Taken by Fae (Humans vs Fae Book 1)

by Charlotte Royalin

  I turned to him, splaying out the dress and doing an obnoxious formal curtsy for him. He didn't even crack a smile.

  "I know this isn't fair, Alphonse. But why must you continue to look so dour when we need to figure a way to get out of this?"

  His shoulders bucked back, and he pushed himself off the wall, running a hand through his bangs to push them out of his face. The rest of his lengthy hair now tied at the nape of his neck by a black ribbon.

  The hair he shoved out of his way fell right back into his warm green eyes as it always did.

  "There is no way out of this, Penelope. We must accept the fate we are destined to."

  I pouted, taking my turn to cross my arms, "There is always a way. We just have to think of one."

  "What would you have me do? Denounce you as my bride and take Geoffery's hand instead? This was going to happen no matter what. We both need to accept it. Pick a damned dress and let us get it over with."

  My mouth fell agape at how uncaring he was acting, "Alphonse! Listen to yourself right now! Why are you acting like such a defeatist? That's not the boy I grew up with."

  He pinched the bridge of his nose as his head tilted downward. He only did that when he was frustrated with something.

  "Penelope. Please. We aren't children any longer. Any hope we had at running away and living free, beyond the reach of our families, is gone. Dashed." He cracked his knuckles as his fingers flexed into fists for a moment, "And you're right. I'm not the boy you knew any longer. I'm a man, a man who knows my duty to my city and family is more important than my happiness."

  "But Alphonse, you can be dutiful and happy, too. Do not lose hope." I frowned, biting at my bottom lip as I grew more upset by his words.

  "You are far too carefree, too spontaneous. You're not a child anymore. It's time you took life more serious." He sucked in a breath, standing tall and stiff as much as I. The plumed jacket he was wearing was given a tug as he walked towards me. He shook his hair, exhaling to calm himself as best he could. He took in our image, standing aside one another in the mirror once he stood next to me.

  I too looked. This pairing, he and I. This didn't look right and felt even worse.

  Alphonse placed his hands on my shoulders, staring at our reflection. "Your faerie tales are not real. This is real," he said, gesturing to both of us in the mirror.

  "This is how life is, and there is no getting around it. All we can do is make the best of our situation, but I don't want to butt heads with you every step of the way."

  I bit my bottom lip to prevent myself from saying some very unladylike words. Instead, I chose my words much more carefully, but I still wanted them to hurt. My gaze narrowed at him in the mirror. His arching brow telling me he saw it, too.

  "You've changed, Alphonse. I don't know if it happened while you were butchering faeries, or when you murdered one for sport in front of a crowd. Or was it when Father Acaba chose you to be his lapdog and send you to the kennels to learn how to play with other Templar. Always at his beck and call like a good pup."

  I didn't react at first, as he swung me around to face him, his grip tight for a moment before one hand loosened. My eyes only going wide at the sudden stinging of my cheek.

  Alphonse glared, the back of his hand arched overhead after his slap.

  "Don't you ever talk ill of Father Acaba or the Templars." He panted as if trying to contain himself. With a few blinks, he seemed to come to a realization, his shoulders falling lax.

  "Penelope. I ... I didn't mean to."

  "I hate you." The words came out in a whisper even though I wanted to scream in his face. Of all the people I thought I could fall back on, my best friend dared to touch me in such a way.

  I ran out of the room to leave Alphonse standing dumbstruck by his actions. He made no move to stop me or come after me, and I clumsily shuffled down the hall, but paused before I continued further to mother's room where I so often ran to hide from my problems.

  The thought hit me suddenly, and I realized, through the tears, I didn't have to sit here and sob to myself. Even if Alphonse wouldn't try to stop this from happening, I would. And I knew where to start.

  I sat the teacup down on the same glass table that Alphonse and I had sat at when he returned to town for the first time. Sitting on the same loveseat, only this time it wasn't Alphonse that I was expecting to have tea with.

