Princess of Faerl

*Lily*

This was beyond magical. We were at a royal dinner. I was sitting next to a Royal Princess. She invited me here. I was swimming in pure happiness. It was a little strange once she left, but I understood she wanted some quiet time. I could totally vibe with that. My siblings were trying to run amuck around the dining hall but the King and Queen didn’t seem to mind. I talked with Hap and Alke about various mortal issues, how we used agriculture to heal, and what gave us fairies our powers. It was interesting interacting with immortal beings. I had always wondered if the gods and goddesses were real, but today I have been given proof that two of them were able to move about freely and one or two more were reincarnated. Talk about insane. I couldn’t believe my ears when Hap said that Elentari was his Destiny and he was her Fate. I had never heard of such a deep bond in this lifetime. I hope I get something like that. A couple of hours of the adults chattering went by, Hap went off to talk to Elentari, Alke showing him the way, and the other teens were on the other side of the table where I couldn’t see them. I was getting quite bored. I sighed. Finally, Elentari and Hap were back and holding hands. She had changed her outfit too and was barefoot. I giggled a little. I moved to the other side of the table so they could sit next to each other. Her siblings were poking fun at her and it was heartwarming. She started talking about how others had their fated mates in front of them and I let out a sigh. It would be nice to find mine so soon after coming of age. But who knows? Fairies don’t always have fated mates. We often take a chosen mate from our own species so we stay alive. Too much mixing and we might die out, the elders said.

I looked over at her siblings and I bit my lip. I wonder. He was the epitome of the popular boy stereotype, but he interested me. Apparently, he was the Duke’s son and Elentari’s adoptive brother. If only he would look my way. This was a horrible inner turmoil. The way Elentari spoke made me believe that he was mine. He wasn’t of age yet, so I would only know if he looked me in the eye. My wings trembled a little. ‘Time to be brave,’ I thought to myself. ‘You can do this, Lily.’ I fluttered up a bit to approach the other group of teenagers. I asked my younger sibling to trade seats with me.

“Uhm.. I…” I quietly tried to enter the conversation. The girls didn’t seem to notice. They were so enthralled by the prince. I sighed softly, pushing my hair behind my ear again, looking up at the boy across from me. He happened to look up at the same time. “Hi..” I tried so hard to smile, “It was getting a bit boring by myself, so I came to hang out over here. I hope you don’t mind.”

He had beautiful green eyes. His smile reached them easily. Oh my. “Yea, of course, you’re welcome over here. I mean.. I’ve been listening to the three of them all night, so it’ll be nice to have someone to talk to as well, I guess. I’m Scottie. You’re… Lily, right? The fairy girl Silk met at graduation?” It was a relief to hear him call her silk too.

“Yea, that’s me. I don’t think I’ve met you before, though.” I tried to remember, wracking my brain. I felt bad that I couldn’t remember someone so important to the Kingdom. “Actually, I don’t remember your father or sister either. How long have you been in the Kingdom?” Now I was genuinely puzzled.

“Oh, uh, well, I grew up as Silk’s younger brother, and Stacie here is my twin. The guy sitting next to the King, that’s my dad. I guess he’s the Duke now? I don’t understand most of it. But it’s cool I guess.” He shrugged. Goddess, he’s beautiful. I bit my lip and sighed. “You okay? You look a bit warm.”

“Oh, uhm..” I shook my head a little, twisting my fingers around my hair, “I’m fine. So… Did you graduate too?” I’m trying to figure out if he’s turned 18 yet or maybe I’m his second chance fated, I don’t know. Goddess I hope not. I met him first, he should be mine first.

“Oh! No, I don’t graduate till next year. I’m only 17. Just those two turned 18 last week.” He tapped his fingers to a beat I couldn’t hear. I wondered what he was thinking. I didn’t even realize I was staring at him for so long without speaking. “You okay, Lily? You seem… Distracted?” He reached his hand out and touched mine.

Sparks… dear goddess sparks… My wings started fluttering uncontrollably and my breathing picked up, I couldn’t believe this… “I uhm.. I’m… I’m fine… I… yea. I’m fine…” Eliza and Stacie seemed to notice me now, both of them had a look of shock on their faces.

“Scottie..” Stacie looked at her twin with a stupid grin on her face, “Are you…. Sweet on this girl?” She teased him. He was staring at me now too as if no one else in the world existed. “Scottie… earth to Scottie…” she waved her hand over his face but didn’t seem to notice. It was as if no one but him and I existed. It was magical.

He cleared his throat and, I swear to the Goddess, he blushed. “Uhm, yea I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be? I mean, yea. Anyway, Lily, would you like to go for a walk or something?” His words were music to my ears.

“Sure, but first, I have to talk to my parents. Want to come with me?” I wanted to introduce him right away. I found my fated. This was a miracle to me. He walked around the table and pulled my chair out for me, holding out his hand. I took it and smiled, blushing horribly. The other three whistled at us and I swear my wings turned bright red too. Ten agonizing steps later, we were in front of my parents. “Uhm, mom, dad?” I held his hand tightly. “I’d like you to meet Scott MaComb, the son of the Duke of Faerl.” My parents turned their heads to us, and a knowing smile crept across my mom’s face.

“Well met, Young Duke. How are you this evening?” She was eloquent as always. She nudged my dad. It was kinda funny to me.

“I am doing quite well, ma’am. Your daughter is a lovely person I’m glad to have met.” My mom’s smile dropped a bit when he didn’t introduce himself as my mate. She already knew before I said it.

“He is a junior this year, he’ll be 18 and graduate next year, Mom.” I tried to lead her to the correct conclusion. She visibly let out a sigh of relief. “We were wanting to take a walk if that’s okay.” At this point, my dad raised his brow.

“How about you come sit with us and let us learn about your new friend, dear?” Oh no, this was going to turn into a fairy question session. I think he read my mind, “I promise no game of 21 questions. Just conversation. I get the feeling he’s gonna be pretty important in our lives.” His smile became gentle and I now let out my own sigh of relief. Scott, though, was oblivious to the bit of tension.

“Anything to have a decent conversation. My twin and the other girl are drooling over the Prince and I’m so out of my element over there. I’m so glad this lovely young lady came to save me from one of the most boring nights of my life.” He winked at me and led me around the table, pulling out Elentari’s chair next to the queen for me and sitting next to my mom, himself. This was a dream come true.

“Manners, quite good ones, I might add. I’m impressed, Young Duke. I don’t see many gentlemen pulling out chairs or anything of the like anymore.” My dad teased me. He knew how important this moment was for me. He placed his hand over mine on the table, and I bit my lip at the shock waves. A year before he would feel this. Goddess, it was going to be a long year.

We talked for a while before two figures came down the hall and into the room. Elentari and Hep were back, both looking quite shy and smiling. At least I’m not the only one that will be blushing all night. Scott and I got up, giving the Princess her seat back and making room for her Fated beside her. I shooed two of my siblings to the other side of the table so Scott and I could stay close to Elentari and my parents.

“Goddess, if you can hear me,” I whispered softly, “Thank you for tonight. I don’t know what I did right, but thank you.”