Chapter 6

Chapter Six

F ae. How is there a fully grown fae male here in Brine, away from the forest that binds them? How did they get this far while travelling with a group of humans? Movement at the back catches my attention as the other cloaked figure shrugs off his hood and grins with a menace that promises mischief—make that two fully grown male fae.

Everyone gasps, stepping back to put some distance between them and the fae. At least, those of us from Brine do. Their hands go to their weapons, yet all I know is that it would be pointless to try and fight two adult fae. None of the human visitors from the city react to this big reveal, knowing exactly whom they were travelling with. Several of them are wearing looks of discomfort though, suggesting this union between them is not as companionable as it first seemed. Either that or they can feel how the tension has risen in the room.

Fae working with humans. I have never heard of anything like it.

Robert and I have paused on the stairs, but he now takes a step forward, moving in front of me as if to protect me. My heart flutters at the gesture. There is no possible way he could protect me against the fae if they decided to attack, but he stepped between us despite knowing that.

“What is the meaning of this?” Mayor Marshal finally manages to blurt out, anger and fear present in his voice. He does a good job of trying to hide it though, rolling back his shoulders. His advisors have all shrunk backwards, displaying their cowardice, but not the mayor.

The human male at the front of the group of visitors smiles as he steps forward, his hands raised slightly in a gesture of peace. All of the males wear smart dark blue cloaks with golden detailing, their jackets flashing beneath with similar golden marks. This one appears to be in charge of the others.

“Mayor, you knew we had a new approach to peace between the humans and fae. That was the whole point of our visit, to discuss an alliance.”

How do the fae fit in with all this? They do not wear the colours of the humans, and I cannot imagine them following orders—then why are they here? Could they truly want an alliance? A memory of the two fae in the forest flashes through my mind, fear instantly flooding through me. Those fae did not want peace, and their intentions towards me were anything but nice.

The first fae is still staring at me, and I notice the subtle tilt of his head and flare of his nostrils, almost as though he is scenting the air. His pupils seem to blow at whatever he smells, his gaze becoming impossibly intense. He looks as though he is trying to hold himself back, and it is only when his companion whispers something to him that he seems to get himself under control.

No one else appears to notice, focused on the conversation between the mayor and our guests. “You want me to ally with fae when they are stealing our females?”

The humans startle, their expressions a mixture of surprise, anger, and concern. Low conversations break out between them as they whisper to each other. At first I think the guests are angry at the fae because of what he just said, but actually, they seem more frustrated by the comment itself. After all, we still don’t know for sure if the fae are taking the women and attacking villages. His accusation is serious, especially if he doesn’t have the proof to back it up.

Their leader holds up a hand, and they instantly fall silent. He does not even have to turn around, and they are in the palm of his hand. Who is this male to have so much control? He looks middle-aged, his salt and pepper hair cropped short, and a neat moustache coupled with the way he stands gives him a look of authority. There is nothing else about him that stands out to signal him as a leader. He might be just one of those rare people in the world who have an aura around them that makes you put faith in their ability to keep you safe and make the right decisions.

At the back of the group, the two fae males share a look, seeming to have a silent conversation, as if the mayor’s comment confirmed something they suspected.

Sighing, the human male presses a hand against his chest. “Please, let us explain. Is there somewhere we can all sit down? Our journey has been a long one.”

Scowling, the mayor looks over his shoulder and has a quick, quiet conversation with one of his advisors before turning back to his guests. His lips are pinched as he stares down the two fae. “Is anyone in my village at risk from these two… creatures ,” the mayor sneers, waving a hand in the direction of the fae in question.

Shaking his head, the leader presses his hand to his chest once more. “No, they will not touch a soul. You have my word.”

“Oh, Mayor Marshal, you wound us,” the grinning fae remarks, making us all jerk at the lyrical sound of his voice. He does not move, keeping perfectly still, yet everything about him seems threatening. “We are guests, we would never dream of hurting you or yours,” he promises, although it feels entirely insincere thanks to the sneer plastered across his face.

“Blaise,” the first male snaps, authority ringing in his voice, yet he still does not take his eyes off me. This seems to be all the other fae needs, though, as he reins in his hostile looks.

The mayor weighs the decision as though his life depends on it, and when it comes to the fae, our lives could very well be in the balance. This is not a decision I envy him for having to make. One option could protect our village, at the risk of allowing fae into our lives, or we could banish them and continue as we are, trying to face the threat alone—a threat which I am still trying to wrap my head around. After my brush with the fae on the way here, I am certainly more open to the possibility. The forest has always been my haven, so until now, I have never feared it.

