Treachery

by E. A. Weston

  I dress quickly and lay down on my vine bed, the good thing about this place is that when you get out of the water, you are weirdly dry, well in a bathing pool anyway. I watch the last of the moons beams leave the wall and we are left in pitch darkness.

  “Would you like me to light a fire?” he asks.

  “Not unless you need it, I’m not cold,” I answer.

  “No, I do not need fire I can see perfectly.”

  He sounds like he is smiling so I turn around and give him my back. I really wish Killian were here with me. We could be tangled up together right now. With just that quick thought, my heart, aches for him and tears slowly leak from eyes.

  Chapter 6

  Killian

  * * *

  Watching Reagan leave with Samiel is killing me. Every part of me is screaming at the wrongness of the situation. I told Avery to leave me alone today, that I needed to rest but I just want to watch my princess. Standing in the same spot I stare at her back, willing her to turn around and ask me to come with her but she never does, she keeps her head down and walks along.

  Once they are out of sight, I spring into the air and watch from the sky. I am hopeless, maybe Avery was right. Maybe a love like this will get me killed but I would gladly die with the love of Reagan in my heart than to never have known it at all.

  “My Prince.”

  Turning, I smile at Elvia as she stills beside me. “Prince?” I smirk.

  “Yes, of course. I must address you properly from now on.”

  We glide down to the forest floor and rest on the ground, “why? You have known me since a babe.”

  She smiles over at me, “yes I do. So tell me.” She arches an eyebrow while nodding in the direction of Reagan’s retreating form. I can’t help but smile.

  “She is beautiful,” I nod, my thoughts, filling with Reagan’s face.

  “Yes, she is but are the rumors true?”

  “Elvia I fear you have lost me.”

  “Do not play with me Killian, I am like a second mother to you and you will tell me without jest.” She scolds me with a smile, as usual.

  “I could never hide anything from you or my mother,” I smile back. “Yes, if you are asking if I love Reagan then yes, Elvia. That most definitely is true.”

  “I am happy for you but I am also concerned. How can you love a human girl and give up on finding your true mate?”

  “I have found my true mate,” I tell her, watching to see if she understands me.

  Her face looks puzzled for an instant then, her eyes grow large and she gasps. “No, Killian that cannot be.” Shaking her head, she stares at me. “You must send her back to the human world at once. I fear she will not be made welcome once the fairies find out she is human.”

  “Elvia, I am the Crown Prince and Regan is my true mate. Do you think I have not agonized over this for many moons? Do you not think that I wish my father were here to guide me? Trust me, I wish more than anything to have my family here. I miss them too much and I fear that a piece of my heart will always be broken.”

  Standing, I pace back and forth. I hate that these fairies don’t believe Reagan to be my true mate. They are my people, shouldn’t they trust me?

  “I’m sorry Killian,” She sighs. “I truly am but the King and Queen are gone and it’s only you. You must think of our people now, you must gain their trust and they will fight with you.”

  “So, they do not trust me?” my voice is defeated, as am I.

  “They don’t know you. Many of these warriors are the sons of your Tenebrosi brothers. They attacked the castle soon after it was taken but the army that resides there now is far too strong, even for our Tenebrosi. I fear you are our last hope, Killian.”

  We stare at each other for a while. I know she is right and I now know why Avery suggested Reagan leave. I wish he had been honest with me, maybe he too doesn’t trust me.

  “I fear you are right,” I sigh. There is nothing left for me to do but become the Prince I once was. I just hope Reagan is safe without me and she will still be in love with me when she returns.

  “Come, we must eat and you rest. I fear we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.” Elvia stands and offers me her hand. Taking it, I smile and we walk back to the house she now lives in.

  “Why did you choose to live here?” I ask.

  She brings the food and wine and some water over to the table before sitting. She doesn’t speak until we have our plates full.

  “I didn’t want to be alone,” She answers, simply.

  “But you would have had better living quarters.” I shrug.

