Martha

The ball room was very loud and crowded with many fae that I have never seen before and they were all staring at me. I needed some alone time so I sighed loudly and decided to walk over to the terrace. Sylius was surrounded by his advisors and guests from other realms. I had to get some fresh air otherwise my head felt like it was just about to explode. He was talking about the war with Seelie Court and this was a tedious subject. I was so done hearing about it.

Many fae in the court didn’t bother with me. I tried my best to make some kind of connection, but none of them made an effort to get to know me. That was complicated enough, because I didn’t know who I was.

I stepped outside, the patio doors opened up to the large terrace. It was a beautiful night, the navy sky was clear scattered with stars. The view over Unseelie Court took my breath away. The warm energy spread over my chest as I admired the view over the whole court. The forest and the grounds were immersed in silence. I felt like only the nature understood what I was going through. I felt connected with this place and Fae. Their nature kept surprising me on a daily basis. The temperature dropped a little and I felt the cool draft from the north.

Sylius didn’t like me going outside alone. He kept telling me that other Fae may want to harm me, so he told me not to leave the palace. It was safer if I stayed inside.

I have been trying to remember who I was and how long I have been with him, but without a luck. Every time I tried to recall the past, I felt this sharp pain inside my skull. My memories were filled with darkness. Sylius told me that he found me in the forest, confused and disoriented. He assumed that I escaped through the portal and ended up in the crosswords. He saved me from some Fae that were chasing after me. I remembered bits and pieces from that story.

Sylius was the only Fae that tried to help me, the others wanted to use me.

Then someone brought me back to reality. It was Sylius, he was standing behind me now. I could sense his dark energy spreading around me, drifting slowly. I have been with him for a while, but I still wasn’t used to this gloomy energy and his domineering nature. He put his arms around my waist and he nudged his face into the nape of my neck. The cold shiver crawl over my spine as I inhaled, enjoying this moment.

“You shouldn’t have left the Fae out there. They were eager to talk to you,” I pointed out. He took a sharp intake of breath.

“It doesn’t matter, they can wait. I read your aura. You were sad, so I had to check on you,” he muttered.

I smiled to myself.

“The sky is so beautiful tonight,” I said and then he followed my gaze.

“It is indeed,’ he admitted.

He had his power that beamed out of him, it was forceful and gentle at the same time. I was a little frightened of him at first, especially of this power that he held over others. At the same time I was in his debt. Sylius took me in when I had no one. He particularly rescued from the Fae that surrounded me by the Sinful river. I hated being in someone else’s debt.

“I’m sorry about tonight my dear Fae, but we are at war. My Fae are impatient and everyone like voicing their opinions,” he continued speaking, kissing the back of my neck. This felt so wonderful. Instant heat began moving through my core. I desired him, but I was still unsure if I should get attached to him.

There were too many unanswered questions in my head and the future seemed uncertain.

“Why can I not remember anything?” I asked him, feeling uncomfortable that all my memories were gone. I couldn’t be sure that Unseelie Court was my home. Sylius assured me countless times that we were destined to be together. I wanted to believe him, but that a voice kept seeing doubts. It was the voice that I couldn’t seem to ignore.

His expression shifted, he was instantly annoyed. He pulled me closer to him and then the doubts began drifting away. The voice inside my head reminded me once again if it wasn’t for him, I would be already dead.

“You were hit with a strong charm Martha. I suspect that the witches were involve, so that’s why you can’t remember a thing. Don’t worry my darling, your memories will return very soon.”

“Are you certain of it? I hate being a burden, having no past or recollection of the real me. I need to remember my previous life.”

“I am darling. Maybe we could try to restore your memories with magic and of course with the potions. I will ask Ravanna for advice,” he said and I was suddenly filled with joy.

“That’s wonderful Sylius,” I said.

“Good, now let’s get back to the room. I think it’s time for my special announcement,” he said.

He grabbed my hand and we walked back inside the room. Everyone was staring at us. I had a feeling that other females were jealous of me. They all desired Sylius. After all he was the Dark Prince of Unseelie Court. He was the mater of all the Fae and I was the one standing by his side.

I tried to find out more about his life, but no one was prepare to talk about it. Even the servants were afraid that I might get them into trouble, but I was only curious. I wanted to know what kind of Fae he truly was.

Soon enough I began to noticed little things that didn’t made me feel comfortable when I was around him. I didn’t like the way he was treated his servants. Nothing was ever good enough, but I refused to say anything. This was not my place to comment how he interacted with his own Fae.

I few weeks back I woke up by the river in another realm without recollection of who I was, being surrounded by other Fae. They were all laughing at me, trying to hurt me with their magic and take away my jewellery. Then Sylius showed up, punch one of the male that tried to charm me and they all ran away.

Then he kneeled in front of me and told that I didn’t have to be sacred anymore. He explained that I lost my memories earlier on and he was here to take care of me. There was that instant connection between us that I couldn't explain. There was also some attraction. I was confused, but I felt like I could trust him.

Several hours later another tall and very handsome Fae appeared and he seemed to recognised me too. He kept saying that I couldn’t have forgotten about him, that it was impossible. He kept calling me his Queen. He seemed devastated.

