Beyond The Veil

Chapter 5

We walked down the hallway with free hanging Ivy, the King walked tall and graceful with his strides. He was much taller than me and his long legs were hard to keep up with.  

"Did Odessa mention to you about her passing wishes?" 

I raised a brow at his question. "No, she was always training me." 

"Of course, she was, she saw something in you." He said as he came to an abrupt stop. "Her wish was for you to take her place."  

I stopped, staring at the back of the king's head. "W-What? You mean on the High Court?" 

The king slightly turned his head. "Yes. Will that be a problem?" He asked, his tone was stern. I swallowed hard; how could she have not told me about this? The fact that she had done this behind my back, deciding my future for me made me clench my jaw but I just could not say no... 

"No." I forced the words threw my teeth. "It's not a problem..." 

"Good. Sense you will be in training still you will stay here, in the Castle." 

My eyes grew wide. "But...what about my parents?" 

The king stopped in his tracks. He slightly looked over his shoulder at me. "Your parents will be informed of the situation but for now you will stay here. Understood?" 

I wrapped my arms around my chest. This felt strange, Odessa had planned this as if she knew it was going to happen. Did my parents know as well and just did not tell me? Nothing made sense. "Yes, I understand." 

"You will have your own room; the continuation of your training will begin in the morning with Airell." 

My cheeks flushed. "Uh...Airell? He's teaching me from now on?" 

"Yes." 

I swallowed the lump in my throat. After him lying blatantly to his father about the dagger, I did not know if it was the best idea, but I had no choice in the matter. I followed the king to the upper level of the Castle. The staircase was a spiral that circled around a The Giant White Oak. The Oak that has fed off the land for centuries, it was a prized possession of Findara and our people. I reached out to touch its rough bark and instantly felt the life pulsating from the Giant Oak tree. I smiled, closing my eyes, and taking in the feel of the tree. 

"Amazing, isn't it?" 

The King's voice brought me back. "You've never seen the Oak Fae tree before, have you?" 

"No, this is my first time seeing it, but yes, it is amazing." I said turning back to the tree. All of this was so new to me. Findara itself was beautiful but on the inside of the castle felt like another world...a world I did not feel I belonged in. 

"You know what, I'm kind of tired can we just start back up tomorrow?" I said, they looked me up and down the slightly bowed his head.  

"First thing in the morning then. Your quarters are up these stairs at the very top. They should be done with it by now." And with that he left. I exhaled finally feeling like I could breathe normally. My head hurt, a lot happened today, and I had not had a chance to take it all in or, it was just me feeling like I did not belong because when I looked around everyone had a place. I never knew where my place was, that is why I hated that Odessa hate picked it for me when I never agreed to it. 

My life was being planned for me and I felt like I had no say. Is this what a princess felt like? Always told how to dress and what to eat, how to walk, how to breathe? It was exhausting and I was not even a princess. I started to inch my skin; it was turning scaley. I needed to get back into the water. I headed up the spiral staircase and there was only one door. A big red wood door with beautiful etchings engraved in it. I turned the knob and as I entered the room a breeze welcomed me. My eyes widened as I saw the unique room. It had a small lagoon in the middle of the room. A bed way bigger than mine and fancier. I closed the door behind me. 

There was a balcony that showed the orange and pink hues of the sunset dipping into the trees. I lost all thought looking at it. This is what it felt like to be in a huge castle and apart of the High Fae Court...but part of me could not help but want to be below, where all the other Fae were. Down there, it felt easier to be me, now I felt even more pressure to be perfect.  

I turned and slipped off my dress. I submerged myself into the lagoon, I could feel my skin soak in the water returning it to its natural form. Under water my skin shimmered like scales. I dipped my head back into the water drenching my hair. My ears were more prominent when my hair was soaked. I let out a relaxed sigh...then the door opened. 

"Emery, I hope you don't mind but-" Airell came through the door with a tray of fresh fruit and bread. I screamed. He saw me and his eyes went wide and a flush of red colored his cheeks. "OH-Oh I'm so sorry...I didn't uh, know you were-" 

"That is why you knock!" I shouted. My face was hot, and the tip of my ears were red. "Get out!" I shouted then raised my hand and water rose out of the lagoon, I let it drench him and the food, but it did the exact opposite of what I wanted. Instead of pushing him out it slammed the door behind Airell and left him in the room with me. 

I ran out of the lagoon before he could see me and grabbed a towel. "You did not have to drench me Emery..." Airell said as he sleeked back his hair. I peeked out around the corner and suddenly felt bad, I soaked Airell's clothes. 

"Y-You should have knocked..." I stuttered as I looked at him, his clothes stuck to his body like glue. I could see the outline of his muscles. My lower stomach tensed up, but I could not stop myself from looking at him. 

"Hand me a towel please." He said as he held out his hand. I grabbed one and threw it to him. "I was going to offer you food, but you soaked it as well..."  

"J-Just leave...I'm not hungry." I said as I grabbed a towel and wrapped it around myself. Once I heard the door close again, I slide down the wall. It was going to be very awkward training with him now...