Princess of the Elves

by R L Medina

  Welcome, Princess.

  Her voice rumbled in my head. I held out a hand and tried not to flinch as she sniffed it. She didn’t mean me any harm, but the wildness in her eyes and the sharp teeth unnerved me. Not to mention the fact that she could talk to me.

  “Thank you,” I forced out, offering her a smile.

  Aunt Cindra watched the exchange carefully, forehead crinkled. Worried? Before I could speculate, movement caught my eye. I looked up to see a group of people walking towards us. No, not people. Elves. Nerves rocked me. What if they hated me?

  They came to a stop and bent into bows, long hair falling forward. Surprised and wary, but no hint of malice. Outcasts, I realized. Outcasts and dreamers, who followed my mom, choosing freedom. Aunt Cindra waved them to their feet. Exchanging glances with each other, they stood and turned to me.

  “Welcome, princess. Welcome to Liberté.”

  “Thank you.” I nodded at them as I’d seen my Aunt do to her courtiers.

  Sacha beamed. My eyes followed his and landed on a tall, caramel-skinned elf with the same hazel eyes. His mom? Her dark hair was unbraided, flowing free to her waist. Unlike her son, she wore a high collared green tunic on her athletic frame and no smile. Her sharp eyes fell on me and jumped to Sacha. A silent look passed between them and I had the distinct feeling I’d been the target of their wordless exchange.

  “Thank you for being here. Today we celebrate a joyous occasion. Princess Renée’s homecoming.” Aunt Cindra’s deep voice shook through the forest.

  I glanced at Grimera in confusion. Homecoming? I thought we were here in honor of my birthday. Did my Aunt not know about my birthday?

  “This day also happens to fall on the celebration of her birth.” She paused as brows furrowed and voices murmured.

  “But, your Highness, she is already born,” a dryad interrupted.

  Des scoffed. “It’s a human thing. They celebrate every year they grow older. I guess for beings so short lived, every year is cause to party.”

  One of the fairy’s clapped her hands together. “Ooh. May we celebrate these birthdays?”

  Aunt Cindra frowned. “No.”

  The fairy flinched and bowed, rejoining her friends on the tree branch.

  “You will have all day to prepare. A party fit for your princess. Go.” Aunt Cindra waved them off.

  They scurried and flew away in a rush of excitement. Dread filled my gut. I didn’t want a party fit for a princess. My mind flashed back to my last birthday. Mom had taken Sammy and I up to Grandmere’s for a quiet, weekend getaway. I sighed. So much had changed in just a year. A thought struck me. What would my birthday be like next year? Would I still be in Feylin? No more high school. Or college. Staying here, my life would be controlled by laws and politics, my every step watched and judged. No. I couldn’t stay. Mom wouldn’t make me stay. We’d leave. Together.

  “Ready, Princess?” Sacha’s soft voice startled me.

  I turned to him and nodded dumbly. The others had already started walking. I hurried to catch up, not missing the stony look on his mother’s face.

  Little cabins and wooden stores spread across the forest connected by dirt paths lined with wildflowers and mushrooms. A gurgling creek ran right through the little town. I smiled. Nature had always been Mom’s sanctuary and here, she’d made it a home for the fae.

  Trolls splashed through the water, flinging droplets at the fairies as they glided over. Sprites zoomed by, little specks of light to the eye. Branches swayed and shook, dropping leaves to the forest floor. Pixies flew out of the way before the leaves could send them whirling down. In my mind, I saw it play out like a dream. The colors too rich to be real, the fae too strange to believe.

  A smell of crisp leaves and fresh bread assaulted me. As if to prove the reality of my surroundings. The forest itself a live force, invisible but as real as the air I breathed.

  Somewhere in the distance, a horse whinnied. The stables. Where my dad had worked. I fought the urge to break away and explore it. Later. When I could have a moment to myself. I scoffed. Would that ever come?

  “Renée?” Aunt Cindra’s voice interrupted.

  My head whipped toward her. She waved for me to follow. I glanced back at the direction of the stables as I trailed behind her in the opposite direction. Disappointment stirred inside me. Where was she taking me now?

  Aunt Cindra paused. “Des, will you please do us the honor of a guide?”

