Rakarthen Academy

by Clara Hartley

  The king of the fae gestured at the creature. “Let me present to you a teramarth,” he said. “Captured from the last swarm that escaped from the mountains. The threat of these creatures continues to grow with every passing month. We fear that we cannot contain them by ourselves.”

  The king nodded to another one of his companions. This man was shorter than Cendri, but not by much, which made him still seem like a giant. He was far leaner, his muscles sinewy, his chin thin. Although his stature was slimmer than the men he stood amongst, he reminded me of a sharpened blade—efficient and unforgiving. The colors that he wore looked like the shades of autumn. His hair was long, reaching past his shoulders. He wore a fine orange tunic with spots of dusty blue. Briefly, despite standing so far away, I spotted the color of his irises. They were a bright gray, so light that they almost looked white. How could one with such red hair have such cold eyes? His gaze looked chilling enough to send tingles down my spine.

  The orange-haired man—mentally, I called him Autumn, for the lack of a better name—summoned a string of light. Once again, I was enamored by the ease with which he used magic, how it poured from his hands as if they were extensions of his limbs. The light lashed around the teramarth’s neck just as the creature rushed toward my parents. Autumn reeled the creature back easily. He relaxed his arms as the undead struggled, a bored expression on his face. Did he not want to be here?

  I shifted my attention from him back to the creature. I inched closer to Kaji, whispering, “It’s not natural. The dead shouldn’t be walking like that. They should be burned or buried deep in the ground.”

  Kaji remained silent, the tension that radiated from him heating the air. Kaji was tense? Few things bothered him. He’d told me he’d seen everything.

  The king of the fae continued, “They come in swarms from the Teramarth Mountains, past the Wall of Thorns. This is only one of them. Imagine a whole army, formed from all the fae species. Trolls, giants, dryads. All sorts of dead fae await us beyond that wall.”

  King Rylan stood, walking down the podium and toward the creature. He showed no fear at all. My fathers had faced death itself for my mother’s sake. I doubted anything scared them anymore. “How large are their numbers?”

  A piercing shriek tore from the teramarth’s throat. The creature tossed back and forth, struggling against Autumn’s string of light.

  “We don’t know,” the fae king said. “But those numbers grow every day. Every person who falls to a teramarth returns as one of its kind. Even after we successfully kill one, it respawns at its birth point. We call that birth point the abomination. The teramarth don’t die easily. If they do, they come back again a few days later, respawning from the abomination once more. These creatures can only grow in numbers as the death toll rises. You can see how this might escalate into a problem that reaches far beyond the fae lands.”

  “Hm.” King Rylan drew his sword and stabbed it through the creature’s chest. The creature stumbled, but continued thrashing around, stubborn and refusing to die. With its rotten arm, it latched on to my father. King Rylan pulled away. As he yanked his arm back, the teramarth’s arm came along with him, ripping its shoulder joint right off.

  My breath hitched in my throat. Perhaps living in the palace had shielded me from gruesome experiences too much.

  My father grabbed the teramarth’s arm, tearing it from his own. As he did, the creature regrew another limb, right where the last had been torn off.

  “It doesn’t flinch when it’s wounded,” King Rylan said. “Any other opponent would have faltered. The undead barely reacts to losing an arm.”

  “Good observation,” the fae king said, almost patronizingly. He folded his arms behind his back. “That is one reason why our warriors have trouble with them. They know no pain. No fear. They can fight without emotions. The dragon fae are containing them, but we’re afraid that our numbers won’t be enough if this keeps up. An alliance with the dragon-kind should help bolster our strength.”

  “How do we kill these monsters?”

  “Stabbing it through the head. Or burning it, over and over again until it stops moving entirely. They’re growing relentless. With each swarm, it takes longer for them to die out.”

  “I can send my troops over tomorrow.”

  “We do not wish for your help this soon. I merely ask that Lyra comes as a representative for your people. I’m trying to put off bringing too many newcomers into Thesnan. Most of the fae are still against this idea.” I thought I saw Cendri nod. “But it will be good to know that you are willing to come to our aid should we need it. That would be a worst-case scenario. I hope it shall never come to pass.”