The moment the mayor makes his decision, he stands tall and dips his head ever so slightly. “Fine. Follow me.”

The human visitors and advisors follow the mayor from the entrance hall, through the grand corridors, and presumably to the large reception room. Robert turns to me and offers me his hand, helping me down the last few steps. As I do, I find that the two fae have not moved to follow the mayor, the leader of which is still staring at me. I look at him, taking in the handsome fae. His hair is the first thing to draw my eyes, and I cannot believe that I am only just noticing it now. Finger-length on top, his wavy locks look untameable, swept over to the right. It should make him seem messy and dishevelled, yet it seems to work for him. However, it is the gorgeous russet tone of his hair that makes me pause. It looks as though it is made of pure fire, the mixture of oranges and bronze throughout giving it a shimmering effect that makes me want to run my fingers through it.

He has tanned skin and a wide, clean-shaven jaw, and his cheekbones are prominent enough to make all the females jealous. His plush lips slowly spread into a wicked grin as he watches me in a way that makes me blush. Ignoring the heat in my cheeks, I continue my perusal of his face. He has a strong, straight nose and dark brows, which frame his emerald eyes. I’ve never seen eyes like his before, with the brightest green I’ve ever seen. There’s something about him that calls to me, and more than just because of his physical appearance. When he looks at me like this, I feel seen in a way that I’ve never experienced before. I just met him, a fae, and somehow I feel complete with him here.

Blinking at the path my thoughts wander down, I frown, thinking the fae is putting me under his spell, but no, there is no scent of magic or pull of power like I experienced in the forest. Mysteriously, there is a connection between us, one that neither of us knew about until now, and from the intense look in his eyes, I know he knows it too.

Breaking eye contact, I quickly look at his companion. They both have the same magical ambiance about them, the sense of being other , but otherwise, they look completely different. He has long chestnut hair, half of which is up in a bun, and he carries a more impish, playful feel about him. A dark, neatly groomed beard covers the lower half of his face, but I can still see his mischievous smile beneath. His hazel eyes gleam as he slowly looks between me and the first male, his expression suggesting he knows exactly what we are thinking.

My heart flutters in my chest like a startled bird, so small and fragile compared to the imposing fae males before me. I was taught that fae are impossibly strong, and looking at the two of them, I would agree. However, what I find the strangest about all of this is the fact that I feel no fear. Anticipation and concern have my body on full alert, ready to react should I need to, but no fear. Am I damaged? Has my sense of self-preservation disappeared?

My encounter in the forest earlier suggests otherwise. The fae in the forest caused a fear in me so violent that I almost completely froze up. That type of fear could have gotten me killed. What is different about these two that places my feelings on opposite ends of the spectrum?

Oh, I am fully aware of how dangerous either of them could be, I can see their violent potential in every line of their muscular bodies, predator-like eyes, and sharp pointed teeth. If I respect that, though, and always keep in mind how hostile they could be, then I do not think they would hurt me maliciously.

How do I know all of this? It is impossible to explain to anyone as they would think that I had gone mad or was consorting with fae, but there is a certainty inside me and I just know .

“Iris?” Robert asks, confused at the fact that I have frozen in front of the fae. Perhaps he will think that I am simply scared. That would be the best thing for him to believe, as I have no answers for why I am reacting this way.

“Yes, sorry.” Clearing my throat, I smile tightly and gesture for the fae to go ahead of us. The bearded fae, Blaise, smirks again and spins with immortal grace, walking down the corridor after their human companions.

The fiery-haired male, whom I still do not know the name of, doesn’t move, staring at me for several seconds. The weight of his gaze is immense, and I am grateful that Robert is touching me, grounding me, otherwise I might do something stupid.

Thankfully, he finally pulls his gaze away, and I can think clearly again. My body does not seem to get the memo, though, as it is still on full alert, reacting to having a predator so close. Small zapping sensations travel along my skin, not painful or unpleasant, just unusual. They seem to ease as the male turns away and follows Blaise down the hallway.

As soon as we are alone, Robert turns to me, examining me from head to foot as though expecting to see a physical wound. “Iris, are you okay?” Not giving me a chance to reply, he looks at the retreating fae and scowls. “I don’t like the way that fae looked at you.” He bristles, his hand tightening around mine possessively.

Smiling reassuringly, I rub my thumb over the back of his hand. “I am fine. We should join them.”

