Chapter 2
two
We lingered over a huge breakfast spread prepared joyfully by Millie, spending much longer than needed enjoying the scents of the garden and glimpses of the sparkling blue waters beyond.
In my time here so far, Silas and I hadn’t been afforded the luxury of leisure—the simple pleasure in lingering over a meal or enjoying the warmth of sunshine.
At some point, I forced myself to stand and pulled Silas with me. “I think we should go to the castle. I haven’t been there since everything happened, and I think it’s time I see it with fresh eyes. As a starting point for what this all means to me and the island.”
A look of conflict passed across Silas’s face again, and I got the impression he still wasn’t telling me everything.
“Fine,” he agreed softly. “It’s as good a starting point as any.”
Before we left, Silas moved wordlessly into the cottage. When he emerged, he brought the thin circlet from where it had been resting beside my bed. He placed the crown on my head.
“You are a queen,” he said. “And the castle is yours. Even if it doesn’t feel like it yet, you’ll get there.”
“Fake it till you make it?”
He gave me the slightest wink. “Something like that.”
After a brief walk through the rolling hills of Silas’s green land, the castle loomed before us, more magnificent than I remembered.
Bone white, as if the walls were made of the purest seashells the waters had to offer.
It stood at the northernmost end of The Isle, where the upper bridge used to connect the East and West sides of the island.
Now, the castle connected the dangerous forest and the more populated East Isle village.
The castle was rather small, as far as castles go. It wasn’t gaudy, but simple and elegant, like it blended in with the nature around it. On the second level, there was a balcony and a throne behind a railing that overlooked the river.
“It’s yours,” Silas said softly. “Whenever you’re ready to accept it.”
As I reached for the front gate, my hand shook as I opened it. I could feel the ring of the circlet warm slightly against the top of my head, and I wondered if it was glowing, like the flowers had glowed in the garden last night.
I made my way shakily up the front stairs. The main platform was slender with several sturdy white columns, very Grecian in nature. Silas nodded toward the second level, a question in his gaze.
“I’m not ready for the throne,” I said quickly. “That can wait.”
“That’s fine.”
I climbed the stairs anyway, and at the top, found a pile of items that were presumably for me. Some were flowers—bouquets, like the kind thrown on ice-skating rinks after a great performance.
There were other things too. Less pleasant things. Upon closer inspection, I picked up a stuffed bear—stabbed through with sticks. A note was attached. You will never be my queen.
My blood went cold. I looked up at Silas. “Is this what you haven’t been telling me?”
Silas glanced at the stuffed animal in my hands, looking like he wanted to rip its head off. “Don’t read into this, Alessia. The sentiment will pass. You’re just new, and some people around here don’t like change.”
“This is why you and Atlas switched up protecting me while I slept.”
“I knew there would be some dissent. It was out of an abundance of caution. Also”—Silas paused—“I simply didn’t want to leave your side. That had nothing to do with protection and everything to do with wanting to be near you.”
I touched his arm—an arm as thick as a tree trunk—and had the sudden, comforting thought that no one in their right mind would go up against this man. He was a good one to have on my side. When I told him so, Silas smiled.
I dropped the stuffed animal and stared where it fell at my feet.
The thing was, I didn’t feel like I’d earned the title of queen.
But I also hadn’t asked for it. I’d literally shown up for my wedding day, only to be kidnapped to a magical island.
I’d then helped to break The Isle free from a curse holding it captive, and in doing so, learned of my heritage as a full-blooded Fae.
“I didn’t ask to be queen,” I reiterated, this time aloud and a little defensively. “I was told that I’m queen. I didn’t ask for any of this.”
Silas locked me to his side. “It’s nothing you did. Most of the islanders are desperately relieved you’re here. You’ve brought hope to so many. But there are some folks who prefer anger and vitriol instead of understanding. It’s a reflection on them, not on you.”
“If I am full-blooded Fae, and I’m the only queen left, that’s one thing,” I said. “But I also want to deserve the title. My powers came to me naturally, but I want to earn the respect of the islanders the old-fashioned way.”
“You will. You already have in many ways, even if you don’t see it yet.” Silas pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “I know that nothing I say will make you feel deserving of the crown, and that’s okay. You need to get there on your own. I’ll be here to support you.”
“I appreciate that,” I said hoarsely. “I only hope I can figure it out.”
