to go now… erm, I hope I'll see you later, Fae… seems a bit weird calling somebody Fae but I guess it would be like you calling me human.” I burst out laughing at this, especially when her brother groaned with exasperation.
“I agree, call me Emmie, it's another nickname of mine, as for some strange reason, I seem to have a lot of them.”
“Great! Isn't that great, brother? I will be the only one in the realm to call her this, it means we are true friends,” she declared grinning and then in some awkward way that I think she believed was my own custom, she pulled me in for hug that wasn't relaxed in any way. But I patted her on the back all the same, which meant she left after this with a big grin on her face. Not surprisingly, the moment the door was closed the King sighed and started to say,
“My sister, she is…”
“Perfect in every way,” I finished off for him, looking to the door and grinning to myself, because she was just one of those people you wanted to be around, and she didn't even realise it.
There was nothing fake or superficial about her, she was just a person who couldn't help but be themselves and it was awful to realise that she was being persecuted for that by her own mother. I was just glad that she wasn't being persecuted for it by her brother as well, or she truly would have no one in this realm.
In fact, I had never wished for someone to meet their true love so much in all my life, for she deserved to have that person who spent his time building her up, not tearing her down. Someone who didn't try and mould her into some perfect royal wife, but instead allowed her to just slot in there as easily as stepping into a pair of shoes. I had only met her two times and had, I confess, a strange conversation with her about the toilet. But even that was enough to know that she was a good person, and good people deserved happiness.
“You know that's the happiest I've seen my sister for a long time, so whatever you said to her to achieve that, I thank you and am in your debt.”
“Does this mean you're willing to let me go with a stick and a handkerchief full of food tied to the end.” At this he laughed and said,
“Not quite yet, no… if you please,” he said motioning to the chairs we had sat in before, only this time he wanted me to take the seat closer to him, which I did.
“I believe you wished to know the story of my realm and why my brother was banished,” he said coming right out with the reason we were meeting like this. I had to say, it was refreshing.
“I do, if you would be willing to tell me.” He bowed his head once to tell me that he was, so I remained quiet and let him begin.
“I am not sure you are aware, but the elemental realm is made up of four lands, the Dark Lands, my own you know being the Dragon Lands, then there is the Land of Souls, and what pieces all of these lands together is the Land of Gold.”
“Gold?” I asked surprised.
“Naturally, it is the richest of all our lands, for it's very sands are speckled with gold dust, which is why it is classed as a heavenly place.”
“Classed as… you mean, literally?!” I asked shocked.
“Essentially, yes, it is our form of Heaven, for when one of us dies and our soul is judged, if it is deemed to be one pure of heart, then this is where we will end up.” I frowned in question before asking,
“So, I take it you have a Hell then?”
“Of sorts, for this is the Land of Souls, where those that have committed sin are doomed to spend the rest of their eternity under my brother’s rule.” I took this in and after a million questions all raced to the surface, I picked on one and stuck with it, asking now,
“So, I'm confused, does this mean you don't have any Gods?” At this he smiled and told me the biggest shock of all,
“My sweet girl, we four Kings that rule of these lands…”
“We are the Gods.”
15
Righting Wrongs
I sucked in a startled breath and he smirked before telling me,