The following is an original work of fiction. Unless otherwise indicated, all the names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents in this book/story are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Chapter 4
Lafeia held the new little one in her arms. She was the most precious thing that had ever come into her life. There was once a time she would have thought that of her husband.
Upon meeting him, she wanted nothing to do with the man. All too familiar with the type — always wanting more power and elevated status. It wasn’t until circumstances changed and she was forced into close proximity ad began spending time with him that she began to discover the man behind those imposing eyes.
Lafeia found his heart to be even larger than his ambitions. More importantly, he was kind and attentive. His agenda had never changed, but eventually his prerogatives had.
Not too long into their marriage, after a few years of trying, it was determined that Lafeia was infertile. As a human, this came as quite a shock to both. Not that it was unheard of, but humans were known to be prolific in that area. The thought had never crossed either of their minds as a possibility. Lafeia was one of nine siblings herself.
Since her husband was Eildun and had been gifted Idun’s fruit a few centuries before meeting Lafeia, it had been mutually agreed upon that she would be fed a piece from the reserves once their first heir was born. The truth of their situation continuing clouding her thoughts.
Grateful for her husband’s continued support and attentiveness. Never blaming her or turning away from her as she feared he would while she felt broken.
So when paranoia began to sneak its way into her thoughts, she passed it off as her own insecurities running amok.
It was evident that he still loved her. But it was also clear that the pursuit of his agenda was becoming his main concern.
Conversations began to make their way to her ears. Whispers really. Maybe nothing more harsh than vague indications if she really thought about it.
Then her body began to weaken, and suspicions began to take fruition.
All but one lady-in-waiting had been dismissed by the time Lafeia could not leave her chambers. Sequora was only allowed to remain because of her unwillingness to leave Lafeia’s side. Something for which she was grateful as the woman became one of the only two people she trusted. Sadly, her husband was no longer one of those two.
It wasn’t until a baby girl was placed in her arms that her condition improved slightly. She was told the babe was only four weeks old. Lafeia scoffed at that. She must have been at least twice that age despite her size, but chose to remain silent.
She knew nothing of the baby’s origins other than it had been orphaned. From the moment she was placed in her arms, Lafeia vowed never to let her go. It didn’t matter how she got there. The point was this defenseless babe was here and needed someone she could trust.
So Lafeia held onto her. Only allowing Sequora to hold her on the rare occasion for fear she would be taken away.
Then the whispers began again. This time they were more insistent. Lafeia found the more she paid no attention to anything else but the babe, most assumed she was oblivious to her surrounds. Careful conversations no longer happened in hushed tones or behind locked doors.
Conversations such as the little one’s true origins and budding plans. Plans to attempt the unthinkable.
This tiny, precious being was nothing more than a tool to be used by her husband.
Rocking her in her arms as best she could, Lafeia sang a song that not many in Eitiris would recognize. An ancient Fae tune heard only in time of mourning. A confession of regret and repentance.
Closing her lips and humming when her words began to falter. Her body beggining to weaken again. The growing amount of sedatives Healers had continued to give her had finally taken its toll on Lafeia’s body and mind. Both waning.
She knew it was only a matter of time before she would leave the babe alone. So she left her with the only thing she could — a name. It was not the name that had been uttered when Finneck came to see her soon after. That was a name Lafeia refused to use for it was not who she was in her tiny heart. Instead, she bestowed a name that would announce her as the champion she was destined to be.
That was what she was. No matter what would be done to her, Lafeia felt it. The little girl had so much strength she would overpower them all.
The realm may only come to know her by the name given to her at birth, but those that would follow would know her by another.
“Sequora,” Lafeia called weakly from the bed, admiring the girl’s light eyes as she just watched.
“Yes, my lady?” asked the smiling woman.
“Can you please see that Finneck comes to see me before he leaves?”
“Of course.”
There was only one other person she had trusted to care for this little warrior. The man that was responsible for the babe being here in the first place. Little Kaylub would need a protector until she was ready to take on the gods themselves.
