Ascension

by Jennifer Ann Reed

  “Yes, sir!” Dannick spun with the grace of a dancer which completely boggled my mind. How could such a large person move so effortlessly?

  “You ready for this?” Uncle Kalen put his arm around my shoulders. I shrugged because I really didn’t know what I was ready for. What did becoming a fairy princess truly entail? Only time would give me the answer.

  Chapter 3

  R YN MADE US REMAIN in the castle’s dungeon. His reasoning was that my sudden appearance would cause quite a stir and we needed to wait on Mauve to set my return in motion with the staff and Seelie people. After the others argued the pros and cons of just marching upstairs, they’d settled down and broke off into smaller groups. Austin tended to Lilly and Gwen as they sat at a small table in the middle of the room. Allie and Curtis weren’t too far away, and I heard my name mentioned several times. Allie was already talking about learning the kingdom’s favorite dances for all the parties we’d be attending after tonight. I had no interest in parties, so I ignored them and stood off to myself, staring at the wooden door which led back to the cave.

  Uncle Kalen’s question from a few minutes ago was all I could think about. What if I failed miserably? Why did people think my lineage made me a good leader? I could barely stay out of trouble and take care of myself, much less an entire kingdom. I wasn’t frilly princess material. I preferred the stink of a sweaty gym to parties and pleasantries. Aelfric made sure of that the day he signed my parents’ death warrant.

  My gaze zeroed in on the door handle and I wondered how many steps stood between me and freedom. The others wouldn’t realize I escaped. Would they?

  “Penny for your thoughts, Kitten?” Caden’s voice halted my movement towards the cave door.

  “Planning world domination.” I wound a piece of hair tightly around my fingers. “You know. Just another day.”

  “Uh huh.” He stopped my hair twirling before I lost more than a few strands. “More like planning to bolt.”

  “I would never!” My hand landed on my chest in a flair of dramatics and I added a little more of my southern twang to the words before my smile turned serious. “How did you know?”

  “You were staring at the door like it was an answer to your prayers and I knew that brain of yours was working overtime.” He tapped my forehead and pulled me in for a hug. I watched Bretton point to us and Ryn shake his head before turning his back on us. “Don’t worry about them. Focus on you, Kitra.”

  “Shouldn’t you be telling me I was made to be a princess?” My half joke fell flat as the doubt reared its ugly head again.

  “I could. It’s not that I don’t believe you will or can be a great leader because I do. I know what you’re capable of. I’ve seen how strong you are.” His grip around me tightened and I drew in the scent of mint and fresh cotton with a sigh. “I just want you to believe it and no matter how many flattering words any of us throw your way, it won’t work until you do. Right now, I’m content just to hold you and be someone you can rely on.”

  “What if I fail?” My voice was muffled by his chest, but I knew he heard it quiver.

  “What if you don’t?” He rested his chin on top of my head. I squeezed him harder. “Try it for now and if you still want to make a run for it, I’ll lead the way. Just tell me when we’re leaving.” My lips stretched against his chest and I snuggled closer taking the comfort he gave.

  “Deal.” I’d learn how to be a princess even if my mind warned of the disaster waiting to happen, but it’d be on my own terms, downfall and all.

  As heavy footsteps and lighter ones descended to the dungeon door, my grip around Caden tightened to the point I knew my fingertips left a mark. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to be reunited with my Aunt Mauve. I did with every fiber of my being. I just wasn’t ready to start my deal with Caden at this exact moment. As the door opened and I heard my Uncle Kalen call her name I knew it was now or never and released my hold on my mercurial wolf.

  I spun on my heels and my eyes drank in Aunt Mauve’s features. Her blonde hair was piled on top of her head perfectly positioned around a medium-sized silver crown. My hands shook at the evidence of our royal heritage, and as I stared longer, I noticed the top of her crown was made with four translucent pink wings like those of a butterfly. Small red veins ran through the thin material, catching the light and refracted sparkles in her summery locks. She was dressed in a similar shade floor length gown with thin straps over her shoulders and it was covered in tiny wings matching her crown. She threw her slender arms around my Uncle while Dannick closed the door and faced us.

