Ember (Faylinn Series)

by Mindy Hayes

  “Dawn is approaching!” the other with fuchsia eyes exclaimed.

  I blinked. What the…

  The disorienting feeling was beginning to wear off as I was reminded of my location…my life now. As I slowly sat up, they stepped back, thankfully, giving me back my personal space.

  “Umm…hi,” I said cautiously.

  Fuchsia bowed, her faint green wings waving behind her. “I’m Adelaide.”

  Emerald made the same gesture. “I’m Evette, and we’re at your service to help prepare you for your Dawning.”

  “Oh.” Umm… “Really. I’m okay. I think I can get myself ready.”

  Their warm glowing faces dropped, making me feel one hundred percent lousy. Crap. “I suppose if you wanted to help me with my hair that would be nice. Or first, show me the way to a bathroom.”

  “Yes, yes. Your washroom is just this way, Your Highness.” Evette held out her hand for me to take and helped me out of bed. She linked her arm through mine and escorted me to the arched doorway Declan had shown me last night. Patches of ivy crawled the inside of a corner wall while traces of tiny white flowers peeked from the ground at the base of the sink. At least that’s what it looked like. A tree trunk held up a large wooden bowl.

  “Is it normal for plants to grow inside?”

  Adelaide giggled. “My dear queen, nature grows all around us. Why put a stop to such beauty?”

  “But how does it grow without water or sunlight?”

  “We have our way with helping nature grow. We have the power to nurture it without the help of the elements, Your Majesty.”

  The ground wasn’t covered in soil. It was lined with wide twigs, essentially wood flooring. The sound of trickling water peaked my interest. I was in desperate need of a shower. I looked over to the corner where Evette had started what must have been the shower. I couldn’t figure out where the water was coming from. Water streamed from a circle in the ceiling, but there was no showerhead or pipes. The water simply appeared as if a rain cloud hovered above.

  “How?”

  Evette smiled kindly. “It seems you still have much to learn, Your Grace.”

  I couldn’t handle the formalities anymore. “Will you please call me Calliope?”

  Their eyes flitted from me to one another, uncertain of how to proceed.

  “At least until I get used to all of this. It’s a big change for me and I can’t bear to have you calling me something that makes me feel as if I’m supposed to be superior to you. I’m not. I promise you I’m not. I’m just like you.”

  They both looked uneasy, but nodded. “If that is what you would like, I believe Adelaide and I could agree to your terms.”

  “I would really appreciate it.”

  They smiled and directed me to the shower. Their hands began to pull at my tank top and bottoms before I realized how much they were willing to help. I stepped hastily away. “I can do this part, too. When I’m done with my shower I’ll let you know.”

  Their faces contorted, clearly confused and slightly offended. “Yes, your—” Evette cleared her throat. “Calliope, we will be in your chamber.”

  My chamber?

  “Okay. Thank you.”

  Clearly, I was going to have to learn a whole new vocabulary if I was going to stay here. And I was. This was my home now. Faylinn was my home. Maybe if I kept repeating it in my head it would start to feel like the truth.

  Before I stepped into the shower, I realized my dilemma. There were no doors or curtains. No privacy if someone was to walk in, which was definitely probable if I knew Evette and Adelaide at all. The archway back to my room didn’t have a door either. Did faeries not believe in privacy or personal space? I sighed and figured it was time for me to simply deal with it. Stepping under the water, steam immediately clouded around me, warming the space. Cameron would have flipped. I could hear him in my head now. How did it know I was here? Though the steam had solved my first problem of the day, I knew it was only the first of many.

  When I appeared in the bathroom archway wrapped in a cream robe I’d found hanging on the wall, Evette and Adelaide didn’t waste any time with my appearance. Their speedy little hands got to work. Evette focused on my hair while Adelaide began on my face.

  “It’s very important that you look perfect today,” Adelaide said, brushing some sort of soft bristles across my face. “This is a day you will remember for the rest of you life.”

  “How many Dawnings have you been to?” I asked.

  “Yours will be my third.” She smiled. “If you count Favner’s, but I don’t really like to do that,” she whispered.

