22. Chapter Twenty Two Rhowyn
Chapter Twenty Two: Rhowyn
As the guys spoke in generalities and pleasantries, I studied our newest addition. He was absolutely stunning with his messy, dark auburn hair that made me want to sink my fingers into it and pull. He had sleepy bedroom eyes, dark green with copper flecks that seemed to dance like flames. His broad shoulders and narrow hips hinted that he was meant to be bulkier, but he had lean muscles, and his face was almost too gaunt.
I had so many questions for him but knew this wasn't the time or place. Too many eyes and ears everywhere. It made my skin crawl to think about it too much. Thankfully, Baer and Arryn provided plenty of distraction while Lennox sulked like a petulant child, and Callum remained mostly silent, only speaking when necessary.
The Queen stood, all eyes immediately going straight to her. Silence quickly fell over the room without any prompting, which I found odd .
“Thank you all for joining us today,” she began, her words warm and congenial, at odds with the derisive tone she had used last night when speaking to Jude and me. “Today is for introductions amongst fellow Chosen and Consorts, though many of you may already know several fae present. We’ll introduce everyone to the people when the first trial begins. For today, we’ll start with this side,” she gestured to the other table beside us, “and work our way back to the end of the table before starting on the other table to finish with those seated on this end.” This time, she gestured to me and the guys.
She continued quickly, not pausing in her instructions. “Jensen will introduce each Chosen once they stand from their seats in front of the others before then introducing their Consorts. He’ll include Court affiliations and affinities. Any questions before we begin?” she asked as her eyes scanned everyone present.
I had a feeling that even if someone did have a question, they wouldn't dare ask it. After no one spoke up, she turned to Jensen, the same fae who had announced Lennox and I last night, and then moved to take her seat again.
He bowed deeply before straightening and came to stand to one side. He held an open palm facing upward and lifted, the other tucked behind his back, indicating the first Chosen and her Consorts should rise.
Once they were standing in front of everyone, he spoke loudly but without strain or the need to yell. I wondered if he was using magic to project his voice since it was sure and steady as he spoke. “Your Majesty, I present Coral Shore of the Spring Court. Her affinities are air and water. James Oakman is her first consort...”
He droned on, but I found it hard to focus, much less to remember all their names, courts, affinities, and consorts. It was honestly just too much. Thankfully, Arryn seemed to be paying close attention and would hopefully be able to help me later if I needed it. The whole thing seemed pompous and silly to a simple country girl like me. They placed too much importance on all the wrong things, and after the life I'd had so far, I knew my priorities were a lot simpler than all this grandstanding.
I held back my sigh of impatience at having to sit through the tedious information I hoped I wouldn't need. I shifted in my seat as the announcer droned on, only halfway through the large group of people. A large and very warm hand landed on my thigh, just above my knee, halting my squirming. When I stilled, Baer squeezed my leg gently, and I saw him grin out of my peripheral vision. I avoided looking at him, not wanting to draw any more attention to myself.
His heat seeped through my pants, warming my skin, and made me want to squirm for other reasons. I held myself immobile, focusing on that point of contact, and I found myself torn. Part of me wanted him to move his hand up my thigh to caress my core, while the other part wanted him to pull away completely, realizing that if he started, I'd want him to finish, and now was not the time or place. As if sensing my thoughts, his index finger started drawing circles on the top of my thigh. Heat shot straight to my center, and my gaze jumped to his face, which was turned away from me, entirely focused on the introductions. His movement and lack of attention indicated that he was unaware of what he was doing to me.
I could feel myself heating the longer he drew those lazy, innocent circles, and I squeezed my legs together while shifting to sit up straighter. Instead of his hand falling away, it tightened again to still me, and I inhaled softly as pleasure zinged through me. I needed to get laid if such an innocent touch could get me this wound up. However, I wasn't sure that just any random guy could sate the need that had been growing in me since I’d first met these men. My body would even be satisfied with Lennox, but my mind still rebelled against letting that dick anywhere near my body. Figuratively and literally.
Baer squeezed my leg again, pulling my attention back to him, and I saw him stand. I guess it was our turn now. We all walked together to the front with me in the middle.
“I present, Rhowyn Hunt, unknown court, and unknown affinities, Chosen in the trials. Her consorts are Lord Baer Hawthorne of Spring Court. Air and water affinities. Captain Arryn Oakley of Summer Court with healing and earth affinities. Lord Callum Ivey, Heir of the Autumn Court with fire and shifter affinities. And His Highness, Prince Lennox Holly of Winter Court with ice and shadow affinities.”
