Treachery

by E. A. Weston

  “Ari, please, I beg you. Do not do this, we need you here with us to defeat Connor,” he pleads.

  “I cannot defeat him without an army Brokk. I do not have an army or my magic,” she waves her wrist in the air at him.

  “Where will you go?” he demands, standing to face her.

  “I do not know but I am leaving and Reagan is coming with me,” she snaps at him.

  Aurelia turns to me with big tear filled eyes begging me to help her. I can’t leave her to a treacherous villain like Connor.

  “Okay, I’ll go with you,” I agree. I watch her shoulders sag in relief and I know we will have to try to get back to the Tenebrosi camp. I just hope I can make the journey without being sick. Brokk looks at both of us with a stricken face he opens his mouth but closes it again.

  “I will travel with you Aurelia,” he says. “I promised to protect you,” he continues.

  Aurelia gives him a sad look, shaking her head “no Brokk, he will need you to track me but you can lead them in the wrong direction,” she starts.

  “No Ari, I am coming,” he tells her leaving no room for argument.

  Aurelia sighs and agrees allowing him to join our band of future escapees.

  “Okay, I have a plan,” I announce.

  We sit around the table in her sitting room, both of them looking at me with anticipation.

  “First, tell me how this bonding thing works,” I ask.

  “Bonding’s take place at sunset. The revelry begins as soon as the sun descends but the ceremony takes place under the moonlight, for the new bonding will start on a new moon.” Brokk says.

  “The bonding ritual is performed by a Seer but Connor has killed the last known Seer,” Aurelia states. “I don’t know how he plans to bond without one, it will not be allowed,” she sighs.

  “Okay, so we have until sunset in seven moons. Where does it take place?” I ask.

  “It will be here, in the meadow because I am the princess. Otherwise, we would travel to the home of the male,” Aurelia says.

  “Okay, that’s good. So we have to come up with a way to sneak out of here just before the bonding takes place. Do you have to walk together?” I ask her.

  “No, the King should escort me from the castle,” she weeps.

  “I will ask to be your escort,” Brokk whispers.

  “Good idea, that way we won’t be missed too soon,” I tell him. Kneeling down beside Aurelia, I take her hands in mine. “You have to go through the motions, okay. Meet with the fairies to make your dress, do the food, whatever you’re supposed to do so he won’t know.”

  “I understand, Reagan,” she nods and takes a deep breath. “I will do this and then I will be free.”

  My heart breaks for her as she tries to hold her head up with all the dignity that a princess should have. However, I can see it her eyes, the pain, the sadness, and the desperation. I know I have to help her I couldn’t leave her alone or escape by myself.

  The next day is crazy, I thought normal, human girls went crazy with weddings but fairy style is a whole new level. I watch as fairies enter the room one after another, holding fabric, drawings, menus, and all manner of items for Aurelia to look at. A shoemaker currently measures her feet, he wants to gift her a new pair of shoes for her bonding. She has been trying for the last while to say no but he won’t hear of it.

  After about forty fairies have come and gone, she calls Brokk to bring us food. The three of us sit in the now quiet room eating.

  “This is nuts,” I sigh.

  “Oh no, it is a berry, from the…” Ari begins to explain that I am holding a fruit but I just laugh at her.

  “No, I mean this whole bonding thing, it’s just as stressful as it would be at home,” I sigh.

  “Are you sad?” Aurelia asks.

  “Sad about what?”

  “That you are here and not home finding a mate of your own,” she smiles.

  “No, I’m good. Great in fact,” I can feel my throat tighten with the lies but I have to keep them going. This whole thing has been a nightmare; coming here, finding out Killian is a prince, not to mention that his dead sister is alive and well. This is so fucked up. But I wouldn’t trade it, though. I want Killian even more now.

  After lunch, the barrage of fairies seems to never end. Aurelia asks my opinion on a few things much to the upset of the fairy waiting for an answer. My body hurts from sitting all day so I slip out of the room and walk up the grand staircase towards the tower. Closing the door behind me I fall onto the bed looking for a comfortable position. I can’t seem to find a spot that doesn’t hurt my body or poke one of my bones.

