Enlightened A Light Tamer Novel (The Light Tamer) (23 page)

“Why?”  We ask.

“The betrayal will be paid with a sword to the neck!”  He runs his finger across his throat.

“Oh my. 
You get beheaded?
  That’s horrible.”  I state the obvious.

“That’s not
all…you’re
the one who does it.”

“Me?”  I point to myself.  “I’m not cutting anyone’s head off Thorne.  I assure you that isn’t happening.”

“It is as it shall be Your Highness; I am here to serve you for as long as I have a head.”

“You’re a riot.  We don’t know that we’re the King and Queen.”

“You are, and I will be officiating the nuptials.  Now I know why I had to take that online class.  Someone knew this would happen, it doesn’t make any sense, but I know this is true.  You’re the destined royalty,
and
I am here to protect you…up until you kill me.”

“Stop saying that.  I’m not killing you!”

“Well, he might.”  He points to Caleb.

“I’m not killing you.  What else does the prophecy say?”  Caleb asks.

“The King and Queen of Fairyland will stand alongside other leaders of many bloodlines.  The stance is for the safety of humans and all humanity,” he says excitedly.  “You must believe me when I say, you have no idea what type of powers are spread across the world.  Every tale you’ve ever read and
some…and
plenty have truth to them.  Those beings do exist, and some are
very
bad
and incredibly ruthless.  The sooner we perform your vows, the sooner we can announce your existence throughout Fairyland.”

“Will Caleb and I be safe in Fairyland?  You talk about these other so-called supers and how ruthless they are, well, can they harm us?”

“Yes love, you’ll be safe, for the most part.” 
She holds up her hands to keep me from asking another question.
  “Once your Court is announced and brought forth, you’ll be safe.  Anyone from your Court who betrays their vow to you
,
will be beheaded.  Treason isn’t taken lightly.  The fae from the other Courts…that’s another story.  The Unseelie Court will continue their rule over winter and the Seelie Court over summer.  We’re approaching the fall equinox, which means the Unseelie will be coming and going through the shimmer.  Once they are in this realm they lose much of their power, not all of it though.  Much of the severe changes in weather are caused by sylphs.  They’re little faeries who control air, wind and rain.  The winter sylphs of the Unseelie Court like to cause drama for the world.  Interesting enough, they work all year long.  There are four hemispheres on earth, there are two in Fairyland, Northern and Southern.  The dominant hemisphere is the Northern one.  I veered off subject.  The fae that are in our realm aren’t as strong, don’t let it fool you, they’re tricky. 
If a shape shifter were to capture a fae and bind them with iron chains, the fae will either die a gruesome death, or they agree to the demand.
  Once they shake on the deal, it is owed.  Never say anything like, I owe you
one…or
I promise.  The troubles those sayings can cause a kingdom.

Grandma reaches across the table for my hand, I gladly give it to her.  “Honey, we’ll figure this
out…until
we do though, you have to marry him.”

My nerves are shot, my head is spinning and tears are two seconds from tipping out of my eyes.  “I’m not ready to be a wife, in wifely ways.  Mom isn’t going to buy into this wedding.  My dad will flip out,
really
flip out.”

By the look on her face, grandma knows what I mean about not ready.  “Jess, you don’t consummate the marriage.  The rings of virtue will only work as long as you
are…well…a…virgin
.”

She said
it
, she said the
word
.  Out loud she said virgin. 
I look at Thorne, and he has his best straight face on, as well as ears which are beet red.
  “Yes, I’m a virgin.  Big news, we can rent a skywriter to say JESSIE IS A VIRGIN.”

The door is practically ripped from the hinges as Amber bursts into the trailer.  “Now this is my kind of party.  Who’s the virgin?”  Amber blurts out before realizing Grandma is sitting across from me.  Her hand goes up over her mouth in embarrassment.

“Sit, silent and listen,” Thorne demands.

Amber grins and sits on the other side of Caleb. 

“We’ll get you caught up with everything,
but
first we’re all hearing about the faerie prophecy,” I say.  “Want some coffee?  This is a fresh pot.”

“Aspirin and coffee.”  She props her head up with her hand.

Oh,
hungover
Amber is a tamer, gentler, creature. 
She looks like hell.

Yeah she does,
Caleb thinks back to me.

“Will you be my maid-of-honor?”

“Eh?”

“Will. You. Be. My. Maid. Of. Honor?”

Her head flips back and forth, looking for an answer on someone’s face.

“Okay, I guess I’m buying a ticket to ride the crazy train. Sure, I’ll be whatever you want me to be. 
Can I be the flower-girl too?”

“When is the wedding?”  I turn and look to Thorne for an answer.

He takes his phone out and punches in something… “Hmmm, looks like tomorrow will be
good
.  I’ll secure the clearing,
and
we’ll take care of the wedding.  Between now and then, I want you all to stay together. 
Amber will it be okay for you to stay over with Jessie?
  I’ll meet you here,
and
we’ll ride to the shimmer together.”

“What is the
shimmer
?”  Caleb asks.

“It’s the entrance to an alter realm, the one where faeries live.  Thorne is a guardian and has been assigned to Jessie.  His job is to protect her against any threats.  Nyx doesn’t have access to the woodlands, which are located in Fairyland.  After you’re married, your castle and the
court
will appear.  The prophecy specifically speaks of the shift in the realm.  There will be turmoil, especially over you two growing up human.  The Light Tamers are regarded as healers,
and
most are respected.  Your Tamer quality is the fae in you.  I too am half fae.  I’ve never lived on the other side of the shimmer, but I’ve visited many times.  Fairyland respects the Tamers and the
good
they do for humans.  Their beef is the fact fae have reproduced with humans.  It all makes perfect sense now.  Nyx isn’t concerned about Erebus, she is worried you’ll take your
thrown
and banish the Underworld from ever returning to the earth.  Once the ring is on your finger, the dagger will guide and protect you on your journey.

