by R L Medina
Feeling brave with my new cloak, I stuck my tongue out at him.
His eyes narrowed on me. “I can see you through my own shadow magic, ordi…”
Aunt Cindra’s lips pursed. “Des.”
A warning. I couldn’t help but smile as his jaw clenched. No more insults now. At least not when my aunt was present.
The carriage burst open and a small haggard-looking man bowed. Sweat poured off his broad forehead and his furry pointed ears twitched back and forth.
He trembled. “Forgive me the delay, My Highness.”
Aunt Cindra waved him on. He bowed again, buttons nearly popping from his tight red vest as he did.
Without a response, she gathered her dress and stepped out. Des and Grimera followed, and I scurried after them. Warm air hit me as I walked the stone courtyard up to the giant castle. The smell of campfires filled my nose. More fae stood watching, bowing as we walked past. Their fear rolled off them and gripped me in a vice. Slaves, I realized. My aunt’s slaves. I shook off their emotions, trying to steel myself before their thoughts invaded my mind. Had Mom been the only one not to own slaves? Unlike the Gray Court, the fae here dressed in tailored red dresses or coats and vests with tight golden hosiery.
“Her Highness Princess Cindra of the Court of Flame. The vulgaire and… lady dryad.” An elven soldier announced. His booming voice startled me.
I rushed to catch up with the others. The soldier stood before the castle gate and bowed before Aunt Cindra. His nose crinkled at Des. Disgust. Hatred. It bubbled off him like boiling water. Des sneered at him as we passed through. Fear crept up my spine. If this was how they felt about a lower caste elf, what would they think of me? A halfling.
Aunt Cindra led us past the iron gate and into an inner courtyard. I gasped, earning a glare from Des. A large fire blazed from a sculpted, jeweled stone pit in the middle. The flames stretched and wavered, casting a warm glow on the thorny, red plants and statues. Statues of ruby and gold phoenixes and dragons, all with fire spouting from their wings and mouths. Real fire. Gems encrusted their dark stone bodies and faces. I don’t know how long I stood there gaping until Des’s cold fingers nudged me forward.
He ushered me to the side, under the stone walkway. I followed as we walked the long length and made it to the other side. Another gate and guard. He bowed and opened the gate for us. Darkness enveloped me as I passed through. I stumbled after the others, trying to adjust my eyes. Grimera’s glowing form, my only light.
Large shapes and outlines filled the hallway. More statues? I tried to ignore the fear trickling in. What kind of world had I stepped into? Castles, dragons, and fae. Memories of our little apartment back home flashed in my mind. Had Mom missed her royal life?
The hallway opened into a massive room. Moonlight spilled in from the glass ceiling, lighting up the smooth, dark stone floor. Dragon statues loomed from against the walls with glowing red eyes. Sparkling gems covered their carved scales in detailed patterns and fire outlined their giant wings. In the middle, a throne. Made of the same black stone as the walls and floor. Smooth like glass. Jewels covered the outside, sparkling in the dark.
Aunt Cindra turned to us. “Des will take you to your room along with the dryad. I have some matters to attend to and then I’ll see you after.”
Without an answer, she waved us forward. Des led the way past the throne room and into another dark hall. I blinked, staying close to Grimera. Her body wavered and trembled. Scared. She was scared, I realized. Fear gripped me. What did she have to fear here?
Sooner than I expected, Des ushered into a side room. A bedroom. Moonlight shone from an open, wide window. I looked around at the décor. Gaudy and lavish. Fit for royalty. As soon as the door shut behind us, the shadows that hid me dispersed.
“Don’t leave the room unless Princess Cindra or I come to accompany you,” Des broke the silence.
Grimera trembled and glided to the window.
“Don’t let her stand in front of the window,” Des added.
“I know,” Grimera responded.
I rubbed my bracelet. “Why can’t I stay in my mom’s court?”
His eyes narrowed on me. “Don’t be a fool. It’s not safe there.”
Safe. Was it any safer here?
“We will be back later with food.”
