Ch. 2

Everything is dark and uncomfortable. My arms are tied behind my back and it feels like my legs are bound too. I'm laying on something hard, and I feel something digging into my skin. "Where am I?"

Suddenly lightning bugs light up the room and blind me. Once I can see, I notice that I'm wrapped in thorny vines.

Two Fairy men come into the room, hover over me, and stare.

"Who are you?" I ask.

"That is what we would like to ask you." One says. He pulls out a knife made of wood. "I don't know how you seduced our King, but no Human can be a Fairy."

"I didn't seduce him, I swear. He chose me." I lean forward and the thorns dig into me more. The cool air makes the wounds sting. I try not to show my pain, but it's hard.

"Why? Tell me now!" He demands.

"I don't know. Why don't you ask him."

"You can't be Queen, only true Fairies can." He points the knife at me.

"Well, I can't change that, and neither can you."

This angers them both and they lunge at me. I am kicked, punched and they chop off my long dark hair. The one with the knife carves into my face, deep. "Now he will be disgusted with you, and throw you out like the trash you are."

After what feels like an eternity of beating and verbal abuse, the door bursts open.

Armored Fairies come through the door, knocking the two men down.

One of them comes over to me, concern in his eyes. "Queen Rose, are you alright?"

I try to speak, but the words won't come out.

"Sir, the vines are strangling her. You need to cut them quickly!"

I didn't realize I was struggling to breathe.

He cuts the vines and lifts me.

The men are dragged from the room. "You'll never be Queen! We will end your meaningless life, just wait!"

Everyone brings their attention back to me. "Are you alright?"

"Pain." That is all I could manage.

A tall figure appears in the doorway. It's Zeer, he looks so worried. "Rose, I'm so glad you're alright!"

Once he sees me close up, the blood drains from his face. "Take her to the Emergency Care Unit, now!"

"Sir!"

Next thing I know, we are flying through the air over a field of flowers.

The colors seem to blur together, and I feel light-headed.

"Stay awake okay?"

I try, but it's too strong for me to fight.

"Your Majesty, may I ask what happened? Her wounds are fairly extensive."

"Is she healed?"

"Yes. My blood doesn't seem to hurt her in any way. She is taking to it nicely. If I hadn't intervened the poison would've killed her."

Poison?

"For now, she is just paralyzed. That should wear off shortly, no need to worry."

"I'm glad you are my Advisor Alina. I don't know what I would do without you."

"Anything for you, your Majesty. What's our next move?"

"I want to move deeper into the forest. See if you can build a home there. We need to get away from the meadow. I don't know how much time we have left."

I hear the flutter of wings and then silence. I slowly open my eyes and see Zeer sitting next to me. I try to get his attention by moving my arm, but all I can manage is a finger at the moment.

He notices and gently rubs my hand. "I'm glad you're okay. You are a part of the Fairy race now, you have our blood. I've also decided that I like the name, Rose. I called you it earlier but you may not remember." He sighs.

I can see the worry in his eyes. But what is he hiding?

"Get your rest, you will need it for what's to come." He leaves the room.

I am left with my thoughts as I slowly regain my movement. Is something going to happen to the Fairies? Is it bad? My mind races as I have so many questions, and no answers.

"Queen Rose! Come quickly, the new home is finished!" Alina drags me by the wrist to a large tree near the middle of the forest. The trunk looks like branches twisted together, there are little openings with light shining through them. Are those windows?

The other Fairies fly to the tree quickly in excitement.

Once we get inside the whole place lights up. Branches are going across holding homes made of vines. Some are still made of flowers.

Alina takes me to the top of the tree, where Zeer awaits.

I politely wave at Zeer.

He flutters over to me. "Hello, my Queen. Are you feeling better?"

I nod. "Yes, my King. But I still have so many questions."

"Of course, we can speak after the celebration."

"Celebration"?

