by G. Bailey
“Maybe don’t call him a fairy when we meet the leader of the Fray army,” I say, laughing a little with Harris before Jaxson slams the door shut.
“They are fairies,” Jaxson points out, before rubbing his face. Surprisingly, Jaxson actually put boxers on today, I didn’t know he had any here with how often I see his naked butt. Not that I’m complaining, the memory of said butt is kept like a treasure in my mind.
“No, fairies are cute, little things meant for children, with pink, sparkling wings. The Fray queen didn’t have wings, and I highly doubt they are all nice and cute,” I tell him as he climbs onto the bed and pulls me onto his lap. I press my head into his neck, breathing in his forest-like scent. I love how it makes me feel calm.
“I don’t want you to fight him. Every part of me is telling me not to let you go with me. I just can’t lose you,” Jaxson says gently, kissing his way down my cheek, and I turn my head to meet his lips. Jaxson rolls me onto my back and lowers his body over mine. He kicks his boxers off, pressing himself into me and making me moan slightly.
“You will be at my side,” I whisper, breaking away from the kiss.
“I love you, lass. Everything that makes me–well, me–loves you. I don’t do romantic words or love poems, but fuck, I would do anything to have a life with you. I was beyond lost until you came into my life. The very thought of letting you fight someone that could kill you–” he says, his voice cracking, and I lean up, kissing him gently again.
“I never did anything, Jaxson. The amazing, strong, and kind man was always there. You never needed me, I was just lucky to have you love me,” I say, and he smirks down at me.
“So I didn’t put you off with being an idiot at the start?” he asks, and I laugh.
“No, you had me with that first kiss and the jackass behaviour . . . well you’re a hot asshole, so I’ll forgive you for it,” I say, and he grins.
“You’re mine, and I’ll always be here for you, Winter. No matter what happens today and tonight,” he says, resting a hand on my cheek.
“Always,” I respond, and he kisses me.
“Sorry to interrupt, but I need to chat with Winter,” Wyatt says as he walks into the room and closes the door behind him. Jaxson groans but rolls off me before walking over to the bathroom, naked.
“Clothes, brother,” Wyatt says, looking away, and I laugh.
“I’m a wolf, we don’t like clothes,” Jaxson replies.
“Yes, but the rest of us don’t want to see your ass and everything else first thing in the fucking morning,” Wyatt shouts as Jaxson shuts the bathroom door, and I laugh even more.
“I like to see you laughing,” Wyatt says, and I stand up off the bed. I pull a dressing gown on slowly, watching as his eyes roll over my naked body, and I wish we had more time to explore whatever thoughts are blazing in his dark eyes.
“Morning,” I say, walking over, and he kisses me slowly.
“Not that I’m not happy to see you, but I thought you had to meet with the council this morning,” I say, knowing they are all meeting very soon, while I’m helping move the women and children to somewhere safe.
“I think we should feed on each other, make us both as strong as we can be. Blood bags are not a good idea when we are going to fight,” Wyatt says gently, and I nod, knowing I need to feed anyway.
“Okay,” I say, and he tilts my head to the side, before gently kissing my neck and then biting me. The bite is painful, but only for a second, before nothing but pleasure fills me. I try to keep the moan in by biting my lip, but my teeth are growing sharp in my mouth, so I can’t do that. Wyatt licks my neck as he pulls away and then tilts his head to the side. I don’t have much control as I lean forward and bite him gently, loving how he tastes like chocolate. His hands tighten on my hips.
When I eventually pull away, he whispers, “We could kick the wolf out and have some fun. I don’t have to go to the council meeting straight away.”
“The Fray are here, or I would. We have to meet them, and you have to deal with the council before we can all do that,” I say, and he groans as he steps away from me.
“I’ll meet you later, but I need a minute to calm down,” he says, and I see the outline of how turned on he is through his trousers.
