmeralda went on. “Because your foolish mother chose to marry a human, she had to be punished. An action like that does not go unnoticed in the faery realm. And her punishment was unfortunately passed on to you.”
“What do I have to do with this?”
“Oh, dear, dear Violet,” Esmeralda cooed. “So innocent. So ignorant in the ways of the fae world. You are your mother’s daughter and, by virtue of that, you must pay the price for the mistakes she’s made.”
I was stunned. Feeling every part of my body go numb, I looked into her demonic eyes and sought a way out of the predicament.
“Do not fear me, Violet,” Esmeralda said. “I just may have a solution for you.”
“And, what would that be?”
“Following your mother’s demise, it was decreed that the next kingmaker was to be a woman.”
I nodded my understanding of that part of her solution. “All right.”
“However, if one is to become kingmaker, one may not marry the prince of her choosing.”
I frowned. “What are you saying? That I can’t marry Ollie or Reggie?”
“Or Avery or Axel or Henry. No, dear child. The one who is to be kingmaker must make a difficult decision. Take the title of kingmaker or live out her life with her beloved prince… or princes.”
Although I’d heard every word she’d said, I did not understand what she was saying. It seemed preposterous, ridiculous. How could one prevent the other?
“The thing is,” the evil fae went on, “you’ve already bedded every one of those fair princes.”
How did she know that? Had I been watched this past week?
“You’ve bedded men who would be king. You’ve proclaimed your love for them. You’ve declared your desire to live out your life with them. It is only understandable that you should now wish to fulfill that dream and marry your charming princes.”
“I do love them so,” I muttered, more to myself than to her.
“In that case,” Esmeralda said, her tone understanding and compassionate. “No one could fault you for choosing the men that you love over something like the title of kingmaker.”
“But, if it is my destiny…” I tried to say, not sure where I was going with my train of thought. Everything was suddenly so blurry, so fuzzy. My confusion grew until I found myself just longing to be with my men once more. I wanted them around me. I needed them.
While I had always been close to Avery and Axel, had always loved them, these past days had brought us all so much closer than ever before. Ollie and Reggie had become such an important part of my life, and Henry. Well, Henry had always held a special place in my heart. He’d been there right from the start, protecting me in every way.
Even among themselves, the men had come to know one another, to be harmonious with each other. It was such a pleasure to see them all getting along, despite being from various kingdoms.
They were united in their love for me.
The thought pleased me greatly, and it was easy to imagine my life with them.
Through this flurry of pleasant thoughts about my beloved princes, I couldn’t help but wonder what it was that Esmeralda truly wanted.
“You do love them, don’t you?” Esmeralda said, her eyes narrowed in anticipation.
“Of course, I do,” I said. But I also want to be the kingmaker, I thought to myself.
“Yes,” Esmeralda said. “I know. But you can’t.”
Glancing sidelong at her, I wondered if she had read my thoughts. Or had I spoken aloud without even realizing it?
Esmeralda chuckled, adding to my confusion. “The choice really shouldn’t be that difficult, Violet. In fact, I’d say it’s rather evident. It’s positively obvious.”
It certainly didn’t seem obvious to me.
“I saw the way those princes look at you. They absolutely adore you. How lucky you are. Most young girls dream of the day when they might find one young man who will love them, and if he should be a prince, well, that makes it all the better.” Esmeralda smiled sweetly, looking almost enchanting. “Yet, you… You have found a way of getting not one or two, not three or four, but five handsome, strong, sexy and caring men to fall in love with you. They would all lay their lives down for you.”
Licking my lips, I thought of my princes, so eager to see them again.
“Yes,” Esmeralda said. “I do understand your eagerness to be in their arms again, to have them satisfying your every sexual desire, fulfilling your every erotic fantasy, as they have these past days. Your life is destined to be filled with pleasure at every turn. Just think about it; five men, all of them ready and willing to do everything they can to make you happy. How can you turn that down?”
A tingling sensation shot through my body as I thought of the erotic games we’d played. Under the prim and proper silk of my lavender gown, I grew wet with anticipation.
