Earth Child (Romance Novels of The Fae Realm) (10 page)

            Climbing from the tub I wrapped myself in one of the towels and picked my sodden clothes from the floor.  The thought of putting them back on was not a pleasant one.  Instead I secured the towel more firmly around my chest and headed for the bed, prepared to just wrap myself in blankets.  It was then that I noticed the soft pale blue clothes laid on the bed.  I gratefully dropped the towel and donned the fine clothes.  The pants were secured by a draw string around my waist.  They were a little long so I bent to roll them at the ankles.  A soft cream colored undershirt was next followed by a matching blue shirt, which wrapped around my waist and was secured with a deeper blue silk ribbon.  Clean and dressed I climbed into the bed, losing myself in its depth and falling fast asleep.

            The next morning dawned clear and bright.  I hadn’t slept long before a soft but insistent knocking woke me.  Whoever it was didn’t wait for a reply before entering the room and directing a bevy of servants behind her.

            “Good morning Mother Alexa.  My name is Cassia, I am your handmaiden.  Anything you need, just ask for it” She smiled at me.  I sat up, watching as she directed one girl to leave a tray of food on the bedside table and another to shake open the curtains, letting bright sunshine flood the room.  A third girl exited the bathroom carrying the dirty linens and my discarded clothes.  “I’ll have these washed and returned to you.  In the meantime you’ll find more clothes in the wardrobe there,” she pointed to the space near the bathroom, “Now eat, dress, and I’ll be back to help you with your hair in a moment.” And just as quickly as she had entered she left.

            I turned my attention to the food beside me.  My stomach growled loudly, reminding me that I had barely eaten anything last night.  There was a pitcher of cool crisp water, a dark and dense loaf of bread, cheese, fruits, nuts, butter and a small pot of golden honey.  I tore off a chunk of bread, smothered it with honey and took a bite.  It was heavenly.  The bread was still slightly warm and practically melted in my mouth.  I could taste the nectar of the flowers in the honey.  Even the water tasted better than anything I had ever had before.  I ate several more slices and a few bites of fruit before making my way to the wardrobe.

            What I found hanging there resembled pajamas more than clothes.  Thin gossamers and sheer dresses in every shade and color of the rainbow hung in neat rows.  There was no way I was going to walk around wearing them.  I would feel so exposed, so naked.  Shaking my head I kept looking.  I was just about to give up and just wear the blue cotton that I had slept in when my hand brushed against what felt like leather in the very back of the wardrobe.  Shoving the dresses aside I pulled out a light brown leather vest and a pair of deep blue leather pants.  Finally something that I recognized!  With a little more digging I found a pale cream linen shirt.  Shedding my pajamas I pulled on the leather pants and shirt, which was obviously made for a much larger person. I tucked it in as best I could and pulled the vest over the top, buttoning it to help hold in the voluminous shirt.

            I had just closed the last button when Cassia entered the room once again, knocking briefly on her way through the door.  “You’re wearing that?” she asked shaking her head and mumbling something about being indecent.  I looked down, not sure how the modest leather was indecent when the sheer gossamer would have shown off everything.  Motioning me to a small vanity table I sat and let her pull on tug on my tangled hair.

            With no mirror I sat in silence, not sure what Cassia was doing behind me.  There was lots of pulling and tugging and several sharp pins were painfully affixed around my scalp.  Finally pleased she stepped back and furnished a small mirror.  Several large and elaborate curls were pinned around my face while the rest of my hair was woven into three or four braids behind me.  I looked ridiculous, but not wanting to offend Cassia, whose hairstyle resembled mine, I nodded my appreciation.

            “Thank you Cassia it looks very nice” I forced a smile.

            “You hate it.” She said looking deflated.

            “No, no, it’s just not something I’m used to.  I usually just pull it into a pony tail.”

            “Very well.” She harrumphed and once more went to work on my hair.  It wasn’t long until she was thrusting the mirror into my hands once more. “Here.”

