The Guardian, a Sword, & Stilettos (The Enlighten Series Book 1)

by Kristin D. Van Risseghem

  I shook my head. That simply wasn’t going to happen. I will find a way to be with Shay.

  I took a sip of my drink. “Sidelle, where do you go when your eyes gloss over?”

  “Depends. Sometimes I have to concentrate on something. And other times, I’m having a conversation with another fairy. When you noticed it in there, well, I was being summoned to Summer Court. King Oberon wishes to see me.”

  “Why?”

  “Probably because I petitioned, or maybe he’s just checking in. I’ll be gone a while, probably miss a few days of school.”

  “A few days? Can’t you just poof yourself there and back? I’ve seen you do that, you know.”

  She smiled. “Yes, I will be popping myself there and back, but like the Void, time moves differently in Fairyland. Sometimes what feels like a human day is a year, but other times it feels like a lifetime passed by and it’s only been a few hours. I won’t be able to gauge the time until I return.”

  A pang of sadness squeezed my heart, even though I knew she’d be back. “When do you leave?”

  “When this meeting is over. The sooner I leave, the quicker I can come back. On the bright side, Vash is here. He can help protect you, and he’ll probably be better at it than any of the rest of us.”

  Back in the great room, the boys were casually chatting. You would have thought we’d walked in on a group of normal guys talking about sports or girls, instead of what they were: an angel, a nephilim, and a wolf discussing war strategies. I was relieved that the tension between Kieran and Shay had finally eased.

  Sidelle walked into the center of the room. “I have to go to Summer Court. King Oberon has summoned me. I may be gone a few days, so Vash can take my place protecting Zoe at school.”

  I hugged Sidelle. “Be safe and come back soon,” I whispered, then I addressed the boys. “I should get home, too. Ready, Shay?”

  “Of course. Whenever you are.”

  I hugged Kieran goodnight, too, and turned to Vash, unsure of the protocol. I went with the hug, but he stood stiff and awkwardly patted my back.

  As I turned to leave, I noticed Vash grimace at Shay.

  “What?” I asked.

  He looked at Shay, his eyes almost pleading. “I’m . . . sorry, man, I didn’t know she was going to do that. I wasn’t—”

  Shay shrugged. “Don’t worry. It’s not a big deal. She’s a hugger. It’s all cool, Vash.”

  “What?” I asked again.

  Shay tugged on my arm and ushered me out of the room. “Nothing. Let’s go.” Once we were outside, he explained. “Wolves are territorial, and that means over their mate, too,” he said with a chuckle. “No, he doesn’t think you’re his mate, but he thought I was going to kick his ass for touching you when you hugged him. That’s all.”

  “What do you mean, ‘that’s all?’ So you’re saying that if some guy touched me, you wouldn’t go all crazy on him?”

  “No, not for that.” He shrugged. “You’re a hugger, Zoe. You can’t help it. You need to show your affection toward people. That’s why you always hold my hand: You’d miss my electrifying personality.”

  I nudged his shoulder then remembered his quiet mood from lunchtime. “Thanks, Dr. Shay. And speaking of your electrifying personality, why’d you go all dead on me at lunch today? You said you would tell me later. It’s later, in case you’re wondering.”

  “Oh, yeah. I’ll tell you when I return. I need to drive Angel back to Kieran’s so your parents don’t get suspicious. I’ll see you in a few minutes, okay?”

  “Hurry back.” I kissed him.

  “Always.”

  I opened the front door, expecting my parents to be in bed already, but they were sitting on the couch watching the late news. I walked over to them and hugged them.

  “Thanks for the great dinner tonight.”

  “You’re welcome,” Mom said. “Did you have a nice time after? Seems you and Kieran are back to normal. That Shay fellow . . . he’s very nice and seems to adore you.”

  “I know.” I plopped into the recliner. “And the feeling is mutual.” I cleared my throat and dove in with my next question, gauging their reactions. “I’m wondering if there’s any chance I could take a trip like when school’s out over the summer. Kieran said he may go backpacking in Europe, and I’d love to go.”

