The Faye's Keeper: Keepers of Light: Book Two

by Sarah Beth

  A chuckle bubbled up in his chest — had he ever been this happy? He couldn’t remember a time when he felt like flying. A wolf’s place was with all four paws on the earth. But when she surged up, crushing her lips to his, he was sure that his feet left the ground.

  Chapter Eleven

  Wesley

  Meandering through winding pathways, Wesley surveyed the scenery around him. It was better than staring at the back of the Faye’s head. Apparently, he still needed an escort to walk around the Forest. Soryn wasn’t sounding so bad right then, but he was probably with Abby, wherever she was. He had been alone in their room when he woke up, a simple note from Abby left on her pillow; she got up early and headed to Elazar’s. Which was where Wesley was now headed, a stoic looking Faye marching in front of him.

  Rolling his eyes, he glanced to his left. He was still impressed by how vast the High Forest was. Around every turn were more homes, buildings of every size and shape. Down one path, Wesley saw an open air market. Multicolored fabrics hanging from the branches above the vendors, giving the shoppers cover from the sun. He tried to remember where it was, knowing Abby would want to check it out before they left. But after a few more twists and turns, he knew he’d never be able to find it again. He was so preoccupied looking around, lost in thought, that he hadn’t paid close enough attention to where the Faye was taking him. When the buildings and trees fell away to reveal an open courtyard, Wesley stopped and looked around. This definitely wasn’t close to Elazar’s home.

  The trees stood in a semi-circle around a stone floor. In front of him stood an imposing archway. Carved from a light gray stone, pillars reached high above his head, joined in two archways over the path. Etched into the face of the keystones was the crest of the Faye. As the sun peeked through the canopy of leaves above him, light hit the crest causing it to sparkle.

  The Faye guard was halfway across the courtyard when he stopped, turning to Wesley. “Are you going to stand there and gawk all day, or are you coming?” Not bothering to hide the glare, Wesley continued towards the arches. With a satisfied sigh, the guard turned back around and kept walking. Leaving Wesley to snarl silently at the back of his blond head. Where the hell was this Faye taking him?

  Once through the archway, another open courtyard awaited him. But at the other end of this one, instead of a doorway, sat six Faye on a stone bench. The tiered stone steps led upwards, as if one could touch the sky by standing on the top. The Faye men and women looking down at Wesley from their perch, six feet at least above his line of sight. Even at over six foot, Wesley knew that he would have to look up at them. He was sure that was the point.

  The guard stopped midway into the courtyard, gesturing for Wesley to stand near him. Once Wesley took his position, the Faye turned to the Elders and bowed. “Lords and Ladies — Wesley O’Bryne of the Wenatchee Pack.”

  So much for being taken to Elazar’s to meet Abby. Taking a card from his Mate’s deck, Wesley bowed when all the Faye Elders regarded him. “It is my pleasure to make your acquaintances.” He tossed a covert glare at the guard for not telling him where they had been headed. Rising from his bow, Wesley took the opportunity to look at each Faye before him.

  There were three males, and three females seated at intervals in a semicircle in front of him. All were dressed in the same deep green robes, circlets adorning their foreheads. Although each Elder had the same long hair, braids in different places, like every other Faye Wesley had seen, he was pleased to note that they at least weren’t all blond. Most regarded him with blank expressions, but one male appeared to almost sneer at Wesley. He only met that Faye’s eyes briefly, before finding a more familiar face.

  Lord Elazar looked down at Wesley, lips pulled into a controlled smile.“Wesley, I hope the journey wasn’t too arduous.”

  Unsure if Elazar meant this to be some sort of test, or was just trying to make small talk, Wesley shrugged. “Abby didn’t seem to mind the snow.”

  Elazar’s lips quirked up higher at his response. Wesley took that as a good sign. Before another word could be spoken, Elazar’s focused shifted behind Wesley. As did all the other Elders. Turning, Wesley saw why.

