Butterfly Fae Boyfriend: Lumineux Part One (complete)

A heavy rain pours down and all I can see are the lights of the inn before me. I’m anxious to get out of the storm and find somewhere warm and dry to sit and rest for a spell. Taking my sleeping son I cover him with my coat to make sure he doesn’t wake or get wet as I go into the inn.

Inside, I see there are tables and chairs and people are lingering around, having coffee, a warm meal, and probably trying to escape the torrential rain like I am. A woman comes towards me as I stand dripping at the door. 

“Can I help you, sir?” She asks me. She starts to take my coat but I hold it fast, not wanting her to see my son. I then relent and let her hang the wet coat aside.

“Is there a room?” I ask. “I also wouldn’t mind something to eat.”

The woman marvels at Lulëzim as he’s snuggled in my arms. “What a cute baby!” She coos. “And of course, if you’ll have a seat anywhere, I’ll start getting a room ready and someone will come take your order.”

I sit down at a table towards the back, not wanting anyone to stare at us. Lulëzim starts to wake up and he gets a horrible, cranky face.

“Oh no,” I whisper and try to combat the uprising swell of tears. “No, no, Lulzy, no no,” I rock him and bounce him, but he eventually bursts into a raging fit of tears and screams. I close my eyes, not wanting to see the stares of people around us. I’ve never had to be a parent before, Lulëzim was unplanned and his mother handed him over to me before she vanished. I am doing everything for my son that a father possibly can, but I am at a loss.

“Hey, it’s ok.” A gentle voice coaxes.

I look up and see a tall man standing over me. His long black hair hangs off his shoulders and his gentle eyes look at me and the baby. 

“Is everything alright?” He asks.

I sigh and rub Lulëzim’s back as he fusses. “We’ve been traveling for a few days. I know he’s cranky from that. He’s probably just hungry.”

“May I see him?” The man holds out his hands. “I’m a single father myself, perhaps I could help you.”

I look him over, knowing I shouldn’t trust a complete stranger I just met, but I am at my wit’s end. I place Lulëzim in his hands and the man holds him. He looks over my son while he cries then adjusts the blanket around him. Lulëzim’s feet kick out and he stretches and raises his hands above his head.

“You swaddled him just a bit too tight,” the man chuckles. “And I think his diaper is overflowing.” He rocks Lulëzim for a moment before handing him back. 

“Oh no,” I whisper.

“Something wrong?” The man takes a seat beside me.

“I left my bag outside.” I glance towards the door as lightning flashes brilliantly outside. I sigh and shake my head. “All his clothes and diapers.”

The man stands up. “Wait just one second.” He then turns to a woman sitting at a table. “Bron, will you get this poor man something dry from my things? I’ll be right back.”

The woman stands up and opens up a satchel by the table. She pulls out a warm sweater and walks over to me. “Aww, how old is he?” She asks. 

“Two months.” I sigh.

“He’s practically new!” Bron smiles at the baby and I notice a sad look to her eyes. “Oh, here.” She offers the sweater. “I’ll hold him while you put this on.”

I let her hold Lulëzim as I tug the sweater on. Already, I feel much better just wearing something warm and dry. “Who was that man?” I ask.

“That’s Mr. Faire,” she replies. “We’re part of a traveling carnival. We just came from a performance and we stopped due to the storm. Mr. Faire wanted some coffee, so a few of us joined him here.” She coos over Lulëzim and giggles as he tries to grab her hair. “Such a handsome little butterfly,” she whispers.

Mr. Faire comes back inside, soaking wet and hugging my bag to his chest. He sets it down on the table and wipes his soaking hair from his face. “There we are.”

Bron removes the blanket from around Lulëzim and I gasp when they see his small wings. He was born with a defect; his left upper and lower wings are incomplete, bits of them are missing and there are holes. 

Mr. Faire lays the blanket on the table and places squirmy Lulëzim there. “Was he hurt?” He whispers to me as I change the diaper. 

