Autumn Rebel

by Juliana Haygert

  I watched as she walked toward us, weaving among the tents, the soldiers in her way bowing slightly at her, and Sage right behind her, like a stone wall, daring anyone to get close to her. Good.

  But despite looking badass in her leather armor, her hair shining under the chilly sunlight, and her eyes even brighter and more determined, Blair acknowledged every one of the soldiers. Some she even called by their names.

  I frowned. She probably knew these soldiers better than I did. After all, she had accepted her role and her education, and worked hard at it for many years while I put my tail between my legs and fled the capital as fast as I could.

  Blair saw me beside her horse and her brows curled for a moment. If I hadn’t been watching so intently, I would have missed it. Her expression smoothed again as she halted in front of me.

  “Thank you for selecting the soldiers.” She took the reins from me and looked around. “And for giving me more soldiers than you said you would.”

  “Just …” I pressed my lips tight, holding the words in. How could I tell her I was proud of her, of her ideals, of her action? How could I tell her I thought she would have made a great queen? How could I tell her I needed her to be careful without showing her my feelings? It was impossible. “Good luck,” was all I said.

  Blair stared at me for a second, her eyes not betraying any feelings, if she had any left for me. Perhaps I had deluded myself thinking that maybe, just maybe, she had suffered as I had when I left. Perhaps she hadn’t even cried, even missed me. The moment I stepped out of her life, out of all of their lives, she simply turned around and fell directly into Lugh’s arms.

  My stomach clenched and I shook my head once, wishing those thoughts away.

  “I will be,” she finally said. With impeccable grace, she swooped up on her horse. She looked at the soldiers. “Everyone ready?”

  “Yes, my lady,” they all answered.

  Blair pulled on the reins and guided her horse toward the path—not once did she look back at me or the camp. Sage and the soldiers followed her.

  Worry and longing warred inside me as I watched their procession go, until it disappeared in the distance.

  “She’ll be fine,” Lennox said from behind me.

  I steeled myself and turned around. “Who says I’m worried?”

  Lennox gave me an are-you-kidding look. “Since when do you lie to me?”

  I let out a long sigh. “Sorry. Habit.” I glanced back to the path, as if Blair would have come back and I could get one last glance of her. “I didn’t expect to have her so close to me all the time.” I didn’t expect to still have such strong feelings for her. It had been many years since I last held her hand, since I last kissed her. How could I still feel this way? “It’s throwing me off my game.”

  “I know,” Lennox said. “Best thing is to find something to do.”

  I nodded. “Agreed. That’s why I’m going to the coast.” To show him I was serious, I started walking back to the main tent at the camp’s center, where I would tell General Barric about my little excursion.

  Lennox fell into step with me. “To check on the sea elves. To see if they have advanced.”

  “Yes.” I knew he would get my plan. “Afal said they are gathering and arming themselves. I need to see that with my own eyes. Maybe seeing the enemy’s faces will spur some idea, and I’ll have a brilliant plan about how to blow them off the face of Wyth, so they never come back to haunt the Autumn Court.”

  Lennox pulled back the tent’s flap so I could go under. “That would be a miracle.”

  The line of Autumn soldiers forming a physical barrier between the sea elves and us wasn’t as long as I would like, but we couldn’t stretch too thin right now. I stood among them, glancing at the beach several hundred yards from us, where dozens if not hundreds of blue and gray tents had been erected.

  The sea elves had gathered near their biggest tent, and all of them had weapons strapped to their armor, and shields nearby. If they weren’t going to attack now, they would attack soon.

  Still, something didn’t feel right. They could easily overcome our barrier of soldiers and overrun our camp—something I planned on correcting as soon as I made my way back there—but they didn’t seem in any rush.

  “They are up to something,” Lennox said from my side.

  “Agreed,” I muttered. From a distance, the sea elves weren’t oblivious. They could see us. They knew we were watching, waiting. But for now, they entertained us with their defiant grins. “I need to find out what.”

