There was a knock on the front door then Mum called out, ‘Isadora, you have company.’ As if I didn’t know.
I took a deep breath and shook my head. Why couldn’t Aethan and I just go to the movies like normal people?
Sabina followed me down to the lounge where Aethan was waiting. He was dressed in his combat gear of furs and leather.
Oh great. In the green dress Sabina had picked out for me I looked ridiculously overdressed.
I heard Sabby catch her breath. ‘Oh my.’
He did look very ‘Oh my’, with his muscles standing out on his arms and chest and his thick, dark hair highlighting the stubble on his cheeks. He picked up my hand and formally bowed his head over it. But as he stood back up, he shot me a cheeky grin.
For all his manliness, that grin was the thing that made my heart flutter the most. When he grinned at me like that, it was as if all pretences were gone. I could see the real him. He was no longer a Prince, no longer my teacher, just a man who might be interested in me as much as I was in him.
I introduced Sabina (who blushed and curtsied) and then I let Aethan take my arm upon his and lead me down to the field where the faery entourage waited.
It felt ridiculous. A total charade. And I’m sure that my Fae part, no matter what her relationship was like with Aethan in Trillania, would have agreed.
‘How are you?’ Aethan murmured once we had seated ourselves on the silk cushions.
‘Better.’ I was surprised how many days it had taken before the fatigue caused by my healing had gone.
I watched in amusement as Phantom and Scruffy tried to ignore each other. Scruffy had made overtures of friendship to Phantom (tried to sniff his butt), but for some reason Phantom had taken great offence at this (hissing and snapping), and they had each been pretending the other didn’t exist since.
A familiar voice bellowed from the far side of the tent, ‘Sorry I’m late.’ Wilfred attempted to tiptoe through the piles of cushions and chattering Fae. I winced as he knocked over a goblet and tripped on the corner of a low table.
He plopped down onto a cushion next to Sabina. ‘Well hello there.’
I shook my head and turned to Aethan. ‘He found out?’
Aethan rolled his eyes and nodded.
‘You’re picturing me naked, aren’t you?’
Sabina giggled. ‘You are very hairy.’
‘My mother was an orc.’
Sabby gasped and stifled another giggle. ‘You’re pulling my leg.’
‘I’d like to. It’s a very fine leg.’
There was a clapping of hands and then Isla, looking exquisite in a flowing, white dress, stood. ‘If you remember last time we were here, Aethan promised us a poem.’
I resisted the urge to put my head in my hands. I had forgotten about the poem.
‘What poem?’ Sabby whispered.
I ignored her but Wilfred answered. ‘Aethan’s written Izzy a love poem.’
She let out a wistful sigh.
Isla continued mercilessly. ‘Well Aethan, have you managed to craft your admiration for Isadora into a poem?’ There was a silent challenge in the tone of her voice.
Aethan stood and pulled a piece of paper out of his vest pocket. ‘I certainly have sister. It’s not long, but I think you’ll agree it is not the length of a poem but the content that is important.’
Oh Great Dark Sky. I cringed back into my cushion.
‘Was up all night writing it,’ Wilfred stage-whispered in Sabby’s ear.
I had a moment to wish for a goblin attack before Aethan cleared his throat and began to read.
‘Although there are many eyes of blue,
Yours are the prettiest I ever knew.
With your skin as pale as snow,
Only you make my heart glow.
From the moment we first met
Into my heart you have crept.’
He gave me an apologetic look and then sat back down, to a spatter of polite applause. ‘I’m more of an action man than a poet.’
‘I can see that.’ I was torn between disappointment and relief that his poem hadn’t been more flowery.
‘That was rather poor Aethan.’ Isla’s face puckered into a frown. ‘Surely Isadora means more to you than that.’
‘How I feel about Isadora,’ he stretched my name out into individual syllables, ‘is my and her business.’
‘I thought it was well done.’ Wilfred’s voice quavered with his attempt not to laugh.
‘You joined the Border Guards didn’t you?’ Isla knelt beside me and cupped a hand around my cheek. ‘How does a beauty like you spend your nights in the barracks?’
