The Emerald Staff

by Alison Pensy

  Faedra wasn’t quite sure how long she had been literally holding herself together when she felt a breeze ruffle the hair around her face, and heard the soft beat of wings.

  “Faedra?” The smooth familiar voice caressed her ears.

  She lifted her head from her knees to see Faen standing a few feet away on the other side of the turret, his face awash with concern upon seeing the desperation in her eyes. She held her breath for a heartbeat, waiting for the anger to surge forward, but was relieved when her heart filled with relief and happiness upon seeing her Guardian. She thought she had pushed him away, that he had actually left her when she told him to go. But here he was, and she told herself she didn’t deserve him. She wouldn’t have blamed him if he never came near her again after the way she’d treated him. A weak smile crept across her lips and made its way up to her eyes.

  “You’re here,” she breathed, barely a whisper, as if he would disappear if she said it any louder.

  Faen smiled at her remark. “Where else would I be?”

  “I thought you left when I told you to go. I wouldn’t blame you, I was so mean… I’m sorry.” She hung her head and stared at her knees, shame rising to the surface.

  Faen took a step forward and kneeled in front of her. “It would take more than you being angry to get rid of me.” His soothing voice acted like a balm on an inflamed sore. “I followed you home and watched until you fell asleep.”

  She looked up at him again. “But you weren’t there when I left this morning.” There was no accusation in her tone, just a stated fact.

  Faen blew out a sigh of regret. “No, I was not. I made an error in judgment. I expected you would be sleeping for a while and I needed to see someone, I thought I would be back by the time you awoke. I did not imagine that you would wake so early and journey into Azran.” He leaned in and reached his hand towards her face.

  “Don’t touch me!” Faedra shouted and jerked her head away from his hand.

  Faen withdrew his hand with a sharp movement, surprised at her outburst. Faedra couldn’t mistake the look of hurt on his face that he quickly tried to mask.

  “I’m not safe,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion.

  Faen pinched his brows together in an unspoken question.

  “It’s hopeless,” Faedra cried, “I have no idea how to get my dad back, and I’m so upset I can’t control my energy. I’m so charged up right now, I’m scared I’ll hurt anyone who touches me.” A solitary tear escaped and trickled down her cheek.

  Faen’s heart wrenched as he took in the look of desperation on his charge’s face. He had to calm her down to the point that she could control her power. He sat down on the hard stone floor beside her, resting his back against the wall of the turret, making sure to leave a little space between them. He didn’t doubt that she could do him some damage, the energy in the air surrounding her was almost palpable. He turned his head to the side and watched her.

  Faedra rested her forehead on her knees again. “I just want to be normal, I want my life back the way it was. I want my dad back, and I want to go to college like a normal person. Now I find out that I’ll never be normal because my dad isn’t really my dad…” she turned her head to the side to look at her Guardian, “your king is.”

  She wasn’t surprised when Faen looked nonplussed by her revelation.

  “You knew, didn’t you?” she asked.

  Faen nodded his awareness of the fact. “I guessed, yes.”

  “How long have you known?”

  “When Vivianna called you a samtero kruwos. I could see no other reason for her to be angry enough with you to seek vengeance on the Land of Azran and The World of Men. She is a very jealous person. Ever since her mother died she has closely protected the attention she gets from her father. I cannot imagine her ever allowing that attention to be shared.”

  Faedra’s expression turned to one of shock, “Enough to make millions of innocent people suffer?”

  “It would seem so.” Faen’s voice was resigned.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Faedra, you already had enough to deal with, and it is not my place to tell you of your heritage. That responsibility lies with your parents.”

  Faedra’s voice cracked again, finding it hard to deal with the turmoil she was feeling. Her eyes were pleading when she looked into Faen’s.

  “So…I’m half human and half fae. What does that make me, Faen?” She sounded disgusted by her own words. “You don’t need to answer that,” she added, not giving Faen a chance to respond. “It makes me a freak, that’s what it makes me.”

