Malaki Mayhem

by Malaki Mayhem

  Though they were still teens who had not yet ascended the crown, Ara and Phoenix accompanied the knights dispatched to deal with the rogue bogeymen.

  The team fought for a full day and night, dawn breaking as they vanquished the final bogeyman. The children were safely recovered as the last bogeyman fell. The battle was arduous, and both Ara and Phoenix found themselves wounded and exhausted at its end. It was their first battle together, and, though they became separated a few times, they finished the fight side by side.

  As the sun peaked through the mountains, a beam of sunlight touching Phoenix’s messy hair. With blood streaming from a cut on his right cheek, he turned to Ara and stared for a moment. Then he crossed the space between them and pulled her into his warm embrace.

  “Ara,” he whispered breathlessly in her ear. “In this chaos, my only fear was losing you. I want you always by my side.” He pressed a gentle kiss beneath her ear then leaned back to look her in the eyes. The sunlight coming from behind him shined through his hair, giving it a preternatural glow.

  “Will you marry me?”

  She, of course, assented. And she always treasured that impromptu proposal on the battlefield after their first big victory together.

  Whenever she saw the morning sunlight in his hair, her mind transported her back to that moment.

  “What’s on your mind, love?” Phoenix rasped, his voice still a little rough from sleeping. He hadn’t moved a muscle, not even to open his eyes, so she hadn’t noticed him awaken.

  “Nothing. Just reminiscing.”

  He tightened his arm around her, nudging her closer. As she settled in against him, he opened his eyes and smiled sleepily. “Good morning, beautiful.”

  She smiled back and called him a nickname she hadn’t uttered for quite some time. “Good morning, Helios.”

  Phoenix grinned. “I haven’t been called that in far too long. It’s good to hear. Maybe that should be our secret code word in case one of us gets impersonated again.” He laughed.

  His fingers trailed up her back, then gently ran through her hair and massaged her scalp. She leaned her head back into his fingertips and relaxed.

  He covered her face in soft, playful kisses, making them both laugh.

  Helios was the personification of the sun in human Greek mythology, and when they learned about the human gods in their childhood social studies lessons, Ara dubbed Phoenix with the nickname as a private term of affection; he was, after all, the constant, reliable light in her life--her own, personal sun.

  He brushed her hair behind her ear and spoke softly, his gaze turning serious. “I plan to interrogate your impersonator today. I have a feeling there may be a larger group backing her. If there is, we must address the issue.” He hesitated for a moment before continuing. He cupped her face and delicately trailed his thumb across her cheek. “Sweetheart, I know this will be tough for you, but I don’t want you to attend this interrogation. She might say things to intentionally hurt you, and I don’t want to put you through that. Maddox and I will get the truth out of her.”

  Though she would like to do the interrogating herself, preferably the torturous way, Ara nodded her assent. She understood the reason. She would definitely find impartialness difficult.

  Phoenix kissed her forehead and gave her one more snuggle before rolling out of bed, still wearing yesterday’s now-rumpled slacks. He stretched as he made his way into their walk-in closet, his toned back and shoulder muscles flexing visibly.

  The royal couple could magically conjure clothes if they wanted, but they had favorites they tended to hold onto and usually only conjured clothing for special occasions or when time was short.

  Inside the closet, Phoenix changed into clean black slacks and a gray long-sleeved button-up shirt, cuffing the sleeves to his elbows. She could hear him singing to himself as he changed. He’d always loved music, and singing or humming to himself while lost in thought was an unconscious habit he’d developed through the years; Ara found it endearing.

  When he came back, he sat on the bed beside her, and, again, tucked her soft blue hair behind her ear. After a moment he smiled mischievously and asked, “Do you want the imps to bring you breakfast in bed? I can make it happen.”

  The villa imps stood about two feet tall with sharp noses, pointy ears, and smooth, scale-like skin that was normally green but could blend into the environment both at will and when threatened, making them essentially invisible--much like chameleons. Pure muscle stretched through their small frames, and, though they may not initially look the part, they were extraordinarily nimble, strong, and full of energy.