“Well, I’m about to strip, so I doubt that will help,” I say, and he groans before walking out. I take my time dressing in the leather outfit I have worn to all my fights. It’s easy to move in and has places for all my daggers. I leave half my hair down and put the top half up in some plaits. Nothing complicated, but it looks good. When I’m done, Jaxson walks out of the bathroom, fully dressed in jeans and a normal shirt that has a belt around his chest which will hold his sword.
“I’m going to get my weapons.” Jaxson says nothing else as he walks out, and leaves the door open. I know that our moment in bed together is over now, and we have to be the royals our people need. They need us to be strong and deal with the Fray. I go over to the box, by the side of my bed, and open it up. The crown calls to me as I pick it up and put it on my head. I walk over to the mirror, seeing myself with the crown on for the first time. I’m slightly glowing blue, and my eyes are brighter than they ever normally are. They have a slight silver quality to them, suggesting they might turn silver at any moment. The crown’s power is hard to ignore, but I know I need to.
“My Queen,” Atti says as he leans against the wall outside my room. Atti has his own crown on, and his black cloak is covering his clothes. The cloak has silver tree marks stitched down the parting, and he is crossing his arms as he watches me, making his shirt tight on his chest. Atti has shaved his hair on the side of his head, but left the top part long, with his fringe just falling on his forehead. His stormy, grey eyes take their time looking me over.
When he finally gets to my eyes, I say, “My King,” with a little bow, and he laughs.
“We sound so formal when all I can think of is shutting this door and fucking you until you scream my name,” he tells me. I don’t think it’s a bad idea at all, and my mark warms on my back as he watches me.
“I don’t think we have time,” I say with red cheeks, and he chuckles as he walks over to me, pushing my body against the door with his own.
“It’s a plan for the future then,” he tells me gently before kissing me. Atti moves his lips slowly against mine, and the kiss feels like it’s over way too quickly.
“They are waiting, and a fair warning, they are stuck up, rainbow-hair-coloured assholes,” Atti says, and I can’t help the laugh that escapes my lips.
“‘Rainbow-hair-coloured assholes’?” I ask through my laughs, but unfortunately, the door at the bottom of the corridor opens, and one of the said assholes walks over. The man is taller than I am, but I’m short so that’s easy, and he has dark blue hair. His eyes match his hair, and I can see flower tattoo-like marks on his neck, which are some kind of blue flower. He has blue eyes that slightly glow, and there’s a strange feeling to him that gives him away as a Fray. Another thing is he is extremely hard to look at, he is stunning. Every part of him is extremely beautiful, but in a fake way. It feels like when you eat a chocolate cake that is too rich, and you can’t eat all of it.
“I got tired of waiting,” he says, his sharp tone means he heard every word. Way to make alliances, Winter.
“You should bow,” Atti snaps, stopping us from walking closer and puts his arm around me.
“You are not my queen or king,” the Fray man snaps out.
“And you are in our home. Sent here to fight for us, so you should show some respect,” I say, my tone sharp, and the man’s eyes widen as he stares at me, even taking a step back. I glance down to see myself glowing brighter. Damn, I’m scaring the fairy by glowing like a damn fairy.
“Are you the leader?” Atti asks with an annoyed sigh as he strokes a hand down my arm, and the man shakes his head. It seems like the Fray man is annoying him.
“Yes. I’m the second in the royal court of the Fray. The queen will n
ot step foot into this world as it makes her weak,” the man says, but there’s a quiver in his voice.
“Shame. I wanted to speak to Lily,” I say, and leave out the fact I want to punch her for tricking me.
“Queen Lilyanne sends her kindness and asked me to say hello to you,” he tells me, but I highly doubt she said it nicely, or she isn’t as smart as I know she is.
“I’m sure she did,” I arch an eyebrow as I speak, and the man nods.
“Why would it make your queen weak to come here?” Atti asks.
“Full-blooded Fray cannot stay in the human world for more than a day, or we start to lose our powers.”
“You are being very honest despite working for a queen that is no longer a friend to any of our thrones,” Atti replies, tilting his head to the side as he looks at the man.
