Ember
Authors: Mindy Hayes
Table of Contents
Ember
A Faylinn Novel
Mindy Hayes
All rights reserved
No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage retrieval system, without prior written permission of the author except where permitted by law.
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
Published by Mindy Hayes
Cover image by Abbey Lane Photography
Cover design by Sarah Hansen of Okay Creations
To my mom, who used to draw me pictures and tell me stories of the woodland creatures in Finland. This book is for you.
Prologue
W
inter was upon us, and as the sun had just set, a bitter cold spread throughout the forest. I ran my hands up and down my arms to warm them against the brisk wind lashing my skin. He appeared from behind a tree, the moonlight shone on his face like a waterfall of gleaming mist. Startled, I lost my footing and fell to my knees.
He let out an irritated sigh and helped me to my feet. “Humans are so ungraceful. You should really attempt to work on that. After all this time one would think you would be an expert.”
I glared at him, but kept my mouth shut. I knew better than to talk back. Although, it wasn’t my fault that I couldn’t control this body like I wanted to. It might have been a few years, but my body still hadn’t completely adjusted. I knew it never would.
“What do you have for me?” he asked curtly.
“Calliope decided to go back to Faylinn despite the fact that Favner is dead. They left a few hours ago.”
He scowled. “Well that happened sooner than I anticipated. Why didn’t you prevent this?”
“There was no way for me to stop her,” I tried to explain. “With Kai and Declan watching her as closely as they do, there was no way I could have prevented it without being obvious. You told me to do whatever I could inconspicuously, but if there was any chance that I would be revealed that I should step back. I did all you asked. At least she survived.”
“Yes. That is what’s most important.” He brushed his long fingers along his chin, contemplating my answer. “We can still work with the timing.”
“What about me?” I’d been his puppet long enough. My job was finally done.
“Now, now. Let’s not be hasty. If my instincts are correct, there will be no way she will go long without going home. I need you to remain in place until that happens.”
“But we had a deal.”
Leveling his stare, he said, “And that deal is still in place until I get what I want. She will not last long without the guidance of her father. When she goes to him then you will have your reward.”
“That could be months. You expect me to wait longer?”
“You’ve waited for this for several years, a few more
months
won’t kill you.”
Chapter One
“
D
eclan, we have to be close, right? I feel like we should have been there already.”
It seemed like we had been leaping through the trees and over ravines for hours. It wasn’t that I was tired. Surprisingly, my stamina was still going strong, but the anticipation of seeing Faylinn for the first time was
agonizing
.
Declan chuckled. “Your senses are spot on.” He then shot down, out of sight. I stopped, nearly slamming into a trunk, then dropped to the forest floor after him.
He stood, grinning at me with his hands on his hips.
“A little warning would have been nice,” I said dryly. “That tree nearly took me out.”
“But it didn’t. You catch on quickly. Challenge is good every once in a while. You need to be aware of your body so you have an advantage if you need to make a quick getaway and lose someone hot on your wings.”
“Hot on my wings? As in, hot on my tail?” I raised an eyebrow.
His brow scrunched together. “Sure.” He offered another smile and nodded his head to the side. “C’mon. We’re here.”
I remained in place. “All I see are endless trees and valleys.”
“Of course that’s all you’d see. We have to go through the Hedge first.” Declan took another step and then was out of sight.
“Declan!”
Where the crap did he go?
I took a step forward, but nothing happened.
Then I saw Declan’s head bobbing in the air a couple feet ahead, looking at me expectantly. “You coming?” His arm outstretched toward me, floating above the ground.
“You look unnatural, just a floating head. I think I’m going to be sick.”
“Sorry.” He stepped all the way back out through the invisible barrier. “Sometimes I forget you aren’t used to all of this yet. Take my hand. I’ll guide you through.”
“That’s it?” My brow furrowed.
“That’s it.”
I extended my hand and he pulled me through what felt like water, but when we emerged on the other side I remained dry.
Whoa
. “And no one can get through that unless they are fae?”
He let go of my hand. “That’s right.”
We walked a few more feet and the tree density lessened. The sun sunk just beyond the horizon. Faylinn came more clearly into view, dusted with a blue haze.
My body froze.
The kingdom rolled in the hills of the valley for miles. They hadn’t disturbed the woodlands; they merely built around it, letting the nature be a part of their homes. Rich vines and moss crawled up the cottages, cloaking them in green, camouflaging them from the world. Perched in the limbs of the trees and scattered on the rolling grass, the chalets appeared to belong precisely where they were. It was beautiful, unlike anything I could have imagined.
“Welcome to Faylinn,” Declan said kindly.
Before I could respond, men dressed similarly to Declan and Kai, in natural-colored cut-offs and tunics or bare-chests, began dropping from limbs and emerging from behind trunks. Vines wound up their left arms. Every one of them was equipped with a bow and arrows as well as a sheath at their waist for their daggers.
Keepers
.
