“I had my reasons,” said the Queen – reasons Faye remained unaware of. “I am pleased with the progress the Princess is showing in her development. Her time here has served her well. I must however apologise for any trouble she has brought you. I am hoping the presence of her handmaiden may help temper her more outlandish activities,”

“Princess Phantasia will not listen to me if she is confident I am wrong,” said Faye, an argument she had raised with the Queen before, “However I shall do my utmost to make sure her actions do not interfere with the actions of the Seelie Court or its human agents,”

“So long as no one gets hurt, I’m not worried what you do,” said Rembrandt Payne, betraying his relieved thoughts that Princess Phantasia might be calmed down.

“I must now depart this plane,” said the Queen, “As you are aware there have been events in my world – events we have evidence to suggest are tied to troubles you currently face, and will come to face. It is no coincidence that forces are gathering in this area,”

I guess you won’t give me the details, thought Rembrandt Payne before saying, “I thank you for your warning, Your Majesty.”

“I have given you all the details I can at this time,” said the Queen – Rembrandt Payne’s thoughts cursed and raised their barriers again. The Queen frowned, “It is unfortunate that the troubles of our people cannot be shared with yours at this sensitive time. I have no doubt, however, that I will be in contact with you again, “

Rembrandt Payne and Amber Thorburn bowed low once more as the Queen turned and glided over to Faye. “I shall speak to you again soon,” she said, lowering herself to Faye’s level. She brushed her fingers over the mark she had left on Faye’s abdomen and smiled, “Keep your mind open to all that is happening,”

With those parting words the Queen rose and floated over to the where the passageway between worlds was its weakest. For a brief moment she regained her true regal splendour, eliciting a surprised gasp from Amber Thorburn and thoughts of inadequacy from Rembrandt Payne, before vanishing in a cascade of water.

Then Faye was alone with humans for the first time.

“W-we brought you supplies,” said Rembrandt Payne as he wondered how to deal with this new character. Faye glanced over to where his body language was motioning. Several bags and boxes had been left in a corner, filled with the thoughts and deliberations of confused adults wondering how to deal with a Water faerie.

“I hope you like the clothes as much as Phantasia did,” said Amber Thorburn, who was worried that human clothes did not live up to the radiance a faerie deserved.

The two humans stood around waiting for Faye to react, or inspect her new belongings, their concerned thoughts filling the silence left by their own inhibitions.

“I shall inspect these objects later,” said Faye, “I should attend to Princess Phantasia as soon as possible.”

The humans glanced at one another as if somehow they could exchange the thoughts they were having Rembrandt Payne’s that Faye was as to-the-point as he had been expecting and Amber Thorburn’s that she was going to cause a lot of commotion among the students.

“You are not telepathic,” said Faye, “Attempting to exchange thoughts via the means of ocular contact is an illogical action.”

But then they did receive a psychic message, by way of a tiny astral projection shaped like a butterfly that rested on Rembrandt Payne’s shoulder. It spoke to their minds, but Faye assimilated the message before either human had a chance to react.

The Academy is under attack. Phantasia Celeste has been targeted.

***

Chapter 41
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