  I smiled to let her know I understood. “So you were there for my grandfather’s?”

  Her eyes began to glisten as she nodded. “He was such a wonderful King. His Dawning was like no other. As soon as he took his vow as King, I swear there wasn’t a dry eye in the kingdom. We all knew he was our true King, and what a blessing it was to feel that kind of comfort.” She blinked rapidly to clear her tears as she concentrated on my face. “I’m sure you will understand after today.”

  I nodded because I, myself, was having a hard time keeping my emotions under control. I would never get to know the rest of my family because of Favner.

  They worked efficiently and swiftly. It couldn’t have been more than fifteen minutes when Evette said, “Done.”

  “Already?”

  “Your hair is very easy to work with,” Evette said thoughtfully. Easy enough to dry and fix in fifteen minutes?

  Adelaide emerged from the closet with a yellow gown. Flowing buttery fabric grazed the floor as she glided over to me.

  “Is that what I’m going to be wearing?”

  “Of course.” Evette beamed, her pale orange wings flickered behind her. “It was made specifically for you to match your wings.”

  “But, how did they know my size? What if it doesn’t fit?”

  “It will fit. I’m sure of it,” Adelaide assured.

  “How did they know the color of my wings?”

  “Kai told the weavers.” She smiled kindly. “He seemed to know exactly what you would want.”

  I had tried to keep thoughts of Kai at bay, but knowing he had a hand in helping to create my dress made me feel like I had a little part of him with me today. And it made me smile.

  Though it was strange letting others dress me, I let them put the dress on me anyway. Every time I tried doing something myself, it was as if they were offended that I thought I knew how to take care of myself.

  Adelaide led me over to a full-length mirror to show me the final product. I was no longer me. Whimsical. It was the best way to describe my appearance. I looked as if I just stepped out of a dream. Evette had pinned my curls, letting only delicate strands fall around my face. A string of white flowers ran below my bust, where the cotton-like material flowed down like a waterfall. My wings gently fluttered as if agreeing with my thoughts. It was amazing how perfectly the gown matched the color of my wings. They looked like they were one.

  “Don’t worry, Calliope.” Adelaide eyed Evette, applying extra emphasis on using my name. “It will all come together when the crown is placed on your head.”

  Did they think I was disappointed? On the contrary, I was speechless.

  “Thank you,” was all I could think to say.

  There was a soft knock at the door. We were silent for a few seconds when Adelaide and Evette looked to me expectantly. Right. This was my room.

  “Come in,” I called.

  The door creaked open, and Declan’s familiar face appeared around it. His presence filled me with a sense of relief I couldn’t explain. Finally, I felt some familiarity in this land so far from home.

  “Declan,” I nearly squealed. His mouth opened, and he straightened up in the doorway, filling it with his large stature.

  “My Queen.” He swallowed and blinked. “You look beautiful.”

  I couldn’t stop the blush. “Thanks, Declan.”

  He smiled gently, an
d calmly said, “They are ready for you.”

  “It’s time?” My voice cracked.

  “It’s time.”

  Chapter Three

  We walked from the castle entrance out into the open air. An ocean of faeries spread across the meadow in the center of Faylinn. They all turned at the same moment, watching me emerge from the castle, and I felt my knees go weak.

  Declan felt me wobble and took hold of my arm. “I’ve got you,” he murmured calmingly. He escorted me to the back of the crowd. His head bent down to me. “I must leave you here. All you have to do is walk down that aisle. You will be met at the front by Cavan.”

  “And then what?”

  “Just stand there and look pretty.” He winked.

  I let out a quiet breath of laughter. This was no time for jokes, but before I could argue with him, he was gone, and there I was, left with thousands of vivid eyes scrutinizing my every move.

  The woodlands towered like a curtain in shades of green behind the gathering. It was a backdrop swathed in colorful blossoms and vines. The sun hovered on the horizon, waiting to make its appearance, creating a faint blue mist that blanketed the meadow. It was a dream-like scene, completely magical. I nearly pinched myself. Could this place actually be real?