“No.” I keep my jaw stiff as I clean Lulëzim. 

“Poor thing,” Bron murmurs.

I put new clothes on Lulëzim and hold him back to my chest, covering his wings with the blanket. “It is nothing for you to be concerned about,” I grumble. “This is my burden.”

Mr. Faire’s brow pinches and he glares at me. “Not a burden,” he huffs. “Your son may have this defect, but it is not a burden.”

“You’re not a butterfly, you don’t understand!” I snap at him. I sit back down and press my cheek to Lulëzim’s hair. “Not having his wings is a death sentence.” I squeeze my arm around him. “That’s why I had to leave. Something like this often calls for the child to be put out of its misery.”

A look flashes over Mr. Faire’s face and he grips his fists tight. “Is this true?”

“Unfortunately, it is.” I sigh. “I was so scared for my son, I didn’t know what to do. I just up and left in the night.”

“What about his mother?” Bron gasps.

I sigh and shake my head. “She gave him up. She left him with me as soon as he was born. She wanted nothing to do with him. She left the castle, the kingdom, she just vanished into thin air.”

Mr. Faire’s head tilts back and his eyes go a bit wide. “Castle?”

I duck my head down. “Please pretend like you didn’t hear that.”

The waitress comes over and takes my order. Mr. Faire orders more coffee and then sits down beside me at the table. 

“I told you, I am a father too, and everything I do is for my children.” His eyes are gentle again and his voice is a soothing change from what I’ve grown used to. “I can tell you’re trying to save your son, but maybe there is something I can do.”

“A carnival barker?” I laugh. “What could you do?”

Mr. Faire’s smile is smug. “Don’t count me out just yet. Many of my children have admirable skills and talents. One is a doctor, and he’s very good.”

I frown at him. “You look younger than me, how can you have a son who is a doctor?”

Mr. Faire smirks. “I have a good skincare routine, let’s leave it at that.” He smiles as his coffee is delivered and a warm plate of food is set before me. I am also given milk for Lulëzim in a prepared bottle. 

Mr. Faire holds Lulëzim while I eat, scarfing down the food as all I’ve eaten the past few days are the rations I took with me. 

“What did your doctors say when they examined him?” Mr. Faire asks. “Did they say there was something that could be done? Or was it an instant suggestion of a mercy killing?”

“That’s why I left,” I say with a nod. “I had known that was how things were, but I didn’t realize how horrible it was until-” I grimace. “I hate to say, but-”

“Until it happened to you?” Mr. Faire asks. “It’s a shame it came to that for you to realize some of the horror in this world.” He places Lulëzim on his shoulder and starts patting his back. “So what sort of royalty are you? Better yet, what should I call you?”

My shoulders slouch low as I exhale. “Lumineux,” I answer. “And I’m the king of Monclarate.”

Mr. Faire is more affected by Lulëzim’s mighty burp than my confession. He cheers and giggles with Lulëzim who seems proud of his work. “Well then, I suppose you have that liberty to run away from your problems.” 

“I didn’t know what else to do.” I hang my head in my hands. “I panicked! I didn’t want to lose Lulëzim. I thought if I stayed, I’d have the sword over my head all my life.”

Mr. Faire rocks Lulëzim and soon he’s asleep and snoring away. “You should have known long before your son came how awful that tradition is, Lumineux. Your son isn’t a teaching tool to how outdated those methods are. There are ways to save your children and protect them without that edict of a ‘merciful death’. Aside from his wings, he’s healthy and lovely. There’s no reason a pair of wings should dictate if a life is worth living.” He then huffs. “Sorry, I’m a dad, I lecture.”

I shake my head. “No. You’re right about everything.”

“I know.” He huffs. “Go take your boy and sleep for the evening. In the morning, I want you to come to my home and visit with the doctor we have. He’s very good and I’m certain he’ll know of something we can do for your son.”

