Chapter 6
Chapter Six
N icolias arrived at my room before sunrise the following morning. He held a steaming mug of coffee in one hand and carried what appeared to be a pastry in the other. “You should put these on; it’s especially cold today,” he advised.
He handed me pants, a top, and a leather fur-lined vest of Lillian’s. I expressed my gratitude and returned to the room to change. Lillian’s style was surprisingly revealing, so much so it seemed designed for a completely different physique. Her garments left little to the imagination and showcased my every curve. As I dressed, I appreciated the slight stretch in the pants, which at least allowed me to move comfortably. After pulling my hair up into a high ponytail, I sighed and opened the door. Nicolias approached me hesitantly.
“I thought princesses were supposed to be adorned in dresses and gowns made of silks, not in snug leather trousers and low tunics that reveal their every curve,” he remarked, raising his eyebrow.
I spread my arms wide in response. “Just look at me!”
Since arriving in Faerie, I have encountered more of my womanly physique than ever before. I wasn’t accustomed to it. I often avoided my reflection, preferring to rely on Arnica for her approval and assistance when taming my appearance throughout the day. She was always there to fix my braids or wipe dirt from my face.
“She’s certainly a different kind of princess, that’s for sure,” he chuckled. “Plus, modesty here differs from what you mortals are used to. We are,” he hesitated, searching for the right phrasing before settling on, “ comfortable with our bodies.”
“I can’t possibly wear this, Nicolias. How am I supposed to do anything?”
“You’ll get used to it, I promise. Come now, let’s get started,” he said, helping me into the fur-lined vest and fastening it under my chin until it felt like it constricted my breathing. “Let’s go.”
He handed me the coffee and pastry, and I took a hefty bite, following him down the hallway. He passed the dining room where we had shared our dinner the previous night. The table was bare, with no evidence of last night’s feast. I had hoped to glimpse the others, but there was no one in sight. I avoided thinking about where the prince might be this morning. Instead, I tried to suppress my wandering thoughts. I was exhausted, having tossed and turned all night. I thought only of Jesse and Arnica.
“The boys have gone to retrieve your sister, and Lillian has gone shopping,” he informed me with a smile as we continued through the kitchen as if he had said nothing significant. I stopped and looked at him.
“They’ve gone to find Arnica already and didn’t think to inform me before leaving? I should have gone with them!”
“Well,” he said, “I dare say my friend Ambrose has become quite protective of you, Jayne. He doesn’t want to put you in harm’s way. Besides, they’ll be back before you know it. They know where she is, thanks to you. Kaelan will follow her scent,” he assured me, touching my arm gently. I eyed him, furrowed my brows, and crossed my arms over my chest.
“So, what now? Ambrose wants to keep me locked up and have me coddled up here for eternity?”
Smirking, he replied, “Lock you up? No! But have you coddled up here for all of eternity? Well… maybe.”
I noticed movement from the corner of my eye and glanced toward the kitchen. The tap emitted a slight squeak as it turned clockwise, and within moments, hot, steaming water gushed into the sink. A jug of soap hovered midair before pouring its contents into the running water, creating a mound of fluffy bubbles that filled the room with the scent of mint and chamomile. Just when I thought I had seen it all, a cleaning brush appeared, and I began scrubbing the dishes, starting with the cutlery and then moving on to the bowls and dinner plates.
“Good gods!” I exclaimed as a floating tea towel wiped everything down, as if guided by an invisible hand. It neatly stacked the utensils into piles, grouping similar ones together.
I ducked as a dinner plate sailed overhead. A cupboard door swung open above me, and a bowl and another dinner plate began stacking themselves neatly inside.
A drawer knocked into my backside, and I let out an “Ouch!” and lurched forward as forks, knives, and spoons floated through the air, finding their designated spots inside the drawer before slamming shut. My eyes followed the next flying object.
“Enchanted house, remember.” Nicolias reminded me. I must have looked utterly absurd standing frozen in the kitchen, but I had witnessed nothing as incredible this—pure magic. Nicolias strolled over to the countertop and helped himself to another pastry from the displayed assortment.
