Invocation

by Tera Lyn Cortez

  I wrapped my arms around my legs and sank my forehead to my knees. I took a deep breath and tried to get control of the emotions raging inside me. Emotions were proving to be more difficult to control than magic.

  “I know you are hurting. Emotional pain is one of the few things that magic has no jurisdiction over. But don't let it consume you. Use it as a driving force. Put it to work for good. We need to prepare for your invocation.”

  I looked up. “I thought I had to be twenty-one.”

  Celeste shook her head sadly. “When power is passed on because of a death, the heiress immediately becomes eligible for the invocation. The realms must have a reigning scribe.”

  “We had no time to talk about it, so I don't know what needs to be done.” It was a stark reminder of the many things we would never discuss.

  “The ceremony must be performed at the scribe chateau in Myntas. There is a specific room where every invocation has taken place. Its sole purpose is the invocation of the next scribe. Normally the reigning scribe performs the ritual, but you are able to perform it for yourself.”

  I needed to master the art of creating portals in a hurry. If I had to start gallivanting through the other realms to visit all these places, I'd better learn how to get there in once piece. The less confrontations we ran into, the better! So far, the two places we needed to go were highly protected. I just needed to get there without drawing too much attention to myself before I was ready.

  “Are there instructions for how the ceremony is performed, and what I need to do before I am able to conduct it?”

  “Yes, there are instructions. I can go over it with you. There are also step-by-step directions located in the ceremony room. Everything you need for the induction itself can be found there as well.”

  “I would feel so much better if you could be with me. I feel like I need so much help, and I am terrified that I'm going to fail the realms. What if I make an irreversible mistake?”

  I seemed to fluctuate rapidly between being confident I could live up to everything people expected of me and being absolutely certain of abject failure before I ever began. It made me feel manic depressive with the terrifying highs and lows that seemed to interchange by the moment.

  Celeste gave me a small smile. “I am working on a way that you may, indeed, be able to take me with you.”

  I searched her face with obvious curiosity and nurtured the tiny flame of hope that sparked inside me. “Really?”

  She stood, indicating I should do the same and I followed her to the study. “I believe there is a way. I originally bound my soul to this place, successfully, which is why I can be here for you now. I am going to attempt to attach my soul instead to an object, perhaps a piece of jewelry, so I can travel with you outside of the mountain. The power I absorbed gave me the ability to manifest myself visually as I wish with no repercussions. I do not become tired or fade away unless I wish it.”

  I grinned and found myself wishing I could hug her. “Let me know what you need me to do, and I will do it. I can't tell you how much this means to me.”

  She nodded gracefully. “Perhaps choose a piece of jewelry that you enjoy and wouldn't mind wearing constantly while we are traveling. Make it something sturdy, so we don't worry about it getting broken and falling off, yet fairly inconspicuous so that it is not an object that garners too much unwanted attention.”

  “There are chests full of jewelry in the vault that holds my inheritance from my father. We need to go through it anyway, and I am sure we can find a suitable piece among the jewels there. I’ll get the guys and begin searching.”

  “While you do that, I am attempting to find a way to aid you in learning to create portals. It would be the safest way for you to travel.”

  Thanking her, I headed to the front of the cabin to meet with the guys and lay out a path for success. Bolstered by the possibility of having Celeste along on our journeys, and strengthened by the anger at whomever had taken my mother from me, I seethed with impatience to make myself known. Someone was going to pay for what they had done.

  I seated myself in the kitchen chair between them and rested my elbows on the table. Taryk immediately slid the plate of crackers and cheese he had been snacking on my direction. He certainly learned quickly.

  “Okay, gentlemen. Let’s get a game plan in order. We need to finish going through the vault for two reasons. A, my intuition tells me there are still things in there that we need to take with us. And B, I need an appropriate piece of jewelry for Celeste to connect herself to. She believes that because she successfully bound her soul to this location, she should also be able to bind herself to an object. In this way, she can travel with us throughout the realms.”

  Both of them raised their brows, seemingly surprised at my revelation. Taryk nodded thoughtfully, and Xavier appeared to be mulling over the possibilities.

  “I think we can find something. Perhaps a bracelet? That seems to be the safest choice, since we can spell it to ensure it doesn't leave your wrist, and we don't have to be concerned about losing her along the way.” I could tell Xavier was already running through the options in his mind.

  I grinned. “Great minds think alike, big brother.”

  The three of us stood in unison, heading toward the vault. Taryk's hand rested lightly on my back as he allowed me to pass him and lead the way, leaving me feeling a little warm and fuzzy inside. I could feel the heat of his palm through my T-shirt, and it led to a warmth in my stomach that I was unaccustomed to. I liked it.

  Drawing near the vault door, I paused.. “Hey,Xavier, do you know what is hidden behind door number two?” I pointed toward it in a game show hostess impression.

  “No,” he rolled his eyes at me, “I haven't got a clue. I don't know if your mother has ever opened it.”

  Of course, that ignited my imagination, and I stood before it instead of heading directly into the vault. I placed both hands on the heavy wood, hoping my intuition would chime in and give me a clue. Strangely enough, I got nothing. It almost seemed as if the door itself had been shielded to avoid giving off any indications at all.

