Deciding For Myself
Fabia's POV
As I stared at my garden, I noticed that winter had finally arrived as the flowers are now either dead or frozen. As it continued to snow in the sky I watched as the snow would fall onto my hair not caring. Suddenly though I felt the snow from my hair suddenly melt away within seconds. I sighed deeply as I stood up from chair that I had made of ice and turned to see none other than the Summer King himself in my secret garden. Anger began to fill inside me as I noticed the snow began to fall harder and everything around me that was not yes frozen had become in fact frozen by now. I watched as he lifted his hands in defense to me as he melted the snow around him as me moved closer to me.
"You aren't welcomed here anymore Summer King. Go back to you new Summer Queen." I said harshly as I was about to turn away, until I felt his hand on my wrist which burned me a little along with his hand being burned be the coldness.
He quickly let go, until he knew we were face to face. I looked into his eyes and for a moment I saw a hint of sadness in them as I turned away. I would not fooled again by his charm.
"Fabia, we need to talk." He spoke up as I gave a hollow laugh.
"There is nothing we need to talk about. We have spoken in ages why of all times do you wish to talk now?" I questioned still not looking at him as I decided to look at me frozen sculptors I had created.
"I am sorry," He replied making my eyes widen, even though he couldn't see.
"Don't say that . . .! Not now after centuries later . . .! Your forgiveness means nothing to me now." I stated.
I felt the temperature increase now as I saw some of my sculptors melting a little, but it didn't mater. I could always make more. I felt Luke's body temperature closer to me now as I turned and saw his face close to mine now. I felt it again . . . That feeling I had pushed away for so long and now all of a sudden it's come back again . . . That longing desire to be near him that made me shiver at the thought, it all came back. I remember his touch just like it was yesterday as he body radiated mine as we kissed, embraced, and more . . . It felt like a fire in me burning and wanting more. However, I've grown colder and harsher since then. I will not be tempted again. I moved away from him and glared at him as he only looked at me with sympathy. Be strong . . .
"You need to leave Luke . . .! I've had enough of you giving me pain and suffering in my heart! I've grown cold and felt hatred toward you! You've cursed me with this life and I will never forgive you for that! Now I am truly alone . . .!" I shouted frustrated as a single tear fell from my face, but I quickly wiped it away.
"If I could go back in time, I would Fabia . . . But then I would have never been able to fall in love with an incredible woman . . ." He flattered as I gave a hollow laugh looking at him.
"Fall in love? Please, you left me the moment I failed to become your Summer Queen. If you loved me, you would have stayed with me. You would have fought for me." I hissed at him, but then I saw him move with his speed to face me face to face as he stared down into my eyes with seriousness.
"I never wanted to leave you Fabia . . . Out of all the girls I fell in love with, you were the one who had my heart. I was devastated when you failed . . . I wanted to comfort you in my arms and tell you it would be alright, but I couldn't . . . You had become winter and therefore we could to be together no matter how much I wanted to be with you." He explained as he choked on his words.
I wanted to believe in his words so much, but he has hurt me to many times now to forgive me. I looked to Luke and gave a small smile to him as I spoke.
"I would have believed those words years ago, but you're too late now. The moment you walked away from me was the moment you lost me . . ." I replied as I saw his expression changed as I continued.
"You found your Summer Queen . . . Go back to her now, we're over. You have to think about your court just like I have to think about mine." I replied, but then I felt him took my hand in his and although it hurt a little he didn't let go as he spoke.
"What if I didn't . . . What if I left my court to be with you?" He questioned and was about to laugh, until I saw the seriousness in his eyes that made me stare at him shocked and hurt to hear him say that.
"Fabia, I've been looking and searching for my Summer Queen to help rule my court. Although do love her, it will never be the same love I had for you. I thought I need Alice to help rule my court, but the moment she became my Summer Queen she suffered instead of being happy with me which hurt my heart. I had everything I needed to make my court happy, but I didn't have true love to make me happy." He explained in a begging tone as I snatched my hand away from him.
"What do you want me to say to you Luke!? I don't love you anymore that ship has long sailed! I'm not that same girl you fell in love with all those years ago . . . You're crazy if you think I'd even take you back now-!" I exclaimed, but was cut off.
