A Fairy Tale

CHAPTER FOUR: The Fated Meeting

Adam felt his stomach churn once the dust settled on the witch. Everyone became silent as they looked at each other. An ear-splitting scream rent the air, everyone turning towards the source. There they saw Lord Vladimir's soulless eyes staring back. One by one, the leaders were felled down by an unseen force. Adam and his friends watched in horror as they looked at the dead leaders of the seven realms. Adam's eyes widened as he snapped his attention back at his father.

Alpha Christian's eyes widened with fury. Princess Sheila created a barrier wide enough to protect her friends, her mother, Queen Titania, the alpha and the council but Beta Rowan was not spared. He was holding the King of Fairies and both toppled under the weight of the other.

Everyone gasped in fright. Immediately, James tried to conjure a healing spell for the dying beta but they could not risk leaving the barrier for fear of taking whatever curse Vivian had left. Adam tried to restrain Marcus as best as he could for fear that he would struck down but a sudden gust of wing blew the doors open. Wraithlike spirits wafted in and started to touch their fallen leaders. Some were instantly revived. Others took longer to reanimate that some of the spirits disappeared like smoke.

Amidst all the souls busy with the cursed, Adam placed his hand on Sheila who promptly dropped her shield. They instinctively knew that the spirits would not hurt them. One of the spirits approached Marcus' father and the Fairy King and simply touched them before they were revived again. Marcus was filled with tears of relief as he hugged his father.

"Never thought I'd see the day you'd fall like a tree, Christian." A familiar voice mocked.

All eyes widened as the golden head of King Cadmus, dressed in simple jeans and shirt strutted in with his lovely mate. Immediately, all knelt down in homage. King Cadmus chuckled.

"Now, now drop the kowtowing. You know that I don't like the attention." He beckoned one of the spirits. "Tell my daughter it is done."

King Cadmus approached Alpha Christian. Both men grinned and clasped each other in greeting. The king has returned.

************

Adam looked up from his contemplation of the pack's territory when he caught sight of Queen Elaine followed by Sheila and James. It seems the royal couple travelled on foot, visiting kingdoms affected by the queen's dark magic. It was mentioned that they gained magical abilities during those years that they had hidden from Vivienne. Their daughter sensed the unease within the area and had used her abilities to summon the healers.

Adam tuned in on his father and the king as they discussed the pack's defense. The king mentioned that he was not yet "in a proper state" to assume command of the throne. He is still wary of Vivienne's ability to use black magic. But he mentioned that his daughter had already neutralised the threat to the elders so it wouldn't be a problem.

Adam mused that he had not seen the aforementioned princess but was informed that she would be arriving soon with her entourage. His own entourage looked at the flitting spirits warily. The queen assured them that these spirits would disperse once the elf king arrives but Adam was skeptical. His friend, Mavis is a royal elf but he had not seen or met the highland royalty. It was said that he rarely leaves his castle.

"This is very surreal." Marcus, his beta whispered as they noted the way the spirits were tending to those who were enchanted by Vivian.

"I know right." Shiela muttered. Her brother, James was busy pouring his energy to replenish his sister's powers. The barrier weakened her but with James' help, she was recovering well.

Kieran and Kiefer managed to assist their father. While the dwarven warriors under Drake secured the perimeter. Everyone was preoccupied that the mating ceremony seemed the least of their problems. But Adam was aware of the situation. They could hold off the ceremony but since he was next in line as the new alpha, he needed a mate. The same with James, Kieran, Drake and Connor. Each of them must assume leadership but how to find a suitable mate when they are clouded by these worries seems virtually impossoble.

Queen Elaine appears suddenly and looks at the door with a smile on her face.  Adam moved out of the study and turned his eyes towards the door, his wolf, Gray, restless.  The spirits lined up on either side, probably anticipating something.  The doors suddenly burst open and a burly, redhaired woman and a petite, black-haired woman entered.  Queen Elaine opened her arms wide.

"Malory, Adina.  I am so happy you came.  We are waiting for Deacon and Rose to arrive.  Oh, this is the alpha's son, Adam Roche.  This the dwarf queen, Malory and my daughter's guardian, Adina."

Adam's eyes widened as he took in the dwarf queen's appearance.  Dressed in simple brown woodsman garb, she was taller than most dwarves.  Her features were humanlike but quite stunning.  The mark that she is a dwarf was the massive mace she is using as a cane.  Drake stopped upon seeing the dwarf queen and knelt before her.  Mavis and Connor were dumbstruck.

"Your majesty, what brings you here in these parts of the woods?" Drake asked while his head was bowed.  Malory snickered and effortlessly slung the mace onto her shoulder.

"Scouting work, Sir Drake.  I wouldn't have pegged your father to allow the next line of dwarven warriors to be so far away from Primos." The queen muttered as she mentioned the dwarven community near her territory.  Her eyes flickered to James and Connor before stopping at Mavis.  Her green eyes widened but she coughed slightly to cover her gaffe. "Anyway, the queen has asked for assistance so I think my presence is enough."

Adina looked on and was astonished as a blush formed on the taciturn dwarf's cheeks.  Her eyes scanned the men surrounding them, her gaze falling on to Connor. 

"Mate." She whispered but Malory heard.  She elbowed Adina and made a coughing gesture.  Adina immediately blushed bright red and looked at the queen.  Queen Elaine was aware of the mating ceremony that was disrupted.  It seems the moon goddess decided to pair up some unusual creatures.  She did not expect for her daughter's friends to immediately fall under her spell.

"Where is my daughter, by the way?"  Queen Elaine asked while hiding a smile.

"She should be arriving any minute now" Adina muttered.

No sooner than she uttered those words did the doors opened and a big blond handsome man and a silver haired beauty entered the doors.

Mate - Adam muttered under hid breath.