Fae Flower

by Michelle R. Reid

  Marabell let go of my hair and clung to Mama’s fingers, crying still.

  Mama brushed at my cheek, then rested her hand on my shoulder. She smiled at me, Fae green eyes shining with pride. “Kyna, I’m so proud of you.” She looked at the tree prison, gaze deep and considering. “I never thought this moment would come. From the day you were born, I knew the Red Caps would return. But now, I truly believe I might be able to sleep soundly at night, knowing you’re finally safe.” Tears pooled in her eyes.

  I blinked at the tears in my own eyes. I leaned over and rested my head on her shoulder.

  Marabell slid off my head and clung to Mama’s neck, still hiccupping.

  Aeden’s hand rested on my shoulder and waited till I smiled at him. “There’s something we need to discuss.”

  Alana and King Helios stood over his shoulder, waiting.

  I stood up, body aching all over. Every inch of me felt like it was covered in bruises, and my joints ached from crouching in that position so long.

  King Helios motioned to the Red Cap prison. “Let’s talk over there.”

  Alana fluttered down to the ground and picked up her staff then paused, looking up.

  Aeden wrapped an arm around my waist and jumped down to the ground, using his wings to slow our fall so we were able to land comfortably. His hand slid from my back until his fingers could touch mine. Natural as breathing, my hand turned until I could lace my fingers with his.

  King Helios scooped Mama into his arms and fluttered down, gently putting her feet on the ground.

  “Thank you,” she smiled at him.

  Alana stilled, staring at Mama. She turned wide eyes to me as if making the connection, glanced at Aeden who shrugged, then went back to staring at Mama.

  King Helios sighed at his daughter as if amused then walked forward to the wall of trees. He reached out and touched the trees of the prison. Magic shimmered around the wood under his hand, clear and strong despite the pounding and wailing on the other side. He gave a satisfied nod then looked at us. “We need to decide what to do about this.”

  Slowly, Frost Fae collected behind us. Apparently done with their tasks, the pale Fae stood silently, watching with curiosity.

  “What to do?” I asked. I just wanted to walk away and forget about the horrible creatures on the other side.

  The king nodded then glanced at his children. “What do you think?”

  “Kill them,” Aeden said without a pause. “Set fire to it and burn them all to hell.” His wings flashed bright as his eyes hardened. “They’ve caused enough havoc. The world would be a better place without them.”

  King Helios nodded slowly, thinking about his son’s words. Then he glanced at Alana. “What do you think, heir to the Frost Kingdom?”

  I couldn’t help but think this was a test of sorts. I’m sure the king already knew what he wanted to do, but he wanted to know what they thought.

  Alana blinked as if surprised to be addressed like that, but she couldn’t falter. She frowned and walked over to the wall. She rested her hand on it and closed her eyes, breathing deep.

  “They have done much evil,” Alana said slowly and opened her eyes. “But the Red Caps are still part of the delicate balance of the earth. If they are exterminated, who knows what disturbance that would have to the earth’s magic?” She looked her father, cool eyes set. “I believe we should let them live. Here.” She patted the wall. “Keep the balance safe, but keep the threat of their evil contained where it can’t hurt anyone anymore.”

  “You can’t be serious,” Aeden said. “After all they’ve done?”

  “Don’t you think this would be enough?” Alana asked. “In there, they would be cut off from everything and without Fae nectar. For the rest of their long lives, reduced to half beings and always starving for the power nectar gives you. Wouldn’t that be punishment enough?”

  Aeden scowled and shook his head. “No.”

  King Helios turned his wise eyes to me. “And what do you think, Miss Kyna?”

  I jumped. “Me?”

  The Frost Fae behind me shifted with unease. They whispered to each other, wondering why two humans were here anyway. And why the great Sun King would stoop low enough to consult with one.

  The king nodded. “Yes. After all, this is all tied to you.” He swept his hand wide toward the wall. “Not only were you a victim of all this, but the very boundary holding the Red Caps is tied to your magic and life force.”

