Ascension

by Jennifer Ann Reed

  “I don’t know what that was.” Caden’s grip on mine tightened. “But where we’re going, there aren’t a lot of trees. It doesn’t seem dangerous. Maybe that was just a curious creature?” We continued to walk, and I noticed Dannick’s hulking frame tailing us a few feet away.

  The path opened to a meadow filled with wildflowers. A waterfall cascaded into a crystal-clear pond and a snow-capped mountain sat off in the distance. Squawks of the overhead birds harmonized with the buzzing of insects, creating the perfect song. Caden let go of my hand and spread out a blanket which was folded in the basket.

  “My lady.” His arm swept out and he bowed as I sat on the blanket. Dannick stopped at the edge of the meadow and Caden noticed my gaze. “You have to have a member of the Royal Guard within seeing distance of us now. Perks of being a princess, I guess, but don’t worry. Dannick promised to give us privacy.”

  I took in the surroundings and my heart sang. This place was like the little meadow I’d found back home. I longed to be back there.

  “I had to do a little convincing, but I got them make us some sandwiches.” Caden dug into the basket. “Apparently, it is not a big thing here. Something about the royals not eating lower class food.” He passed me a plate.

  “Thank you.” I took a bite as he pulled out some ambrosia and I almost launched myself across the blanket to steal the fruit he held.

  “Not so fast.” He held them above his head, a grin stretched from ear to ear. “This is dessert unless you have something else in mind.”

  My cheeks heated, but I watched what was in his hand like a possessed woman. “That’s strike one.”

  “Strike one?” Rich baritone chuckles shook his shoulders.

  “Yes.” I took a bite of my sandwich and turned my nose up in the air. “Anyone who withholds chocolate or anything like it receives a strike and you have one.”

  “What if I get to strike three?” He finished off his own sandwich and held up the ambrosia. He watched me with the same hungry intensity as I was giving the fruit and my heart sped up.

  “You don’t want to know what happens.” The butterflies in my stomach became a swarm when he scooted closer. “It won’t end well.” My whisper fanned his lips as he leaned into my space.

  “I think I’ll take my chances.” A ghost of soft pressure vanished when we heard shouting in the distance, leaving fresh mint and chocolate in its wake.

  Ryn strolled over to our blanket, lifting his chin and staring Caden in the eyes. “There you two are. I was wondering where you had wandered off to. Hope I’m not interrupting.”

  “You are.” Caden’s chest puffed out as he stood and passed me the ambrosia. “It’s my turn to spend time with her.”

  “Sorry.” Ryn spread his hands out and his face fell when he looked at me. “I wanted to show Kitra something and since you’re here, it won’t take long. Plus Mauve sent me to fetch you both. We have a visitor.”

  I put the ambrosia back in the basket and raised from the ground, dusting imaginary dirt from my skirt. “Fine, show us, but the next time I’m with Caden I don’t want you to interrupt. I’m spending time with each of you and it will be equally spent or not at all. Understood?”

  “I understand.” His quick smile didn’t reach his eyes. He led us to the water’s edge and squatted. “This pond is known as the Looking Glass. If we stare into it, it will show us our possible futures, but I don’t know how well it will work with the three of us here.”

  “How does it work?” Caden and I squatted beside Ryn, watching him skim his fingers through the mirror-like liquid.

  “Just stare into it.” Our heads turned to the shimmery surface.

  Our images faded as the water darkened.

  The meadow reappeared, and a feminine figure sat on a blanket near the water’s edge while three other figures skipped rocks across the Looking Glass. The images sharpened, and I realized the woman was me and Ryn was playing with two children whose backs were turned to us. One child was older and male with dark hair like my own, while the tiny girl’s locks were honey colored like Ryn’s hair.

  The girl turned; her pink cheeks glowed when she ran to me. “Mommy! I did it! Did you see?” The corner of her emerald eyes crinkled as she bounced.

  “I did! Good job, sweetie.” The love on my face for this child shone bright as I scooped her onto my lap. “Daddy did a great job teaching you to skip rocks didn’t he?”

  Ryn and the green-eyed boy joined us. “Bretton said my princess was too young to learn. We showed him.”

