Whispers of the Faerie court

By Nicole Whittaker

Lily, a human with a mysterious past, discovers her connection to the enchanted realm when she crosses paths with Nyssa, a fae prince bound by duty and fate. Together with Ethan, a steadfast friend from the mortal world, they unravel the secrets of a prophecy that foretells the balance between two worlds. Amidst the chaos and uncertainty, love blossoms between Lily and Nyssa, while Ethan grapples with his own feelings of longing and loyalty. Together, they confront their fears and insecurities, united by a shared determination to protect the realms they hold dear.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nicole Whittaker
• Release date: Apr 12, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224984084

Nicole Whittaker

Nicole Whittaker was born in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia to a bloodline of creative people, artists, authors and musicians among them. So it's not surprising that Nicole has created art and fiction from an early age. She specializes in fantasy romance but also dabbles in contemporary as well.

Book preview

Chapter 1

The market thrummed with life, a stark contrast to the melancholy that often clung to my heart like morning mist to the valley floors. I wove through the crowd, each step an effort to shake the weight of solitude that had become my shadow since my father’s passing.

Fresh bread, just out of the oven! a vendor called, but the warm scent could not soften the edges of my loneliness.

My fingers traced over silks and velvet’s at one stall, their vibrant hues a fleeting solace against the gray that painted my world. But even as the merchant boasted of far-off lands, his words were lost in the fog of my thoughts.

Exotic spices, miss? another queried, yet no flavour seemed potent enough to pierce the numbness inside me.

I stopped before a jewellery booth, its trinkets glinting with false promises of joy. There, amidst the baubles, a pendant caught my gaze. It was nothing remarkable, a simple piece of metal with a stone that held the stormy sea within its depths. Yet it whispered of adventure, a siren’s call amidst the silence of my existence.

Would you like to hold it? The jeweller’s voice sliced through the haze, a beacon back to the present.

May I? My voice sounded foreign to my own ears, a stranger’s tone laced with hope’s faint echo.

Of course. He placed the pendant in my palm, and the cool metal grounded me to the moment.

Does it tell a story? I asked, more to myself than him.

Every piece has its tale, he replied, eyes glinting with secrets untold.

I turned the pendant over, feeling the etchings like promises etched into my skin. What harm could there be in dreaming once more? In the end, it was the yearning for something beyond the confines of my reality that coaxed the coins from my pocket.

Thank you, I muttered, the transaction an anchor dropped into the unknown.

May it bring you the adventure you seek, he said as I fastened it around my neck, the weight of it far heavier than its size warranted.

Adventure. The word tasted bitter on my tongue, a luxury I couldn’t afford when survival mattered most. Yet, as I walked away, the pendant’s presence was a silent vow that even in desolation, there remained a spark waiting to ignite.

The village square, once a riot of colour and noise, bled into the cool twilight, its vibrancy now subdued. The sun’s final embers painted the sky in hues of fire and ash as I wove through the dwindling crowd, clutching the pendant that lay heavy against my skin. My feet traced familiar paths, guided by a restlessness I couldn’t name.

A figure detached from the shadows near the old oak, his presence slicing through the market’s murmurs like a sharp intake of breath. Ethan Blackthorne. Back from wherever the winds had swept him, his steps deliberate, sure as the turning of the earth.

Where have you been? The words spilled from me before I could still them, raw and unfiltered.

He halted, just an arm’s length away, close enough for me to see the way the dying light danced in his eyes—those deep pools of midnight that had haunted my dreams. Everywhere and nowhere, he replied, voice low and steady as the river’s flow.

I searched his face for signs of the boy who left, but found only the hardened lines of a man sculpted by whispers of war and the weight of untold stories. His gaze ensnared mine, holding it with an intensity that bordered on painful. And what of you, Lily? Have you found what you’re looking for?

My laugh was brittle, a leaf caught in the autumn wind. What would I be searching for, Ethan? In this place that feels more like a prison than home?

Freedom, he said simply, as if reading the very marrow of my soul, as if the word itself wasn’t a luxury afforded to people like us.