  Outside the window I hear sounds of marching, creeping over, I look out of the window to see Connor’s guard practicing in the courtyard. There are much more of them than I originally thought, they look deadly and would have any normal person running in the opposite direction. It actually makes me sad thinking of all the fairies in the Tenebrosi camp training to take on this hoard of nightmares. I really hope Killian knows what he is up against, at least, Avery should.

  I watch the sun descend, marveling at the burst of pink and orange in the sky. I wonder what Alex is doing now, if she has already forgotten me or if she is cursing my name for leaving her. I never wanted another best friend after Claudia but Alex slipped in behind my guard. I miss her crazy ass so much. I even miss the odd paint fight we had in art class. I know her parents are strict with her but I do hope that Ryder has stepped in where I left off.

  Tears fall from my eyes as I remember her. I didn’t have much else to leave behind but leaving her and telling her that I was camping for a few days, breaks my heart. I feel so guilty for just taking off on her. My heart definitely ruled my head that day but here I am, in a world, nothing like I ever imagined, filled with fairies, magical creatures that are the stuff of legend or stories for children, alive, surrounding me.

  How did this even happen to me? An orphan girl from a small town called Faircrest. Meeting a would-be stranger who happens to be a fairy prince and to fall in love with him, such is a story for my grandkids. Can I even have kids with Killian? Wiping my eyes, I watch the moon chase the sun as it sits so close I could almost touch it. Sometimes the moon pisses me off, it reminds me so much of my mom that it really guts me. Her stories, her songs, and ultimately, her disappearance.

  Pushing back away from the window, I close the wooden shutters. The bed pokes at my bones and it’s hard to find a good spot. Lying here, I look all around the room, the walls are tan with gold accents like Aurelia’s, but here there is far less. There is a gold frame on the wall in the other room but the painting is missing. Although I know this was Killian’s room, it doesn’t feel like something he would live in. Compared to his apartment this feels cold and desolate, maybe because it’s been empty for all these years.

  I miss him, more than I thought I would, if possible, more than I miss my parents, or maybe because this is a newer loss I’m feeling it differently. He even cut his hair for me what normal guy would do that. Turning to my side the ache in my body returns I can’t take much more of this. I’m not one for complaining but damn this is like having the flu forever. The aches, pains, and sheer annoyance of not being comfortable when you’re sick is more than I can take right now. Not to mention that a crazy fairy hates me and is forcing the princess into a marriage she doesn’t want.

  Chapter 19

  Slipping into the bathing pool, I relax my head against the stone. The water soothes some of the aches but it’s still not enough. Closing my eyes I can picture Killian on my graduation day, the white shirt he wore clinging to his body and the incredible smile he greeted me with. I miss him a lot.

  Climbing out of the water, I slip on yet another fairy dress. I’m beginning to miss my jeans. I just want to feel comfortable. Jeans and a t-shirt, and hanging out will Killian on his sofa. Leaving the room I wander through the halls alone, so far no one has paid any attention to me so I keep walking and exploring. I pass a few more roo
ms but the heavy oak doors are closed. Walking down the main staircase, I turn left instead of right and walk along the hall. At the end there is only a set of double doors, curiosity has me opening them slowing and peeking inside. The room is magnificent it’s about half the size of a football field, with marble walls and floor.

  Looking back over my shoulder I make sure that I am alone before slipping into the room fully. Easing the door closed behind me, I walk slowly into the center of the room. It literally takes my breath away. There is a raised portion at the far end opposite the door and a wall of windows lining one side. It feels a little abandoned to me, like once it was full of life but now sits empty and lonely. Walking closer to the wall, I stroll along gazing at the paintings hanging inside small alcoves.