  10

  Blair

  It didn’t take long for us to arrive at the first village, Deilen. As soon as we entered the village, some fae recognized me and swarmed around us. At first, Sage and the soldiers yelled at them to stay back.

  “No,” I said, my word firm. I dismounted and went to greet the fae.

  “Lady Blair,” an old female fae said, reaching for my hands. “I’m so sorry for your loss.” A fat tear rolled down her wrinkled face. “We all loved Crown Prince Lugh.”

  “We can’t believe he is gone,” a young male fae said, his eyes equally misted.

  Many hands touched my shoulders, my hair, as if I was made of gold and they could steal a little piece by brushing their fingers on it. Many sad and comforting words surrounded me, until I heard something that turned my stomach.

  “Now we are left with the rebel prince,” an older male fae spat.

  “Last I heard, he was in the Winter Court, probably getting drunk and entertaining some sprites,” another one said, his words just as upset.

  My brows curled down. Yes, Red had abandoned us for a long time—though for most of that time, he had been close by, on the Autumn Court’s borders, just out of reach, buried deep inside a soldiers’ outpost, pretending he was one of them. But he was here now and he would become the crown prince, and later king of the Autumn Court. I couldn’t let our people—his people—think so ill of him.

  In the center of the village was a round fountain, with a statue of a small fae child holding up a crescent moon. A trickle of water came out from the moon’s edge, falling down at the fountain’s lowest level. I pushed through the fae and stepped over the fountain’s ledge.

  “My dear fae,” I called out. Everyone quieted down and looked at me. More fae appeared from within their houses. Some got closer, some stayed by their doors. As long as they all heard me and spread the news, I didn’t care where they were. “Our entire kingdom mourns the loss of our beloved Crown Prince Lugh. We’ll forever remember him and honor him, and we’ll start by doing what he would want us to: accepting the new crown prince with open hearts.” Murmurs started and I continued, “Prince Redlen is here, at this moment, ready to protect us from their attacks. He came as soon as he heard about the sea elves, even before Prince Lugh had fallen. He came because he loves the Autumn Court, because he believes in us, because he wanted to be beside his brother while they drove the enemy back.” My words broke, and I inhaled deeply, forcing myself to stay steady. “Prince Lugh isn’t among us anymore, but Prince Redlen is, and he’ll do anything to protect us, to protect you.”

  Again, voices peppered the crowd. A few people said “shush” and silence fell around us once again.

  “And, because this village is too close to the coast, the first thing Prince Redlen wanted us to do is to evacuate.” I braced myself for the whiplash. There were no murmurs this time, but plain shouts and disagreement.

  “Leave? We can’t leave.”

  “Where will we go?”

  “What about my shop?”

  “I have work to do.”

  “If I leave, who will take care of my cattle?”

  “I can’t abandon my house.”

  “Listen!” I called out again. “Please, listen,” I tried again. The soldiers took a step closer, advancing on the circle of fae, and they all quieted down again. “I know this is scary, and sudden, but it’s for your safety. The sea elves have already tricked us once, we don’t want them
to do that again by attacking us where it hurts the most—our own fae. Houses and businesses are important and valuable, but they can be replaced. You can’t be replaced. So, please, listen to me. Pack your things and let’s leave within the hour. We’ll march toward Masarn, where you will be lodged in a shelter and provided for while this situation lasts.” I paused. “I promise we’ll do everything in our power to help you with your houses and businesses after the sea elves are gone.” The murmurs started again. “Hopefully, this is a preventive measure, and they won’t come this way.”

  It took me another short speech to see the fae finally moving. They went back into their houses to pack, though a few of them didn’t move. They proclaimed they wouldn’t leave, no matter what.

  My patience was thin as I talked to them, trying to convince them otherwise.