  They exchanged a quick glance of surprise then looked back at me.

  “Mom and I will have to discuss it.” Dad sounded guarded. “That’s a lot of money, even if Kieran goes with you.” He grinned. “The two of you gallivanting around Europe. I can only imagine what trouble you two could find. I assume Shay would be going, too?”

  I avoided his question. The idea of the trip was dodgy enough without my throwing in the idea of traveling in Europe with the boy I loved. “I know it would be expensive. I’m just asking. Kieran doesn’t know a whole lot about specifics yet, but I love the idea. Just think of all the historic places I could see and learn about. I think it could be an educational experience, and since I plan to work the summer between my senior year and college, I could help pay for some of it, then—”

  “You should save all your money for college,” Dad said.

  “We’ll discuss it,” Mom promised.

  “Okay. That’s all I’m asking. I’m off to bed. Goodnight.”

  They called goodnight, and I walked up to my room. By the time I’d finished getting ready for bed and opened the bathroom door, Shay was already lounged on my bed. I walked over, turned off the light, and crawled under the covers next to him.

  “So what’s up, tough guy?” I asked, snuggling closer.

  “It’s silly.”

  “I won’t laugh. I promise.”

  “I shouldn’t let it bother me,” he said. “She didn’t mean it, but it’s true on some level.”

  “It’s just Morgan,” I reminded him.

  “I know, but she said that just because I was dating you, I didn’t have to fight your battles for you. She said I can’t always protect you. But the thing is that I want to fight your battles. I want to protect you. I feel like I have to, and not just because I’m obligated to, or because that’s why I exist. I have to protect you because I love you.”

  “What’s wrong with that?”

  He hesitated. “I’m afraid the time will come when you’ll have to make a choice, and you won’t choose me because I failed you somehow.”

  I frowned at him. “Shay, I will always—.”

  “What if you don’t, though? You never know what’s at stake or what the consequences are, or even what the decision could mean.”

  This conversation was difficult. Sidelle had told me that nephilim and angels didn’t mix. When the time came, would I still choose Shay? Or would I be forced to choose an Eternal. If so, Kieran came to my mind immediately. If I become an angel, I couldn’t watch Shay die. Or was there a chance I might be able to stop this? A hundred years from now, I know my choice would still be the same.

  So much to think about.

  “Shay, all I know for sure is that right now, I choose you.”

  Sidelle stood at the far end of the grand room, watching her king. Her nerves played at her confidence. She was excited to be here, to speak with him about Zoe, but her gut told her she had an uphill battle. He wasn’t going to be easy to convince.

  King Oberon stood inside the private entrance of the room, his arms outstretched. On his head he wore the magnificent woven crown. “Ah, Sidelle,” he boomed. “Welcome back to Court! I hope you haven’t been waiting long. No? Good, good. Now come and tell me all that is happening on Earth.”

  Sidelle bowed deeply. “Your Highness. I’m sorry to report that Earth has been on a downward slide for a long time now. People are still hurting each other, and wars are forever raging. The good news is I have reached a definitive conclusion: Zoe Jabril is the Redeemer foretold by the prophecy. She has displayed remarkable endurance, tolerance, and courage.”

  She stepped closer to the elevated throne, in
awe—as she always was—of the beautiful stone arches spanning the width of the room. Oberon moved so he could stand on the bottom marble step. His noble expression was drawn tight into a frown of concern.

  “Tell me more.”

  “Sammael is on the move. Two Knights followed Zoe into the Void last week, but Kieran was with her, as well as the nephilim.”

  “Nephilim?” He turned and climbed the four steps to sit on his throne.

  “Yes. Shay came to her rescue. Both he and Kieran have been guarding her since birth. Two more Knights and four Marquises attacked her shortly after the first incident, and they would have killed her if I hadn’t intervened.”

  Oberon nodded and folded his hands in his lap.

  Sidelle continued. “There is more. Alpha Keegan of the Spiritus Pack has sent his Beta, Vash, to protect Zoe as well. It was good that the pack lives so close. Now they can help kill the Marquises.” Here came the difficult part: asking for help. “I am wondering, your highness, if there are other ways to protect Zoe. Do you think we should send more fairies?”