  “You’re asking that I send one of my daughters to your foreign land, and yet you state that most of your people don’t like my own. What does Constanria get in return?”

  The fae king raised his chin. “The fae stand at the front lines of this new threat. We’re the first to suffer the consequences. But should we fail, you’ll have to face the teramarth on your own. I’m offering you a chance to protect yourself.”

  Silence fell over the giant hall. The fae king was not being outrightly rude, but there was condescension in the way he spoke to my father.

  King Rylan frowned. “I still don’t understand why it has to be Lyra who goes with you.”

  “She has fae magic, which makes her the best candidate.”

  My father stared at the fae king for a long time. His expression grew darker as he sank into deep thought. Finally, he broke the silence. “I will have to discuss this with Lyra. Her opinion matters to me, and if she doesn’t want to go, I won’t force her to.”

  “It will be a good learning opportunity for her,” Kael said.

  “At risk of her safety? I only have so many daughters.”

  I balled my right hand into a fist, resting it on the railing. Why would I want to leave my home? Adventure? The thrill of it did call to me. But I’d lose the familiarity of home. I’d lived in Raynea my entire life. Nineteen years in this place did make it seem boring. Would a change in environment serve me well?

  “You shouldn’t let relations between two regions depend on the decision of a single girl,” the fae king said. “What is one daughter compared to Constanria?”

  King Rylan’s eyes narrowed. “I tolerate your presence in my country, but do not insult me. Please know your place, dear guest.”

  The fae king took a step back. “I didn’t mean to offend. I apologize if I’ve made that mistake.”

  “You’ll have your answer within the day. Meanwhile, make yourselves comfortable in the quarters my servants shall lead you to. We need time to think this over.”

  The four fae bowed simultaneously. Autumn clicked his fingers after they were finished, and the teramarth disappeared, vanishing in a cloud of smoke, leaving behind its rotting scent. There had only been one teramarth, and its putrid smell was enough to send my head spinning. I couldn’t imagine a whole army of it. How did anybody live with that? Just the stench alone seemed strong enough to kill.

  They bade their farewells, and the fae left the court. I gestured at Kaji to leave with me as they did, not wishing to face my parents so soon after overhearing their discussion.

  “Am I crazy?” I asked.

  Kaji turned to me as we lifted ourselves onto the railing of the balcony, our wings spread behind us. His wings were red, just like his flames. “You’re only noticing now?”

  “Part of me wants to go to the fae lands.”

  Kaji blinked at me. “Did you not smell that thing?”

  “I did.” I pursed my lips. “It’s disgusting. But the fae lands also offer promise. A new place I’d never even heard of. One filled with magic and wonder. I’ve stayed in Raynea all my life, Kaj.”

  “Raynea’s comfortable. It’s not too bad to be stuck here.”

  “It’s boring.”

  “Ah, the folly of youth.”

  I flashed him a dirty look. “You’re only ten years older than me.
A baby in dragon-kind years.”

  “That’s still ten years more experience than you. Think this through, Lyra. You’re always chasing after danger and the next shiny object, refusing to sit still. It’s always greener on the other side. My advice is to be happy with where you are.”

  “Like you?”

  “I’m elated with what I have. Can’t you tell?”

  I skimmed my eyes over his drooping expression. “You make it so evident.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “I’ll think about it. I hope the crazy in me doesn’t compel me to make the wrong decision.” Some part of me hoped that the fae would take to me better than the evaradraes. They seemed skilled in magic, and I wanted to learn from them. If I couldn’t get along with the people here, then maybe I’d stand a chance in a different place.

  Kaji sniffed. “You’re always making wrong decisions.”

  “Gee, thanks for your faith in me.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Kaji took off from the balcony first. He extended his wings behind him and glided through the air. I watched him, feeling trepidation swallow my lungs. My breathing quickened, and I lingered before taking to the skies. As I swooped through the air, I circled the palace. How many more times could I look upon it like this before leaving?

