The Unveiling

Chapter Nineteen

The world rippled and stretched around us, distorting all the colours and images that were familiar to me, and once those shards of reflected light had settled, an entirely new image - a new setting - was presented. 

I blinked and watched my surroundings rearrange itself in a way that was somehow brighter, somehow more intense. 

The wind whipped through my hair, and as I brushed the hair from my face and looked up, I realised that we were standing outside a castle - the turrets all seemingly made out of glass or crystal, reflecting the blend of the autumn winter light in the most magnificent, yet blinding way. I briefly wondered if that in itself wasn't a defense mechanism, a 'we'll blind you with our beautiful crystals' kind of defense mechanism. 

The castle was made out of a mix of large boulders and stones, arranged in a tetris like order, with the smallest stones still being larger than myself. 

Chase was already striding towards the vine covered gate, and as I took a second glance I realised that the gate wasn't covered in vines, the gate was made up of vines. 

They weren't the garden variety of vines either, some of them stood wider than my forearm. A pair of yellow eyes blinked open beneath the vines, hinting that perhaps not all of these thick green coils were vines, shutting its eyes I tracked the large green coil as it slithered away. 

I stepped after Chase, my mind taking in all the new sights, sounds and smells faster than I could actually separate and make sense of them. 

A drawbridge stood over a moat, and as soon as our boots hit the wooden planks that were lined tightly next to each other to create the even-ness of the bridge, a large blue being drew himself out of the moat and onto the bridge. 

His webbed hands splayed on the planks as he hoisted his chest up and over the side, dragging his entire body onto the bridge itself. 

His webbed feet merged with glistening blue scales that covered his legs. A pair of white shorts that looked more like a lion cloth covered his private regions. His chest, although broad and strong, was also made up of scales with a green life-like substance splayed across it. 

The only part of him that wasn't covered in scales was his head, and I couldn't decide if that face featured in fairy-tales or nightmares belonging to a little girl, once lonely. 

His fluorescent blue face yawned open into a bright red mouth that boasted two lines of small, sharp spiked teeth that gnashed with every word he spoke. 

Slick black hair that clung to his head like seaweed, and small black beady eyes completed his appearance. 

"Your highness," his teeth gnashed as he addressed Chase, "your rooms have been readied for you." 

Chase nodded his head, "Thank you Raul," he said, without stopping for a moment. 

Raul slid back into the water, only his head emerged, "Kiero is waiting for you," he said, before submerging his head beneath the water. 

I shivered in horror, but kept walking after Chase as he led the way to the castle, following a path filled with cobble stones and sticks. 

I blinked a few times, chalking my ever-changing vision up to fatigue, as I watched the path physically shift to smooth the passage for the Prince. 

The overhanging trees on either side of the path were filled with flowers of an assortment of colours, each one seemingly to outdo the next in both colour and splendor, trying to catch the Prince's attention. The very green of the trees was a green so bright and vivid, if I were a painter I would have been inclined to take up a brush and easel and attempt to do the scene before me justice. 

But I was neither a painter, nor could give way to the words necessary to describe it effectively, and so I tucked the image away in my mind, ready to pull it out in my times of longing and sadness. Something to remind me that beauty can be found in all realms and in different forms.

At the end of the path, large stone steps led the way to the front door. The first step spanning the width of the castle itself, with each step narrowing thereafter. At the top of the steps sat a large white wolf, who folded in upon himself, bowing low with his chin touching the ground as Chase stepped through the doorway. 

I looked on quizzically. 

"He's not a shifter," Chase said softly, acknowledging my curiosity. 

I raised an eyebrow. 

Chase shrugged, "he's an enchanted wolf." 

Before I could respond a man came striding towards us in the grand entrance. He was dressed in the same leather uniform that boasted the same gold Crest on the upper right hand side of his chest. 

White blonde hair flowed down to shoulder-length waves, his jawline enough to make any woman swoon. He looked down at me over the bridge of his nose, his iced blue eyes assessing my every move. 

"Hello Reya," he spoke softly. It wasn't unkind, but it also wasn't welcoming. 

He didn't even wait for my reply before turning back to his Prince and talking rapidly. 

