you are wrong, Princess, for there are only four humans that will ever be granted access to our realm.” I sucked in a breath, wondering what in all the Gods names combined could that mean.
This before whispering,
“And they are?” This was when he paused before pushing open the last door and telling me the shocking truth…
“Our fated humans… Our Queens.”
11
Brothers of Woe
The door opened onto what was obviously a private library or office of some kind. Of course, the dead giveaway to this was that two of its walls were covered in ornate shelves lined with thick leather-bound books. At a quick glance, it also looked as if some books in particular had been well read as the spines were cracked and in less than perfect condition. I knew why when he leant into me and said,
“You’re not the only one who’s well read.” After this he let my hand slip from the crook of his arm as we walked into his space, before motioning to a seating area saying,
“We will not be disturbed in here… if you please.” He then took his tall, muscular self over to the comfortable looking living space that had an arch shape of carved armchairs. These nine, high backed chairs were all positioned around a beautifully ornate stone fireplace. One that reminded me of the Tree of Life that was situated in my father’s temple back in the underground belly of Afterlife.
In fact, it also reminded me of the tree in the centre of Lucius’ winter garden on the top of his castle, because it was shaped the same. The roots appeared as if rising from the ground and created an open space in the middle. Well, this was carved the same way, only instead of a place you could sit inside, like Pip often did, in this one a fire was lit, crackling away and creating a warm glow off all the pale furniture.
The pale omber trees had been used to carve the ornate seats, that were curved waves like the wind had blown the wood making it grow that way. A large desk was situated on a higher platform, with a solid polished top and a network of carved roots covering every inch of the bottom. But then another quick scan of the room awarded me the little details, like artwork on the walls or the large ceramic pots that rose up like giant painted lilies or crimped tulips. It was what gave it its art nouveau style, with nature’s beauty playing the biggest part.
A large steepled chair stood tall and proud behind the desk, as though it belonged in some English castle as it was worthy of any King to sit upon it. A tapestry style rug which looked like the whole kingdom was depicted on it, sat in front of the fireplace and was big enough to fill the living space. The only other form of decoration in the room was the now distinct style of paintings that his sister had obviously gifted him, and this time it was an incredible lifelike portrait of his Dragon, situated proudly behind his desk.
The other one was positioned in front of where he would sit, so he could look at it whilst working. And I knew why when I recognised it as being one of his Kingdom. It was a sight that no doubt reminded him of why he made the decisions he did…
For the good of his people.
I didn’t know where these thoughts had come from, as I didn’t know this man. I didn’t know this Fae King that obviously had the power to shift where the rest of his kingdom did not. Just like I didn’t know how I knew that he was born from Dragon fire. All I knew was that it was almost as if being close to him was projecting his life on to me and his rule encompassed. It was as if I knew that every decision he made was for the good of his people, and that included this one.
The one he felt guilt over making.
I frowned at this, narrowing my gaze when asking myself if his actions were ones he would feel guilt over, then why make them… had he been forced? I quickly realised that unless I gave him the time to explain then I wasn’t ever going to find out.
So, I followed the King towards the seating area and watched as he flicked out his robe before taking his seat. His captain also