Freedom... I echoed, tasting the concept like a forbidden fruit. A shiver coursed through me at the proximity of his hand—the space between us charged with the electric promise of uncharted territories. He didn’t move closer, yet didn’t back away either. It was a dance we’d perfected: the push and pull of two souls bound by something stronger than just friendship.

Perhaps freedom is closer than you think, Ethan whispered. His eyes reflected the stars that began to pierce the darkening canvas above.

Or perhaps it’s an illusion, I countered, the skepticism in my voice a shield against the hope that threatened to bloom in his presence.

Sometimes illusions are necessary, he murmured, his voice a harbinger of secrets that clung to him like shadows.

Are you one of them? I asked, half-joking, half-desperate to understand the enigma standing before me.

Ethan’s smile was fleeting, a ghost of something once bright. I’m as real as you need me to be, Lily.

Real. The word hung between us, laden with meaning I couldn’t grasp. The square emptied, leaving us alone amidst the whisper of leaves and the sigh of night settling in. Our bond was an unspoken pact, woven of heartstrings and sealed with silent promises. Promises that felt as fragile as the threads of destiny pulling us in directions we couldn’t yet comprehend.

Welcome back, Ethan, I said finally. I broke the connection and turned toward home. The weight of the pendant was a constant reminder of adventures yearned for, and the uncertainty of a future unwritten.

The moon hung like a silver coin above, its light turning the river’s surface into a sheet of rippling glass. I found myself at our spot, the hallowed ground where whispers and dreams melded with the flow of water—an oasis amidst the vastness of reality.

Late, his voice broke the silence before he emerged from the shadows.

Or you’re early, I said, the corners of my mouth betraying a smile that felt out of place in the still night.

Ethan stepped into the lunar illumination, his figure a blend of darkness and light. His fingers brushed against mine, a touch featherlight yet laden with unspoken words. A chill skittered up my arm, as if his touch awakened something slumbering within.

Always the firebrand, he murmured, and his hand enveloped mine, warm and steady.

Someone has to be, I replied, my heart a drumbeat echoing against my ribcage.

Indeed. He looked at the pendant that lay against my chest, its surface catching the moon’s ethereal glow. That suits you.

His gaze returned to mine, and there was a gravity in his blue eyes, an intensity that held me captive. You’ve been away too long, I whispered, hating how my voice trembled.

Too long, he agreed, his thumb tracing small circles on the back of my hand. I’ve wanted to return. To you.

Then why— The question died on my lips, swallowed by the river’s song.

Because, Ethan started, pausing as if searching for the right confession. There are desires that pull me elsewhere—duties, obligations. But none as strong as what brings me back here.

Here, I echoed, feeling the weight of all that went unsaid between us.

Here, he confirmed. With you.

Our closeness felt like a dance, bodies swaying not to music but to the rhythm of revelations. His other hand rose to my face, tucking a stray curl behind my ear, a tender act that belied the harshness of the world beyond our secluded nook.

Tell me, Lily, have you ever longed for something so fiercely it consumes your every thought? His voice was low, threaded with a yearning that mirrored my own.

Every day, I breathed, my admission hanging between us like a fragile truth.

Me too, he said, and the distance closed as he leaned in, his breath ghosting over my skin.

Tonight, let’s forget the burdens we carry, Ethan whispered, his lips grazing mine. A kiss. A promise. A fleeting escape from the desolation that waited beyond the river’s edge.

Only tonight? The question was a shard of ice in my chest.

Tonight is all we have, he replied, pulling back just enough to see the resolve etched in my features.

Then let’s make it last, I stated. Determination steeled my spine. I reached for him, sealing our compact with fervour born of hidden desires and shared secrets.

Until dawn, Lily Everwood, Ethan vowed, his embrace a harbour in the tempest of our existence.

I echoed, ‘Until dawn.’ I knew all too well that when the sun rose, our reverie would end. Only moonlit confessions and the relentless pursuit of survival would remain.

The night unfurled like a tapestry, every thread woven with the whispered confessions and stolen glances between Ethan and me. The moon hung low in the indigo sky, its silvery light bathing our secret meeting place in an ethereal glow. In the air, there was a buzzing energy, charged with the unspoken promises and uncharted desires that coursed between us.

