Page 8 of Lyric of Wind


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“Surely the king won’t stand on ceremony if there’s a war at hand,” Kellen said. Even the smallest of decisions warranted a critique from his father, and it took everything in Kellen’s power not to order the man back while he met with the king on his own. It wouldn’t do to start a confrontation with his father, not now, when so much more was at stake.

Had Devlin always been this way, or had it intensified when Kellen’s mother had died? It all blurred a bit, with the grief of his mother’s passing greying the edges of his memories, but a part of Kellen felt that the intensity of his father’s focus stemmed from Devlin’s inability to grieve the loss of his wife. It seemed he focused on what he could control, his son, rather than addressing his emotions. At least that’s what Kellen kept telling himself, as he reached for patience day after day with Devlin.

“Welcome to our home,” Kellen boomed, brushing Devlin aside when he saw the king standing by two Alicorns and a slew of royal guards. Next to him stood a slender woman with brown hair, a delighted smile creasing her delicate face. Though King Callum’s face was cut in hard edges when he surveyed his surroundings, his countenance instantly softened when he looked down to his wife. At his words, the two turned to him.

“I just can’t get over it,” Lily gushed, taking the lead, and stepping forward. His father let out a huff of surprise at his side, and Kellen was reminded how often Devlin had chaffed at his mother’s leadership. “Flying unicorns. I mean, they’re truly magickal, aren’t they?” The Alicorns shook their manes and stomped their feet, preening under her attention, and Kellen wondered if Lily knew that they understood her every word.

“We’re lucky to have them as our friends and our allies,” Kellen agreed, holding his hand out to Lily. “Not only are they incredibly powerful, but the Alicorns are a deeply honorable and ancient race. They carry strong magick and a love for flying. It’s a uniquely beneficial relationship, and I, for one, have a hard time staying out of the stables myself. It’s nice to meet you, Queen Lily. Even under such circumstances. I’m Kellen, leader of the Air Fae, and this is my father, Devlin.”

“Kellen. We met once, ages ago. Do you recall? The race at the Solstice Festival?” King Callum stepped forward, his arm automatically going around his wife’s shoulders, while he grinned amiably at Kellen. It took Kellen a moment to remember, for he’d been but a boy of ten or eleven at the time, and then he threw his head back and laughed. The Solstice Festival hosted a wide range of magickal competitions and rites for all ages, and Kellen and Callum had challenged each other in a race through the woods that had resulted in Kellen dunking Callum in the river.

“I’d forgotten,” Kellen admitted, warmth blooming. “You’ve dried out, I see?”

“Eventually. My pride still stings.” Callum shook his head, mocking embarrassment, and the two men shared a quiet chuckle over days passed.

“What are you two talking about?” Devlin demanded, a harsh edge to his tone, and King Callum shot Kellen’s father a questioning look. Kellen was used to it by now, as Devlin inserted himself into everything, but this time he felt compelled to put his father in his place. What they needed now was an alliance with the king that would protect not just the Air Fae, but all of the Elementals. The last thing he needed was to get off on the wrong foot with the king.

“Father, see to the Alicorns please. They’ve journeyed far with our friends here and will need special attention.”

Devlin’s mouth dropped open at the dismissal, a flush of red crossing his cheeks, but even he seemed to know when not to push it. With a curt nod, he turned away while Kellen gestured for Callum and Lily to follow him into the castle.

“I have to say, I continue to be astounded by the beauty of the Fae world,” Lily said, holding a hand to her chest as they strode through the arches of the castle and wound their way through a side corridor cut into the craggy rocks of the cliffs.

The castle itself was built in a unique fashion. Due to the nature of the magickal cliffs that the Air Fae had chosen as home, the topography didn’t allow for one large building in a singular spot. Instead, the main entrance of the castle broke off into an artery of passageways, leading to different rooms, wings, and outposts of the castle grounds tucked among the dips and crevices of the cliffs that spired into the sky. It made their castle particularly difficult to infiltrate, as royal guards could monitor the sky from all vantage points, and the labyrinth of tunnels burrowed through the cliffs would lead to confusion for anyone attempting to traverse the passages. Not Kellen, though. He’d grown up running through every tunnel in the kingdom, and soon navigating them had become as second nature to him as flying on the back of an Alicorn.

