Page 13 of The Light Falls
With a fierce frown, he ends the meeting quickly, and everyone immediately scatters. Except for Solandis, the other woman on the council, and me.
“Your Majesty. I’m Lady Estrella,” the red-haired woman states firmly, introducing herself. “Solandis.” In a surprising move, she leans forward and gives her a quick hug.
My eyebrows flash upward, and the woman laughs.
“Solandis and I have been friends since we were in the cradle,” Estrella informs me. “I’m sorry I couldn’t attend the coronation last night. The journey took longer than I expected.”
Solandis tilts her head and studies her friend. “Is everything okay?”
Estrella glances uneasily at me, but Solandis’ firm nod reassures her. “The fire drakes are causing a bit of trouble, but we’re negotiating with them. I was hoping Lord Camon’s proposal to give the Lesser Fae local positions was going to pass. It would go a long way to establishing some trust between us.”
Interesting. Solandis mentioned the fire drakes earlier when she was talking about the Fire Fae Rebellion.
“Estrella lives in the disputed land previously occupied by the phoenix. After the rebellion, her father, Lord Carlen, was given the right to govern the land, but he passed away. Lady Estrella now resides over it,” Solandis explains with a frown. “Do you think they’re gearing up for another rebellion?”
“No. Without the Phoenix, I don’t think they have enough of an army at their disposal for an outright rebellion. But they’re blocking trade routes, stealing livestock, and causing general mayhem,” she admits with a sigh. “Maybe we can ask Camon who his greatest opponents are and work to overcome some of their objections? We can’t be the only territory dealing with Lesser Fae issues.”
Solandis agrees. “The council is old and set in its ways. Maybe we can work from behind the scenes. Their mates might be of better use. A ladies’ luncheon. I can position it as an opportunity to meet the queen.”
“Brilliant,” Estrella remarks.
“Why are there so few ladies on the council?” I ask while I have them both here.
Estrella raises a single eyebrow toward Solandis.
“Nyssa,” Solandis inserts quietly. “She didn’t like most women. Over the years, she harassed and belittled the female council members until most of them handed the reins over to the men. The only two she allowed to remain is Estrella and me.”
“Maybe it’s time we changed the ratio,” I murmur. “Let’s also use the luncheon to see if any of the women would like to rejoin the council.”
CHAPTERSEVEN
MERI
I’ve been dying to see the Fae capital, Meira, for years. We heard so many rumors in the Underworld about the technologically advanced city, but few have visited. Cormal and Leandra are the only ones I know who have seen it. Apparently, you need a special invitation from an aristocratic Fae, or the queen, to enter its gates. Good thing I’ve got that covered.
Built over the last thousand years, it’s a living tribute to the inventions and advances the light Fae have made to their society. The evolution is quite similar to the modernization the human world went through during their industrial revolution.
The city is the perfect blend of science and magic. Sophisticated advances in Fae living with absolutely no smog, dirt, or crime. The light Fae have found ways to enjoy technology without experiencing the glitches of the past that used to happen whenever someone tried to implement human technology in a magical realm.
With Solandis occupied planning the luncheon, I decide to visit the city alone. I haven’t been anywhere without her since I arrived, so it feels really weird to leave her behind, but this is my new life. I can’t expect Solandis to stay forever. She believes Vargas will come back to her, and at some point, she’ll want to leave and be with him.
Kaius assigns three guards to go with me—Ansel, Laken, and Kian. Hmm. An auburn, blond, and brunette. It’s like getting Neapolitan ice cream. All the flavors. I grin. Even if I can’t flirt like I used to, I can still appreciate the fine view.
Laken holds the back door of a black SUV open for me. I slide in, and he follows. We discussed going via portal, but I haven’t been in a car in a long time, so I opted for this mode of transportation. I immediately roll the window all the way down, but Laken mutters something about security. With a sigh, I roll it back up.
Cars were one of the first things the Fae brought here from the human world. Getting them to work was a challenge, but the Fae came up with a solution. Instead of gas, they run on a combination of magic and a complex organic-based fuel. When they completed the project, they realized they could do so much more. It sparked the age of technological advancement, and the city of Meira was born. Besides a place to showcase their inventions, Meira provides a working environment for learning and testing new ideas. The city also has the light Fae’s first higher education school dedicated to the sciences.
I never went to school. Most Underworld children don’t. Cormal, a huge proponent of educating oneself, would bring in tutors for anyone who wanted to learn, no matter their age. I took advantage of it whenever Leandra gave me some freedom.
As we crest the next hill, the city comes into view. It’s so amazing; I’m almost speechless. Perched on the edge of a large river, it’s an amalgamation of nature and architecture—a huge white, gold, and green masterpiece. Buildings made of the purest white stone scale to impossible heights, some capped with a golden spire or dome. A waterfall flows from the center of the tallest building to a large pool at the bottom, where birds and other creatures can be seen flying and swimming around in it. There’s nothing flat about the city. Everything is built at different levels to emphasize the grandeur and scale of the modern white cityscape. There’s so much to see I can’t take it in with just one look.
Beautiful trees, meticulous lawns, and flowers are everywhere, softening the rather austere facades glinting in the bright noon sun. But the nature isn’t just decorative. It has a purpose. Each of the plants was chosen for specific reasons. Whether it’s the chemicals they release, the food or shelter they provide to the animals that live in the city, or as a way to harness the sun for energy. We pass by a building with plants meticulously stacked in between the stones. I must look puzzled, because Laken informs me they are air plants used to help purify the air.
Nature is at the forefront in a lot of the architectural designs too. Instead of linear or structured bridges, most of them have curved, fluid lines like those found in nature. Instead of city lights designed like steel posts, the Fae have used nature to disguise the electricity. Planted in the ground, lights are displayed in the shape of trees and bushes.
The city is spotless. No trash, graffiti, or dirt anywhere. Rolling down the window again, I ignore Laken to breathe in the city air. Flowers, plants, and food are the only things I smell. Nothing rank or obnoxious like most cities. It’s quite remarkable.
My stomach grumbles. We’ve been driving around for a while, and breakfast was hours ago. “Can we find a place to eat?”
