by E. A. Weston
“Ready,” I sigh. Checking the time again, I panic when it’s already five o’clock. “Claudia?” I call over the stairs. Her head peeks up at me from downstairs.
“Yes Reagan?” she smiles.
“Do I have time for a shower?”
“Yes.”
Running back into my room, I shower and shave then remember that I’ll need to bring my razor and every blade I can find. Once I’m done, I dry my hair then put it into a French braid. On my bed lies the soft leather training gear. Claudia must have put it there when I was showering. Pulling it on, I feel like I belong. It feels like a second skin but there is no restriction in my movement.
Downstairs I spot the three of them wearing their training gear and I have to wonder where Claudia got hers or maybe it was stashed here the whole time. Brokk is securing his sword and Aurelia is holding one of the staffs he made from the tree branches.
“Here,” Aurelia holds one out to me.
“Thanks,” taking it, I lean it against the counter while I pull on my backpack and secure it to my waist with the extra safety strap. In the kitchen, I fill up my water bottle and take two travel sickness pills, as well as having the bands on my wrists, and the patch behind my ear. Claudia is looking out of the window, as the sky grows darker.
“Are we going back to the woods?” I ask.
“No, the portal has changed location,” she says.
“Okay, do I have to drive?” I question because I’m a bit worried about leaving Killian’s expensive car in the wilderness.
“We will fly,” she smiles. “It’s time,” she announces.
My heart pounds in my chest as I lock up the house while the others are in the back garden waiting. Brokk is carrying my other bag on his back and Aurelia steps onto his toes with her back to his chest.
“Reagan,” Claudia waves me over. “Step on,” she says and I laugh.
“You are going to carry me?” I scoff. “You’re tiny,” I sigh.
“I’m stronger than you,” she tells me with her hands on her hips.
“Okay, just don’t drop me,” I warn.
Rolling her eyes she grabs me, making me put my toes on hers and hold her waist.
I tease her that we could be dancing but I get a look of annoyance from her.
“Sorry,” I mumble.
“It’s okay, I’m just trying to listen,” she answers. After about five minutes her wings unfurl and flutter. My gaze is locked on them and I smile at the beauty. I don’t even feel her lifting off the ground until the wind blows at my face. Claudia is fast, I think she is about as fast as Killian because the houses are far below us and my eyes are starting to get fuzzy. Closing them tight I take deep breaths to keep myself calm and not let any sort of sickness take hold of me.
“We are here,” her voice sounds in my ear and I open my eyes. I immediately recognize the area. It’s the camping site. The four of us stand in a circle looking around.
“It will be a little while,” Claudia says walking a few paces away. Aurelia frowns as she looks down at her hand. “I do not need our blood princess,” Claudia says from the other side of me now. Aurelia’s head snaps up.
“Thank you,” she answers.
“I thought only royal blood can open the portal?” I ask them both.
Aurelia shrugs and Claudia shakes her head. “There are different ways to open the portal but not everyone is granted permission,” Claudia says then stops.
“Here,” she says.
We all turn to look at her with her hands out in front of her. Brokk and Aurelia step close and I trail along. I will admit I’m terrified, not of going back but what we will have to face. Claudia whispers some fairy words and the air shimmers, my breath catches and I feel a cold sweat crawl down my back.
“Follow me, stay close,” Claudia says, looking each of us in the eye. Her hand reaches out and latches onto mine. “Are you ready?”
“Yes,” I gulp, nodding.
Aurelia grips my backpack and Brokk takes her hand. With a deep breath, Claudia steps through the shimmer taking us with her.
Chapter 37
Killian
* * *
My feet carry me up the mountain, I’m not going far, and I want to conserve my energy. Avery advised against my midnight trek, as I expected but this is something I have to do. Climbing the steep terrain I push forward until the air thins and I begin to feel light-headed.
“Not too far,” I mumble to myself.
I take as deep a breath as the air allows before moving on, this is the second time I have made the journey up this mountain. When I first became a Tenebrosi warrior we had to trek to the peak, to receive our blessing from the Goddess. Tonight, though, I am asking for something else. The lack of air is making it difficult to continue but I know I can make it. The snow this high up is deep allowing the cold to infiltrate my clothes and seep into my bones.
My body slows as I trudge onwards and upwards. My movements are slower now and I feel my body trying to succumb to the cold. Maybe I should have brought somebody like Avery suggested but this is a journey I must make alone. Time moves slower in my mind, as each step is harder than the last. Keeping my head down against the howling wind I push on, step after step until the rock begins to show signs of life again. I know it’s not much further now.
By the time the saplings come into view the air is easier to breathe again but I’m still exhausted from the climb. My wings are plastered to my back coated in frost, making them heavy. Lifting my head, I can see the plateau from here. Keep moving, keep moving, don’t stop. My feet take me to the plateau what feels likes hours later but I know it’s been mere minutes. Finally, I can breathe again normally. The lush green space at the top of the mountain is said to have been created by the Goddess herself as a resting place for her and her husband.
