Fifty
Song: Ruelle - Monsters (Acoustic)
As soon as Asmo and Damien drafted a response, I signed it. It was immediately sent out with a flame similar to the one I'd seen in Vyssen's estate in Tartus. If it was anything like that one, then, I figured, this one was used as a direct line to whatever the queens were monitoring.
The next morning, I quickly realized I was not allowed to pack my own things, my maidens would do it for me.
Meanwhile, I would pick presents for the other queens.
The Underworld was known for its riches in stones and jewels, I was told and it was because of this, that precious stones were picked for each of the queens since it was expected.
I chose books of poetry to go along with the priceless jewels. While not valuable at all, the books had helped me through some challenges as a teenager and, I hoped, would resonate with them too.
Asmo sighed. "They won't like it."
I shook my head as I looked at them laid out on the desk of the study. I was wrapping them delicately in really fine tissue paper. "I think they're great."
"What if they don't like it?"
I sighed as I looked at him. "I think that they will appreciate something different rather than the normal priceless stones from the Underworld."
He crossed his arms, shaking his head. "You give them too much credit."
"And you don't give them enough."
He sighed. "The preparations for the Summit are almost complete. It only took them all day."
When I looked at him, he was rolling his eyes. I gave a half-smile.
"Do you think you can be ready in an hour?"
I shrugged as I wrapped the second large book of poetry. "I should be since everyone's done the packing for me already."
He didn't say anything and when I looked back where he was standing, he was already gone.
I shook my head, sighing. "Rude."
I took a deep breath and continued. At least the presents were one thing I could control.
It was the one thing I had a say over.
At least it kept my hands from shaking, kept me concentrated enough, busy enough to not think of what was happening.
It kept me distracted from going over who I would meet and why.
Julian had left immediately after the meeting to meet with Vy at the party.
But Damien...
Damien hadn't said anything to me not even the next day. He mentioned nothing of what I could be facing. He stormed out of the room after Julian had and was out of sight in the hours afterward. He didn't even help in picking out the gifts for the queens when Asmo asked him in the morning.
Asmo knew more than enough to help was what he said.
And I'd been dismissed like I was no one. Like what we shared was nothing special to him.
It had taken everything in me not to fling the heavy rock in my hands at his head as he turned from the Keep's vault and walked away. I imagined he went to the Gates afterward, didn't want to be bothered to pick out political tokens of appreciation for the Underworld's allies.
Moody Damien was back.
Moody, secretive Damien, with his secrets to keep me safe, to keep me at arm's length-- to keep me in the dark like he always did.
I thought that we had reached an agreement before. I thought that there wouldn't be any more secrets between us - that he understood what keeping anything from me did to me.
Something wet dropped onto the tissue paper in my hands. Cursing, I wiped my wet cheeks and ripped up the tissue paper in my hands. I picked up a new, clean one and started again until the last book was wrapped and stacked with the others.
As soon as I walked into my room, I sat down at the vanity with my head in my hands.
Stupid Emmy, I scolded myself, of course, he wouldn't change. He wouldn't change for anyone, not even you. He didn't even love you enough to make you queen to protect you-he only needed someone powerful in the throne to protect the Underworld. It wasn't you, it wasn't ever you.
I was such a fool. Such a ridiculous, stupid fool.
As I sobbed into my hands, I felt myself breaking. I felt myself unwinding, falling apart at the seams and the walls that I'd built, the image of myself began to shatter around me.
The worst of it was that it was all actions Damien had done before he was possessed. It was nothing new.
I had accepted it before.
But I couldn't do it anymore.
Not if my life was on the line.
Didn't he understand?
I loved him so fiercely while he was gone that I had forgotten how he really was. I'd built him up in my head, saw nothing else except him - I just wanted him to be safe again and I disregarded everything else.
Including maybe even myself.
I rubbed my eyes, drying the tears on my cheeks.
