Shadow & Light

Chapter 11

Malichi's broad frame stood tall and proud as he opened his mouth to speak.

"Welcome ladies and gentlemen." His voice boomed over the gathering and it clicked in my brain that the woman behind him was a Sono fae, one who could carry sound however far as she pleased. She held her hands behind her back, pure concentration on her face. This was her king–she would make sure to do her job well. "We thank you all for gathering here today. I would like to formally introduce myself. I am King Malichi Alexander Tarragon Ilecron. Behind me stand my father and mother, Former King Caspian Aurelius Maximus Ilecron and Former Queen Eulalie Briar Daphiel Ilecron. Next, my brother, Prince Marsen Zakarn Neil Ilecron. Beside me stands my trusted royal advisor James Elias Winters, and the former royal advisor and his wife Flint Oliver Winters and Rosalie Aster Winters." This was official. It demanded respect and he would use their full titles to ensure they received it.

"I understand you are all distraught. In the last 24 hours you have been told your beliefs are a lie. You have been taken from your homes and you must have a lot of questions. I will begin by explaining what your former king withheld from you." His assistant Nimara stepped onto the stage with a large scroll. When it was unrolled a chorus of murmurs and gasps echoed over the crowd. It was the map from his office, the one I had never seen before. "This is what our realm truly looks like. It is filled with many countries, each with fae specializing in different gifts. A map similar to this has been posted in the town square for all of you to view whenever you wish. You resided here in the Kingdom of Wrelia. My kingdom is the Kingdom of Ilecron, also known as the Dark Kingdom. Fae are also not the only creatures in this realm." He pointed to Wrelia, Ilecron, and then several of the territories he had mentioned to me the day before. "Fanna is where the elves live, Alolicia is where the witches reside, Myritia is home to the ogres. Kovantree contains the Minotaurs, satyrs and centaurs. The territory of Aedaria contains a multitude of those species, as well as some lower populations of species such as griffins, basilisks, and phoenixes. Surrounding the land is a massive body of water, home to mermaids, selkies, sirens, and a few quite nasty-tempered hydras." I found my own jaw dropping, I hadn't heard about all of these species in the carriage ride here. It was mind-blowing to learn about the numerous other species that existed.

Murmurs erupted from the crowd, hundreds of questions being posed all at once. Fae began rushing out their queries, talking over each other like seagulls who lacked structure and respect.

"Quiet." That one word echoed and the crowd fell silent in an instant. "The time for questions will come."

A shuffle of papers on the podium. "Your former king has been taken into custody, along with your former queen and prince. Your old kingdom will be restructured, the land repurposed, and the old structures demolished to expand the Kingdom of Ilecron. Once that territory is fully integrated into Ilecron and new towns have been built you will be free to relocate to those towns." A new wave of murmurs, but no one dared speak above a hush. "Do not mistake me for your old king. Do not mistake the ways of Wrelia for the ways of Ilecron. I will be a fair and kind ruler but I require respect and obedience in return. I have heard whispers of what occurred in your old kingdom," his voice raised in volume and intensity, "And I do not like what I have heard. I demand respect for myself and my people. This kingdom is built on trust. Value. Support. Hospitality. Consideration." Malichi emphasized each word. "Anything less than this will receive reprimand. I only provide one. After that, no mercy will be shown. Anyone who does not feel they can abide by the rules of my kingdom can join your former rulers in the dungeons. Be aware, captivity is the least of the punishments you may receive." The finality in the gravity of his tone was jarring and sobering. The silence that blanketed the group of thousands conveyed this. I knew many would have trouble with his rules– my life was proof of this, but no one would risk imprisonment by announcing this. I had to stop myself from laughing. These people believed I was an abomination. My ability to bring death, to change what fate has planned, was terrifying to them. So what would they do when faced with a kingdom full of fae just like me?

"You may all begin to raise your hands, and I will answer your questions in an orderly fashion."

Hands shot up one by one, reaching for the answers only Malichi could provide. He pointed at a middle-aged woman named Clara who was sitting in the front row.

"Your Majesty, what did our king do to warrant imprisonment? Why have you taken over our home?"

Malichi nodded. "Many years ago there was a war. In this war, King Wrelia wanted full control of Ilecron and our allies in the Istolian Dynasty. He orchestrated the kidnapping of the Istolian and Ilecronian queens. What this king wanted was control over a portal located in Wrelia that allowed for the acquisition of goods from the human realm which had previously been used by all fae countries. When this king lost the war he made an alliance with the dark witches, giving them unique herbs and plants found in Wrelia in exchange for them putting up an impenetrable wall around Wrelia. It is my understanding that they then wiped the memories of everyone in Wrelia to keep you all under his control."

Clara's hand went up again, and he nodded for her to ask her question. "Your highness, what does this have to do with our current king? Those were not his deeds so why is he taking punishment for them?"

"Your former king continued this strict control, fuelling the alliance with the dark witches. He subscribed to the same beliefs as the kings before him. Your king also encouraged hatred and bigotry among your people. So it is my decision that he will be punished for these crimes. The queen and prince were also aware of these crimes and therefore are being treated as co-conspirators."

This answer seemed to satiate Clara for now. The next set of hands went up and Malichi nodded at the teenage boy I recognized from my amateur sword class as Sammuel. "Sir, you said something about oceans. What are those?" I sighed, the illiteracy of the new generation of fae who were too self-absorbed and busy with trivial things to ever pick up a book was mind-blowing. Had they done so they would have learned at the very least that human geography describes several oceans across their realm. Even I knew that. Malichi was so patient though, never showing an ounce of irritation or incredulity at this boy's obvious obliviousness.

"Yes, to put it simply an ocean is a large body of water. They can be found along coastlines, edges of territories where land meets water." The next hand went up.

