Eric Linnaeus | Book 3 | Chapter 14 - Fairyland is Awful (Patreon)

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𝔽𝕒𝕚𝕣𝕪𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕚𝕤 𝔸𝕨𝕗𝕦𝕝ᴄʜᴀʀʟᴇs ᴡᴀʟsʜ: ᴍᴀʏ, 𝟸𝟶𝟶𝟶. ʀᴇᴄᴏᴜɴᴛ: ᴀᴘʀɪʟ, 𝟸𝟶𝟶𝟶.

─── .✦········· ───

“Are you alright, Charles?” Nathaniel asked in a sedate manner, his voice brought me from my reverie, and I swallowed anxiously as I glanced back over to him. I must have paused too long after all.

“What? Oh-, n-no, I’m fine,” I answered quickly, tripping over my words, “What was the question again?”

“Did something happen when you last went with Eric for work?”

My mouth went dry, and I began to sweat as my anxiety spiked. I wasn’t sure what I could say. Should I keep my word to Eric and lie? Or tell Nathaniel the truth? Part of me wanted to tell him; if the castle was under some kind of threat, he was the person who should know about it. Besides, he cared about Eric, didn’t he? Surely I could tell him, and he wouldn’t be upset?

I collected myself, taking in a calming breath as I decided to tell him. Dangerous secrets don’t do anyone any good. But as I began to respond, the door to his office opened, and Eric entered unannounced.

“Eric,” Nathaniel greeted him, unconcerned.

“Am I interrupting something?” Eric responded with a distinct bitterness.

“No, we’re just talking.”

“Then why does he look so worried?”

“I don’t know, why don’t you tell me? Is there something he should be worried about?”

“Don’t interrogate my friends,” Eric snapped back, and Nathaniel’s nose scrunched just slightly in irritation.

“I’m not ‘interrogating’ him.”

I decided then that I would take that opportunity to excuse myself, “Sorry, I have to go,” I announced as I stood. Of course, I made sure to give back the bottle of pills, leaving it neatly on the corner of Nathaniel’s desk. I knew better than to take a gift from a fairy without fulfilling whatever deal he wanted for it.

“We can talk another time,” he assured, his eyes moving from the bottle to me with purpose.

“Yeah, sure thing,” I agreed only to placate him as I slipped out of the room. It was tense between them, and I wanted nothing to do with it.

‘That was a close one, Charlie boy,’ Ronové commented as I walked down the halls alone.

‘No kidding.’

‘I think he knew you were about to talk.’

‘Yeah, he probably did. Eric’s good at just knowing things like that.’

‘…I believe telling the fae would have been the correct choice.’

‘And why’s that?’

‘Because that creature was an old god and if they want your friend, it’s best not to stand in their way.’

‘You think Nathaniel would just hand him over?’

‘If the faeling is smart, then yes.’

In that case, maybe I shouldn’t tell Nathaniel after all. I sighed to myself, taking a moment to rest back against the cool stone. I wasn’t cut out for this, lying, fighting, training. These people were terrifying, and I was just some dude from Maine with no career. Who did I think I was kidding trying to play on the same field as them?

Begrudgingly, I began to make the journey back to my room when my sister spotted me. “Charlie!” she shouted from further down the hall to get my attention, and I waited for her to catch up. When she reached me, she latched onto my arm, interweaving it with hers. “Hi,” she grinned, looking up at me.›

“Hey Claire, what’s going on?”

“Nothing, I just feel like we haven’t got to spend much time together. Wanna hang out?”

“It’s nine o’clock at night,” I reminded her.

“So? You got a bedtime or something? Let’s go get Japanese souffle pancakes~!”

“I don’t think fairies make those.”

“Obviously not,” she rolled her eyes in an exaggerated way, “There’s a place in town; we’ll just have to take your truck.”

“I don’t think it’ll still be open.”

“They’re open all the time! Come on, please, I have the biggest craving.”

“I don’t know…”

“Why not? It’s not like you’ve got work tomorrow,” she teased, and I pulled a face. That was a low blow.

