Resistance

by Allana Kephart

  I remember Fi playing card games with me for hours on end when I was his age; her patience seemingly endless as I asked question after question. I am becoming more anxious for her to return home by the minute, and have decided I’m going to cause a stink the next time she thinks about taking off and leaving me behind. Our family is half the size it was a year ago, and I don’t want to consider the possibility that it could shrink that way again anytime soon. I know I won’t feel calm again until I see her in front of me safe and sound and back where she belongs.

  I decide my best bet for not driving anyone insane is to stick with Neall for the day. He and I are both pretty easily excited, and he isn’t the type to hold a grudge for more than five minutes. I’d say we’re a perfect match today. I can’t seem to stop my knees from bouncing up and down if I’m still for more than a moment. Neall considers this the perfect opportunity to ride my knee like it’s a horse, and I laugh with him as I bounce him up and down so he can play cowboy. He especially likes the moment when he almost goes flying off my leg and I have to grab him at the last second to keep him seated. We keep it up until my legs feel like rubber and Neall is gasping for air from laughing for so long.

  He and I help his mom fold laundry and make lunch before I put him down for his afternoon nap. Neall keeps my mind occupied so I don’t have time to dwell on everything that could have possibly gone wrong with the crazy scheme to kidnap a Winter princess. Until he falls asleep, that is. I hate not knowing if Fi is okay, and once Neall is asleep my mind can’t seem to focus on anything else. I wish I knew everything went smoothly, but I’m too anxious to try and focus and use my gift. Feelings normally just come to me; I’ve never tried to navigate things further than that. I wish someone had written some kind of instruction manual for Seers. That would be very helpful right now.

  After only a few minutes, my legs are jangling again and I’m sitting in the living room with my head in my hands, just waiting. I hear Aodhan’s voice from the dining room where he was putting dishes away. “Eir, how about we go outside…take a walk or something?”

  I look up, nodding gratefully. “Yes, please.” I try not to jump to my feet but I’m sure I’m not fooling anyone. I’m a wreck. I need to get rid of some of this tension, and physical activity, while not usually my favorite thing in the world, is a way to alleviate the pressure building inside me.

  We spend the rest of the day outdoors. I’m pretty sure my uncle plotted with Aodhan to keep me busy, but I am completely okay with that. We take a football and head to the park where we spend hours tossing it back and forth, talking about inconsequential things. Aodhan seems to realize I’m not in the right frame of mind for any sort of real conversation and hums softly as we traverse the streets of the city on our way back to his house. I am slightly calmer than earlier, but still anxious to see my sister.

  We reach the house and I collapse back on the bottom bunk in Aodhan’s room, still fully clothed. I know there’s no way I’ll be able to sleep yet, and I know in that special way of mine that Fi, in whatever condition, will be back before sunrise. So as soon as they’re back I’m out of here, which is no reflection on how much I enjoy spending time with my cousins, aunt and uncle. I want two things: to know my sister is all right, and my bed — in that order. My bed is two king-sized mattresses and box springs pushed side by side. My sister told my parents she would help me fix it when my mother balked at my ‘monstrous contraption’ as she called it. Uncle Seamus custom made me a frame and headboard for my birthday the year before last so my mother would stop ranting about how awful it was. Fi has been true to her word; every couple months tailoring sheets for ‘The Monster’, as it is now affectionately known.

  I’m still thinking longingly of my bed a couple hours later as I lay with half of my legs hanging over the edge of the mattress when I hear someone knock on the back door. Low voices whisper from the other room and I vault out of the bed so fast I come precariously close to cracking my skull on the top bunk. I hear Aodhan mutter, “What’s going on?” as I pull my sneakers back on and shush him; trying to hear what’s being said.

