It was then that King Eirlys spoke, his voice calm and steady. "If this Sire is the one behind these kidnappings, we have more than just the Underground to worry about. This is a much larger issue. We'll need to act swiftly."
I shook my head violently. "You don't understand. He's the one who controls everything—everything that happens there. He's a monster. He—"
Before I could continue, something strange happened. I felt some kind of strange energy rise beside me, making the hair on my neck stand. I turned to look at Ember who seemed to suddenly be the source of this strange energy. He, who had been quietly observing, suddenly tensed. His amber eyes flickered in an almost unnatural way, like something had disturbed him. Aethera's gaze snapped to him, concern flashing across her face. "Ember?" she asked, but Ember did not respond immediately.
Then it happened.
Ember's body seemed to go rigid, his eyes rolling to the back of his head as though in a seizure.
Startled and worried, I leapt to his side to help him but Aethera stopped me.
"No! Don't touch him. It's okay."
Okay? Didn't she see what was happening?
His lips moved, the words coming out in a strange, trance-like cadence.
"When the blood of gods runs cold,
And the stars in the sky grow dim,
A child of shadow and light shall rise,
Bound by fate, the realms to mend or dim."
"Born of chaos, fractured and lost,
The soul shall seek the path it was meant to cross.
Three choices shall she make in time:
To heal, to break, or fall in line."
"Her weapon, forged in a god's own hand,
Shall guide her through the shifting sands.
In the dark, a bond awaits,
A love that heals, a love that breaks."
"The sun shall burn, the moon shall wane,
As she is torn by love and pain.
To save the realms, to watch them burn,
The child of prophecy must choose and learn."
"With the blood of gods upon her brow,
And the shadows creeping, she will vow:
To wield the power, or fall to dust,
In the fractured soul, she shall trust."
"The prophecy, now writ in flame,
The fractured soul shall rise to claim.
The realms will bend, the gods will fall,
In the fractured soul, the end or dawn for all."
The hell did I just witness?
The silence stretched on, heavy with the weight of Ember's trance and the words that had spilled from his lips. The room felt colder, though no one had moved. Even the natural light that had been streaming through the large windows seemed to dim, as if the very air itself had grown thick with uncertainty.
Aethera was the first to break the silence, her voice measured but filled with concern. "Ember, what is it?"
Ember blinked rapidly, his amber eyes coming into focus as he slowly came out of his trance. The strange energy dissipating as fast as it has come. He looked at the council members, his expression unreadable for a moment, before he finally spoke. "It was... the prophecy again," he said quietly, as though trying to make sense of it himself.
Aethera exchanged a quick glance with the others, her brow furrowing. "The prophecy? What prophecy?"
"The prophecy that has been known for centuries," Ember murmured, his voice heavy with the weight of something ancient and unyielding. "It has circulated through the courts for decades—the one that speaks of a fractured soul, bound in shadow and forged in pain." He paused, his gaze flicking briefly to mine. "But it's more than just words. It's a fate."
The subtle glance was fleeting, but it was enough to shift the room's energy. The royals honed in on the movement, the murmur of voices dying into silence once more. Their expressions transformed, skepticism giving way to curiosity, even calculation, as if they were piecing together a puzzle they hadn't fully understood until now.
The monarchs exchanged weighted glances, their thoughts hidden behind carefully crafted masks. Yet their gazes lingered on me, sharp and appraising, though none dared to speak the conclusion they were undoubtedly drawing.
Why are they staring at me? Surely, they didn't.....
Queen Solara, whose demeanor was as graceful as ever, leaned back in her chair, her fingers lightly resting on the armrests. "The prophecy speaks of someone… someone who's been hidden. Yet there's nothing to indicate that she's the one."
King Hesper leaned forward, his sharp eyes still studying me, but now there was a sharpness to his gaze that suggested suspicion. "And no weapon has chosen her yet," he pointed out, his voice skeptical. "And no one has been able to wield a weapon of the gods since the last war. That's the marker of the prophecy, isn't it?"
Aethera nodded slowly. "True. And without that marker, we cannot say for certain that she is the one referred to in the prophecy." She turned her gaze back to me, her expression softening just a fraction. "But Ember is a Seer. His trance... is not something we can ignore especially if it is a recurring prophecy."
Oh hell no.... This better be a joke.
"Now hold on. I have no idea what just happened but it definitely has nothing to do with me." I say desperately. I mean, what the hell even is a prophecy?
Queen Solara, her golden eyes watching me with careful scrutiny, continued like I hadn't even spoken. "We cannot be certain, not yet. The prophecy speaks of a weapon, and this girl does not possess one at this time. We must proceed with caution." Her voice, soft but commanding, held the weight of a ruler who had seen much and trusted little. Yet there was something in her gaze—an undercurrent of doubt, of something unspoken—that betrayed a quiet suspicion. The room felt like it was holding its breath.
