52 - The Queen's Consort

52 - The Queen's Consort
Clare gazed blankly at the empty chair of the Fae Queen, unsure what to do or even say. She had been planning to ask the queen a lot more questions.
Instead, the queen had taken the crystal ball and disappeared, leaving her Sword to explain everything. What was the point in meeting them if the queen wasn’t going to hang around?
“Forgive her majesty.” Frey suddenly spoke out, also as if he had sensed her thoughts. “She may seem indifferent but the queen is a mother too… and the crystal was confirmation of her child’s death. It has taken its toll on her already weak body.”
Frey had a blank look on his face but his tone and eyes told another story, showing great sadness and grief. Still, his words surprised her.
“Weak body?” Clare murmured aloud.
The queen seemed to be the strongest person she had ever seen. The woman could make things move without even touching them or creating something to grab them.
“Do you know about fading?” Frey asked.
“Yes…” Clare answered.
“Well, the queen is fading.” Frey sighed. “She was meant to fade once your mother got the queen’s power but when your mother died, her majesty was stuck in a limbo state… Think of it like her having a terminal illness. Her body is slowly wasting away, returning to nature but she must stay alive to pass down the queen’s power.”
Suddenly, her actions did make a bit of sense. The meeting had obvious tired her along with knowing her daughter was truly dead. But there was one thing…
“Her majesty has the missing queen’s power now.” Xavier mused. “Wouldn’t taking it back stop the process?”
“It’s not possible.” Frey shook his head. “Once the power has been passed down, it cannot go back to the previous queen. Only her highness can claim the power now.”
And if she took that power, Clare would probably get the rest from the queen, allowing her to fade. At least that was Clare’s theory.
“You can’t take the power now so the queen will protect until you’re ready.” Frey stated, turning his gaze to her direction. “Your body is a weak vessel and you have yet to master the basics of Fae magic. Taking such powerful Fae magic would only destroy your body.”
Right… nothing was ever that easy for her.
“If that answers your questions, please do follow me.” Frey said, breaking the brief silence that had filled the room. “Her majesty requires rest so it’s best we move somewhere else.”
“Alright.” Clare nodded in understanding.
She could ask the other questions hounding her mind later. Thus, the couple quickly got up and followed Frey out the room.
When they got to where Lav had been left behind, Clare could find neither her or Alre. Seemed he had taken Lav for her punishment already. It made Clare feel a little guilty but there was nothing she could do expect continue following Frey.
He led them through the palace, Clare soon losing sight of where exactly they were. However, she guessed they were near the common areas of the palace as Fae soon appeared walking around the hallways. They bowed as the group walked past them, most seeming curious at the sight before them.
It was a little weird having people bow towards her, Clare always seeing herself as the lowest among the supernatural. She couldn’t help but feel a little awkward, unsure as to what to do about the situation.
Keep your head up high. Xavier suddenly mind-linked her. You’re royalty here so it’s natural for everyone to act this way. If you shrink to their actions, someone will take advantage of you.
He squeezed her hand he was holding as he said those words, Clare smiling gratefully at him. Thanks.
Any time, darling. Xavier smiled back at her before going serious. By the way, we should talk about this whole queen thing once we’re done with Frey here.
Sure. Clare mind-linked back, agreeing with Xavier.
So far, he had been going with the flow but they needed to sit down and actually discuss everything. Her becoming the next Fae Queen was going to affect both their lives and Xavier had every right to be a part of that decision.
Suddenly Frey stopped at a wooden door and tapped softly on it. There was some rustling from the other side of the door before it opened.
A small boy, the size of Clare’s forearm, appeared from behind the door, butterfly wings fluttering on his back as he held the door open. He looked a little similar to Frey, with the same white hair and facial features.
She wondered what kind of being he was, being so small with wings. Of course, he could be a young kid but the idea of age wasn’t really the same in the Fae Court as the human world.
“Greetings, your majesty.” the boy greeted, bowing his head.
Your majesty? Wasn’t that for the queen only. Princesses got highness. At least that’s what Clare thought. She could be wrong about everything.
“Greetings, Lif.” Frey murmured back, quickly ending Clare’s theory as she realized Lif was addressing Frey. “We have some guests so please have some refreshments prepared. I also require some books on Fae magic and history.”
“Yes, your majesty.” Lif nodded before zooming out the door, leaving Clare in a state of shock.
She turned her attention back to Frey who had headed into the room. There was no way she had heard right. Majesty? Did Swords also get that title? She thought it was only reserved for the king and queen.
Maybe Fae etiquette was a little different from the human etiquette she knew, well the limited amount she knew anyway.
Clare silently followed Frey, noticing Xavier also had the same expression of confusion on his face, a little glad she wasn’t the only one. Frey had them sit down on chairs, the room an exact copy of the queen’s drawing room save for the shelves of books in the back.
Once everyone was seated, Clare finally asked the question burning on her tongue, “What did Lif mean by your majesty?”
“Wh…” Frey started before smiling. “Oh… guess you would be shocked not knowing… but aside from being the queen’s Swords, I’m also her mate.”