“I know how Ollie can so expertly lick you to orgasm, or how Reggie has a way of nudging his manhood into you in just the perfect way. I know that Axel is an animal who is ready to do anything and Avery, so sweet and considerate can make love to you like no other. And of course, Henry. So reasonable and sensibly, yet so ready to disregard everything if it means pleasuring you. Are you prepared to give all of that up?”
I looked at her, befuddled. I almost felt like I was on the verge of tears. The thought of not being with them again. It broke my heart into a million pieces.
She looked at me, smiling sweetly. “You are an insatiable lover, Violet. How will you ever manage when the only thing you have to warm your bed at night is your kingmaker’s velvet robe?”
I shook my head, unable to imagine a lifetime alone.
“Stay, sweet Violet,” Esmeralda whispered gently as she reached out to me. “Stay in the lovely village that comes alive when you enter it. Stay in that lovely crater that awaits your return as we speak. Your men… your princes… your future awaits you. All you have to do is say yes.”
I looked at her straight in the eye. My mind was made up. I had to be with my princes.
But when I opened my mouth to speak… nothing came out.
Chapter 13
Violet
“Don’t give in to her,” a ghostly female voice called out.
I looked at Esmeralda who continued to smile sweetly at me.
“It is all trickery, my dear daughter,” the delicate voice said. “Do not fall for it. Esmeralda is quite talented in the ways of glamouring. Do not allow her to fool you.”
I looked around but could find no source for the voice. And judging by Esmeralda’s reaction, she had not heard the voice.
“I am here, my lovely child.”
A fragrant rose and lavender colored mist rolled in, obliterating Esmeralda, and when I turned, I saw the loveliest vision I’d ever laid my eyes on.
She seemed to float on air, her bare feet peering out from under her long white and gold gown. Her long hair curled all the way down to her waist, lightly carried on the breeze.
But it was her eyes that captivated me the most. Not due to their color or their shape, but simply for the love I saw shining in them. Her rosy red lips smiled down at me, reflecting the love in her eyes.
“I should have done this long ago,” the vision said. “But I had hoped never have the need to do so.”
“Mother?” I whispered, not sure what to believe.
“Yes, dear Violet. I am your mother, the one the faes call Fortuna. While I had long ago promised never to intervene, I fear Esmeralda has left me no choice. She is using trickery that is frowned upon in the faery realm, thus inciting me to come to you in order to clarify a few things.”
I smiled. “I’m glad you did. I must confess that I’m a little confuse
d as to what I should do.”
“It’s quite understandable. Esmeralda has done everything in her power to make you all the more confused.”
“What should I do?” I said. “I love my princes dearly.”
“I know you do, dear, and I’m happy for you. But you must never forget who you are and what your destiny truly is. With your father out of commission, you must ensure that you become the next kingmaker. No matter what anyone says. No matter how hard anyone tries to dissuade you. Some may try to tell you that it is too difficult for a woman. Hogwash. You are smarter, more talented and more powerful than most, if not all, of the men around you. You just don’t know it yet.”
Smiling, I took pleasure in the notion.
“My dear child. If you do not become kingmaker, the kingdoms, all of them, will be destroyed.”
My smile faded. While I knew it was important that I take up my father’s duty, I never imagined that the very existence of all the kingdoms relied on it.
“The trickster fae is trying to convince you to take another path in your life. Don’t be fooled. Your destiny is to be kingmaker.”
Through the veil of lavender mist, I saw Esmeralda and knew that she was the evil fae my mother spoke of.
“She is wise, that old witch,” Fortuna said. “Look at her, glamouring herself to appear to be your peer. As if her youthful appearance would make you trust her more. But she has an evil soul, that one. A soul bent on destruction for destruction’s sake. There is no rhyme or reason to her desire to see the realm of the faes as well as the world of humans come to an end. She longs to show the humans the wealth of power the faes have. She wants humans to fear the magic and turn that very fear against them. Fear is a powerful weapon. Fear can make humans turn on one another. You mustn’t let that happen. You must stop her before she goes too far.”
Saddened, I looked at my mother. “I won’t let you down.”
“Good,” she said softly. “It calms my aching heart to know that you are on the right side of this calamity. You know, at the time, I couldn’t understand why Esmeralda was most disappointed when I first lost my magical powers. And she was then most angry when I left my remaining powers to my human husband. In her mind, it was blasphemous.”