The grand oak doors closed behind him and Kurt immediately wasted no time in travelling the vast stone hallway. The walls were covered in the same strange ivy and vines that covered the exterior, except inside flowers bloomed, great buds that seemed to shift colour from lilac to sky blue as the light passed them. Despite their beauty Kurt couldnt find it in himself to linger on them and instead tried to look straight ahead at the fast approaching thrones. A dark skinned man rose from his aspen thrown to greet him, his silver hair that fell to the middle of his back shifting almost imperceptibly as he bowed in greeting. Kurt bowed low casting a cursory glance to the mans right to a petite girl, her hair as black as coal that remained seated, staring unblinkingly in his general direction.

When Gaël had said he would arrange a meeting with his father Kurt hadnt been expecting him to send a message ahead of them and to be meeting the king of the western fae not an hour after entering fae territories. Blaine had courteously stressed the need for urgency but Kurt had hoped for a little time to prepare. As the king settled back on his throne decorated in sheaths of fine blush silk Kurt straightened up determined to find more answers within the Green City than he did in the Milaukan caves. "I am Malik, King of the fae of the western lands, Gaël, my son tells me you have travelled here with our good friend Blaine, for an audience with me. What is it that you need from us?" Malik spoke softly, only full of curiosity and concern. Kurt was grateful that he welcomed accepted Kurt into his court.

"My village has been plagued by drought for months and many are sick or dying. I left to seek answers and a solution." Kurt paused, gauging Maliks reaction but he simply nodded and waved a hand to signal that he continue. "Elder Cerridwen said it might have something to do with a fae curse that was placed on the hoard when dragons first settled in the caves?" Kurt suggested.

"I know of the curse." Malik supplied. "Some of us possess power over the earth and all that comes from it. The ancients used it to protect the treasures of the Milaukan caves, at the Elders request." He looked away thoughtfully for a moment before turning his grey gaze back to Kurt. "Is there a possibility that anyone from your village couldve taken from the hoard?" He asked Kurt. The only person who sprung to Kurts mind was himself. "Blaine gave me two sapphires from a hoard when we were eight." He said sorrowfully, his heart heavy with the knowledge that he may be the reason Burt was sick. "No child," Malik placated, his expression kind and gentle, "Blaine is of dragon blood and he gave them to you willingly I bet." Maliks face was suddenly alight with a knowing grin which wouldve left Kurt confused if he had not been so overcome by his relief.

"The curse is only active when someone is in possession of protected items that have been stolen. Return all the stolen jewels in the thiefs possession and your village will be prosperous again." Malik said with finality as if he had found the solution to all Kurts problems. "But how would-" He trailed off "I sold one of them." He said in sudden realisation. "Yes?" Malik urged him to continue.

"My dad got really sick when I was 16. We didnt have any money for medicine so I sold one of the sapphires. Maybe the shopkeeper went looking for where it had come from and found the hoard." Kurt mused aloud, trying to remember that day and almost every day since in the hopes of finding some clue as to how he could fix this. "Its a possibility, Kurt." Malik replied, he ordered forth one of the guards, a woman with brilliant red hair. Kurt could not hear what Malik had said but the woman smiled as she passed him after being dismissed. "Youll need to travel home and find the culprit." He added with finality "We will provide you with supplies for whenever you wish to leave."

"Yes of course. Thank you very much for your help and your hospitality." Kurt smiled so wide his jaw started to ache. Maliks smile was bright and knowing "Anything for a friend of Blaines." He stood and bowed once more and Kurt bowed back, almost skipping on his way back down the hall.

He was just about to push open the oak doors when a hand touched his shoulder. He turned around and saw the girl who had been seated next to Malik. At first she startled him, she moved so quietly and effortlessly it was almost as if she were floating. She mustve followed him but in his haste and excitement to tell Blaine everything, his heart light with hope, he hadnt noticed her. She was devastatingly beautiful and her eyes were almost as black as coal. She smiled sweetly at him but he thought it strange that she was never quite looking directly at him. This was because, he soon realised, she was blind. Her voice was bright and cheerful as she spoke. "Hello Kurt, Im Skylar. Would you take a walk with me through the gardens before you go?"

