Dragonfly Maid

by D D Croix

  She raised her pale white palm. “There is no need for that. I kept this secret from you. But tell me, have you missed me?”

  There was that familiar twinkle of amused mischief.

  “Of course. You were my friend.”

  She dipped her chin. “I am still your friend.”

  I grinned despite myself.

  She straightened to her full height. “Rise, Jane Shackle, and let us look to the future now.”

  I looked at the slender white hand she extended to me.

  With her nod of approval, I slid my fingers over hers. They felt like silk. Her fingers wrapped around mine, and there was surprising strength in them. Beyond that, I felt nothing but peace. No vision, no tugging, no swirling.

  Simple peace.

  “Now,” she said. “Take your place among the Fayte, where you belong.”

  Her words resonated within me. Where you belong. I looked around. I had never belonged anywhere. But now, in this unlikely place, I finally felt like I was home.

  “I don’t know what to say.” It was the truth.

  “There is no need to say anything.” She held my Faytling between both of her hands and a burst of violet light emanated between her fingers. She closed her eyes and her forehead creased in concentration. When her brow smoothed again, she opened her hands, revealing the Faytling resting there. The purple glow was gone, but the gold seemed to shine even more brightly.

  “Rise, everyone,” the Lady said.

  All around us, the Fayte Guardians stood.

  The Lady turned to Mrs. Crossey and placed her hand on the woman’s shoulder. “I owe you my gratitude as well, Master Scryer. You believed in me when you had no reason to believe. You believed in our purpose, even when it put your life at risk. I commend you, and I am grateful to you, Supreme Elder of the Windsor Fayte.”

  Behind her Mr. MacDougall cleared his throat.

  Mrs. Crossey seemed to blush and in a timid voice, said, “Thank you, my lady, but I am not the Supreme Elder here.”

  The Lady turned to Mr. MacDougall and gave him a withering look before turning back to Mrs. Crossey. “Yes, Sylvia Crossey of the Windsor Fayte, you have earned the title and my admiration.” She turned then to gaze on each robed figure. “And I am grateful to all of you who have remained steady and true in your service as Fayte Guardians. My brother is no longer a threat to this world. And while I must leave for a time, I will return soon and often. You may again rely on me.”

  She reached out to me then and touched my forehead. A tingling sensation passed through me, from that spot down to the tips of my toes. I felt lighter, happier.

  I looked at her in surprise. “What was that?”

  “A parting gift.”

  My chest tightened. I didn’t want to say it, I didn’t want to have to, but I did. “Goodbye, my lady.” The words cracked in my throat.

  She tilted her head to me as streaks of violet light wrapped around her. “Not goodbye, dear one. We shall see each other soon enough.”

  I thought I could see that look of amused mischief again as she faded into the violet light.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  After the ceremony, the Fayte Guardians made their way back to the castle. I hung back, lingering at the edge of the crystal pool, trying to absorb all that had happened and marveling at my new Faytling—my own Faytling. I suppose I was one of them now. Truly one of them.

  “I thought you’d be off to bed by now.”

  It was Mrs. Crossey, returning from the Library, where the last stragglers were saying their goodbyes.

  “I suppose I should. It’s just so much to take in.”

  “I suppose it is. I’m glad you’re here, however.” She clutched her fingers and stared into the misty pool, still imbued with the Lady’s lavender glow. “Since you have fulfilled your part of our bargain, it’s time for me to fulfill mine. That is, if you still wish to learn about your parents.”

  That promise seemed so long ago. Before the Gray Wood. Before Krol...

  “I’ve inquired with the Elders at Balmoral,” she continued. “They safeguard the old records, and a visit may render more useful information.”

  “A visit?”

  One of her thin eyebrows notched higher. “I have spoken to a cook there, a Fayte. She’s in need of a temporary assistant, and I’ve recommended you.”

  “Me?”

  “It might help you in your search. That is what you want, isn’t it?”

  But it wasn’t. Not now. What would I do without Mrs. Crossey or Marlie? I belonged here. I didn’t want to leave.

  “Aren’t you pleased?” The crease between her eyebrows deepened.

  “I’ve never traveled so far,” I said.

  She flipped her wrist as if to bat away such a frivolous concern. “It won’t be so difficult, and you won’t be alone.”

  “You would come with me?”

  “No, not me. Our Balmoral visitor plans to return home tomorrow.”

  “Mr. Wyck?”

  A sheepishness came over her. “Yes, Mr. Wyck, if that’s what we’re still calling him. I always knew something was off with that young man, but I rather thought he was here to spy on me, not you. Well, hindsight makes fools of us all.” A mischievous glint flashed in her eye. “You don’t object to the companion, do you?”