  And why was I already thinking about leaving?

  Six

  “Hey,” I said to Kaji as he flew ahead. “You go on without me. I’m just going to fly around for a bit.”

  Kaji angled his wings, spinning toward me. “Mmm? You’re chasing me away. That never happens. Usually it’s me trying to get you off my back, but I can’t really say no because you’re the princess.”

  “Really? Of all people, I’d think that you wouldn’t give two shits about the princess title.”

  Kaji offered a one-shouldered shrug. “I try to care sometimes. I’m not that far off the deep end.”

  I lifted a brow and placed a hand on my hip, my wings flapping harder to keep me stable in the air. “You’re pretty far off.”

  “Yeah, maybe.”

  “Sorry for the surprise. I need some time alone in my head.”

  I waited for another retort, but Kaji’s expression fell, turning grim. After a couple of seconds, he answered, “All right,” before speeding away, giving me the space I needed. I huffed. Should I have asked him to leave like that? Maybe I did need company, and shunning others when I was this conflicted might have been the wrong decision.

  Wrong decisions.

  I knew Kaji was joking when he’d said I always made those, but I couldn’t help but let those words faze me. My resolve was usually stronger than this. Then again, most of the decision making I had to do in the palace was easy. All I had to think about was what to have for lunch, whether to skip lessons, and what to wear for that day.

  This time, however, the choice I had to make was big. The consequences of it reached far beyond me. Two regions would be affected by it, and my life would completely change if I agreed to join the fae.

  I circled the council of fortitude. It was my favorite building in the entire palace, probably because I admired my third father, Kael, slightly too much. He was the head of the council. I’d always wanted to defeat him, and through his tough lessons, he’d somehow turned into my childhood hero. I flew around the spires, lost in my thoughts, when I spotted one of the fae males in a nearby courtyard.

  I slowed my wings while my pulse increased in tempo. Should I approach him? Curiosity burned in me. I swallowed nervously and lowered myself toward the male, trying to keep in the shadows so he wouldn’t notice my presence. I landed softly on the ground and rounded the courtyard.

  This man was the most reserved of the fae. He had short hair, unlike the rest, which was a dusty ash color. His hair curled at the sides. He was the burliest amongst all of them, with broad shoulders and incredibly high cheekbones that gave him an edged appearance. His tan skin gave him a warrior vibe. He had a tattoo across his left cheekbones. It was white, meandering in a delicate pattern.

  His sword was just as majestic as he. I thought that the ivory dagger Micah had given me was cool, but this weapon was entirely made of golden glass, the material so exquisite that it seemed a pity such a work of art was used to fight. It looked heavy, its blade twice as long as most swords.

  I thought I hid well. But as soon as my feet settled on the ground, the fae’s attention shot to me abruptly. Cutting green eyes fixated on mine. I took a step back, the heat of his gaze burning into my skin.

  “Sneaking around?” the fae asked, smirking. Gaean’s teats. He’d looked all serious in court, but now he had a careless demeanor that was impossible to resist. “Isn’t it rude to spy in Raynea, or am I not acquainted well enough with your customs?”

  I froze. The huskiness of his voice made my mind numb. Speak, Lyra, I told myself. First impressions were important, and I was doing a terrible job of it. Somehow, I managed to string together some words: “Nobody likes being spied upon. The people here don’t really like it, either.”

  The fae—I’d nicknamed him Green due to his gorgeous eyes—raised his brows. What else had he expected me to say? Tension stretched between us, until it was broken when he grinned. “You’re Lyra Everborne, aren’t you? Second oldest princess of the Everborne royals.”

  “How’d you know?” I asked, stiffening. I didn’t recall meeting this man before.

  “I did my research before coming here. The fae libraries contain large amounts of information, much of it updated.”

  “Do you spend a lot of time there?”

  “When I’m not practicing the art of the sword, yes.”

