Quallen grinned as she came out of the cave. “I wondered how we’d manage to deal with the wing holes, but it seems you figured out a solution.”
Kate smiled. “I remembered reading how you can retract your wings for small periods of time and that’s how you get them through the slits in the back of your tunics. I didn’t want to feel a draft.”
She gazed over the forest beneath them. “Absolutely beautiful.” She fell into step behind the prince of the Faeries and the two of them made their way along the path down the side of the mountain.
Chapter Three
The sun was high in the sky. Kate took in the tall trees of various colors. Instead of leaves, these had vibrant colored feathers hanging from thin white trunks. Pinks, greens, blues, and violets painted the sky overhead. Sporadic clumps of light green grass grew through the sand they were walking on.
Kate’s stomach growled and Quallen’s answered. He chuckled.
“It’s time for lunch, it seems.” He flew up and above the trees with a few flutters of his wings. The sun shone through them and caused the green in them to shimmer. He shielded his eyes, seemed to find what he was looking for, and glided back down in lazy circles.
“The lake isn’t too far ahead. We can stop there for a drink and I’ll find us something to eat.”
Kate nodded and started walking again. The closer to the water they got, the closer together the trees seemed to grow.
“Are we going to make it to the lake?” She dodged between two trees, being careful not to walk into a third. “We aren’t going to fit between these soon.
Quallen grinned. “Yeah. The forest will open up again soon.” He folded his wings and snuck around a small, purple feathered tree.
Kate looked at the wall of trees before them and looked at him in question. “I don’t fit between any of these.”
He laughed. “I know. Just wait.” He put a hand on the nearest trunk and simply left it there.
Kate watched, amazed, as the tree he was touching and the one next to it bent in different directions until their tops touched the ground. Quallen hopped over the bent trunks and held his hand out to her.
“That’s unreal!” She took his hand and climbed over to the other side. “Why did they do that?”
He shrugged. “They are the guardians of the lake. When a being touches them, they can sense if that particular being means the lake harm. If it doesn’t, it will be let in.”
They watched as the trees righted themselves.
“Come. We’re almost there.”
On this side of the tree wall, the foliage was completely different. Instead of trees, the ground was covered by ferns. The dark green plants were almost as tall as Kate and she pushed them aside to get through them. Small pink bugs resembling dragonflies buzzed through the air then settled on the ferns to eat whatever smaller insects they had managed to catch.
“This is Vennata’s lake, isn’t it?”
Quallen nodded. “What do you know of her?”
“Not much. Just that she was imprisoned here when you met her. In the books, you always just stop in to say hello when you go by on your current quest.”
“I’d better let her tell you her story if she wants. She’s very private.”
Kate smiled. “So, I’ll get to meet her?”
He shrugged. “It depends on the mood she’s in. She’ll know we’re here. If she wants company, she’ll find us.” He knelt on the white sand by the edge of the lake and took a drink out of his hands. She did the same and sighed.
“I’ll be right back.” Quallen jumped into the air and flew to the other side of the lake where short bushes lined the water.
Kate watched as he moved about behind them before returning a few minutes later. He held his shirt up like a pocket to hold whatever it was he’d brought back.
“They’re not big, but looks can be deceiving. One wexin fruit will fill you up.” He handed her what looked like a red peach and watched as she took a careful bite of it.
She grinned. “It looks like a peach, has the inside of an apple, and tastes like an orange.” She quickly finished the fruit and had another drink of water. He was right. She felt as though she’d eating an entire meal.
“So where do we find Luthan? I haven’t read about him.” Kate looked across the crystal clear lake.
“Here and there. He doesn’t like to stay in one place. Luthan is a very untrusting type.” Quallen used his dagger to dig a small stone out from under the dirt at his feet. He looked it over then skipped it across the calm waters. “Most likely, we’ll find him in the Valley of Furs.”
“That’s not too far from here, right?”
“It’s far enough. We’ll stop in Jinnapod and see if one of the Elpards will take to you. We’ll be able to get there faster if you’re on a horse.”
Kate could barely contain her excitement. The Elpards were a herd of horses that lived wild in this Kallaryn. What separated them from the rest of the horses was their ability to communicate mentally with other beings. Elpards were never ridden unless they gave permission.
Kate lay out on a fallen tree so she could look into the water. Though she wasn’t far over the lake, the bottom dropped quickly and she was gazing into a dark hole. She squinted. “What’s that?” A lighter colored spot deep below her seemed to grow.
“Hmmm?”
Kate screamed as a face broke through the surface of the lake. The resulting laughter rang through the air like bells.
Quallen flew over to help her stand on the log. “That wasn’t very nice, Veenata.”
Kate took a deep breath to calm herself while looking at the girl floating on her back. Her skin was a pale green and her hair a slightly darker shade than that. Her eyes were a piercing blue. The only thing covering her were strips of seaweed wrapped around her.
Veenata giggled. “Sorry.” She swam in large circles while keeping an eye on Kate. “I didn’t expect you to have company.”
“Veenata, this is Kate. Kate, Veenata, the water nymph.”
