by Riana Lucas
Instead of worrying about that, I allow my thoughts to travel back to the look I saw in Holly’s eyes. I do not know if she is aware of what is going on, but I have a feeling I do. The red that I saw in them, I have only seen two other times. Both times it was in the eyes of an Unclaimed Fae.
The sound of a door firmly closing draws my attention. Still maintaining a firm grip on Holly, I scan the room for my mother. The room is a mess. A small wooden table is upside down and appears to be broken, and there are shards of glass, mixed in with broken and crushed flowers and puddles of water all over the floor. I can see spots of blood throughout, as well. Some of the other furniture has been obviously shoved around, making my mother’s private oasis appear battle-ridden. And my beautiful, loving mother is standing in the middle of it all. Her eyes are wide, her shaking hands are covering her mouth, her breathing is labored, and there are tears streaming down her face.
My heart breaks for her. Holly is like a daughter to her. Seeing the two of us fight must have been unbearable. The thought of telling her what is wrong with Holly is even worse. My mother has already lost me once, I do know if she will be able to bear losing Holly. The thought makes me want to weep for her.
“I’m fine now.” The shaky, whispered words startle me out of my dark thoughts. I glance back toward Holly, unsure if it truly was her who spoke. Her breathing is much softer, and her body is still limp, so much so that if it were not for my firm grip she probably would have fallen to the floor. She has been so still, I was not sure she was even conscious.
“Holly?” I ask quietly, not wanting to scare her or anger her. When she does not respond, I move my hands slightly, not releasing my grip but allowing her a bit of movement if she needed it. She flexes her fingers but does not move otherwise. She still allows me to support her and does not try to get away from me.
Finally, after a few more moments she speaks again. This time her voice is stronger and firmer. “I am fine now. I will not attack you. Please…please let me go.” Her words are hesitant, and I can hear the fear in her voice. She probably does not understand what is happening to her. Because I am pretty I sure I do, I release her slowly, giving her time to gain more control over her body. She continues to use the wall for support, but is able to pull herself up completely. As she slowly turns to face my mother and me, I cannot hold back my gasp when I see her face fully. The sound is echoed by my mother.
Although I took in everything about her right before she attacked me, it was with a detached sense of confusion. Now I am able to truly look at all of her for the first time.
She looks like a wild animal. Even though the deep red has seeped back out of the whites of her eyes, they are still bloodshot and her pupils are dilated. Her skin is paler than usual and appears almost dry and brittle. Instead of the usual silken strands, her hair is limp and dirty, forming a tangled mess. She looks as if she has not slept, bathed, or eaten in days. I know this is not the case. Just before Reed and I left, we all dined together and she was fine. Or at least I thought she was. Now I wonder how long she has been hiding this from us.
A movement out of the corner of my eye draws my attention. I turn to see my mother, cautiously approaching Holly as if she were a wild animal or scared child. She is treating her as if she is a threat. I cannot blame her, but I cringe inwardly at how that must make Holly feel.
I turn back to see Holly’s eyes dim even further and look down at the floor in shame. If my assumptions are correct, this is not Holly’s fault. I move to her side in silent support. She glances up at me in surprise, and I offer a tentative smile. After taking a deep breath, she looks at my mother once again. I decide to wait a few more moments before I begin my interrogation. We all need time to catch our breath and take in what has happened.
Seeing I am not afraid and that I trust Holly must give my mother the strength and reassurance she needs. She moves quicker now and pulls Holly into her arms for a tight hug. Then she lets go of Holly with one arm and reaches over to me. First she grabs my hand and I squeeze it, letting her know I am there and I am fine, but that does not seem to be what she wants. She tugs me sharply and wraps her arm tightly around me. I go willingly, understanding that she needs to know we are both safe.
