My first memory is of my mother. She was a ray of sunshine and so beautiful. She was also a lesser fae, and my father's deepest secret. He was in line for High Lord of the Day Court and his father did not approve of a lesser fae for his first born son. But they loved each other. At least, I like to think they did. They had a secret romance that resulted in me. I looked high fae like my father, except at will I could summon the wings like my mother. Beautiful, white feathered wings. My first memory is of my mother kneeling close to my face, whispering to me that no one can know of the wings. That if I was to have a chance in my father's court, I must maintain the image of a high fae. She whispered quickly and urgently, she made me promise, and then she was gone. I never saw her again.
My father always suspected my uncle of finding out about the romance and having her murdered, but he could never prove it. A few years later my father disappeared as well. So when it was time for the high lords mantel to pass, it went to my uncle.
By the time I was nearing maturity, my uncle could smell the power growing in me. He called me into his chamber one day.
"I need to show you something little flower" he said to me. "A little something left over from the war with Hybern." I didn't know what that meant.
He pulled out a pair of bone white, stone cuffs. They were intricately carved, though I couldn't see the details, and looked like they'd cover my wrists and half way up my forearms. Little did I know I would become very familiar with them in the years to come. I noticed he didn't touch the cuffs themselves, but they laid open, ready to close like a bear trap.
"Come closer Fairyn. It's time to put a stop to this, before it's too late."
I was only a child then, so trusting. I moved to him. He held his hands out, palms up. I placed my small hands in his. Gently, so gently, he lowered my wrists toward the cuffs.
It's one of my greatest regrets that I didn't fight him that day. I didn't run. I didn't hide or escape, but how could I have known? The moment the cuffs touched my skin I felt my power leave me. All at once it soared away, and I was left empty. I think I collapsed. All I know is when I awoke, time had passed and I couldn't move my body. The cuffs sat like weights on my wrists. I was alone in my rooms, flat on my bed. I wasn't tied down or restrained, they didn't need anything like that now.
It took me months to regain movement and build enough strength to function again. That first year with the cuffs was the hardest in my life. Worse even than the pain of losing each parent until I was orphaned. Worse than the beating my cousin had given me when I once teased him about how powerful I would become. Most days I wished to die. I have no idea how I didn't. But time passed, and eventually I regained the use of my body. But my blooming powers were gone. And so were the wings.
That was years ago now. Even after I regained the use of my body, I stayed feeble. I'm weak now and tire easily, but worst of all, my spirit is broken. I have no idea how strong my powers would be if the cuffs ever came off. But from what my uncle has said, it doesn't sound like I need to worry about that. The one tiny silver lining from this whole mess is that I have kept my promise to my mother. No one knows about the wings. And no one ever will.