Revealed

by Riana Lucas

  Watching the interaction makes me realize just how odd it is for a human to be within the walls of the Seelie Court as anything other than a prisoner or servant. There has definitely never been a human here as a guest. I seem to be taking for granted how quickly my life has changed and how easily I have adapted. It will not be as easy for some. Thankfully, Anna being with the queen automatically puts her status as honored. This will keep Anna protected from those who will not like her being here.

  “Willow, would you please prepare the room next to Reed’s for our guest?”

  Willow turns to the queen and bows slightly. “Yes, my queen. Is there anything else you would like?”

  “Anna, would you like for Willow to take your things to your room? We can carry on to my chambers for afternoon tea and a light snack while we chat. Would that be acceptable?”

  “Umm, yes, I think so. That would be perfect. Thank you.” Anna turns to Willow and hands her bag to her. “Thank you, Willow. That is very kind of you.”

  “It is my pleasure, ma’am. Is there anything else I can do for you?”

  “No thank you, Willow. And please, call me Anna?”

  “Yes, of course, Anna.” Willow blushes slightly and begins to turn away.

  I stop her and pull her into another hug. “Thanks, Willow. I will find you when I am finished with my mother and get you up to date on all that has happened.” I grin mischievously at her, and the last bit of tension dissipates.

  “Okay!” She squeals and hurries down the corridor toward Anna’s room.

  When I turn back, all the others are looking at me with different degrees of smiles on their faces, but my mother’s is the largest.

  I can barely conceal my own smile, so instead I look at her sullenly. I cross my arms over my chest and stomp off toward my mother’s rooms. “Come on, I would like to get this over with as soon as possible.”

  Anna and my mother both laugh as they follow behind me.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Thankfully, the chat with my mother was not complete torture. Although she seemed to keep a very close eye on both Reed and me as we told her about our two days in the human world, she did not ask any pointed questions about personal things.

  We told her all the basics and left out the multiple arguments we had, not that everyone in the room was not already aware of them. Even my mother seemed to know. Everything was surprisingly relaxed, although I was afraid that would change when we got to the part about Reed wanting to bring his mother back to the Seelie Court for her protection. My mother seemed to understand his concerns, and to my surprise, completely agreed with the quick decision.

  We talk for a bit longer. Anna tells us about some of the things she remembers from being here before and how different Faery Land is from the human world. It is all light conversation paired with finger sandwiches and tea.

  Although the impromptu lunch goes well, I am still anxious to get out of there. I need space from Reed and time to investigate my suspicions about Reed’s father. So thankfully, when my mother announces she needs to tend to a few matters, I breathe a sigh of relief.

  I should not have.

  “Anna, it was a joy to meet you, and I am so happy you are here as our guest. Please, feel free to make yourself completely at home. As I am sure you heard, your room will be next to Reed’s in case you need anything, but don’t hesitate to ring the servants if he is unavailable or unable to assist you. I will have one of my girls come to show you around your room, and then maybe Reed could take you on a tour of the grounds. I want you to know your way around and feel free to explore. My home is your home.” My mother rose from her chair and walked us to the door, reaching out to grasp Anna’s hand. They have become fast friends in the short amount of time since Anna arrived.

  Reed and I share a smile at the comfort they have found with each other.

  “Thank you very much, Lily. I’m sure I won’t need anything at all, and everything will be perfect. I had a lovely time talking to you and look forward to dinner this evening. But I admit that I’m very tired, so I think I’ll just take a quick nap for now. We can get to all the other stuff later if that’s okay with you.”

  “Of course,” my mother says pleasantly. “Enjoy your rest.” Anna and my mother hug and then we are all walking through the doorway. I am almost through the threshold when I feel my mother’s hand on my shoulder.

  “Oh no you don’t. We still have much to discuss,” she says in a low and teasing voice, then much louder, “Good-bye, Anna and Reed. I will see you both at dinner.” My shoulders sag in defeat. Why I would think my mother would leave things alone is beyond me. I should have known better.

  I turn around, watching the floor instead of my mother as I make my way back over to the couch. In a very unladylike and un-warrior-like way, I plop down on the couch and cross my arms over my chest for the second time today. Instead of looking at her, I gaze out of the window.

  Of course, she is not dissuaded at all. “Stop pouting, it does not become you.”

  “I do not care,” I say as I continue to look out the window. The birds are chirping and flying about and the wind is blowing in the trees, making for a beautiful and peaceful scene. It makes me even more eager to get out there.

  My mother begins to laugh, and I cannot help but to look at her. The pure sound of her laughter is so nice. It is like the soft sound of wind chimes blowing in the afternoon breeze. Just as mesmerizing as her laughter is the light in her eyes and the smile on her face. The music and magic of it is not something anyone could look away from easily.

  “What?” I ask with a smile on my face. With the look on her face and the sound of her voice, I am unable to continue the charade of being mad.

  “You, my dear, dear daughter. You look like such a small child sitting there having a tantrum.” My eyes narrow at her words, but it only causes her to giggle once again. “Oh, it is delightful to see that although I missed out on your younger years, we can relive them now.”

