Telophy

by Wanda Wiltshire

  ‘If it’s good unexpected.’

  ‘I hardly know … You might need to make up your own mind. And for now you must tell no one.’

  My eyes widened. ‘Of course, if you say so.’

  He took a deep breath and let it go again. ‘My father is planning to give me his kingdom.’

  The blood rushed from my face. ‘Excuse me?’

  ‘You heard true. He only waits for my strength to return.’

  ‘But why would he do that?’ As the question left my lips the answer floated into my head like a song.

  ‘He told me of his betrothed. He says since meeting her his past is too heavy a burden, that he no longer has the necessary focus to be King.’

  ‘Do you think that’s all there is to it?’

  ‘I don’t know.’ He frowned. ‘I doubt it.’

  I struggled with my conscience for a minute or two. Should I confide my suspicions to Leif? If we’d still been a pair, there would be no question. But we weren’t, and his father was my king. I owed King Telophy my confidence.

  The next morning, I found the King kneeling by the sapling he’d planted where Hilary had fallen. Its limbs were growing strong and sure, carefully tended by all who loved her.

  ‘She would often make me see my foolishness,’ King Telophy said as I arrived. ‘With just a few words, artlessly spoken.’

  ‘She was clever like that.’

  He smiled. ‘Not unlike you.’

  ‘I wonder what she would say about what you’re planning.’

  He caught a leaf between his thumb and finger. ‘I see my son wasted no time in telling you.’

  ‘You can’t do it.’

  He stood. Not too long ago he would have lowered his voice to deadly and stared me down with narrow eyes as he said, ‘How dare you speak to me so?’ But now he only lifted an eyebrow. ‘It’s hardly your place to tell me what I can or cannot do. I assure you, when he is fully recovered, Leif will be well equipped to replace me.’

  I held his eyes fast with mine. ‘It’s not Leif I’m worried about.’

  His lips parted and it took him a moment to find his voice. ‘Worry not, Marla. When we no longer share allegiance, you won’t be nearly so concerned for me.’

  ‘You’re going to risk your soul to try and win back Finelle’s— that’s why you’re giving kingship to Leif, isn’t it?’

  A flicker of surprise crossed his face, then he frowned. ‘You let your imagination run wild, my subject.’

  I ignored his reminder of my place. ‘Have you met him, King Telophy—the Dark King?’

  He drew a long breath and looked to the heavens as he released it. ‘I have not,’ he said when he met my eyes again.

  ‘Well I have. He’s a monster.’

  ‘Of course—he is Dark Fae.’

  ‘They’re not all the same. Not even close. There’s good and evil even in those without spirit.’

  He gave me the penetrating stare that had shut me down so effectively in the past. I stopped talking but didn’t look away and my persistence was rewarded with a response. ‘You continue to speak of this and yet, I have not owned any intention of making a bargain with the Dark King.’

  ‘That’s not the same as saying you won’t.’

  ‘Then be assured of it … I am tired. I have lost focus, and my thoughts roam too far from my Fae.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘Marla, I have no plan to bargain with the Dark King. You may take my vow on that.’

  Chapter Twenty-one

  The months rolled by—through Christmas, into the new year and past my nineteenth birthday. I barely saw Leif—only on rare occasions when he would turn up to dinner with his father and set my heart on fire. He knew his effect on me, the way my pulse jumped to light speed at the sight of him. But he never let on. In fact, I’d come to the conclusion he was avoiding me. Fair enough, he was with Haigen now. And Haigen was snakier than ever, taking every opportunity she could to let me know my days with the Prince were done. But if the two of them were making wedding plans, I heard nothing of it. One morning I tried to get information out of Atara in what I thought was a sneaky way. But she just smiled and told me if I wanted to speak of her son’s marriage arrangements, I would need to see him. I’d scurried away, face smouldering.

  I didn’t see much of Jack either, both of us reaching a kind of unspoken agreement that we could use some distance. I missed him—especially after losing Hilary. Thinking of the friendship the three of us shared before Jack and I decided to complicate things felt like pressing a bruise. We were both busy in any case—Jack with his role in the King’s Guard, and me working with the care teams—except for Sundays when I would catch the sun to Earth to be with my human family. All seemed well there. Dad had cut back his work hours after turning sixty-five, Ashleigh had settled into her hairdressing apprenticeship in a grudging kind of way, and Mum was busy writing a book she wouldn’t show anyone.

