Chapter 8
I woke up to an empty house again. I knew Jacob was in class and everyone else probably went back to their normal lives. I sent my professors an email with a sick excuse, saying that I had a bad case of the flu. Though honestly I wasn’t sure what to do about class. My hair was a different color and I looked like a completely different person.
I had to quit Deb’s which meant that I would have no home soon, my job was keeping that apartment and now I had to find a new job as a Fae. I couldn’t hide here forever. I decided that enough was enough and I got ready to go figure my life out.
I stepped outside into the sunlight and was thankful that it just looked like I used a shimmery lotion or something. It wasn’t so off the wall that I needed to wear a grim reaper cloak so I wouldn’t be noticed.
I wasn’t used to people staring at me constantly, but today they were. The people in town just openly gawked or yelled awful names. It made me sick to my stomach that this was all the Fae knew of life here. Humans can be despicable sometimes.
I walked down the block and had almost made it in front of Deb’s diner when a group of the same men I knocked out with my powers, were pacing up and down the sidewalk. They apparently formed some sort of militia. I knew there was no way for me to get past on my own, even with my pepper spray. That only worked well because I was human and I knew in the end they wouldn’t try and hurt me the same. Now I was a walking anomaly.
I turned the opposite direction and made my way to campus instead. I needed clear out the apartment, but I needed help with that.
As I was walking, the tug in my stomach increased. It was almost to the point I couldn’t stand it. The odd part about it was when I faced one way it felt stronger. I was about to follow it when my phone went off.
River: Allwyn wants to guard you and is panicking because you aren’t home. Where are you?
Me: Campus, at the edge of the forest. My stomach is acting up again and it seems worse here.
River: Don’t do anything or move. Allwyn is coming.
Me: Tell him to avoid the mob in front of Deb’s.
I paced at the edge of the forest, trying to make my stomach stop from sheer force of will. It almost felt like what Allwyn and the others described that brought them here. I was so deep in thought and discomfort that I didn’t hear Allwyn approach.
“It’s not safe to go out alone anymore, my queen.” His voice was low, but it didn’t matter. I jumped and almost punched him in the jaw. Apparently I was a bit on edge.
“I’m so sorry, Allwyn.” I gave him a sheepish smile. “I guess I’m a bit on edge and I didn’t hear you coming.”
“I guess I didn’t need to worry about your safety.” He laughed at my attempted punch. Men are so odd sometimes. The sound of his laugh was mesmerizing. I couldn’t look away from the softening of his features and the husky laugh that he was indulging in. I blushed when I realized I was openly checking him out.
“So, you are here to babysit me?” I asked as I turned to face the trees. I couldn’t ignore this tugging anymore.
“I’m merely trying to be your guard. It’s what I’ve always known.” His voice was back to somber. I missed the lighter tones he used when he wasn’t being so serious.
“I wasn’t trying to be rude, it just feels like I’ve lost my independence.” I explained quietly, pausing at the tree line.
“That’s understandable. It will be alright.” He clearly wasn’t great at comforting people, but I appreciated his attempt.
I didn’t feel the need for further conversation, so I instead walked into the tree line. I wasn’t sure which way to go, but as soon as I followed the path I felt the tug grow weaker. I turned in a circle until I felt it gain strength again. Of course my tugging compass couldn’t possibly lead us through a path, instead it sends me through thick tree branches and waist high plants.
“May I ask what you are doing?” Allwyn asked with an incredulous look on my face. I guess spinning in a circle and taking off into the thick of the forest wasn’t a normal occurrence.
“Following the tug in my stomach.” I said over my shoulder as I fought my way through the snagging branches and vines. After fighting my way through we reached a small clearing and I gave a sigh of relief. The tugging sensation was getting stronger. It was almost like someone tied a rope around my stomach and was yanking it a certain direction.
I found the strongest tug and followed again. It was growing steadily stronger, to the point I was feeling lightheaded. Once it tapered off I turned and found it again, but as I stepped in the proper direction I felt my body go rigid and my magic rise to the surface.
“My Queen?” Allwyn asked in alarm. I tried to turn and answer him, but I was no longer in control of my body. I could hear Allwyn spinning in a slow circle, looking for danger. He asked again but I still wasn’t in control. He walked in front of me and could clearly see the panic in my eyes. Before he could touch me or try and break me out of the trance my legs propelled me forward.
My wide eyes took in my surroundings and I was thankful my body seemed to know how to avoid hurting me. Allwyn jogged beside me with his head swiveling like an owl taking in every inch of our surroundings, searching for the cause of my trance.