  I glanced at him. His lip curled, but he bowed. Moving to the front, his gaze slid to my aunt, a silent message passing between them. I frowned. When had I become attuned to people’s exchanges? Back home, I’d been clueless when it came to human interactions. Did my magic make me some kind of fae whisperer now?

  Des let out a long sigh. “As I’m sure you can see, there’s not much to see. There’s the healer’s home. There’s the seamstress and baker’s. The markets. Stables. Did I miss anything, Sacha?”

  My head spun as I tried to look at all the landmarks Des pointed out. Aunt Cindra’s brows furrowed together, a warning in her eyes.

  Sacha gaped, eyes shifting from Des to my Aunt with uncertainty. “Just the homes and the school.”

  Des pointed to a small cabin at the far end. “The school.”

  Aunt Cindra folded her arms across her chest. “That was enlightening.”

  He hid a smirk as he bowed, white hair falling around him. Aunt Cindra didn’t look amused. She pursed her lips.

  I turned to Sacha. He squared his shoulders back. “It would be my honor to give you a tour, My Highness.”

  Aunt Cindra’s eyes narrowed on Des. “I believe I already gave that task to my assassin.”

  Des’s jaw hardened, his eyes flashed red. Not in anger, I realized. In… repression. Emotions he didn’t want to rise to the surface. His eyes snapped to mine, and I reeled back, a force pushing me out.

  Silently, he led us through the forest, visiting each store. Sacha chirped happily explaining everything while Aunt Cindra and Des stole brooding glances at each other while the other one wasn’t looking. Grimera didn’t stay for the tour, but Mag stuck by my side.

  Her eyes widened, and mouth gaped at the fae roaming freely. At the end, Sacha left me at a little bridge, claiming he needed to be somewhere. Des disappeared, and my Aunt ordered me to wait for Grimera while she checked on the party preparations. Mag and I stood, staring over the bridge at the bubbling creek. Not long after, Grimera floated towards us, something floating beside her.

  “What is that?”

  Grimera followed my gaze. “Your dress.”

  I gaped at her. She held it up, stretching the feathery fabric. Bright green leaves woven together with blue feathers and covered in gold glitter. A costume seemed more accurate than dress. Something worn on one of those high fashion runways, but not for me.

  Sensing my reservations, Grimera paused.

  “It’s so… different.”

  “The fae put a lot of work into this. You must wear it.”

  I bit back a groan. No use arguing and no way around it. I didn’t want to offend the fae after they did something nice for me. I rubbed my forehead. Was this my life now? Giving up my identity, my freedoms to appease these beings that hated me. Maybe hate was too strong a word. Not all of them disliked me. Sacha’s face flashed through my mind.

  “Are you ready?” Grimera’s voice pulled me back.

  Swallowing, I nodded and took the dress from her. Surprised to find the leaves as soft as silk. She led me to a little cabin. The elves and lesser fae stood, eyes following us. Excitement bounced off them. Grimera ushered me in and closed the door behind me. Voices murmured on the other side.

  I glanced around the sparse home. A bed, chair, and a little table occupied most of the space. Sunlight poured in from the open window. Whose home had she shut me in? Did they know I was using it?

  Not wanting to get side-tracked, I dismissed the questions and undressed. Pulling the new one on, I tried to muster enthusiasm. A par
ty. For me. The dress weighed me down, the front gaping too low. Far too low. My eyes widened. Not that I had much to show, but there was no way I was stepping out in that.

  “How is it, Princess?” Grimera called from the door.

  “Uh…”

  The door pushed open, making me jump. She glided in and paused to examine me. Mag peered in and covered her mouth with a hand. I blushed.

  “I’ll get the seamstress,” Grimera announced and flew back out.

  Giggles caught my ear. I whirled to the window to see two pixies peering in. Their eyes widened when they saw me, and they raced away. Grimera returned with an elvish woman. She bowed and pulled out a needle and thread. With quick hands she sewed up my gown and took her leave. Next, Grimera opened a box of colorful ribbons. Wasting no time, she and Mag set to work separating my hair into little braids and tying them up with ribbons.

  “I don’t have to give another presentation, do I?”

  She wavered. “Another presentation? No. This is your court. You already have their allegiance.”

