His tone was dangerously close to whining.
I repressed a chuckle while I waited for Lia to explain. She raised her hand to him as though to stop his complaining. "Calm down, sweetie. You two will be getting married in a week, and where I come from it is customary for the bride and groom not to be together before the wedding. Now, I'm a modern woman and believe me, I love hanky-panky as much as the next girl, but some traditions shouldn't be broken. I'm sure in your customs, you shouldn't even be sleeping together without being married, but I'm not going to rain on your sexy parade. I'm just asking for a week. I'm sure you can keep your little soldier down and calm until then." She snorted. "Well, you'll have to because you'll be sharing a bed with your brother. Just please don't confuse him with Bri while you sleep, and end up unconsciously filling him up. But if you do… call me."
She gave him an exaggerated wink, and Cyn glared back. He seemed a little disturbed by her imagination.
We laughed.
"I'm just kidding. But seriously, I'm taking her with me tonight." Cyn looked at me, his eyes begging me to say no. I sighed. Lia was right. She rolled her eyes. "Oh relax, it's only a week. Trust me; it will make it all the more special when you see her again at the altar."
“See her again?!” Cyn asked, panicked. “You mean we cannot see each other whatsoever until the Handfasting Ceremony?”
“Nope,” she replied amused.
“My Goddess,” Cyn almost snarled.
Cupping his cheek, I forced his gaze to mine again. "A week will be gone before you know it. I promise." I kissed him briefly and my gaze settled on Lia. "Besides, I'm leaving tomorrow, not tonight.”
She smirked, giving me a one-shoulder shrug. "Fine, tonight you can break the bed for all I care, but tomorrow you are coming with me."
"Aahh" I squealed and laughed, as Cyn carried me in his arms. He stopped for a second, securing his hold around the fabric of my skirt, and began to take me towards our hut.
We had barely made it three steps when he froze and quickly set me on my feet. His gaze flew to his arm where the map of the village was forming. The lines shimmered, turning from gold to black as they moved over his skin. I didn't need him to speak. I didn't have a map, but I could feel it too. Intruders. My staff materialized instinctively, just as Cyn's bow and arrow appeared in his grasp. The white sphere glowed, ready for my command as I pointed it forwards. I felt the rush of magic travel from my core to my arms, and into the staff.
Cyn and I stood side by side while the Warriors ran towards us, weapons drawn. Lia! I quickly looked behind me, but Art was already standing in front of her, his double swords in hand as he shielded her with his body.
Time suddenly seemed to slow as the earth and gravel under our feet turned into a luscious, green carpet. Vines grew from the grass in front of us, and extraordinary flowers—I'd never seen before—popped on every inch as it rushed towards the center of the space. The vines lifted from the ground, as the soft cream archway of stone appeared. Cyn and I relaxed our stance, his bow disappearing while multicolored, shimmery blooms continued to spread and curved around the arch. Before I blinked again, the portal had formed, and Lia was standing right next to me.
"Damn, talk about extreme cock-blocking." She mumbled chuckling, but I was too distracted to pay attention.
The most addicting flowery perfume filled the air, as the image of a glorious meadow became visible in the inside of the portal, and a woman crossed over. I looked at her, speechless from her beauty.
Long black hair fell in waves over her shoulders and continued down past her waist. Her skin was so light it nearly resembled the Princes paleness, but she had a soft, shimmery golden glow about her, which they lacked. Large burgundy orchids adorned the top of her head, as though it was a crown, her full lips were stained in the same color. My gaze dropped to the gown she wore, it matched her burgundy lips, as she slowly made her way to us. It was made of a material I had never seen. It was see-through, but it had the most remarkable embroidery of flowers I had ever encountered. It seemed so realistic, three-dimensional even.
