Earth Child (Romance Novels of The Fae Realm) (9 page)

            I stood under their silent and intent stares for what felt like an eternity.  If I cowed to their stares all my efforts would be for nothing.  They would never accept me for what I was.  So I met each one of their stares, taking the opportunity to study them as they were studying me.  There were four men and four women, each representing their tribes in their appearance.  The Earth tribe was dressed head to toe in greens and browns.  Her skin resembled the paper white of birch trees and her hair lay on her head like small green and yellow leaves.  As I stared at her she gave a small, almost imperceptible nod.  She approved.  I smiled in return and moved my gaze to the next council member.  He had to be from the Spring tribe.  Like the Earth tribe he was dressed in green as well, but pale and bright compared to the deep green of the Earth.  It was dotted with bright spots of color in asymmetrical lines across his chest and arms.  He had soft brown boots that stopped at his knees.  Sky blue skin shone through his shirt.  Shocking yellow hair crowned his head.  He looked like a meadow of wildflowers.  It was hard not to smile at him.  He was the head of Cerus’ tribe and they were so vastly different in appearance that it was hard to see where Cerus fit.  He was also unreadable.

            Sitting to his left was a short stout woman wrapped in frothy white cotton.  She looked like a cloud.  Her gray hair pushed into tight coils only adding to her roundness.  She may have been dressed in fluff, but her face and eyes were stern, hard and cold.  If she were to talk I’m sure the north wind would blow.  Trees may bend to the wind, but a mountain would not.  I stood firm and tall.  She looked to the Fae sitting by her side the same time I did.  Here was Fall.  Orange, red, yellow and brown silk rustled with each movement that he made.  It was as if leaves were shaking free.  I hoped that he would remain covered though and not bare all his assets, so to speak.  His hair was a stiff and brittle brown.  If I reached out and touched it I was sure that it would snap off like a bare branch.  Interestingly, he was barefoot, his feet rough and calloused.  He too nodded at me.  I had at least two friends here.

            On the other side of the table sat a red and sultry woman.  She had to be from the Fire tribe.  Tight Red leather hugged her curves, and a flowing red skirt, shimmered and flickered through red, blue, white, orange, yellow, like the color of flames as they ate at wood.  Her skin was bronze and glowing and her hair hung in long waves down her shoulders and back.  I flushed just looking at her.  She emanated heat and desire and I felt uncomfortable looking at her for long.  Sitting next to her was an equally desirable man.  Bronze sculpted muscles, bleached blonde hair, and slick and oily skin glistened in the bright light.  He was wearing next to nothing, just a simple and very short loin cloth.  He had to be Summer Fae.

            That left Water and Winter Fae.  The council member from Water tribe just looked – wet.  Sea green and draped in what looked like seaweed, she looked cold and a little miserable.  Dark, damp and limp hair framed her face.  Her skin was pale and her lips were slightly blue.  Lastly, I turned to stare at the Winter Fae.  He was as pale as Cerus, white as freshly fallen snow.  Even his eyes were a cool ice blue.  White hair, white skin, he was wrapped in thick white furs.  I wondered if he was hot.  After scrutinizing everyone I briefly made eye contact with each one again, then stood calmly waiting for them to address me.  It wasn’t much longer.

            “Alexa Kassabrov, do you know why you are here?” the Air Fae asked.

            I turned to face her more fully, “Not really.  I am the Earth Child.  The throne is rightfully mine and your doubt in me will only strengthen the Shadow Fae claims that I am unfit to be among you.”

            “Spoken like a true Mother,” the Earth Fae beamed.

            “More like an arrogant human Terrestria,” The Winter Fae disagreed.  Okay, one enemy located.

            “Oh Graupel, go suck an icicle.”  At this remark the Fire Fae laughed a deep and rich sound.  Either Terrestria’s comment or the Fire Fae’s laugh set off the tempers in the room.  Like a coiled spring, voices and shouts rose through the air.

            I stood strong through the maelstrom.  The Air Fae watched me, like she was hoping I would join in the outburst.  After a while she raised her hand, which immediately silenced the council room.

            “If you are the Earth Child you will be able to prove it” she remarked.

            “This is preposterous!  Zephyra, she looks exactly like Mother Crina” Terrestria argued.

