Shadow & Light

Chapter 12

This kingdom might just have been the most beautiful place in any realm. I had only ever seen Wrelia so maybe I was biased, but I didn't think I needed to see any other country when this one was so perfect. Maybe if I ran I could head north, up to the top of Wrelia. I wondered if I could find a remote part of this country to settle in, hide at the tippy top of our world and just melt into nature. I would miss Judy and the girls, John a little too, but I would be free and alone. Though the thought of running away hadn't really been strong in my mind, the thought of a lonely, peaceful life was like a cold shower after hours in the blistering sun.

We walked through the courtyard after exiting the garden. I looked at all the merchants selling their goods, genuine smiles on their faces. All eyes were on us, or they were on Malichi. It was quite uncomfortable but I didn't blame anyone. This man had an air about him that just demanded attention. I spotted some people from my kingdom as well but they averted their eyes and bowed their heads in obedience.

James was enjoying this walk too, his large strides almost at a skip as he pointed all around the cobblestone path and the concrete roads. As we exited the courtyard and walked a path next to the road James pointed out everything and anything he could--a large rock he fell off of as a child and almost broke his leg, his and Malichi's favourite tree to climb when they were teenagers and wanted to hide from their tutors.

"See that river down that ditch there?" His pointed finger showed me a river down a ditch that was no more than six feet wide, though looked quite deep.

"Yeah? What about it?"

"Our kingdom had an unusually hot summer about ten years ago so a group of people from our town gathered at the river and had an impromptu water fight. It was so awesome!"

His excited recount of events reminded me so much of a young fae telling their parents about their day's activities. It was quite endearing.

We finally approached a large stone walled building--log pillars and an awning stretched over them across the rim for cover from the elements. The massive 'Hospital' sign above the door told me exactly where we were. A few patients sat on wood benches or milling around, enjoying the fresh spring air and light breeze wafting about. I had never been to the hospital in Wrelia, it was more like a small infirmary with five doctors. Fae had extremely good health, our genes exemplary. With a population of ten thousand the infirmary was rarely used.

We entered the building and I was pleasantly surprised. It was sterile and the scent of disinfectant permeated the air, clinging to the linen bed sheets covering the cots that lined the walls. This didn't carry an air of dread or sadness like I had read about though, it was at and inviting. Like in Wrelia the hospital wasn't very full-- with only about five patients laying about, tubes and machines attached to them. Fae had developed our tech alongside the human realm from what I had read, though we chose to disregard many aspects such as their smart devices. We kept up in the medical department from what I heard, even surpassed them. It was the reason why even when fae did get sick or injured it didn't last very long, and the infectious diseases that seemed to run rampant in human dwellings didn't bother us.

Two nurses smiled and bowed as they passed us-- their giggles and glances back at Malichi made me chuckle. A middle-aged fae with kind brown eyes and a silky brown bob greeted us at the reception desk--doctor Avery by what her doctor's coat said. She bowed towards Matichi, James, then to me. That was not something I'd ever get used to.

"Welcome, your majesty, We spoke earlier about a DNA test. Is this Alina who you said wanted to have that done?"

"Yes it is Doctor Avery."

"Wonderful!" She exclaimed with a cheery smile.

"So what is it that we have to do? Are there any needles involved?" I asked nervously, my fingers twisting like pretzels in an attempt to quell nerves.

Doctor Avery just laughed softly and shook her head. "Not at all. We will swab your cheek then swab James's cheek as the comparison sample. Typically a DNA test would take up to two weeks but we will look at the results immediately and thanks to a new protocol my colleagues and I developed it will take us only about an hour to give you results." She held up the swab and it looked so harmless that I immediately let out a shaky breath and nod. I watched her unpackage the sterile swab and step towards me, her gloved hand holding the stick up. I opened my mouth and allowed her to firmly rub the soft tip against the inside of my left cheek for a minute. Doctor Avery placed that swab on the counter standing up in a little stand. She stepped back up to me with another swab and repeated this on the right. Once done that too went on the stand and she moved on to James, stabbing both his cheeks and leaving them to dry.

"You can all go wait in the waiting area if you would like. These are going to dry and then I will go ahead and run them." Avery nodded toward a waiting room with seats that looked surprisingly comfortable. Sitting in one confirmed this. I settled in and laid my head against the wall, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. No one spoke throughout the hour we waited. I guess James was just as nervous as I was and Malichi most likely just decided to stay as a calming quiet presence. I had to admit that it was working because my brain was going a mile a minute. I knew it'd be ten times worse if he wasn't here. The magic of the mate bond.