  “That is not funny at all.” I try to sound stern, but I realize she is right when I have the overwhelming desire to stomp my foot and turn my back on her. She is right. Although I was not even aware of what it was until this very moment, I am having a tantrum.

  Seeing the realization on my face, my mother raises her eyebrow at me and waits. I roll my eyes at her and uncross my arms. “Fine. You are correct. I apologize. Now what is it that you wanted to speak with me about privately?”

  She lets out an exasperated breath. “You do not need to apologize. I find it quite entertaining, actually.” She smirks when I quirk my eyebrows at her.

  “Are you finished having a laugh at my expense? Can we please move on now?” My voice takes on a whiny note I do not like. Sitting up, I adjust my tone. “What is it you would like to speak about, Mother?”

  “Oh, you are no fun, no fun at all. Hmm.” Her eyebrows knit together in the center, and her face forms into a small pout. She takes her seat once again and begins to mess with her tea.

  “Now who is the one acting like a child?” I cannot help but to laugh.

  She looks up at me sharply, but soon we are both giggling like children. It is so nice to be able to be this way with her. Having missed out on so much of my life with her, and having only just met her at such a stage in my life, I would have never thought it would be this easy for us to connect. We connected instantly, and the bond seems to grow stronger with each passing day.

  Once we both are able to gain some composure, reality sets in, and I can feel the seriousness of the conversation to come. It is not one I want to have. My mother is going to ask what happened between Reed and me. Anyone who knows either of us at all would have been able to feel the tension between us, but this is my mother and she could see much more.

  “What happened, Poppy? What is going on between the two of you?” She does not need to name names. We both know. I could try to deny everything, but the concern in her voice and the tenderness in her eyes have me opening up more tha
n I planned.

  “Oh, Mother. I do not know. I am so confused and, honestly, angry. These feelings of confusion and sadness along with all the questions I have are horrible, and I do not like them. On top of that, my naivety seems to only be hurting him. I just wish I knew what to do so we could all get on with our normal lives. This is all ridiculous, really.”

  “Honey. Come sit over here by me.” She pats the chair beside her and looks at me expectantly. I hesitate for a moment but then move to sit beside her. At first I am stiff, unsure of how I should sit or where to put my arms and legs. The seat is only a chair, but it is an overly large, comfortable chair that can easily seat two, but very closely. My mother and I have become very comfortable with hugging, but then we let go of each other and move back into our own space. Now I am sitting, squished up beside her with no place to go.

  She, however, does not seem to be thinking the same way as I am. Moving her arm around behind my back, she pulls me closer, cradling my head on her shoulder. I allow her to move me where she wants me since I have no idea what to do. Once she has me pulled close, she pats my shoulder soothingly. “Okay, dear. I am going to tell you some things you need to remember. Okay?”

  “Umm…okay?” I do not know what else to say. She has just moved me about as if I am a doll. Who am I to object?

  “We both know the consequences that have brought us to this point in our lives, so there is no need to rehash all of those horrible details. However, you must know one thing. The way you were raised, the lack of emotion and feelings you were taught?” I nod my head and she continues. “They are not normal. The feelings you are having now are. Love, whether it be for a friend, a family member, or a special someone is a complicated, crazy, emotional. Take our relationship for example. We love each other as if there were never a day that separated us, but sometimes you are so angry with me and I with you. That is normal, honey. When we love someone, we cannot help those feelings. There is no right or wrong way to do it, and there are no magical answers. As frustrating as it is, confusion, unanswered questions, pain, and anger go with it. But most of all, there is happiness. If you are truly happy, then you are doing it right. You have to look past all the other stuff and ask yourself what makes you happy.”

  “But it is not that simple. There are so many other factors that must be considered,” I object.

  “Oh, but it is that simple. All the other stuff? It will work itself out. Trust me.”

  “I do not know. How can something so complicated have such a simple answer?”

  “I don’t know, but it just does.”

  “But…” I begin but she cuts me off this time.

  “Can you just trust me and see how it works out?”

  “I guess, I can try,” I say hesitantly, not sure if I really can.

  “Good. Now tell me the rest.”

  “What do you mean?” I ask vaguely.

  “Do not play coy with me, young lady. I saw the look that passed between the two of you. What has changed?”

  “We can talk to each other,” I say hesitantly.

  “Of course you can. That doesn’t make any sense.” I feel her shake her head, but she does not stop the soothing motions of her hand on my shoulder and upper back. It helps to relax me and makes it easier to speak.

  “Not the normal way, but in our minds. We can speak to each other without words, whenever we feel like it. That is why I can feel things about him better than anyone else and why he seems to always be there when I need him. We are connected, mentally. Has that ever happened before? Do you know why we can do this?”

  “No. Not that I am aware of, but then again, I am not sure anyone would want to share that. Not only could it be used against you somehow, but it is extremely personal.”

  “Yes, it is,” I say, thinking of Reed knowing my most intimate thoughts.

