The Summer Elysium

     My name is Ash, third prince of the Unseelie Court, and the youngest son of the Winter Queen Mab.
     It is the time of year for Elysium, an ancient ceremony between the Seelie and Unseelie courts. For one night ancient enemy will pretend to be friends and celebrate the “good-will” between them. There my mother and the Seelie monarchs will agree to not attach each other for another year.
     I hate it.
     Winter is coming to an end in the Mortal Realm meaning it is our turn to travel to the Seelie Court capital of Arcadia for the Summer Elysium. Lord Oberon and the Lady Titania will be preparing there palace for out arrival, meaning they’re aping up their security and making sure the worst of their kind will be nowhere to be found once we arrive.
     That knowledge brought a face into my mind that sparked my anger. Messy red hair and slanted green eyes. An irritatingly relentless smile that didn’t care if it hurt someone, didn’t care about the consequences of his actions. Anything to get a laugh, right? Robin Goodfellow, the Summer Court jester, most famous for his role in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. A long time ago we had been friends, but after he caused the loss of Her he became my mortal enemy. One day soon I will avenge her death.
     The Law will be the only thing that will retrain me during Elysium, but I still hoped Goodfellow wouldn’t be there to tempt me.

     Our carriage flew through the air. I sat alongside my older brothers, Sage and Rowan, and my mother. Sage’s wolf lay curled up contently in a ball at his feet. As usual it was a quiet ride. The Scepter of the Season was held tightly within Mab’s manicured grip. It pulsed with power casting a bright, iridescent blue light along the carriage walls. Mab’s face was cold and desolate of all emotions, like it usually was. Her jet black eyes seemed to dare me and my brothers to even think of trying anything that night.
     I stared out the window and saw the bright colors of Arcadia’s dense forests. It was so different from Tir Na Nog, the Unseelie Court capital and my home. Everything there was covered in ice there. Like Arcadia it was beautiful, which only disguised its danger. That’s what it’s like living in the Nevernever. You can never let down your guard, not even for a second.
     “Ash,” Mab purred in a tone that really couldn’t be considered as friendly. I turned my head to look at her, making sure my face showed the same amount of emotion as hers, which was none. Emotion was nothing more than an exploitable weakness in the Unseelie Court. Mab might be my mother, but she was still the Unseelie Queen. The corners of her lips curled upward, pleased with my attention. “Smile. It has been a long time since I’ve seen you smile.” I gave her a half-hearted grin before turning back to the window.
     “Why, I think he’s just upset because he knows his duties tonight.” Rowan sneered. I glanced at him for a split second, saw his unmistakable dangerous smirk, and looked back out the window. “Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten, dear brother, it is your turn.” I remained still, refusing to give him the satisfaction he desired. “You do remember don’t you Ash? It is your turn to dance with one of those Seelie bastards.” My face remained blank but I closed my eyes in recognition of my expectations. “You were hoping we forgot, weren’t you little brother? Ah, well too bad.”
     I looked at Rowan eye to eye, staring blankly at his signature leering smile. “I will do what is expected of me from my queen, unless she orders otherwise,” I said coldly. Rowan met my glare before letting out a small chuckle, letting me know that the discussion was over.
     The carriage finally stopped, outside bright sunlight shined through the carriage windows. We all straightened our composure when the horseman opened the door. Mab stepped out first; her long black gown flowed seamlessly around her.  Sage stepped out next with his wolf right at his side, then Rowan; a slight aura of regal arrogance surrounded them. I took a deep breath and carefully stepped out of the carriage, my hand resting comfortably on the hilt of my sword. We were surrounded by winter fey, red caps stood in front in their sharp uniforms holding the Unseelie Court banner. The ogres stood behind them looking around hungrily for unsuspecting and helpless summer fey. Others also stood around us but all kept a respectable distance from Mab and the three dangerous winter sidhe in black and silver suits, behind her.
    The royal procession began down the sun filled briar tunnels. I stayed a few steps behind them, glaring at any seelie fey that dared to come too close. Keep your guard up, I told myself, you are in enemy territory.
    A goblin stood in front of the entrance, dressed in a fancy black coat with gold buttons. He puffed out his chest and cried clear and loud:
    “Her Majesty, Queen Mab, Lady of the Winter Court, Sovereign of the Autumn Territories, and Queen of Air and Darkness!” Mab entered in all her regal beauty. She let her power show, surrounding her with the intensity and danger that was the Winter Queen. I approached the entrance, following my brothers.
    I entered the courtyard. It was filled with other fey as eerie music swirled around us. I looked around keeping all awe over the beauty of Arcadia suppressed for I knew it was only a disguise for what lied underneath. I looked over to a long table where Oberon and Titania sat, both glowing with power. I walked up to the table and bowed respectfully to the seelie monarchs.
    “It is an honor to be here, great lords.” I murmured so that only they could hear me. I stepped back, straightened myself, and looked down the table. On one side of them were four empty chairs, reserved for me and my family, on the other side was- No.
    Ariella.
