The Court of Londaros

The court of londaros was a somber, elegant affair. As one of the oldest kingdoms in existence, the courtly ettiqutte could fill several libraries. Anyone who did not know the rules were ostracized and immediately ordered out of the ruler's presence.

Black damask lined in silver covered the stately halls, the Londarosi King sat on his throne, his black hair slicked back, the high collar reaching his beard. It was an imposing sight, the high dais with the somber king.

"His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Jasreth!" The court steward announced with a stiff bow. The court turned to look at the young prince who entered. There was something different about him, many felt the change in his demeanor.

He stood straighter, his blond hair cut short and swept back on his head to give him a more mature, sharper look. Before, many dismissed the boy as meek and spineless, but the way he carried himself now was much different.

"Father, Mother." The Prince bowed to the King and Queen.

The Queen did not acknowledge the greeting, but the King leaned forward, "You've healed?"

Jasreth nodded, "Through the care of the kind servants my royal mother has sent me." Jasreth did not mention that the servants tried to poison him, nor that they were all dead and buried in his dungeons. It was a game his mother liked to play with him often.

The Queen smiled coolly, "You are, after all, the crown prince and my son. Of course I would care for you."

"Mother, father!" Just then, a voice rang through the hall, and a youth with golden hair and a cherubic face rushed in, his eyes showed real pleasure when he spied his brother, "Brother!"

"You're back! I wanted to visit but mother said you need rest." Garoth, the second son of the King of Londaros threw himself at his brother. The queen's eyes grew colder, "Garoth, decorum." But there was a look of tenderness that was reserved for Garoth that Jasreth had never felt.

The courtiers looked onto Garoth with a smile as he gripped his brother's forearm.

Jasreth swallowed his distaste, smiled, gave his younger brother a hug, "Mother did it all for you, you must understand how she feels."

Garoth only grinned, "Now that you are back, Mother and Father has arranged a gift for you." He lead his older brother to the seats besides the throne.

The king chuckled, "Little Garoth can not keep a secret for the wealth of the world." He looked at his eldest son, "You are eighteen in three weeks, we have decided that you must have a queen and two royal mistresses."

Jasreth inclined his head, "I have heard nothing about this, Your Majesties."

"It is tradition. A Londarosi King must have a queen and two ladies to keep him company in case the Queen can not have children." The Queen said sharply, she glanced down at the king's remaining Mistress, "Your father will replace Lady Celia and choose a new Royal Mistress once the mourning period is over."

She raised a hand, "Bring in the ladies." She smiled, "My son, you must choose."

Three women sauntered into the court and there were whispers of excitement as they curtseyed deeply.

Jasreth stood and bowed deeply, "Apologies, ladies, I will not chose amongst you."

The Queen's smile dropped from her face.

Jasreth sighed, he had hoped that this woman would give him a few weeks of peace, "Mother I've already proposed to someone." He held up his hand and his signet ring was missing, there was an audible gasp in the chamber. The Queen's face drained of color, she pointed a shaking hand at her son, "You dare--"

"As the Crown Prince it is my right to pick my Queen." Jasreth said quietly. King Meric raised an eyebrow, since when did this son of his say no to his queen? The Queen was about to argue, but King Meric shook his head, "Bring the girl to court and we will judge for ourselves."

Prince Jasreth bowed, "As it pleases your majesty."

He turned to King Meric, "Father, I have seen the forces of The Lord of War and I want to be of help. While my half-brother is no more, I wish to prove myself."

The queen was about to argue but Jasreth continued, "There is no better candidate. Garoth is too young and I am of age."

King Meric looked at his eldest son with approval, and he nodded, "You are named Commander of the Raven Garrison. I will give you half a year's time, you must come up with a plan to push back the Dycathion forces." Jasreth bowed, "If I do, may I marry whom I wish?"

The King smiled, "If you do, I will grant it."

The prince bowed and left the chambers. The Queen's no longer smiled, her hands were gripped so tightly that her nails had sank into her flesh.

As Jasreth left, he called his personal steward over, "Have the head and the hands of her assassin sent back to the queen. It is time that she knows who she is truly dealing with." A cold, cruel smile played on Jasreth's lips as he headed back towards his home.

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The Dryad Village - Road to the City of Light

Cybelline sat by the fire as the newly healed children zoomed around on their healed wings. Illias was especially proud as he flew around the trees, leading the children to higher heights. A few adults yelled at them to be careful while the rest of the village looked on in relief.

There was hope for their children, they would not have to bury any more children this year.

A woman came over and handed them wine cups, she beamed at them, "You two make a handsome couple."

"No, we're not--" Cybelline said but a large arm came over her shoulders and Killian looked up, "Thank you for the wine." The woman, well into her fifties, blushed in looking at Killian's handsome face, made an awkward curtsey, and escaped.

"You're getting a bit too bold, lad." Cybelline said as she flicked his palm. Killian grinned, "But my lady, it seems to be working."

"Oh?" Cybelline raised an eyebrow, "So what's your plan this time? Shower me in jewels? Douse me with gold and pearls? Promise me that you'll give me your lands and titles?"

"I tried that and a few other courtly gestures, but alas, you rebuffed me." Killian said with a mocking bow, "So I'm trying something else."

"And what is that?" Cybelline asked curiously.

"Telling you the truth" Killian said quietly, "Proving to you with my honesty that I truly am yours."