  My court. The words sent a shiver up my spine. Sixteen and a princess. Elf princess. Well, half elf, anyway. Up until then, the whole experience had been surreal. Like I’d stepped into a vivid dream. A dream, I’d wake up from soon.

  “Ready, Princess?”

  I blinked. My stomach fluttered. Nodding, I followed her to the door. Voices and music drifted from the other side. I braced myself as she led the way. A cool breeze tickled my skin and the smell of crisp leaves and warm spices enveloped us. I sucked in a breath.

  Mom? My heart raced, hope flaring. I scanned the crowd. My eyes met Des’s.

  “What is it?”

  “Mom. Is she here?”

  His eyebrows furrowed. “No.”

  Disappointment punched me in the gut. The fae and forest creatures stared at me. Grimera motioned me forward, but I couldn’t move. The grass swayed beneath me and everything blurred. A hand clasped mine, warm and strong. I took a shaky breath and looked up into my Aunt Cindra’s face. Concern shone through her yellow eyes.

  “Sacha.” Her deep voice startled me.

  In an instant, he stood beside us.

  “Princess, is it the voices? The emotions?”

  I shook my head. “No. It’s fine. I’m fine.”

  The high note of panic evident in my words. No. No panic attacks now. Please.

  Closing my eyes, I took a breath and counted to five, willing my emotions to settle. A surge of power went through me, quelling the storm. Then, numbness. My eyebrows shot up. I’d avoided an episode. All by myself. Did that mean I was getting better at controlling my magic?

  “Shall we begin?” Aunt Cindra’s voice interrupted my thoughts.

  I blinked and nodded at her. Sacha studied my face, his forehead crinkled. A look I’d seen many times from classmates and strangers, after one of my panic attacks. I scoffed at myself.

  Even the fae found me odd. Probably pathetic too. I shrank in on myself, wishing I could retreat to the cabin. I pasted a smile on my face as the crowd parted for us. Their excitement and joy bubbled around me, but I was in no mood for a party. Least of all, my own.

  Steeling myself, I followed Aunt Cindra to a small clearing. She motioned for me to sit on the grass and for Des to follow her. I watched them disappear into the forest. Going off to discuss me? Or Mom? Maybe they just wanted alone time together.

  Grimera raced through the trees with the other dryads as little sprites chirped, flying after them. All around me, the fae frolicked and danced. I snorted. At least they were enjoying my birthday. Music bounced off the trees. The notes strange and mysterious, though I was sure there was a deeper meaning behind them. In the distance, young elves raced each other. Children, but not much older than me. I didn’t know how it worked. Would I live longer in Feylin like the fae? Or would I always be considered a child in their eyes? I shook my head. Didn’t matter. I wouldn’t be in Feylin long enough to find out. Once Mom returned, we’d leave. Sadness filled me at the thought. Sadness? I frowned. Sad to leave what I’d found?

  Laughter and cheers broke through my thoughts. I glanced at the crowd, smiling at the dancers. Their dresses and coats lit up the darkness as they twirled and spun. They moved with grace and abandonment. Something I never saw myself doing.

  My eyes caught Sacha in the middle. His body moved along with the others, lithe and glowing with something glittery. I watched him, mesmerized. His smile was infectious and his movements elegant. My lips twisted in wistfulness. I’d never seen him so carefree in the Red Court. Here, his caste didn’t matter. Did he regret being my tutor?

  As the song ended, he turned and spotted me. My ears reddened. Could he tell I’d been watching the whole time? I averted my gaze as he walked towards me.

  Rising to my feet, I smiled when he approached.

  Sacha returned the smile and reached into his pocket. “Here you go. Happy anniversary of your birth.”

  He held out a strange dark glob-thing.

  “Thank you.” I hesitated, not sure if I wanted to touch it.

  His smile faltered. “Don’t you like cho-co-late? Des said it was your favorite and to make it into a cat shape because humans are obsessed with felines.”

  My eyebrows shot up. “Oh. It’s a cat. Thank you. I love cats.”

  I held it up to my face, trying to make out which end was its head.

  “You’re supposed to eat it, Princess.” Sacha mimicked an eating motion.