  Uncle Kalen picked her up and swung her in a circle before setting her on her feet again, kissing her forehead. When she stepped away and our gazes met, all my fears faded. I couldn’t think of anything else but hugging her. We moved at the same time, dashing forward to close the distance between us and threw our arms around each other before crashing to the stone floor in a heap of sobs. She kissed the top of my head over and over, rocking us back and forth. I don’t know how long we sat crying, but no one separated us and when I looked around the dungeon, I realized we were alone.

  “I told Dannick to get the others settled before we came upstairs.” She pushed hair back from my face. “My dear sweet girl… your eyes. The Awakening has started? We have so much to do. Are you okay?”

  “No.” My eyes heated again, and I fought the sting. “I’m not.” Her arms were surrounding me again. “I thought I’d lost you and then we did lose Chad. I don’t know what I’m doing.” She didn’t interrupt as I emptied my burdens on her and told her all my fears. She patiently listened while I got it all out.

  “Shh. It’s going to be alright.” The rocking started again. “We’re together now and we’ll get through this. We’re the three Musketeers, remember? There isn’t anything your Uncle and I can’t help you with.”

  “Even the princess part?” I wiped my nose on my sleeve and sat back. I was tired of the melodramatic soap opera my life had become.

  “I can help with that, but what is this I hear about finding your two soulmates?” One of her perfectly shaped brows lifted as her lips spread into a huge grin.

  “Ugh.” My eyes rolled into my sockets, but they snapped back onto her. “Did you know about Ryn?”

  “I may have seen his mark when he was training some new recruits right before I moved to Serenade Falls with you.” Her teeth chewed at her bottom lip.

  “And you didn’t think to say something when you saw my markings?” I stood up and paced in front of her. “What were you thinking when you sent him to Frost Manor? Uncle Kalen almost killed him!”

  “Well, I was thinking about your protection. You’re his soulmate. He won’t allow anything to happen to you.” Her index finger tapped her chin. “But maybe I should have thought about his protection.”

  “Yeah…between Uncle Kalen and Caden, he needs the bodyguards, not me.” We both laughed and she rose to her feet.

  “Let’s go see your new home.” She waltzed to the door and pulled it open. Was I really going to do this? I only hesitated a moment and one step turned into two, but she stopped me at the door. “I want to warn you that life as a royal will be different and extremely trying most of the time, but you can do this. Don’t let the pomp discourage you. You’ll learn what’s expected and master it quickly. I believe in you.” That made one of us.

  I stepped through the door into a stairwell which led up to another heavy door with ornate sea carvings. At this door, we walked through together and two guards in armor holding spears stood at attention and then bowed deeply as we passed.

  “This is the main hall.” She pointed to the left. “That direction takes you to the front entrance and the right leads to the kitchen, ballroom, dining room, library, and gardens. The smaller hallways lead to servants’ quarters, bathrooms, and out to the soldiers’ quarters plus their training grounds. Follow me.” She turned left toward the entrance.

  The main hall was more like a cavern than hallway. It held lon
g tapestries depicting battle scenes positioned between tall marble columns which were carved to look like giant dolphins. A continuous thick blue rug ran the length of the hall and turned down the smaller ones without end. Blue flags with the Seelie symbol of a golden sun hung above us and arched windows filled with stained glass sea scenes filled the hall in dazzling colors. I swallowed hard, afraid of touching anything.

  We continued to the entrance and I stopped in my tracks with my jaw unhinging. It was completely made of glass bordered with gold molding around the edges. An enormous golden sun shaped chandelier sent rainbows dancing across the room and garlands of colorful flowers which I did not recognize hung from each sun beam to an anchor around the entrance. A giant gold staircase with similar flowers woven through wave shaped spindles led to the second floor. My eyes couldn’t take it all in.

  “We definitely aren’t at home anymore.” I turned in a circle. Not one shadow existed in this area.

  “I know it’s a bit much.” Aunt Mauve motioned for me to join her on the stairs. “Your grandfather loved beautiful things and his home had to be the best in all of Faerie.”

