by Lexi Ander
With all the new responsibilities, Sūnder pushed the knowledge that Tālia wasn’t his mother to the side. Busying himself helped alleviate any need to mull over her deception, and he almost got away with it, too. All the same, he should have known Válora wouldn’t let the matter rest.
A month after they returned, Válora confronted him about the matter.
“No, I don’t need to know who my genetic mother is.” Tālia had hated him all his life. He should have been indifferent, but he wasn’t. Knowing of Tālia’s duplicity still hurt deeply. But Sūnder didn’t want to tell Válora how much because he couldn’t find the words to explain.
“Regardless of the laws protecting the fertility clinics, your father has enough evidence that any of the adjudicators would sanction an investigation to discover who donated the eggs,” Válora pressed. When Sūnder refused to face her, afraid his expression would give away how much the matter still upset him, Válora’s warm palm cupped the back of his neck, just as she’d done when he was distressed as a child. “Would you at least consider it?”
“No,” Sūnder’s voice cracked, and he used a couple of Gabe’s favorite curses under his breath before finally turning to regard his mother. “I have you and father as my parents, and am content. Why would I wish to disrupt another’s life, or endure a stranger possibly shunning me for something I have no control over? Please, I am fine not knowing.”
Válora’s assessed him, sorrow in her large blue eyes. She clearly wanted to press the issue, but thankfully let the topic drop. Instead she changed the subject. “Your father isn’t happy that I’m moving from the palace. He wants me to come back to court.” She grimaced in distaste. “I struck a bargain with him. I shall spend the summer months in Wūxbury and winter in my new home.”
To Sūnder’s delight, she’d joined an enclave in E’drijān and bought a house there. He teased her mercilessly about how she only wished to move to get out of wearing the court formals she so loathed. But he knew better, and loved watching his mother work her way into the people’s hearts. For some reason, she’d set her sights on a shy L’fÿn who owned a smithy. When she wasn’t tormenting the poor male, she was carrying the portable incubator around, bidding all to come and see the new generation of fey who would one day populate the forest.
At least once every few days Gabe panicked, rushing into Sūnder’s arms, frantic with worry after discovering the eggs missing, only to realize when he calmed down that Válora had taken them for a stroll again. It wasn’t that Gabe minded, just that he worried something would happen to Válora and the vulnerable fey. However, Sūnder knew his mother. None would dare harm her, and if they did, well, he pitied the poor soul who underestimated Válora Alārd. There would be nothing left of them once she finished. Gabe occasionally grumbled about not knowing how to be a father, but judging by how protective Gabe was of the eggs, he didn’t have anything to worry about.
Now, if only he could get Gabe to believe in himself.
The L’fÿns had cleaned up an old community enclave for the faeborn, guardians, and sentinels, one that had been mostly abandoned because the sickening of the forest had crept closer than the previous occupants thought safe. Doctors and scientists from both the Panthrÿns and Faelÿns joined the guardians as observers as they cleansed the faeborn of the foul darkness. Journals from House Nellá not only held the formulas used to engineer the toxin, but also revealed that one of the components was the blood of the house leaders. L’fÿn blood held magick, though to a much smaller degree than the faeborn, and that magick made the toxin potent.
Better aware of what the pollution was, the guardians doubled up with the faeborn as they methodically purified the wildwood. The purged scarabs were immediately destroyed to keep them from causing more havoc in the forest.
Over the last two weeks, the guardians had worked with Gabe to herd the toxin into dead portions of the forest—of which there were too many—where a controlled forest fire both obliterated the semi-sentient disease and cleared away the dead trees that looked more like corpses twisted by the horrific agony of their deaths. The rangers now tended the barren groves, reassuring everyone the ashes would fertilize the land and allow the forest to reclaim the area in time.
Although High Druid Mèlindria swore the heart of the Jade Forest was untouched by the pollution, it did lie dormant and unresponsive. So one bright day, green sentinels led Sūnder, Gabe, and the other guardians and faeborn on a trek through overgrown, neglected paths to the heart of the forest. A small distance behind them trailed the rangers, druids, Panthrÿn knights, and several representatives of the Faelÿn clans and paladins.
