by Amy Sumida
“It was my decision,” he sighed. “I didn't want to involve myself in human politics, I have enough here to deal with. I guess that's over now that I've revealed myself and my court to the Human Council.”
“Probably,” I looked back over the land. “So Twilight is connected to America?”
“Most of the United States, if it's the nation you speak of and not the continents of North and South?” He asked and I nodded. “Originally, there were no kingdoms or courts, just different types of fairies. Then a separation started and soon after, there was war. That was when the courts were formed and the land divided. Twilight sprang up between them, a natural barrier, as if Fairy herself was telling us to stop fighting.”
“Between,” I whispered.
“Yes, we rule the between of all things. There are even places considered to be in-between which lie on both seelie and unseelie land. Little spots where we might find sanctuary if we were to need it,” he smirked. “It really spits off the other kingdoms.”
“Spits off?” I frowned and then chuckled as I caught his meaning. “You mean it pisses them off?”
“Ah, yes,” he laughed with me. “Human speech can be tricky but your mother tried to teach me general expressions so that you might feel comfortable around me,” he sighed. “I guess I'm not so good at it.”
“I think it will be more fun this way. Just keep trying and I'll keep laughing,” I tried to imagine my mother teaching this fairy king human colloquialisms and just couldn't do it. Not my serious Extinguisher mother. Had she been a different person entirely with him? And why had she never been so with me?
“It's a deal,” he grinned. “Was that one correct?”
“Yes, that was right,” I grinned. “So you were saying that the land divided?”
“Yes,” he nodded. “If you were to view us as a map laid over your globe, the Twilight Kingdom would cover both North and South America, with exception to Alaska, which is unseelie land.”
“How about Hawaii?” I was fascinated.
“Hawaii is unseelie as well,” he added.
“And Greenland?”
“Greenland is ours,” he smiled at my inquisitiveness. “Well done, you know your geography.”
“Sort of,” I chewed at my lip. “What about Iceland?”
“The border between Twilight and Seelie goes right between Greenland and Iceland,” he explained. “Our realms are not exactly the same as far as land placement goes. We were aligned once but war changed that and so there are places that don't match up anymore. Some places which are ocean in the Human Realm are land here and vice versa. Alaska, for example, is in the Unseelie Sea.”
“Which is why you don't cover all of the United States?” I asked.
“Yes,” he agreed. “Your world is divided by regions of land but ours is cleanly cut into thirds, giving each court pieces of both land and sea. The Unseelie and Seelie get outer slices of the sphere while Twilight gets the ring in the middle. Our kingdom extends all the way past South America, through Antarctica, and then upwards to include parts of Asia. Specifically, we have a small piece of Russia, a piece of China, then all of India, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.”
“All the best Stans, if you ask me,” I smirked.
“Yes, though it is a tumultuous area in the Human Realm, isn't it?” He cocked his head at me.
“They've had their fair share of problems,” I agreed. “So the Seelie Kingdom is laid over Europe, right? Or do we humans have that wrong too?”
“No, that's correct,” he smiled. “The Seelie Kingdom covers Europe, Africa, and a small section of Asia. They have a piece of Russia and everything to the west of Iran. The Unseelie Kingdom covers the rest of of Asia, Australia, Alaska and all of the islands in the Pacific Ocean.”
“And these divisions happened all on their own?” I looked out at the landscape with new eyes. “The land altered itself?”
“Our land is the most magical thing about us,” his smile softened. “It's where our magic is born. The fey didn't create the Fairy Realm, the realm birthed us and it has always been connected to us, like a mother to her children. So it shifted for our benefit, though it was hard on a lot of fairies. Fey had to leave their homes and migrate to the kingdom of their court.”
“Is that why there are regional fey from both courts?”
“You're speaking of how there are fairies who resemble different human ethnic groups?” He lifted a brow.
“Yes, exactly. I've always wondered how there were Japanese seelie fey when that region is connected to the Unseelie Court.”
