Chapter nine

Soniva Castle, Summer Court Capital, Faerie

Fawn

Fallon explained to me what he saw when he got through the frozen doors to his room. It looks as if my dad might have been a winter fae royal, but it still doesn't make any sense because I shouldn't have been able to cross Pan's magic boundary into the Summer Kingdom. My display of winter magic has everyone in the castle on edge, and Cassia made a beeline straight to her dad, who sits on the council because as soon as we were through with our lunch and sharing what happened with Cian, Wise, Poppy, and Tilly in our own meeting, Fallon was called on for an emergency council meeting.

I wanted to go, but he flatly refused, stating that since our bond wasn't completed yet and I wasn't yet the queen, the council will ask that I be removed for a meeting in which I'm sure to be the main topic.

I still find it unbelievable that I made it snow. I've never had any magical abilities, or I surely would have made the mean girls at school lose their hair or something. Freeze their lockers shut at the very least. I don't want to believe him, but he was positive that it came from me.

I told him about my dream, and he said that's what triggered the magic and that normally, I wouldn't have felt the cold myself, but I'm still part mortal until my transition is complete. He said my magic would be unstable as I go through transition.

He also asked that I describe the man or fae in my dream, and I did my best to describe him in detail and the magic he displayed over my mother. He didn't know who it could be but said he would be thinking about it.

 Fallon left me with Cian, Wise, and my girls and instructed me not to take any naps without him near just in case it happened again.

Everyone in the room is chit-chatting about what may happen in the council meeting, but I'm only halfway paying attention. Where are my aunties while all of this is happening, and why didn't they prepare me for this? I had no clue that I came from another realm, hell; I didn't even know other realms existed. I don't understand why they didn't explain all of this to me and just left me in a fae forest under enchantment for a fae king to happen upon me. Everything is happening so fast, and I can't even get a breath from one change to another one. 

"How are you doing over there, Fawn? You know damn well the King isn't going to let those stuffy council members tell him how to handle his mate. So trust him to take care of it. Cassia knows this...she's just grasping at straws." Tilly perched on the arm of my chair and gave me a penetrating look. " I know you think your mate is a big cuddle bear even after he cuffed you to his bed because he thought you needed to rest, but I assure you he's every inch the king. He's far from a cuddly teddy; you just haven't seen it yet." 

"Are you saying that Fallon is putting on an act with me and honestly I've seen that he's not all cuddles?" I replied. 

"No, I'm saying you are his mate, and he will do all he can to make you safe and happy, but he's no puppy. He's a king, and he gets shit done. He is ruthless when it's called for. I want you to understand that. You haven't quite gotten to know your mate yet, but you'll see." Tilly eyed my reaction and went on softly, " Poppy and I are here for you if you need to talk about anything. I know we play around a lot, that's just having some fun, but you can count on us, we're your girls. You've been through so many changes, but we're here to help you navigate."

"Thank you, Tilly. I'm pissed off with my aunties right now. I don't understand why they didn't prepare me for this and where the hell are they while all of this is happening? It's not like my aunts. They are so protective of me."

"I can't answer that. We have to trust that they had their reasons, but Fawn, they did prepare you in some ways. They gave you the training of a fae warrior princess. So I think they probably did everything they could to prepare you. But, unfortunately, they couldn't tell you what you were being prepared for."

"You're probably right. I miss them and wish I had them with me through this. I have so many questions, and I don't even know what I feel about waking up in this strange world with magic abilities, a mate, and.... his jealous ex-girlfriend."

" I understand that, and Poppy and I will do our best, but I know that we are new to you too. You can trust us, darling. I promise. You can trust your mate also. Talk to Fallon; he above all others you can put your trust in."

"Okay, Tilly. I'll do that." I gave her a small smile. "So, how long do you think the stuffies will keep my mate? I have a ton of questions for him." 

" Oh, I think our king will wrap it up fast like." Tilly smiled and winked. 

I looked up to see that the others had stopped chatting and had listened to our conversation instead. They all looked concerned, and I had a feeling they would be going straight to Fallon with that concern.

Poppy chimed in, " I had thought to give you lessons in the birds and the bees today, but I think we'll save that for later. You are in the beginning stages of transition, so that can wait for now. One day at a time. Everything is going to be okay." 

"Thanks. I don't think I'm in the mood to hear about more changes right now. Just tell me I'm still going to be me when it's all over."

"You will still be you, darling. Just more powerful," Poppy smiled.

"Well then, how could I complain about that? As long as I don't freeze us all to death, that is." I sighed. 

" No, no, none of that. You'll learn control. You have many teachers right here in this room, and you have Fallon. Trust me; he's going to love playing teacher." Poppy smirked and lifted a brow like she was daydreaming about it. 

Cian busted out laughing. 

I covered my face and groaned. 

Tilly giggled. 

Wise suddenly found his shoes very interesting, but he was smirking as he studied them. 

My mate didn't come back for some time, and eventually, everyone drifted out to do their own thing but advised me not to nap. They assured me everything would be okay, but I was worried, and I became more worried as the hours crept by with no Fallon.