I spotted Doctor Avery's slender frame walking in our direction and jumped to my feet. I had been so nervous that I had to take off my cardigan fifteen minutes, even with the cold air blasting through the hospital vents. That still wasn't enough and I wiped the beads forming on my forehead just as the doctor reached us. This was awful and I was convinced my heart might explode.

"Alright Alina, the test results came back and there was a fifty-two percent match between the two samples. This is slightly higher than average for siblings to share but still in a normal range. In short, you two are most definitely siblings." I felt the air rush out of my lungs all at once and took a step back with a big gasp of breath. We were a match. Fifty-two percent. I was his sister, I had a sister, and I had parents. Large arms came to circle around my shoulders and pull me into a hug, striking panic in me so strong that I didn't have time to think before my heel was slamming down on the assailant's toes and I was spinning around sharply. Only once I saw James bent over gripping his foot did I realize who the culprit was.

"I-I am so sorry James you just startled me and I reacted on instinct and-" I stuttered out, feeling completely guilty when all he wanted was a celebratory hug but he cut me off with a strained, "no I shouldn't have snuck up on you sis thats my fault." Sis. I was sis. I nodded, unable to form words. I looked over at Malichi who had yet to speak but I could see a mix of emotions cross his features. He was happy for his best friend that much was clear, but the happiness was muddled by worry--worry for me. I hated that I was making him worry. I was one big mess and I didn't know how to just calm down.

I cleared my throat and mumbled out, "I...um...need to go get some fresh air. I'm going to walk back to the castle. I'll see you both later." After giving a quick thanks to the doctor I all but bolted out of that building and sped down the path we came from. The sun was beginning to lower to the west and shades of pink had begun to form in the clouds. I didn't think it was that late yet but I guess the sun was still setting early, not yet in tune with the warming weather.

The walk back to the castle was much quicker without James's many anecdotes and facts, and before I knew it I was in the courtyard. That man stopped for everything and anything he could see. It would be infuriating if I didn't already have a soft spot for him. For it being mid-afternoon the courtyard was still bustling with people. Fae were picking up ingredients for dinner, the band was still singing a cheery song, the little fae were running around under foot--chasing a ball or playing tag. I ducked and weaved through the different chatting groups but got bumped so many times I almost lost it on this doe-eyed teen who wasn't looking where she was walking.

Finally making it back to the castle I nodded at the two guards who in turn let me in without question. I made my way up the stairs, jogging up and stopping at the top. I should go back to my room but I had one other thing I wanted to do first. I wanted to find a map--preferably smaller than the massive one that Malichi had hanging in his office. His office. I was sure that Malichi would have copies of the map in his office. I just had to pray that Nimara wasn't in there or she would tell Malichi and he would ask what I needed it for and it would be a whole issue.

I made my way to the right of the stairs and down the hall stopping at the mahogany doors and steeling myself before pushing them open. I was greeted by an empty room, the map that Nimara brought to the town meeting was already back hanging on the wall where it belonged. I rushed over to the large desk, eager to get this done and get out. I began rifling through drawer after drawer of neatly organized papers, making sure to leave everything exactly as it was. I felt guilt creeping in going through Malichi's drawers like this. Then the guilt compounded upon remembering that I was preparing to leave him. I was starting to lose hope of finding the map when a coloured paper in the third drawer I opened caught my attention. Bingo. I pulled it out and spotted another map underneath it, one that was even better. A map of Ilecron, detailed and zoomed in to show every city and town. I would bring that one with me too. Clutching both to my chest I closed the drawer. Okay time to get out of here. I hurried out of the office after ensuring that everything looked exactly as it should.

"Ma'am?" Just as I finished pulling the heavy doors shut I shrieked and jumped inches off the ground as a soft voice spoke from behind me. I turned, clutching my heart with my right hand while shoving the map behind my back with my left. When I focused my eyes on the body attached to the voice I found a short faerie who couldn't have been more than thirty behind me. She had large rimmed glasses over her pale green eyes, dirty blonde hair in a shaggy pixie cut, and was dressed in a black pencil skirt and a white long sleeve blouse. I had seen a few ladies wandering around in the same clothes so I guessed that the castle workers wore that uniform.