Well, damn! These guys were powerful and seemed to be of high standing. All of them were so far out of my league it was ridiculous to think they'd be attracted to someone as lowly as myself. All the more reason to remain uninvolved and just return home.
As we took our seats, the Queen stood to speak again. If I had any luck, we'd be done for the day, and I could go back to my room to relax until meeting with Master Jude. “Thank you, Jensen, for those introductions. I invite everyone to remain here at the castle as my guests until after the trials have been completed. I have planned a ball for the evening prior to what we believe will be the first trial to introduce you all to the people who will be watching as you participate in each one.
“I will be in contact with schedules, so each team has private access to the training rooms and the other events, so please adhere to these as they are provided. With that, you all are released to enjoy the evening however you wish. Dinner is at six, or you may ask for your meals to be delivered to your rooms.” She continued to maintain the kind and gracious host act, but I didn't buy any of it. However, I was glad we were done with her tasks for the day.
We all stood at the same time as everyone else, who immediately began mingling and talking to each other, but I wasn’t the least bit interested, not if I’d be leaving soon. Plus, we needed to prepare for a meeting with Master Jude.
Lennox and Arryn were pulled into a couple of conversations as we tried to make our way through the crowd, but Baer, Callum, and I continued on until we had exited through the large, ornate main doors. We paused outside in a small alcove to wait for them, and I exhaled a long sigh, finally able to relax without all those eyes on us. I guessed I should have expected it since I was the only newcomer who was stuck in my human glamor.
Everyone was so much taller than I was, and I wondered if my glamor was the reason I was so short in comparison. While watching the doors for the guys to join us, I asked Baer and Callum, “What all can a glamor affect or change?”
I turned to Baer as he spoke. “Depending on the strength of magic, a glamor can change any aspect of your appearance.”
“So, the stronger you are, the more you can change your appearance with a glamor? Does it change your height, weight, or shape?”
“Yes, the most powerful can make a tall, skinny fae appear to be short and fat. They can even cast glamors on multiple fae at once.” I considered Baer's answer while Callum stood still, hands behind his back as he watched the doors to the dining hall, but I could tell he was paying attention to every part of our conversation.
“So, how do you ever know that the person you are talking to is actually the right one? That seems a little scary when I think about it.” I bit my lip at the thought, becoming more wary of the people around me.
“As you learn more about your magic, you should also learn how to detect when it has been used. Again, the more magic you have, the more you'll be able to detect glamors and spells on others,” Baer said, smiling at me and dropping an arm around my shoulders in a side hug.
I held back my initial urge to wrap my hands around his waist and snuggle into him. His answer had reassured me, but without my own magic, it was useless.
“However, if the other person is more powerful, they can cast spells without anyone being the wiser,” Callum said, finally chiming into the conversation.
I stiffened slightly under Baer's arm with his words. Baer slugged Callum in the shoulder. “Way to make her feel better,” he chided him.
Callum flicked his eyes to mine, his face and voice passive, his head turned toward me slightly. “She needs to know that she must always be careful of what she says and does around anyone unless she is absolutely certain they are who they say they are.” His deep voice rumbled as he held my gaze.
I nodded my understanding. Baer replied, “We would have covered that once she had access to her magic.”
I interrupted Baer. “No, I'm glad he told me. I'd rather know now. Please don't coddle me by withholding information from me. Besides, knowledge is power unto itself.” I glared up at him, but he immediately capitulated to my request. I could handle anything that was ever thrown at me. Having learned over the years what my limits were, I knew what I was capable of.
With Baer's agreement, I glanced back at Callum, who was still watching me, though his stance and posture hadn't changed. “Thank you, Callum.” He didn't respond, though it could have been because Arryn and Lennox finally joined us.
We all made our way back to our suite where I noticed another door had been added. At this point, it seemed my room would never be the same. Instead of focusing on it, I headed to the sofa in front of the fireplace, which was surrounded by several chairs. I threw myself down on the couch, laying across half of it, my feet dangling, and draped my arm across my eyes as I groaned, glad to be back in my room.
“Ugh! That lunch was the longest and most grueling one I've ever had to endure. Please tell me it'll be my last one,” I spoke to the guys without moving my arm from my eyes.
