It shall be on the day that ash rains from the sky and life dries from the Earth from a siblings rival, a challenge shall bring forth the toppling of courts and the rise of a new god. On the sea's turn, a promise kept shall mark the time of peace and witness the rise of the Empire

Two hundred years have past since the first telling of the Old Prophecy, two hundred years past since the lips who spoke them left the earth to whisper in the winds. Half a prophecy, the courts scoured for anyone who could recall the rest.

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"Edith, cease your incessant fidgeting," Meva hissed from behind me. I tucked my hands underneath me, cheeks going warm as I shifted my weight from one leg to another.

"Sorry, Meva," I mumbled. Meva was a tall and slender woman, small horns protruding from her forehead. Her black eyes stuck out in contrast to her cool-toned blue skin. She stood up from the pillow we both sat on once she was satisfied with the pinning of my hair, satisfied with how she had prepared me to meet him.

I had grown up knowing who I was going to marry. I grew up knowing that I would have to be dragged back here - into the realm we had once been banished from. Ran from. I grew up with the lessons and the whispers, knowing that no matter what I did, where I went - I'd always be dragged back here. My marriage was tied to my fathers life, and if I failed to hold up my end...I'd have no one left. There was nothing I could do.

"There are far worse fates than being promised to a prince, Edith. You'll live comfortably." My dad would tell me. "We've stalled as long as we can, they're bound to grow tired of waiting. If we don't go willingly...They'll take you."

Giving a small nod, she helped me to my feet. "Your father instructed you be to Alrahel soon, I will let them know to ready the carriage. Grab your things now, please." Meva shut the door behind her with little restraint. It wasn't uncommon for the citizens here in the realm to treat halflings such as myself with anything but contempt. Meva was no exception, though she tried to hide it behind her toothy smile. I gave a long, low sigh before allowing my eyes to flitter to the mirror. The woman standing in front of me, starring back, looked nothing as she had just a week ago. The same brown eyes. The same slender build, medium sized chest, small nose, long fingers, pale skin, same silver hair. Neither mortal nor fae, and it was abundantly clear to anyone here who saw me.

I straightened out the silky fabric of my lilac colored gown and took a deeper look at myself. My silver hair which I normally wear in a ponytail has been half fashioned into braids that wrap around the top of my head, the rest falling down my back and bare shoulders in loose curls. The sleeves of my dress start part way down my arm, with a slit in the fabric to show my arms before rejoining at my wrists. The purple fabric is embroidered with silver and a deeper purple, etching flowers and leaf's along the bodice and down the flowing skirt. A far cry from the jeans and sweaters I normally wear.

"It was your aunts. I assume everything there will fit." Dad had said when he first showed me the room.

Other than being a bit too long - I had not been granted the gift of height from the Fae - it did fit well. I took another look around the room, still in awe of what I saw. I know my father says I had been born here, but we had left Aelis long before my first memory. More like fled, I reminded myself. I don't know much of what happened, but I heard a few whispered arguments between my parents to know, it wasn't good. Which makes me wonder why we're back, after all this time.

The bed sat in the middle of the large room, with curtains of white fabric hanging around it in a canopy. The wooden floors were dark, the swirls of the work barely noticeable. Brightly colored woven rugs scattered the floor, and in the corner, a large pillow sat in front of a long mirror held against the wall. The ceiling bore a low-hanging chandelier that resembled thick golden patches of ivy that wound together around the lights.

I left the room shortly after pulling on a light jacket over my dress, and dared not to take my normal two-step-at-a-time pace down the spiraling stairs. The staircase landed in the main living room, a large, brightly painted room with elegantly colored rugs along the floors. Arm chairs and tables scattered the middle of the room, but unlike our living room in home, no TV to watch. Large bookshelves lined the walls, filled head to toe with different colors and sizes of books. Meva narrowed her eyes at me and I quickly shifted my gaze down. She was probably more upset that it took me a few more minutes to get downstairs, but the way she glares has made me uncomfortable since I stepped foot into our old family estate.

It had sat empty all these years, cobwebs and dust collecting on the walls and furniture. Meva had certainly been displeased by our surprise return, meaning that she would now have to get to cleaning every inch of the large house. I wish I could explain to her that I wasn't too happy myself, forced out of the only world I had known and into one I didn't recognize or accept myself. I didn't ask for any of this.

"Your father will be displeased that you are late." Meva snapped, swatting me into the carriage. She looked at me with a thin line of the lips that could only be the result of her annoyance before slamming the small door in my face. I huffed, taking a seat.