I opened my mouth, but he silenced me with a glare.
“Save all your questions for the dryad or your aunt. And don’t leave the room, halfling.”
With that, he slammed the door shut. The sound echoed through me. I looked around and shuddered. Trapped. A prison. Beautiful, yes, but still a prison. My thoughts turned to Mom. Sorrow swelled within me. What kind of prison was she in?
Oh, Mom. Hold on. I’m coming.
10
“You’re scared.”
I stood by Grimera, ignoring Des’s order to stay away from the window.
She turned toward me, body wavering. “Yes. I’ve never been to the Red Court. Too much fire.”
Guilt needled me. She didn’t say it, but I knew she wasn’t here on her own accord. She was here for me. As selfish as it was, I didn’t want her to leave. I didn’t want to be alone.
“I’m sorry.”
Her cool hand touched me. “Don’t be sorry. My oath is to your mother, and I promised to look after you.”
I sighed and peered out the window. Below, rocky mountains and empty plains surrounded us. A cloudless sky stretched above. So real. Too real to discount as a dream. How long would I be here? What if I couldn’t save Mom? I pushed the morbid thoughts away, trying to stop the tears before they fell.
“I miss her too.” Grimera patted my hand.
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Was mom happy here? In Feylin?”
Her sorrow filled the room. “Not as happy as she was with you.”
Memories flooded me. My chest tightened. The mom I knew seemed so different from the princess I pictured. My aunt accepted me, but would the others? And my father, did he still have family here?
A knock startled us both. Grimera glided to the door and motioned for me to move out of sight. I scurried to the bed and watched. Des and Aunt Cindra strode in, closing the door behind them.
Des carried a covered tray. The savory smell made my mouth water. Dinner? There were no clocks, no phones. No way to keep time. Did it even work the same way here? Dread filled me. What if I returned home only to find years had passed there?
“You’re welcome,” Des cut into my thoughts. He placed the tray down on the night stand with a scowl.
“Oh. Thank you.”
Aunt Cindra pulled an armchair closer to the bed and sat down. “Des tells me you’re accustomed to four meals a day?”
I blinked. “Four meals?”
Des scoffed. “She’s always eating.”
My lip curled. “No, I’m not.”
“Snacks,” Grimera interrupted.
We all turned to her.
“She eats three meals a day plus snacks, Your Highness.”
Heat flooded my face. Why were they discussing my eating habits?
Aunt Cindra’s brows furrowed. “Snacks?”
“Hors d'oeuvres. Humans are obsessed with food,” Des explained.
She tapped her chin thoughtfully. “I see. Well, I will do my best to accommodate your tastes.”
Des opened his mouth. Aunt Cindra narrowed her eyes on him, silencing him. He shrugged.
“Thank you.”
She studied my face, her gaze unnerving. I fought the urge to flinch. If I had to survive here, I needed all the allies I could find, and she’d already proved to be a strong one.
“You look like him. Your father.”
My eyes widened. I knew I inherited my looks from him, but to hear her say it, chilled me. Was I ready to have my questions answered? Did I want to know?
“Is there… do you know where the rest of his family is?” I bit my lip, hoping my question wouldn’t offend her.
She glanced at Des.
My heart sank. If I couldn’t leave the room, leaving the court seemed unlikely.
“Are you hungry?” Grimera changed the subject.
I nodded.
Aunt Cindra smiled. “Eat. Sleep. Tomorrow, I’ll bring more food and we can discuss more.”
“About Mom?”
Pain flashed across her face. “Oh, Renée.” She took a deep breath. “We don’t know where she is, but we’re trying to find her.”
“Why would they take her? It doesn’t make sense.”
She stiffened and glanced at Des. “We’re not sure, but…”
Apprehension emanated from her. There were things she didn’t want to tell me. Didn’t want to get my hopes up.
“Tell me.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “How did you do that?” She whipped towards Des. “How is that possible?”
He stared back at her, face unreadable.
Fear rippled from her and crept along my skin. Whatever she feared, I knew it would be bad.
