chapter 30
Gemma
They all keep bowing and it’s starting to make me feel uncomfortable. It’s like they’re waiting for me to say or do something, like give a speech. But about what? How insane is this is? I look at Tiny and he cracks his eyelids open and gives me an encouraging nod.
“I think they want you to say something.” Aislin tells me, prodding me in the back, urging me to step forward.
My jaw hangs to my knees as I stare at her, baffled. “What the hell do I say? Hey, thanks for bowing?” I shake my head and huff a breath in frustration. “I don’t even get what’s going on.”
She shrugs. “I don’t know, but it’s good, though. It’ll get us out of here.”
I turn around to the Faeries scattered across the land as Aislin gently shoves me forward. Tripping over my feet, I catch myself, and stand up straight, feeling idiotic as I cover my mouth and clear my throat. “Well, this is quite a surprise,” I say in a nervous voice and Aislin snorts a laugh. I glare at her from over my shoulder and she shrugs, stifling more laughter. As irritated as I am, it’s nice to see her smile again, even if it’s at my expense. “And I guess… I guess I’m honored to be your Empress.” I glance around at them all. “Even if it’s because of this.” I take the pendant out of my shirt and move it to the outside.
Giggles, gasps, and whispering spread amongst the Fey and I notice that in between them are Sprites; they’re the ones making all the noise. I wonder if, because I’m Empress, I have the power to make them shut up.
Tiny rises to his feet with his sword pointed upward to the sky “May I speak with you, Empress?”
“Um... sure… and you can call me Gemma.”
Laying his spear on the ground, he weaves around the Fey, flattening the grass with his large feet as he makes a path to me. Tiny glances at another guard as he passes him. He stands up, and together, they make their way towards me.
When they reach me, their large, lofty bodies block out the sunlight and the temperature descends in the shadows.
“My name is Wilhelm,” the guard introduces himself, with a solemn bow of his head. “I’m one of the Protectors of the Fey.”
I extend my hand out for him to shake. “It’s nice to meet you.”
He hesitates and then reaches out, covering my hand with his, giving it a rough shake. “So, it’s true… you do have the Cornu Lepore?” He eyes the necklace with his fiery red eyes.
I nod, glancing down at the necklace. “I do…” I glance at Tiny. “You saw it, didn’t you?”
He nods. “When we were taking your friend away.”
I suck in a breath, wondering what it means. Wondering if Luna knows. Wondering if I care.
“That gives you the right to become our leader—our Empress.” He steps to the side so the crowd can see me. The sunlight hits the pendant and reflects across the grass, the trees, the Feys’ faces. “Our ruler.”
“I don’t understand, though,” I tell him as I trace my finger across the red teardrop. “I thought this pendant gave me the ability to control your world, but it had to be seen first… but only you saw it… how does it even work? I’d think you guys wouldn’t be so happy about it.” I wait for him to respond, holding my breath.
“There’s a large amount of Fey that are growing tired of Luna and her antics,” he explains. “Luna wants a war. She wants to control the Fey—our world—however she wants. Things used to be different, you know. We used to have freedom, make choices together, but now it’s what she wants.” He waves his arm at the Fey and, pushing up from their knees, they rise to their feet; some holding spears, some with their wings expanded, some even have Sprites on their shoulders. “We want a change. We want out freedom back. Once I told them about you and the Cornu Lepore, we saw the opportunity to change our lives—make things better. With your help, of course. You can become our Empress and give us our freedom so we no longer have to be slaves to Luna, getting punished,” he winces, “whenever we don’t go along with her.”
I’m not sure what to say. All I ever wanted was an easy ticket out of here. I think back to my vision and how I walked to the throne like I belonged there. Is that what it meant? Do I belong here? The idea is ludicrous, yet deep down, I feel a burn in my heart and a need to help them.
His eyes are full of expectation. “We need your help.”
I glance around at the trees. “Where’s Luna now?”
“She’s up in your world with her followers,” he replies with a frown. “Doing damage, wreaking havoc, I’m sure.” He steps forward and the sunlight leaves me. “But if you’re our ruler… you can stop her.”
I don’t know what to do. I want to help them. They all look so sad. However, I have my own problems, so I do something I’m sure I’ll probably feel very bad for later. I lie. “I’ll help you,” I say and he starts to smile so I hurry and add, “but I have to go back to my world first. I have… I have some friends that are in danger and I need to help them first.” I swallow hard, thinking of Alex. “But if you let me go, I promise, I’ll come back as soon as I can.” When I say it, I realize I’m lying. Well, maybe. Honestly, I don’t know what I mean—what I want to do. Actually I do. I want to go back to school, learn, live, love, breathe. Be free.
He bows his head and takes a long backwards stride. “I know what you say is the truth, Gemma. I can see it in your eyes.”
I try not to furrow my brows because even I don’t know if I’m being truthful. “So I can go?”
“You’re free to go anytime you wish. That’s the power you have now,” he says. “And if you are ever in need, I’ll be there to help you. It’s my job now. We’re your loyal followers.” Then, his head whips up and he stares out at the sky, shouting, “Long live, Empress Gemma!”
The crowd joins in, shouting, laughing, hugging, and throwing things. I feel bad, yet, I don’t. I turn towards Aislin, ready to get out of this place before more stuff happens and I end up turning into a Sprite or something.
“Ready?” I ask, trying not to sound too eager.
She smiles and then winks at me with a cheery look on her face. “Yes, Empress.”
I shake my head, suppressing a smile. Then, shutting my eyes, I picture the grey stone castle, its peaking towers, the green grass, the sand beside the rippling lake. I let out a sigh of relief as I feel us being pulled away, whisked back to my world. However, a part of me feels guilty for leaving them. Even though the Fey have never been my favorite creatures, they still don’t deserve to suffer and I wonder if maybe I’ll end up going back and helping them.
As I land on the ground, I shake the thought from my head, relieved to be back in the real world again.