The Wayward Fae

Disappearing Fae

Thousands of years ago: 

Riana stood on the green hill overlooking the valley where, wolves, vampires, elves, and all the other factions were fighting amongst each other. A war that had been brewing for ages had finally come to pass. Riana, the Fae queen, had pulled her people back, refusing to take part in the fight. It was useless, stupid, and would only bring unwanted attention to their factions. The last thing any of them wanted was humans finding out about them. But standing, alone, watching the chaos, she thought she may be the only one still worried about that. They were not that far from the nearest human village, and she knew the sounds of war would soon reach them, and even though humans usually stay away from their side of the river, it was only a matter of time before their curiosity got the better of them. 

She turned her back on the chaos and looked out over her people, they were gathered on the other side of the hill. Her closest friend and ally, Marissa, walked closer and handed her her daughter, folded in a light blue blanket, her head covered with a baby pink, wool beany. Riana leaned down and kissed Riley's forehead lightly. Riana knew she had a decision to make, not only to keep her people safe but her daughter too. Riley was the first fire Fae since she herself was born. Riana knew that she had to do everything she could to make sure Riley had a safe, happy childhood. 

Riana saw Marissa flinch as a loud bang sounded on the other side of the hill. She gestured for her to follow and made her way to the center of her people. Looking around, making eye contact with as many as she could, she told them about her plan, offered them options, to either join her or join the war. A very few of them diverted to the fight, and the rest chose loyalty to their queen. 

They'd walked for days, searching for the right place, some were getting weary, wondering if they'd made the right choice. Some had turned back, leaving the search and going to join the war. Word had traveled to them that the war had reached a crescendo, and factions had started to divide to work on peace. But Riana knew that even with peace, her people, her daughter needed this safe place, far away from future problems. For, what felt like the hundredth time she stopped and ordered her guards to set up camp, it was dark and she could hear the ocean, they'd keep moving in the morning and hopefully find their home then. 

The next morning, she'd been woken up by Marissa, tapping her shoulder, and taking a sleeping Riley from her. She'd followed Marissa up the side of a hill, they'd ended up setting up camp, in what looked like a manmade hole in the hillside, it seemed like a giant had taken his fist and hit a hole in the ground. They'd walked up the hill and she'd stopped to stare at the view before her. Riana had known that they'd finally found a home.

Before them, was the ocean, starting off with the white from the waves hitting the shore, to the light blue of the water just before the waves formed, to the dark blue where the ocean got deep and dangerous. A long way off the shore, a huge piece of green land rose out of the ocean, there was no way to get to it, except by boat, but Riana and her Fae would change that. They would build a bridge and secure the surrounding waters, so no one, not even by boat, could get to them. She would cloak them, hide this beautiful place from not only humans but also all the other factions. This would be their sanctuary. This would be where her people thrived. 

And they did. They built their bridge, built their homes, a small city rose up on that green land. An invisible wall was erected by the fae, the water fae had made deals with the ocean and it swore to protect them, as long as they respected the water surrounding them. It transformed into a home, for so many of the fae, and later for those faes who came asking for and were granted sanctuary. The most visible place on that green land was the palace, small, but majestic, it stood proud and high, just like the queen who lived there. 

When the Gathering was formed, Riana had agreed to join, to be a part of the council that would for years and years protect the factions. Riana had agreed but had also refused to say where they were settled, traveling to the Gathering only when it was absolutely necessary. Her kingdom had grown over the years, and where only one stretch of land used to be, there were thirty by the time Amber had become Custos, and she'd finally found someone she trusted enough to allow entry into Termonn, the name meant sanctuary. 

Riley grew up, happy and safe, she'd made a friend, Avery, a good friend, who not only grounded Riley but tempered her wildfire. Together they caused mayhem, but they always ended up fixing what they broke or helping around the kingdom. They grew up, free, without burden, but Riana knew Riley was restless and wanted to explore the world beyond their safe kingdom. Riana always refused, always tried to keep her safe. When a request came from a faraway Fae King to join their kingdoms, by having his son marry Riley, Riana had asked her daughter. Riley had refused, and when Riana had tried to talk her down, she'd told her mother that she did not want a man, any man. Riana had explained that they needed the allies, that the day would one day come that the outside world would try and take their home from them, and having the support of the others would secure their safety. Riley had grudgingly agreed to do her royal duty.

Another few years later, when the wedding day was a few months away, the guards had rushed into the dining room where Riana ate with Marissa. They'd told her that the rock Fae had been found, knocked out at the gate and that Riley and Avery were missing. She'd ordered Gerald, her gate guard taken to the hospital, and had ordered guards to find the girls. Whoever had kidnapped them had to pay. Marissa, who had run to Riley's room, had come rushing back with a piece of paper. 

Please don't come after us. I just want these next few months of my freedom, spent with my friend and exploring what's out there. I know you will worry but I'll be fine. We both will. I will be back in time for the wedding, I promise. 

I love you

Riana had used curse words Marissa had never heard, then she'd turned to her head guard and ordered a search party to go and bring her wayward daughter home. It had been three days when they'd returned, empty-handed and with no clue where Riley and Avery were. Riana had known that she'd have to call in a favor, one that meant she'd have to allow a wolf into her sanctuary. She had to call Amber, and with Amber came the Silver Moon Alpha, Sam.