The Autumn Fairy of Ages Read online

  What was he doing here? He hadn’t even gotten a good handle on his own isle. For goodness sake, he’d left them without a king, just the new steward and his most trusted knights. And although his knights were men far wiser than he, Peter couldn’t help wondering…

  Whatever worry he had been about to mull over became lost in awe as the details of the King’s Isle came into clarity. And to think, his whole life had been spent only a three days’ voyage from this.

  The isle was too large to see everything, particularly as there were large hills in the center, but even from afar, he was sure he could see batches of color, a different set on each end.

  “Are those different…seasons or is it just me?” Katy whispered.

  Peter could only nod. The dark green of summer covered the western end with glistening beaches, fields of tall grass, and trees heavy with leaves. The southern tip, which they were fast approaching, had green as well, but it was lighter, and the foliage not so thick as in the west. Flowers of every color bobbed in the breeze. In the distance lay hills covered in blankets of white. Peter blinked again. Was that…snow?

  Everyone around them was silent as they continued to near the isle. They had been cut off from the other isles for so long that from what Peter could tell, most of his people had ceased to even wonder about the other isles. A number of his citizens even thought the Lairis Isles as a whole to be legend and nothing else. But here in front of them, with every kind of bird imaginable flying overhead and every color dotting the land, Peter felt as though he had never seen anything more real in his life.

  “Look at the palace!” Katy whispered. As she spoke, a small chorus of gasps went up from all around them.

  Peter followed her hand as she pointed over to the west side of the isle, to the part that looked most like summer. A palace stood in the distance. But the closer they got, the less it looked like a palace and the more it looked like a whole city of palaces. Towers in all colors of the rainbow rose up into the air and sparkled in the sunlight above. It was impossible to tell from the ship, but the main palace in the back looked to be at least twice the height of his own castle’s highest point, with flags flying from every pointed roof.

  Unfortunately, the silent wonder couldn’t last forever. As they neared the docks and a crowd became visible, Peter found his stomach once again in knots.

  “Captain?” he called out when he couldn’t stand the wait anymore. “How much longer?”

  “My apologies, Your Highness,” the captain said as he walked up. He put his hands behind his back, but Peter could still see him wringing them nervously. “I’ve never seen a mooring like theirs.”

  “So we’ve stopped completely?”

  “I don’t want to damage the ship, Sire.” The captain paused, chewing his dry lips as his white and black peppered brows knit together. “This is our only way home.”

  A sharp retort was on Peter’s tongue when he felt a gentle pressure on his arm. He looked down to see Katy smiling kindly at the captain.

  “I’m sure you’re doing everything you know how. Would you perhaps wish for us to ask for their assistance?”

  “And how will that look?” Peter whispered down to Katy as the captain nodded gratefully and fairly sprinted to order a rowboat to be prepared. “We haven’t even set foot on the isle.”

  “You didn’t even want to spend the whole month here, but we’ll stay even longer if the ship is damaged,” Katy whispered back. “I suggest we ask for help.” When he frowned at her, she gave him a wry smile. “We haven’t contacted anyone here in over four hundred years. I’m sure we’ll be left behind in more than just mooring.” She looked down at her dress and sighed as she smoothed down the skirt. Peter didn’t ask what that was about. He had the feeling he didn’t want to know.

  “I think she’s right, Sire,” Tomas added.

  “Of course you do,” Peter muttered as he glanced once again at the shore, where it seemed over a hundred humans and fairies alike had gathered to wait for them. Then he gestured at the captain. “Very well. Do what you need to.”

  As they began to prepare a rowboat, Peter looked with annoyance at the other ships already secured. They were at least twice the size of Peter’s. And this was the largest ship in his navy. His admirals would be hearing much about this when they got back. He’d been assured time and time again that their navy was ready for anything, even before his uncle had died. The other isles had never attacked the Third Isle, but until now, no one had been sure whether or not that might happen. Thank goodness, now that they were on speaking terms, it wouldn’t happen any time soon. At least, he hoped not.