“We Fae are a fanciful lot, aren’t we? It’s a flair for the dramatic we have,” Kellen said, pointing at the ceiling of the tunnel where tiny fairy lights were embedded in the rocks. “How are you finding your adjustment to our world?”

“I think I just live in constant surprise and wonder,” Lily admitted with a soft laugh. “It’s a dream come true, and that’s the truth of it. That being said, I understand it’s not all fun and fairy tales. I’m…well, I’m nervous for the Fae. I worry about what the future will hold if Domnu gains a foothold. She’s ruthless.”

The Dark Goddess, Domnu, had systematically been working her way toward stealing the power back from the Elementals, determined that her dark army would rise up and rule both Fae and humans alike. It was no small feat for even a goddess, but it seemed Domnu was closer than ever to achieving her goal. Particularly now that she had their amulet. Kellen dearly hoped that this wouldn’t be the thing that shifted the balance in her favor.

“It’s right to be wary of her. She’ll never give up. Domnu has waited centuries for this and losing the Four Treasures was a crushing blow. Now she wants vengeance. She’s growing increasingly unpredictable.” Callum ducked his head through the doorway that Kellen indicated, and soon they were ensconced in Kellen’s private chamber, the same chamber where the amulet had been stolen. Attendants arrived immediately and set up refreshments on the side table while Lily wandered the room to marvel at the art. Only once they were alone did Kellen speak.

“I have troubling news to share,” Kellen said, clearing his throat. He hated having to be the first of the Elemental leaders to admit that they’d lost their amulet. But there was no way for him to hide the missing treasure from the king. His powers were now diminished, and it could put his people in jeopardy if he didn’t ask for extra protection. “Two days ago, the castle was infiltrated while I was on a flight. It was a dual-pronged attack. Both my best friend and my father were caught in harm’s way. We lost my friend, Alistair, and while I sought to protect him, my father lost the battle of protecting our amulet. It’s missing.” Kellen gestured to the empty safe behind them and both Callum and Lily turned to look at it.

“And this is why you called for me?” Callum asked, moving to the sideboard to pour a cup of tea for Lily. Kellen noted that Callum didn’t request the service of a servant, instead he saw to Lily’s comfort on his own.

“Yes, I’m sorry, but I had no other choice. I fear my people are in danger, and as I’m fairly new to the position, I worry that my reduced powers will not be enough to protect them. My people come first.”

“Admirable,” Callum said, nodding to Kellen before handing his wife a cup.

“This place doesn’t look like there was a battle,” Lily observed, her cheeks pinkening when they both looked at her. “Sorry, I shouldn’t interrupt.”

“Your insight is always welcome, my love. Remember, you outrank me,” Callum said, his tone mild, as he ran a finger across her cheek.

“Not really.” Lily rolled her eyes. “You’re the king. I’m just a human learning the ropes. Anyway, did you magick everything back to rights then?”

“My father says that is the way of it.” Kellen poured his own cup of tea and sat on a green silk armchair across from Lily.

“Convenient, isn’t it? Having magick to clean things up?” Lily mused.

“If Domnu has your amulet, the potential she has to control your people grows significantly. Unless your people are very loyal to you.” Callum measured Kellen with a look that had him inwardly cringing.

“To my mother, perhaps,” Kellen said, squeezing the bridge of his nose with his fingers. “Me? That’s a work in progress, I suppose. It’s been a difficult transition year. Their queen, my mother, well, she was deeply loved by all.”

“Yourself included,” Lily said, sympathy lacing her tone.

“Yes, myself included,” Kellen said, his shoulders drooping. “I miss her, terribly. And I’ve done my best to lead in her stead, but it’s sorely hard to grieve and be a leader at the same time.”

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