The Autumn Fairy of Ages

by Brittany Fichter

  “What happened?” Katy asked. A thousand questions were on the tip of her tongue as she leaned forward eagerly.

  “I did tell the truth about that. I woke up and my entire family was dead. I don’t remember why or how, just something about a great battle.” She shook her head and twisted her lips wistfully. “For years I tried to find out, but everyone else seemed to have the same gap in their memory as me. Eventually, everyone moved on and quit asking. But I never did.”

  Katy glanced out at the incoming cloud. It was steadily approaching, but slowly at least. Not that it mattered. A bolt of lightning couldn’t have torn her away now.

  “If you were lonely…if you don’t mind me asking,” Katy said slowly, “then why are you alone now? You said your nephews survived whatever happened.”

  “For years, I did intervene. My duty was still to keep the peace between the isles, and I did my best to uphold that. And as my nephews still knew me, they often worked well together, and for a time, man and fae lived in harmony. But the longer I lived and the more generations passed, the less my advice was heeded. And when it wasn’t, they grew lazy and expected me to do it all rather than learning to solve their own problems.” She shook her head and shrugged. “I decided eventually that it was best to fade into legend. I could help those who needed it without having to answer for myself to those who demanded it. They stopped demanding my presence like spoiled children whenever it fit them, and I was able to do as I pleased. Of course, that didn’t mean I stopped watching. The chancels took over, and I got to watch my beloved world tear itself apart. Again.”

  Katy was about to ask what Aisling meant by again when Aisling beamed at her.

  “And then I learned of you. Your mother was with child when I heard the news that an Autumn Fairy was to be born on the King’s Isle.”

  “You saw me?”

  “I did. I sought out your parents as soon as I could find them.” Aisling’s smile disappeared. “Katy, I’m so sorry. I’ve worried for years that I’m the reason you had such a hard life.”

  Katy tilted her head. “How so?”

  “I should have known better.” Aisling looked down at her hands. “It happens every time I try to contact someone. I frighten them, and I did exactly that with your parents. They didn’t even wait to hear what the chancels said. Instead, they took you and fled that very night.” She frowned. “It took me years to track you down, and by the time I found you, you were living happily with Sir Christopher and Peter. I nearly came and took you back to live with me so many times, but every time, I did…” She put her hands up helplessly and smiled softly down at Peter. “I knew from the first time I saw you together that you were meant for each other. I hadn’t seen two people so perfectly fitted since…” Her voice hitched, but her smile grew as she looked at Katy, eyes glistening. “Since my parents. And I knew that if I took you, you would miss out on something few beings, fae or human in this world, get to experience.”

  “What about when he left?” Katy asked. As much as she understood Donella’s reasoning while Sir Christopher was alive, she couldn’t help wondering about the lonely eight years she’d survived without him. How close had she been to a true home then?

  “Oh, I kept close watch over you throughout the years. I even saved Peter’s life once.”

  Katy gave a start. “How?”

  “That awful fairy, Tearlach, was chasing him over the mountain.”

  Katy sucked in a fast breath. Peter swore he’d been chased that night, but something had pulled his attacker away. He had never known what, though. Now Katy did.

  “I used just enough magic to draw his attention,” Aisling continued, glancing back at the cloud behind them. People and fae ran and flew around them, rushing to stow hastily packed trunks being delivered from the castle and reuniting with loved ones.

  “I knew,” she said, “that he was lonely enough on his own to be curious. The foolish boy nearly killed himself trying to make it over the water without a boat to follow me. I did save him, though, and my plan did work. He stayed on the other isles for nearly eight years. Though I probably should have just done away with him and saved everyone on the Third Isle the trouble in the end.” Her voice grew razor sharp, sending a shiver up Katy’s back. Then she scoffed. “Unfortunately, I didn’t realize what he was up to until after you’d manifested. I’d been quietly helping to lessen one of the famines on the First Isle and didn’t hear about what had happened until it was already over.”

