Finding Bliss Page 6

  Chapter 11

  Blissa had been wholly unprepared for her father’s schism. Usually they affected much older fairies, but it wasn’t entirely uncommon for kings to die of schisms. The stress of ruling made them more prone to such ailments.

  Blissa just hadn’t expected it. It had been a complete shock, and she’d arrived at the castle too late to do much but hold her father’s hands as healers tried to help him. But they’d failed, and he’d died. Now Blissa was truly alone in the world. Her parents were both gone, and she had to find a way to fend for herself. Not just herself, but her kingdom. It was a lonely prospect.

  Her grief had felt overwhelming, and that first night she’d done nothing but sob. The next day, she leaned on Maurelle much. Her cousin had been an unmovable rock for her, and she appreciated her fortitude. Maurelle had stepped in and helped with everything, with sending out the notice, with preparing the final goodbye ceremony, reminding her of the dignitaries who would want to speak. She had amazed Blissa with her clear head during a crisis, her ability to do so much despite her own grief. Even though both her parents had died long ago, the king had been like a surrogate father to Maurelle. Yet she hadn’t descended into a pool of sadness as Blissa had. She’d managed to do so much, while Blissa had managed just grief and loneliness.

  On the night following her father’s death, she and Maurelle were huddled alone in her room. Maurelle had tucked Blissa into the silky sheets, telling her to not worry, to just grieve, to take time she needed, when there was a knock at the door. Maurelle, looked up, irritated. “I’ll send them away,” she said.

  Blissa wiped a tear from her eye, and nodded as she watched Maurelle head to the door. She didn’t want to see anyone. Well, she actually did wish to see someone. She felt a desire to see Edmund, but that wasn’t possible here in the fairy realm. Her father hadn’t rescinded his decree on mating before his death, and it was generally frowned upon to bring humans to the realm.

  Maurelle was speaking in whispers at the door and finally, she opened it wider and Eldred came in. He walked directly over to Blissa, something in his hand. When he arrived at her bed, he bowed his head, and said, “I’m sorry to disturb you, Blissa, but I thought you might like this. It is a note from Edmund.”

  She sat up and reached for it. She could see Maurelle’s eyes flit between the two of them. She hadn’t gotten a chance to tell Maurelle about Edmund. She’d intended to, but she’d not found the chance in the wake of her father’s schism.

  “Who is Edmund?” Maurelle asked, her voice tight.

  “A friend,” Blissa said. “Someone I’ve been seeing. Where I’ve been disappearing off to.”

  Maurelle’s mouth opened in a little O.

  Blissa opened the note and read it. Your friend tells me your father has died. I am so sorry, my love. I know you must be grief-stricken. Know that I am here for you in your hour of need. I can be at your side, if you just but ask.

  She smiled. It was sweet, and what she wanted, but not true. She couldn’t bring Edmund here, not right now. She sighed. Eldred placed his hand on her bed, and said. “I’ll leave you to read your note and have some peace for tonight. I will take Maurelle to eat, for I fear she’s been so devoted to you, she hasn’t taken a moment for herself.”

  Blissa looked up at Maurelle, and she realized Eldred was right. She couldn’t remember a moment when Maurelle had eaten. She smiled at Eldred, and turned to Maurelle. “Yes, please, Maurelle, get something to eat, and I’ll be fine. I’ll rest here and see you in the morning.”

  Eldred removed his hand, and Blissa noticed a small stone where his hand had been. It was a fairy stone. Of course. Eldred was kind. She could go see Edmund now. While some fairies had the ability to magically transport, most did not. However, they could travel magically with the aid of a fairy stone. They needed simply speak the location they wanted to go and the stone would take them there.

  “Thank you, Eldred,” she said as he turned to leave. Maurelle waited for him at the door. He moved tenderly as he approached Maurelle, placing a loving hand on her and she leaned into him for support. Blissa smiled as she watched them, the way she naturally gravitated toward him, the way he touched her with such ease and grace. He would be a great comfort to Maurelle this evening. He would hold her and listen to her and wipe her tears, all the things one’s love should do in times like this.

