Fates of Midgard - Inner Origins Book Two

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Amber dragged me to the counter where we ordered some raw fruit wraps and cheesy vegetable soufflés. Animal protein was strictly off the menu down in Aeden, although fae did indulge from time to time when they were among humans. Vegetable food sources fueled our fae DNA, sustaining our immune systems in ways that meat never could, and the closer it was to its natural state, the purer the energy rush. We grabbed a couple waters, too, another sought-after source of regeneration for fae. In my head, I’d taken to calling the water here my “happy juice.” The waterways that flowed through Aeden were all supercharged by ions from the underground central sun, giving us an energy boost whenever we drank or bathed in them. I’d learned the hard way not to drink any water right before bed, since it tended to affect me a lot like coffee.

I followed Amber to the outdoor seating area, where we had a great view of the seven golden spires circling the source of everyone and everything on earth, the Tree of Life. The tree stood almost 1000 feet tall, and its trunk measured a massive 144 feet in diameter. Fae legend said that the tree had created the earth itself, anchored in orbit by the seven spires which were really part of a vast space ship that had brought the Ancients to our solar system. I wasn’t sure how much of the story I really believed, but it was certainly pretty awesome to look at.

That, and the gorgeous red sun that shone directly above, never moving, never setting. When I’d first arrived in Aeden, I’d learned that the Tree of Life anchored the small cold fusion star above me, fueling the particles that are needed to sustain life on this planet. Without it, life on earth would cease to exist. I was sure the human scientists above ground would have a field day with that idea. In fact, my father assured me that was one reason why the Light fae had always kept Aeden a secret, knowing that the humans would fear the life-sustaining powers of the tree, and seek to claim the protection of Valhalla for their own power and gain.

I stared morosely at the tree, part of me wishing I’d never learned about its existence, never learned I was fae. Never had visions, never met Alec.

“Earth to Siri, come in, Earth to Siri.” Amber waved her hand in front of my face.

“What?” I yawned and started in on one of the fruit wraps.

“I asked, how have your studies with Mialloch Airron been going? Is he as boring as he seems?”

“Nah, he’s not so bad. He’s kind of sweet actually. I get the feeling that he hasn’t been able to hang out with too many other young fae over the years.”

“I should say not! The great Mialloch Airron, consorting with commoners? Who would allow such a thing?” She laughed. “No, Mialloch has been kept apart most of his life, getting special schooling, only attending official court events and spending the rest of his time being groomed to serve on the high council, like his father. You knew that, right?”

“No, I had no idea. He doesn’t talk much about himself. My dad only said he was to “tutor me in the ways of the fae” and left it at that.”

“What do you guys study, then?”

“The laws of the land, folklore, legends, history. Stuff like that mostly. Aeden in general, you know, plants, animals, geography, the people, that sort of thing.”

“Ah, a nice proper crash course in all things fae, I take it?”

“Exactly.”

“Sounds riveting.”

“It’s not too bad. Actually, I think I would like it if I could get past the feeling that I am in summer school and the teacher thinks I’m ‘special.’” I used my fingers to make air quotes and Amber snickered.

“What’s summer school?” A dry tenor voice sounded behind me, and muscled arms clad in multiple bangles of heavy silver and gold gently placed a tray of food next to mine.

I would have known those bracelets anywhere.

“Hello, Mialloch,” Amber smiled at the young fae beside me. Mialloch Airron, fae tutor and apparently heir to a council seat, was tall and attractive, as most fae seemed to be. He was several years older than I, but still coming into his fae powers as an air elemental.

I watched as he carefully lined up his silverware on his tray and laid his napkin fastidiously across his lap, tidily straightening the corners. In my months of study with Mialloch, I’d noticed that he was nothing if not precise. Every morning at eight on the dot he would knock on my chamber door. Once we had exchanged pleasantries and seated ourselves on the sofas across from each other, he would proceed to grill me on the details of our lessons from the day before, followed by another hour of histories, legends, and laws. The material was interesting enough, but the delivery system was less than stellar. If I hadn’t been the studious type, I was sure I would have been bored to tears.

But, the lessons seemed important to my father, so I kept up with them. I think Bran felt bad that he hadn’t been there for me growing up, not that it was his fault. It’s hard to be there for your daughter when you don’t even know you have one. Mom had met him on a black ops mission – she’d been commanding a US army team, and he had been with a British Special Forces unit. They’d met, fallen hard and fast for each other, conceiving me in the process. Unfortunately, after the mission ended they’d only had each other’s code names and Mom had never been able to track him down to let him know he had a child.

