Fae's Choice Read online

  I walked over to the sharpening stone that lay on my wooden dresser and set the sword on top, angling it, before slowly sharpening the blade. Two days had passed since I’d spoken to my mother and Telerius, and today was the day it was all going to happen.

  I was nervous, sure, but I also felt a tinge of excitement. I’d been waiting for this day for years. For years I’d seen eligible men throughout the kingdom and wondered if one day I would be bonding myself to one of them. They would smile at me, I would smile back, and that was all I would think about. It might’ve been a little creepy in hindsight, but I was young then.

  I looked out my bedroom window, the sun shining as birds chased each other in the distance. The rolling hills outside the kingdom stretched towards the horizon, their green grassy knolls blowing in the wind as I inhaled a deep breath of fresh air.

  As I looked back down at my sword, I realized what it symbolized and what it meant. It was a relic, a symbol of our way of life and what the fae stood for. It had seen the very best and worst of us, and we might not have survived our past had it not been for perfectly forged weapons like this.

  We were taught by dwarves, well before I was ever born, and hundreds of years before my grandmother was even born. The fae who founded this kingdom and connected themselves with the elemental spirits fought endlessly for their chance to become expert blacksmiths and to be able to take care of themselves and learn combat.

  I wasn’t sure I wanted to give that up.

  I’d been wondering for a couple years now if I would take the reins as so many before me had, every woman in the kingdom, and give up my sword once I received my gifts. It seemed wrong, almost perverse, like I was leaving what I loved and had worked so hard to perfect all these years for something else.

  Sure, getting my water elemental powers was important, it was my duty and destiny, but that didn’t mean I had to relinquish my weapon as well, did it? Female fire elementals didn’t, though they were soldiers. I wasn’t going to either, I resolved. I’d deal with my mother and her customs once the time came.

  “Princess?” my maid asked, knocking on my door.

  “Come in,” I replied.

  “Your mother and Telerius would like to see you within the hour,” she said.

  “Thank you for letting me know. I will make my way there shortly,” I said, smiling.

  She closed the door as I walked towards my closet, where my outfit hung from the top of my door. A blue dress to represent my elemental. It wasn’t my style. I was more a jacket-and-jeans type of girl, and I was definitely taking it off once the ceremony was over. I knew I was going to meet my escorts, the men, and learn of the feats I would be executing on my journey.

  It made me a bit nervous, thinking of the fact I had four feats to do, one for each elemental, while other women only had to complete one or two. I supposed being born into royalty had a lot of perks, but this wasn’t one of them.

  “Shall we do your hair?” my maid Rola asked, once again, after I’d changed into my dress.

  “What do you think of all this? Your turn is coming too, is it not?” I asked, looking at her in the mirror as she gathered her things behind me.

  Rola was seventeen, a few years out, and she’d only been my maid for three months. I didn’t know her extremely well, since as a maid she was meant to be seen and not heard, but I enjoyed what conversations we did have.

  “I am excited for the prospect of getting my elemental powers, but more so to meet the man I will spend my life with,” she said, grinning, as if her mind was taken to a whimsical place.

  “What about your journey?” I asked.

  “Well, a girl like me will only have one feat to accomplish. My mother said hers took about five days, and then she came back and bonded with my father, an earth fae,” she said, starting to brush my hair.

  “Five days?” I asked, in shock. “That hardly seems like enough time to get to know somebody to make that kind of decision. What if they changed after that time?”

  “She said she just knew he was the one. The other two men weren’t really standing out, but my father gave her all the time in the world. I guess you just know when the right man presents himself to you,” Rola said.

  “Are you thinking yours will be that simple?” I asked.

  “I’m not sure, but I hope so. I still have four years to go before I even get the opportunity. I’m hoping mine will be that easy, though. Are you feeling nervous, princess?” she asked.

  “I think so. I’m not sure if I feel more nervous about the men or the feats, though. I have four to do, you know,” I said.

  “I overheard that. You are a very capable woman, though. Your skills with your weapon are unmatched, and your intellect and fire for competition will only help you through your feats,” she said, smiling.

  Rola laced gems through my braid, adorning it with small flowers as she connected a loop around the back. A stray ray of light funneled through my window, breaking on my face, and I looked at myself in the mirror as particles of dust floated around me in the golden light. I looked beautiful. But I also looked terrified, as if I were gaining the last glimpse of myself before everything changed. My life would never be the same. I guess it was the last time I would be a bachelorette.

  “We’re done. Shall I inform your mother and Telerius of your impending arrival?” Rola asked.

  “No, that’s okay. I’m going to go down there now. I just need a moment,” I said, and Rola nodded.

  I stood up from my chair, wiping my palms against the soft fabric of my dress before pacing in front of my canopied bed.

  I touched my necklace, feeling the carved edges of the amethyst, before taking in a deep breath and walking out my bedroom door, closing it behind me. I walked with purpose down the corridors, my head held high, like I belonged. I suppose I did, I was the heir, but it was a way for me to hold esteem for myself, if only in my own head.

