Page 29 of Secret Origins
“We might need more than wishful thinking if we are to stop what’s coming.” After gnawing on my lower lip for a good minute, I sucked it up and said what I never thought would come out of my mouth. “I might have to go to Faerie to stop the annihilation of the human realm. They want my head, with or without the crown, and will stop at nothing to get it.”
“There might be another way.” Leave it to a Fae to give you a false hope.
18
Closing my eyes with a heavy sigh, I allowed my body to sink in the soft cushion of the armchair in the living room. Marius was sitting on the edge of the sofa as if his bony ass was on needles. His request for Fenrir to wipe his memories was shut down by the ass. I couldn’t understand Fenrir’s reasoning, but that was why we were there: to hear what the Fae thought was a good plan. The General leaned a shoulder on the wall refusing to sit down, and Fenrir paced.
It was making me dizzy.
I, on the other hand, had different plans and no intention of sharing them with the class. Male egos were for fools. My own ego might take a hit, but I’d rather continue breathing than have songs written about my prowess. Being outgunned was always a possibility in any battle. Being outsmarted was not, at least not if you played your cards right.
I had no intention of being easy prey.
“I should start from the beginning so we are all on the same page,” Fenrir decided as I watched him through heavy lids turn to face all of us like a teacher in front of a class. I snorted, making him flick a dirty look my way. Mimicking zipping my mouth with an invisible zipper, I even locked it and threw away the key. He didn’t appreciate the gesture, the ungrateful ass.
“Danu is the mother of us all.” I had to grind my teeth when I heard the name so I didn’t interrupt him again. “All Fae are known as Tuatha Dé Danann, or the children of Danu for that reason. She separated us into two courts to keep order. The children of Light or Seelie court, and the children of Darkness or Unseelie court. For long years, our people flourished and lived in abundance, until greed for power started corroding the courts.” When none of us said anything, he folded his hands at the small of his back and continued to pace the length of the room.
It should’ve looked ridiculous.
But it looked hot and only made me squirm.
“Fighting and assassinations became an everyday thing in Faerie, sons killing fathers and daughters murdering mothers to steal their gifts. You see, the Fae learned that if you take the life of one of our brethren, you can siphon their powers into your own. The ultimate power became a coveted state of being and wars were fought at alarming rate. That’s when one of Danu’s first daughters stood up to her mother and left the court of Light.” His gaze flicked to me, but I didn’t care how eager I looked. I was sitting ramrod straight at that point, soaking up each word coming from his mouth.
“Érenn walked away from her throne in the house of Seelie, many following right behind her refusing to kill or hate their kind for belonging to the Unseelie court. Soon after that, word spread that she made her own throne, the Courtless throne where all who didn’t want to take a side were welcomed. A neutral zone, accepting everything and everyone who wanted to live a peaceful life instead of fighting or dying for power.
“Danu was not happy to be disobeyed by one of her dearest daughters, but she left her child to do as she pleased, expecting for Érenn to eventually come to her senses. Years passed and the Courtless throne was staying out of the wars more and more. One day Danu faced her daughter determined to drag her back to her rightful place. In their battle Danu nearly killed her daughter, but out of nowhere, Delbáeth blocked her killing blow and protected Érenn with his body. A royal from the Unseelie court, a fire shaped, covered the Seelie royal to save her life instead of taking it. Furious, Danu left swearing to end both their lives and hit them where it would hurt the most. Afraid for Érenn’s life, Delbáeth hid them and no one has seen the Courtless Fae since, but they kept balance and order, striking at anyone who disturbed the power in Faerie when no one expected. All those joining the Courtless Throne followed them and it has been a legend ever since.” Those piercing eyes pinned me on the armchair. “Until today.”
“The bitch thinks I have a sister.” For some reason that came out of my mouth.
“Do you?”
“No.” With pursed lips, I leaned back in the chair to get rid of the kink in my back. “She thinks I do … I guess.”
After a deep breath, I told them everything that I saw when Marius was digging through my head. Fenrir looked a little green in the face when I mentioned the young girl who wasn’t a girl at all, but I pushed through because I wanted it to be over and done with it. I hated the wistful tone of my voice when I spoke of my parents, talking faster than normal just to finish it quicker. The softening of the General’s features didn’t help either, so I glared at him while talking to snap him out of it.
“She just popped into existence next to my mother. I’m not even sure it was a child, it just looked like one.”
“It could’ve been a number of Fae that joined the Courtless Throne coming to help her by taking your place.” Fenrir rubbed his chin, completely lost in thought.
“If this bitch is the mother of all, wouldn’t she know the difference?”
“From what I’ve heard of your father, he was a very smart male and determined to protect your mother at all costs. That’s what the stories say, anywa.” He shrugged, not realizing I was fighting tears. Damn, stupid emotions. “He would’ve been prepared for a situation like that.”
“My mother told him it was time. Not the other way around.”
“They worked together as a unit,” the General rasped before clearing his throat. “That’s what I took from everything you said tonight. You might’ve lost them before you had time with them, but they knew it and were prepared for it. You are still here thanks to their sacrifices.”
“Rub a salt in the wound why don’t ya.” I really hated the human at that moment. “Do you have a wife, General?” I knew the answer but asked just to be a jerk.
“Not anymore.” All emotions disappeared, leaving his face blank and stern. Thank fuck.
“Okay, so she killed my mother and took whatever it was that was pretending to be me.” The headache was returning so I pressed my fingers to my temples and massaged them. “Why come after me here if she had what she wanted? After that day, I haven’t stepped foot anywhere near Faerie.” Both hands dropped in my lap as I blew out a weary sigh. “I didn’t want the stupid crown or the stupid Throne that got my parents killed. I still don’t, but …”
“But?” Fenrir leaned forward eagerly, and I had to frown at him to get him to back off.
“I have every intention to kill the bitch and her cow.” My neck cracked loudly when I rolled it on my shoulders. “You can kill her, right?”
“Anything can die.” It was the General who answered. “You just have to find a way to do it.”
