40. The Fae King
I’m ashamed to say that for several minutes I simply sat in the spot where Hawthorne had left me and wallowed.
Georgia didn’t want me.
My curse was unbroken.
Hawthorne knew my secret.
My kingdom was on the brink of war.
The weight of my burdens threatened to drown me. What power did I have during the day? A king diminished to the size of a frog. A king not capable of surviving a rogue boot.
I shook away those unwelcome thoughts. I was the King of the Island. These were my people. These were my beaches. And, if necessary, I would die trying to save them. I hopped as fast as I could through the crowded corridors, narrowly avoiding boots at every turn. Finally, I reached the door to my private rooms.
Harry was waiting for me. He took in my frog form and the busy corridor I had just departed. ”How bad is it?” he asked.
”Hawthorne knows about my curse.”
Harry frowned. ”Where’s Georgia?”
I hung my tiny green head. ”Gone.”
”I’m sorry, Forrest. Truly.”
”Thank you. I need you to call my council of advisors for an emergency session. Do not invite Hawthorne. He’s fully revealed himself now.”
”For this evening?” Harry asked.
I shook my head. ”Now.”
Harry started to protest. ”But they’ll see-”
”It’s too late. Even if they want to take advantage of my weakness, even if they want my crown, I have to believe there are those on the council who will protect the seelie and the island itself.”
Harry nodded. ”Give me ten minutes. I’ll come back for you.”
I nodded and began waiting the longest ten minutes of my life thus far.
Harry set me down in front of the council doors, and I hopped in of my own accord. My advisors showed a mixture of worry or annoyance on their features. Some were pacing. Most were talking. No one noticed my entrance until I leaped onto the table, just in front of my usual seat.
”What’s a frog doing in here?” mumbled a redcap.
I cleared my throat. ”Thank you all for coming on such short notice.”
”King?” Rowan asked.
I nodded. ”Everyone, please sit. Time is of the essence.”
Everyone scrambled to their chairs. Several were casting confused looks at me, no doubt trying to figure out why I was in frog form. There was no time. If another day came, I would answer their questions then.
Though I was not outside, I could feel the heartbeat of the island. Subtle changes were already beginning. The wind was beginning to kick up, and soon the skies would darken. I prayed Georgia was somewhere safe.
”A storm is coming,” I warned. ”We don’t have weeks or months to prepare. The time is now. The unseelie are making their move.”
The redcap, Head of the Guard, leaned in. ”You’re sure?”
”Yes, I can feel the winds rising. The skies will be black before sunfall.”
”You were able to stop that hurricane before,” said Remus hopefully.
I sighed. ”That hurricane was a test of our defenses. This will be a full blown assault. I won’t be able to stop them this time. Not alone.”
The Head of the Guard said in a gruff voice, ”And who said you were alone? The redcaps are at your service. Just tell us what to do.”
”More than redcaps,” said Remus and Rowan together.
Other voices joined in solidarity.
Hope rose in my chest. We might lose, we might even die, but we would go out fighting.