  Blissa wanted the same. She clasped the fairy stone in her hand, brought it close to her mouth and whispered, “Take me to Edmund.”

  The fire of the fairy stone took hold as it transported her to where she wanted to go. She remembered crying the first time she’d used a fairy stone as a child. Her body felt as if it were filled with flame, and she’d watched her body wither away to ash, only to reform a few minutes later in her destination. She’d once asked her father why fairy stone travel was so unpleasant, and he’d told her fairy stones were a joint creation of the elements earth, wind and fire, and each wanted to have its part. The earth provided the stone, the wind provided the speedy travel and the fire wanted to offer an unforgettable sensation.

  That it was. Blissa materialized in Edmund’s bedroom, giving him quite the start. He’d been lying on his bed and as she appeared, he hopped up, his hands raised as if he were prepared to battle. “It’s me,” she said, as her body took full form.

  He smiled and raced toward her wrapping her in his arms. “I’m so sorry,” he whispered, as he stroked her back. “You must be so very devastated.”

  She nodded into his chest, and he guided her to the bed to sit.

  He took her hands in his and said, “I’m surprised to see you here. I thought you’d want time.”

  “Time to be alone, rather than in your arms?” She shook her head and leaned on him. “No. My cousin has Eldred to help her, and I found myself alone in my room wishing for you. So I thought I’d come.”

  “I’m glad you did,” he said, wrapping an arm around her. “And in spectacular fashion. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything as amazing as that.”

  Blissa laughed. “Yes, it does look pretty spectacular.” She closed her eyes, relishing his warmth.

  “I’d come to the Crystal Pond hoping to find you, but I ran into your friend instead. He said his name was Eldred and he told me your father had died. I had some paper with me, so I was able to write you a note.”

  “He gave me your note,” she said. “That’s why I wanted to come. I appreciated the thought. I just wanted more comfort tonight than kind words. Can I stay here, just ‘til morning, so I don’t have to lie alone? I just, I miss him so.” She started sobbing again.

  “Of course, my darling,” he said. “I can only imagine what it must be like to lose a father you loved dearly, a man who was kind and caring and who loved you.”

  She stifled her sobs. “He was so kind and generous, and he liked you, Edmund. He did.”

  “And I liked him. He seemed fair. And even though he could have dismissed me as the same as my father, he gave me a chance, and that’s really all any man can ask.”

  That was true, for sure. She snuggled up to Edmund closed her eyes, and enjoyed being enveloped in his warmth. He kissed her forehead. She wanted for a moment to forget everything else in the world and just feel the love of this man.

  Chapter 12

  It had been three weeks since her father had died, and Blissa had made a decision. She’d spoken to Dwennon recently, and he foresaw she would be happy in the world of men. Here, without her father, the notion of trying to rule a kingdom alone felt overwhelming.

  But in the days since her father died, she’d seen Maurelle take charge and lead well. With Eldred by her side, she could do good things for the fairy kingdom. She’d told Edmund of her decision already, and though he was hesitant about her returning her powers to the Sacred Pool, he seemed happier that she wanted to spend her life with him.

  Now, there was only one hard part left: telling Maurelle. Dwennon was a good seer, but he had never been particularly attuned to M
aurelle. Even for Blissa, she was hard to read some times. He said the path to parting well would be difficult, but given time, Maurelle would understand. At least, Dwennon thought that was the likeliest path. But, predicting the future was more art than science. Not because the oracles were inept, but because there were too many variables at play. Dwennon had once told her that time was like a river, and the direction of any droplet of water could vary greatly based on a rock in its path or a fallen tree branch. Things could look calm one minute, but then drastically change.

  Blissa walked to Maurelle’s bedroom door. She had a lovely room on the corner of the castle with many large windows that were often left open. Due to her affinity for birds, the creatures often swooped in and settled in her room, bringing her news or simply sitting to chat with her.

  Blissa knocked on the door.

  A moment later, she heard her cousin call for her to enter. Blissa did so, finding her cousin at one of the large arched windows. Blissa walked over toward her cousin. Maurelle turned and smiled at her.

