Dawn of Fire

Chapter 2

Clover

Talon's eyes had flashed dark and Aisling held her hand up covering the gasp on her face. Clover clenched her eyes shut and held out the letter for them to take. Talon snatched the letter reading at lightning speed. His lip curled flashing his fangs

“Who is the traitor? What does this mean?” he said, turning to Aisling.

She was deep in thought. There was silence in the cottage. It was a quaint and cute home for them all to live in. Unlike the humans the Fae didn't have electronics. They didn't like technology interfering with the beauty and nature of the world. They seemed almost primitive compared to humans. There were no phones, no plumbing, no cameras. They had paintings, books, and music. They had folklore to gather around and listen to. They had their teeth and claws to fight with. Swords and daggers, armor and wings. Humans had guns, they had so many technological advances that were superior to the Fae but they didn't give up.

Humans used to have so much more, but the Great War destroyed much of it. They had thieves and criminals. They had crooks and crooked people.

They tell stories of all they used to have. Things called planes allowed humans to sort of fly like the Fae. They had boats powered by things called engines that didn't rely on the wind and currents to get them where they were going. A lot of what they had was obliterated.

Now even though they have power and electricity and weapons of mass destruction, they were a primitive species. They were the ones living in a barren wasteland that was destroyed by bombs, chemicals, and human greed. Their crops died out and their food sources were scarce. If you weren't high up on the power chain, you didn't eat. The lower class starved and worked to death while the rich were sheltered in their fake sense of safety.

Their world was violent. It wasn't safe. The one tool they found that hurts us Fae and have used it to their advantage is Iron. They turned their bullets into Iron. Their weapons made to harm humans were now made to harm Fae.

If this letter that Clover received was any inclination to how the war against the humans was going, then it was certainly worse than she thought.

She looked around their home. The candles lighting the room, the windows big to let in light. The furniture that was handmade and bought in the town square from the hard-working people of their community brought her a sense of comfort. It wasn't the home she wanted, but it was the home she had.

She collapsed into the chair and stared into the fire burning in the fireplace. Fire was her father's magic. A magic she inherited but was not nearly as powerful as the man she looked up to. The man who raised her and loved her so much. It made her miss him so much. Miss his lessons, miss his smile, miss the way he would sit her on his shoulders while sitting on the throne.

She smiled wistfully thinking of the past. She looked around again, noticing all the plants and the colors of the flowers. Being a Fae with Elemental magic meant Clover could control and harness the elements. Air, water, earth, and fire.

Some of her skills were stronger than others. Clover was most comfortable working with fire, and earth and excelled in those strengths but could manage working with the wind and water when necessary. Her other talent was healing. Which came in handy with her current job.

In order to fit in more with society and blend in, Aisling and Clover started a school for the younger fae. Teaching them to fly, teaching them history, and anything they needed to be successful in their long lifetimes. Clover's job was teaching flight. She loved to be in the air. Feeling the wind kiss her skin. She felt at peace when her wings were carrying her amongst the clouds.

Seeing the joy on a child's face when they were able to learn to use their wings brought Clover so much joy. Though she was young herself, being around the children made her long for a family of her own. She longed to find her mate. The other half of her soul was granted to all Fae by the gods. Some fae never found their mates, some took chosen mates despite having someone who was made just for them.

Clover couldn't imagine ever taking someone besides her bonded. Her parents were goddesses given soul mates. The love that they had for one another was unmatched. Hundreds of years together and her father still looked at her mother like she was the sun.

Clover wrapped her wings around her like a warm blanket and sighed. She started tuning into Talon and Aislings conversation.

“The traitor could be anyone. I have my suspicions as I'm sure my sister does as well. But it would be wise not to make assumptions. This information is critical and dangerous. If my sister wishes us to stay in Tamarisk, then we stay. The war isn't letting up and it isn't slowing down. The danger grows nearer every day. I feel it in my bones. It won't be long before the humans show up on the borders here. King Cassius has sent many soldiers to Daramonds aid, but I fear it isn't enough and he can't leave his kingdom unprotected.”

