by Sara Daniell
“You’re meeting with the Regime?”
I nod.
“I hope not alone?”
“No, sir. Harim is coming with me.”
“Why are you not scared?” he asks in confusion.
“Because I’m not.”
Isaac and Cohen leave me alone to ponder my thoughts.
I didn’t lie. I’m not scared. I’m nervous as shit.
MY PALMS ARE sweaty, and I hope I’m able to maintain control, even if the Regime makes me angry. I keep my princess posture and put my game face on. I’m not someone who can be walked all over; I’m royalty. Dad taught me to never let anyone treat me like I wasn’t someone important.
Uncle Harim looks at me funny. “What is it?” I ask as I stare straight ahead.
He laughs. “You went from giddy teen to a fierce adult in a matter of seconds.”
“My father has taught me well.”
We both stand when the Regime walk in. It only consists of four men, which shocks me. I expected it to be larger.
Uncle Harim bows, but I don’t. They aren’t my rulers. They sit down at the table in front of us. Harim and I take our seats.
“Aislin Denton, it’s nice to finally meet you. My name is Gregory. I’m your Aunt Stella’s husband.”
“It’s Princess Aislin Denton, Sir.” I smile kindly.
“Of course it is, but just as you didn’t bow before us, we will not bow to you.”
I keep my expression neutral. “Fair enough. Can we please get on with the meeting?”
“Of course. We have been discussing your existence, and we’d like to negotiate with you. We want you to make a home here. It’s unfair that your parents kept you in the dark of the blood that runs through your veins.”
“I’m the only one who can decide if what they did was unfair or not. I would like to make a home here and in Terre. I have family in both places.”
“But, Terre and Gaia do not mix. The worlds are too different, hence, the reason why there are three different worlds. Humans, Fae, and Versipellis have their own place. It keeps peace.”
“It’s ridiculous.”
“It might be, but it’s proved to be successful for decades.”
“Right. So, what happens if I don’t take you up on your offer to make Gaia my permanent home?”
“Oh, that’s easy.” He smiles. “We kill you.”
I do my best not to cry or let fear show. “And how is that fair?”
“It’s fair because it’s the law that was written many years ago. As a matter of fact, we should have killed you on the spot. We are breaking the law by offering an ultimatum.”
“I don’t understand the big deal of being a half-breed. I’m not a threat.”
“Your mother had a love affair with Cohen Aberdeen and Luke Denton. If you started traveling between the two worlds, your mother would have encounters with Cohen. Possibly. And what if something happens and a fight breaks out between your father and Mr. Aberdeen? And how do we address the biggest issue of our concern? That being, your lack of control and dangerous abilities could wipe out all of mankind.”
I start to state my opinion, but he cuts me off.
“Your father hurts Cohen, which means we retaliate for a Versipellis harming a Fae, which has happened before. Ask your father about that. Or Cohen hurts your father, causing Versipellis to retaliate. Then you lose control because you’re so hurt that something bad happened to your father or mother, and you destroy everything because you can’t control it. See where I’m going with this?”
“I’m not a monster. Teach me control.”
“Teaching you control would be equivalent to teaching a fish to breathe out of the water. Look, Aislin, we are already being too lenient about her and your father’s mistake.”
I feel Uncle Harim’s calming hand on my back. I sit on my hands, hoping I won’t create uncontrollable fire with my hands.
I want to yell, but he was right. I wasn’t supposed to happen. I don’t want to admit it, but the reality is, because I do exist, there’s a good possibility I’ll destroy everything. Not on purpose, though.
“And how by living here will I still not be a threat?”
Gregory smiled. “We help you.”
“How?”
“By keeping you locked away and so doped up that you’d have trouble doing anything but sleep,” Harim says angrily. “Stella told me.”
“And my parents? Would they be safe?” I don’t like the sound of what Harim revealed, but if I knew my parents would be safe, I might agree.
“The fate of your parents is out of your hands. They hid you and lied about your existence.”
“They wanted to keep me safe!” I shout in their defense.
“While risking the safety of their world and ours?”
“A war doesn’t have to happen! There’s not even a reason for one! But there will be if Terre finds out you stole their princess!”
“Terre doesn’t even know they have a princess. But the moment they find out—”
I look at my Uncle and stop listening to Gregory. Tears fill my eyes.
“You can’t take her away from her mother and father, Greg. And if your plans are to turn her into a vegetable, you might as well kill her. There has to be another way to work this out. I understand the dangers you stated, but you are asking too much of her. Give her a chance to learn control.”
Greg turns his attention to me again. “What’s your decision? Stay here, or watch those you love die?”
I close my eyes. I start losing it as my emotions spin out of control. My hair starts to whip around in the wind I’m unintentionally creating, and it feels like sand is hitting my face. I open my eyes and realize its glass because I had shattered every fucking window in the room.
Harim and the Regime are on their knees, covering their heads. I see their mouths moving, but I can’t hear them because the howling of the wind is too loud.
I try to stop it, but I can’t. Harim stands and forces his way over to me against the wind. I feel the Regime trying to weaken my abilities, but it’s no use.
