Gwen shook her head in denial. She didn’t even know about Summer Court a few months ago. How could any of them expect she would be capable or qualified to take over ruling it?
Focus, she thought to herself, stopping her whirling thoughts. With a deep breath, Gwen decided to leave the discussion for another time. She needed to figure something else out, first.
“I still don’t think a party is a good idea. I haven’t exactly been feeling well since coming here.”
The royals’ worried expressions were just what Gwen was going for. “What’s ailing you?” The king asked with genuine concern.
Gwen cast her eyes to the floor and gave an exaggerated, shaky sigh. She purposefully ignored Ian as he crossed his arms. He would know she was putting on an act, and she could not let him distract her.
“I don’t want to worry you…” Gwen was pretty sure she heard Ian scoff at her pathetic tone.
“Nonsense,” King Cai countered. “It is a grandparent’s job to worry. What is it?” The king’s words touched Gwen’s heart. She almost felt bad for what she was about to do. Almost.
“I’m not sure if you know this…” Gwen trailed off as she slowly raised her head and alternated her gaze between her grandparents. “But… Prince Kalan and I were, um, involved before we knew about… our relation.” She did not have to fake the hoarseness of her voice.
King Cai did not move, but the queen nodded. “Yes. We were informed. We can only imagine how shocking that was for you.”
“Yes. Well,” Gwen continued. “From the moment Kalan and I met, we experienced an undeniable pull towards one another. He… we… thought it was because we were lifemates.”
Both monarchs’ faces paled. “I see,” King Cai’s eyes were wide. “We remember Prince Kalan discussing you with us at the ball.”
“Really?” Gwen asked in surprise.
“Yes,” Queen Orla smiled sadly. “Though, he informed us you could not possibly be his lifemate according to his prophecy’s interpretation.”
“He did not know it was a possibility until later that evening,” Gwen explained lamely.
“I’m afraid we tried to convince him to fight for you,” King Cai revealed, surprising Gwen. “Let us apologize for any hurt we may have caused by doing so, once you found out the truth.”
Gwen bit her lip. “You couldn’t have known.”
“May I ask what this has to do with the party?” Queen Orla asked, bringing Gwen back to the situation at hand.
Here goes nothing, she thought as she willed herself for the impending negotiation.
“This may sound odd,” she began, hesitantly. She took a deep, stabilizing breath. “But since I left Winter Court, I’ve had this never-ending discomfort; it’s a sort of pain. It’s constant and troubling to say the least.” Gwen stopped as she took in her grandparents’ reactions. It was clear from their faces that they knew where she was going.
She confirmed their thoughts. “The only time this pain went away was when Kalan visited me in the Human Realm, right before Duke Aeron retrieved me to come here.”
The silence was deafening. Gwen refused to break it. Instead, she used it to her advantage by letting their thoughts whirl.
“Your separation from the prince causes discomfort?” The king repeated.
“Yes.”
The couple shared a look, engaging in a silent conversation with their eyes. Finally, the queen turned to face Gwen again. “And it is strong enough to prevent you attending your celebrations?”
Gwen twisted her words to not be a lie. “The discomfort is strong enough for me not want to attend the celebrations.” They were strong enough to make her not want to do anything but lay in her bed and think of Kalan.
“I see.” The king and queen observed her in silence.
“It is very disconcerting to have these feelings all the time, but not knowing why they exist. Clearly, Kalan and I cannot be lifemates, but no one seems able to offer me an alternative explanation.” Gwen bit her lip again, as if in thought. “Except… maybe the Wise Ones? But Ian already told me it would not be safe for me to travel there.”
“Eilian is right,” the king affirmed strongly. “Your safety is better assured here at Summer Court.”
“I know you’re right,” Gwen conceded in a sorrowful tone. “It would just be nice to have an explanation or advice on how to get rid of the pain. It would make my stay at Summer Court easier, and I would be better enabled to attend functions you host.” Gwen could feel Ian’s glare, but refused to meet his eyes. Her friend knew the game she was playing.