They stepped out into the sunlight after Skylar led Kurt through countless passages within the castle until they came to another beautiful oak door, this time framed by intricate masonry of plants and flowers. She urged Kurt to push it open and laughed delightedly at the sound of his awed gasp. Arm in arm they started to explore the vast garden, following the limestone path as it trailed around flowers that dripped with golden nectar and statues of beasts hed never seen before. There was even a topiary bush of one of the birds he had seen circling the castles turrets. It was nature in a way Kurt had never seen it and it was obvious that someone lovingly cared for and cultivated it. "Its beautiful isnt it?" Skylar said, her fingertips dipping into the pool of water at the base of a dragon statue that instead of fire, had water pouring from its mouth. "How do you know?" Kurt asked before suddenly realising what hed said "I mean-"

"Calm down its okay," she said still smiling "I am blind but I can still see, sort of." Kurt looked at her quizzically. "My father told you that some of us have power over the earth and what comes from it, well that isnt strictly true." She sat neatly on an outcropping of rock, folding her hands on her knee. "We merely work with it in harmony, unlike the warlocks. Kurt, every living thing is connected, life and energy running from the smallest ant to the proudest fae. We can interact with the earth by seeking out and exchanging specific energies. It takes many years to be able to detect them and some do not possess the ability to at all."

Kurt sat in silence for a while pondering what Skylar had said. It was a lot to take in after years of feeling isolated. The idea that he was in someway intrinsically tethered to all of nature was a comforting one but like so many things he had already encountered, it would take him a long time to understand completely. "So thats how you see." Kurt said finally and Skylar beamed at him and nodded. "But why are you telling me all this?" Skylar bit her lip seemingly trying to decide on something. "Father asked me not to tell you."

"Well I dont want you to disobey him and get into trouble but Id really like to know." Kurt said, now desperate to know what she wasnt telling him. "I told you because you also have this ability, I can see it." Kurts mind was reeling, the words ringing in his ears. "Thats not possible Im mortal Im not-"

"You are."

.oO0Oo.

Kurt walked back to the oak doors that marked the entrance to the great castle alone and in a daze. Skylar had hugged him after their discussion, reaffirming that there was no doubt that he was half fae on his mothers side. She knew it was a lot for him to take in, so she said he was welcome to wander the gardens a little longer and think things through but he gratefully declined. He hurried back along the passageways desperate to tell Blaine all that he had learnt, but when he stepped out into the courtyard only Gaël stood waiting for him. "Kurt!" He called, jogging over to him from where he had been leaning against a wall. "How did it go? Did you find out what you needed?"

"Yeah, and then some." Kurt replied, "Where are Blaine and the twins?" Gaël laughed lightly and started to lead him away from the castle. "Tim and Magnus were giving him the run around so I had Caleb relieve him of them for a little while."

"I bet he let them go reluctantly." Kurt said with a smile, he adored how Blaine so cared for the twins. "Indeed but I assured him they were in capable hands. He kicked up a fuss when I told him to go and explore the city though. He was so worried that youd be mad or that you might need him." Gaël appraised Kurt as they walked through the gates and back out into the bustling market place. "You arent mad but you are troubled so I guess youd like to speak with him."

Kurt nodded and Gaëls grin widened, he seemed to always be smiling. "He said something about visiting the vineyard just beyond the city." He said grabbing Kurts wrist and tugging him unexpectedly in the direction of the city gates. "Ill take you to him." Kurt couldnt help but grin as they all but skipped through the city, the vibrant colours of the market stalls blurring together as they went. Already his heart felt lighter, despite only now learning about his true identity he found himself more and more overjoyed with the news as they approached the citys edge. The world around him was opening up, showing him things he never knew about himself. As they travelled down the valley and closer to the vineyard he could see in the distance, he felt his feet begin to tingle.