Behind the Veil Page 4

  When she finally quieted, Prayter wiggled his fingers free of her grasp. "Um...sorry, but my hand's falling asleep."

  Rae released a nervous giggle as she flexed her hand, then quickly used her now functioning fingers to wipe the wet streaks from her cheeks. "I'm so sorry. It's just...I've never had anyone touch me before."

  The confused look on his face confirmed he was definitely not from around here. Because anyone from this village knew that to touch her, the freak, was to risk losing your connection to the spirit world. At least that was the vicious rumor someone had started when she was a baby.

  "I don't understand," Prayter said. "Exactly how old are you?"

  "Seventeen. I turn eighteen and will face my trial next month."

  "Then explain to me how, in your seventeen years, no one has ever touched you?"

  Rae sighed and her eyes darted around, looking for something to focus on as she tried to think of a rational response. She considered lying to him, but the thought was fleeting, as she knew he would discover her secret soon enough. So instead, she simply replied, "My name is Raeanne."

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Raeanne. Prayter let the name roll around in his head, not understanding the buzzing sensation it seemed to cause.

  "That's a beautiful name," he replied. "But it doesn't explain why no one has ever touched you."

  "It should. My name is not traditional, and therefore people see me as an outcast. They think I'm evil and are scared I'll sever their connection to the fairy spirits." She shook her head at her own admission, then without warning grabbed his arm in a firm grip. "As you can see, it's completely untrue, but no one outside my family has ever risked touching me...until you. Thank you for putting that rumor to rest."

  She flung his arm away as if it stung her hand, then began to walk away, her footsteps stomping heavily on the ground.

  Flapping his wings to keep pace with her, Prayter asked, "Have I angered you?"

  Shooting a quick glance over her shoulder, she replied, "No. But it just proves how wrong all the people in my village have been for seventeen years, and that makes me angry."

  He didn't blame her for feeling slighted. He couldn't imagine being treated so poorly for something as simple as your name. But then again, the males of the fairy world didn't carry as strong of a connection to the spirits as the females. He could admit that Raeanne was definitely not a traditional fairy name, but for some reason, the effect it had on him was obviously not the same as it had on others.

  "Well, maybe it's because I'm not from here, but I don't think you're evil, or an outcast, or a freak. I actually think your beautiful and unique. I'll bet that when you complete your trial, you'll develop the most stunning pair of wings and have some really powerful magick. And with that being said, I would still love to walk you home if you'd let me."

  The fairy trial was something that all mature fairies had to face. Once they completed the tasks assigned, they would receive their wings and magick, taking their place as full-fledge fairies.

  Prayter had just completed his trial this past Christmas, as every trial takes place on Christmas Eve, ending the following day. Unbeknownst to the human world, a successful trial contributed to their "white Christmases," because only when a fairy got their wings and magick, did humans get snow on Christmas day.

  At his heartfelt proclamation, Raeanne stopped dead in her tracks, causing him to do the same. He hoped he hadn't been too forward, but at this point he didn't care. From the moment he felt the odd sensation which pulled him from his home two days ago, drawing him to Inlavey, he knew there was a special reason he was here. The instant he saw Raeanne...he knew she was that special reason.

  "You still want to walk me home? Why? Why risk your safety or status while visiting Inlavey by being seen with me?"

  "I'm not worried about my status or my safety, but I am worried about yours. I feel drawn to you, and I don't care what other people think about you and your odd name, I like you," he declared.

  The smile that spread across Raeanne's face had him confident he'd said the right thing. The feeling was confirmed when she reached back and grabbed his hand once more, giving it a slight squeeze.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Raeanne listened to Prayter explain that he didn't care what other people thought of her, and that he felt drawn to her in some special way, and right now, as they held hands again, she had the exact same feeling.

  "Where are you staying during your visit to Inlavey?" she asked.

  Kicking a stone from their path, Prayter answered, "I'm not sure. I just got here."

  "Well, I don't think my parents will let you stay with us, but you're more than welcome to stay for dinner." Rae smiled, reveling in the moment.

  Having someone to talk to and hold hands with was a small miracle in itself, but having a handsome, kind, and funny male fairy show her this level of attention was truly a feat of the Gods.

  "Thank you. Dinner sounds like a great place to start," Prayter replied.

  As they made their way around the final curve of the stone path that led back to Rae's house, she loosened her grip. The small humph that escaped Prayter embarrassed her, since it was obvious her action meant she didn't want her family to see them holding hands.

  "I'm sorry. It's just that I'm not sure how my parents are going to react to me bringing home a stranger, let alone, one I'm holding hands with."

  "It's alright. I understand," Prayter replied.

  But what happened next was beyond either of their understanding.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Raeanne's father came racing out the door, waving frantically in their direction.

  "Rae, hurry. Something wonderful is happening."

  With a quick glance at each other, they both sprinted towards her house.

  When they entered the living room her father slapped Prayter on the shoulder as if they'd known each other forever.