  Entering the courtyard, accompanied by Soryn at her heels, was Abby. But she looked very different from the woman who had laid in his bed only hours ago. Dressed in a light blue gown, it flowed around her feet as she walked. The sleeves were long, but opened at the shoulder and closed again at the wrist. The neckline was modest, but showed more skin than he had seen outside of their room. In the center of the bodice was an embroidered tree in silver thread. Her wavy red hair flowed freely behind her, except for the braids snaking around her crown from her temples. And around her forehead was a circlet of silver, a half-moon in the center.

  When her green eyes found him, they seemed impossibly bright. Much the same as they had the night before, as he had held himself aloft above her. Smiling softly at him as she approached, her gaze met his before she focused on the Faye behind him.

  Abby

  Abby was thankful that Wesley stood beside her, otherwise her nerves would likely get the better of her. Standing before the six Faye Elders was more nerve-wracking than when she gave her senior presentation in high school. In the safety of Elazar’s home, Abby had felt comfortable with Meira. The knowledge that Wesley was close by was enough. But after walking through the rest of the village, eyes watching her wherever she went, she was immensely glad for his presence now.

  If she had known that there wouldn’t be time to gather Wesley before meeting the Elders, she never would’ve left their room without him. But it seemed that news traveled slow in the Forest, so she only found out upon entering Elazar’s home that the Elder’s would meet with them in an hour. Meira had appeared a short time later with the dress now covering Abby’s body. She itched to reach for Wesley’s hand, to reassure him — herself? — but resisted. They needed to appear strong in front of the Elders. Glancing along the bench, searching for a familiar face, her eyes settled on Elazar. Although his face was not unkind, it wasn’t exactly welcoming, either. His gray eyes never left her. His mouth set in a thin line as another Elder spoke.

  “Lady Abigail, it a pleasure to finally put a face to the name.” Regarding the female Faye who spoke, Abby couldn’t help but admire her long chocolate brown hair and equally dark skin.

  Abby had no idea what the woman meant by finally getting to meet her. Was she insinuating that the Elders had known of her existence before Elazar informed them? But that wasn’t possible. Nothing had given that impression. Perhaps she was simply alluding to the weeks since Elazar told them. Remembering her manners, that she was trying very hard to keep impeccable, Abby smiled. “Thanks to the Council for the invitation. The High Forest is a wondrous place.”

  The woman smiled minutely. Abby hoped it was because she had said the right thing. “I’m sure our home here is quite different than anything you’ve experienced before. But please, do not feel unwelcome. This is your home as well.” A deep feeling of affection to the woman filled Abby, so quickly it was startling. But the woman’s face was kind, her gray eyes genuine.

  But before she could say anything in response, a man from the other end of the bench spoke. “Of course, the wolf could have stayed by the passage.” His blue eyes were piercing, and the sneer of his lips made Abby’s blood boil. Wesley’s hand was suddenly on her forearm, halting her from doing or saying anything. She hadn’t even noticed that she had opened her mouth.

  The woman from before, whose eyes had been so kind, now looked down the bench in contempt. “Lord Haryk, the invitation stands for both Abigail and her Mate. We have discussed this at length already.”

  The man’s sneer only grew, his lips parting. But before he could utter a word, Elazar stood from his seat and turned to the man. “We took a vote and made our decision, Lord Haryk. As Lady Neirdre said, they are welcome. The children are here as my guests, and I will not have you making them feel unwelcome. If you can not contain your opinion
of the wolf, then you may be excused from the meeting.”

  Afraid to move, Abby glanced at Wesley out of the corner of her eye. He looked back at her, squeezing her arm gently where he still held it. They had been prepared for not being welcomed. They both knew, before ever leaving home, that many Faye did not take kindly to werewolves. And it was no secret that Abby was born, essentially, illegally. But to be witness to the Elders of the Faye arguing about their very presence — that was not expected.

  Glancing down the line, Abby watched as Lord Haryk’s face contorted in barely contained rage. Without another word, he gathered his robe around him and left the bench. Stalking past Abby and Wesley, before disappearing past the guards at the archway. Silence descended on the area.

  With a sigh, Lady Neirdre motioned for Elazar to sit. “Please, Lord Elazar.” Once he was seated again, she turned her focus back to Abby and Wesley. “Forgive us, do not let the action of one turn you against the rest of us.”