"They're waiting for you in the council room," he urged.

"What of Reya," Chase asked haltingly. 

The blonde man pressed his lips together in a displeased manner, "I've arranged a room to be readied for her," he uttered. 

Out of the alcoves, hidden in the shadows, a elderly red-haired woman appeared dressed in a somber black dress, with a long draping red sash. 

"I'll show her to her rooms," she offered, her voice sickeningly melodic.

"Thank you Mirabell," Chase responded. 

And without offering me even a backwards glance, the Prince turned to the blonde haired man and said, "lead the way Keiro." 

Keiro, Chase’s best friend. He had spoken about Kiero a number of times when we were alone, and I was certain that it was Keiro that Chase was in constant communication with. 

Left facing the red-headed woman dressed in her black floor-length gown that hugged her curves in a way that left me feeling somewhat inadequate, she turned on her heel, huffing her way towards the large sweeping staircase, whilst I was left to follow at her heels. 

The staircase was made out of beautiful marble, with grey and pinkish veins running through it. As my foot touched the first step, those veins began moving, in the same way a river only flows in one direction. I gasped in surprise while Mirabell muttered her annoyance at having to deal with ‘my kind.’

I tried not to fall into the sensation of the newness of it all - of the beauty of this place, but everywhere I looked there seemed to be more to marvel at. More splendor. More beauty. More. More. More. 

And, I wondered how Chase could stand to be in my world when his own presented such an array of hidden treasures. Compared, mine was positively mundane. 

Mirabell stopped outside a large dark stained oak door, her hand pausing on the brass handle that seemed to glint in the light. 

“You know,” she spoke, her porcelain skin reflecting her flawless nature, “when Chase returns to take his place here, you will simply be an assignment that he will have forgotten about.” 

While her voice held little emotion, the sneer on her face spoke volumes. 

I smiled sharply and said, “We are so grateful that Chase has offered up his time and services to assist with my training, I’m sure you cannot wait for him to be returned to you so that you may be of more use in your station.” 

Her hazel eyes narrowed in anger, a spark of flame hidden beneath the depths of her gaze. It was anything but warm, rather it was scorching. 

“My father was the captain of the Royal Guard for many years,” she seethed, “so by the time Chase and I are married, you will be of little to no consequence. I suggest you remember that he doesn’t belong to your realm the next time he is ‘training you’.”

I held her gaze and spoke smoothly, “That’s funny,” I said, “he hasn’t once mentioned that he’s betrothed.” 

Her jaw stiff with rage, she stood motionless. 

“Don’t worry though,” I continued, “whilst no personal lines have been crossed, I will be sure to inform Mayor Winters of this fact so that she doesn’t place him in any uncompromising conditions, although I’m not sure how that will affect the terms of the peace treaty.” 

I mimicked, “Sorry Miss Winters, I would love to fulfil my duty within the treaty, but it may offend my betrothed.” 

Her face blanched, “I really don’t think that’s necessary.” 

I smiled blandly, “Not at all Mirabell. I must thank you for informing me and bringing the situation to my attention,” I said as I stepped through the room, closing the door on her panicked face. 

“Wait,” I heard her say, just before I clicked the door shut and leant my forehead against it. 

Chase was betrothed. 

My stomach dropped and I felt my palms become clammy. 

What did it matter if he was engaged? We didn’t owe each other anything. We hadn’t even done anything. 

I straightened my shoulders and pushed myself off the door to take in the room that had been assigned to me. The room was bathed in sunlight, from a set of large glass doors that opened up onto a wide balcony. The bed took up most of the room, with a large canopy covering it with sheer white material that seemed to move of its own accord. The curtains seemed to be made out of the same material, the colours shifting with the light. 

I sat on the edge of the bed, sinking into the sheer softness and luxury that seemed symbiotic with the Fae realm. 

The Fae realm. I was in the Fae realm. 

What did Shay think? And what was I going to do about Rogue’s sister, Angela? 

As I sat there churning over the information from our meeting with Shay, wondering what consequences my sudden spur-of-the-moment declaration would come with, I heard the door handle slide down. 

