Fairer Than Fae

The Summer Realm

The place where Foxfrost had raised Darkrose sat at the apex of the seasons, an ancient castle made of four separate wings. Darkrose had never known any home other than the Castle of the Seasons with it's summer gardens, autumnal libraries, and snowy tower bedchambers where she resided with her mother.

Of course, Foxfrost was not her true mother. The Queen of Winter had always been honest with her on that account. Darkrose was the offspring of Fae royalty, cast off by both her mortal and Fae family. It was not unheard of for Fae fathers to disown and ignore their half mortal daughters. Girls could not become kings or knights and serve a greater purpose between the Twin Kingdoms of Coelyn and Boedor.

Foxfrost had rescued her as babe in a cold crib, destined for the foundling home after her mortal mother had died in childbirth. That was what she had been told at least. Darkrose had never been given a reason to question Foxfrost or her two sisters, the Queens of Autumn and Summer. Between the three of them, Darkrose had never been in want of love or attention.

"You were the sweetest babe. Perhaps not as lovely as those of full Fae blood, but somehow warmer. More fragile like the first fruits of the harvest," Meadowmoon said as she plaited Darkrose's black hair back with sprigs of pale blossoms. "You were a treasure and still are to us." She pressed a quick kiss to Darkrose's head.

The fragrant air of Meadowmoon's realm was ripe with midsummer, briefly erasing the hot scent of blood in Darkrose's nostrils, the smell that had been carried on the breeze in the Wild Spring from the battlefield. Fruit hung fat and tempting from thick branches of greenery. The twisting, overgrown paths of Meadowmoon's garden home were accented with white marble temples and bubbling fountains, vines of roses nesting in alcoves and crumbling doorways.

Meadowmoon said that once upon a time, her gardens had been tended and pristine. She never said, but Darkrose had guessed why things had fallen into disrepair. It was because of their lost sister, the Queen of Spring. Her death had changed everything for the three remaining Queens. Leafwind had said as much in few words as possible. She'd also hinted that it was the reason why they had taken Darkrose to heart as an infant. She had been their rebirth after years of grief.

"Foxfrost mentioned that this evening was...confusing for you," Meadowmoon commented gently, wrapping her arms around Darkrose where she sat on a bed of clover in front of her. The distant tinkle of pixie laughter among the green drifted on the warm breeze. "That you were disturbed by what happened with the knight."

"It's just... he was only a boy. He was only my age," Darkrose spoke, twisting to look into Meadowmoon's sympathetic countenance. "And he trusted me."

"Of course, he did. He was a mortal."

"So am I."

"Only part of you is mortal. For as long as you have dwelt with us, that part of your blood has muted. Your abilities with the Glamour and Healing that I have taught you, they are sharp for one with a mortal mother. Leafwind has said that your talent in Tongues is finally coming along as well. You must learn to accept these gifts as part of your inheritance."

Darkrose pulled at leaves with restless hands, the image of the young man's wide eyed admiration of her Glamour still tugging at her heart. Her actions had been justified. After all, this was war. But the deceit she'd practiced against the unknowing youth left her feeling ill.

"My love is with you and the Fae, you have raised me. I can't help but wonder if it was wrong of me to punish this young man for the wrongs of his king? Aren't there more worthy sacrifices to make to the Wild Spring to see it's renewal?"

A strange tick in Meadowmoon's cheek caught Darkrose's attention. A flicker of a smile passed over the Summer Queen's full lips, her mint green eyes softening as the moment passed. She tucked a strand of hair behind the shell of Darkrose's ear.