Chapter 28- Fallen and Found

Scarred Past

Liam’s POV

The Seelie Court loomed before me, a dazzling array of crystalline spires and living architecture that I once called home. Twilight perpetually bathed the realm in a soft, ethereal glow, casting long shadows across the verdant grounds. The familiar scent of magic tingled in my nose, a potent mixture that spoke of power and ancient secrets.

I crouched behind a massive oak tree at the edge of the court’s grounds, its rough bark digging into my back like an overzealous acupuncturist. Brilliant plan. Sneak into the most heavily guarded magical realm. What could possibly go wrong?

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what promised to be a spectacularly bad idea. But then again, when had that ever stopped me before? The gate to the human realm was in there, probably guarded by every Fae with a grudge against me. Which – realistically speaking – probably included the whole Seelie Court at this point. Splendid odds. The sound of laughter and music drifted from the central plaza, a perfect contrast to the tension coiling in my gut. With silent steps, I began my approach, willing to use every trick I’d learned in centuries of mischief-making.

My first challenge came sooner than even I had anticipated near the outer walls. Two guards swaggered by, their armor gleaming like a freshly minted silver spoon – one might wonder if they ever actually did their job, or just spent all day buffing. In a moment of sheer brilliance (or perhaps temporary insanity), I dove into the nearby fountain, silencing the splashing noise with my magic. Nothing says ‘stealth’ like a fully clothed Fae taking an impromptu bath, right?

My heart was a symphony of panic as I lay there as still as I could between the waterlilies, hidden right beneath the water’s surface, each beat a crescendo that threatened to expose me. The guards’ voices were muffled, but I could make out bits of their conversation.

“…you hear about…. latest escapade?” one guard asked, his voice filled with amusement. “Aye, I heard,” the other replied, chuckling. “…drunk as a skunk and singing to the horses!” I could feel the cold water seeping into my clothes, the lilies brushing against my skin like whispers of betrayal. I was a Fae playing a dangerous game, hiding in plain sight.

Once they had finally passed, I surfaced, desperately gasping for air while looking like a drowned rat. Air had never felt so good before and I took a series of deep breaths, trying to calm my pounding heart. I used magic to dry myself off once I stopped feeling lightheaded from the earlier lack of air, but the lingering scent of eau de fountain remained on me.

As I ventured deeper into the court, the obstacles multiplied like rabbits on a fertility potion. Fae of all ranks bustled about, their chatter a constant backdrop to my stealthy movements. I slipped between curtains of trailing vines, praying to whatever deity might be listening that my ungraceful fumbling wouldn’t give me away.

At one point, I found myself trapped behind an ornate pillar as a group of noble Fae decided to have an impromptu gossip session right in front of me. I held my breath, pressing myself against the cold stone, as they discussed the Queen’s latest paramour in excruciating detail. Just as I thought I might pass out from lack of oxygen (or sheer boredom), they finally moved on.

The low point (literally) came when I crawled through what I hoped was a drainage culvert and not the court’s magical sewage system. The cramped, dank tunnel echoed with strange noises that I desperately tried to convince myself were just water droplets and not, say, flesh-eating slugs or miniature krakens. When I finally emerged, gasping and covered in unidentifiable muck, I seriously questioned my life choices. At this point, a nice, cozy dungeon was starting to sound pretty appealing.

The deeper I went, the more my surroundings stirred memories. The grand hall where I’d attended my first ball, the secluded alcove where I’d stolen my first kiss, the winding staircase where I’d orchestrated countless pranks. Each familiar sight was a bittersweet reminder of the life I’d left behind.

In one particularly nerve-wracking moment, I found myself trapped in a dead-end corridor as voices approached. Panic clawed at my throat, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure it would give me away. With nowhere else to go, I grabbed a nearby potted plant, dumped out its contents behind a pillar (sorry, little guy), and plonked it over my head.

As the group passed, one of them paused. “Is it just me, or does that statue look… odd?”

I held my breath, every muscle in my body tense. This was it. I was done for. Caught in the most ridiculous disguise possible. I’d be the laughingstock of the entire court before they locked me away for eternity.