Without warning, I felt his lips to mine as we kissed for what was the first time in centuries. Although it burned and hurt, I didn't pull away like I wanted to. Instead I felt gulfed by his kiss. I felt his body temperature rising along with mine as we began to feel hot and cold all in one. It was like a past from the past kissing him like this. It reminded me of how sweet and gentle he once was. Like the gentleman I once fell in love with when we first met. As he pulled away slightly from me with both of us matching each other breathes. I watched as he caressed my cheek as it burned by his touch, but it didn't matter.
"You can't love two people Luke and I won't be hurt again." I replied moving away from him as I continued.
"You say you love me, but I know how much your court and queen mean to you. I don't need love in my life. I'll be fine on my own, but I think you need to think for yourself, but also your court and what's best." I replied to him as I walked away, until he spoke and stopped me.
"My queen comes first Fabia . . . If she needs me, then I am hers." He replied as I grinned to him playfully pretending he was still the man I knew all those years ago.
"Then I bid you farewell Luke," I said without a hint of sadness or regret.
I once loved Luke, but that love had died many years ago. I do not need love to rule my court unlike Summer Court. My heart had been frozen for many years since Winter's Touch consumed me. I once believed it could be thawed out by another, but I was wrong. Winter suited me as I suited it. For the Summer King to confess his regrets and mistakes of letting me go gave my clarity today. In fact it made me feel like this winter would be the best there's ever been.
Alice's POV
I could hear the wind screaming into my ear. I felt so numb, but I could still feel two strong arms holding me tightly. I realized that Fang was probably carrying me as he ran out of the forest with his lightning speed. I blacked out here and there, but then I began to feel something soft on my skin the next time I was sort of awake. I could hear voices as I tried to get up.
"Bring the medical supplies. Whatever she needs bring it here. She is a friend and guest here, now go." Fang's voice said.
As I started to come to I felt very tired and weak inside. However, I started to come to as I started to open my eyes with my vision hazy at first, but then it shortly cleared. I looked around the room and it was all too familiar. I was in Fang's room again. I slowly sat up in the bed and groaned a little in pain. I looked to my arm and saw the slash that was left by the dagger and then I moved the cover up to see the other slash from the dagger on my leg. I sighed deeply and then I saw Fang talking to someone outside the door as they handed him a first aid kit. When he closed the door, I watched as he turned toward me and was surprised to see my up as I spoke.
"So I am your friend," I joked as he grinned and scratched his head as he spoke.
"I feel like you catch me in all my weak spots." He grinned as I smiled to him, but then I twinge in pain from the cuts.
I watched as he quickly came to my side and took my arm and examined the wound closely. He pulled out the first aid kit and found the bandages and started to wrap it around my arm where the wound was. It hurt at first, but I got used to it as the pain started to die down. Soon he pulled the sheets back and then looked at my leg, but then he spoke.
"This might be a little weird, but all I'm doing is putting the bandages on alright?" He spoke as if asking for permission as I gave a small laugh.
"It's fine besides aren't you kind of-." I spoke, but he interrupted.
"I like men and women; there are great things about both sexes. So why should I have to choose?" He grinned to me as I felt a slight blush crept on my face.
As he finished wrapping the bandages on my leg, I felt myself becoming more relaxed now as I sat back on the pillow and sighed.
"Today was pretty tiring for you wasn't it." Fang spoke and I nodded and sighed.
"Standing up to the High Queen, yelling at Shun, nearly getting drowned, and nearly getting killed . . . Yeah I can officially say today was exhausting!" I laughed and he laughed along with me to my surprise.
Suddenly I heard a knock on the door as Fang moved from me to the door with his quick like speed. He opened the door and it revealed to be Raye. I watched as Fang let her in. She then turned to me and sighed in relief for some reason. I looked to her confused as she made her way toward me and sat on the bed next to me and spoke.
"I saw a vision of you in the water, I'm glad to see you're ok." She replied as I gave her a small smile as I took her hand in mine and spoke.
"I wouldn't have been ok had it not been for your king here." I smiled as Fang smiled behind Raye.
"How do you manage to escape her?" Raye questioned as I looked at her confused.
"What are you talking about? The sirens?" I questioned, but then her expression changed.
"No, her I saw in my vision that you were running away."
"Running away?" I questioned as I looked to Fang as he looked at Raye confused.
"Running away from what?" Fang questioned as she turned to the both of us and spoke.
