Journey into the Realm: The Stolen Child (Journey into the Realm Series) (10 page)

“Keep away, sea fae,” the Prince warned. “Unless you want to see her dead.”

It was déjà vu at its finest, only now I was in Elvina’s place. I only hoped she had enough strength to immobilize him before his teeth sank into my flesh.

“You asked me to stop you if it came to this,” Kelby said. “Remember who you are, Prince. You do not wish harm upon the Chosen Daughter.”

Prince Orrin moaned. “Her call is too strong. I cannot resist.”

“Yes, you can,” Kelby asserted. “Let her go. You are not your father. You believe in peace.”

Prince Orrin struggled silently with himself, his grip tightening and loosening on my neck as he agonized over a decision. I held my breath and prayed for his change of heart. I closed my eyes and waited endlessly for him to make a move.

“You must promise me something,” the Prince said suddenly. “Promise me you will not forget the prison that traps my kind. Queen Naida is no better than the King you mean to destroy.”

I cleared my throat. “When my journey is complete, I promise I will return to save you and your kind. I will do my best to make you their king.”

He wasted no time releasing me. I coughed and rubbed my neck until I was able to breathe evenly. The stress of being underwater was no help.

“Ramsey,” a familiar voice called.

I turned to see Nathan swimming toward me. Tavis and Aimee floated next to Kelby. Elvina had joined them. From where Orrin had held me I hadn’t been able to see anyone. I had assumed Kelby was alone because no one else had spoken. But my friends were here, safe and away from the palace.

I rushed into Nathan’s arms. At that moment, my inner struggle over whether or not to be close to him was nonexistent. I lost myself in the comfort of his hands pressed against my back, his face buried in my neck. I breathed him in and felt safe for the first time that day.

“You must leave before I lose control,” Prince Orrin said.

I reluctantly moved away from Nathan and watched as the Prince removed his father’s crown and held it out to me. I took it gratefully. As Kelby made the circle, Tavis handed me my bow and bag of arrows. His own were slung over his shoulder. He must have grabbed them during the escape. Aimee removed the honeysuckle from her pack and placed it in the circle. I added the crown.

Prince Orrin watched from the sidelines, still trembling but otherwise in control.

“How did you resist the siren’s call?” I asked Kelby, something I was too curious about to ignore.

“Sea fairies have their own enchantments. They do not answer to sirens,” she explained.

“Thank you,” I said, placing her shell in her palm. “We wouldn’t have gotten through this without you.”

She in turn placed the shell in my hair. “Keep this charm to remind you.”

“Remind me of what?” I asked.

“The good that still lingers in this Realm. A good that deserves to be defended,” she said quietly.

I nodded as Kelby moved to Prince Orrin’s side. I joined my friends at the circle. “Ready?” I asked them.

“Very,” Tavis voiced. “I need fresh air.”

We shared a quick laugh before taking turns stepping into the circle. First Aimee, then Tavis, and then Nathan. Elvina paused before her turn.

“I forgive you,” she said to Orrin, without moving to meet his troubled gaze. She bowed her head and stepped into the circle, vanishing from sight.

I sighed. If Elvina had the strength to move past Orrin’s betrayal, I probably should, too. I was the Chosen Daughter, after all.

“I do not require your forgiveness,” Prince Orrin said before I could speak. “Only a promise fulfilled.”

I nodded and followed Elvina, grateful to be leaving the Mermaid Realm but vowing to return.

Blinding light greeted us as we entered the Flower Fairy Realm. I used my arm to shield my eyes from the blazing midday sun, unable to stop blinking. Being underwater had affected all of my senses. Everything was suddenly brighter, clearer, sharper, more intense. I felt overwhelmed by the transition.

There was also the matter of gravity. No longer floating in Atlantis, my body felt heavy and grounded. I had to sit down because my knees were so weak. My friends did the same. I lay back and closed my eyes to blot out the sun, but I was grateful for its warmth. I breathed a sigh of relief, knowing it would be a long time before I faced a mermaid again.

Familiar fingers brushed my hand. I turned to see Nathan lying next to me, squinting against the sun like I was. Our foreheads touched and heat flushed through me.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

I bit my lip and nodded. His hand cupped my cheek as he leaned in, his lips tantalizingly close. But I pulled away. We needed to keep moving. I stood and brushed dirt off my clothes, still wet from the Mermaid Realm.

I used a spell to dry myself and my belongings before moving on to the others. Elvina contributed her own magic by drying Aimee’s bag and Tavis’s bow and arrows.

No longer dripping wet and finally adjusting to life above water, I decided now was a good time to survey our surroundings.

The Flower Fairy Realm wasn’t at all what I had expected. Absolutely no grass appeared to cover the countryside, only flowers. And I didn’t see any trees. There was only sky and ground. The Realm was bright and beautiful, but strange.

“Where’s all the grass?” I asked.

“Hidden,” Elvina said.

“What do you mean?” Aimee wondered, kneeling to brush her fingers over a patch of daisies.

“There are only seven grassy areas in all of the Flower Fairy Realm,” Elvina explained, capturing everyone’s attention. “And in order to reach the Queen, we must locate them.”

