Chapter 29

Before Xander and Clara headed back, he stopped in front of her. "Look some of the cities people are not happy with a human princess and others are overjoyed. You will receive hate, but what you just did will change some of that hate before you've even met them. You possible saved a family member and you definitely saved some of the city people," Xander gave the quick pep talk or maybe it was warning. It was difficult for Clara to tell.

"I am the symbol of change in yet another place. I am fine with that," Clara gave him a reassured smile before going ahead of him back to the city. "I do appreciate the warning or pep talk but I'll be alright."

"Of course you will be," he said it so confidently that it made Clara blush.

They got back to the city in a few minutes, it was the entrance to the kingdom so it wasn't all that far. There was a crowd of people as they walked in and Xander had to step in front of Clara. Compared to other fairies Xander did still stand out. He was more lean and muscles than others but maybe that's because he was guard. "Princess!" one of the fairies, a lady moved in between Clara and Xander.

"Uh yes?" Clara stumbled a bit. She had almost ran into the women.

"You must have used a lot of your power right? To make sure everyone was safe and to get rid of those ogres!" The women held her hand out. "My power is to restore others power. I'd like to restore yours. It can take a while to regenerate and with your coronation tomorrow I wouldn't want you tired."

"Of course. That is very sweet of you," Clara grabbed the women's outstretched hand carefully. "I really appreciate this."

"Of course. Anything for you Princess," she bowed her head a little as she restored Clara's ability.

"That's much better," Clara took her hand away. She wasn't fully restored but it was close enough. Since Clara had never messed with that type of power, she didn't know how it would effect her abilities.

"I am so glad," the women stepped out of the way and this time Xander grabbed Clara's wrist.

"That shouldn't have been able to happen," he muttered just enough for Clara and those closest to hear. "It was a good thing though. You did use a lot of your ability and it has a limit to how much. It will drain you and you don't want to look drained tomorrow."

"Yeah I know," Clara smiled at everyone as Xander led her back to the castle. "Hey is there like a record of what goes on during the year? For like, all the years that its been recorded," Clara knew she could research about the sword in them maybe. It was a massive event so even if it was just a written account from another perspective that's just fine.

"Yeah it dates back thousands of years ago. Might I know why?" Xander had walked them back into the castle and stopped on the bottom floor.

"You know my destiny right?" Clara went and looked around the room.

"Yes I do," Xander stayed in the middle of the room but never took his eyes off of Clara. It was as if something could jump out of the corners but after the attack, it wouldn't surprise Clara.

"Well maybe the fairy queen at the time had written it down. Like what exactly happened and what she knew about the sword," Clara was staring at one of the art works. It was of Lillian when she was much younger, probably around Clara's age. "Also, what happened forty years ago?"

"That is something for the Queen to tell you Clara. I have no place," Xander bowed his head slightly and Clara knew he wasn't joking. "She will tell you when she's ready to."

"Of course. It sounds tragic," Clara went back to looking at different old artifacts around the room. Some were pottery and others were old gadgets that would be seen as new in the other world. They were so advanced but the date was over two hundred years old. One Clara believed was the first hologram like how their impairtors are but not as advanced.

"It was but it was before my time so I only ever heard about. That is also why I am not the one to explain it," Xander began to walk over to what Clara was looking at. "Let's go find those books that you wanted though."

"Yes maybe have someone get Avery and Emmett? It would make it go much faster," Clara needed the help honestly. It wouldn't be too hard for her to get the information she wanted but it would be time consuming and boring.

"It's a Royal library so unfortunately they cannot enter nor can they read anything from this library. I'm only allowed in because I am your guard and I'm also allowed to help. Servants can go in but only at yours or the Queen's request," Xander explained all the rules as they walked into the library. When they walked in though, they were faced with a man Clara didn't know. "Duke of Nacra, what are you doing here?"

"Well I am here because I learned we are just letting anyone become a princess. Even a human girl!" The Duke looked at Clara and his eyes ran up and down her.