            “I will admit that her resemblance to Mother Crina is striking, but we do not know if she has the strength to rule as Mother.  We do not know if she has command of the power.  I move for a demonstration.  All in favor?” Zephyra asked the collective group.

            “Aye” Graupel affirmed.

            “Aye” agreed the Fire Fae.

            Echoes of consent came from the remaining four Fae.  Majority rule.  I would have to demonstrate my powers to them.  The calm and strength that I had previously felt, faltered.  Rubbing my palms on my thighs I stood looking around, not really sure where to begin.  Cerus had told me that a true Mother can control all the powers of the eight Fae.  That meant I had to show them I could control all the elements as well as the turning of the seasons.  I quickly glanced between the faces of the gathered Fae.  I briefly saw Thorn standing behind the vine wall craning his head for a better view.  Finally my eyes landed on the deep brown of Terrestria’s.  She nodded her encouragement, her eyes never doubting me.  I knew what to do.

            Closing my eyes I centered myself, drawing on the power of the earth and nature around me.  Opening my eyes I looked to Terrestria.  Starting at my feet and slowly moving outward, the cool marble transformed into dark rich earth; the heavy mineral scent of it rising up and throughout the room.  She nodded to me once more.  I looked at the Spring Fae sitting next to her.  Tiny green shoots pushed through the earth at my feet.  Slowly flowers and grasses bloomed, carpeting the ground.  The vines surrounding the walls grew thicker and higher, their blooms giving of a heady fragrant scent.  Small animals and insects began flitting in and around the room; birds swooping down and around my head.  Once more I heard their thoughts in my head. 
Earth Child!  Earth Child!
 They seemed to exclaim with happiness.  He nodded his approval and I turned toward Zephyra.

            Summoning a small breeze I watched the leaves and the blossoms bend and sway.  The room became brighter and hotter as over us the sun shone brightly.  The grass began to wilt at my feet.  I increased the wind, rolling deep dark clouds overhead.  Suddenly thunder split the air and lightening cracked through the sky.  Thorn jumped from his hiding spot as lightening struck near his feet.  Smirking a little I let the clouds lose their heavy weight as fat drops of warm summer rain fell down on us, cooling the heated room.  The rain continued to fall and the wind turned from warm to cool.  One by one the flowers lost their petals.  Leaves curled on themselves and withered.  Their colors evolved from green to reds, oranges, yellows and the colors of fall.

I was beginning to tire, but I had to keep going.  The wind continued to howl and blow and soon the leaves were dropping, revealing a strong skeleton of finger like vines between the columns.  The rain slowed, and the wind continued to blow cold frigid air in the room.  Soon a blanket of white covered everything.  I looked at the faces of the Fae surrounding me.  Terrestria was smiling, the Spring, Summer, and Fall Fae were nodding their approval.  Graupel reluctantly nodded as he scooped a pile of snow off the table in front of him.  The Water Fae was inspecting a goblet of the rain water in front of her.  I reached out with my powers and froze the water solid.  Turning the goblet over it slid out and across the table.  Satisfied she nodded.  Zephyra’s tightly coiled hair was moving in the stiff and frigid winter wind.  I felt confident that I had passed their test; until I heard a deep and rich familiar laugh.  This time I recognized it for sarcasm and disdain.  I had forgotten about fire!

Frantic I looked around the room.  There was no fireplace or fire pit where I could manipulate flames.  What was I to do?  I knew that I had the power to control fire, but I had no way of proving that to the Terra Council.  Out of the corner of my eye I spotted my salvation.  The torches that were once blazing in their sconces were now sitting soggy and extinguished.  I stopped the snow, I calmed the wind and just as I felt the last of my energy leaving me I flared the torches to life, once more lighting the council chamber.  It was enough.  I let go of my powers and collapsed into the snow at my feet.

The room was quiet for what felt like an eternity.  I knelt, my arms at my sides and my head hanging low, completely exhausted.  The scraping of a chair being pushed back caused me to raise my head.  With blurry eyes I saw the round form of Zephyra gliding toward me.

            “Welcome home Earth Child” she bowed to me, then reaching out a hand to help me to my feet.  “Welcome back Mother Alexa.”