Every few feet, Sūnder sent out tendrils of his magick to touch the slumbering Ènts, teasing them from their deep slumber. Behind him he could feel the other faeborn males doing the same. Something under his feet stirred, racing around them excitedly in the soil. Plants shimmied and whispers filled the air.
“Majesty!”
“Welcome home, Keeper!”
Taking Gabe’s hand, Sūnder threaded their fingers together as his heart swelled with satisfaction. He’d never believed he would feel this connected with the land and wildwood. Everything moved on a breeze, only there was no wind, rather the forest’s own magick coming to life, shaking off the sluggishness of deep sleep. Flowers bloomed instantly around them, the colors dazzling, scents heady and inviting. Leaves unrolled, flat surfaces reaching toward the sky for the first time in decades to catch the sunlight and provide a cool canopy.
The closer they came to the center of the forest, the more humid the air became. Sweat dripped off Sūnder by the time they broke through into a clearing. Mist hugged the ground around the hot springs that ringed the glade, stone bridges spanning the pools of water leading to the moss-wrapped pedestals in the center. Despite the fact the area hadn’t been visited in generations, it appeared recently tended, by who or what was anyone’s guess.
Carefully taking the incubator from Gabe, Sūnder gestured with his head for Gabe to cross the bridge before him. He followed, careful of his step but finding the rocks curiously dry. More people entered the clearing; however, instead of crossing the bridges, they slipped around the perimeter, allowing others to gather until everyone surrounded the hot springs. Sūnder located his family; Válora, Valiant, and A’yrē watched from the other side of the pools, proud to share this moment with them.
The interior was much larger than Sūnder had first thought. Pedestals of all shapes and sizes made up the nesting area. The air held an edge of expectation as he and Gabe examined the various roosts. Surprisingly, there were no left-over shell fragments, nor was the moss old or brittle. Stopping at a pedestal in the very center by unspoken agreement, Sūnder held the incubator while Gabe removed the lid with trembling hands. Guardians, one per bridge, strode to the height of the arch and lifted their voices in an eerie song, one that likely hadn’t been sung in the Jade Forest for over half a millennia. The language wasn’t from Earth, nor did it resemble modern day L’fÿn. As Sūnder listened, something stirred in him, making him think he should know the words, that if he thought hard enough, listened intently enough, he would be able to understand the phrases. Surprisingly, the Faelÿns joined in the song. The baritone hisses and growls punctuating the words seemed to complete the haunting melody somehow.
He and Gabe swayed unconsciously to the tune as Gabe gently lifted the first egg and placed it in the center of the nest, the moss cradling it perfectly. Sweat from the humidity trickled down Sūnder’s forehead and he blinked the sting away from his eyes, unable to wipe his face while holding the incubator and its precious cargo. The uncanny song continued after Gabe finished, the air packed with humming notes, the magick of the land reaching up to pluck them from the wind. The groan of Ènts could be heard in the distance, but no one seemed to notice. If they did, Sūnder assumed they didn’t care, distracted by the huge, ancient trees above that bent over as if peering down at the people underfoot.
At the height of the cr
escendo, the eggs began to vibrate. Sūnder set the empty incubator down, pulled Gabe to his side, and they watched with bated breath as the eggs first cracked, then split asunder. Little bodies burst forth, their hair and skin brilliant colors. Wings flapped and fluttered, some resembling butterfly wings, others those of a dragonfly. Tiny faces similar to either Gabe’s or his own looked up at them, their eyes large and jewel-toned. Their bodies were sexless, but Panthrÿn tails and nose ridges caused Sūnder to blink several times in surprise.
Gabe smiled and cooed at the young ones, clearly fascinated. From his pocket, Sūnder pulled the bottle of nectar he’d been told to bring and filled thimble-shaped cups that Gabe gave to the little fey, showing them how to hold and drink their first repast. How long he and Gabe stood there caring for the hatchlings, Sūnder had no idea. He certainly didn’t notice when the never-ending music stopped.