  They show great battles with fairies raising swords against their enemies. Some are depicting landscapes and some are different fairies, almost like family portraits. Reaching the end of the line, I notice that the last alcove is empty and there is a line of discoloration where a painting once hung. Turning around, I step up onto the raised platform and walk across it towards the windows. Stopping halfway I look out over the room and take a deep breath. I wonder if they had balls in here or some kind of functions. Continuing on to the windows I find a large balcony outside but I don’t see a way out onto it.

  There is no door anywhere along the wall of glass, which is odd. Why waste a perfectly good balcony and room. My stomach grumbles as I make my way back toward the door, passing a small covered bench. Taking a seat I look over the room, for some reason, I feel attached to it, like it’s calling out to me. Maybe being here alone in an empty room is just making me lonelier than I already am. Leaning back, I stare up at the beautifully painted ceiling with its glass-domed roof, such a shame to let this room rot away.

  Releasing a heavy sigh I get up to leave the room taking one last look at it before stepping out into the hallway. Walking back toward the stairs I cross paths with some of Connor’s guards, they glare as I pass but don’t speak. Following the along the opposite hall, I knock on Aurelia’s door. I wait until it swings open and smile at the fairy standing there.

  “Hi, is Aurelia here?” I ask trying to enter but she won’t let me in. She speaks in fairy before closing the door in my face. These fairies really need to learn some manners. Walking back up the stairs I go to the small attic room where Brokk has his secret training lessons. Opening the door, I find him looking out of the window.

  “Hey,” I call out.

  He turns to smile at me as I walk over to him. “How are you?” he asks.

  “I’m okay, just looking for Aurelia,” I smile.

  “Ah, she is with Connor he wanted to take her out hunting today,” he answers frowning.

  “Oh, hunting what exactly?” I ask.

  “That is why I am concerned,” he sighs. “Have you eaten yet?”

  “No, I was exploring,” I smile.

  His eyebrows lift as he looks at me, “you must be careful Reagan. Connor has spies all over the castle.”

  “Well, they must be on strike because I walked around and no one stopped me,” I answer.

  “Let us eat,” he changes the subject. We walk down to the dining room and take a seat. Brokk asks a servant to bring us some food and he returns with a plate of meat, bread, and some water. Brokk shares his food with me but I can’t really stomach much.

  “Are you okay?” I ask watching his worried face.

  “Yes, I am just concerned for the princess,” he sighs.

  “Me too, we need to get her out of here,” I whisper.

  “I am working on it,” he nods. “I fear that Connor may be doing something that we know not of,” he adds.

  “Yeah, I’ll bet my left…I mean I bet he is,” I change my words because I doubt he will know what I mean otherwise. We both eat in silence until there is no more food left. Brokk and I take a walk around the gardens in silence. He keeps looking out over the grounds worry clear in his eyes.

  “He won’t hurt her will he?” I ask.

  “No, he needs her royal blood to become a prince,” he sighs.

  “But he can’t really become the prince though can he?” I wonder.

  “Not in the way you would imagine but more of a consort to the princess but Connor will take the title even if he is not allowed. Who will stop him?” Brokk looks at me and sighs.

  I grimace in return because I know that no one here will stop him but if Killian and Avery come in swords swinging, then maybe the fairies will revolt. Brokk steers me back to the castle where I return to my room because he has something do. Opening the shutters, I look out over the meadow and toward the tree line. I wonder where Aurelia is and what exactly Connor is up to. Pulling the chair over to the window I watch for a while but I don’t see anyone around. My gut is telling me that something is wrong and I am beginning to agree with it.

  A while later Brokk enters the room carrying a tray with some food and water. He sets it down on the table beside me with a sigh. He really looks worried now and turns to me.

  “I do not know what is keeping them out so late. There is no sunlight left to hunt,” he says, looking out of the window.

  “Depends what they are hunting,” I reply with a shiver.

  Brokk gives me a terrified look as he sits beside me. We both nibble on the food while looking out of the window like it’s a TV screen. By the time the sun descends Aurelia is still not back.

  “We need to make our escape,” Brokk tells me.

  “I know, I’ve been thinking about that but I’m not sure if Aurelia will agree,” I reply.

  “What is your plan?” he asks.