  I see Aodhan pull his blanket over his head and roll over onto his side; facing away from me and muttering something I don’t make out. I stand inside his bedroom door and strain to ascertain who is talking in the living room. I know if I go out there now I’ll only be in the way, so I pace back and forth in the bedroom and wait for someone to come get me. I come close to barging out there a few times while I listen to the back door open and close a few more times, and my aunt’s voice joins the mix of male ones conversing in quiet tones. I’m so caught up in trying to discern words from the jumble of voices that I almost jump out of my skin when the doorknob turns and my uncle sticks his head into the room.

  He sees me start and grins at me, saying quietly, “Easy there, lad. Fi’s back and everyone is okay. They’re downstairs next door with the princess, waiting for her to wake up. I figured you’d want to head home and check in with her.”

  I surprise us both by hugging him. “Thank you.” He pats my back and makes a comforting noise.

  “It’s all right, Eir. Go on now; she’ll be glad to see you. I know it was hard for her to refrain from asking how you were.”

  I grin and try to hide the tears of relief standing in my eyes. “I’ll see you later, Sea—thank you again for looking after me.”

  He snorts and stands back to let me out of the room ahead of him. I try to be quiet so I don’t wake the kids as I leave the house, but I barely feel my feet hit the floor. I fly through my back door and hear Fi talking quietly to Flint downstairs. If I know my sister they probably haven’t eaten in hours, so I set to making sandwiches for everyone, calling out, “Are you hungry down there? I’m going to make some sandwiches.”

  I finish building peanut butter and strawberry preserves sandwiches for everyone and take off down the steps; eager not only to see my sister and Flint, but to get a glimpse at this faery princess they’ve kidnapped. I’m halfway down the basement steps when I see a petite girl with white-blonde hair lying on the mattress in the iron cage, and I feel the bottom drop out of my stomach. I can’t tear my eyes away — the alabaster skin, the fine, pale curtain of hair hanging down her back. Her tiny feet are grimy and bare and she’s wearing a long-sleeved nightgown, but it’s definitely the girl from my dream.

  I’ve been dreaming of a Winter princess, a freaking faery princess for over a year and I have no idea why. I can’t tear my eyes away from her prone form; my mouth gaping open. I swallow but there’s no moisture left in my mouth. My heart is hammering with adrenaline and I remind myself to act normal. There’s no need to upset Fi when I don’t have any idea of what the hell is even going on. She doesn’t need to know that I feel like the world has flipped itself upside down and there’s nothing but disbelief and shock floating around inside my head right now.

  Chapter 16—Fi

  July 2102

  I follow Sean back to the wagon and make sure his wound is clean for now, doing my best not to speak to him if I don’t have to. I don’t think I’ve ever been so angry before in my life. I hear a slight rustling from behind me and see Flint come through the edge of the forest carrying the Winter princess. With a hard look at my cousin I go around and assist Flint as he gets in the back with the girl. We have a mattress set up for her to rest on during the return journey. The effects of the sleeping draught I gave her should last well through our arrival back in the city.

  Looking at Flint’s face I can guess he won’t be leaving the princess’s side, and I can’t say I blame him. I’d rather he was back here keeping watch over her than up front suffering my cousin’s idiocy as I will have to be. I have no desire to spend the next few hours in my cousin’s company, but he cannot be trusted to be left to his own devices; that much is beyond clear now. Once Lumi is settled and Flint is comfortable, I climb back out and take the reins from my cousin. When Sean glowers at me I stare right back at him; silently daring him to make a fuss. He’s done
more than enough damage for one day, in my opinion.

  The road we are on is only partially paved. It doesn’t get used very often and every noise seems magnified a thousand times. I am eager to put as much distance between us and the Winter Court as quickly as possible. There shouldn’t be any guards nearby, but I don’t want more complications arising on the way back home. Sean seems to have recovered his good sense to an extent, because he doesn’t try to engage me in conversation. I keep the horses moving and seethe silently as we pass the city limits sign for Quebec City. I cannot get the image of Lumi’s terrified face out of my mind. Sean is so much bigger than her; I can’t believe he had the audacity to claim she attacked him.

