“Thanks, but I’m okay.” A familiar feeling prickled in the corners of my eyes and my throat started to ache. I coughed, but couldn’t stop the flood overtaking me. I tilted my head back and closed my eyes. Drops of water dripped on my shoulders as a cool wetness fell on my cheeks. My hands twitched to wipe the tears away, but instead, I let them run. Let the horror and the heaviness of the past few weeks drain out and maybe even wash me clean.
“Everything is going to be okay now, Dad. Edwin is gone, the kingdom is saved, and we are going to find a way to break the curse so you can come home with us. Mom will make sure of it. She’s so much more amazing than I ever thought. So strong. But she needs you to get better. She needs you to come back and be there for her. And you will, I know you will.”
My voice started to crack as it fought against my gasping breaths. Each word a fight to force out.
“And I need you too. I should’ve been better. Paid attention. But I didn’t. I know now that I can do this. I can be king, but it doesn’t mean I don’t want you there by my side as long as I can have you. Because I miss you. I want to be able to talk to you. To ask you questions. To tell you about the most amazing girl I met and how she broke my heart and ask you how I’m supposed to make it stop hurting if she doesn’t come back to me. How I’m supposed to move forward in my life when I’ve made so many mistakes.”
Dad crept over to the side of the cage and extended his paw out toward me.
“Thanks.” I laughed through the sobs. I probably looked irrational to him. A crying, gasping mess. And I was. A mess. Or that’s what it felt like.
I wiped my face with my sleeve and closed my eyes to let the warm breeze help dry my cheeks. I didn’t know where that all came from, but it had been building up for a while. All the worry, all the pain, and all the fear slowly piled up inside me, but with the battle for the kingdom, I didn’t have the time to tear it all back down. But now, with the threat of Edwin finally over it tumbled out uninhibited and unwanted. If this was victory, why did it feel so much like a loss?
Slow breaths. I inhaled deep and exhaled until my ribs collapsed against my lungs. Over and over until I started to feel some release.
A rustling noise poked at my ears. Scuffling sounds.
I snapped my eyes open. My father paced inside his cell. He pounded the bars at every turn and paced the other way, hitting the bars again. The clanging shook me out of my own head as my father reared his head back and roared at the sky.
“What’s wrong, Dad?” I crawled across the ground nearer to the cage.
Squawk! Squawk!
A flurry of bronze feathers flapped on the far end of the yard. I peeled my stare away from my father. Alizeh tore at the ground with her talons, her head arched back as she let out pained cries. Tiny bits of fluff fell like snow around her, chunks of her feathers as she fussed and stomped about.
“Alizeh,” I called, but she didn’t look at me. “What’s going on?”
The air thickened. Heavy and dense. Humidity mixed with gelatin. Almost tangible, weighing down on my skin like I could take a knife and cut out a slimy slice. The sun hid, leaving us in shadow as the temperature plummeted on the mountaintop.
To the east, the sky darkened. Thick gray clouds swirled in the distance until they converged into a stain of black on the horizon. Bolts of lightning shot through the center of the dark mass. Electricity sizzled in the air. Alive. Volatile.
I jumped to my feet and held my hand above my eyes as I stared into the anomaly. I’d seen storms before. Days of rain and thunder, and even hurricanes on the coast, but they didn’t compare. This event, this thing, sprung from nowhere. No rain or sound followed. Just swirling nothingness and streaks of light. Could it be? Was this what Veda saw when she looked off her peak toward Urbis? Was this part of the darkness? The short hairs on my arm stood on end. How did the fairies expect me to fight a power that strong? I could never do something like that alone.
My father shimmied up the bars toward the top of the cage. He let out a deep guttural roar. Panicked. Maybe scared. Alizeh squawked louder, craning her head toward him then launching into the air and flying west, her majestic wings beating so fast they blurred.
“Wait,” I yelled as I waved my arms in the air and ran after her.
Her bronze body shrunk until it reduced down to only a dot then disappeared.
