We sit in silence for a while as Fiora allows me to process the information before continuing. Everyone I’ve ever met in the light fae realm has a copy of them running around in the dark fae realm. It sounds ridiculous and strange. Do they ever meet? Are they nice? Rude? Or are they a literal exact replica, and if so, why?
“Hasn’t always been this way? Is that what the great wars have been about? The ruling kingdoms of the races? And who are these people? I understand the idea of different races of fae, but exact copies? What does that serve?”
Fiora receives my questions gracefully, “I understand that it’s confusing, but yes, that is the reason for the great wars. We battle for constant control over one another. After the original king of the fae died for the peace of this land, it was split up into the two realms, ten ruling kingdoms. The light fae attempted to yield control over their counterparts and have been doing so ever since.”
“And the copies?”
She tilts her head to the side, looking out the window, “The elders of the light fae believe that they were created first, which in their minds makes them the superior original race. Which means the dark fae are mere copies to be ruled over. It created an uprising. But there is no way to know who came first, it’s all speculation. I believe everyone was created to coexist and to help the earth flourish. The dark fae have different skill sets than we do, some that we don’t even know about. It’s all about balance.”
“So why fight? Why not call peace?”
She turns to me, “It’s more about politics than anything, which sounds bad, I know. But I can’t help but wonder if that’s why people like you come around every war, to establish peace, for however long it may be.”
The entire explanation isn’t enough for me. Having great and terrible battles, killing thousands of people, for political reasons? It makes me see red. How horrible. I stand up and pace around the room. None of these kings deserve to make these decisions about their people if this is how they utilize their power. Fiora is right, people like me are brought on to create peace, but not by fighting and dying in the war. I have all this power to make a permanent change. To become queen, just as Orin said.
To surprise even myself.
***
Sunday flew by in a haze of tiredness and an ache I can't shake, even going into Monday morning. And while I know exactly what or who that ache is from, I refuse to let myself be near him right now. I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt about his dad he rejected the idea. Well, maybe he was selfish, and maybe I don't want to be his mate. At least that's what I try to tell myself.
His confession definitely didn't alleviate my hesitations and concerns about his previous bond with Amira. He was willing to kill for her. Is that how all mating bonds are? Am I just a stupid human who doesn't understand the notion of two souls being perfectly made for each other?
I've had boyfriends, but none that I'd be willing to kill someone else for. And if I did, it would have to be because they're in immediate danger of losing their own life. A kill or be killed situation. I groan out loud while pushing my tangled hair away from my face.
Cyrena slides up next to me, "I was just about to yell at you for not coming to the party on Friday, but you look like a pile of crap, so I'll let it slide. Are you sick or something?" Yeah, love sick, I think to myself sarcastically.
"Ugh, I don't know. Don't worry about it. And to let you know, I was at the party. But Lucian left early and then I got too drunk to get home by myself so Orin took me. Then I had a raging hangover the next day. So I think I'll pass on the next one."
She cringes at my story, "Ugh that sounds awkward and awful. I'm sorry Tiana. But I do have something that might cheer you up." She hands me a flier that states in bright colors, 34th Affinity Competition! It starts one week from today and lasts for a month. I look up at her with a skeptical expression on my face. Affinity Competition? I can barely control wind, let alone do anything spectacular with it.
"What is this for? Do people create cool displays of power for a prize or something?" She scoffs, taking the paper back from my hands.
"Of course not! That would be stupid. This is a competition to the death. Well, so to speak. They only have these competitions when the spirit master is present on campus. He presides over it to keep people's souls from freeing their bodies, and healing them after they lose."
I cringe, "So it's a literal fight to the death? I don't know if I should enter that. Don't I have an unfair advantage over everyone else?"
Cyrena rolls her eyes, "That's the exact reason you should enter! The sole victor is invited to be a member of the spirit kings court for the rest of eternity as a combat advisor after they graduate. Everyone will be competing."
I think for a minute about what that would mean for me. A combat advisor? I had never fought anyone before coming to this academy. I'm not sure that I'd be the best person for the job. It would be good practice for Orin's ridiculous prophecy that I'll be this big savior. When that comes to pass, if it ever does, I want to at least attempt to not make a fool of myself.
"Okay, I'll compete." She squeals in delight and claps her hands together.
"Yes! A big group of us, all different fae don't worry, is practicing every day after class and grabbing a late dinner. Want to join?" That would give me a great excuse for why I'm seemingly avoiding Lucian. Well, not so seemingly.
"Yeah, that sounds great."
"Awesome, come to the air quad around five tonight. I'm excited to see you in action with your powers!" She hurries into her next class and I head into battle combat. I'm early, so I take the time to stretch out and change into my gear since I'll be training with Orin right after this. As I'm stretching out my legs someone taps my shoulder. I turn to see Del and have to force myself not to frown. I should have known that our feud wasn't over.