In the center of the green, I fall to my knees barely able to keep my eyes open. The moon is so close I could touch it. Resting my head on the grass, I close my eyes allowing my body some time to recover from the hike. My breathing returns to normal slowly and my wings soon have no weight again. All my thoughts turn to the impending battle. It is not something I desire to do but I know it is something that I have to do. I have to reclaim my birthright and rule the kingdom, as my father would have wanted.
I wish I could speak to him again, I need advice from him no that’s a lie, I just want to see him again for I never got to say goodbye before he was taken away from me. Staying low to the ground I open my mind to the Goddess and allow all my hopes, fears, and deepest secrets to pour out. I ask her to guide me in this battle and to keep my fairies safe as much as she can. I know many will die and my heart clenches at that thought.
“Please Goddess, allow the fairies that sacrifice their life for me and the kingdom, entry to the land of eternity. Wrap your love around us and guide me to make the right choices as I enter into this battle. Keep my warrior brothers in your arms and I beg of you to hold Avery closest for he is my true brother in this life and the next.
“I would like to ask one more thing of you Goddess. Please hold my mate Reagan close to your heart for she is mine and I cannot explain to you the extent of the love I have for her. Keep her safe wherever she may be and allow me to hold her again.”
My body remains still as I recite the poem for Reagan. With everything that I am I hope, she is safe. I fear what I will find in the dungeons of the castle when I return to my home. The night sky begins to change with the pre-dawn light, my signal to begin the hike back down to Tenebrosi. The hike down is more treacherous than it is to come up, my feet skid and slide on loose earth and forest debris. By the time I hit the foothills, I can move a little faster.
Tenebrosi is a world of noise. Shouts come from one side and the clash of swords from another. The camp is full of movement already thanks to Avery. Walking over to my dwelling I change into my training boots to join the warriors.
“Just the fairy I was looking for,” Avery says when I exit.
“Oh,” I look at him.
“I have food in my room,” he tells me changing direction to his place. Following, I enter to the scent of food, making my stomach growl. “Did you enjoy your night?” he asks.
“It was wonderful, thank you,” I reply but can’t help my grin.
“I am happy that you are safe Killian. Now eat,” he points to the plate.
“Avery, you sound like my mother,” I sigh.
“Good,” he smiles at me, pleased with himself.
We eat our breakfast and I feel okay, not happy but not full of worry either.
“Most of the warriors brought their own swords and some brought two. I will ask for them to share,” Avery says.
“That is good, at least, Eitri will not be overwhelmed,” I agree.
“Do you know when we will be ready to leave?” he asks.
“I do,” I sigh heavily. “I will get plans together now then we will speak.”
“Of course,” Avery says.
After breakfast, I return to my own dwelling and over to the map spread out on my table. I have four hundred warriors, forty-three female fairies, the armorer, and the cooks. My eyes move as my brain begins to work out the details of the attack. I can feel it in my bones that it is upon us. Avery joins me a little while later as I walk around the table, although I know how this will happen I still want to be one hundred percent sure that this is the right way.
“Have you decided?” he asks.
“Yes, I have,” I pause my movements at the head of the table. “Call Samiel, Orin, Elvia, Eitri, Durin, and Eldon.”
Avery bows before leaving to get the fairies. I can feel the tension building between my shoulder blades so I rotate them hoping to ease some. By the time all the fairies have gathered inside my small room, the air has become thick with heat. Avery joins me at the head of the table while the others gather around the map.
“Thank you for coming,” I begin. “I have chosen you all because you are some of my most trusted friends. Each of you will have an important role to play in this battle, however, not all of you will be joining me on the battlefield. Elvia, you will remain at Tenebrosi with the female fairies. I fear we will run out of arrows long before the battle ends and we will need a steady supply.”
“Of course my prince,” she answers.
“Eitri, you too will remain here. I will need you to forge arrowheads and swords as fast as you can. I know supplies are limited but I will do my best to get you more.”
“Yes, my prince,” he says with a bow.
“Samiel, you, my friend have the most important task of all,” I tell him. “I need you to remain here with a small number of warriors to keep Tenebrosi safe from attack and to…” I can’t even say it without hope and pain blooming alongside each other in my chest.
“I understand my prince, I will protect the camp and all who enter,” he bows.
“Thank you Samiel,” I smile, grateful that he knows what I am talking about. If Reagan were to return, I need her protected.
“Orin, you will lead a party of seventy-five warriors towards Hunters Lake. From there you will change course, south to Bonfire hills. Stay close to the coast but remain hidden in the trees. Unless you need to, I do not want anyone flying.”
“I understand, my prince,” he bows to me.
“Eldon,” I begin, turning to him. He is one of the warriors I trained with and I trust him in this. “I need you to follow the Elder Tree River all the way to the Forest of Lost Souls. Station the warriors in the forest until the third moon from now, I will send one hundred with you.”
“Yes, my prince.” Eldon replies.
“Avery and I will take another hundred fairies through the Plains of Amor, staging on the border of Bonfire Hills and The Valley Of Oaks,” I tell them as I look down at the map. “Durin.”
“Yes, my prince,” he answers before I can say anything else.
“Durin, I will need you to follow one moon after me with another one hundred warriors. Bring as many arrows as you can carry but do not limit your fighting ability.”
