The Fairy Queen

Maybel POV

"I do not want to marry him, and you cannot make me," I scream at my father as I run for my bedroom. I slam the door hard. I collapse onto the floor, screaming and crying. How could they give me away to the vampire Alexander? I am their child. Do I not mean anything to them?

"Let me in," my father says softly, knocking on my door.

I push my body against the door, trying to prevent them from forcing me out of my home. My heart is broken. How could they? I wrap my arms around my bent legs and curl my body. I scream from the bottom of my stomach. My scream is so loud I am sure everyone in our tribe heard it. I do not care. Let them hear my cries. I hope they come and see what you are doing to your eldest daughter.

"My little angel, please let me in," my father speaks even softer as he tries to coax me to open the door. I thought I was his favorite child. I thought he loved me. I am the oldest of 19 children. Indeed, there is some love for me in his heart still.

I cry and scream until my throat is sore. "Break the door down, Abraham. Do not let her act like this," my mother demands.

My mother and father are so different. My mother's fairy tribe is a demonic little bunch of assholes. My father, on the other hand, comes from a tribe of kinder fairies. His tribe seeks only to do good. That is why they made the treaty with the vampire authority. The treaty that led Alexander Castillo to want me as his bride. I am only 21 years old. Alexander has to be over 1000 years old. Why in the hell doesn’t he marry a vampire or an eternal fairy? Why me?

I have to open the door. I know I have to face my father. I need him to look me in the eyes and tell me he wants me to marry Alexander Castillo. I need him to see the life drain from me as he speaks the words. It will be of no consequence to my mother. But to my father, I need to see it, and I need him to know how I feel.

I stand up and straighten myself the best I can. I wipe the tears from my face and blow my nose. I try to smile as I open the door.

"Father, I want to speak to you alone without mother," I say.

He looks back at my mother and nods in agreement to come in without her. I cannot handle her being a bitch to me at this moment. I step out of the way so he can enter the room, and we can talk face to face.

My mother stomps off. I know she is mad. She always gets her way no matter what. This is my life we are dealing with now, and she will not get her way. If I am being forced out of my home, I want it to be on my terms, not hers.

My father steps in. I can see he is broken. I know he really does not want to do this. It is all her. It is more the fairy council, but she has no objections.

"Look me in the eye and tell me you are okay with giving me to him," I say.

My father reaches for me. He places both his hands on my arms. He has a firm grip on me.

"My child, you know if I do not comply, they will kill us all. They will start with the baby and work their way up to you. He wants you to be his bride. He promises peace for the fairies. It is a sacrifice, I know. I know we are asking a lot of you at just 21 years old. No, my love, I do not want you to go, but it has to happen, or we are all dead," he says.

I hug my father. I cry into his shoulder. I understand he is trying to protect everyone. It hurts no matter what the reason. Why me?

"Okay," I say.

I hear cars pulling up. It sounds like an entourage of vehicles. I hear so many doors slamming. How many people came with him to get little ol’ me?

I begin packing a few things as my father looks on. My mother comes into the room. I can hear the children laughing and talking to Alexander and his bodyguards.

"You might want to go into the bathroom and clean yourself up before you meet your new husband," my mother says sternly.

I shake my head in agreement. She is right. I am sure I look a hot mess. I run to the bathroom. I can see Alexander out of the corner of my eye as I run past my mother to the tiny bathroom in the back of our small home.

I close the door and try hard not to start crying again. I grab a towel from the shelf. I lay the towel on the sink. I turn on the water. Great, no hot water today. I splash my face with cold water and dry it with the towel.

I look at myself in the mirror. There is nothing special about me. I am just a little fairy. Why is he ruining my life? There are fairies far more beautiful than me in the tribe. Why me? Maybe because of my father's position on the council.

I adjust my blouse, trying to look more presentable. I try hard to smooth out the wrinkles. There is not any use. This is probably the most beautiful thing I own. I look like a peasant. Maybe he will see me and decide he does not want to marry someone so ugly and beneath him.

"She is getting herself pulled together and then will finish packing," I hear my mother tell Alexander.

"No need to bring anything from here. I will provide her with everything she needs. Tell her to please come. I have something to ask her before we proceed," he says.