  “True but I wanted to be amongst the people.”

  “You are so much like my mother,” I reply, making her smile.

  “Yes, I miss her so very much.” Her eyes grow sad and she looks away from me.

  “I’m sorry, I did not mean to upset you. Forgive me.”

  Wiping her eyes, she scolds me for apologizing but smiles as she does. I realize that Elvia is truly the only family I have left, she is my mother’s cousin and would often spend months in the castle with us. I miss my old life but I don’t think I could give up Reagan to have it back.

  “Tell me, what of the human world. It has been an age since I ventured there.” Elvia says.

  I tell her about leaving Avalon and spending over a hundred years roaming the human world looking for a way home. How I met Reagan and knew she was mine right from the start. I’m not sure why but I tell her about Reagan’s parents and how I promised to help her find them, only to be left with more questions after finding the box.

  “That is strange, why would humans have such a personal gift from our realm?” She asks.

  “I do not know. The photograph shows Reagan and her parents here, outside the castle.” I sigh.

  “Interesting, I fear this may not be good Killian. If humans can get into our world how can we protect it?”

  “I do not think Reagan and her parents are here to destroy Avalon. I just hope that they were not taken by the fairy who killed my parents, and now they rot in the dungeon. I fear my Princess will hate me if we found that they are there.”

  Elvia smiles at me and squeezes my hand, “do not fear, we will find out what is happening but first you need rest and by sunrise be ready to be our prince again.”

  Leaving the house, I walk back to Avery’s. All my thoughts are now on how to become what I once was. I know my training is not as good as before but what else must I do to convince these fairies to trust me.

  “Brother, you look deep in thought.”

  Lifting my head, I find Avery standing beside me. “Yes brother, I am.”

  “You look lost.” He says.

  “Do you trust me, Avery?”

  “Of course, I do, you are our prince,” He answers.

  “No Avery, do you trust me. Killian.”

  “Yes, with my life but you know that.”

  “Yes, but what of these fairies. They do not know me, they must trust you…”

  Sighing, I stop talking and stare at the flames. I wish I could talk to my father. I need his guidance but mostly I need the confidence he gave me, he was so proud of the fairy warrior I became.

  “Killian, they trust you, not because of me but because you are our rightful prince. They need a fairy they can believe in, they want to return to their homes freely, without fear of being killed or placed in a dungeon.”

  “Yes, they do.” Taking a deep breath, I turn to face Avery, my Tenebrosi brother, and my best friend. “Avery, sunrise will be the start of a new day and we will return to the old ways of the Tenebrosi. I fear these fairies may be in for a shock but we must be prepared and the females will begin gathering supplies and stocking up on food.”

  Avery smirks at me, “sounds like we are preparing for war brother.”

  “Indeed, we are brother. Please excuse me I must rest. I fear I will be the worst of all fairies on the training ground.” Laughing, I walk away from him and make my way to Reagan’s room. Clim
bing into her bed, I finally allow the ache in my heart to break free. Her absence is a physical pain and I feel like I am being ripped in half. I want to fly to Hunters Lake so badly and take her in my arms. I hope she is not feeling this as much as I am.

  Before the sun rises, I make my way to the training grounds. There is still a chill in the air from the snow on the mountains and I am happy we did not arrive in the dead of winter. Walking through the armory, I take stock of what we have. It’s not much at all, I hope over the next few months we can stock up enough supplies to allow us to defeat the fairy that lives in my home.

  Returning back to the grounds I wait for the other fairies to arrive, noticing that, unlike when Avery and I were here. There is a lack of pride and motivation among these young fairies. I have instructed the armory to close and not allow any weapons removed yet. Once I am noticed, I can hear the whispers of confusion.

  “Brother?” Avery questions.

  “Yes?” I return. He watches me for a few minutes as I look at the crowd gathering.

  “This is it.” He sighs, “The past has come back to haunt me.”

