Godric's Gift

Tay had thought that fighting demons was the hardest thing he’d have to do, but what came after was so much harder.

No one thought Tay was ready to face his possessed brother and the demon army at his back, and that included Tay himself. Gray, however, thought different and, as usual, Gray got his way. But if Tay thought the demons were the hardest thing he’d have to face, he would soon find himself dead wrong.

From determining ownership of the land formerly occupied by the demons to a world that had been without a High King for so long they weren’t sure they needed one, every day brought new problems, and then there was the magic that was not so slowly leaking out of the world. Tay’s life got more complicated every day.

When Gray stepped up with the answers, it only made things a whole lot worse.

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Godric’s Gift

Copyright © 2024 Cheryl Headford

ISBN: 978-1-4874-3516-5

Cover art by Martine Jardin

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Smashwords Edition

Godric’s Gift

Dark Fairytale 3

By

Cheryl Headford

Chapter One

Absolutely not. I forbid it.

The queen glared at Gray, then flashed an equally angry glance at Tay. For a moment, he shrunk down in his seat. Then he remembered and squared his shoulders.

It had been a long six months since Gray had appeared. To Tay, the upheaval was no big deal. After all, his entire life had been turned on its head and hadn’t yet had time to settle, so the new shakedown hardly added a puff to the already billowing cloud of fairy dust.

It would appear, however, that nothing much had changed in Faerie in forever. Tradition was everything, and people clung to it even more tightly when things started to crumble around them. Apart from Tay and Cale, The Enchantress was the only one who seemed to be taking things in her stride.

The queen most certainly wasn’t.

Tay couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. She was a queen, after all, an absolute ruler who suddenly found herself elbowed aside by a dragon, a hundred-thousand-year-old, barely out of his teens, flamboyant and outspoken former King. Not to mention her own child, who, in her eyes, was barely out of nappies.

Tay still hadn’t got used to the idea that the queen was his mother. It was easier to accept Alana and Ailis as his sisters. In fact, he was forming quite a bond, especially with Alana. She and Alder went everywhere together and always managed to sniff him out wherever he was. He had cause to suspect, however, that this had more to do with the fact that Cale was usually around than that Alder was desperate to spend time with Tay.

Talen visited now and again. He’d gone home to try reasoning with his father, but as far as they could tell from the taciturn outlander, he’d been all but banished and barely escaped with his life. Tay had to wonder if there was a more dysfunctional family in the whole of Faerie.

I’m sorry, Gray said, not sounding the slightest bit sorry. But it’s not up for negotiation.

You’re honestly suggesting that I should send my son... my only remaining son, the Crown Prince of The Kingdom, into the Outlands to negotiate with someone you suspect might be in league with the demons?

Well, it’s not exactly negotiating, and it’s not exactly my suggestion.

Oh, that’s right, it’s the dragon’s. You use the dragon’s voice a great deal, do you not? The rest of us do not appear to have his ear so often or so clearly.

Gray chuckled. He does tend to speak in riddles sometimes. You simply have to learn to interpret them.

"And you’re the expert, of course. You always interpret correctly."

If you’re suggesting I bend what Orlock says to suit my own purposes, then of course I do. However, I make sure the gist of it is in-line with his thinking, which is more than your self-serving toadies have ever done.

"Those self-serving toadies are the most senior sages and some of the best minds in The Kingdom."

Gray huffed. "Is that supposed to impress me? I wouldn’t be bragging about it myself. Ask yourself two things. First, why do you think Orlock sent for me and refused to talk to any of the other sages?"

And secondly? The queen’s voice was sharp as a knife and cold enough to freeze lava.

Are you going to tell Orlock that he’s wrong and you’re not prepared to listen to him... or his chosen representative? Who, incidentally, is King of Faerie and technically your Sovereign.

The queen paled but held her ground. I’ve yet to see evidence of that.

I notice you ignored the bit about challenging Orlock, yet you have no problem challenging me. Interesting. It will be even more interesting when I travel back to Hightower to take up my mantle. Gray’s usual light arrogance subtly changed, and suddenly, he was almost sinister in a way Tay had rarely seen. I have a very long memory and little patience with those who have almost destroyed everything I worked so hard to build.

The queen’s eyes widened, but she remained upright and defensive. You will do what you think is best, no doubt, but you will not take another son away from me and throw him into the heart of the storm.

What did I just tell you? I’m not prepared to negotiate with you. This journey will happen. It must happen. Gray’s demeanour softened. I will give you my personal guarantee that no harm will come to him. If you don’t trust me, trust Orlock.

The dragon’s going with you? She was finally knocked off her platform, and real fear flashed in her eyes. Tay didn’t blame her. If the dragon moved so much as the tip of a wing, half the city would be turned to rubble."