"Get a grip, Emmy," I whispered to my reflection. The more I stared at it, the more I hated it, eventually pushing the vanity mirror away so it would face the ceiling instead.
I took a longer shower than usual, perfectly content with staying under the scalding water. Eventually, when I dragged myself out and was dressed, I looked somewhat better. At least my eyes weren't pink anymore and there was some color to my skin again.
The clothes that were given to me didn't look like anything I would ever wear. I always dressed down, preferring to attract the least amount of attention from any room. The clothes I had on were name brand, gorgeous, soft and flattering.
The silk, soft blouse I was given hugged every curve of me.
It was followed by a heavy, black jacket and a scarf that bundled up my neck.
The black trousers were comfortable and billowed as I walked but the black heeled boots that I was given were my new favorite.
They were comfortable and sturdy which gave me the impression we were going somewhere cold.
It was while I was doing a low braid in my hair that I heard a knock on my door. When I opened it, I found one of the maidens who curtsied quickly.
It still hadn't grown on me.
Her voice was soft. "His Highness would like to know if you are ready, Alteaza."
My heart skipped a beat. "Is Damien still here?"
She frowned. "No, Alteaza, forgive me, Asmodeus. That is his title as well."
I blinked. I hadn't thought of that, he was technically part of the royal family. "Right, yes, I'm ready." I cleared my throat as I closed the door and followed her through the halls right to where Asmodeus waited.
He was dressed in black too, in a light coat made for brisk weather.
His dark coal eyes watched me as I made my way across the room to stand next to him.
"The presents?" I asked.
He pointed to a leather bag near his feet. "Books are in there. Stones are with him." He pointed to Guard with a case. "As soon as the other guards finish scouting out the location and it's safe, I will specter us there."
I nodded. "Right."
Oren and another man appeared before me, dressed in similar clothes as Asmo but each with a sword at their side. Oren smiled when he saw me. "It looks like everything is all set. Whenever you're ready."
My heart ached. I still hadn't seen Damien... how was it that he could completely ignore me the entire day and I still would want to see him? He hadn't even said goodbye to me when he went to the Gates-- if he already left.
I pushed it aside and looked at Asmodeus. "I'm ready whenever you are."
Asmo nodded and immediately all of the guards spectered.
Asmodeus reached for my hand and in the next moment, we were in an opulent golden lobby.
It was old world architecture with arched golden ceilings and red dark chairs and couches.
Dark wooden panels of black and gold decorated the walls and a television played quietly over a modest fireplace.
It was stunning. The kind of place I would think celebrities would spend their time in when they were traveling.
It was then that I realized that we were standing in a hotel lobby, the last place I would ever think a faerie Summit would take place. As I took in the room, I noticed that the staff in the room from the bellboy coming to get our bags, to the man and woman that came to greet us were all human.
Every single one bowed reverently as soon as we appeared.
Asmo wouldn't let my hand go, instead, he tugged it closer, placing it in the crook of his elbow. I looked up at his tall stature wondering why he suddenly felt the need to be protective.
The woman in front of us still had her head bowed deeply when she spoke... French?
I looked at Asmo in confusion.
Instead of looking at me, I felt his hand on my ear as he tugged on my lobe gently. I reached for his hand to smack him and as I did, the woman spoke again. "It's a great honor to have the Queen of the Underworld among us."
I blinked. How could I suddenly understand what she was saying?
"Thank you for attending to us so diligently," Asmo said eloquently. "And with very little time to prepare as well."
The staff straightened and the woman nodded at the bellboy.
He began to take the bags, loading them to a baggage cart next to him.
"Clearing out the hotel with such little time is a challenge but one that we see as an honor to serve the Queens.
We have taken every precaution to make sure it remains closed and secure but," she looked at Oren and the other two guards with us, "I can understand your need to have your own security.
" She leaned towards Asmo. "I understand the Autumn queen brought her concubines, Consort and numerous guards for each. "
I raised an eyebrow. Concubines? There was still such a thing?
