Midnight Cove

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Terrors in the Night

I didn't have to wait long for Phoenix. I had just sat down to eat my lunch when he arrived, as suave and debonair as ever. His blue tailored suit fit him like a glove and I could slightly make out where his chest muscles left delineations. My face lit up as he entered the suite and quickly crossed the room to greet me with a kiss.

"Good afternoon, my love," he said, a smile present in his liquid voice. "How has your day been going?"

I blushed heavily. I knew he was referring to the wedding and the thought that we would soon be man and wife made me giggle with excitement. "It's been wonderful. Overwhelming a bit, but still wonderful."

Phoenix took his seat across from me. "Well that's to be expected. It is an elaborate, royal affair, but I have no doubt in your capabilities. You are going to be the most becoming bride, especially since you are going to be my bride." He beamed his satisfied smile at me before taking a bite into his pastry.

"Why did you have to leave this morning? Is everything alright?" I asked trying to quiet my nagging anxiety. I had been worrying in the back of my mind all day about what could possibly drag him away from me. Faeries were peaceful people, they didn't have to concern themselves with wars they way human kingdoms did. What could be so important?

"Everything is perfectly fine." He answered in a most reassuring voice. "Politics. I had to meet with council leaders and discuss issues dealing with faeries of other realms." I could tell he didn't want to pursue the topic, but it had piqued my interest and I couldn't let the subject drop.

"Faeries of other realms? You mean Fate Faeries?" I knew how delicate this subject was and neither one of us wanted to broach the subject of Cove. Not yet anyway.

"Yes, them and others." Slight annoyance colored Phoenix's tone.

"Others? Like who?" I had never known that there were other faeries besides the Fate Faeries and the Dark Faeries.

Phoenix sighed knowing all too well that my curiosity couldn't be stifled. "It was a meeting of the Courts. As King, I am ruler of the Unseelie Court, which rules over the Underground Realm as well as all solitary faeries. The Seelie Court however, rules the trooping faeries such as the Fates and the Light Elves," he explained.

"The Light Elves?" I repeated in awe. I had never heard mention of them.

"Don't worry about it, Coral. It's just politics." And he waved his hand as an effort to dismiss the topic.

I straightened in my seat and took on an air of authority quite foreign to my usual demeanor. "Phoenix, my love," I said to avoid offence, "If I am to be Princess, or Queen of this realm, don't you think it would be prudent for me to at least be aware of these things?"

Phoenix looked at me a moment in silence before nodding. "You're right. You should at least be made aware of all things related to the Fae. You are to be my wife." And the acknowledgement of that truth brought a smile to both of us.

"The Light Elves, as they liked to be called, are Faeries. They rule the Seelie Court. It is their responsibility to keep the destinies of humans never too far off course. We must meet now and again to touch base with each other. For as you might have guessed, it is the responsibility of the Unseelie Court to attend to the duties of the solitary faeries and the Dark Faeries. The solitary faeries mainly consist of Pixies, Brownies, and Sprites. All of which delve into the workings of nature. They ensure the balance of plant and animal life. Whereas, we the Dark Faeries are responsible for the ferrying of human souls from Death into the Afterlife. It can be tricky, for each soul is different and most are carried off to be reborn again into the mortal realm, while few others are transformed into pure light. Much as you would imagine of a person reaching enlightenment. They have lived a pure and good life and so are no longer in need of their fleshy bodies."