"In my vision you were running away from something dark and evil. I couldn't see the image very clearly as the vision just showed certain images mostly of shadows. I saw you run and run and you eventually came to a cliff and jumped into the water. Whatever was chasing you stopped, but in the water I saw you staring at something in fear as you didn't move for a while. You were staring straight at . . . Beria . . ." Raye explained and my eyes widen as I clenched the sheets tightly in my hand.
"The vision ended there, unfortunately. The last thing I really saw was her swimming right at you. I don't know what it means, but I think you need to be careful and you shouldn't be alone. I fear something terrible will happen to you if you're ever along with her." Raye explained.
Fear grew in me again and I tried to calm myself down. I couldn't let this get to, especially right now. I have too many things to worry about and this vision can't be one of them. It's best if I just try to forget it for now before it's too late. Suddenly I heard another knock on the door and this time Raye went to get it. She looked to Fang and spoke.
"Dinner is ready," She said as Fang looked to me and to my surprise he offered a hand to me.
"If you would be so kind as to accompany me for dinner as my guest." He grinned as I laughed.
"Don't you mean friend." I smiled as I took his hand and squeezed it a little.
"Don't push it," He said continuing to grin as he helped me out of bed.
He took my hand and placed it around his arm as I grabbed a hold of it. I laughed a little as he guided me out the door with Raye coming with us. Although my life was complicated, it was nice being surrounded by friends and forgetting about everything for a little while.
Shun's POV
With each step I took, I felt a cool cold rush of air hit me making my body shake. I probably should have brought a thicker jacket . . . The snow was light, but it was cold as hell as I got closer and closer to my destination. Once I arrived though, I already knew where to go as this place was all too familiar to me. I knew where she would be. As I passed through the main entrance, I went to the back of her court to where her private garden was. As I arrived I watched as she was creating another sculptor for her collection in the garden. I watched as she created a beautiful swan out of ice using her powers. As I grew closer and closer to her, she suddenly stopped. I stayed frozen in where I stood as I waited for her to move or speak.
"It's been a long time since you've been in my garden. What brings you back now?" She questioned me as she didn't make eye contact with me.
"To check up on you Fabia. How are you?" I asked her sincerely as she gave a small hollow laugh to me.
I watched as she slowly turned to me. I got to see her beautiful emerald eyes again for the first time in a long time. Every time I used to see her, she always looked beautiful to me. I watched as she created a table and two chairs for us to sit in. I followed her lead and sat down across from her as we both sat in silence for a while, until she spoke.
"I heard that girl of yours Alice became the new Summer Queen. I'm sorry for that." She spoke up.
"Yeah me too . . . It's a little bit more complicated than that though." I replied.
"Something tells me you really didn't just come here to ask me how I am, since you haven't come to see me in months after . . . well you know . . . So why are you here?" She said getting straight to the point while giving a small smile as I sighed.
"Alice told me everything about what you said to her. She told me your story and told me that I should forgive you. She told me how sorry you were and that you weren't a bad person." I explained.
I watched as her expression changed. She wasn't shielding her emotions like she used to as I could feel and taste confusion, loneliness, hurt, and hope. She looked at me and gave a small smile as I gave one back. I never thought I'd ever forgive her for what she did to me. I thought I would always hate her for what she had done to me. However, after everything Alice had told me I wanted to believe that it was true. I wanted to believe that not everything Fabia and I once had was a lie.
"It's hard to hate that girl . . . She's so pure and innocent . . . I want to hate her, but I just can't. She's too kind to others and never thinks of herself . . . She's selfless," Fabia spoke to me as she stared at her garden and watched as the snow fell on us.
"Yeah she is which is why I trust her enough to believe in what you told her . . . and I forgive you Fabia." I replied to her as her eyes widen a bit, but then her eyes soften as she gave a small laugh and spoke once more.
"I used to dream you'd say those words to me . . . That we could go back to the way things were. That you and I could be together again." She spoke with a sad smile on her face as I continued to stare at her as she turned toward me and continued.
"But . . . It's not late for that, isn't it?" She asked me and I gave her a sad small smile and nodded reaching for her hand slowly.
Right as I took her hand in mine for the first time in a long time, I felt her cold touch. I remember this touch so well. It felt so familiar to me as we used to hold hands like this and how it used to make me feel wide awake because of how cold her touch was. I used to fear her touch, but at the same time I longed for it. It brought back many memories Fabia and I shared, but that's all they'll ever be. Just memories from the past that we can't recreate . . . Because since then her and I have already moved on . . .