            Terrestria stood and rushed to my side, wrapping me in a warm embrace.  “I knew you could do it” she whispered in my ear.  Stepping back she gave a small little bow, “welcome Mother Alexa.”  I’m not sure if she sensed my fatigue, but she kept her arm around my back.  I was grateful for her support.

            Together the two women walked me to the large throne, elevated on a small dais.  I climbed the few steps and gratefully slid onto the oaken seat.  Now the remaining Fae stood and in one voice proclaimed, “Hail!  Mother Alexa!  Hail the return of the Earth Child!”

            There was no turning back now.

*          *          *          *

            I sat in the chair, propping my head in my hand.  The members of the Terra Council had been arguing for the last few hours over what the next step would be.  Exhausted from the stress of the summoning and the demonstration of my powers it was all I could do to stay awake.  Even the stars had gone to bed and the inky black sky was showing streaks of the first of the sun’s dawn rays.

            “My brothers and sisters, I believe this conversation should resume tomorrow” the Fall Fae announced to the council. 

            “I second that!” I intoned from my perch on the throne.  We all stood and began to go our separate ways.  I looked around a little lost, not sure where I should go or what I should do.

            Once more Thorn appeared out of the shadows.  “Follow me Mother Alexa.”  Indicating that he should lead the way I stepped down and fell into place behind him. 

            I had only taken a few steps when Terrestria looped her arm with mine and fell into step with me.  “Mother Alexa, I am so glad you’ve returned to us.”

            “Thank you?” I wasn’t sure how to respond.

            “I meant it when I said you looked like Mother Crina.  You have her eyes and her face.”

            “You knew my mother?” I was interested now, suddenly awake.

            “Of course, we were the best of friends.  She chose me for the Terra Council.  I was greatly saddened when I learned of her death.”

            “What was she like?”

            “She was kind to everyone, treating everyone the same.  She always had the answer and was able to stay calm in the most chaotic situations.  Her smile could light up the room.  She was very beautiful – like you.”

            “I’m not beautiful.” I argued, shaking my head.

            “Oh but you are!  You’re hair is deep and rich like the earth.  You’ll make a wonderful Mother.”

            “Thank you” I replied, this time in earnest.

            “We’ll talk more another time.  Good night Mother Alexa.” She said, placing a motherly kiss on my cheek, she turned down a side corridor and vanished into the night.

            It wasn’t long after that when Thorn came to a stop in front of a large and elaborately carved set of doors.  All of the Fae tribes were represented in the carving, a physical manifestation of the wonder and beauty found in nature and the Fae powers.  Thorn reached out and pulled the massive doors opened to reveal rich and elegantly furnished chambers.  There were two settees facing each other creating a comfortable conversation area.  A large desk squatted in the corner.  The same soft lanterns that lined the paths glowed in the corners lending a soft romantic light to the entire room.  A small fire pit was across from the sitting area, but was unlit in the pre-summer heat.

            “Good night Mother Alexa.” Thorn bowed and removed himself from the room.

            Turning around the room once more I noticed a small door nestled in the corner behind the desk.  Curious I walked toward it, reaching out to pull the latch and swing it open wide.  I stepped through and found myself in a small and cozy nursery.  There was a small crib, a rocking chair and a larger bed for an older child.  A wooden rocking horse sat untouched in the corner amongst other handcrafted toys.  A sudden sadness crept into my heart.  My mother never got to hold her child in this room, to rock them to sleep and lay them into the soft bedding in the crib.  I bowed my head and made a silent promise that someday a child’s laughter would ring through this room.  Closing the door behind me I once more entered the sitting room.  Directly across the room was a door that mirrored the one behind me.

            Crossing the room I opened the door and stepped into the master bedroom.  A large canopy bed sat square in the middle.  Carved into the stone on one side was a deep fireplace, swept clean of ashes and soot.  There was a small bathroom tucked in the corner.  Grateful for a chance to get clean I made a beeline for the marble sanctuary.  The tub was large and deep.  Large fluffy towels lined the shelves and bottles of scented oils were neatly arrayed along the edge.  It took me a moment to figure out how to fill it with water, but soon warm fragrant steam filled the air.  Stripping off my dirty jeans and t-shirt I sank into the warm water and let the heat relax my muscles, soaking away the stress until the water turned cold.