Not physically, no. Unless there’s no other way to save Faerie, Orlock will keep his promise to preserve The Kingdom until you’re able to make appropriate arrangements. I would advise you, however, to begin preparations once this current situation is resolved. No, this time, Orlock will advise. He’ll be with us in mind and spirit, but do not underestimate the power of a dragon, even when his physical body slumbers.

I... will never underestimate the dragon. Her voice quavered slightly, and Tay didn’t blame her. Apart from Gray, Tay was the one who’d spent most time in the presence of the dragon. Although he was becoming used to Orlock’s strange method and way of speaking, and it no longer struck terror into him every time he heard the dragon’s voice or felt his thoughts pressing gently against Tay’s own, he was always intensely aware that this was a creature of legend who wouldn’t so much as raise a sweat in destroying him and his entire kingdom.

We’ll start preparations immediately, and I’ll step up Tay’s magical instruction so he’ll be ready for what we must face. Don’t worry, he added at the queen’s expression, we won’t be going tomorrow, and I won’t throw away your precious son. No one is more aware of how important he is than I am.

So saying, Gray swept out of the room. After a moment’s hesitation and an anxious glance at his mother, Tay followed him.

*

You need to concentrate on the make-up of the ball. It can’t be just any crystal. It has intrinsic magic, and your own power will reach out to it. Once it connects, you’ll be able to bring it to you. Once you get the hang of controlling the ball, we can move on to how you can call an elemental into it.

I’m not sure how I feel about trapping an elemental in a ball.

You’re not trapping them. You have to connect with them, get their trust, and ask them nicely. If you’re respectful and they feel comfortable, they’ll come to you.

Tay examined the ball. It was about the size of a tennis ball but seemed to be made of delicate glass. Its surface was pearlescent, like an oil slick on ice. It looked fragile, but Tay knew better.

I can fill this with an elemental?

Not exactly. The elemental will give you part of itself... a small flame or a drop of water. It will imbue the crystal with its properties for however long you need it. After that, you’ll release it.

As easy as that.

Of course it’s not easy, Cale said, rolling an exact replica of Tay’s ball in his fingers. You just need to practice. A lot. Cale grinned and held out his hand. The ball rose a few millimetres and hovered over his palm. He whispered something into it, and after a brief hesitation, a tiny flame ignited and bobbed in the very centre of the ball."

Tay growled and swept the ball out of Cale’s palm. It hit the wall with a musical chime, then fell to the floor and rolled, making a clattering sound on the floorboards.

What the hell was that about? Cale seemed genuinely shocked.

Tay glared at him. I’m just sick of you taking over everything, showing off. It’s all right for you. You never had to try. You were good at it right from the start. You were always ahead of me.

I did have to try, and you know it. I had to work damn hard to get control of these powers. Don’t forget, yours came naturally, but I got mine when a demon possessed me.

That’s getting old as an excuse, Cale. So you were possessed by a demon. We all know that, but you got it all figured out months ago, so it’s hardly new anymore, is it? You can do what I do, only better. You’ve always been better at everything, and nothing’s stopping you now.

Cale blinked, looking hurt. A mean little part of Tay was frustrated and wanted to hit out.

Not a big deal? Did you forget that the damn thing almost took control, that everybody we met tried their best to kill me, and when a fucking unicorn stabbed me in the chest, your friend Willow had his dagger at my throat when I woke up. I have to constantly disguise myself and hide half my abilities in case someone realises where they came from. I can do what I do because I worked hard, and not one single thing came easy.

It sure looked like it when you were flying circles around my head.

Cale grinned. Okay, that bit came easy, and I love it, but everything else...

Yeah, yeah, you work hard. You slog your guts out just so you can show me up in front of Gray.

What?

"You’re always showing off. Every time Gray tries to teach me something, you jump in first and show me how it’s done."

Cale gaped. I’m not showing off. I’m trying to help. I’m trying to—

Yeah. Whatever. I’m sick of it. Cale can do this, Cale can do that, Cale understands it, Cale can make it happen. Cale isn’t stupid... like me.

No one said you were stupid. You can do what I do, and better, if you just try. The problem with you is that you’re afraid. You’re afraid of what you can do, and you’re afraid that if you do it, you’ll be making yourself part of this world, and you don’t want to let go of the other. You’ve been doing it from the start. Cale was getting angry.

Tay knew all the signs, and for some reason, it made him feel good... powerful. For all that Cale’s magical skills were better, Tay still knew how to wind him up.

And it was all so easy for you... leaving them all behind. You just walked away and didn’t look back. You love all this. Do you even remember what it was like? I can’t switch off like that. I hate this, and I’d give anything to go back.

Cale’s expression softened. I know. I know you’re finding it hard. But don’t think I’m not. It hasn’t been easy for me either. I miss my family, especially my brothers. I miss the club... our friends. His voice hitched. And I miss Allie. There’s hardly a day that goes by that I don’t think about her. But I’m even more stuck here than you are. Even if you do find some way at some time in the future to go back... I can’t.