I slapped my arms down to my sides. “Great. Now how am I going to get home?”
A bright green flash illuminated the sky. I whirled around as the black clouds whipped faster in their circle. Around and around, drawing in all the light left. Faster, faster, then--poof! The entire concentration of clouds vanished in a blinding spark. It jolted through the atmosphere. I blasted backward, landing on my elbows in the dirt and smashing my head on the ground.
I held my forehead against the ache and looked up. The sun reappeared. The glorious spring day spread out above me as if it never left. Pain shot down my spine. I couldn’t have imagined this, could I?
“Are you all right, Your Majesty?”
Two shadows loomed overhead as guards grabbed my arms and hoisted me to my feet. Dizziness rushed over me and I stumbled but the guards held me up until the feeling passed.
“Yes. Thank you. I think I’ll be fine.” I shirked out of their grip and shuffled forward.
“Are you sure, sir?”
I nodded and instantly regretted it. “Which one of you is in charge of this operation?”
One of the guards pointed to a decorated guard standing near my father’s cage. He neared the bars as my father growled at him from captivity. The guard didn’t flinch, taking the attack with stillness and unruffled nerves.
“I’d like to speak with him,” I said.
The guards headed toward the cage and sent their superior to my side.
He rushed over and stood with a perfect shoulder-width stance and his hands clasped behind his back. “How can I be of assistance, my prince? We weren’t expecting anyone to be waiting here for us. Has something happened at the castle?”
“No. As far as I know, the castle is fine. However, I wanted—”
I looked at the man standing before me. The short trimmed hair. The all-business expression. Ready to do my family’s bidding without question. He’d likely been a pawn in Edwin’s game and then passed back to me as if his life was merely a product to be bought or sold. And until now, I didn’t even care. But maybe the end of Edwin’s wave of terror could be the beginning of something better.
I extended my hand. “May I ask your name?”
His brow furrowed as if I’d presented the question in a foreign language. “My name, sir?”
“Yes, my family is asking you to protect my father and I realized I don’t even know who you are. I’d like to change that.”
I pushed my hand closer to him.
He looked at it strangely, then took it and shook firmly. “It’s Merrick, sir. I’ve been a guard in your service for six years.”
Six years and we’d only just met. Awful. “Well, Merrick, did you and your crew see anything unusual on your way up the mountain?”
He nodded. “A severe-looking storm was brewing in the east but it looks like it may have passed.”
So I wasn’t imagining it. Maybe it was only just a storm but the uneasy feeling that spread through my gut disagreed.
“And tell me, you hear things in the castle. In the city. Right?”
“What do you mean, sir?”
“Have you ever heard of anyone talking about something called ‘the darkness’?” I leaned closer. “Something evil perhaps?”
Merrick grimaced but remained steady on his feet. “No, sir. If there was something of concern I would report it to my captain. Is there any reason to believe that I’ve kept something from you?”
“No.” I swiped my hand through the air and stepped back to give him more room to breathe. “I didn’t expect that you would know, I guess I was just being hopeful. Thank you anyway.”
I tappe
d him on the shoulder and walked toward the cage. Guards were already pulling out trunks of supplies and resting them around the outside of the cell as my father taunted them with his vicious paws. One guard shuddered and tripped over his own feet sending him flying to the ground.
I gave him my hand. “He’s not dangerous if you treat him with respect. He’s just scared, as I’m sure you would be if someone had you trapped like an animal. It’s still your king in there, and I expect that he will be treated as such.”
“Yes, sir,” the guard replied as he clambered to his feet but chose to put distance between himself and the cage.
Merrick appeared at my side. “We will do our very best to make him comfortable, Your Majesty. The queen has been very particular in her directions and we will serve them to the letter.”
“I appreciate that.” I glanced up into the beautiful sunlit sky, still surprised at how quickly it had changed. “If I can get my friend to return I will get out of your way. Hopefully, the next time we see each other will be under better circumstances.”