I stiffened, and for a moment wondered if I was safe here. I wasn’t in my realm, and apart from Chase, I knew no one here. If something were to happen to me - would anyone here care? Would anyone in my realm even know? 

A small child, all boney and pale, entered the room. There was a fragility to her as she stood at the doorway, dressed in an ill-fitting white dress, her feet bare. Her long black hair - which seemed to be offset with bits and pieces of violet - sat straight, running down her shoulders and stopping at her waist. 

Large silver-grey swirling eyes looked at me, as she stood swaying on the carpet, dancing to a kind of music only she could hear. 

“You’re the one they’re all talking about,” she said matter-of-factly, with all the seriousness that only a seven year old can muster. 

I smiled, despite myself. 

“I suppose that depends on who’s doing the talking.” 

Her grin lit up her whole face. 

“Don’t worry,” she spoke reassuringly, “my brother told them that he would make sure that nothing happens to you.” 

I bit my cheek to keep from laughing outright at the absurdity of the conversation. 

“And who is your brother?” I asked, knowing the answer. 

Her wide innocent eyes looked at me, “Chase of course,” she replied. 

I dipped my head in acknowledgement as she continued, “And of course Kiero said that with Chase’s powers he should come home. That he is too valuable to be in your realm.” 

She pulled a face, scrunching up her nose, “But do you know what I think?” she asked conspiratorially, “I think that he’s so lucky to be on a grand adventure. I don’t get to go anywhere.” she huffed. 

I laughed outright this time, unable to stifle the response. 

“And what powers does Chase have?” I asked. It was something I had been wondering for a while, the right moment never truly presenting itself for me to ask. 

“All of them,” she answered, a smile playing on her lips. 

Fine, I’d play along. 

“And which ones are those?” 

“We’re the elemental court,” she began, “So each one of us has an affinity with a different element.” 

I nodded my understanding. 

“Mine,” she continued proudly, “is water. So I have to practice with Master Ralue everyday by the river.” 

I smiled at her excitement.The joy of a child was contagious in a way that was inexplicable. 

“But Chase?” she said, really getting into the art of storytelling, “He has an affinity with all of them.” 

I raised my eyebrows in surprise. 

“What do you mean?” I asked. 

She looked at me and spoke slowly, as if I simply wasn’t understanding the words she was saying. 

“I mean, he can control all the elements,” she said, twirling in a way that lifted the skirts of her dress as she giggled. 

“Sometimes he even plays water games with me,” she continued spinning round and round. 

“I guess he has a lot on his plate, huh?” I asked. 

She stopped spinning, her skirts still swaying as she regained her equilibrium. 

“He makes time for me though,” she spoke solemnly. 

“I’m sure he’ll continue to do that even after he’s married to Mirabell,” I said. 

She scrunched her face up once more, “Mirabell? Why would he marry her?” she asked. 

Was it possible that she didn’t know her brother was betrothed - she was seven afterall. 

“I think I heard something about them being betrothed,” I said calmly. 

The little girl made gagging sounds and said, “I hope not because Mirabell is horrible.” 

I found myself laughing once more. 

“What’s your name?” I asked. 

“Graceland,” she sighed, “but everyone calls me Gracie.” 

“Well, I am pleased to meet you Gracie,” I spoke conversationally. 

She grinned, walking towards me. The bed dipped as she sat next to me and said, “I think my brother is less lonely with you.” 

I hid my surprise and asked, “Why do you think he’s lonely?” 

“Because with all that power, no one wanted to play with him when he was younger, and as he got older people just seem to want things from him,” she sighed, understanding far too much for her young age. 

“How many have control over all the elements?” I asked hesitantly. 

“No one,” she spoke sadly, and then her eyes lightened as she spoke her next words, “like you!” 

She shifted in her excitement, “He’s like you because there’s only one of you right? I mean you’re the only angel?” 

And, in that way I supposed she was right. Perhaps Chase enjoyed our realm because he was expected to be different, but without the added pressure of being unique amongst his own kind. 

“Do you want to play a game?” Gracie asked, suddenly producing a pack of cards. 

“I’d love to,” I smiled. 

And that is how I spent my afternoon in the Fae realm.