by Leia Stone
Part of me immediately refused to put my best friend into harm’s way like that, but I knew he would not appreciate me holding him back from this. I needed to think on it, discuss it with him. Kade could also send one of his bears so that each side had a representative, and they could bring their knowledge back to train with us here on the Earth side.
Realizing I needed to say something to Caspien, I smiled. “That’s a great idea. We will need a day or so to organize our people, but consider it done.”
He gave us a small bow. “Send your warriors through when they are ready. Rowan and Violet can create a portal. Also, Rowan has a special mirror. You can watch over our progress through that.”
Kade and I both walked with the prince as he left the room. “Tell your father thank you for the gifts.”
Caspien nodded. “I will. Good luck.” And then he was gone through the double doors, presumably off to the fae lands.
As I turned from the door, I found Rowan and Violet behind me. “I’m so glad you’re here,” I told the magic born again. “And ... I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am about Dalia. I know you two were friends. Her loss is a great one. The world needs more fae like her.”
Rowan’s delicate features crumbled for a brief second, before she recovered. “Thank you, I truly miss her. But she went out like a warrior. She will be honored by the gods.”
I nodded my agreement.
Clearing my throat, I changed the subject. “We have a run this morning, with all of the wolves and bear shifters. One last run together, so training might have—”
She interrupted me. “I will prepare some training exercises for you. You do what you need, and we can meet when you return.”
I gave her one last hug, and then directed one of the guards to show her to her room. She would be in a suite close to mine, one of the more luxurious.
Calista wandered over. She had been in the kitchens no doubt, judging from the slightly pink hue to her cheeks. It was always hot and steamy in there. “Okay, so the buses will be out front in approximately twenty minutes.” She swiped across her tablet a few times, checking everything over. “They’ve already picked up shifters from most of the points, and it looks like almost everyone is coming along for this last shift.”
My wolf stirred in my chest. She was a lot quieter since my fae magic had unlocked. It seemed to soothe her in a way the mecca never had, but knowing we were so close to shifting had her shaking that coat off and baring her teeth.
“Let’s grab some breakfast first, and then we’re good to go,” I said. I could see from the grins of the others in the room that my wolf wasn’t the only one who was excited.
First run for bears and wolves together. Here was hoping this didn’t end in disaster.
There were dozens of buses in a line as we left the city behind. Normally the queen would not ride with the other shifters like this, but Kade and I believed that by mingling with the shifters we would show them the bond between us. They needed to see our mateship.
We were heading to a shifter-owned property in Upstate New York. It was over a hundred acres, which was not a huge distance for us to run, but it would do for today. This was more about letting our beasts out one last time before the buses were cut off, and the second and final wave left for California. It would take about three hours to get there normally, but with a little Violet and Nikoli help, we cut that time in half.
I spent most of the trip dozing against Kade. He had me wrapped up tight in his arms, and even though we didn’t talk, it was a very comfortable sort of silence. We were content.
When the buses finally arrived, we all exited. Throngs of shifters had already arrived before us; the buses had been running all morning. The energy was high and with mixed emotions, excitement for the run and trepidation for the oncoming war. I walked over to Kade and his war counselor, Gerald.
“You’re asking me to cower!” Gerald was saying.
Kade looked tired. We’d been in this war mode for weeks now, and it was taking its toll. “I’m asking you, my most trusted counsel and friend, to go to California and train Nathanial in the event Kian and I perish. He is the last of our bloodline and will need wise and strict council if he is to become king.”
Kade and I had spoken and agreed that both of us dying in this war was a possibility. We needed to take action to set up for the future of the monarchy.
Gerald gritted his teeth. “I should be on the front lines with you.”
Kade placed a hand on Gerald’s shoulder. “There is no one else I trust with this task. Kian is stubborn, he strongly believes that during war time, his place is with our people. As long as there is no immediate threat to the children, he’s only going to be there long enough to settle his son in. I can’t command him to stay. So it has to be you that teaches the young our ways.”
