In that one look, there was so much. He wasn't angry with her about what she'd done. Although that shouldn't have been consolation, because there was no way he could know the severity of the situation, somehow it was.
"My Queen,” Glen whispered as he extended a hand toward her and stood from his position on the throne.
Shay's pulse quickened as she took one step after another, careful to avoid the watchful eyes of the countless faerie faces she passed. Some she recognized, others she didn't. This wasn't everyone in her land, but quite a large portion had turned up for this event.
The lush grass beneath her boots sighed with her every step. The flower petals Rhiannon had laid out for the illusion of nature were gone, replaced by actual grass. Her magic had allowed the oak tree to stand in the hall and opened the way for grass and other plant life to grow. It was a beautiful sight.
At least she'd been able to offer one good thing to Breena.
She breathed a sigh of relief when her fingers touched Glen's. The calm and warmth he exuded the first time they had made contact was still there. Somehow, with a single touch, he could make her feel like everything in the world was all right.
The golden glow ignited between their hands.
Glen's green gaze wandered down to her side, where her injuries were now a ruined top she hadn't bothered to replace and dry blood. When he looked up to pin her eyes with his, the curiosity was hard to hide.
But there wasn't enough time for explanations at the moment.
"Make her explain the madness she's descended upon us,” someone called from the crowd behind her.
Several others mumbled their support, and Shay realized that exposing her back to this angry crowd was probably not a good idea. She turned around slowly, hand still in Glen's.
"Silence!” Mai was the one who responded, lifting his walking stick up into the air.
Everyone settled back into silence.
"I'm sorry,” she whispered to Glen, but also caught Mai's glance for a brief second. “I didn't think."
"That's the problem with faeries who fall in love, they don't think,” Mai said with a click of his tongue. “Do you realize the severity of your actions, Shay Lee?"
She nodded, finally meeting his dark eyes for an instant before she lowered them. The elder didn't seem angry, but troubled by what could happen to their land.
He sighed. “It was our fault; we never should have left you here all by yourself to sit on a throne without the faintest idea of how to—"
"Rhiannon had no problem settling into the role,” Shay murmured.
Mai chuckled, an ugly sound that roused goose bumps. “Ah, Rhiannon had no trouble because selfish tyrants usually welcome the power. You are reluctant."
"I'm not reluctant."
"It's okay, Shay Lee.” He cut her off with a lift of his wrinkled hand. “You will not be labeled weak for such an admission. Just as we took our rightful Faerie King of Breena aside to explain, teach and nurture, we should have done the same for you."
"What happens now?” she asked. There was no point in prolonging the outcome. Besides, they all needed to know what the consequences of her actions would be.
"Now the goblins will more than likely step into Breena and invade our land. And we will resist at every angle, starting another war if that's what it takes to save our kind.” Mai's answer echoed throughout the marble walls, reaching every new plant that had settled amongst the marble. The contrast was striking, beautiful, and as the moonlight streamed inside from the glass ceiling above, the eerie glow of a forest swept around them.
"She has to pay!” the same voice called out from the crowd.
Shay wondered if that was a Rhiannon supporter who secretly resented her for the previous queen's demise, or just someone who blamed her for what was about to happen. A war! Her insides quivered at the realization of what she'd done. Because of her actions, they would all face a war against ruthless and vicious creatures that craved faerie blood.
Glen squeezed her fingers between his, drawing her attention back. “Shay, the goblins have been skirting the boundaries of Breena for several years. They would've found a way in eventually."
"Yeah,” she said with a sigh. “So I did us all a favor, did I? Moved the inevitable along so we could deal with all this sooner?” Shay offered him a lopsided smirk. At the moment, she didn't feel like she would ever be able to help anyone out of anything again. And the memory of her terrible nightmare wasn't helping. Even now, when there were so many other important things to deal with, it haunted the back of her mind as much as the sense of being watched had.
She looked up and met Mai's dark eyes. They were narrowed, as if he could read her thoughts. Maybe the old sprite could read her mind ... but if he could, why hadn't he known she'd make such a terrible blunder? Why had Mai isolated her from Glen for so long when she'd needed his company?
The curve of his lip looked suspiciously like a smile.
