A Court of Fire and Sun

chapter one

I could feel the panic settle inside of me. I had been running for so long and I was so fucking tired. My fae body would fail me soon and once it did, Eris would capture me and I would be dead. Immorality couldn't save me from the things Beron would do to me. I had ran and ran. Ran from the Autumn Court, through the Winter Court, and passed through Under the Mountain. I was in the dawn court now. I had been asleep when I heard Eris' hounds.

I was so close to the Day Court, if I could just make it there. I heard the stories of how Helion rescued my aunt but my mother and other aunt did not make it. Maybe he would help me too.

As my legs grew weak I had to push. I thought of all the pain I endured. I was forced to live in the basement of the Autumn Court manor. My punishment for being born though I did not ask for life. I pressed myself harder. I would make it by nightfall. I just had to keep going.

I wasn't close enough to winnow. I wasn't good at it so I couldn't travel far. But, I could close some distance. I was waiting until I was closer. Just a few more miles.

A heard a loud snap from the trees ahead. Was it possible? For Eris to get ahead of me? To travel ground that quick while he was so much further behind me?

Before I could even skid to halt, a tall figure stepped out in front of me. It took all my strength I had to not run into him. My throat let out a sobbing noise. It wasn't Eris. A man with a dark complexion stood in front me. He looked as if he were the Sun itself. It was Helion. "Helion, you have to help me."

Before either of us could say another word, Helion grabbed my wrist and the world around us twisted. He was winnowing us. When we stopped I gasped for air. "Thank you," I choked.

"Don't thank me yet. I received word from Eris they had a female on the run and the Day Court was the next place they would cross in to. I'm simply helping them by returning you."

All the relief I had felt suddenly was ripped away. His beautiful dark face was grim. "Wh-what?" My voice wasn't any louder than a whisper.

His long dark hair fell to side as he tilted his head, his golden crown tilting with it. "Why should I help you?"

He was right. Why should he? I suppose I had just assumed he would help me because he tried to save my mother and help my aunt. I was stunted and was unable to speak. The high lord rolled his eyes and shook his head. "You're wanted in the Autumn Court. Why should I aid a fugitive? Beron has a price on your head."

"What riches could you possibly need? You're a high lord."

"Careful, you're asking for my help, remember?" Helion straightened his posture, his eyes growing curious. "What's so special about you? Why is Beron wanting to kill you?"

I swallowed the knot in my throat down. I looked around at the tall walls inside of his manor. They were a beautiful beige marble with gold flakes everywhere. It was the Day Court indeed. I suppressed a sob. "I just thought-"

"Thought what? That I ran some charity? This is not the place for you to be."

"I just thought you would help me. I heard the stories. You tried to save my mother and my aunt but you did save the Lady of the Autumn Court."

Helion looked stunned, as if every wheel in his head was turning and slowly clicking into place. His lips parted with shock. "You're-"

"Esmarilda's daughter, yes," my face burned red.

"They said you were dead. They said you died with her. Her body was mangled." He looked at me in disbelief. Perhaps he wouldn't have believed me if I hadn't looked so much like my mother and aunts. I had seen a painting of them and I resembled them well. I had long red hair, it was naturally curly and down my butt. I had the same sharp, green eyes that the three sisters had.