  Part fairy, part hobgoblin, imps were hyperactive, dramatic, and always trying to one-up each other. Life with them could never be described as boring. The imps couldn’t fly, but often enacted other physical antics such as tumbles and backflips. They usually, quite literally, bounced off the walls. They loved pulling pranks, and they loved an audience--especially the queen.

  As much fun as an imp-coordinated breakfast-in-bed might be, Ara had a feeling more food would end up on the ceiling than in her stomach, and she wasn’t quite ready for that this morning.

  She laughed softly. “No. Thank you, but I’m good.”

  Phoenix grinned at her. “Okay. Well, if you’re sure...” he teased.

  He kissed her softly.

  “Rest up, love. I’ll update you later.”

  Phoenix left her in bed, presumably retrieving Maddox.

  Ara sighed and rolled into Phoenix’s spot to look out the window toward their kingdom. They would have to issue a new proclamation soon. Thankfully no permanent harm came to the residents and this terrible situation could be remedied. She had always been fiercely protective of Quarrin’s residents, and the current circumstances outraged her. Whomever was behind this would pay, not just for what they did to her but for what they tried to do to all those innocent non-fairies.

  Suddenly, something dawned on Ara.

  All along, her companions discussed the curse and the resulting proclamation, but everyone had been so upset by the circumstances none of them recognized the fact that the shifter’s goal of exiling non-fairies would ultimately exile the shifter, too. Why would the shifter do that to herself? Something didn’t add up.

  Ara thought back and didn't remember anything exceptional occurring the day the impostor took her place. Accordingly, she assumed Valé to be correct in his assumption that someone slipped an elixir into her food. She’d eaten a late breakfast that day, then headed down to the training room for her usual workout. Toward the end of her workout, she felt nauseated, which she assumed was breakfast disagreeing with her. She went upstairs to lie down. The next thing she remembered was waking in the forest.

  Ara decided to follow her gut feeling on this.

  She hurriedly climbed out of bed and conjured a quick outfit onto herself, a simple blouse and slacks. She rushed downstairs and burst through the drunk-room door. Maddox and Phoenix both whirled to face her as the door bounced off the wall and slammed shut behind her from the force of her entrance. The shifter, still in Ara’s form and wearing yesterday’s purple pearl and lace dress due to her detainment, sat on the bed, crying but overall appearing no worse for the wear.

  “Ara...” Phoenix started.

  She held a finger up to quiet him. “What do they have on you?” she demanded, continuing toward the shifter.

  The shifter’s eyes grew wide, but she jutted her chin out and stubbornly said, “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “The cowards blackmailing you. Did they take your family? Your child? Is that it?”

  There was no verbal response, but the shifter’s bottom lip quivered slightly.

  Considering this progress, Ara softened her tone. “You must tell me what happened or I can’t help you.”

  A mix of disbelief and sadness crossed the shifter’s face. “Why would you help me? After what I did, you should sacrifice me to the lake serpent, not help me.”

  Ara paused and lo
oked at Phoenix. “Ooooh, we have a lake serpent?” They were incredibly rare. The last known sighting was one in the human world dubbed “Nessie” and they were unheard of in this realm...

  She shook her head. She had to focus. “Nevermind. We’ll discuss that later.”

  She looked back to the shifter. “Tell me who is blackmailing you. Let me help.”

  After a few moments, the shifter nodded her assent and spoke.

  “I don’t know much about them. From what I gather, this group believes their race directly descends from the original fairies, from the Mother and Father Fairy...”

  According to fairy lore, many millennia ago their realm was woven, similar to a spider’s web, by the ultimate creator. In addition to the origin of several gods and goddesses to oversee the realm (though they didn't often intervene), the creator placed a mother and father for each original species in the realm. They were to breed amongst themselves and similar species to populate the realm; this would eventually create the diverse current population.