After what felt like at least an hour of trance traveling, we were facing a thick ancient tree. It was as if several trees grew together and twisted until they became one giant tree. My body propelled me forward and didn’t show any signs of stopping.
“Arabella!” Allwyn tried to yank me away, but my body didn’t slow. I couldn’t even close my eyes to avoid the impact. Just as I was mentally preparing to be knocked out or killed I felt a temperature change and somehow passed through the tree and was inside of it. Once I passed the tree I realized my body was my own again. I turned to see if Allwyn was with me. He was standing behind me in a fighting stance, until he noticed I moved.
“My Queen?” He inquired. I answered by taking a step toward him and grabbing his hand. I needed the comfort of contact and I didn’t know what to say. He gave my hand a squeeze of understanding and I turned to take in our surroundings.
The inside of the tree was hollowed out and about the size of a normal cul-de-sac. It had to have been magic, because it did not look this huge from the outside. Though admittedly I didn’t exactly get a chance to enjoy the view.
The tree may have been hollow, but that didn’t mean it was empty. It was turned into a home. There was a bed, a makeshift kitchen, a table and a giant ornate mirror. The mirror caught my attention and I couldn’t look away. It was almost eight feet tall and four feet wide. The outside was an intricate design of vines and flowers twisting around the frame. It was all painted a bright silver with jewels inlaid into each of the flowers.
“My Queen, I have been waiting for many years for you to come. I am glad to finally meet you.” A man’s rumbling voice boomed in the silence of the room. I looked in all directions but still didn’t see the man.
“Show yourself!” I called, not letting go of Allwyn’s hand. The sound of air rushing through startled me, but a man appeared in front of us. He wore a long, dark green cloak. He had the pointed ears of a Fae, which I expected. He was ruggedly handsome, with his chiseled features and broad shoulders. He had short brown hair and bright blue eyes. His shoulders were hunched forward in a bow while he studied my reaction.
“Who are you and why did your magic bring me here?” I demanded in the most confident tone I could muster. He glanced down at mine and Allwyn’s joined hands and raised a brow.
“I am what you might call a gatekeeper. This is the location of the last portal to Faerie. The Princess of Spring and Prince of Winter came to me many years ago to confide in me. Gatekeepers are neutral to all courts, but we are not blind to the realm. They were warned that the Dark Army was a day away and wished to hide their infant in the mortal realm. I was tasked with binding your magic and using my magic to give you a permanent glamour. You were placed with a human family and I have been awaiting your awakening. It was to be triggered when your royal instincts kicked in to protect your people. I assume that happened?” He asked, with a neutral expression.
“She took a bullet for me. We didn’t know each other then, in fact I wasn’t kind to her since I thought she was human.” He sounded ashamed so I gave his hand a squeeze. I knew his past wasn’t easy and he would tell me what he had been through when he was ready.
“That would do it.” He said as he studied me. “You are quite remarkable, and I think you are just what Faerie needs. You were created out of love, and are one of a kind in your mix of heritage. It’s not only the mix of courts, it is the mix of royal courts that makes you strong and unique. Very few have survived Faerie, but you my dear, will restore it. It is time to go home, are you ready?” I raised my eyebrows at him. Was he serious, he wanted me to go to Faerie right now. I turned to take in Allwyn’s reaction, which was much more controlled then I anticipated. He looked intrigued, with a hint of excitement. He also looked incredibly suspicious.
“We are going to need to know how you expect her to restore a land that rejected us.” Allwyn’s somber tone was fierce when directed at someone else. I recognized it now as his protector tone.
“It was believed that you would have unique abilities. Your mother possessed the ability to alter the weather for a short time, as well as earth abilities. She was able to communicate with animals and could feel Faeries’ emotions if they were strong enough. Your father had control of winter abilities, such as ice and shadows. You will have a mixture of those as well as rare gifts not known before. Either way, my Queen, you are the one who brings balance back to the Fae realm.” The gatekeeper finished and raised a brow, clearly waiting for our next question.
“Are the Fae the only ones who left Faerie?” I had heard legends of other creatures who lived in Fae and had always wondered what happened to them. The gatekeeper looked sad for a moment.
“Most couldn’t survive when the land became hostile. Other’s disappeared. Honestly I don’t have a good answer. We just don’t know.” He explained sadly.
“How are we to survive and rebuild in a hostile land? We left for a reason.” Allwyn was clearly skeptical, and he made a valid point.
“That’s where the balance comes in. The reason the people worked so hard to save and hide you, was that your abilities should help restore the lands. They have had time to heal, and your nature abilities should help them along.” Now I was skeptical. How could I restore anything?