I swallowed hard, my hands curling into fists on my lap. The uncertainty, the weight of their eyes, was almost suffocating. "I don't know about this prophecy or the weapon," I said, my voice steady despite the pounding in my chest. "All I know is that I was in the Underground. And I survived. That's all that matters. Whatever you're looking for, I'm not your answer. I'm just... me."
King Hesper raised an eyebrow. "You're right. You're not the answer. But you are part of something larger. That much we can see." His gaze flicked briefly to the others, then back to me. "What do you think, Aethera? Should we keep her close? For now?"
Aethera was silent for a moment, clearly weighing her options. "We don't have a choice," she said finally. "For better or worse, Jay's fate is now tied to the fate of the courts. We'll keep her under our watch, for now, and see what happens. But we cannot ignore what Ember's trance showed us. There's something more to her than just a survivor."
Ember nodded gravely, though his expression was still filled with confusion, as though even he wasn't entirely certain what had just happened. "The prophecy is... old. Its meaning is layered, hidden. But Jay..." His gaze shifted toward me, almost as though he were searching for something that wasn't there yet. "The threads of your fate are woven into this prophecy, bound to it in ways we don't yet understand. But I can feel it."
There was a long pause, and for a brief moment, I thought they might dismiss the whole thing as some strange coincidence. But then Eirlys, the Winter Court king, finally spoke. His voice was low, smooth, and carried the chill of his court with it. He had remained silent throughout the entire exchange, watching with an inscrutable expression. But now, his gaze shifted to me with a subtle interest.
"Until we have more answers, we should tread carefully," Eirlys said, his voice like ice. "The Wilds are growing more dangerous, and whatever this... prophecy involves, I sense it is tied to more than just the disappearances. We cannot afford to underestimate whatever force is at work." He turned his eyes to the other monarchs, his expression cool but firm. "And we should consider the possibility that Jay is part of something greater than we realize. Perhaps the prophecy speaks of something... yet to come."
His words, though measured, sent a ripple through the room. It was clear that Eirlys, too, had his suspicions. His cryptic tone, the slight emphasis on the word possibility—it wasn't lost on anyone.
Aethera nodded thoughtfully. "We'll proceed cautiously, then. Jay, We will need to learn more about your time in the Underground and the connections between your captors and the disappearances."
I didn't want to do that at all but I nodded.
King Hesper gave a sharp nod. "We'll see where this leads. But no matter what, we must prepare for what's to come. The realm is at risk, and whatever secrets lie hidden in the Underground may be the key to stopping the kidnappings. We cannot afford to fail."
The meeting moved forward from there, the monarchs discussing the strategic measures they would take to bolster their defenses, to investigate the Underground further, and to root out the source of the kidnappings. But I couldn't help but feel the weight of their attention, the lingering suspicion in their gazes.
They were watching me closely now. Waiting for me to reveal something, anything, that would confirm their suspicions.
I couldn't blame them. I didn't know what was happening either. But as I sat there, surrounded by the leaders of the courts, I couldn't shake the feeling that everything—everything—was shifting. And I had no idea whether I was about to be swept up in the storm or be the one to change its course.
I had tuned out their conversations already lost in my own thoughts when I felt the tension in the room shift, but not in the way I expected. The monarchs were no longer just studying me—they were arguing over me, and their voices clashed with the authority of their respective courts.
I looked between them, baffled as they argued. What?.....
The arguments were getting heated as the monarchs continued to bicker over where I belonged.
"I don't understand why this is still a debate," Queen Solara of the Summer Court said, her golden eyes flashing with impatience. Her voice was the very essence of warmth, her sun-kissed skin glowing, as though her very presence radiated light. "She's clearly of Summer-born stock. Her strength—her energy—screams water. She should be with us."
"That's nonsense," King Hesper of Autumn countered, leaning forward, the flames of his court burning brightly within him. His dark, fiery red hair matched the intensity of his gaze. "The girl's resilience, her connection to the raw, untamed force of nature… She's a child of Autumn. She would be better suited with us—our power over fire and air will serve her well."
"And yet," Queen Lirael of Spring added with an edge of quiet command, her pale green eyes scanning me intently. "Her presence has a certain earthiness to it—her resilience, her ability to stand firm under pressure. The Spring Court nurtures strength through growth, and she could become one of the greatest warriors if raised in our care."
Solana snorted, "You Spring fae are always so idealistic. The girl has Summer in her. Summer and Spring are not the same thing."
As the bickering escalated, my chest tightened. I didn't want to be anyone's prize. I wasn't some lost cause to be claimed.
