THE UNDERWATER CASTLE stood tall at the bottom of Lake Glass.

The small abode mimicked the style of old Welsh castles. Made of stone, the castle was two storeys high with a keep on the motte, a curtain wall, and seven tall towers. The stained glass windows depicting fae from all walks of life were crafted by Tempest. She adored the way they looked under a watery film.

So did her little friends.

Surrounding the castle were rows of vibrant flowers known to attract the fae. They were enchanted to live underwater. There were foxgloves, saffrons, bluebells, forget-me-nots, hollyhocks, lilacs, lilies, marigolds, pansies, and peonies. They bloomed year round, thriving under not only Tempest's care and love, but the pixies and faeries as well.

Small balls of white light illuminated the stone paths embedded into the bottom of the lake. Tempest landed with grace, dragging the two men behind her. Luscious clumps of clover, ferns, and thyme tickled her bare feet. The clear water shook as buzzing bees and twittering hummingbirds zipped to and fro. Colorful butterflies dipped in pastels trailed behind at a slower pace. The fish, as per usual, were unamused with the little waves disturbing their languid swim.

It wasn't always like this with past protectors choosing to keep their domain strictly as it was. But when it was Tempest's turn to take up the mantle, she realized something important hundreds of years ago. She loved the forest too much. If she was to live here for the rest of her life, then she had to bring pieces of her home with her.

That included flowers, herbs, animals, and, aha, the little ones.

Tempest ignored Silver's hold on her wrist and the squeezing. She felt his lungs were ready to burst yet she didn't increase her pace. Nor did she allow him the ability to breathe underwater.

The other man, the Pendragon, remained in an enchanted state. Much like the sleeping beauty curse his blasted ancestor created.

Small faeries peeked through the wild areas of the garden full of shrubs and bushes. They lingered behind ancient statues and hummingbirds in bird baths. Faeries were curious but not so much that they would run out to investigate. They liked to watch, to hide behind their skirts and observe before running away to gossip.

The pixies, on the other hand, were a whole different breed.

Too mischievous for their own good, they zoomed out of their little caves, knocking rocks loose. Glittering pink bird houses trembled when they tumbled out in a rush. Dollhouse sized furniture slowly sank yet not one pixie moved to collect them. Toadstools and mushrooms served as seats. One by one every pixie in the vicinity plopped down to watch the trio pass.

They were youthful in appearance and dressed in green dresses, shirts, or pants. All loose fitting just like the pointed nightcaps they rarely removed. They didn't wear shoes, seeing no point when pixies had wings that flared outwards like petals.

Tempest eyed each one, matching their flaring crystal eyes with a playful stare. Their tiny bodies buzzed with excitement, sensing her silent challenge. Tempest loved pixies the most because they couldn't hide their thirst for trickery. The way their pointed ears twitched uncontrollably was also a cute sight to behold.

The bravest of the bunch, Seabriar, flew towards Tempest. Settling on her shoulder, she toyed with the fae's silky hair, amethyst eyes gleaming with hunger. "Whatcha got there?" she asked, voice taking on an impish lilt.

"Idiots."

Seabriar hummed, leaning over to gaze upon Silver's rose hued face. "I think that one is about to drown, my lady."

Tempest's cool gaze met Silver's bulging green eyes. "I think he is."

Seabriar cooed, tiny fingers trailing over Tempest's smooth neck. "Will you let him?"

Silver thrashed, tugging on the bottom of Tempest's puffy dress. His eyes pleaded with her but they also brewed with contempt for the pixie.

"Should I?" The troop of pixies chirped with words of approval. Others cried out for Tempest to let them have him. "I've considered it."

Seconds before Silver succumbed to a gruesome final death, Tempest grabbed his throat. Forcing his mouth open, she imbued him with the cold gift. His lungs expanded like her own, taking in the water. They breathed in tune until he found his own rhythm and Tempest grasped his collar again.

"It's about time," he panted, words coming out garbled and annoyed.

The pixies fell over themselves with laughter, mocking his bubbly speech. He hadn't been down here in fifty years and his poor speaking skills reflected that.

"No longer putting on the pity act, I see."

"It was never an act," Silver snapped.

"I raised no coward yet that pathetic performance from before showed just that." Tempest shook her head. "If it wasn't an act then the mighty truly have fallen. How disappointing."

Silver spat at her feet. Before she could react Seabriar darted downwards, slapping him in the face with a blast of pixie dust. Even in his stupor the dazed fae tried to swipe at her. Seabriar dodged his arm with finesse, stealing the silver band wrapped around a lock of his hair. Her friends giggled, cheering Seabriar on as she passed around their new treasure.

"The company you keep is irritating." Silver muttered, glaring at the chattering pixies and mermaids.

