THE SPRING
PRINCE
That always made him smile. He
continued down the path wishing the snow to disappear but even though he could
make it disappear, he knew better. Never touch on someone else’s season. He
sighed. The winter court be such a touchy lot. He laughed softly to himself.
The air was chilling as he got
closer to the end of his path. He then knew he was not alone. Leaning up
against an oak tree was the winter kings brother, Shae, who was known to be a
bit of a loner and never wanted to give anyone the time of day. Jax stopped
before he got any closer and just watched Shae. Maybe he would move on but alas
Shae looked his way.
“I could smell the spring in the
air. You can’t hide yourself.”
“I wasn’t trying to actually. But
it is coming to the end of your season you must remember.”
Jax heard him make some noise and
Jax was guessing it was something unpleasant. He sighed as he continued on the
path with every intention of passing him and ignoring him. Just as he got
within a few steps he noticed that Shae was not alone. There was a small sprite
glaring up at the winter faerie. Its bright emerald eyes looked angry and ready
to bite. Jax looked from one to other and shook his head. It was not his business.
But as he was a hairs breath from
the sprite, it whipped its head up at Jax and pointed its little green finger
at him. “You are to blame.”
Jax frowned down at the little
sprite. “What am I to be blamed for, may I ask?”
The little sprite folded his arms
tightly around his fuzzy little body. “Your court is supposed to prevent the
winter season from coming here.”
Jax sighed as he knew what the sprite
was talking about. An old war going on between two lovers of opposite courts.
He wished by now that had been resolved. “I can’t be blamed for others who made
false promises.” He glanced over at Shae who was listening quietly. It appeared
he was interested in the subject. Jax took in a deep breath and took a few steps
forward when Shae spoke. “May I walk with you?”
“Yeah, take him with you,” shouted
the sprite. He’s not wanted here. Too cold.”
Shae paid no attention to the
sprite. His full attention was on Jax who stiffened at him asking for his company.
“I suppose, for a short distance.”
A thin smile formed on Shae’s lips
and his ice blue eyes brightened. Jax went ahead hoping maybe that he would
stay a safe distance behind him but no he caught up and walked right beside
him. Jax knew he had something on his mind. He wasn’t about to provide
information if that was what he was looking for.
A swirl of cold air wrapped around
Jax making him shiver. “Please keep your cold to yourself.”
“Sorry,” I just wanted a few words
with you is all.”
“If you are looking for some gossip
about some spring or summer court business, forget it. I don’t get involved in
such matters.”
“I am not interested in such
stories. I am however interested in you.”
Jax almost stopped but kept going. “What
interest do you have in me? We are not in the same court.”
“Well, you still hold the cold
spring air in you. That’s not far from the winter. Just a bit warmer is all.”
“Really? And what makes you thing
you know so much about the spring court?”
“I know more than what you think.
Just because I am a winter faerie, does not mean that I have not known or been
taught about your court. Have you not learned about mine?”
Jax felt his face heat and as a
result the air suddenly took on a warmer temperature. The snow along the path
melted and young grass shoots sprouted and snow drops popped up.
Shae grinned. “I did not mean to
embarrass you. I just thought…”
Jax stopped. “I have had enough. It’s
time for you to go on your way. We have nothing to discuss.”
Shae’s ice blue eyes deepened. Jax
felt a child race up his spine. “Fine, but I will see you again and maybe I
will catch you in a more favorable mood.”
Shae walked on leaving Jax alone
one the path where snow started to swirl around him covering up the grass but
not the snow drops. Their scent filled the air.
That took him back. How did he do
that? Maybe there was more to Shae than what he thought. He bent down and
plucked a snowdrop blossom and held it to his nose. Its fragrance filled his
nostrils making him almost dizzy. He placed the flower in his lapel of his coat
and walked on to his destination.
He was sitting his the court garden
studying some herbs when one of the servants came up to him. “You have company.
Would you like to receive them?”
“Jax’s chest skipped a beat as he
wondered if it was him. “Who is it?”
“Your brother.”
“Oh, I suppose. Bring him here. I
do not want to share his company with father.”
“Very well.”
