Not Just Another Fae (Vegas Fae Stories Book 4) Read online

  They looked to be barely twenty, and as she finished speaking, they both bowed.

  "I would offer more, but somehow I doubt you would find my tastes in other nourishment as pleasant."

  "Human?" I asked, ignoring the remark. Besides, she was probably right.

  "Once," she replied.

  "Slaves?" I asked, hoping I wouldn’t offend her. But I was curious as to why humans would be down here.

  "Wait!" she commanded to the two, and they both stopped and turned back towards us.

  "Selene, Capaneus," she said. "Do either of you wish to be released from your responsibilities?"

  "No my Lady," they both replied, then bowed again.

  "Attend to your duties then," she said, waving her hand in dismissal before turning back to me. "I have no need for slaves."

  "I meant no disrespect," I said. "I was just curious as to what the humans were doing here."

  "Few greet Death with open arms," she explained. "Many bargains are offered to avoid one's fate. On occasion, I will grant their wish, in exchange for service."

  "I didn't know you could do that," I replied, looking around the temple we had entered. In front of us was a large room, with chairs and rugs, and tables. The walls were covered with a mosaic tile, images of Greek Gods and Goddesses in various settings depicted. Across from me was an arched doorway, hidden by a curtain. To the sides were various doors, one of which her two humans had gone through.

  "Rarely do I feel so generous," she said, a hint of pleasure in her voice. "But they... interested me, so I granted their wish."

  "Really?" I replied. "Again, no disrespect intended, but they look too young to have done something that interesting."

  "These two were no innocents," she said, leading me further into the room. "They are both beautiful to look at, are they not?"

  "I suppose so," I replied.

  "I found them near Volos, a port city where they had made their home, waylaying travelers," she continued. "Selene was very adept at seducing men and Capaneus dispatched them for her, robbing them after death. They were captured near an Inn where several bodies had been found. Caught by one of the families, a wealthy one, they were killed slowly. I... liberated them at the moment of death, in exchange for their service. Neither of them were yet willing to face the sentence the Fates had decreed."

  "I see," I said. Not exactly my kind of interesting, but she was a Death Spirit.

  A few minutes later, her little murderers returned, bringing wine with trays of fruit and cheeses. A large bowl with steaming water was brought in, then towels put down as well. These were placed on a table near the couches and chairs. When everything was to her liking, the two were again dismissed, with a wave of her hand.

  "You do not approve?" she asked, more as a statement. Then she poured wine into a gold drinking cup and handed it to me, before sitting down on the large couch.

  "I didn't say that," I replied. "It's just not something I'm used to."

  "As a king, do you not have servants?" she asked as she lifted her cup to her lips.

  I had to think about that for a moment.

  "Yes," I said, thinking of Sendy and the others that would come at my command. "But not like these. Then again, I spend most of my time in the human world where servants such as these are not a custom. At least not where I reside."

  "So it has been said," she replied. "You live mostly among the humans."

  "Then you knew of me before the attack?" I asked, wondering if that was why she had been so close to the house in the first place. To be close to me.

  "Of course," she replied. "You are the second of the High to appear. While the other is particularly violent, your victories are more... satisfying. The death of those so evil is particularly delicious, as it were."

  Well, that was an interesting way to put it.

  "But enough of my world for the moment," she said, sliding closer and moving her hand to my arm. She stroked it and then leaned forward to the table and grabbed a cluster of grapes. She popped one in her mouth, then placed one to my lips. "Tell me then? Why then did you ask my name?"

  "Yeah," I replied, after finishing the grape. "About that. Please don’t take this wrong; but I really didn't know that asking your name was inappropriate."

  "Inappropriate?" she asked.

  "What I mean is that I didn't know there was some kind of custom about asking," I replied, again deciding on honesty as the best policy. "Especially since we weren't going into battle at the time."

  "So you did not wish to know my name?" she asked, looking disappointed.

