Love & War
Chapter 2

Illiana

The past is never truly gone, only forgotten. Except for the few who know the tale, ours has been forgotten as well. It was during my civil studies that I noticed certain odd laws my father, King Bartholomew Glenwood, put in place. For example; All Elven material is contraband and the handler will be charged with treason against the throne.

A little extreme, right? Then there is the fact I have never even seen an Elf in the Faerie Kingdom, but I have seen all other races of people. Healers, Dragon-kind, the Meridian, and even the odd magi here or there have been guests here. So why not the Elves?

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

My attention pulls from my thoughts and to the huge double doors of my bedroom.

“Princess Illiana, His majesty requests your presence in his study at once! I hear there’s a certain Dragon-kind Prince there as well!” One of the selkie maids giggles.

I cannot roll my eyes hard enough. What does he want now?

I stand from my desk chair and slip on my shoes. I stop in front of the full-length mirror by the door. Father demands perfection. Not a single hair is out of place and slouching is just unheard of. I run my fingers through my elbow-length blonde hair in an attempt to tame it before I straighten my gown. Jade green to bring out my eyes as my Nanny says. I adjust the enchanted golden cuff on my left upper arm and give myself another once over.

My father insists on the royal line wearing these absurd cuffs to protect our wings from harm. The Royal Faerie line has emerald green wings. They stand out in a crowd, which makes us easy targets. So with the cuffs on, our wings are as good as nonexistent.

With a nod of approval, I open the doors. Two maids bow as soon as the door opens. They are both adorned in the best pastel blue silks the kingdom had to offer. It shows their status as palace maids.

“Princess,” they say as they curtsy. The older selkie, Vivian, purses her lips.

“Are you going to get changed before seeing his majesty?”

“Is there something wrong with what I am wearing now?” I raise an eyebrow.

“It isn’t the most flattering gown, and the Crown Prince of the Dragon-kind had graced us with his presence today. Perhaps the burgundy gown he gifted you on his last visit?” Vivian rakes her eyes over me again.

Do I look that bad?

“That is more of a formal gown. I would hate to be overdressed in an informal setting. How embarrassing would that be?”

Vivian sighs before gesturing for me to go ahead of them. Sunlight pours through the tall windows lining the left side of the hallway onto the old paintings and bookshelves lining the right side. Thankfully Vivian replaces something else to do and walks away from me. I am not sure I can tolerate her much longer.

A few of the other selkie servants are cleaning the crystal chandeliers. As I walk by them they bow to me and continue with their chores. I smile at them and nod. As I make my way to my father’s study, I can feel the tension in the air. It is almost tangible. The tall double doors leading into his study are cracked open and I can see the Dragon-kind Prince, Trey, speaking with my father.

I wonder what he is doing here. God, why can he not just leave me alone!

I close my eyes and shake my head. I can feel the muscles in my back and neck tense up. Trey is tall, dark, and handsome but he is also arrogant, misogynistic, and a total narcissist. When the sun splashes his perfectly tanned skin, you can see small, reflective red scales in patches, almost shining. His onyx hair is tied back in a low braid that reaches his brown leather belt. His fiery brown eyes glow like burning embers. It looks like they are in a heated debate over only God knows what, and honestly, I do not particularly care.

My father looks regal in his older age. He is standing in front of a mahogany table that has parchment and scrolls sprawled all over the top of it. He is dressed in the finest azure silk robes with clear crystal buttons. He keeps his beard trimmed neatly to his face, and his hair waterfalls nearly to his waist. His jagged crystal crown is perched on top of his head. Whatever they are discussing is cut short by me pushing open the door and clearing my throat to make my presence known. My father presses his lips into a thin line as he looks over at me.

He shifts his weight to his left side and rolls his eyes. He is displeased by the intrusion. Trey smirks at me and kisses the top of my hand. I look blankly at him, concealing my disgust. There is just something about him that I cannot quite put my finger on. Something is not right and I do not like it. I step out of his reach once he lets my hand out of his grasp.

“Princess Illiana, you look as beautiful as the last time I saw you,” Trey smiles. He stands there oozing confidence with his shoulders back and chest out. I raise an eyebrow.