I hear my mother hurry to the door. "Hurry up. He wants to see you now," she says. I wonder if she has ever spoken a kind word in her life. I do not think at any point in my life I have ever heard her say anything kind.

I take one last look in the mirror. I take a deep breath. I can do this. I smile at myself in the mirror. I am ready. I walk out of the bathroom. I can see him standing in the middle of the tiny kitchen.

Alexander is dressed in an expensive black suit with a purple tie. His hair is medium length, combed back. Just one slight curl hangs down in the front. His eyes are a piercing blue. All of his men are dressed in black suits as well.

"Alexander," I say as I bow before him. I have no idea how exactly to greet him. He is royalty, and I am just a nobody.

"Maybel, I have come a long way to see you," he says.

"Yes, I understand you have. Thank you for coming to see my family and me," I say.

Alexander looks at the dirt floor and then his expensive suit. "Can I get a towel, please?" he asks my mother.

She goes to the cabinet and retrieves a towel for Alexander. "Thank you," he says.

He hands the towel to one of his men. The man takes the towel and lays it on the dirt floor. Alexander kneels before me.

"Maybel, I have come a long way to ask for you to be my wife. Do you accept my offer?" he asks.

Alexander slips a beautiful ruby ring onto my ring finger. I nod my head yes. "Yes, I accept," I say.

Alexander stands back up before me and kisses me softly on the lips.

"One thing, I know I heard you say I do not need to bring anything, but there are a few personal items I would like to bring. If that is okay with you?" I say.

Alexander smiles at me so sweetly. "Bring anything you need," he says.

I walk back to my room and grab a small red bag. It is the only thing I am leaving with. As I exit the room, my mother stops me.

"That stays here," she says.

"No, it goes with me," I demand.

"Let her take it," my father says.

"Yes, let her take it," Alexander says.

My mother backs down. She steps out of my way. I hug my father. "I love you, Daddy," I say.

As I walk through the house kissing my brothers and sisters, Alexander follows me out. I quickly go to his car and get in the back. He sits beside me and reaches for my hand.

"I am no fool, Maybel. I know this is not what you want. I promise you I will make you very happy," he says.

I nod my head but say nothing. I close my eyes and lay my head back as I leave my childhood home to start a new life with a vampire.

Maybel POV

The road is long from my tribe to the vampire community. I try to sleep. I hear Alexander speaking. I pretend not to listen. I think he is speaking with his mother, but I am not sure. He speaks so kindly it has to be the family he is speaking with.

"Maybel, can we talk? I know you are awake," he says.

I open my eyes and look at him.

"Sure," I say.

"Is there anything I can do for you?" he asks.

"Alexander, there is one thing. Would you provide my father with a better home?" I ask.

Alexander looks puzzled. "You mean you are going to ask for something for your father but not yourself?" he asks.

"Yes, I would do anything to have my father and siblings in a better home," I say.

"Anything, really?" he asks.

"Yes," I say.

"Come closer and let me drink from your neck, and I will give your father a mansion," he says.

He knows it is against tribal law for a fairy to allow a vampire to drink from them unless they are married. We are not married yet. I move closer to him. I pull my hair back and expose my neck to him.

"Drink," I say.

Alexander touches my neck with his hand. He leans in and kisses my neck.

"A woman of her word. I like that. I will not drink from you as we are not married. I will make sure your family is well taken care of," he says.

"Thank you," I say.

"I can take you shopping when we get home, or you can go alone. I know this is not the arrangement you wanted. I will try to make it pleasant for you. But know that we will be married, and I expect you to be a wife," he says.

"I fully understand," I say.

"Do you have experience?" he asks.

He looks at me when he asks this. I know he is wondering if I am pure or not.

"I have never been with a man if that is what you are asking me," I answer.

"We will not rush into anything. We have a long life and plenty of time. First, we need to make you presentable," he says.

I look down at my dirty clothes. My hair is greasy. My skin is oily. I look entirely out of place sitting here next to Alexander. I am sure I probably smell bad to him. Let him try taking a bath in cold water.

"Driver, stop at a spa. Just find one along the way," he says.