“Yes, sir.” Merrick nodded as he assumed his militant stance again. “However, before you go, I haven’t heard anything about a ‘darkness’ but there have been sightings of a few new faces hanging around in Mosa. Maybe they know of what you speak.”
“Very well, Merrick. Thank you for that information.”
I wandered near the edge of the peak and whistled for Alizeh. Her bronze body shone in the afternoon glow as she appeared over the clouds. A trustworthy companion.
But as I waited for her to land, my mind picked at Merrick’s words. New faces in Mosa? With it nearly summer it could just be travelers passing through, nothing to be concerned about. But for some reason, the thought brewed a new storm, except this one raged in my head as lightning struck in my brain and warned me to proceed with caution.
6
15th June
I enveloped my fist in my right hand and pressed hard until my knuckles released with a crack that itched through my bones. I swapped hands and cracked again reveling in the relief that bordered on pain. Glancing at the door again, I paced the edge of the crimson and gold woven rug that lined the foyer stone floor. I shouldn't be nervous, but my feet refused to stay still while I waited.
"Are you expecting another invasion, my son?”
My mother descended the grand staircase and paused five or six steps from the floor. Her midnight-colored gown flowed around her as the silver filigree-stitched stars transformed a simple dress into the night sky.
"No, not today. Kalmin is coming over."
She laughed, the cheerful sound filling the foyer. “Well, that's nothing to stress over. You boys have been friends for years, I'm sure whatever has transpired between you can be put in the past."
"I hope so." Except I wasn't totally sure. Things had gone wrong for a lot longer than I initially thought. Not only did I need to make up for the things I knew I’d done, but there could also be a lot more I didn't even know about yet. But it would be worth it. I knew it would. The time I'd spent lonely and isolated in the castle, I swore I'd never leave myself in that position again if I ever surfaced. It's true, I could start over and look for new companions, but things with Kalmin seemed unfinished. Years of time and commitment to each other didn't simply disappear overnight and salvaging that would be easier than losing him. Besides, I didn’t want anyone new in my life. I wanted him.
My feet twitched and I started my back and forth stroll again.
"I'm sure everything will be fine. Kalmin is a smart boy and he will make the right choice."
"And what if the right choice is to stay far away from the poison of this family? A cursed king, an adopted prince with powers he doesn't understand. It's a lot for someone to have to absorb and still want to be around."
My mother's charming smile slid into a frown as she gripped the banister tighter, her knuckles growing whiter from the pressure. "Fallon Xavier Aldric, don't ever let me hear words like that out of your mouth again. Our family has its problems but we love each other beyond all else. No matter what we go through, no matter what happens, we are still the same kind, generous, and loving people we always were. If your friend can't see that then maybe you should start looking for someone smarter to spend your time with."
I inhaled, breathing in her words then letting them mingle and swim through my blood. How could she still hold so much faith after all she'd been through? But if she could do it, then surely so could I.
Just then the rumble of the entrance doors jerked me out of my own head. Daylight poured into the foyer outlining Kalmin as he stood on the threshold. He'd dressed up for the occasion. A long hunter green jacket hung to his knees with a collection of detailed silver buttons down the front. The crispest white dress shirt sat underneath, tight around his neck and looking horribly uncomfortable. But, his face appeared like stone, unreadable and difficult to break.
"You came," I said.
Neither one of us moved from our positions, either unsure or both of us feeling the need to stand their ground.
"Yeah, I did." The whisper of a smile slipped across his face. "Besides, when would I ever get an invitation to the castle presented by four fully armed guards? I figured I should probably make the trip."
"Well, I'm glad you came."
"Yes, it's a pleasure to have you in our home once again, Kalmin. I still need to find a way to repay you for providing me shelter through this whole ordeal." My mother's voice rang behind me, but I kept staring forward, still unable to move.
Kalmin took a step and bent down on his knee, his left arm sweeping across his chest. "My apologies, Your Majesty, I didn't notice you standing there. Forgive my rudeness."
