by Riana Lucas
Reed is walking around my room, touching and looking at everything. He is like a little kid. “Why do you have to be so obnoxious? Will you please put that down?” I walk behind him and snatch away an amulet that he had dangling from his hand, spinning it around with his finger.
“What’s wrong with you?” he asks in a completely innocent voice, as if he has forgotten what just happened.
“Umm…well let me see. You came in here uninvited, you saw me with hardly any clothes on, and then you almost shouted it in the hall for all Faery Land to hear.” I am standing in the middle of my room, hands on my hips, and tapping my foot as if I am talking to some errant child.
He, at least, has the grace to appear ashamed when he bows his head and mutters, “Sorry.”
“Hmm…well okay. You are forgiven, but you better not ever do that again. That was so embarrassing.”
“Why?”
“What do you mean, why? Is it not obvious?” I look at him, completely confused.
“No. Why would you be embarrassed in front of me, Poppy?”
“Because you saw me…like…you know! That!” I wave my hands around, indicating I do not know what but completely exasperated once again.
Reed stands up and walks toward me. My instincts are to back away, but I do not. I hold my ground, allowing him to stand just before me. I have to tilt my head back a bit to look up at him. “Poppy, we’ve been through so much together. You are my best friend. There is no reason for you to ever be embarrassed around me.”
His voice is soft and soothing; his eyes look deeply into mine, and I lose my breath. “Oh,” is the only sound I can manage. I am so lost, looking at him now. His eyes hold mine, captivating me, as he leans slightly forward, bending his head down toward mine. When he gets closer, he turns slightly, brushing his cheek against mine and moving his lips to my ear. His breath is warm, and my heart begins to beat rapidly. I feel myself begin to shake, so I close my eyes, hoping to get a better grip on myself. It does not help. I take a deep breath, and my nose is filled with the scent of Reed.
“Besides, I’ve seen you bathe,” he whispers in my ear before pulling back with a mischievous grin on his face.
I snap out of my dazed state immediately. “What! No you have not!” I raise my hand to smack his arm, but he quickly jumps back, laughing.
“Did too,” he says teasingly as he dances around, avoiding my attempts to strike him.
“Shut up! You did not! I made sure you were far away!” I swing at him once again and miss.
“Are you sure?” He wiggles his eyebrows at me, and I cannot help but to laugh. He quickly joins in. Soon we are both laughing so hard that I am wiping tears from my eyes. We managed to make our way over to my bed and are both lying across it. Our heads are on opposite sides of the bed and we are both looking up at the ceiling. When our laughter finally dies down, Reed asks, “Better?”
“Yeah.” I sigh.
“What’s going on?”
“How do you know? I have been blocking you.”
“I know. That’s how I knew something was up.”
I remain quiet because I do not want to tell him about Holly. Not yet. He will want to come with me, and then my other reason for this mission will be more difficult. I also do not want to lie to him.
“You’re not going to tell me, are you?” He is not angry, but I can hear the hurt behind his words.
I sigh again. “No. I am not. Can you just let me do what I need to and trust me?”
“Are you leaving?” Now he turns on his side to face me.
“Yes.” I mirror his movement.
“How long will you be gone?”
“I do not know, hopefully just a day.”
“Do I even want to ask if it’s going to be dangerous?”
“It will not be dangerous.” I glance over to see him raise an eyebrow at my answer. “I do not think it will be dangerous,” I amend.
He sighs and falls back on the bed, rubbing his eyes with both hands. “That’s what I thought. Can you give me just a hint, a small clue, about where you’re going? What if something happens and we need to come looking for you?”
“Reed, it really is not that dangerous. No more so than just going for a walk through the forest on my own. I will be fine, but you know I am not stupid. I will have a way to reach you if I need you.”
“Promise? Promise that if anything, anything at all happens, you will send for me right away?” Now his voice is stern and serious. I know how he feels, and I regret being the cause for it, but it cannot be helped.
