Death Is Coming

Chapter 8: Blair

As the weeks turned into a month, a strange calm settled over the Faye realm. The attacks had ceased, and the once-constant threat of the Mortals seemed to have vanished. The palace, once rife with tension and fear, began to breathe a collective sigh of relief. The future Seers were safe, and no more Faye had been targeted. It was as if the Mortals had given up on their mission, whatever it had been.

During this time, Elizabeth and I maintained contact through a series of coded postcards, each one a lifeline of reassurance. Her brief messages brought me comfort, even as her absence weighed heavily on my heart. Her words, carefully chosen, urged me to keep my secret, to trust in her plan, and to remain vigilant. She had promised that she would return when it was safe, and I clung to that promise with all my might.

Aaron and I had grown closer than ever. Our bond had deepened, strengthened by the trials we had faced together. He spoke of our future with such certainty and hope, painting a picture of a life I had never dared to dream of. He envisioned us ruling side by side, me as his queen, bearing his children and sharing in the responsibilities of the realm. His dreams were beautiful, filled with love and promise, but they also filled me with a gnawing dread.

I longed to tell him the truth—that I was mortal, that my body could not bear the weight of Faye children, that becoming queen seemed an impossible dream for someone like me. The thought of revealing my secret terrified me. I feared his disappointment, his potential rejection, and the danger it could bring to us both. Elizabeth had been adamant in her letters: the time was not right. I had to wait until she returned and assured me it was safe to reveal my true nature.

One evening, as the sun set and cast a golden glow over the palace gardens, Aaron and I sat together, our hands entwined. The serenity of the moment was almost surreal, a stark contrast to the turmoil we had endured.

"Blair," Aaron began, his voice soft and filled with affection, " I Want to announce you as my mate to the realm of Althea, to our people."

His words sent a jolt through me, a mix of joy and fear. This was the moment I had both longed for and dreaded. I took a deep breath, trying to steady the whirlwind of emotions inside me. "Aaron," I said softly, squeezing his hand, "that means so much to me. But are you sure it's the right time?"

Aaron's brow furrowed slightly, a hint of confusion in his eyes. "Why wouldn't it be? The realm is finally at peace. This is the perfect time to show our people that we have a strong, united future ahead."

I bit my lip, searching for the right words. "It's just... there are still things we don't know, dangers that might still be out there. Elizabeth is still in hiding. What if something happens?"

He cupped my face with his free hand, his touch gentle and reassuring. "Blair, I know you're worried, but we can't live in fear forever. Announcing our bond will strengthen our position and show our people that we're ready to face whatever comes together."

I nodded, trying to hide the anxiety bubbling up inside me. He was right in many ways. But the weight of my secret felt heavier than ever. "You're right," I said finally. "Let's do it."

Aaron's face lit up with a brilliant smile, his eyes shining with love. "Thank you, Blair. This means everything to me."

The following days were a blur of preparations for the announcement. The palace buzzed with activity as Aaron's staff arranged for a grand celebration. Word spread quickly, and the excitement in the air was palpable. Yet, beneath the surface, my fear and uncertainty grew.

Elizabeth's postcards had become more cryptic, her warnings more urgent. "Trust in the plan," she had written. "Wait for my return. The time will come."