The king and queen had another silent conversation. Gwen held her breath, hoping they would take her bait. Her effort was rewarded.
“You wish to visit the Wise Ones regarding this matter?” The queen asked.
Gwen fought to keep her expression sullen. “I believe it could be helpful, yes.”
“And you would attend coming-out celebrations in return? If we let you go?” Based on the king’s expression while speaking, it appeared he also knew what Gwen was trying to pull. Fortunately for Gwen, he did not look upset. Instead, he seemed amused.
“Yes.”
“Very well,” King Cai allowed after a moment of contemplation. “I believe we can ensure a short visit to Eirie is safe.”
“Why can’t we ask a Wise One to come to Summer Court to counsel Gwen?” Ian asked. “Surely that is more reasonable than risking Gwen’s safety in Eirie.”
“We would need to lower the protection wards to allow a Wise One into Summer Court. Reinstalling them would require a great amount of effort and potentially allow enemies entrance in the meantime.” The king’s words came out quickly. He had thought of the alternate plan, as well.
Gwen tried to hide her relieved sigh. She was glad Ian’s logical alternative proved impossible. While his suggestion would have gotten her the Wise One’s council, she was dying to spend time out of the Summer Palace. Even if it was only for a little bit.
“How will we keep Gwen safe?” Ian asked in defeat. Gwen could barely contain her excitement over her victory.
“We will make certain Gwen’s visit to Eirie is done in secret and stealth. Cai and I will discuss the details later.” Queen Orla turned to Gwen. “I trust that, with this plan, we can make announcements regarding your coming-out celebrations?”
Gwen smiled widely, unbelieving her quick plan worked out in her favor. “Of course,” she answered, no longer able to hide her feelings of triumph.
Chapter 14
Kalan heard his parents’ elevated voices the moment he stepped onto the third floor of the North Wing. Ronan walked beside him and shared the prince’s wary expression. Neither wished to encounter the king or queen in the throes of an argument. Just as Kalan was contemplating turning back, he heard one phrase spoken with such venom that it had him running towards his parents instead of away.
“Dual-court bastard.”
The words brought forth a fury only his protective instincts for Gwen seemed able to do.
Without knocking, Kalan swung the door open with a bang. The guard in the hallway had stepped aside for Kalan to enter his father’s rooms, but jumped in surprise at the prince’s abrupt action. His parents, however, barely spared him a glance. They stood in the center of the king’s sitting chamber, facing each other with rigid postures.
“She must die. It is our responsibility to our people to eliminate the threat. She is too much of a risk!”
“Use your head, Tanya. You would be inviting all-out war with Summer Court. For what? Mere suspicion the girl’s existence might affect us? It is too great a risk.”
“Leaving her alive is too great a risk!” The queen refuted furiously, her face contorted with passionate anger. It was not hard for Kalan to figure out the subject of the fight.
“I thought we spoke about this, Mother.” Kalan strode forward to stand beside his father, physically allying himself with the parent willing to protect the fae he loved. Ronan remained in the doorway, un
sure if he should stay or leave the royal family alone.
Queen Tanya gave her son a condescending glare. “There is no way that abomination can be your lifemate, Kalan. You may have tricked me last we spoke, but your prophecy states your mate is a Winter Fae born the same day as you.”
“Gwen is a Winter Fae. Half of her blood is from a Winter Court Noble.” The same blood which runs through my veins, he yearned to shout at her.
“You may willingly deceive yourself, Kalan, but I refuse to. If you cannot stomach the conversation of what needs to be done, then get out.”
“This conversation is over,” King Kheelen countered. “I already told you, Winter Court will not take lethal action against Princess Gwenevere.”
“Do not call her that,” Queen Tanya hissed.
“That’s who she is,” the king roared. “She is the princess of Summer Court, and you threatening her death will bring more destruction to this court than she ever could!”