  “I understand,” Katy said quietly. She ran her fingers through Peter’s hair, and he stirred. He really was beginning to look better. The black marks were gone, and he was breathing evenly, as though he were simply taking a nap.

  It was strange. The rest of the isle was running in circles around them, but Katy couldn’t get herself to leave either Peter or Aisling’s side. For one thing, she wasn’t leaving Peter until he was good and awake. But also, she felt as though half of her life had been hidden behind a mirror, and only now was she getting to peek behind it. “I’m curious, though,” she said slowly. “Why wait to tell me about your parents until now?” If she was honest, Katy couldn’t help being a little annoyed. More than a little annoyed. How much heartbreak had she and Peter endured because they thought children were impossible? People had died because Donella had ruled a family impossible for them.

  “I know it seems cruel,” Aisling said. “But I had to know…you had to know how far you would go to save one another.” She gave a humorless chuckle. “If I’ve learned anything about people in the last thousand years, it’s that if given the choice between two roads, most will always take the lower road. You needed to prove to yourselves beyond all doubt that you would go to the ends of the earth each for the other. So in the future, when trouble comes, you’ll never wonder what if.”

  Katy chewed the inside of her cheek as she considered this. While she still wasn’t sure she agreed with Aisling’s methods, she had to admit that she could see Aisling’s point. She and Peter had been confident in their love before arriving on the King’s Isle, but much of that confidence had come crashing down in the course of less than a fortnight. Now she knew just how far she would go to keep him by her side. And to what heights he would go to do the same.

  Aisling tilted her head to the side and put a finger on her cheek. “I’m curious. Did you touch the Tree of Diadems before today?”

  “No. Well, actually once.” She thought back to the day Jagan had found her at the tree. “It was foolish, I suppose, but I was curious to see if I could make the tree change.”

  “Hm. Interesting.” Aisling nodded slowly, her eyes distant.

  “Katy?” Peter croaked. He pushed himself into a sitting position and blinked a few times.

  “Peter!” Katy hurried to help him. “Don’t go too fast. You’re only just recovering.”

  He looked at her as though he were surprised. Then he stretched. “But I feel fine.”

  Katy blinked in surprise. “You’re not in pain?”

  He shook his head. “I remember being in pain. But it’s all gone now.”

  Katy stared at him incredulously before shaking her head and laughing as she threw her arms around him. As if to prove his point, he got to his feet and pulled her into a more passionate kiss than she had ever imagined possible. When he let go, she stepped back, a little dizzy and smiling like a fool, but she didn’t care who saw.

  Aisling laughed. “Well, I suppose I should see to Donella.” Then she sighed. “Unfortunately, this early fog means the summit is done now, which means we won’t get to see you kneel until next year.”

  “You can’t stop it?” Katy asked a little wistfully.

  Aisling shook her head. “I’m afraid the isle is shrouded in a veil of storms during the rest of the year. Only those who live here as refugees and servants of the castle can stay.” Her voice softened. “Those who lost loved ones will be able to do so soon enough. The fog will eventually move to encircle the isle. Everything inside will be just as yo
u see it now.”

  “But what about rest of the summit?” Katy asked.

  “Everyone who wishes to go home must do it before the veil develops once again, or they’re here until the next year. It’s funny, though. The isle didn’t do that until after my parents died.” She squinted at the approaching clouds. “I’d say you have two hours at the most before it’s here.” Then she frowned a little. “I’ve never seen it come this early. It’s quite odd.”

  Katy nodded. When she looked up at Peter, however, he was looking thoughtfully at Aisling.

  “You said you’re the daughter of the High King and the autumn fairy.”

  Aisling stared and then laughed. “I suppose you heard us then.”

  Peter nodded. “So do you think,” he said cautiously, “we might be able to have children after all?” His face suddenly looked young, like a boy who was afraid to hope. Katy’s heart twisted.

