Page 91 of Fae Tithe

They do, but I would prefer not to add more to their worries right now. So, this is the plan: once everything has settled down a bit, I will talk to Lance. We will discuss our options, see what he thinks. Then, we will talk to the rest of the family.

Helena opened her eyes to Rose studying her closely. “Were you talking to the Dragon?”

“Yes.” She nodded and sipped the last of her glass.

The red wine went down smoothly, settling in her stomach, and relaxing her aching neck and shoulders as she leant back into the sofa cushion. The long days in the cart had knotted Helena’s muscles, but she did not want to wake Lance for such a minor discomfort. Especially as she knew he had been working so hard the past week to heal her and get them home.

“Let me top you up,” Rose said.

She placed her own glass on the small, battered side table between the sofa and armchair. Rose reached for the green bottle, the dark liquid inside half gone, and topped up Helena’s offered cup. Her black claws chinked as she brought the crystal back to her lips and took another sip, feeling pleasantly light.

“How’s Willow?” Helena asked, wanting to talk about something else. She was tired of the conversation being about everything that had happened to her.

“She’s great. Fantastic, actually,” Rose enthused. Her cheeks were flushed against her pale skin. Her face broke out into a wide smile. “She told me she loved me the other day, and I told her that back. I actually love her more than I ever thought possible. Will… she’s just amazing,” she gushed.

Helena’s face broadened with a grin. The fine lines at the edges of her eyes crinkled. She knew Willow from around the village. She was a lovely, warm woman, who worked as an assistant at the faerie apothecary. Helena was often served by Willow when she went to buy more contraceptive tea. Helena placed the crystal glass onto the wooden table with a light tap. She reached for Rose’s slim arm with her scaled fingers and gave it a comforting squeeze, mindful of her claws.

“I am so happy for you, Rose. No one deserves it more.”

Helena sighed, a feeling of utter contentment fluttering down her limbs as she looked down at Lance with a soft smile.

Afew weeks later, deep into the evening, Helena sat at the kitchen table. Eleanor, Max, Zac, and Rose were all asleep in their beds. Lance was away attending to matters of his court. The night was warm and sweat dotted her upper lip. She wore a loose, cotton nightgown to help with the heat. Helena had been finding it hard to sleep. Her joints ached, and her healing skin was tender and tight.

She peered down at the book in her hands. Helena could not decide if she still needed to wear her round spectacles. Her left eye seemed sharper than ever, but her right still produced a fuzzy view. She could not help but giggle at the thought of wearing a monocle. More books also surrounded her. She had borrowed them from the small library in the village. Helena grabbed any book that had made mention of Dragons or Fae, until the wizened librarian had told her five was the maximum allowed out at any time, so was forced to return some to the shelves.

All nonsense, Atlas growled in her head as Helena ran her gaze slowly over the passages. This is not how it happened, Len.

I know, she agreed.

The books were all roughly the same in their content. According to Seelieland history, Atlas was saved by Theo. The Dragon, in his gratitude, gave the First King the magic of his Flame, before he passed away peacefully from old age. Another book read of how the court systems brought order and security to Seelieland. Apparently, the faeries and humans of the time were eternally grateful for their safety, while the wild faeries and unruly humans had been banished to Unseelieland. King Theo had used the Dragon Flame magic to forge the wall to protect them all.

Theo used my Flame to divide families and banish those who would not submit. It makes me so sad to think of my magic being used for such things, the Dragon lamented. His voice sounded small, despite the way it rumbled through her mind.

Not anymore, Helena said comfortingly. She tapped her temple with the point of a claw. You and your magic are safe in here, at least for the time being. I am still hoping we may find a way to give you your own body.

Atlas purred. He sent the flash of an image across her mind. In it, he pressed the tip of his scaly nose into Helena’s palm, the colours of their scales matching. She smiled at the tender vision. Despite everything that had happened to him, Atlas was a sweet Dragon.

She closed the book she had been reading and instead reached for the newspaper she had bought while she was in town. Helena hefted it upright, staring at the front page.

Now, this is interesting. Usually, the newspapers out here in the Clusters are around two sheets long and barely contain any information, but this feels… heavier than normal.

It might be to do with the death of the King, Atlas guessed. Perhaps with no Rian to keep them in line, the provinces are feeling braver with what they allow their people to know.

Helena began to slowly read the newspaper, elbows propped up on the table. Her gaze flicked up when she heard soft footsteps outside. Biscuit had been sprawled out on the cool tiles. He lifted his head and pricked his ears at the door, but did not bark. There was only one person it could be if the dog did not give Helena a warning of someone approaching.

A smile of delight spread across her face as Lance opened the door to the kitchen. She felt giddy at the sight of his long, lean form in the cosy glow of the lamplight. He dipped his height slightly and stepped over the threshold. He had slipped on the shirt and shorts Helena had taken to leaving on the veranda for him. His strong arms were laden with waterproof bags, woven from seaweed leather. Lance had been back and forth multiple times to his court, explaining his absence and reacting to any pressing matters. Helena had not expected him home for another few days for Eleanor’s birthday.

“Hello there, sweetheart,” Lance said warmly, a grin of pointed teeth spreading across his face.

Biscuit hefted his chunky body from the cool tiles and made his way over to the High Prince, his claws tapping loudly at each step in the quiet of the night. He snuffled at Lance’s bare feet and he smiled down at him. The dog wagged his tail in response.

“Hi, love. I wasn’t expecting you back for a while,” Helena said brightly. She folded the newspaper and abandoned it amongst the books. “I’m so happy to see you! I’m always relieved when you come home.”

Lance placed his bags on the free end of the table that was not full of borrowed books. He then stepped over to Helena, swooping down and pressing a kiss to the top of her head. She gave a contented sigh as he pulled out the chair next to her, scraping it over the tiles, and sat down.

Tell your Siren I say hello, Atlas said excitedly, and Helena relayed the message.

“Hello back.” Lance grinned, the fine lines deepening at the edges of his mouth.