*My first short story, serialized and published for the first time on Steemit. I'm hoping to raise some money to pay Vet bills for Thomas Cat, who was attacked by a dog a few weeks ago. Read about Thomas
The Littlest Fairy - Part 2
"It's so not fair! I should be next in line- I've waited forever!" Tertia spat the words out, although she was careful enough to whisper so as not to alert the others to her presence.
She was incensed that third-borns were expected to apprentice and have a vocation; to serve fairy and animal kingdoms alike in some way. It just wasn't right. Tertia might be a third-born, but she was still of royal fairy blood. Why should she have to serve anyone? They should be serving her! Hidden by leaves in the limbs of the giant oaks, Tertia seethed with anger and frustration as she watched the wee folk and animals fawn over the tiny princess Amelinda.
"Why don't you get rid of her?" The velvety voice crooned in her ear.
Tertia whirled to face Loukas. "What are you doing here? I thought you slept during the day!"
"Have you not seen the shadows lengthen? It will soon be night, my dear Tertia, perfect for hunting." Loukas flexed his four-inch wingspan and puffed out his abdomen, the narrow yellow lines showing bright against the midnight-blue of his furry body. But even as his soft voice washed over Tertia, he burrowed further into the leaves so the bright white of his Leopard Moth wings could not be seen.
"What do you mean, get rid of her? You don't mean— kill her?"
"Well, of course not, that would be rather drastic, don't you think? And it would bring the wrath of the fairies down on all our heads."
"Then, what? How?"
Loukas' moth-lips curved upwards with a mocking twist. "Perhaps little Amelinda should just ... float away. Disappear into the ether, as if she never existed."
"Hmmm."
Tertia's brow creased as she considered his words. She had grown strong and powerful, but didn't know if she'd be able to accomplish such a feat. She had learned much in the past year or so from Leonid, the Moth King, about air spells and how to control the winds and the mists — but to make someone, even a tiny fairy babe, just disappear into thin air? Tertia wasn't sure she was clever enough to pull that off. Unless ....
She stared at Loukas, thinking he certainly had the talent for it. He was a year ahead of her in his apprenticeship, and much more learned than she in the ways of the Moth, the dark arts known only to the night-winged. He was certainly larger than the average Leopard Moth, his wings a full inch broader than most and the white bands around his long legs heavily muscled.
Tertia knew Loukas was a powerful hunter and often feasted on rotting fruit and meat, sucking the juices from his drinking straw mouth— something her fastidious tastes found rather disgusting. In fact, in spite of Loukas' nonchalant air and silky-smooth voice he rather intimidated her, but she refused to let him know that since they often schooled together. He exuded an electricity that both fascinated and repelled her. Tertia suppressed a slight shiver.
Loukas' hooded eyes masked his own thoughts, but beneath heavy, half-closed lids he watched with satisfaction the play of expressions over Tertia's lovely face.
Ahh yes, she will be the perfect mistress, he thought. And when She places that silver-starred crown on those sultry sable tresses, I plan to be standing at Tertia's side as lord and consort. I, Loukas, third-born of the Moth Realm, will be King of the Fairy Realm, and Leonid and Cassandra may go to the devil!
"Shhhh, Cassandra is speaking again!" Tertia held a finger to her lips and leaned towards the voices in the meadow.
"Father Bear", Queen Cassandra beckoned with a regal nod towards the great black hulk of the king of the bear clan. King Fenmoore stepped forward with surprising grace and bowed low before her. Cassandra gently touched his massive shoulder and smiled into the soft brown eyes that belied the immense strength and power behind his kind face, long tapered muzzle and powerful haunches. Fenmoore raised his eyes and smiled back.
"My dear friend", Cassandra spoke quietly so the listeners had to strain their ears to hear. "It is my fondest wish that you accept the honour and the burden of responsibility to be Godfather to Princess Amelinda, to be her guardian in all things. What say you?"
All images, free for public use, from Morguefile and Google Images
Copyright J C Edwards 2017