  We stick to back roads and less traveled places, and the scenery is beautiful but lonely. Abandoned cities and unending forests are our constant companions and I find myself wishing we’d been able to take one of the solar powered cars we keep in the garage at home. They might be loads louder than the horses and wagon we’re in, but they’re so much faster we could have been back within the protection of the city walls by now. Unfortunately the cars are made with iron and Flint and Lumi would never have been able to handle the journey.

  When I see the walls of the city getting closer I begin to relax a bit. Once we get back home I will at least feel safe again. I’m finding that I don’t care for being outside of the city as much as I once thought I would. When I drive the horses into our paddock just outside the city limits, I sigh with relief. Turning to my cousin I tell him, “Make sure the horses are taken care of. I’ll help Flint,” and climb down without waiting for him to respond.

  The silence between my companions as we head towards my house on foot is thick with tension and dislike. Flint is still carrying the Winter princess and I keep seeing Sean glare daggers at the pair of them. The whole situation has my teeth grinding together in silent irritation. I cannot wait to be rid of my cousin. I was warned and yet still let him get ahead of us, and my brother was right. Sean was able to terrorize that poor girl because I screwed up. My house comes into view finally and I expel a sigh of relief.

  Before we reach the backyard I turn to Sean with a calm voice and say, “You need to go get cleaned up. Have someone look at that cut.” He looks angry but nods and goes to leave, but I hold up my hand and continue. “Sean — I’m not done. Do not come back here for any reason. You disobeyed orders and obviously I can’t have you around the princess. I’ll send your schedule with Seamus tomorrow.”

  For a minute I think he may say something, but he simply shakes his head and storms away and Flint and I continue on to the backyard. I motion to the guard on duty to get Seamus. I lean against the picnic table, weary all the way in my bones as we wait, but Flint stays upright, holding Lumi; looking calm and alert. We are silent but it’s a tranquil silence; there’s no anger clouding the air between us. When Seamus comes out I go to meet him and he pulls me into a quick, hard hug. “Ah lass, I’m glad to see you. You’re all right?”

  I smile at him and nod. “I’m fine. Can you please bring Lumi into the basement? I don’t want Flint to have to be near that cage.” He nods and moves forward, but I put my hand on his arm to stop him. “You should know we had some trouble with Sean. I don’t want him around here anymore. From now on, if he shows up he’s to be escorted away. And could you send Aodhan over after you get Lumi situated? I’d like him to guard her if that’s okay with both of you.” He nods again with a tired smile.

  “I’ll see to it and I’ll let Eirnin know you’re back. He’s been going crazy waiting for your return.” He crosses to where Flint is standing with Lumi and I watch the two men exchange words before Flint carefully hands the Winter princess over to my uncle. I hold the back door open and let Seamus pass through, and when I turn to ask Flint if he needs anything he’s right behind me.

  “You don’t have to come downstairs, you know,” I trail off, knowing there’s really no point in trying to keep him away. He gives me a tired version of his usual smirk and gestures me forward. A half hour later he and I are sitting on the floor, leaning up against the wall next to each other across from the cage waiting for Lumi to wake up. I glance over and notice that his normally animated face is pale and drawn, and I know the iron is affecting him.

  "Are you sure you don't want to wait upstairs? This can't be good for you," I try, worried about what the iron can do to him if he’s down here for too long.

  He shakes his head and smiles, even though I can tell he’s uncomfortable. “I’m okay, love, don’t worry.”

  I frown; worrying despite him telling me not to. "You're NOT okay though, damn it!" I blow out an exasperated raspberry and try to focus on something else. "I told Seamus to send Aodhan over to be Lumi's guard. We can trust him."

  Flint surprises me by laughing out loud, covering his mouth for a moment as though trying to hide it. “Oh my God — Relax. I’m still coherent, right?”

  “Define coherent and I'll let you be,” I mumble at him, annoyed.

  Flint smirks. “You’re cute when you fuss over me.” I have to wonder if this is friend appropriate behavior.