I hold out my hands, "Look Del, I would prefer it if we just avoid each other. I can see that you don't like me, and that's fine, but I don't really have the time or the patience to be bullied by you."
She sneers, "Oh, I see. Yeah, I'll do what you say because you're so much better than me, is that it?"
"What? No! I'm just trying to smooth this out. I'm being honest when I say that I don't want any more trouble." She crosses her arms over her chest and glares as if she's trying to figure out my angle. Hopefully she realizes that I don't have one. I just want this girl to leave me alone.
"Are you entering the Affinity Competition?" I'm taken aback by the question, why would she want to know?
"Yes, Cyrena told me about it this morning." Her scowl only deepens at the news, and of course, a crowd has grown now. They're all watching us quietly, waiting like vultures to pick up any gossip they can spread around at lunch.
"Don't you think that would be a little unethical? You know, since your fucking the judge." Several people in the crowd gasp, and my mouth drops open. Fucking the judge? What in the world is she talking about? Lucian and I went on a date, but we're not having sex! What a crude thing to say.
"I am not having sex with Lucian, not that it's any of your business. We're close because he's my mentor since I'm a spirit fae."
She smirks at me, "Oh? Too bad because he's hot. But I guess you'll still be warm at night. Rumor has it you've been seen kissing not only the fire master at Saturdays party, but also the earth master during your training," My face blanches as she continues, "You sure do get around, don't you? You must love the power trip these men are giving you. You're a fae whore!"
Without thinking, I lash out and punch her square in the jaw. She flails backward, stumbling and clutching at her face. Before she can recover I pounce on her, holding her down with legs and shoving her shoulders into the mat below her. She struggles to no avail as my skin begins to flash colors, rotating between my magical signatures for each affinity. For the first time I feel my ears grow to a point and my canine teeth elongate.
When I speak, my voice is deep and full of guttural power, "I told you to leave me alone." The
rest of the students scramble backward and Del whimpers beneath me. My body continues to speak without me prompting it, "You are nothing to me. You will bow down to me."
She struggles again, thrashing, "Get off of me you psycho!" My alter ego wraps one iron grip hand around the girl’s throat and squeezes. At this moment I'm in the back seat of my own body, able to watch the car wreck but not being in control of it.
"Say it," I hiss. And the way my voice sounds is terrifying even to me.
She coughs, "I do, I bow to you." My hand lets go and I stand up, stepping away from her. The aura of power fades, leaving me violated and shaky. What the hell was that? It felt like another person was in my body, holding complete control over my power, way more than I've ever had. And my voice. . . I sounded like a man! Does this have to do with that prophecy?
The surrounding students are staring, fear shining in their eyes. Del had scrambled back, her friends crouching around her. I attempt to back up and out of the room, taking my bag with me. Running down the halls, my breathing picks up so fast that I'm almost hyperventilating. Tears stream from my eyes and a sob escapes my chest. When I burst out of the doors Lucian is there, wide-eyed. He looks just as horrible as I do. Disheveled, tired, and in pain.
He grips my shoulders, "What? What's wrong?"
"What are you keeping from me? Who am I really?"
I sob, clutching his shirt between my fists. He pulls me into his chest, rocking me back and forth while smoothing down my hair. I sag against him, letting him hold my entire body weight in his arms. He leans down, slings my bag over his shoulder, and then picks me up in his arms bridal style. I wrap my arms around his neck and continue to cry, shaken to the core by what just happened.
He carries me for some time, and I don't register where we're going. Eventually we're in the same elevator that I had taken on my first day up to the dean's office. Once we step off it, Fiora is there, holding open the door to her office for Lucian to bring me in. He strides to the couch positioned by the windows and sits down while pulling me closer.
I greedily draw from his spirit, taking enough to restore me after we had been apart for the past few days. He willingly gives it to me, blanketing me with calming energy while also taking his fill. We feed on each other, sighing at the relief that it provides. He continues to stroke my hair, and I melt into him like snow into rain. My love for Lucian is inevitable, making me helpless and grateful at the same time. Orin strides in and seems taken aback by Lucian and I's embrace. But he doesn't say anything about it.
"What happened? She wasn't at lunch or our training session. What did you do Lucian?" I can feel Lucian's muscles tense beneath me. He shifts me to the couch in order to stand up and stride toward Orin. I sit up while trying to get a hold of myself in order to keep the peace between the two explosive men. Fiora and I exchange worried glances as they step close to one another.
Lucian spits, "I didn't do anything, I found her like this. And it's because of her change which you and the others decided should be kept a secret from her," He gestures to me, "So go ahead Orin, tell our queen who she really is." The others arrive then, making the entire room so full of masculine elemental power that it's staggering.
I cut in, "Queen?" Everyone in the room turns toward me, looking sheepish. Adrian steps forward, kneeling in front of me.