  Faen looked at her for a second and gave a barely discernable shake of his head. Willing to take the risk of getting shocked, he reached over and took her face in his hands, wiping away the solitary tear rolling down her cheek with his thumb. His eyes searched hers. A zingy feeling shot through his fingers and up his arms but it wasn’t as painful as he’d expected and he kept hold of her face, needing her to feel his support and dare he admit, love, flowing through his hands.

  A smile crept across his features and he leaned in, placing a gentle kiss to Faedra’s lips, then pulled back. Their eyes locked together and Faedra could feel her heartbeat quicken.

  She felt like they were frozen in time, but after a few seconds Faen broke the silence.

  “It makes you a princess. That is what it makes you.”

  Realization crept into Faedra’s consciousness at Faen’s words. She hadn’t looked at it like that before now. Faen’s touch was having the desired effect. She could feel herself calming down as she leaned into his warm caress and closed her eyes, her energy ebbing away with each heartbeat. His presence alone made her feel safe. Faen moved closer until their thighs were touching, and wrapped his arm around her. She leaned into him, laid her head on his shoulder and sighed. For the first time she felt like she was no longer alone in her mission.

  “How did you know where to find me?” she asked after a moment of silence.

  “The king sent out Messengers and one found me at my parent’s house.”

  She sat up and looked at him, unable to hide the surprise on her face. He had never mentioned his parents before and she’d never thought to ask, but of course he probably had a mum and dad, and a home that he’d grown up in.

  “While I was watching you sleep and wracking my brain trying to think of a way to rescue your father from Vivianna’s clutches, I remembered some stories my father used to tell me as a child. I went home to ask him for help,” he explained.

  “Can he help us?” Faedra asked, hope seeping into her heart.

  “I did not get to ask him before the Messenger arrived and told me you were at the castle. My first priority is to you, Faedra. I had to make sure you were safe.” He brushed an errant strand of her disheveled hair out of her face and tucked it behind her ear. “Now that I know you are, will you travel with me to my home so we may ask my father if he knows of a way to help us find your father?”

  Faedra’s heart swelled with hope for the first time since her dad had been kidnapped. She jumped to her feet and looked down at Faen who was still sitting on the floor.

  “I take that to be a yes.” He grinned at her change in demeanor. The desperation had all but evaporated from her face and was now replaced with a look of hope and determination.

  He got up from the floor in one of those fluid motions of his and leaned over to pick up her backpack. He held it up. “I have a feeling you may be needing this before we are finished.”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Faedra sucked in a breath as Faen’s home came into view. She had never seen a more regal looking house. Though to call it a house was an understatement of massive proportions.

  The long sweeping driveway was lined either side by intricately detailed topiary. She never thought it possible to create such stunning designs in what were essentially hedges.

  The house itself was immense. It had at least twenty windows in the front and there were a couple
dozen spiraling chimneys scattered across the roof, grouped together in sixes. A clock tower rose above the main entrance, and the face was deep blue with golden numerals. The house was surrounded by other buildings. Faedra imagined them being mews and gardener’s quarters. The perfectly manicured gardens stretched out behind the house and she could see a lake in the distance. The lawns looked like fluffy carpet and she yearned to walk barefoot over them and feel the cool softness under her feet.

  “You live here?” she looked up and asked Faen as they flew closer to the house.

  He shook his head. “I grew up here. I live with you.” He gave her one of his earth-shattering smiles.

  Faedra could feel her cheeks heat a little. Of course, he did. He had ‘lived’ with her for twelve years. She suddenly felt very selfish, realizing she had never really given any thought to Faen’s life before he came to protect her. He had been part of her life for so long she took it for granted that he lived in the World of Men. But he wasn’t from the World of Men; he had a home in a different realm and she wondered if he ever yearned to go home. She had never been away from home for long and couldn’t even imagine what it felt like to suffer from homesickness, although, she’d heard it was gut wrenching.