Tempest rolled her eyes. Mermaids and fae were enemies with vanity being the only source for discord. She hadn't shared such outdated views since becoming the lady of Lake Glass, though. Rivalries were pointless when it was better to be friends and work together.

"That one tried to take a bite out of me."

"Did she?" Tempest matched Nerissa's toothy grin with a sly smile of her own. "Good girl."

Nerissa's melodious laughter washed over her like a song. With a flick of her cerulean tail, Nerissa vanished, slipping into a cave. Her song lingered in her wake, bringing serenity to all that listened to its sweet tune.

Silver went rigid when they reached the doorway. Tempest knew why.

The flowers blooming there were a mix of red roses and yellow primroses. They were full of memories haunted by the past.

Silver planted the rose bushes many years ago when he was much younger. More naive. Foolish. He was a warrior that rushed into battle so quickly that his scarred body still carried remnants

She had planted the primroses.

The doors creaked open. An invisible barrier separated the two environments. Water droplets emerged from the trio, rejoining the lake. When they were dry Tempest let Silver go and headed towards the great hall, dragging the sleeping man.

"Nothing's changed."

The hallways were still lined with long red carpets. Furnishings were sparse with only a few wooden chairs and benches. The occasional wooden table filled private rooms. Quarters for visiting fae were empty after Tempest closed off her castle. The only places that actually looked lived in were her own small room up on the second level and the kitchen.

It was quiet but it didn't always used to be so silent.

Once upon a time, she used to sit upon the stone seats lining the windows and paint the walls. The gallery of portraits in the great hall were constantly rearranged. Even the kobolds were kind to her which said plenty of her pure character.

She never screamed underwater. She never cried. But then Silver took her away on one of his foolish adventures and Tempest hadn't known peace since then.

Now the whole world heard her cries fifty years later, taking away countries one by one with her master by her side.

Tempest threw the doors open with a huff. The sound of scrubbing filled her ears. If she squinted hard enough she could make out a group of short men and women. Their fair skin was tinted brown with dirt. They had big brown eyes, pointy ears, and wore simple trousers and shirts with patched up squares.

The brownies were household fae that loved to clean. Not for free, of course. They expected rewards like any other fae and were quick to take offense if an idiot gave them clothes.

Tempest sighed, noticing the rearrangement of the great hall that she didn't ask for. "I appreciate your hard work today." she said instead, observing the way her stone throne had been moved in front of the sword in the stone. "Feel free to help yourself to the cream and baked bread. I made a cake as well, if that tickles your fancy."

Immediately the cleaning sounds halted. An army of tiny feet thrumming against the floor thundered throughout the castle. The side door flew open and the concealed brownies scrambled away to eat their sweet treats.

"Ow!" Silver lurched forward, rubbing his ass while staring at the empty air behind him. "What was that?!"

Tempest dropped the unconscious man and his head hit the ground. Silver winced, creeping away from her blank stare in favor of rubbing the back of the man's head.

"Still making pets, I see."

Silver's jaw tightened. "I didn't make a deal to hurt him. And he's not a pet."

Tempest ignored him, turning to face the unseen kobold responsible for kicking Silver. "Still remember him, huh? I don't blame you for being angry. I know you miss her," she whispered. Kneeling down, Tempest reached into her satchel and took out the berries. "Here. I know you're hungry."

The annoyed kobold appeared for a split second. His opal eyes flickered towards Silver with an angry glint. It was Bracken. He grieved for her as much as Tempest did and, apparently, blamed Silver too.

Bracken took the berries without a word. His small brown cloak wove in and out of invisibility while he ran away. Tempest expected nothing less from a household spirit known for being moody when hungry.

His kind also never did chores but that was neither here nor there.

"He hates me."

"Most of us do."

Tempest yanked the unconscious man up by the arm and dragged him towards Caliburn. Silver followed behind at a safe distance. When they were before the sword in the stone she dropped him. Placing a hand on his chest, Tempest latched onto the wisps of Lake Glass's power that kept him dormant.

"You had better hope he's the one because simply being a descendant won't be enough." Tempest pushed against his chest, forcing the magick to retreat. "If he isn't the one then you will pay with your life."

Silver gulped. Fear flashed in his eyes but he nodded anyway.

Tempest's gaze settled on the man. His rich auburn red hair was long, approaching the middle of his stomach and curling into soft waves. His arched brows and trimmed facial hair matched the color of the hair on his head. He was pale and big. Broad.

He inherited their beauty. She could tell with the way his nose and features were sharpened. There was a natural tilt to his wide lips that, even in sleep, made him appear to be smirking. He oozed fae until one looked at his big body and dull ears. Only then did it become clear that his mixed heritage prevailed.

Tempest watched his closed eyes then said, "Awaken."

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QOTD: What do you think of the Lady of the Lake and the company she keeps in her little underwater kingdom? Will Silver be able to make him for the wrongdoing that led to their rift? Or is Kane not the one?