The last Vile Fairy
Mathew POV
Deep in the forest, nestled in the mountains, stood the grand castle of the Royal Howard family.
The Howards ruled over a small but loyal village hidden beneath the trees. The people knew them best for their brave and noble king, Elijah, and his beloved wife, Queen Charlotte. They had two children: Arden, their spirited youngest daughter, and Mathew, the eldest son—next in line for the throne.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Mathew, like every evening, practiced with his bow and arrow. As the future king, he was determined to master the art of both sword fighting and archery.
He refused to be a disappointment to his kingdom.
Holding the arrow steady, Mathew aimed at the target board. He took a deep breath, focused all his energy, and released. The arrow sliced through the air and struck the bulls eye dead center.
A smile spread across his face, and his bright blue eyes lit up with pride. He was getting better every day.
"Wow," came a familiar voice beside him.
Mathew glanced over and saw Arden watching him with admiration. "Looks like you're getting better than Father," she teased. "He might have to start watching his back."
Mathew chuckled and smirked as he reached for another carved wooden arrow.
"Don't fool yourself," he replied. "Father's got years of experience on his side."
He nocked the arrow, took aim, and fired. This time, it landed just above the center ring.
From beside him, Arden let out a knowing smirk.
Mathew turned to her with a playful grin. "Well, that one was a little off."
Arden giggled and, through her laughter, said, "I actually came to tell you—Father is asking for you. He wants you to ride with him into the forest."
Mathew raised an eyebrow, confused. "The forest? At this hour?"
Arden's blue eyes sparkled. "He said there's something he wants you to see."
Mathew frowned slightly and set his bow aside. "Strange. It's not like him to request something like that this late in the day."
Arden only shrugged before turning and running back toward the castle, her laughter echoing behind her.
Mathew followed soon after, heading inside to find out what his father had planned.
Mathew found his father waiting at the front of the castle, where two white horses stood saddled and ready. When Elijah noticed his son approaching, a warm smile spread across his weathered face, the wrinkles beside his eyes deepening with age and fondness.
"There's my son," King Elijah said, his voice filled with pride.
Mathew returned the smile, though curiosity tugged at him. As he ran a hand through his dark hair, he couldn't help but wonder what this sudden ride into the forest was really about.
"Father," he said as he stepped up to him, "Arden said you wanted to see me—that you wish to ride into the forest?"
Elijah's blue eyes brightened, though his brow furrowed slightly, a shadow of seriousness crossing his face.
"There is something I want to show you," the king replied. "But it is only meant for the eyes of a king—and a future king."
Mathew drew in a deep breath and glanced at the two guards standing by, each holding the reins of the horses. The stillness in the air hinted at something important.
"It sounds like this means a great deal to you," he said, returning his gaze to his father.
"It does," Elijah confirmed, turning toward one of the horses. "Shall we?"
With the help of a guard, the king mounted his horse. Mathew followed suit, gripping the saddle and pulling himself up before taking hold of the reins.
The guards stepped back and released the horses. With a soft nudge, Mathew and his father began their ride toward the great gates of the kingdom, the fading sunlight casting long shadows as they ventured toward the unknown.
Queen Evelyn
As the sun set deep within the forested mountains, a small and ancient group of fairies known as the Vila lived hidden among the trees.
They were among the last of their kind, living peacefully alongside the playful pixies. The Vila's homes were nestled in the tall trees and among the sacred mushroom rings that dotted the forest floor.
Guardians of nature, they could be found dancing near lakes, whispering in the trees, and sometimes even riding the clouds.
This small circle of Vila fairies was ruled by Queen Evelyn, a wise and powerful leader, and her graceful daughter, Willow. Each evening, as the day came to a close, Queen Evelyn would use her magic to gently lull the flowers to sleep. Her long, radiant, golden hair shimmered in the last sun reflection, and she was admired for both her beauty and her bravery.
Among the Vila, only Willow rivaled her in grace, though she did not share her mother's golden hair, taking more after her late human father, she still held a rare and striking beauty.
As Evelyn sprinkled her final pinch of flower-dust over a tulip, causing it to close its petals and drift into slumber, she heard a familiar voice behind her.
"I thought I'd find you here," came the voice of her brother, Clyde.
Since the passing of Willow's father, Clyde had stepped in to help Queen Evelyn rule the forest realm. A tired smile crossed Evelyn's face as she turned to him.
"As Queen, it's my duty to make sure the flowers sleep peacefully," she said softly. But her smile faltered as a wave of weakness swept through her. Exhausted, she lowered herself onto a nearby tree stump.
"Evelyn, you can't keep going like this," Clyde said, concern in his voice. "Let Willow take your power. Let her carry on so you can finally rest."
Evelyn let out a heavy sigh and looked up at her brother.
"She can only inherit my power if she marries and becomes queen," she said quietly.
Clyde's emerald eyes darkened with thought. "Then let her marry Tyron's eldest son, Everest . It's the only way."
Evelyn's heart grew heavy. She had no desire to force Willow into a marriage, not even with a noble like Everest. Yet she could feel her magic weakening by the day. Her strength was bound to the forest's flowers—flowers that men from distant kingdoms often came to steal power from. And each time one was plucked, a piece of her faded.