  “I still have some ideas so maybe we can all get together tomorrow and talk, the bonding is only four days away now,” I answer.

  Brokk nods “Okay, I must leave now. I fear I will be stuck by this window for the night if I do not go now,” he smiles.

  “Okay, I’ll watch for a little longer,” I tell him. He gives one last look out into the darkness before turning and leaving me alone.

  Once he is gone I feel my body sag, this watching is worrying me too. I don’t want to be the one to tell Killian that his sister was alive but Connor went and killed her after all this time. I just hope she makes it back okay and we can set our plan in motion. I wonder if there is another way we can get to Tenebrosi a faster way than the route I took, I’ll have to ask Brokk tomorrow.

  Chapter 20

  Killian

  * * *

  Over the past few days I have pushed the fairies to their limit and beyond. Avery and I have been training like we used to, up at sunrise and even some overnight drills. My body is getting back to the way it used to be, strong and lean like before. Tonight though I am taking a break to walk around the still camp and try to clear my thoughts.

  I was able to speak to Samiel about what happened at Hunters Lake and who he believes took Reagan. He swore to me to avenge her but I put his mind at ease and allowed him to rest. Like a true warrior he wanted to go out immediately to find her. Walking through the archway, I follow the path to Reagan’s room. Samiel has posted himself outside her door in the event that she returns somehow.

  “My prince,” he bows as I approach.

  “Samiel,” I reply stopping next to him. “How are you feeling?”

  “I am good. I feel strong again, thank you,” he replies.

  “Okay,” I sigh, leaning against the wall. “Relax Samiel,” I tell him, noting his rigid posture. With a nod, he relaxes his stance but remains alert.

  “I truly miss her,” he says after a few moments.

  “Tell me about it,” I look at him.

  “My prince, may I speak freely?” I nod back to him. “Forgive me if I speak out of turn but the lady Reagan told me that she is your true mate. I do not understand how a human can be so,” he sighs.

  “Neither do I Samiel but I know what I feel for her and I know what my father told me about true mates,” I shrug. “I believe she is mine and I
thank the Goddess every day for her.”

  “Why did you send her away then? To the lake with me?” he sounds confused.

  “I don’t know,” I groan. “I didn’t really want to. I want her to be happy here in Avalon, it is so very different from the human world Samiel. I just want her to be happy.”

  “I fear she will only be happy with you my prince,” he smiles. “We talked while at the lake. Reagan spoke of her love for you and when I asked if she wished to return,” he shrugs. “Her smile rivaled that of the moon.”

  I can’t help the grin that spreads across my face thinking of her amazing smile. “I fear for her Samiel,” I confess.

  “I do too but know that I trained her with the staff and she is most capable for a human.”

  “Thank you Samiel, for taking care of her for me,” with a nod I open the door to her small room and walk inside. Lying down on her bed I release a heavy sigh, my heart is empty and our bond is gone but I know we are meant to be together. I want her back more than anything in my life. I want her safe again in my arms. I just hope that we will be ready by next week to march on the castle and take back my home. Finding Reagan and killing the fairy that killed my parents are my top reasons to attack so soon, I just hope we can succeed.

  Watching the sky change from dusk to dawn again draws me out of my thoughts. The only thing on my mind is Reagan and how I am going to find her. This emptiness within myself is the worst feeling I have ever experienced, I’d rather have another lifetime of physical pain than be without her. Reaching out I lift the photograph of Reagan and her parents. She is so young but still beautiful, that smile has never changed. Replacing the photo, I lift her phone smoothing my thumb over the screen. It is not working but still I can’t help touch it.

  Every part of me wants to fly to my home and storm inside sword in hand, cutting down anyone that gets in my way, but I have to be smart about the rescue. I can’t afford to have her taken from me again and I refuse to believe that she has been already. Leaving the small room, I return to my own personal dwelling. Sliding into the bathing pool, I can’t help the small laugh. It would have been so much easier to have her live here with me, like she said, I’m the prince and I can do what I want. If only I had listened.