“Yep, thanks for reminding me.”

“Right, sorry… But pleaseee?”

I sighed, “Alright.”

─── .✦········· ───

I regretted agreeing until the moment a plate of fat, jiggly pancakes landed in front of me. Then I forgot every ounce of hesitance, especially since Claire was so jovial. While we ate, she talked about Markos, telling me about his job and how he was trying to teach her some French. But she eventually turned her attention to me.

“You’re wearing Fae clothes now,” she commented with a knowing smile.

“Ah, yeah, my old ones don’t really fit anymore,” I admitted reluctantly. Since I’d started training with Calla and Eric, I found my shirt was too tight across the chest, and my pants didn’t fit anymore.

“I’m not surprised.”

“What are you trying to say here exactly?” I asked accusatorily raising one eyebrow.

“You’re getting strong Charles; your arms are like lead,” she reached over to squeeze my bicep, “Holy heck. I’m going to have to beat the Fae girls off you with a stick.”

“Claire,” I mumbled, embarrassed, as she continued.

“Oh, I’m not joking. When they got the order form for you, they were way too excited to take your measurements,” she mused, stuffing another forkful of souffle into her mouth.

That was worse, and my ears grew hot. Almost everything in Dunkel, including the clothes, was made within the castle or its township. I supposed it needed to be self-sustaining to limit interaction with humans. There weren’t many of us in the castle, and according to Eric, he and I were the only human men in the place, but I had seen some women around.

They were a bit older, and much like Calla, none showed any emotion when they passed us. To keep from getting bored my sister had been working with the fairy seamstresses, learning how to sew and craft fabrics. I suspected the cream dress she was wearing was one she made herself because the seams weren’t perfectly aligned.

In fact, looking at my sister I couldn’t help but notice she looked more like a fairy herself. Her eyes were almost luminescent, her hair was a weave of smoothed braids, and her skin clearer—I wondered if I looked like that too. The same way Calla and Eric did, like humans fed on fae foods.

“I have something else to tell you as well,” she continued, “It’s kind of… Well, I don’t really know how to say it… but… I’m pregnant.”

I was only half paying attention, lost in thought, “Huh? Could you say that again? I think I misheard.”

She smiled, looking down as she repeated, “I’m pregnant, Charles…”

“I… I’m… I- that’s…” I was at a loss for words as I struggled to respond.

“It’s a good thing; I’m happy about it,” she assured quickly, and the relief was instant. Her excitement was contagious as it began to boil over, and she fought to hold it in long enough to continue the dessert.

“Is it, I mean…?” I gestured vaguely, hoping she would understand the question.

“Yes, he’s going to be Fae.”

“And the father is…?”

“It’s Markos’s! Geez Charles. You think your little sister is some kind of man-eater?” she laughed in good spirits.

“Are you trying to tell me you’re not?” I taunted playfully, and she threw her napkin at me.

“Whatever. Anyway, you’re going to be an uncle!”

“I’m… going to be an uncle..?”

“Yes!”

“…And you’re going to be a mom…”

“Mhmm~”

I swallowed hard; it didn’t quite sound real to me. Excitement and concern twisted my insides in a concoction of anxiety as I struggled to reconcile my feelings. There were so many things that could go wrong, and with her history… but I had never seen Claire so smitten. I made the decision to be happy for her and stood, motioning for my sister to do the same before wrapping her in a tight hug. I lifted her off the ground as I failed to contain myself and she returned the hug with just as much force.

My throat tightened with emotion, and water dropped onto her shoulder, “Aww, are you crying, Charles?” she asked more softly, pulling away to look at my face as I shook my head.

“No, I just got something in my eye…”

She laughed, hugging me to her again. “Thank you; it means the world to me that you’re here…”

“I’ll always be here for you,” I assured.

“I know… that’s why…” she trailed off hesitantly, “…You should know… I haven’t exactly told Markos yet.”

“…Why not?”