“Not even Aubri can command a royal.” Her words shook the room.
Grimera wavered in and out. Her distress filling the air.
I met Des’s eyes. “What is it?”
He looked to Aunt Cindra.
She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. “When a mother dies, her magic passes on to her children. Making their power stronger.”
My blood turned to ice. No. Is that why I was gaining these powers so quickly?
“That’s the way with elves, but you are halfling. It might not be the same.”
The metal of my unicorn bit into the palm of my hand. Tears threatened to spill out. Mom. She couldn’t be gone like that.
Aunt Cindra stood and grabbed my hand, determination written on her face. “Don’t lose heart yet. We will get the answers we need. I promise.”
I bit my lip and nodded, too afraid to speak. The panic stirred, a raging storm pushing against my barriers. I shoved it down with full force.
“Eat and rest. Sleep well.” My Aunt waved towards the platter and bed.
She ushered Des out of the room and closed the door behind them. Sleep? How could I sleep after everything that happened?
Grimera floated over to the nightstand and with a wave of her gossamer hand, sent the tray gliding towards me. She motioned for me to sit. I followed her lead, breathing in the savory aroma. My stomach rumbled as she handed me a spoon and held the tray aloft. I took off the lid and stared down into a bowl of red soup. Spices tickled my nose and the hint of onion made my mouth water.
I looked around the room for a table. How was I supposed to eat it from my lap without spilling it on myself?
Sensing my thoughts, Grimera moved the tray lower. “I’ll hold it for you.”
My nose scrunched up. “You don’t have to do that.”
She wavered. “It’s my pleasure.”
I opened my mouth to protest but stopped myself. Instead of arguing, I picked up the tray from her and carried it to the bed, setting it back on the nightstand as I crawled up the giant mattress. She glided toward me and placed a pillow on my lap before giving me the tray back. I steadied it and tried my first taste. Spicy broth warmed my body as I swallowed.
“What is this?” I asked her between spoonsful.
She peered into the bowl. “Soup.”
I snorted and dismissed my questions. Maybe I didn’t want to know what was in it. At least I was safe eating the food in my aunt’s court. Grimera left me to my dinner and moved to stand watch out the window. Her absence made the room darker. I squinted, trying not to spill. Why couldn’t my eyesight improve along with my magic?
After the last spoonful, Grimera cleared away the tray. She glided toward the wardrobe and pulled out a long, flowing nightgown. I looked down at myself. A shower. I needed a shower. Did the fae need to bathe?
“Uh. Is there a shower?”
“The bathhouse is too dangerous for you. Princess Cindra has to introduce you to her court first and formally announce her protection.”
My eyes widened. “Wait. What?”
“You will be presented to her court so that her courtiers and slaves can make their pledge.”
A nervous chuckle escaped me. I didn’t know what was more frightening. A public bathhouse or my own debutante ceremony.
“Do I have to?”
Her featureless face cocked to the side. “Of course.”
I groaned and threw myself back on the bed. The painted mural above me caught my eyes. Dragons in flight, tearing each other to a bloody pulp. Lovely. I covered my face with my hands and sighed.
Grimera hovered above me. “Just one night. I will help you prepare. There’s still time.”
I peeked at her between my fingers. “How much time?”
“I don’t know. Your aunt hasn’t announced anything yet.”
Shaking my head, I warded off the negative thoughts pouring in. Something to worry about tomorrow.
With a soft cool touch, Grimera patted my head and left the nightgown beside me. She floated back to the window without another word.
I quickly stood to undress and pulled the soft nightdress over my head. Had mom worn stuff like this when she was a Princess? The image of her in sweatpants and ratty t-shirt flashed before me. Pain blossomed in my chest. I missed our late night talks and Netflix binges.
My eyes filled up with tears. Pulling the covers over me, I tried to banish the dark thoughts creeping in. The night wore long as I tossed and turned. My mind and body exhausted, I finally gave in. Nightmares of myself standing naked in front of my aunt’s court and losing Mom to the hobgoblins played over and over.
