Only Human: Hide and Seek

Chapter 180: Hildegard Meadows

The chapter everyone has been waiting for! It's a new perspective, but I think my readers are going to like this one. Please enjoy and don't forget to vote and comment! (Happy Birthday, June! Lol)

-Lucinda Croft

Change of POV

We had been waiting for over an hour. I knew that the fae were neutral, but I couldn't comprehend showing such disrespect towards the angels. Did they not understand that angels were as powerful and frightening as demons, but it was by their good graces that they didn't weaponize it as their evil counterparts did? They had explained that the queens were called out on urgent business, but I was starting to question. The person who told us was not lying, but that didn't mean that he wasn't lied to. Fairies were tricky like that, and we unicorns could not stand them.

I started to pace, but a gentle chuckle made me stop. "Hildegard, calm yourself. You're always so impatient." My companion and patron said calmly.

I snorted and took a slow breath. "I'm sorry. I just know how important this is, and the fae never take anything seriously."

"We did come unannounced." He reminded.

"Yes, but we didn't have much choice." I lamented. If things were up to me, I would have skipped by the fae entirely, but he reminded me that there was a little angel in everyone. It was what I loved about my patron the most. Unlike the others of his kind, he extended his care and gifts to all. There was only one species that he could not tolerate, but that was why we were working with the dragons for the past few years. I could only hope that there weren't any of them here, because I knew the fae often mingled with them.

A walking fox strode into the clearing we were told to wait in. He was dressed in a blue waistcoat with a clipboard and pen in his articulated paws. A monocle sat in front of one of his yellow eyes, and his red fur was brushed and quaffed professionally. He was our handler. At least that's what it felt like.

"Miss Hildegard, the queens have returned from their urgent business and are willing to see you now. Although I shall warn you that it will not be a private audience. They have some guests for an upcoming trial, you see." He said politely. It was downright adorable to see his thin muzzle say such proper words. I was a fan of foxes naturally, and I wondered if this was another trick to get my guard down. The fae were supposed to be neutral, but with the chaos of the Minister breaking out of his cage early, one could never know.

"I see. That will be fine." I said with a nod.

The fox nodded and swiftly turned with his puffed tail behind him. "Please follow me." He said.

I did as he asked, but I wanted to be in my equine form. I felt more secure that way, but it may come across as rude to the queens. Unicorns and fae have not had the strongest of relationships, and this wasn't about unicorn or fae. It was about demons, and they needed to listen. As we walked, fairy homes started to emerge betwixt the trees. Some small and hanging from branches like bird's nests, and some like quaint cottages. Despite their humble appearances these were homes to high ranking fae. To live this close to the queens was a privilege given only to those in their courts. This only made the stares I was getting more ominous. I was being judged before even standing before their queens.

Eventually we reached a part of the forest that was without houses, homes, or other dwellings. The raw power beneath my feet told me that we were going the right way. A decorated and well-traveled path cut through the last batch of trees and then we were there. Standing in an immense clearing with the mighty cenderion tree at its head. The ancient tree put sequoias to shame as it towered above with broad elegant branches that covered the entire clearing. The clearing itself was outfitted like any court. Guards of two kinds lined the perimeter. On the left they were dressed in blue elegant uniforms with weapons that were more for show than use. They led to a giant open primrose that the fae queen Celeste was delicately sitting upon. Standing by her side were members of her court, and sitting on a wooden bench were some young fae. Most likely the guests the fox fairy was talking about.