Cybelline wanted to kick herself, damn her dratted tongue. She felt the flush on her face, "You are getting way too good at this."

She gently removed his hand, and gazed at the sight of the children, who laughed and danced in the fading sun.

Killian watched her, gazing at her as one does the moon.

"They look so happy don't they?" She said softly, almost as if to herself. Killian nodded, "Yes."

Cybelline drew her knees up to her chest, "When I was little I thought every child in the world was as happy as I was, until the day that I came to realize that I lived on borrowed time." She watched the sun set, "I want to protect the children, Killian, no matter if they are human and fae. I want them to grow up knowing how to laugh and not fearing to do it in the open."

She looked at him, "Would it really be so bad for humans to stop hunting the fae?"

Killian sighed, "My aunt once ordered that we kill fae on sight. But now, she says to kill those who dare to venture out of the Barrier Woods. I think she wants peace as well."

"And you?" Cybelline asked softly, "What do you want?"

"To be with you." Killian said and he cover her small hand with his large one. "I know I'm not good at this Cybelline, but all I'm asking is a chance."

Cybelline was silent for a moment and then she spoke, "But you hardly know me. Have you asked yourself who I am...and what I might be? What if you built someone up in your head, someone who you think you like. Perhaps you are in love with an idea."

"I know that you say what's on your mind. I know that you like candied walnuts and apples. I know that when you are deep in thought you tap your nose with your forefinger. I know that you care deeply for those who have no one else to care for them. And I know that you will protect those you love with your life." Killian said as he stared into her eyes.

Suddenly, he smiled the smile that was made especially for her. So deeply personal and deeply intimate that it made her heart jump to her throat.

His hand came to sweep a few stray hairs from her face. "And I know that no matter what you are or who you are, I want to be with you because you're you. I'm not in love with an idea, Cybelline, I'm in love with your spirit and your soul."

"And what if one day you find out that I am not what you think I am. What then?" Cybelline asked. She must stay strong. She must not be swayed by a boy who whispered love into her ears. But deep within, she knew with a sinking heart that this was different. He spoke of a love that was the forever kind. He promised to be her companion and hold her hand as they grew old. Two souls entwined together until they were one.

Cybelline felt as if she was on the edge of a cliff, if she fell now, there was no going back. She clung desperately to the last vestiges of reason and logic, things that she had lived by her entire life.

Killian looked into the fire, "I might be a fool in love, but I am not a fool." He grinned, "I promise that I'll recognize you every time. Even if you turn into a young thief, sneak into the palace and steal from me again."

She looked at him sharply and opened her mouth to ask what he meant, but a scream broke out in the midst of their conversation.

It was a bloodcurdling sound, and a figure in green captured the attention of the party.

Ganymede the Dyrad who had cursed at them earlier stood at the edge of the gathering. He held a staff in one hand, his eyes seemed to be a dark sickly green. He laughed and gripped a screaming young woman. He held the staff to her skin and in the blink of an eye, the staff and absorbed the young woman, her green life fading fast until she was one with the staff. The green of his magic seemed to pulse a brighter, sicklier green.

Three mages stood beside him their hands raised in a barrier, protecting Ganymede from attacks.

"Traitors!" Melas gasped, "How does he have that?"

Cybelline stood up, "What is it?"

"An ancient and powerful artifact, it is said to be crafted from the trunk of the World's Tree. It is the reason why this place exists, the reason why we were able to make that green potion. But there's something wrong with it, that is not the color of our magic!" Melas explained, his face pale, he cried to his people, "Run! Mages to me!"

"What mages?" Ganymede asked, he pointed to his staff, "All your other mages are dead. They decided to go against me. They have been absorbed already."

The villagers scattered, running in different directions, but Ganymede was faster, he had captured another person before they could escape, he held onto the back of their neck and laughed as they were absorbed by the staff.

Ganymede laughed, "Melas, you call us traitors? You bring in human scum to revive the half-breeds. You desecrate our homes with human companions."

In each of the mages hands held two struggling children, they cried in fear. The traitorous mages grinned in delight to watch the children struggle. Cybelline's eyes grew cold and murderous. She took a step forward, but Melas threw out a hand, "Run! I will hold him off."

"Will you? When you are no match for me?!" Ganymede cried a spell and Melas flew towards him, his neck now in the younger mage's grip, "Tonight you die, you all die. My brethren and I will sacrifice your blood for our new empire."

The three mages beside Ganymede spoke a spell and roots began to rise out of the ground, towards Cybelline and Killian.

Killian raised a hand, a barrier cut off the roots and stopped them ten feet away.

Cybelline turned to Killian, "I'll deal with the idiot with the staff. Can you protect the others from the mages?"

Killian smiled, "Go, I will protect your back."

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Author's note: Happy New Year! I hope everyone is having a wonderful first day of the year. To all my readers - I could not have done this without you, and I'm so glad for the comments and likes. I hope the year brings you joy, contentment, and prosperity. I hope that all the good things happen to you this year and that you are doing what you love. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for writing such beautiful, funny, and uplifting comments. You guys bring a smile to my face every time I get a notification.

I feel like I'm running a marathon with these chapters, especially since I know that when I go back to work it will be hard to update like the way I've been doing. I'm trying to write as much as possible without compromising on quality. As always, your feedback is appreciated!