“Oh, my girls,” she says softly. There are tears in her voice, but she does not allow any to fall. She also does not say anything further for some time, just holds on to both of us as if she is afraid to let go. When she has calmed herself, she pulls back but still does not release us fully. Now her face is set sternly and her eyes are narrowed, but she is only looking at Holly. “What has come over you?” I can hear the anger and the confusion and the hurt. She wants to be mad at Holly, but she is extremely perceptive and knows there is something else going on.
“I…I…I don’t know.” Holly raises her hands up as if to help explain, but drops them back down to her sides as she shrugs her shoulders helplessly. Her voice is small, and there are tears in her eyes. Holly never cries. She looks down at the floor once again, lost.
I take a deep breath and brace myself for what I am about to tell them both. Holly is going to deny it, and my mother is going to be heartbroken, but we must all deal with this with our eyes wide open. Otherwise, Holly is just going to become another lost Fae. Thankfully, I have cause to believe she is not already lost. Meeting Rowan has raised a lot of questions about the Unclaimed Fae. The fact that he seems to have some sort of control over it is nothing I have ever heard of before.
I take both of their hands in mine to draw their attention. When they look at me questioningly, I take one last deep breath to brace myself before voicing my suspicion. “She is becoming one of the Unclaimed.”
My mother immediately shakes her head in denial, but I can see the realization in her eyes. She saw all I did and she knows what I am saying is true, but she does not want it to be so. Tears begin to leak out of her eyes once again, and she does nothing to stop them. “No, no, no. This cannot be. How could this have happened?” Her words are a soft whisper, barely audible at all.
“I was afraid that was what was happening to me.” Holly’s voice is stronger and steadier than I had expected. She looks almost relieved to know what it is and resigned to her fate.
“How?” my mother asks once more. This time she is looking at Holly and is actually asking a question that she intends to be answered.
“I have not been feeling well since the last battle against the Unseelie Fae. At first I thought it was due to my injuries and then our immediate training afterward. Then I started to lose my appetite.”
“But you always ate your meals,” I interrupt, finding myself wanting to poke holes in her story, proving us all wrong even if I know it is futile.
“The ones I ate with you. I only dined with you all for dinner. I did not eat the entire day, hoping I would be hungry enough by then to eat all of my dinner. Sleeping became hard as well, even though we were training so hard. It all came on so fast, when I started noticing there was really something wrong, I either didn’t care or was afraid to tell someone. My moods and emotions have been going crazy, too. Then this morning, when the alert went up that there was a human here, I snapped. I tried to stay in my room and fight it, but I couldn’t. It was as if I were in a trance. I knew what was happening, but I couldn’t control it. I had this sudden, overpowering urge to kill.”
“Oh!” My mother lets out a shocked gasp at Holly’s words.
“I am sorry, to both of you. I will gather my things and remove myself from the castle walls immediately. I do not want to cause any more trouble or put anyone in danger.” Holly tries to pull her hands from both of us, but neither one of us let her go. My mother does not, I am sure, because she is scared that if she lets Holly go, she may never see her again. I do not release my hold, because I do not agree with Holly’s decision. Having met Rowan has given me a glimmer of hope.
“Wait. I think I have an idea.” They both look at me, Holly with resignation in her eyes, my mother with hope in hers. I do
not know if I will be able to help, but I intend to try. “I know someone that may be able to help. You are just in the early stages. Maybe we can stop it.”
Holly is already shaking her head. “Poppy, no one has ever been able to stop it. It is uncontrollable, unpredictable, and irreversible. I couldn’t bear it if I harmed someone I cared about. I have to leave. There is nothing you can do for me, but thank you.” She looks at my mother and then at me once more. “Thank you both for caring.”
Holly snatches her hands away and sprints for the door before either one of has a chance to realize what she is doing. My mother runs after her, yelling her name, but when she reaches the doorway, Holly is already out of sight. The guards step up, intending to help, but my mother waves them away, closes the doors, and turns to me.