Now Bran was trying to make up for lost time, making sure I had the full fae education I should have had, complete with Guard training. We often had dinner together at my mother’s bedside, exchanging the many memories we’d never shared. He was a good man, and I was thankful for this chance to get to know him. I held the image of my mother’s recovery foremost in my head at all times, looking forward to the day when she’d wake up and get her first look at him. The look that’d be on her face? Priceless. Even though my cell phone didn’t have reception down here in Aeden, I was keeping it charged and at my side at all times, just for that moment.

I smiled to myself, lifting my face to the sun shining above us, allowing myself to be comforted by its warm rays. The temperature in Aeden was a near constant 85F with regular tropical-style downpours and subsequent rainbows. The sun never set, and it never rose. Everything stayed the same. It was a far cry from my life “above below” on Earth, or Midgard as the Valhallan fae liked to call it.

“So, Siri, have you thought more about what you would like to study next?” Mialloch broke into my reverie.

“Well, as exciting as the genesis of Earth and the history of the Ancients before Earth times has been, I was thinking maybe we could start going over fae science, beginning with medicines, plants and herbs. Maybe we will hit on something useful to counteract the anti-serum.”

“Isn’t that a long shot?” Amber asked.

“Well, yeah, but-”

“Amber is right, Siri,” Mialloch interrupted me in that annoying all-knowing way he had. “If there was a fae remedy that could help, I am sure our scientists would have tried it by now.”

“I suppose,” I reluctantly agreed, chewing my lip. “Still, science has always been one of my favorite subjects. And it can’t hurt to know more about the local biology, can it?”

Mialloch looked me over slowly, smiling. I’d never felt any sort of attraction to him beyond the regular comfort and warmth that the touch of Light fae would always bring, but something about the way he was looking at me made me notice him as a man for the first time, not just my teacher. The notion took me off-guard and left me regretting my choice of words.

“I think an understanding of fae biology and plant sciences is a fine avenue to explore, yes. We can start tomorrow. I will leave you now, and acquire some reference materials that I think you will find stimulating. Good day, Siri, Amber.” He nodded at us both, taking his tray and sauntering away.

“Mmm, stimulating, indeed,” Amber leered over my shoulder. “Who knew the young oak had it in him?”

“Young oak?”

“Oh, just faeling slang for someone who is destined to act old before their time, unyielding, boring, you know. But that. Well, well, well. Looks like someone has their eye on you.”

“Oh please, let’s not go there. I don’t feel even the slightest bit of attraction for him, no surge, no nothing. Besides, he’s never given me the slightest hint that he sees me as anything other than his pupil.”

“Well, he just did. That was a serious checking out he gave you. Besides, his kind don’t care about the surge.”

“His kind?”

“Fae elite. Someday he’ll be on the Light Council. That boy will mate for power and position – probably have an arranged marriage.”

I thought back to what Alec had said the last time he saw me, how he was sure my father would try to set me up with someone more important than him, someone with purer fae blood that his half-human self. If he was right, if my father was trying to set me up with Mialloch...

“I think I need to talk to my father,” I growled, gathering up my trash and starting to stand.

“Why, what’s up?” Amber looked at me with concern. “Have you had another vision?”

“Only of me using my new glima moves on my dad. I just remembered something Alec said the night he left. I think the whole tutoring thing might be a ruse to get me together with Mialloch.”

Amber’s dark eyes widened. “Oh, seriously? I hadn’t thought of that. But it does make sense. Oh wow! If not your dad, Mialloch’s own father could totally have engineered it. He’s been trying to get Mialloch to date for a couple years now, but Mialloch is all books and no play, if you know what I mean. Oh, they’re good. What a perfect plan.”

“Um, hello? Already taken here? I don’t need to be set up, I have Alec.” Or, at least, I thought I did. “I may not have seen him in forever, but I’m not ready to hook up with every fae boy I meet.”

“Does your dad know that?”

I gaped at her and she raised her hands in defense.

“Hey now, I didn’t mean it that way. I’m sure your dad doesn’t think you’re a loose woman. No, I meant, does your dad know you are taken?”

I blushed. “No, I haven’t talked to him about Alec at all. I think he suspects, maybe, because one time we had a conversation about the surge, and he looked surprised that I knew anything about it. But no, I haven’t mentioned Alec.”

“Well, then cut your dad some slack. Parents always want to see their kids settled with someone suitable. They just don’t always have the best idea what would actually suit us,” She winked at me.

“I’m still going to go talk to him. No way will I have him parading boys past me at some fae cotillion or anything. But I guess I’ll leave the fighting gloves at the door.”

“Probably a good idea,” Amber agreed.