Earth Child (Romance Novels of The Fae Realm) (14 page)

            “Alexa.  I pledge my life to you.  I pledge my heart to you.  Please do me the honor of becoming my wife.”

            Crying, not trusting myself to speak I nodded my head, laughing and smiling and he scooped me up and twirled me around the meadow.  Drunk with dizziness he put me on my feet.  Brushing the hair from my face he pulled me into his arms and kissed me for a long time before sliding an intricately knotted silver band onto my left hand.

            “I love you Cerus.”

            “I love you Alexa.”  Together we walked to the compound, separating only briefly as we prepared ourselves for the coronation and banquet.

            I entered my room to the familiar hustle and bustle of Cassia. She had drawn me a bath and was laying a pale blue gown on the bed.  Bathing quickly, she helped me to dress then sat me in front of the mirror to brush out my tangled hair and intricately braid it around my head.  Before too long a knock sounded on the door and Nancy peeked her head through before entering.

            “You look beautiful dear.”

            “Thank you mom.  Shall we go?”

            “Your father is waiting for us in the sitting room.”

            Turning we linked arms and left my bedroom.  Richard stood, whistling appreciatively at our appearance before offering his elbow.  Flanked by my parents we made our way to the ball room and the waiting ceremony.

            I entered the ballroom, kissing Richard and Nancy on both cheeks and made my way down the aisle to the front of the room.  There Terra Council was waiting for me.  I stopped just a few paces before them and deeply curtsied.  They in turn bowed.  Rising I climbed three steps to take my place in the center of the council, my elevated self signaling my status as their queen.  Zephyra climbed and placed the Earth crown on my head before stepping back down to her place.  Blaze climbed, and placed a scepter in my right hand, also stepping down to her place amongst the council.  I was to curtsy once more before taking my seat on the throne.  Hesitating I looked out among the gather fae.  I was their Mother.  By my birth it was my right to rule them.  However, it didn’t feel right.  Slowly, deliberately I descended until I was level with the council.

            “My brothers and sisters,” my voice rang out loud and clear, “I cannot accept this crown.”  Shocked gasps and sharp murmurs made their way across the room.  Speaking up a little louder I continued, “I cannot accept this crown unless it is to rule with you, not above you.  If we are to learn anything from the Shadow War it is that we are the most powerful when we are working together.  I am grateful to be here.  I am honored to be your Mother.” And with that I curtsied deeply.  One by one the fae of the council sunk to their knees.  Soon every fae was kneeling before me.  When I stood, the congregation stood.

            “Hail Mother Alexa!” Root exclaimed.

            “Hail Mother Alexa!” the fae replied.  Signaling to the guard my throne was lowered to be down among the crowd of fae.  I sat, the council sat, and the merriment began.

            Sometime during the night news of our engagement made its way through the crowd.  Tearfully Nancy embraced us both, giving us her blessing.  I saw Cerus shake hands with Richard and Sam give him a back pounding hug.  We would be married in one month’s time.  I assured Nancy that she would be allowed to attend.  It was my wedding and she was my mother after all.

            There was lots of feasting and dancing and toward the end of the night, in a quiet moment I found Sam sitting alone at the table.

            “Hey Sam.”

            “Hey Lex, or do I have to call you Mother Alexa?”

            “Oh please Sam.  I was Lex long before I was Mother Alexa.”

            “Good because I don’t think I could get used to bowing at you before we talked.”

            Smiling I lightly smacked him on the arm, “you punk.”

            He smiled back.  “So what now?  We missed graduation.  Well we missed walking for diploma’s at least.  I’m pretty sure I had enough credits already.”

            “Now I get married.  You go to college and we see each other during holidays.”

            “After what we’ve been through, college just seems a little overrated.”

            “I know what you mean” I laughed.

            “I think I’d like to travel.  See other parts of the United States, maybe Europe.”

            “Go to Romania for me.  Find my parent’s graves.”

            “I’d be honored to.”

            “I saw them you know.  When I was asleep.”

            “Oh really?”

            “Yeah.  They were together in a beautiful meadow surrounded by wildflowers.  They were happy.”

            “That’s cool Lex.  I’m sure you’ll see them again someday.”

            “Me too, when I’m old and gray and ready to die.  They’ll be waiting for me and we’ll be together in heaven.”

            “Or a meadow full of wildflowers.”

            “Isn’t that the same thing?”

            Cerus and I were married shortly after my coronation in a small intimate ceremony.  Just my parents, Grace and Sam were there.  Later there was a binding ceremony in front of all the Fae.  I was the queen after all so I had to include my people. 

            After the wedding Nancy and Richard returned home.  I promised them I would see them soon and I did, going home for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Balancing time between the human realm and the fae realm was becoming easier.  Especially since they knew where I was and I no longer had to lie to them.

            Sam surprised us all.  He announced that he and Ember, one of the Summer Fae were going on backpacking across Europe.  Apparently Ember had been in the rescue party that helped cut down Eolus and the others from their crosses.  The pair had been talking and exploring the woods together ever since.  I was happy for them both.

            It has been four years since the end of the Shadow War.  Once more Sam, Richard, Nancy, and the fae were gathered together in celebration.  I opened the door to the nursery and gazed at the perfect sleeping forms of my children.  A dark haired girl and a silver haired boy, Crina and Sebastian were named for the fae parents Cerus and I had lost.  One day they would rule the Fae together a new Mother Earth and Father Time.