  Aisling’s eyes, however, twinkled. “I think you will just have to wait and see. I’ve learned in all my years that Atharo rarely reveals his plans, and even when he does, they’re rarely what one would expect. But they’re best. Always best.” She turned toward the two palace guards still holding Donella, who was still glaring in their direction, then looked over her shoulder with a wink. “I, for one, am quite eager to see what your future holds.”

  “Wait,” Katy reached out and touched her arm. Aisling turned.

  “Yes?”

  “I’m sorry,” Katy said. “I just…I have so many questions.”

  “About what?”

  What did she not have questions about? “Everything. My family, my powers, your mother, your brothers, your father, the tree…” Katy shrugged helplessly. “When will I see you again?”

  Aisling drew her into a hug, and Katy relished the way it felt. Peter hugged her often, but there were still very few others who were willing to touch her, even back on the Third Isle.

  “There will be lots of time for questions in the future,” Aisling said, pulling back to study Katy’s face. “For now, your duty is to go home and enjoy yourselves.” She touched Peter’s face as well and smiled at them both. “The world will catch up to you both sooner than you think. It always does.” And with that, she lifted into the air and flew back toward Autumn.

  44

  Peter’s Revenge

  As much as Peter wanted nothing more than to drag Katy straight to their ship and hide there until they were home, it seemed that as soon as Aisling was gone, they were descended upon by a hoard of friends and allies. Namely, Tomas, Firin Reaghan, and the rhins.

  “You’re both well?” Firin Reaghan grabbed them each by the hand and began a close inspection of their arms and faces. Tomas hovered behind him, and despite Peter’s protests, only encouraged the firin to look more closely.

  “I don’t recall either of you being a physician,” Peter snapped, but the firin ignored him. “Peter, I have been tending to your wounds since you were toddling about stark naked.”

  Katy giggled.

  “And I don’t intend to see you suffer more harm while I’m still alive,” he finished, finally nodding after walking a circle around Peter three times.

  “That was…strange,” Sebastian said as he and William came to stand beside Peter.

  “Aye,” William said, watching the crowds swarm the dock. “If you saw it now for the first time, no one would know there had been a battle.”

  “I’m sure it’s different for the villagers,” Katy said quietly. Peter pulled her close to his side, and she let him. He tried not to think about the poor villagers who had lost fathers, sons, and brothers by the tree. They still had yet to go back for the bodies.

  “We don’t have much time, either,” William glanced back at the cloud.

  “Where’s your family?” Katy asked.

  William snorted. “I sent them home just like Sebastian did a week ago. Anyone who couldn’t smell conflict coming and was fool enough not to act deserved what came to him.”

  “Everything looks good.”

  Peter looked up to see Boma land beside Sebastian. He bowed once to his king, then to the rest of them. The fairy’s silky clothing was dirtier than it had been the first day he had assisted with mooring the ship, probably thanks to the recent battle. But his face and stance were just as proud as ever. “I saw no signs of tampering.”

  “But we will send a ship to accompany you home, just in case,” Sebastian said with a nod. Peter nodded back in thanks. The Fourth Isle’s king was about as warm as a porcupine, but his intentions had proven nothing less than honorable.

  “I wouldn’t put it past Donella to tamper with your ship,” William said as he bent to examine the loading plank. “But I agree with Boma. Everything looks at rights. With the improvements, you should be home in two days.”

  “How far is it from the Third Isle to the Fourth?” Peter asked.

  “Most isles have a distance of four days between them and two to the King’s Isle,” Shauna answered as she came to land beside Katy. “Too far for most fae to fly, which was probably Atharo’s good judgment when he placed them.”

  Peter nearly smiled. Shauna's distaste for her own people was nearly humorous.

  “So…” Peter asked. “What now?”

  Shauna, William, and Sebastian exchanged glances.

  “I suppose we’ll pick up next year where we left off,” William said. “With you kneeling at the tree.”