Why not?

Being possessed is a big bad thing here, but it’d be worse back there. I wouldn’t be able to glamour my eyes, and how do you think that would go down?

Tay shrugged. You’re always wearing weird things. Just say you’re wearing contact lenses. Anyway... we’re never going back. You know that.

Cale nodded slowly. Yes, I do. I know that, and I’ve come to terms with it the best I can. But you haven’t, and you’re never going to move on until you do.

Fuck you, Cale. You don’t get to tell me how to feel or what to do.

I wasn’t. For God’s sake, Tay. I’m trying to help. Everyone is trying to help.

Well, I don’t need your help.

Oh yes, you do. You don’t even know how much you do.

Oh, and you do? You know everything about me.

No, not everything, but I’ve been your friend for a long time, and I know this isn’t the real you.

The real me? What the hell do you know about the real me?

I’m beginning to wonder.

What the hell is that supposed to mean?

Cale frowned and shook his head. You’re trying really hard to fight with me, aren’t you? Maybe I should just stand here and let you have a go at me. Maybe you’d feel better. At least you’d be talking to me. I’ve begun to wonder if you even know I’m here anymore.

What? Of course I know you’re here.

Do you? The only time I see you is when we’re here or when you want to talk about home. It doesn’t matter whether I want to talk or not, whether I’m in the headspace to remember everything I’ve lost.

Poor you.

Cale rounded on him, his eyes flashing. "Dammit, Tay, what have you come to? You were never the selfish one, the one who only ever thought about himself and didn’t give a damn about anyone else or how much they were hurting. You wanted me here. You were the one who begged me not to go back to the grove, who said I was the only thing anchoring you and keeping you sane. I know you were scared. I know you still are, but you don’t seem to care that I’m scared, too."

Yeah, right, of course you are.

Cale took a step toward him, and for a moment, Tay almost shrank back from the force of his anger. "You know nothing about the way I feel now, do you? And if you did, you wouldn’t care. All you care about is yourself. You’re such a great and mighty person now. You can hardly bear to associate with people like me. You’re always looking down your nose at me. I feel scared and lost, too. I’m terrified when I look to the future. I know it’s going to come down to a confrontation with the demons, and I have no idea what that will do to me. I’m scared every day. I’m scared of my power. I’m scared that everywhere I go, people have their hands on the hilts of their swords.

I want to go home more than you could imagine, but wanting it isn’t going to make it happen, so I get on with things. I thought I was going to get on with them with you. I thought you’d have my back, and I’d have yours. Last man standing. Well, that’s a joke. I hardly ever see you, and even when I do, you’re with Wisp, and no one else exists.

A light went on in Tay’s mind. So that’s it.

What’s what?

It’s Wisp. You’re jealous of Wisp. You always have been. You hate to see us together because, for the first time, I have someone in my life who’s more important than you, and you just can’t stand that, can you.

Cale went very still and stared at him. Is that what you think? Is that really what you think?

Of course it is. You’ve never liked Wisp. I don’t know what you’ve got against him, but you’ve been antagonistic since the moment you met, and you’ve never made any effort to get to know him.

I don’t have anything against Wisp. I never have. I just didn’t trust him because I didn’t think he was good enough for you. I didn’t understand elementals then, and I thought...

Not good enough? What the fuck? Who are you to decide who is or isn’t good enough for me? You’re jealous. That’s all it is, and I’m damned if I know why. No wait... I do know why. For once in our lives, you’re not the most important person in my life, and you can’t stand it.

Is that what you think? Is that really what you think? That I’m jealous of Wisp because he’s more important to you than I am.

Yeah, that’s really what I think.

Cale shook his head, looking as sad as Tay had ever seen him. There were actually tears in his eyes. Then you don’t know me at all, and you sure as hell don’t need me.

Before Tay could say a word, Cale vanished.

Wait. But it was too late. Cale had gone.

Tay turned to Gray. Help me. Tell me where he’s gone. I need to—

You need to work, then you won’t need me to tell you where your friends are.

You’re heartless. Do you know that?

It’s been mentioned. Now, call the crystal.

I have to go after Cale.

No, you don’t. What you have to do is work with me to unlock your full potential. Gray paused and laughed. Look at me talking like a real teacher.

You’re talking like an arse, as usual. I can’t do it. It comes so easy to you and Cale. It’s not fair. I’m supposed to be this great, powerful magician, but I can’t even make a stupid glass ball bounce when Cale can disappear, and you just do whatever you want. You can do anything you want just by waving your hand. You make people freeze and turn them into butterflies and stuff.

