The Beginning of The End
Chapter 73

People stared at me like I was marvel, something they never thought to be real until they saw it with their own eyes, or in this case, until they saw me. I guess it could be because my entire race was believed to be dead, I don't even know if anyone else like me survived the slaughter.

That's why I call myself the last of the fae, and I will do so until I am proven wrong.

Though if anyone has survived, I would never want to meet them, because if they come to this realm they won't live long, and there would be nothing that I could do to save them. No matter how much I would want to.

I instinctively cover my ears with my hair, the looks were becoming too much, I just wanted to blend in. I didn't want to be the centre of attention.

I'd never been good at standing in the spotlight, especially not after spending five years alone in the wilderness

"Don't hide, little fae." Maddox says, "They already know what you are, if you hide now they'll know you are afraid."

He squeezes my hand to give me strength.

"Maybe they should know." I growl. "They're making me uncomfortable."

Maddox chuckles. Shakes his head. Laughs harder. "Don't you get it?" He asks. “You are their Queen, and you are accompanied by their King, of course they want to stare, you are royalty." He says. "All you have to do is hold you head up high and pretend you are not fazed by any of it, they'll eat you alive if they know you are afraid."

I don't want to admit that he's making sense, I don't want to acknowledge the fact that I thought they all wanted me dead. I never considered the fact that they were curious because I was mated to Maddox and Ryker.

Ryker...

"How's Ryker?" I ask before I can stop myself.

Maybe I shouldn't ask, especially seen as I didn't avenge him as I promised.

But I care, even if I don't want to. Even if I often fight against my own mind for that very reason.

I want to hate, not love. I guess I'm the opposite of a hipster? Ugh. I don't know.

All I know is I DO care and I want to know he's ok, even if he doesn't want to see me. Maddox glances down at me, "He's been asking for you on the rare occasion he is awake." He says. "He is healing, but an attack from my mind is deadly for other shifters, they don't heal as quick."

I frown. "What do you mean?"

Why don't they heal as quick is attacked by a hellhound?

I suppose I should really learn the name of their race instead of calling them hounds, but that isn't relevant right now, and to me, they are still monsters.

Especially the ones that attacked Ryker.

Maddox looks troubled for a fleeting second. "It's something to do with our saliva." He says softly. "It's deadly to other shifters, and especially to Ryker because his skin runs hotter than most, it has give him a harsh fever." Maddox runs a hand through his hair. "He's been delirious. I've got him monitored and protected when I'm not there." They have poisoned saliva. Good to know.

I guess you'd be dead even if you survive the first attack because the poison will get you, but it's strange, Miya never got a fever, no one I know got one.

And I've seen my fair share of bites from the animals.

I suppose it could just affect each race differently.

"Can you trust the people you have guarding him?" I ask.

I sound pathetic, but I'm worried. He was betrayed once. It could happen again.

Maddox looks at me strangely, "I trust them."

Ok. So he's safe. That's good.

"Where's the dance?" I ask, trying to lighten the mood.

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Ignore the stares. Pretend you don't notice. Keep your head high.

Don't look at them. They don't exist.

"It's not far, we are almost there." Maddox smirks, "I think you are going to like it."

I hope I do.

We haven't been walking long, but my legs hurt from the journey to town. It was a long walk and I'm out of practice.

I need to get back into shape.

Maybe I should take up running. That'd strengthen my legs.

"There's one problem." I say nervously, "I can't dance."

We move to the front of a large queue outside of a building that looks oddly like an old English church.

I can already hear the drums, and I want to shake my hips. I can't remember the last time I heard music.

Miya would love this.

I should ask to bring her next time.

The guard outside the door bows, "My king." He glances at me and bows lower. "My Queen." He stands and opens the door. "It's full in there, have fun."

I guess news travels fast around here.

Maddox pulls me through the door as I mumble a thank you, much too distracted by the excitement bubbling in my lower stomach.

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This is the most excitement I've had in a long time. I'm going to enjoy every second I

can before the ceiling collapses and the illusion is destroyed.

"You don't have to know how to dance." Maddox tells me. "I will lead the way."

"Don't make me look like an idiot ok?" I half joke.

Nope, definitely serious.

I don't want to look stupid, not when the hall was full of people of all shapes and sizes.

"I would never let you feel inadequate." He pulls me into his chest, one arm around my waist and the other holding my hand it the air. "Trust me, little fae. You won't fail." Ok. My heart is in my boots.

I can't even look around, my eyes are locked on him as he moves us to the beat. He moves with such grace and confidence that it throws me off.

He spins me, once, twice, three times and by the time he pulls me back to his chest I'm

giggling like a little girl and I have a smile that could light up the whole realm.

I would have never guessed he could dance, let alone the fact that he's really good at it, and he's smiling!

It's a real smile, easy and bright.

He's enjoying it, and so am I.

I'm content. Happy.

I can enjoy this.

Happiness is fleeting, I have to catch it while it's here before it gets just out of reach.

I want to be happy. It's been a long time since it was easy to smile.