He seems like he wants to say more, but he concedes, bowing his head and leading me forward. Although the grand corridor appears to be impossibly long thanks to the strategically placed windows and mirrors to make it seem bigger, it doesn’t take much time for us to reach the reception room where everyone waits. I’ve not been in this room before. Essentially, it looks like the mayor’s office upstairs, but bigger, and seats are placed around the room for visitors. The walls are lined with bookshelves, and the back wall has two huge bay windows that look out onto the garden beyond.

The mayor sits in a large chair behind a desk, and his advisors are similarly seated in a semicircle around him, staring at the visitors. The humans from the city sit in a huddle, the leader of the group at the front as expected. The fae stand at the back.

I try not to look, but my eyes are drawn to him without meaning to. Blaise is leaning against the bookshelf, flipping through a thick leather tome, looking bored. However, the other male is standing with his hands clasped behind his back, his eyes tracking my every movement. He doesn’t smile nor frown, his expression remaining neutral, and it is throwing me off. Why is he so fixated on me?

Robert guides me to a chair at the side of the room, straddling the line between the two factions. He moves behind me, standing just to the left, a hand draped over my shoulder. The staring fae notices, the gesture evoking an emotion in him as he frowns at my friend. It is the kind of frown that promises violence. Thankfully Robert does not seem to notice. The last thing we need is a fight between those two. Sooner or later, though, someone is going to notice the fae staring at me. It makes me uncomfortable. I don’t even know his name, and he watches me with such intensity that someone is going to question it.

“We are all present now,” Mayor Marshal comments, waving his hand towards the guests. “You can begin to explain why you came to my home with the very creatures that threaten our lives on a daily basis.”

Some of the males on the other side of the room look offended at the mayor’s clear sign of disrespect. However, the male at the front clears his throat, and the whispers die down.

Standing, he bows his head in greeting. “I am Minister Karrow, and I am one of the king’s advisors. I have been tasked with arranging a treaty between the human territories and the fae.” A wry smile stretches across his face. “As you can imagine, this is no easy task, and I have been travelling from village to village to discuss what we planned to keep everyone safe.”

My gaze turns to the fae once more as the minister speaks, wanting to see his reaction to what is being said. I still do not understand why the fae would agree to an alliance. What could they possibly get out of it? They are far more powerful than us and live much longer, their abilities that of myth. How do humans come into all this?

The mayor shifts in his seat, his frown mirrored by the advisors behind him. “I was under the impression that we were to be assessed for the suitability of a new weapon against the fae.” He does not sound impressed, and I suppose I can understand why. He thought they were coming to help us and feels tricked because they actually need his help and have brought his enemy into his house.

Karrow winces slightly and inclines his head in acknowledgement of the miscommunication. “You are right, in a sense…” Seeming to struggle for words, he brushes back his short dark hair and gestures towards the fae. “I should let them explain, then it will make sense.”

The auburn-haired fae steps forward, the tension rising with each fall of his foot. It is a vicious circle of fear and anger—the closer he gets, the more the mayor feels he needs to protect himself, puffing up to seem larger. The visiting advisors then feel threatened and reach for their weapons, which in turn only makes the situation worse. When he pauses at the halfway point, he bows his head ever so slightly to the mayor.

“I am Prince Alaric, and my companion is Blaise, my protector, advisor, and friend.” Jerking his head towards his fellow fae, he keeps his eyes on the threat ahead of him. There is no acknowledgement that he feels like we are a threat, yet somehow, I can feel the tightness within him, taut like a bowstring.

Prince. He is a fae prince. The sense of power that I get from him makes sense now, as does the way he carries himself. The human visitors have travelled with the son of the fae leader, so this alliance they speak of must be serious. As one of the highest ranking fae, the king would not have sent a prince if he thought everything would fall apart. This must be serious then. What doesn’t make any sense to me, though, is why I have this connection to a prince.

I quickly let that thought drop and focus back on the prince and what he’s saying. There’s something so magical about his voice, lyrical yet masculine. I could listen to it all day, and I might have suspected he is using magic, but I think this is just part of the prince’s allure. Everyone seems to react to it, but unlike my fascination, they seem afraid and angry.

Mayor Marshal stands and braces his hands against the desk, his face turning a shade of red as he stares down the fae. “Why should I listen to you when your kind are killing us and taking our women? I do not care who or what you are.”

Frankly, I am surprised the mayor has it in him to stare down a fae like this, least of all a prince—not to mention he welcomed them into his house as a guest. He has always been fiercely protective of the village, doing what is best for us rather than what is expected, but this is a step further than I thought. In fact, it almost feels as though his hatred of the fae is beyond that of village protector, verging into personal territory. What did the fae do to incite this much hatred in him?

