Page 102 of Finding Love with the Fae King

“Tulip escaped?” Osirus grew angry. “How did this happen?” Primrose cowered before regaining her footing on the branch.

“We don’t know, Your Majesty. We think magic might be involved.” Osirus grabbed my hand as soon as I put on my skirt, pulling me away from the tree branches.

“We fly back. Just know we will have to walk through the main gates of the kingdom, Primrose. Let Alaneo know of our arrival.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Primrose sped off quickly as Osirus unfolded his wings as I did mine. With one leap, we both took a flight to head back to the kingdom. Flying over the Elven Territory, we saw Zaos and Annabelle, as well as Lura waving frantically. I let go of Osirus’s hand and cupped my hands to my mouth and yelled.

“I marked him! He’s mine!” They all started laughing while waving us off. Osirus only smiled and shook his head as we continued our journey.

It was a lot faster with me flying on my own and not as scary as I thought it would be. The air in my face and the ability to control if I wanted to rise in the sky or lower myself was my own type of comfort.

We were on the outskirts of town when I saw Cricket at the orphanage waving frantically, calling his fellow roommates that were hiding in the trees. Pointing to Cricket, Osirus understood as we flew down to where they were playing.

“You came back! I told Nana you would!” Cricket gave me an enormous hug, and the other children started laughing as they came up to both of us.

“Why are your wings out?” a little girl asked innocently. “We have to keep them away.”

“Not anymore,” Osirus stated. “This is a new kingdom, and you are to learn to fly and use them. Just as our creators had meant for us to do.” The children smiled as they started ripping holes in the backs of their tunics. Nana stood in shock as she threw a tunic she was repairing in her rocking chair, mumbling it was useless.

Within minutes, all the children were displaying their wings triumphantly. Many tried to take off from the ground but only hovered. “That’s it, Cricket, keep practicing that. You will have to work your way up. You won’t be able to fly long distances for another few years. Your full wingspan will come when you are twelve.” Osirus ruffled up Cricket’s hair while he grabbed my hand.

“We need to get going, darling, or we will not be there until sunset.” Before we took off again, the little girl grabbed my hand.

“But why are your wings so colorful while ours are not?” Letting go of Osirus’s hand, I brushed her beautiful pink curls from her head.

“I’m half-siren. The colors are of my family, and I guess they made me the perfect mix between a siren and a fae.” The little girl nodded, happy with my answer so Osirus and I could take off again.

Many stood in awe as we flew over the marketplace, several fae cheering as we flew over the palace gates. Men took off their tunics, and the women made room for the wings to expand. I had never seen so many people so excited about the new proclamation that Osirus had wanted to spread the first day after the battle.

“No more hiding who we are. If you wish to fly, you fly. If you wish to walk among others, then do so. You are never to be afraid of who or what you are, no matter your rank. Representatives will be called to a new Court to help with aiding the different territories. A voting system will be in place so your own territories can select their representative. More information will be sent out as we put it to paper.”

More cheers from the crowd and a hot passionate kiss later, we entered the palace, almost forgetting the one reason we were back so early—Tulip’s escape.

Chapter Forty-Nine

Under the Moon

ThepeopleoftheGolden Light Kingdom that had surrounded the gates were in awe. Their very own King and soon-to-be Queen had flown in on their very own wings. Smiles were gathered around while the older fae ripped holes in the back of their tunics and dresses. Beautiful wings emerged from their bodies as tears were heard in their skin.

For many, it had been over a hundred years since they had let down their wings. Fae that were taught at an early age not to have them emerge were standing in admiration. Their eyes were aglow, their still young parents and grandparents standing proud. The older fae encouraged the younger, letting them emerge for the first time.

The first time was always the hardest, but the excitement grew in their bellies at the thought of taking flight. The air was the second home to a fae; it brought excitement and pride in their bodies to travel long distances without animal or carriage.

One could ask how it all started and how they were ordered to keep their wings at bay. They were taxed and fined once the original Court decided it was beneath them to fly. The Gods didn’t fly around the air as they did; they didn’t play with each other in the sky, nor did they have fangs and claws. The fae were said to have evolved from pixies to fairies and then to their own bodies. Refusing to fly was said to increase the process of evolution.

This was not so.

Small children laughed as they watched their parents take flight for the first time. It was rocky at first, but they could get as high as the marketplace.

Little girls and boys ran around the market, claiming they were royalty.

“I have beautiful wings!” one girl cried as she tried to flap her wings. Her concentration on her wings looked more like constipation on her face as the others laughed in jest.

Word spread like wildfire. Soon the outlying territories were joyous. They didn’t come to the capital that often and had already been practicing with their wings, but now they could fly wherever they wanted.

For the first time in a long while, the Golden Light Kingdom was filled with light. The birds seemed to sing louder, and the flower petals were a brighter hue. Things were turning out for the better, especially for their King.

Osirus’s face had always been stoic, but upon seeing his happiness, they all knew too well it was because of her. The light that snuffed out the grumpy king and brought forth his playful fae demeanor back. He was hard as stone, but she polished him up nicely. The future Queen might not have known it, but she was loved by all, and they knew her story well. The servants from the palace talked about her polite and calm aura, how she looked at the King with all the love and affection, even though she wasn’t happy to give it in the beginning.

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