  “Where is everyone?” The only other souls we’d seen so far were the two guards.

  “Our friends should be settling in their rooms, but you and I both know they are waiting for us. The servants were told not to bother you until you’re settled even though they’re bursting at the seams to meet our Princess.” I scurried to her side not quite sure how to feel about the term servants. I hoped this wasn’t like those movies I’d watched where the servants helped the royals get dressed or bathe.

  “When will I meet them?” I didn’t know if I’d ever be able to call them my servants.

  “Soon.” We climbed to the top of the stairs and it was decorated in a similar style as the main hall, but these arched windows were opened, and I could smell the briny sea close by. I found it strange that instead of family photos like we had at Frost Manor the only decorations were more carvings of sea animals instead. “But first I want to talk to you about training and coronation.”

  “Training?” That caught my attention. I’d be happier working with my katana. “Then we’ll find the weapon?”

  “Yes. You’ll need to learn to behave like the Princess you are and learn the history of our people.” I stopped and so did she. “Kitra, I know this is a lot to take in, but you’ll be expected to behave in a certain way here.” My mouth opened to protest, but she continued. “No one will stop you from fighting, but you have to be the Princess and a fighter. Right now, with the Council searching for you, it’s safer to stay in Seelie territory. They’re not allowed here without an invitation or escort.”

  “So, we can’t leave for Oberon’s forest tomorrow?” Why did it always seem like something was getting in my way to finish off Aelfric?

  “I know this isn’t what you wanted to hear, but your safety has to come first. And once you’re crowned princess, the Council can’t touch you without ending our treaty and starting a war.”

  “When do we start?” The sooner this part was over with, the sooner we could find the weapon and I’d be one step closer to ending Aelfric’s reign of terror.

  “Tomorrow morning.” We continued down the hallway and turned right. “Let me show you to your room first and then we’ll rejoin everyone else.”

  We stopped in front of a wooden door which had a purple stone inlaid in the center. Aunt Mauve turned the knob and pushed it inward revealing the most beautiful room I’d ever seen. A massive canopy bed sat on a dais in the center of the room. The top was covered with red roses, ivy, and purple tulips. White and silver accented furniture was tastefully spaced around the room, including a large glass vanity covered in products and a matching mirror. Across from us were double doors which were open to a flower covered balcony that overlooked the sea, but the open door on the left caught my attention since a gentle humming was coming from its confines.

  I stepped into its entrance and was taken aback by the great pool of water taking up most of the room. A small figure with orange hair was bent on the edge scattering purple petals into the steaming liquid while she hummed a sweet tune. Aunt Mauve cleared her throat and the figure jerked almost falling into the water. When she turned around, I almost shrieked. I had never met anyone like her.

  “Your Royal Highnesses.” The figure’s musical voice contrasted heavily with her appearance. She had dark brown skin with raised bumps in a shade of lighter russet. It reminded me of tree bark, it looked so rough. Sharp fanged teeth spread into a macabre smile as the female curtsied and I took a step back, but Aunt Mauve grabbed my arm to keep me from bolting.

  “Hello Hattie.” My aunt’s smile was warm. “I knew you wouldn’t stop working even when told to.”

  “I’m sorry Your Majesty.” Hattie kept her yellow eyes on the floor. “I only wanted to make the Princess as comfortable as possible and thought she might want a bath after her travels.”

  “That’s very thoughtful, Hattie.” My aunt was shaking her head and kept grinning. “Let me introduce you to her since she will be your ward.” Her ward? What did that mean? “Hattie, this is Princess Kitra.” The female rose to her full height which wasn’t much and was probably less than five feet.

  “It’s my pleasure Your Highness.” She curtsied again. “The calming pool is ready and will stay warm all evening. Take your time. If you have any requests, just call my name and I will come. I will leave you to get settled.” Hattie vanished before my eyes and I shook my head.

  “What was she?” I waved my hand where Hattie once stood. “And how did she do that? And what is a calming pool?”