  My nerves were getting the best of me as I stared around the establishment, it was practically empty, aside from the odd few customers sitting here and there. The sun was starting to lower to dusk by this time, and I hoped that he was coming.

  I had to fight back the urge to bite my nails as I had been waiting anxiously for near an hour now. I had James have a courier sent out to get him here as soon as possible, but I wasn't sure if he would come. If he hated me, or not, for having to wed Alphonse.

  As the jingle of bells chimed throughout the small establishment, my nerves started to calm once I spotted the red hair that entered the doorway.

  Geoffery shook out the mess of waves atop his head and looked about. I raised a hand and waved to get his attention. As he spotted me, he gave a meager wave and a forced grin before making his way over and taking a seat in the chair opposite of the small table.

  "I'm glad you were able to make it." I smiled, my finger tapping against the rim of the teacup.

  "I'm sorry I'm late, I was in a rush to get out of uniform. I've only a few hours before I must return to my barracks."

  I nodded, staring down at the milky hued tea within the dish, "I'm sure you realize why I've asked you here." I bit my lower lip, unsure of how to continue.

  He cleared his throat, avoiding eye contact. Instead, he seemed much more focused on a stray strand of fabric peeking out of the arm of the large cushioned seat he was sitting upon. He fingered it for a moment, shrugging his shoulders.

  "Alphonse told me about the surprise wedding."

  My lips pulled downward, frowning at the notion of the wedding. Instead, I grabbed the teacup and took a dainty sip out of it. I kept it close to my mouth to hide the distasteful look I must've been showing.

  "Father is to send out the invitations to our guests to say it was a farewell party for him."

  "Not to be rude, Penelope, but why did you invite me here exactly? Isn't this a conversation you should have with your fiancée?"

  I arched my brows at his tone. I'd never known him to be so snappy, though I couldn't blame him either. His lover was about to be wed, and that made it all the more difficult to see Alphonse any longer.

  Geoffery seemed to realize his social blunder, stuttering up an apology for his rudeness. I waved my hand, taking another sip and setting the half-empty porcelain cup back onto the table.

  "It's fine, I understand how frustrated you are. We're all feeling the same way, I know. But I was hoping that you and I could come up with something to call off the wedding. Isn't there anything we can do to stall it?"

  "I'm sorry, Penelope. I can't think of any way you can make your engagement go away. Trust me, I've given it as much thought as you probably have."

  I made a face, "Yes, I'm sure. I still feel like there's something that hasn't been thought of yet. Alphonse hasn't been of any help, either."

  I only hoped that there was something to stop this all. My mind had been blanking, and I couldn't come up with any ideas on my own.

  "You should tell your father you don't want to marry Alphonse until after he returns home."

  I shook my head at his words, "I've already tried. Father is viewing this as what's good for our estate in the long run. I'm his only child and a daughter at that. He has no son as his heir to his wealth. Once I wed into the Bordeaux family, that'll change. He's using Alphonse as his heir since mother is too ill to bear a son for him. I feel like this is the real reason behind it."

  There was shock written all over his face, "If Alphonse were to pass away during his training, what would happen then? Did he not think of that?"

  I
pressed my lips together, sorrow filling my gut as I forced myself to look him in the eyes as I answered.

  "If he wants Alphonse, as his son-in-law, to become his heir, then his son would be next in line."

  "How in the name of Awul would you even give birth if he was gone? Unless he expects you to ..."

  "Consummate the marriage. Before he leaves."

  This was extremely common. Even if father didn't say it outright, I knew this was expected of me.

  It had only hit me as I waited for Geoffery, his plans for his estate. He didn't care about me or Alphonse, he wanted to secure his own line of business since I wasn't fit to take it over. Though he can't decide the gender of the child, I'm sure he'd get a priest to pray over my stomach day in and day out for a son to be conceived.