  And King Telophy was still King. I was just beginning to think he’d had a change of heart about giving up his kingship when an assembly was called in the Great Hall. I stood in the second row, Jack beside me. ‘This is pretty full on,’ he said. ‘Any idea what it’s about?’

  Haigen peered around his other side, a cold interest in her eyes as they caught mine. ‘Why would she know anything when she is not Princess-to-be. It is me you should be asking.’

  ‘So tell us then,’ I said, refusing to be drawn to battle.

  ‘You’ll find out in due time—along with everyone else here.’

  ‘It has to be something big,’ Jack said as Haigen looked away with a scowl.

  The booming voice of the announcer called for silence and I turned to see King Telophy and Queen Atara coming down the centre, Leif behind them. He was nervous. I could tell, not only by the way he was resolutely staring ahead, but because my heart was beating double time, and I knew I wasn’t causing it. As he passed me I wanted to reach out to him, tell him it would be okay, that he was made for this. But aside from the day he’d regained consciousness, he hadn’t used the telepathy between us once. He took the stairs to the dais and stood before his throne to the right of the King. Sunbeams spilled through the great arched windows behind them, outlining all three in a golden haze. I thought I saw Leif glance my way.

  After everyone was seated, King Telophy began. ‘What I am about to say will, to most of you, be surprising … There will soon be a change to this kingdom.’ He paused, eyes sweeping across his gathered leaders. ‘In three days, the Kingdom of Telophy will become the Kingdom of Leif.’

  The room erupted into gasps and murmurs as my attention went straight to Leif. He was scanning the faces now turned his way. Atara, sitting to her husband’s left, looked as fragile as blown glass. I was glad she was sitting down.

  As the King began issuing instructions, I slipped away and flew to my room. In just three days, my betrothed would be King. I needed some time alone to process that.

  I was surprised when later my thoughts were interrupted by Leif’s voice in my head. Marla, are you near? Would you come to the conservatory?

  I arrived to find him with his parents, his mother in his father’s arms, her forehead resting on his collarbone. He was stroking her hair, murmuring words I couldn’t hear. I started to back away, wondering what Leif had been thinking to call me here. But then he spoke my name and both King and Queen looked up, Atara wiping her eyes. Leif came to me, leaning down to whisper, ‘Thank you for coming.’

  I shrugged awkwardly. ‘I’m intruding.’

  ‘My father asked me to call you,’ he said softly. Then in a louder voice, ‘My father was just saying he would remain with me as long as I needed him.’

  ‘Leif is young for his new position,’ King Telophy said quietly.

  Atara grabbed her husband’s shoulders. ‘So why give it to him? You are being utterly selfish.’

  King Telophy brushed his fingers down her cheek, but his words were for Leif. ‘And when you feel you can do well enough withou
t me, your mother and I will go away for a while.’

  Both Atara and Leif started to speak, but the King’s voice rose above them. ‘I have faith in you, my son. I know the kingdom will flourish under you.’ Then he kissed Atara’s forehead and pressed her face to his chest, holding it there as he called, ‘Enter.’

  I turned as a man came in from the garden. He was dark haired with high cheekbones and skin the colour of burnished bronze. Several lengths of vine hung around his neck, each woven with seedpods, wooden beads and medallions of stone. On one forearm was the emblem of his king, a sure sign he was a member of that king’s guard. In his hand was a bunch of yellow bellflowers.

  ‘Bryn, you are welcome here,’ King Telophy said.

  The Queen’s face shot up as my eyes flew to Leif. He’d been led to believe his mother’s betrothed was dead. I expected to see shock, but all I saw was sad acceptance.

  You knew about him?

  He nodded as Atara’s raised voice drew my attention back to her. ‘I told you no, Telophy.’

  Softly King Telophy said, ‘And if you do not want him, you may also tell him no.’ He ran a hand down her arm. ‘Just look at him, my love.’