  I swallowed and glanced at the Frost Fae watching me with sharp eyes. Mama shifted, drawing my attention to her.

  She gave me a smile of encouragement, Marabell nodding on her shoulder. Just looking at her filled me with the warmth of her magic.

  I took a breath and gazed at the wall, listening to the wailing on the other side. Truth be told, I hated it. Hated all of them. I just wanted to wipe them off the face of the earth so that they never hurt another human or Fae again. Without them, the Fae slave trade might finally die out. And I could sleep at night, knowing I was safe.

  But that was also accomplished without having to kill them, as long as they stayed trapped in here. Thousands of Red Caps had already died. If what Alana said was true, killing them could tip the balance of magic. I didn’t know if it would be for good or ill, but wasn’t that a risk too high to take? What if another type of Fae came into existence, something worse, and took the Red Caps’ place?

  I looked at Aeden, a guilty pang in my chest. “I actually agree with Princess Alana.” I glanced around the lifeless forms littering the ground. A mass grave. More guilt tugged at my gut when I spotted some Frost Fae lying on the ground. A couple were motionless, while some were being administered to by healers. “All this killing is awful. I just want it to stop.” I looked up into Aeden’s eyes, hoping he would understand. “I want to create a world where humans and Fae can live together happily. No hate, no fear. But because of me, I feel like the Fae world is being torn apart. I hate it. Since it’s tied to my life force, like you said, then they’re already going to be stuck in there until I’m dead. Couldn’t we just leave it like that?”

  He let out a puff of breath but didn’t let go of my hand. “Well, I’ve been outvoted, unless Father wants to side with me.” He turned hopeful eyes to the King.

  King Helios smiled and looked at Mama. “What are your thoughts, Maira? Your life has also been heavily affected by them.”

  Mama’s eyes narrowed as she thought. After a moment, she looked up. “Kyna and I think alike. I just want it over with.”

  Helios nodded. “Then it’s agreed. The Red Caps in here will stay here. May it be a monument to what happens to those who disrupt nature’s balance.” He turned his strong gaze to the Frost Fae standing around. “As for the Red Caps that haven’t been captured, they must answer for the trespasses they have done to the Frost and Sun kingdoms. Let it be known throughout the land. They will be found, and any Fae assisting them will also answer to the Sun King.”

  The Frost Fae placed their hands on their chests and bowed their heads. Without a word of complaint, they took to the air.

  I stared at him, awed by the authority he so easily held. Would Aeden be like that someday?

  Alana walked over and touched the blue stone of her scepter to the trees. A thick layer of ice spread over the trees, just like in the Summer Palace. As it spread, magic sparkled in the air, creating a magical barrier.

  Alana stepped back, viewed her work, then turned to her father and brother. “I need to get back to Mother and beg forgiveness.” She smiled sheepishly. “When she refused to help, I kind of just took the Frost Scepter and army without permission.” Her face smoothed into the look of a royal in command, just like her father. “She might never forgive me, but it was still the right thing to do.”

  King Helios smiled and rested a hand on her shoulder. “And we owe our lives to you.” He kissed the top of her head. “Let me know if you need any help with her.”

  Alana rolled her eyes. “Because she’s always
so reasonable with you around.” A smile flashed across her mouth as she gave her family a quick hug. Then she shocked me by wrapping her chilly arms around me. “Goodbye.” She waved and flew off, several guards following behind her.

  Mama looked up at the king. “What should we do until the Red Caps are all found? If this prison is tied to Kyna’s life, then they will be free when she dies. What will keep any rogue Red Cap from attacking her still?”

  “I’ll be there to keep her safe,” Aeden answered without missing a beat. “As long as it takes, no harm will ever come to Kyna. For my whole life.” He let go of my hand to wrap his arm around my shoulders and pulled me to his side, tight.

  Heat scorched my cheeks, remembering the words I’d said in the midst of the attack. And the words he’d said back. I lifted my hand and rested it on his hand that cupped my shoulder. It felt so good to lean into him and let him take my tired weight. “I’ll protect you too,” I said and looked up into his golden eyes.