  If it was a girl, we would be expected to try until we had a son. If Alphonse died before that happened, I'd be married to another son in the Bordeaux family line until I was able to have a son. A cousin, a widowed elderly uncle, it didn't matter. As a female, I was father's pawn, but I couldn't make myself even act surprised. That's how life was.

  Geoffery clenched his fist and slammed it onto his chair arm.

  "We can't let that happen!"

  'Surprise' didn't describe how his reaction made me feel. Never once had I seen this young man get so angry. He was always submissive and docile, it was shocking to see such a thing.

  "We are in public, you know," I whispered, my face flushing at his reaction.

  He flushed, pulling his hands into his lap, and fiddling his thumbs together, "Sorry. I can't help myself."

  "It's alright." I reached out to place a hand onto his nervously twitching fingers, only to have him yank his hands away. I blinked, pulling back, and watching him as his head hung low. We sat in quiet for several long moments. It was then I noticed his shoulders shaking as if he was holding in a sob.

  "Are you alright?" I asked, concerned. The red-headed man sniffled, wiping at his eyes as he now turned his head up to face me. His entire face red, and his lashes matted together with wet tears. Without a warning, he stood from his seat and headed out of the tea shop.

  "Hey! Wait!" I called, standing up and leaving my lukewarm tea to chase him out of the door. It was uncomfortable, the eyes of everyone staring at my back. I could feel them watching us like a play on stage.

  "Geoffery!"

  I leaned out of the door frame, staring at his back as he paused his hasty retreat.

  "Just stop. I don't want to listen to any more about this. There's nothing you can do. Nothing I can do. And nothing Alphonse can do. If you think of something before the date arrives, then you let me know. Otherwise," he looked over his shoulder, and I saw the stream of tears that poured down his face, "Please don't contact me. Ever again. And tell your husband to do the same."

  That was something I wasn't expecting to hear, and my heart sank into my stomach. My life was far too secluded to have any true friends. Geoffrey was the closest I had aside from Alphonse.

  Right now, I had no one.

  This wedding was going to happen, whether I wanted it to or not.

  Perhaps I needed to accept it after all.

  16

  Sleep.

  I needed it desperately with my trying past few days. Life wasn't going to end up like my fairy tales, Alphonse was right. There was nothing I could do, no one to rely on. Geoffery refused to speak to me, my future husband was avoiding me, and father was far too busy with the planning to give me the time of day.

  It had been almost a week since I saw that red-haired guard, and each passing day I feel my heart breaking. Closer and closer to the wedding, that I wasn't ready for.

  While I wanted sleep to take me to a dreamless night, it wasn't what I was going to get. I was wrong for thinking I could just get my night over with and wake up to face another day closer to my fate.

  I was wrong to think I was ready for the forceful shove against my body as I sat up, awake. No, not awake, within my dream like before.

  The lights didn't immediately brighten up in their bright blue hue as I was used to being greeted with.

  "Vethari?" I sniffled, trying to pierce through the darkness with my eyes in order to find the fae. At the call of his name, two of the sconces near the corner wall where his straw bed was, lit up. I could now see the golden fae standing before me, though his visage was blurred, hazy. I could practically see through him.

  The shadows under his eyes had darkened even further. The physical prowess of his body seemed almost diminished. From the lack of food and drink, his muscles were shrinking. The hollows of his high cheekbones even more pronounced. While he was still gorgeous when compared to a human, he was much less comely than the first time I had ever laid eyes upon him.

  "What's wrong with you?" Vethari barked.

  He seemed peeved with how I was staring at him and not speaking. I shook my head to bring myself back into the moment.

  "Everything is wrong, my life is wrong," I replied. It was a dramatic statement to make, but at that moment in time, it rang true in my heart.

  His silver eyes glinted in the dim lighting of the room, focusing only on me.

  "Come now, Penelope. What's happening in your short life that could make you look so upset."

  I didn't know this faerie creature well, nor had I been in his presence for a long time. But I knew, somehow, that he was someone willing to listen when no one else would. So, I spilled it all out for him.

