The Fae King's Chosen

Chapter 2 - The King's Guard

Alessia stared at the man—Caelorn, he’d called himself—the name unfamiliar, yet fitting for someone who looked as though he’d stepped straight out of the pages of one of her fantasy novels. His golden eyes held hers, and despite the obvious tension in his stance, she sensed no malice.

Still, her instincts screamed at her to run.

But where would she go? The shimmering light that had pulled her into this world was gone, and the trees around her seemed to stretch endlessly into the misty distance. There was no familiar path to follow, no landmarks she recognized. Even the air tasted different, laced with an otherworldly energy that made her head spin.

“I... I don’t understand,” she finally managed, her voice shaking. “Where am I? Why are you—”

“You will have your answers soon,” Caelorn interrupted, his tone firm but not unkind. “But this is not the place for them. Ariysium is no longer safe, especially for one such as you.”

“One such as me?” Alessia echoed, bewildered.

Caelorn glanced at the other warriors who had silently gathered around them. They were all men. Alessia hadn’t noticed it at first, but now, as she took in the sight of them—tall, imposing figures with the same ethereal quality as Caelorn—it hit her. Where were the women? Not just here, but anywhere?

Her heart thudded in her chest as a new fear crept in. What kind of world was this? Was she in some place where women weren’t allowed outside? Or was something worse going on? The thought sent a chill down her spine, and suddenly, Caelorn’s warning—it’s not safe for you here—took on a much darker meaning.

She swallowed hard, looking back at Caelorn. “Why isn’t it safe? Am I... am I in danger?”

The man’s expression softened, though his golden eyes remained serious. “There are dangers in this world, yes. But the danger you face is not one you will face alone.”

That didn’t exactly comfort her.

He stepped forward, offering her his hand. “Come. The king will explain everything. This is not the place for those answers.”

Alessia hesitated, eyeing his outstretched hand. Every instinct told her not to trust these strangers—these beings who seemed both ancient and alien. But what choice did she have? If she stayed here, alone and lost, she didn’t know what would happen to her. The world of Ariysium already felt like it was teeming with dangers she couldn’t understand.

Slowly, she placed her hand in his.

The moment their skin touched, a strange warmth flooded through her, as if his very presence carried an energy of its own. His grip was firm, but not threatening. It was steady, like the trees around them, and for the first time since arriving in this strange place, Alessia felt a flicker of safety.

“Follow me,” he said softly, and with a nod to his men, they began to move.

The warriors formed a loose perimeter around her as they walked through the forest, their movements so silent and fluid that Alessia barely heard their footsteps on the forest floor. The path ahead of them seemed to shift with the light, the trees occasionally bending in ways that defied logic, their silver branches twisting toward the sky in impossibly intricate patterns.

As they moved deeper into the forest, Alessia’s mind raced. This can’t be real. It was the only thought that made sense. She had to be dreaming, or maybe she’d fallen down a ravine during her hike and knocked her head. Any moment now, she’d wake up in a hospital, with doctors explaining she’d had a terrible accident.

But every step she took felt real. The weight of her legs, the cool air on her skin, the rough texture of Caelorn’s hand against hers—it was all so tangible.

“I still don’t understand,” Alessia whispered, glancing up at Caelorn as they walked. “Why me? Why did I end up here?”

“The portal you came through...” Caelorn began, his golden eyes focused ahead. “It is one of many, though they rarely open without cause. The fact that you stepped through means something, though I cannot say what just yet.”

“But why me?” Alessia pressed, frustration bubbling up in her chest. “I’m just... I’m just an ordinary woman. There’s nothing special about me.”

Caelorn’s gaze flickered toward her, and for the briefest moment, something like amusement softened his expression. “I suspect you are far from ordinary.”

Alessia didn’t know how to respond to that. Her heart raced with a mix of confusion, fear, and disbelief. None of this makes sense. There were too many questions buzzing around in her head, but if what Caelorn said was true—that she would get her answers soon—she would wait. For now.

They walked in silence for what felt like hours, though time itself seemed to lose its meaning in this place. The air grew cooler, and the trees began to thin, revealing a wide, open expanse of land ahead. In the distance, Alessia could see towering spires made of the same iridescent silver as the trees, glistening in the pale light. It wasn’t until they crested a hill that she saw the full scope of the city below.

Her breath caught in her throat.