“Darling, you’re clearly drunk and all the statues here look odd. Now come along.”

They moved on, their voices fading into the distance. I stood there for a moment, utterly dumbfounded. Had that actually worked? I carefully removed the pot, looking around in disbelief. Mental note: send that Fae a fruit basket. Or maybe just some hangover cure. And invest in a collection of oversized plant pots.

As I neared the central chambers where the gate was housed, memories of my colossal fuck-up came flooding back. Ah, Woodstock. Three days of peace, love, and music – and one spectacularly backfired spell.

In my infinite wisdom, I’d thought it would be brilliant to reroute the gate from Puzzlewood straight to the festival grounds. Free access for all sounded like a good idea at the time, so I “improved” the security spell by removing the access and time limitations that usually applied only to young Fae. Unfortunately, my “adjustment” worked better than I had anticipated, leaving the gate open 24/7 for anyone and anything.

The consequences? Humans wandering into our realm, a demon attack, and the Unseelie Court nearly breaching our defenses. Extended family reunions are always awkward, aren’t they? Oh, and let’s not forget the cherry on top – permanent injuries to many of our own people. Brilliant work, Liam. Really top-notch.

I had been incredibly lucky that nobody – except a few demons – got killed in the end, which is why they “leniently” only banished me from the Seelie Court for 30 eons, rather than permanently banning me – or worse…

Shaking off the guilt – or at least shoving it into a mental box labeled ‘Deal With Later (Or Never)’ – I refocused on the present. The gate was just ahead, shimmering like a mirage in a desert of bad decisions. A grin, wide and manic, stretched across my face. This whole mission was a gamble, a high-stakes poker game where I’d shoved all my chips in – and somehow, I was still standing.

The gate pulsed with an otherworldly light, beckoning me forward. This close? No way some ancient security measures or unforeseen consequences could stop me now. I was going to make it. I was actually going to-

“Liam?”

Oh, for fuck’s sake.

I turned, my heart sinking to my toes. The universe, apparently, had a cruel sense of humor. Here I was, inches from achieving the impossible, and what awaited me on the other side of victory? Not an army of guards, not an impassable magical barrier – no, of course not. It had to be the one person whose disapproving glance could turn my blood to ice. Karma, it seemed, had a particular fondness for wedging itself into the most inconvenient cracks of my meticulously crafted plans.

There stood my father, as imposing as ever. His silver hair gleamed in the soft light, his face a map of laugh lines and frown creases that spoke of centuries of joy and wisdom. His broad shoulders and straight posture radiated an aura of authority that had always made me feel like a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

But it wasn’t my father who held my attention. It was the little girl beside him, her tiny hand clasped in his. Barely six years old, her golden curls framing a face that was achingly familiar. A face marred by a thick scar that ran across one eye, sealing it shut.

“Li-Li?” Her voice was small, uncertain. She shrank back against our father’s leg, fear evident in her one good eye.

Something inside me shattered at the sight. “Rosebud,” I whispered, using the pet name I’d given her when she was born.

For a moment, she hesitated, her little body tense with uncertainty. Then, as if a dam had broken, she let out a cry that was equal parts joy and sorrow. She broke free from our father’s grip and flung herself at me with all the force her tiny frame could muster.

I stood frozen, my hands hovering uncertainly over her shaking form as she clung to me. My eyes met my father’s, and I saw a whirlwind of emotions there – anger, disappointment, sadness, and something that might have been a flicker of pity.

Slowly, I sank to my knees, wrapping my arms around her. She buried her face in my chest, her small body wracked with sobs. “I missed you, Li-Li,” she hiccupped.

“I missed you too, Rosebud,” I murmured, my voice thick with emotion. “More than you could ever know.”

I pulled back slightly, my eyes drawn to the scar that cut across her face. My fingers hovered over it, trembling, before gently tracing its path. “I’m… I’m sorry,” I whispered, the words feeling woefully inadequate.

My father’s voice cut through the moment, sharp with frustration and disappointment. “Is that all you have to say, Liam? After the colossal mess you made? People were hurt, some nearly killed. Your own sister…” He trailed off, gesturing to the scar on her face.