I cannot say that I feel the same, you silver-tongued lizard.

“Right, well, on to business,” the King coughs. “As you both know, my daughter, Illiana, has come of age to marry. Illiana, you will marry Prince Trey in two lunar cycles. The arrangements have been made, and this decision is final. Trey, you will be crowned as my successor, the new King, during the ceremony after you wed my dearest daughter as is the law.”

I open my mouth but close it, knowing it would not make a difference if I do say something. Prince Trey smirks at me again. I cringe.

Over my dead body. I would rather cut off my hair in disgrace! Blech!

“If that is all, father, I will be returning to my chambers. Good evening,” I say as I walk out of the study.

King Bartholomew audibly grunts in disapproval and turns his shoulder from me coldly. I can see Prince Trey and my father shaking hands like I am just another business transaction. Trey is grinning proudly.

I am not just a bargaining chip! Bastards!

Turning on my heel, I glance out of one of the large windows. My shoulders slouch. The garden is beautiful and the sprites are planting chrysanthemums of various colors for the fall. The different shades of blues, purples, yellows, and reds are dazzling. My eyebrows knit together.

I have to do something to get out of this and quickly.

I race to my bedroom passing selkies dusting the bookshelves and the pixies and sprites in the gardens, my mind going a million miles a minute.

I am not- no- I will not let this happen. I have to do something. Anything! Come on. Think!

I groan and throw myself onto my bed out of frustration, causing my pillows to bounce off the floor. I stare up at the ceiling and frown. The last time that lizard was here, he mocked my appearance. What did he say again? Oh right. I had the body of a prepubescent boy and the mentality of a loon because I had foolishly told him that I wanted to have an adventure or a romance like the storybooks. Just once. He laughed in my face. I had only just turned fifteen at that time and it shattered my self-confidence. Now three years later he wants to marry me? I think not.

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

“You may enter,” I say as I sit upright in my bed. I may be miserable, but I have an image I must maintain. An older selkie entered the room, looking down at her wrinkled hands. Nanny. She is the woman who raised me when my father cast me aside.

“Oh child, I’ve just heard the news,” she frowns looking up at me. She quickly shuts the door behind her and mutters a few inaudible words. The door frame glows a strange hue of pink for a split second before Nanny turns to face me again.

“Nanny? What are you doing?” I have a weird feeling in the pit of my stomach.

“I can’t let you wed him, Lia. There are things you don’t know. Things that are forbidden to be spoken of,” she says quietly as she sits beside me on my bed. She folds her hands in her lap and looks at the floor in front of her.

“What are you talking about? Forbidden by whom?” I place one of my hands on Nanny’s. Her greying hair brushes my hand as she turns her head to look at me.

“I can’t stand idly by as you’re set to marry that Dragon-kind prince. He is your half-brother, child. The King’s son.”

I feel the bile rise to my throat. My eyes have to be as wide as saucers because of the pain I see on Nanny’s face.

“I’m sorry- my what?” My voice goes into a higher pitch than I intend.

“Your half-brother. After he caused that blasted curse just before your mother died, he went on a trip to the other kingdoms. He just had a fit after receiving news that his firstborn was a female. He had a secret child with the Dragon-Kind Queen. A right nasty woman.”

I feel dizzy. “Curse? What curse?”

“The one on the Elven people of course. After your mother chose to be with the Elven King rather than your father, he threatened all-out war. The Elven people were peaceful. They would’ve been destroyed. So your mother gave up her Elven King to save them all.”

“If mother went with father then what is the curse?”

“Oh, your mother pined for her lost love. It drove your father mad. When your mother fell pregnant with you, your father was convinced she would try to return to the Elf. He forced a powerful Magi to place a curse upon the Elven people and their lands. Evil being, your father is.”

A curse. A half-brother. A wedding that is not happening. I need to get out of this.

Knock

Knock

Knock

I look over to Nanny and press a finger to my lips.

“Yes?” I say calmly.

“M’Lady, King Glennwood is demanding your presence in his study at once.” I groan. Nanny gives me a you-better-behave look.

“Very well. I shall go,” I stand and frown.