  Was she serious? “I can’t travel with a man.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Such silly notions. But yes, I suppose you’re right. Perhaps if…”

  My heart leapt. “If what?”

  She walked to the door. “I’ll think of something. Just be at the kitchen gate at the first bell.”

  “Six in the morning?” Even I could hear the irritating whine in my voice.

  She faced me again. “I remember a time not so long ago when you packed your things on much shorter notice.”

  I opened my mouth to argue but snapped it closed again. She was right, and she knew it. And I knew I had to go. Not because I wanted to—I didn’t. But there were questions that needed answers, now more than ever. About Krol. About my mother. How many secrets were hiding in my past?

  That Mr. Wyck would be my companion on this journey, well, maybe that wouldn’t be the worst thing that could happen.

  ~ ~ ~

  Early the next morning I slipped out of my room with every one of my belongings stuffed into my carpet bag save one.

  The golden locket I’d stolen from Abigail I held tightly in my gloved hand as I made my way to her door. I meant to hang it from the knob, knowing she would find it and surmise the link between its reappearance and my departure.

  But I couldn’t bring myself to do it. That wasn’t who I was anymore, at least it wasn’t who I wanted to be. I tapped on the wood.

  After some rustling, a sleepy Abigail cracked open the door. “Jane, for Pete’s sake. It’s so early.”

  I held up the locket, its chain draped over a finger. “I want to return this. You were right, Abigail. I took it, and I’m sorry.”

  She stared at it for a moment before taking it. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “You don’t need to say anything. You were right to accuse me. I was…” Stupid? Jealous? I was both of those things, but instead I said, “I regret it. Perhaps one day you’ll forgive me.”

  I left then. It might have been the wind outside or my own wishful thinking, but I thought I caught the soft whisper of “I forgive you” just before I turned the corner.

  That hope carried me through the corridors and past the kitchen. Having little practice with goodbyes, I decided it was better to avoid Mrs. Crossey, and Marlie, too, for that matter. It wasn’t truly goodbye, after all. Mrs. Crossey had said I could return when I wanted. I just needed to say the word.

  I made my way with my carpet bag to the bench outside the kitchen gate and watched the early sun warm the fog rolling off the Thames and clinging to the Slopes and the castle wall.

  Even now, after everything, the place still reminded me of my dragonfly.

  My
dragonfly who was the Lady of the Fayte.

  I was almost ashamed to admit that it comforted me to remember her as she’d been. That brazen insect. That charming friend.

  The kitchen door creaked a warning that I was no longer alone. I braced and hoped the interloper would hurry and leave me in peace.

  “We’re to be traveling companions, then?”

  It was Mr. Wyck. He tugged on the wrists of a stiff tweed jacket that would have looked right at home on High Street.

  I watched his eyes scan the horizon and tried to discern whether he found the prospect agreeable. Or not. “Yes, Mr. Wyck,” I said cautiously. “That is my understanding.”

  He plunged his fists into his front pockets and rocked on his toes. “So, it’s still to be Mr. Wyck, then?”

  “Yes, I believe so.” I gnawed my lower lip. Had I misinterpreted those tender moments between us? Did he even remember them?

  “Well, look at you two!”

  The burst of Marlie’s voice snapped me back from my thoughts.

  She dropped a bag beside mine. “It’s going to be quite a trip. Are you ready for it?”

  “I’m not sure. Are you going somewhere, too?”

  “I’m going with you! I told Mrs. Crossey not to tell you. I wanted it to be a surprise. Are you surprised?”

  I could only nod. It was a shock, but not unwelcome. Having her with me would make leaving easier, but still not easy.

  For the first time, I belonged somewhere, yet I had to go. I knew that. I had to know why there were years—and a family—I couldn’t remember and why I had talents I didn’t understand.

  At least this time, it would be my choice to be an outsider.

  “You won’t be an outsider,” Mr. Wyck said plainly, still looking off into the distance.

  His words jolted me. “What did you say?”

  “You won’t be an outsider. That’s what you were thinking, wasn’t it?”

  “But how did you know?”

  He shrugged.

  “Have you always…?” The possibility sent my mind reeling but I couldn’t focus on that now. The carriage was approaching.

  “C’mon.” Marlie grabbed her bag and ran off to meet it.

  I took up my own bag and looked back at the castle. I would be back. I could feel it deep in my bones. And when I did, I hoped I would have some answers.

  I hurried to catch up with Mr. Wyck and Marlie.

  And I wasn’t the only one. Lagging behind, just out of view, a twinkle of light followed, a fluttering spark in the distinct shape of a dragonfly.

  ~ ~ ~

  THE END… for now

  __________

  The story continues in Slivering Curse: The Queen’s Fayte Book Two, and it’s available for pre-order. Learn more at www.DDCroix.com/Slivering-Curse.