  The soldiers and I helped the fae pack, prepared the horses, fill out wagons with their clothes, food, and children, and head toward the road leading to the capital in the center of the kingdom. But they weren’t going fast enough. An hour passed, and we had not evacuated a fourth of the village. And I still had a handful of other villages to stop by before nightfall. If things continued this way, it would take me at least three days to visit all of the villages and convince the fae to leave.

  After another hour of mulling over, I turned to a handful of soldiers who were close by. “Things are in motion here. We need to get to the other villages. Five of you stay here and make sure everyone evacuates and heads to the capital. The rest of us will go to the next village. When you’re done here, meet us there.”

  “Yes, my lady,” a soldier replied.

  The moment we left the village behind and hit the road to the next one, Sage pulled his horse closer to mine. “Do you think it’s wise to separate like that, my lady?”

  “No, but we have to speed things up,” I said. Actually, my plan was to spread thin. I would arrive at the next village, talk to the fae, but I wouldn’t help. Instead, I would leave another five soldiers to help them while the remaining five soldiers, Sage and I went on to the next village. This way, we could set more things in motion, and have more fae safe faster. I knew this was preventive work. Hopefully, evacuating was a precaution, but I couldn’t help feeling like it should be done. “We have to.”

  Sage didn’t argue with me. He rarely did.

  The next village received us a little better than the last one, and most fae were moving and packing before I had finished my speech. I left the five soldiers who were accompanying me there, and went on to the next village.

  Niwl was the smallest of the villages along the coastline, but also the closest to the beach. Like the other two villages, most fae recognized me the instant I trotted into the village, and they welcomed me with open arms. Since here there were no fountains I could use as a dais, I stayed on my horse.

  “Dear Niwl fae, as you know, the sea elves have come to our shores again,” I started, my voice rasping against my throat. I had been talking more and louder than usual since morning. “We need to prepare and—”

  A shriek cut through the air and I swallowed me words. The fae stilled and Sage pulled out his sword. The soldiers closed in around me.

  In matter of seconds, yells started and footsteps echoed through the village.

  Sea elves emerged from between the houses and buildings, and surrounded us.

  Their weapons trained on me.

  One of the sea elves stepped closer, and I recognized him. Ta’hun. The sea elf who had killed Lugh.

  He bared his sharp teeth in a grin. “We meet again, princess.”

  11

  Red

  I got back into the camp, ready to call on the generals and captains and lay out a complex plan to push the sea elves back where they came from—and kill as many of them as we could in the process. But as soon as I entered the main tent and opened my mouth, a soldier rushed in, out of breath.

  “Your Highness,” he rasped. “Sea elves were waiting. They ambushed Lady Blair.”

  “What?” I froze, every muscle in my body locked up. “What did you say?”

  “Lady Blair had just arrived in Niwl when the sea elves surrounded her.” He took a deep breath before continuing, “I was sent back to warn you and ask for help.”

  He didn’t have to say it twice. Knowing my feelings, Lennox ran out of the tent faster than me and started calling soldiers by name—all of them shapeshifters.

  I didn’t wait for them to gather. I simply shifted into my fox and raced out of the camp and toward Niwl as fast as I could. I knew Lennox and the others were following me, just as fast, but there was only one thing on my mind right now.

  Please, Blair, be safe.

  It didn’t take long for me to reach Niwl, though at the same time, it seemed like an eternity had passed and anything could have happened. From the road, I could see the dark smoke rising into the sky—the village was on fire. I sped up, my legs hurting from the effort.

  To my surprise, Blair and Sage were outside the village, on the road, fighting the sea elves with the soldiers and some villagers. More fae ran from the village and into the forest beyond it, trying to escape from the enemy.

  Instant relief filled my chest, along with determination. She was fine, but now it was time to show these rusting sea elves what Autumn fae were made of.

  As I approached, Blair brought her hands up and a gust of chilly wind blasted over the sea elves advancing on them. Many red and orange leaves swirling in the wind, cutting the sea elves on the face and arms and hands like paper.