I wasn’t sure what she was alluding to, and I didn’t appreciate her question. I opened my mouth, without even thinking about what I was going to say, and all of a sudden I was caught up in spasm. Pain lanced through me, shaking me from side-to-side.
‘Izzy.’ I heard Sabby’s cry of dismay, but couldn’t answer her.
Wilfred and Aethan lowered me to a cushion where I thrashed and jerked.
‘Close your mouth.’ Aethan’s voice was low but urgent.
I fixed my whole being on that single task, trying to regain control of my muscles. After a moment my lips closed together and the fit immediately stopped.
Scruffy whined and clambered onto my chest. ‘I’m okay boy.’ It hurt to talk and my voice rasped. He began to lick my face.
I had seen that. What I had just felt, I had seen it before.
Pieces of a puzzle clicked into place and suddenly I knew. I knew, and I felt my face burn with humiliation.
I had been right. This whole day was a sham.
When Queen Eloise had first accused Aethan of dating me he had tried to deny it. And he had had a fit. A fit just like the one I’d had.
So instead he had been forced into courting me.
That was why he hadn’t kissed me at Eynsford Castle. That was why he hadn’t wanted Wilfred to know about today. Embarrassment threatened to swallow me whole.
What I had just felt, what Aethan had felt that first day, was the Border Guard binding spell. He wasn’t in love with me. He didn’t want to spend more time with me. He just hadn’t been able to tell his mother the truth. And now he was trapped into making everyone think he cared.
I had to end it. I had to end it now.
I pushed myself away from the cushions. ‘Isla is correct.’ I turned to stare at Aethan. ‘I would have thought your poem would have been far more eloquent. Perhaps you need to rethink how you really feel about me.’
‘Isadora.’ I heard Mum’s gasp from the other side of the marquee.
‘Well I never,’ Queen Eloise spluttered.
Aethan’s face held the confusion he felt.
It went against every fibre of my being to be this rude. I had to do it for him. I had to do it for me.
‘Perhaps, next time you court a woman you will put in more effort. After all,’ I stood up and strode to the edge of the marquee, ‘it’s the little things that count.’
By the time I got back to my bedroom an ache had set up in my chest that rivalled my buffo burns.
He’d kissed me.
Sure it had been in the line of duty – but he’d kissed me. Like he’d meant it. Like he’d felt it. And for that brief moment my whole being had known him. Had known we were right for each other.
But it was all a lie.
It took them longer to turn up than I’d thought. Mum hovered in the doorway to my rooms while Sabby peeped over her shoulder.
‘I don’t want to talk about it.’ I blew my nose and threw the tissue across the room towards the bin. I missed.
‘I’m not quite sure what just happened,’ Mum said. It was nice of her not to jump straight down my throat.
What to tell her? And how to say it without evoking the binding spell again?
A few more tears squeezed out of the corners of my eyes. Damn it. I didn’t want to cry, it just made me feel more stupid. ‘I realised I liked him m
ore than he liked me.’
‘So he’s not very good at writing poetry.’ Mum sat down on the edge of my bed.
I shook my head. ‘It wasn’t that.’
‘Well what was it?’
I breathed out heavily. ‘Mum, I’m sorry. I can’t tell you.’
‘Thomas was right?’ Sabby asked. ‘A secret cult?’
‘It’s not a cult.’ I paused, half expecting the spasms again.
‘Did they do something to you? If they did I’ll, I’ll…’ Mum clenched her fists and stood. Her red face had a hard, determined look.
I placed a hand on her shoulder, pulling her back to the edge of the bed. I was going to have to change my tactic or blood would be shed. ‘He’s just not right for me.’
That was something she could understand. ‘Oh. Okay then.’ She sat for a minute while she contemplated my words. ‘Well then, how about I make us a lemon cake?’
‘With passionfruit icing?’
‘Is there any other type?’ She squeezed my knee as she hopped up, striding purposefully from the room.
‘You’re not going to tell me either?’ Sabby fixed her large, green eyes on my face.
I shook my head. ‘Sorry.’