I take Lulëzim back into my arms and once in the room, I fall into a very deep sleep. I wake up when Lulëzim starts fussing and there is a knock at my door. Mr. Faire has come as promised and after breakfast, he walks Lulëzim and I to where his carnival is being set up. 

“This is bigger than any carnival I’ve ever seen,” I murmur.

“We’re all family here too,” Mr. Faire smiles. He leads me towards the far end where there is a red carriage. Mr. Faire knocks on the door. “Haytham, it’s me! I’ve brought the little one like I told you.”

The door opens and the next thing I see is the most stunning creature I’ve ever laid my eyes on. Her skin is radiant black and her hair is soft and fluffy curls in a halo around her head with two white antenna sticking out. She has large, dark eyes surrounded by thick orange lashes. Her features are rounded with soft, full lips. Her wings, I’ve never seen such beautiful wings. The top wings are white with thick black spots, and the lower are a radiant, deep orange. She’s small and shapely with a particularly plump lower half.

“Nyxie!” Mr. Faire exclaims. “What are you doing here?”

Nyxie smiles and tilts her head to the side. “Haytham asked me to come help with this case. He thought my expertise could be used.”

“What a great idea!” Mr. Faire pats my back. “Go on in, you’re in good hands here.”

“Come on up,” Nyxie turns and heads back into the covered wagon.

I go inside, standing there as Nyxie lays a blanket over a table. “Bring him here.” A deep voice replies. A man then stands up and approaches Nyxie. The man is tall and good looking with a deep complexion and a large, hooked nose. 

“Mr. Faire told me about your son’s wings. I’m Dr. Haytham. Lay him on his stomach so we can examine him.” He steps aside, watching as I lay Lulëzim down.

Nyxie places her palm under Lulëzim’s head and I see her fingertips are the same deep orange as her wings. Lulëzim fusses and his wings stretch out as Haytham comes towards him. Nyxie runs her fingers down the middle of Lulëzim’s back and sings softly to him while Haytham works. 

“What do you think?” Haytham whispers to her. 

“I think I can manage,” she replies to him. “I have the proper supplies all ready. I just need time to get everything to fit right.”

“Is there something you can do?” I gasp.

“We’ll be able to fashion him prosthetics,” Haytham smiles at me. “But it will have to be something he keeps up with until he’s full grown. The prosthetics we make will be temporary. Once he reaches maturity, then permanent ones can be made.” 

My eyes are stinging and I rub at them, realizing the prickling heat is because I am crying. I sob into my palms and I feel small hands on my arms. I lower my hands and see Nyxie smiling gently at me. 

“I’ll take measurements and have something made by the end of tomorrow. After that, Haytham and I will put them in place on your son. But it requires surgery and he will have to be kept under observation for a few days. Can you stay with us until he’s ready?”

I nod. “Yes, of course! I’d do anything.”

Dr. Haytham picks Lulëzim up and rocks him. “Aside from the defects, his wings are perfectly normal. They’re strong and with some time, he’ll be able to fly, it just might be a bit delayed.”

More tears dribble down my cheek and Nyxie dries them off for me. “Come with me, and I’ll show you what I have in mind.”

I take Lulëzim from Dr. Haytham and follow Nyxie through the tents until we come to hers. Inside, there is a loom with all sorts of supplies scattered around the base. Nyxie kneels down and opens up a trunk and from inside, pulls out a fine but stiff fabric. “This is what I plan to make your son’s wings out of. I can make some more so it’ll match his markings if you’d like.”

“You make this?” I kneel down beside her, marveling that the fabric looks like it’s made from glass or even the fine fibers of a spider’s web.

“Something my mother taught me.” Nyxie smiles at me. “I can make up some new fabric by tomorrow if you want.”

“What you have is fine.” The section of fabric she’s holding is a silvery sort of opal color. “Since these will be temporary.”

“Are you sure?” Nyxie stands and holds the bolt to her chest.

I stand up and Lulëzim squirms in my arms. “Positive, he’s just a baby now, I’m sure he won’t mind.”