"That is not what's happening at all, your grace. I am sorry you think that way but you know better. This is a Royal only library which means two people have access and can give access. I am assuming the Queen does not know you are here," Xander had slightly bowed towards the Duke. Clara didn't think she had to so she didn't.

"Well I wanted to see what the girl looked like before I went to see her. I see I was right about it just being a little girl though. You can't run a kingdom," The Duke had turned his attention to Clara. She was nervous but that wouldn't stop her.

"I am sorry you got the idea that I would be running a kingdom. I am simply a princess and I will not be taking the throne. That's not mine to have," Clara moved to the other side of the Duke.

"Well good to know you know that place. I am still going to have a conversation with my Queen of this issue," The Duke began to head out.

"Make sure you mention how you are questioning her actions. I am sure that'll put her in a great mood," Clara turned and smiled at him as he walked out.

"I should go talk to the Queen as well," Xander rubbed his head slightly.

"No need. I trust Lillian," Clara began looking through the books. "Do you know what queen was ruling during the time period I need?"

"That would be Queen Susizz which is good. She kept great records of everything happening at the time. That type of incident would be written down by her, even if it didn't happen in the Fairy Kingdom. She was known for her record keeping actually. That time is well know with the details of battle she had written and why," Xander walked over to a section labeled Queen Susizz.

"Her own section and everything. It's massive," Clara looked around at all the different books quickly. "So what years are we looking for?"

"I'd assume it was in the middle of her rule so probably about 1,050 years ago. Councilman Brento would've been in school so it lines up," Xander stopped in front of those years. The decade of 950 was the name on the spine.

It wasn't in bad condition like Clara believed it would be but actually almost perfect condition. Slight yellowing of the spine but otherwise there was no way to tell it was older than ten years. "There's no way these are the original. There isn't any damage that would indicate more than a decade old."

"They aren't the originals but they are still old, around three hundred years or so. That's when Faeries switched to mainly speaking English and therefore the originals became useless. They were in the Faeries original language," Xander grabbed the book. He wasn't gentle either, like many humans in the other world would have been. Clara doubt any books that old would be legible today.

Xander flipped through the book looking at dates until he found one that was really long, and very well detailed. Each had a title too, this one was called the change. "Well that's ironic isn't it? Hopefully the sword isn't what the group is looking for though," Clara was doing her best to read over Xander's shoulder.

"It's definitely not. I've been with the group for a while and I know their intentions are good. I've been around there since I learned it wanted to make you the new leader, long before you'd ever even been found." Xander handed me the book and turned. "Let's get you back to your adoptive families room. Hopefully you won't mind but yours was a little destroyed."

"I don't mind at all," Clara smiled and marked the page with a scrap paper she saw on a nearby desk. "And this will remain out of reach for anyone. I know tomorrow is the ceremony but I need to get through this book before I leave."

"My Queen won't mind you taking it with you. You have full access and can borrow anything. Ask her for anything as well, she thinks of you as her own too and wants you to be successful. That's the reason for becoming a princess, she is claiming you as her own when doing so as well. Any threat against you, is a threat against her and the whole Kingdom. Humans do not share the same loyalty, you don't have the same loyalty as a human though. Learn anything and everything," Xander began leading Clara. He was a really long speech type of person sometimes.

"And any threat against her or the kingdom is one against me. I don't take threats lightly either," Clara held her head high. Even as they began walking through the crowded main hallway and everyone was staring and whispering, all the way to the room her adoptive family was in. "Thank you Xander. You should take a rest by the way. Need you fresh tomorrow too."

"I will have the female fairy take over. Her name is Amara and she's one of the best but she also isn't uptight. You'll like her," Xander dipped his head as he walked away. I went to open the door but this time, it was opened for me by the guard.

"No Princess opens a door," he dipped his head as he gave a smile.

"Neither should a guard in my opinion. Plus I like opening doors, much more dramatic," Clara smiled as the guard slightly chuckled. "Hello?"

