We reach the mouth of the cave. From here, it’s black and soundless, giving no hint that anything awaits deep within. A chilling thought comes to mind. What if there really is no one waiting within? What if my first meeting was enough to convince them never to follow me?
Sensing my hesitation, Aspen reaches for my hand. “Are you sure you’re ready to do this?”
The touch soothes me. “Yes.”
Nyxia lifts her brow. “That...issue...we spoke of last time still stands. Are you prepared to follow through with what I told them?”
I know what she’s asking.Am I ready to show them my unseelie form?That’s an additionally perplexing obstacle, one I’ve given much thought to but no answer. I tried several times throughout the day to take my anger to the Twelfth Court, like Aspen had described. It did nothing. My anger wasn’t nearly as strong as it had been after my mother’s death, but that intensity is hard to reach without giving way to sorrow first. And I’m afraid if I give in, not even my rage will be able to save me from it.
I try to put on a convincing face for Nyxia. “I will do what I can.”
She flashes me a glare. “I told them you would show them your unseelie form next time you met with them.”
A spark of anger stirs within me. “You also told them I’d meet with them when I was ready to make a move against King Ustrin. I’m ready to do that and I’m ready to fight for them. If that isn’t enough, then perhaps I’m not enough to be queen. If I’ll have their support, I’ll have it for who I am. For all I know, this,” I wave my hands over the length of my body, “is also my unseelie form.”
She rolls her eyes. “Fine. I hope you’re ready for this.”
“So do I,” I mutter. Not an hour has gone by without me questioning whether everything I’m about to do isn’t absolute insanity. I escaped the Spire. Eisleigh. Mr. Duveau. I escaped exile. If I wanted, I could lay low, go into hiding. Avoid Mr. Duveau’s bounty hunters and the seelie fae who would turn me in.
The very thought ignites my indignation. No matter how many times these doubts creep in, I remind myself why I’m doing this. Because it’s the right thing to do. Because the treaty must be broken. Because men like Mr. Duveau and males like Cobalt and Ustrin don’t deserve to be in power. Because I deserve a whole life, not one spent in hiding. Because I’m the only one who will fight for both the humans and the fae.
Nyxia enters the cave and I follow behind her. I feel Aspen’s steadying hand on my lower back, a silent exchange of his support. His touch lowers my pulse and sends calming warmth through my heart.
After a long stretch of darkness, the glowing mushrooms and luminescent crystals begin to light our way. Soon sounds fall upon my ears, proof that at least someone is waiting within. Finally, we reach the inner chamber.
Like before, a variety of fae are clustered inside, eyes full of scrutiny as I enter. What surprises me is how many more there are this time than the last. There are new kitsune in various colors. Wisps in blues, reds, oranges, and violets float through the air. A second moon dragon with opalescent scales is coiled next to the black one I met last time. There are also several other kinds of fae I’ve never met before—sprites of dust and ash and odd-looking flames, birds with bright, fiery wings, glittering snakes and salamanders. There are also fae who appear barely different from an average animal, although none I’ve seen anywhere but encyclopedic reference—fennec foxes, desert rodents, scorpions. Their keen eyes are all that give their true natures away.
With a deep breath, I walk forward and stand before them. Aspen’s hand brushes my back one last time, a gesture hidden from view, before he takes a step away to stand near the wall of the cave. Nyxia does the same, although her resistance is obvious. I can see her struggle not to speak on my behalf written all over her expression.
“You again, and in human form,” says the crustacean-mushroom I remember from before. “I thought you’d only come back when you were ready to prove you were one of us.”
A rumble of agreement moves through the crowd, and to my disappointment, several fae break away from the group and stream out the cave before I can say a word. The others shuffle, as if eager to follow.
“Wait,” I call out, my tone weak and pleading. I take a moment to gather my nerves, reminding myself I’m supposed to be a queen. With a deep breath, I force my voice to ring out with authority. “Give me a chance to speak before you make your decision about me. I will respect your choice, but I will be heard.”
The fae go still, and not another tries to exit the cave. Glowing yellow eyes lock on me from the back of the chamber. It’s the opalescent moon dragon. “I want to hear what she has to say,” says a hissing feminine voice. “I wasn’t here last time, if you recall. If we don’t like what she offers, she’ll make a pretty snack.”
Tittering laughter comes from the crowd, but I’m not sure if it’s sinister or meant to be cajoling. Whatever the case, I came here for a reason and I can’t falter now.
I steel myself, throwing back my shoulders as I try to feign confidence. “Last time we met, Queen Nyxia introduced me as the figure who would fight King Ustrin. Today I come to you as Unseelie Queen of Fire.”
Gasps and yips and growls answer. Again, I’m unsure how to translate the sounds. The clamor could be supportive, shocked, or angry for all I can tell. I continue. “I am claiming Unseelie Queen of Fire according to the Old Ways. When the time comes, I will face King Ustrin and the All of All will bless their alpha. I intend to win.”
An orange wisp bobs forward, her high, feminine voice floating on the air. “How do you intend to beat him? You are but a human with the blood of a former fae king. King Ustrin has lived much longer than you and he’s been king nearly his entire life.”
I’m prepared for that question, my voice ringing out clear and strong. “King Ustrin rules without respect for the Old Ways or the All of All. I may not be full-fae and I may not have the experience he has. But I have the heart. I care about the lives of the fae, and that includes the unseelie. King Ustrin cares about his own power and he’ll shun your kind to keep it. I believe the All of All cares about the seelie and unseelie in equal measure—the way I do.”
“So you believe the All of All will bless you as their alpha?” asks an indigo kitsune with a pale blue flame on its tail. Both his words and expression are heavy with skepticism. “Why you and not another? Why should we support you and not someone else who would fight against him?”
I feel the blood leave my face. That’s a question I never considered. Not once have I wondered if there were another eager to take the Fire throne. I exhale a deep breath to steady my nerves and clear my mind. The words that come are from deep within, and I hardly know what I’m saying before I say it. “Because the fire in you is the fire in me. I feel it burning in every vein, in every ounce of my blood. I may not be full-fae but King Caleos’ legacy is my legacy. I am the result of his deep love for a human woman. His love should have created unity between the humans and the fae. Instead, it brought war and destruction and ended with a corrupt treaty based on lies. I have every intention of restoring the balance that should have been there from the start.”
I see a few nods, but there are just as many hisses. A bright yellow salamander scoots forward. “You speak of love like that should mean something to us. We are unseelie.”
“So was King Caleos,” I say, “and he fell in love. I know love doesn’t always look the same, but its essence is universal. We all love our families, our children, our homes, and our freedoms. We may show it in different ways, but it’s the same love.”
“How will you fight for us?” asks a swirling dust sprite. “Will you help us eradicate the humans? Will you return the Fair Isle to the fae?”
I’m caught off guard by talk of eradicating humans, but I maintain my composure. All I can offer is the truth. “I don’t have all the answers, but I’m committed to hearing all voices and make the decisions that support the highest quality of life for all fae. I may be claiming unseelie queen, but I will not claim to be radical. I will fight for what the unseelie truly represent. Freedom. And that freedom starts by destroying the treaty. My very rule breaks it irreparably.”