  Peter drew in a deep breath through his nose and blew it slowly out of his mouth. “And you still want me to kneel?”

  Shauna gave him a look. “If you don’t, I’m going to personally travel to that isle of yours and drag you back myself. I don’t make it a habit of getting into fights for promises I don’t intend to see kept.”

  “Then I shall be there.” And Peter meant it. While he didn’t relish the idea of having the eyes of the isles on him, he was done trying to tell Atharo what to do. It wasn’t any use, and he was tired of fighting. He was ready, he realized, for peace, even if that meant stepping into the unknown. “What about the chancel, though?” he asked. “Most of it sided with Donella.”

  William and Sebastian looked at one another. “It will take time,” William said. “After Aisling returned and gathered our scattered forces, she was able to use her gifts to help us retake not only the hill but also the castle. It turns out that Donella’s supporters were not as many as she had hoped.”

  “Many sided with her out of fear,” Sebastian added. “But after it was discovered she had ordered you killed, many fled. Others left the isle.”

  William nodded. “We would like as little turmoil as possible. Isle law has it that murder is only attributed to those who actually attempted to commit the murder. And so far as we know, that’s one guard, a fairy named Jagan, Donella, and Ethemu.”

  “What about Akello?” Katy asked.

  “He voted but didn’t actually lift a finger, so I’d like to ignore that if I can.” William rubbed his face. “The kingdoms and clans will already be in enough of an uproar with their chosen diplomats being arrested. I’m not sure how to exactly dethrone the king of the Second Isle without losing the isle entirely or sending it into civil war. The only reason we can do so with the First Isle is because of Karel’s cooperation.”

  Shauna gave a smug smile. “And Aisling has Donella.”

  “I understand.” As much as it annoyed Peter that Akello hadn’t cared about Donella’ s desire to kill him, he understood the need to preserve as much peace as possible. Peter shifted. “I’m not really sure how all of this works, but if I can be of any assistance—”

  “Your duty now is to go home and enjoy your wife for the time being.” William gave him a tired smile. “We got ourselves into this mess. It’s only our responsibility to get ourselves out. By law, the next members with the longest standings in the Higher Chancel become the chosen orators, and they take control to sort out nasty business like this. And that would be myself and Shauna.”

  “We would like,
however,” Sebastian began, as stoic as ever, “to send ambassadors to your isle in the meantime. Tensions will be higher now than ever, and we must have unity as far as it is possible.”

  “What do you mean?” Katy asked, her grip on Peter’s arm tightening.

  “There was much resentment even before the summit this year.” William began to pull his leather gloves on as he sent a nod to his own captain down the dock. “Many arrived late and many left early, which means they’ll be reporting incomplete information to their towns and clans at home. Unfortunately, this means we’ll be putting out fires more than ever this year between fae and men.”

  The others agreed, and even Shauna winced.

  “We would be honored to have any discussions you send our way.” Then Peter looked around as countless attendants scurried about to fill the ships as the clouds continued to roll in. Somehow, despite the battle, servants had appeared at the ships before Peter and Katy had even reached the docs, and they had begun loading trunks and bags from the palace into the proper ships for their journey home.

  As he was watching, Peter recognized a familiar figure on the next ship over. Peter tapped Katy on the arm and nodded at the ship.

  “Excuse me, gentlemen, madam,” he said to the Shauna and the other rhins. They gave their farewells and began to drift back toward their ships as Peter made his way over to Karel.

  “How are you?” Peter called as the prince gave instructions to one of his sailors.

  Karel indicated to the arm in a sling, and only then did Peter remembering Ethemu’s cry, begging Donella to have mercy on his son. He silently thanked Atharo that Karel had survived.

  “My father broke one of the cardinal rules of the isles when he sided with the woman who tried to murder another rhin.” Karel gave Peter a hard smile. “His crown is mine, as is the authority to oversee his trial. So all things considered, I’m doing splendidly.”