I didn’t know what to think. He remembered my name but I hated being force into anything. I didn’t know him, but he was claiming that I was his. Then he accused Sylius of charming me.

These accusations were disgusting. Then he began threatened Sylius that he was going to kill him. I didn’t understand what was going on. I wasn’t willing to trust him.

Later on Sylius explained that Darragh was the Fae Kong of the Seelie Court and Syliu’s greatest enemy. The both courts were at war. He also told me that Darragh tried to rape me, and he was the reason that I lost all my memories. Maybe that’s why I felt so detached from him.

Sylius mentioned that The Fae King threw me into jail because I took something important from him. I understood then that he could never be trusted.

Sylius handed me a drink of ambrosia and smiled at me. I liked that drink. I felt much more confident once I drunk a few. He was just to announced something important. I could see that many Fae were getting excited. The magic inside the room rose.

A few others approached him again, so he left me again. I understood that he was busy, that he had many matters that he needed to take care of but I felt a little lonely being here.

Deep down I felt that I didn’t belong here, although I never mentioned this to Sylius. I didn’t want to worry him.

After a week or so in Unseelie Court I manage to befriend one of the servants Lily. She recognised me and told me that I was here before. I was confused at first when she started asking me about humans. Then he started asking me about humans and I was very confused. Lily was very passionate about the other side of the realm. She mentioned that I was from there, but I didn’t want to believe her. Maybe she made a mistake. I didn’t tell Sylius about this.

I was too afraid that he may have punish Lily and I didn't want that. She had done nothing wrong and she only assured me that I just needed to give myself time.

There was a female fae on the corner playing on the harp. I shut my eyes for a moment enjoying the soft music.

I was trying to figure out why I felt so isolated. Sylius was loving and caring and I did appreciated everything with he had done for me but there was that resilience towards his magic inside me.

Moment late Sylius started hitting the glass with the small spoon. That was it, his big announcement that everyone were waiting for. I knew that Unseelie Court was still at war with and Seelie Court, but he refused to explain to me exactly what went on in the past. He said I wouldn’t understand it.

All the Fae around went instantly quiet as I approached him. The females narrowed their eyes at me when he moved his hand around my waist. The other two male Fae moved aside, bowing. They all knew that I had to be respected, that I was important to Sylius.

“My dear Fae, I’m so pleased that we all gathered here tonight. It’s finally the time to celebrate our victory over Seelie Court. The Fae King had been defeated at last. A few nights ago I had been officially crowned the master of all the other realms. The Fae King doesn’t have any influences over us anymore.”

Everyone around cheered and clapped. It was obviously a good news. I started clapping too, thinking that after all Sylius deserved this. He defeated the Fae King at least. This wasn't a good news for the opposite site, and I had to admit to myself that although I didn’t trust Darragh, now I felt sorry for him.

Maybe the destiny finally caught up with him.

Sylius smiled at me, waiting until the Fae stopped clapping. The magic rose on the tip of my toes soaring through the whole room.

He touched my hand and squeezed it hard, looking around. The tension was rising yet again. He was just about to announce something else, something that was equally important. Everyone were waiting in stoic silence.

Then he looked at me, staring deeply into my eyes.

“And now I need to ask something Martha–the changeling that is here with me,” Sylius continued speaking.

Then he kneeled in front of me and my chest ceased. For a long moment I felt like I couldn’t breathe.

No … he couldn’t have been planning this. I would have knew, I would sensed it.

Then Sylius took something out of his pocket. It was a small box and when he opened it I saw a beautiful ring inside. My heart accelerated and I felt like I was going to pass out. The world around me started spinning.

It was still a dream, a mirage. This wasn’t happening for real.

“Martha will you become my mate? Will you become my wife at the same time the official Queen of Unseelie Court?”

The whispers and snippets passed through the crowd. Everyone were shocked, almost disturbed by this question. I couldn’t speak or breath. Tight anxiety was gripped my throat.

I needed to calm down. These were unexpected but good news. My heart was jackhammering inside my chest but at the same time I was filled with excitement. This proposal came in the right moment. After all I wasn’t young anymore and Sylius let me believe that I have never been married before. He mentioned that Darragh had treated me badly, that he wanted me for himself. I escaped from his prison. The truth had set me free and Sylius had done so much or me. Now I had an opportunity to start over with the Fae that saved me. I couldn’t deny this myself.

“Yes Sylius, I will marry you,” I answered in a slightly shaky voice.

I never thought that he was serious about me. I couldn’t imagine that he would want to spent eternity with me, but he had been patient.

Sylius eyes shimmered with energy and he smiled wider. Then he inserted the ring into my finger. The warmth of his energy rushed through my body. It was a wonderful feeling. The ring fitted in perfectly. In the moment everybody started cheering and clapping. The uncertainty that I felt before faded away, the Fae around us seemed genuine happy that the leader was going to be married.

Then, a split second later The Dark prince brought me into him in his arms and he kissed me hard and with so much passion that I wondered why I hesitated earlier on. He loved me, he cared for me too.

Other fae approached and started congratulating us, even the females that seemed jealous of me earlier were now hugging me and telling me that I was going to be the most beautiful bride. This was my new reality, because they all realised that I was here to stay.