"I won't force Willow into marriage," Evelyn said, rising slowly. "I can still go on—I just have to take it easier."
Clyde stepped closer, his eyes filled with worry. "Willow deserves to know the truth—that you are dying and that the forest needs her."
Evelyn inhaled deeply, her voice barely a whisper. "I know. But the choice must be hers. If she chooses to marry and take the crown, it must be her decision, not mine."
Though her body was weakening, Evelyn remained determined to be strong for her daughter and for the Vila. There was still much left to do, and the pixie fairies needed her guidance, too.
Willow POV
While her mother tended to her duties as Queen, Willow was more a child of nature than of the crown.
She spent her afternoons ensuring all the forest creatures—especially the baby reindeer—had safely returned to their mothers, and that the squirrels had scurried home to their nests before nightfall.
Unlike the other fairies, Willow had not yet inherited any magical powers. Still, she was strong in spirit, kind at heart, and fiercely certain of what she wanted in life. Her father had died when she was very young, and ever since, she had been raised by her mother, her uncle Clyde, and the nurturing women of the Vila.
She tried to find beauty in every little thing she did.
"There you go, little one," Willow said softly as she gently guided a baby reindeer back to its mother. The mother deer bowed her head in gratitude, and Willow's heart swelled with joy as she watched the small reindeer nestle close to its mother.
"Now you're a family again," she whispered with a smile.
Watching the pair curl up together beneath a great old tree filled her with quiet happiness. But as she turned to continue her evening walk, she froze.
Everest.
Leaning casually against the tall trunk of a nearby tree, arms crossed, stood the elf prince. The last rays of sunlight filtered through the trees, casting a silver glow on his golden hair and sharpening the brilliance of his piercing blue eyes.
"Everest," Willow greeted him, catching her breath. He was handsome, as always, and though they had grown up together, something about seeing him now under the amber light made her heart beat a little faster. Their mothers had been allies for years, and Willow had known Everest's family almost as well as her own.
"Don't you ever get tired of that kind heart of yours?" he asked, tilting his head with a slight smirk. "Always helping the animals like this."
Willow laughed softly and turned to walk again, only to spot a bunny struggling nearby—its tiny leg caught between a tangle of twigs. She rushed over, knelt down, and carefully freed the little creature. Once released, the bunny gave a tiny hop and disappeared into the underbrush.
She stood up and met Everest's gaze.
"No," she said, smiling warmly. "Why should I? The forest needs fairies like us."
Their eyes locked, and for a moment, the world seemed to hush around them. Then, without another word, Willow continued deeper into the forest, her steps light and purposeful. Naturally, Everest followed.
The leaves crackled under her feet as she walked, feeling the dirt beneath her bare toes. She could fly if she wanted, but sometimes she loved the grounding sensation of soil, trees, and fallen leaves beneath her feet.
As she walked, she heard Everest's warm voice from behind her.
"So, when are you going to answer the question I asked you?"
A smile crossed her lips. She hadn't forgotten. She froze in her steps and turned to him, her eyes meeting his. Her breath nearly caught as she took in his striking ocean-blue eyes and the brightness of his handsome smile.
"I haven't forgotten your question," she said softly.
The question. The big one—his proposal of marriage. He had asked her near the lake one day, but she hadn't answered. He was an elf, and she a fairy. They had known each other their whole lives. That was exactly why she couldn't respond right away—she had been overwhelmed.
"But you're still thinking about it," Everest said, stepping closer.
Her heart raced as he neared, towering gently over her. She looked up, her breath unsteady, nerves fluttering in her chest.
"I know you want an answer," she whispered.
His hand found her cheek, gently tucking a strand of her brown hair behind her ear. Their eyes met, and in that moment, the world seemed to fall still.
"Willow," he said tenderly, "I want you to be my wife. But I would never force you."
Her heart nearly stopped. She had loved Everest for a long time—she just hadn't told him. Fear held her back. The thought of leaving her mother behind weighed heavily on her heart. Even though she loved him, even though her heart already belonged to him, she still couldn't find the courage to say yes.
His touch was warm as his hand remained on her cheek. Her breath hitched in her throat, and her body shivered at the softness of his fingers. She knew Everest would never force her, never push her beyond what she was ready for—but the fear of giving him all of herself still lingered.
She had loved him for as long as she could remember. Ever since they were little kids, she'd harbored a secret crush. She still remembered the first time their lips touched—on his birthday. She had given him a small gift, and in return, he kissed her gently on the lips. They were only children then, but her heart had never forgotten.
"Everest…" she whispered, his name barely audible.
She wanted to tell him the truth—to let the words finally spill from her soul—but just as she opened her mouth, a terrible scream tore through the forest air.
A woman's scream.
Willow's breath caught. Her body stiffened. That voice—she knew it.
"Blossom," she gasped.
Her friend.
She stepped backward, eyes wide, and her hand flew to the small dagger she kept at her side. Without another word, she turned and bolted toward the direction the scream had come from, her wings tucked tight against her back to avoid the branches.
"Willow!" Everest called, already racing after her.
Leaves rustled and twigs snapped beneath their feet as they tore through the forest, the calm of the moment shattered—replaced by fear, urgency, and the unknown.