Gone is my mother and the caregiver of Holly. Standing before me is the regal Queen of the Seelie Court. Her back is straight, shoulders squared, and chin held high. Gliding over to me with a grace only she can pull off, her voice is commanding and determined when she speaks. “Whatever you have to do, whomever you have to seek out, do it. Tell me what you need, and it is yours. We will not lose her.”
I mirror her posture and determination. I am now the Princess of the Seelie Court. One of my subjects…no, one of my friends is in mortal danger, and I will do what it takes to save her.
I answer my mother with the same determination and authority. “No, we will not lose her.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
I do not bother to check Holly’s room; I know I will not find her there. She has left the castle and the Court. It is the same thing I would have done, unwilling to stay and put those I love in any sort of danger. Instead, I make my way to my room. In case I am gone longer than I expect, I need to gather a few things. I do not know where to find Rowan, but I have a strong feeling that bumping into him will not be too difficult, especially if my other suspicions prove to be correct.
After telling my mother my intentions, she hesitated at the lack of companionship for the mission, but she agreed on the discretion that was needed and gave her permission. This is something I need to do alone.
My room is empty, thankfully. I do not really have the time or patience for another delay. Running through my mental checklist of what I will bring along, I grab my satchel and toss items into it. It is not much, but all very important. A change of clothes, my daggers, a blue chalcedony amulet, and a few pouches of herbs that Willow put together for me are the main things I need. Since I am going on this mission alone, I need a way to send a message back to the Seelie Court if it comes to that, and the herbs are a precautionary measure, as well. They are just for simple magic and healing, and although my healing knowledge and magical ability are nothing like Willow’s, they may come in handy for minor injuries. I do not anticipate any problems on this mission, but I learned a long time ago it is good to always be prepared.
Having finished with my task, I discard the clothes from the past two days of travel and quickly change into something new. As I do, I continue building a plan in my head of where I will search for Rowan. I am so lost in thought that I do not hear the knock on my door or the door opening. Only when I look at my reflection and see a figure behind me do I let out a startled scream before I realize Reed is standing in my doorway.
I close my mouth and stare at him for a second, not comprehending that he is there and I am only halfway dressed, but I soon regain my senses and storm over to slam the door shut in his face.
“Ow! Poppy, you could’ve at least let me move back! The door hit me right in the nose. I think it's bleeding!” He pauses for a second. “Yep, it’s bleeding alright. Thanks a lot.” His voice fades a bit as he moves away from the door, probably seeking a towel or tissue, but I can still hear his sarcasm and I do not appreciate it.
“Serves you right! How dare you walk in here while I am…without…just how dare you!” I yell through the door, completely flustered and outraged. Instead of him apologizing, I can hear him laughing and this makes my anger grow. “Do not laugh at me! This is not funny! It is completely inappropriate! Go away! Right now!” I demand, standing as close to the door as possible, as if this will make him hear my words better.
Apparently it does not because his laughter just gets louder.
My temper is boiling at this point, and I do not care about what is proper or appropriate any longer. I jerk the door open with one hand while securely holding my shirt together with the other. Reed uses the open door as an invitation and walks right past me, sitting on the edge of my bed with a towel covering most of his face. I march over to him, my hand clenched in a tight fist.
When I am standing about two feet in front of him, I stop and demand through gritted teeth. “I. Said. Go. Away!” My fist comes up as my fingers become unclenched, I point to the door of my room for emphasis.
Reed’s eyes widen, and his smile fades. He finally realizes how serious I really am. “Wow. You really are mad, aren’t you?”
“Yessss.” The word comes out more as a hiss, and my finger is still pointing toward my door. “I am not proper.”
He holds one hand up as if to fend me off, the other still holding the towel in place. “Sorry. It’s really not a big deal. I mean, you’re completely covered, Poppy. I’ve seen girls in less at the beach.”