We danced on the edge of something forbidden, our souls entwined in a delicate ballet. Each touch from Ethan’s hand left a lingering mark on the canvas of our shared existence, a testament to the depth of our connection. As we swayed to some unheard rhythm in the dim light, time itself seemed to bend to our will, allowing us this fleeting moment of bliss.

Ethan’s question lingered in the air, heavy with meaning and vulnerability. In his voice, I heard echoes of my own hidden desires, mirrored in his own unspoken words. In this stolen moment, we were suspended in a realm where reality blurred and all that mattered was each other.

His breath against my skin sent shivers down my spine as he gently tucked a stray curl behind my ear. In that small gesture, I felt the tenderness beneath his hardened exterior, a tenderness reserved only for me. Our closeness became a sanctuary from the harshness of the outside world, a refuge where we could be ourselves without fear or judgment.

His admission filled me with a shared ache, connecting our souls in a way that defied explanation. And when he leaned in closer, closing the distance between us, I felt the magnetic pull of his presence. His lips were so close now, promising relief from the burdens that weighed heavily on our hearts.

As he spoke of forgetting it all - our worries, our obligations - a flicker of hope ignited within me. For just a moment, I allowed myself to believe that we could escape the harsh realities that sought to tear us apart. And in that instant, when his kiss sealed our vow in the quiet of the night, time stood still and we were transported to our own ephemeral reality.

My question hung heavy in the air, echoing through the night like a plea for more time. But as I gazed into Ethan’s eyes, determination steeled my resolve. In this stolen sanctuary, I reached for him with a passion born of hidden desires and shared secrets. And in that moment, nothing else mattered but the two of us, suspended in the moonlit shadows of our own world.

The solemn vow, whispered in the hush of the night, became a tether that bound us to this moment. Until dawn, Lily Everwood, he declared, his embrace a safe haven in the chaos of our existence. I echoed his words with a reverent promise, Until dawn. Deep down, I knew that with the sunrise, our temporary refuge would vanish and leave behind only the lingering echoes of moonlit confessions and the never-ending battle for survival.

The morning after was a landscape painted in shades of grey, the dawn light struggling to break through the thick clouds. I sat on a weathered bench nestled in the heart of the village, the weight of yesterday’s market day purchase hanging like an ominous omen against my chest. The energy from my encounter with Ethan still hummed beneath my skin, a secret symphony that only I could hear. As I sat there, lost in my thoughts and memories of last night, the sky above mirrored my turbulent emotions.

Earth to Lily. Cassie’s voice cut through my reverie like a sharp knife. Her hand waved frantically before my eyes like a fiery beacon. Her flaming red hair cascaded around her freckled face like vibrant flames.

Sorry, I mumbled, trying to untangle my jumbled thoughts.

She settled down beside me on the creaky wooden bench. You’ve been drifting away ever since you bought that thing. Her eyes locked onto the pendant dangling from my neck.

Drifting? I repeated, instinctively tucking the pendant under my shirt as if it could shield me from her piercing gaze.

Come on, Lils. It’s just me, she nudged my shoulder gently, her expression etched with genuine concern. And then there’s Ethan. You two are like moths drawn to a flame.

Ethan and I... My voice trailed off as conflicting emotions swirled within me like a tumultuous storm.

Sparks fly whenever you’re near each other, Cassie continued, her brow furrowed with worry. But sparks can also start a wildfire.

Maybe some things are worth the risk of getting burned for, I whispered, my skin still tingling from Ethan’s touch last night.

Or maybe getting burned is inevitable, Cassie’s voice was soft but laced with unspoken fears. Lily, please be careful. This – she gestured uncertainly between us – this isn’t just about stolen kisses and whispered dreams.

Then what is it about? I asked, my voice trembling with emotion.

Change, she answered simply. I can feel it, like a storm brewing on the horizon. And that pendant... She trailed off, biting her lip nervously. It’s not just a piece of jewelry, is it?

My heart skipped a beat, the world tilting ever so slightly at her words. No, I admitted, my fingers tracing the intricate design of the pendant hidden beneath my shirt. It feels like... destiny.

Cassie’s green eyes mirrored my own, fierce and unwavering. Destiny can be a treacherous path. Are you ready to walk it?