    The girl I once loved. The girl I had lost because I couldn’t protect her. Because I had trusted Goodfellow as he led us into a wyvern nest. Ariella, the one who had been struck by the wyvern’s poisonous barbed tail before dying in my arms.
    Logic finally kicked in. Even if Ariella had survived she wouldn’t have come to the Summer Court. That would have been suicide.
    Despite a clear resemblance, I now saw differences that proved to me that Ariella was not here. The girl had pale skin and bright blue eyes. Her light, long blond hair was curled and twisted into a graceful swirl atop her head. Her dress was shimmering silver that looked lighter than silk and rippled like water with every move she made. Lacy sleeves billowed from her arms and barely touched her skin. A sapphire stone, roughly the size of an infant’s fist, braced her neck.
    She was staring at me like she recognized me. A memory flashed through my mind of me racing horse back in the Wyldwood in hot pursuit, my hounds howling alongside me. In the distance I had seen a horse of bright red hair and striking green eye. Goodfellow, in his horse form. A girl had been on his back when my pursuit had begun, clutching him like it was life or death, which I guess it was.
    Now this girl sat at the table next to Oberon staring at me in nothing short of fear.
Good, I thought to myself, she should be scared. Fear creates caution and the Nevernever takes all the caution you can give and more. I held her gaze, smiling slightly and giving her a small nod of my head. I saw her shiver slightly, she knew I remembered her too and that seemed to scare her even more.

    The festivities were the same as always. The food was served as was the wine. I watched the fey dance to the music; one satyr played a tune on his pipe while a human danced until her feet started to bleed. Her face was a mixture of terror and ecstasy. The Seelie and Unseelie mingled with only the rules of Elysium and the three powerful rulers keeping them from turning the night into an all-out bloodbath.
     My mother and the Seelie rulers talked politics all night, never leaving their seats. The blonde girl I’d seen earlier kept glancing down the table at me but I ignored her. Her resemblance to Ariella was uncanny and that was someone I didn’t want to think about. Besides, it was probably safer for both of us if I pretended not to notice her.
     Rowan nudged my arm, “Are you ready for your dance, little brother?” I shot him an annoyed look, he grinned back at me clearly have too much fun. “Do you know who your partner will be?” He asked.
     “Probably another nobleman’s daughter just like every other time.” I said trying to sound like I didn’t care.
     “Oh, not just anyone’s daughter this time, Ash. You’ll be dancing with His daughter.” Roman pointed with his thumb towards Oberon. I gave Rowan a confused look, last time I checked, Oberon had no children. Living children that is. “That silly girl over there is Oberon’s half-human daughter, the new Seelie Princess.” I looked over again, past the rulers to the little half-breed girl. Her eyes were huge as she watched the performers in front of her, but her mind was clearly on something else. “You’re up, little brother.” Rowan cooed.
     With an exasperated sigh I stood up and walked behind the rulers to the half-breed girl. I saw her look over to my empty seat, again. When she saw it empty she frantically started scanning the courtyard. She was so busy for me that hadn’t noticed that I standing behind her. I couldn’t help but chuckle.
      “So this is Oberon’s famous half-blood,” I mused and she spun around in her seat to face me. My heart began beating faster, she was even more beautiful up-close. Her bright blue eyes huge from surprise, clenching her hands nervously in her lap. I continued, “And to think, I lost you that day in the forest and didn’t even know what I was chasing.” Her nervousness was written clear on her face, she glanced over to her father like she was looking for help. Oberon, however, didn’t seem to notice.
       Finally she seemed to compose herself, taking a deep breath she raised her chin and looked me straight in the eye. “I warn you,” she finally spoke, “that if you try anything, my father will remove your head and stick it to a plaque on his wall.” This girl was trying to be brave, unfortunately for her I found it more amusing than anything else.
       I shrugged my shoulders at her threat, “There are worse things.” She looked horrified and I gave her a faint smile to ease her discomfort. “Don’t worry princess, I won’t break the rules of Elysium. I have no intension of facing Mab’s wrath should I embarrass her. That’s not why I’m here.”
       “Then what do you want?”
       I bowed, keeping my gentlemanly composure. “A dance.”
       “What!” She stared at me. “You tried to kill me!”
       If only she knew. “Technically, I was trying to kill Puck. You just happened to be there. But yes, if I’d had the shot, I would have taken it.” I told her truthfully.
       “Then why the hell would you think I’d dance with you?”
       I looked at her, slightly amused. “That was then.” I said to her. “This is now. And it’s tradition in Elysium that a son and daughter of opposite territories dance with each other, to demonstrate the goodwill between the courts.” Whoever created the tradition must have been irony impaired, I thought to myself.
       “Well, it’s a stupid tradition.” She crossed her arms, glaring at me. “And you can forget it. I am not going anywhere with you.”
       I raised my eyebrows. Damn, this girl was stubborn! Clearly I was going to have to change my tactics. “Would you insult my monarch, Queen Mab, by refusing? She would take it very personally, and blame Oberon for the offense. And Mab can hold a grudge for a very, very long time.”