‘Oh well, at least I get cake.’
It was the simplest form of magic, but in the Scrumpleton household everything had always been fixable with a pot of tea and a slice of lemon cake.
I wished with all my heart that it were still that easy.
12
Hell Hath No Fury Like A Woman Scorned
I’d managed to avoid Aethan all day, but the time was fast approaching when I had to head down to the sleep room. I wasn’t looking forward to meeting his eyes. What would I see there?
I dilly-dallied long enough that the dungeon was already full when I arrived. I scanned the room hoping and dreading that he would be there.
Wilfred caught my eye and waved me over. ‘Aethan said to go ahead. He’ll be a few minutes late.’
He jumped onto a bed while I strapped on an armband. ‘So he is coming?’ I lay down on the bed next to him.
He lifted his head and stared over at me. ‘Why wouldn’t he?’
I shuffled a little to the side to give Scruffy more room. ‘Oh no reason.’ I mean honestly, was he not there on Saturday?
I screwed my eyes up, trying to squeeze the confused emotions out of me. Relief at his not being there, disappointment at his not being there. Relief he was coming, disappointment he was coming. I didn’t know how much more I could take.
I was surprised when I stepped into Trillania. I hadn’t thought I’d be able to sleep with that much energy running through me. Unfortunately it had all come with me. Confusion still reigned my thoughts.
‘You’re girlfriend’s a hottie.’
It took me a second to realise Wilfred was talking about Sabina.
‘Yep, she’s cute.’ I tried unsuccessfully to stop the next words from coming out of my mouth. ‘Did Aethan think she was cute?’
Aghhhhh. Did I really say it?
‘I don’t know.’ Wilfred seemed to be honestly considering my question. ‘Did you?’
I spun around to see Aethan shimmering into view. ‘Did I what?’
‘Nothing?’ I screeched, but Wilfred said, ‘Think Izzy’s friend was cute.’
Oh kill me. Just kill me now. Where was a goblin when you needed one?
‘I must say, I didn’t notice.’
Was he just saying that or was it the truth? Sabina was beautiful.
‘Are we ready?’ Aethan was acting as if there were nothing wrong. ‘Tonight we’re roaming. Rako’s asked that we stay near Isilvitania. The Australian Guards have reported larger than normal numbers of goblins in Trillania.’
‘Full moon?’ Wilfred scratched his beard and looked at the sky. It was never fully dark in Trillania, but a full moon would still be visible.
‘Not for another two weeks.’
Why was he acting as if nothing were wrong?
‘Wonder what they’re up to? They must have some sort of master plan.’ I’d never seen Wilfred look so serious.
‘They haven’t had one of those since Santanas was dealt with.’ Aethan turned his attention to me. ‘I think you’re ready to commute by yourself. We’re going to travel to the woodland where we saw the garden faery.’
I was ready to commute alone? He didn’t want to hold my hand.
I could feel the emotions swirling inside becoming more and more convoluted. Was he really that repulsed by me?
‘Close your eyes and picture the woodland. Imagine yourself there. You imagining it?’
I nodded my head even though I wasn’t even trying.
‘Now picture yourself there.’
Aethan and Wilfred shimmered from view. I stayed exactly where I was. The relief at being alone was immediate.
It only lasted for a few seconds before Aethan reappeared. ‘You didn’t picture yourself there.’
‘Sorry,’ I mumbled.
Couldn’t look him in the eye. Couldn’t see what was there.
‘Well come on.’ He reached out his hand and clasped mine.
I jerked it away, stumbling to the side. ‘You don’t have to do this,’ I said.
‘Do what?’
‘Be so nice to me.’ I shook my head.
‘Ahhhhh.’ He ran a hand through his hair. ‘Is this about Saturday?’
‘Don’t worry, I worked it out.’
I couldn’t believe I had been stupid enough to believe someone like him could have been interested in me. The humiliation rose like a high tide, threatening to drown me.
‘Izzy.’ He reached out and took my hand again. ‘Don’t do this.’
I stared at my feet.
He tugged on my hand. ‘Look at me.’