The flowers covered her body strategically—showing only the smallest areas of skin—which allowed her to remain decent, and there appeared to be crystals on the flowers. What looked like thin vines and leaves interlaced between them, bringing the dress together. The number of flowers, leaves, and vines increased as her skirt passed her hips and reached the floor, completely covering her legs. When she took the last few steps to us, my eyes widened. A gasp escaped my lips as the flowers on her dress slightly moved. The petals of the roses opened further and turned as though searching for the sun above us. They were alive. The flowers on her dress were not some sort of three-dimensional embroidery, they were real flowers, and the crystals I had seen, were dewdrops.
Her soft blue eyes settled on me as full lips curved into a breathtaking smile. “I’m Queen Abella Lenora of the Summer Court. Upon hearing the joyous news of your arrival, High Priestess, I have come to pay my respects. To welcome you, and pledge our eternal alliance to you. We are well met."
She slightly bent her body; offering me a half bow, which I knew was a gesture of utter respect—She was a queen, and for what I’ve read about them, they bowed to no one. I slightly frowned at the thought. She was The Queen of the Summer Court, yet unlike The Princes of the Winter Court, she had no royal markings on her forehead. I silently wondered why.
"Do Fairies just waltz in here any time they want?" Lia whispered next to me.
Crapola. I shushed her.
"It is a pleasure to see you again after such a stretch, Your Highness. We are pleased to have you among us," Cyn replied with a smile, and bowed to her.
Following his lead, I smiled and bowed, still holding onto my Spear of Light as I did. "Thank you for coming. It is an honor to meet you."
She came closer and kissed both my cheeks. Her arms wrapped around me for a brief hug, and warmth traveled through my body at her affectionate gesture. Once she leaned back, her gaze briefly shifted to the Minastra GalIsacura Arthulis in my staff, and she tensed but recovered quickly. Her smile returned.
"I would have come much sooner, but the news was kept from us, it was only by the grace of our RoyalSeer that we were informed."
Queen Abella graciously gestured to someone behind her, and it was only then I noticed she wasn't alone. Her presence had captured my attention since the moment she arrived. Five female fairies and two male guards stood behind her. Unlike her, their skin was a warm honey tone, with a soft golden glow as though kissed by the sun. The Fairies wore real dresses. Shiny corsets with silk flowers adorned their bodices, and long flowy skirts reached the ground, covering their feet. It reminded me of the medieval gowns I had seen in the movies but with high fashion flair. It was evident the live flora was reserved for the queen's apparel.
A young Fairy stepped forwards. She had blond hair and green eyes. Her rosy cheeks and lips matched her dress perfectly, and if it weren't for the pointed ears—which snuck out between her hair—and the unique glow of her skin, you wouldn't know she was a Fairy. She looked more like a Victoria's Secret model. She was the Royal Seer the queen had just mentioned. Her lips stretched into a shy smile, and she bowed to me. She whispered something into Queen Abella's ear, and her gaze went straight to the sphere in my staff.
“It appears, the evil Princes of the Winter Court have come to you before we could.” She said, trying to mask her contempt.
Evil? Lia and I exchanged a confused glance. When my eyes met Cyn's, he let out a noticeable sigh but didn't comment.
"I know we have all known each other for longer than a mortal's life," the queen's words were directed at Cyn this time. "But surely you will be careful in your dealings with the Winter Court. They seek nothing but power and vengeance, and I can assure you that whatever they have offered you, comes with a price." Her eyes once again swept over my Spear of Light, and sadness dulled her features. "One you will most likely not be willing to pay."
; “Has something happened, Your Highness?” Cyn asked before I could.
Her eyes returned to mine for a moment before they settled on Cyn's. "Prince Kyr kidnapped Princess Aura, my daughter." She added, for my benefit.
Lia and I gasped, while Cyn took a deep breath.
"He took her yesterday from the gardens of our own kingdom, apparently, before he and his brothers came to offer the crystal as a gift to the High Priestess."
What? That had been four months ago. The stories I had read since I was a child came to aid me. Everything I had learned in books about Fae said that time moved much slower in their realm. An hour there could be ten hours here or even more. I wasn't sure there was an exact formula, and math would kill me before I deciphered that, but I never thought those stories could be true. It was obvious some of it was real though, what had occurred months ago for us, had barely happened yesterday for them. Had someone throughout history gotten close enough to a Fairy to learn their secrets and write about them? I wondered what else the fantasy books got right.
