Mistfall

by Olivia Martinez

  Abel’s men bristled in anger but made no move. They too were aware of the laws of the Fae awaited their king’s orders before attacking. Finding none, they returned to their statuesque stance.

  “Why are you trying to ruin my wedding day Abel?” Hailz asked lazily.

  He spit in her face. “What you do goes against the gods and the very laws of nature. You should be put to death for your transgressions.”

  “Enough!” boomed Queen Aurora as she strolled through the middle of the elf circle.

  The woman was a vision in purple. Between the amethysts at her neck, the soft lavender silk that clothed her, and the heliotrope ribbons that were woven through her wig, she gave The Artist Formerly Known as Prince a run for his money over the love of the color.

  She stopped short of Abel and turned to me. “I don’t believe we have been properly introduced.”

  I curtseyed out of respect. “No my lady, we haven’t.”

  Abel’s face turned three different shades of purple when he saw that my irreverence for royalty only extended to him. Then again, maybe Hailz was squeezing too hard. I’m pretty sure though that it was the former.

  “I am familiar with the situation that has brought you to one of my villages,” Aurora informed me while staring Abel down. “I assure you Magdalene, that while you stay here, you will be safe from harm.”

  “Thank you for the kindness. Your hospitality is quite generous,” I placated her.

  “You’re welcome my dear,” she replied warmly. The warm and motherly face I had just been shown was quickly turned into that of a sour disciplinarian as she addressed Abel. “I am correct in believing you weren’t about to hit this young lady, aren’t I?”

  Hailz loosened her grip on Abel to allow him to speak. “No Aurora, I was not,” he fumed.

  Aurora clapped her hands together. “Wonderful,” she chimed. “Let’s break up this commotion and enjoy the festivities then.”

  I curtseyed again to Aurora, out of respect. Flipping Abel the bird crossed my mind, but I didn’t want to overstay my welcome with the Fae. Aurora touched my arm as I turned to walk away. She wanted to speak to me and took me to the side as Abel and his men dispersed.

  She dove into the subject head first. “I understand, from my new daughter-in-law, that Abel had you kidnapped.”

  “Yes ma’am,” I replied.

  She shook her head in distaste. “Nasty business. I apologize for Abel’s intrusion. Usually he does not step foot in my kingdom. There’s not much I can do to him unless he breaks the rules. Even then, as a sovereign of another people, the best I can do is have him escorted off my land. Anything else would be inciting war. As it is, he’s broken no rules.”

  “My lady, you do not need to explain yourself to me,” I replied to her ramblings.

  “Yes Magdalene, I do. I was hoping to have a long conversation with you at a later time, but now will have to do,” she said, speaking more to herself than me.

  “Come, let us sit and talk.” Aurora pointed to two empty chairs at the back of the aisle where we had been sitting for the ceremony. Aurora had chosen the location for its privacy so the curious would not be able to eavesdrop.

  I looked back to the other party goers trying to find Melissa and John. The queen, noticing my hesitation to follow, answered my unspoken question. “My daughter escorted your friends somewhere private.”

  She continued to walk towards our seats, this time with me following behind. “I understand your one friend is an elf?”

  “Yes ma’am, he is.”

  “Then it would not bode well if Abel saw him then. They’ll be safe until Abel leaves, which I suspect will be soon.” She then took her seat with much more finesse than I could in a hoop skirt. “He is not a tolerant man,” she stated a matter-of-factly in regards to Abel.”

  I laughed a little. “That is true your highness.”

  “Please, you may call me Aurora,” she offered and I smiled in return.

  “We should have met at my village in the Wildwood a few weeks ago,” she scolded in a joking tone.

  “I apologize, I was held up indefinitely,” I joked back.

  Aurora put me at ease with her mild manner. Unlike most royalty, she was warm and welcoming. The stress I was feeling from Abel’s ambush was gone, replaced with the feeling of being a loved family member. It was weird. Fae hospitality aside, they weren’t exactly welcoming of outsiders.