  Dear Reader

  Thank you for taking time to read Dragonfly Maid: The Queen’s Fayte Book One. If you enjoyed it, please leave a review at Amazon or Goodreads. Good reviews and positive word of mouth are vital for any author to succeed.

  ~ ~ ~

  Guardian of the Realm: The Fayte Heir takes readers back to ancient Britain and the first Fayte Guardians, told through the eyes of Eithne, daughter of the warrior queen Boudica. The prequel novella is available for free to the Readers Brigade at www.DDCroix.com/readers-brigade.

  About the Author

  D.D. Croix writes fantasy for teens and adults that conjures magic and history with a twist of mystery. Under a pseudonym, she also writes award-winning contemporary romance and historical novels that have been translated into multiple languages. When she isn’t plotting new adventures for her characters, she oversees O.C. Writers, a network of published and aspiring authors based in Orange County, Calif., and Speculative Collective, a showcase and resource for speculative fiction writers in Southern California. For more information, visit www.DDCroix.com.

  If you’d like to be notified of new releases and have access to exclusive content and other fun stuff, please join D.D. Croix’s Readers Brigade: https://www.subscribepage.com/u5o8y9.

  If you’d like to send a message, please email her at dd@ddcroix.com.

  To connect on social media, you can find her at the following:

  Facebook: www.facebook.com/DDCroix

  Twitter: www.twitter.com/DDCroixWrites

  Instagram: www.instagram.com/DDCroixWrites

  Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/DDCroixWrites

  Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/user/show/77702468-d-d-croix

  Find an Error?

  Despite multiple rounds of editing, errors sometimes sneak through. If you discover something amiss in one of my books, I’d like to know. Please email me at dd@ddcroix.com. If it turns out to be something that slipped past the editors, I’ll thank you by including you as a Reader Angel in a future book.

  Acknowledgments

  These characters and this story have been living with me for a long time, and I’m thrilled to bits to finally let them loose in the world. So many times Jane and her friends had to take a back seat to Other Things, and more than once they were put off for Someday But Not Now.

  Although I almost gave up on them, their voices stayed with me, and their antics grew into scenes that eventually grew into this novel (with at least two more to follow!). I’m so thankful they never gave up on me, and the fact that you’re reading these words now is a testament to their grit and tenacity.

  So, see, Mom? Hearing voices can have its perks. And speaking of Mom, I must thank her as well, because I can always count on her support and encouragement, and it means the world to me. The same can be said for my Other Mom, too, as well as my Dad and Other Dad. Yes, less might be more in some things, but not when it comes to parental love. More is always better, and I’m lucky enough to enjoy it in abundance.

  I’d also like to thank some special people who have helped in a number of ways. Greta Boris and Megan Haskell ran O.C. Writers, our local writing organization, while I was doing Other Things. They not only kept it going but made it better while I was away. My critique group colleagues at O.C. Fictionaires read a portion of an early draft and their encouragement and feedback was invaluable. I’m also deeply grateful to Shannon Cramer for her enthusiasm for early chapters and her eagle eye on the final draft.

  Katrina Roets’ editorial prowess made the manuscript better, and Karri Klawiter’s artistic talent is responsible for the gorgeous book cover. Both are true professionals, and I was fortunate to have worked with them.

  Finally, the people who deserve my deepest thanks and gratitude are my two favorite people in the world: my wonderful husband and daughter. They are tolerant beyond measure about the piles of research and writing notebooks that accumulate in any room I inhabit, the dinners that are late when I get lost in a story, and the ridiculous amount of time I spend tapping away on my laptop computer. In case you haven’t figured it out yet, writers aren’t like normal people, and I’m blessed that my family loves me anyway.

  Copyright

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Fine Skylark Media

  P.O. Box 1505

  Lake Forest, California 92609-1505

  Dragonfly Maid: The Queen’s Fayte Book One

  Copyright © 2020 D.D. Croix

  ISBN: 978-0-9908146-7-2

  All rights reserved.

  Cover art and design provided by Karri Klawiter

  Editing services by provided by Katrina Roets

  DD@DDCroix.com

  www.DDCroix.com

  https://www.facebook.com/DDCroix

  https://twitter.com/DDCroixWrites

  Dragonfly Maid: The Queen’s Fayte Book One : by D.D. Croix — 1st ed.

  [1. Teen and Young Adult Historical Science Fiction and Fantasy — Fiction. 2. Teen and Young Adult Fantasy and Supernatural Mystery — Fiction. 3. Science Ficti
on and Fantasy Coming of Age — Fiction. 4. Science Fiction and Fantasy — Dark Fantasy — Fiction. 5. Science Fiction and Fantasy — Myths and Legends — Fiction.]