Forever Entwined

An Unexpected Visitor

"Bring him in," Caspian ordered, his voice echoing with authority. The grand doors swung open, revealing an ancient, ragged male fae. Despite his tattered appearance, he carried himself with an infuriating arrogance.

"I have come to see my daughter." His words cut through the silence, devoid of any bow or deference to the king.

Caspian's brow rose in a silent challenge. Nix, from her throne beside him, shifted, her gaze sharp.

"You will bow and address your King and Queen with respect," Nix's voice boomed, startlingly powerful for her small frame.

The old fae bowed, a shallow, grudging dip. "Your majesty," he muttered, pointedly ignoring Nix.

"What is it you came here for?" Caspian demanded, his annoyance clear.

"I have come to share my daughter's wealth. After looking after her for so long, it's only fair a child gives back to her elderly father." His eyes, though fixed on Caspian, seemed to calculate.

"Pray tell," Caspian began, a predatory glint in his eyes, "why you did not come sooner? She has been here for nearly a year." The trap was set.

"I did not know it was her who was the new queen, your majesty, until word spread." He fidgeted under Caspian's gaze.

"And you, ever the dutiful and caring father, did not wonder where your daughter was for all that time?"

The old man stood there, silence his only answer. He stumbled over his next words. "Your majesty, I am but a humble civilian of your kingdom. I do not ask for anything I am not owed."

"You ask for what you are not entitled!" Caspian roared, his rage igniting. "You have nothing to do with your daughter. She fled from an arranged marriage, and only when you hear of her success do you bother to find her!"

Finally, the old fae turned his gaze to Nix, his eyes narrowed. "My daughter, do you sit there and let your mate belittle your own blood, the one who gave you life?"

Nix met his stare, her voice dangerously calm. "Yes, I will sit here and listen. If I say anything more, I will disgrace and lower myself to your standards." She gave Caspian a knowing look, a silent agreement passing between them.

"You are no longer welcome within these walls. If you attempt to come back, you will be punished accordingly." Caspian motioned, and guards quickly ushered the old fae out.

"I see what you meant by pathetic," Caspian said, turning to Nix once the doors closed and the throne room was empty of all but them.

Nix smiled, rising from her throne and settling onto Caspian's lap. "Well, I think I can easily forget any of this ever happened."

"Queen Nixie! How improper!" Caspian scolded playfully, a mock sternness in his voice as he lightly smacked her arse.

"You're giving me ideas, your majesty," Nix murmured, straddling his lap and pulling him into a deep kiss.

A discreet cough beside the throne startled them. "Yes, Wesley?" Caspian sighed, turning to face the footman who had appeared as if from thin air.

Wesley kept his gaze respectfully averted. "The Lords were wondering when you would come to the council meeting, your majesty. It began an hour ago."

Nix hopped off Caspian's lap, her smile fading slightly. "I guess I'll see you this afternoon."

"The matters to be discussed today will be a long and tedious debate. I probably won't see you until tomorrow." He kissed her forehead, a brief, tender gesture before he left the room.

Nix stood in the silence of the throne room for a few minutes, the only other presences the unmoving guards by the door. Alone with her thoughts, she wandered down to the palace gardens. She sat by the pond, staring deep into the sparkling waters, watching the fish dart through the thick aquatic plants.

"I was looking for you all over the palace this morning!" Millie's cheerful voice broke through Nixie's contemplation.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Millie." Nix sighed, turning to look up at her friend. Millie helped her up from the edge of the pond, brushing fallen leaves and grass from her skirts.

"Were you here this whole time?"

"No, I had a little meeting with Cass earlier."

"Well then, after such a boring morning, what should we do?" Millie pondered as they walked along the garden path.

"I was thinking about the less fortunate children of the kingdom," Nixie mused. "Do you think we could go buy some clothes and food to give out?"

"That's a marvelous idea! Let's go now!" Millie immediately turned and headed for the palace gates, eager to venture into the markets.

"Here, for you and your brother." Nixie handed a small child a wrapped cake and a bundle of clothes, hopefully the right size, or perhaps a tad big for them to grow into.

"I know I ain't no childling, but I got no food for me or ma." A dirty teenage boy, older than the other children, held his weather-beaten hat in his hands, staring up at the queen.

"What's your name?" Nix asked, her heart softening as she handed him a hamper that would last at least a few weeks.

"Cecil, your majesty," the boy bowed, his eyes wide.

"Well, how about I offer you a job as a door boy in the castle, if you'd like?"

The boy's face lit up, a brilliant beam. "Oh yes, your majesty! Thank you!"

"Just come to the castle tomorrow morning and give them this." Nix handed him a piece of paper bearing her royal signature.

From behind her, Millie whispered, "I must say, you're a natural at cultivating a gracious public image among all ranks of society."

Nix smiled. "Well, it wasn't that long ago I was one of them," she reminded her friend quietly.

Once the sun began to sink, Millie insisted they return to the palace. "Well, today was such fun, and so wholesome," Millie sighed as she changed into her nightgown. Nix sat on her bed, softly whistling to her golden canary. Millie sat beside her and, with a gentle tone, said, "I know you're scared to become a mother one day, but I want you to know, from seeing you today with those children, you will be the most loving mother in the realm."

Nixie turned to her friend, her voice thick with emotion. "I know that now," she admitted, wiping away a tear. She stood. "Well, I will bid you goodnight and go back to my suits." She hugged Millie goodbye before slipping out the door, the soft tap of her heeled shoes echoing along the stone floors back to her rooms.