  “You look well,” Blissa said.

  “Thank you. As do you. I take it things are getting a bit easier now. I mean, day to day. Not that I don’t still miss him terribly.”

  Blissa nodded. “I miss him terribly, too. But, each day that passes makes it seem like it's more bearable.”

  “I take it you’ve come to discuss your coronation,” Maurelle said, her eyes full of kindness. “I know Dwennon has been adamant that it should be done soon. I’ve asked Eldred to delay him with pushing you. But, Eldred tells me you and Dwennon had a long discussion a few days ago. So, I assume you’re ready to move forward.”

  This hadn’t been how Blissa had planned to discuss things. She should have taken better care to guide the conversation. “Can we sit?” Blissa asked.

  Maurelle stared at her uncertainly, and then the two moved to a long cushioned bench beneath a smaller window.

  “Maurelle,” Blissa said, trying to modulate her voice. “You are my cousin and my best friend, and I love you dearly and I would never do anything to hurt you.”

  Maurelle put a hand on top of Blissa’s. “Cousin, what’s wrong? I know you wouldn’t do anything to hurt me.”

  “I wouldn’t. I just ... I’m concerned you might feel as if I’ve done something to hurt you when what I’ve done has nothing to do with you.”

  Maurelle’s eyebrows crushed together. “Blissa, you’re not making sense.”

  “It’s about Edmund.”

  “The fairy you’re dating?”

  Blissa was stunned. Before she could correct her cousin, Maurelle grinned.

  “Eldred wouldn’t tell me anything about him,” Maurelle admitted. “I didn’t know any fairies named Edmund, but I did some research and learned one of the fairies from the Southern delegation is thusly named, and realized you started disappearing right about the time they came. So there’s nothing for you to worry about. I’m very happy you’ve found a fairy who makes you happy.”

  Blissa couldn’t let it go on a second longer. “Edmund isn’t a fairy,” she said. “He’s a man, a human.”

  Maurelle’s smile faded and her eyes narrowed as she began to comprehend what Blissa was saying. She bit her lower lip, and asked, with strain, “Is this a joke, Blissa? Because it’s not funny. I’m not sure why you would think this was a funny thing to say, but it’s not.”

  “Of course it’s not a joke, Maurelle. I love Edmund.”

  “A man?” she asked venomously.

  “Yes, a man. A kind man.”

  “They’re monstrous, murderers.”

  Blissa shook her head. “He’s not like that. He wouldn’t hurt people the way Errol did. He hated what King Errol did and he’s gone out of his way to be the opposite of that.”

  Maurelle stood and paced the room. Blissa watched, but said nothing. Her cousin enjoyed time to think before she spoke. It seemed best to let her, especially since she felt such anger at the moment. It radiated from her in long waves.

  Finally Maurelle turned back to her. “So this entire time, you’ve been with this man? You know nothing can come of it, right? It’s against the law, Blissa.”

  She sighed. “I know it is against the law right now. My father and I talked before his death. He was going to change the law.”

  Maurelle’s mouth sprang open. “So you could be with him, he would change the law? I don’t believe that. Uncle Roldan was a fairy of integrity.”

  “Yes, he was,” Blissa said standing and walking toward Maurelle. She put a hand on her cousin’s arm and sent out a wave of calm.

  Maurelle snatched her arm away. “Don’t you dare!”

  Blissa nodded. “I just thought you’d feel better if you weren’t so angry.”

  “No, you thought you’d feel better if I weren’t so angry. Why would you lie to me? Uncle would never do that for you.”

  Blissa shook her head. “I’m not lying to you. And you’re right, my father wouldn’t change the law for me. He wanted to change it because he thought it was right. He told me that Edmund and I could marry if I gave up my fairy powers, returned them to the Sacred Pool we received them from.”

  Maurelle stared at her cousin, her eyes looking as if they’d never seen Blissa before. “You will give up your wonderful powers to be with this man? Don’t you see how wrong that is, Blissa? Don’t you see how twisted this human is? He cares nothing for you. Only for himself.”