I take a deep breath and walk to the door. I open it just enough to slip out then close it behind me. The selkie that came to get me is not Vivian.

Is she new?

She curtsies to me and gestures for me to walk ahead of her. I nod and begin the walk to Father’s study once more.

Please do not let him still be in there. There is absolutely no way I can tolerate seeing him again in such a short time.

I stop just short of the door to collect myself. Raising my chin, I knock twice on the door. I hear murmurings on the other side.

“You may enter.” I push the doors open and curtsy.

“You have requested my presence again, father?” I dare not meet his gaze.

“Yes. You should know how dear I hold my precious unicorns to me. I have received intelligence that those bumpkin Elves have a breed stronger than mine. I will not stand for it,” he said rubbing his temple.

“You have called me here over your unicorns, Father?” I raise an eyebrow.

You have got to be kidding me. Of all the ridiculous, trivial things.

“I have set up a political meeting between this kingdom and the Elves. I have called you to inform you that you must participate as the heiress of the fae kingdom. We leave tomorrow at dawn. And for the love of God, dress yourself to represent the fae kingdom. I will send your maid to assist you.” He says tapping his thumb on his desk.

“Yes Father,” I stare at the ground by my feet.

“Prince Trey will be accompanying us to see firsthand how to deal with the elvish bumpkins. You had best be on your best behavior, Illiana.”

I feel the bile rise in my throat. I force myself to choke it back down.

“Yes, Father.”

“You may leave.”

I cannot say I remember going back to my room, nor going to bed. My body seemed to just be going through the motions. Today is the day we meet with the Elven King, Gabriel Cottonwood, and his son Elliot. The tales I have heard of Elliot describe him as a ruthless monster. Ripping the wings of the backs of my people before scalping them.

Monster.

I roll over in my bed and bury my face in my pillow. Ugh.

“Wake up, child! I must get you ready for the meeting!” I hear a voice say followed by the clinking of the curtains being drawn.

“I do not wish to go, Nanny.”

“Now, Lia, you must. From what I’ve heard you are going to meet their crown prince!” She says excitedly yet in a hushed tone.

“Oh yes. Elliot the murderer. I am oh so pleased.” I roll my eyes then look over to nanny as I prop up on my elbows.

“Have you considered maybe he was defending himself? Or his land? I thought I raised you better than that, child.”

I feel a pang of guilt. I am judging him without meeting him. Maybe Nanny’s right. “I’m sorry Nanny.”

“Now sit up so I can brush your hair.”

Nanny has my hair brushed and my tightest corset on in no time. The only thing left is to select a gown fit for the Crown Princess of the Fae. Nanny has several dresses laying on my bed. They are all shades of reds, blues, and yellows. None of them seem quite right though.

“None of these will do. There must be more in the closet fit for the occasion.” I sit rubbing my neck. A strange look crosses Nanny’s face.

“Well, there is one gown. It belonged to your mother. If I remember correctly, it was a gift of goodwill from King Cottonwood himself.”

I raise an eyebrow. Oh? “Show it to me, please, Nanny.” I smile at her.

She bites her lip and nods before disappearing into the closet once more. I hear the snapping of clasps from an old chest and then hear rustling before she reemerges. She lays the most gorgeous dress I have ever seen before me. It is a deep purple with handcrafted copper vines around the bodice and bosom. It has a plunging V neckline and two straps that turn into copper vines as they cross over the shoulder. There are two slits in the dress-up to the waist, leaving one piece between to cover everything in between whilst walking.

This is perfect.

“This is the one, Nanny.” I smile confidently.

She nods and helps me into the gown. What I did not realize before dressing is my entire back is exposed. I flip my hair over my shoulder and walk to the mirror, the dress showing my legs as I walk.

It fits like a glove!

I turn around to see the back of the gown, pulling my hair over my left shoulder. The dip in the back of the dress ends at my lower back, exposing my birthmark.

The fae royalty all have the same birthmark on their bodies: the Leo constellation. Mine just so happens to be between my shoulder blades. I let my hair fall back in place.

“Come, Lia. I must place your tiara,” Nanny gestures to the chair sitting behind my writing desk. I oblige and sit.