            Cautiously I raised the mirror and looked at myself once more.  The large curls were gone, replaced by more braids, which were then braided in a thick plait down my back.  It was definitely more my style.  Smiling I handed the mirror back to Cassia.

            “Thank you.  It’s perfect.”  She didn’t say anything, but I detected a small smile on her lips.  I stood and crossed the room, rummaging through the wardrobe for some sort of footwear.  My hiking boots had been carted off with the rest of my dirty laundry.  “Cassia, are there any shoes in here?” I asked behind the muffled silks.  Feeling someone’s presence behind me I moved thinking to give Cassia better access to the wardrobe.  Maybe she’d be able to find things faster.  So I was surprised when I was greeted by Cerus’ pale skin and blue eyes instead of Cassia’s brisk yet matronly countenance.

            “Good morning” I smiled slipping my arms around his neck for a brief hug.

            “Good morning Mother Alexa.”

            “Do we have to be so formal?  It’s weird to hear you call me that.”

            “As you wish,” he bowed slightly, “however, in public I must address you formally.  If I were to be casual it would be seen as a sign of disrespect.”

            “I understand.  So what are you doing here?”

            “I have been assigned as your ceffyl gard.  I am here to escort you to the Terra Council chambers.”

            “What happened to Thorn?”

            “Thorn is a herald, not a ceffyl gard.”

            “Okay.  What is a ceffyl gard?”

            “I am a member of the royal guard.  It is my job to protect you.  With my life if necessary.”

            “Well let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” I teased, “Can you help me find some shoes?”

            “Shoes aren’t in the wardrobe, but in the trunk at the foot of your bed” he indicated with his hand, lifting the lid off a deep cedar trunk.

            I spent a few minutes trying on and discarding several subsequent pairs until finally deciding on a pair of soft leather ankle boots.  Slipping them on I stood and indicated that we should go.  As we stepped into the hallway I turned to Cerus and started asking more questions.

            “So when can I go home?”

            “You are home.”

            “When can I go back to the human realm?  They’ve had to notice that I’m gone by now.”

            “That is up to the Terra Council.”

            “Why?  I thought I was in charge?”

            “Technically you are, but even though they’ve accepted you for who you are I don’t think any real progress has been made and I’m sure that they will have more questions for you today.”

            “About what?  Up until four weeks ago I didn’t have any idea the Fae existed, let alone that I was one.”

            “Well I’m sure we’ll find out.”  We had reached the council room.  The council members were already seated and as one they stood, turned to me and bowed their heads.  I suddenly felt out of place and slightly under-dressed. 
            “Hail Mother Alexa!” Zephrya greeted.  Seven voices echoed her greeting.
            “Good morning everyone,” I replied taking my seat on the throne.  They remained standing, looking at me expectantly.  I looked at Cerus who motioned for everyone to be seated.  “Please be seated,” I mumbled.

            “The first order of business today will be the fortifications along the eastern perimeter…” began Zephyra.

            For several hours the council droned on about several mundane, albeit important orders of business. I zoned out and contemplated falling asleep.  Poor Cerus.  He had been standing slightly behind me the entire time.  Taking a moment to look at each of the council members around me I caught the Summer Fae in the middle of a huge yawn.  I’m sure there was a process involved, but I was done waiting for them to get to the point.  I had questions, they were going to give me some answers.

            “Can I say something?” I interrupted Zephyra.  The Summer Fae perked up immediately.  “First, I’d like to know who each of you are.  Then I’d like to know why you need me here.  If you’re going to talk about fortifications and fields then I can go back to the human realm, finish high school and stick to my plan.”  I held my breath for several moments.  There were several uncomfortable glances exchanged across the room.

            “But, why would you want to go back there?” Terrestria asked.

            “Because despite who my mother was, it is still my home.  I can’t just abandon the people there that have raised me.  I won’t leave them with no explanation, no story as to why I’m leaving and why I’ll never see them again.”

            “You cannot leave yet,” stated Zephyra.

            “And why not?  You don’t need me here.”