A couple of chuckles sounded out, and I heard rustling that sounded like they were joining me. “I don't think that's a promise any of us can make except to say that the current itinerary doesn't show anymore, but that's all pending the Queen's whims,” Arryn said. He sounded like he had taken the chair next to me.
My feet were picked up as someone sat on the couch with me, draping my legs across their lap. Finally moving my arm, I glanced at Arryn, noticing Baer on the couch with me. “So, what do we have to do now?”
“I suspect Master Jude will be along shortly, and he'll see what he can do to help us,” Lennox replied instead of Arryn. “I went to see him this morning to request he meet us here.”
“That's good. I'm ready for some answers,” I replied. For once, neither of us snapped at each other. I guess we both wanted the same thing.
I noticed Callum still standing apart from the group. He seemed to be wary of us and very guarded. I wondered what his story was to cause him to be so stand-offish. “Would you like someone to show you to your room, Callum?” I asked him. I would offer myself, but I had no idea what their rooms looked like or who had chosen which room.
Lennox stood from his chair. “Here, let me show where you'll be for the time being or until Rhowyn goes back to Earth.”
He startled at that. “What do you mean, until she goes back?” he asked, a little too harshly.
Instead of letting the guys answer, I spoke up, “He means that I don't think I should be queen, and I have people on Earth that are counting on me. I'm wanting to return to them as soon as I can.”
His eyes seemed to flash with flames, and I watched a muscle in the side of his jaw jump as it tensed, his face remaining passive. I blinked, slightly taken aback by the anger I saw, but when I met his gaze again, it was gone, as if I’d imagined his reaction. Ugh! The stress was surely getting to me, and the sooner I returned to Earth, the better.
Deciding not to say anything more, I ran a hand over my eyes, rubbing and pushing on them to ease the fatigue that was catching up to me. Callum followed Lennox through to the guys' section of the suite, both disappearing through the door. Taking the opportunity, I questioned Arryn and Baer, “How well do y'all know Callum? Can we trust him?”
I glanced up, catching them looking at each other in silent conversation, unaware I was watching them. It was Arryn that finally spoke up. “I've known Callum for years, but the last few years have changed him. I don't think they've managed to erase the honorable man he was before,” he finished. Oh, goody. More cryptic answers, just what I needed.
“I personally don't think he would have been chosen as your consort if we couldn't trust him,” Baer said.
“I'm not sure how much I buy into that since Lennox was also chosen as my consort, and he's a complete asshole.” What I didn't say was that despite his miserable attitude, I still felt like I could trust and rely on him if I needed to.
Lennox and Callum returned just as a knock sounded on the door. Lennox made his way across the room and answered it, his long legs eating up the distance quickly. Once the door was opened, I heard Master Jude and Lennox exchange pleasantries as Lennox invited him inside to join us. I sat up as they both walked over, a smile lighting my face at the old man's appearance. The guys all stood as he drew near, and I followed suit.
Jude laughed, waving both hands at us for us to sit back down. “No need to stand on formalities here. Please, let's sit while you tell me what exactly I can help with. Well, outside of the glamor I was ordered to remove.”
I sat back down, scooting to the end of the couch to give him room to join me. He did, the sofa dipping under his weight as he angled his old body toward me. He held my gaze patiently as I decided where to start, the guys staying silent. Arryn and Baer were sitting in chairs while Lennox and Callum remained standing. Lennox was behind me with his arms crossed while Callum stood across from me, removed from the group as he watched us all.
“Well, I guess the biggest thing I wanted to know about, that might save you a lot of time or maybe not...” I rattled off, suddenly nervous to have the answers I’d been wanting. Taking a deep breath, I settled my nerves. A warm hand covered mine on my knee and I opened my eyes to see Jude was smiling softly at me in understanding.
“Take your time, dear, we've got plenty of it,” he said.
“I want to know how to get out of the trials. I don't belong here. I've got people on Earth who need me, and it's all I've ever known. I can't be the next queen. I wouldn't know the first thing about how to be one, and everyone deserves better than what I have to offer,” I pleaded with him, ignoring the heavy gazes from the guys that I could feel boring into me as I admitted why I needed out of this. I liked to pretend otherwise, but I was broken on so many levels, and I knew what I was capable of. This was so far beyond what I could do, and the fae deserved more than I could give them.