  A slow smile spread across his face.

  “It won’t be easy,” Mama warned. She watched us with a knowing gaze. “As a human and Fae, there will always be differences that you can’t get past. And you will never have children.”

  I paused, realizing that Mama was talking about more than Aeden just protecting me.

  A life with Aeden would be hard. We couldn’t live in the human world. No settlement, not even the Deaglan clan, would accept a relationship between a human and Fae. And would we even want to live so cut off from magic? But there was no saying that we’d be welcome in a Fae settlement either. Most Fae hated humans and tried to harm any that stepped into their woods.

  And it was true, we could never have a family. I paused, thinking about the happy memories I had from childhood, the warmth of holding Mama’s hand and the tenderness of cuddling Papa. I would never get the chance to experience that with a child of my own. It pricked at my heart, knowing that the love that Aeden and I had for each other would never be able to grow.

  “Even so.” I looked into his face, a wonderful warmth burning in my heart. “This is the future I want. Come what may.”

  King Helios stepped forward. “There will be people who will never accept your relationship. Your mother being one of them,” he warned his son.

  Aeden nodded. “I’m willing to take the risk.”

  The king gave a soft smile, his eyes wistful. “I envy your freedom, Aeden. As the second son, you’re able to follow your heart in a way I never could.” He glanced at Mama in sadness.

  I watching him, my heart aching. Just the thought of leaving Aeden right now would break me. How hard was it for King Helios and Mama back when they were young? I licked my lips. “But … are those obligations still there? Can’t you follow your heart now?” Was I overstepping my bounds?

  Mama looked at me, surprised. Then she turned hopeful eyes to King Helios. “I don’t have any obligations left.”

  The King’s eyes narrowed and he sighed. “There is no end to marriages in the Fae world. No matter how much I don’t want to see Queen Aysla or how much she hates me, she will always be my legal first wife. And the mother of my children. Even if we never see each other again, she will always be a thorn in my side.” He looked at Mama, regret heavy on his face.

  Mama frowned, thinking. She looked at me, assessing me and Aeden together. Finally, she turned to the Sun King. “I’ve lived with many thorns over the years.” She held out her hand to King Helios, a timid smile on her face. “But still, I think it’s worth a few stings to hold the rose.”

  His lips parted, hope shining on his face. Slowly, he took Mama’s hand.

  “Come on,” Aeden whispered in my ear and turned, pulling me with him. “You know, I always resented being the second son. I felt useless. But I don’t regret it anymore.” He smiled down at me. “I don’t think I could have waited twenty years for you. I’d have thrown the world into havoc, trying to be with you. It’s been that way ever since I saw you, you know. From the time I saw your beautiful eyes, so full of fire and compassion. I even started using every excuse I had to keep coming back.” He reached out and brushed my wild hair behind my ears.

  I smiled and bit my lips, so happy I could burst. “I never knew where I belonged, either.” I reached up and covered his hand, pressing my cheek into his palm. “I finally know now. I belong with you. Come what may.”

  “Protecting each other, forever?” Aeden asked, slowly. His voice was steady and strong, eyes bright with emotion.

  “Forever,” I promised and tipped my lips up for his kiss.

  Epilogue

  Five Years Later

  I looked up from the yellow nightgown taking shape under my needle to watch Aeden as he paced back and forth in front of the door. His movements were light and swift, steps barely making a noise on the wooden floor. This was worse than when we first moved into this human house, and he had to learn to live with a roof and glass windows. “Will you sit down, already? You’re going to make me anxious too.”

  He glanced at me, wings flickering and causing the airy tapestries to sway on the wall. He shoved his hand through his dark orange hair and sighed. “I’m just … I mean …” His words died out as if he couldn’t come up with the right ones to say.

  Really, he didn’t have to say anything. I knew exactly what was going through his head, because it was going through mine too. What was going to happen now?

  There was a gentle rap on the door.

  Aeden spun around and wrenched the door open.