"He infiltrated our lands, and brought his Dark Army upon my doorstep, taking the lives of those who loyally served me." The Queen's distressed voice brought my attention back to her. The anguish was clear in her eyes and my heart squeezed in my chest. "We fought them, but it was merely a distraction. He had already taken my daughter and by the time we realized it… it was too late."
“I am truly sorry to hear that, Your Highness." Cyn looked at me for a moment then faced her again. "I hope your tribulations will promptly be resolved."
"Is there anything we can do to help you?" We both said at the same time.
Cyn tensed beside me. I could feel his unease filtering through our bond, but I wasn't backing down. This didn't make any sense. The princes were my friends. They had helped us defend our people from the Romans, how could they be evil?
Sensing the disagreement between us the Queen stood back and forced a smile on her face, yet her eyes still shone with sadness. "Thank you, you are much too kind, High Priestess. However, I've not come to place my troubles upon you. Please forgive me for doing so."
“If I may,” Lia said suddenly. “Why was your Seer unable to predict they would kidnap your daughter?”
Queen Abella smiled kindly. "The power of a Seer is limited. She was able to warn me against the attack, but not the intention behind it. There are things not even those with the gift of sight can see." The Fairy Seer lowered her head, and I knew she felt guilty. In an act that seemed almost motherly, the queen reached for the Fairy's hand and squeezed it reassuringly. "We will get her back, Dalila. Even if it's the last thing I do."
Nodding, the Fairy smiled timidly and leaned closer, once again she whispered into Queen Abella’s ear, but this time her face lit up with delight.
"I believe congratulations are in order. It brings me great pleasure to hear of this sacred union between you, and I want to give you a gift." Her hand graciously lifted, and she called the other fairies forward. "Violet, Elle, Dew & Rosemary are very special fairies. They are from the Spring Court, but joined me in order of their queen, as a token of our prolonged peace and alliance. Today day we'd like to extend that gift to you. Girls…"
The Fairies stepped forward, bowing to Cyn and me, then extended her hands towards the ground. A low chant left her lips, and the next second, ribbons of soft green light shot from their fingers. The light shimmered as the bands of magic twirled through the air and penetrated the earth. Plush, bright, green grass appeared, just as it had when their portal formed. The energy rushed through the soil as flowers popped fluidly, forming a wide walkway on their way to the ceremony grounds.
We turned around and watched in astonishment as a sea of white, rose and peach buds built the altar. The vines intertwined, swiftly climbing the arch Art had made, and wrapped it in the most exquisite blossoms. The ribbons dropped on to the earth once again, building an isle of shimmering petals, embellishing the rows of chairs the Warriors had already set up. They continued towards the shrubs and trees surrounding the space, forming beautiful garlands that hung from branch to branch.
The smell that impregnated the air was intoxicating, and my tears began to gather as a floral paradise was born in seconds in front of our eyes. I didn't know how a Druid wedding was supposed to look, but I was certain that nothing would ever be as perfect as this. My gaze returned to the four fairies when the green strings of light recoiled into their fingertips.
“I… I don’t know what to say,” I whispered as a tear escaped me.
“If there’s anything you don’t like I can ask the girls to…”
“No!” I quickly answered interrupting the queen. “Please don't. I love it. It's truly stunning. I've never seen anything like this, thank you so much." I rushed. The Fairies clapped, excited by my reaction and stepped back, resuming their place behind their queen.
“Very well,” she said with a genuine smile. “Then I must leave.” Queen Abella stepped closer, and placed her delicate arms around my shoulders once again, kissing both my cheeks. "If there is anything I can ever do for you, all you have to do is ask." She extended her hand, and one of the girls placed an ornate hand mirror in her palm. "This is an enchanted mirror. Whisper my name onto the crystal, and it will allow us to speak." She set it in my hand.
Cyn's lips stretched as he returned her smile, and bowed to her. "Thank you for the honor of your visit, Your Highness."