"Thank you for showing me what love was like, even if it was just for a little while. You taught me to be the man I am today and the man I will be for the one I love . . . I'm sorry that I can't be the one for you anymore, but at least I know now that not all my feelings towards you were a lie." I replied as I saw a few tears slip from her eyes as I felt her hold my hand tightly in hers as she cried a little and I smiled.
"Thank you for giving me this incredible life Fabia . . . I wouldn't trade it for the world." I smiled to her as she nodded and laughed a little as tears feel from her eyes.
For the first time, I felt at peace . . . I think now we both found some clarity with each other. We've been through a lot to get where we are now. I used to believe that Fabia and I would always be together forever. That we could always be happy and free. I dreamed about my life with her, but now . . . It just seemed like a fairytale, that would never come true . . . My life now despite everything that's preventing us from being together is and will always be with Alice: the girl of my dreams, the girl that I love, and the only one for me . . . She was my new fairytale now, as soon we'll live happily ever after. . . eventually.
"Shun," Fabia spoke as I looked up to her now as our hands were still together.
"Yeah?" I replied as she looked to me with her emerald eyes.
"Don't . . . Don't let her go Shun." She said to me as I looked at her with seriousness.
"Don't let her go and make the biggest mistake of your life, like I did. I lost the man I loved twice . . . So please don't lose her over something like this. Alice loves you . . . I know it. She may be with Luke, but she isn't happy and free like she once was when I first met her. She's lost, confused, hurt, and suffering inside Shun . . . Now you have to be the one to fix that before it's too late and you really lose her." Fabia instructed me as I stared at her in surprise.
I watched carful as she lean over the table a little closer to my face and placed a cold frozen kiss on my cheek giving me a small smile as she released my hand. She stood up from her chair as did I and spoke.
"Love makes you do crazy things . . . doesn't it?" She questioned as she smiled as I gave a small smile and laugh back.
"Yes . . . Yes it does, but sometimes it's worth it in the end." I replied as she smiled and she began to walk away, until I spoke.
"You'll find love again Fabia, I just know it so don't give up just yet!" I exclaimed as she laughed and nodded to me before exiting her garden leaving me alone.
I looked up to the sky and watched as the snow fell on me and how I remembered, when I was once part of winter. I had grown used to the cold, but it was never the same as it used to be for me now. Now it's just cold as hell, but it did bring back some good memories. As I exited the garden and started to walk away from the Winter Court, I looked back and took one last look at this place. This was the place I once called home . . . This was the place when I first fell in love . . . Now this was the place I could finally say good-bye too without any anger or hatred towards this place and it's Fay, including the Winter Queen. As I started to walk away again, I looked at the path ahead of me and knew now what I had to do. I had to tell Alice I love her and take her back.
Alice's POV
As I returned to Summer Court, I was greeted by Leo. I smiled to him as he told me Luke requested to speak with me out by the rose maze alone. As Leo escorted me to the rose maze, I watched and saw as Luke was tending to the garden as I watched him touch the dirt in his hand as flowers began to grow with just by a single touch. Leo bowed to me as he left to leave Luke and I alone. I crouched next to Luke and placed my hand in the dirt as well and smiled as flowers began to grow as well. I turned to see Luke smiling at me, but soon his expression changed as he took my hands in his and pulled me up to meet his gaze. Before he was going to say whatever he was going to say, I watched as he noticed the bandages on me as he looked at me worried.
"What happened!?" He exclaimed, but I shook my head.
"It's nothing, I'm fine I just had a little accident." I replied, but he didn't believe it.
I placed my hand on his cheek to make him feel more relaxed and for him to trust me and to let it go. I let the wind around us increase as he looked tensed and stressed for some reason. Soon I felt his hand on top of mine as my hand was still on his cheek as he spoke.
"I went for the first time in centuries and visited the Winter Queen." He admitted to me as I stared at him surprised.
"Oh," Was all I could say as I was rather surprised he went to see her after everything that's happen between them.
"So what happened?" I questioned as he stared at me with hurt eyes and began to speak.
"I need to ask you something Alice . . .? Something that could resolve both our problems." He replied instead.
He didn't answer my question, but he definitely caught my attention. He brushed the strands of hair that were in my eyes as he began to speak.