“You are weak. You have always been weak, unable to do what needs to be done.” Kalan visibly started at his mother’s words. He had heard King Kheelen called many things, but weak was never one of them.
As the prince observed his father, he could not help but realize his father’s lack of action against Gwen could be construed as weakness by some. It was considered wise for Winter Court to not take any action while the matter remained uncertain, but what would happen if his mother ever received the proof she sought?
Kalan tried to hide his uneasiness from his mother’s perceptive eyes.
“What if your suggestions cause the exact destruction the dual-court prophecy speaks of?” Kalan blurted out, trying to cause his mother to doubt herself again.
Queen Tanya’s sardonic smile spoke of what she thought of her son’s idea. Kalan barely noticed. Instead, the prince realized, with full conviction, just how possible his suggestion was.
“How can one dual-court fae ever cause the downfall of all fae alone?” He asked with increased confidence. “It’s much more likely the destruction of our realm would be caused by a group of fae, or perhaps, an army?”
The queen did not miss her son’s implication, but she quickly dismissed it. She turned to her husband. “If you won’t take care of this, Kheelen, I will.”
Before he or his father could respond, the queen fazed out of the room.
“Damn it,” King Kheelen slammed his fist against the short table beside him. Cracked ice emanated from the point of contact.
“What do you think about my theory?” Kalan asked, ignoring how unsettled his father’s physical behavior made him.
“About what?”
“Mother’s actions bringing about the prophesized destruction, not Gwen, herself.”
The king sighed and wearily met his son’s gaze. “It is perfectly possible.”
“What if we make that the popular opinion? If we convince most of Winter Court Gwen’s existence might not be the thing to fear. We might cause Mother to lose supporters.”
“It is a good idea, but I do not know how we would sway the majority of public opinion. Your mother has proven quite resourceful in getting subjects to side with her, even though she is lacking proof of her accusations.”
“Can’t you simply overrule her?” Kalan knew the answer to this question, though he deeply wished for it be different.
“Your mother and I hold equal power over Winter Court. I would need the council’s support to overrule any decree she might make over this issue.” The king walked to his window and stared out the frosted glass. “I do not know how to keep Gwenevere safe from your mother’s ploy.”
“Have you heard anything from Summer Court? Have we confirmed Gwen is there?” Kalan asked the questions in a rush. His father’s self-doubt over Gwen’s safety unnerved him.
“Yes, King Cai wrote me, himself.”
Kalan allowed his relief to overshadow the disappointment that the Summer King had not replied to the prince’s own letter of inquiry. All that mattered was Gwen was safe. Kalan could endure anything if it meant Gwen was safe.
“I will go to the Wise Ones,” Kalan voiced the thought the moment it popped in his head. “If I can get them to publically acknowledge the possibility of an alternate interpretation of the prophecy, we might be able to cause enough doubt so the council will not endorse Mother’s plan.”
Kalan could not explain it, but the moment the idea formed, he knew it was their best course of action. He felt a confidence and respite of anxiety he hadn’t experienced since learning Gwen was his half-sister.
King Kheelen turned and gave is son an approving look, further encouraging Kalan’s sureness. “It is certainly worth a try.”
Chapter 15
Gwen entered the citadel gates with Ian and Aeron hovering on either side. She received an earful from both males regarding how foolish she was to put herself at risk, but they accompanied her anyway. Gwen’s only reply to their worry was a shrug of her shoulders and the reminder that the king and queen approved of her visit to Eirie. Neither fae spoke ill of her grandparents’ decision, but Gwen could read the twins’ desire to in their matching green eyes.
King Cai and Queen Orla might have agreed to Gwen’s brief trip to see the Wise One’s, but they did not do so without stipulations. In addition to Gwen traveling with an entourage of six bodyguards, the monarchs also dispatched dozens of Summer Guards to scout the citadel’s grounds outside and behind their heavy gates.