Talon nods as if he agrees. His training as a protector gave him great insight into battle strategy. “I agree. I do worry that the worst is yet to come. I fear Daramond will fall. If Daramond fails, it's only a matter of time before the safe haven that is Tamarisk falls to the humans as well.”

Fear jolted Clover's body. If Tamarisk falls, what then. What would become of the Fae? Tamarisk was a peaceful kingdom.

Every kingdom had its pros and cons, but much like her homeland Tamarisk was strong. It was a kingdom built on equality and traditions. The Fae that hails from Tamarisk had much of the same magic as Daramonian Fae, but Tamarian Fae held the ability to Shift. It's God's way to even out the power.

Clover always was fascinated by the shifter Faes abilities. To be able to transform into an animal. They only had one specific animal that was an extension of their own self but not every Tamarian Fae could shift to an animal form. While she couldn't shift, she imagined everytime that she soared through the sky that she was a bird.

Clover rubbed her arms, trying to add warmth where the fear stole it from her. Talon, noticing her fear, more than likely feeling it through their bond, went to her side and knelt before her.

It was strange seeing such a big strong and stoic male such as Talon kneeling on the ground before her. Males did not kneel before anyone. It showed weakness. So to Clover, him kneeling before her was a sign of trust, a sign of respect.

He grabbed her hands and squeezed them tight.

“I vow to you, you will forever be safe with me. For as long as I breathe I will protect you.” he said with conviction.

“It's not just me that I fear for. It's all of us. For Fae as a whole. What if humans conquer us all? What if we fail?” Clover's voice was shaky and the further went on the faster she spoke.

“If it is the gods' wish that Humans be the dominant species then it will happen. But I have a feeling that the gods don't like the destruction they cause. The hatred and the death they spread wherever they touch. The gods favor life. They favor equality. They won't let greed win. There has to be a balance. Regardless of if we fail, I won't fail you. You are my future Queen. You are my priority.”

Clover sighed and bit her lip. She had a hard time controlling her filter and tended to speak her mind no matter if the time was right or not.

“That's no way to live, Talon. I don't want you to serve me for the rest of your life. I want you to live for you. I want you to find love. I want you to have a family. I want you to experience all that life has to offer. I want you to find your mate. I want you to have a child that I can spoil. I want so much for you, my friend.”

Clover heard a door close softly knowing that it was Aisling giving them privacy. They had had this conversation many times before and the end result was always the same but it didn't stop her wants. It didn't stop how Clover felt about the traditions and rules of the Monarchy and the High Court.

Talon sighed and pressed his head to hers. Their noses are touching. It was a sign of respect between the Fae. A way to say “I see you” and “I respect you” it was an intimate gesture between friends, family, and mates.

“Clover, we've been over this. I will always serve you. I will do so willingly despite the bond that was placed between us.” he started.

Every royal monarch had a protector, at least that was the law in Daramond. They are usually a bonded pair close in age or at birth. With Talon being 25 and Clover 22 they were the optimal pair. Fae children were scarce. It was hard to conceive. Many speculated it was the god's way to balance out the fact that Fae lived such long lives. Like Talon had said. There had to be balance.

“You know the law. I am your bound protector. I cannot have any distractions from protecting you. A mate and a family would be a distraction. You are my priority. You and any mate you take, and any offspring you have will be my priority. I would lay my life down for you. You are my dearest friend. I love you as if you were my own blood. Don't worry about me or my happiness. As long as you have air in your lungs, I am a happy male.”

“But that's not what I want…Talon you are so important to me. I wish the world for you. If only you could be my mate. I could you know. Take you as a mate” she stated and Talon backed up to get a read on her.

“Clover, you know the laws. Protectors cannot take a mate. But if it were possible, I would gladly take you as my mate. I may not love you in that way, but I have tremendous love for you. I would be the male you deserve. But that is not the way.”

“I could change it, you know. The law. I have that ability.” She said, smirking at him. He laughed and plucked her on the nose.

“Alright. The day you change those laws, if you have not found your mate. I shall be yours.”