Gerald sighed, resigned, and nodded. I then stepped forward, making my presence known.
“Ready for this run?” I asked excitedly. Finn stood a few feet away from me, scanning the crowd of shifters.
Kade looked out into the mix of wolf and bear shifters as well, almost looking emotional. “It’s a historic day. Bear and wolf running together.”
I slipped my hand in his.
“Hopefully this is the first of many times we do.”
And with that, Kade called for everyone to begin their shifting. We all stripped where we were. I might be queen, but nudity was nothing to shifters who so often had to call on their animal. My shift was seamless, my new energy giving me a speed to change I had never had before. And practically no pain.
Finn actually wagged his tail for a second, overcome with excitement.
It’s been too long since we ran together, I told my familiar, padding over to his side. I was a lot smaller than him. Usually he was the largest in the pack, but with so many bears around he was average size.
Much too long. I’ll bet I’m still faster though. He gave me a wolfish grin and I playfully nipped at his neck.
The sound of cracking bones and tearing flesh filled the clearing, and once bear-Kade was beside me, a hulking mass of brown fur, I tipped my head back and howled. Kade roared next to me, the ground shaking with the vibrations. Howls and roars rang out and I took off running, hoping to secretly catch Finn off guard. No such luck. Finn and Kade were right on my heels, as were the rest of our people.
I had been secretly worried that this experiment would fail, that seeing the huge difference between a bear and a wolf would really scare our people. But if anything, the fact that we ran, hunted, and were free in the same animalistic way only brought us all closer.
That day we ran as one, and it further cemented my hope that one day we could all be living happily ever after.
By the time we arrived back at the mansion, I was more relaxed than I had felt in a long time. Freeing our beasts was something we needed to do pretty regularly. I could go a very long time between shifts, but there was always this tension inside which wouldn’t abate until I shifted.
“I’m going to go find Rowan,” I said to Kade.
“No need,” she trilled, stepping into the front foyer, where I stood with a multitude of other shifters. “I’ve been waiting for your return. Are you ready to train now?”
I nodded, shaking my arms out. “More than ready. I just need to grab some lunch. Want to meet in the basement? We have mats and everything set up in there.”
Rowan shook her head. “No, we can’t be indoors for this. Do you have a garden? Somewhere we can see the sky? Somewhere with flowers, and plants, and life? Nature is essential to all fae magic.”
I caught Kade’s eye, and I knew both of us were thinking the same thing. My mate’s family was very connected to the mecca, Kade more so than any before him. This probably meant he was connected more to his fae side, which explained why he loved his gardens so much. I loved them too, especially when I found the time to wander through the flowers, but it wasn’t the same for me.
Somehow Rowan read my mind. “You
’re winter fae. They draw power from nature in different ways. Less blooming gardens — which is a Summer Court thing — and more snowflakes, icy lakes, flurries of wind and ice…”
I nodded a few times. “That actually makes a lot of sense. I love winter. I used to just lie in the snow and let it coat me head to toe. Drove my mother insane.” My pretend mother that is. I tilted my head to take in Kade. “You’re descended from summer fae, aren’t you?”
He wrapped an arm around me, pressing his lips into my temple. He smelled of sunshine and life, of spice and man … yes, he was definitely summer fae.
He pulled away slightly and said, “I have never felt more at home than when we stepped into the Summer Court lands. I believe I am either summer or spring descended.” His voice got very growly as he answered my unspoken fear. “And I believe it matters nothing that you’re winter fae. We’re bonded mates. The division of their lands is as destructive as the division of our boroughs were.”
I breathed deeply, silently thanking the fates for him. “I agree. I would choose no other. I want no other.”
Rowan was smiling again. She gestured to Violet, who was hovering close by, and the pair started toward to stairs. “Violet can show me the garden. I’ll meet you there.”