No one said anything, my eyes watering as my words hung in the air, and I waited for his answer, my breath tight in my chest. My anxiety rose the longer no one said anything. Finally, his eyes furrowed as he gave me a sad smile, and I closed my eyes, fighting back tears, knowing his answer wasn't what I had been hoping for. “I'm sorry, dear.” He patted my hand again. “Once you've been Chosen, there's no way to escape the trials. You'll have to complete them all should you wish to be released from the land's call.”
“I understand,” I said, my voice catching slightly.
“Take heart, though, in the fact that only the worthy or those who have traits that are needed in a queen are selected. It calls for more than power to be successful and the land has seen both in you. As have I,” he said, trying to cheer me up.
“You don't even know me. How can you say that?” I asked, almost rudely and in disbelief.
He laughed at me then, making me angry. “Nonsense. I know that you care more for those people back on Earth than you do for yourself since they're the ones you’re trying to get back to. I know that you have enough strength to push back at the prince who is used to everyone else backing down. I know that you have been smart enough to survive, basically on your own on Earth, without your people or magic, two things that are like breathing to the Fae.
“So, yes, Rhowyn, I do know all that I need to know, and it will be my pleasure to help you learn about us and the magic we know.” His words left me speechless, his veracity unfamiliar to me. No one had ever believed in me like this. Again, my eyes watered, touched by his honesty.
As if sensing my need for a change in subject, he said, “So, about this glamor. What do we know? Any new developments?” He kept his eyes on me even though his question was directed at the guys.
“Rhowyn and I were working this morning to see if we could get in touch with her magic. We were hoping that if she could wield it, she would be able to remove the glamor herself. However, she said her magic was in some sort of cage made of shadows, and she couldn’t wield it,” Arryn said, his voice turning to a question at the last statement. He turned to me as if wanting me to confirm.
“I don't know what it was exactly, but every time I tried to bring my consciousness closer to it, the shadows grew defensive and withdrew from me,” I stated, adding to Arryn's recount of what we had discovered.
“We believe it has something to do with her glamor and keeping her magic contained while on Earth for such an extended time.” Arryn finished.
We both waited for Jude to enlighten us. He sat there, studying me vacantly, obviously deep in thought. He raised his hands after a few minutes, his palms hovering close to my body. “May I?”
I nodded, and he placed his hands on both of my shoulders. “Relax. Breathe in and out. Once you are ready, please try to find your magic again. I'm going to tag along to see what you do.”
“Okay,” I said as I closed my eyes, inhaling and exhaling deeply, relaxing as much as I could with so many people watching me. Once I was ready, I found my core of magic much faster and more easily than this morning.
“Good,” Jude said, “Now, get as close as you can to it.”
I dove deeper, imagining I had fingers, and I reached toward the small flashes of light I could see through the writhing shadows that surrounded my magic.
“Imagine you can grab hold of one of the shadows and unravel it like a thread,” he instructed me.
I took another steadying breath and extended my fingers in my mind's eye, grabbing randomly at the shadows, only to have them repeatedly slip away. My frustration started to grow as I continued to be unsuccessful, and my concentration began to slip .
“Relax, Rhowyn, try to let the shadows come to you. They are a part of you after all,” Jude said calmly.
I clenched my jaw and took a deep breath in, holding it until I was ready to let my anger go, exhaling the emotion with the air I expelled from my lungs. Once I was recentered, I tried again. This time I drew close and then held my hands out, watching the shadows dance in front of me. There was an ethereal beauty to them. As I watched, becoming transfixed, I started to hear a melody. It was ancient and felt like it lived deep within me. It was me. As I waited with my hand outstretched, the shadows began to dance toward me.
I didn't try to grab them this time, waiting for them to come to me, like the shadows were wild animals. They began to dance around my hand, weaving in between my fingers and wrapping around my wrist.
“Good. Now, slowly close your hand and pull on them as if unraveling a tapestry. Don't force it, but rather will them to do as you tell them.”
I did as Jude said, slowly closing my fingers into a fist. I felt the moment I gained control of them, and I heard whispers as if in protest, intensifying as I held them firmly but gently. I couldn't exactly make out words, but the whispers somehow felt familiar, making their unhappiness known to me. I didn't falter, slowly pushing my will on them and picturing what I wanted them to do. At first, I felt their resistance, their desire to continue protecting me from discovery and those who would harm me.