  "That's not what I'm saying," I replied, turning towards her. "I did want to know you. I just don’t want to give you the wrong impression. But then again, here we are."

  I see," she said after a moment. "Then it matters not. Not all battles are fought on the field." She placed another grape to my lips. "Now, what is it you seek answers to?"

  Among other things, Diantha had told me that asking a Keres for her name was something like asking her out on a date, but in a really strange, you'd have to be a Keres, or a warrior, to understand kind of way. If you were an ancient Greek warrior hero facing insurmountable odds, you could invoke her aid by asking her name and then together, go into battle. Assuming, of course, that the Keres was willing and found you worthy.

  If not, then you were on your own. But if she did, it was apparently a glorious way to fight a battle when the odds were against you; with the equivalent of Death at your side as you fought. If you won, then ecstasy with the Death Spirit was your reward. If you lost, well... there's no prize if that happened. What can I say? Worshipping Death was a big thing to warriors in the day. But since she had given it to me, her name that is, at least she thought me worthy. Which was a good thing, since having asked, I had sorta committed myself to see it through, battle or not.

  "Well," I replied, reaching down and picking up two plump strawberries. I offered her one before continuing. "For one thing, do you remember the Mage I killed? The one you took with the Fae?"

  "He was bitter," she said, after taking a bite. "The Fae was much more satisfying." A smile came to her lips, and I got the impression she was just waiting to see what I'd say.

  "Like you said," I replied, reaching for another strawberry. "Our tastes in such things are different; but I agree, he fought poorly."

  "What of him do you wish to know?" she asked, taking a sip of wine.

  "I took something from him," I said, reaching for my cup as well. "A talisman. One of great power. I wondered if there was any way to know where he got such a thing."

  "I am sorry," she replied. "His soul was bleak and uninteresting. I would know nothing of what he carried before death."

  "Didn’t think so," I said. "But I had to ask."

  "A simple answer for a simple question," she replied, pushing back and standing. She refilled the wine cups from an engraved wine jug and handed me one. "Never has another ruler of the Fae sought out one of my kind. Surely that is not all you wish of me."

  "It isn't," I said, standing up beside her. "I would like to learn more about you. Little is known of the Keres and I probably know less than most. Tell me about yourself, or at least, about your home."

  "Come with me," she said, taking my hand and leading me back to the door.

  With our wine cups in hand, we went out through the doorway and down the steps of the temple. She led me out beyond the stream and into the forest. There, in the moonlight, I saw firs, and to my surprise, birch, spruce, and aspen. It was strange, being so close to trees that I would have thought were part of my domain, but instead were simply that; trees. Trees with which I had no bond. At least not yet. She had explained that her land stood on the edge of the Fae worlds, hence the perpetual twilight, and far removed from the rest of Fae. The dead lands were almost impassable this far from my own lands. She spoke of The Fall and of the changing of the human world. Nyx, herself, Goddess of Night, had not been seen since, so her line had led their Fae as best as they were
able. The changes in the way wars were fought causing them to evolve from battlefield Spirits into something more. Then she told me about herself. Not much, but enough to know that the Keres, as different in appearance and duties as any Fae I knew, were still, in other ways, just the same. Eventually, we found our way back to the stream, within sight of the temple, where she let go of my hand and turned to me.

  "You have seen some of my lands and heard my tale," she said. "And I have agreed to listen to your request. It is time to tell me what you wish of me."

  "All right," I said as I knelt down by the river and brushed it with my hand. "But first, do flowers not grow here? I mean, I see trees and grasses. But what about flowers?"

  "You are of the Dryad," she replied. "I thought you might know the reason. It is said that reeds once bordered the stream and fish swam the waters, but that was before my time. Perhaps it is the twilight."

  "No fish?" I asked, ignoring the jab as I put my hand into the water. It was clean and pure but I sensed no life. "The water’s nicer than I thought it would be, and as to flowers, the moon still shines, does it not?"