  My lips spread as I reached for the children, but the image clouded, and we were staring at our reflections again. I fell forward, catching myself on my hands before I face planted in the water. “Where did they go?” My fingers slipped past the cool liquid, thinking it’d bring them back.

  “That’s our future, Sparkles.” Ryn’s lips stretched as he turned me to him. “It’s not just a dream, I can give you a safe life filled with love and our children will be as beautiful as their mother.” One side of his mouth quirked when his gaze moved above my head.

  I turned to see the tears welling near Caden’s lashes, his head facing the ground. My palm landed on his forearm, but he jumped to his feet and stormed away.

  “Caden!” I started after him, but steel bands caught me around the waist, holding me back. “It’s not real!” His steps didn’t falter as he continued in his escape. I spun in Ryn’s arms to see victory written on his features. “Why did you do that?” My fist pounded his chest and salty streaks slid to my chin. “Why?”

  “I didn’t make the Looking Glass show us that future.” Ryn tried to pull me against him, but I broke free. “It’s ours. Why can’t we act on it? Why can’t you see that I’ll be the one to give you happiness.”

  “No!” I sliced at the air separating us. “Even if it was a beautiful dream, that’s all it was. Faerie’s magic won’t decide for me, love will. It’s a future I can strive towards with the man who has my heart and soul and I haven’t given them away yet.” I ran in the same direction as Caden, leaving Ryn standing next to the water. I didn’t care what the Looking Glass had predicted.

  Chapter 10

  D ANNICK WAS ON MY heels the entire time I raced toward the castle as he yelled for me to slow down. His commands stopped once I flew through the gardens. Bretton Asher stepped out of the castle side door as I raced towards him and he held it open. The corners of his lips pulled down when he saw my puffy eyes and wet cheeks, but he didn’t halt my escape. What was I really running from? The possibility of a happy future with Ryn? Or the reality of my choice?

  In the end, no matter who I chose, one of my soulmates would be destined to be alone. Sadness stemmed from my happiness and there wasn’t anything I could do about it.

  The solid walls of each hall melted to a fuzzy haze as I sped to my room. Black edgings tunneled my vision and I focused on my bedroom door. All I needed was to bury myself in the white-hot pain which stabbed my heart and flayed it into a billion pieces. One second my feet pounded loud thumps into the marble flooring and in the next, I fell from my canopy into a crumpled heap onto my bed. I glanced around the room and knew I hadn’t laid a finger on the door to get here. I’d teleported again. How on earth did I do that? I thought about being downstairs, but nothing happened. Why couldn’t I control it when I was able to control my magic? What if the Creator was wrong and I couldn’t do what he wanted? A tiny part of me was still being held back.

  Sobs wracked my frame, shaking me like a ragdoll in a dog’s mouth and my emotions disintegrated. My wolf howled and the fae magic in my core wrapped around us, attempting to ease the heartache. The world crushed my shoulders and I slumped underneath it, wailing the injustice. How was I to make important choices which not only affected my life, but others? I was even expected to save the world. What if my decisions imploded in my face and humanity paid for my incompetence?

  I hiccupped, wiping my nose and closing my eyes. One deep breath became several, but each was
easier to release. My load was heavy, and my bones ached with weariness, but it was mine to bear. My senses tuned toward the realm which I took shelter in. Darkness filled me with an icy chill and my teeth chattered. Trouble approached with the speed of sound, and time wasn’t a luxury I had anymore. The Creator chose me for what was coming, and it was time to put away childish things. No more pity parties. My focus was now my mission.

  I sat up and Hattie materialized at the foot of my bed. “Princess? Are you all right?” She plopped down next to me and I confessed all I’d seen at the Looking Glass. She patted my back and I leaned into her. She’d terrified me when I first met her, but now I don’t know what I’d do without her. “Never trust the Looking Glass. I’ve seen many people bewitched by its clever tricks.”

  “Clever tricks?” I pulled away from her with more questions in my gaze.

  “Yes. The Looking Glass plays on dreams and doubts.” Hattie’s hands twisted in her lap. “With the three of you there, the scene was a mix of Ryn’s hope and Caden’s fear. Many fairies have fallen victim to its charms and chaos ensued.”