  “It was that past that made you a great warrior,” I answer, smiling at him.

  “Fairies,” I announce. “We will begin a new training regiment this morning. I have decided that if I am to take back my home and bring peace to this land once again, then I will need a strong force to stand with me.”

  Most of them look scared and confused but a few are smiling, with eagerness glinting in their eyes.

  “We will separate into groups to play war games. While the female fairies, under the guide of Lady Elvia, will gather supplies and help craft our weapons. If you have particular crafting talents, please let it be known.”

  Looking out over the small number of my fairies, they begin to whisper to one another.

  “Fairies, I promise to make you the best warriors Tenebrosi has ever seen. I promise I will fight until death to take back the realm of Avalon and bring you peace that is rightfully yours.”

  Finishing my speech, I keep my shaky hands clasped behind my back. My heart is pounding and I pray that I have done the right thing.

  “Well said brother, you sounded like your father.” Avery whispers.

  “I only wish I had his confidence.”

  Avery frowns at me, “Killian, you were born to lead. Now get out to train before we battle. I shall like to have you on your back by sunset.” Smirking, he walks away from me.

  “What did you do?” Elvia asks.

  “Ah, good morning Elvia.” I smile, hoping she won’t hit me. I get a stern look from her. “Okay, okay, you are the only one I trust to take care of weapons. I need Avery to help train in the old ways. Please, Elvia.” I beg.

  “Do not beg me, Prince Killian. I will be happy to help with the weapons and supplies. But what of the female fairies, they will not be happy being reduced to servants,” Shaking her head, she crosses her arms.

  “Servants? That is not true, each morning they will craft weapons and each afternoon they can train if they so wish. I will need all the force I can get if I am to help free my people.”

  Elvia gives me a look of uncertainty before walking away to talk to the female fairies. I hope they agree otherwise things will be quite difficult. Walking back to the armory I find Avery, Orin, and Breccan.

  “Brother,” Avery smirks, throwing a staff at me. “How are your skills?” he asks, amused.

  “Why don’t we find out?” I answer.

  Making our way to the grounds, I strip off my tunic and test the balance of the staff. Although I have my own, I will use the training one. Avery swings, causing me to jump.

  “Getting slow brother?”

  “Never.” I retort.

  We swing and slash.

  Jump and twirl.

  The physical aspect of training is wearing me down but I refuse to surrender. I have practiced with my own staff in the human realm but without a partner, it’s difficult to maintain the skill. Sweat beads on my brow as we attack, neither of us wanting to be the first to quit.

  We have gained a crowd of spectators and the smell of food is making my mouth water. “Smells like lunch time.” I smirk.

  “Yes, it does.” Avery smiles at me. “Would you like to give up?”

  “Never.” I laugh.

  “Okay, Prince, that is enough,” Elvia says. She steps in between Avery and I. Only Avery knows she is my distant relative. We stop and obey her, both of us smiling.

  “Feels good, to train with a companion again,” I tell him.

  “Yes, brother it does.”

  We sit and eat our lunch beneath our favorite tree. The rough bark against my back reminds me of a summer day a long time ago.

  “I wish Ari was here.”

  Avery stiffens beside me and I look at him. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes, it’s just been a long time since I have heard that name aloud.”

  “Forgive me, I didn’t not intend to speak aloud.” Sighing, I close my eyes and think of Reagan instead but this causes me to ache and moan.

  “Are you ill?” Avery questions.

  “No, just thinking of Reagan,” I rub my chest in an effort to relieve the pain.

  “Ah, the human that won our prince’s heart.”

  “It was never mine to begin with,” I counter.

  “Tell me, Killian, do humans have magic? Maybe you are being tricked by her.”

  So here is the real reason he wanted her gone, “I thought you were my best friend, Avery.”

  “I am,” he frowns at me.

  “Then why do you not believe what I say to be true? You know in the human realm, I missed every day that I did not have my best friend by my side. Now, I fear I have to question that loyalty. Was I holding onto a memory of our friendship? Did you befriend me to bond with Aurelia? Was I ever anything other than a prince to you?”

