Queen of Autumn

Chapter 2

"I am sorry you had to leave your children, Aliciera." Connor's voice rang with sincerity as they waiting in the conference room of the Autumn palace. Of course, the Fae are incapable of lying, but Aliciera knew well that they could misdirect better than the toughest of Chicago lawyers. Probably better than even Will.

The casual thought broke her heart a little more as she tried to concentrate on a response. The pain took her breath away, even a year later, so she let the silence stand. Her face gave none of her pain away , and Connor did not know her well enough to tell the difference. No one in Faerie knew their Queen that well. Aliciera steeled herself to accept that pain as her new reality. If not for Will, then for her children.

"I know you did the best you could Connor." She put on her famous fake smile for his benefit. At that moment, three more Fae entered and with a nod of Aliciera's head, they were seated.

Aliciera looked at her council. First there was General Fyre. The General was once part of her Father's council and served him well. The General served Aliciera better. She was tall and proud, her polished ebony skin barely covered, shining armour covering only her most vulnerable and intimate parts. Most Fae were comfortable within their own skin and nudity was much a part of Court life as breathing. Clothes were a statement, art or a necessity for visiting other Courts. The General was still a woman to be feared and had fought in every major war of the millennium, both human and Faerie.

The second was a male Fae by the name of Jeremiah. Humans referred to Jeremiah's kind as trolls, with their tusks and green skin. Humans underestimated them. Jeremiah was fiercely clever and fiercely talented in his role as Court Scholar. Very little occurred without his knowledge and approval at Court. Aliciera had discovered him hiding in the human realm, banished from his own Court for fraudulent charges. His loyalty was without question.

The final member of this trio was Rochelle Smith. She was an inconsistency with the Faerie way of life. Each Court was granted permission to save a human life every century, to aid the Court in some way. Aliciera had chosen to save Rochelle a decade earlier when she was prepared to sacrifice herself to save her lover's life. The process was a complex one, involving the use of oracles and finding a Fae that could pause time long enough to give the person a choice in their final seconds. Then another Fae was required to create a Gollum, a double of the person to die in their place. Fae with those specific Qualities were a rarity in and of themselves, so humans saved we're even more of a rarity and very expensive decisions. Rochelle, whilst human, had some long-forgotten Quality that made her indispensable to her Court. She could see the heart of someone and understand their motivations almost instantly, though the rest of the Court believed her to be a madam of poisons. Saving Rochelle had been one the first choices Aliciera had made as Queen, almost 20 years ago.

If she had not saved Rochelle, perhaps she could have saved Will. That same pain ached once more. She was only brought back by Connor's subtle attempt at clearing his throat. Shame the Fae aren't great at subtlety. She nodded wryly in her cousin's direction.

"Let us begin. Yesterday evening, our borders were attacked but because of the quick and decisive action made by this council, they were thwarted. What information has come to light in the hours since?"

Fyre was the first to share her information.

"We have had scouts scouring the area where the attackers hid. Spring-made arrows were found there, but not of the highest quality the Court could utilise. That would indicate that the royals were not responsible. Of course, that could be a misdirection. There is no other viable evidence, and the attackers retreated before we could capture any. It would appear they either suffered no fatalities or they took their dead with them." Aliciera tapped against the solid table, contemplating.

"That is odd. To attack and retreat that quickly? Why?"

The council appeared to have no answers. Aliciera looked to Rochelle.

"I couldn't say my Queen. The attackers were following orders, they had no true desire to be there nor any motivation beyond keeping their employment." Aliciera ribbed her forehead.