“Then I’ll take this to Dr. Haytham and we can start getting prepped for everything.” She walks out of the tent with him. “We’ll be able to do surgery first thing tomorrow morning.”

I shudder and my wings snap out a bit. 

“There’s nothing to be scared of, Dr. Haytham is the best doctor you’ll ever meet and I’ll be with him the entire time.” Nyxie pats my back.

“You’ll be there?” I gasp. “But-” I think for a long moment as I try to make the words sound as non offensive as possible.

“I’m an apt seamstress,” Nyxie huffs. “And I have stitched many a wound. I’m a trained nurse and I’ve seen more war battles then you will ever know.” She points a finger in my face.

“A combat nurse,” I murmur. “Impressive.”

Nyxie nods. “This will be a cakewalk compared to the limbs I’ve reattached!” She then sighs. “But your son will be treated with the same care and delicacy as I’ve used on any soldier. He’ll be safe and have every need seen to, I assure you of that.”

“Thank you, Nyxie. It’s a comfort knowing you’ll be taking care of him.” I smile at her. “I’m just sorry you have me to deal with.”

Nyxie giggles. “I’ve dealt with worse.”

Nyxie and Haytham walk me through the procedure that evening, giving me all the details about what will happen and how they expect it to heal. As Lulëzim grows, his wings will expand but the prosthetic piece won’t. It won’t cause him any pain or discomfort, it’ll just need to be added on to, or taken off with a new piece added on.

“So something like a patchwork quilt,” Nyxie replies. “But once he’s fully matured, he can get a permanent one that’ll last him the rest of his life.”

“Will you two be able do all these replacements?” I ask them.

Haytham and Nyxie exchange a look and I feel a tinge of doubt rise up. “It is something we will have to discuss with you.” Haytham answers. “But for now, I think it’s important for you and your son to rest before the big day tomorrow.”

I’ve been given a tent at the carnival where I can stay until Lulëzim is ready to leave. I get settled and lay down with Lulëzim, who has already drifted off to sleep. I lay there and just look at him, having every dark dread rise up in me. I hold him close and then I hear a whisper at the door of the tent.

“Are you awake?” Nyxie calls.

“I don’t think I could sleep even if I tried.” I murmur.

Nyxie tip toes in, carrying a steaming cup. “I thought as much.” She sits down on the edge of the bed as I rise. “This is a sleepy tea,” she tells me. “We serve it late at night for the kids and grown ups who can’t sleep.”

“You’re so kind.” I sigh. I place Lulëzim in his crib while I enjoy the hot drink. It is sweet and somehow creamy without any milk. 

“I know how worried you must be,” Nyxie murmurs. “Mr. Faire told Haytham and I what you’ve been through.”

“So...he told you who I am?” I ask cautiously.

“I wouldn’t care who you were even if you were just a beggar. To me, you’re a father trying to care for his baby.” She places her small, soft hand over mine. “That’s what matters.”

I sigh with relief. “Thank you, Nyxie. That means a lot to me.”

“I’ve never met a king like this before,” she giggles. “But you certainly do look the part. Very handsome, I must say.”

I chuckle and nearly sputter my tea. “You didn’t come here just to tease me, did you?”

“Oh no, I came to make sure you were alright, and the tea.” Nyxie smiles at me. “Seeing you cry before, I knew you must be worried.”

“I was relieved,” I sigh. “I just thought things would be hopeless and then you gave me a reason to hope again. My son would have a chance he could grow up, he could-” I sigh and stop myself. “I’ve been dreading so much as of late. Before, I had no worries at all in the world. I was carefree and careless.”

“So, little Lulëzim was an accident?” Nyxie asks.

“A happy one, for me at least.” I take another sip of the tea. “His mother was one of my harem. She was my favorite, in fact. She handed over Lulëzim like he was a moldy loaf of bread. She asked for money and then just left.”