  Faen landed a few paces from the front entrance to the grand house and lowered his charge to the ground. She looked up at the façade and let her jaw drop. It was even more impressive close up.

  “Wow,” she breathed, “just how rich are your parents?” Her eyes widened and she looked mortified by her question. “I’m sorry. That’s none of my business.”

  Faen smiled again and scooped up her hand before leading her to the front door.

  “Come, I will show you around after I’ve introduced you to my parents.”

  He turned the big brass door knob and led her inside to the marble entrance hall. Faedra’s eyes nearly bugged out with the finery of the room.

  “This way,” he gestured towards the kitchen, thinking his parents would still be outside in the garden. They turned to exit the hall.

  “Faen!” Janessa called from the balcony above them. They turned and looked up. She was holding onto the marble railing and Faedra saw a visible change on her face as relief washed over Faen’s mother.

  “Oh, my boy, is everything alright?” Janessa asked as she swept along the balcony and down the long marble staircase towards them, her long skirts flowing behind her, rustling with her movement. Her grace was not lost on Faedra who could not tear her eyes from the beautiful woman heading in their direction. Rowan was not far behind his wife who was moving in a very animated fashion in front of him.

  “Everything is fine, Mother,” Faen assured her as she reached them.

  Janessa’s features were soft and loving as she cupped her son’s face in her hands for a second. Releasing him, she turned to Faedra and smiled. Her whole face lighting up with the warmth of it.

  “You must be the Custodian.”

  Faedra answered with a nod. She was a little overwhelmed at seeing Faen’s parents for the first time and was slightly lost for words.

  Janessa noticed their entwined fingers and gave her son a subtle but questioning look. Faedra noticed the surreptitious glance, which made her feel uncomfortable. She dropped her gaze to the floor and pulled her hand from her Guardian’s, getting the sense from his parents that it was not something he should be doing. He took her hand straight back and gave her a reassuring smile when she looked up at him, then turned the same smile on his mother.

  When his father reached them, he, too, gave their hands a glance. Faen noticed his father’s fleeting expression and started the introductions to avert their attention.

  “Mother, Father, this is Faedra. Faedra this is my mother, Janessa, and my father, Rowan.”

  Faedra held her free hand out in greeting. “Pleased to meet you Mr. and Mrs. …” She waited to be told their surnames.

  “Actually, it is Lord and Lady, but please call us Janessa and Rowan,” Rowan said with an easy smile.

  Faedra tried to hide her surprise at Rowan’s statement and kept her hand held out.

  “Pleased to meet you, Janessa,” she gave a polite handshake to Janessa, “and Rowan.” Faedra offered her hand for him to shake. Rowan took it and brought it up to his lips.

  “It is an honor to have your company in our house,” he said.

  Faedra felt her cheeks burn. She was in the presence of a Lord and Lady and they thought it was an honor to meet her.

  “Come up to the drawing room, my dear. You must be weary after your journey. I will get Forbes to bring us up some refreshments. You, poor dear, you look exhausted,” Janessa said, gesturing for them to follow her up the stairs.

  “Something sweet,” Faen requested on Faedra’s behalf. Janessa gave her son a questioning look. “Her gift, she manipulates energy,” he explained.

  His mother gave him a knowing smile. “I will have Forbes bring up all the sweet rolls we have.”

  Faedra and Faen followed several steps behind his parents.

  “You never told me your parents were members of the nobility,” she whispered with a hint of scolding in her tone.

  Faen shrugged his shoulders. “You never asked.”

  Faedra cringed a little. He was right, she’d never asked, how selfish was that?

  “So, what does that make you?” She kept her voice to a whisper, hoping not to insult her hosts.

  “It makes me your Guardian,” Faen replied, avoiding the question.

  “That’s not what I meant and you know it.” She nudged him with her elbow to which he responded with a wry smirk.

  Faedra sensed she wasn’t going to get that out of him either. Good Lord he could be so stubborn.

