The Fae King's Ruin

Steel

Confused and disoriented by her cousin’s quick goodbye, Aislin dropped back to her chair in silence. She attempted to digest everything he said before Aelthrys left, but each word he had uttered other than the fact that he was going home to stop the southern rebellion had been complete gibberish to her.

Her heart ached with the knowledge that her home was once again caught in the crossfire of the fae insurgency that had rebelled against her brother’s rule. It didn’t even make sense to her since Cetha was one of the cities that were mostly in opposition against Drakos’ regime. Although most of the opposition during those days were silent, it did not make sense to her why they would want to occupy the city all over again. 

Even if she wasn’t physically in Mhoryga, her people must know that she was different from her brother. Right?

She gathered up the scattered reports she had across her desk and made neat piles before taking a stack of stationery in her official name. Aelthrys had wanted her to inform the Cabinet of his departure. With quick, short strokes of her pen, she wrote out multiple notes to each of them, her penmanship a clear reflection of her anxiety as each curve and line went deeper into the paper until she was sure the ink was bleeding through. 

When she was done, she hunted down one of her maids, eventually finding Periwinkle tidying up in her room, and asked her to make sure each recipient got the letter. Then, she went on her hunt.

On the other side of the same floor of the palace, she found who she was looking for. She was right in assuming that somehow, Res would be in the King’s chambers talking his ear off. But as she stormed inside, she was slightly thrown off by the fact that he was not as his usually well-put-together self. 

In fact, he was nowhere near how the Hand of the King presented himself at all times. For one, he was face down on Avery’s couch. His hair was in tangles and fell to the side of the couch in no elegant manner, and his clothes that were habitually immaculate had been stripped down to britches and a tunic.

A loud snore ripped from his gaping mouth.

Aislin held a hand out and was about to wake him when the door to the King’s private study opened and out came Avery. His golden eyes widened at the sight of her and she saw his mouth twitch to either side as if he was about to smile, but his face fell at the very last moment.

“Aelthrys left already?” he asked knowingly.

She could only nod. Glancing at Res’ sleeping form, she looked to the King. “I assume he told you everything he knew,” she said quietly. “Seeing as my own cousin was in a hurry and was not able to catch me up, will you be able to do it?”

He nodded, gesturing to follow him into his office. She left the sleeping Res and walked carefully over to the other side of the room. Avery chivalrously opened the door for her, closing it behind him once they were alone inside. The windows were open, letting bright light and fresh air flood in.

She turned, arms around herself and doing her hardest not to cry in front of him. “What happened?” Aislin asked in a soft whisper. “Why did Aelthrys say that I had to ask Res of all people about the rebellion happening in my own home?”

Avery sighed, rubbing a hand over his forehead while the other rested over his hip. “Res had been on a mission for me,” he explained. “I wanted it to be a surprise. We were supposed to go to Cetha in the next two weeks as a vacation and state visit. Res went so he could coordinate our travel plans with the custodians of your home. While he was able to do it, it wasn’t before they encountered some misfortune that required them to stay for a few days longer. Before they left, officers from the General’s command asked them to pass on a message in person, since written letters have not been able to go out of the city for a while now because of the skirmishes.”

“Did they say how long it’s been getting worse?”

He shook his head ‘no’. “Res wasn’t able to gather more information aside from what they told him.” Avery looked up at her. “You should know I offered Aelthrys my help. He didn’t take it.”

Of course, Aelthrys wouldn’t. He was the feared General of the late King Drakos’ forces. He didn’t need help. But while she worried about her cousin, she was also left a little stunned by the reason why Res was in Mhoryga.

“You were going to surprise me with a trip home?” she asked in surprise.

He nodded sadly. “I knew you had been wanting to go, and I did, too. It seemed like a good opportunity as any since the last week of the month is clear for us when I checked. However, it would depend on whether it would be safe for us to travel to Cetha.”

Avery did not have to tell her that it also depended on how Aelthrys would be able to quickly do his job.

Her eyes closed, feeling a rush of mixed emotions swirling inside of her. She stepped forward. Avery, instinctively knowing what she needed, opened his arms and tucked her under them. He did not say a word, only holding her to him wordlessly as she let tears fall from her eyes. It was a combination of fear and being touched by the gesture that had been a way for them to realize that there was trouble brewing back home.

Suddenly, she felt incredibly silly and stupid for being momentarily envious of Aelthrys when he announced that he was going home. She prayed for his safe return, wishing that she was there to oversee the problem all on her own.

She paused. What was stopping her from going back?

“I should come home as well.”

Avery leaned back a little to frown at her. “Your home is currently a warzone. It’s not safe for you and I know for a fact General Aelthrys would agree.”

“But I don’t have to be in Cetha. I can be at a nearby city or the Capital.”

The King flinched. “I really don’t think that is the best course of action, Aislin.”

She shook her head indignantly. “I cannot stand idly by. The rest of the week and my weekend are relatively clear. I won’t be missed.”

“Aislin—”

But she wasn’t about to be persuaded otherwise. With a set jaw, she faced him. “I’m sorry, but I am their Queen for all intents and purposes. Maybe I could have a peace talk with them.”

“Why don’t you talk to your Cabinet first?” Avery suggested. “If they agree you should go, then I won’t stop you. But if they think it’s a bad idea…”

Aislin tried to predict what her Cabinet’s verdict on the matter would be, but it was too unpredictable and could go either way. She sighed, her eyes closing. “I just know I won’t be able to sit here while my kingdom is run to the ground by these dissenters who have been opposing my dead brother.”

Avery did not reply. There was no need to. Aislin knew that he would never push his opinion on her and that whatever she decided to do, it was her choice and hers alone. He held her once again and he let her, steeling herself for another meeting had to go in her favor.