  "I am not cute.” I say; feeling heat spread over my cheeks and looking away from him. “And I’m merely concerned for your safety." I trail off when I hear the noise of someone moving around above our heads.

  Flint chuckles and says, “I think you’re cute.”

  “Are you hungry down there? I’m going to make some sandwiches!” my brother yells down from the kitchen, which saves me from having to respond to Flint. Before I can open my mouth to respond to Eir, he is barreling down the stairs with a plate of sandwiches in one hand and a stack of cloth napkins in the other. I look and see that he not only made sandwiches for Flint and me, but he made one for Lumi as well. I love this kid. He comes over and hands me a sandwich while smiling hugely at me. “I’m glad you made it back in one piece.” He turns to Flint with his plate of sandwiches.

  Flint looks up at him. “Hey kid.”

  "If you're like Fi, you'll eat half of this and say it's too much. But I thought you guys might be hungry," Eir says, offering Flint a sandwich and a napkin. I see Flint glance my way and I tear off a huge piece of the monstrous sandwich and stuff it in my mouth.

  Flint laughs and says, “She seems to be handling it just fine. Thanks.” He catches me glancing at him again and winks, smirking of course, before leaning back on the wall and taking a bite of his sandwich. “How were things while we were gone?”

  "Quiet, honestly,” my brother says around a mouthful of sandwich. “You took the big mouth with you. It's been downright boring here. You guys run into any trouble?" His attention seems to be drawn to the girl in the cage; curiosity obviously getting the better of him. I keep chewing my huge sandwich, deciding to let Flint answer Eir’s questions.

  “Sean got a little rough with her, but otherwise we were pretty calm,” Flint says with a shake of his head.

  Eir looks furious and turns on me with a look of horror on his face. “Fi! How could you let him near her after what I told you?”

  “He went ahead of us — Fi didn’t know,” Flint says, watching him calmly.

  Eir scowls but sounds embarrassed when he says, “Sorry Fi…I didn't mean to jump on you."

  "When was the last time you slept, Eir?” I ask, studying his face. “You look beat."

  He is saved from having to answer when Lumi pulls in a ragged gasp and jerks upright; shrieking in shock when her hand hits the iron bar of the cage. I hear Flint mutter, “Oh, here we go…” under his breath and I jump to my feet; approaching the cage slowly.

  "Lumi, it's okay. You're safe. I promise." I turn to Eir and whisper, “Could you go get her a glass of water, please?” He nods and takes off, finally tearing his gaze from Lumi.

  Lumi’s eyes shoot toward me, then ping to Flint still reclining against the wall, then onto Eir as he bounds up the stairs and she cowers back against the bed, careful not to touch the iron of the cage. “What the hell is going on?” she asks.
Her voice is hoarse and she seems to be near tears. “Who are you people?”

  I look her in the eyes and try to project calm. "I'm Fianna. You're in a human settlement, and no one here is going to hurt you." I look to Flint to introduce himself.

  Flint frowns at Lumi and I can tell he’s not happy with seeing her in that cage. "I'm Flint. Previously associated with the Autumn Courts."

  Lumi is shaking and shrinks back a little. She looks awful already. Her eyes are shadowed with dark circles and from the sounds of it she’s having a hard time breathing. I know the iron is getting to her and it makes me sick inside. “I presume you already know my name, so what is it you want of me?" I can tell she’s trying really hard to act like she isn’t scared. Pity squeezes my heart and I hate that we’ve put her here.

  Eir comes barreling back down the stairs with the water, hands it over to me and I whisper to him, “Can you go tell Sea it’s time to send Aodhan over please?” He nods but doesn’t move.

  I move slowly and try not to spook Lumi any further. I don’t want her to accidentally rub against the iron of the cage and get hurt. "Are you thirsty?" I ask as I carefully pass the water through the bars.

  I see her eyes widen a little when she sees Eir towering behind me, and then she glances apprehensively at the water. Flint nods to her that it's safe and she reaches forward slowly; taking the glass from me murmuring a small, “Thank you.”