Blood covers their faces where glass has shredded their skin. I alone remain untouched.
Harim finally makes it to me and cups my face gently in his hands. He closes his eyes and softly whispers calming words.
I start to calm down. The violent winds soothe to a gentle breeze.
The Regime slowly stand. I put my hand to my head as I get dizzy and weak. I never meant to almost hurt them. Gregory holds up his hands like he’s going to do something to me, but Harim steps in front of me.
“She didn’t mean to!”
“She lacks control, and someone with her level of abilities and potential is a danger to us all!”
The rest of the Regime stand protectively behind Gregory and wait for his orders. Gregory’s eyes are murderous. Honestly, I don’t blame him for wanting me dead. I feel ashamed for proving my lack of control.
I stumble until my back is against a wall. I slide down and sit with my head in my hands as Gregory and Harim talk this through. I want to listen to them, hear what they have to say, but I can’t. My self-hatred is too loud.
I’m angry with myself for coming here. Maybe I should have just stayed with Mom in Alaska. Maybe we could have hid there forever. But what if I hadn’t come? There’s no telling what the Regime would have ordered Gaia to do against my world in search of me and my parents.
I look at Harim and Gregory because they’ve stopped yelling at one another. To my surprise, they discuss the possibilities of me living here under close watch.
If Harim can teach me control, I would be able to live here. But I’d never be able to speak of my parents or who I truly was. And the moment I lost control or put anyone in danger, I’d be taken prisoner immediately, sedated and locked away. Or killed.
I have to protect my parents, cousins, Jett, and Mason. I can’t exist in Terre or Gaia. Gregory makes it clear that if the rest of Terre find out about me, they’d kill my parent
s for committing the sin of bringing a half-breed into existence. The Regime would also be killed for treason.
“I’ll do it,” I chime in.
“One mistake, Aislin, and you come with us,” Gregory says sternly.
“Agreed.” I nod as a single tear slips down my cheek.
I NUMBLY WALK back to my grandmother’s house with Uncle Harim.
“Aislin, we’ll figure this out. And if I know your father and your mother, they won’t settle for this. They will find a way to get you.”
I stare straight ahead. “They have to face the consequences of what they’ve done. But I won’t let them die. I have to stay away from them.” Tears sting my eyes, but I will them to stay put. I won’t cry.
“I know you don’t know me or anyone here well enough to trust us, but we will help you.”
I stop walking. “Help me? Harim, you heard Gregory! My existence is an abomination to Terre and Gaia. My kind was never supposed to be created because of the strength a half-breed would have! I’m a risk to everyone! You’ve seen me! I have no control! And it’s only going to get worse as I age!”
Uncle Harim gently places his hands on my cheeks. “You are not an abomination, Aislin. We will help you, and everyone will see how great you are.”
“How can you be sure? You barely know me. How do you know I’m great? Just because they may learn to trust me doesn’t mean I won’t have a massive amount of stipulations put on my life. I made the mistake of coming here the first time. I should’ve just stayed hidden and followed the rules.”
His hands fall to his sides, and he places them in his pockets. “You need to stop assuming things and calm down. The Regime are just trying to keep peace and stick to the rules. We have another meeting with them, but, in the meantime, you will be going through intense training.”
I wipe at a tear that managed to escape. “What should I tell my parents?”
“The truth about what is going on. But how will you contact them?”
“I have ways without leaving.”
“Just make sure you tell them not to come after you. Tell your mother I’m protecting you.”
I nod and walk into the house. My grandmother stands from her chair.
“How did it go, Aislin?” She hugs me and holds onto the sides of my arms as she looks me over. “They didn’t harm you, did they?”
“No. They didn’t harm me. It was the other way around. I’d rather not discuss it. Ask Harim. I need to rest.”
She kisses my cheek. “Your room is ready. Helen got it all ready for you. If we had known you were coming, you wouldn’t have had to sleep on the couch last night.”
“Thank you, but I don’t mind. I just appreciate you giving me a place to stay.”
“Anything for my granddaughter.”
I try to smile, but instead, I burst into tears. I feel her loving arms wrap around me. I sob against her shoulder.
“Why me! I didn’t ask for this!” I yell.
She rubs my back soothingly. “No one ever asks for trouble. I admit, your father and mother were wrong for not being careful. It was enough for the two worlds to accept their love for one another, but bringing a child into the mix was never wise.”
“I can’t go back there! I can’t be linked to them. I can’t let anything happen to them.” I’m talking so fast that I’m not sure if she understands me.
“You need to rest, Dear. I can call the healers, and they can bring something to help you rest.”
I wipe my eyes. “Healers?”
“Yes. They are Fae that have the gift of medicine and healing.”
I nod. “I’m going to take a bath.”
She smiles. “I’ll let you know when they get here. Oh and let your Uncle contact your parents.”
I want to talk to them. I need Mom’s comforting voice, and I need Dad to yell at me for leaving. But I know she’s right. I’m not in the right state of mind to talk to them. I’d lose it.
I stare out my window from the comfort of my bed. There was a light tap on the door.