The woman's smile faded when she saw my face. "But I'm sure you don't want to hear any of that. The bellboy will take your bags up to your rooms. We have dinner set up for you in one of the dining rooms down the hall if you are interested afterward."
Asmo continued down the hall. "Who else has arrived?"
"The Summer, Autumn and Winter Queens, they have decided to explore the city tonight so they are not here at the moment." She looked at me. "If you wish to do the same, there are restaurants and nightclubs I can recommend. All of the tourist attractions are closed at this time of night."
I shook my head. I was in no mood to do any sightseeing, wherever we were. "I rather stay in the room."
She nodded. "Of course." She gestured to the empty hall, at the end of it stood an old-looking elevator. "Please, after you."
Oren stood close to us, leading the way to the elevator after the woman. "What floor?"
"Sixth."
As soon as she said it, the free guard had spectered and when we made it up was already waiting for us next to the elevator doors.
Hall after hall seemed to be decorated from floor to ceiling in gold, each with expensive looking rugs and large vases full of flowers on antique tables.
Even the room we entered was grand. It seemed more an apartment than an actual hotel room.
It had several cream-colored couches with a large television as we entered, double doors to the right that led to a separate room with a large spacious bed.
The walls were a deep burgundy and fresh flowers and fruit were set on the tables throughout.
Asmo let my hand go as I began to look at the rest of the room, inhaling a pair of beautiful white flowers as I did.
"This is your room, your Majesty," the woman said as she pressed a button on a remote and a fire came roaring to life. "Your guards will be in adjacent rooms."
With a snap of Asmo's fingers, the bags that had been in cart suddenly appeared between my room and the faux living room. Asmo didn't smile as he addressed the woman. "Thank you for your hospitality." His voice was cold. "You may leave."
She nodded curtly and left quickly, helping the bellboy with the cart to exit the room even faster. As soon as they were out, Asmo turned to Oren. "Well?"
Oren nodded towards us. "The building is secure, I sense no threat. It looks like the staff was right. All seems safe at the moment."
"Good." He nodded towards the doors. "Give the other Guards the queens' presents and settle in. Guard the room in shifts through the night regardless. I don't trust them."
Oren nodded. "Neither do I." He looked at me. "If you need anything, Emmy, I will be right outside."
I tried to smile but failed. "Thank you, Oren."
Oren bowed deeply and with a quick look at Asmo, went through the double doors of the hotel room and into the hall, closing the doors behind him.
I sighed deeply. "You could have been nicer."
Asmo snorted. "And ruin my reputation as a dark fae? Never."
The harsh light of the room reflected the entirety of the room back at me on the large floor to ceiling windows and doors of the room. Beyond it, I could see a balcony but not much else. the city was dark but had it's light illuminating. Nothing seemed to stand out only that it was an old city.
I watched Asmodeus approach the glass until he was standing next to me. "I rather they fear us in the Underworld, Emylin, even the humans."
I shook my head as I watched the scenery. "What is that, anyway? Humans that know about fae."
He nodded. "Not many do. And most that do serve us. I believe that this is all the Winter Queen's doing. It would explain why this city was chosen in the human world. It's fast approaching winter."
"Hmm. Where are we then?"
"Paris."
I frowned as I looked at him, then realization dawned. I smiled and dashed to the balcony doors.
"Emylin, what are you doing?"
I fumbled with the lock but finally managed to open the glass doors. As I stepped out the sight of the old city greeted me and I laughed.
Asmo sighed as he stepped outside after me and when I saw him, I pointed to the skyline with a laugh. "Look, Asmo, the Eiffel Tower!"
He nodded, bored. "Yes. I've seen it."
I ran to him in excitement. "Do you think we'll have enough time to go to the Louvre? Or Notre Dame?"
He shook his head. "No one has enough time for the Louvre."