Dad, more than likely, will be upset that I'm late. He'll have missed most of the introductions into the banquet, but I'll be there in time for our names to be called into the great hall. The carriage ride was only ten minutes, and I look absentmindedly out the small window. With the sun setting far across the hills and tree's, I could almost imagine home. The tree's looked the same. The grass looked the same. Clouds, stars, and mixed colors in the sky all looked the same. I soon began feeling homesick as the carriage came to a jarring halt. I braced myself with an arm across the carriage and gripped onto the seat across from me to stop me from flying forward.

That was definitely on purpose.

I clenched my jaw and shoved myself back onto the seat as the carriage doors opened to reveal the side entrance of the castle, thankfully, and I am assuming to not broadcast to the Court that the daughter of tonight's guest of honor is late. My dad stood on the other side of the door, extending his hand out. He looked odd without his glamor. He was tall still, the same silver hair as myself, but his eyes appeared more cat-like, and his ears had a long point. Long, branch like horns came out from his forehead and made him appear a foot taller. I gave him a smile as I stepped out, taking his hand.

"I was beginning to think you weren't coming, that you had locked yourself in your room."

"I haven't done that since I was six," I responded, a hint of annoyance in my voice. Of course, I wasn't happy to be dragged here. He must have heard it because he reached a hand up to pat my shoulder as he smiled at me. "Do you remember what we talked about, Edith?"

The rules? Yes. No saying please or thank you. Be careful of what you say, and how you say it. Be careful not to offend anyone. Only have four sips of wine, enough to not offend the one offering, but not enough to bear the affects of the Faerie wine. Carry Himalayan salt with me.

"You may be half Fae, Edith, but you are not whole. You are not totally immune to the affects of that is there."

You are not whole.

It was the conversation we'd had on the way here. I remember being terrified to even step foot here, but with no family back in the mortal realm without him, what choice did I have but to come?

I gave a short nod, taking his arm as he offered it. We strode in together, my dad looking like he belongs completely in the backdrop of the Fae circling around the bottom of the grand stairs in front of us. I looked up to take in the scenery before me, great long tables stretched along side the golden painted walls of the room filled with pastries, cakes, meats of various kinds. Large barrels filled with what I assume to be wine and liquor, the room filled with members of both the Spring and Summer fae danced in the middle of the room, different colored dresses and shirts filling the room like shining gems underneath the large, grand chandeliers hanging from the ceiling housing hundreds of candles. I stood atop the large marble staircase with my father, cheeks going red under the attention.

A short man with a sharp nose and green eyes standing next to the stairs gave my dad a strange smile before speaking loudly, demanding attention from everyone in the room.

"And now, presenting, Reed Pehtala, of the Summer Courts, accompanying his daughter, Edith Pehtala. Tonight's guests of honor, returning after many years away!" What a funny way to say we ran away, but, it works.

A small roll of clapping ensued as we marched down the steps into the room. Fae, Pixies, and others I wasn't sure how to label stood aside as we walked across the room. I felt suddenly self conscious as I strained my ears to listen in on the whispers around us.

"That's her?"

"It's been over eighteen years. Why bother?"

I straightened myself up and pulled my shoulders back as if to give an air of false confidence as we strode. My stomach was in knots as I walked beside him, sweat filming my palms. I wasn't ready for this. More time - I had begged him for more time. My head spung with thoughts, useless ones, petty little thoughts that begged me to find any way out of this. I didn't bother to look up at my dad who was surely peering down at me to check in, hearing the whispers and rumors going around. Soft music from lutes and other strings filled the room as they went back to dancing all around us.

"Edith, come" My father said, leaning down to speak with me over the sounds of music and laughter, and I looked up with a nod. We made our way through the crowd to a table near the front, where men sat lazily picking at their food or smiling at women around them.

"Prince of the Summer Courts, Thayer Elrod," Dad said, giving a shallow bow. Following his example, I gave a curtsy, hoping I would do Meva proud with how many times she made me practice before tonight. Lifting my head up only after being given permission, I took my first full look at him. My future husband - Prince of the Spring. I knew this wasn't the first time we had met - I knew I had spent time in Alrahel when I was younger. I just couldn't remember any of it. The only things I knew were things I had heard and read of the Fae, little snippets my dad had taught me about the Lore and History, I had read poems of their beauty but other than my father who was usually always glamoured I had never seen it up close before.

Thayer stood tall, towering over me as he stood from his seat. He had short, warm auburn colored hair that was left shaggy atop his head. He was clean shaved with a structured jaw and sharp features, and tanned skin. He wore a white jacket with matching pants, gold threads swirled their way around his legs and up his body with golden buttons marking their way up the jacket. I could feel the heat creep up my cheeks as he offered his hand, and I gave him mine gently. Thayer looked over to my father, showing a sly smile as he spoke to him.