“For the journey,” he remarked, his emerald eyes sparkling with mischief. He grinned, and I returned it; this place was extraordinary.
I peered at the rising sun through the kitchen window.
“Follow me,” Nicolias said, leading me onto the balcony. The sight was breathtaking: a spectacular panorama of snow-covered mountains extending as far as the eye can see. We were perched high atop the peaks, surrounded by nothing but snow and towering mountains. Snowflakes descended, nestling in Nicolias’s golden hair. I took a moment to study his face. Like Ambrose, Nicolias was undeniably handsome, though his cheekbones held a softer edge, as if born from the very elements of the earth. I wondered if every fae male looked like this.
I extended my hand, waiting for a snowflake to land on my palm and dissolve into a fleeting memory the moment it touched my bare skin.
“It’s beautiful,” I whispered.
“Welcome to the Winter Court, Jayne,” he said, smiling.
I glanced at him, puzzled. “I don’t understand. Yesterday, it was so warm.”
“Yesterday, we travelled through the Summer Court,” he explained. I nodded, beginning to grasp the complexity of this world.
“Don’t worry. Brennan will provide you with all the information you need to know about our kingdom. There’s a lot to learn. May I?” he asked, reaching for my waist. I looked down at his hands, startled.
“What are you doing?” I instinctively tried to pull away.
“All you need to do is hold on tight,” he said, showing me exactly where to place my hands. My eyes widened, and he laughed easily. “It’s either this or a very long walk in the cold. Trust me.” A playful smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “It will only take a second. Just remember to breathe.”
Reluctantly, I grasped his arm, sensing the warmth of his skin radiating through the thin fabric of his sleeve.
“Okay.” Nicolias took in a deep breath, and I followed suit. The surrounding air seemed to shimmer, and a soft hum filled my ears. Before I could process what was happening, the world around us blurred, all colours and shapes blending into a dizzying swirl. Next, we were plummeting. I clung to Nicolias and shut my eyes, unable to even steal a glance at our surroundings. It felt like my stomach had risen to my chest, and I clenched my jaw at the buzzing coursing through my body.
Suddenly, everything stilled, and when I opened my eyes, my feet were planted firmly on the ground. I stood beside Nicolias in the middle of a field, surrounded by lush green grass and trees. I glanced back at the mountains where we had been moments before, now far in the distance. How had he accomplished that? I still gripped his arms to steady myself until eventually pulling away from his grasp. I felt dizzy.
“Sit down. Getting close to the ground will help you regain your balance,” he advised, assisting me to the floor. I sat, crossed my legs, and leant back on my elbows.
“I’m so sorry. Please give me a moment.” I shut my eyes and took some deep breaths.
“You forgot to breathe, didn’t you?”
I looked up at Nicolias, bewildered. “What on earth just happened?”
Smiling, he sat down beside me. “I believe the technical term for it is teleportation.”
“How is that even possible?”
“Well,” he said, tilting his head. “I could do it ever since I could remember. It’s not a skill every fae possesses.”
“So, let me get this straight. You were teleporting even as a child?” The idea sparked my imagination, igniting visions of endless adventures.
“It was quite a challenge to master,” he admitted with a nostalgic smile. “I remember the early days when the slightest sneeze or daydream would whisk me off to another corner of the house.” He chuckled softly. “One time, I dreamed I was galloping on my horse through lush fields, only to wake up in the stables, right next to my startled horse.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at the mental image. “That must’ve been quite the surprise!”
“Oh, it was indeed!” His eyes twinkled with amusement. “After that incident, I made it a habit to bunk in Ambrose’s room for a while, just to avoid any unexpected midnight adventures.”
Curiosity drove my next question. “Brennan mentioned that you’re from the Autumn Court. How did you end up with the others at such a young age?”