I was giddy, if even only for a moment. "Do you promise we can try? Maybe after the meeting tomorrow?"
He gave a small smile and somehow, I could see a small glimmer in his dark eyes. "I promise we can try." His lips parted slowly as he watched me and I hesitantly shifted my weight back away from him.
He noticed. "Why did you ask me to come with you, Emylin?"
I cleared my throat. "Because." I moved around him and back into the room. "You were right."
"About?"
I turned towards him as he closed the balcony door. "Being the only ally I have. Julian lied to me. Damien has lied, continues to lie to me." I shrugged. "And I need your help."
Asmo raised an eyebrow. "With?"
I sighed, sitting on the couch that was in front of the fireplace.
I crossed my legs in front of me. "I don't want to make a fool of myself tomorrow.
Not in front of the queens." I shook my head.
"I've done enough of that on my own in the Underworld.
I-I don't want to screw this up. I don't want to have the Underworld or it's people pay for any mistake I make.
" I looked at him. "Help me, like you helped me once. "
I watched him think on my words for a moment and eventually, he let out a long breath. "All right. On one condition."
I frowned as I watched him take off his coat and set it on the lounge chair next to him. "What?"
"We should call Room Service, I'm not having dinner downstairs where the queens can come at any moment and overhear our conversation."
We ordered our dinners and talked as we waited then ate our dinners. They were beautiful and perfectly portioned.
"Are you taking a picture of your food?" Asmo asked, annoyed.
"Hush," I told him quietly. "My dad would love to see this." I then took a picture of the room and sent it to both my mom and dad.
When I looked up from my phone, Asmo looked at me incredulously.
"What?" I asked.
Asmo sighed. "Just eat your food, Emylin." He sighed. "It's like you're a five-year-old."
I sighed. "Nag, nag, nag-- you really are the royal babysitter."
Despite my taunting, I saw a ghost of a smile tug at the corner of his mouth. He swirled the spoon in the soup bowl in front of him. "What do you know of the human Mayan culture?"
I shook my head. "Nothing, actually."
"Ix Chel is the Autumn Queen- the Mayans were so taken by the stories of the Autumn kingdom that they started to weave it into their own stories. And the Autumn kingdom did as well." Asmo smiled. "Human sacrifices were some of their favorite past times when they would visit the human world."
I made a face.
Asmo laughed. "You asked."
"It could have waited until after dinner," I groaned. "What else then?"
"Rai, the queen of Summer. Comes from a very long line of pharaohs, believed to be descendants of Ra, themselves."
"Ancient Egyptian culture," I breathed.
He nodded. "Those pyramids are gateways to the Summer faerie realm. Or were at one point. I think they closed them down."
I chewed my food. "Like Stargate?"
He sighed. "No. Nothing like Stargate, there aren't aliens. It's not a different planet."
I looked at him, shocked. "You know Stargate?"
He smiled. "Don't look so surprised." He continued eating his soup. "Sili is the youngest and kindest of the four but don't be fooled. She is the queen of harvest, Spring." He looked up at me. "She's still older than you and much more of a smartass, when she speaks that is."
I rolled my eyes.
He set his soup down on the coffee table in front of us. "The one you need to watch out for is Aira the Winter Queen. She was the youngest of three, was a Valkyrie."
"A Valkyrie?"
"A warrior. Ascended the Throne after her sisters were killed in the Winter War one hundred years ago.
Her sisters were bloodthirsty wanted the power of the Underworld.
They didn't understand the way of war. It was Aira that negotiated peace and understood the sacrifices made.
" He paused. "The Winter lands are the closest to the Gates and the first to fall should the Dark Ones get through.
" He looked at me pointedly. "She won't stand for it, Emylin.
She will protect her people and she needs the reassurance that you can help her do it. "
I swallowed the lump in my throat. The one that began to build as he told me of the warrior queen. "Tell me about the Dark Ones," my voice was barely above a whisper.