  She smacked his hand away. ‘Why would you not consider me?’

  ‘I am considering you. That’s why I brought him.’

  ‘I am your wife.’

  ‘Only because I took away your choice.’

  I watched, stunned, as she gripped his biceps, refusing to look at the man who waited and watched her. ‘You are my choice … Do you not want me?’

  Closing his eyes, the King groaned and pulled his wife against him. ‘Please Atara, this is difficult enough, all you need do is look at him and what I want won’t matter.’

  ‘Is that what you believe? That my love for you will just vanish the moment I lay eyes on him?’

  ‘My experience has proven it so.’

  She cupped his face in her hands and with more fire in her voice than I’d ever heard before, said, ‘I am not Finelle.’ And as if to prove it, she turned and looked upon her betrothed.

  Smiling, Bryn extended the hand holding the flowers and took a step towards her. His eyes were dazzling aqua blue.

  Atara gasped, a hand going to her heart as the blood left her face. She cast a panicked look back to her husband, then ran from the room, King Telophy following close behind.

  Leif looked from me to Bryn and back again. Can I leave this to you?

  Go, I told him, finally understanding why I’d been brought here.

  Leif went after his parents and I turned to Bryn, introducing myself and apologising for the awkwardness of the situation.

  ‘Please don’t,’ he said, ‘I expected no different. My betrothed is wed to her king after all. But I wonder—would you take a message to her?’

  ‘Of course,’ I said, hoping it wasn’t too personal.

  ‘Tell her she can find me in the Kingdom of Layerty … should she wish to find me.’

  ‘I’ll tell her.’ I hesitated before saying, ‘I admire the way you’re handling this … I mean, considering you just saw her for the first time, you’re really calm.’

  ‘I have seen Atara many times—the first was the day of her wedding.’

  My eyes went wide. When Leif and Haigen got married, I planned to be a whole world away—literally. ‘That can’t have been easy.’

  ‘It was the day I decided I couldn’t remain in this kingdom.’

  ‘You had a choice?’ I’d always imagined King Telophy had sent Atara’s betrothed away.

  ‘If you consider being commanded to stay away from the female who owns a piece of your soul a choice.’ It was said with half a smile and only a trace of resentment.

  ‘Something else you seem to have taken well.’

  The smile fell from his eyes. ‘Where is the point in taking it any other way? Besides, she is in love with him. There is peace in that. Freedom too.’

  ‘Freedom?’

  ‘Atara is happy, which means I can be happy … I’ve loved others besides her. As for the King, he has his needs … which makes me wonder why he brought me to meet her.’ He gave me a questioning look.

  I had no intention of discussing my king’s business with a man I’d just met.

  He saw my expression. ‘I’ve said too much.’

  ‘No, you haven’t. And don’t worry, I’ll make sure Atara gets your message … Just maybe not today.’

  ‘When you feel she is ready.’

  We walked outside where he willed himself into a sunbeam. I sent a silent message to Leif. If you need to talk, I’m here.

  He thanked me, but I didn’t see or hear from him again until the night before he was to become King.

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Sleep eluded me the night before the Kingdom of Telophy was to become the Kingdom of Leif. Eventually I took a rug and a cup of hot chocolate out into the garden, guards inclining their heads as I passed. It hadn’t taken me long to realise Haigen had been right about the extra protection. It was never overt, and tonight was no different, the sentry finding reasons to move a little nearer.

  Feeling safe from the Shadow Fae in their protection, I spread the rug out and watched the stars as thoughts of friends and family swirled in my mind: Leif nervous about his future, Jack and Ameyah in the forest with the guard, Lysander hanging out with Claudette, and Mum and Dad a world away, probably worrying about Ashleigh and missing me. I sighed, wishing they were with me.

  I thought about the changes that were about to take place, recalling the day I’d sworn allegiance to King Telophy. It had hit me like a tidal wave, changing my feelings for him completely. Since then, I’d carried a thread of his soul inside me, and he mine. How would I feel about him when that was no longer so? And what would it be like to be allegiant to the man I was betrothed to? I thanked God I still had King Telophy’s confusion on me. In the end it hadn’t stopped me loving Leif—I’d only fallen in love with him all over again the human way. But it had taken the sting out of not having him. I lay back and closed my eyes. Nothing in life was ever straightforward.