"Then we must summon representatives of the Spring Court to explain their knowledge." Connor's idea was truly the only feasible solution. Aliciera acquiesced and added

"We will need to investigate further. Who do we have available?" The council discussed amounts themselves and Jeremiah agreed to identify an appropriate spy. The cloak and dagger crap made Alicia yearn for the simplicity of human law over the dramatics of Court life. She dismissed her council and glided from the room to her personal office. Her natural brown dress was in the medieval style, still a popularity in Faerie. The corset cut into her skin, but she welcomed the distraction. Her fingers found the photograph on her desk of Zach and Grace. The Court knew they existed, had even celebrated for a fortnight at the time of their births, but neither would truely be accepted here. Despite the changing times, the Fae saw humans as an entertainment at best and breeding stock, food or slaves at worst. Neither Zach nor Grace had shown enough Quality to protect themselves here. She wondered what they were doing. Zach would likely be on a plane to Paris soon, Grace with Peter. Her heart broke a little more.

A delicate knock on the door distracted Aliciera.

"Come in." Rochelle closed the door behind her and sat down at the desk.

"I thought I'd check in on you Alicia, the last 24 hours have been… difficult." Aliciera smiled. Rochelle was quite possibly the closest she had to a friend here. As such, she was allowed certain privileges, such as using her human name.

"You tell me."

Rochelle considered for a moment, and Aliciera could swear that she felt Rochelle's green eyes piercing her soul and poking around in her heart.

"I see your pain. I see your distance. But none of it is new, but not yet old. Something to do with a will? Did someone you love die?" Aliciera chose not too answer and dismissed Rochelle. Even the usually clear sighted human couldn't see the truth buried under the hurt. She turned to the paperwork that had been neglected since last she was here and began to read about the trade negotiations between the elves and the trolls. Finally, something she could help with.

Before she knew it, the hour grew late and Connor came to escort her to dinner. "An envoy from the Spring Court has come to discuss recent events, my Queen."

"Great." Exactly what she wanted to do with her evening. "I'll meet them in the throne room. I doubt they'll be staying for dinner." Connor smirked and left her to march towards her throne, the seat of her power.

The room itself was plain compared to other Courts. Autumn was known for its austerity. The branches twisted and turned to form strong walls that let in natural light. Her throne though was the opposite of austere, made of thousands of gold plated leaves it stood at 10 metres tall. It was quite a work of art, if a little ostentatious. She settled herself comfortably upon the seat, crossing her ankles, back straight, hands on her lap. She took a moment to reflect and remember her years gone by.

"Daddy! Look at me Daddy!" Her father smiled at her warmly, enjoying watching his child climb the walls, connecting with her roots here in Autumn. Children were rare in Faerie. Alicia and Owen were the first children born in over a century and a half. Here he could permit them to be free. To a degree.

"Aliciera, come here!" She came eagerly into her father's arms, he placed her upon the throne. "One day, my darling, you will be Queen of our great Court. You will reign with love for your people and a willingness to do whatever was necessary. He stroked her face, one that had no idea what was in store.

Taking a deep breath, Aliciera returned to the present. The Throne room began to fill with Court members. Aliciera smiled. Every night there was a revelry, a celebration of life and opportunities to make the wrong decisions. The nobles bowed low to her as they entered. Wait staff handed out drinks and canapés. Rochelle touched none of it and rolled her eyes at Aliciera. All of the food and drink would have severe hallucinogenic effects on a human. Too much and they would have a heart attack. The Queen chuckled. "The envoy is waiting for his introduction. 30 seconds." Connor appeared and whispered, surprising Aliciera a little. She waved her fingers at him and nodded slightly.

"The Envoy of Spring." A simple enough introduction. At the other end of room, she caught a glimpse of dark hair and rounded ears. Human. Probably the latest Spring save. His Quality could be dangerous. Aliciera filed that possibility in her mind. The Court began to divide creating a path to her, some interested in the new visitor, others interested in the Queen's reaction. Most were interested in debauchery and continued to laugh and flirt and manipulate. Aliciera was glad because she felt as though her air had been stolen. The world froze. Her eyes widened in shock. Her heart beat faster and faster.

The Spring envoy was Will Gardner. Aliciera's nails dug into her throne.

Watching with careful eyes. Rochelle smiled thoughtfully.