  “I will — discreetly — look into it for you and see if anyone else has ever heard of such a thing, but it is an extraordinary gift, Poppy. It is something you should be thankful for and not take for granted, ever. Have you had a chance to really speak with Reed about it and what it means for the two of you?”

  I sigh, remembering our fight at his mother’s. “No, not really. But he told me he has feelings for me.”

  “Oh, that’s wonderful, dear. I knew he cared for you as you do him. I can see it in the way he looks at you and in the small things he does to make sure you’re taken care of.”

  “But I do not need that. I do not need someone to take care of me or be worried about me. Look at what happened to Rho when she put me before herself. She is dead now. What good has that done anyone?” I am angry now. My words are harsh and clipped. I sit up, ready to jump from my seat.

  My mother grabs my hand to prevent me from leaving the chair but does not try to pull me back to her side. “I understand, but that was not your choice or your fault. Rho made her choice to protect you and the others. It was heroic and brave. You cannot control the minds of others. They will make their own choices with or without your input. But you also cannot shy away from letting others into your heart because you are scared of them getting hurt while protecting you. They will do that whether you let them in or not. Because, even if you do not let them in, they have already let you in.”

  I sit quietly for a moment, playing my mother’s words over in my head. She is right, but that does not dampen my fear.

  “I…” My words are abruptly cut short, when the door to my mother’s room bangs open. We both turn quickly, and before I even know what I am doing, I have my mother behind me and my daggers at the ready.

  “What were you thinking? Bringing a human here! You have put us all in danger! I knew you were a traitor!” With the final shouted words, Holly lunges for me.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Although I was prepared to protect my mother and do battle with the intruder causing a threat, I was not prepared for that threat to be Holly. I was not expecting her cutting words and definitely not the murderous look in her eyes. My instincts may have taken over, and I may be armed, but my mind has not caught up yet.

  I am frozen in shock and confusion.

  As I watch her come toward me, time seems to slow down. She moves in slow motion as I look her over. The Fae I see before me is not the Holly I know. Her clothes appear wrinkled, a bit loose, and worn, as if she has had them on for several days. The wild mess of tangles around her head do not look any better, and her face is completely clear of all the makeup she usually has on. Holly has never been one to present herself looking anything less than perfect. Her vanity has always been her downfall. I often joked with Willow about how Holly looks as if she is attending a fashion show when she shows up for training sessions.

  The Holly I am looking at now is not that Holly.

  I watch in complete confusion as her arms stretch out and her fingers curl inward, reaching for my neck. Her nails are sharp like claws, her intentions clear. She wants to draw blood and cause major damage, if not kill. I have a fleeting thought that I had hoped we were past all of this. After Rho’s death, we seemed to reach an unspoken agreement. We were not friends but we were no longer enemies. Fighting for a common cause brought us together, making us partners, teammates, and allies as we trained, planned, and ate together daily. We definitely were no longer trying to kill one another.

  It seems as if she has changed her mind.

  I snap back to reality just as Holly is about to grasp my throat. Throwing my arms up to block her hands, I push her back across the room. The shove is forceful, causing her to fall back against a small table, tipping it over with a loud crash, and the contents spilling onto the ground. A large vase shatters, sending shards of glass across the floor, spilling flowers and water all over the place. This attracts Holly’s attention, and she stares at the mess on the floor, blinking a few times as if captivated. Relieved that she seems to be snapping out of whatever has possessed her, I turn to check on my mother.

  Before I can locate her, though, she lets out a b
loodcurdling scream. I spin around toward Holly again, instinctively knowing she is a threat once more. She is coming at me again, but this time she is armed with a very large, deadly-looking piece of glass in her hand. It is a piece of the broken vase. I can see the intent clear in her eyes as she comes toward me. She wants to kill me. Her eyes are narrowed, her lips drawn back in a sneer, and her grip on the piece of glass is so tight that I can see blood dripping from her hand to the floor from where she has cut herself. The tiny red drops are highlighted by the stark-white marble floor and a direct match to the red that appears to be bleeding into the whites of Holly’s eyes.

  This time when she lunges for me, I have already formulated a plan in my head. Allowing her to come at me full force, I wait until the last moment before ducking below her arms, using her own weight to carry her past me. As soon as I spin back around, I drop my daggers to the floor and grab her arms. She fights wildly, but I am able to maintain the upper hand and get a firm grip on both of her arms. I jerk them behind her back, the quick, harsh movement causing her to cry out and drop the weapon in her hand. Then I slam her against the wall, pinning her there with my own body. As soon as I do this, she stills completely.

  I am not fooled by the action, though. We have been here once before. I know better now than to let my guard down with her. If it had not been for Reed, I would not have survived the last time. I learned my lesson then.

  Both of us are breathing heavily, so much so that it is the only sound I can hear. After a few more moments, I am finally able take a much needed breath. Holly does the same. This is when I finally feel the tension leave her body, and she falls limply against the wall.

  I vaguely hear my mother’s harsh demand to get out, but I ignore it. She is probably speaking to some of her guards. There is no way they did not hear all the noise we were making, but it probably took them some time to figure out Holly was actually a threat. I am sure my mother has them under control.