He was silent for a moment as if he were collecting his thoughts and when he spoke again, his voice was soft.
"Legends say that when the world was new and the gods created the humans upon them, they were afraid that their new creations would be easily corruptible.
They cast out the shadows of the world, who only knew destruction and death.
" He looked at me pointedly. "Demons. They were angry, jealous of the humans since they saw themselves as their first, true perfect creation.
" He smiled, his voice light. "They were wrong, of course, that was the first fae. "
I smiled as he smiled at me.
"The first fae to make magic from her hands, and life spring from her tears.
She was equipped with the magic to stop the demons.
" He shrugged. "The Dark Ones are terrible and cruel and the strongest of these have been sealed for millennia.
But the shadows cannot be contained. Those that are free to roam between the human and fae realms are not as strong but can have a terrible influence on humans.
The last time one was allowed to roam, it procreated and brought upon the Dark Ages and the Spanish Inquisition.
" He shook his head. "Those weren't even that strong.
Our ancestor ignored his responsibility and allowed those two instances to happen. He wasn't king long after that."
I sighed, setting my food down on the coffee table. I couldn't look at him. With everything I just learned, I felt the pressure over me. It was too much. "I don't know if I can do this."
He shook his head. "If anyone can do it. It's you." He sighed, sitting on his side on the couch. He placed his elbow on the back of the couch and rested his temple against his open palm. "It used to be Damien but I'm not so sure anymore."
At the mention of Damien, I checked my phone. No missed calls, no texts.
"He won't call or text you."
I frowned. "How would you know?"
He shrugged. "He's ashamed. He didn't tell you the whole truth and he got caught- yes, I know you lied for him. He will most likely wait to see you and then apologize."
I sighed as I put the phone away. "You're right."
He looked at me intently, the fire from the fireplace reflected in his coal black eyes. "I thought he told you, Emylin. I wouldn't have signed otherwise."
I snorted, resting my head on my arm draped over the back of the couch. "What would be the difference anyway? If the bargain had gone through and you were King we would be here too -and you didn't tell me anything then either."
He gave a small laugh. "It doesn't work the same way. You would have been queen through marriage. The fight would have been mine. At that point, we would share magic and I would have asked you to fight with me. I wouldn't have asked you to fight for me."
I swallowed. There was something in the way he looking at me. Something wasn't right. "Asmo, I don't think-"
"Which is exactly what Damien has done," he interrupted. He shook his head, looking away. "You two are terrible for each other."
I only stared. After a moment of silence, I spoke again. "Excuse me?"
"You might be great friends but that's all that you will ever be. Romantically, it won't work."
I watched him as he said it. I wanted to slap him. "And who made you the authority in this? How do you know?" My voice shook with anger.
Julian's and Damien's warnings went off in my head. Don't trust Asmo.
Be wary of Asmo.
Don't trust him.
Don't trust him.
He looked at me with such intensity, I almost flinched. "He doesn't deserve you, Emylin."
I swallowed the sudden fear I felt. I looked at the small distance between us- how had he gotten so close? He could touch me if he wanted. Adrenaline pushed through me as I stood from the couch. "I think you need to leave, Asmo."
He frowned as he watched me. I could see his composure sudden failing him.
"You must know by now- you have to-" He struggled for words.
He placed his hands on either side of him as if he was going to push himself to a standing position towards me.
His strong hands gripped the couch beneath him instead.
"There is nothing I won't do for you, Emylin. "
I moved to the other side of the room. "You need to leave." I raised my voice quickly, leaving him absolutely no chance to refute. "Oren?"
The door opened quietly and a different guard stepped inside. "Yes, Alteaza?"
"Can you please escort Asmo to his own room?" I was surprised my voice didn't shake. "I will see you both in the morning."
Asmo stood from the couch, moving to the door. "Of course, Alteaza. We will see each other then." He bowed quickly before leaving.
Longest chapter everrr 4,100 words.