Her eyes widened. Was it possible that he'd known all along? That all the elders had known she would make this decision and push them into war with the goblins? No, that was insane. Putting Breena at risk was insane.
The flutter of wings drew her attention. Shay turned to find Flee approaching. Her friend stopped beside Mai and offered her a smile. Flee was out in the open with a multitude of fae around them. Times sure were changing.
"I wouldn't exactly call it a favor,” Mai finally answered after he cleared his throat. “But it's a move we've been in desperate need of. Rhiannon refused to listen to the elders’ visions because she relied on her own. But hers were always laced with grandeur. Everything she ever strived for or achieved was for personal gain, so no one would dare to challenge her for the throne. She took it from someone herself and knew the risks."
"So you tried to encourage her to introduce love?"
Mai shook his head. “No, that was all your doing, I'm afraid. That's another topic entirely, something we'll have to deal with another time. Right now, our one and only focus should be on the goblins. They're slow creatures, but should take no more than a few moons to realize the shield that kept them out for so long has been severed."
"Then what?” she asked, afraid of the answer.
"We'll be ready for them,” Glen answered. He took a step forward, bringing her with him as he addressed the faeries eavesdropping on their conversation. “We will attack and defend our land. Together we're stronger than them."
"They're goblins!” A female faerie near the front called. “We are only—"
"Faeries! Many amongst you are trained warriors, but you all have it in you.” Glen turned slightly to give her a glance and a wink. “Mai informed me about the many chambers below the castle. There's more than enough room to house children and those who don't wish to fight, as well as those brave enough to take part in the battle."
"What about the other fae? I have cousins on the outskirts of Breena,” said a male from somewhere in the crowd.
"They have already been collected. The downside to all of this is that many of you may lose your homes, or at least have them raided by those creatures. But I personally promise to help each and every one of you after the war is over,” Glen said. He sounded like a real leader, a born leader. And just hearing those positive and true words slip from his lips, Shay felt the desire to take part in this fight arise. He was right; both he and Mai were right about this.
She was a fae-hunter, a warrior at heart who'd hardly used her real warrior skills because of the reign of peace. But now the entire organization could take part.
Except for that one faerie still in Sydney...
"Queen Rhiannon would never have gotten us into this dire situation,” called that negative male voice again.
This time Shay scanned the crowd to zero in on the culprit, but couldn't see the owner of the voice.
The guard Beun caught her eye with a questioning look. She nodded once. He'd find whoever was so determined to make Rhiannon sound better than she'd been.
Mai stepped up beside Shay, with Flee near his left shoulder. His eyes seemed to scan the crowd before them, too.
"No, she wouldn't,” Glen said. “But I am the king now."
"How can we trust someone who's known he was faerie for such a small amount of time?” the male returned. “Hey!"
Beun dragged a small man wearing a brown tunic from the crowd. A black pouch hung around his neck with several charms attached to the cords. His eyes were so light, they almost looked white.
Shay recognized him right away. “Xenoi, I was wondering where you'd hide after Rhiannon's reign was over."
"After your first blunder, I couldn't help myself. I had to see you suffer the consequences.” His eyes were spooky, and he loved to use them to his advantage.
"Xenoi, old friend, the only one who'll suffer for their consequences will be you,” Mai said.
"I haven't done anything!” Beun kept a tight hold on his spindly arm as he struggled to break free.
Xenoi was also a sprite, one that had accepted passage into Breena under false pretenses. He was only interested in casting spells to steal from nature without any returns. Of course, Rhiannon had held a tight leash around him, used him as an informant. Though she never had admitted exactly what he did for her.
"Then why don't you explain why you served as interim between the goblins and Rhiannon for so long?” Mai asked.
There were gasps of horror from the crowd.
Xenoi's eyes widened, confirming his guilt.
Shay couldn't believe her ears. “What are you saying? That Rhiannon actually communicated with the goblins?"
Mai nodded. “She used them as she did everyone else. Our previous queen continually offered to the goblins innocent faeries she trumped up charges for. She borrowed some of their power and knowledge and even went as far as offering passage to one of them. One she took as a lover that later betrayed her. When I found out, she had Xenoi cast a spell on me to keep me quiet. It was why I was gone for so long."
"What?” Shay spat the question.