  Taking a step away from Wesley, his hand falling away from her arm, she shook her head. “Not at all. But please accept our apology as well. I did not mean for our presence to be a problem.”

  Another man waved off her words. His beard was almost as long as his hair. Abby wondered if she had seen any other Faye with a beard. “You do not worry about your presence here and Lord Haryk’s view of it. Regardless of your Mate or your birth, you are Faye. This is your home, too.”

  Her throat closed, emotions bubbling up from the depths of her mind. This place was making her emotions unpredictable. Unable to find her voice, Abby bowed her head in the man’s direction. A hand came to rest on the small of her back, and then Wesley was in her peripheral again. Smiling briefly at her, Wesley then turned to the man. “Thank you, Lord—?”

  “Arandor.”

  Bowing his head, Abby watched as Wesley put his hand to his chest. “Thank you, Lord Arandor. Your words are too kind. And thank you, Lord Elazar for the hospitality.”

  Elazar looked over at Wesley, before his eyes fell to hers, and he smiled. Inclining his head, he said, “Not a problem, my boy. You clean up well.” Abby couldn’t help but chuckle at the slight color that came to Wesley’s cheeks.

  Lady Neirdre, a smile pulling on her lips, motioned for silence. “Please, gentleman.” When it was obvious that no one was going to speak again, she nodded. “Now, Lady Abigail and Wesley. I hope the High Forest met your expectations last night.”

  Her lips pulled into a bright smile, “Oh, yes. Far surpassed them, truly. I understand why the Faye like to stay secluded in their home.”

  Lord Arandor smiled, “Ah, yes. The beauty of The High Forest. You should travel to our ancestral home in England. Then you may truly understand.”

  Inclining her head, Abby regarded Lord Arandor, “It would be a pleasure, I’m sure.”

  Lady Neirdre spoke, grabbing everyone’s attention once more. Abby got the distinct feeling that the woman could hold command over any room. “Lord Elazar brings tales from the human world, ones we are hesitant to believe. Do you have the same stories?”

  Wesley’s hand on her back pressed firmer. Abby knew it was a subtle reminder that he was there, ready to come to her aid if she needed him. How different it felt, to have someone by her side that always had her back. And it was even more different after what they had shared the night before. It was like his presence wasn’t just beside her, but a warm blanket on her mind as well. It was there before, but now it was stronger.

  Glancing at Elazar, Abby returned her attention to Lady Neirdre as she spoke. “I do, Lady. I wish we didn’t, but it would seem that others have plans beyond our control.” Another glance at Elazar, who nodded his head subtly in encouragement. “From what we can gather, it appears that vampires have started to revolt. Murders of large numbers of humans have been cropping up in many cities.”

  Another female Faye grabbed her attention, leaning onto her legs. “What sort of numbers are you speaking of, Lady Abigail?”

  “Dozens. And no attempts to cover up the nature of the kills has been taken. It’s like they suddenly don’t care to hide anymore.”

  The woman’s eyebrows pulled together, shifting the jeweled circlet on her brow. She looked down the bench to Lady Neirdre.

  The Faye didn’t speak right away. Her hands were clasped in her lap, and her eyes had a faraway look to them. When they focused on Abby again, she thought she could see sadness in them. “So, Lord Thaliyunn was speaking truth all those months ago. And to think none of us listened.”

  It felt like she had been struck by lightning. She was only vaguely aware of Wesley’s sharp intake of breath, and his hand pressing into her back; of his presence in her mind, comforting and loving. Abby looked for Elazar’s face. The emotion in his eyes was enough to affirm what Abby thought — she finally knew her father’s name.

  Lord Arandor spoke, his words breaking Abby out of her mind. “And what shall be done about it? It isn’t the first time those heathens have attempted to overstep their boundaries. What concern is it of ours?”

  “What concern?” Wesley’s voice was sharp.