  They were led to the drawing room and Faedra’s jaw dropped once more as she absorbed the finery of this room, too. The ceiling was painted with row upon row of what looked like Celtic knot work. A marble fireplace had been carved with a scene full of fae and other creatures, some she recognized, and others she didn’t. The walls were papered with muted yellows and a huge tapestry hung at one end of the room taking up the whole wall. The vibrant colors were breathtaking and it depicted a handsome fairy with wings outstretched, sitting astride a rearing horse. He had one hand on the reins and the other holding his sword, as if ready to go into battle. She wasn’t quite sure how long she’d been staring at the work of art until she felt a warm breath by her ear.

  “That is my father,” Faen whispered.

  Faedra blew out a low whistle.

  “That picture was commissioned after the battle to capture Savu.”

  Faedra tore her gaze away from the tapestry to search Faen’s eyes.

  He answered her unspoken question. “He was a Guardian, too. He was one of the Guardians that brought Savu’s reign of terror to an end. That is why I think he can help give us some information about the ruby staff.”

  Forbes walked in carrying a tray full of drinks and sweet rolls and placed them on the low table between an exquisite looking sofa and two high backed armchairs. The sweet rolls must have been warm because the aroma of brown sugar wafted under the young Custodian’s nose, making her mouth water with anticipation. She hadn’t realized until now just how hungry she was.

  “Please, take a seat,” Janessa said, gesturing for Faen and Faedra to sit on the sofa while Janessa and Rowan each sat in a high backed chair.

  “Help yourself, my dear,” Janessa told Faedra when she saw her eyeing the rolls. Faedra didn’t need asking twice, she grabbed a delicate china plate and placed a roll on it. She savored the smell as she brought it closer to her lips. The first bite was like a bolt of electricity surging through her veins. The brown sugar hit her taste buds, the sweetness filled her mouth, and she let out a mewl of pleasure.

  She noticed the conversation had stopped and opened her eyes that she hadn’t even realized she’d closed. Three pairs of eyes were looking at her in amusement.

  “Good?” Janessa asked, raising an eyebrow.

&nbs
p; Faedra’s cheeks burned and the piece of sweet roll she was chewing nearly got stuck in her throat as she swallowed hard.

  “Yes, thank you,” she replied rather sheepishly when she’d finished her mouthful.

  Faen turned his attention back to his father. “Father, do you know if there is any way we can track the ruby staff and find out where Vivianna may have taken Faedra’s father?”

  Faedra stopped chewing the mouthful of food she had, and held her breath as she watched Rowan toss the question around in his head. He pursed his lips and let out a sigh. Faedra’s heart sank as she recognized Rowan’s expression as not being a hopeful one.

  “There is only one way I know to track the ruby staff.”

  Faedra’s heart lifted again. She hadn’t been expecting that response, not from the look on Rowan’s face.

  “But,” he added. “I fear the knowledge will do you no good.”

  “Why not?” Faedra asked, forgetting her manners as she spoke with her mouth full.

  “The only way to track the ruby staff, is with its sister…”

  Everyone waited with baited breath.

  “The emerald staff,” Rowan continued, looking at each of them in turn.

  “How do we get the emerald staff?” Faen and Faedra asked at the same time.

  Rowan let his gaze drop to the floor, knowing his words would hold such disappointment for his son and his charge. He sighed.

  “You do not,” he stated.

  “What? Why not?” Faedra questioned, not willing to let go of the only hope she had of finding her father alive. Suddenly losing her appetite, she placed her plate and its half-eaten contents back on the table.

  “Because it belongs to Draconis.”

  “Oh, my,” Janessa whispered under her breath, and Faen dropped his head into his hand.

  Faedra glanced at Janessa and Faen before looking back at Rowan.

  “Well, why can’t we just ask this person if we can borrow it?” Faedra asked undaunted by their response, and gave an expressive movement of her hands.