      “So, you’re saying you’re not giving me a choice.” I had to admit, I was relieved that she’d said that. I didn’t want to get in an argument.
     “There is always a choice.” I held out my hand. “I will not force you. I only follow the orders of my queen. But know that the rest of the court is expecting us.” I smiled at her hoping it didn’t look like I was mocking her. “And I promise to be a perfect gentleman until the night is done. You have my word.” I added.
     “Dammit.” She started rubbing her arms nervously. “I’ll just embarrass you, anyway. I can’t dance.”
     “You’re Oberon’s blood.” I mused. “Of course you can dance.”
     I waited patiently for her to respond, to argue. My hand outstretched, silently inviting her to put her hand in mine. She took a deep breath, whether she was trying to muster up her confidence or admitting defeat, I couldn’t tell, nor did I care. Finally she placed her hand in mine, as her fingers touched I felt a strange sensation shoot up my arms and suddenly felt very protective of the nervous little half-breed before me.
     I moved her hand to my arms and felt her shiver as she got closer. I led her away from the table and around us fey stopped what they were doing to watch, bowing as we passed.
     “I can’t do this,” I heard her whisper and I felt her grip of my arm tighten. “Let me go. I think I’m going to be sick.”
     “You’ll be fine.” I comforted, without looking at her, as we stepped onto the dance floor, making sure to keep my expression blank. I felt her absolutely trembling so I tightened my hold on her hand, just to show her that I was sincere. “Just follow my lead.”
     I bowed respectfully to the rulers and the princess curtsied. They all watched us but only Oberon nodded. I took one of her hands in mine and guided the other one to my shoulder.
     The music then started.
     I began to move, stepping forward easily making her almost trip. She bit her lip as she tried to move with me keeping her head down to watch her feet. She stumbled a few times and once almost stepped on my foot. The princess looked like she was ready to give up, her face flush red from embarrassment.
     I knew she needed help if she was to keep going. I casually chuckled. “Stop thinking,” I muttered so that only she could hear, I pulled her into a spin that ended with her against my chest. “The audience doesn’t matter. The steps don’t matter. Just close your eyes and listen to the music.”
    “Easy for you to say,” She growled and I spun her again. She looked up at me. “So,” she began, “you’re Queen Mab’s son, right?”
    “I think we’ve established that, yes.”
    “Does she like to… collect things?” I looked at her confused having no idea what she was implying. “Humans, I mean? Does she have a lot of humans in her court?”
    “A few.” I spun her again and this time she moved with it. She was finally starting to get it. “Mab usually gets bored with mortals after a few years. She either releases them or turns them into something more interesting, depending on her mood. Why?”
    “Does she have a little boy in her court? Four years old, curly brown hair, blue eyes? Quiet most of the time?”
    My gaze remained confused but I answered her honestly, “I don’t know.” Disappointment washed over her features. I continued, “I haven’t been to court lately. Even if I had, I cannot keep track of all the mortals the queen acquires and releases over the years.”
    “Oh,” she muttered and her glaze turned from mine. “Well, if you’re not in court, where are you, then?”
    I smiled and spun her again, “The Wyldwood. Hunting. I rarely let my prey escape, so be grateful Puck is such a coward.” I pulled her close again and lowered my lips to her ear. “Although,” I whispered, “I am happy I didn’t kill you then. I told you a daughter of Oberon could dance.”
Her eyes grew wide, but for once it wasn’t from embarrassment. It was realization. Realization that she was not only dancing, but dancing elegantly.
    She looked up at me, and suddenly it felt as if we were the only people in the world. Neither one of us spoke as we swirled around the dance floor, together.
    The music stopped and I spun her one last time. She ended pressed up against me, her face close to mine. Suddenly my heart started racing and my stomach flopped. We watched each other for a moment, staring intently into each other’s eyes. It would take only a small movement and our lips would meet…
    Someone in the crowd screamed, snapping me back to reality. I let go of the princess stepping back, immediately hiding away all my emotions. Too close Ash, I thought, too close. A scream rang out again, soon followed a vicious roar that rattled the tables and sent fine crystal goblets to their deaths. The bramble wall shook as a large creature tore through. Fey began screaming, running for their lives.
    A bloody chimera pushed its way into the courtyard. The chimera, at first look, looked like every other chimera I’ve fought. It had a lion’s head with the body of a dead satyr trapped in its mouth, a goat’s head with mad white eyes, and a dragon’s head with molten flames dripping from its teeth. But there was something off about this one, its eyes looked crazed and mad and… in pain.
The Unseelie fey leaped at the monster, hungry and bloodthirsty. The chimera threw them off and turned its gaze to the dance floor. The bloody chimera roared out before beginning to charge towards… no.
    The half-human summer princess stood frozen in horror as the beast launched itself at her.
Without a second thought I unsheathed my sword and ran as fast as my body would carry me, high with adrenaline. I ran up and shoved the princess out of the way and met the beast with my blade.
    Dammit Ash! Too close! Don’t let your guard down again!