Although I do not agree, I get his point. So instead of screaming at him again, I calmly say. “Well, no one has seen me in this state, and I am not comfortable with it. Now, would you please leave so I may get dressed? If you need to speak with me, you can wait outside and I will let you know when I am finished.”
“Okay, okay. I get it. I’m going.” He stands up and I take a step back to give him space. He glances at me again, as if I might change my mind. My lips curls and I give him a pointed look. He waves his hand to stop me from saying more. “I said I was going. I’m injured here, give a guy a break.” He begins walking slowly to the opened door.
“Your nose is hurt, not your legs. Go!” My anger is fading and amusement is setting in, but I do not want him to know so I yell the last bit.
His pace picks up and he quickly reaches the doorway. He turns around to grab the door knob and begins to pull the door shut. Just before the door closes all the way, he looks up at me with a charming smile. “You sure are cute when you’re mad.” Then he winks and slams the door shut.
“Ughhhhh!” I yell as I pick up the first thing I can get my hands on and hurl it at the closed door. My hairbrush makes a loud cracking noise when it slams against the wooden door, then another when it clatters to the floor. I am pretty sure I just broke it. To make matters worse, I can hear Reed’s laughter out in the hallway through the thick door.
I roll my eyes and stomp over to my closet. I snatch items out and jerk my clothes on as I mutter to myself. Of all the improper ridiculous things. He is so infuriating. “I have seen girls in less at the beach.” Well I do not care if you have seen girls in less. In fact, I do not want to even know about that.
Images of Reed with those half-naked girls on the beach at his job flash through my mind, and I begin to slam things around even harder and mutter louder. Then he has the nerve to act like he is wounded, and I should feel sorry for him. Really? After he tells me about all of his human girls. With that ridiculous towel still on his face.
Now the image that swims before me is of Reed sitting on my bed with the bloody towel covering his face. I cannot help but to smile over the picture he made. Then I see his bright smile and mischievous wink when he walked out of my room. “He said I was cute.”
The words come out of my mouth in a whisper, and I stop in my tracks. My stomach flutters, and my heart rate speeds up. I hate these silly girl reactions to him, but I cannot seem to stop them. The fact that he thinks I am cute makes me feel better than anything else could have today. After everything that has happened, he still seems to be the only one who knows exactly what to say to make me feel better. Even when I do not know I need it.
Then my stoma
ch rolls again, and this time I feel heat rush into my cheeks for a completely different reason. I stumble over to the bed and sit down heavily. Reed saw me only half-dressed. My shirt was undone and he could see my undergarments. Oh for the love of all Faeries, how embarrassing. I just marched out here like that, throwing all of my manners and proper training right out the window. How can I face him now? What must he think of me? He thinks you are cute, a little voice says in my head, but it does not help.
A muffled voice calling, “Poppy” followed by a knock on the door forces me from my frantic thoughts and has my head whipping around. Standing up quickly, I smooth my hands down my shirt and pants and am momentarily distracted when I realize I do not even know what I am wearing. I was so angry when I was getting dressed that I did not take the time to actually look at what I was putting on. I glance down and see I am presentable and sigh in relief. My mother was right—all of these emotions really are like a roller coaster. Even though I have never been on one of the human roller coasters, I do not think I would like them at all.
I find myself running my hand down my long braid, making sure it is secure as I walk toward the door until Reed’s voice carries through. “Poppy! You aren’t still mad at me, are you? I mean, it’s really not a big deal. You had a shirt...” Then my pace picks up. I do not want the rest of the Court to hear him. When I reach the door, I jerk it open and cover his mouth with my hand.
“Will you shut up? Do you want the entire Court to hear you?” I hiss at him.
His eyes are dancing with laughter, so I remove my hand and pinch him.
“Ow! What’d you do that for?” he whines as he rubs the spot on his arm.
“This is not funny, Reed!” I try to sound stern but am failing miserably. I grab his hand and pull him back into my room. Peeking out into the hall, I make sure no one is around before closing the door quietly.