“Woven bonds of loyalty and friendship,” he began. My brow furrowed, and I tilted my head, trying to make sense of his words. “Ambrose and Lillian’s father, the High King, was very close to my father.” He bowed his head. “They were confidants, brothers not in blood but by the ties of friendship. He pledged to protect me and made an oath to my father that if anything were to happen to him, he would take me in. I’ve been here in the Winter Court ever since.” A flicker of sorrow crossed his features, a silent tribute to the ties binding him to this place. “It’s a debt of honour I can never repay,” he concluded softly.
“And what of your mother?” I asked, broaching a potentially sensitive topic. Nicolias didn’t seem to mind my questions and answered them openly. No hint of sadness marred his replies, just a sense of finality to the course his life had taken. Perhaps it was his age or immortality that allowed him to make peace with his past.
“I never had the chance to know my mother; she passed away when I was just a baby,” he sighed, and I lowered my head.
“I’m so sorry, Nicolias,” I said, my thoughts drifting to his father.
“Don’t be.” He shook his head. “This is my home; they are my family—Ambrose, Lillian, and the King and Queen. They’ve treated me with such kindness, and for that, I’ll forever be in their debt.” I nodded, feeling my own sense of admiration for the High King and Queen of this court, who sounded truly lovely. “Enough about me,” he said, leaning back onto his elbows to mirror my posture. The grass was such an exquisite shade of green I couldn’t resist running my fingers through it while looking up at him, so thick and soft, like a rug woven from wool.
“Nicolias, can you tell me what my brother will be like in the future?” I didn’t intend to sound so desperate, but the question had burned inside of me ever since last night. As the words left my lips, I felt a strange blend of fear and anticipation. What if the answer wasn’t what I hoped for? What if he wasn’t the boy I had raised?
Nicolias shifted slightly, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. He glanced at the horizon, where the sky melded with the earth in a blur of colours. I watched him closely, my mind racing.
“When Jesse arrived in Faerie, he was just a boy—scared and confused. Yet, he evolved into a man of formidable strength. While physically he was a match for any of us, his mental power surpassed anything I had ever seen. He confronted countless challenges over the years, each one only fortifying him further.”
The question formed before I could stop myself. “Do you think—” I swallowed hard, my words catching in my throat. “Do you think he’s happy here? In Faerie? The great Jesse Ritherton, General Commander, and Bearer of the Hearthstone?” I always hoped for better things for my brother, but this… well, this was a lot to take in. A gentle smile touched Nicolias’s lips.
“Happiness is a complex thing,” he replied, his gaze thoughtful. “I believe he has moments of joy and peace. Jesse seems content, having found his place in Faerie, in the Winter Court with our family.” Family. I shifted slightly, the weight of the word a suffocating invisible force. I was his family; Arnica was his family. The boy I had raised, loved, and nurtured had vanished.
“He bears a burden that I’ve never fully understood. Many times together, I would catch him staring off into the distance, lost in thought. I always assumed it was the hearthstone and the weight it imposed on him, but now I realise it was the absence of you and your sister. The Jesse I knew always had a plan for everything… maybe it wasn’t a coincidence that Ambrose found you that day after all?”
Taken aback, I considered whether Jesse could have had a hand in bringing us together. “Jayne, I hope that, with time, you can learn to trust us as your brother did years ago. I know Ambrose can be overbearing at times?—”
“That’s an understatement,” I muttered.
“But he’s doing his best. He struggles when he feels like he’s losing control.” Silence followed, and I furrowed my brow. His voice rose in pitch, his eyes wide with curiosity. “Now, you’ve harnessed magic before, haven’t you?” His blue eyes sparkled with excitement, and genuine interest animated his handsome features.
“I have,” I replied with a knowing smile. Unlike Arnica and Jesse, it had been years since I had harnessed my true gift. Honestly, it terrified me. I felt it simmering within me in every moment of every day, yearning to break free. Yet, I had spent countless hours suppressing it, pretending it wasn’t a part of me. I had hoped if I ignored it long enough, it might just disappear. However, ever since I had awakened here in Faerie, it seemed poised, ready to come alive. Perhaps I had kept it dormant for too long. It yearned to be free, and maybe, deep down, I wanted that too.