"Oh hush, my boy. And stand up, you'll ruin your trousers. You are a friend to the crown and will be treated as such unless you give us reason otherwise."
"Thank you." He cast his stare to his shoes while he fingered his embroidered jacket cuff. "But, this time I intend to stay in the prince's favor as long as he'll have me."
A slight redness crested Kalmin's cheeks, likely the same shade growing on my own.
"I'd like that very much."
Kalmin took the last few steps into the castle. The guards quickly slammed the doors shut on his heels. Black dots speckled through my vision as the sun disappeared and stopped blaring into my eyes.
I swept my arm to the left and pivoted out of the way. "Should we head to the drawing room? I've already arranged for the kitchen to make your favorite apple tarts. You still like those, right?"
"Course. And if I remember correctly, the castle makes the best ones in the kingdom." He licked his lower lip and I chuckled.
"Still pliable with food and drink? I guess some things always remain the same."
He laughed and the sound destroyed the remaining tension in the room. "Why not? They are great things to surrender for."
My mother scurried down the rest of the staircase and whirled between us. “That's a nice idea, Fallon, but it's such a lovely day outside. Why don't I tell the kitchen to hold off on the pastries and you two head out for a while? Enjoy the beautiful weather and then come back here later. These cold stone walls will never beat a day in the sun."
Kalmin shrugged. "I heard they repaired the chess set in the square. That is if you don't mind losing in public?"
"I could be interested in a few games. But I doubt I'll be the one losing.”
Kalmin smiled at the challenge and my shoulders relaxed, the tension of my rigid posture finally able to release.
My mother clapped her hands, a little too delighted about plans she had no part of. "Splendid. I'll tell the kitchen to expect you later."
She let out a tiny squeal, then disappeared across the foyer and down the hall.
"It sounds like she really wants to be rid of us," I said.
"It could be worse."
Yes, it definitely could be. Besides, a day out of the castle without some sort of nefarious mission would be a pleasant change of pace
.
"Thank you for coming." I extended my hand and Kalmin shook it roughly.
"I missed you, Falls."
"I missed you too.”
My mother was right, as always, it was a beautiful day to be outside. The sun shone its golden rays illuminating the city while a subtle breeze wafted through the streets to keep from being too warm and sweaty. It’s as if she’d commanded this day to arrive and it did.
Reporters swarmed by the gate. Much less than over the recent weeks, but still fascinated to know about life behind the castle walls. Except, they’d never really have the full story. I paused and smiled allowing a few photos before ushering Kalmin over the bridge and into the city proper. Fighting the attention would only attract more and although I wished they’d all find something else to fuel their excitement, it was time I accepted it. I needed to stop hiding away from my obligations and show the people the true ruler I could be. That maybe I really did have potential.
The odd looks continued as we strolled the cobblestone streets, but I held my head high, smiling and nodding to anyone who cast a glance our way.
“So, you’re really king, aren’t you?” Kalmin asked as we slowed in front of the bakery, both of us inhaling the mouth-watering scent of fresh muffins floating out the open door.
“For now.” I slowed down, letting myself revel in the lingering smell a bit longer. Banana, or maybe raspberry? “I’m still hopeful that they will find a cure for my father, but if the kingdom needs me, then I guess that’s what I have to be.”
Kalmin laughed and slapped me on the back. “Well son of a pixie, Falls. You might have finally grown up.”
“Really? And where does that leave you?”
“Still trying—” His mischievous lips curled into a smile, but the joy in his eyes seemed stilted. “—but I’ll get there.”
He crossed his arms behind him and marched beside me, his posture straighter as if being around me suddenly required more pomp and circumstance. I cringed. If I wanted another advisor, I’d add another to the Council, but maybe things would take longer to repair between us than I thought.
Fallon: Son of Beauty and the Beast (Kingdom of Fairytales Boxset Book 6) Page 31