"Yes, that's what Rhiannon and Xenoi did behind your backs. Her corruption was deep and inexcusable. What Shay did to lower our defenses was a mistake, but all she wanted was for all of you to know what true emotion feels like. A selfless act that she had no idea would lead to this. But trust me when I say that to battle the goblins just outside our realm and to defeat them as we head into a new monarchy, is the right thing for all in Breena.” Mai's voice was loud and clear.
Several cheers erupted before them and a few claps too.
The sound of running feet preceded the murmur of chatter through the huge double doors on the other side of the castle hall. Heads turned toward the guards who ran inside, followed by a multitude of faeries with cloth bags dragged behind them or slung over their backs and shoulders.
"The first of the goblins has broken through,” one of the guards called out. “I don't know if he was an isolated case at the moment, but we managed to eliminate him before he killed anyone."
Shay looked into the group as they headed inside and noticed one of the guards held a bleeding child slung over his shoulder.
"They'll start to trickle in one by one before they communicate to each other what's going on,” Mai said as he looked from Glen and Shay.
"We have to make sure there's no one left out there.” Glen dropped her hand, taking the first step down and away from his throne. The frown on his handsome features was foreign, but she expected that it would become a habit with his new rank.
"I'll go out and check,” Shay said.
"No, you need to stay here.” Glen shook his head firmly without turning back. “I won't let you out of my sight."
"Glen, we're headed into war.” She lifted an eyebrow even though he wasn't looking at her. “We can't stand side-by-side in battle."
"Actually, we can. I intend to be on the front line right beside you.” He looked over his shoulder at her with a cheeky smile.
"But you're the king. You need to stay below with the others.” It was her turn to shake her head.
"No,” he said with a sigh. “We fight together, defeat them together. And then when we get back to the castle, we can be married. That is, if you want to become my wife."
"What?” Shay watched him turn around, take her left hand and once again fall to his knee. He'd already done this once before, and the sense of déjà vu was too strong to ignore. She'd known that to agree to become his queen would eventually amount to marriage, but so soon? Her head felt light, her hands clammy.
"Shay Lee, Fae-Hunter, will you do me the honor and serve as queen and wife on the throne of Breena?” Glen amplified his voice enough so it carried around the room. The instant hush confirmed his intention was met.
Her heart beat like mad. She tried desperately not to dwell on all the negatives that awaited them. The deadly vision of faerie blood, the goblins crossing into their borders, the resurgence of Xenoi, and the skeptical faeries she'd already disappointed with a single announcement. Now that his question hung thick in the air, none of that seemed to matter.
Everyone else faded from view as she shaped the small, simple word inside her mouth. If at the end of all of this dark stuff she would have a marriage bond to look forward to, it would make the fight even more worthwhile.
"Glen Row, rightful king to the throne of Breena, I accept your proposal of marriage,” she answered with a smile. She was sure her voice hadn't carried as well as his, but her response was out for all of them to hear.
A public announcement that Glen added to by saying, “Then, Shay Lee, until the day we are to be wedded, there shall be no love connection between any of the faeries within our boundaries."
"What has that done?” she whispered.
Mai muttered the response in her ear, “The day that you and Glen Row are formally married will mark a new beginning for Breena. It will allow your wish of love to spread throughout our land legally and become the new seal to keep all threats from our land."
The excitement coursed through her system as she held the gaze of the man who would soon be her husband.
Shay couldn't wait to get the goblin problem out of the way so they could start to enjoy their life together.
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Author Bio
Yolanda lives in a suburb of Sydney, Australia with her wonderful husband, cute daughter and adorable kitty. She's been putting stories together since her early teens.
Now that her daughter is in school, she gets the opportunity to write every day for most of the day, and she loves every minute of it!
Yolanda's had over fifty short stories published online and even has another (creepy) persona called the crypt SCRYbe. When she's not writing, she spends as much time as possible with her small family. She also enjoys watching movies, TV shows and reading-she loves to read.
Come visit her website at www.yolandasfetsos.com or MySpace page at www.myspace.com/yolandasfetsos.
You can also sign up for her newsletter at groups.yahoo.com/group/yolandasfetsos.
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Faerie Queen [Fae-Hunters #2] Page 4