Violet gave me a wink as she swiveled her head to look back at us. “I’ll start spelling the garden so that the humans don’t see anything weird.”
“Perfect,” I called after them both, and they were off like two long lost friends, chatting side by side. It was good to have Rowan here. She might be exactly what Violet needed to accelerate her healing. I was glad she’d come.
Kade’s arms fully swept around me then, distracting me. With one arm he lifted me higher so our faces were close together, and then used the other hand to tenderly stroke my cheek. “While you train, I’ll work with Baladar and Nikoli on the secret project. We’ll call for Violet if we need her.”
Right, the dark book. There was so much going on I didn’t know what to deal with first. It was nice having a partner to share the responsibilities with.
“Be careful,” I felt the need to add. “I’m worried about that book, and the … the possibility that the darkness could consume us.”
Here was hoping we were strong enough to withstand it.
“I think the magic born are more susceptible to being drawn under its influence. They were born to wield magic. If I help, I can keep an eye on them. Make sure they’re okay,” he said seriously.
Kade. Always the protector. Wrapped in his arms, I was trying to decide if it was worth separating myself from him. I mean, how badly did I really need to learn my fae powers? His chuckle startled me, his huge chest rumbling around me.
Then he kissed me, his lips capturing mine. When he kissed me it was never enough, I always wanted more.
“Later,” he promised, pulling away.
Nikoli appeared in the doorway then, bagel in hand. Somehow he knew Kade was ready to go now, and with one final wave they disappeared through the double doors, off to wherever Baladar was. The ancient magic born had not accompanied us on the run. He said he preferred to wolf it alone, but in truth, I wasn’t even sure he ever shifted anymore. He was powerful enough to contain the wolf.
I entered the dining room, and was pleased to see the normal buffet of food set up. We fed a lot of shifters in the mansion; there was almost always food in here. I quickly piled food on my plate. If I was about to expend a ton of energy, I needed to be fueled up. Almost silent footsteps caught my attention, but I didn’t have to turn to know it was Finn.
He settled in at my side, and I fed him bits and pieces of my food. We enjoyed the moment, just the two of us. It was rare that we were alone anymore. And sure enough, more footsteps soon echoed down the corridor, and Calista dropped down in the seat across from me.
“How are you holding up?” she asked, not wasting time on small talk. “Baladar is working on the book, but I’m worried about messing with that dark crystal.”
I sighed, dropping my roll. “I’m worried about it too, but I can’t see another way. We need to understand the power we’re up against. And maybe we need to figure out how to use the darkness to fight back.”
“What if it consumes you?”
“I don’t know. I’m afraid it could destroy us all, but burying our heads in the sand won’t change the truth. And the truth is that the winter queen has allied herself with the Dark Fae Lord. And they have a dark weapon.” I hesitated before adding, “I’m not sure I can win this one. I’m not sure I’m strong enough.”
I had always been able to tell Calista what was on my mind. She was my sounding board, my voice of reason. I did not have to be a queen, or an heir, or anyone special with her, I could just be myself, show my fears. I had very few people in the world I could do that with. Kade, Violet, Finn, and Calista were pretty much it. Even for Blaine I put on a brave face.
Calista placed her delicate hand on top of mine and she smiled. “I have watched you grow up, Arianna. You were strong and fearless, despite having no real support in your family. I have never seen you fail at something you really set your mind to, and I know you won’t fail your people. I have no doubt that you will defeat the winter queen and the Dark Fae Lord, and whoever else tries to harm your people.”
Her words were a soothing balm to my bleeding soul, to my stressed brain, but I still didn’t think she understood what we were up against. “Cal, you weren’t there. You didn’t see her magic. And now she probably has a dark crystal at her disposal.”
“It doesn’t matter. I see you. I see how loyal you are to your people. I saw the mecca test the day you were born. I’ve never seen the magic react that way. You won’t let anyone harm us. I know it.”