“Well then,” he studied me intently. “Show me, please.”
If I intended to trust these people, I would need to start somewhere. I crossed my legs and inched closer to him, extending my hand between us. Furrowing his brow, he regarded me with a hint of wariness. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, summoning the fire within me. As I exhaled, a small flame flickered to life in the palm of my hand. He jumped back, startled.
“You’re a fire wielder.” The words left his mouth in a gasp-like whisper. “But that can’t be possible; it has been centuries.”
I looked at him, confused. “Nicolias, did Jesse not tell you?” He met my eyes with hesitation. “No, Jayne. He didn’t.” I was confused. What exactly did Jesse share about us? It seemed very little. “Do you have any knowledge of your mother and father’s ancestry? I asked Jesse about them once, but he couldn’t recall much.”
I shook my head. “Our mother vanished four months after Jesse was born. I was five at the time, so too young to remember much about her; my memories of her are faint and fragmented. As we grew up, Arnica and I would occasionally ask about her, but our father never shared much. I think it was too painful for him to revisit.”
“What about your father?” he asked. I smiled warmly, then. The thought of my father invited comfort.
“He was a soldier before he had us. He was an exceptional fighter who taught Arnica and me everything we know. Jesse was too young back then to learn, but when he reached the right age, we imparted all our knowledge to him.”
“He was a soldier?” Nicolias repeated, intrigued.
“I believe so,” I replied, though I sensed Nicolias had something else on his mind.
“Fascinating,” he mused.
I was curious about why he found it so. Perhaps it was because my father was an ordinary man, although, in my eyes, he was the strongest and most courageous individual I had ever known.
“Well, for a start, the veil has separated us for centuries. There are laws and protocols strictly forbidding fae from crossing into mortal lands and vice versa. Only the best of our fae become guardians, their sole purpose being to protect the in-between,” he explained. “I just can’t believe it would have been so easy for your mother and father to have met unless one of them somehow got past the guardians and crossed over. And, Jayne, that would have been…”
“Impossible,” I concluded.
“Yes, exactly. I’ve never heard of any mortal, or even lesser fae for that matter, making it through the veil unassisted, not without the aid of a powerful high fae.” I mulled over his words, yet found them contradictory. Nicolias, Brennan, Ambrose, and Kaelan had all crossed over to my land—our kingdom—several times over the past week without any apparent obstacles. As if anticipating my doubts, he added, “The only reason we can pass through freely is because the prince accompanies us.” It was the first I had heard him refer to Ambrose as ‘the prince’ so definitively, and it sent a slight shiver down my spine. It served as a stark reminder that the company I was in held great power and importance, a fact I was quick to forget, especially after the carefree nature I had witnessed last night. “He’s of the royal bloodline, and when we cross over, we are under his protection and guidance. We may not cross without him.”
I pondered the extent of that power, wondering what it would be like in the wrong hands.
I listened intently to Nicolias, who paused now and then, allowing us to soak in the moment’s tranquillity. A hint of snow lingered in the air, a subtle sweetness that whispered of impending snowfall. I took deep breaths, savouring the fresh air. I knew Nicolias was giving me the time and space I needed.
“Come,” he urged, rising to his feet. “Let’s set that aside for now and concentrate on why I brought you here today.” He extended his hand to help me up.
Nicolias squinted at something in the clearing. I followed his line of sight and saw six hay barrels ahead, equidistant from one another. Each barrel sported two red circles that formed a target. They looked freshly positioned and painted, poised for us to hone our aim and precision.
A memory from my childhood resurfaced, transporting me back to a wintry scene of my father and me outside during the winter with rosy cheeks and frosty breath. Bundled up in knits and mittens, we practised archery and dagger throwing at an array of targets my father had arranged. Among them were stacks of pumpkins with playfully painted faces, glass flutes, and straw-stuffed figures donning top hats and floppy arms like comical hay men.