"We are celebrating our new Fairy Queen. Although it won't be official until after we get married." He pulls me in close and twirls me around. He guides me and addresses all the Fair folk. "Ladies and gentlefairies! It's been a long wait, but we finally have a home that can keep us safe. I am also very happy to announce that we will have a Fairy Queen by my side!"

The Fairies roar in excitement.

As the crowd dies down he addresses them again.

"There is also a rumor I would like to address. If some of you may not know, there is a rumor that my new Queen was once Human. I would like to put an end to this rumor and say that yes, she was once Human. I changed her myself."

There are whispers among the crowd.

"It was my decision and mine alone. I gave her my blood to help her be a true Fairy. Now, some of you may not like this and I understand. I have no intention of changing my mind, you may express your concerns after the celebration. Now, please enjoy yourselves and have fun!"

The crowd murmurs as the music pick up.

"Hey, you look like you need a drink," Alina says.

"Sorry, I can't. I'm not old enough to drink."

She gives me a confused look. "Is that a Human rule?"

I smile weakly. "Yeah, now that I think about it. What do Fairies drink anyway?"

"Mostly fruit juices, and sometimes the nectar from flowers. But that is what gets us drunk." She shows me her glass. "This is the nectar, would you like to try it?"

I shake my head. "No thanks, I'll just stick to my juice."

She shrugs and hands me a glass. "That's alright, we will have a few drinks at some point." She flutters off.

I hover awkwardly sipping the punch.

The other Fairies stare at me, but no one comes to speak with me.

I look around to find Zeer but don't see him anywhere. I flutter to the thrones sitting above the party.

My drink sits on the arm of the chair as I watch the party in full swing.

"What's your name?" A voice says beside me.

Startled I spill my drink all over my dress. "Oh!" It's surprisingly cold, but there isn't much I can do about it now.

"I'm sorry, your Majesty."

I look over to see a young Fairy child looking up at me with sad eyes. "It's alright young one. You just startled me, that's all. My name is Rose, what's your name?"

"I'm Lillian." Her cat-like eyes seem to stare directly into my soul.

I feel a shiver go up my spine. "That's a beautiful name. If I may ask, what made you come and see me tonight?"

"My mommy and daddy are scared of you. I don't think you look scary, are you? Are you going to hurt us?"

I couldn't control the shock on my face. "I have no intention of harming anyone or anything. I'd like to help in any way I can. I've loved everything nature-related my entire life."

"Okay." She flutters off without another word.

What the Hell was that?

"Well, that was interesting." Zeer comes up beside me.

"That's one way to put it. I was wondering where you went. I feel, rather out of place right now." I stand up and try to get the juice out of my dress.

"Let me help you with that."

Magic flows around me, turning the dress into a new one. It looks like it's made of gold, shimmering in the light. My back is bare with jeweled strings going across. Short sleeves cover my shoulder with jeweled tassels hanging off of the hem. With every move the fabric makes, the dress just seems to glow. My skirt fluffs out just enough to dance in.

I look up at Zeer, almost in tears. He pulls me in close, caressing my cheek. "Please don't cry." His voice is soft.

"I've never worn something this beautiful before." One tear manages to escape.

He gently wipes away the tear. "You can wear beautiful things whenever you want, my dear. Now, here's the finishing touch." He makes a gold crown and places it on my head. "Care to dance with me?"

"Yes."

He offers his hand and I take it.

We head to the dance space as the light goes dark.

"Ladies and gentle fairies, the King is now going to dance with our future Queen," Alina announces.

Glow bugs softly light up the area, giving it a romantic feel. The music starts up slowly as we dance to it.

He holds me close and it comforts me somehow.

"Thank you for dancing with me."

"Of course, you should've had someone come find me."

"How am I supposed to do that if no one wants to speak to me?" I say.

"They'll get used to you, but don't worry about that now." He pulls me to his chest. He holds me this way for the rest of the song.

Once it ends, we bow to each other and I kiss him. This seems to start whispers among the Fairies again, maybe good ones this time.

As we dance the night away, I push the thoughts out of my head.