The Queen

by C. J. Abedi

  She was right.

  Alderon would be upon us any second.

  Father. We’re here.

  In a flash, Odin’s image faced me in the mirror, dressed as the Viking God he was, ready for battle. He reached out to me.

  “Take my hand, son.”

  My eyes met his as I grabbed hold of Caroline’s arm from behind me. Using all of my power, I broke through the thick glass and reached for Odin’s outstretched hand.

  A great storm of black rain and shattered glass exploded all around us as Odin pulled us through the Mirror.

  In the background an angry scream echoed through the trees, and I knew it was the incensed fury of my biological father. But I wouldn’t look back.

  Only forward.

  Odin used his magik and Viking strength and pulled us from the hell of the Dark Forest, right into the opulent confines of his study.

  She was finally safe.

  At least for now.

  We tumbled into the room, shards of glass blowing in with us. I tried to steady Caroline by the shoulders, but she recoiled from my touch. Odin gave me a questioning look but said nothing.

  “Thank you,” Caroline said to Odin. “So much.”

  Odin lowered his head.

  “Anything for you, my queen.”

  Caroline looked at him uncomfortably, clearly not used to the expression.

  “You must get used to hearing your title,” Odin said knowingly. “It suits you well.”

  “Easy for you to say,” she replied with a laugh.

  “The truth always is.”

  She looked away, back up at the books on his shelf. I felt for her. I knew how suffocating these titles and the obligations that came with them could be. Especially when you didn’t believe you deserved them.

  “You don’t know how pleased I am to see you both unharmed,” Odin’s sincere voice cut through my thoughts.

  “Physically, yes,” Caroline answered.

  “It was a harrowing experience,” Odin said. “You both must be exhausted.”

  “Actually, if you don’t mind, I would just like to go home,” Caroline asks. “My parents are probably worried sick.”

  “I’ve taken care of that,” Odin told her with a wave of his arm. “They are at work now and believe you came home from the party safe and sound. To them, it’s as if you never disappeared.”

  “I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be there right now,” I said to Caroline. “The danger is far from over.”

  Caroline met my gaze and lifted her chin. I almost smiled at her defiant look.

  “I appreciate your concern, Devilyn,” she responded, “but I really can’t impose any longer. There’s only so much magik Odin or even you can use. And not going home to my parents isn’t an option.”

  “She’s right, Devilyn,” Odin said, surprising me.

  Caroline’s beautiful eyes looked momentarily shocked as well, but she quickly gathered herself and turned to face him.

  “How much longer can we keep up these appearances?” Odin asked. “Caroline is not a normal teenage girl, but even more, she is not their biological daughter, though she may be family in every other way. At some point, she will have to decide.”

  “Decide? To tell them, you mean?” Caroline asked.

  “Yes,” he said. “And the decision is purely yours to make, my dear. You can choose to disappear from their lives and enter your new one with unfinished business, or you can tell them the truth.”

  Her parents could most certainly be trusted, but the more people who knew, the more Caroline’s life was in jeopardy.

  “But doesn’t that go against the laws?” she asked.

  Odin gave her a gentle smile.

  “You’re a queen,” he said. “When you take the throne, these will be your laws to adjust as you see fit.”

  “But the Fates—”

  “Have only the power we give them,” he said.

  We both looked at each other as we digested his words. “It is as simple as that, my dear.”

  It was a lot to take in.

  Even for me.

  C

  I bit my bottom lip and paced back and forth. I wasn’t someone who was spontaneous. I always thought everything through, never making a rash decision. I picked my classes conscientiously, knowing that AP Chemistry and AP English would help me get into college, and once I was there, would give me the credits I needed to graduate sooner. I joined the track team not only because the extracurricular would look good on my college applications, but also because my coach was great friends with one of the admission officers at Northeastern, one of my top choices for college.

  Every move I made was deliberate, but for the past few months, I felt like I didn’t have control over any aspect of my life. Not even my feelings. Every emotion was taken from me. At the very least, I could control this one thing.

  “You’re absolutely right. I have to tell them,” I said to Odin as I met Devilyn’s surprised look. “And I also have to tell Teddy.”

  “Caroline—” Devilyn warned me.

  I raised my hand.

  “They’re the most important people in my life. They deserve to know. You can’t keep wiping their memory. It’s not fair. And I don’t—I don’t think that’s very ethical.”

  The moment the words came out, I saw Devilyn flinch. It was ever so subtle, but it was there. But I couldn’t continue to isolate those who loved me from the reality of my life. It wasn’t a hard decision for me. I was tired of the lies.

  It was time to live in truth.

  “You are wise beyond your years,” Odin said, gathering my hands in his. The simple gesture gave me so much peace. I immediately felt a weight had been lifted as my shoulders suddenly relaxed. “We will tell them together.”

  He released me and clapped his hands once. His clothing changed, and he was now dressed conservatively in normal “human” clothes.

  “And after we let them know, you will come and stay here under my protection,” Odin continued.

  Wait. What?