  I shifted back into my fae form the moment I reached Blair’s side. She didn’t acknowledge me or stop fighting. I, though, took a second as I recognized the bodies of two of our soldiers, three villagers, and a handful of sea elves at our feet.

  Rust.

  Falling into battle mode instantly, I called more wind. A strong squall swirled around the sea elves, pushing them back.

  I drew my sword up and yelled, “For the Autumn Court!”

  The soldiers and I advanced, engaging the sea elves before they recovered from the wind and leaves. Some tried to run—were they fleeing?—but I didn’t let them. I lifted my hands and brown roots shot out from the ground, wrapping around the ankles and legs of the sea elves. Around me, my soldiers gifted with magic did the same.

  Our blades cut through the enemy and killed them.

  When there was only a dozen or so left, a sea elf yelled and ran toward Blair. I swung my sword across the chest of the sea elf in front of me, then ran after him.

  Fighting another sea elf, Blair had her back to the incoming sea elf.

  “Blair!” I called.

  But it cost her. She lost focus on her first opponent, and now had a second one to worry about. Sage was preoccupied with two enemies, who kept trying to reach Blair.

  They knew who she was.

  They probably knew who I was too.

  “Hey!” I called once I was within range. The second opponent turned to me. He was taller than me, with longer limbs, longer ears, and incredibly sharp teeth. “Fight me.”

  “Of course, my prince,” he said in a thick accent and a sly grin.

  “That’s Ta’hun,” Blair said, while ducking from a strike. “He’s the one who killed Lugh.”

  I inhaled deeply. Bright red clouded my vision.

  “Nice to meet you, little prince.” Ta’hun bowed slightly. Oh, he was done for.

  I charged.

  But the rusting sea elf was ready for it. He sidestepped and pulled his own soldier in my way. I careened into the other sea elf, losing my balance for a moment. The sea elf punched my stomach, pushing the air out of my lungs. Doubling over, I gasped. I blinked, trying to recover. The sea elf came at me, but then Lennox was by my side in his fox form. With his fangs bared, Lennox jumped on the side of the sea elf and bit his flesh. The sea elf howled.

  I turned to Ta’hun, who was already in motion. He had a spear in his hand and he took aim: Blair.

  “No,” I whis
pered.

  My legs pushed and I ran the short distance as fast as I could. He threw the spear at Blair, who was busy fighting another sea elf. She didn’t see the spear that would strike her chest.

  That would kill her.

  Knowing I wouldn’t make it in time, I waved my hand and sent a blast of wind to the spear. It moved to the side, missed Blair by an inch, and ended up buried in the shoulder of the sea elf she had been fighting.

  Wide-eyed, Blair turned. “What the …?”

  Ta’hun reached her and brought his axe down on her. Blair raised her sword, but Ta’hun kicked her in the chest and struck the hilt of his axe at her head.

  Blair went down.

  I raced toward Ta’hun. He smiled at me, taunting me, and then he ran. All of the sea elves did. They turned and ran, going for the beach again.

  What was that about?

  I didn’t waste time thinking about why they up and left—dwindling numbers maybe? Instead, I knelt beside Blair.

  “Blair,” I called as I touched her neck and checked her pulse. It was strong. I exhaled in relief, realizing she had fainted. Gently, I picked her up in my arms and stood. I faced my soldiers, who were as baffled as me. “Clean up this mess, check to see if anyone is infected, help the villagers finish evacuating. Then come back to the camp.”

  “Yes, my prince,” General Barric said.

  Sage was the only one who followed Blair and me back to the camp.

  12

  Blair

  Before I fully woke up, I registered the dull pain on the back of my head. By the fallen leaves, that hurt. What a miserable—

  I opened my eyes, remembering everything that had happened. The village, the sea elves, the fire, the screams, Red arriving and helping, the rusting sea elf knocking me out.

  Then darkness.