  “Hattie is a brownie. A type of demi-fey serving our Court.” Aunt Mauve left the room. I hurried to follow her to hear the rest of what she was saying. “Demi-fey are more natural entities in our world and are one of the types of creatures you will learn about in your studies. How she left was part of her fairy magic. Every fae here has a special ability. Hattie can materialize out of thin air.”

  “Okay.” I had to wrap my head around all the information I was getting. If I wasn’t a shifter-fairy hybrid, I’d have a hard time believing all I was seeing. “What did you mean about being her ward?”

  “I’ll explain as we find the others.” Aunt Mauve led me back out of my room. I didn’t pay attention to our direction because I was hanging onto her every word. “Hattie is your servant. Being her ward means that it’s her job to care for all your needs and help you with hair and makeup for formal occasions.”

  “What if I don’t want to be her ward or anyone else’s?” I didn’t want to sound rude, but all I could think about was her mouth lined with razor sharp teeth.

  “Kitra.” Aunt Mauve paused like she normally did when she was trying not to get exasperated with me. “This is the way things are done here. Hattie wants to serve the royal family and she does a great job. She’s very excited about tending to you and you will need someone to assist you and answer your questions when others aren’t around. Firing her will damage her pride and make her feel like a failure to her family.” Leave it to Aunt Mauve to make me feel like the biggest jerk in the world.

  “Sorry…I didn’t know.” I really didn’t know what else to say.

  “That’s why you’ll learn.” Her smile was back in full force as the voices of my group reached me. “And the pool?”

  “The waters are infused with magic to settle the mind and help you have a clearer picture over your troubles.” How could water settle your mind?

  We walked out onto a balcony that circled a pristine garden below. The fragrance in the air was sweet, but also held a slight tanginess mixed with sea salt. My uncle and friends were sitting on couches made from vines which were nestled among ivy. Caden was the first on his feet when he saw us.

  “I thought we would have to come searching for you.” His hand ruffled his raven hair and I saw the relief loosen his tight features.

  “Like I said.” Ryn eyed the wolves. “She’s fine. Th
is is her palace. Nothing will happen to her here. Are you ready to go to the training grounds and make sure they’re up to your standards?” He stopped next to me and kissed the top of my head. “I’ll be back up to see you later. Okay?” I nodded and he went into the hallway while Caden growled.

  “Is it okay with you that we leave you for a bit?” Caden’s gaze met mine.

  “Go check out the grounds. Make sure I’m safe.” His answering smile was worth it, and his lips covered mine in a soft kiss before he followed Ryn.

  “Ready for war, Mauve?” Linc strolled forward and roughed up my hair. “Do you think they’ll fight to the death for her hand or do you all have jousting or something they can compete in to settle this?” His laugh stayed in his wake as Austin, Curtis, and Zander followed him.

  “Don’t say I didn’t tell you so.” Uncle Kalen rubbed his temples. “Now it’s your turn to put up with them. Are we going to discuss the Council?”

  “Yes, I thought Kitra and the girls could take some time for themselves so I can show you how we’ll monitor the Council movements if and when they cross to Faerie.” Aunt Mauve watched for my reaction which showed I would not be left in the dark again. “Then we will talk to all the others and get their opinions.” Okay, I could handle her compromise.

  Once the adults left, Allie led us back to our rooms which were thankfully on the same hallway and all I could think about was the warm bath Hattie had left for me. I hoped she and Aunt Mauve were right and it calmed my mind. Otherwise, I was up the creek without a paddle as the saying went.

  Chapter 4

  T RUE TO HATTIE’S WORD, the magical waters were the perfect temperature when I sank my aching body beneath their comforting embrace. The purple petals she had scattered remained fresh and their fragrance permeated the air in soft waves of lavender, and with a sigh on my lips I was lulled into a contented trance. My head rested against the edge of the pool, dipping to the side as my lids closed. In this moment, all the hurt, worry, fear, and anxiety fell away. I was just Kitra Frost, not a long-lost princess with subjects in need of care or a wolf-fairy hybrid whose blood unlocked the Gate of Aramath. Here in this place and at this time, nothing could harm me. Here, I was only a seventeen-year-old girl without a care in the world.