“I promise.” Reed knows what a vow means from me, and he finally relaxes when I make it.
“Good. So when do you leave?”
“Now.” I pull myself up from the bed and grab my satchel. Reed sits up, watching me from where he is perched on the edge of my bed as I gather the rest of my things. Once I have everything I need, I swing the bag over my shoulders then double-check to make sure both of my daggers are in place. Running my hand down my braid one last time to ensure it is still secure, I look around making sure I have not forgotten anything. Satisfied, I look at Reed.
He is watching me intently, face set with concentration. He is probably trying to tap into my feelings and thoughts. I am glad I have the ability to block him; otherwise, he would not be allowing me to go on my own. Not only his concern for Holly, but also the other reason I am going on this mission, would have him coming along with or without my permission.
Reed will be angry with me when I return and tell him about Rowan. My fear of how that will change things between us almost has me opening my mouth to tell him everything, but I cannot. I have to be sure before I tell anyone. When I return from my mission, things will be different. I just hope he will forgive me.
“Good-bye, Reed,” I say softly.
“Be careful, Poppy. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I turn and begin walking out of my room, heading toward the entrance of the castle. I have an odd sense of déjà vu. I remember when I left Rho the last time and how concerned she was but still telling me she would see me soon. That mission ended up changing my life forever, and I have a feeling this one will, too.
I just hope this mission does not involve death and disaster like the last one did.
Chapter Twenty-Five
When I reach the massive wooden doors leading outside to all the wonders of Faery Land, I take a moment to think about Rho once again. Her death was devastating, but now I think about her being one with nature. I look around and think about her being out there, mixed in with all the trees and the flowers, living forever in peace and harmony. Smiling, I wonder if she is aware of it all, out there watching, knowing I am here thinking of her.
Stepping through the doorway, I walk along the cobblestone walkway leading to the edge of the forest, fully aware of the guards following discreetly behind me. I do not pay them any attention. They were ordered by my mother to follow only to the edge of the forest. Once I take my first step into the wild soil of the Faery Forest, they will stay behind, allowing me to make this journey alone.
Although I am ready to be rid of them, I still take my time reaching the edge of the forest. Once I reach it, I will no longer have someone watching my back. Therefore, I will be unable to enjoy the sights and sounds around me. I told Reed this would not be a dangerous mission, but we both know the everyday dangers the Faery Forest holds. There are wild animals, poisonous plants, rocks, roots, and holes, as well as the Unclaimed. Any one of these things could present itself at any time, forcing me to be vigilant and aware of my surroundings at all times. When I enter the forest, I will no longer be the Princess of the Seelie Court. I will be a Warrior Fae, in battle mode and ready for anything.
As odd as it may be, the thought brings a tingle of excitement through my body. My pace picks up, and my fingers wiggle in anticipation at my sides. It has only been days but it feels as if it has been years since I have been on a mission and the familiar feeling is nice. I have not minded working wi
th the others; in fact I have enjoyed it quite a bit. Having someone always at your back or at your side during a fight is a much appreciated change. But I have spent so long on my own, fighting my own battles, that this feels right.
I reach the edge of the forest and glance back at the guards. They both offer a curt nod before turning back toward the castle. As I turn back to the forest, a flash of white catches my eye and has me turning back once again. I squint into the distance, looking for what I saw. Up on the second floor of the castle, I can see my mother standing on a balcony. Her long white dress is flowing in the wind, and her hair is flying in streams behind her head. She lifts her hand and waves. I do the same. Before I allow my thoughts to stray further from my mission, I turn and step into the forest.
The Faery Forest is just as it always is: dark, mysterious, cold, yet undeniably peaceful. For all of the dangers in here, there are an equal amount of wonderfully beautiful things. Unfortunately, I do not have the time or the safeguard to explore them.