"What were you doing in the King's office my lady?"

I snorted a chuckle at the title and shook my head. "Please call me Alina. And you are?"

"My name is Lelina, ma'am."

"Lovely name Lelina. I was actually just looking for something but the king isn't here so I decided to come back when he is."

"Is there anything I can help you find?"

"Actually yes there is. But you can't tell the king because it's a surprise for him." She nodded at my words enthusiastically, eager to aid in anything to do with her king.

"I need some sort of bag to pack things in. Like a satchel or fabric bag. Do you think you could find me one and bring it to my room?"

"Absolutely ma'am. I will go do that now and I will bring it to you as soon as possible."

"Could you please also bring me a couple of sandwiches? The filling or type of bread doesn't really matter, most likely something easy like jam." She looked perplexed but nodded. "Let the kitchen know and I am sure they will understand. OH and rope! This surprise needs rope. Thank you Lelina." With that she turned and sped in the other direction, her sharp black heels clicking on the tile floors. It seemed cruel to have castle staff work long shifts in those torture devices. My shoulders sagged the minute the woman was out of view and I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. I rushed past the stairs to my room, eager to put this map away safely and mentally prepare everything else I needed. I was leaving tonight-- it was decided.

Once back in my massive room I tucked the map under my pillow just in case someone walked in. I couldn't let anyone see it. As if fate heard that, a knock at my door moments later startled me, but the gentle tug I constantly felt on the little invisible string connecting me to my mate told me it was him.

"Come in!" I called out nervously.

The door opened and Malichi strolled in with a worried expression on his sharp features. I awkwardly cleared my throat and waved at him, then inwardly cringed because what the hell was that? A brief moment of panic flashed in my brain. Had Lelina told him about my request? Is that why he was at my door?

"Are you doing okay?" He spoke with so much kindness that it almost made the gears in my head stop spinning, so I just nodded. He was referencing the confirmation I got that I was in fact the daughter of the formal royal second in command. That I was the sister of the current royal advisor and had another sister. That I spent my entire life alone all because of some fuckass elves. So was I okay? physically I was great--a young fae in peak fitness. Mentally? The best way to describe my mental state would be an image of a dumpster fire with a tiny chipmunk screaming and hyperventilating. Then the dumpster explodes. Then an earthquake hits. And just for good measure a tsunami. I was the tiny chipmunk and my life was a cluster f**k of terrible events. Meeting my brother and mate was not terrible in any sense, but I had just had the little dumpster I live in on fire, then explode, then got hit with two natural disasters--so I was unable to appreciate the two good men I had trying to weasel their way into my cluster f**k of a life. Safe to say I was freaking out.

Malichi's heavy sigh told me he knew full well that my nod was a lie and something pleading took over his face. "Please let me in Alina. I know you are going through a lot right now but I am your mate. It is my job to be here for you, to be your confidant. Let me be that for you." He wanted me to confide in him. To tell him all about my dumpster fire life and let him extinguish it with kind words and soft touch, but no matter how hard I tried the words wouldn't leave my lips. My heart swelled at his words, begging to be set free. But if my heart had its way I would be in Malichi's arms--hell I would be in his bed. That could not happen. I had resurrected a ten foot wall between him and me and it would stay that way.

"I appreciate that Malichi I'm just....not ready to talk yet. Today was a lot."

"How are you doing with the news? I know you have been hesitant, but you don't need to be anymore. Myself and James told Rosalie and Flint when we got back. They cried. They searched for you for ten years, never stopping hoping that one day you would show up here." Now a new ache bloomed in my heart. They wanted me. They wanted their daughter back. Just when they found out that she is here and under the same roof as them she is going to disappear into the night and they will lose her again. I was a horrible person. A terrible, awful, horrible, no good excuse for a fae. But insecurities and worries pushed through, justifying my choices. What if I wasn't what they wanted. What if they met me and I was nothing like what they imagined me to be. They had their other daughter, my sister. It was better this way. None of us would have our hopes and expectations crushed under the weight of reality if we simply never met.

"I can't do it. Not yet." I knew he could see the turmoil brewing in me. This man had a look about him that made me feel like he was reading every single thought as it entered my head. Like my soul was sprawled out in front of him to view at his leisure.

"Could I...could I have dinner in my room today? I'm exhausted." Malichi's face fell but he picked it up quickly and nodded in understanding.