  I woke to the sensation of movement—a brush against my arm, a soft rustle. I was in my bed, the scent of forest and spice and some dreamy essence I adored but had never been able to name, whisper-soft around me. I pushed the covers off and sat up. ‘Leif?’

  He appeared in the doorway, the single sunstone shining in my window turning his body to shadow and light. My betrothed was well and truly at full strength once more. ‘I didn’t mean to wake you.’

  I took a deep breath, tried to slow my pulse. ‘Did you carry me here?’

  He crossed the floor, silent as a cat. No, a lion—the regal and kingly kind. I could see the glint of his teeth in his grin. ‘Do you mind?’

  ‘No.’ I only hoped I hadn’t been snoring or drooling or something. The thought made small fires flare to life in my cheeks. ‘Just … thanks.’

  He gestured to the bed. ‘Mind if I sit?’

  I shuffled over to make room and he sat facing my way, sliding one leg up on the bed. My hand was so close I imagined I could feel the warmth coming from beneath his skin.

  ‘Thanks for helping the other day, Marla. This thing with Bryn …’

  ‘Is everything all right?’

  He frowned. ‘I don’t know.’

  I wanted to smooth the lines in his forehead with my fingers. Instead, I lay my hand on his as I said, ‘How are your parents?’

  Against the soft gleam of his brown skin, my fingers shone small and pale, vanishing when he turned his hand and closed it around them, squeezing then letting go. ‘My father’s changed. Growing up, I remember little more than dark moods and closed doors. But now, he’s … different.’

  ‘Good different, you mean?’

  He nodded. ‘Like your father is with you. Interested. I mean in me—he’s always been interested in the Prince, trying to shape me into the king he wanted me to become.’ He paused. ‘His methods were … changeable.’

&n
bsp; ‘He can be erratic, that’s for sure.’

  ‘And yet lately, he hasn’t been so at all.’

  ‘Yeah, I’ve noticed.’ In fact, the King had seemed more balanced than I would have thought possible—in a sad kind of way. The reason for that sorrow made me feel sick. Was he really as ready to give up his crown as he had his loved ones believe? I didn’t know.

  ‘He’s lost the bad temper, but also the passion that went with it. My mother is at the same time furious and despairing … She will not hear mention of Bryn. I know my father’s deeply ashamed of his past, but why bring Bryn when she didn’t want him to come?’ He ran a hand through his hair. ‘So much has changed, and I can’t even imagine what’s to come. Or how I’ll feel after tomorrow.’

  ‘Your father will be with you. He can help you get used to it. And … if you ever need me, I’m here too.’

  In the starlight I saw one corner of his mouth lift. ‘There is something, Marla. I was waiting till morning to ask, but now you are awake.’

  He hesitated, his eyes shining. My heart beat fast and steady. I nudged his knee with mine. ‘Go on.’

  ‘Would you come with me tomorrow when I swear allegiance to my new subjects?’

  It took me a few seconds to get over my shock. ‘Shouldn’t Haigen go?’

  ‘It’s you the Fae will be expecting. Haigen understands this.’

  ‘They’re expecting me?’

  ‘You are surprised?’ His eyebrows hitched up. ‘I don’t know why. You have been welcomed.’

  ‘But—’

  ‘And you are loved. Every day I hear stories … But, if you don’t wish to come—’

  ‘No, no, I’ll come,’ I said quickly, then smiled. ‘What do you hear?’

  He laughed as he stood. ‘Ask me again tomorrow, we have to be up early and should get some sleep.’

  A dragging sensation jolted me awake early the next morning, like a thread being pulled up through my limbs, into my heart. I clutched at my chest as though I could keep it. But it slipped through my fingers, the piece of me I’d given to the King sliding back in its place. Immediately I knew I was different, the reverence for Leif’s father gone. Feeling a bit empty, I went out on to the balcony to watch the new day begin, wondering how King Telophy was feeling, relieved to know I still cared.