I lifted my eyes to his knees, then his waist. Up his chest to his neck. I stopped there for a second before propelling them the last few inches. I stared into the depths of those eyes and soaked in what I saw.
Concern tinged with… what was that? Was it pity?
I ripped my hand out of his and spun, running towards the trees.
‘Izzy.’ I could hear him coming after me.
‘I can’t,’ I gasped. ‘I can’t.’ My heart pounded erratically. My lungs laboured to bring in air.
The shame. Oh, the shame. It was too much.
What did he think of me, so keen to have him court me? So happy to have his attention.
‘Izzy.’ He was gaining on me.
I couldn’t let him catch me. Couldn’t look into those glorious eyes and see what he really thought.
He was right behind me, his hand brushing my arm as he tried to grab me. I had to get away. I closed my eyes and pictured myself anywhere. Anywhere but there.
The sound of him disappeared and I opened my eyes. Trees crowded around me on all sides. Nightmare Forest. I thought of the buffos, and the slug-like monster I’d seen in my memory and I willed myself away.
This time when I opened my eyes I was by the sea. Salt air pushed my hair off my face. That was more like it. Now I could pretend the water on my cheeks was from the ocean.
I sat on a rock and stared out to sea. The water emulated my mood. Dark and stormy. The wind swirled around me, tugging at my clothes. My feelings swirled inside me, knotting to a hard ball. The pressure was unbearable. I had to do something to release it.
I pictured myself in my war uniform. The fur of the vest was soft against my skin, the leather snug. I strapped daggers to the outside of my thighs and sheathed a sword across my back. I conjured up a bow and a quiver full of arrows.
A mount. I needed a mount. For tonight a horse would not do. I needed something stronger, faster, more dangerous.
Without knowing what I did, I sent out my mind and scoured the land until I felt her. There. In the north.
Come, I called, tonight we hunt.
I felt a pressure on my mind, powerful and curious.
Come, I commanded.
Her deep-g
reen scales gleamed almost black in the light of the stars as long sweeps of her wings propelled her at breakneck speeds. Her shadow stained the ground beneath her as she raced towards me. She threw her head back and let out a roar, then slowed to circle lazily overhead.
She was magnificent in her maleficence. Talons like steel. Teeth like spears. Her sinuous body covered in armour. She fluttered her massive wings as she craned her neck down to stare at me with glittering, intelligent eyes. Then she snapped her wings to her side and dropped soundlessly from the sky, landing in front of me like a cat.
Those eyes bore into mine, testing me, probing me. I stood straight and strong and willed her to do what I commanded. I willed her to be mine.
Finally she shook her head and rustled her wings, lowering herself to the ground. I climbed onto a wing, making my way up her armoured body to the base of her long, scaly neck. Steam curled out of her nostrils as she watched me sit.
Once I had my thighs clasped tight, I raised an arm and pointed at the sky. ‘Fly,’ I shrieked.
She ran awkwardly; one hop, two hops. I jerked in my seat. And then she stretched her wings out to the sides and thrust them down. We swept into the air, rocking gently between each flap of those massive limbs.
I had to do something with my cacophony of feelings.
Someone had to pay. Someone had to suffer. And I knew just whom those somebodies were going to be.
I leant forward in my seat as we raced across the sky, and I scoured the land for goblins.
***
For a while all I saw were dreamers; dreamers with the occasional Border Guard skulking surreptitiously in the shadows. The dreamers were unaware of our passing, but the Border Guards clutched their weapons as our shadow darkened them.
But I had other game to chase. I pictured Isilvitania in my mind and pushed it out to Emerald. She snorted a stream of fire and changed course. The sky wavered and where clouds had been, only stars shone.
I felt a surge of triumph as my power boiled inside me. They were here. I urged Emerald to the left and lay forward onto her neck.
Fire. In the distance. We sped towards it. A low wooden structure attached to Isilvitania castle was in flames and goblins and guards fought in its light. The clash of their weapons reached me over the noise of the wind.
Faery Born (Book One in the War Faery Trilogy) Page 15