  So much for a sophisticated entrance.

  Before they could even set the rowboat in the water however, a dozen fairies lifted and flew toward them. Katy drew in a quick breath, but the coil in Peter’s stomach tightened even more as they landed on his ship in a little group. The man at the front, one with a blue mark on his forehead, approached him slowly before giving perhaps the shallowest bow Peter had ever seen.

  “Your Highness,” he said in an unfamiliar accent, “my name is Boma.” His dark eyes brushed over Peter warily, then came to rest quite obviously on Katy. This time when he spoke, his voice was gentler. “We supposed from the delay that you needed help.”

  Katy saved Peter from having to form a polite response. “We do, thank you,” she said shyly. “Our captain is unfamiliar with your…mooring, and we shouldn’t like to damage anything in our attempt to come to shore.”

  The fairy crossed over to the main beam and ran his hand up and down the wood. His skin was similar in complexion to Katy’s, and his eyes were a deep brown with gold glinting from them whenever he turned toward the sun. His clothes were also unfamiliar. His sleeveless blue shirt shone like silk in the light, cut quite obviously to boast his thick arms. A bright green sash was wrapped tightly around his trim waist, and his pants were also made of the shiny blue material, but they were loose and wide around the legs, tied snugly again at the ankles. A curved sword was strapped to his side.

  “I haven’t seen a ship like this since my grandfather destroyed the last of his king’s old navy to make way for the new.”

  “Was that a long time ago?” Katy asked, her eyes the size of teacup saucers.

  “When I was a boy.” He turned and gestured to the other fairies behind him, and without a word, they fanned out and began to move sails, pull ropes, and maneuver in ways Peter hadn’t even known the ship could move.

  Less than twenty minutes later, the gangplank had been lowered and Peter and Katy were ready to step off the ship. As soon as they’d docked, the fairies had flown back to the shore, and all eyes were on Peter and Katy.

  Peter knew from his own etiquette training that royals were never supposed to touch in public unless dancing or offering an appropriate arm escort to supper. Anything more was a sign of vulnerability and weakness. But the moment Katy slipped her small hand into his, Peter knew there was no way he could let go. They weren’t merely the lost king and queen-to-be. She was a fairy raised by humans, and he was…well, other. Completely other. Etiquette could fall on its face in the mud for all he cared.

  A female fairy who looked to be in about her fifth decade with short silver hair cropped close to her head and dressed in a shimmering purple gown stepped forward and raised her hands. The marks on her forehead and arms were red, and her eyes were close to gray but not quite. Silver, perhaps?

  “Prince Peter of the Third Isle, and Clarisant of the Autumn. We have long awaited your return.”

  Peter tensed when he heard Katy’s given name. The last time he’d heard it was on Tearlach’s lips, after he’d tried to steal Katy’s memory and turn her affections toward him. But Katy simply nodded and smiled. Then she curtsied.

  “Thank you.”

  Peter wanted to set them straight, but suddenly, everyone’s eyes were on him, and a moment passed before Peter could remember what to do. He was familiar with how to greet other princes and kings. The c
astle library had at least retained those books on etiquette rather than burning them with the rest of the information about the isle’s true history. But meeting fairies? He had no idea.

  Finally, he gave a half-bow.

  “Welcome to the King’s Isle,” the woman fairy said with another graceful nod. “I am Donella, head of the clans on the First Isle and chosen orator for the fae.”

  Whatever that meant, it sounded important.

  “We have been waiting for our lost son…” She turned to Katy with a sparkle in her eyes. “And daughter to return.”

  What did that mean? But Peter didn’t have time to mull it over. Another man, probably the age his father would have been, stepped forward and cleared his throat loudly.

  “And this,” she said, indicating to the man, “is King Ethemu of the First Isle, chosen orator of man.” Peter and Katy bowed and curtsied again, but the king, a tall, portly fellow with long white-flecked black hair and bushy eyebrows, looked less pleased than the fairy had. He also did not attempt to hide his leveled stare at Peter’s marked jaw, even through Peter’s attempt at a beard. He and Peter locked gazes for a long moment until Peter realized everyone was expecting him to speak.