  He motioned her to step closer. “Oh, my faithful daughter, you tell me much. And yet ask more from me.” He stood and embraced her.

  She shook her head. “We’ll need to help to stop the Marqs, and Zoe needs round the clock protection.”

  He held up one hand then swept his emerald green robes to the side with his other as he resumed his seat on the opulent wooden throne. “Let me think on all you have said.” He pursed his lips, considering. “I sent you to observe, which you have done. Now I must ask myself the question: Should I help the angels? Possibly. But what have they done for the fairies? Must our blood be shed in order for them to win the war?”

  “But the Redeemer will unite the fairies and wolves with the angels. Only together will they be able to stop the disasters and save—”

  He shook his head. “I need time to think on these questions. In the end, I will do what is needed and what is best for my fairies.” He smiled and clapped his hands once. “In the meantime, let’s celebrate your return. We’ll have a ball tonight in your honor!” The servants raced about the throne room, suddenly making preparations.

  The Summer king shooed her away with his hands. “You are dismissed, Sidelle,” he said fondly.

  A party was the last thing Sidelle wanted. She had no time or need for something so trivial. Sidelle longed to return to Zoe, to make sure she was protected and ready for battle. There was so much to do. She couldn’t imagine enjoying herself tonight. But she was in no position to argue with the king.

  After the festivities concluded, Sidelle was summoned back to the throne room. King Oberon, now dressed more casually in tan breeches and a dark green tunic, motioned for her to step forward. She bowed and waited impatiently for his reply.

  “Sidelle, I have thought on all you’ve told me, and the news is troubling to say the least. It has become apparent that Sammael plans to fight our world as well. His goal will be to create havoc among our fairies and those on Earth. If he prevails, what will become of Fairyland?” He cocked his head. “Will my fairies fade, or will they become servants to him? I would like to think I could be a servant, but alas, I don’t believe I am cut out for that role. I have been king far too long to bow to anyone. I would choose to fade along with the rest of my brethren.”

  He regarded Sidelle through narrowed eyes. “I understand what’s at risk if Zoe does not live. You must bring her to me. I need to meet her before I can send fairies to aid her.” He paused. “Yes, bring her to me.” He tossed a golden sphere the size of a baseball to Sidelle, who caught it deftly in one hand. “Use this token so she may enter Fairyland unharmed. She will be my personal guest.”

  Somehow Sidelle avoided rolling her eyes. Like Zoe’s gonna carry this around for however many days she’s in Fairyland.

  “Make sure she keeps it on her at all times. Do not carry it for her.” The king nodded. “Lastly, I wish to inform you there is another way to kill most demons. I say this because I fear that if Zoe and her friends are triumphant in defeating the Marquises, Sammael will send the Prince. You’ll need all the help you can get while I gather forces and persuade Queen Mab to do the same.” He rose from his throne and approached Sidelle. “The Seraph Angels hold the Swords of Heaven. These swords are dipped in Glory. Any evil killed by it will die an unholy death. Demons are already living in Hell, so you might wonder what more they could endure, but trust me. There are far worse events than being dead.”

  Oberon grabbed her shoulders and stared into her eyes. “Sidelle, my daughter, you must find one of these swords if you hope to defeat the Prince.” He nodded, and thoughts drifted behind his eyes. “Go now, protect our future. I go to play politics in Court and prepare us for battle. I must journey to Winter to discuss these matters with Mab.”

  Dismissed, Sidelle left in a daze. She walked to the outer edge of Summer Fairyland, lost in thought. A Sword of Heaven. We need to get one of those.

  The sound of someone clearing their throat came from behind Sidelle. “I beg your pardon, Miss, but are you lost?”

  She didn’t bother to turn around. “Nope, but you obviously are,” she snapped.

  “You can’t still be mad at me. Come on, Sidelle. It’s been, what? A couple of centuries?”