“Dagger of Destiny, the Ring of Virtue, and the Book of Fae.  Only the queen will be able to open the book.  Try the dagger, maybe you can cut the leather.”

“I’ve tried and failed.  I’m guessing here, but what if we can’t open it until we’re….you
know…married
?”

“That’s a
good
chance.  I know we have to be virtuous to wear the
ring…does
that mean we’ll
never…eh…well
…” Caleb says shyly.

“Have
sex
?  Spit it out,” Amber laughs.

Oh my goodness, you didn’t go there.

I did.  One day, we’ll want to do that..
we
won’t be kids forever.

I know. 
I turned off his ability to hear my thoughts.  My heart was hammering against my chest.

Grandma sits stiff as a board. 
“Yes, you will be able to be adults…eventually.
  The prophecy says you must be a virgin when you put the ring on.  It talks about how young
you
are and later says; one day your offspring will enforce your rulings.  Everything will be
fine
.  We need to go though. 
I’m more equipped to protect you at the house.”

“You are?”  I blurt out.

She bends her head forward, peering over her reading glasses.  “Oh yeah, I’m prepared.”

“Alrighty, I guess we’ll head to Jessie’s.  It will give her a chance to write her vows.  You have to do that don’t you?”  Amber prods me.

“No, she’ll repeat after me.  The ceremony is specific, so we won’t be veering off to the left,” Thorne stops and remembers something.  “Jessie, you’ll need to wear something blue, and it can’t be seen by anyone other than Caleb.  You don’t have to worry about the human superstition about not seeing your beloved before the I do’s.”  He looks Caleb in the eye.  “You do love her?” Caleb shook his head up and down.  “You’d die for her right?”  Caleb agreed.  “You might be tested, you trust her don’t you?” 

“What are you getting at?” 

“He’s telling you there might be times that you have to trust your spouse.  In Fairyland, the Queen is the
ruler…unless
she’s dead.  Typically in a royal wedding there will be tests, and you’ll have to trust yourself to believe in your wife.  Everything is mystical, even your castle is hidden from all
fae…until
you’re crowned.”

“We have a castle?  What is it called?”  I ask.  “You’re the one that knows the prophecy; I’m assuming you know where our hidden house is.  Not
house…
castle
.
”

“Your kingdom is currently The Hidden City of Everlasting Light.  When you’re crowned, it will be The Kingdom of Everlasting Light.  No one knows where it is.  The fae who live there have never been seen, and the powers have been guarded so well, the elders have only speculations.  I’m not kidding, when I say everything is about to change.”  Grandma pulled me in for a hug. 

As we walked out of the single-wide mobile home, something in the air swirled around us, and I felt trouble brewing.  We walked in silence to the cars, I rode with Thorne…he’s my guardian after-all.  Caleb and Amber rode in her Jeep.  Her muddy Jeep.  Hmmm

“Tell me something, do you wonder what Amber was out doing?  Her Jeep is mega-muddy, especially for someone who makes out with the car daily.  Don’t ask.”  Thorne and I’d been driving for about five minutes before I worked up the nerve to ask him.

He taps the steering-wheel and shrugs his shoulders.  “Jessie, I can’t worry about her right now.  You should be focusing on staying out of trouble for the next five hours.  I mean it, don’t go out for anything.  I have two fifty pound bags of salt in the trunk.  When we get to the house, I want everyone to take salt and do the protection spell.  Does Caleb have any aversion to climbing on the roof?”

“Why?  You’re not making him sleep out there are you?”

“What?  Why would I make Caleb sleep outside Jessie?  Remember, you’re going to the chapel to get married?”

“Chapel?  They have church in Fae-
ville
?”

“Fae-
ville
?”

“You know, like Who-ville.  Let me guess, you aren’t into Dr. Seuss.  Why do you want him on the roof?”

“I need him to send up some solar flares to notify my spaceship to land.”

I choke on the mouthful of water from my now,
very
hot bottle of water.  “Your what?”  It comes out more hysterical than I expected.  “You’re messing with me!”  He nods his head at me.  “Jerk,” I smacked his arm.

“Ow!  You’re violent for being the so-called Queen of Fairyland.  You’re going to be a tyrant
aren’t you
?  You’ll behead random pixies that flit into your territory.”

“No, I’d never do anything to hurt someone.  Is there a possibility that you’ll ask Amber out?  Can you date her?”

“Look Jessie, I do want to take her
out…right
now, isn’t a
good
time to get involved.  My main concern is to guard you and Caleb.  Don’t go running your mouth or anything, but if the prophecy is true, I’m hanging around for a while.  Unless you behead
me…if you
do, it won’t work out for us.”

“You’re impossible.”

“I’ve heard that before.”

We chatted for a few more minutes about what he needs done on the roof.
  He wants the chimney checked and salted, as well as any other openings.  We finally pull onto a street I recognize.  Both of us found peace, lost in our own thoughts until we get home.

“Jess, one more thing, please don’t push the Amber
thing…when
it’s a
good
time, we’ll see.  Okay?”

Rolling my eyes, I agree.  “Hey, why five hours?”

“That’s when you’re getting married.”

“Oh yeah, silly me.”  I storm off to the house to grab some cups for the salt.  I hope she has a way to explain why we’re salting the house like a giant french fry.  Hold up, did he say five hours?