“Would you mind elaborating a little?” Tavis requested, looking confused as usual.

Elvina nodded. “Flower fairies prefer keeping to themselves. Queen Titania took note of this when the Magical Realms were created. The seven grassy circles she placed act as the points of a special kind of star. At the star’s center, you will find the Flower fairies. They all congregate together because they believe they are stronger as one. But their dwelling has been covered with a Glamour to ensure safety and privacy, which is why we can’t see them.”

“What’s so special about the star?” I asked, scanning the area to see if I could spot any of the seven patches of grass.

“A seven-pointed star is also known as a fairy star,” Elvina told us.

“I’ve heard of fairy stars,” I realized. “I read about them in fantasy novels. Seven is considered a lucky number, especially to fairies. The seven points of the star symbolize directions, elements, places…its meaning is open to interpretation.”

Tavis picked up his bow and bag of arrows from the ground and slung them over his shoulder. “I appreciate the school lesson, but I must admit I’m more interested in how we’re going to find our next crown.”

Elvina sighed. “I was getting to that,” she explained, shooting Tavis an irritated glare. “Like I was saying before, the seven patches of grass make up the seven points of the star. After we locate the points, each of us must choose a circle of grass to stand in. Once every patch is occupied, the Flower fairies will be revealed.”

“But there are only five of us,” Nathan pointed out. “Even if we all pick a patch of grass, two will be left over.”

“Which is why our first task is finding some help,” Elvina said.

“Who will help us?” Aimee wondered. “You said all the Flower fairies are hidden.”

“I did say that,” Elvina acknowledged. “But I wasn’t referring to Flower fairies.”

As if on cue, a flash of light struck like lightning before our eyes. Startled, I moved closer to Nathan and grabbed his arm. He turned to me with wide eyes, and my gut told me his shock had little to do with the noise. Slowly, he covered my hand with his. The gesture was tentative and shy. I knew he was afraid that I would pull away, but I didn’t.

“Eder told me they would sense our arrival. I had no idea it would happen so quickly though,” Elvina muttered under her breath.

Before I could ask who “they” were, the light disappeared. In its wake stood two very striking creatures, one male and one female. They were tall and willowy, all gangly limbs and slender torsos. The boy – I called him a boy because he looked so young – had dark skin the color of tree bark and green-grass shaggy hair. His clothes were tan and nondescript, just a pair of plain breeches and a peasant shirt to match. I was too distracted by the rest of him to really pay much attention.

His eyes were also green. They were bright and seemed to be filled with too much life, if that were even possible. His body glowed with a kind of crackling energy I couldn’t explain. I didn’t know what else to call him but
full
, so full he looked like he was about to explode.

The girl posed a stark contrast to his liveliness. Her skin was taut and gray, stretched over her body too tight. She was bones. She stood like a corpse. The boy was just as skinny, but at least he looked healthy. The girl appeared to be wasting away. Her eyes were washed out and dull, seemingly lifeless with absolutely no spark. She wore a green silk dress that was much too big for her. The material was achingly beautiful and seemed to swallow the girl, almost as if the dress were wearing her, and not the other way around.

The pair was lovely in a way that was strange and exhausting. I had to concentrate in order to see their beauty. They were just so unlike any beings I had ever seen. The fact that they were complete opposites didn’t help. They didn’t belong side by side. He was too alive and she was too lifeless. A feeling of unease crept its way into my gut. The unnaturalness of the scene before me was too much, and I couldn’t help but wonder what they were doing in a Realm supposedly inhabited by tiny butterfly-like creatures.

Tavis was the first to speak, which wasn’t very surprising. He couldn’t stay quiet for long. I was more surprised that he hadn’t said anything sooner. “What are they?”

Elvina’s eyes widened, her cheeks flaming in embarrassment as the ashy girl pursed her lips. “He didn’t mean to speak out of turn, I can assure you,” the Woodland fairy promised. “He’s sheltered. They all are.”

“It’s quite all right,” the boy replied. His voice was light and young and pleasing to the ear. The girl remained silent. “He does not know of our significance. How could he? We have hidden in this Realm for the past thirty years.” He cast a sidelong glance at the strange girl beside him, almost as if she were the one responsible for their situation.

“Since the war began,” I noted.

The boy smiled and nodded. “Yes. Drasill thought it best to hide away from the war’s taint. The Flower Fairy Realm is the purest of the Magical Realms. Our magic cannot be corrupted here.”

“Look, I know you didn’t like my friend Tavis’s question, but I can’t help but wonder the same thing. What kind of creature are you?” I asked. “I’ve never read about or come in contact with anyone like you.”

“We are Tree fairies,” the girl, Drasill, explained. Her voice was breathy and unpleasant. There seemed to be a permanent scowl etched across her features.

“Not to be confused with dryads or nymphs,” her far more cheery companion interjected. “We are like Flower fairies, only taller.” He released a good natured laugh. “Also, we are not often recognized by the magical community.”

“We prefer it that way,” Drasill hissed.

I swallowed uncomfortably and lowered my gaze. I could feel her watching me with overwhelming hostility. How could she already dislike me? I didn’t understand.

