Lovers and Rivals

Chapter 1: Beginnings

Little more than twinkling stars greeted us, that first night under the veil. The flickering outdoor lights made the palace difficult to see. As I expected, the UnSeelie veil followed a different timeline, or maybe it was just a different timezone. I pulled my cell phone from my pocket, happy to see the LED flashing. Amazingly, it still worked despite hopping several veils. The touchscreen blazed 9 AM in bold digital numbers. I sighed wistfully.

By this time, one class would have ended and another begun in my old Massachusetts high school. I imagined what my best friend Dani would be doing, and how the Grech boys would spend their morning without me there. But that was far from this place. I could never go back, not knowing what I knew now. Not now that I was with my family. My UnSeelie family.

The four of us materialized in a dark courtyard, paved in smooth stones, glittering as they reflected the low light. It was beautiful in its dark way. I couldn't help but remember the Grech manor at night, the welcoming lights beckoning to passersby. In this case, it was the stones themselves; they seemed cozy and warm despite their hard smooth surface.

What a strange place!

We were immediately observed. The staff was waiting for us. A group of guards, along with several heralds stepped out of the darkness to greet us. Like all my father's guards, they were dressed in black and deep purple. Then an older, more stately man walked smoothly towards us. His uniform was a slightly different design, and he moved with a kind of authority that only a high-ranking servant can have.

"It's so good to see you sire!" the servant said, displaying all his perfect white teeth as he smiled. "And now with your lovely daughter Princess Khloe, your family is complete!" He bowed to us.

"Yes it is a great blessing to have everything ... resolved." My father smiled as he paused over his last word. For a moment, I saw the memory of the last few weeks flicker in his blue eyes. I pushed it away from my own thoughts to focus on the task ahead. I had to own my newly discovered title - princess of the UnSeelie, sister to the crown prince of the UnSeelie realm. I swallowed and tried to lick my dry lips. As excited as I was about this new adventure, I couldn't ignore the creeping sensation in my gut whenever I thought about court politics. My friends from Massachusetts told me about such things - they had dealt with them for a long time in the Seelie world. In just a few short months, I had dealt with my own share of Seelie court politics. My life turned on its head. I used to feel abandoned by my parents. I used to move every year or so. I used to think I was an average human teen. Then I found out I was a princess of a powerful nation with supernatural abilities.

"My name is Avdon. I am the palace steward your highness." The man addressed me directly, calling me back to the present. "Tomorrow would your brother, Prince Toran, care to take you about the grounds or would you prefer to have one of your attendants show you?"

My mother cleared her throat and smiled, drawing Avdon's attention.

"I think now sleep is perhaps in order. We have stopped several times in our travels here. It's been a long day. You need to acclimate yourself to this time and it is rather late." She frowned at me. While it had been tiring, the time it took seemed less than a day, though I had lost my concept of time. Only my cell phone kept track and according to it, we only took an hour. Or had it been twenty-five?

"Very good your majesty." Avdon bowed, "Myra will show you to your suite." I raised my brows slightly. I wondered what kind of accommodations were fit for a long-lost princess. Wistfully my thoughts wandered to the vine-covered lattice screen and fountain that constantly bubbled in my room at the Grech manor. Seeing Myra smiling at me, in her dark attire, I was called back to the present. She beckoned me with her eyes. I shook my head to clear my thoughts, and followed her.