  “This was my choice, Maurelle, and Edmund suggested I not make it, but I think this will help. My father had planned to rescind the law banning fairy-human mating. And if I left to be with Edmund, it would be like me being an emissary, showing that we fairy and humans could be together without harm.”

  Maurelle turned away from her cousin. “I think you’re still grief stricken,” she said before turning back to her. “You shouldn’t make any rash decisions. Let’s just table this for now. We can discuss it later.”

  “We can’t,” Blissa said. “I’m returning my powers to the Sacred Pool tonight, and I plan to wed Edmund soon after.”

  “And your kingdom?”

  “It is the kingdom of the heir, and that would be you, Maurelle.” Blissa smiled. “And you’re good at it. I’ve seen the way you’ve taken charge, I can see your kindness with the creatures you speak to. You will be a just ruler, I know.”

  “So you plan to abandon your kingdom and abandon me.”

  “No, I’ll come visit. We can still spend time together, but not with me as a fairy. With me as a human.”

  Maurelle closed her eyes and Blissa could feel the frustration coming from her.

  “I’m sorry about telling you all this at once. I’d hoped to give you more time, to ease into it, but then my father died and no place or moment have felt like the right time to tell you.”

  “But now you’ve had to, because Dwennon wants a Queen installed.”

  “In part, but mostly because I want you to meet the man I love. I want you to give him a chance.”

  “And what does he do, this human of yours? Does he run an inn, or is he perhaps a lumber man?”

  Blissa frowned. “It matters not. I’d just like you to give him a chance.”

  “Then why do you refuse to tell me about him.”

  “He’s a prince,” Blissa admitted.

  “From one royal family to another,” Maurelle snarled. “And which kingdom is he from? Perhaps Jastenland. The royal line there has fairy blood, a great great grandmother, I think, was from our realm.”

  Blissa shook her head. “I’d like you to meet him,” she said. “I think if you just give him a chance, go in open minded, you’ll like him.”

  Maurelle narrowed her eyes. “I would like to know which of the human kingdoms he hails from, Blissa. The birds are great carriers of news. I’ve heard varying things about the peoples of the different lands. Which kingdom is he from?”

  Blissa hesitated a moment, and then said softly, “He’s from Epesland.”

  Blissa wished immediate
ly she hadn’t said that. Her cousin had gone from a tolerable level of anger to one that threatened to destroy everything in its wake. She felt the anger dim, ever so slightly, as Maurelle fixed her eyes on Blissa.

  Maurelle spoke with forced calm. “You must be mistaken, cousin. Epesland was the kingdom of Errol, the man who murdered my mother. Epesland’s prince is Errol’s son.”

  There was nothing to do but confirm it. “He is Errol’s son, but he’s nothing like him.”

  The explosion of anger within Maurelle was like a supernova. Its emotional strength shocked Blissa, forcing her to take a step back. Maurelle’s eyes were filled with pure hate as she poked her finger at Blissa and said, “You don’t deserve fairy power.”

  “Maurelle, you don’t mean that.”

  The angry cousin nodded. “I do mean that,” she sneered. “You’ve broken the law. You mated with a human. I suspect physically, but definitely mentally. You should give your powers back to the Sacred Pool and go. You don’t deserve to be here.”

  Blissa swallowed and tried to speak calmly. “I can see you’re upset, and I’m sorry for not telling you any of this earlier, but Maurelle, my choice in mate doesn’t have to come between us.”

  “You have chosen a man over your people.”

  “He’s a good man. Good like Eldred’s father. Good like Eldred, who himself is half human. Yet, you see his goodness. You love him.”

  Maurelle turned away.

  “Eldred loves you, Maurelle, and the two of you, I think, will be happy. He can help you rule here.”

  Maurelle turned back to her cousin. “I am not you,” she spat. “I will not have humans and Halflings ruling our realm. I will not abandon my people and my duties for a relationship I am forbidden from having. Do you understand?”

  Blissa stared at her cousin, shocked at what she just said. “Maurelle, you love Eldred. You shouldn’t deny yourself his love because of his parents, just as I shouldn’t deny myself love because of Edmund’s parents.”