The city of Silvaris was unlike anything she had ever imagined. It sprawled across the valley like a dream, with buildings that shimmered in hues of silver, gold, and deep midnight blue. The structures were graceful, spiraling upward in delicate arcs, connected by bridges that hung suspended in the air like threads of gossamer. Waterfalls cascaded down from the mountains surrounding the city, their mist catching the light and creating rainbows that danced above the rooftops.

But what struck Alessia most was the sense of power that pulsed through the air. It was palpable, like a living thing, thrumming beneath the surface of the city and humming in her veins. She had never felt anything like it before, and the sensation both exhilarated and terrified her.

Caelorn glanced down at her, his golden eyes watching her reaction. “Silvaris,” he said quietly. “The heart of Ariysium and home of the fae.”

Fae. The word hit her like a jolt, sending a shiver down her spine. She had read about fae in countless books, heard the myths and legends. But standing here, staring at the shimmering city before her, Alessia realized those stories had only scratched the surface of the truth.

“What... what is this place?” she whispered, more to herself than to him.

“A world you do not yet understand,” Caelorn said, his voice low. “But you will soon.”

They continued down the hill, following a winding path that led them closer to the city gates. As they approached, Alessia could see fae—real fae—moving about the streets. They were all tall, their features sharp and striking, with eyes that gleamed in unnatural colors. Some glanced at her with curiosity, while others quickly averted their gaze.

But what struck Alessia most wasn’t just the beauty—it was the absence. As they approached, she realized with growing unease that the streets below were filled only with men. Not a single woman in sight. The same chill from before swept over her, and she couldn’t stop the thought from creeping back in.

“Where are all the women?” she whispered, more to herself than to Caelorn.

Caelorn didn’t respond, but the slight stiffening of his shoulders told her he had heard. There was something they weren’t telling her. Something important. And it made her stomach twist in knots.

As they descended the hill, Alessia’s anxiety grew. This is insane. None of this is real. But with every step closer to the city, the overwhelming sense that she had stepped into a world far beyond her understanding tightened its grip around her chest.

She wasn’t dreaming. This was real.

And she had no idea how to escape it.

The guards at the gates stepped aside as Caelorn and his men approached, offering them a respectful nod. Alessia swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest. She didn’t know what awaited her beyond those gates, but there was no turning back now.

The king was waiting.

They passed through the gates and into the heart of the city, where the streets were lined with strange, glowing flora and ornate statues that towered over them. The deeper they went, the more Alessia felt the weight of the city pressing down on her. It wasn’t oppressive, but it was... overwhelming. Every corner seemed to hum with energy, and her skin prickled with the sensation of being watched.

Finally, they reached the grand palace that sat at the center of Silvaris, its spires gleaming like starlight. The palace was even more magnificent up close, with intricate carvings that seemed to shimmer and shift as the light hit them. It was a building made of magic, and Alessia couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe as they approached.

Caelorn led her up the marble steps and through the massive double doors that opened into the palace’s great hall. The ceiling soared high above them, covered in swirling patterns of gold and silver that seemed to dance as they moved. Fae guards lined the walls, their eyes trained on Alessia as she entered.

At the far end of the hall, seated upon a throne of shimmering crystal, was a man.

Oberon, King of the Fae.

Caelorn stopped a few paces away from the throne and bowed deeply. Alessia scanned the towering figure on the throne. Oberon, the fae king, was unlike anyone she had ever seen. He was imposing, his dark hair a sharp contrast to his glowing eyes, and his presence filled the room with an almost suffocating intensity.

She forced herself to stand taller, even though her legs felt like jelly. Why was her heart racing? It wasn’t just fear. No, there was something else—a strange pull, as if the very air between them was charged.

When Oberon’s eyes met hers, she swallowed hard. There was a coldness in his gaze, but beneath it, something stirred. Curiosity? No... interest.

“You are the one from the prophecy,” Oberon said, his voice like thunder, his piercing gaze locked on hers.

Alessia’s throat tightened. She wanted to look away, but couldn’t. There was something in his eyes—something that held her there, rooted to the spot. She should be terrified of him, but all she could think was how commanding he was, how impossible it was to look away.

“You’re... not what I expected,” Oberon said, his voice quieter now, almost thoughtful.

Alessia’s heart skipped a beat. She didn’t know if that was meant as a compliment or a warning, but either way, the weight of his gaze made her chest tighten in a way that had nothing to do with the prophecy.