  Frowning, I leaned my forehead against it and closed my eyes, pushing deeper. I could feel something just out of reach, like a slippery little fish I couldn't quite get a hold of.

  “We need to see what is in there. It would only have the protections it does if it held something important.”

  Heading into the vault, we agreed on a division of labor. The guys would go through the chests of jewelry looking for a suitable piece while I wandered about waiting for something to give off an impression of importance.

  I walked slowly, opening my mind to the objects hidden within the chests and sacks scattered throughout the room. I physically touched as many of them as I could reach, running my fingertips over materials that had last been touched centuries ago.

  Taryk held up a gorgeous jeweled bangle for my inspection, asking if it could be suitable for Celeste to use.

  I shook my head. “Too ostentatious. I want to love it, since it won't be coming off, but I don't want everyone else to want it also. It can't draw too much attention.”

  Coming to a stop before a tall armoire, one that rose above my head by a good six inches, my curiosity engaged. Pulling it open, I gasped in awe. It held gorgeous gowns. Reaching out, I couldn't help but run my fingers through them, marveling at the texture of the silks. Pulling one from the group, I held it up to myself. It appeared to be exactly my size.

  Xavier looked over at me and laughed. “Playing dress up when you should be working, huh?” He stood and wandered over to me. “Father was a huge fan of buying my mother gowns. He loved to see her dressed in the finest he could find, and had materials brought in from every realm.”

  Hanging it back with its comrades, I sighed. “Perhaps there will be a time when it will be appropriate to wear such finery. But this is definitely not that day.”

  He reached toward the back and pulled out a particularly splendid one. “This is a t
raditional Fae wedding gown.” He waggled his eyebrows at me and inclined his head toward Taryk.

  “Well, I certainly won't be needing that any time soon.”

  Taryk ignored the implication and held up another option for Celeste's bracelet. This time it was perfect. The cuff was not too wide, made of polished silver and inset with tiny clear stones. I slipped it on and instantly fell in love.

  “What do you think Xavier?”

  He nodded. “Once her soul is bound to it, we can alter the size to be sure it will fit snugly to your wrist, and I think it will fit the bill perfectly.”

  They guys headed toward the door, yet an odd feeling held me back. Something was calling to me, almost demanding my attention, although I couldn't get a sense of where it was coming from.

  “Hey, Xavier? Is there anything in this room that you can feel, maybe that's not normal?”

  He turned to me, brows raised. “Not normal?”

  Taryk stopped next to him, both of them watching me with inquisitive looks. The words to describe what I felt were lost to me, but I made an attempt..

  “I feel as if there is an object here that is endeavoring to get my attention, for lack of a better way to say it. The thought just kind of hovers in the back of my mind, unless I think about leaving the room, or being elsewhere. Then it gets more insistent. A s if it's trying to tell me not to leave without it. But I can't pinpoint where exactly it's coming from.”

  As they stood near the door, I could tell they each worked to identify the feeling I was attempting to explain. They wore almost identical looks of concentration, eye scanning the room. In the end, they both shook their heads.

  “Sorry, Ev,” Taryk said. “Not an inkling of anything for me.” Xavier shrugged and nodded his agreement.

  “You guys go on ahead, maybe give the bracelet to Celeste. I'll follow you in a few. I just want to see if I can find what seems to be so important in here.”

  As they left the room, I sat cross-legged in the middle of the crates and chests. Closing my eyes, I did my best to call forth the tiny voice in my head that didn't want to be left behind.

  For a few moments, I couldn't seem to hone in on any area in particular. Pulling up my sight, I noticed a very small chest in one of the back corners seemed to have its own aura. Varying shades of green appeared to be leaking out of the box itself. Curious, I positioned myself on the floor in front of it and laid my hand on it.

  The lid opened a crack at the contact, inviting me to open it the rest of the way and see what lay inside. There, on a miniature bed of silk, lay the most perfect tiny doll I had ever seen. She was no taller than my hand was long. I reached down and laid a finger on the tiny shoe, marveling at its preciseness. At the contact, she began to glow brightly. A few seconds later, she sat up and came to life!

  “Oh my God!” Jerking my hand out of the crate, I accidentally knocked the lid closed.

  Chapter Three

  After a few seconds of silence, I heard her speak. “Um, hello? It's dark in here.” Her tiny muffled voice floated out from the confines of the box.

  Reaching out, I opened the lid again, staring inside in disbelief. “I'm sorry, I really am so sorry, but... Who are you? And what are you doing in there? How long have you been in there?”

  Craning her neck to look up at me, she smiled. “You must be King Oseron's daughter. He told me only you would be able to rouse me from my long sleep.”

  I stared at her perfect little self, speechless and astounded. Had she really been in this crate since my father was alive? That struck me as being so cruel.

  “I've surprised you, I'm sorry. It's obvious you had no idea I waited for you here. Your father sent me to be your guide. When you return to the original castle in Amarys, I am to be your escort. I am a wood sprite of the royal clan; our family has ruled the woods surrounding the castle for as long as it has been in existence. We continued to do so even after the king and his queen constructed their new residence closer to town. I am Princess Yurielle.”