  Legend said the Mother and Father Fairy couldn’t stand each other, and only stayed together long enough to birth five pure-blooded fairy children before they went their own ways. After the split, they began mating outside their species, inevitably creating all the fairy variations. Mountain fairies, woodland fairies, pixies, and so forth, all originated after the break-up.

  It appeared part of the original bloodline had created a “pure-blood” family, though who precisely they were would be difficult to pin down after so many millennia.

  Ara knew the humans had a background of this “pure blood” thing; ancient Egyptian royalty, middle ages European royalty, and that German group during what the humans dubbed “World War II” had all attempted pure bloodlines before. In this realm, however, this was a first.

  The shifter continued, “They want to eliminate as many other races as possible to remove the ‘impure’ bloodlines and make theirs the pure, master bloodline. They think this will allow their descendants to eventually reach some sort of ultimate magical ability and rule the realm. They plan to thin out ‘inferior’ races in the immediate territories and eventually other fairy lineage outside their own, one kingdom at a time.

  “Though I am a shifter and not a fairy, they needed someone with power and influence to set everything in motion. The fastest way to do that was to switch out an already established authority--you, Queen--with someone who looked alike and would push their agenda...me.” The shifter paused for a moment and looked nervously at her hands.

  “I didn’t want to help them. I told them no at first. Then they abducted my husband, who is strictly an owl shifter. He couldn’t help them himself. I’m one of the last true shapeshifters left in the realm. They needed me.” A tear rolled down her cheek and her bottom lip visibly quivered. “They hold my husband prisoner at a secret location under a sleeping spell. They said if I didn’t do as they told me, they would wake and torture him mercilessly. I couldn’t put him through that. So I did what they said.”

  A small sob escaped her throat and she covered her face with her hands. “They gave me an elixir that would suppress your memories and allow me to take your place. It temporarily made you sleep so I could make the switch. I feel awful about slipping you that elixir. But I swear, I didn’t let them near you. I was afraid they might take you captive, as well, and I couldn’t let that happen. I took you to Tarakin Forest where I knew you would find safety. I’m so sorry for what I did to you both. I will assist however I can to right this. But please, please help me save my husband.”

  Ara sat beside her on the bed and embraced her, rubbing her back soothingly as she wept against Ara’s shoulder. As much as the situation hurt, the shifter had only been trying to protect her family. Ara couldn’t fault the shifter for that when she would’ve done the same for Phoenix.

  Phoenix knelt at their feet and put his hand gently on the shifter’s arm. “Why didn’t you come to me? I could’ve fixed this sooner.”

  She turned to Phoenix and sniffled. “I was afraid. I still am. I don’t know what I’ll do if anything happens to him. Shifters imprint only once on their life’s mate. I will die if he does.”

  Phoenix squeezed her arm reassuringly. “We will find him and set this right, Ar...” He caught his slip-up and paused. “I just realized I don’t even know... What’s your name?”

  “Sienna.”

  Phoenix smiled gently at her. “Sienna. Don’t worry about anything. Ara and I will find your husband, and you will receive the best care during the pregnancy. We’ll figure it all out.”

  Sienna’s cheeks flushed. “I’m so sorry, Phoenix. There...there is no child. I was instructed to tell you that to push the proclamation forward. I...I do not even know how to begin to make up for that.”

  Phoenix grimaced for a second but quickly recovered. He lightly patted her arm and nodded. “I understand, Sienna. Don’t worry; everything will be fine. Let’s get some breakfast and make you more comfortable while we work out a plan.” Phoenix stood and helped both women to their feet.

  As they exited the room, Ara took Phoenix’s hand; she knew how much Sienna’s news hurt him, though he hid it well. As king, Phoenix long ago learned to suppress strong emotion quickly to rationally manage distressing situations. Losing control or showing weakness was not something he could do and still be a powerful leader.

  But even with the king’s title and controlled appearance, he was still an ordinary fairy at heart and felt emotion strongly. A lie of this magnitude struck him hard; Ara and Maddox both knew it.