Finn pressed to my side, agreeing with her through our bond. I sat a little straighter then, despite the weight of my responsibilities trying to crush me. They were definitely right about one thing. I would fight and kill, and take whatever hits I had to in order to keep my people safe. I would not fall. I would not falter. And if I died in this war, I would know I did everything I could for my people. No queen could give more than that, and I had to accept that fact.
Calista reached across the table and grabbed a bagel off my plate, before patting me on the arm. My smile was genuine then; she had lifted my mood enough so I could finally finish my food. We ate in a comfortable silence, and when she left, Finn went with her, back to patrolling.
I left to find Rowan and Violet. It was time to fully embrace all sides of me. I was going to learn to be part fae. May the gods be with me.
Rowan and Violet were on the rooftop garden. It was late afternoon, the sun just starting to lower in the sky. As I emerged from the elevator, my eyes were immediately drawn upwards, to the glint of a very pale purple, the faintly glittering surface of the solid bubble of magic above our heads, no doubt hiding our doings from our New York neighbors.
“I’m ready,” I offered, striding forward without hesitation. To be honest, I had no idea what to expect. I was born with the mecca magic pulsing through my veins. As a queen heir it was inherently part of me. It was familiar, and I knew somewhat how to control it. This fae magic was new, unbridled, and at times it scared me. Maybe if it hadn’t been stripped from me at birth, hidden away, it would not be that way. It was like I was a baby all over again, trying to learn how to walk. Only this time I didn’t have legs, I had weird stilts attached to my legs — foreign objects — and I felt uncoordinated and off-balance.
Rowan approached me, her arms relaxed at her sides. “Okay, so you’re born of the Winter Court, which means, as I said before, that your affinity will be in water, ice, wind. But you’re also part shifter, and a queen tied to the Earth-side mecca and her people … so, I’m going to have to do a bit of experimenting.”
Great. Experimenting. My favorite thing. Violet’s eyes were shining, so were her teeth as she smirked at me. She was no doubt enjoying my unease. I didn’t deal particularly well with being bad at things.
/>
Rowan placed her hands out in front of her. “Okay, Violet, shields up.”
Violet’s smile dropped in an instant and she straightened, putting up a shield to protect herself.
Rowan focused her attention on me then. “Start by letting the magic free inside of you. I can feel that you have it locked down. You need to let it move about … mingle within your center.”
I was standing with my feet slightly apart, braced for whatever was about to come for me. I relaxed my stance slightly, needing my muscles to unlock so I could free the magic. Rowan was right about me having most of my energy locked down. There was too much to have it free all the time. I’d probably start randomly zapping people around me.
There was a slight resistance as I loosened the bonds, like part of me was still not comfortable enough with the energy to let it bounce about inside of me, but there was only one way to get more comfortable with it. Right?
My knees buckled slightly as the first wave of magic smashed through the small cracks I had created. It filled my body, filtering through every part of me. Rowan must have felt the energy, because she too looked like she was bracing herself.
“Place your hands out like mine. Let the magic flow out and see where it wants to go, what it wants to do.”
I brought my palms up, feeling the tingle already within them. “Just like that? Let it come out and play?”
Rowan nodded, her expression hardening even more as her hands went in front of her in a half fight position. Worried, I stepped back a few paces, not wanting to hurt her. Then I took a deep breath and searched through all my energy for that buzzing wire inside of me that was the fae magic. It was there, entwined with the mecca, and I called to it, letting some of the magic seep from my palms. The energy that emerged was the dark midnight sparkle of color I had seen in the Otherworld.
“Good!” Rowan coaxed me. “Now where does it want to go? Walk around to the flowers, the fountain.”
Even though it felt like an odd request, I did as she asked, walking as the magic trailed from my fingers. It brushed over the flowers without leaving a mark, same with the fountain. It took me about thirty seconds to realize exactly what it was doing — floating upwards, into the sky.