  “So, what I witnessed isn’t my future?” Maybe now Caden could be stitched back together.

  “Only if you want it to be.” She stood and moved to the armoire. “But your destiny is up to you. The life you saw with Ryn is one of many possibilities. It might not be so happy, or it could be the best choice of your life, but the same can be said about Caden. The choice is yours to make, Princess. No one else can make it.”

  I stared at my feet, back to the same place I had been before, but she was right. The ball was in my court, and I was the one to decide what to do with it. I watched her pull out a white long-sleeved gown covered in delicate flowers the color of the rainbow. The sleeves were sheer, and bell shaped, reaching midway down the full skirt. Larger flowers trailed down the train with diamonds scattered among them.

  “We need to get you changed.” Hattie pulled out a pair of crystal amethyst heels that matched my crown from my coronation. “The Alder King is here, and the Queen requests your presence.”

  “The Alder King?” I thought Aunt Mauve was the ruler in Faerie. I rose, and Hattie helped me change into the new gown. The neckline rested at the base of my neck and swept over my shoulders, leaving most of my back exposed.

  “Yes. He’s the King of the Unseelie Court.” She laced the scooped back together with ribbon. “But he thinks he’s the King of Faerie and isn’t welcomed in our Court, so his appearance is unsettling.”

  “Then why are we meeting with him?” Aunt Mauve was not the type of woman to allow danger on her doorstep. “And what is the Unseelie Court?”

  “The Queen didn’t say.” Hattie steered me to the vanity, and I watched my hair unravel from the ponytail and weave into a simple chignon similar to the one I wore for my coronation. “She only told me to make you presentable for a diplomat, but the Unseelie is the kingdom of the misfits. Anyone can join them even if they only have a hint of fae heritage. The Unseelie houses the undesirables, like brownies, but my family has served yours for many generations.” Hattie set my amethyst crown on my head and started on my makeup. “When you enter the throne room, walk with your shoulders back and spine straight just like when you swore your oath in front of the people. I assume that’s why he’s here.”

  “All right.” I slipped my feet into the banes of existence. “Try to walk without dying and be regal. Shouldn’t be too hard. I can do this.” One side of Hattie’s mouth pulled up, but she kept her lips clamped shut. My battle with gravity wasn’t a secret any longer.

  I only wobbled for a moment and opened the door. All my Guardians were waiting in the hallway, and I tried to catch Caden’s gaze, but his azure stare was glued to the floor. Ryn offered me his arm, but I strolled past him intent on walking by myself. Now wasn’t the time to rub salt in Caden’s wounds or allow Ryn the ability to gloat if I took his arm. Austin caught up to me and I felt the small pressure his probing always caused.

  Just ask. Since he was my familiar he could feel my emotions, but it worked vice versa, and his curiosity and worry hammered at the walls I erected around my mind.

  What’s going on with you, Caden, and Ryn? I gripped his offered elbow and heard Ryn’s grumbling. The tension is suffocating.

  I’m sure you know about the Looking Glass. Austin tensed, and his steps faltered, but we moved forward again.

  He didn’t. I projected everything that happened earlier for Austin to see. He did. I’m sorry, Kitra. I knew Ryn was competitive, but I never believed he’d take it this far. It’s a new low, even for him.

  It’s time he and I had a talk. I took a deep breath as we stopped outside of the closed golden doors, hiding the throne room.

  Do you want me to rough him up some first? I can totally do it. Just say the word. The seriousness of Austin’s words traveled to my soul.

  No. I think I can handle him. I dropped Austin’s arm and the attending fairy wearing a black tux which matched his hair and eyes announced my arrival.

  I didn’t think I’d ever get used to hearing my formal title, and as I stepped past the threshold all eyes focused on me. I remembered Hattie’s words and channeled my inner graceful princess. Aunt Mauve sat on the same golden throne as the night of my awakening and my spiked crystal throne sat next to her on the right. Royal blue flags hung from the ceiling and the arched columns. The room was wrapped in golden vines. I took my time walking to my seat and thus kept myself from an embarrassing trip. I noticed our guest stood to the left and was surrounded by knights dressed in black armor with hunter green capes. The symbol on the cape was antlers with a spiked crown. What stood out the most was that one of the knights had green skin covered in what looked like scales. His yellow eyes with thin slits made me pause as a forked tongue slid past his lips, tasting the air.