  Ara felt the loss, too, having come to consider the child their own, though nowhere nearly as strong as Phoenix felt it. Ara firmly gripped his hand, and Maddox clapped him on the shoulder and squeezed, offering silent support. Phoenix offered a small smile and nod to them but continued moving forward.

  Sienna shapeshifted when she entered the hallway, morphing from Ara’s twin into a pretty, petite young fairy with fair skin and short, cropped brown hair. She stood about a foot shorter than Ara and her frame was extremely small compared to Ara’s toned build, making the purple dress she wore swim on her. She laughed and commented, “I can shift my body, but my clothes...not so much.”

  Ara let go of Phoenix’s hand and approached Sienna. “Hold still,” she said. She adjusted the dress as closely to Sienna’s body as she could then sent a pulse of her magic through it. The dress glowed blue a moment then perfectly contoured itself to Sienna’s body.

  Ara’s magic allowed her to manipulate material objects and influence nature, among other things. This was one reason she felt so at home with the woodland fairies. Even out of practice, her magic was still powerful, though she would need to get back into training soon to get her edge back.

  “That’s amazing!” Sienna twirled, the skirts flowing around her. “I love this dress! I thought I would have to give it up when I returned home because it wouldn’t fit my usual shape. Now I can keep it! Thank you!”

  Ara nodded. The purple pearl and lace dress was one of Ara’s own designs; Ara usually wore it for more formal occasions, but would not be upset to part with it. Maybe this small gesture could offer some comfort to the distressed shifter.

  Lynx and Chrysantha came downstairs at that time, and Ara introduced them to Sienna, briefly explaining the situation. Though they were friendly enough to Sienna, the foxes were obviously apprehensive around her.

  While Ara made the introductions, Phoenix sent some knights out for information. They would await the knights’ return to formulate a plan.

  The small group proceeded into the dining hall and sat together at the end of one of the long tables--Phoenix, Ara, and Lynx on one side across from Maddox, Sienna, and Chrysantha on the other.

  The chef brought them a light breakfast, and they ate as Phoenix filled them in on some of the latest news in the kingdom.

  At a small break in the conversation, Ara had just taken a drink of fruit juice when Sienna suddenly exclaimed “Oh!” as though somethin
g just occurred to her and abruptly leaned forward and grabbed Ara’s hand across the table.

  Lynx, still in human form, snarled and slammed his hands on the table, leaping to his feet. Sienna withdrew her hand quickly and cowered backward. “Do not touch her!” he growled.

  Ara choked on her juice. As she coughed, she reached out and touched Lynx’s arm to keep him from jumping across the table.

  Once she recovered, she firmly said, “Lynx, I’m fine. Stand down.”

  He grumbled and didn't take his eyes off Sienna, but slowly lowered himself back into his chair.

  The others just observed the exchange silently, Phoenix with a slightly quirked eyebrow.

  Ara touched her napkin to her mouth and smiled behind it for a moment. She had an over-protective fox at her side--one who didn’t realize she could protect herself with the curse lifted. But his protectiveness flattered her, and she appreciated the gesture. Foxes are only protective of their own. It meant Lynx had, essentially, claimed her as part of his skulk.

  Ara pulled her features back into a neutral expression, cleared her throat, and lowered the napkin. She then continued, “Sorry, Sienna. He is a fox, and you startled him. He thought I was in danger due to your sudden movement. Please keep this in mind for the future. Now, what were you saying?”

  Sienna nervously eyed Lynx, who also kept a wary eye on her. “I was just going to ask; how did you like my re-decorating work on the bedroom? I tried to help modernize the place a bit. I was going to do this room next. Maybe I can help you with it now instead,” Sienna said hopefully.

  Though Ara valued honesty, she had despised that room; however, she felt a small white lie to spare the girl’s feelings and maybe kindle some goodwill would not hurt here. Confident the girl would never be in there again, she said, “Of course. Maybe later when we get some time, we can discuss future villa designs.”

  Sienna relaxed and beamed.

  Lynx went back to eating, still watching Sienna carefully from his peripheral vision.