“Well, first of all, they aren't Japanese, they're Fey. A distinction which is very important to them,” he gave me an enigmatic look. “Our realms are so closely tied that even our evolution has mirrored each other. Fairies began to resemble the humans in areas closest to their homes. Most sidhe will tell you this is the only reason why fairies resemble some human races but the truth is that in addition to the environment, there are other contributing factors.”
“Which are?” I pressed.
“We look like humans because we bred with them,” he grinned. “Fairies have been consorting with humans from our very first exchange and although very few do so now, I believe the remnants of those original dalliances are still within our blood. Diluted, yes, but still there. I doubt there are any truly pure blooded fairies left. Though that is not an opinion you should repeat. It would get both of us into trouble.”
“So what you're saying is; don't call them Japanese fey because they really are Japanese fey but they don't want to admit that they're Japanese fey?” I lifted a brow.
“Yes, I think that about sums it up,” he laughed and then his hand went to my arm and his expression turned serious. “Seren, I know this is a lot to accept. Are there any questions about myself that I can answer for you? Anything I can do or say to help you feel more at home here?”
“I don't even know where to begin,” I sighed and realized I'd been putting off talking about us with talk of the fey in general. “I feel a connection to you but you're still a stranger to me. I can't just call you Father and forget my entire life up until this point.”
“Of course not,” he shook his head. “I've always known about you but you've only just learned about me. So please, tell me how I can make this easier for you. Seren, you need to know how much you mean to me, how happy I am to finally be able to touch you and speak with you. I've waited so long for this moment, to have you home at last and experience these basic interactions that any father should have with his daughter.”
“How did you meet my mother?” I headed back into the room, twisting my long hair and then tying it into a knot to get it out of the way. I've lived with long hair all of my life but I'd never had it quite so long and it was going to take some time to get used to... like everything I suppose. I took a seat at the table and Keir sat across from me.
“She came to Fairy to attend a diplomatic ball at the Unseelie Court,” he smiled fondly. “I don't know how much Aideen has told you about our family but the Unseelie King is my brother, your Uncle.”
“Yes, I know,” I grimaced, “and I know he's probably the one who's been trying to kill me.”
“Aideen sent me a report detailing an attack by two unseelie fey,” he nodded. “I believe it was my brother's doing.”
“And the Sluagh,” I added and his face went slack.
“What did you say?” He asked in a deathly quiet voice.
“The Sluagh were sent after me on two occasions,” I watched his expression grow more and more ferocious. “Tiernan saved me both times. The last was when we went to Gentry Technologies. They showed up in the building and followed us back into Fairy. At least, I think they did. I never really saw them in Fairy.”
“They were at Gentry?” He frowned. “But I spoke to Dylan and he mentioned nothing about the Sluagh.”
“Is it possible that he didn't know they'd been there?” I offer
ed. “We were separated from our team, which I assume was Aideen's plan, or your plan rather, and so we were on a totally different floor from the others when the Sluagh attacked.”
“I'll need to confirm it with Aideen,” he took a deep breath. “It's possible they were secreted in but that would take great magic.”
“Does your brother have that kind of magic?” I asked.
“Oh yes,” Keir whispered.
“Then that's probably what happened,” I shrugged. “The first time they attacked us, I was in a car with Tiernan and they lifted us up over San Francisco Bay. If it wasn't for him, I'd be in a very wet grave.”
“It looks like I owe Tiernan much more than I'd thought,” he sighed.
“He has nothing but good things to say about you,” I said softly. “I don't think he considers this a debt so much as a repayment of his debts. You've got a loyal supporter there.”
“Then I'm even more blessed,” he smiled. “How did our Count Shadowcall end up in your company?”
“He was sent to kill Aideen,” I explained. “Just as I had been.”
“Yes, you were meant to pursue her but we never sent the Wild Hunt. That must have been my brother's doing as well.”
“When Tiernan heard her story, he got suspicious and notified the European Fairy Council,” I continued and Keir's eyes widened. “They told him to investigate further, so he went to San Francisco and joined the Extinguisher investigation.”