  My mother and Telerius were waiting in the sacred chambers of the castle. The door was adorned with stained glass and gold trim, as if I were entering the most sacred room in the world. I put my hand on the metal handle, pushing it in, as the door creaked and called attention to me.

  There they were. My mother and Telerius watched me enter with smiles on their faces as rays of sunlight beamed down on the tiled floor below my feet. “Good morning, princess,” Telerius said as I approached.

  “We hope you slept well, you have a big day ahead of you,” my mother said, sitting upon her throne.

  “I slept as well as one could hope given the gravity of my situation,” I said, stopping in front of them.

  “Are we ready, my Queen?” Telerius asked, looking back at my mother. She nodded, not saying a word.

  “Princess Kira Frost, heir to the throne of fae, you were summoned here today to bear witness to the glory of the elemental spirits that fill our hearts and minds and protect our people. Today you begin your ascension to the elemental plane, and the first step to one day ascending the throne and becoming Queen of our kingdom,” Telerius said.

  “Soon, you will meet the three men, from the elementals air, earth, and fire, among whom you will choose one during your feats to spirit bond with and spend eternity with, until death do you part. Your feats will number four, one to represent each elemental, as you are royalty and such is your duty. Once you meet your potential mates will you learn of your feats. Heed my warning, though, daughter, they will not be easy,” my mother said, her face emotionless.

  “We will now summon each man one at a time. We will start with our air elemental, Tyvin,” Telerius said, extending his hand.

  A man in modern robes walked out, a smile on his face, as one formed on mine in return. He was tall, about six feet, with blond hair cut short on the sides and a little longer on top. It was swept to the side, brushed, and he had a smile that could make any woman melt. He wasn’t what I typically saw among air elemental men, and that was a good thing.

  “It is my honor to meet you, Princess. My name is Ty
vin, and I will be accompanying you on your quest,” he said, taking my hand softly before bowing forward and kissing it.

  “The honor is mine, Tyvin. I look forward to getting to know you more and having you accompany me on my quest,” I said, smiling. I was forced to say that formula to each guy to make them feel at ease and like I wanted them to come. Don’t get me wrong—I did actually want Tyvin to come, he was gorgeous. But this was the worst part about meeting them—making them feel special though they all heard the same lines.

  “Tyvin is born to air elemental scholars, and his parents very distinguished, as is he. He was at the top of his class, earning marks higher than have been seen in fifteen years. A man of academia and spirituality, he will provide an ascension of the mind and spirit that you will find unmatched,” Telerius said.

  I could tell Telerius wanted me to pick Tyvin, and for obvious reasons. I thought it was all about keeping it in the family, or should I say, in the elemental. I looked up at my mother, who nodded, seemingly agreeing with the choice and happy with her choice. I couldn’t blame her.

  “At this time, we will summon our earth elemental, Adam,” Telerius said, extending his hand.

  A man a little shorter than Tyvin walked out, but he was still taller than me. He had brown hair, slightly shaggier but not long at all, with tanned skin and dark eyes. He was strong, his arms larger and his legs stout, the result of strong, hard labor that made him a man not to be messed with.

  “It is my honor to meet you, Princess. My name is Adam, and I will be accompanying you on your quest,” Adam said, before taking my hand and softly kissing it.

  “The honor is mine, Adam. I look forward to getting to know you more and having you accompany me on my quest,” I said, smiling. I looked him up and down, feeling the strength in his grip as he grabbed my hand, even though he did so gently. I knew he could protect me in combat should the need arise, and that was very attractive to me. All of the sudden, my focus narrowed on him.

  “Adam is born to earth and water elemental parents. Adam is on track to reach master status in regards to weapons crafting within the next three years, and he is a strong builder, as is his father, and his father before him. A stalwart man of great integrity, Adam will provide the shelter and weapons crafting you will need to succeed on your quest,” Telerius said.

  I looked up at my mother, who nodded, stroking her chin, as she considered his muscular physique. I almost wondered if she wanted him for herself, but I couldn’t say that I blamed her. As I looked at both men, Tyvin and Adam, I started to feel conflicted already and I hadn’t uttered but a few words to them both.

  “Finally, I will at this time summon our fire elemental, Aidan,” Telerius said, extending his hand.

  Perking up, I watched the final man walk out. He was cut, his physique strong but not bulky like Adam’s. He had a set expression on his face, one of fire and determination, emphasized by a scar running from above his left eyebrow down to his cheek. He was a badass, that much was clear, with light brown hair and hazel eyes. His head was shaved, which was very much in line with the more militaristic fire elementals, and I could feel the heat emanating from his body as he approached.

  “It is my honor to meet you, Princess. My name is Aidan, and I will be accompanying you on your quest,” he said, taking my hand and softly kissing it. He looked back up at me, his expression softening as he gave me a tiny smile. I could feel something, but then again I’d felt it with the other men as well.

  “The honor is mine, Aidan. I look forward to getting to know you more and having you accompany me on my quest,” I said with a smile.

  I looked over at my mother as he joined the other men. Her eyebrow raised, looking intrigued. I was sure she saw some of my father in Aidan. Water put out fire, but fire evaporated water. We were a dynamic pairing of elementals that needed to keep one another in check if we were to succeed.

