56 - The Future

56 - The Future
Lav was silent for a moment before giving the couple a small smile. “Halflings are Fae that are incomplete. Most halflings live in human bodies since their own was eaten my magic at birth… or they’re born without magic and have to have some magic fused into their body…”
Clare found herself dumbfounded for the nth time today. She hadn’t realized Fae could have problems with their magic and the thought of Lav being a halfling…
Seemed impossible.
“If you’re worried about my abilities, please don’t be.” Lav exclaimed, misunderstanding the couple’s silence of shock. “I’m capable of doing anything a normal Fae can. My magic is a little weaker but I have trained physically and will be able to protect. If you wish, I can fight-”
“Calm your horses, Lav.” Clare interrupted. “I just wanted to understand what a halfling was since everyone was calling you that… You don’t need to prove yourself, just tell me more about this halfling situation… if you’re comfortable in talking about it.”
Clare quickly added the last part knowing this halfling thing probably was a touchy subject. She didn’t really want to make Lav uncomfortable about talking about it but at the same time, Clare wanted more information about it.
She hadn’t missed the way others used halfling as an insult and with how Lav had explained them to be incomplete Fae…
It only added to her suspicions.
“It’s fine, your highness.” Lav stated. “I was a Fae born without magic… It would’ve been a disgrace for my family had I not had a twin. The midwife assumed my sister had consumed my magic while we were in my mother’s womb as her magic was more powerful than usual.”
“I see…” Clare murmured in understanding. “You must have had a hard time growing up.”
Maybe this was why Clare felt a strange kinship to Lav. The older Fae had grown up in a similar situation to Clare, being seen as the lowest of low among her people.
“It was a little but with my sister being so powerful, most turned a blind eye to me.” Lav shrugged. “It helped my sister and I had a good bond so things weren’t as hard with her around.”
“What happened to your sister?” Xavier asked.
Lav turned her head away, looking out the window for a moment. “She faded along with her highness’ mother and her other swords… It’s why most Fae hate me. I lived on when I wasn’t meant to. Being a halfling doesn’t help and some have come to believe that it was my incomplete state that allowed me to live.”
The words broke Clare’s heart but at the same time she couldn’t help but admire Lav. She had struggled so hard, losing both her sister and the person she was meant to protect.
Yet she kept going, staying in hopes she would one day understand why Clare’s mother had had her live on. Lav had silently taken on the hate and Clare wasn’t sure how the woman did it.
“Anyway, it’s getting late so I should leave so you may get some rest.” Lav stated, breaking the silence in the room.
“Alright.” Clare nodded in agreement.
She knew Lav wanted some space and that she was right about it being late. Besides, Clare still needed to talk to Xavier privately before they went to bed.
Once Lav had left, Clare turned to look at Xavier. She lay down next to him, laying down on her side to face him as his eyes watched her.
“Can we talk about the queen thing now or do you want to rest?” Clare asked.
“We can talk about it now.” Xavier answered before pausing for a moment. “Do you wish to become queen?”
“I… I don’t know.” Clare sighed.
She hadn’t really thought about if she wanted to become the next Fae Queen or not, more thinking of it as a role she had to take. There wasn’t really anyone else to take over the role and Clare felt somewhat responsible for taking the throne.
However, if it got in the way of her and Xavier’s relationship… she wasn’t sure if she could continue down the path of being the next queen.
“I see…” Xavier murmured. “It’s a life changing decision to make so it’s understandable that you haven’t decided on what to do. Doesn’t help with what’s at stake.”
Clare couldn’t agree more. The whole Unseelie King was a nightmare. They were going to need to solve it because there was no way Clare wasn’t going to live with that threat hanging over her.
“Yeah…” Clare nodded. “What about you? If I become queen here there’s a chance you won’t be able to take your father’s place… It’s not to say you can’t but the back and forth between the court and your pack will get tiring.”
“True but being the Lycan King thing isn’t that important.” Xavier mused. “My brothers and sister are still around and fully capable of taking my father’s place. Well, my brothers at least. Rose wasn’t too keen on the whole Lycan King thing. It’s why I’m the unofficial heir right now.”
“Still, do you not want to be the Lycan King?” Clare questioned.
She had to make sure Xavier was going to be 100% okay with being the Fae Queen’s consort. That he wouldn’t regret anything in the future.
After all, Xavier had been raised his whole life as the Lycan Prince so for him to leave it all behind would be a big change. And there was no way Clare was going to allow him to do that if he still dreamed of being the Lycan King. She would prefer for them to work things out that let him stay silent about it.
“If I’m being honest, a small part of me wants to become the next Lycan King.” Xavier explained. “But it’s a small part and I can see a bright future here. It’ll probably take some getting used to but I think I’m going to enjoy this new role. Besides, your grandfathers are keen on making me stronger.”
Clare smiled at him and shook her head. “Alright, as long as you’re happy, I guess we’ll continue on this path. But if you ever feel you want to go back, you have to say so.”
“Yes Madam!” Xavier grinned, giving her a fake salute.