  I inhaled, taking it all in, and they patiently waited for me. I guess it was show time. Swallowing back my nerves, I took one step between the two separate masses of fae. As I walked, one by one their heads bowed down. There was a whirling in the pit of my stomach that radiated down to my toes. My legs were going to give out on me. I didn’t deserve this kind of respect. Queen was a title; it wasn’t what I really was. All I could do was breathe in deep, taking one step at a time.

  In that moment, I was overwhelmed by the need for my dad. I wanted his comforting face, and I wanted the pep talk I knew he would have given. This was his land. Among these faeries, I was merely an outsider. I needed him here with me. I wanted him at the end of the aisle as a tether, giving me strength to move forward. It felt so incomplete without him.

  As I walked, I tried to keep my breathing steady—my head raised high. I felt like a bride walking down the aisle, but I had no groom to keep my sights on—no familiar face to keep me calm. I let my eyes touch the faces of a few fae, but they weren’t looking at me. Their eyes slanted down to the ground. Was it disrespectful to look me in the eye when they bowed? I wished they would meet my eyes so I could at least see the faces of what my future held.

  Finally, there was one set of eyes that met mine. The moment our eyes locked, my heart felt warm. I knew those indigo eyes better than any. Kai’s head was bowed respectfully, but his eyes lifted just enough to gaze up at me. They remained on me as I walked forward. Slowly, but surely, the corner of his mouth turned up in his all too familiar smirk, and I could breathe easy. The smile that grew on my face lit up his eyes. I matched his gaze until I passed him and could no longer hold his gaze without looking over my shoulder. It gave me enough courage to walk the rest of the way. I did my best to block out the crowd and stopped in front of the faery who I assumed was Cavan.

  He was probably thousands of years old. Though he had shoulder-length white hair and wrinkles in the crooks of his eyes, he didn’t look decrepit. His silvery blue eyes held all his age. They were kind, wise, and finally put me at ease with the spotlight shining bright on me.

  “My Queen.” He smiled with a gentle bow.

  “Hi,” I timidly said, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. I nodded to acknowledge him.

  “Shall I begin?” he asked me quietly.

  “Sure.” Why was he asking me?

  His face warmed, and he turned to address the mass of fae. “We gather here at dawn to witness the return and crowning of our true Queen of Faylinn. I believe everyone can join with me in declaring that we are truly delighted to be a part of this significant moment today.”

  There was a collective quiet hum of agreement. I kept my eyes fixed on Cavan. I knew if they strayed to the enormous gathering, I just might throw up. The nausea was hovering, just waiting for an opening.

  Cavan smiled sincerely down on me. “Let us begin.” I must have looked pretty shaken because he whispered, “Are you ready, Your Grace?”

  I nodded once; afraid my voice would betray me.

  “Very well.” He angled his body so he could face the gathering and me. His gentle gaze was fixed on me. When he spoke, his voice resonated around the meadow. Not because of force, merely by his sheer presence. When he spoke, they listened.

  “Calliope Willow, do you solemnly vow to faithfully guide and direct all those who reside within this land?” He paused to let that sink in. “Will you honor and treasure the lives of the fae and unfailingly protect Faylinn against all evil for the rest of your existence?”

  This was it. Once I made this vow, I would be bound to Faylinn for the rest of my life. This was my last chance to wash my hands of this world, and go back to my family and the life I knew. It would be a cowardly, selfish move, but I could do it.

  I inhaled. I didn’t have it in me to deny them. This was my life now.

  “Yes,” I promised. As soon as the word left my lips a wave of comfort enfolded my body, overwhelming me with peace as if to reaffirm I made the right decision.

  “My Queen, would you please face your fae?” he asked me kindly.

  I put one foot in front of the other and turned to the horde of expectant eyes all focused on me. I scoured their faces, trying to find the indigo or aqua eyes that could bring me familiarity, but there were just too many faces.

  “As the sun rises for Faylinn this morning, so shall you rise in your glory as Queen of our land.” He placed the crown on top of my curls and I finally felt the finality of my decision. “It is my honor to present to you, Calliope Willow, Queen of Faylinn.”