“Ah,” he laughed. “Tiernan can be relentless when he decides to pursue something.”
“Yes, I've noticed,” I rolled my eyes.
“Has he been pursuing anything else I should know about?” Keir asked with a grin.
“Perhaps,” I smiled back.
“You could do a lot worse than that one,” Keir nodded. “Tiernan is a strong fairy, in more ways than the physical. He's never broken a vow to me and I've never seen him take advantage of those who are weaker than him. Even the pixies like him and there are very few who can claim that honor.”
“Yes but I don't want to talk about Tiernan,” I got us back on track. “I want to know how you seduced my mom away from my dad.”
“Oh,” Keir's face fell. “Yes, I guess you could see it as such, though we never meant to hurt Ewan. Truly, he had the better end of the arrangement. He got to live with you and your mother while I waited here and did my best to keep you both safe.”
“Mom loved my Dad,” I shook my head. “I don't understand how she could betray him.”
“We met at the Ball,” Keir started the story again. “Ewan had been unable to attend so she had come alone. She was magnificent, a fiery haired woman with emerald eyes and an aura which blazed around her even brighter than her hair. I was pulled to her flame like a moth and I admit that I didn't care that she was already wed to another. I had to have her.”
“And she just allowed that to happen?” I narrowed my eyes on him.
“Hardly,” he laughed. “Oh no, she fought me at every turn and when she left that night, it was without me. I am not a man to be defeated so easily though and I bribed her driver to feign an accident so I could come to her rescue. The fairy mound she was using was the one connected to Japan and it was far from the Unseelie Court. I thought it was the perfect opportunity.”
“And she didn't see through that ruse?”
“I'm sure she did,” Keir shrugged, “but what could she do? She was stranded in the middle of a fairy forest with only me there to offer assistance. It was late by then and I of course insisted that she stay the night at my castle, which was much closer than the unseelie.”
“So Tiernan isn't the only fairy who's relentless in his pursuits,” I huffed.
“Yes, I was a bit of a scoundrel in that instance,” he chuckled. “Still, your mother fended off my advances with cool expertise and the next morning, I saw her home safely.”
“So how did you...?”
“Win her?” He asked and I nodded. “I stalked her like a wolf. I chased her all over the Human Realm until she finally gave in and admitted that she was just as in love with me as I was with her.”
“Tiernan told me how fairy magic can manipulate your desires,” I sighed.
“Yes,” he gave a sort of side nod. “I knew we were meant to be together by the strength of my attraction for her. I never saw it as a manipulation, as I think most fey do not. It's guidance from our mother. Danu, Nature, whatever you wish to call her, she's nurturing as most mothers are, and loves us. She wants us to be happy and sometimes we need to be guided toward that happiness.”
“Danu,” I whispered. “I keep hearing her name. Does that mean it's true that the fey are the Tuatha de Danaan, Children of Danu?”
“Yes and no,” Keir grinned. “The original title was Tuatha d'Anu and it refers to a people who worshiped the god Anu. They were humans, a tribe who spread across the world and influenced several cultures. Even in Japan, there is still a shamanic tribe called the Ainu whose early form of writing is Gaelic Ogham.”
“The Scythians?” I blinked as it all started to weave together in my mind.“Like there is Scythian Gaelic?”
“Yes,” he smiled broader. “The red-haired, green-eyed dragon lords whose connection to Anu gave them great magical power. We were confused with them so often, we finally gave in and allowed the name to stick but we changed d'Anu to de Danaan. The new title was actually accurate, so yes, we are the Tuatha de Danaan.”
“So there is a god called Anu and a goddess Danu?” I cocked my head at him. “They're rather similar names.”
“Because they are twin gods,” he shrugged. “Split apart to rule the joined realms. Anu was given dominion over the Human Realm and Danu over Fairy. Humans, with their shorter lifespans, tend to change more than us fey and their gods change with them. Anu has had several incarnations, you may know him as Christ or Allah. Danu, however, has always remained the same for us. She has ever been here and has never led us astray.”
