Whispering Suits

I feel the pull of the words, people have used my name before but this is different. I feel compelled to sit, it isn't a choice, it's like a force is reaching inside of me and pulling me towards the bench. I try to resist, but the feeling starts to burn and the pain is unbearable. It doesn't stop hurting until I give in and walk towards the bench, sitting down next to Maya. So, this must be the power of knowing someone's true name, it makes me feel slightly sick wondering what else she could make me do. The bench is cold and slightly wet, and I would ask how long Maya plans on keeping me here but I'm not itching to piss her off. She seems eerily calm, her focus is currently on her perfectly manicured nails as she holds them up to the dim sunlight. “You know, I always considered myself a very reasonable Faerie.” She says, and I'm not sure if she's talking to herself or to me. She folds her hands back together. “I never wanted to be like my mother, you see, she was cruel and cold and the peace between Spring and Summer was always slightly tenuous thanks to her dramatic nature. I vowed to myself to be better. But, if there is one virtue I admired in my mother, it was that she never stood for disrespect. And yet, I find the respect and reverence I rightly deserve is lacking” Maya's tone is cold and deliberate. I take a steadying breath. “I never meant any disrespect. If I have offended you or caused harm, that was not my intention”. I stop short of saying ‘I’m sorry’, I can’t risk giving her any more power over me than she already has. Maya turns her head to look at me, her perfect blond curls cascading over her shoulder. She would be beautiful if she wasn’t clearly so fucking crazy. “I have always disliked mortals. You are all so weak, and pathetic, it makes me sick. But you…I despise you”. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see the Faerie who led me here joining three others standing nearby. They all look at me like starving dogs looking at a Feast. I bring my focus back to Maya, from the lessons I’ve had with Cyrus, I know all she would have to do is snap her fingers and her Faeries will tear me limb from limb for no other reason than to bring her pleasure. “You don’t know me” I finally respond, not knowing what else to say. Maya leans back her head and cackles, the sound rings through my ears like a loud bell being struck too fast. “Oh my, tenacious little thing aren’t you. Is this how you have won him over? The confidence, it is impressive I must say.” she stops laughing and turns to face me. “I know what I need to know. Surely, you didn’t expect I would just sit by while poor Cyrus got himself caught up with the likes of you.” I open my mouth to protest, but with a quick movement of her hand I feel my lips forced shut. I can’t speak. “That is quite enough out of you. I have far more precious things to do with my time than to waste them arguing with the likes of you. Now, I would be more than happy to get rid of you the good-old-fashioned way, but I’ve been told it’s impolite to break other’s toys. So, listen well, because I won’t say this again.” Maya stands, tossing her white scarf over her neck in a dramatic swoop. She stares at me, the whites of her eyes are tinged with black and her green irises have grown from a light sage colour to a deep emerald. She is making a show of force by temporarily removing the glamour from her eyes, so that I can see her true power. “You are to abandon the ridiculous deal you made with Cyrus. You are to release him, without penalty, immediately and once you have done so you are to stay away from him. Am I clear, little mouse? You may speak to confirm you have understood.” Maya waves her hand again, and I feel my mouth relax. I try my best to meet Maya’s gaze. “No.” I say, the word sounding out against the cold morning air. Maya’s eyes narrow into two slits, and I barely see the movement as her arm pulls back. I do feel where her hand connects with my face, the slap is so forceful I find myself bent over the bench. I instinctively rub my jaw where she hit me, and I can feel the swelling immediately. “Try again, little mouse. I must have misheard you.” She says, her tone betrays that she enjoyed that slap more than I expected. She’s going to kill me. If I don’t agree, if I don’t say what she wants, then she is going to kill me. But, I suppose like mother like daughter, I’ve never been one to stand down from a fight. I sit myself up-right and meet her stare again. “I said No. Or are you deaf as well as stupid”. I say, almost spitting out the words. Maya slaps me again, harder this time. I’m left reeling, my head is spinning and my vision is blurred. I spit out the blood pooling in my mouth and try to seem unfazed. “You vile, pathetic, miserable waste of life!” Maya screeches, punctuating each insult with another hit. I collapse onto the bench beneath me, I grip the bench for support and try to catch my breath. Through my blurry vision, I can just about make out Maya pulling her arm back for another punch. “STOP!” Cyrus’s voice rings out. I try to turn my head to see where he is, but the movement makes me dizzier and I slump onto the bench. I manage to open one eye, and can see Cyrus approaching Maya. The venomous look in her eyes has been replaced by a softness, and I can just about make out that her eyes have returned to their bright and innocent look. She doesn’t want Cyrus to see her without her glamour in place. “Cyrus, darling, how lovely to see you. Please, don’t worry yourself. Indigo and I were just talking things over, she’s ready to let you out of that horrid deal she tricked you into. Isn’t that right, Indigo?” Maya says, her voice dripping with a mix of coyness and malice. I feel the pull of Maya’s words immediately. I can feel the words forming in my mind, what she is ordering me to say. My body moves against my will, I find myself standing up like the pain isn’t excruciating. I clench my swollen jaw as tight as I can manage. She will have to do better than that if she wants me to sacrifice the only thing currently keeping me alive. But the pain, it’s like someone has covered me in fire ants and they’re biting at my skin. It’s hot and painful and I finally let my mouth fall open to let out a cry of pain. I feel heat as an arm comes around my shoulder and I know it’s Cyrus, his warmth is so distinct I feel I could recognise it anywhere. “Indigo, it’s ok. I’m here now. You don’t have to say a thing”. I open my eyes as the pain vanishes in an instant. I slump into his embrace, the exhaustion taking over me. I can’t see Maya, but I can hear her as she moves towards where we stand. Cyrus moves his gaze from me to her, his eyes growing bright and full of flame. “Maya, out of respect for you and your court, I will not take action against you for what you have done today. But rest assured, Indigo Warren is under my protection. Their deal with me is mine to manage. And should I ever hear of you, or any of your court, hurting them again, then I will not hesitate to end the alliance between our courts. Do you understand, they are my property. I will not stand for my property being damaged or disrespected”. Cyrus’s tone is heavy, missing his usual charm. I don’t like being called property, but I’m too injured to argue. I can make out Maya’s lips moving, but I can’t hear what she says. I feel the world spin and swell, and everything goes black.