Fealty by Leah Wilson

Author:Leah Wilson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Leah Wilson
Published: 2023-06-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Ares walked silently from the crones’ home with the elixir safely in his pocket. He paused the edge of the bog to try and mop the muck off of his pants while Gleu took no apparent notice of the dirt. She stood at the edge of the bog watching him with a pensive look on her face.

“Spit it out,” he grumbled, annoyed at ruining his clothing.

“You know Ares, I’m the one who has been helping you here so if you could afford me the courtesy of not snapping at me, that would be very much appreciated.” She said coolly leaning up against a tree.

He sighed and reigned in his temper, “I apologize sister. What is on your mind?”

“You had a tussle with Gemini.” It wasn’t a question but a statement. He’d hoped that news of the escapade wouldn’t reach his family but he knew more than anyone that there were spies everywhere.

Though Naturae and Umbra fae didn’t get along, news still bounced between them like gossiping school girls; especially if a monarch was involved. He knew his fae would be worried about him, they always got nervous after attacks, and he felt a pit in his stomach at the thought.

His duty was first and foremost to his faeries and the thought of upsetting them did not set well with him.

“I held my own,” he tried hedging around the implied question in Gleus’ eyes and she nodded.

“You always do, bother.” They started walking again, towards their village.

“I worry about you.”

“You needn’t.” he retorted shortly.

The last thing he needed right now was his family worrying about him, meddling in his life. Gleu knew about Layla and she had helped him immensely but even one more faerie knowing about her made it all the more dangerous.

“You don’t need to handle everything alone, Ares.”

“I don’t need help. Sister, drop this now.” It wasn’t a request but a command.

Gleu pressed her lips together in disapproval but knew better than to continue the conversation. Ares was the most volatile of the siblings and when he was in a mood, he was not to be challenged.

Together they crossed the tree line into the village. Their fae automatically flocked to them, flourishing in the presence of their monarchs.

They reached out to them, unfurling like flowers drinking in the sun's rays. Some Fleur fae grabbed Ares and twirled around him. Pink spring flowers bloomed in their long, golden hair. Veins were visible through their pale skin but they looked more like roots than flesh and blood.

“Dance with us!” they giggled, swaying their hips and sashaying around him. Their long, flimsy dresses brushed his skin, soft as any rose petal and the scent of hyacinth immediately overwhelmed his senses.

“Not now!” he snapped. Gleu threw him a look as the Fleur wilted, looking up at him with tears in their eyes.

He softened and smiled at them, spreading his arms to them.

“Apologies,” he bowed deeply to them and threw them a grin that staunched the flow of their tears. “Of course my beauties, a dance would bring me great pleasure.

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