Fae Redone: Enchanted Rock Immortals, Clan Fae, #2

By Susan Person

Death is never the end when you are Fae…

Athena survived death, but at what cost? Her connection to the elements fading; she must keep the loss a secret. Whoever heard of a Fae queen who couldn't control at least one element? Without those powers, she can't hope to save the Fae Realm and the North American Council at Enchanted Rock from the evil Kalypso.

Athena's true love, Zander, discovers a secret about his family that could change everything, maybe even the balance of power in the kingdom. Keeping the secret to himself until he can figure out the truth seems the right thing. He will risk deceiving Athena if it means he can stop Kalypso from killing her and taking over the Fae and Human Realms. Can Zander and Athena's love endure through the secrets they keep and Kalypso's entrapment?

Fae Redone is the second Clan Fae novella in the Enchanted Rock Immortals urban fantasy romance series. If you like fast-paced worlds filled with magick and raw emotions, you'll love Susan Person's Fae or any of the Enchanted Rock Immortals novellas!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Person Publishing, LLC
• Release date: Oct 28, 2021
• ISBN: 9781953412027

Book preview

Chapter 1

Idied thirty-one days ago and my parents paid a price I might never know to send me back. The price of my Fae tears, the curse for our immortality, becoming more evident each day.

The fucking clock mocked me with a slow methodical tick tock. I moved to the chair furthest from the ticking monstrosity. If I mustered a tornado, I'd send the annoying timepiece all the way to Kansas. Zander would say, ‘No patience.’ I slapped my hands on the armrests and took off in the last direction I saw him.

His back to me, he stood deep in conversation with the guards outside the royal offices. The two guards bent into a deep bow. Zander turned, and the light glinted off his blond hair. His eyes, a blue only seen in elves, met mine.

Love. It consumed me every time. My heart bounced in my chest, and I reigned it back to reality. The reality that despite my sacrifice, our enemy, Kalypso, was still out there and still worked to regain power. Her dark magick permeated the letter we received from The North American Council thanking me for the new representative. I couldn’t prove her interference, but dread twisted through me as soon as I touched the letter. The dread I had only felt when we stood on the balcony, and I made the decision to end the battle. Only I failed. She got away.

It's been two hours. We need to go address the fake representative. Are they ready to go to Enchanted Rock? I asked Zander.

We can't reach them, Athena. Zander paused. He moved his eyes in a slight motion to the guards. They gave us space. We can't send anyone else through the vortex. It's closed.

I drew in a breath. Not good. Never good news when a vortex is closed.

What do you mean? The Council assured us it would not be closed without prior notification. The realization of the closure sank in. The Council didn't do it. We need to go now.

While we could traverse in small groups across leylines, we could only take large numbers through the vortex. If Kalypso attacked, we wouldn’t be able to send guards to the Council. No doubt existed in my mind who was behind this. Kalypso.

Loyalty could unite or mislead, depending on the leader. A piece of me stayed in the next life with my parents when I died on the balcony, but my parents paid a price for my return. A price I might never know. Their sacrifice would be a gift to our people. Without any doubt in my mind, I knew I wanted to be a leader who united her people, and the belief had to be enough to defeat Kalypso this time.

We can traverse the leylines, I said. Cymone can call it to keep it smooth. Gods know no one would want my rough ride.

She and Straton are on an errand. He avoided eye contact with me.

What errand? I slid into his range of vision.

A smile broke across his face. It’s a surprise.

A closed vortex is enough of a surprise for me. I thrust a hand out, and two large gold coins drifted to my palm. Passage granted. Thank you. Seems I'm not the only one who agrees. I held the coins the Gods gifted to me towards him.

Have you ever not been granted passage? We should wait, Athena. His eyes locked mine. You're not an exiled princess anymore nor are you a seated North American Council member.

Mmm. Hmm. Plus I have this gift for doing things on my own? I crossed my arms.

Our people could be in danger in Lanorinia, and we both have duties here.

There were more of our people at risk here than in the other realm. I threw my hands up. You're right, Zander.

The Mountain of Hades must have just frozen over.

That volcano has been dormant so long it's probably considered extinct.

The old me, before I died and my parents sent me back, would have snuck around and went anyway. The new me recognized the fragility of trust. I'd broken it so many times, and I promised myself, numb or not, I wouldn't betray him.