  “I really appreciate all that you’ve done,” I said, shaking my head. “I’m just not sure I want to impose—”

  “Nonsense. You’re tired. You’ve had a trying experience, but once you’ve had a chance to talk to your parents and rest, you will see that staying here makes the most sense, for everyone.”

  I opened my mouth to argue, but I knew they were right. Staying together was probably the only chance we had to defeat Alderon. We had been so lucky up until now, but I knew that tide would change. When it did, I needed Odin, and though I was loath to admit it, I also needed Devilyn.

  “Is it settled then, my Queen?” Odin asked with a smile.

  I could tell Devilyn was waiting for an answer. Although deep down I wondered how he would honestly feel about living under one roof together. It definitely wouldn’t help our already tense relationship.

  “Yes,” I finally said. “I will stay here, until everyone is safe from harm.”

  When we pulled up in front of my parents’ house, I was suddenly hit with the realization of how nervous I was. My stomach was in knots, and it was a far worse feeling than being held against my will, or taunted and tortured by Puck. Devilyn put the car in park and the three of us got out.

  As I climbed the steps to my childhood home, I was no longer a carefree teenager. I took each step now as a so-called fairy queen of the Light, who no longer belonged in this world, but didn’t quite fit into her new one.

  I wondered when it would all change. I was now presenting myself as a confident, secure person who could handle these challenges on her own. But deep down I knew better. When would I finally go home, to my real home, and not be filled with this overwhelming sense of self-doubt? When would I feel comfortable in my skin?

  I placed my hand on the front doorknob. As was always the case when my parents were expecting me home, the front door was unlocked, which gave me chills considering the gravity of the danger I was facing.

  I
didn’t have to wait long for Famous to jump into my arms and greet me with all the love in the world. He licked my face and I kissed him back.

  “I missed you,” I whispered to him.

  He answered by rubbing his head against my neck.

  “I’m glad to see he’s doing so well,” Odin said with a smile as he patted him gently along his furry back. Famous turned his head and licked Odin’s hand, but Devilyn wasn’t so lucky. As he stepped forward to give Famous an affectionate rub, Famous began growling, showing his teeth.

  I immediately scolded him. “Famous! That’s not nice.”

  I wondered if my loyal dog could read my thoughts and knew how hard it was for me to be close to Devilyn.

  “Are you home, honey?” my mom called out from the kitchen. Her cooking always made my stomach growl, even in spite of our impending conversation.

  “Yes, I’m in here,” I answered. “I hope you made enough dinner because I brought some company.”

  I looked over at Odin and Devilyn.

  “Follow me,” I said.

  We walked into the kitchen and found my mom at the stove, busy cooking chicken piccata. She turned when we entered, rubbing her hands on her red apron.

  “Mom, this is Devilyn’s grandfather, Mr. Westmoreland,” I said to her as she took Odin in, her eyes widening in shock. Odin was a sight to behold and extremely intimidating.

  “It smells delicious, Mrs. Ellis,” he said graciously.

  “So nice to meet you,” she said, shaking his hand. She turned to Devilyn, beaming. “And Devilyn. It’s so wonderful to see you again. I haven’t had a chance to talk to Caroline about the Halloween party, but I’ve been dying to hear all the details.”

  It was almost funny. The details she was about to hear would probably give my mom a heart attack.

  “We had a great time,” Devilyn returned. “Whatever you are cooking smells incredible, Mrs. Ellis.”

  “I insist you both stay for dinner,” she said. “Your dad is closing the shop tonight and doing inventory, so he won’t be in until late and the food is almost done.”

  “Excellent,” Odin said. “What can we do to help?”

  “If you don’t mind opening that bottle of wine for us that would be great, and the kids can set the table,” she instructed.

  I put Famous down and quickly washed my hands. The scene went from being incredibly awkward to Norman Rockwell normal in a matter of seconds.

  “How can I help you?” Devilyn asked he came to stand next to me at the kitchen sink. He took up all the space around me.

  In my mind.

  Everywhere.

  When he got so close it was always hard for me to concentrate.

  “I think I’ve got it covered,” I said as I gathered my wits and tried to catch my breath.

  “You can’t do this alone.”

  The meaning behind his words wasn’t lost on me, but I wasn’t in the mood for his double entendre. I stepped away from him, trying to get a good distance between us.

  I opened a drawer and pulled out some placemats and linens and handed them to him. “Here, you can put these on the table and I’ll get the china.”

  For the next ten minutes we got ready for dinner in silence as Odin and my mom talked up a storm. I could tell that she was at ease with him, like everyone who encountered him.

  I had been so calm up until this moment, feeling like my Fae magik would somehow help me get through it. But reality was creeping up on me. In a matter of moments, I would have the most shocking conversation with the woman who raised me. How was I even going to bring up the topic? She would surely think I was crazy.

  To be fair, that was what I would think.

  Devilyn brushed his fingers against my arm, jarring me from my thoughts. My heart always betrayed me when he was near. When would that stop? When would I be able to control all of these emotions that were wreaking havoc on my sanity?

  I looked up at him and hoped he couldn’t read my face.

  “You look worried. You need to relax,” he said with a reassuring smile that made my stomach do somersaults. “Everything is going to be okay.”

