52. Chapter Fifty-Two
Chapter Fifty-Two
Thea
Dwellin shifted a few of his rooms around to create a movie theater. The sconces that line the walls are dimmed, the purple velvet seats are wide enough to be couches and that’s before they recline. A large screen lines the back wall playing some Effyrian drama. Embla and I sit in one of the couches as Embla stares completely entranced by the movie. Aine is in her lap, golden wings tucked in close as the kith purrs, using her paws to knead Embla’s blanket covered lap.
A loud bang explodes behind us, Embla jumps startled, pulling Aine to her chest with a meowed protest and I’m on my feet drawing my guns from the holsters on my thighs as a palace guard appears jogging up the steps to where we are seated. I release the tension I hold in my body preparing me to attack as I re-holster my guns in relief. I thought we were being attacked, but he was just slamming the doors.
“Why are you interrupting our movie day?” I demand, my hands going to my hips, and my wings fluff out.
“I’m here to escort you to the castle, the King has work for you,” the wingless male says, his tone arrogant, making me want to roll my eyes. I don’t know what it is with fae males that makes them think they are a gift.
“I’m sorry to cut this short, but I’ll find you when this meeting is over,” I promise and Embla nods, pulling the blanket up to cover her a bit more. I turn not wanting to leave the perfect lazy day but I know that my job doesn’t allow me to say no to this kind of summons. I trail up Dwellin’s stairs to a balcony that overlooks the city as the palace guard follows slowly behind. A large green sign that says departure available glows above the doorway. The launch pad on the balcony is circular, the railing missing in the front. It’s just enough of a gap for a humanoid body to fit through. I step onto the pad and stretch my wings.
“What about me?” the palace guard asks, stepping up to the edge of the pad.
“I don’t do passengers, you’ll have to walk,” With one thrust of my wings, I’m in the sky. A couple more beats of my wings, and I break through the canopy to get a glimpse of the air ships, whose wooden planks creak as they float through the air. I can hear the first mates on board shouting orders to his sailors, and then my wings are flapping pulling me away.
The twin crystal spires of the castle that are taller than the canopy of the surrounding forest come into view, casting a purple reflection across the trees below them. I come to a fluttering landing in the one labeled “Arrivals”. I move out of the way of anyone else wishing to use the landing pad as I glance one more time over the sea of green that are the tops of the trees far below me. I love it up here. I love the freedom of flying and the wind in my hair. Landing is always the worst part. With a huff, I begin the climb down.
Angry voices sound from the courtyard when I’ve made it down into the main part of the castle. I peer out of one of the arched windows that overlook the open space to find a crowd sporting pitchforks and picket signs held high. They yell at the castle walls in unison, “Banish the humans!” as a sort of chant. I hurry down the halls, the fae’s behavior taking me completely by surprise. I know some people don’t like change, but I didn’t think they would take it to this degree. The humans need help, and us being the ones to help them is proof that we are better than them. But not everyone sees it as that, more people than I thought want revenge.
Augustus, Astrid, and Effie stand in the throne room already. King Ephraim, sits atop his throne holding his scepter. I hurry to take up my place next to the other three.
“Thea,” King Ephraim says, turning his cloudy eyes on me. “The swamp crone has gone missing. I am tasking you with finding out the truth of what happened to her. Her home was ransacked, you should start there.”
“Has anyone found anything?” I ask, wanting to know what has been done already.
“She has not left the city, that much I know; I can see and feel her essence within the boundaries of the wards. Guards searched through the night and came up with nothing. We tried to track her, but Beau keeps darting away from the city.”
Ephraim turns to look at the other three. “That brings me to why you’re here,” he says, stroking his beard considering them for a moment. “Bo wants to go to Scandes, where Nonna’s sisters reside. You are going to leave for your journey early, but the physicians will be locked in silent solitude for a few days longer, until the week is up. You will leave mid-day tomorrow. You must meet with the Crone of the Obsidian mountains and learn what she knows.”
The three of them nod their acknowledgement, accepting the roles they are to play.
“I don’t know what is going on in my city, but we sure as hell are going to find out. Use whatever resource you must.” He lifts his scepter bringing it down twice sharply on the floor, dismissing us.
I decide on the way back to use a departure pad that doesn’t overlook the courtyard. I fly through the sky looking for a break in the trees, where the land goes from trees and grass to trees and mud. The trees stand on stilts, their roots exposed, the Crones cottage is in the center. It looks abandoned where it sits on top of the docks. The old wooden porch creaks under my weight as I land. I glance around, looking for any sign of another living being, also sniffing for a vision. They sometimes remind me of sneezes, always forcing their way through at the worst times. My mood sombers in the harmony of the swamp. I don’t have to be here long; I just need to take a look around. I swing the door open, and it creaks until it comes to a stop. The inside is dark. I lift my wings and they glow slightly in the darkness, as all faeries’ do. I find a large pillar candle on the table, striking a match to light it. Nonna liked things Old school and that's just how it was.
I search the small one room cottage and what remains of the kitchen, finding nothing but more potions. I move to the pile of books pulling them out one at a time until I’ve put a few back on the shelf and find a wooden stick with a handle. A sorcerer’s wand, the only ones who need a way to channel magic. The humans. I pick it up with two fingers, unsure if I should even touch it. Myrr hasn’t seen sorcerers since before the wards were erected and Myrr went into hiding.
“I have to get this to the King. He’ll know what to do.” I turn, quickly fleeing the cottage, my wings open and ready. When I hit the porch, I take off in a single thrust and I’m flying through the sky.
“Sorcerers! In my city!” the King roars. “We hunted them to extinction a long time ago, destroying all their grimoires in the process.” King Ephraim’s bellow fills the throne room as I hold out the wand. “Keep digging, find them. See if the mages can do anything with that. Sorcerers are too unpredictable; it was decided long ago humans were not worthy of magic. Too arrogant and chaotic. We must rid the city of their threat,” the King urges.
“I’ll see if the mages know of a locator spell perhaps for the owner of the wand.” I bow dismissing myself before turning on my heel. I’m going to do what I must to keep this city safe. It has been a safe place for so many for so long. There is no reason it cannot be a haven for humans as well. Especially if Embla is truly my mate. I feel a slight pull towards her, but it isn’t what I expected from a mate. Everything about this whole thing is weird, and I’m going to get to the bottom of it.