A familiar scent drifted to me. I tried to place what it was. Do you smell that? Damp earth. Gods. What now…

Smell what?

It's a blood summons. My heart ached. I waved to him. I love you. If it was Kalypso summoning me, I might not come back. She murdered my parents to take our kingdom and spread her treachery for power. I’d taken the throne back from her, so my death would be a prize she wouldn’t refuse.

The pull slammed against me and dragged me away. The realization of what awaited me hit hard. I fought the summons and bounced across the soft earth, damp with dew. Not an ounce of Fae grace in my movements, I scrambled to my feet and swallowed my fear. Not Enchanted Rock. Giant trees stood in front of me. Still in Lanorinia. The Grove. The name for the Timberlands territory a misnomer compared to the actual vastness of the area. Not only were they untrustworthy, but they walked in darkness instead of light. I cringed inside, but I straightened my spine. Upon my father's death, maybe even before, they aligned with Kalypso, and no doubt remained in my mind their misalliance had been in the works long before then.

An elf stepped out from the thick woods. A green cast tinted his skin, so different from the luminescent glow of the Lightliners or the soft candlelight glow of the Sandshifters.

My princess, he said. His smile showed sharp teeth. Or should I say, My Queen. He bowed before me.

Timberlands’ allegiances change like underwear.

I straightened to my full height but didn't acknowledge my titles. And you are?

Your humble servant. He remained in the bow.

If you stand up, we can speak easier.

As you wish. He uncurled in front of me. Despite the greenish tint and sharp teeth, he was oddly familiar. Yet, I didn’t recognize him.

Why am I here?

You were dead and now you live.

I hate riddles. My neck stiffened. Plenty of people saw me come back, but they didn't know the cost. If you want to ask me something just ask it.

No need to ask questions I already know the answer to. I'm here to tell you about your prince.

My muscles tensed. A puddle of darkness formed in my stomach. If he threatens Zander… What about him?

A prince indeed. He has a secret hidden in tears. The cost for answers matches his fears.

Wind. Calm me, my friend. A gentle breeze tussled my hair. Didn't I say I hate riddles?

Time to return to him. He's worried about you. What to do.

I can get back on my own.

He moved fast. The pull grabbed me for the second time. It sucked me in and spit me out where I started.

I didn’t fight the ride home and landed on my feet. Hmmm. That never happens. How in Hades did he have my blood to summon me? Relief at the sight of Zander disguised the troubled thoughts the green man seeded in me.

What happened? Zander grasped my upper arms and checked me over.

I'm fine. The summons wasn’t from Kalypso.

Zack? He asked about his twin brother. His attempts to redeem him from Kalypso failed. Kalypso saved Zack, and he left with her the night I rained down lightning on us. The night I died. He made his choice, and I didn’t share Zander’s belief of Zack’s redeemability.

No. I shook my head. I don't think he could perform a blood summons. It was some kind of Timberland warning shrouded in a riddle. Probably just something to distract.

The guard’s quick steps echoed as they approached.

He bowed hastily in front of me. The men have returned, he said, out of breath. Blood dripped off his hand.

My heart spasmed in my chest. Please let them be okay. I sent a silent prayer to the Gods, even though the blood on the guard’s uniform told me the answer.

Are they... The words died in my throat.

They are alive, Your Majesty. He paused.

I noted his fingers shook.

They are badly injured.

Take me to them. I walked the direction he came. This price never got easier. I fought Kalypso to keep my people safe, and any pain they suffered now was my fault. I sent them to investigate. Tears tried to overflow my eyes, but I held them back. Enough tears had been spilt and prices paid for those tears was were too high. Like my parents’ tears used to send me back from the next life. No. We would not pay prices like that today. I will save these guards.

The guard led Zander and I towards the chamber.

What is your name? I asked, unable to take the silence. My own thoughts rose like a tidal wave of guilt for the pain others suffered because of me.

David, Your Majesty.

David, I repeated. You can call me Athena. I was never one for royal protocol.

Very much like your father, My Queen, he said.

The mention of my father chipped at the mental armor I’d just put up. The thought anyone would compare me to him warmed me a little.

Yes, and he drew much criticism for breaking protocol during his reign, I said. As I suspect I will.

"You will be a