《 The Grove 》
Taron and I walked side by side down the hill, Marcus trailing behind us.
I hadn't spoken to him and Taron had noticed the awkward silence between us.
Currently, he was distracting me by explaining Faerieland. It sounded wonderful the way he explained it. Beautiful sunsets and fascinating creatures.
He explained that most creatures in Faerieland would actually kill you, like Kelpies, nixies and pixies.
I listened intently, trying to find any connection from Faerieland to me. He explained the politics, that there were two courts, Summer and Winter.
I belonged to the Summer Court, a Summer Princess.
I could hear Marcus scoff every now and then as we walked.
The day turned into night and my mind was reeling with all this new information. "So what do you do when you greet the Queen?" Taron asked.
"Curtsy and address her by status" I replied quickly.
Taron smiled as we settled around the fire. "Good" he said.
"I'm going to go hunt" Marcus said, bored.
I turned to look at him as he walked into the trees. I sighed and looked down into the warmth of the flame. "You know he's just trying to protect you?" Taron said, stoking the fire with a branch.
"Protecting me requires kissing me?" I asked in disbelief.
"He's in love with you, what do you expect the man to do? Not stare at you and fight his urges to kiss you?" He asked, the flames creating shadows on his face.
I bit my lip. "Look, I know you're going through a rough time with not knowing who you really are, but don't push away the man who wants to be by your side" Taron continued before laying back.
He gazed up at the stars. "You never know when he'll give up and just walk away" he replied, a sound of pain in his voice.
"Sounds like you know how that feels" I replied, turning my head to look at him.
Taron stayed silent. Sighing, I fell back and turned my face to the stars. I had started to draw constellations when Marcus appeared out of the trees silently. I watched him crouch at the edge and stare out over the grassy field.
He picked up something.. a leaf? A rock? And tucked it into his pocket. I looked away when he looked over at us.
I closed my eyes and fell asleep.
"Diana, c'mon, we don't have far" a voice said, shaking me awake.
I bolted upright, dreams of vampires and faeries falling from my mind. "I'm up" I exclaimed.
"We can see that" Marcus replied monotoned.
I glanced over at him and he was perched on a rock, staring at me. "You didn't sleep?" I asked, confused.
"I'm a vampire Diana, we don't sleep" he replied coldly.
He then stood up and walked away. I glanced at Taron who glanced at me, a sad expression on his face.
"It's not far to the Grove, you'll be in Faerieland soon" he said, trying to cheer me up.
I smiled at me but when I turned away, my smile faded.
I packed my bag again and hoisted it onto my back. Taron helped me stand and we started walking, following Marcus. "What's wrong with him?" I asked, studying his back.
"Guess there's only so many times he can take no for an answer, his elders aren't happy with him and you're not happy with him, I think that sums up his life at the moment" Taron replied, studying him too.
I watched as Marcus picked up a rock and threw it off into the distance. "It's not that I'm not happy with him, I just wish he'd stop being so..." I trailed off.
"Caring?" Taron asked, giving me a look.
I sighed, following my brother.
Marcus stopped and turned around to face us. "Are you going to open the door or what?" He asked, folding his arms across his chest.
"Patience, Marcus, the door will open when it needs to be" Taron replied.
Suddenly, the air in front of us seemed to ripple with blue electricity. It all gathered in one spot, before a cracked shown, before widening. "Welcome to Faerieland" Taron said, stepping forward and pushing open the door.
I gasped at the splendor of the lands in front of me. Long grass swayed back and forth through a summer breeze that drifted through the door.
Sunlight streamed across the meadow, casting down onto the four people that awaited us on horseback.
Taron stiffened. I glanced at him before looking at who he was looking at. The man had violet eyes and brown hair, he swung off his horse and stood tall on the dirt path. Taron helped me through the door.
"Well met, Princess" the man said, bowing.
I gave a curtsy back. "Well met, Prince Taron" the man said, then turning to my brother and bowing stiffly.
My brother did not return the bow. "Welcome to our lands, vampire" the man said, as Marcus just gave a firm nod.
"The Queen is awaited your arrival, shall we?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm sorry, who are you?" I asked, not meaning to be rude.
"Forgive me, your highness, my name is Keian, The Queen's most trusted servant" he replied, smiling.
"Oh" I replied.
I glanced at Taron who seemed to be deliberately not looking at Keian. "Would you need help on the horse?" Keian asked, bringing me back to what's in front of me.
"Yes please" I replied.
Taron winced. Keian grabbed my waist and hoisted me up with the help of the rider already on. "To the castle" he said as Taron climbed onto his own horse.
Marcus stood astride his steed, looking very mysterious and dark like.
The rider behind me, kicked his horse lightly and we sprang into movement.
Taron stayed close to my side and I watched him watch Keian. "You've got it bad bro" I said quietly.
Taron glanced at me surprised. "I don't know what you're talking about" he replied stiffly.
"Umm I'm pretty sure everyone can feel the sexual tension between you and Keian" I replied, giving him a look.
Taron glanced at my rider. "There's no such thing, do not make up things" he said, coaxing his horse forward and past Keian.
I frowned, confused.
Marcus's horse past me and I sighed. Great. Now Marcus and Taron all hate you.
The trot wasn't for long until we arrived in a shiny reflective road. It seemed to be made out of pure silver, leading into a bridge, also made of silver.
We crossed the bridge and I stared at the waterfall that cascaded down the rocks. "This place is beautiful" I said, impressed.
A smile lit up Keian's face. "The Queen would be pleased" he replied.
Our horses trotted from the silver bridge onto cobblestone, passing through a small village that seemed to dot the castle walls. Faeries of all kinds and colours came out of their homes to point and wave at the Queen's enclave.