"Oh Clara I hope you don't mind but I had to take Avery here since well your room is rather destroyed. It's not your permanent room though, you'll pick that out tomorrow evening. I'm so excited," Lillian smiled as Avery had sat up. He gave Clara a shy wave as they had a lot to talk about. "Also next time," Lillian began as she went close to Clara, "Please don't take more than you can handle. You have two fates now."

"It'll be an excuse to visit you Lillian," Clara laughed as she gave Lillian a quick hug. "Thank you for healing him as well. It does mean a lot to me. I hate when I can't heal the people I care about."

"We all know that," Avery commented from the other side of the room which got Lillian laughing. At least he wasn't being too quiet.

"I will be here in the morning to help you get ready. Enjoy your night Clara," Lillian shut the door gently behind her.

"Thanks for asking Lillian to heal me. Although the poison wasn't close to my heart, it wasn't exactly a weak poison. Also, no leading ogres out of here without me." Avery laughed as he stood up. Already two more beds had placed in the room for Clara and her sister.

"Anytime Avery. Hopefully my family hasn't been too much of a handful. The guard outside will take you back to your room," Clara smiled as the door already began to open. "Tomorrow, everything changes yet again."

"Always does with you around. Maybe now it won't upset my parents as much since you'll have royalty status," he rolled his eyes with a laugh before heading back to his room following the guard.

"How are you guys? I hope everything has been okay. I wish I could have gotten you home sooner," Clara sat on the double bed placed in a corner. It was the same size room as hers was. All the guest rooms must be that size or it's a just coincidence that they matched.

"That's okay honey. Your life is very crazy right now and we expect nothing more than what you are able to do. You should probably rest. Don't need to be tired for your big day," Clara's adoptive mom walked over with a smile. "I've got some pjs we can get on you."

"Thanks mom," Clara spun around on the bed with the back of the dress facing her mom and the book tucked under her hand.

"What's the book on? the 950s... what could possible have you interested that far back?" She began questioning. Nothing would change with that, as Clara's mom has always asked about what she was reading. It didn't matter if it was the encyclopedias or just a random book on all birds and Clara hoped that never changed.

"I actually can't tell you about it. It's about something that only even a select people in this world know about. It's part of that destiny and fate you keep hearing about," Clara tried to explain it simply. There really was no way to with a very concerned mother. "It's why I am so powerful. It's also why I don't know if you'll be allowed to keep your memories.."

"Actually Lillian talked to us about that. She said that as long as we leave from here and allow you to lock our memories, we can keep them. She knows how happy you would be if you could come visit and sometimes when you are here, she let you over for a visit. Lillian is very lovely and caring," Clara's mom just threw that out there. Clara had no idea Lillian was going to talk about this with them but she also knew Lillian was trying to make life good for her.

"I didn't realize that she was going to talk to you about that. It might cause some issues as you are human and the council is in charge of humans. You are humans from a different world though so maybe that could be the loop hole. Nothing new though with me causing issues, " Clara smiled as she let her mom unzip her dress. Her dad had gone into the bathroom so it wasn't entirely awkward. Her and her sister have gotten dressed together before.

"Lillian brought it up entirely on her own. Did you happen to say something about it?" Clara's mom had gotten her out of the crazy complicated but beautiful dress.

"No but the guard, Xander has been around me since I came in so he knew about it. He is also very caring," Clara smiled as she got into the pjs. She guessed Xander had listened to her crying about losing her family, how much it would mean if she could visit them. He wasn't entirely strict and uptight.

There was a light knock on the door before it opened up enough to allow a person in. "My Princess, I am your other guard, Amara. Xander said he mentioned me taking over for the night?" She gave a light curtsey.

"Of course and please just call me Clara. I am far from a real princess here," Clara got up quickly and rushed over. "Plus that title will get me bullied more in school than already."

"You still get bullied here?" Clara's dad had step out of the bathroom when he realized there was another person in the room.