“Because, what if he doesn’t want it..?” I hadn’t even thought about that. “I don’t know if I can raise a child on my own…”

It took a moment for me to understand what she was trying to say, “Oh, right… Well, I guess if he doesn’t want the kid, then we’ll be kicked out. But that’s fine, Eric wants to leave the castle anyway. And if he wants nothing to do with it, I’ll figure something else out.”

“Do you really mean that..?”

“Of course I do. If you want to keep this one then, we’ll make it work.”

Tears welled in her eyes as she tried to blink them away. “Thank you,” she murmured, quietly, hugging me tight again.

“I can’t wait to meet your child,” I whispered, holding her close in return.

One thing about my sister is that she never expects anyone to do anything for her. She hopes they will, but if they don’t, she always has a million and one backup plans, and I wondered which one I was when she asked.

─── .✦········· ───

More time has passed since then. Claire still isn’t showing, but now that I know, I can tell she’s wearing mildly oversized clothes to hide it. I spend most of my spare time with her and avoiding the Fae—not an easy task when you live with them. The truth is, I don’t know what I should say if Nathaniel asks about Eric again, so I’ve been avoiding the interaction.

Thankfully, he’s been distracted because some Fae from Leúchtend came around a couple of days ago. Their mother and sister arrived along with two of their nieces, an escort of guards, Killian, and Baltzar. I’m not sure why they came, but I’d been sitting with a barber when they got here.

It’s part of the morning routine and happens every day. Still, having a fairy with an open razor near your throat is a little nerve-wracking even at the best of times. “Charles,” Eric called my attention from the doorway.

“Yeah?” I answered without moving an inch.

“You should know some Fae are arriving from Leúchtend. We’ll be meeting them in the oriental garden; just be aware there is a child among them.”

“Okay?”

“Fae children bite.”

“Right.”

“I’m sure Lucinde can control her children,” Nilas, my barber, commented bemused, earning himself a harsh glare from Eric.

“Ability and willingness to do so are completely different things.”

The fae shrugged. Overall, I didn’t mind Nilas. He was one of the first Fae to readily talk to me, and one of the few with green eyes aside from the twins. “Any word on why they’re here?” he tried.

“None for your ears,” Eric responded bluntly.

Nilas smiled knowingly, “Of course.”

─── .✦········· ───

When Eric and I reached in the gardens, everyone else was already there. Achaicus greeted his mother and sister with a hug, while Nathaniel kept some distance, remaining beside Markos instead.

“It’s wonderful to see you,” their mother spoke softly. She looked eerily similar to Markos, with purple eyes and long white hair that was dusted reddish, while their sister looked strikingly similar to them. Beside Lucinde was a younger woman and a child, both of whom looked alike to Radomir, and I felt uneasy in their presence.

“And you, Mother,” Achaicus agreed while Nathaniel asked more directly.

“Why did you come?” he demanded.

“There has been some conflict to the North,” she began to explain, and I looked over to Eric curiously.

Did he know something about that? Was it the same woman that we faced? There were so many questions I wanted to ask him, but he didn’t return my glance. Rather, he stood still and calm, looking straight ahead.

“The North..?” Markos enquired with an interested pause as if he was coming to an unspoken realization.

“Yes. They’ve touched our inner boundary twice in the past month-” Baltzar began to explain when Killian cut him off.

“Touched it? They fucking decimated a village. Two of them.”

“Settle down.”

“…Sorry.”

Baltzar sighed, “If they continue in the direction they were headed, they’ll hit the borders of Dunkel.”

“They already have. They destroyed a town in our outer barrier,” Nathaniel spoke calmly. Had Eric told him?

“Why didn’t you tell me of this, Brother?” Achaicus asked with mild surprise.

“What was there to say? I fortified the inner barrier the moment I heard of it, and I knew you would only worry if I told you.”

Achaicus didn’t look pleased to hear it, “That’s not something you should have kept to yourself.”

“I have informed Tougo and Seraphia of the situation and sent a letter to Leúchtend. I saw no need to cause you more stress.”