  On the other side of the door stood Alana. In the night sky, her hair sparkled like moon dust and her wings glowed like stars. Next to her was the oldest of the royal children, and the acting King of the Sun Fae, Fintan. Tall and slender, he stood with his chin high and a serious expression on his handsome face.

  Alana came in without asking and hugged Aeden. “Brother, what is going on? Without any warning, you and Kyna just disappeared. It’s been four months. Didn’t you think we would worry?”

  Aeden stepped back. “We apologize for that.”

  Fintan clapped Aeden on the shoulder, his stern expression softening. “Next time, at least tell us where you went.” He stepped inside so Aeden could shut the door. “I never would have thought you’d settle in a human house on the border of the forest.”

  I set my sewing aside and slowly stood up, wincing as a sharp pain shot from my hip to my knee. “It was a spur of the moment choice.”

  Alana turned. “Kyna, I didn’t see …” Her words trailed off as she saw me. Saw my rounded belly. “… A baby?” she whispered, confused.

  I smiled as my cheeks turned pink. “I’ve only ever been with one man.” Even after being married for four years, this subject made me blush. Still I needed to say that right away, in case there was any doubt.

  Fintan shook his head slowly, shocked beyond words. “That shouldn’t be possible.”

  Aeden nodded. “We know. But it happened.”

  Alana walked forward in a daze. She knelt down, white dress and all, and rested her hand on my stomach. Her eyes lit up with wonder as the baby shifted inside. “I can feel it,” she whispered in awe. “The human blood and Fae blood in perfect sync.” Her voice caught. “There’s so much magic. Not frost, or fire, or flower. Just … raw magic. Pliable. Changing.” She looked up at me and over her shoulder to her brothers. “This child might be able to wield multiple types of magic. And he will be strong.”

  My heart flipped in my chest. “He?”

  “It’s a boy?” Aeden asked, hope in his eyes.

  Alana nodded her head to the side. “It feels like a boy, and I’m rarely wrong.”

  “A boy,” I whispered and put my hands over the swell. I could feel the warm buzz of magic not my own, swirling and growing inside.

  “A boy!” Aeden grabbed his brother’s arm and shook it in emphasis. “We’re having a boy!” He hurried to me and wrapped me in a hug. “A boy!”

  Alana stood up and looked me in the eyes. “The next keep
er of the Red Cap prison. The threads of his magic seem to be just as tied to that cursed place as yours are.”

  Aeden stilled and my hands tightened around his arm. Aeden nodded slowly. “A testament that the earth wants the Red Caps to stay there.” He rested his hand over the swell of our baby.

  As if knowing who it was, the baby pushed out — a hand? — into Aeden’s.

  “A new kind of life, neither human nor Fae,” Fintan said slowly. “A life like that must be protected. You will have the full protection of the Sun Fae. Not that you’ll need very much more.” He nodded to his brother in acknowledgement. “I will send the best instructor to help teach the boy when he is ready.”

  “As will the Frost Fae,” Alana piped up. “I take it, since you disappeared without a word, you’re not going to let everyone know about this baby?” When I shook my head, she asked, “Do Mother and Father know?”

  Aeden gave a short laugh. “Mother still hasn’t accepted that I married a human. Do you think she’d ever come to grips that I had a baby with a human, too?”

  Alana winced.

  Fintan sighed. “You have a point.”

  I rested my hand on my stomach, feeling him move. “My mama and King Helios know. They helped us settle here and visit often.”

  Alana smiled. “I should have known. Father and Lady Maira are too good at keeping secrets. I didn’t even know Lady Maira became the queen consort until right before it happened.”

  I smiled, thinking of the way Mama seemed to glow with happiness nowadays. Even when Queen Aysla came on her required yearly visit to Lasair, Mama still just grinned and bore it. Since Mama had the backing of the whole Sun Fae kingdom, Queen Aysla couldn’t do anything to her. It was wonderful, watching Mama live out her dream, while I lived mine too.

  I rubbed my hand over the hand pressing out, marveling at this new life. My baby. Mine and Aeden’s baby. There was a lot we didn’t know still — first and foremost how to be parents. Never mind the changeable magic. But we’d make it through together.