Are we ever truly ready for anything that matters? I countered, feeling a hollow emptiness within me.

Listen to you, philosopher queen. A hint of a smile danced on her lips, but never reached her troubled eyes. Just promise me you’ll tread carefully. With Ethan, with that – she nodded towards the concealed pendant – with everything.

I promise, I replied, aware that promises made in the midst of brewing storms were fragile as spider silk.

Good. She stood up, pulling me to my feet with her. Because whatever lies ahead, Lily Everwood, you won’t face it alone.

Never alone, I affirmed, drawing strength from her unwavering resolve.

Remember that when the winds howl, Cassie said, her voice trailing off as she turned to leave with a swish of her skirts.

I couldn’t take my eyes off her retreating form, her words settling upon me like a heavy shawl woven from the threads of impending dusk. As she disappeared into the shadows, I was left alone with my thoughts, my fingers tracing over the smooth surface of the pendant. Its cold and enigmatic stone seemed to offer no guidance for what lay ahead.

But Cassie’s words echoed in my mind, reminding me that change was coming like a tidal wave, ready to engulf us in its unknown depths. We had a choice: to face it together or drown alone. Promise me, I implored her, promise me you’ll be careful. With Ethan, with that pendant, with everything.

I promise, she replied, though we both knew promises made during storms were fragile and easily broken.

Good, I said, feeling the weight of responsibility settle onto my shoulders.

Cassie stood up and pulled me to my feet, her determination radiating from her every movement. Because, Lily Everwood, you won’t face what’s coming alone.

Never alone, I affirmed, drawing strength from her unwavering support.

Remember that when the winds howl, she cautioned as she turned to leave.

I watched her silhouette fade into the encroaching darkness, the air thick with tension and uncertainty. The pendant felt heavy in my hand, pulsing with an energy that mirrored the tumultuousness of our future.

The night enveloped me, its cool embrace whispering secrets through the rustling leaves. With each passing moment, the horizon seemed to hold more mysteries and challenges waiting to test our resilience. But I was determined not to back down. Whatever storms may come, we would face them together

The urgency in my voice carried through the stillness of the night, punctuated by a hint of vulnerability. Cassie turned to face me, her gaze reflecting the gravity of our shared understanding. Promise me, I implored, my words laced with a sense of trepidation. you’ll be careful, with Ethan, with the pendant, with everything.

Her response was measured, delivered with a quiet assurance that belied the turbulence of what lay ahead. I promise, she said, her words hanging in the air like delicate filaments. We both knew that promises made in the midst of chaos were fragile, easily broken by the winds of fate.

Good, I nodded, feeling the weight of the moment settle on my shoulders. Cassie rose gracefully, extending a hand to pull me up. As I stood beside her, I could feel her strength emanating from within her, a determination that spoke of unyielding camaraderie.

Because you won’t face this alone, Lily Everwood, she declared, her gaze steady and resolute. Her words echoed through the quiet night like a solemn vow, binding us together in the face of the unknown.

Never alone, I affirmed, finding solace in her conviction. In the darkness, we stood as allies, ready to confront whatever challenges awaited us on the horizon.

Remember that when the winds howl, Cassie murmured as she turned to leave. Her figure blended into the shadows, but her parting words lingered in the air like a haunting melody.

I watched her retreating back, feeling the weight of her promise and the gravity of what was to come settling around me like a shawl made of dusk. Alone once more, I traced my fingers over the contours of the pendant – a tangible reminder of the enigmatic journey that laid ahead. But Cassie was right – change was inevitable, an incoming tide that would either unite us in a shared destiny or leave us to navigate the depths alone. With a newfound determination, I prepared to face the approaching storm, trusting in the bond forged in the shadows of uncertainty.

Chapter 2

The moon hung low in the sky, casting an ethereal glow upon the training grounds below. Its silver light transformed the sparring arena into a mystical battlefield, where shadows flickered and danced with each movement. The air was thick with the sharp scent of sweat and anticipation, mingling with the ancient energies that pulsed beneath the surface.

In this desolate haven of combat, warriors honed not only their physical prowess but also tapped into a deeper power within themselves. The training grounds were more than just a place for physical training; they held secrets and ancient energies that could enhance one’s abilities beyond imagination.