One stepped forward and knelt one knee to the ground. “Calliope, this is Dugal,” Declan introduced. “He’s head of the watch for this shift.”
“Your Highness.” Dugal bowed his head in respect.
“Nice to meet you.” I tried to smile to hide my embarrassment. When he didn’t get up and every Keeper began to drop to one knee, I couldn’t hold back the quiet chuckle forming in my throat.
“Declan, make them get up,” I whispered urgently.
He ducked his head near my ear. “Just say, ‘Thank you. You may all stand.’”
I repeated his words, and every Keeper stood tall once more, my eyes taking in the sea of colorful eyes staring back at me.
“It’s been a long journey,” Declan began. “I’m going to lead the Queen to her castle.”
“Yes, of course.” Dugal stepped out of the way, sweeping his arm to the side to let us pass.
As we walked by them, one by one they regarded me with a gentle nod. I mimicked the gesture, not knowing what else to do. Waving my hand to acknowledge them didn’t seem right.
I am so out of my league here.
When we were far enough away I hissed, “Oh my gosh, Declan. I realize I’m the Queen, but couldn’t you have simply referred to me as Calliope?”
“If you want me to call you that, I can do that. But when conversing with the rest of the fae, I suggest that you keep up with formalities so they know who is in charge.”
“But it makes me uncomfortable.”
“Well, that’s simply something you will have to get used to,” he stated without a hint of sympathy.
Okay, Kai.
I sighed heavily in defeat and followed his lead as we walked down the hillside into the valley. Balls of light sprinkled the trees and dotted the ground, like the lights on the floor of a dark movie theater, forming illuminated pathways.
“What’s creating the light?” I wondered aloud.
He tilted his head toward me and smiled. “Fireflies, of course.”
I chuckled.
Of course.
As we made our way through the land, one by one, vibrantly multicolored eyes found me. It wasn’t instant recognition, but when I was recognized, mouths hung open and eyes gaped. Some bowed, some nodded courteously, but everyone watched. As the word spread while we walked deeper into the heart of Faylinn, faeries came out of their homes just to see me walk by.
I wanted to ask what they were staring at. My heart sped and my stomach knotted over the realization that I wouldn’t leave until I became used to this. But the question was never asked because I knew. They all wanted to have a look at their new
rightful
heir to the throne. Apparently curiosity was a common trait in all living creatures.
Declan strode beside me with pride. I felt it in the way he walked and held his head high. He stood as a true protector. “It’s okay to acknowledge them, you know,” he murmured down to me.
“Yeah, I realize that,” I whispered back. “Right now I’m trying to find the will in me not to fall or faint.”
He chortled. “I understand. Just lift your hand in a small wave. You don’t even have to look at them.”
“As if that’s not completely rude.”
He gave me his arm. “I won’t let you fall.” I took it gratefully and did my best to nod at those we passed by.
A pair of indigo eyes met mine from a doorway in a giant hollowed out trunk, giving my heart a jolt. But when I looked into the face of the faery, they didn’t belong to the face I expected to see. It was a woman in his place. There was a twinkle in her eyes when she smiled and bowed. I offered my best smile, hoping it didn’t look like a grimace.
“I live up there.” Declan’s voice pulled me from her face as he pointed into the trees next to her house. High above the rest was a small hut perched in between a y-shaped trunk, cloaked in branches thick with leaves.
“You’ll have to give me a tour tomorrow.”
He chuckled. “I highly doubt there will be any time for that.”
“What? Why?”
“Calliope, you have a lot going on tomorrow. The first day of your reign is going to be a big celebration. You’ll be given the crown, and everyone is going to want the chance to meet you. Tomorrow will be reserved for the Dawning and a celebration. No one will work. The whole day will be dedicated to you.”
“Please tell me that’s a joke.” His facial expression didn’t change. “And what if I don’t want to? What if I don’t want a full day dedicated to me? Can’t they just put the crown on me and call it good?”
“It would be a tad disrespectful to tradition.”
I huffed a sigh.
We walked deeper into the heart of Faylinn and reached a grassy meadow. In the center of the pasture was the castle. Was it too much of an oxymoron to call it a quaint castle? The stone structure rose, captivating, above the village, but didn’t tower like a monstrosity. It was created to set itself apart from the other charming cottages, but not to diminish the beauty of the rest of the village.
Ivy crept up the six staggering towers—three on either side—and sprouted along the arched entrance. Little square windows circled the top of the hourglass-like towers, perfect for watching over Faylinn. Nature encompassed every crevasse and corner of the castle as though the structure was built around the trees.
“Welcome home.” Declan swept his hand in front of us, leading me toward the entry.
A tall man dressed in a khaki tunic and black britches stood to one side. “My Queen.” He deeply bowed.
“Hi,” I replied lamely.
“Let me introduce you to Evan,” Declan said. “He will be your personal advisor. Any guidance you need, he will be at your disposal.”