  “What’s troubling you Magdalene?” Aurora asked, noticing my slight discomfort.

  I felt my forehead wrinkling and realized I was wearing my thoughts on my face again. “I don’t understand why you treat me with such familiarity and kindness,” I admitted.

  She chuckled at my honesty before she enlightened me to the reason for her warm reception of me. “I’ve kept tabs on you for so long, I feel as if I know you well.”

  “You’ve been spying on me?” I asked, shocked at her confession.

  Aurora was amused by my assumption and laughed heartily. “Oh my dear no, not at all,” she said putting me at ease. “I’ve only known of you, as have many Otherworlders.”

  “I thought I was supposed to be a big secret,” I lamented at the new information. I knew the trees had blabbed and some had taught their children I wasn’t the bad guy, but I really hadn’t known that I was the only one that believed no one knew about me.

  “Ha!” Aurora blurted, so forcefully I thought I heard some of the seams in her corset tear. “The only secret is that we kept your existence from Iblis and Abel for so long.”

  “Why has no one ever told me that?” I asked her.

  “It was only my story to tell now that Willa’s gone,” Aurora explained. “Willa let you think that to keep you vigilant. Don’t hate her for it. Everything Willa did was for your benefit.”

  Aurora didn’t give me too much time to get hung up on the minor details of Willa’s decision. “You were to meet the leader of the Fae village in the Wildwood,” she began. “What you didn’t know is that’s where I currently reside making me the village leader.” She smiled, pleased with what she thought was an intelligent ploy.

  I toyed with the ribbons on the cuff of my sleeve. “Why was I supposed to meet you?”

  “For the same reason we are sitting here now,” Aurora replied. “To talk.”

  “Talk about what?” I asked.

  “Your future Magdalene.” The warm and caring queen now grew serious. “There are things you need to know. Firstly, it’s important that you never-.”

  “Your majesty, my apologies,” a man interrupted, bowing to her.

  The fierce scowl Aurora gave the man made me think he was going to lose his head. “What is so important enough to interrupt me Flynn?” she demanded of the man, her icy cold queen demeanor rearing its head.

  I would hate to be Flynn right now. Short of someone important dying, Aurora didn’t look like she was going to take his interruption lightly. They spoke in hushed tones, low enough that I couldn’t overhear them. I sat there, twiddling my thumbs, waiting for Aurora and Flynn to finish up.

  Aurora broke away from her exchange to address me. “My apologies Magdalene. We won’t be able to continue our talk. I will find you before you return home tomorrow and we will pick up where we left off.”

  I stood and curtseyed to Aurora as she took off with Flynn in a hurry. I guess someone important did die, I thought. Dismissed, I made my way to the large gathering of people. Safety in numbers. I was hoping to find Hailz or Fiona so they could show me to John and Melissa.

  Rory, the bloodhound, found me first. “I apologize for my oversight. I shouldn’t have left your side.” His eyes darted around the area, scoping out potential new problems.

  “Well, it’s not like you were given a choice in the matter, I consoled.

  “Regardless, I assure you it will not happen again,” Rory promised.

  What do you say to that? I didn’t blame him; I blamed myself for getting distracted. One thing was for sure, the Fae formality would
NOT be missed by yours truly.

  “I’m sure it won’t,” I responded, hoping I said the right thing.

  Rory seemed to relax with my acceptance of his apology, even as reluctant as it was. Unfortunately, because of Abel’s intrusion, Rory planned on being my conjoined twin for the rest of my stay.

  The line of people wishing to congratulate the newlyweds was nearing the end. Other guests were spread throughout the area. Some mulled around while others sat down in the now empty seats. I looked around the various groups for any sign of my friends.

  Finding none, I thought to inquire of their whereabouts to Rory.

  “They will join us shortly,” he informed me. “It seems that King Abel and his men have left the village. Your friends will be escorted back to the celebration.”

  I hoped that was going to be soon. Rory wasn’t exactly the greatest company in the world.