The air in the room turns icy, Karrow’s and his companions’ expressions tight and disapproving. Is that disapproval aimed towards the fae or the mayor? I might never have questioned that before, but it is clear that Mayor Marshal has a grudge against the fae, who are currently his guests. We do not have many traditions or actions of cultural significance, but the correct treatment of guests is one of the key rules we do follow. Glancing over my shoulder, I see that even Robert looks uncomfortable by his father’s behaviour.

All pleasantries are dropped, and any warmth that might have graced the prince’s face disappears, becoming hard and every inch the immortal fae. A tingling sensation runs over my skin, and from the reactions of the others in the room, I know they are all experiencing it too. It feels like how I imagine raw power would feel. My breath catches in my throat. That is exactly what we are feeling—Alaric’s unrestrained power. I thought of him as a threat before, but I had no idea the true extent of how strong he was. He could level our whole village without even blinking.

Suddenly, as though whipping away a blanket, the sensation goes, leaving behind only a glimmering aura around the prince. He was showing us what he was capable of. My hands tremble where they rest in my lap. Is Blaise as strong? I cannot imagine how we would survive if the two of them decided to attack us.

“First of all, Mayor,” Alaric begins, his voice cold and sharp, “I am a prince, and I expect a certain amount of respect. Secondly, it is not my court abducting your females.”

Court? He makes it sound as though there are factions within the fae, and the ones he is in control of are not behind the abductions. I have never really thought of the fae having rank or organisation.

The mayor doesn’t seem to pick up on this, though, his hostile glare aimed at the prince, indignant at the fae for expecting his deference. I watch as his hands ball into fists, and I am not sure what he would do if he did not have a physical barrier between them.

“Respect is earned,” the mayor snarls, only to be cut off as a blade is suddenly pressed to his jugular. Gasping and stuttering, he looks at the male holding the knife—Blaise.

“You will respect my prince, or you shall lose your tongue.” All signs of amusement have fled his face. Instead, a deadly stillness settles over him as he threatens the mayor. It is a wickedly sharp blade, and as it gleams in the warm sunlight, I see the etchings on the side, so delicate and at odds with the violence it promises.

He moved so quickly that I didn’t even see him. He was simply at the back of the room one moment, and at the mayor’s side the next. Stories of the fae tell of incredible speed, but seeing it for myself is a whole other matter that I was not prepared for. The tension ricochets in the room, and all we need is a match to light it up.

“Blaise, enough. The humans are frightened. They do not know better,” Alaric says, ordering his companion away from the mayor. None of us miss the insult in his words, yet after that little display, I doubt anyone would be stupid enough to say anything.

The bearded fae does as instructed, if not reluctantly. In fact, he looked far too happy at the prospect of slitting the mayor’s throat. Clicking his tongue in disappointment, Blaise spins the blade in his hand, making the mayor flinch as he slowly moves back to his prince’s side.

“My apologies, Mayor Marshal. My companion is protective of me, and we value respect above all else in the fae realm.”

He does not need to say what we are all thinking—that the mayor had been anything but respectful. Honestly, I am surprised that the prince is apologising, but I suppose he is trying to create a positive relationship between our people. His apology also served to highlight the lack of civility shown by us. If I was not so afraid of war breaking out in this very room, then I might be impressed at his ability to apologise and insult in the same breath.

“There are two courts within fae territory,” Alaric begins, his voice smooth as he explains. “The Seelie and Unseelie Courts. The Seelie Court is whom we belong to. We focus on the light, assisting humans, and the growth of our people. For example, brownies and house sprites are some of the races within the Seelie Court, cleaning your house for a scrap of food. We can still be wicked when scorned or wronged, but we strive to grow and thrive as a race.” His green eyes sweep around the room, taking in our reactions. When his eyes land on me, an electric feeling zips through my body, and I swear I see a ghost of a smile on his lips. He quickly turns back to the others. “The Unseelie Court is different. They are the court of darkness and fear. Boggarts, banshees, trolls, and kelpies are examples of the creatures who follow their dark rule. They prey on humans, feeding on their fear. This is how they sustain themselves. They are stealing your females.” His expression is dark, and his words are clipped, his dislike of these fae obvious. Even Blaise is gritting his teeth at the mention of them.

Unseelie. The fae I saw in the forest on the way here must be from that court. The hair on my arms stands on end as I think of how I felt when they attempted to call me into their grasp—an utterly terrifying experience. Their magic was so strong that I almost willingly walked straight to them. If what the prince says is true, I might have merrily gone to my own death.