"Your majesty, the occurrences at our training arena and in the courtyard...what was that weird magic?" I had to stifle a less-than-ladylike derisive snort. I knew this ignorant-playing man knew what that magic was. It was the same as mine.

"Ah, yes, the Dark Kingdom gets its name due to its people's powers. Those born in Ilecron are born with death magic. We have a more mixed kingdom now because fae find their mates from different kingdoms and settle here. However, our main magic is death magic."

Murmurs erupted over the crowd and I revelled in them. These small-minded people who ridiculed me for my magic were now inhabiting a kingdom full of fae just like me. Malichi made a point to express that the Wrelians were required to show nothing but cordiality, which I could safely assume had something to do with his knowledge of how these fae treated me because of my powers. They were not happy, that much I could tell from their appalled whispers. I felt hands brush my arms, startling me and making the hairs on my arms stand on end. I looked over to see Cara on my right and Lilly on my left and my nerves dropped instantly. Their silent stand of support was so heartwarming that my eyes threatened to spill again. They were silently telling me that they supported me–that my magic didn't matter to them, that I was just me, and that meant so much.

Malichi cleared his throat, dragging all attention up to the podium again. "Let us be very clear, my earlier warning goes for your hatred towards death magic. If I hear of or see any hint of prejudice towards my people and their magic, magic that is no different from the Pyros with fire that can kill, or Telepaths who with one word can convince you to plunge a wooden stake into your own heart, there will be consequences. My people and their magic deserve respect just like anyone else." With that he called for the next question, leaving no room for debate. "Anyone who wishes to leave now can, anyone who has questions or wants to hear what other people ask may stay."

I watched as a few fae made their way out, though most stayed out of curiosity. More hands went up, more questions answered, Malichi taking it all in stride perfectly. He never wavered, never tired, not a single irritated eye roll even, though more than a few of those questions deserved it. I don't know how much time passed, but as what felt like hours dragged on, more fae filtered out. The royal family up on the stage stayed seated and stoic, ever the picture of poise. True to his word Malichi stayed until no more hands went up, wanting to make sure he left no one confused. It was quite sweet to see how much he cared for his people.

Cara and Lilly had gone home about an hour ago, they were after all still nineteen years old and had no interest in listening to boring conversation. Judy stayed until about ten minutes ago, before she and John headed back to their cottage eager to eat some dinner and cuddle up with a good book. They were so cute it made me sick.

When no hands were raised Malichi said a respectful goodbye to the few fae left scattered across the field. He turned, conversing with his parents and James's. The group looked a bit commical, not even real. All straight backs and fancy attire. I stood stalk still and completely unsure of what to do. I couldn't bring myself to go up to them on the stage, terrified of facing those people. They hadn't seen me yet so maybe I wouldn't have to. As the thought crossed my mind I watched James excitedly point in my direction, completely neglecting to ask me if I even wanted to talk to them. I wasn't ready– maybe never would be. Before their heads could whip to see me I turned on my heels and briskly walked away to get some healthy distance between me and my problems. I didn't know where I would go but I wasn't staying there. I found myself heading back to the garden in search of a moment of blissful peace that sometimes only mother nature could provide. When I reached the flower archway entrance to the garden I felt the tension drain from my muscles and just allowed myself to stroll. I smiled at the Physis fae wandering about and doing their job. Eventually I found the beautiful light wood gazebo sitting pretty at the center of the garden and sped up. I settled myself into a comfy seat and laid my head against the back cushion, closing my eyes and taking deep breaths. This was heaven. The scent of earth surrounding me grounded me, the sweet aromas of the multitude of flowers surrounding me in a sweet perfume.

I used to wonder what type of fae I would be if I wasn't a fae of death. I had never wanted to be a Physis because their sole job in Wrelia was crop growth and harvest for the benefit of the kingdom. No thanks. But getting to spend every day in the warm sun tending to the breathtaking blooms–that was something I would love to do. Realistically though I knew that if I wasn't a fae of death I would be a librarian like Mrs. Tillett. She was a Reden fae. A fae who could read at abnormally fast paces and who could memorize anything she read instantly. They were not a common type of fae, Reden fae from what I read were few and far between. Judy would have chosen to be a librarian regardless of her magic though. She and I were kindred spirits, truly loved the escape that a good book provided. So that is what I would want to be, a Reden fae.

Heavy steps on the wood slats of the gazebo had my head lifting and one eye peaking open in curiosity. My mate took a seat in the comfy chair across from me, his toned limbs settled gracefully in a seat that looked a bit too small for his muscular frame. His gentle eyes never left me, worry flashing in them.

"I'm sorry I couldn't stay. I wasn't ready for them to see me. Not yet."

Malichi nodded, ever understanding. "We will go do that DNA test once James is done speaking to them and until we know for sure who they are to you there is no pressure for you to meet them. Even afterwards. You will set the pace for everything." I sensed that last note wasn't only regarding my possible parents. I knew he had noticed my distance and he was letting me know it was okay, that he didn't want to rush me into anything. His sentiment did little to comfort me, but I appreciated the effort nonetheless.

I heard another set of steps on the cobblestone path through the garden and laughed. How was it that someone was so recognizable simply through the way they walked? James's walk somehow matched his personality perfectly. The man sounded like he was a hop away from skipping with each step. He didn't bring up my mad dash from earlier, simply grinned at me and his best friend expectantly.

I laughed softly. "What are you looking at us like that for?"

"Get your behinds up and come on. We have places to be." I shook my head but stood. He was not going to allow me to procrastinate, was he? No he was desperate to have paper proof that I was his sister and wasn't going to back down until he got it. Malichi stood too and we exited the garden.