  “We’re grateful for the invitation to return.” He sounded like a fool. But they were still waiting for more, all eyes, fairy and human, directly on him. Some leaned in, looking as though they might fall in their attempts to get closer. Others glared. And though he was loath to admit it, there were a good number that looked terrified. “And…thank you for the assistance in mooring the ship. It seems our technologies have greater differences than we anticipated.”

  “There is no need for an apology. You are young, and much has changed in four hundred years. Our ship workers will examine your vessel to see what they can repair during the summit. Now, if you would be so kind as to follow me.” She turned with a bounce in her step, her glittering robe sparkling as it floated behind her. Peter wondered if it was more natural for fairies to fly, or whether they generally walked as well. Katy couldn’t fly, though her wings seemed to be perfectly healthy. At least, as far as anyone on the Third Isle could tell. She had tried more than once and never gotten any higher than if she’d jumped.

  “We brought gifts,” Katy said, casting a hesitant glance behind them where the servants were unloading the countless trunks and bags.

  Donella’s smile widened and she gave a single nod. “Already so eager to please! Don’t worry yourselves or your servants about your things. The palace servants will care for them. You can tell your servants to return to the ship.” She glanced at Tomas and Firin Reaghan, who had come to stand just behind Peter. “Thank you for your assistance. Our palace guards can accompany us from here.”

  Tomas looked at Peter, his eyes fierce and questioning. Similarly, Gertrude, who stood behind Katy, looked as though someone had forced her to swallow a toad.

  “Tomas is my personal knight and friend,” Peter said. “I had hoped to rely on his counsel during our stay.” He did his best to look composed, but inside he already felt dizzy. They said nothing about going alone, Atharo, he thought.

  “We have an entire village at the foot of the palace that exists solely to serve,” Donella said, her voice smooth but firm. “You will have no want of personal servants, guards, valets, or maids. For now, it would be best if they would return to your isle. They can arrive a few days early at the end if they wish.” She spread her hands and shrugged. “I promise, it’s nothing personal. It’s simply the rules. None of the kings bring their envoys.” She looked back and motioned to one of the guards. The tallest of the group standing behind her, and far most imposing in his white uniform with a gold breastplate and gold weapons, stepped forward.

  “That’s what we have men like Captain Emory here for. He is in charge of the entire guard here on the King’s Isle and is allegiant to no one but Atharo himself.” She nodded to Captain Emory and he stepped back into his formation. “Thank you, Captain.”

  Peter wanted nothing more than to announce that this was a mistake and they were going home. He could make do without Tomas’s protection just fine, and leaving Gertrude behind filled him with more than a little vindictive glee. Tomas’s advice, however, was the main reason Peter had brought him along. Not that he suspected they would be in danger. Actually, they were probably safer here, Firin Reaghan had told him, than ever before as they repaired their broken bonds with the other isles. And yet…Peter couldn’t help feeling more than a little uneasy.

  The fear and pleading in Katy’s blue eyes as she looked up at him, however, was enough to stay his tongue. He took a deep breath. It was only a month. As long as they were together, that would be enough. Even more importantly, Atharo would be with them. Finally, Peter nodded.

  “Tomas,” he said, turning. “Perhaps you can oversee the repairs.” After a long look, Tomas stepped in for what looked like a friendly shoulder thump. But as he did, he leaned in to Peter’s ear.

  “I’ll delay the ship’s departure from the shipyard as long as I can. Send a smoke signal if you need me.”

  Peter briefly gripped his arm before as Tomas turned to lead an indignant Gertrude back up the gangplank.

  “We also have our own firin if you have need of spiritual advice,” Donella said, looking at Firin Reaghan.

  “You wouldn’t deny an old man the pleasure of seeing the birthplace of his faith, would you?” Firin Reaghan smiled.

  “He really has wanted to see this place his whole life,” Katy said. “He’s talked about it since I was a little girl.”

