Chapter 5 #3
“Exactly what I said. The way you talk about being queen, you couldn’t give a rat’s ass about the title itself. You’re not in it for the crown or the castle.”
“That’s true.”
“I don’t care what Fenlon and his goons say: no person, magical or otherwise, can kick a Fae Queen out of her court. She can be killed, but she can’t be removed. Without her, the court would crumble—as we’ve seen.”
“But—”
“You just need to be patient. Wait ’em out,” Atlas said. “They’ll come around, either voluntarily or out of necessity when they realize there’s no way around it.”
“But I don’t feel like I’ve earned the title. I don’t want to be at the castle or whatever being a queen entails.”
“Right. That’s my point exactly. Put all the formality aside, and act how you’d act as a queen. What would you do?”
“I mean, I would first want to learn more about the island and the people on it. I don’t think anyone can be a good leader without an understanding of the situation.
I met a little girl the other day, a Forest Dweller named Liza.
She was just a tiny thing, so young and sweet, but she helped me see a different perspective even in the short time we were together. ”
“Exactly,” Atlas said. “That’s a great start, just keep it up.
Immerse yourself in island life. Pay attention to the different kinds of magic.
People will start coming to you, they’ll start trusting you, mark my words.
You’re beautiful, you’re smart, you’re powerful, you’re kind. What’s not to like?”
Silas’s handle broke right off his teacup.
“Calm down.” Millie patted Silas’s hand.
Silas rolled his eyes. Atlas grinned broadly at whoever would look at him.
“I’m just saying,” Atlas said. “You’re the Fae Queen. Your wards are keeping this place safe. You don’t actually have anything to prove, so why try? Just live your life like you would. Forget about the castle and the crown.”
“That makes sense,” I said. “And that’s about all I can do anyway. Thanks, Atlas.”
“Well, I don’t know if I’ve helped, but I know I’ve pissed off my brother, so it’s about time for me to go.” Atlas stood, thumbed at his shirt. “This is new, and I don’t want bloodstains on it. I’ll be taking my leave now.”
I stood up too and walked with Atlas out to the garden. “I appreciate your advice.”
“Olympus is rooting for you.” Atlas’s face grew serious. “I’m afraid you’ll face some formidable foes as queen, Alessia. You do need to master your magic by any means necessary.”
“Will Olympus help?” I asked. “If needed?”
Atlas’s breath hitched. “I don’t know, honestly. But I wouldn’t count on it.”
Then he took a step into the garden, and a moment later, the air around him shimmered, and he Phased off the island.
Silas came out, put his arms around me. He didn’t speak, didn’t ask how I was feeling—he just held me, and that was the best thing he could do.
“He’s right.” Silas’s voice was hoarse and grainy. “As much as it pains me to admit it, I think he’s right.”
“Yeah. I think so too.”
“Why were you down there by yourself?”
“Down where?” I paused. “By the swimming hole, you mean? When I got rejected from Seer Goddard, I went for a little walk. I was trying to figure out why the water seemed to amplify my powers, so I followed the river. I ran into Lily and walked with her down to the Lower Bridge. Then I just kept walking. When I found the swimming hole, I just sat on the edge for a minute to think.”
“It was foolish to be wandering around by yourself like that.”
“I wasn’t traipsing around trying to stir up trouble, Silas. I was going about my daily life.”
Silas rubbed his head. “I didn’t mean you’re foolish. I’m sorry, that was the wrong choice of words. I just meant...”
“I know what you meant.” I put my hand on his arm. “But you can’t protect me all the time, no matter how much you might feel that’s best. I just escaped from New York where I existed under my parents’ rule for most of my life. I didn’t come here to be treated like a Barbie doll again.”
“It’s not—”
“I know your concern is coming from a good place, but you need to work with me,” I said. “I appreciate you staying with me at night. I appreciate you looking out for me. I appreciate you helping me obtain proper training. But I also can make my own decisions about how to live my life.”
Silas licked his lower lip, stepped away and sized me up. “I hear you.”
I looked up at him, at his much taller stature.
“I want this—us—to work. But I now understand that being with the wrong person is lonelier than being with no one. I do think you’re the right person, Silas, and I care about you more than you can imagine.
But I have non-negotiables, and being called foolish for going about my normal life is a dealbreaker. ”
Silas’s gaze was serious as he leaned forward and gave me a kiss on the forehead. “I hear you, and I respect that. I’ll work on holding up my end of the deal. I just can’t stand to see you hurt, in danger.”
“I understand that too, and I’m happy to compromise. I’d love it if you stayed here with me at Wisteria Cottage for now. At least until maybe things get a little more settled.”
“One problem with that,” Silas said with another kiss to the forehead, and a small grin. “I have a feeling after staying with you for a while, I might not want to leave.”