  “We’re fairies,” she said flatly, remembering the Changing of the Seasons Masked Ball three centuries before. It felt as if it had been just yesterday. “Time doesn’t mean anything. A few centuries or a thousand, what does it matter how long it’s been?”

  “So you are still mad at me.”

  She spun to face him. “What do you want, Finn?”

  But seeing him took her back to the Exchange of the Septum. She’d been so eager to hand the Septum to Finn just so she could see him again. Now that he stood before her, her heart ached. He hadn’t changed at all.

  “To apologize.”

  “A little late for that, don’t you think?” She had waited for him at the Altar of Exchange for so long. For years, despite it being forbidden, they had been secretly seeing each other, and Queen Mab had chosen him to be the Winter Representative for that exchange. Sidelle turned and stalked away from him. “You think an apology is going to make it all right?”

  “Probably not, but it would be a start if you were to take me back.”

  Sidelle froze mid-step, then she whipped around to face him. “Why would I?” she hissed. “You used me, then you broke my heart!” She advanced, moving like a panther stalking her prey, forcing him to take a step back. “I found out later why you were late, you know. Oh yes, I know you were fraternizing with another fairy when you should have been at the Altar. You made a fool of me!” She jabbed her finger into his chest. “You two-timing jerk!”

  His eyes dropped. “I was a fool.”

  “No argument here. You still are!” She inhaled deeply then let out a slow breath. “What are you doing here, anyway?”

  “Waiting for you. I heard you were back in Fairyland, and I wanted to see you.” He glanced to the side. “Also, Mab sent me.”

  “What does she want?” She cocked her hip. “You out of the ice house with her then?”

  “I guess so since she wants to know your report, hear how matters are going on Earth. And she wants to know what’s going on with the Ordinary you are watching.”

  “Is that all? She sent you because she assumes you can get all the information then go running back to her, right? Like I’d do whatever you wanted.” She waved him away. “Well, that’s not going to happen, Finn. Why doesn’t she wait for Oberon? He’s on his way to see her anyway.”

  “Sidelle, it’s not like that. She’s my Queen. I have to do her bidding just like you do Oberon’s. And with you and me? Come on. We both knew the risks. You’re a Summer Fairy and I’m from Winter. When Mab found out about us she went ballistic. I’m grateful I’m still in existence, to be honest. She kept threatening to freeze me.”

  Sidelle crossed her arms. “At least Oberon doesn’t mani
pulate, like Mab does.”

  “You should think twice on that, Delle.”

  She caught her breath, furious. How dare he use that name. “Don’t—”

  “I know. Don’t call you that.”

  “Whatever. Just go. Leave me alone.” She attempted to walk away. “I need to get back to Zoe.”

  “Then lead the way.”

  She froze, suspicious. “What? You’re so not going with me!”

  “Oh, yes. I am. Mab wants a full report, and I plan to give her thorough, firsthand knowledge. So lead on. I’m going whether you like it or not.”

  In the morning, Shay was gone. I sat up in bed and stretched, wishing I could go back to sleep. In a way it was a relief he wasn’t there, because I needed to think. The conversation I’d had with Sidelle in Kieran’s kitchen weighed heavily on my mind. The thought of losing him when I turned eighteen was simply unacceptable. I picked up my phone, wanting to text Sidelle, then remembered she had left for Fairyland.

  “Morning, Zoe,” Kieran said when I arrived at the end of my driveway. “Tonight you should start learning some fighting techniques from Shay or Vash, okay?” He peered more closely at me. “Hey, are you all right? You look like—”

  “I didn’t get much sleep last night—and not for the reason you’re thinking,” I replied. “I’m not sure how my body is going to function today, but I’ll give it a go.”

  He frowned. “Anything you’d like to talk about?”

  “I need some girl time, and Sidelle’s not here, so I’m sort of trying to work it out on my own. But thanks.” I gave him a small smile. I did want to talk to him, just not about this. It was too awkward.

  “It’s about Shay, isn’t it?” he said. “I’m all ears if you ever want to talk, you know, even if it’s about him. Speaking of him, he’s not walking with us today, so we can get going.”

  That was odd. He hadn’t mentioned that. “Did he say why?”