Robert steps forward from his position behind me, having kept silent until now, a heavy hand resting on my shoulder. What should be a comforting gesture actually feels like an effort to control me, to keep me down and quiet. Could it be that he is trying to ensure I do not speak about their plan to tear down part of the forest? I wonder what the prince and his companion would think of that matter.

“I have never heard of these courts before,” Robert counters, drawing the attention of the room. “How do we know you are not lying to ensure we work with you?”

The prince’s emerald green eyes glimmer with repressed amusement, until his gaze moves to the hand on my shoulder. All traces of amusement disappear in an instant, replaced instead with a sharp intensity.

“Why would I be here wasting my time unless this alliance was something we both needed?” Although Alaric smiles as he asks the question, it is tinged with malice, not helped by the fact he bares his wicked fangs. “The Unseelie Court is out of control,” he continues, reining in his anger. “My people are suffering just as much as yours, only our plight has been going on for centuries.”

“Why now?”

Gods above, I cannot believe I asked that. Keep quiet and smile, show unity, that is what I am here for, and I just broke that unspoken rule. My body goes cold as everyone glances at me. I do not miss the looks of disapproval from many of the men from both sides of the room. However, the question has been burning in the back of my mind. Something must be driving the Seelie Court to ally with us, and what is suddenly driving the Unseelie to break from the forest?

The hunt begins .

That is what the cloaked male in the forest, my somewhat friend, said, and as these words ring in my mind, I cannot help but wonder if they are connected. I wish I could just slip into the forest and ask him, yet I know he will not be there. Besides, with the Unseelie fae lurking in the woods, it is not safe.

“The Unseelie Court is limited by certain rules and protections, the biggest one being that they are bound by the sun. They cannot step foot into the sunlight and mostly come out at night. Of course, this protects humans as most towns and villages are far away from the forest and the Unseelie cannot make it there and back before the sun rises.” Glancing around the room as he speaks, he pauses and meets my gaze once more, my skin tingling at his intensity. “This is something they want to change. Every fifty years, there is a grand rite. During this, the wards temporarily drop, allowing the Unseelie to leave the forest. During this time, they hunt for the doe.” Holding up his hand, he brushes off any of our questions before we can ask them. “It is an important story from fae lore that is too long to explain now, but the doe is a human female who is different from the others. The qualities that make her so different is not quantifiable, only that she is extraordinary and immediately identifiable to the fae during the rite.”

A light tingle works its way down my spine as he speaks, and although he has turned his focus to the others in the room, I can still feel his attention on me. Blaise is watching me with interest, although I think he is doing it partially because he knows it makes me uncomfortable.

Alaric clears his throat, expression severe. “If the Unseelie find her and make her their queen, then they shall be able to roam in the sun forever more.”

Heavy silence follows his declaration as the implications of this settle over us. He does not need to explain why this would be catastrophic. Having creatures like kelpies and trolls able to stroll through human towns to terrorise and kill us… No, that cannot be allowed to happen.

Mayor Marshal seems to awaken from a trance, leaning back in his chair with a deep frown. “What are you suggesting then?” He looks between the fae and our human visitors. “Keep our females locked away?” Although I think he says this in jest, there is the slightest quiver to his voice. He is taking this threat seriously now.

Cocking his head, the prince looks the mayor over with an appraising eye, sizing him up. “We had a plan,” he confirms, “but none of that matters now.”

Jerking upright in his chair, the mayor looks shocked and outraged, slamming his hands down on his desk. “What? Why?”

Even Minister Karrow and the other human advisors seem shocked at this declaration, clearly having not been involved in the change of plan. Stepping forward, the minister tries to get Alaric’s attention, but he is not going to be moved from his position.

“The plan is redundant, as I have found the doe,” he announces proudly, his smile smug. He is enjoying every moment of shocking his companions.

My mind is still spinning with everything I have learned, attempting to catch up and remember the significance of the doe. If Prince Alaric has found that woman, then they can stop the Unseelie from taking her. Hope comes to life inside me like a seed sprouting and reaching for the promise of the sun. We might be safe from the tyranny of the fae once and for all.

The room has fallen quiet, the weight of the silence pulling me from my musings, and I am shocked to see that everyone is looking at me. With slow, soft footsteps, the prince moves towards me then kneels. My breath catches in my throat, my mouth as dry as a desert.

Why is he looking at me like that, and why is everyone watching so intently? Did I miss something important?

The smallest smile pulls at his lips as though he can read my thoughts.

“Iris, you are the key to protecting us all.”