  Donella’s eyes narrowed slightly at the description of old, for despite his hair, which was more silver now than brown, Firin Reaghan was actually quite the definition of health.

  “Perhaps,” a man behind Donella said gently, “he could come as a guest.” He gestured to the crowd around them. “Guests are allowed from all the other isles.”

  “I’m aware of that,” Donella said in a low voice. “I thought we had simply agreed to keep their introduction simple.” She looked at King Ethemu. “What do you think?”

  King Ethemu grunted and shrugged. Donella rolled her eyes, but finally she nodded. “Very well, then. I suppose we can find a place in the castle for you.”

  The firin bowed. “I thank you.” He looked at Katy and gave her a little smile and nod. “Go have your fun. I’ll find you soon enough.”

  “Come.” Donella held her hands out toward them. “We have open carriages waiting to take us to the palace.” Her silver-gray eyes shone as she swept her arm out over the fields, hills, and valleys behind her. “I think you’re going to like this.”

  ***

  In spite of his determination to be skeptical, Peter couldn’t help falling in awe of the countryside as the long line of carriages were loaded and began to move up the road toward the distant castle.

  “I want to properly thank you,” Donella said as the carriage rolled along, “for delaying your coronation until after the summit.”

  “Is that customary for the other isles?” Peter asked. “To wait until after the summit to crown a new king?”

  “It is. We have several ceremonies for rhins here that will better explain—”

  “The cobblestones are precious gems!” Katy, who had been leaning over the edge, staring at the ground beneath them, looked up, her face glowing in the sunlight. Her eyes sparkled as she marveled. “And they’re all at least as wide as my hand!” Her brows puckered. “I thought they were outlawed!”

  “Outlawed!” Donella laughed. “Why in the isles would gems be outlawed?”

  Katy colored slightly. “Because they enhance magic.”

  “Ah.” Donella smiled and leaned closer. Her eyes danced as she spoke. “I think you will find, my dear, that here, magic is something to celebrate.”

  As the carriage rolled along, Peter could see Katy studying the carriages in front of and behind theirs. A small smile lit her face, and less than ten minutes later Katy had pulled her hair out of Gertrude�
��s intricate braids and shook it out around her. It took Peter a moment to realize what she must have realized upon studying the carriages around them. None of the other female fairies wore their hair in braids or even tied back at all.

  There in the direct light, with the strange and wonderful world behind her, hair glistening in the sun with its natural copper and gold streaks peeking through the brown and her blue eyes alight with wonder, Peter had never seen her so very beautiful. Or so inhuman.

  A strange, icy fear seized his heart as he watched her delight in the beauty around them. He’d worried about foreign affairs, acceptance, and shame. He’d even worried about what he might learn here that would change the way he saw the himself or the world…again. But now a sudden warning deep in his soul cautioned him that he would have to watch his step. Or he might lose his most important treasure of all.

  “Peter?”

  “What?” Peter sucked a breath in as Katy stared at him. Clearly, he had missed something. “I’m sorry, what was that?”

  Katy wrinkled her nose adorably and shook her head. “See? I told you this would be a good distraction for you. Donella just asked if you’ve brought your father’s sword with you.”

  “I have.” It never left his side.

  Donella smiled. “I’m very glad to hear that. What with the war and your absence for so long, the other rhins were concerned it might have been lost.”

  Peter watched her carefully. What did the other rhins want with his sword? Yes, it was certainly unique with its diamond-encrusted edges. But the other rhins had their own as well. Or at least, that’s what his uncle had told him.

  “Are these seasons we’re passing through?” Katy asked, interrupting whatever conversation Donella had been getting at. She had crossed over him to the other side of the carriage, curious as a child, leaning out over the carriage’s edge to see better. With every second, she seemed as though she belonged here more and more. The thought made Peter’s stomach ache.

  “An astute observation.” Donella leaned back and looked about them with an obvious pleasure. “We’re passing from Spring, where you docked, into Summer, where the palace is located on the west side of the isle.”