Picking up the pace, I make my way through the thick bushes and tall trees of the forest. When formulating a plan, I did not originally know where to begin my search for Rowan. The forest is so large, and he is but one small Fae within it. After thinking for some time, however, I realized the best place to start would be where I last saw him. Once I reach that spot, I take a moment to look around, searching for any indication that someone has been here recently. Unfortunately, I do not find anything, so I decide on a route to take and begin walking again.
The next thought to my plan was that if Rowan was not where I last left him, I would allow him to find me. Even though he denied following me when we met, I knew then as I know now that he was. If he sought me out once, I hope that he will again. I just have to be patient.
As I make my way through the forest, I keep track of where I have been, as well as keeping my senses on high alert. My ears are tuned in to the sounds of the forest, listening for any odd noises. I also send out my magic every so often, trying to get a feel for any Fae presence that may be in the area. If Rowan is in the area, he will pick up on my magical signature.
Staying vigilant, I begin to work my way through the questions I have in my head. I do not want to scare him off, and I want him to trust me. My usual torture tactics will not work with him. As I have already seen, he is an Unclaimed. If he decides to attack me, I will be no match for him. Angering him will only ensure that happens. I play the questions over in my head, getting so caught up in my mental task I almost miss the slight tingling sensation that works its way from the back of my neck down my spine.
Rowan is near. Having met him before, I can pick up on his magical signature, an odd mixture of full Fae and a hint of human tinged with a bit of darkness. I slow my pace, looking for a nice spot to sit and wait. Once I find a nice shaded area below a large oak tree, I take a seat leaning against the tree. The tree bark is hard against my back, and the ground is firm and cool under me. Humans would probably find it uncomfortable, but I find it quite relaxing. Leaning my head back against the tree, I close my eyes. I make sure to stay aware of what is around me, but I can feel Rowan is the only Fae nearby, and with him in the area I find myself not worried about any others sneaking up on me.
Taking advantage of the time I have until he reaches me, I clear my head and take in the surrounding forest. The birds are singing in the trees above, small animals are playing and scurrying around in the bushes beside me, and the cool moist forest air fills my lungs. It is as refreshing as always to be out here in the wild.
Eventually the birds quiet their singing, and the animals move away, leaving complete silence. It seems the wind has even stopped blowing. Rowan must be close. Even the forest can recognize the danger of an Unclaimed Fae. My own instincts try to kick in, but I take a few deep breaths to help calm them. The last thing I need is for Rowan to feel threatened.
My eyes stay closed, my breathing even as I listen intently for his approach. I finally hear a twig snap, the only sound he makes, and I am sure it was intentional. Just like last time, he has chosen to make his presence known. He is entirely too old and skilled to do otherwise. When I open my eyes, I am looking up at Rowan.
The afternoon light is peeking through the treetops and bouncing off of him. His golden skin glints and shines like a brick of gold in the sunlight. He is utterly breathtaking. The charming smile and wicked look in his eye only add to the appeal.
As anxious as I was while I waited, I find all that anxiety drains away when I look into his smiling eyes. The familiarity there puts me immediately at ease, and I find myself returning his smile.
“Hello, my dear.” Rowan’s voice is pleasant and soothing as he approaches my resting place. I place my palms down on the ground to push myself up so I can greet him properly, but he stops me. “No, no, my child. Please do not get up. If you don’t mind, I’d like to have a seat myself. May I?” he asks politely as he gestures to the ground beside me.
“Of course, and hello. How are you today?” I move over a bit to give him more room. The tree I chose is so big that Rowan and I can sit side by side with plenty of room between us.
Once he is settled, he turns slightly toward me. “I am fine, actually. Today is a very good day. And how are you?”
“I am good, as well. Thank you for asking.”
We both fall silent. I can see Rowan watching me out of the corner of my eye, but I do not know what to say. I ran the questions over and over in my head and thought I had it all figured out, but now that he is here I do not know where to begin.
“I know you sought me out this time. It is okay to ask your questions. I will answer them as best I can.”
I am a little startled by his words. “Am I that obvious?” Reed and my mother have been the only ones that have been able to read my moods or understand what it is I am not saying. The idea that Rowan can do it as well makes me a little nervous.
