Chapter 40

Chapter 40: What Need Be Done

“How could ye not tell me yer a magic user, Skye?!” Lucas Moonstone bellowed at his daughter.

After Skye healed Felicia, Lord Moonstone had some of his men put the poor lass back into Peggy’s room. He then ordered everyone else to continue with the wedding preparations. Lidia and Maevis volunteered to go do damage control with the guests until the three could talk. She also had Peggy come along to help with the coordinating.

Lucas, Tidas, and Skye made their way to the lord’s parlor to talk in privacy. Lord Moonstone demanded the truth, so that’s what Skye gave him. She even started with the incident in Dragonhorn, which Tidas knew nothing about. She explained about practicing her powers, but was careful to avoid any mention of Peggy’s knowledge of her. Once she’d gotten to the mostly-real version of the Warrick Forest incident, Lucas glared at Tidas.

When Skye’d noticed, she’d said;”Don’t ye be lookin’ to him. He’s me future husband; of course he’d keep a secret for me that I’ve kept from almost everyone! If he wants a happy life with me, he knows who’s side to take..”

Skye didn’t want her father to think that Tidas was marrying her for her powers. Once the time table of his knowledge was known, her father would be a fool to think it. It was true that nobles had been known to marry commoners due to magic traits. It was one of the few excuses to cross the status barrier that normally separated people.

Technically, Skye’s father was a commoner. But his wealth and connections to the king had raised him up. He was given a title and money for his deeds, but not rank. The only way to gain that was by war valors, or marriage contracts. Royal guards didn’t participate in wars unless the king took to the field. Which had only ever happened a handful of times in Alcon’s history.

The only option to Lucas was a contract. He’d still been careful about who his daughter would marry, despite what his daughter might think. Watching Tidas as he grew assured Skye’s father that she was going to a good man. The possible implication had shaken him, though.. And Skye wanted to know why.

.....

“Why Are ye so fixated on marryin’ me off to the royals? Is it really all Just for the prestige of it? To say that my father in law is the king? What if Tidas had turned out to be cruel, like Jacob? Would ye still have married me off?!”

“And when ye thought Tidas had died, ye all but locked me away.. Why?! Aside from when I was a child, you and mother have barely acknowledged me, Until my wedding day...” Skye’s voice broke as she finished: “Why must ye act as if ye care now?”

Tears began to trickle down Skye’s cheeks. This was not a conversation she’d wanted to have. Burying her resentment and pain so she could enjoy the little time with them she had left..

It hadn’t been a good plan, but it was supposed to be the beginnings of a new relationship with them. But of course, it wouldn’t be that easy. Ignoring a problem never made it go away; it only allowed it to fester.

Tidas had moved to Skye’s side as she’d talked. He’d heard the emotions beginning to bubble up in her voice. The prince wiped her tears with his hand while rubbing her upper arm and shoulder with the other in small, gentle strokes. Skye wanted to lean into Tidas and have him wrap his arms around her, but this was not the time for it. She nodded to her love; signaling that she was alright. The prince stepped aside, but stayed next to her.

Lucas was still trying to figure out what to say to his daughter. Telling her about her real mother and the circumstances of her death were not an option. He nor Lidia ever wanted her to know; so what excuse did he have to be truly angry? Sighing loudly in defeat, Lord Moonstone turned to his oversized globe that stood by his desk. He flipped the unseen latch, popped open the top, grabbed a decanter, and poured himself another dram of dark whisky.

He gulped it down before pouring himself another. Then he grabbed two more glasses, filled them, and handed them to Tidas and Skye. They both looked to the glasses, then to each other. Lucas moved around his desk to take a seat in his chair before speaking to the young couple.

“Ima sorry for yellin’, Skye. This world is ugly, dangerous, and has a habit of turning the most cheery optimists into cynics. I wanted to protect ye for as long as I could..”

“Well, I can protect me self! I even saved Tidas! And most recently, Felicia. I know I still have a lot to learn, which is why Maevis has agreed to teach me.. And I’ll have access to other experts and books in the Capital. I will be fine! I have Tidas, Maevis, and me magic,” Skye gave a soft smile to her prince as she’d spoken his name, before turning back to her father.

“But ye must understand.. Having magic is more of a curse than a blessing. I know Genie taught ye that much..And the fact that ye have three... No, that’s not it.”

“The fact that two of yer traits are elemental is literally unheard of! Do ye know how much King Magnus will covet ye now?! How much other kingdoms will want ye for themselves?! ‘Twill not matter that ye be Tidas’ wife! Do ye want to be used as a tool for war?!”

“The king won’t use me because-” Skye tried to speak, but her father cut her off.

“Magnus won’t think twice to use you, me child. And that is what scares me most.. I-I don’t want to lose you..” Lucas finished and swallowed his drink nervously.

Skye could see genuine fear on her father’s face. It was strange to think that he truly cared for her, but here he was. Her questions had generally been avoided, but Skye got a small glimpse into her father’s true feelings; Albeit misguided. His actions ultimately came from love, and that was what was most important to her to find out.

Skye knew that the king would indoctrinate her into the RMC, and it was what she wanted. The trick was to get him to do it on her terms. Jacob’s attack had one tiny silver lining to it.. There was no way for Tidas and her father to hide her powers, or Maevis now. The news would already be spreading amongst the wedding guests. Once the event was over, it wouldn’t take long for the news to reach the capital.