“Yes, my prince I understand.” He bows.
“Orin and Eldon, you will leave tonight. Rest tomorrow in daylight then begin to advance on tomorrow's moon. I will not be able to communicate with you but we will storm the castle on the third moon when it is at its highest point.”
“Yes, my prince,” they say together.
Reaching out, I grasp their arms, “Goddess keep you safe,” I tell them. They both leave my house, allowing some cool night air to blow in. Taking a deep breath I glance at Elvia, I hate to make the females stay but I can’t in good faith allow them to battle.
“I will keep half the females awake tonight to ensure you have enough weapons for tomorrow,” she says. Eitri says that he needs to gather all the practice arrows to begin melting the tips. They both leave along with Durin, who offers to help find the arrows. Samiel, Avery, and I are left staring at the map. Lifting my head I look to Samiel.
“Samiel, I will leave you with twenty-five fairies to guard Tenebrosi, that is all I have left,” I sigh.
“That is enough Prince Killian, I will keep them rotating so they are always fresh,” he replies.
“I knew you would be the perfect fairy for the job,” I smile at him.
“Yes,” he smiles back, which is something he rarely does. With a bow, he turns to leave.
“You have quite the plan,” Avery says, still looking down at the map.
“I just hope it works,” I reply.
“I have no doubt Killian and I am happy you chose me to be at your side,” he glances up at me.
“Would you have stayed if I asked?”
“I would do what you wish of me,” he replies.
“I fear you lie to me brother,” I snort. Avery lifts his head with a big smile on his face.
“I fear you are right,” he laughs.
“You are the worst brother in all the realm,” I laugh at him.
“Do you think that Reagan might try to escape the castle?” he looks down at me.
Leaning my head against the chair I nod, “I pray that somehow she will be set free or she escapes. I know she does not know Avalon but she is a most capable hiker. I don’t feel the bond but maybe if we are closer, it might return,” I shrug.
“Perhaps,” Avery nods.
“I need to see that Orin and Eldon are ready to leave, coming,” I ask, pulling myself up off the chair, I just sat in.
“Yes,” Avery says. We leave the house entering the fresh night air. Walking across the camp to the housing area, I find Eron already shouting orders at the fairies. I watch as they form into lines. I listen to his orders as he calls them out, once he is done, I walk beside him.
“Be safe Eron,” I tell him.
“You too my prince, I will meet you at the castle on the third moon.”
I watch as they march toward the barrier and out of the protected camp. Avery and I wait until the last fairy has passed through before walking to the other side to Orin. He is not as vocal as Eron, but his group of fairies, are all lined up waiting for me.
“Orin, be safe. Remember stay to the trees,” I tell him.
“I understand my prince. Goddess keep you safe,” he bows.
Once they all leave I let out a sigh.
“They will be well, Killian,” Avery whispers. “The Goddess returned you to us for a reason.”
We walk through the camp slowly, checking on the progress of the rest of the fairies. Elvia and the ladies are busy with Durin collecting practice arrows. There is a buzz in the camp and I can feel a lot of emotions around me. Closing myself off, I keep walking.
“Brother,” Avery says from the corner of his mouth. Lifting my head, my gaze locks with Tatiana as she marches across the camp. Avery tries to walk away but I grip his arm to stop him.
“Do you feel that female fairies are weak?” she snaps when she stops in front of me.
“No,” I reply.
“Then why do you leav
e us behind in an abandoned camp?”
“I have need of females here, to help make weapons.”
“You are treating us like small children,” she snaps again making the pink of her eyes flare. “You, have just returned and think to tell us what to do when we have been stuck here for too long.”
“That is enough,” Avery barks at her, stepping around me. “Remember to whom you speak,” he warns.
Tatiana grinds her teeth at us, her anger is palpable as she stares at me. “Forgive me, my prince,” she snaps then turns to fly away.
Avery releases a heavy sigh while shaking his head.
“It could have been worse,” I shrug.
Avery gaps at me, “worse than that?”
“Yeah, she could have slapped me,” I smile.
“Then I fear she would be dead by now,” he says seriously. “You are our future King and no fairy will harm you as long as I have life in me.”
Shaking my head I look at the ground so he can’t see me laughing. I have spent so long with humans that I often forget how fairies act when they are upset. And Avery is right, any fairy to strike the crown prince will be punished by death but I’ve never seen it actually happen.
“We must rest Avery,” I grip his shoulder to ease his tension.
“Yes, we must.” He agrees with another sigh.
I can feel how tight his shoulders are and his anxiety is rolling over me like a steam train. I leave him at his door and continue to my own house.
The camp was alive all night with fairies working and eating. I had to force my breakfast down my throat this morning. Avery is finishing up last minute orders with our troop of fairies. Me, I’m in the bath trying to ease my muscles. Climbing out I dress in my leathers and strap my sword to my waist. My knives slide into my boots easily then I exit to the camp. It is almost empty now, with just two hundred warriors left. Walking through the training ground, I round the houses and knock on the door.
Nerida opens it with a smile, “my prince, come in,” she waves me inside.