            “Because you’re training, although adequate, is incomplete.  It is the understanding of this council that you attempted to use your powers to save a bunch of humans and the strain nearly killed you.  Even last night you could barely stand.”

            “I have to go back.  My parents are expecting me.”

            “I’m sorry, but that’s impossible.  We can at least accommodate you on your first request.  I believe some introductions are in order.  It’s only fitting.  You know Terrestria from yesterday. She is Earth Fae.  To her left is Root, the Spring Fae.  I am of course Zephyra, Air Fae and this is Blade, the Fall Fae,” each of the Fae nodded as they were introduced.  Turning to look at the other side of the table Zephyra continued her introductions, “Blaze, from the Fire Fae, and Calefacto the Summer Fae.  Aquamarine, the Water Fae and Graupel, from the Winter Fae.  Together we make up the Terra Council.”

            I waited until she was finished, nodding to all the Fae in turn and grateful to put names to faces.  That is where my feelings of gratitude ended.  They could not keep me here.  “Thank you Zephyra.”

            “You’re welcome Mother Alexa.  Now let us get back to the business at hand.”

            “Not so fast Zephyra.  The business at hand is me.  Here is what we are going to do.  I am going back to the human realm.  Cerus will remain in place as my ceffyl gard and will accompany me back there.  In five days’ time I will return to begin my training.  This will continue for the next seven weeks, until graduation.  Then I will return to the Fae permanently.  Have I made myself clear?”

            “Mother Alexa I thought I had already explained that you can’t leave.”

            “And I thought that you would show the Mother more respect than that,” I scolded her, “I am not asking this council’s permission.  This is the way it is going to be.”  I didn’t wait for her to reply.  Instead I stood, nodded to the other council members and walked out of the council chamber, Cerus close behind.

            “That was very foolish, Alexa.”

            “I don’t care Cerus.  Now take me back.”

            “In a moment.  There are a few people I’d like you to meet first.”

            “Fine.”

            “But you’ll have to change first.”

            “Change?”

            “You’re wearing fighting gear.  My mother will never believe that you’re the Mother dressed like that.”  And he escorted me back to my room where I changed into one of the sheer dresses that left me feeling naked.

            “Is this better?”

            “Much better,” Cerus breathed, “You look amazing.”

            “Thank you.  Let’s go.  I want to get back to the human realm before dark.” With that Cerus took my hand and let me from the room. 

            We walked for a bit, weaving in and out of the different corridors, finally emerging on a wooded path and moving away from the royal quarters.  I took the chance to look around.  The woods here didn’t look much different than the woods in the human realm.  I suppose the trees were a fuller darker green.  There was no trash or evidence of people around.  The animals were bold, knowing they were safe amongst the Fae and several curious squirrels, rabbits, and birds followed us.

            As we continued to walk I notices small houses built amongst the trees.  They reminded me of Hobbit holes, using the earth and what it had to offer rather than clearing everything out and building from the ground up like the Humans did.  Soon a few houses became bustling streets and I noticed more and more Fae moving about.  Every person was engaged.  They were tending small gardens, and off in the distance I caught glimpses of larger fields full of flowers, wheat, corn, all sorts of fruit and vegetables.

            “Welcome to the Spring tribe.”

            “Is everyone always so – busy?”

            “Spring tribe has two jobs within the Fae realm.  First they are the main producers of food for all Fae, and second they lead the Fae army.”

            “The ceffyl gard?  What does that mean any way?”

            “Horse Guard.”

            “Like Calvary?”

            “Something like that” Cerus grinned.

We walked on, passing a few more streets before stopping in front of what looked like a giant mound of flowers.  The colors were stunning.  I could see simple daisies, roses, tulips, lilacs, gladiolas, bluebells, and so many others that it was hard to name them all.  It was beautiful.  Turning toward Cerus I was about to ask him where we were when a door opened and a tall pale woman emerged from within.

            “Cerus!” she exclaimed pulling him in for a warm embrace.

            “Hello mother” he replied, kissing her on each cheek.  “This is Mother Alexa,” Cerus indicated, “and this is my mother Grace.”