“Come in,” I say numbly.
“Did Princess Aislin stand me up?”
I sit up and cut my eyes at Isaac. “How can it count as standing you up if I declined the dinner offer?”
He has a mug in his hand. He hands it to me and sits on the edge of my bed. “Stop denying it. You know you wanted to be there, A.”
“What’s this?” I ask as I smell the liquid. “It smells bitter and spicy.”
“The healers brought it for you. It will help you rest. Nice way to change the subject.”
“I’m just avoiding a pointless conversation. I’m not really in the mood, Isaac.” I take a sip, and my lips pucker. “Do I have to drink it all?”
“Sadly, yes.” He laughs.
I plug my nose and take a big drink.
I look at him funny. “You called me, A.”
“Yeah, so?”
“How’d you know people call me that?”
He shrugs. “I didn’t. I just liked the sound of it, and it’s easier than saying Aislin. Your parents gave you a ridiculously hard name.”
I take another drink and watch him over the rim of my cup. There’s a rebellious edge to his appearance that’s intoxicating. He’s everything my dad would disapprove of, and does, making him even more desirable. His green eyes hold onto mine, and I wish they wouldn’t.
“We’re staring at each other,” I say as I set my cup down, looking away from him.
I remember my dad telling me to stay away from Isaac. But what was the point? Isaac knows exactly who I am. There’s nothing to hide with him. And even though he knows everything about me, he still comes around. I appreciate that.
He smiles. “It’s hard not to stare at you.”
I feel my cheeks redden. “You shouldn’t say things like that, Isaac.”
“Give me one good reason why not.”
“Because. I’m not safe to be around. I could be here one day and gone the next. Things are really screwed up right now.”
“I said give me a good reason. It’s going to take a lot more than that to keep me away, A.”
My heart jumps. I can’t respond. I’m an emotional basket case right now. Damn him for saying something like that! Tears fill my eyes.
“I don’t know what they are going to do with me, Isaac. You’d be smart not to get involved with me.”
“Too late, A.”
I WAKE UP and cover my head with my blanket to block the sun. I concentrate on closing the blinds and groan when the curtains fling across the room.
I once had more control than this. I don’t understand how one day I can be in control, and then the next my abilities decide to abandon me and do their own damn thing.
I get out of bed and stretch out my hand, hovering over the curtain. I bite my bottom lip as I concentrate on moving it carefully back to the window. I just about have it placed perfectly when the door opens, causing me to lose concentration. It falls to the floor with a dramatic thud.
“Training with Cohen and Harim will help, Aislin.”
I love how my grandmother’s voice comforts me almost instantly. Even though I have just met her, I feel like I’ve known her forever.
“Have you or Harim spoken with my parents?” I place the curtain back in its place by hand.
“Yes. At first they wouldn’t even let me speak, but then after they listened to me, they said they were willing to give us time before coming to get you. I had to assure them that you wouldn’t be harmed.”
I scoff. “You can’t promise that.”
“I know, but I did. Your mother trusts me.”
“And my dad?”
“Your mother is dealing with him”
I sit on the edge of my bed and put my head in my hands. “When do I start training?”
“In an hour after you eat.” I notice a ring dangling from the chain around her neck. She pulls it off and comes over to me. “Hold out your hand.”
I open my palm to her.
A bright light illuminates from it when it touches my skin. “I’m confused.”
“It will help balance your Fae abilities. I hope.”
“This little thing will help my erratic abilities that have a mind of their own? Yeah, right!”
She laughs. “It should. It was made specifically for you. Wear it on your left ring finger.”
I put it on and gasp when it glows an amber color. “Is that normal?” It stops glowing almost immediately and returns to its normal silver finish.
“It accepted you.”
“So weird,” I mumble as I stare at it.
She kisses my head and walks to the door. “Get ready and come down for breakfast.”
I hold my hand in front of my face, gazing curiously at the silver that’s supposed to absorb my Fae magic. Maybe.
“All right, you odd powerful ring thing. Please work.”
I don’t like the way Aunt Stella is staring at me. And it doesn’t help that Gregory is sitting next to her. What is he even doing here anyway? Their presence is making breakfast a giant suck-fest. Grandmother could have at least warned me they’d be here.
Uncle Harim ruffles my hair as he takes a seat beside me. “Morning, Trouble Maker.”
I smirk as I take a bite of my toast. “I hear you’re training me.”
“And Cohen.”
“This ought to be interesting.”
I hear Helen laugh from the kitchen. “I remember your mother training. Oh how I would have paid to have it recorded.” She chuckles some more.
“I spoke with the rest of the Regime and calmed the rumors going around Gaia. I’m hoping to come to an agreement that will be beneficial for us all. No blood.” Gregory takes a drink of his coffee and smiles at me.
“What the hell? Now you’re being nice?”
Harim kicks my foot from underneath the table. I kick him back and stick my tongue out at him.
“I’m being very kind, Aislin. And only because your aunt is my wife, and she’s asked me to do what I can to help you. Unlike Terre, Gaia follows rules, and I’ve already broken at least five very strict rules with you.”