  Rae would have questioned the gesture if her attention wasn't fixed on the portal shimmering in the corner of the room and the old fairy standing beside it.

  "Raeanne, I'm glad you're back. My name is Manix and I'm a member of the fairy council. I was just explaining to your parents that the time to fulfill your destiny has come."

  "My destiny? But my trial isn't for another month." She sat the bread basket on the floor, then wiped her sweaty palms on her skirt.

  "You're trial became irrelevant the moment you met your Hand."

  The confusion layering her mind was so thick that words completely escaped her.

  Thankfully Prayter spoke up instead. "Her Hand?" he questioned.

  Manix gestured to the couch and waited as they all took their seats.

  "The fairy spirits came to your parents when you were born with a special request of what to name you. It was done so because you, Raeanne, are to be our first queen."

  The gasps that filled the room were the only interruption to Manix's story. "The fairy spirits have been led by the Goddess Diana to name a queen who can lead our people. When you were conceived, your energy was fused with the silver magick of the fairy realm. "Your Hand," he gestured to Prayter, "was also chosen by the spirits to be your mate."

  With eyes wide, Rae stared at Prayter with a new sense of wonder, amazed by the silver streaks that were currently threading their way through his hair.

  When a mature fairy completed their trial, the magick that took root as they received their wings displayed as streaks throughout their hair. Anyone with water magick developed blue streaks, earth magick presented as green streaks, and spirit magick showed as silver, which held the highest connection to the fairy realm.

  "Queen? My daughter is going to be the first fairy queen?" Her mother's voice was quivering and tears filled her eyes as Raeanne moved to comfort her.

  Manix interrupted their tender moment by saying, "Raeanne. Now that you've found Prayter, all you need to do is enter the portal to claim your destiny as our queen."

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  The moment
Rae and Prayter stepped out of the portal, the landscape had them both gasping for breath. They stood frozen as they stared at the most beautiful castle, rising higher than the eye could see, against the brilliant blue sky.

  Raeanne squealed and threw herself into Prayter's arms, as her mother, father, and Manix emerged from the portal.

  "This is a gift from the fairy spirits. The official castle of the Seelie Fae Queen. Welcome to your new home, Raeanne."

  "This is just so unreal. How can I be the Queen? I don't even have my magick or my wings."

  Manix walked towards the front of the castle, motioning for them all to follow.

  "All you have to do is enter your castle to claim your destiny and take your place as our Queen."

  Rae bit her lip as she looked between her mother and father, then turned to Prayter, who gave her a reassuring nod.

  As Rae placed her hand on the large iron handle of the intricately carved wood door, a tingling sensation rushed through her entire body. As the door suddenly began to glow, Rae was lifted into the air, her body engulfed in a brilliant silver light. She could feel her wings beginning to form, and the amount of magickal energy coursing through her was so intense it was as if the Gods where actually touching her.

  As she floated softly to the ground she found her parents staring at her with tears in their eyes and a sense of wonder on their faces.

  "Mama, what's wrong?"

  "Raeanne. You're so...beautiful." Her mother covered her mouth in an effort to hold back her soft sobs.

  Rae turned to Prayter and found him wearing a similar expression. Manix motioned for her to turn again towards the castle door. What she found had her joining the others in a feeling of disbelief.

  The door was now a mirror, and the image she saw reflected was that of a beautiful full-fledged fairy with pure silver hair, and the most amazing pair of large white sparkling wings. They shimmered as if they were coated in diamonds, reaching far above her head and down to just inches above the ground.

  Before she could say a word, the door returned to its wooden state as Manix spoke again. "Within this castle you'll find many wonders, but one of the most enchanted is this special door. It has been forged from the Rune Tree, and will always protect you from those who pass through it. This is just one of the many gifts the spirits have bestowed upon you, Raeanne."

  Rae pushed off the ground and felt as though flying was the most natural thing in the world. She hoped that being Queen would come just as easily.

  Before Manix disappeared back through the portal he held out his hand and smiled as the first flakes of pure white snow fell into his palm. Bowing, he said, "Take the next month to make this castle your home, for on Christmas day there will be a celebration in your honor. The Rise of Rae, the first Queen of the Fae."

  The End

  Look for mention of Raeanne throughout the Ovialell series.

  SHAY AND THE BOX OF NYE

  by

  Tish Thawer

  CHAPTER ONE

  Shay jumped from her bed and ran to the calendar that hung on the wall of her room. December twenty-fourth. She stared at the date, double checking to make sure it wasn't just wishful thinking.

  "Yes!"

  She ran from her bedroom, her gauzy blue nightgown billowing behind her as she made her way down the small spiral staircase that led to the kitchen.

  "Mama, my trial starts today. I'm so nervous." She sat down at the table and scooped herself a portion of berry and cinnamon oatmeal from the large pot in front of her, then continued, "Can you give me some hints or tell me what yours was like?"

  "Don't be nervous, Shay. The fairy trial is something every mature fairy has to go through. I can't tell you anything about my trial though, because if you're successful in retrieving the Box of Nye, part of the process is that the memories of what you faced during your trial are completely erased. This happens as you receive your wings and complete the transformation into a full-fledge fairy."