  Curious as to where we would be led next I asked, “Rory, where is the celebration?”

  He grinned, amused by something I was missing.

  “What?” I was perplexed by the lack of an answer and Rory’s amusement. I would’ve assumed I had something in my teeth, but we hadn’t eaten yet.

  Instead of letting me stew, he lifted his hand and pointed past me. “Look behind you.”

  I turned around, expecting to see empty chairs with a few people seated in them. I was wrong.

  18. Your Hair Looks Like a Bird’s Nest

  The outdoor chapel furnishings were gone. In its place were tables with food overflowing everywhere. Long tables with benches were scattered about for guests to dine. Those I saw sitting hadn’t moved. They were still seated in exactly the same place as they were before, only new chairs and tables appeared around them.

  The fireflies and fairy dust still bathed the area in its soft golden glow as the hamadryad decorations still graced the trees. Musicians began to play, their song beckoning the guests to enter the magically renewed area to celebrate.

  The guests filter in and take their seats to dine. Various conversations were going on around me, but I was too mesmerized by the music to pay attention when my name was called. The musicians, four women in all were playing an enchanting melody. The flautist’s notes reminded me of a bird flittering between branches. I almost saw the leaves change colors from green to autumn hues when the violinist joined in. It was truly beautiful and I felt an overwhelming need to go to them.

  “Be careful, those are sirens,” John pointed out while turning me around and distracting me.

  My head cleared enough to realize John was talking to me, but I hadn’t a clue as to what he said. “What did you say?”

  He chuckled at my fogginess. “Sirens Violet. The musicians are Sirens.

  I shivered as the enchantment of the Sirens’ spell wore off. “Why on Earth would anyone hire Sirens to play at a wedding?” I asked, astonished.

  “You’ll get used to it,” John reassured me. “Give it ten minutes and it won’t hold you captive anymore.”

  “But why?” I reiterated.

  “The Sirens have mastery over music and are the best,” he informed me while grabbing my hand just in case I felt the need to run off towards the Sirens again.

  I wanted to say that they should come with a warning label, but became lost to the music once again.

  John led me towards the dance floor. “Come on beautiful girl.”

  I could see how a celebration could last for three days. Even those more accustomed to the Sirens seemed ensorcelled by their magic. It was a good thing they were friend and not foe.

  There really was no floor to dance on. An area of flat earth, off to the side of the tables, had been cleared and manicured to accommodate the dancers. Guests were taking off their shoes to enjoy the pleasure of dancing upon the soft green grass.

  John holds me close to him as we dance. Our bodies fit so perfectly, it was like we were made for each other. I found myself torn at the moment. I realized that my life would never be the same safe, happy self it had been, but I had John. On the other hand, had none of the past few weeks happened, I would be semi-safe, in a mild state of ignorant bliss, but without John. Good thing I didn’t have a choice in all of this, I thought. I would have never been able to make up my mind.

  I did have him now though. The evidence of that lay beneath my hand which rest upon his chest. The steady beat of John’s heart reminded me of the here and now, breaking me free of the Sirens’ bewitchment, once again.

  He took my moment of lucidity to twirl me around him. I laughed as I spun because who doesn’t laugh when they’re spinning around? Here in the Fae village we were safe and free to relax. Despite Abel’s previous ambush, I didn’t feel the need to keep up my vigilance. Rory was standing ten feet behind me, on the edge of the dance floor, watching me like a hawk. I’d let him be on guard for the both of us for the rest of the night.

  Ensconced in John’s arms once again, he kissed me on the forehead. “I plan to make you smile like that everyday Violet.”

  “Then we should probably never leave here,” I recommended as we both became slightly ensnared by the Sirens’ music yet again.

  I’m not sure how long we danced. It could have been hours for all I know. My tolerance to the Sirens became stronger a little at a time, but had not advanced to the point that I could think clearly throughout the entirety of their concert.

  My muddled thoughts took me near and far. Memories of my past and present fluttered in my head as well as some of the absurd. One of my daydreams showed me dancing in the heavens, amongst the gods.