"I am a sign of the world changing here, dad. I have friends though and I'm happy here for the most part. I miss you guys though," Clara's face had softened and she never realized it had gone to such a rigid look.

"As long as you are happy. It is going to be hard only seeing you once a year," Her dad smiled back at Clara.

"We can talk. I will work on getting my telepath stronger or I'll find some other way that we can talk," Clara promised as she went back to her bed and sat at the top. "Anyways it's a pleasure to meet you Amara. I am glad to have you as a guard. "

"Of course. I enjoy exploring the human cities. I haven't been over there since I was four. I am very excited," Amara smiled as she stepped out, gently shutting the door as she went.

With that it was time to sleep.. the lights went out and the family all whispered good night before giggling. They weren't going to disturb anyone by saying it at a normal volume. Later into the night Clara's dreams changed from the darkness she was so used to now... The monsters that lurked in the darkness of the kidnapping. The feeling she may never be safe and what it has done to both her families. The target being a human princess to the fairy kingdom will also put on her back but she knew it brought so much more to her life.

When they shifted though, it was to that place Xander takes her but it felt different. This wasn't Xander's ability or anyone she knew.. She was faced with a tall man, dark grey eyes and just staring at her with the creepiest smile she believed was possible.

"Hello again," the man whispered as he passed the threshold Xander's dreams held. "You seem to have gotten yourself quite the protection but you won't when you are asleep. You won't ever be safe Clara. You know that."

"Soma Heartfelt or well that's who you were playing right? Cause that man doesn't exist and never has. Maybe you should've picked a better disguise or just keep yourself hidden. Fairies are good at that right? Making different disguises and altering your voice. Is this your real one? Can you change it in this dream? That's pretty interesting," Clara simply sat on the floor. Suddenly the dark room had formed around her... the room her family was sleeping in.

"I know where you are, I always will and I'll always know where your family is. Just a warning," the fairy didn't scare Clara. Not here, not when she could easily find him too.

"I know where you are too. Distractions are great aren't they? Too busy thinking about how to scare me you didn't even feel me. You tried with me already, I could feel you but my mind is simply too strong," Clara smiled as she forced the room to change to the dingy room he was in. It was dark and cold.. so cold and and she could tell it was underground.

"Come get me then," The man smiled as he looked down at Clara.

"Cause you can't get me now?" Clara laughed at him before snapping the connect he had made. She hated that he could change her dreams, change what she was seeing and that he could talk to her.

"Clara? you were sending crazy emotions," Emmett whispered very softly behind me. The sun had just risen, as outside the window the sky was a beautiful pink shade.

"I didn't mean to I'm sorry," Clara got up and stretched. "How pretty."

"Yeah, it's very early though. Try to sleep again okay? I will come back if you need to be calmed," he smiled as he left. Clara knew he'd show up if her emotions were as bad as she believed. Hopefully she tricked the fairy, and hopefully he would be foolish enough to try and catch her off guard again.

Clara decided to head to the dining room with the open ceiling to watch the sky. Amara was right behind her like Clara expected but Amara didn't ask her a single question. "You felt him didn't you? The fairy."

"Yes I did. I don't have the same power as Xander so there was nothing I could've done but I know he was there. I hated not being able to help," Amara slightly hung her head as she talked. It was like she had failed Clara but that's not what Clara thought. Amara couldn't do anything.

"Don't worry. He'll get too confident eventually. I will be right there to get him with you and Xander by my side," Clara hugged Amara. It was her way to tell Amara she didn't fail her. While Clara may have Amara around for the rest of her life as a guard, she didn't want either her or Xander to be just her guard but her friends.

"Yeah. I'm going to have someone posted with me tomorrow that also has Xander's powers. There aren't many of them so maybe he can figure it out," Amara had hugged Clara back before stepping aside.

Clara looked up into the sky as the new day was upon her and it was time to face a different world yet again. Clara was the leader of far too many things now but at least this wouldn't cause her stress and her position in the group The Change was more symbolic for awhile. There's only so much a thirteen year old can take in a year.