  "I'm being forced to officiate vows with my suitor. But, I don't love him. And he already has a lover that isn't me."

  Vethari seemed to pique in vague interest, "Ah, you must be talking about your dashing Templar-to-be."

  I nodded, "He doesn't care that if we wed, I'll never be able to find someone to love. We'll be miserable, grow old, and die. All he cares about is honor. He's just like my father."

  The tears came back now.

  "I don't want to do this." I choked back a sob trying to escape my throat, placing a hand over my mouth. Vethari said little for a moment, still watching me, though for what reason I was unsure. The fae's brows furrowed, and he moved to close the space between us. His arms resting between the two of us, reaching up to pull at the dress I wore in this dream-world. It appeared surprisingly similar to what I wore when I saw him in person, though much more fluffed and lacy.

  Actually, it resembled the disgusting blue gown I had worn from the seamstress.

  "I thought you were upset about the dress you're sporting. Is human fashion always so hideous?"

  I hadn't even realized I was still wearing the couture nightmare of blue, and I flushed. "Why is this what I'm wearing when this isn't even reality?" I pouted, staring down at the vision of repulsive blue.

  "You wear whatever you're thinking of. You could try and be nude if you'd prefer," the golden fae smirked.

  I wanted to snap at him for not listening to what I had to say, but it clicked before I made a bigger ass of myself. He was attempting to distract me from my dejected attitude with his dry sense of humor.

  I appreciated it and couldn't help but smile. I looked down, staring at the gown.

  "It is hideous, isn't it?"

  "Grotesque, in fact."

  We swapped smiles, and I almost felt better about the situation. Something forcing the thoughts out of my mind.

  "You haven't come to see me in some time, Penelope. If you wish to leave your boring life, you're more than welcome to live in this cell with me if you don't wish to be wed. It's not as grand compared to your home I'm sure, given how opulent you come off, but you're welcome here with me."

  I rolled my eyes at his words, "There's truth in your words for once, fae."

  "There's always truth in what I say, I cannot speak otherwise, can I?"

  "Then let me ask you a question like we agreed upon before."

  He was quiet, waiting for my question, but didn't seem even the slightest bit fazed at my change in the subject. In fact, his smile told me he welcomed it.<
br />
  "Tell me about your home, what is it like there?"

  Vethari stiffened, "Are you sure you wouldn't rather know something more exciting? Any adventures I've been on or battles I've fought?"

  I frowned, "Valiant battles against us humans?"

  "Many battles against humans, none of them valiant." He sneered as he recalled whatever conflicts he'd been a part of.

  "I'd rather know about your home." I nodded, shifting my weight from foot to foot with my arms crossed. What was it like to live in the wild, and to be free?

  His head tilted back as he stared upward in thought, "I've had many homes across the realms, but my most recent one is suitable."

  "Suitable?" I tilted my head to the side in question.

  "It's nowhere near as luxurious as I've been accustomed to, but it is exquisite in all its natural wonders." He nodded.

  "Is everyone free there? I've read about your courts, but not to any real extent beyond faerie tales."

  "Of course we're free. In my home, we have no duty to court, or sovereign, any longer. Solitary fae, wild ones, whatever you ancestors called our kind eons ago." He shrugged.

  "Free, even from your own courts. I could only dream what it's like to live like that. To make my own choices, instead of having them decided for me." I moved closer, reaching for his hands that still remained in front of him, between the two of us. Giving them a pat in a friendly manner.

  He nodded, running his tongue over the top row of his sharpened teeth.

  "It would be a wondrous feeling for someone like yourself. Trapped in this city of humans that dictate your every move. I can't wait until I return back home, where I can be free once again of these confines and chains. Prodded by your church and questioned every day."

  "I wish I was as free as your people," I spoke, and his head lowered to face me, his eyes lulling half closed.

  "Do you really think you would? Here, you have such wealth, you can buy whatever it is you desire. Dresses, jewels, iron to hide behind." He narrowed his gaze at me as though he was judging me in that moment.