"I love you Alice and I've gotten to know you a lot with our time together as King and Queen. Although it was very difficult for you, you never once blamed me for your transformation. I just don't' understand why though? After everything I put you through I expected you to hate me and be furious with me, but instead you show compassion toward me. I took everything away that you loved and made you become my Summer Queen for my own selfish desires. How can you not hate me for what I have done to you?" He questioned as I saw how hurt and in pain he was as he said this.
This was all so sudden as he asked me that. I felt my heart hurting as well as he looked at me with those green eyes of his. The truth was I really don't why I don't feel hate or anger toward him. I should feel those emotions toward him, but I just don't! I don't know if it's because I am bound to him that I am unable to hate him, but I just can't explain to him, anyone, or even myself why I don't feel those emotions . . . Rather than feeling angry and hate toward him, I felt sympathy because it was like he was a bird trapped in a cage. Unable to break free from finding his queen and continuing to fall in love over and over again and in the end feel heartbroken each time they failed. As weird as it sounds I felt sorry for him out of all the girls hearts he's broken by giving them false hope . . . I felt sorry for him.
"Because even you are capable of getting hurt too, Luke. You fall in love over and over again hoping the girl you find is the one that could be your Summer Queen. Each time they fail a part of your heart breaks inside." I answered as I placed my other hand to his heart as I let the rush of summer flow through him from me.
I watched as he sighed deeply and then looked to me with a warm smile and soon spoke again to me.
"I had hoped I could be with my Summer Queen and live happily ever after in some fairytale instead of it being one giant nightmare for the both of us." He replied sadly.
"Luke," I said feeling a little guilty as he shook his head and continued.
"I know who you heart belongs and it's not me and that's ok . . . I've told myself the moment I found my Summer Queen I would be bound to her for all eternity and devote my life to her. I'd give her the love and happiness that she needed. Now I see that by giving her those things, I have to let her go." Luke explained as I stared at him wide eyes and gave a small laugh.
"Luke what are you talking about!?" I questioned as I felt his hold on me tighten.
"Do you love me Alice?" He questioned as I looked at him confused and . . . frightened.
"Luke your scaring me, what-!?" I questioned, but he cut me off.
"Do you trust me?" He asked of me as I looked at him confused.
I said nothing for a while as I thought hard about his question. The look in his eyes told me how serious he was being and soon I answered.
"I do," I replied.
"I've misled you . . . I've manipulated you," He continued.
"Not really helping your case, Luke." I pointed out.
"Do you still trust me?" He asked once more and I straightened my face and faced him.
"I do," I answered and then he sighed and spoke.
"Do you want to be near me?" He asked.
"I do,"
"Why?"
I pulled away a little from his grasp and wiped my hands on my jeans as they were kind of sweating and I spoke.
"You're my king. Something inside me insists that I reach out. I can't even stay mad at you when I know I should be at times. Never mind that though, what's going on with you Luke? Your behavior is scaring me a little." I confessed.
"Do you love me Alice?" He asked once more the question I feared to answer.
My love for Luke truthfully wasn't the kind of love like I felt for Shun. I know this because they were two different types of love. I love Luke because he is my king and I his queen. We are both bound by summer and thus our mind, body, and soul were connected and entangled together. I love Shun because our hearts were connected and that we fit each other perfectly. He was like my other half that completed me inside. He made me feel alive . . . As I look into Luke's eyes, and I knew I could not lie to him.
"You're my king, but . . . I love Shun." I answered truthfully.
"Then there is only one solution my queen . . . I can make it so that one of us can be unbound by summer and each other." He replied making my eyes widen in surprise and shock.
"You can do that!?" I questioned.
"I'm not exactly sure, but I think I can. I have been thinking about this for a long time as well. I have been practicing and studying my powers so that if one day we truly had come to this . . . I would be ready to offer you or I an escape." He admitted to me.
I felt myself become overwhelmed. I could leave summer and go back to Shun! I would be Solitary just like him and we could be together forever, just like I always wanted. Excitement and joy consumed me, but then I felt guilt and sorrow. If I leave summer, Luke will be all alone again with no queen. No love, pleasure, or passion which his court's needs. He would be back at where he started. I saw a small smile on his face as he spoke.
"Do not feel guilt or sorrow my queen. There are three options I will give you and one selfish request of you . . . One we can remain the way things are and you can be with me and love me just as I love you forever. We could rule this court side by side taking care of each other. Two I can make it so that I become the solo ruler of the Summer Court and that you are unbound by me and you can become Solitary to be with the one you love." He suggested.