“We received no letter,” Lucinde spoke up sharply.

“Then perhaps your birds got lost,” Nathaniel answered her with a similar pointed tone, there was no mistaking that they were related.

“Are you sure you didn’t simply forget to send it, Littlest Brother? It would hardly surprise me if you were too distracted with all your side projects. Ghouls, humans, witches. All you are missing in your zoo is a monkey.”

Nathaniel looked markedly more annoyed with her statement, and I noticed Eric adjust to take hold of his arm, preventing him from stepping forward. “It doesn’t matter how many children you have, Sister; there is no future for our species if we refuse to cooperate with others. The ghouls work with humans, and now us, fluently and they thrive. The witches followed the path you wish to, and it almost eradicated them. We can die with the past or live in the future. I choose the latter.”

“And what will you say when they betray you?”

“Trust is earned, not given. Everyone I work with has earned the trust they hold with me.”

“You’re far too soft to lead-”

“Let’s not forget where your husband is at present,” Achaicus spoke up firmly. “After all, it was he who chose to betray us while all of Nathaniel’s alliances hold strong.”

Lucinde curled her lip in irritation, “You always take each other’s side don’t you?”

“Enough fighting my children. We will speak more of these matters later. Now, it has been a great many years since I was last here and I wish to see the grounds. Nathaniel, might you escort me around?”

“I’m sure Achaicus would prefer-” he began to decline the suggestion quickly.

I didn’t hear the rest as something tugged on the hem of my pants. Startled, I looked down to see the fae child and immediately recoiled; I didn’t want to be bitten.

“My apologies,” their eldest niece spoke as she picked up the girl. She was tall and slender with decorative jewels on her cheeks. If I had to guess I would have said she was twenty while the child was four or five.

“Ahh, it’s fine. I was just surprised,” I assured awkwardly.

“Malika wanted to be put down. I should have known she would go directly to you.”

“I want,” the little girl complained, reaching out to me. She looked like one of those photo portraits people have taken of their kids, a little bit too angelic.

“You can’t. This one isn’t food.”

“I want 𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛, 𝑠𝑖𝑡 𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛!” she demanded, and I found myself involuntarily sitting. The kid hadn’t even been speaking to me, and the compulsion wasn’t all that strong; I was just caught by surprise.

“The correct words are ‘I want to be put down’, not sit down,” the elder one corrected, clearly entertained, nonetheless. If this is what Claire’s kid is going to be like, it’s going to be a rough few years.

“Fieka, come. Your uncle and his Pet have agreed to show us around.”

“Coming Mother,” she assured quickly before turning back to me, “You might want to get up, the ground is damp.”

“Oh, I noticed. But it’s important for humans to stay hydrated, so I think I’ll stay here for a bit,” I joked mostly to myself as water soaked the backside of my pants.

The gardens must have been watered before we got there because the ground was more than just ‘damp’. Fieka smiled politely but said nothing more as she hurried to catch up with the others. The women and Killian left with Nathaniel and Eric on their tour, and I took the opportunity to slip away.

Finding some dry clothes was my first priority. Then, I made my way to the library. It’s located within the main castle and the room is massive with a tall ceiling. Solid oak bookshelves line the walls and neat desks with warm lamps take up most of the floor between the aisles. More often than not no one was in there, so it was a good place to escape for a while.

However, when I arrived hushed voices emitted from within.

“-she’s certain of what she saw?” Baltzar asked tensely.

“Yes,” Achaicus replied, almost irritated as if he’d already answered the same question several times.

I hesitated to go any further. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but three shadows moved across the floor from under the shelves, and I got curious. There was a further moment of silence before the third person spoke.

“This can’t all be a coincidence,” Markos muttered under his breath.

“You think the boy is related to the attacks from the north?”

“That’s ridiculous; we’ve known him since he was a child.”

“No… We’ve known him since your brother brought him home, since 1930. Before that, there are no records of him whatsoever.”