“Why did the Elvish King give this dress to my mother?” I ask trying my hardest to keep my head still as nanny tucks and pins the tiara in place.

“Because he loved your mother, child. He loved her more than the sun.”

What?

“I see.”

“I’m done now. Go have a look, Lia.”

I approach the mirror and hardly recognize myself. The dress suits my body, hugging every curve. The woven silver tiara with a single crystal bow down and meets at my forehead, the crystal dangling. The color compliments my skin tone and my eyes. Nanny pins my hair back around the tiara, causing my blonde hair to cascade down my back with only two strands on either side of my face.

I look beautiful.

I turn to Nanny and grin.

“You look beautiful, Lia. The picture of your mother, you are.”

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

I look to the door and then back to Nanny.

“Yes?”

“His majesty, the King has sent me to fetch you, Princess.”

“I will be out in a moment.”

I turn to look at Nanny who already has my cloak and slippers waiting for me. The slippers are copper and the cloak is jet black to cover the gown until I want to reveal it. I quickly put them on and go to the door.

To my surprise, Prince Trey stands where the selkie should have been.

“My, my. Little Illiana has grown up,” he says with a wicked smile.

“Leave me be. I do not wish to lower myself to the likes of you,” I glare at him. He laughs and grabs my upper arm through my cloak and tightens his grip. Pain shoots up my arm but I keep a straight face. He glares at me.

“Now now, my little fiancee, you had best behave. I would hate to mark up your pretty porcelain skin before our wedding night,” he licks his lips.

“Let me go. That hurts,” I glare at him again. He smiles at me with a look that I do not like.

“Oh, little fiancee, You will learn to enjoy the pain,” he laughs.

This freaking lizard!

Trey lets my arm go after another tight squeeze. A warning squeeze. It is going to bruise.

“Come on. The King is awaiting our arrival. I would hate to be late on account of you.” Trey smirks down at me and walks ahead.

Maybe this dress isn’t such a great idea after all.

I follow Prince Trey to the carriages and stop just short of where my father stands. There are three carriages lined up behind him. Vivian comes from my left and stands beside my father and curtsies.

“All of the preparations are done. Prince Trey, you will be in the second carriage, and Princess, you in the third. Right this way, your Majesty,” she holds out her hand to my father to guide him to his carriage. Trey grabs my arm once more and bent down to my ear.

“If you embarrass me, I promise that you will live to regret it.” His breath is hot against my ear. I bite my tongue.

You can do this. He’s in a separate carriage.

I pull my arm out of his grasp and ignore him as he calls my name. I get into my carriage and lean my head against the far window.

How do I get out of this mess? There has to be a way. Any kind of way. What if I offended the Fae murderer enough that he kills me? That would fix my problems. I laugh to myself. Oh, if only I could be so lucky.

I feel a tear run down my cheek. The carriage ride is long and tedious. The closer we get to the Elven kingdom, the colder it becomes. I have too much weighing too heavily on my mind to even sleep through it. I sigh and look out of the window. The neutral meeting place. The cold wind whips against the side of the carriage.

It is essentially a large, overgrown field. I can see elven tents on the far side starting to be erected. The tents are red and orange with some green sprinkled in. I rub my eyes and look up at the sky. Dark clouds are rolling in.

Maybe it will rain and ruin this whole trivial thing. Of all the things to call a political meeting over. A pissing match of “mine is better than yours”.

I roll my eyes and the carriage comes to a halt. Soon after the door swings open, and, to my dismay, Prince Trey is standing there with his hand extended. I tense up as I am met with a sudden burst of cold air. I reluctantly place my hand in his and step out of the carriage.

“That’s a good little fiancee. Now if you continue to behave I will reward you,” he winks down to me.

My stomach churns. He squeezes my hand, practically dragging me through the field to where my father is standing with three men in front of him. The Elves. I have quite a hard time trying not to stare at the man in front of me. The very top of my head may come to his shoulder. He has tanned skin and hair that could easily be described as silver. It is a solid white with a blue tint when the sunlight peers through the clouds. His pointed ears peek through where his hair is braided back.