"What about you and the one you love? You'll be alone again," I said sadly as he nodded.
"If it is for my queen's happiness, then I will sacrifice my happiness for hers."
"There must be some medium to where we both can be happy!" I exclaimed as I felt him move closer to me and traced my jaw with the barest touch of his fingertips.
"There is . . . It is a selfish request on my part though as I hope you will consider this option and here me out. Option three is that I can make you the solo ruler of Summer Court. You will be bound to summer, but unbound to me as I will become Solitary. That gives me a chance to maybe try things again with Fabia, the girl I have and always will love. Of course this means for you that you can still be with Shun, if he can accept you as the ruler of summer. These are your options my queen that I can offer to you. Now all you have to do is choose." He explained to me.
Something inside me change as I felt conflicted on what to do. I looked to him and saw how much this pained him and even me. My decision will change everything. Staying together wasn't an option anymore as we're both lying to ourselves about our sort of fake love. To be unbound by summer and Luke was something I wanted from the start. However, to make him the solo ruler would be wrong of me to put him through after everything he's done to get here and make his court and queen happy. He would be alone and not happy, which is something I couldn't bear. To make me the solo ruler gives a chance, even if I'm still bound to summer, to try to be with Shun and Luke with possibly Fabia. We would both maybe have a shot of true love again and we'd both be free. Although the answer was right in front of me, I still felt conflicted.
"You're really asking me to choose now?" I questioned and he nodded.
"I am. I need you to decide. Now. The court needs to be as strong as possible." He stated, but I felt my heart aching inside as I was unsure.
I couldn't explain why I was so unsure, but this whole situation scared me. To become solo ruler of Summer Court was just too much! How could I run a court on my own without Luke!? I'm still new and uncertain about everything. How can I take care of a court and fulfil its needs as well as mine?
"Alice, I need you to decide. Do we go away together or do I go alone or do you go alone?" He asked as I looked at him confused.
"I want us both to be happy and I want to take your selfish request, but I can't do this alone! I can't rule a court alone! I wouldn't know the first step to rule this court! I mean what if everything goes wrong and I fail you and our court!?" I questioned.
"It's your court if you choose it to be. You are just scared Alice and besides you won't be alone. You'll have Leo and the Summer Fay to help you. They already have grown to like you Alice, it's just your time to accept them as they've accept you as they're queen. Alice I believe in you and you can do this . . . For the both of us. I know it's a lot to ask, but-."
"It's what's right . . . To makes us both happy, so I understand Luke. I don't think your request is selfish at all." I replied giving a small sad smile to him as he caressed my cheek filing me with warmth and comfort.
"I want to be loved; I want to be consumed by it." He said in passionate way.
"I've loved Fabia for decades, but I've lived for my court for centuries. I need an answer, Alice. Do you want me enough to be mine? Do you care enough to try to love me? Do we become truly together for our court? Calm me as your king, or set me free to try to be with the Fay I love." He continued making my heart hurt.
Shun and Luke were both wonderful, both good, both people any girl would be lucky to know, but I only loved one of them. If I could save the court and keep Shun in my life, that's what I would do. If Luke wasn't near me, I wouldn't feel the pull to be with him. Now I see though that although I know what I want, it just hurts to let it all go . . .
"I do want you . . . Not because of the court. You're my friend and I do care for you. I can't imagine never really seeing you again though." I admitted to him, but he smiled and stroked my hair now.
"Can you offer me your fidelity? Your heart, and your body and your companionship for eternity? Do you want my fidelity? Either love me or kiss me good-bye, my Summer Queen." Luke said as I stared at him with tears stinging my eyes as this was all too overwhelming for me
Be strong Alice . . . This is what you want . . . As tears slid down my cheeks, I looked at Luke. He looked at me for almost a millennium, but I knew I couldn't give him what he needed. I gave strength to the court, but the love I felt for the Summer Court wasn't the sort of love Luke wanted from me. I leaned closer to him with our faces inches apart now.
"Why do I think that what happens next is going to be . . ." I spoke.
"To be?" He prompted softly.
"Something I'm not ready for," I finished.
Luke has ruled this court for centuries and I had only ruled this court less than a month! How can I be able to do this on my own!?
"How am I going to strengthen the court? I'm not sure-." I spoke.