“ An enemy can come in many forms, Jayne. ” He would say. “D on’t be distracted by their faces or the colour of their clothes. There may come a day when you must react without hesitation, even if your opponent resembles nothing more than a harmless pumpkin. ” Suppressing a laugh, I extended my hand and felt the flames stirring within; they beckoned to me, tempting me to set them free, if only for a moment—just this once.
“ Listen closely, my little one. This is very important. You mustn’t release your flame, even if it calls to you, ” Father cautioned.
“ But why, father? ”
“ No one can ever witness your magical abilities, dear. Revealing it would put you in great danger. ”
Nicolias began my training, imparting secrets of harnessing the fire within me. His guidance was invaluable in helping me channel. Soon, I found myself capable of moulding fire into tangible orbs, a task so challenging that I had to engage my entire being, feeling the magic course through my veins. There were moments when it appeared I might spontaneously combust, the heat so intense it threatened to consume me entirely. However, Nicolias remained steadfast, offering encouragement and assurance that I could overcome these trials. And he was right. I persevered until the sensation became familiar, easing the fear within me.
When my inner fire threatened to overheat me, Nicolias would skillfully manage my temperature, momentarily breaching my heat shields and reinstating them when I got too cold. I extended my senses and thrust my arms toward the haystacks, feeling a rush of disbelief when the far-right stack burst into flames. It was me; I had done that! Glancing at Nicolias, pride gleamed in his vibrant eyes.
“That, Jayne, just made my day,” he remarked. I wanted to embrace him, but I restrained myself, realising it might be inappropriate. Instead, I offered a thankful smile.
We continued this routine, where I formed fireballs in my hands and threw them at the targets, persisting until I reached exhaustion and could not remain upright. Staggering back, I hunched over, gasping for breath. It felt as though I had been running for hours, my eyes growing heavy.
Nicolias retrieved a small vial from his backpack and handed it to me.
“I fear I may have pushed you too hard. Drink this. It will help with the weakness.”
I took it from him and uncorked it with a pop. I wrinkled my nose, pushing it away from my face. It reeked of rotting eggs and fish guts. “Oh, no you don’t.” I held out my arm, trying to return it, but he refused.
“Lillian made it for you this morning. Trust me when I say the best way to do it is to throw it down fast. I assure you it is perfectly safe. I have had to take it myself numerous times, and look at me. I’m perfectly fine.”
“That’s because you are perfectly immortal .” I matched his teasing tone and threw back the vial before I second-guessed it. It was as despicable as it smelt. I wiped the remnants from my lips. My contorted face said it all.
“What is Lillian’s gift? The art of poisoning?”
“No,” he replied with a proud smile, touching the tip of his nose. “She is graced with healing abilities. She is truly remarkable. She has healed us countless times over the years; it’s almost become second nature now.”
Nicolias shared a few stories from their childhood, recounting how Lillian had come to their rescue in times of need. I sat there in awe as I listened, my imagination racing. I pictured them as children, their laughter echoing through the woods, their faces bright with youthful adventure. I wondered what it was like to grow up here, surrounded by magic and danger, but also by camaraderie and trust. For the second time today, I wondered if there was something between Nicolias and Lillian, maybe something they had not yet explored.
“It’s time to return to the manor. We should discuss a few more matters as a group, and Kaelan and Ambrose will be bringing your sister back soon.”
My heart skipped at the mention of my sister. It had only been one day without her, but it felt like an eternity.
“I appreciate everything you’ve done today,” I said. In the past few hours, I had learned more from him than I had in my entire life. I couldn’t help but wonder how long we had been out here; it was easy to lose track of time in this place.
“You’re a natural.”
“Just wait until you meet my sister,” I replied, smiling.
He offered me his hand. “Are you ready?”
I wasn’t quite prepared to teleport again, dreading the queasy sensation that came with it and the loss of control of my body.
“Is there an alternative?” I asked.
“Not unless you fancy spending the next three hours hiking up that mountain, and let me emphasise, most of it is uphill,” he replied. I glanced toward the mountains and bit my lip.
“Alright, let’s get it over with,” I conceded, and he pulled me close. Before I could even utter a yelp, we vanished into thin air.