T H I R T E E N
Max brought me to a little pond, deep in the forest. "Look at me," he said. I did so, and Max pulled a sixteen-leaf clover out of his pocket. "I have a story to tell you."
"In the Realm of Fey, there are two Courts, divided because of years of an unstable ruler. We had one once, and her name was to be Queen Alexis Sarikin-Collins-Lee. But the Queen, afraid to unite the Courts in fear of killing and uprising, ran away to the Mortal Realm. There, some say she broke the biggest rule of all."
" Queen Sarikin-Lee fell in love with a mortal man. He never knew of the Queen's identity as Ruler, and soon the two were wed. Years later, a baby was born. She was the only heir to the throne, but the few Fey who knew of her and wanted her to rule did not know where she was, or what she looked like."
"Eventually, we were able to track her to the east coast of the U.S.A. Rhode Island, to be exact. I, a knight of the Joined Courts, went in search of the baby, now a fully grown teenager."
"I need to bring her back to her realm. She will unite the Courts and stop the killing. And I think I may have found the Queenling."
"Awesome," I said when he was done. "So who is she?" I think I knew, but I didn't want to believe it.
But I was right when I guessed.
"You," Max said. "You are Kyra, Queenling of the Joined Courts."
I nearly fainted.
Then I just blanked. "How? I mean... They're not real."
"You mother was Queen Alexis. You are the only heir."
"No way, your crazy. Look, I don't believe a word... I'm leaving."
"You have to believe me, Kyra. I'm telling the truth, Your Highness."
"Don't call me that!" I shouted. there was no way... I was normal. I was human.
"Then what shall I call you?"
"Kim! JUST KIM!" I felt like crying. I knew it was weak-Why cry over this?
"I'll prove that your a fairy. Ky-Kim, turn to me." I did so, silently.
Plugging his ears, he pulled out a bell and rang it. The sharp, piercing sound reached my ears in a matter of seconds. I've always hated bells. They're loud and obnoxious and noisy. I clasped my hands to my head, covering my ears, but the sound kept coming from the little gold cow's bell. Next, he made me find a four-leaf clover. I did, and, like always, I felt like the skin on my hand was trying to peel off. It stung, and I dropped the green plant.
"Can you wear cheap jewelry?" Max asked.
I shook my head 'no'. Cheap jewelry turned green on my skin and itched.
"Headaches in the car?"
"Always," I said
"How do you feel about running water?"
"It's cold."
"So your a fairy. Or part one. You don't like clovers, cheap metal or bells. I know it's shocking Kim, but you have to believe me. The fate of my world depends on you."
No Pressure, right? I was quiet for a while.
Then I asked. "Who are you?"
He chuckled. "The Knight Maximus."
"Your the Big Knight?" I translated.
He frowned. "Maximus is my name."
"Ok..." Weirdo. "So, uh, when do I get to see the Realm?"
"Tonight, if you want to."