Fay Warrior, Fay Master

Chapter Twelve

Fay Warrior, Fay Master
Chapter Twelve

“Eldwin, I am afraid that my position with the Wikkenwind Royals has been compromised. Marrabus knows that I have been spying on his brother…I am sure of it,” she whispered frantically as she followed Eldwin’s lead into a small alcove.

“How can you be sure of this? Has he said anything to make you think so?” Eldwin asked with concern as they moved even further into a heavily-vined area.
Merina’s brows crinkled together as she thought about what had just occurred. Her lover really had not accused her of any treachery but had still acted strangely enough. “He did not say anything in particular but he did tell me that he had noticed my “disappearances” lately.”

“That could mean anything, my dear,” Eldwin smiled at the young Fay girl. She had been most valuable over the years and a well-trusted friend of the Fayring Royals. However, at times, her innocence clouded her judgment.

“Oh…Eldwin…I may have ruined everything myself. He accused me of coupling with another! I am so sorry…he frightened me so. He pulled his blade on me and spilled my blood. I fled in fear straight here.” The tears began to fall freely from her beautiful eyes.

Eldwin frowned at the mention of violence. He could not believe that Marrabus could be capable of such a thing. He had always been the most peaceful of the Wikkenwind Royals. If he could stomach any of them, it would be him. “Where did he harm you?”

She sniffled and pointed to the offensive area. Eldwin studied it as he cupped her face and turned it about to get a better look at her neck. It was but a small, superficial nick. Nothing remotely close to harming her. He could pretty much figure out what had caused such a minor thing. He fought hard to contain the grin beginning to spread across his face.

He cleared his throat. Had Marrabus wanted to harm Merina then he could have done so. It appeared that this small wound had been done entirely by accident…most probably in a fit of jealousy. Even now, it appeared to be healing like any other scratch might. “Ahhh….it sounds to me that he only accused you of knowing another. Has he acted like this before?”

“No…never. We never have discussed our other couplings.”

“Perhaps, he has decided that he wants more with you,” Eldwin smiled as he thought about his desire to have more with his queen.

“I do not know. But he said that he would punish me…and he did draw blood,” Merina whispered tearfully starting to sob again heartbroken as she buried her head into his chest. Eldwin wrapped his arms about her comfortingly.

“Shhhh…you just do not understand. He meant no harm to you, my child. As a Fay Warrior, I know he cherishes you. He is but jealous…”

Merina’s head snapped up. “He is not jealous! He has never been jealous…and Eldwin, he followed me. I do not know if he is nearby or not.”

“Is he anything like his brother? Tell me the truth, Merina, for his life depends on it.”

She thought hard but had to admit to herself that she had overreacted. “No. He is nothing like his brother. He despises Barridean but Wikkenwind is his only home. He has no other.”

Eldwin knew Merina loved Marrabus. What is more, he now knew that perhaps Marrabus could be an important connection to undermine Barridean. This information warranted further thought, much further thought. Could Marrabus be the key to unseating Barridean? The leaves moved slightly to his left. His astute senses detected another presence nearby but a non-threatening one.

Without warning, Eldwin lowered his head and took Merina’s lips hard with need. He pressed her to his body molding her as though she fit him perfectly. His hands roamed intimately until Merina pushed hard against him breaking his hold. Without further word, she fled confused into the palace to her chambers.

Again, the branches moved but Eldwin ignored them. He could tell that the intruder was Marrabus and what’s more, he sensed his retreat away from the palace. A seasoned Fay Warrior such as he noticed these things. Normally, he would have confronted the intruder. But Marrabus posed no threat to him or this kingdom.

“Perhaps that will add a little fuel to the fire,” he mumbled pleased with himself. “Although I am a little disappointed that he did not confront me. It may have proved interesting.” Eldwin shook his head with amusement then moved away from the alcove back toward the palace doors.

Marrabus flew a short distance away as fury filled him. Had he stayed another second, surely he would have murdered the captain of the guard which of course would have meant his own demise. He realized that he was sorely outnumbered. “So she has been coupling with him,” he growled menacingly. “I will not tolerate it…she is mine.”

He pursed his lips and flitted back and forth his wings buzzing with wrath and hands locked angrily behind his back. This would be rectified immediately! Unfortunately, it would have to be at a later time for he must return to the Wikkenwind palace.

******

A movement caught the corner of Eldwin’s eye from the balcony across the courtyard. The queen’s curtain billowed out into the wind then retracted back inside only to repeat the movement. He quirked a brow and studied the area well yet only the curtains billowed about. Though he knew her not to be there, even now his blood boiled for her. Soon he would secure her for his own. Hearing the bark of a guard, Eldwin gazed across the courtyard and noticed the old crone making her way in. Strange that she should stop for a visit especially while the palace was in such an inhospitable uproar. It was a most inopportune time. His brows knit together upon seeing her obvious happiness. This piqued his curiosity.

Quietly he flew in pursuit to witness her destination and stopped short in surprise as Keltra welcomed her. He glanced about to assure he had not been seen and found a fine spot to hide in. It afforded a good place to listen clearly to their conversation.

“Well, get on with it, please. I should like to know your information,” Keltra insisted as she motioned for the old woman to sit.

“Do you remember so many years ago when your daughter was first born?” she asked watching the Queen’s face closely.

“Yes, of course I do…but I do not understand where this questioning can possibly lead to.”

“Do you remember a certain “mark” she bore on the back of her right shoulder?”

“Yes…yes I do. A sort of jagged mark…kind of like…”

“Kind of like a blue lightning bolt?” asked the old woman encouragingly.

“Yes. I do believe it does look like a lightning bolt…and yes, it is blue too. But what has this to do with anything?”

“It has much to do with everything,” the old woman explained. “Just hear me out, my dear. You must remember…on the night that you were seeded, tell me what you remember.”

Their voices became fainter as the two women spoke disappearing into the quarters of the Queen’s chambers. Unfortunately, this ended his eavesdropping and he moved away. Why would the old crone be here questioning the queen’s seeding? And what had Willa’s birth to do with anything? “What an interesting day this is becoming,” he mumbled moving away and back into the courtyard.

“Sir, the queen has sent me to find you.”

Eldwin lifted a brow questioningly at his fellow Fay Warrior. “Indeed. And what does her majesty require of me?”

“She asked that I deliver a message to you. It is her desire that you visit the border patrols, take stock, and report back to her once you have visited them all.”

“I am sure that you have misunderstood her message. The captain is not usually sent out for such a task.”

“I apologize, sir, but she specifically stated that she wanted you to attend to the matter.”

“Very well, then. We shall see,” he gritted as he balled his hands into fists. What was his woman up to? Did she think that she could send him away so that she could couple indiscriminately with Barridean? Why else would she send him on such a lowly task? Well, he would not have it and guest or not she would know this now!


McKinzie S. Heart
~Live to write, write to live~