Just as the night of the ball, Gwen and her party were addressed by one of the two large guards posted by the entrance into Eirie. “Whom requests entry into the Sanctuary of the Wise Ones, Sages of the Courts, and Seers of the Realms?” Gwen swore the words were exactly the spoken the night of the ball.
Aeron stepped forward and introduced the group. He used their aliases–names which were already revealed to the Wise Ones in order to gain entrance into the citadel. The other fae residing in Eirie were to have no knowledge of their true identities. The Summer Monarchs insisted on the precaution.
The stern guard eyed the group critically, examining each fae in detail. Before long, he moved aside and the group gained entry.
As the fae walked down the blemish-free stone path, Gwen could not help but note the different appearance of the citadel. Gone were the festive Summer and Winter Court insignias displayed throughout Eirie. The white stones were not adorned with any color or decoration. The absence of finely dressed fae, of any fae for that matter, made the environment even more strange and disconcerting.
“Do you know where we are going?” Gwen asked no one in particular. The silence was unnerving, and she simply wanted to break it.
“The stone tower straight ahead,” Aeron answered as his eyes continuously scanned their surroundings. Gwen appreciated his diligence in looking out for her, but his tension was making her nervous.
“An Elder will be meeting us there,” Ian added. He, at least, spared her a quick glance before continuing surveillance.
“Elder?” Gwen repeated the unfamiliar term.
“One of the more senior of the Wise Ones,” her friend answered as he gently took her elbow to guide her around a sharp left turn. The path narrowed significantly, bringing the twins even closer to her sides. The fabric of their loose shirts brushed against her bare arms.
“I thought they were all senior.” Gwen pictured the only Wise One she had seen in Eirie. She remembered how surprised she had been with his hunched posture, lending him the appearance of advanced age. All other fae looked as if they were in their twenties.
“Elders are especially senior,” Ian replied without further detail. They moved down the streets in silence.
Before Gwen knew it, the group was stopping in front of the tallest tower in Eirie. It was made of the same sleek, marble material as the rest of Eirie. The structure was solid except for the stone door and windows located at the buildings highest floor.
Without any action from a group member, the stone door silently swung inward to reveal a can
dlelit interior. The two front guards entered immediately. Ian, Aeron, and Gwen stayed back until one came back to signal it was safe. The rest of the party filed in.
Inside the tower, the same shiny stone lined the circular walls. There was a normal sized wooden door to their right, but nothing else could be found in the empty foyer. As Gwen opened her mouth to ask what they should do next, the wooden door creaked on its hinges. The sudden sound caused Gwen to flinch in surprise.
A kind looking fae came through the entryway. Though he was dressed in the same black robe as the Wise One Gwen remembered, the similarities stopped there. Instead of a crippled gait, this fae walked straight with self-assurance. His greeting smile was warm. Gwen flicked her eyes to his feet and noted they were not bare as the other’s had been.
“Princess Gwenevere,” he bowed low, bringing Gwen’s attention to his upper body. “It is an honor to make your acquaintance.”
“Th–thank you,” she stuttered out, completely taken aback by him. He was not what she was expecting.
“I understand you come to us seeking knowledge and advice. Shall we retire to one of our sitting rooms where you will be more comfortable?”
Unable to voice an answer, Gwen simply nodded and proceeded to follow the fae’s robes through the wood door. Ian and Aeron moved with her; four guards trailed behind them.
“We were very surprised to receive King Cai’s request for an audience,” the fae said over his shoulder as he led them deeper into the tower. “Of course, we are always happy to accommodate Their Majesties and Your Highness at any time.”
Maybe that’s the difference, Gwen thought after hearing the fae’s words. Last time I came here, I was not a princess. She assumed royals would not be greeted by an unsocial and dismissive Wise One.
“Perhaps you would be so kind as to describe what brings you here, Princess Gwenevere. King Cai’s missive was slightly vague.”
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