The Heirs

Chapter 15- Luna Est Verum

Luna Est Verum

Latin

The Moon's Truth
-

tread lightly, she is near
under the snow,
speak gently, she can hear
the daisies grow.

all her bright golden hair
tarnished with rust,
she that was young and fair
fallen to dust.
-

"Take this woman to my room, lock the door, and have ten soldiers stand guard outside." Jem barked orders to the guard who'd been standing outside the chamber he, his mother, and the Faerie Queen had been in. "Make sure she does not escape."

The Faerie Queen raised her brow, and flicked her hand at the guard. The air sizzled around him, and in an instant, a potted plant stood where the guard had.
"You think some mortal guards can keep me locked up? I look human, but I am far from it. If I wish to leave, I will leave, High King."

"Fine." He was too nettled, to be diplomatic or kind. Instead of getting a sweet Happy Birthday message from his Mum, she'd told him she was abandoning him forever. And his birth mother, who he didn't remember ever seeing, had shown up as well.
He'd always thought that, no matter which country his mother was, she would always be there when he needed her. It seemed he had been spectacularly wrong.
But could he grudge her choice? If he'd been offered the same, for someone whom he loved and missed as much as his mother did his father- what would he choose?
He didn't know.
"Leave, then. Never return. And remember, that you have up your one chance to spend time with your son, your only child that you haven't seen in thirty years, because of your ego."

The Faerie Queen's lips thinned.
"The child does not want to spend time with me, so I do not see how it matters."

"The child does not know what he wants." He said curtly, before turning to his mother, who'd been quiet since she'd pronounced that it was only she who would be going into the Faerie Realm. "We need to talk about this, Mum. All four of us. We might never see you again."

"She said she'll let you, your sisters, my brother visit-"

"And how are we supposed to find our way to another realm, Mum?"

His mother was about to answer that persons with fae blood could find Neráida- at least, she thought they could- but the Faerie Queen spoke up.
"You can find it, G- Jem. Neráida is your home. It's where you belong." Her face was expressionless. "You will find it when you want to."

Sanya swallowed, tears threatening to make their appearance. She had never intended to break the news so callously, so soon.
"Jemmy-" Her son looked at her, lips parted, anguish written all over his face, "we don't need to talk about this now. I don't want to ruin your birthday."

"I think it's too late for that now." He looked to the Faerie Queen again, please, and then at the plant. "Change him back, and wipe his memory. I don't want the world to know that the Faerie Queen is here."
I don't want the world to know whose son I really am.

"So many orders." She tutted, but waved her hands at the plant, transforming it back to a guard, who looked faintly green. "You had a headache. And now you'll escort me to my- to the High King's chambers. Only you."

"No." Jem massaged his forehead. He'd start drinking long before his birthday Ball began. "Take ten guards, Haize, and- handle her gently."