  I recovered quickly and focused on the man in the middle of his sentry. Atop his head set a solid black crown twisted into deadly points and emeralds sparkled from the base. His pale blonde hair was translucent under the light cast by the golden chandelier overhead. The Alder King’s silver eyes followed my movements as I sat and faced the room. Purple ringed his silver irises, standing out against his fair skin. Sharp cheekbones cut his face into harsh symmetrical angles and I swore I knew him from somewhere. Frostiness seeped from his pores and I instinctively went on high alert. He and his party moved directly in front of us and his knights bowed as he nodded to both my aunt and me.

  “Roland.” Aunt Mauve’s voice held its own iciness. “What do we owe the pleasure of your visit?”

  “I wanted to meet the new Seelie Princess.” His voice reminded me of whispers on the wind. “I was shocked at not receiving an invitation to the ball.”

  “Unseelie haven’t been invited in years.” Her glare was enough to sear his flesh from his bones. “Why would that change now?”

  “Dear sister.” Roland swept his hands out, indicating the room. “I think this is a private family matter. Don’t you?” Family? My bottom jaw dropped to the floor. We were family?

  “Everyone. Leave the room.” Her Royal Guard jumped at the order and filed out the side door. She looked at Roland and his knights followed suit. She stood and turned to my Guardians, Uncle Kalen, Lucian, and the others. “Guard the doors. Don’t let anyone in unless I say so. Kalen, we need to have a private conversation with Roland and Kitra. Follow me.” She led us to a hidden alcove where tall arched windows looked out over the churning sea.

  “Shall I make the introductions, or would you like to?” Roland’s eerie eyes were still glued to me, but his earlier coldness was gone. Now, he wasn’t as threatening as before, and my joints unlocked when I took a deep breath.

  “Aunt Mauve? What’s going on?” My knuckles were turning white as my fingernails cut into my skin.

  She chewed her bottom lip and took a deep breath. “Kitra, this is your Uncle Roland, Alder King of the Unseelie Court.” She slumped against the wall and held her head in her hands. “My younge
r brother.”

  “Brother?” My eyes swung back and forth between them and the more I searched their faces the more their similarities stood out. Their cupid’s bows were shaped just like mine, and they even had the same slope to their noses. “But that means?” The words formed in my throat but were kept out of reach.

  “Yes, Kitra.” Roland stepped towards me but dropped his hands not sure how to approach me. “Meghan was my oldest sister. I’m your Uncle. The black sheep of the family.”

  “Why did you keep this from me?” Tears welled along my lash line. “I have another Uncle and neither of you said anything. Did you know Uncle Kalen?” His head fell, and I got my answer. “You accused me of keeping secrets, but this beats the cake.”

  “You got what you came for.” Aunt Mauve’s voice wavered, and a tear dripped from her chin. “Chaos.”

  “No, I came to meet my niece.” Roland’s words burned scorch marks down my ear canals. “You two kept her from me. No more, Mauve. I deserve to know her. Meghan would want…”

  “How would you know what Meghan would want?” Aunt Mauve pushed off the wall, standing chest to chest with her brother and I shrank back. “You made your choice when you decided to be a king instead of helping her. Your jealousy over the crown tore us apart and broke her heart. She was you sister! Where were you when she was killed?”

  Uncle Kalen grabbed her elbow. “Mauve, I know you’re hurting.” Uncle Kalen sneered at my new family member. He took a deep breath and a mask of calm erased his anger. “But maybe he’s right. It’s time Kitra knows her other Uncle.”

  “Aunt Mauve.” The fiery heat left her when I spoke. “I want to speak to him alone. Then, I have some questions for both of you”

  “Fine.” She jabbed a finger into Roland’s chest. “But we’ll be right outside this alcove, so don’t try anything. I don’t trust you.”