And stuff, yes, but having power doesn’t mean you have to use it and doesn’t mean you always have access to it. You haven’t acknowledged your power yet... like I haven’t fully acknowledged being King. I understand what you’re going through. I understand that a huge chasm opens at your feet when you think about it. It’s a step you can’t pull back from. Once you’ve taken it, you’ve no choice but to move forward and not look back.

Gray sounded wistful, and it made Tay uncomfortable. Gray was never anything but cocky and sure of himself. Tay diverted himself by disapproving of Gray’s hypocrisy. Not only had he made no effort at all to become a king, he hadn’t made any effort to look like one either. He often wore bits of period costume mixed with modern clothes. Not even normal modern clothes. Gray was fond of leather trousers and seriously goth-type apparel.

For example, he was wearing a heavily embroidered pink brocade frock coat over a black fishnet t-shirt with leather straps crossing over his chest and apparently attached to a studded heavy dog collar. Of course, there were leather trousers and boots with so many buckles they must have taken an hour to put on. For once, his hair wasn’t coloured, but fell in loose, flaxen curls to his waist, and immaculate make-up matched his frosted pink nails.

Gray smirked, and not for the first time, Tay wondered if Gray could read his mind.

Just because I’m king doesn’t mean I shouldn’t look fabulous. It saddens me that I can’t show the rest of Faerie how spectacular their new king can be.

Why don’t you just go do it then, as I’m clearly such a bad student.

Because I’d much rather be babysitting a spoiled and petulant prince.

Spoiled? I’m not spoiled, and I definitely don’t need anyone to babysit me.

You are spoiled. You’ve never had to face a challenge like this before. Everything in your life before was easy, and things dropped into your lap because of the kind of person you were.

Tay frowned. He hated having to admit Gray was right.

"What do you know? You don’t know what my life was like before."

Nothing specific, but I’ve been there, remember? I know what life is like there, and I’ve seen enough of your attitude these last few months to guess what yours was like.

Good for you.

Gray ignored him. You also don’t seem to understand that I’m the same. I have never had to work at anything, and it’s tough to keep control when I’m failing so badly with you. It’s hard not to pick you up, shake you, and demand you stop being such a whiny brat. At least you’ve stopped being such a brat with your family. They need you.

I’m not a brat. Tay’s words lacked both heat and conviction.

Gray sighed. His expression and demeanour changed. He looked more human than Tay had ever seen him. I understand what you’ve been through. I really do, even though you don’t think so. Why do you think I spent so much time in the human world instead of running mine? Why did I hide away in my tower for so long?

Tay paused, pulled up short by Gray’s new vulnerability. I don’t know.

I had family back there. Lots of them. I had a wife, children, parents, a husband, lovers. Um... not at the same time. Moving back and forth had some interesting effects, but they all meant loss, leaving someone behind, never seeing them again. I left people behind here, too.

Tay immediately thought of Wisp, and for a moment, jealousy stabbed at him. Then he realised how much they’d both been hurt and that Wisp was his now. It was Gray who had the most right to be jealous, and he seemed to have come to terms with it. He’d realised Wisp was not meant to be his, and let it go."

"I never had to work on my power. I was born to it, raised with it. I was never cut off from it and didn’t have to work at reconnecting. It was as easy as breathing. Other things did not come so easily. I locked myself away for so long that I forgot how to be human... or fae. I forgot how to interact with people, how to listen, how to be humble. It might not seem so, but I am trying. It’s hard seeing you and Cale charm people just by being yourselves. It doesn’t come easily to me." Gray sighed, seeming to look inward for a moment.

Tay couldn’t imagine how he felt. He couldn’t imagine anything about Gray. He was an enigma through and through.

None of this comes easily to Caleb either, and he has a stigma to overcome, too, but he’s working hard, learning to dominate situations without having to be a complete arse. You don’t even know you’re doing it—making people love you just by being you.

Tay was shocked speechless. That wasn’t right. It couldn’t be. Well, yeah. He could see what Gray meant about Cale, and he could understand Gray being socially awkward, but Gray couldn’t be right about him.

You’re not that bad. You’re a bit socially... er... challenged and arrogant as fuck, but I guess you have cause to be.

Gray shook his head sadly. I’ve never asked for reassurance or validation. I know what I am. Do you?

Tay frowned. His first reaction was to snap back that of course he knew who he was, but he paused. He had to admit that Gray had a point. Tay hadn’t had to work at much. School had been a breeze. He’d made friends easily. He’d been the golden child at home. He’d never had to work hard at anything. Well, maybe when his father had tried to teach him to play squash. He couldn’t get it, so he gave up.

Okay, you might have a point. I’ve never had to work this hard before, but it’s frustrating when it just won’t come. I know I whine, but... He sighed. I use all my losses to excuse bad behaviour. That’s what my mother used to say to the kids who came to us.

Gray’s expression remained soft and sympathetic. "No one expects you to let go of that. Your past or