"I will have the castle staff come bring you a meal. Goodnight Alina." He turned and left without another word and I pushed aside all of my emotions to get to work. I had to go grab the clothes I would bring with me on my escape. I ran into my walk-in closet and slipped out of my nice jeans and cardigan, replacing them with a pair of black leggings, black workout tank, and a thin black sweater. All of these items would have ample stretch for easy movement.

Many minutes of anticipation later a knock on my door sounded and I rushed to open it. I only briefly glance at Lelina before gently taking hold of her arm and pulling her into my room, lest Malichi or James see her holding my supplies. I finally took stock of what she was holding and grinned in satisfaction. A black satchel with two thick leather straps was in her right hand, perfect to carry on my back for long travel. She held it out for me and I took it with a grateful smile at her. When I peered inside and saw two bundles of foil, upon further inspection they were sandwiches made of large bread slices and jam. I also saw two glass jars of water in there, something I hadn't thought to ask for but would definitely need. They would be heavy but I didn't know exactly where I was headed and when I'd be able to get clean drinking water. Lastly a thick bundle of rope which took up most of the space in the satchel but that didn't matter, that was just my means of escape.

I lunged forward and wrapped my arm around Lelina's slender frame. I was so grateful. She merely patted my back in an awkward gesture, completely unaware that she had just brought me my ticket to freedom. I had hugged her so tight that I almost knocked over the item in her left hand, a plate piled high with steaming hot meat, vegetables, and a bun. Perfect.

I laid the satchel on the bed, the plate of food on the little desk under the window, and waved goodbye to Lelina. Wasting no time at all I dug into the heavenly meal--I would miss this food. As I ate I planned my method of escape in my mind, going through every movement down to the last detail.

Once done I leaped up and packed my back. One backup pair of leggings, one pair of jeans. Two t-shirts. Any undergarments I would need. I grabbed the puffer jacket hanging in the closet. I was heading up north where it would be much chillier in the March air than down in the center of the kingdom. I ran into the bathroom and grabbed my toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, and an unopened bar of soap, packing those next. The glint of my swords caught my eye, sitting in their holster perched against the corner. Did I risk the extra weight by bringing them? I had two poison blades in there and two regular ones. It also held three daggers and a saw edge knife, one of my personal favourites if I wanted to inflict more pain. Taking out one of each blade I made sure to tuck both under the bed out of sight. With those I tucked two of the three daggers. Now I had one regular sword, a poison sword, my dagger, and the saw edge knife. I hoisted the holster onto my bag, testing its weight. The thought of being unprotected out there made my insides churn so this would have to come with me.

I had studied the large map of the realm, as well as the smaller one that detailed the entirety of Ilecron-- from each small city to the larger towns. I had learned that a far distance from the capital of Ilecron we were in was a town near the tippy top of the kingdom. Ivoreaux. It looked perfect. I could settle down there. Get a job. The hopeful burst in my chest was counteracted with a pang of guilt and a stab of sadness. This was for the best.

Waiting with baited breath, ear pressed to the door, I finally heard Malichi slip into his bedroom and the lock click shut. The castle had quieted, the workers all safely tucked into their quarters by now. It was time. Pulling the thick rope out of my bag I ran to the window near my bed and quietly opened it, looking down. It was a three story drop--enough to kill. If I landed wrong on the ground I risked injury to both my legs. This would have to be done carefully. I walked over, wrapped my hand around one of the posts of my king sized bed, and tugged with all my weight. It was heavy, secured to the ground. Perfect. I tied the rope to the post in a complicated knot, testing by yanking on it with my full weight. It held.

I looked out the window, surveilling for a few minutes to see if any guards could be spotted. I saw one pass by and ducked inside. The minute he was out of sight I waited again. Half an hour went by like this. I learned his routine. If I timed this right I would have to scale down the wall in five minutes, then I had another five to make a run for the tree line four yards away. That was no good--he would spot me and this would all be over. I spied a row of thick shrubs against the wall. New plan. I had ten minutes to scale down the wall and duck myself into the bushes. Once I was down to the first story I would have to cut the rope and execute a duck and roll to avoid breaking my ankles. Then I would wait in those shrubs silently until he passed. Once he passed I would have another ten to make it to the tree line. Risky but doable.

Straightening my spine I watched for the guard. One minute. Two minutes. There he was. Once he was gone it was go time.