  In my last thought, I was being bathed in flames. When the music stopped, I felt like an elastic band had snapped, shooting me back into the present, clear headed. Goosebumps covered my arms as I lingered over my last thought as the Dreamweaver’s words of me causing the world to burn echoed through my mind.

  “Take a break?” John asked.

  I nodded my head, still a little dazed from the rude awakening. I’ve never partaken in narcotics, but I could only imagine I had experienced something similar to a drug-fueled haze.

  “You’ll be fine in a few minutes,” John assured me, entirely way to amused by my sensitivity to the Sirens. “I told you it takes some getting used to.” I stuck my tongue out at him and pushed him playfully in response.

  Once we found our seats John left to hunt down something to drink. He returned moments later carrying two goblets and sat beside me.

  “What’s this?” I inquired of the drink he sat down in front of me.

  “Fairy wine. Be careful and nurse that unless you want to end up forgetting the next week,” John warned me.

  I sniffed at the libation. “Was water not an option?”

  “I do love your sense of humor,” he mused while running a finger up my arm. “However, the wine will clear your head of any residual effects from the Sirens’ song.”

  I cautiously took a sip and found it to be rather pleasant. With the tartness of oranges and the sweetness of honey the drink was perfect for a celebration on a summer day. As to its effects, John was right. Any unease I still felt disappeared, leaving me feeling light-hearted.

  “Holy Hades!” I exclaimed once I regained full use of my faculties and remembered my elf-jacking. “What happened to you when Abel showed up?” I asked.

  John looked down at his drink, suddenly finding it more interesting. “Please, don’t consider me a coward for hiding,” he pleaded, ashamed of himself.

  I held his hand in mine. “I don’t,” I assured him. “I was just worried about you. That’s all I meant.”

  John let out a big sigh of relief. “I thought you were asking because I didn’t come to your aid,” he admitted, looking up at me with puppy dog eyes.

  “I would be mad at you if you had,” I scolded.

  “I was hidden from Abel’s sight by guests waiting to congratulate Hailz and Fiona,” John informed me. The commotion you caused allowed Abel to zero in on you. He wasn’t paying attention to the rest of us.” I
put my hands over my face in embarrassment at the realization everyone had heard my little outburst.

  John pulled my hands away. “Relax Violet. From what I hear, that’s not even the worst thing anyone has said to Rory.”

  “Well that’s good,” I said, relieved. “Now I don’t feel like an arse.”

  “Back to the subject at hand,” John suggested. “We were all distracted with your outburst and Phineas’s confrontation with Rory. None of us noticed Abel until it was too late. I started to you, damning the consequences, but Hailz caught me before I exposed myself.”

  John stopped to take a large gulp of wine before he continued. He still wore a look of shame at leaving me to the wolves. “As I was saying, Hailz stopped me. She assured me of your safety and berated me for jeopardizing everything.”

  “I’m sure her diatribe was peppered with interesting metaphors,” I chimed in.

  “Very much so,” he replied, “especially after Melissa gave herself away. She had her wife escort Melissa and I a safe distance away in an abandoned pixie hollow and there we stayed until Abel left.”

  “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I agree with Hailz,” I said.

  John raised one eyebrow and one side of his lips pulled up in a half-grin. “I can’t believe you just said that.”

  I shook my own head. Hades must be freezing over if I’m siding with Hailz. “What I can’t believe is that she did something nice, on purpose.”

  “That’s one twisted relationship you two have,” John observed while finishing off the rest of his wine.

  I jumped out of my seat. “Oh!” I looked around, searching through the guests for one person in particular.

  John tugged at my hand to get my attention. “What are you doing?”

  Finding who I was looking for, I turned back to John and smiled. “Come on, I have to give the newlyweds their wedding gift.”

  Rory’s attention to me had faltered since he became focused on Melissa. I’m sure the Sirens’ music had something to do with it to. John and I took the opportunity and snuck away to find Hailz and Fiona.