“I’m very pleased to meet you, Veenata!” Kate reached out a hand then remembered that shaking hands wasn’t a known gesture in Kallaryn. She was about to pull it back when Veenata grabbed a hold of it and yanked her off the branch and into the icy waters of the lake.
Her surprised yell blew bubbles around her and left her needing air. She struggled against the water nymph’s grasp, fighting to get to the surface. Veenata seemed to enjoy the battle and pulled her deeper into the depths.
Kate’s lungs screamed for air. A shadow overhead filled her with fear. What else was in this lake? Why was Veenata doing this?
Strong fingers wrapped around her free wrist and pulled up toward the surface. She kicked for all she was worth and felt herself rise slowly toward the sunlight. She glanced down at Veenata who was clearly surprised at this change of events.
Quallen kicked upward, hauling on Kate’s arm to get her to air as quickly as he could. Their heads broke the surface and he pulled her to his chest, letting his body keep both of them afloat. Kate gasped for air and coughed up the lungful of water she hadn’t been able to stop just before surfacing.
“I’ve got you.” Quallen swam backwards, careful to keep Kate above the water. He pulled her onto the white sand with a grunt.
Kate scrambled backwards, away from the water’s edge and Veenata’s reach. She spit the remainder of the water in her mouth onto the ground.
“You should have seen the look on your face!” Veenata’s head broke the surface of the water and her laughter filled the air.
“Veenata!” A very wet Quallen stood and put himself between the two girls. “What’s gotten into you?”
The water nymph shrugged. “I wanted to see if she could swim.” She frowned. “You jumped in after her.”
“You were drowning her!”
“But your wings…”
“Will dry!”
; Kate looked to his wings. They hung limp and lifeless down his back, almost dragging on the ground.
“Let’s go, Kate.” Quallen put a hand against the small of her back and guided her away from the lake.
“It was just a bit of fun!” Veenata’s voice chased after them. “Quallen!”
“She was never this mean in the books.” Kate wiped the tears from her eyes.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know what made her do that.” He put a hand on the wall of trees and helped her over them when they bent to let them through. “Are you alright?” He stopped walking and frowned as he looked her over.
“Yeah. I’m okay.” She wiped the wet sand from her hands onto her even sandier pant legs. “Are your wings going to be okay?”
Quallen nodded. “I’m earthbound until they dry, but they’ll be fine.” He looked up at the sun. “Let’s just make camp here for the night.”
Kate watched as he started a fire with his flints and laid out two blankets. He handed her the pack.
“There’s another change of Quasny’s clothes in here. Get into something dry.” He took his pack with him and disappeared into the woods.
Kate made her way behind a large bush filled with purple berries and changed. Back on her blanket, she huddled close to the fire. She didn’t have long to wait for Quallen’s return.
“It seems it’s bread and cheese for supper,” he grumbled.
She noticed he’d changed his pants but not his tunic. He caught her glance.
“I can’t move my wings.”
“I’ll help you.”
“It will dry.”
She rolled her eyes. “Your wet wings are lying against your wet tunic. At this rate, you’ll still be wet in the morning.” She motioned for him to turn around. “Get your arms and head out and I’ll pull it backwards and get your wings through.”
It took a bit of effort to get the tunic off without hurting the prince’s wings, but with some careful maneuvering, they got it done.
“You’re hurt!” She used the wet tunic to put pressure on the cut on his side. It wasn’t bleeding badly, but the fact that it was bleeding at all had her glaring in the water nymph’s direction.
“It’s fine. It’s actually healed quite a bit. I supposed you can’t go up against a dragon and expect to come out unscathed.” He shrugged. “I must have reopened it when I pulled you out of the lake.”
“Did you get it? The ring?”
He shook his head. “No. It was the wrong dragon.” He took over putting pressure on his side and went to get a dry tunic.
She watched as he bent to grab it out of the pack then quickly averted her eyes as he turned back toward her. Don’t gawk, idiot. It’s not like you’ve never seen a good-looking guy before. “Do you know where to look next?”
“No. I’m at a standstill. I have no idea how to go about proving I’m innocent. I need that ring. Only someone pure of heart can wear that ring. The instant my uncle puts it on, he’ll be proven evil. The ring will project his worst secret for all to see.”
“What if he refuses to wear it?”
“Well, then they’ll know he has something to hide. Either way, the kingdom will have to start doubting his intentions.” His violet eyes met hers and he ran a hand over his face. “I won’t allow him to do more wrong than he’s already done.” Quallen made sure his injury was no longer bleeding before coming to stand by her again.
Kate took up one of the blankets. “Here. I’ll dry them as best I can before we try to get the tunic back on.”
Quallen hesitated before turning. She softly patted them down then gently held them up in an attempt to get them to stay upright.
“Sorry. They must not be dry enough yet.” She let the wings hang down once again.
“It’s not your fault.”
“Can you feel them?”
He nodded. “I just can’t move them.” He handed her his tunic and she carefully slipped it over his wings. Once they were through safely, he pulled it over his head and tucked his arms through the sleeves. He turned and smiled.
“Thank you.”
“It’s the least I can do after you saved my life. Not to mention you’re helping get me home.”