“I’m so sorry,” Nyxie murmurs. “I mean, I know how libidinous you butterfly are. Did you never expect that to happen?”

“I told you, I was careless and carefree. Utterly stupid,” I grumble.

Nyxie sits closer beside me. “Will you go back?”

I shake my head. “Once I return home, I plan on doing things a lot differently.” I finish off the tea and Nyxie takes the cup.  “I plan to teach my son to be better than me.” I yawn loudly and my eyelids begin to grow heavy. “My kingdom will be different when I return, because I’ll be different.”

Nyxie lays me down and tucks a blanket around me. “Good kings know when to change.” She kisses my temple. “I don’t think Lulëzim will have to worry for anything.”

In the morning, Mr. Faire shakes me awake. He takes me and Lulëzim to the tent Dr. Haytham and Nyxie are using for the operation. He then waits with me outside the tent, holding my hand as the surgery goes on.

“I know there is no reason to be so anxious,” I sigh. “But I can’t help but feel that way.”

“It’s your son,” Mr. Faire squeezes my hand. “It’s only natural to worry. I feel the exact same way when any of my children are hurt.”

“Speaking of children,” I glance at him, “just how many do you have?”

“Countless,” he grins. “Anyone who needs me, anyone who comes to this carnival and is lost, they become my children and I will protect them and love them until I die.” He lays his hand over his chest. “Even you and Lulëzim while you’re here.”

I scoff. “My dad was never around. I mean, he was around, just not for me.” I grumble. “I don’t even know what that’s like.”

“Good men should not be a rarity.” Mr. Faire murmurs. “Good people in general should not be so hard to come by.” He looks back at me. “That is why I try my hardest to be someone good for people who need it every day. You know how badly it hurts to be treated as secondary. Use that as an example for how to raise your son.”

“I already have,” I laugh sadly. “My dad would have let me get killed. I wouldn’t have been a good heir.” Tears spike into my eyes again. “Lulëzim will never know how that feels.”

The tent door opens and Haytham steps out. “Nyxie is getting him comfortable right now, but you can come in.”

I jump to my feet and rush inside. I see Nyxie setting up in a small bed and covering it with a sheer tent. As I look down at him, I see there are patches over his wing where the prosthetic piece has been sewn on. He has a sore look on his face and seems uncomfortable, but he’s resting all the same.

“Wonderful little patient,” Nyxie tells me. “He’s going to heal wonderfully!”

I sniffle and hold my hands over my face. Nyxie slips her arm around me and gives me a squeeze. “I think, even without the prosthetic, he’d be an unstoppable force.”

I glance down at Nyxie and give her a weepy smile. “Thank you.”

“Sit down,” she says. “I’ll go get us something to eat. If he wakes up, give him this.” She hands me a bottle with a clear nectar inside. “This will be easy for his stomach and it shouldn’t cause him to throw up.”

I nod. “Good. I’m glad.”

“I’ll be right back.” Nyxie waves as she leaves the tent.

I recline in my chair and gaze up at the stripes of the ceiling. I let myself relax for the first time since Lulëzim was born. He is safe and he is protected, and I don’t have to worry if there is someone coming to take him from me. 

Lulëzim starts to fuss so I reach inside the sheer tent and gently hold him, making sure not to put any pressure on his new wing. I feed him the nectar and he burbles and moans while he drinks it down. His tiny hand grips my finger and squeezes it tight.

“I’m happy you’re ok,” I whisper to him. “And I promise, I will love you until the end of my days and even beyond that.” I kiss the top of his head. “I’ll make sure of that.”

“I’ll hold him so you can eat,” Nyxie giggles. “I’ll check on a few things too.”

Lulëzim screeches when Nyxie comes into the room and he stretches his arms out towards her. In a way, I feel the same as my son does. I want to stretch my arms out to Nyxie and hold her too. In fact, I wonder if someone like Nyxie would even glance my way. 

“I think he likes you,” I take the trays of food while Nyxie holds Lulëzim in her lap.