The Fox’s Tale

“They should.” I stood up. Jones looked at me in confusion. “Scare you, I mean. Remember the rose garden? Ellery doesn’t screw around when it comes to my safety. If I didn’t know she loves me far more than I deserve I would be terrified.”

Jones scowled at me. “I’m her father.”

I shrugged. “I’m her Other. You’ve found yours. Who would you side with in a fight between your dad and Sabrina?”

Jones grunted. “You’ve made your point. Now what about you? Who would you side with?”

“I’d defy the gods themselves for her.”

Jones chuckled and sat down in the chair next to the one I had just vacated. “Sit back down, Xander. I have no desire to harm you. To begin with, against my better judgment, I find that I like you, and more importantly, harming you would harm Ellery and I never want to do that.”

“Gee, thanks.” that wasn't exactly a glowing endorsement, and I couldn't keep the sarcasm out of my voice.

He laughed again. “Sorry, I’m sure as time goes on you and I will develop a better rapport. I honestly didn’t expect to like you.” His expression changed, to one of sorrow and longing.

“Ellery is special to me, not just because she’s my daughter, but because she is all that I have left of her mother. I love Sabrina and our children with all that is left of my heart, but my heart has a hole in it.”

His lower lip quivered and he glanced away to compose himself.

“I understand. Ellery told me what happened. I’m sorry.” It felt like such an inadequate thing to say, yet it was all I could offer.

“Thank you.” He swallowed hard before continuing, his blue eyes piercing me. “I have spent my whole life trying to prepare Ellery so that she cannot be hurt, and I don’t want all of that effort to be in vain.”

“I have no intention of hurting her. I love her to an impossible degree. She hasn’t been gone for five minutes and I miss her.”

“It is not your intentions that concern me. It is the Unseelie Court that worries me. Someone or something in that court is behind all of this, I’m sure of it. Goblins excel at skulking through the darkness, but there’s no way they could have reached me without help. I need you to be my eyes, ears, and nose there. Keep our girl safe, Xander.”

Panic started to claw at my insides as I thought about the visit looming ahead of us.

“Is there any way we can get out of going to that dinner tomorrow? Ellery isn’t looking forward to going, and with everything that was uncovered this morning I’m not sure I want to go either.” An involuntary shudder ran through me.

“No, and that’s a good thing. You can be openly curious about everything and everyone should be eager to please you, which means they’ll talk. Just don’t let them separate you from Ellery.”

“Do you trust anyone at Court? In case something happens?”

“Not at the Court itself. Rowan’s mother, Esmeralda, is still queen, and while she would never hurt Ellery, I worry that she is compromised in some way. However, Lucas and his sister Darcie live in the Unseelie realm.

“They’re Incorruptibles and have pledged loyalty specifically to Ellery. My guess is that Queen Esmeralda will send them to help you dress for tomorrow’s dinner. If not, Ellery knows how to get in touch with them while in the Unseelie realm. Regardless, you’ll meet them on Monday when you return to school.”

“Ugh, school.” I put my head in my hands. “It felt pointless before but now it seems farcical. I feel like there is bound to be a better way for me to spend my time.”

“I felt the same way, but my parents are adamant on this point. Blending in is increasingly important to the Fae. Besides, your life will be taken over by Seelie and Unseelie business soon enough. Enjoy the time you have left as a relatively normal individual.”

I studied him, briefly. “You didn’t actually destroy your knee, did you?”

He grinned at me. “You’re very perceptive. No, my injuries were fabricated. School and sports are how we find individuals we can trust to bring into our world. Because of what happened with Rowan my parents allowed me to take it further than is normal. They drew the line at being a pro. Too much scrutiny.

“In some ways it was a blessing. Sabrina and I already had one child and another on the way, and I had to pick up more and more duties as my father’s heir. I can’t make pocket universes like Billy and Ellery.

“Hell, I can’t do a lot of the things Ellery can do. No one can, not the way she does it. Which brings me to another point I want to make; Ellery is unnaturally powerful because we were unaware of the abilities she inherited from Rowan. You need to be her anchor. Keep her grounded. Keep her sane.”

I nodded. “Okay. Is there anything else?”

“I’d like for you to report to me sometime after tomorrow’s dinner with any information you might have to share. I don’t want to color your first impressions with my suspicions but I do have some.”

“Right.” I stood up again. “I’ll just go find Ellery.” I headed towards the door of the study.

“Oh, Xander?” I turned back as Jones headed to sit at his father’s desk. “Seek out the Meridian if you are ever in danger in the Unseelie realm. Ellery will tell you who that is.”

“Who? Not what?”

“The Meridian was blessed with the ability to walk the line between life and death. You’ll like him.” Jones sat down and I knew I had been dismissed.