Eventually, people crossed the bridges to cautiously approach to look at the new fey: the first of many to inhabit the wildwood. Válora cooed along with Gabe, patiently coaxing the fey to crawl upon her hand, telling them how beautiful and precious they all were. Sūnder watched as the fey listened to her voice and wondered if the elders were wrong. Perhaps the fey weren’t wild… Or perhaps the fey birthed from him and Gabe weren’t meant to be wild. Could it be a new evolution for the species?
When he heard Gabe sniffle, Sūnder pulled him against his side, brushing away the tears that stained his cheeks. “What is wrong?”
Gabe’s dark eyes were luminous. “I have everything I ever wanted but was afraid to hope for.”
Sūnder kissed him tenderly, pouring everything he felt into it. A cheer went up, startling Sūnder. He’d forgotten for a moment they weren’t alone. Pulling away, he laughed, a light blush warming his cheeks and rubbed the ridge of his nose along Gabe’s skin, wrapping the end of his tail around Gabe’s ankle. “I do so love you, my Gabriel.”
“Always,” Gabe replied.
There was only one suitable response to the love in Gabe’s voice. Sūnder covered Gabe’s mouth with his own, sealing their vows for evermore.
THE END
GLOSSARY
Alglistán – [ahl-glis-stan] The province of E’drijān in which Faelÿns live.
Bladedancing – A fighting style taught in the Chándariān military. A bladedancer sings in harmony with the unique whistle of their sword to enthrall their opponent, enabling the bladedancer to finish the fight quickly. Each sword is unique and although many study the art, few master the highest level of training to be given the title of bladedancer. Any member of the Chándariān military may study bladedancing regardless of race or gender, and two styles are taught: Warder Class and Turnkey Class.
Chándaria – The largest continent on the planet Slorèx. It is populated by three distinct races: Panthrÿns, L’fÿns, and Faelÿns.
Chándariān Knights – [chan-dar-ee-ahn nites] An elite force of soldiers, both male and female, assigned to the royal house after passing rigorous training. Their loyalty to the Chándariān king is above question.
DarkHunters – (L’fÿn) Unlike the faeborn, L’fÿns who become darkhunters don’t have magick. Instead they have an innate immunity to magickal attacks, and the speed, strength, and specialized combat training to hunt and fight magickal beings. This class of hunter became necessary after the Scarab War to eradicate darksouled faeborn, however the need for their services gradually decreased over the centuries. After the signing of the Faeborn Accords, and with their services no longer required by the populace, darkhunters became secret assassins.
Döminá – [doe-min-ah] (L’fÿn) The female leader of an L’fÿn enclave or high-status noble house.
Dömini – [doe-min-eye] (L’fÿn) The male leader of an L’fÿn enclave or high-status noble house.
Döminus – [doe-min-us] (L’fÿn) The plural form that includes döminá and dömini.
Dròw – [dr-owe] (L’fÿn) L’fÿn with light-colored eyes, white hair, and whose skin colors range from dark gray to pitch black. Most dròw are peaceful, slightly withdrawn, and are believed to have a stronger connection with the natural world. Their abilities ensure the L’fÿn enclaves exist in harmony with the land. Dròw females stay close to home while dròw males, who tend to have more alpha qualities than usual for L’fÿn, often suffer from wanderlust. Most end up roaming the galaxies, many eventually settling on other planets.
E’drijān – [eh-dri-jahn] (Chándariān) A continent on Slorèx, on which the Chándariān (Faelÿns, Panthrÿns, and L’fÿns) live.
Enclave – (L’fÿn) A town or village, usually consisting of several noble houses, although there are often unaffiliated L’fÿn living there too.
Faeborn – [fay-born] (L’fÿn) Dròw who have magick at their birth. Like common dròw, their skin may be somewhere between dark gray and pitch black in color, but a faeborn’s hair will usually be one of the more vibrant colors found in nature (think tropical parrots). Their eyes are dual ringed, the outer circle being the same color as their hair.
Female faeborn children are revered above all L’fÿns, coddled and given everything they want because their wild magick links them to all living things, enabling the enclave they reside in to be even more a part of the forest than dròw can achieve. Both faeborn and common dròw females tend to remain in the L’fÿn enclave in which they were born, rarely resettling elsewhere. As natural peace keepers, their path is to mediate, watch the forest, and become druids and/or rangers.