The morning rays assaulted me like a laser. Heat filled the room, making me throw off the heavy covers. How could the night be so cool and the morning so hot?
I groaned and sat up, blinking several times. Coffee. I needed coffee. And the bathroom.
The realization of where I was and how I’d gotten there made my heart sink. I rubbed my unicorn charm and glanced around the room. Where did Grimera go? Daylight revealed more décor I’d missed the night before. The stone walls were adorned with gold tapestries covered in ruby red swirls. A wash basin stood beside the wardrobe and a small wooden table had been brought in along with a chair. Where was the bathroom?
A knock sounded on the door. I froze. Was I supposed to open it? I hurried to undress and pull on my tunic and leggings, cringing as the smell of fire and sweat hit my nose. Yuck.
Another knock. I bit my lip and walked toward the door. No one told me I couldn’t answer the door. Hoping I wouldn’t get in trouble for it, I turned the knob.
The door squeaked open, making the little fae jump back with a squeal. Imp. If I remembered Grimera’s descriptions of the fae, correctly. They reminded me of bats, their features almost cartoonish. He bowed quickly, clacking sharp clawed hands together. Similar to the others, he wore a red vest and gold hose. His large, pointy black ears hung down in submission, but his thoughts invaded my mind.
Beast. Human. Ordinaire. No place in the Red Court.
I pushed his words away and cleared my throat. “Yes?”
The imp looked up, large, wide-set eyes blinking rapidly from his smooth face. “Forgive me for the intrusion. My Highness has commanded I bring you sustenance.”
He waved another fae closer. The little girl gaped at me and thrust a tray forward. Her furry pointed ears twitched from under a brown pointed hat. Brownie, I remembered. Not so different looking from humans.
I took the tray from her, noticing her four fingered hands.
“Thank you.”
She gave a quick bow and scurried away, the imp followed.
“Wait.”
They paused.
My ears reddened. “Um. Where is the bathroom?”
They exchanged glances and blinked at me.
“You know. I need to… uh relieve myself?”
The imp sco
wled and pointed under the bed. I followed his claw to a small pot. A chamber pot? I grimaced. Gross.
With a huff and pointed snout in the air, he trotted away, the brownie stumbling after him. A long, shaved tail curled up as the imp bounced down the hall. I set the tray on the table and lifted the cover. Pastries greeted me. Beautiful sugary pastries and coffee. Or tea? I picked up the little cup and sniffed. Sweet and nutty. I took a careful sip, delighted as the flavor hit my tongue. Hazelnut and chocolate. Smoother than the French pressed coffee we sold at the Pixie Café.
My mind drifted back home. What did they think when I didn’t show up for my shift? Did anyone even notice I was gone? I took another sip. Probably not. Except Sammy. We always called each other on the weekends. What would she think when I never answered? Sorrow flooded me. I took a bite of pastry, indulging in my misery. My one true friend. Would I ever see her again?
Desperation forced me to pull out the medieval potty along with the scratchy cloth. At least there was soap and a bowl of water for my hands. Though what I really needed was a shower. I snorted. They never discussed lack of commodities in the few fantasy books I’d read before.
I sighed and returned to my breakfast. The moist breading and sweat cream made my taste buds burst. Lost in my revelry, I didn’t notice the door open. A shimmery figure floated in, making me glance up. I nearly choked on my food. Grimera?
She closed the door without touching it. Something that still unnerved me to see.
“Oh no, Renée. You can’t wear that again.”
I glanced down at my clothes, now coated in crumbs. She went over to the wardrobe and pulled a ridiculous black gown out. My eyebrow arched. Um, no.
“I thought I couldn’t leave the room, anyway. Why does it matter what I wear?”
She floated the dress to me. “You must get used to the way we do things here.”
Her words sounded ominous. Why couldn’t Mom have come from a more modern kingdom? One where girls weren’t forced into impractical clothing.
I picked up another pastry and inwardly sighed. Did I have a choice?
“Can’t I take a shower first?”
She waved a hand in the air. “I will have the slaves bring up a bath.”