"Reed, my friend, you have been hiding a true treasure from us here in Aelis, a daughter as beautiful as this," I blushed, trying my best to hide my face before he could see. It was a big, I thought. A dig at the fact that I hadn't been raised here. That we had left - I still didn't know why. If I was meant to be here, live here - Marry someone here, what sense did it make to leave?

"Edith Pehtala, it is a pleasure. Tell me, how are you enjoying the Summer Courts?" Thayers voice sounded more like bells than it did any man I've ever heard speak. His pink lips curled up into a smile, watching me closely with his green eyes as he delivered a small kiss to my hand before dropping it.

"I regret to say I haven't had much time to explore, Your Highness, but what I have seen has been beautiful. I'm grateful to call such a place my home." It took everything in me not to faint - the overwhelming feeling suffocating me. I was going to live here. This was going to be my palace - my banquet hall. I was going to have to order these servants. This would be where my wedding celebration was going to be held. If I were complaining to Anna, she'd tell me to suck it up. She'd tell me that I was living every little girls dream, but, to me, I only felt the noose tightening around my neck as I looked at Thayer.

He waved his hand in the air, as if dismissing me. "Oh, stop with the titles and formalities. You may call me Thayer, we are all friends here, are we not?" He asked, motioning to the festivities around. "I threw you a party not to be flattered with titles, but to welcome you home! Reed, what's this I hear of Edith not exploring her new land?"

My dad jerked his head over from the conversation he was in beside us, smiling. He seemed so happy to be back where he belonged. Where he grew up. Where he had expected to raise his daughter, live with his wife. Live forever.

"Ah, yes, yes. I regret she has not had much time. The journey here was tiring and she was going accustomed to the time difference, I didn't think to take her out."

"Well, then, I assume she's had plenty time to rest and acclimate. How would you like if I sent for you tomorrow, and gave you the grand tour?" Thayer asked, although I wasn't sure if the question needed an answer. Him being a prince, as well as my future husband, can I even say no? I looked up to my dad, who nodded me on. My marriage to Thayer, at one point, had been a political move in his favor. He wanted his position within the courts solidified - wanted to continue to be at the hand of the King. A pawn in his game, all for a position he ran away from in the end. I remember the conversations, the crying, the begging eyes he gave when he told me he regretted it. Not that it did us any good, none of it. He promised with his name, the same as with his life. If I refused, he would die. I couldn't lose him. I couldn't be that selfish - I couldn't afford to be. I swallowed the nervous lump in my throat and gave a excited nod, "I would greatly appreciate that, you are too kind."

"Nonsense, what kind of host would I be if I didn't give you a full welcome? Now, dear Edith, I'm feeling rather restless just standing here and watching the others have all the fun. Would you like to dance?" Thayer asked, extending a elegant hand, each finger adorned with rings. All but the one.

I let Thayer lead me out into the crowd, he rested a hand on the small of my back, and I almost blushed at the heat his hand pressed into my skin. Had I been human, dancing would be a death sentence. I can only dance a short time before I would be overcome, not able to stop until I dropped dead or they stopped the music. It was a way for the Fae to toy with humans, to humiliate and mock them. Looking at Thayer, I couldn't see a hint of attempting either one. He raised our hands up and waited for the lull of the current song to end and introduce a more temped song next. We moved along to the music, Thayer spinning me around and around. Dipping me, laughing as I did, not even knowing I was putting on a show. He was pointing to others around in the room or telling me where to look to laugh along with him. The entire room seemed to over flow with excitement and joy, everyone jumping and dancing, laughing, wide smiles that reached their eyes. I felt my breath hitch, watching everyone as they carried on while I thought, I will be spending the rest of my life here. I'll be able to visit Anna in the mortal realm from time to time, I won't be a prisoner here, but...This will still be my home. I'll have to get used to it sooner rather than later.

We were clapping to the tempo of the song, watching some young fae children dance in the room, throwing their arms up and giggling as they spun each other around when I could almost feel the ground shift beneath me. I was too busy watching the scene as if it were a movie - smiling faces all around me, the twirling of the dresses like jewels on a ring, everyone too busy to realize I couldn't breathe. I couldn't think. I couldn't do anything but watch everything from afar inside me, like I wasn't even here. Like my life was playing out in front of me, what it would be for the rest of their half-mortal years I would have. Laughter turned into orders to quiet, children were scooped from the floor and taken to the other side of the room. I looked over at Thayer, ready to ask what the issue was, what was wrong, when he grabbed my arm and tugged me away from the dancefloor. I almost ripped my arm away, almost asked him what he thought he was doing, but I remembered my fathers voice. Do not offend them. Be careful what you say, and how you say it.