I swallowed hard, shame burning in my gut. “I… I don’t know what else to say,” I admitted, my voice low and unsteady. “It was a stupid mistake. I never meant for any of that to happen.”

My father’s eyes flashed with anger. “A stupid mistake? You thought it was brilliant to manipulate the gate, to tamper with security spells just so you and your friends could sneak out to that stupid festival. Do you have any idea of the consequences?”

He began pacing, his voice rising with each word. “We had to dispatch teams to track down every human who wandered in, wipe their memories, and return them safely. The demons nearly overran our outer defenses before we could rally our forces. And the Unseelie Court?” He let out a bitter laugh. “They used the chaos to push further into our territory than they have in centuries. We’re still dealing with border skirmishes to this day.”

I felt the weight of his words like physical blows. Each consequence he listed was another reminder of the far-reaching effects of my thoughtless actions.

“That day is the biggest regret of my life,” I said softly, meeting my father’s gaze. “But I can’t undo what happened.”

He sighed, the anger in his eyes giving way to weariness. “Why are you here, Liam? You know what will happen if you’re discovered. Why shouldn’t I report you myself? Clearly, you haven’t matured if you thought sneaking back here after barely three eons was a good idea.”

I hesitated, weighing my words carefully. “The Iele… they brought me here against my will,” I explained. “I need to find the Temporal Tether.”

My father’s laughter echoed through the chamber, a sharp and disbelieving sound that grated against my already frayed nerves. He threw his head back, his lips curling into a sneer as he let out a loud snicker that seemed to go on forever. The veins in his neck stood out with the effort of his laughter, but there was no warmth in his eyes when they finally met mine again.

“That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard,” he finally said, shaking his head in disbelief. “You expect me to believe that the Iele, our allies for millenia, would go against their very nature and force you back here? Why would they bring you here, of all places? You know you’re not welcome here after what happened. Why would they do that? And don’t even get me started on the Temporal Tether…”

I took a deep breath, bracing myself for his reaction. “I accidentally performed the binding ritual on a saintess,” I admitted quietly. “I need the artifact to slow her transformation into an Iele.”

For a moment, my father just stared at me, his expression a mixture of disbelief and exasperation. But before he could respond, a shout rang out from behind us.

“Intruder! In the central chambers!”

My heart leapt into my throat. A guard had rounded the corner, his eyes widening as he took in the scene – me, clearly out of place and covered in dirt of varying sources after my successful security breach, with my father and young sister. I saw the moment recognition dawned in his eyes, his hand moving to the horn at his belt.

“Fuck,” I cursed, adrenaline surging through my veins. Without thinking, I bolted towards the gate. My feet pounded against the crystal floor, each step echoing like thunder in my ears. The shouts behind me grew louder, more urgent, but I didn’t dare look back.

The gate loomed larger, its surface rippling like disturbed water. Just a few more steps… My fingers stretched out, almost brushing the shimmering surface.

Suddenly, magic surged around me, invisible tendrils wrapping around my limbs. I fought against it, straining with every ounce of my being. The gate was so close, I could feel its energy crackling against my skin. But the magic tightened, inexorable as the tide, dragging me back.

“No!” The cry tore from my throat, raw and desperate. I clawed at the air, my nails scraping against the crystal floor as I was pulled away from my only chance of escape. The cold touch of enchanted manacles closed around my wrists, sealing away my magic.

As guards surrounded me, their expressions a mix of shock and grim satisfaction, I felt the fight drain out of me. My gaze found my sister, her face streaked with tears, clutching our father’s leg. The sight of her scar, a permanent reminder of my greatest mistake, was the last thing I saw before the guards dragged me away.

Well, Kate, I thought as they hauled me off to whatever delightful punishment awaited, I hope you’re having a better day than I am. Though knowing our luck, you’ve probably started a war with the Iele or something equally charming.

As the familiar halls of my childhood home became my prison, I couldn’t help but appreciate the irony. I’d spent three eons running from my past, only to end up right back where I started. If this was karma, she had one hell of a sense of humor. Bring on the next disaster, universe. I’m ready for my close-up.