  As he spoke the last word, it was as if the sun was waiting for him to finish. It peaked above the land, shedding it’s light on Faylinn for the first time that day.

  Rather than clapping or cheering, every knee bent until all I saw was the top of thousands of heads. I remained still, taking in the reverent moment. Though I felt completely inadequate, my new title felt official. I was Queen of Faylinn.

  “Your Majesty,” Cavan prompted. “May I escort you down?”

  Cavan held his arm out to me with his kind, silver eyes soaking up any anxiety I had left. I secured my hand in the crook of his elbow, and we descended down the aisle of lowered bodies. As I passed, one by one they straightened, respect present in their eyes. I had the irrational urge to burst into tears. To say I was overwhelmed would be the understatement of the century.

  Once we reached the back of the crowd, Evan stood stoically with his arms at his sides. He greeted me with a nod. As if on cue, music began to play, and the fae cheered and burst into a dance.

  • • •

  Evan insisted on staying by my side for the remainder of the day. Though it made me nervous to have someone watching my every move, I felt better knowing I wasn’t completely alone. He did his best to remain hidden at least, giving the appearance that I was by myself unless he was bringing me something to eat. Half of the time I didn’t even know what I was eating, which should have worried me, but it tasted so good I didn’t even care.

  Fae gradually began to approach me, humbly bowing and introducing themselves as well as which colony they came from. I wasn’t sure if it was their true colony or the one Favner assigned them to. I had yet to meet any Nesters, so it was possible they had slowly begun to fall back into their old ways, as they should have.

  “My Queen,” a melodic voice sounded behind me. I turned to a woman with her head bowed. “I’m Lorelle.” When she lifted her head, black curly hair hung loosely around her striking face. I knew her face. Not only because I had seen her when I arrived yesterday, but also because her children looked identical to her. “My true colony is among the Sowers.”

  “You must be Allura and Kai’s mom.”

  “I am.” There was surpri
se underlined with pride in her voice.

  My memory flashed back to the clearing. Kai hovering over Favner, determination set on his face. Allura’s battered face staring unafraid into his cruel eyes as Favner towered over her.

  “They are really brave faeries. You must be proud of them.”

  “Thank you, Your Highness. I am.” She smiled humbly.

  I was about to correct her when a small voice spoke from behind her.

  “Momma,” she said. A short, bronze-haired girl peeked around Lorelle’s leg and repeated. “Momma—” When she saw me she smiled shyly and slid back behind Lorelle, only the slits of her vivid lavender eyes visible.

  “My Queen, this is Violet.” She lowered her voice. “Violet, show our new Queen some respect.”

  I batted my hand down. “Oh, she’s perfectly fine.” I bent down to her level. “Hi, Violet. It’s very nice to meet you.”

  Violet emerged to stand by her mom’s side. Her head rested just below Lorelle’s hip. “You too, Your Majesty.”

  I remembered the tremble in Allura’s voice before Favner knocked her unconscious. I’m so sorry. He was going to hurt Violet.

  The reality of it all pierced my heart. They nearly lost their little sister because of me. This innocent girl’s life was threatened because of me.

  “Call me Calliope.” Her little purple eyes widened. “I’d feel better if you called me Calliope,” I assured her.

  Her face brightened when she smiled. “Yes, Calliope.” She slightly bowed her head to me.

  “Violet, don’t pretend like you’re shy. We all know very well that you’re putting on an act.” Allura included herself in our circle.

  Her face was completely healed. Her smooth olive skin pieced flawlessly together once again. I stood back up. “Hi, Allura.”

  “Hey, Queeny.”

  “Allura,” Lorelle scolded.

  “What?” Allura’s golden eyes flickered innocently to Lorelle. “I’ve heard through the grapevine she hates the royal formalities. I’m only respecting her wishes.”

  “It doesn’t change the fact that she deserves your respect,” Lorelle rebuked, but she didn’t pack her remark with a bite. “At least wait until she asks you to call her otherwise. I know I’ve taught you better than that.”