  The pain in my chest grows stronger with my anger. Standing, I walk away from Avery, my best friend. I don’t know why I am feeling like this.

  “Killian!” he shouts as he runs to my side. Grabbing my arm he spins me towards him. “I have always been your friend first. I never would betray you like that. Aurelia and I didn’t find each other until many moons after our friendship began. How can you ask me such a thing? Do you not think that I too have missed my best friend? That I have mourned your death along with my betroth?”

  Shaking his head, he stomps away from me. I watch him enter his quarters and disappear from view. All of the fairies are watching me some of them look unsure and some angry.

  “Orin,” I call.

  “Yes, my prince.”

  “Can you resume the training? I fear I have some groveling to do.”

  Nodding his head, he barks out orders to the fairies. Walking over to Avery’s dwelling I enter without knocking.

  “You have forgotten your manners, my prince,” He says, without turning around.

  “Forgive me, Avery, I do not doubt your loyalty or friendship. I fear I am not doing very well since my return. Part of me still feels that my father is here and I am off sword playing again.”

  Avery turns to face me with a sad look in his eyes. “I did too for many moons. I tried to tell myself that you all went to the human realm for a while and would be back any sunrise but it never happened.”

  “Forgive me, brother, I did not think about your suffering. I was too angry.” Sighing, I collapse onto the chair.

  “It’s the bond,” he says. “When you are apart for the first time it makes you angry. But soon it will fade, not without pain but it will eventually leave you feeling cold.” He says.

  “I don’t wish to ever feel that way brother. I am truly sorry for your pain.”

  He smiles at me again, “thank you. So it must be true then, if you feel the bond so soon then I fear that our Human girl is your true mate.”

  “Trust me, she is. I tried to deny it. I even left her alone in the forest so I could try to reason with myself but all could th
ink about was how scared and worried she was without me. I forced myself to stay away until nightfall, replaying a conversation I had with my father over and over again.”

  “You left her alone?” he asks, shocked.

  “Yes,” I laugh, “she was not pleased but don’t be fooled, she a most excellent tracker. If only she could whisper with the trees.”

  Avery laughs at me shaking his head. “I must see this for myself one day.”

  “Indeed, you will, I plan to keep her around forever.”

  Avery frowns at me and I can see the question in his eyes as his mouth opens and closes. “I believe you brother but we stop aging and I believe the humans do not. How will this be possible? You may only have her a short time.”

  His words hit me hard, I never thought about it before. I’m not sure if Reagan will age faster or slower but I know I will outlive her and that sends chills up my spine.

  Chapter 7

  Reagan

  * * *

  Waking inside a dark cave is quite scary, especially when you forget where it is you are. Once my eyes adjust, I can make out the empty space Samiel slept in. Rolling off my vine bed, I crawl my aching body over to the pool and splash the water onto my face. I can’t believe how sick this place has made me.

  Walking outside, I find Samiel roasting some fish and my stomach turns.

  “Oh God,” I grumble and cover my mouth.

  “Good morning, would you like some?”

  “No, got any bread?” I ask, trying not to throw up everywhere again.

  “Of course,” he smiles at me. I watch him break off some bread and open a flask of water.

  “Thank you.” Taking the food I sit back away from the smell. The sun is hovering the horizon, giving off a beautiful lavender color heading towards blue. Even if this world makes me sick, at least, nature makes up for it in beauty.

  “What are we doing today?” I ask Samiel.

  “I must train,” He replies.

  “Okay, then I’ll train too.” Shrugging my shoulders, I decide why not. Samiel tries to hide his smirk but I catch it. Once we finish eating, he removes his top and I can’t help but stare. His wings are black too but nothing like Killian’s. Samiel’s are smaller and darker, not see through but almost smoky. He gathers up the staff’s and stands to watch me.