  Anger spiked in her blood, filling her senses with adrenaline. Abby’s head snapped to Wesley. His brows were pulled together, and his nostrils flared slightly. She tried to send him calm through the bond, but it was met by a brick wall. His hands clenched at his sides. “We have leads that tell us that the vampires aren’t working alone. They have found allies amongst the wolves. There are those that say they have found an ally in the Faye.”

  Abby could sense the shift in the room as soon as it happened. The once warm and inviting atmosphere had turned cold.

  Lord Arandor sat forward in his chair, anger plain on his features. “What you say is treason, wolf.”

  Wesley stepped away from her, “What I speak is the truth. The human world could soon be at war, and you want to turn a blind eye?”

  Abby had to stop this before it got even worse. Returning to Wesley’s side, she laid a hand on his chest. Warmth seeped from her palm. She didn’t stop until his eyes met hers. Satisfied that he wouldn’t speak again, at least for the moment, she turned back to their hosts.

  While she had been busy trying to calm Wesley, Lady Neirdre had been trying to gain control of the room as well. The Faye were arguing, at odds with each other, if their body language said anything. But Abby did not understand what they were saying. They weren’t speaking English. Even though tones were sharp and full of anger, the words flowed and arched in the air. It sounded like music to her ears. Sharp and cold music, but music nonetheless.

  Finally, something Lady Neirdre said seemed to gain the upper hand. Slowly, the Elders calmed. Sitting back down, Lady Neirdre sighed. “Please, accept my apologies again, Lady Abigail. But news of this nature is disturbing.”

  Holding tightly to Wesley’s hand at her side, Abby nodded. “Believe me, I wish we had better news to share.”

  Nodding, she gestured to Elazar. “Lord Elazar thinks we need to speak to the High Council about this, immediately. I am in line to agree with him. But first, I need to ask you a very important question.” Something told Abby that she needed to tread very carefully. She glanced at Wesley before nodding her head. “I will admit that in summoning you here, we had hoped to convince you to stay amongst your people. Although some may not agree with your birth or Mate, it would all be forgotten. You would be welcomed home.”

  Her words rang in Abby head like a bell. Although she had suspected, even asked Alex about the chances, hearing it spoken out loud was nerve-wracking. She loved The High Forest already, she would admit that. But choosing to stay forever? To leave the pack behind and everything she knows about the world? She didn’t think she could ever do that.

  Lady Neirdre continued. “But as it stands, I suspect that our wish would be futile. So I must ask, what did you wish to accomplish by coming here?”

  Many things, if she was being honest with herself. All her life, Abby had felt like an outsider. She had never belonged a
nywhere. And then she had met Wesley, and the pack, and had found a family. But still, it felt like a part of her was missing. From the moment she walked through the passage, she knew that she had found what she was missing. Never had she walked into a new place and had felt so instantly at home. With a solemn expression, she looked to the Faye before her and said, “Answers, my Lady. I needed answers.” Glancing at Wesley then, Abby added. “But then it became more than that. As much as I want to stay and learn all that I can, I have something more important I need to do.”

  A small smile grew on Lady Neirdre’s face. She looked down the row at Elazar, before back at Abby and Wesley. “You have surpassed any and all expectations we had of you, Lady Abigail. I can say this with confidence, that your father would be very proud indeed.” Unprepared for the wave of emotions that came forth, Abby was stunned into silence once again.

  Squeezing her hand gently, Wesley took a half step forward. With a hand over his heart, he bowed his head. “Your words mean more to us than any of our own words could express.”

  Lady Neirdre bowed her head in response, before gesturing to Elazar. “Lord Elazar is correct. We must contact the High Council immediately. If you, Lady Abigail, choose to follow the path before you, you will need their blessing to do so.”

  Her brows pulling together, Abby shook her head briefly. “I’m sorry, Lady Neridre, but I don’t think I understand.”

  Elazar spoke before anyone else could. “You need the Council’s approval to become involved in this uprising, Lady Abby. You are Faye, after all. Because once you are involved, the Faye will officially be taking a side. We will be at war.”

  Lady Neirdre nodded, a smile growing on her lips. Regarding Abby and Wesley, she said, “It’s been quite a while since we had a Keeper and Protector.”