“I have no doubt,” Silas said. “Now let’s get out of here. I’ll have someone clean this up.”
I took Silas’s hand, and he led me down from the castle.
There’d be plenty of time to explore the rest of it later, once it felt right.
At the moment, I felt like an intruder in someone else’s home.
A brief glance inside told me that it wasn’t furnished and complete—the bones of the structure were in place, but it seemed like the castle was waiting for the touch of its queen.
“Legend has it that the Fae Queens were obligated to hold court hours to entertain the concerns of the people under her rule.” A male voice spoke the second we stepped off the castle bridge and onto the lush grass of the East side of The Isle.
“Will you be following up on the tradition? When will you start holding court hours?”
“That’s enough, Fenlon,” Silas said. “Leave her alone.”
I rested a hand on Silas’s wrist. “Court hours? Is this something you’d like to see happen?”
“Yes.” Fenlon looked at me, his brows knitted together. “There are plenty of folks who have issues we want to discuss with you. And this one”—the man by the name of Fenlon nodded at Silas—“isn’t letting anyone get close to you.”
“I will have something set up this week,” I said. “Thanks for letting me know.”
Fenlon looked like he didn’t have a reply to this, like he’d been ready to argue. All he could do was nod. He tipped his head toward Silas, then backed away, disappearing down a path toward town.
“Who was that?” I asked.
“Fenlon. A member of the local town council. He tried to become a Ranger twice and never made the cut. He makes up for his failures by pretending to be in charge of everything else. He’s on a bit of a power trip.”
“I’m guessing he’s not thrilled about my arrival?”
“Fenlon’s loud and obnoxious, but he’s not your real enemy. He’s not the one I’d worry about convincing. That man just wants to be liked. He’s insecure and panders to the people around him. If you can convince the others, you’ll have him too. He’ll follow the flock.”
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?”
Silas gave me a tight smile. “You’re up for the challenge.”
“There you guys are.” Millie appeared before us on the same path that Fenlon had just walked down minutes before. In her arms was a huge basket of fresh produce, as if she’d come straight from the market. “I was just in town, and I have a great idea.”
Silas and I waited for Millie to expand on her great idea.
“You know how there are some people on the island that are”—Millie’s eyes flicked toward Silas for approval—“still getting used to the idea that Alessia is the full-blooded Fae Queen?”
“I saw the threats,” I said. “I’m well aware that some people are angry about it.”
“Yeah. That.” Millie expelled a huge breath, like she was relieved she didn’t have to tiptoe around my feelings. “Well, I was just in town, and it dawned on me that a lot of the negative chatter is coming from a place of fear.”
“That’s totally understandable,” I said. “Not only am I new here, but I’m new to magic in general. Not to mention, everyone thought full-blooded Fae were extinct for centuries, and yet here I am. Their entire lives have turned on a dime to a certain degree.”
“Yes! Exactly!” Millie pointed at me in agreement, and bobbled a handful of gigantic carrots. “Well, tonight’s the Wish Festival. It hasn’t been held for a long, long time. I think you should attend, not as a queen, but as a regular islander.”
“What’s the Wish Festival?”
“It’s held after a period of darkness,” Silas said. “It’s a chance for people to express wishes and hope for a brighter future after going through something difficult.”
“It’s an incredible ceremony,” Millie gushed. “It brings everyone together, and there’s just this energy in the air. I can’t describe it. But it’s really important to islanders, and I think you should be there.”
“I’d love to go.” I glanced up at Silas. “If you think it’s a good idea? Maybe we could go together?”
“Yes,” he said at length. “I think Millie’s right. And I’d love to take you.”
There was hesitation in his voice, and I could only imagine what was going through his head.
“Then it’s settled,” Millie said. “I’ll have your dress ready to go in a few hours. It wouldn’t hurt you to get some rest, Alessia. The Wish Festival is an all-night ordeal, and you’re still recovering.”
“I agree,” Silas said. “Rest, and I’ll come collect you tonight at seven.”
As it turned out, I had no problem falling asleep.
I’d woken in the middle of the night, and the trip to the castle had been a little stressful, realizing there were so many people unhappy with my sheer presence.
To Millie’s point about recovery, indeed my body still felt run down, like I’d suffered a bad cold, and my body was still fighting to get back to its normal equilibrium.