  “My name is Everleigh. Have you really been lying in there for all these years?”

  “When King Oseron chose me as the volunteer to fill this roll, he explained the situation. My body and soul would be put into stasis and sent here to await your need of me. I was told that your proximity to my resting place would be enough to trigger the spell that would draw your attention.”

  “It certainly did that. Now that you are awake, what can I do for you? You must need food or drink, and maybe some time to stretch your wings and get moving?”

  “That is very kind of you, however it is I who is here to serve you, Princess. What may I help you with?”

  “Oh no. Stop right there. While I am thankful you're here, since I can use all the help I can get, let's get one thing straight. You are not here to serve me. And I am not a princess. Just Everleigh will be fine.”

  She looked slightly taken aback at my statement, and then confused. Her reluctance to question me was evident by the look on her face, however her need to understand the situation won out.

  “You are King Oseron's daughter, are you not?” I nodded, and she continued. “And … all daughters of kings are customarily princesses, are they not?”

  I stared at her, pretty sure my chin was resting on the stone floor in surprise. Holy crap. I knew Xavier was a prince. And that his father, the king, was also my father. But never in the name of all that was holy had I considered the ramifications of those relationships.

  “Well, since you put it that way, I suppose you are correct. I hadn't thought about it like that.”

  She laughed, a merry little tinkling sound that brought my spirits up just hearing it. “Would you like to see your tiara?”

  I watched her, mouth agape, as she flew up to the wardrobe that held the fancy dresses. “Right in this drawer.”

  Pulling open the drawer she indicated revealed a silver box. I lifted the hinged lid and gasped in astonishment. It was gorgeous.

  “This... this is mine?”

  “Your father had it made specifically for you when he knew he would be having a daughter. I believe there are many spells laid upon it for your safety and happiness as well, but I cannot attest to which ones.”

  I ogled it for a few seconds more, then closed the box and the drawer. Now that I knew what had been so important in the vault, we needed to get moving. And I had to introduce my new friend to the others.

  “Would you like to meet King Oseron's son?”

  Her little face lit up like a Christmas tree. “He has other children still living? When he told me of the future that had been foreseen by the visionary, he was certain that none of the family would survive, other than you.”

  “Only one. Xavier was captured, and held prisoner fora long time by the mage who murdered his family. When he escaped, my mother found him and brought him here so he would be safe.”

  Her wings drooped, and her face lost the look of excitement it had previously held. “So sad...”

  “He's amazing, though. You'll love him. Come meet him.”

  Closing the door to the vault as we left, I explained to her about where she had found herself after sleeping for all those years. As we got closer, I held up my finger to indicate we should be quiet.

  “I want them to be surprised when they see you.”

  I got another one of her infectious giggles as she replied, “I have no doubt they will be.”

  When we reached the study, Xavier, Taryk, and Celeste were huddled around the workbench with their backs to us. I assumed they were working on the bracelet. Motioning Yurielle behind me, I approached the group.

  “Hey, guys. There's someone I'd like you to meet.”

  Three inquiring faces turned to greet me, perplexed when they saw I stood alone.

  “Uh, and where did you find this new friend, Ev?” Taryk eyed me suspiciously as I stood there with a grin on my face.

  Moving aside, I introduced her. “Guys, this is Yurielle. Yurielle, meet Celeste, Taryk, and my broth
er Xavier.”

  She said hello to the group, curtsying cutely to Xavier as she hovered in the air. “Please, call me Yuri. It's an honor to meet you, Your Highness.”

  Xavier backed up till he bumped into the table, shaking his head the whole time. “Oh, no, no, no.” He gestured somewhat wildly with both hands as he spoke. “Please, just call me Xavier. Please.”

  Yuri looked between the two of us, confused. “So, I have a princess who didn't even know she is a princess, and a prince who doesn't want to be a prince? I'm not sure I understand the situation.”

  I had to laugh. She got a quick rundown of what had been going on while she slumbered as we returned to the workbench so they could finish their work on the bracelet.

  After Xavier had performed a ritual to cleanse the bracelet of any other magic or energy, Celeste prepared to cast the same spell she had used to tether her soul to the study upon the bangle. Before she began, she looked at me and seemed as if she wanted to speak to me but hesitated.

  “What do you need, Celeste?” I wanted her to feel as if she could ask me anything, but I did not want her to feel as if I was pushing her either.

  “If you are willing, I would like to attempt to forge a bond between us, as you have done with Xavier and Taryk. I believe that such a connection could be invaluable as we travel throughout the other realms.”

  “I don't know why I never thought of that. Of course, I am willing. Let's do it right now. Do you think there is anything I need to be wary of before I begin?”

  She shook her head. “I don't believe so. Bonds are created between souls, and I think the process should be exactly the same.”

  “Okay. I usually attempt to make physical contact since that seems to give my magic extra oomph. This time, though, I will sit and call up my sight to create the bond. As I am doing so, I'd like you to make contact with me in any way you feel comfortable. I think that will be enough.”