Male faeborn are considered the opposite of a faeborn female in everything except appearance, faeborn males know only violence, war, and blood. Many L’fÿns believe the violent nature of a faeborn male corrupts the inherent good of the faeborn magick into something unnatural, eventually turning the males into darksouls—twisted creatures who mindlessly slaughter and destroy. Until the birth of Sūnder Alārd, all newborn male faeborn were secretly murdered to prevent devastation like that caused by the Scarab War.
Faeborn Accords – The agreement between the L’fÿns and the rest of Chándaria that put a stop to the infanticide of faeborn males. As a part of the Accords, it is illegal for L’fÿns to give birth at home, instead they are required to attend a government med unit where both an appointee from Chándaria and a druid from E’drijān monitor the birth. Male faeborn babies are then given into the custody of the Chándariān appointee who takes them to the capital of Wūxbury to be placed with an adoptive (usually non-L’fÿn) family.
Faelÿn – [fay-lin] One of the races found on the planet Slorèx. With pelts of fur, more prominent muzzles and teeth, and legs like that of large Earth felines that allow them to run on all four limbs. Faelÿns are more bestial in appearance than the other races of Chándaria. Although many Faelÿns resemble Earth felines, the purest bloodlines have thick horns similar to those of wild goats and sheep, especially that of the Bharal (Himalayan blue sheep). Faelÿns live in nomadic clans that wander the desert regions of Chándaria, which are located mostly in the Alglistán province, and rarely leave their homeland. Faelÿneän society is considered primitive compared to that of Panthrÿns and L’fÿns, although their oldest religious texts claim they were the first bipedal sentient to emerge from the Jade Forest.
Grāzoälūns – [gra-zoe-ahloons] (Federation) Members of this race invaded the human colony of Lorisia over seventy-five years ago. The Chándariāns picked up the distress call and came to Lorisia’s aid. Later, the Zëliāns were brought in to arbitrate a cease-fire and broker peace between the human planet of Lorisia and the Grāzoälūns. Prior to this event, humans thought they were the only sentient species in their section of the universe.
L’fÿn – [el-fin] One of the races found on the planet Slorèx. Due to their long, pointed ears, vibrantly coral-hued skin (individual tone can be anything between the orange-pink of salmon to the gold-pink of curry powder), and hair that can be any shade of white, gold, or bronze, most humans equate L’fÿn to the fabled elves, sometimes referring to them as “The Golden Ones”. L’fÿns live
in the Jade Forest in the E’drijān province of Chándaria and are known for being peaceful, tender souls who abhor violence. L’fÿns harmonize their day-to-day living with the forest around them and live in small, forest-friendly enclaves rather than large cities. A small portion of their population are dròw-born, with an even smaller portion being faeborn.
magick – an inborn ability to use the energies of nature in a way that humans would describe as ‘magic’.
magic – the sleight of hand tricks street performers use.
Mantids – (Earth) Earth-born Mantids are descendants of a cruise ship that crash-landed on Earth a millennia ago. Early Earth-born Mantids resembled a preying mantis, but eventually the species evolved to better suit their environment, giving them an extra chrysalis period and a more humanoid final form. Mantids are strong, fast, extremely intelligent, and excellent hunters.
Noble House – (L’fÿn) An L’fÿn family, consisting of not only the main family but also satellite/distant family lines.
Olghevaar – (Federation) An asexual species with no visible genitalia who reproduce by spawning. Small in stature, the Olghevaar averages five feet four inches in height. They have hairless bodies and smooth gray-green skin with white stripes. On their faces, their cheekbones and small noses have ridges that sweep over their hairless pates to end at the back of their elongated heads.
Their androngenous appearance camouflages their gender and they will only share their gender pronoun with their closest of friends. All others use the gender neutral ‘they’ or ‘ze’ when addressing an Olghevaar. Their civilization is peaceful, dedicated to creative and leisure pursuits such as music, dance, and topiary, and individuals often visit Earth to expand their knowledge about the (relatively) new addition to the Federation.