“What’s your name?” I ask him, before the door behind him is opened, and Dabriel comes storming down the corridor. He picks the man up by his neck and slams him into the corridor wall making cracks appear down the newly painted wall. The man squirms, and lightning appears on his fingertips.
“Your people killed one of my angels in a fight. I suggest you deal with them before I start mass killing of Fray,” Dabriel says, his marks glowing brightly, and his wings are moving slightly, making him seem like he is floating.
“Y-yes,” the man blurts out, and Dabriel lets him drop to the floor.
“Dab?” I ask, and he looks over at me with a kinder smile, but tension is written all over his face.
“The army they promised you is full of untrained soldiers who have no idea what they are doing. The weapons they promised can only be used by people with Fray blood, and most of the soldiers are just picking fights. We had to put a few hundred of them in the dungeons underground, and our supernaturals teamed up to kill a few who flat out wouldn’t play nice,” Dabriel tells me, shooting a disgusted look at the Fray on the floor.
“What?” I ask, looking down at the man who only stares at the floor.
“The weapons are things like sword handles, which have silver swords come out of them when a Fray touches them. There are strange bracelets and other things I have no clue how to use,” Dabriel says.
“Why shouldn’t we kill you, send a message back to your queen about how we don’t like to be tricked?” Atti says, walking over to stand next to Dabriel, and I wait for the man’s answer.
“The army she sent are all prisoners of the Fray war, some may be able to fight, but most are too weak from being kept in the dungeons for years. The queen would never risk her royal army, and she doesn’t care about a single Fray here,” the man says, his words aimed at the floor as he doesn’t look up at us. “Just kill me now if you wish.”
“There is a war in Fray?” I ask, ignoring his offer.
“Yes, and there has been for a long time. Ten years ago, Lilyanne made an army. She hunted down every royal Fray and killed them. There is only her left now. We have no choice. My family are being held captive, I have no choice but to do as she asks. When I return to Fray within twenty-four hours, if any of the Fray here come with me, she will kill them all,” he tells me, only looking up at me for a second, and the guilt is written all over his face. I believe him when I can see the pain in his eyes, and in some ways, I know Lily is smart enough to do this.
“I believe you, and I won’t kill you for telling me the truth. Lily is the only one I want dead right now,” I say.
“You say all the royal Fray are dead?” Dabriel asks.
“Yes. I don’t know every detail of how the war started as I once was a simple man that lived in the city and worked as a jewel miner. There were once four families for the four royal courts. The autumn court, Lily, is the only one left now,” he says.
“Lily made a promise with me, she told me she needed a half-royal Fray that lives in our world.”
“Then, there is hope,” the man breathes out, and for the first time, there’s relief all over his face. “You must never touch the royal Fray, no matter what. She is not safe in my world, but I will return. If the royal ever comes back, I will be there at Lily’s side. She needs me to control the miners in the city,” he says.
“I will never touch the royal, I never want to make good on my promise,” I tell him honestly.
“You may never want to, but magic of the old gods will make the promise come to pass. Promises are always fulfilled,” he says, and I just look away from him. I know they have their own gods and their own magic, the lily marks on my wrists are proof of that.
“So, we have thousands of refugees, instead of an army?” I muse, looking through the glass windows just as the sun rises up in the sky.
“Yes,” he says.
“Get everyone in front of the castle, so they can see the balcony. All the Fray and supernaturals,” I tell the man, who nods and scrambles off the floor, running out as Dabriel still glares at him. I don’t see him as a threat to me, but I’m not stupid, I’m going to be careful.
“I will call my witches and ask them to bring everyone as well. I hope you have a plan, or we all need to come up with something quickly,” Atti says and presses a kiss against my forehead before he steps away. Dabriel walks over, and I wrap my arms around him.
“I’m sorry about the angels who were killed,” I mumble quietly.
“What’s the plan?” he asks gently as he pulls me as close as he can to his chest.