I can see the faint outline of scars going down his arms. He is the most beautiful man I think I have ever seen. I look up at his face again, except his time he is looking at me too. We lock eyes for a moment before I look to the ground. His eyes are hazel. More green than brown. And for a moment I could have sworn I saw flecks of amber.

“Servant. Here.”

I hear my father snap his fingers. A selkie man approaches him.

“You are now a footstool. On your hands and knees.”

The selkie man silently obeys.

King Gabriel looks at my father in disgust. Oh to be so bold. My father looks down on him and then over to me. “Your cloak. Now.”

My cloak?

“Yes, Father,” I say as I unclasp my cloak and pull it into my arms.

I slowly walk it over to him. He snatches it from my arm and covers the selkie man with it before stepping up onto his back. He stands tall, almost tall enough to look King Gabriel in the eye.

“I have received word that you have a new breed of unicorn. I will be frank. I want to breed one to one of mine. What would you like for it?”

“No,” King Gabriel rolls his eyes. “They are not to be bred.”

“I will give you gold. More than your weight.”

“No.”

“What about medicines?”

“Do I look ill to you? No,” King Gabriel crosses his arms in irritation.

“I will give you my daughter,” my father gestures over to me.

What did he just say? Give me to the Elven people for a unicorn?!

I look up to the man in front of me. He is glaring at my father with his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles are turning white. The tips of his ears begin turning red. I look back to the ground.

“We do not believe in trading our beloved children off like livestock to the slaughter on a whim. My answer remains. No,” he all but spits.

I feel the tears in my eyes as I tremble from the cold. I feel eyes on me again. I peek up and the man across from me is staring at me with... Sympathy? What? King Gabriel turns on his heel, leaving my father standing there fuming. He looks over his shoulder at me and gives me a sad smile.

The elves are showing me sympathy?

“Come now, Elliot,” King Gabriel says looking over to the man who is in front of me. “There is nothing we can do for her, my son.”

Elliot dips his head slightly. I remain in my spot until I feel a tap on my shoulder.

“Come little fiancee. I cannot have you showing that ugly blemish to everyone,” he says, gesturing to arm.

There is a handprint-shaped bruise forming from where he grabbed my arm earlier. It is a deep shade of blue already.

“Okay,” I sigh and walk beside him back to the carriages.

I stay in my carriage alone while the guards, my father, and Prince Trey all sit in lavish tents getting drunk on aged wine and fermented apples. By the time the sun sets, I cannot hear their laughs or obscene comments about me anymore.

I have to get away from here. What if I run away? But where would I go? My father has his spies everywhere. There is nowhere I could go that he couldn’t reach me. Unless...

I look over to where the elven tents stand.

If they help me, I could escape. No wedding. No incest. No more abuse. Would I be free?

Before I can talk myself out of it, I quietly climb out of the carriage. I tremble as the air around me seemingly grows colder somehow. If I make it by these tents, I have a straight shot to freedom.

My carriage is parked directly behind my father’s tent. I quietly maneuver around without making a sound. I peek around the edge of the tent and see all of the men are passed out around a grand bonfire with my father at the point of the formation.

Now is my chance!

I turn on my heel and take off into a dead sprint across the kingdom border. The closest tent to me is facing in my direction so that one is my goal. That tent. I run as fast as my legs can carry me, not caring that the half-dead grass is cutting my legs in a zigzag pattern. When I finally reach the tent I stop for a moment to catch my breath and collect myself. Once I feel I can calm my breathing I enter the tent.

It is a tent made of some kind of animal hide. It is warm inside. There is a small fire in the center and a sleeping bag of some sort over to the side. Directly across from me sits Prince Elliot of the Elven Kingdom. He is sitting on a stool sharpening his sword with some kind of rock. His scarred torso is exposed. Pale scars crisscross against his sun-kissed skin. I feel a blush rise to my cheeks.

“Prince Elliot. Please, pardon my intrusion. May I be granted an audience with you?” I hear my heart hammering in my ears. He stops sharpening his sword and stands, his sword still in his hand. I gulp.

“You may, Princess.”

His deep voice surprises me. I look up at him. The flames from the fire in front of him look like they are dancing on his skin.

“I need you to marry me,” I blurt out.

Immediately I regret my statement, but there is no going back now. This is the price of my freedom?