Chapter 27
“It was Satine, Florin, and Izel who moved all the pieces on the board to make sure the realms survived. It began when your four times over great-grandmother was on the throne.” Amyas said while looking at the view behind them.
Firo looked to see the shock on Aireese’s face. That was before the human realm was barely populated. It was just in the beginning of the time of man.
“That long ago?”
Amyas nodded. “We are not to interfere, but Izel came to Satine and told her what was going to happen in the far future. It took them four more centuries to come up with the plan that would be needed today to stop it.” She closed her eyes for a second. “If succeeded, the human realm would be gone, and then so too would the others because we are all linked in the plan of creation.”
“Is Izel still living? Could I speak with them?”
Amyas grinned. “I have no way of knowing that. He is not of FaTerra. He is not of any realm we can go to.”
“I don’t understand,” Aireese whispered.
“He is an angel, and for all I know, he was finally caught interfering with the fates and is no longer of flesh.”
Firo’s mind felt like it burst into flames. “An angel?” He looked at Aireese.
“Yes. He was very fond of the human realm and took it into his own hands to find the thing that would counter every single aspect that would end it.” She nodded. “I don’t have all those pieces for you; I don’t think any one person does; there are too many.” She sighed. “Souls that were meant to be, many born in Interealm that would be needed.” She stared at the ground for a moment. “I know it involved at least two from each realm to work together to prevent it, but I do not know names or the things that were done.”
Firo couldn’t think beyond the word Angel. There had been an angel working with fae from his realm. “I’m confused. Halflings are forbidden to come to FaTerra, but an angel was allowed?” When Aireese looked at him, he expected a harsh look, but she nodded instead.
“I don’t know if we could ever prevent an angel from going anywhere.” Amyas chuckled. “If you knew Izel, you would understand. He was an angel of justice, and they had powers that could render us immobile with a look.” She laughed. “I recall Satine arguing with him often, but he never used his power against her. He held honor in his heart and soul.”
Firo’s heart was beating erratically. “Were halflings ever allowed here back then.”
Amyas studied him for a moment. Her wise eyes seemed like they were looking into his very soul. “For a time, but after the prophecy was foretold.” She looked at Aireese. “Your great-great-great-grandmother forbade them from ever entering this realm again. She feared the power a halfling held and was paranoid they would usurp her.” Amyas shook her head and sighed.
“Prophecy?” Aireese moved to the edge of her seat.
“Yes. I’m surprised you don’t know it. Your mother knows it. Every ruler knows all of them.”
“Why was my descendant so afraid of it then?” Aireese looked at him for a moment and then back to the elder.
“The prophecy said—” She scoffed. “Give me a moment. My mind is old.” She sighed. “I don’t recall the exact words, but it was telling of one that would come to be that would be needed to stop the magic that intended to—” She turned in her chair and looked up at Madoc. “Do you remember what?”
Madoc focused over their heads for a moment. “I do not. I do remember thinking when I read it that the queen—” He frowned. “I do not recall her name. That she had misread it, I thought it meant that the halfling was to help us and not something we should fear.”
Firo stepped back and then turned away, put his hands on his hips, and looked at the ground. A prophecy of a halfling that was to help Fa Terra in the vile plot that was playing out now. His Avalie was created for this, he knew it in his heart that she was the one. That Izel, the angel of justice, was her father. She would do anything to protect anyone and would always do what was right. He knew it.
“What is it, you know, young Firo?” Amyas asked.
He turned and looked at his princess. She nodded. “I know of one halfling.” He wanted to shout that she was for him, but didn’t.
Amyas studied him for a moment and then looked at Tarak. “Tarak. You go down there and carry Florin up here, and then you go and find Haelyn and tell her she needs to come and see me. Today.”
Tarak nodded and started down the hill into the depths of the valley.
Amyas turned back to Firo. “When was she born? Is she a babe? Do you know the mother?”
Firo blew out a breath. “She was born five decades ago.”
Amyas sucked in a breath. “It really is close to the time.” She closed her eyes. “None of us ever knew when it would come.” She opened them and zeroed in on him again. “The mother, she holds strong power?”
Firo looked to Aireese for her permission to say more. She glanced from the elder back to him and nodded. “She did.” He said softly and turned back to the wise woman.
“She died in birth.” Amyas didn’t ask it. She just knew. Inclining her head for a moment, she was silent and then she looked up at Aireese. “Your mother knows of the halfling?”
Aireese shook her head.
“I don’t know if she should or shouldn’t.” She glanced to where Tarak had stood. “I will have to ask Florin and Haelyn.” She shook her head. “I never thought it would come while I was still of flesh.” She sat forward and looked at Firo. “How strong was the mother?”
He cleared his throat. “Very.”
“I always thought—” Her eyes rounded. “It was Princess Avaline.” She whispered it as she looked back at him. “Izel, you are a crafty one. Of course, he’d choose the firstborn of a queen.” She held up her hand. “Tell me no more until the Queen knows all of it. The halfling will have to have her heart tested to make sure she is free of evil, or this will never happen.”
“Her heart tested?” Firo spoke louder than he intended.
Amyas gave him a curious look. “Yes. Angels, as with our own Fa Terra blood, can be light or dark. If this halfling is dark…”
“She is not.” He straightened his spine, his wings opening.
Madoc stepped around the chair and put himself between the elder and himself.
Aireese stood up and blocked Firo from them. “She saved our lives earlier today. She is not dark. She went on a burning bus and saved children. She is very noble.”
“You both know her,” Amyas said quietly and then touched Madoc’s hand so he would move out of the way. “Put your wings away, youngling, or I’ll curse them to be fluffy and sparkling.” She scoffed. “Does this halfling know what she is? Really know? Does she know she is of royal blood?”
Aireese shook her head. “She only knows her parents were from Fa Terra and an angel. She’s lived with the Gemini’s for the last thirty years.”
“Geminis? Geminis in Interealm?”
Aireese nodded and gave Firo a glance.
“Madoc.” Amyas stood up. “We need Verena as well.” She nodded. “You two go. Come back after you have permission from the queen to bring this halfling to us. We need to talk among ourselves and see how much of this we let unravel without keeping it in check.” She put her hands on her hips and looked at Firo for a moment. “Have you been to the circle of stones? Did the lights come?”
Firo glanced at Aireese.
“We’ve recently just discovered them. Lights?”
Amyas nodded. “I will tell you more when you bring the halfling.”
Aireese inclined her head. “Yes. Okay.”
Firo stepped back to leave when Amyas pointed to him. “You need to decide what to do. You can’t have a halfling mate in FaTerra, no matter how noble they are. You can not serve the princess if you live in Interealm.”
Firo nodded. “I know. I am not leaving FaTerra.”
Amyas scoffed. “You say that now, but your heart is going change your mind. Count on it, young Firo. You have a worse battle to fight than the one the realms are in.” She waved her hand. “Go now. I need a moment before the others are here.”
Firo followed Aireese without even feeling his feet touch the ground. They had to tell the queen. He had to tell the queen he had failed her and lied to her all those years ago. His decisions wouldn’t be hard if he were no longer of flesh, and there was a very good possibility he wouldn’t be when the queen was finished with him.