“I need to do what I was born for, I need to be a queen,” I say, resting my head on his chest.
Ninety
Winter
I look down at the thousands of people on the ground watching me. It’s strange to think how many different races there are down there, mixed races, and yes, they all may have differences, but we are here together. All of them are dressed for war, even the women and children are standing with weapons in their hands and determined looks. There are so many people that they stretch out into the forest edges as they wait for me to speak. I try not to remember the human woman who would have laughed if I told her she would be doing this in a year. I’m not her anymore; I’m the queen of four races of people who need my help. They need to see me strong, to remember me like this. Remember me leading them into war for one thing: for peace. For a life for our children.
I glance to the side of the balcony, where Freddy is standing, dressed every bit the prince he is, and the small crown on his head reflecting the sunlight. The sun is high in the sky as everyone looks up at me and my mates. I glance behind me once more to see all four of them standing next to each other, each one looking every bit like the kings they are. Wyatt is the only one without a crown, but he doesn’t need it; he commands power on his own, like they all do. The crown is nothing without the powerful king that wears it. I believe that. I turn back to the people; the silence is only broken by the cold wind as it blows against the castle. The Fray are standing to the left of the supernaturals, a clear gap between them, and no one seems to want to move. The Fray all have strange, bright coloured hair and old, ragged clothes, and they clutch weapons in their hands. They honestly look terrible, and over half of them must be teenagers or women. There are even some children dotted around, and one woman holding a baby in her arms. Right at the front of the castle is a group of Fray, all big men with determined eyes as they look up at me. A ward is around them, and I know they must be the Fray that started the fights and killed the angels. Not the best way, but then, if they have been kept in dungeons for years, it’s likely their families have been too. I know I would do anything to keep my family safe, and I bet they think coming here is just Lily’s way of killing them.
“Thank you for coming. For those who do not know who I am, I’m Queen Winter. These are my mates, King Jaxson, King Wyatt, King Dabriel, and King Atticus.” I introduce them, and there is silence as I look back at the people. I want to say they can call me Winter and not be formal, but I doubt it’s a good idea when I’m trying to get their alliance.
“I have heard that the Fray are at war, a war ve
ry much like the one that comes for us today. I’m not going to stand here and ask people who have been kept in dungeons for years to fight for me, for supernaturals whom they don’t know, and frankly, don’t give a damn about. I’m no fool to ask that of you,” I say, my words seeming to be carried by the wind.
“This castle was my grandmother’s and my great aunt’s. They were goddesses, and my aunt made the first witch, vampire, wolf, and angel. They all lived together in peace in this castle until my grandmother fell in love with a demon. She loved him blindly, and my mother was the only good thing that came from that love. The demon king destroyed this castle, murdered her other mates, and has murdered every blood relative of mine,” I say and pause as some of the people start whispering.
“I know the queen of the Fray must have killed some of your family, killed people you love.” I tell this to the Fray and then look to the supernaturals.
“The same way the demon king has killed many of our loved ones in this war.”
There are mumbles of agreement through the crowd as I wait for them to be a little quieter, so everyone hears my words.
“I’m not going to demand you fight for me, or ask. I only stand here and tell you that I will fight for you. For every single one of you, and the fight is for freedom. No more wars, no more death, and a life for our children!” I shout, and cheers follow my words. I wait for them to calm down before I shout.
“I will kill the demon king and make sure that you are safe. Many of the Fray here may not want to fight, and if you don’t, we will keep you safe, regardless, because we are not evil. We are not the bad guy here. We want peace and a safe place for all kinds. It’s that or death, and I hope everyone here agrees with me that I choose to fight. But if any of you can fight, please join us,” I direct that at the men in the ward, and a few of them nod at me.
“I’m not asking for me, I’m asking for a chance of freedom here. I will welcome you to live here and your children will be taught alongside ours,” I say, and I wait for them to say anything. A man steps forward and bows his head, and then another. The rest of the Fray follow and so do the supernaturals.