He handed her a piece of bread with some cheese. “I thought you were dreaming,” he teased.
Kate tried to smile, but couldn’t. “Getting pulled into the lake, feeling like I was going to die… that didn’t feel like anything I’ve ever dreamt before.”
Quallen sat beside her, but facing away from the fire so his wings could dry. “Well, whether this is a dream or not, we’ll get you home. Promise.”
“What if I can’t get home?”
Quallen’s smile softened. “You got here, yeah? So if you came here, there has to be a way for you to get back.”
Kate nodded, trying to be positive. He was right. “So, tomorrow’s plan?”
“We’ll find the Elpards and see if one wouldn’t mind giving you a ride. Then, we’re off to find Luthan.”
Suddenly exhausted after the day’s excitement, Kate lay on her blanket and folded it over herself. “Quallen?”
“Hmmm?”
“Just in case I fall asleep and wake up in my own bed… thank you.”
He smiled and lay on his own blanket. “It’s been my pleasure.”
Chapter Four
Quallen watched as the light of the flames danced over Kate’s features. He had no idea how she’d ended up on the floor of his cave, but he’d promised he’d get her home and he would. Her brow creased with a frown and he fought the urge to smooth the lines with his thumb.
Though she’d been brave and didn’t show much of the fear and confusion she should be feeling, he had no doubt she had to be terrified. To wake up alone in a strange world, to not know who you could trust or what your future held…
He scoffed. He knew exactly how she felt. He found a small part of himself hoping Luthan would have no idea how to get her back to where she came from. She was special somehow. He could feel it.
He felt…
He liked her. She made him smile and gave him a reason to laugh.
Closing his eyes, thought back to how his chest had cramped with fear when Zeenata had pulled her under the water. He hadn’t thought twice about diving in after her, not caring if his wings got wet.
His breathing slowed and as he fell asleep, she filled his final conscious thoughts.
Chapter Five
“Kate.”
She barely heard her name being whispered by her ear. She pulled her blanket over her head. All she wanted to do was lay in bed and replay her dream over and over in her head.
“Go away, Nate,” she grumbled.
A chuckle, not Nate’s, made her go still.
“Good morning.”
Kate peeked over the edge of the blanket and found herself looking into Quallen’s violet eyes. She took a deep breath.
“I’m still here.”
He tilted his head to the side, as if apologizing. “Sorry.”
She sat up and stretched with a yawn. “It’s not your fault. You, uh…” She gestured to her hair. “You have a leaf stuck there.”
He laughed and shook his head. “Can I ask who Nate is?”
“My brother.”
“Is he in the habit of waking you up in the mornings?”
Kate shook her head. “I usually wake him up. He’s seventeen and can sleep like nobody’s business.”
Quallen offered her a smile. “Come. We should be with the Elpards by the end of the day and hopefully with Luthan the following night. We’ll have you home in no time.”
She watched as a small black animal ran up a light blue tree. The small squirrel peered down at her and quickly changed from black to white to blend in with the branch. She smiled.
“What is that?”
Quallen glanced up to where she was pointing. “It’s a skinka. They eat fruit for the most p
art.”
“Did you have a good sleep?” inquired Kate.
“Yes and no. I don’t sleep very much and when I do, it’s lightly. You never know when some of my uncle’s guards might stumble upon me. You trashed about in your sleep last night. Did you have a bad dream?”
Kate blushed. “Yeah. I dreamt that Veenata was trying to drown me.”
He grunted. “I don’t know what got into her. She’s usually mischievous, but she’s never hurt anyone intentionally. You’re not feeling any ill effects, are you?”
She shook her head. “Just the nightmare. Is it true what I read in the books? Is the lake her prison?”
He nodded. “She used to be an elf. When the sorcerer Loddos fell in love with her, he offered her everything she could possibly want. Unfortunately for him, her heart already belonged to another. Loddos killed him and again asked for her hand. She refused him again. He then banished her to the lake until she changed her mind. When he was captured for the murder of her true love, no one was aware she’d been cast into the waters. He was executed before he could break the spell and so she remains doomed to spend her life there.”
Some of Kate’s anger toward the nymph dispelled. “Can’t another sorcerer get her out?”
“No. The type of spell he cast can only be undone by him. Some sorcerers put secondary ways of ending a curse into the spell, but if Loddos did, no one has found it yet. For the most part, everyone has given up on Veenata.”
“No one goes to see her?”
Quallen shrugged. “I do. My sister did. There are a few elves who still visit.”
“That’s so sad.” Kate frowned.
“It is, though it’s no reason for her to try and drown you.”
She gave a small smile. “I agree.” She fought the urge to reach forward and touch his wings to see if they were dry. “How are your wings?”
He looked back, grinned, and flicked them a few times. “Good as new. Thank you. They might not have been had you not helped me last night.”
“No problem. So when we reach the Elpards, how will we be able to talk to them?”
“Your stories you talk about, did they mention Taleen?”
Kate’s eyes widened. “She’s real?”
“She is.” He laughed. “I’ll ask her to ask the rest. It helps being bonded to the head mare.”
Faerie Dreams: Book One Page 2