“Tiernan said that going against Nature's urging could result in monsters,” I whispered.
“Yes,” Keir confirmed. “As I've said, she guides us. The Sluagh are cursed and sadly, it's not their fault but that of their parents. They are the product of perversions, that which happens when we ignore Danu. I, like other parents who produced most of my court, gave in to Danu's urging and found my happiness. I loved your mother completely. More than anything; more than my family, more than the evening star, more than my very life. I would have brought her here to live but she became pregnant and my spies started to alert me to my brother's intentions.”
“So you told her to stay with her husband?” I asked, amazed.
“It was the safest place for her,” a deep sadness filled his eyes as he spoke, “and the safest place for you.”
“Until someone sent a bunch of pukas to kill her,” I said in a low voice as I glanced over at the puka sleeping soundly in my bed. It was a good thing the bed was massive because otherwise she would have taken up the whole mattress.
“Yes, until then,” he said grimly. “I will protect you now, Seren. Me and that one there,” he nodded towards the puka. “It's rather fitting that one of your new guardians is a puka. Maybe this one can atone for the unknowing sins of her kin.”
“Maybe,” I sighed.
“You'll have to name her now,” Keir said thoughtfully. “A claimed beast needs a name to fully bond with its master... or mistress.”
“Why bother?” I said with grim humor. “I may not live to call her by it.”
“Seren,” he reached across the table to take my hand. “I promise you'll be safe here.”
“You can't promise that,” I sighed and pulled my hand out of his. “So it's a good thing I'm an Extinguisher and I can take care of myself.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Keir left me so I could bathe and change into something for dinner... after he pointed out where the bathroom and the closet were. There were two adjacent doors in my room. One led to a ridiculously luxurious b
athroom and the other to a ridiculously elaborate closet. So I fit right in since my being there was pretty damn ridiculous too. What would Abby say if she could see me? Would she laugh or cry? Or would she beg me for a bath in the ginormous tub?
I smiled at the thought and went into the bathroom through the door beside the fireplace. Even the door was beautiful, cream colored wood adorned with silver curlicues, as if the fey couldn't stand the thought of even one thing being plain. I shook my head at the door as I closed it behind me. Abby would probably be living this up, already immersed to her chin in fairy bubble bath or sifting through the rows of stunning gowns hanging in the closet. Or perhaps trying on all the shoes. Abby had a love for shoes that bordered on being a fetish. I looked down at my mud covered boots and sighed. She would fit in here better than I.
I sat down on a dainty silver stool and began to undo my boot laces. Would this even help? Could I become a new person simply by shedding my old clothes? Did I even want to become a new person? Or maybe I should be asking if I had a choice in the matter. I guess I could just leave. I could turn my nose up at Keir's offer of love and protection, stumble my way back through the forest and into the Human Realm, and return to being Ewan's daughter, Extinguisher Seren Sloane. I could marry some Extinguisher meat-head, have lots of Extinguisher babies, and hope the Sluagh didn't try to kill me again. And that was all on the off chance that the Human Council would let me continue being an Extinguisher.
Yeah, not much of a choice.
I slid out of the boots, dried mud falling like soiled snowflakes all over the pristine white floor. Bomph- the hollow sound startled me and I just stared at my iron dagger, where it had fallen onto the stone floor. How had I totally forgotten about the dagger in my boot? I picked it up and laid it carefully on the countertop, next to a stack of white, linen towels. Then I unstrapped my thigh sheath and laid my short-sword down beside it.
I placed my hands over the weapons, looking from their sober strength to the cheerful opulence around me, and wondered if I'd ever wield them again. Was this the turning point? The place where I stopped being a soldier and started becoming a princess? I took a shaky breath and lifted my face to the reflection in the mirror hanging before me. Who was this woman? Who did those strange eyes belong to? Who owned that striped hair? She wore my clothes and my face but I had a feeling that I would soon be lost to her. That even those pieces of me which I still recognized, would fall under her spell and alter with her whims.