With a firm grip on my sword, I could feel the hum of power coursing through it, resonating with the energy around me. Every step I took on the sacred soil seemed to awaken a new level of strength and skill within me. This was no ordinary training ground; it was a place of transformation and growth, where warriors became legends and ordinary humans tapped into the supernatural.

Standing before me was a formidable opponent, his posture tense and determined. The piercing glint in his eyes reflected the moon’s faint light, adding an air of mystique to our midnight duel. As our blades clashed, a symphony of steel rang out, each clash and parry like a carefully orchestrated movement in a dance of skill and survival.

Our fight took place in the training grounds, where the very air seemed to crackle with energy. Mystical forces lurked within these sacred grounds, and I drew upon them with every strike. The surge of power that fueled my movements made me feel invincible, as if I were tapping into something beyond the realm of ordinary mortals.

But amidst the intensity of battle, my mind never strayed far from Lily. Her image flickered in my mind, a constant reminder of the bond we shared. It was more than just physical attraction; it was a connection forged by fate itself. As I fought, I could almost sense her presence, like a comforting whisper at the edge of my consciousness.

The training grounds transformed into a battlefield where physical prowess and ancient magic intertwined. Each strike, each parry, carried the weight of a destiny that surpassed the boundaries of the ordinary world. The air vibrated with anticipation as warriors clashed, their movements swift and practiced, fueled by a mysterious energy.

Unbeknownst to me, a shadowy figure lurked in the periphery, concealed by the darkness. Their eyes glinted with an ominous gleam, hinting at a looming threat that could shatter the tranquility of our ordinary existence. As we sparred, their presence seemed to loom over us like a storm cloud, casting a sense of foreboding over the moonlit arena.

As the sparring session reached its climax, the mystical forces within the training grounds responded to the intensity of our battle. They wove a tapestry of energy that enveloped us, pulsing and swirling around us like a living entity. The very ground beneath our feet seemed to throb with an ancient rhythm, as if acknowledging the destiny unfolding in its midst. Our fate was being written in every movement and every breath, guided by forces beyond our understanding.

With a final, precise strike, I delivered the finishing blow to my opponent. The clang of our swords echoed through the training grounds, but as the dust settled, so did the silence. My chest rose and fell with exertion as I stood amidst the moonlit shadows, savoring the bittersweet taste of victory.

But as the shadows deepened and enveloped us, a sense of foreboding settled over the once lively arena. It was as if destiny itself hung in the air, a promise yet to be fulfilled. With a deep breath, I sheathed my sword and looked out into the night. The moon shone down upon us, illuminating a path that led beyond the ordinary and into the unknown realms of fate and magic.

The mystical forces within the training grounds stirred and responded to our intense battle. They weaved a tangle of energy that swirled around us, pulsating with an ancient rhythm. Even the ground beneath our feet seemed to vibrate with anticipation, as if it too recognized the significance of what was happening.

As our sparring session reached its climactic end, I emerged victorious once again. But this time, as I gazed upon the moonlit arena and its secrets revealed by the ethereal light, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of foreboding about what was to come. Our world stood on the brink of irreversible change, and it all began here on these very grounds under the watchful eye of the moon.

The village lay cloaked in darkness, the night clinging to it like a shroud. The air was thick with the scent of change, as if the very atmosphere knew that something momentous was about to occur. I moved through the shadows, my footsteps muffled by the eerie silence that enveloped the village. My destination: the meeting place of the council of elders.

These ancient beings were keepers of knowledge and prophecies, their wisdom woven into the threads of fate itself. As I made my way to their clandestine gathering spot deep within the heart of the woods, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe and trepidation. The elders had gathered in a sacred circle, their faces etched with the weight of centuries. Draped in cloaks that seemed to hold secrets untold, they appeared almost otherworldly in the flickering light of torches. Shadows danced across their features, emphasizing the lines and wrinkles that spoke of ages long past.

I took my place among them, my presence a mere whisper against their collective gravitas. The air crackled with ancient magic, sending chills down my spine. I could feel their immense wisdom pressing upon me, a weight that both intimidated and thrilled me. As we began our meeting, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this gathering held great significance for Lily and me - as if