“There are only nine of us. We represent the nine sacred trees. I am the oak fairy, Daur,” he introduced. “Drasill is the ash fairy. We exist to preserve the worlds.”

“You mean the Realms?” Nathan asked.

Daur shook his head. “According to the Tree fairies, all of the Realms – the Human Realm included – make up the physical World. Then there is also the Otherworld, the place where life and death overlap. Departed souls journey to the Otherworld before they make their final ascension.” He gestured to himself and then to Drasill. “We strive to preserve the balance between these two worlds.”

I nodded. “It makes sense that you prefer to remain unseen. Your roles sound very important. The magic you must possess –”

“Do not ask about our magic,” Drasill snapped. “We will not reveal even one detail, so you might as well keep quiet.”

Nathan squeezed my hand tighter, a smart move considering I was about to smack that Tree fairy right across her pouty face. She didn’t have to be so aggressive. I just wanted to understand what was going on and why the Tree fairies were here. And I wanted to know how Eder was involved.

“Forgive Drasill,” Daur said. “Our years in seclusion have had a poor effect on her manners.” The ash fairy glared at Daur but gave no other response.

“We only ask for your assistance in uncovering the Flower fairy capital,” Elvina said evenly. “Nothing more.”

Drasill nodded sharply. “We have been informed of your request and are ready to comply.”

“Who informed you?” I couldn’t resist inquiring. “Eder?”

Drasill blatantly ignored me. “Let us begin,” she instructed, turning to Daur. “We will each take half of the company and lead them to the circles.” Before he could respond, she added, “I will take the Woodland fairy and the elfen healer. They seem like less of a bother than the other three.”

Without another word, she was on her way, her thin limbs moving seamlessly through the tall flowers, expecting Elvina and Aimee to follow without further instruction.

I shivered, grateful that she hadn’t chosen me. I would rather be considered a bother than have to suffer her company. I tugged my hand from Nathan’s and wiped my palms on my shirt, suddenly nervous. I didn’t know what to expect from the Flower fairies. Would they be welcoming…or threatening like the mermaids? My eyes connected with Daur’s. He seemed to sense my worry, because he smiled and nodded reassuringly.

“Ready?” he asked. “Drasill works quickly, and she does not like to be kept waiting.”

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. “Wouldn’t want that,” I muttered. Nathan jabbed me in the side. His expression told me to keep quiet. I sighed and crossed my arms. I didn’t know why I was so irritable. I had a bad feeling I couldn’t shake, and the ash fairy’s hostility hadn’t helped my mood. But I shouldn’t have let these small annoyances rattle me so much. I needed to handle myself better.

Determined to show improved leadership skills, I straightened and uncrossed my arms. “Lead the way, Daur.”

The oak fairy smiled and gestured for Tavis, Nathan, and me to follow him as he wove through the field. I couldn’t keep my eyes off him as he moved. He was so interesting to behold. Watching him created a feeling of lightness within me, like I was looking at the sky.

We found the first grassy circle within minutes. It resembled an elf circle in every detail except for the mushrooms lining the rim.

“The dark-haired elf will take the first circle,” he said, referring to Tavis.

“Are you sure I won’t disappear?” Tavis asked, his expression worried and uncertain, which was very unusual for an elf so bold and seemingly fearless.

“This is not your typical fairy circle, I promise you,” Daur explained. “All you must do is stand within the circle until all seven have been filled. It should not take long. You will not go anywhere.”

Daur’s voice was bright and comforting. Tavis visibly relaxed and even offered a small smile of confidence. He stepped into the circle, and Daur’s words were proven correct.

“Let us carry on,” the oak fairy suggested, nodding approvingly.

I waved to Tavis and continued with Daur and Nathan across the field. We traveled in near silence. Daur whistled a happy tune but didn’t speak. I wanted to ask so many questions, but refrained because I didn’t know if they were appropriate. Daur seemed less hostile than Drasill, but there was still the possibility that I could upset him by saying something out of turn.

It wasn’t long before we reached the next circle. “The pale elf will claim this circle.”

Nathan smiled at me before taking his place. He looked like he wanted to say something, but I turned away before he could. I stopped myself from feeling guilty by focusing on the task at hand. “Two down,” I said to Daur. “Only two more to go.”

“Follow me,” he instructed pleasantly, resuming his whistling.

When we reached the next circle, which I assumed was mine, Daur stopped me before I could step inside by placing a warm hand on my arm. His thin fingers felt foreign and strange. I was startled and couldn’t help but jerk.

He didn’t seem to notice my exaggerated reaction. “I know you have questions,” he said, sounding far wiser than he initially let on. He had an immense amount of power. I could hear it in his voice. His cheery persona seemed to hide it well, but now he was letting his authority slip through the cracks. “Unfortunately, I am not at liberty to answer them.”

“I don’t know much about Tree fairies, but I know you’re powerful. More powerful than Elvina and more powerful than a former elf guard like Eder.”

“Ah, but not more powerful than your mother,” he said.

I swallowed drily. “What power does she have that keeps you silent?”

Daur sighed. “You are part Golden fairy, but you know little of your capabilities. That will change very soon. You should prepare yourself.”