There was another pause as they considered before Achaicus spoke again, “We need to tell my brother; he will know what should be done,” he stated firmly, but Markos scoffed.

“When has your brother ever listened to anything we say? He won’t believe us until we can prove it.”

“And how do you plan on proving it? If we told him, he could compel the truth.”

“He won’t do that… Give me some time. Once I am sure of what he is, the proof will be easy.”

“What if we don’t have time-” he stopped as a woman stepped past me, creating a slight sound that caught their attention.

“Master Achaicus, Baltzar, Markos,” she greeted them with a polite bow as she moved into view. Her hair was honey brown, and her expression was blank, she was the same as Calla. I hadn’t noticed her beside me, I didn’t even hear her come in. It was like she appeared from nowhere and I dreaded what would come next; she would undoubtedly tell them that I was there.

“Molly,” Achaicus sounded surprised to see her, “Has the tour concluded already?”

“No. I excused myself early. My place is by your side,” she responded docilely. Here it comes, I thought. I couldn’t come up with a single good reason for me to be hiding behind the bookshelves like I was.

“Right well-”

“You should also know the human man approaches. I saw him coming down the hall,” she lied, and I froze, was she… covering for me?

“I take it you don’t mean Eric,” Markos mused.

“No.”

“See, it’s lucky she was here,” Achaicus said proudly.

“We’ll continue this discussion later then. I need to speak with that human, and I suppose now is as good of a time as any.”

Wonderful, now he would come looking for me. When they began to move I crept back out into the hall to be where Molly had suggested I would be, and not moments later they emerged.

Achaicus was first. The upper half of his long hair was tied into a neat bun while the rest hung freely around his shoulders. “Charles, Markos is looking for you,” he announced lightly. He really was a lot more friendly than Nathaniel.

“Well, here I am… Should I be worried?”

“He won’t hurt you. My brother has given orders that you’re not to be harmed,” he assured with an amused smile, “And I should like it if you come to have a drink with me after?”

“At the usual place?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll see you then.”

He nodded, putting a hand on my shoulder as he passed. Molly followed closely behind him, and our eyes met briefly. Her gaze was like that of a shark’s, empty, but an unspoken understanding settled between us. She wouldn’t say anything about me if I didn’t say anything about her. That was easy enough I supposed.

Baltzar and Markos exited the library together although Baltzar left in the opposite direction without acknowledging my existence while Markos approached me instead. “Charles, might we have a word?”

I knew it wasn’t a request. “Sure, what about?”

“There are some things I need to discuss with you… You may want to sit down,” he added as an afterthought. It might have been my imagination, but for once, he seemed to be the nervous one. The only other time he’d seemed remotely uncomfortable around me was when he asked me about marrying my sister. So this had to be about Claire.

“Alright,” I could feel my own anxiety flaring up.

He led me back into the library and gestured for me to sit in one of the lounge chairs, while he took a seat across from me in another. The way he sat indicated he was about to deliver some bad news, and he ran a hand back through his hair as he breathed out steadily. It reminded me of the way my first boss looked right before he fired me for being late for the tenth time when I was a teen taking care of Claire.

“I don’t know how I’m supposed to say this,” He muttered irritably to himself before he began, “As you might be aware I care for your sister greatly and have every intention to marry her.”

“It might have come up,” I agreed lightly; he didn’t appreciate that.

“Yes. The problem is I need permission to do so from Nathaniel. Which he has granted under certain conditions, and you are one of those conditions.”

“You need my permission or something?”

“No…” he struggled, “Understand I’m only telling you this at all because I love her…”

“…Okay..?” It can’t be good; whatever it is, it’s going to be bad. I thought in no uncertain terms.

“…You said there were two Fae men when you were taken and given to the witch?”

“Yes…”

“I know who they were, both of them.”

My heart began to race at the mere mention of it, “I know one was Radomir, but I’m guessing you’ve found out who the other was?”

“Not exactly. There was never a point where I didn’t know. You see, the other man was me…”

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