He senses my nervousness, because he is quick to reassure me. “Don’t worry. I have been watching people, Fae and humans, for a very long time. I make it a point to be able to read people. I have also been watching you for some time. I know you are the princess, so normally you would not be able to venture out like this without at a least a guard or two. I also know you have been sitting here for a while, waiting. So that tells me you have been waiting on someone. Seeing as you were not startled or surprised when I showed up, that tells me it is I you have been waiting so patiently for. So, my dear girl, if you were waiting for me, you must have a reason.” He smiles at his reasoning and explanation. Of course it all makes perfect sense.
I chuckle softly and turn to look out at the forest again before speaking. “You are right. I did seek you out, and I do have questions. I have a lot of them, and I am having trouble finding where to begin.”
“Well, how about at the beginning?”
I turn to look at him once again, and he winks at me.
“Okay.” I take a deep breath. “Why, exactly,” I emphasize the word, not wanting him to find a way to avoid answering directly, “have you been watching and following me?”
He nods at my question then turns to look out into the forest. It is silent for a while as he is gathering his thoughts, and I allow him this time. If my suspicions are correct, this will be a hard question for him to answer.
I spend the quiet time looking at all the flowers and bushes around me. The forest is dense, and it is difficult to see past the area just before us, but what I can see is alive and beautiful. The flowers are in full bloom, as they always are in Faery Land. The colors are like that of the rainbow. And although the silence is a little odd, because I am used to the sounds of the birds and animals, it is not unpleasant. My own breathing is the only sound I hear, and it has a soothing effect on my nerves. Patiently, I lean my head back against the tree once again and wait.
When Rowan starts to speak, his voice is soft and hesitant, but I do not turn to look at him. I do not want to give him any reason to stop talking, so I sit completel
y still and listen to his words.
“Once upon a time, there was a young Fae. His family was not rich and lived on the outskirts of the Seelie Court. Although his parents said it would never happen, he dreamed of being a Seelie Warrior. He practiced and trained every day on his own. He had all the makings to be this warrior — he was fierce, loyal, and determined. One day the Unseelie king’s guards came through and started terrorizing the families nearby. When his family heard, they hid. The young Fae hid so well he was never found, but everyone else had been. He was so scared that he stayed hidden while the rest of his family and friends were either killed or taken back to the Unseelie Court as prisoners. After that day he knew he did not have what it would take to become a warrior. A warrior did not sit and hide while his family was killed. So he disappeared into the woods and began to live a life of solitude. This became his life, and he was content with it.” Rowan pauses for a moment. His voice is distant, and I can tell he is reliving these events as he tells them to me.
My heart breaks for him. It must have been horrible to watch his family be killed or taken away and to be completely helpless against it. I cannot help but to feel sorry for him. It is obvious he blames himself for what happened. I want to comfort him or reassure him, but I also do not want him to stop until he has finished with the story, so I simply remain quiet and continue to listen.
“Then one day after years and years of quiet, he was working in his garden, and a young girl stumbled through the trees onto his land. He sat there, completely transfixed by the sight of her. She was breathtakingly beautiful, petite and fragile with long brown hair and big brown eyes. The sight of her was like nothing he had ever seen before. He knew instantly that she was human, and by the scent of the fear that was coming from her, she was in danger.
“Once she stumbled through the trees and bushes, she started looking around frantically which snapped him out of his trance. Hurriedly, he went over to her to try to help, but she immediately began to scream when she saw him. He had no other choice but to put a sleeping spell on her. There was a trusted Fae that he had met and become friends with over time and called upon her to assist him. She tended to the woman, making sure she was safe and well taken care of. Although he observed her from afar, day after day, he never made contact and he was surprised to see she never tried to get away. Not only that, but she began to make herself at home. Finally, he could not stay away any longer. One day he knocked on the door, and when she answered, he fell in love instantly.”