"Alex—I mean, Alexander, I am filthy. Are you really going to take me into a spa?" I ask.

"Alex, I like that. No one has ever called me Alex. No worries. We will get you all cleaned up. I will have one of the men fetch you some clothes while we get pampered. Is that okay with you?" he asks.

"Yes, sir," I say.

"You can call me Alex but never sir. I am not your superior. I am, well, at least I will be soon your husband. We are equals," he says.

"Equals?" I ask.

"Yes. They did not tell you, did they?" he asks.

"Tell me what?" I ask boldly.

"You will be the new fairy queen," he says.

I wish I could see whatever facial expression I have right now. I am sure it is dumbfounded. I do not want to be the queen of the fairies. I do not want to be the queen of anything. I just want to be Maybel.

"I am so confused," I tell him.

"We will sort it all out later. For now, we need to make you look like a queen," he says.

How in the hell did I end up the queen of the damn fairies? Somebody will have to explain all of this to me.

"Do not let yourself worry about all of this right now. I will help you. We have fairies coming to help you. Everything will be fine. My mother will be a great help as well. She was a farm girl turned into a vampire that married my father. She can relate to your delicate situation," he says.

"I would like that. I have never had a woman in my life. My mother hates me," I say.

"Tell me what is in that bag. The one she insisted you leave? Why is it so important to you?" he asks.

I fumble with my hands. What a horrible memory to have to bring up right this minute.

"It is my sister's ashes and her wings," I say.

"Brooklyn, the sister that was killed," he asks.

"Yes, I do not want to talk about it right now, but I like to keep her close to me," I say.

"Why is she in a bag and not an urn or something more stable?" he asks.

"Not something we could afford to buy," I say.

"I will change that," he says.

He takes his hand and lifts my face by my chin. "I will take care of you," he says.

I want to believe that. I would love to believe someone wanted to care for me. My father was terrified to say no to him. If a fairy is that afraid of you, there has to be a reason. Why did no one tell me I was set to be the fairy queen? Why so many secrets? None of this makes sense.

"I found a spa that caters to vampires and fairies, boss. We will be there in fifteen minutes," the driver says.

"Good. Thanks," Alexander says.

"I have never been in a spa. I honestly do not think I have ever even had much hot water," I say.

Alexander pats my hand. "Well, I can promise you that you will have a lot of hot water at your new home," he says.

"I know that seems stupid to you," I say.

"No, it does not. I told you my mother came from a very humble life. She raised us humbly. We have everything you can imagine, but she made sure we were grateful. You will love her," he says.

I nod my head. This morning my life was in shambles, and at this moment, I almost feel as if it might be okay.

The car stops. The driver comes around to open my door.

"Listen, remember this: you are the future queen. You are marrying me. You are royalty. Do not let anyone treat you any less. Be kind but do not allow anyone to talk down to you. You are special," he says.

"I got it," I say.

Alexander exits the car. He follows along behind me as we walk toward the spa. I am terrified. I hold my head high. I am the future queen.

As we walk into the spa, I can smell myself. I do not belong here. I hold my head up as I feel the glare of the women in the spa.

"Ma'am, I think you are in the wrong place," she says.

She walks past me and straight to Alexander.

"Your Highness, how can I help you," she says.

Alexander glares down at her." Well, you can start by apologizing to my future wife and the future fairy queen. We have traveled a long way for your services. Do we need to go somewhere else?" he demands.

The woman shrunk in size, obviously embarrassed. She looked back at me.

"I am so sorry. I was wrong," she says.

"Apology accepted," I say.

"Now, take care of her. She is needs everything. Can you do that?" Alexander says sternly.

"Yes, Your Highness. Again, I am sorry," she says.

The young woman comes and takes me by the hand. "Come with me. I will make you look like the queen you are," she says.

"No, Alexander. That girl over there. The one with the blue eyes. I want her," I say.

"She is new and very inexperienced for the level of service you need," the woman says.

"Alex?" I say again.

"Give her the girl she wants," he says.

The young girl with blue eyes gets up and joins me.

"Why me?" she asks.

"Because you are the only one in this room that didn't gasp when I came in," I say.

She leads me to the back to begin my transformation.