"Farewell," she replied, and held her hands graciously front of her waist, then turned around walking towards her portal.
“Wait!” Lia yelled after her. “Their wedding is still a week away. The flowers will die by then.”
The Fairies laughed, and it sounded like chimes. Queen Abella grinned as she looked at Lia over her shoulder. "These aren't ordinary flowers, my dear." With a wink, she resumed her pace.
I briefly looked back at the blooms, noticing the twinkling energy that moved throughout them over and over. There was powerful magic in them. I straightened and watched after the queen, mesmerized as the roses and orchids on her dress slid over her skin accommodating each stride of her legs, and the curves of her back, while she crossed the portal back into The Summer Court.
“I have to talk to them,” I told Cyn as he closed the door to our hut.
“My Goddess…”
"No, Cyn. How can you tell me we can’t help her? If what she says is true…"
"The Fae cannot lie," Cyn announced, interrupting me.
I sighed. “How can Kyr have kidnapped her daughter? I don’t understand. They are my friends. They can't be evil! I have to talk to them and find out what happened. Convince them to return the Summer Princess.”
I walked towards my dresser, placing down the enchanted mirror and picking up the key the princes had gifted me. Cyn held my hand stopping me from lifting the key and pulled me to him.
"The Fae are very complicated beings." He pulled me to sit with him on the bed. "The Winter and Summer Courts have been at war long before we existed. It is not up to the Druids to intervene in their affairs."
"Excuse me?" Had Cyn really just said that to me? "Druids are spiritual leaders, the keepers of peace. High Priests, long before my grandfather, stood in the middle of armies ready for war and talked them into peace. How can you tell me that?"
His chest rose as he breathed deeply, and let out a loud sigh. His features deepened as he looked out the window. “We are, in this world… in our realm. Fae are not part of our world. The realm of the Fae, the Otherworld, is complicated. It is filled with more laws, and magic that you can possibly imagine. They are ruled by power and ambitions, which we Druids cannot dismiss or resolve for them. Our duty includes advocating justice and fairness, yet we cannot force others into it. The acceptance of peace has to come from them, and if I were truthful, that is not something I deem possible for the Winter and Summer Courts just yet. Furthermore, you must consider that we have the peace of our people to achieve first and foremost.”
I sighed resigned.
Cyn was right. There were so many things for us to do still, and I had no idea where to even begin. I placed the key down on the nightstand, using a mental Post-it to ask the princes about it when they came to marry us. We had already spoken to Nix, requesting the favor, and he was thrilled. He promised to deliver the news to his brothers, who were apparently "busy," and that they would be here for the ceremony.
Queen Abella's words crossed my mind, and I looked at Cyn again. “If the Fae can’t lie, then everything she said was true.” My chest tightened with the implications, I didn’t want to think of my friends that way, but I had to ask. “Are they really evil? What price will we have to pay for the Minastra GalIsacura Arthulis?”
Cyn kissed me and caressed my cheek. “She was not deceitful. The Princes of the Winter Court are evil in her eyes.”
“And in yours?” I asked, afraid of the answer.
“Astute, calculative, mischievous, manipulative… yes. Though, all Fae are that way. Evil… not entirely. Their father, however, The Dark King, is a different matter. As far as the price for your gift, you already paid it." I frowned, and he smiled. "They wanted your loyalty. You are a powerful High Priestess, the first one in the history of our people. By getting you in their graces before the Summer Queen even knew about the prophecy coming true, they have already won a battle over her. That gives them power."
"Huh." I looked at him as I mulled over his words. Monarchy. It was all a game of chess, and we were nothing but their pawns. I chuckled humorlessly. The princes had pledged their alliance and proven to be there for me when I needed them. They were my friends, ones who had put their lives on the line, risked their soldiers to defend my Druid family probably only because it was convenient for them. "We got played."
Cyn chuckled. “Kingdoms have always sought out the advice and power of the Druids. We have built alliances, guided rulers and helped protect monarchies since our time began. That will never change. Mòr Sagart was a master at their game.”
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