  Easy for you to say.

  When he didn’t react, I realized just how well the words I had spoken to him at the yew had worked. I had banned him from my mind, and now after all this time he didn’t know what I was thinking.

  I thought I would feel relief from this, but instead I felt empty inside.

  I stared up at him and tried to smile.

  “I’m not worried.”

  “Even though I can’t read your thoughts anymore, I can see what’s going on behind your eyes,” he said quietly to me.

  “Food’s ready,” my mom interrupted.

  “Devilyn, help me carry these trays out,” Odin commanded. “Lisa, it really does smell incredible.”

  I looked over and her gaze met mine. She mouthed as she looked over at Devilyn, I really like him for you, before walking over and pulling me into her arms.

  I buried myself in that comforting, loving embrace. I closed my eyes and drew in a deep breath, wishing things were different. Wishing she could make everything go away, as she had always done for me when I was a child.

  “Wow,” she said, kissing me on the head. “What’s all this about?”

  “I don’t tell you how lucky I am enough.”

  “You don’t have to,” my mom said. “I can always feel your love.”

  I drew back from her.

  “No, mom,” I said. “It’s important. I need to tell you more. So you always know.”

  “You’re talking like you’re going to disappear,” she said smiling at me.

  I might.

  “I’m not losing you to college for another year,” she said sternly.

  College?

  What a joke. I wouldn’t even be going. I hadn’t even been thinking about that part of my life. The normal human part. The life that now suddenly seemed so easy.

  “There’s something so different about you lately,” my mom went on as she studied my face.

  “Good or bad?” I asked.

  “Definitely good,” she told me. “Whatever it is, I love it.”

  Will you love it when I tell you?

  “Let’s eat before the food gets cold.” She took her apron off and we went to the dining table. Since my dad wasn’t there I wondered if we would wait to tell her. On the way over, I told Odin that I would follow his lead, especially since his contribution to the story was so crucial. I wanted him to help explain it all.

  Past.

  Present.

  And my future.

  Once we sat down, we quickly slid into casual conversation. My mom sent a barrage of questions about the Halloween party in Devilyn’s direction. He happily answered while I sat there acting like everything was normal. He was good at that, I realized. Pretending. After all, he’d spent his whole life doing it.

  Even though there was a new me, a so-called Queen with badass super powers, I secretly missed my former clear-sighted self. That girl didn’t need anyone to lead a conversation. That girl had all the hard stuff figured out, and knew that the little things that remained would eventually fall into place. But this version of me was very different.

  This girl wanted to be strong, but secretly feared all that came with it.

  This girl loved the man in front of her, but didn’t want to risk a broken heart.

  And this girl, regardless of how strong I was trying to be, was terrified of dying.

  “Lisa, this meal was delicious!” Odin declared as he cleaned a second plate.

  “I couldn’t agree more. I’ve never seen my grandfather eat so much before,” Devilyn said.

  “Thanks, Mom,” I said to her as I reached out and grabbed her hand.

  “I’m so glad you all enjoyed it,” my mom said. “If I had known you’d be coming over I would have prepared dessert as well—”

  “Nonsense,” Odin told her. “I don’t think it’s possible for me to fit in another bite.”


  “Well, let me at least bring out some coffee and tea,” my mom said. “Caroline, can you help me clear the table.”

  “Allow me,” Odin said with a wave of his hand.

  “Please we’ve got it,” my mom began.

  “I insist,” Odin told her. In an instant, the dishes were cleared, and gone, and we had a pot of coffee and tea with four cups magically before us. My mom’s empty wine glass was suddenly filled to the brim.

  There was a long silence as my mom stared in utter shock around the table.

  She looked over at me with her mouth hanging open.

  “Caroline?”

  “Don’t be alarmed, Lisa,” Odin answered for me. “It’s just magik.” Odin used the word as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

  Her gaze whipped over to his.

  “Magic?”

  “Yes,” he said.

  “Like David Copperfield?”

  “Not quite.” He smiled. “This is a bit different, more otherworldly.”

  “Are you aliens?”

  I was lucky I didn’t have water in my mouth because I would have choked on it.

  “No, my dear,” Odin laughed. “Though the thought doesn’t frighten me.”

  My mom’s eyes looked like they might pop out of her face.

  “Just take a moment and I will explain everything,” Odin went on.

  With her shaking hand, my mom grabbed her wine glass and downed more than half of the contents. If this was how she was reacting now, I wasn’t sure if she would be able to survive the rest of what was in store.

  “Lisa I need you to think back a bit. Think back in time, moments in your life when strange things have happened. Unexplainable things. Those you chose to ignore, but still made you stop for a second and contemplate.”

  She looked at Odin, taking in his words.

  “For all these years you’ve been surrounded by it in more ways than you can ever know.”

  “I don’t understand.” My mom’s voice trembled. She looked from Odin to Devilyn, then over to me. I was sure she was taking in my perfectly composed face in disbelief.

  “I’m going to tell you a story,” Odin spoke gently. “It’s one of great tragedy and great love. And it’s a story that is intertwined with your daughter’s.”