I bit my tongue, still looking around for the source of the commotion, the reason for the halt of the festivities. The room that was once loud with music and laughter, was now as quiet as a funeral. Children were hiding behind skirts and under tables, but I still couldn't see the danger they were all afraid of. Thayer lead me over to my dad, who stood at the end of the table, keeping his eye on the door. They seemed to share a look that had another meaning as they nodded at each other. I was about to ask what was going on, but a booming voice came from the top of the stairs, almost making me jump out of my own skin.

"I suppose, dear brother, my invite was lost by the carriers?"

I snapped my head to the source, what all the fear was aimed at, what all the children were hiding from.

A tall man, probably an inch or so taller than Thayer, stood atop the stairs. He wore all black, the only contrast coming from the threads of silver and white looped in patterns along him that I couldn't make the shape of. Same structured face as Thayer, same sharp jaw and features, his eyes were a shade of blue, but unlike Thayer, he was pale and muscular, where most men of the Fae were lean and slender. He had black, shoulder length hair that was pulled up from his face, out of his eyes and showing off his pointed ears. He didn't look around the room, but had his eyes fixed on Thayer, who stood at the bottom of the stairs. He gave off such an arrogant air it made the tension in the room feel sharp as a knife. There was a moment of silence between the two, and no one in the room dared to break it. Thayer wore a harsh expression, so different from the smile that wrinkled his eyes a moment earlier while we were dancing.

"Silas, I had been hoping you'd come. Of course, you are always welcome into my courts, I had figured no such formality as an invite was necessary." He spoke confidently, not breaking under the pressure his brother - Silas - was pressing. Surrounding Silas was a group of different heights and colors of what I assumed to also be Fae. A tall, skinny man with long blonde hair, another who had short, brown hair and a scar that went along his brow to his jaw.

"I thought I would come grace you with my presence at the introduction of your future bride," He snapped, taking a step down the stairs. I flinched at the words - future bride. Another tightening on the imaginary noose around my neck. Although he had mentioned me, he didn't look my way. But I knew that he knew I was here. He knew where I stood.

I'd probably hide, too, if I had the option. My dad had a grip on my arm that felt as tight as an iron shackle. I'd laugh at the irony if it wasn't such an inappropriate time for it.

Giving a raised eyebrow down the stairs, Silas turned to a man at the top of the stairs, the same that had announced my arrival earlier.

"Introducing, His Highness of the Autumn Courts, Silas Elrod,"

As he made his way down the stairs, there was no clap welcoming him like everyone else. Each step down into the room felt like the thudding of a drum, as if he were some evil monster in a movie making his first move towards the hero. Thayer soon joined me again near my dad, and I tried to hide the curiosity in my face, but he saw straight through it. With a sigh, he motioned towards Silas as he and his people made their way to a seat.

"My brother, Prince of the Autumn Court. We do not always...See eye to eye, I suppose you could say. It makes some....Uneasy, nervous. There is no need to worry. He will not try anything here as long as everyone keeps their distance, and I trust they all will." Thayer gave a quick wink and my dad dropped his grip on me. Instinctively, I folded my hands in front of me, walking with Thayer as he guided me back towards the dancefloor.

"Back to the festivities! Lets all give a warm welcome to our new residents, shall we?" He beamed, and just like that, the party was back on. I thought it was odd - his own brother had said it, but not him. Had pointed out our arranged marriage, but he had yet to say it himself. Sweat beaded from his forehead as he lifted me up, joining everyone else in dance. We twirled around, hands joined, and I forgot where I was for a moment. My head felt heavy, like it would drop from the lack of oxygen to it. Crushing weight. I couldn't keep up, couldn't tell if the room was spinning or I was.

Just as we were spinning, just as I was turned to have Silas in my view, I dared to look up and meet his gaze that laid heavy onto me as I twirled through the air in the hands of his brother.

Meet his eyes.

It felt as though something in me snapped together, like something had clicked in my mind. I looked for a moment longer, curious, the longer I looked, the harder it was to turn my head away. A twirl that should have only lasted a second, seemed to slow in time as I watched him. All around, people up in the air, clapping, dancing, laughter, fell onto my deaf ears as they froze around us.

I could see his jaw tighten, his gloved hands turn into fists as he looked away from me to whisper something to the blonde man next to him. Just like that, the world regained its pace and I was turned back to Thayer, who was smiling and speaking to me, but I didn't register what words were being spoken. I tried looking around him, turning us over, so I could get another look at Silas, but when I succeeded, he was already gone.