Jax barely got up when his brother
Dai was standing looking down at him. His bright blue velvet coat with satin
shirt underneath almost made him look like snow on ice. His pale white hair was
tied back in a braid with small seed pearls and clear stones weaved in. Silver earrings
wrapped around the lope of his pointed ears.
“Hello Dai, what brings you here?”
“What? I don’t get a welcome hug?”
Jax almost spit. “You know I don’t
hug.”
Dai smiled. “You are still as stiff
as winter. Are you sure you aren’t a winter faerie?”
Jax froze at the suggestion but
quickly realized his brother was teasing him. “Yes, I’m quite sure. And talk
about winter. Have you looked in the mirror? You look like ice and snow.”
Dai rolled his eyes. “No sense of
humor either. Well, I have come to invite you to a court gathering. You avoid
them all the time but this time, you have no choice. You must attend.”
“Why is that?”
“Because it is a special ball. The
one where you might meet a suitable wife?”
Jax shook his head. “No, I’m not
going. No wife for me right now. I have plenty of time for that.”
“Not according to our parents you
don’t. You have responsibilities as a prince of court.”
“You are older than me. You can go
choose a wife and make them happy.”
Dai smiled. “Well, I have already
made that choice. A lovely spring princess who will make a wonderful wife.”
“Then I’m happy for you. But leave
me out of it.”
“You’re insufferable. You will not
be able to play the spoiled brat for much longer. You have duty.”
Jax turned backed to the herbs. “If
that is all you want, I have other things to do.”
Dai leaned in close to Jax’s ear. “Are
you hiding a lover? I will not tell.”
“Jax almost crushed the herb he was
handling. “Go brother.”
Dai laughed and went on his way but
not before he turned his head and said, “I will see you at the ball.”
Jax sighed. He would not go. Maybe
he could plan a trip and that would get him far away from this silly ball. As
he worked with his herbs, he thought of what trip he could take.
The night of the ball arrived and
Jax lost out. He was going as his mother said there was going to be no trips
for him anywhere. He would be there and when his mother spoke, he knew better
than to defy her.
Jax figured all he had to do all
night was maybe dance with a few choices that his mother had made and then hide
for the rest of the night. He did not have to take a bride tonight. Given that
his brother already had, that took the pressure off of him for the moment.
When he arrived he got quite a surprise.
There was the presence of winter court faeries. Why were they here? Sudden
thought of Shae came into his mind. He would not be here he thought.
His brother Dai spotted him and
came over to him with his bride to be by his side. “This is April, my lovely
bride to me.”
Jax nodded politely but Dai was not
going to leave. “I have someone for you to meet.”
Jax glared at him. Dai ignored his
displeasure. Two young court faeries came out of the blue and joined them. “I
would like for you to meet Towney and Sere from the far spring courts.” He
leaned in to Jax. “Be nice.”
Jax smiled politely at the two of
them. He had no choice. Sere smiled and slipped her arm through his and pulled
him towards the gardens. He looked back at his brother who just smiled.
So he had to walk in the garden
with her listening to her prattle on about court duties. There other faerie
Towney came along to get her to Jax’s relief. They left him in the garden.
He breathed in the cool spring air.
As he turned around to go find a nice hiding place someone was standing in his
way.
Shae smiled. “I was as relieved as
you when they finally left. Such pretty things but annoying. No?”
“What are you doing here?”
Shae grinned. “I was hoping that I
would find you in a better mood but I guess there is no good mood with you?
What makes you happy then?”
Jax folded his arms.
Shae came closer making Jax almost
flinch. Shae caught it. “Do I make you uncomfortable?”
Jax felt his face heat again. Now
he was right up to Jax. The coolness from Dai cooled his cheek. Jax looked up
into his ice blue eyes. A thin white braid fell over his shoulder. Shae untied
one of the beads from his braid and weaved them into Jax’s hair, concealed of
course. He kissed the bead. “There, you and I have a secret. You go back in
there and do you duty. They won’t make you choose tonight a mate. You’re safe.”
“How do you know?”
“Never mind, I just do.”
Jax watched him walk away leaving
him alone in the garden. Jax went back
to the party but before he walked in he looked back into the garden. Swirls of
snow snaked around the gardens. Some snowdrops were nestled in some snow. Jax
smiled to himself. He knew they were for him.
Jax walked inside.
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