  I winced. It smelled strangely like dirt. Giving him what I hoped was a delighted smile, I nibbled something almost ear shaped.

  “We don’t have the same choco plant that you do in the Outer World, so I used melted acorns instead.”

  He flashed a huge grin. I crunched the hard candy, my mouth filling with the strange nutty, milky flavor. Nothing like chocolate.

  His eyes brightened. “I can make more if you wish.”

  I coughed and gave him a noncommittal ‘hmm.’

  “Sacha,” a voice called.

  We both turned to see his mom, standing with her arms folded across her chest. Her sharp eyes glanced between us, a warning written there. She bowed stiffly at me and I was tempted to read her thoughts. My magic, eager to comply coursed through my hands. No. I couldn’t violate Sacha’s trust like that. Besides, did I really want to know what she thought of me? Sacha bowed to me and followed her back to the crowd without a glance back. I tried not to feel the sting, but the rejection hurt. I wasn’t one of them.

  “Princess?” A small voice startled me.

  Mag stood there, bowing at me.

  “Yes?”

  She fidgeted with her dress. “May I get you anything?”

  “No, thank you. You should go enjoy the party.”

  Her eyes darted to the dancers and back to me. “I’m supposed to stay here and tend to your needs.”

  I frowned. Who had decided that?

  She dug into her pocket and held something tightly in her hand. Nervousness coiled around her. With an abrupt bow, she opened her palm, revealing a little wooden horse hanging from a string.

  “This is for you, Princess. It’s for your bracelet.”

  I smiled at the carving. My heart warmed at her gesture.

  “Thank you. I love it.”

  She bowed, her lips spread into a pleased smile. I tried to tie it onto my band, but it was impossible to do one handed.

  “Allow me, princess.”

  I held out my hand to her and smiled as she wrapped and tied the string. It dangled a little longer than the other metal pieces.

  “They say your father loved horses.” Her voice came out barely a whisper.

  She glanced around before stepping closer. “I’ve never seen a human before you, Princess. Is it true you eat brownies? The vulgaire said they were your favorite.” Her eyes widened.

  I laughed, unable to stop myself. She skittered back.

  “No. Des is a jerk. Brownies are a kind of sweet where I’m from.”


  Relief flashed across her face. Her furry ears twitched under her brown cone-shaped hat. I smiled at her. She’d never talked to me so boldly like this before in the Red Court.

  Aunt Cindra and Des reappeared at the forest edge. I squinted my eyes, trying to read their expressions. Aunt Cindra met my eyes and walked toward me. Mag bowed and backed up.

  “Are you enjoying your party?”

  “Yes,” I replied automatically.

  Her eyes searched mine, but she said nothing. She held out her hand and I took it, letting her lead me to the dance floor. My stomach knotted. No, not dancing. Please not that.

  The music stopped, and all heads bowed to us. I fought the urge to cringe. Would I ever get used to all the bowing?

  “Princess Renée is your new ruler. Her every command will go through me, but she is your princess. Any fae who breaks their pledge to her or endangers her in any way will be sent to the White Court.”

  Fear filled the air. Bodies trembled. I frowned. Sent to the White Court? How could she say I was in charge and then give a decree like this? My fists clenched.

  “What about my mom?” I interrupted.

  She turned to me. “We are still looking for her, but in the meantime, you must rule.” Before I could object, she held up a hand. “To secure your throne, you must form allegiances with the other courts. We will go to the Blue Court first, and you will perform a demonstration of your power.”

  With that, she waved for the music to begin again and walked away. I stared after her, stunned. Why hadn’t she told me what she was doing? Voices murmured, and eyes stared at me.

  My chest tightened, and heat rushed through me. It was too much. All too much. Rule a court? I couldn’t rule a court. Have people depend on me. I couldn’t even save Mom from being taken. Before the dancing started back up, I darted back towards the trees. My heart pounded in my ears and spots dotted my vision. Out. I needed to get out. I ran deeper into the woods, away from the noise.

  Hot tears stung my eyes. Mom was out there, held prisoner while my aunt wanted me to play princess? I couldn’t do it. I wouldn’t be dragged to each court like some traveling magic act. Things were moving too fast and out of my control. I couldn’t do this.