  “Aidan is born to fire elemental parents, both of them very successful guards within our kingdom. Aidan is a top marksman in his class, and was recently promoted to the rank of Sergeant, leading troops and demonstrating great leadership abilities. He is also a true warrior, showing much promise with his mastery of many weapons and fighting styles. Aidan will provide protection to you and make your safety his first priority,” Telerius said.

  “Now that you’ve met the men who will accompany you on your feats, it is time you learn what exactly those feats are, my daughter,” my mother said, as she stood up. She walked over to a book perched on a podium before putting on her glasses and scanning the pages. “The feats are to be performed and completed in the order in which I give them to you. Am I clear?”

  “Yes, mother,” I said, nodding.

  “Your first feat will be of air. There is an ancient scroll hidden within the Temple of Elerian. It has been lost to our people by the golems that protect it. You are to retrieve the scroll unharmed. Beware of the traps set by the ancients, which have served to keep it from us. Do you understand?” my mother asked, looking at Tyvin and me.

  “I do, mother,” I said.

  “I understand, my Queen. I will make sure you receive the scroll,” Tyvin said, bowing slightly.

  “Your second feat will be of earth. At the top of Mount Pyreme is a flower, the moon flower, which only grows on the harsh and inhospitable peak of the mountain. You are to scale the treacherous mountain and retrieve a flower for our collection. Do you understand?” my mother asked, looking at Adam and me.

  “I do, mother,” I said.

  “I understand, my Queen. We will retrieve the flower for you in one piece,” Adam said, bowing slightly.

  “Your third feat will be of fire. We have received word from a neighboring village that a dragon has been terrorizing and murdering the citizens. You are to slay the dragon and retrieve his ember for our magical purposes. Do you understand?” my mother asked, looking at Aidan and me.

  “I do, mother,” I said, for the third time.

  “I understand, my Queen. We will slay the beast and retrieve the ember,” Aidan said, bowing slightly.

  “Your fourth and final feat will be of water. Part of your duties of full ascension will be helping me and taking my place during diplomatic visits and missions so you may gain experience before taking the throne one day. You are to visit Atlantis on behalf of my crown and broker a trade agreement that benefits our people. This will be your hardest task, my daughter, and I hope you succeed. The Atlanteans aren’t fond of our people, and we tolerate them. Do you understand this and the other feats as I have laid them out for you?” she asked, looking me in the eyes.

  “Yes, mother, I understand,” I said, nodding.

  “You can use your amulet to contact us after you complete each feat. The amulet creates portals for teleportation and will allow us to retrieve each item and verify it before you proceed with your next feat. Is that understood?” Telerius asked.

  “Yes, it is understood,” I said.

  “With that said, you all have one hour to pack a bag and say goodbye to your loved ones. While it is not common, men have perished during the quests. Please meet back here and we will send you on your way,” Telerius said, before ushering the men out.

  I watched them as they walked out, Aidan looking back at me before winking. I smiled, feeling a little spark, which was ironic because he was a fire elemental. “I don’t blame you,” my mother said, catching me off guard.

  “What do you mean?” I asked.

  “Oh, honey, I married a fire elemental, remember?” she asked, walking down to me.

  “I don’t know any of them. I’m keeping an open mind, they’re all attractive and accomplished,” I said.

  “Oh, I know. I will support whomever you choose of the three. Remember, I had a hand in selecting them for you. I picked only the finest and strongest men from each elemental sign,” she said.

  “May I ask you something without sounding rude?” I asked.

  “You may try,” she said, standing up straight.


  “Why are my feats so much more difficult than ones other women receive?” I asked.

  “I thought you might ask that. The truth is, royals will never receive the same treatment as other citizens, and for good measure. We are held to a higher standard than everybody else. We have to lead our people, ruling over an entire kingdom of fae who look to us for guidance and wisdom. These feats showcase our strengths and instill confidence in our people. It keeps our kingdom running smoothly and prevents things like coups from happening,” she said, resting her hand on my shoulder.

  “I mean, slaying a dragon?” I asked, laughing. “I don’t think taking its ember will be easy.”

  “It’s not supposed to be. Embers are the source of fire and the dragon will know what you’re after. A tip is to get on top of its head, between the eyes. But you didn’t hear that from me,” she whispered, winking. “Go collect your things.”

  I smiled, before grabbing her and hugging her tightly. “Thank you. I love you,” I said, before letting go and turning around.

  “I love you too, Kira,” she said, leaving my stomach feeling warm as I ran out of the chamber towards my room.

  3

  “Your amulet is imbued with magical powers to allow you to teleport effortlessly between feats. It will also allow you to contact us to retrieve each artifact after you recover it, which will allow you to move on to your next feat. Anywhere else you might try to go will be off-limits, and the amulet will not work. Are you ready for your first feat to begin?” Telerius asked, as the four of us stood in front of him and my mother.

  “Are we being dropped off in front of the temple?” I asked. I figured I could make light work of this first feat if we were. I didn’t doubt a stone golem would be a difficult and worthy adversary, but I knew my fighting skills mixed with those of three strong elementals would make short work of them.