  "Really? You don't remember anything at all?"

  "No, honey. I sure don't." Narine turned off the stove and took a seat next to her oldest daughter. "Just follow the rules, and prepare for the unexpected." She kissed Shay on the forehead and moved to exit the room. "I'll leave you alone to get ready. The fairy council will be here shortly to go over everything. Good luck, honey. I know you'll do great."

  CHAPTER TWO

  Shay finished her oatmeal as she pondered her mother's words, "Prepare for the unexpected."

  "How the heck am I suppose to do that?" she asked out loud. The whole point of something being unexpected is that you can't prepare for it.

  This definitely didn't help put her mind at ease, but she knew dwelling on the what if's wasn't an option. She placed her wooden bowl in the sink and headed back upstairs to get ready for the council's arrival.

  As she entered her bedroom, a feeling of peace settled over her. She was so grateful she finally had a space to herself––one that she didn't have to share with her younger sisters any more. When Shay reached maturity at the age of eighteen, her mom and dad had used their fairy magick to expand their treetop home, creating a beautiful bedroom and bathroom just for her. The ceiling was lined with vines filled with fairy lights, and crystals of all colors shined from their facets within the walls.

  Shay stared at her reflection in the mirror as the tub began to fill. She noticed her skin was shimmering a little brighter than usual, and her long platinum hair was starting to develop streaks of blue and silver throughout. Looking into her own sapphire colored eyes, she smiled. The process of becoming a full-fledge fairy had already begun.

  Each fairy develops a specific set of magick during their transformation, and as Shay stared at the blue and silver steaks weaving their way through her hair, she couldn't have been happier. Blue meant that she'd be able to control water and emotions, and silver was a link to their Queen and the divine fairy spirits. Silver was rare magick within their clan, and meant someday she would have the potential of becoming Queen, as only those with silver magick had the necessary link to the fairy spirits required to take a royal position.

  Shay slipped off her nightgown and stepped into the steaming bath, allowing herself to appreciate the relaxing lavender aroma that was a constant in any bathroom across their land. If you ran water in a kitchen it always smelled like citrus; if you ran water outside it smelled like fresh cut grass even if it was the dead of winter; but here in the bathroom it was always lavender laced.

  Taking the time to let her muscles relax, Shay started to make a mental list of all the things she'd planned to take with her on the trial. Her leather vest, riding pants, and tall boots would be her chosen outfit, which was traditional. However, she planned to include a few extra things into the belt and pockets she'd added to her ensemble. Things like her favorite knife which was made from tampered steel that displayed a polished finish of rainbow colors; and the spell bottle she carried like a canteen which was a beautiful mix of blue, green, and purple glass. It was now filled to the brim with the potion she'd recently brewed for this specific day. For reasons beyond her understanding, she'd been guided in its creation and knew it was going to be something she would need.

  Shay had been dreaming of and preparing for this day most of her teenage years, but now that it was upon her she couldn't help but wonder if she'd done enough.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Shay heard a knock on the front door just as she finished putting her knife in its sheath. Pulling her ponytail tight, she raced down the stairs to find her mother welcoming three members of the fairy council into their home.

  "Good morning, gentlemen. Welcome to our home. May I present my daughter, Shay."

  Shay bowed to the council members and waited for their acknowledgement before rising, as was custom.

  "Rise, young Shay. Today is the day of your fairy trial. Your hunt for the Box of Nye will either end in triumph, in which case you will get your wings and take your place as a full-fledged fairy. Or it will e
nd in disappointment, with you remaining wingless and without magick for the rest of your days."

  Listening to them state the obvious set Shay's nerves on edge, but she showed no outward signs of emotion other than pure confidence.

  "Gentlemen, I'll leave you alone to begin," said her mother. Then turning in her direction, Narine continued, "Shay, I love you and have full confidence in you. Be safe, and I can't wait to see your wings tomorrow on Christmas Day."

  After receiving a kiss from her mother, Shay found herself alone in the kitchen with the three council members. They gestured towards the table and Shay quickly took a seat.

  As the council members moved to join her, Shay studied each of the men closely. One was as old as you'd image Father Time to be, another was skinny and had a deteriorated look about him; like instead of aging, he was simply wasting away, but it was the last man who really caught her off guard.

  Not only was he much, much younger than the other two, but after looking with a keener eye, she realized this man was her long lost friend, Joseph.

  Not wanting to make a bad impression, she contained her surprise and continued her observations, but on the inside Shay was bursting with the need to jump into Joe's lap, wrap her arms around his neck, and then start badgering him with questions. Questions like: Where have you been the last few years? How did you join the council at such a young age? When are you going to kiss me again?

  Okay, maybe that last one was out of line, but Joe had been the first boy that Shay had loved, and they'd spent an amazing eight months together. Then on Christmas Eve, three years ago, he'd completed his fairy trial and simply disappeared.