“If my mom had these abilities, why couldn’t she restore them? Why do you even think that I could do it?” I glanced at Allwyn and he still held his suspicious gaze on the gatekeeper.
“One of the people who helped to bind you was able to read your magic. She claimed your and healing abilities would surpass anything we have seen. It will take time, and work, but they believed you could do it.” He finished speaking and paused, letting the new information sink in.
“We shall go and discuss this, we will return tomorrow gate keeper.” Allwyn announced, making the decision for us. I appreciated it. My mind was overwhelmed with information.
“Before you go, here is a royal communication stone.” He passed me a smooth purple stone. It was flat and shiny, about the size of my palm. I turned it over in my hand and gave a questioning look to Allwyn.
“Will this contact all of the remaining Fae on the Earth realm?” Allwyn inquired. The gatekeeper nodded and Allwyn gave a nod in return. He pulled me by our linked hands through the fake wall. Once we were in the forest again I turned around to look at the tree once more. I didn’t want to forget which tree led us to Faerie.
“Let’s go back to your apartment and get only what you need. Call Jacob and have him bring his car.” Allwyn was bossy when he was on a mission. Though I never agreed to leave. I needed to talk to Jacob and I didn’t want fight my way through crowds every day just to go home. Plus the whole unemployed thing didn’t quite help. I nodded and took the lead. I let Allwyn have his hand back. The moment I released it I regretted it. I felt a twinge of loneliness, even though he was next to me.
We got a few hostile looks as we wound our way through the building. I quickly let us inside and locked the door behind us. I texted Jacob with the plan and said we needed to talk about the latest news.
Glancing around my apartment I felt a wave of sadness. This had been my home for two years and even if it was small, it was mine. I felt a few tears leak down my face. I knew I wasn’t going to be returning to school. Arabella Florian was a past life now. Now I knew I had to be Arabella Queen of the Fae. The pressure of my new role was weighing me down. I didn’t know how to lead, or anything about the land I would rule.
I felt a hand on my shoulder as Allwyn stepped in front of me. He wiped away my tears and put a finger under my chin to raise my eyes to his. I hadn’t even realized I was standing with my head down, not moving. He probably thought I was losing it.
“I understand the feeling of leaving your home. Change is never easy, but always necessary. Think of this as a new chapter. And do not doubt yourself. I can see the power and strength you possess. You also have a humble nature that sets you apart from any previous Fae royalty. You are unique and exactly who I would picture to save Faerie.” He had a look of understanding and respect, giving me a boost of confidence so I could do this. I nodded and touched his cheek. This man was so hard to understand, but I appreciated him all the same. He closed his eyes for a moment, as if savoring the touch.
When he opened them I pulled away and went to find my moving bins. I had at least four and that would have to be enough. I sat them down side by side in the living room and went to work. By the time I heard a knock on the door I was almost finished. I opened the door to let River and Jacob in. Andras walked in behind them and I grinned. Couldn’t hurt to have an extra set of hands. I ushered them in and closed the door.
“I’m almost finished. Should we wait until we are back at Jacob’s to discuss the news?” I directed at Allwyn and he nodded.
“Your walls are thin.” He said simply, His somber protector mode back. I nodded and went back to my room. I folded a pile of my favorite clothes on the bed. I couldn’t take them all and only had one bin left. Jacob came into the room as I was dumping my bras on the bed.
“How are you holding up, Queenie?” He asked as he carried the empty bin over and sat it next to the bed. I stacked my clothes inside before answering.
“I’m not done processing and today made it worse. Jacob, I’m scared.” I admitted. He didn’t respond, instead he came up and pulled me into a hug. Jacob was my safe place and the thought of leaving him behind was making this all worse.
“On to more pressing matters.” He announced and I laughed. He knew when I needed a subject change. “Andras, what’s his story?” He lowered his voice so they couldn’t hear us from the other room.
“I have no clue, honestly. Why?” I was confused why he was asking about Andras. I never told him about Andras checking him out on movie night. It was too soon after Sam leaving.
“He’s cute, that’s all.” He tried to play his question off as nonchalant. I knew better. Jacob had a crush. I giggled and pointed at him.
“You like him!” I squealed at him. He shushed me and shrugged, though he was grinning widely. We gossiped as I packed up my few important possessions and moved to the last thing, my art desk.
“Grab Dormy’s cage please, we need that. He’s been in his travel cage for too many days.” I directed at Jacob as I grabbed my roll of art paper and supplies. I couldn’t seem to give up everything that had made me who I am. I threw the supplies in the bins and secured the lids.
I glanced around one last time, taking in all I was leaving behind. Before I let it really sink in I picked up a bin and the others followed suit. I locked the door and slid my key under the door before walking away.