Skye would do whatever she had to do to protect her loved ones, and to stay by Tidas’ side. Train, study, then train some more; this would become her life. It didn’t matter how hard it would be, or how stupid or despondent she’d feel along the way. Everything in her told her to stay by Tidas’ side. It had always been there; the odd need for his mere presence. The reaffirmation of her feelings helped give her courage to speak honestly with her father.

“I know ye want to protect me, father. And I love ye for it. But..” Skye set her cup down and walked over to stand in front of him as she spoke; “Ima no longer a wee lass. Ima gettin’ married in just a couple hours to the man I love with me whole being.. But I do not wish to leave me home knowin’ ye be so worried about me.”

Lord Moonstone chuckled at his daughter’s words before replying: “Sweetheart.. Ye’ll be a grandmother someday: but ye will still be me wee baby girl, even then. There’s not a single lovin’ parent on this planet that’ll disagree with me.. Ye will understand when ye have yer own bairns someday..”

Skye had never knew her father felt such love towards her. It pulled at her heartstrings, nearly causing fresh tears to spring forth. She swallowed hard before leaning down and hugging him. As she did so, Skye said: “I love ye too, Da..”

The act had surprised Lucas, but in a happy way. It’d been a long time since he’d hugged his daughter. Let alone heard her call him anything but ‘father’. Lord Moonstone fought back the lump in his throat as he hugged his daughter. It’d finally felt like she understood his true feelings. While he prayed she’d never know his motivations, Lucas was over the moon that his daughter now understood him.

Tidas had watched quietly from the other side of Lucas’ desk. To be honest, he’d felt a little awkward to witness their moment. But it was good that it’d happened. Tidas didn’t want Skye to have any regrets when they left for the capital. Hearing her say that she trusted him had brought a big, dopey grin to his face.

While they did have plans to come back for Yuletide, it was unlikely Skye would see her old home often. Their new home was on the opposite side of Alcon. And once they’d settled everything with his uncle, Tidas had few plans to leave their home again. Unless his father or brother ordered him to.

Skye had other plans, however. Ones she would not share with Tidas until it was too late. She knew the king would keep Tidas in the RMC, so her plan was to join him. The incident with Jacob would stop their plots to hide Skye away, but not the ones to keep her out of harm’s way. The Highlands were Tidas’ current goal, and only skilled members of the RMC would be allowed to accompany him. In Skye’s mind, the only logical course of action was to join.

“Ye need not worry, Da. I’ll be trained by the best, and I won’t do anythin’ reckless. I promise, alright?” Skye had leaned back to look her father in the eyes as she’d spoken.

“And I’ll do all I can to keep her out of trouble,” Tidas added; he was beginning to feel like they’d forgotten he was in the room.

Lucas looked at his future son-in-law. He was still irritated Tidas hadn’t told him about Skye’s powers, but he could also understand. Skye took after Sorcha when it came to her temper. He didn’t blame the prince one bit for giving in to his daughter’s demand for discretion. Even he found her a little frightening when she was angry. Skye was just like her true mother had been: fierce and beautiful.

Before Lucas could reminisce, a knock came from the door. Peggy poked her head in and looked about before entering and bowing. She smiled to see the lord and Skye getting along before saying; “All the preparations are done. Best get the bride and groom ready now, or the guests will start to riot soon.”

“Aye.. Ye best be on yer way, Lassie. Ima gonna share a few words of wisdom with the prince while he dresses. I’ll send yer mother to help once Ima done with yer soon-to-be husband,” Lord Moonstone had instructed his daughter as he stood and wrapped his arm around her shoulders for another quick half hug.

Skye nodded and smiled at her father before looking at her prince. Tidas suddenly seemed slightly paler than before, and it didn’t take a doctor to know why. He was expecting a good chiding from Lucas, but was hoping it would come after the wedding..

As Skye left to get ready again, she’d flashed him a looked that said, “You knew this was coming,” before closing the door behind herself.

Tidas turned and smiled nervously at his almost father-in-law. He slammed the dram in his hand, then shrugged. Lucas stared back at the prince with a bored look; waiting for the young man to speak in his defense. The prince shook his head before saying: “Well... She is your daughter Moonie, and my wife soon enough.. I couldn’t betray her trust again.. And, not to change the subject, but; do you think we should thank her for catching the Fowlers for us?”

Lord Moonstone scoffed and smiled bitterly at the truth of Tidas’ words before he said: “Only if ye plan on tellin’ her everything.. She’ll find out when ye reach the capital, anyways. Why don’t ye just tell her the whole truth, lad? She’ll understand-”

“No. I will deal with it when she discovers it herself... Skye already thinks I abandoned her to train and chase my uncle. She doesn’t need to know the rest yet,” Tidas replied with worry.

“Ha! She’ll call ye the same as everyone else: a Hero. You saved hundreds of lives goin’ against those bastards.. Yer enemies are many; some may even be kin! And now yer wife is a magic user with unimaginable potential. And don’t even get me started on Maevis..” Lucas rubbed his forehead at the mention of the fairy.

The lord sighed before he continued: “Do ye really think yer brother will stand idle while his youngest brother, ‘Titan Tidas: the Champion of the Common’, keeps gaining power while being backed by the love of the people?! Ye Need to explain to Skye just how much danger she’s in!”