Each monarch seemed to think their court would be the one best suited to harbor me. It was clear they saw me as a prize—a piece in their political chess game. But none of them understood what it felt like to survive in the dark for so long, to exist only to endure..
Aethera, who had been unusually quiet during this exchange, finally spoke, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "Enough."
The monarchs quieted, though their irritation was still palpable. Aethera turned to face them, her cold, commanding gaze settling over the room. "A person's loyalty is not a prize to be claimed or handed out," she continued, her voice a cold blade slicing through the air. "This girl has been through enough. We will not make a decision based on our whims or convenience."
"Then what do you propose?" Lirael's voice was tinged with frustration.
"I propose," Aethera said, her gaze now shifting toward me, "that Jay remain with the Elites. For now, at least."
The words sent a ripple of disagreement through the room. King Hesper of Autumn narrowed his eyes, clearly not pleased with the decision. But Aethera wasn't done.
"The Elite is neutral ground," Aethera said, her voice calm yet commanding. "A place where no court's influence holds sway. It's the only place where she can truly be free to discover her own path, without the constraints of court politics. Until we know more—until we can discern where her power truly lies—she will remain with us."
Solara leaned forward, her irritation unmistakable, her eyes flashing like a storm on the verge of breaking. "And what makes you think you can keep her, Aethera? She could very well be part of my court."
Aethera's gaze remained steady, her posture unwavering. "I said enough." The words, though quiet, carried an edge of finality that made even Solara hesitate. "She has shown no affinity for any court," Aethera continued, her tone firm. "The prophecy offers no clues about her allegiance, and no weapon has chosen her. Nor can one choose her unless she is part of the Elite."
Her gaze swept over the room, daring anyone to challenge her. "You all know this. She can only be claimed by a weapon as an Elite, and we will not make the mistake of forcing her into something she is not yet ready for."
After a moment, Eirlys, who had been quiet and watching silently from his seat, spoke. His voice was measured, low and almost dismissive yet there was an edge to it. "You're right, Aethera. I'll concede to that. There's too much uncertainty. Until we know more, she stays with the Elites." He was the last to speak, and though his voice lacked the fire of his counterparts, there was an undeniable chill to it—his ice-blue eyes, frosted with the cold of his domain, never left me as he spoke. "But do not forget, Aethera, the girl's potential could one day be the key to something greater than any of us realize."
I met his gaze, but said nothing. His words made my skin prickle, and I knew that there was more to this than they were letting on. But for now, I wasn't going to entertain any of their schemes
"Very well," Aethera said, her voice a sharp contrast to Eirlys's cold, "Jay will remain in Elite. The neutral ground is the best place for her to grow. Let us not waste any more time."
With that, the decision was made, and the monarchs gave their reluctant nods of agreement. There was still tension in the air, but it was clear that the matter had been settled, at least for now.
The words were agreed upon, though reluctantly. The room settled into an uneasy silence, but a tension lingered in the air. No one was completely satisfied, but for the time being, it seemed the decision was made.
I was to remain with Aethera and her warriors, at least for now.
Then, as if the universe was somehow listening to my thoughts, the conversation shifted again. As the strange quiet settled over the room, and Queen Lirael, the youngest of the monarchs, suddenly spoke up, her voice much lighter than before.
"Since we've decided on that," she said, a playful edge to her words, "It seems only fitting we honor Jay in the way all Fae children are honored when they come of age."
"A ball?" Solara's voice dripped with disbelief. "You're suggesting a ball?"
Lirael nodded, her green and silver hair shimmering in the dim light as she smiled. "Yes. It is tradition. Every Fae child, no matter their status, receives a ball upon reaching their coming of age. A celebration of their strength and their future. She looks like she is of age already. It wouldn't be fair to her if she has no ball."
Aethera's gaze softened as she looked at me. "We will make the arrangements. It's a custom for Fae, and perhaps… it will give you the opportunity to understand more about who you are, and where you might fit in the grand scheme of things."
I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach. A ball? What the fuck even is that? And why do I have a feeling they weren't referring to the round rubber object you kick for fun?
"We'll have it within the week," Hesper said, tapping his fingers rhythmically against the table. "A fitting occasion to show everyone her rise. It's the only way to mark her progress."
I swallowed hard. Mark her progress? Was that what they called it? Or was this just another one of their ways of asserting their dominance over me?
After a long pause, Aethera gave a brief nod, then stood. "The matter is settled. Jay remains with the Elites, and the ball will take place soon. I'll make the arrangements. This meeting is adjourned."
As the meeting is adjourned, the monarchs filed out one by one, their eyes lingering on me. I could feel their judgments, their gazes lingering on me. Each of them, in their own way, was still sizing me up. Testing me. Weighing my worth.
The uncertainty I felt deepened, and with it, the realization that nothing was going to be easy from here on out.