He takes my hand in his, "We may have left out part of the prophecy. You aren't just a savior, you're the savior, from the dawn of time. There have been many great wars in history between the dark and light fae. The very first started when the great and powerful king of the fae was alive. He was the sole reason for the survival and perseverance of the light fae. And every great war after that there has been a reincarnation of the great and powerful fae king, almost exclusively in males, until now." The room is silent for several charged seconds. The shock on my face must be comical. I can't blame them for not telling me, I would have run away at the first mention of becoming the queen of the fae.
"Um, alright. So what does this mean exactly?"
Orin steps forward, "You will slowly become him. His soul lives within you, and we weren't sure when it would start to manifest, which is why we waited to tell you."
"Gods, I'll become a man? Will I know it? Or. . . Or will I just lose myself?" Everyone looks at each other, not knowing what to say. So I'm on my own in figuring this out then.
"We're not sure Tiana. The fae king hasn't manifested in over one thousand years, much longer than we've been alive," Damon replies. Can I speak with him? Are we one or separate? There are so many questions that I'm sure will continue to go unanswered. Taking a chance, I close my eyes and think, um, hello all powerful fae king. I'm Tiana, and I understand that you're the reason for my powers--so thanks for that.
Hello, little fledgling. Nice of you to introduce yourself. The ancient being dryly replies.
My eyes fly open and I gasp, "That actually worked!"
Fiora raises one eyebrow, "What worked?"
"I can communicate with him in my mind. Does that mean I'll survive? That we can both inhabit my body?" Lucian comes to sit next to me again. The rest of the men surround me, sitting by my feet or on the back of the couch. Their elements press against me, calming me. I lean back and close my eyes again, feeling more at peace.
Lucian whispers, "Perhaps, but we cannot be certain."
That one is quite depressing, isn't he? He won't bed you, he closes himself off to your connection, and now he believes I will take away your existence.
But, won't you? Two souls cannot live in the same body.
Of course they can, it's just not ideal. So you can tell your mate that you'll be okay.
He's not my mate!
Fine, does spirit sex partner sound better to you?
"No!" I shout out loud.
Rai leans closer, "No, what?" My cheeks flame and I'm hesitant to admit what the fae king and I were discussing. It doesn't seem to be a very king-like topic.
King-like? What would you know about that? My name is Rowan, by the way, so do away with the formalities.
I ignore him, "He told me that we don't have to worry about him taking over my body. That we can inhabit the same body with little consequence. And he told me to call him Rowan."
"He seems very casual with you," Fiora states. I'm not sure how to reply to that. Is he supposed to be cold and calculating? A fae bastard? In truth, no one knows what he's like other than that he's the former king of the fae.
Yes, that is what I'm known for but not what we will be known for to these men. I will tell you now that you and I will form a bond that no other will be able to understand. What we have is greater than a mating bond, our souls are fused, connected until death do us part.
I accidentally respond out loud again, "That sounds pretty permanent." The others look at me expectantly and I begin to understand what Rowan is referring to. "Rowan told me that what he and I have is greater than any mating bond. Our souls are fused, connected until death do us part." The mood in the room turns sour and the men around me shift in their seats.
Territorial fae males, Rowan tsks, making me stifle a laugh. Maybe being connected to him won't be so bad. At least not until I have to go and fight in a war that I never intended to have anything to do with.
I can make you forget that. You may sit in the back of our mind until the fighting is finished. I shiver at the notion. Earlier today was one of the worst feelings I've ever experienced. Being aware of what was happening but being unable to stop or change it was terrifying.
No, I don't ever want you to control me like that again. Rowan says nothing, neither agreeing nor disagreeing to my demand. I hiss at him, territorial fae bastard. That earns me a deep chuckle that I can feel within my chest. It's a strange feeling to suddenly be aware of this connection. As if he was sleeping for all this time before waking up. Or has he been always here, lurking?
I've been here for as long as your powers have, learning about you, knowing you, hearing all of your deepest darkest t
houghts and secrets. No one, not even you, knows you better than I do.
His words send a shiver down my spine. I'm not sure if it's one of pleasure or fear, perhaps both. Despite his admission of knowing everything about who I am I have no embarrassment about it. He has accepted me for the woman I am, which is more than my mother ever did for me. That brings a question to mind.
Rowan, do you know who my mother is? Silence.
Fiora brings me back to the present, "I don't mean to interrupt what I'm sure is an important conversation between you and the king of the fae, but I have a few questions for him."
My eyes finally focus on her, "Oh, alright." Lucian drapes his arm around my shoulders, tucking me in close to his side. The calming spirit energy he's providing to me is almost addicting.
"When will the fae king be ready to fight? To fulfill the prophecy?"
So eager, so self-important. Who is this woman? He asks.
High Fae Academy - Year One: Fae Paranormal Romance Page 10