“ It's okay ,” I whispered to them in my mind. “ I can handle it from here. Thank you for keeping me safe .” I sent them my gratitude, willing them to see how thankful I really was for their protection through the years, only just now realizing the depth of it.
A shadow rose, caressing my cheek lovingly before releasing me and my magic, dispersing as I had asked them to do. As they pulled away, I saw my magic begin to really glow for what felt like the first time, blinding me slowly as the last wisps of smoke slipped away.
I closed my mind's eye, drew back to reality, and felt a tear slip from my eye at the beauty and magnitude of what had just happened. For the first time since arriving here, I was able to experience exactly what they’d been going on and on about and began to finally see why this was all such a big deal.
“Good job, child.” I opened my eyes with his words, my vision blurring through the tears in my eyes. He beamed at me, his pride evident in every line of his face.
Everyone was silent for a few moments, allowing me the chance to adjust. I felt a gentle buzz running through my body, coursing through my nerve endings and invigorating me in a way that felt like I'd had too many cups of coffee, but better and without the nervous jitters. I felt more alive and alert than I had ever been before.
“Now, child, I want you to focus on that core of magic and see if you can pull your glamor away. Do you know how to do that?” he asked while studying me patiently.
“I remember what the guys told me the other day.” I nodded and glanced first at Arryn and then Baer. After meeting their encouraging gazes, I closed my eyes so I could focus again. With a deep inhalation and exhalation, I felt for the magic that seemed to rest up against my skin. I could feel it so much more clearly now. As I tried to grasp it, it pulled away but remained adhered to my skin. After a few more attempts, I opened my eyes with a huff of frustration. “It's not moving. I can feel it, but it's not going anywhere,” I complained.
Jude patted my knee gently. “That's okay, dear. Your magic may just need to strengthen before you can manage this. It's like a muscle. Magic must be used to gain strength and fluidity. As you train, you'll find yourself able to do more and more with increasing ease. Now, normally, I would allow you the time to manage this on your own, but the Queen has asked me to ensure its removal. Do you mind if I try?”
“That's fine, but will I be able to replace the glamor once I'm allowed to return to Earth? I should've asked earlier, but it just occurred to me that I'll look and be so much more different than when I left,” I asked, feeling concerned and unsure for the first time that I'd ever be able to make it back. And even if I did, I now wasn't sure if I'd be the same person I was when I left.
My fear must have shown on my face because Jude said, “Child, of all the things I've learned throughout my long life, there has only ever been one constant. That no matter how we wish, things never stay the same, and life is about embracing the changes while remembering where we come from and who we are. Have faith in yourself that you'll find a way through it all, no matter what changes you may face. And not all change is bad.”
“For me, it usually is,” I muttered under my breath, but still took his words to heart. I’d overcome the changes in my past and knew that I could do so again. My confidence bolstered, I nodded at him. “Okay, I'm ready.” I closed my eyes and concentrated on the magic again.
I could feel the moment that his magic encountered my glamor, and I felt it when the magic refused to obey him, holding firm to my skin. He also tried a few times, each one feeling slightly different than the last, but all were unsuccessful.
“Interesting,” he said once his magic had withdrawn.
“What's so interesting? Why won't my glamor fade?” I asked, concerned now that something was very wrong.
“I've never encountered a glamor such as yours, one that resists so steadfastly,” Jude replied, confusion and curiosity on his face.
“Well, what exactly does that mean?” I asked him, needing an explanation.
“It means that I'll need to consult some of my more advanced tomes to see how this is possible. I'm afraid I can't tell you much more than that until I can figure out more.”
“Do you think you'll be able to remove it?” Lennox asked from behind me, the first of the guys to speak up this whole time.
“I don't know,” Jude answered honestly.
“Will this affect her magic?” Arryn asked.
“Unfortunately, I believe it will to some degree, but I can't say for certain.” He shrugged with his hands before moving to stand slowly. “I'll do some research and let you know what I find. Until then, I suggest experimenting with what we've managed to unlock today. As soon as I have more to go on, I’ll return.”
He turned to face me at the door, grasping my hands in his. “I promise we’ll get to the bottom of this, child.”
“Will we be able to discover the cause before the trials? She can't go into those without full use of her magic,” Arryn asked, his worry giving me the first reason to feel concerned for my own safety in the trials.
Worry also shone on Jude's face as he turned to Arryn. “I will do everything I can, but it's better to train for the worst.”