  He seemed like a well-studied man. I wondered if he and I would get along, considering I liked skipping my academics so much. I did like duels. Maybe we’d be able to bond over that. And why was I already thinking about fostering a relationship with this stranger?

  “You look worried,” Green said, eyes twinkling. He’d appeared stern before this conversation started. When he’d been gazing at the greenery, his lips had pressed into a morbid line, the muscles of his face tense. Once he began talking, his demeanor lightened. The warmth on his face took me off guard. He was so different compared to Cendri, the blond asshole I’d met earlier. Green didn’t make me feel smaller. “Is it because you overheard the discussions in the court earlier?”

  “You noticed me.”

  Green chuckled. “You weren’t doing a good job of hiding. I’m sure everyone was aware of your presence. You hovered over us without even trying to mask your presence.”

  “I didn’t make much noise. You guys were really into your talks.”

  “My attention tends to wander. Constanria is a new place. It’s a lot to take in.”

  “Is it?” I tilted my head, unable to stop staring at Green. The structure of his face made him appear so foreign, and yet he struck me as beautiful. His friendly manner might have played a part. “I’ve been here all my life.”

  “It’s not a very long life. Nineteen years.” How detailed were those books about me and my family?

  “Still feels like forever, since that’s all I’ve known.”

  Green turned to his left. He lifted his hand toward a yellow flower. “I’m not that old, either. Twenty-three years of age, just like the rest of the triad. I understand what you mean about tiring of a place. Cardell’s beginning to feel small.”

  “Who are the triad?”

  Green plucked the flower from its vine. “Just me, Cendri, and Aland. There’s a prophecy that surrounds us. One foretold by the last fae king.” He blew at the flower. Golden mist breathed from his mouth, surrounding the flower. I tensed as I watched magic swallow the petals, turning the yellow into a shimmering gold. Green narrowed the distance between us and offered the flower. The sun caught the side of his face, lighting his ephemeral features. “For you,” he said. “The princess with the gorgeous hair.”

  “My hair?”

  “Do you not get compliments on it all the time?”

  �
��Sometimes.” I was tomboyish, but I left my hair down as a mark of my femininity. It was one of the few vestiges of it that I kept. I usually didn’t think twice about the compliments my servants gave me. But when Green complimented me, my breath hitched in my throat.

  I turned to the golden flower. “How did you do that?” I asked, my fingertips brushing his as I reached to accept his gift. I twirled the flower between my index finger and thumb. Its petals sparkled so much that I saw a rainbow of colors in its glitter.

  “Fae magic, mixed with souls,” he replied. “We’re a species very inclined toward the art. The triad and I are supposed to be highly adept at wielding it. I’m still trying to get better.”

  “You don’t think you’re good at it?”

  “There’s always more to learn.”

  More to explore.

  “Tell me about the fae lands,” I said. My chest was cinching tighter. I was hyper-focused on Green’s presence, far too aware of it. Why was I so drawn to him?

  Green’s eyelashes fluttered as he blinked. “It’s difficult to describe. I’m not sure if I could talk about accurately. Living in a place does skew your perception of it. How would you describe Raynea?”

  “Um… Lots of rivers, I guess. Tall buildings. Pretty art. When you go to the city, the traffic’s atrocious, with drerkyn and draerins flying all about. The food’s pretty decent, and I’m spoiled for choice because I’m the princess. I hear the evaradraes talking about having to eat dynfowl all the time.”

  Green hummed. Some of the gold of the flower reflected off his eyes. “I see Raynea as a glorious city. It’s rich with history, culture. There’s a story in each corner and space. The trees, bushes, flowers hold essences I’m not used to. They smell, taste, look different.” Green spoke so commandingly that I grew transfixed. “Your description doesn’t do it justice. I don’t think mine does, either. I’ve barely covered it. Everything here is different and new. So, you see, my impression of Thesnan, the fae lands, will be very unlike yours.”

  “Try,” I said. “Do it with the fae lands. Describe it.”