𝙎𝙃𝘼𝘿𝙊𝙒𝙎 (𝙖𝙯𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙡 )

𝑂𝑁𝐸

Chapter One
The Secret

"Lucien, you promised!"

A tall, lean Fae turned around to face me, his one mechanical eye whirring. He gave me an annoyed look, one I had grown accustomed to receiving over the many years. Still, through his mask, I could see the hint of a smile playing at his mouth. All it would take is a bit of pleading.

Assuming our conversation was over, Lucien turned on his heel and continued down the hallway, his footsteps echoing under the hardwood floor. Hauling up my skirt just a bit, I forced myself into a run as I pursued him throughout the estate. "Tamlin is off trying to break the curse, so the least you could do is let me go explore the forests a bit," I argued. Lucien turned around, heaving a sigh as he ran a hand through his fiery orange hair.

"Only for a bit. Rumors that a Bogge was seen in Autumn Court are spreading, so it's only a matter of time until they reach us," Lucien explained, grabbing his coat and opening the front door for me.

Practically skipping down the steps with glee, I bunched my pale white hair into a quick updo before tying my skirt at my hips, revealing pants underneath. "You know Lucien," I hummed, strolling to the stables, "you really are a worry wart."

Lucien rolled his eyes as he led out two horses from their stables, offering me a saddle. We strapped on the saddles in silence, and I noticed him glaring at the woods. The amount of knives strapped to him was absurd, but I decided that if it made him feel better, than I didn't mind. I merely slipped onto my horse, swinging a leg over.

"You know, Primrose," Lucien smirked, his voice laced with sarcasm, "it is awfully improper for a lady to wear pants. Or sneak into her elder brother's room to steal them."

My face flushed red as Lucien gave me a cocky grin, before urging his horse into a light jog. I did the same, sidling up next to Lucien before replying, "You can't blame me, dresses are no good unless I'm going side saddle, which I refuse." Lucien merely shrugged and gave somewhat of a half nod in agreement before we entered a small trail in the forest.

The familiar scent of pine filled me, as I smiled at a few birds huddled in a nest. The sun peaked through the canopy, and a gentle breeze filled the trail. I felt the air flow through me, and thrusted my hand outwards. The flurry slowly picked up, carrying the leaves to swirl around a bit. Grinning, I felt as light as the draft that I controlled, the breeze flowing not through the sky but through my veins as well. With a flick of my hand, the wind I controlled died out immediately.

Staring down at the small pile of leaves I was just floating, Lucien's voice snapped me out of my trance. "Prim, you know I'm going to have to tell Tamlin you've been practicing again."

My head jerked up as I saw that Lucien's horse had come to a halt, and his masked face was staring into my soul. I flinched a bit at the forceful stare, but straightened my back and crossed my arms. I was not backing down...I hoped.

"Be my guest, Lucien. I'm a Spring Fae, so why can't I learn how to control my abilities? What if I'm attacked?" I snapped, my horse trotting over.

Lucien responded with an equal tone, "Then Tam and I would be there to protect you. You're still young Prim, and being a Fae youth leads to reckless decisions. If anything ever happened to you, Tamlin would..."

His voice faded away towards the end of the sentence, but we both knew what he was going to say. Being Tamlin's last surviving family member, I was fortunate enough to be kept hidden until after the war was over. Now as time dragged the entirety of the Spring Court closer to it's doom, I could see Tamlin's desperation to continue to keep me hidden.