  "Few Fae visit the land of Nyx willingly, as you should know," she replied. "And the fish? It is said that the stream runs miles under the dead lands. Perhaps that is the reason. I had thought once to ask the Naiads, but never have I seen one this close to the edge of the worlds."

  "Got it," I said, sitting down. I took off my boots and hiked up my pants. I slid down the bank and placed my feet into the cool water and then patted the ground. "Please sit with me. Let me tell you why I wanted to learn more of you."

  She looked at me strangely, as if not sure of what to make of my request. Then, after a moment, having apparently come to a decision, sat down next to me on the bank.

  "The truth is," I began. "I seek an alliance."

  "An alliance?" she asked, surprised.

  "Yes," I replied. "You already know the other High Fae. She is evil and Tartarus will not hold her forever. I propose an alliance. I already have one with the Nereid and many of the other Fae. Even imprisoned, her tentacles reach out and her followers seek to continue her work."

  "Now I see why the Fae Lord has come. You seek our aid in battle." she said in a harsh voice as she stood. "As do those who ask my name. What then, when the battle is over? Will we be forgotten again, except in stories told to frighten children."

  "You misunderstand," I replied, turning to face her. I changed my manor of speech to that of a Fae Lord." The old Gods are gone and times have changed. There is no reason that the Keres need stand apart from the other Fae."

  "I see," she said, then switched to her hideous persona. The dark mist around her swirling as it lifted her a foot off the ground. "And like this? What then will your Fae do when the battle is over and they see us in this form; or when we feast on the bodies of those we have chosen?"

  "Kyras," I said, getting up to face her. She was now horrible to look at, but I knew I couldn’t let her see that from me. "If all I wanted were warriors, I would not have come to you. I could just have easily tricked the Lilin and used them instead; binding them with their Tears as I held them in my hand and freed them from the ancient spell. I have told you this before, I am not of the old Gods. Nor do I care what you look like in this form. Neither, in time, will the rest of the Fae, should you be so willing."

  "That is difficult to believe," she said. But her voice softened just a bit.

  "Change comes to us all," I replied. "But there is one more request I must make before you tell me what you would ask in return."

  "Name the request," she said.

  "The other High Fae's followers have opened a gateway into Hell and Demons have escaped into the human worlds," I replied. "I need you take me into Hades. I must find a way to close the gate and I cannot do it from this side. Nor can I enter Hades without your help."

  "Even a God cannot return from Hades, or any of the other Hells, lest he be a God of the Underworld," she said. "You do not need my help if your wish is to die in such a way."

  "The blood of Persephone runs through me," I replied. "If she could live there, then so can I. Even if I cannot return, I must do this. The gateway is moving and should it find its way to the other High Fae... Well, that is something I cannot allow to happen."

  "You ask much for one who has offered little," she said.

  "Name your price," I said. "The offer of alliance still stands, whatever your decision on the other matter. But one way or another, I must find a way to close the gate."

  She didn't reply immediately. Then the mist slowly formed back around her and she alit onto the ground, changing back into her more pleasant form. She raised her hand and the two servants came running, refilling our wine before returning to the temple.

  "I must think over your offer," she said after taking a drink, then she took a few steps up the bank.

  "Before you go," I said. "May I contact a few of my Fae? I did not wish to do so without your permission."

  "Contact who you will," she said in reply, and then the mist surrounded her and she was gone.

  I wasn't quite sure how that went. But I knew there were a few things I had to do before she got back, if I was going to convince her of my sincerity.

  About an hour later, clouds of black mist descended and Kyras once again appeared, this time with two others who stood behind her.

  "What is this?" she asked, looking suspiciously at my own companions.

  "Queen Kyras," I said. "Allow me to introduce several Fae that you should know. This is Polixia, a Naiad of one of the springs that flow into your river."

  "Well met, Queen Kyras," Polixia said with a bow. "Not since before The Fall have our kind watched over these waters. We will do so again, if that is your wish."