"Alice. Tell me you're truly mine, or tell me good-bye." He simply put it as tears fell from my eyes.
"You're really going to leave if I say no." I spoke, but he stayed muted and I spoke again finally admitting my true feelings and decisions.
"I can't be yours. You'll always-."I spoke, but was cut off by his lips on mine for the first time.
The rest of my words were swallowed as the Summer King kissed me for the first time. I was beyond shocked and surprised, but I didn't resist him. I thought I would be shaking in his arms, but instead I let the sunlight fill my mouth. In a way I was happy to be Fay, to be the Summer Queen, but I wasn't Luke's beloved. Suddenly as the kissed continued I felt sunlight pulsing into my body. I felt my body radiating like never before. As he slowly pulled away as my eyes were wide, I noticed he didn't have that golden glow anymore. I looked at him and then looked down and almost screamed as I realized we were floating in the air. I felt his arms holding me though to keep me from trembling to the ground. I looked to him shocked and confused as he grinned and spoke.
"Think of the soil, Alice." Luke spoke.
"The soil?" I questioned as he nodded.
"The earth. Thing of sunlight falling-." He spoke and I felt us plummeting to the ground.
"Gently. Falling gently, Alice." He said and I nodded as we slowed our fall as I stared at him in disbelief.
"Am I doing this?" I questioned and he nodded with a smile on his face.
"You are. Sunlight isn't bound to the earth. Neither is the Summer Queen." He replied.
As our feet touched the ground softly, I sighed as Luke released me. Luke slowly helped me to the ground as I would have fallen by my knees giving out. As we sat on the ground I looked to Luke and saw how different he looked now. He didn't have the bright golden glow anymore. I lifted my hand to my chest and it didn't beat anymore toward Luke like it did before. That desire to be near him had died down to. I didn't have that longing desire anymore when he isn't near me. My eyes widen as I realized he wasn't the Summer King anymore. I had become it's solo ruler.
"Luke, you-." I spoke, but he cut in.
"It's alright Alice . . . It's better this way remember? You're not bound to me anymore, you're free." He grinned as I still looked at him with a sad face as he helped me stand as I spoke.
"We would be making a mistake if I didn't choose this for us. I am never going to be that Fay for you . . . or you for me." I spoke and he nodded.
"I'm sorry," He replied.
"Me too,"
"Everything will be ok now, Alice. Leo will tell you what you need to know. You can do this. Remember that." He explained.
This was really it . . . He was really saying good-bye to his home and to me. He was giving up everything after searching centuries to find his Summer Queen and make his court stronger. Now he was just giving it all up. I blinked a few times and noticed all around us that everything that was withering or dead now came back alive. Everything was becoming beautiful and warm like it should be. I saw the Summer girls from the distance dancing and laughing with joy. I laughed at the sight and then turned my attention back to Luke who was suddenly kneeling on one knee on the ground bowing to me much to my surprise as he had his right hand on his heart and spoke.
"I would hope to be welcomed in your court, but this is not where I belong now." He spoke.
I was completely speechless. The Fay that remade me, who had been the other half of the embodiment of summer, was no longer sunlit. When we kissed, he had somehow given me the sunlight that had been his own. I am the only Summer regent.
"I would've given up the Fay I love, devoted eternity to you, to them." Luke glanced to my left where Leo now stood, and then looked back at me.
"But I need the love and passion you do no offer me. So do you. The lack of passion, of love, of happiness weakened my . . . your court. The court is now stronger then it's been during my life. The Summer court is in capable hands." Luke continued.
"So you're Solitary now." I replied and he grinned.
"Dismiss me. As the only Summer Court regent give me your first command." He requested.
I looked to him still shocked as I was now the solo ruler of Summer Court. Everything that once belonged to Luke was now mine to control. I looked to him and saw the softness in his eyes as spoke.
"Luke . . . you are ever welcome in my court should you need a home. You remain a friend of my court . . . under our protection should you need it." I said, but then spoke more in a shaky voice this time.
"You are dismissed." I replied sadly as he grinned to me.
I watched as he stood and grinned to me for the final time before leaving my court. Although it hurt to see him leave, I realized we were both finally free. I watched as the Summer girls courtesy to Luke as they watched him leave and the rest of the Summer Fay bowed to him as he left. As I wiped my tears away I smile a little as he left feeling free and happy. I think overall what I would miss about him was that sly devious grin of his.