  "I have also asked two others to come," I continued as I pointed out my other companions. I'd already told them what they might expect from the Keres, and to be prepared if they switched into their other persona.

  "This is Sendy, of the Aurae. My messenger Fae. She has brought Fiora with her. She is a Faerie of my gardens. If it is your wish, she will bring others to attend to the flowers and other growing things."

  "Are you trying to entice me to accept your offer?" she asked in a dubious tone. But she bowed to all three of the Faeries and bade them well.

  "Yes and no. As I said, there is no reason for you to stand apart from the other Fae. Your waters and gardens should be stocked and maintained, if you so desire. If not, these two will simply return. Whether you accept or decline my offer of a formal alliance, these things are yours by right."

  "He is correct, my Lady," Polixia said as she rose from the stream. "Since no other may lay claim to this stream that flows through your lands, it can only be by your wish that I tend to it for you. Say but the word and I will return to my own waters and leave you in peace."

  "As for Fiora," I said. "I can have Sendy take her back now if you prefer."

  "No," she said. "Wait." She turned to the two Keres behind her and held a silent conversation. When she was through, she turned back to me. "This is Nosia and Akhlia. They will speak with these two. As for me, I would confer with you in the temple."

  "As you wish," I replied, telling Sendy that she could return. The other two Faeries went to meet with the Keres as I returned to the temple with Kyras.

  "More wine," Kyras commanded as we entered. "Then leave us."

  The couple scrambled and returned with the same engraved jug and refilled our cups. Capaneus then placed the jug on the table which had already had the trays of fruit and cheeses replenished. Then the two hastily retreated into one of the wall's recesses. I sat back down on the couch.

  "You are not what I expected," she said when they were gone.

  "Yeah," I replied. "I get that a lot."

  "First, I sought you out because of your victories," she went on. "They were much sweeter than the other High Fae’s. I thought you fought for glory, as did many of the old Gods. Instead, I find that you free those that o
nce opposed your kind; fighting only when necessary."

  "Well, I wouldn’t exactly say that."

  "Wait! I must say more."

  I waved for her to continue.

  "Then, when you asked my name, I expected you to offer me a battle. Instead, you seek to engage me in a war against what you call evil. Never before have the Keres been asked such a thing and that was not something I was prepared to do." She took a long sip from her wine and then sat down next to me.

  "Always, because of our ways, have we been relegated to the darkness. Looked down upon by the other Fae. Yet, as we speak, a Keres meets with a Naiad and another with one of your kind, neither of whom are repulsed. I am not sure what to make of this change."

  "As I said," I commented. "You are of the Fae. That should never have been forgotten."

  "Perhaps," she replied. "Yet we must suffer the blame for that as well. We have shunned your kind, as they did us. But that will end. I will accept your offer, with conditions."

  "And they are?"

  "We will not blindly follow you into battle. Nor would we ask you to do so for us."

  "Agreed," I replied.

  "There is something else," she said. "You will assist us in this new role. We must learn more of the ways of the others, if we are to interact with them."

  "I can do that," I said.

  "Good," she replied. "Then the matter is settled. Now, as to your second request. I can take you to the Underworld, but you must do something for me. This I ask of a King, as Queen of my realm."

  "I understand," I said. "How can I be of service?"

  "I will have a daughter," she replied. "She will need to learn the ways of the others and the humans. You will teach her."

  That's another thing about the female Fae. They don’t need sex to procreate. At least not when it comes to having daughters. Don’t even ask me how it works. It's the magic. Any female Fae can have a child. It'll be a daughter, of course, which is probably why there are so many more females than males in the Fae line up. As for a boy, however, that's another story. Believe me, I know it all too well. It takes two to make a male. Now that's not to say that you can’t mix a little DNA when choosing to have a girl, it's just that it isn't a requirement. Anyway, in Kyra’s case, I just assumed that was what she was talking about.