by Allison Rose
They would have a lot more to work through, but Nola was looking forward to it.
Chapter 34
Kelty insisted Nola stay inside, and reluctantly allowed Briar to stay with her.
“Upset her in any way and your punishment will increase threefold,” Kelty hissed to him as she exited her home tree for a second time that night. Nola still looked well after a few hours of being a faerie, though she was still pretty unsteady on her feet. Kelty took a few berries to her, but Nola had refused them, claiming she wasn’t hungry, only tired. But she looked at Briar like he was the center of her world, and so Kelty left them.
It may be the only peace they have together for a while, she reasoned.
Fable was gone for now. But he would be back for Nola. There was a reason he wanted her faerie, and it wasn’t to heal the Court of Outcasts.
A tiredness seeped into her bones as she looked up to greet the night. The usual sounds of animals and insects as well as the light of the moon calmed her somewhat as she climbed upward, joining Rowan in the branches of her home tree.
“See the night,” she said softly as she climbed up next to him, now realizing the traditional greeting sounded odd to her.
“See the night,” he replied with warmth. So much had happened in the past few days, and they hadn’t always been in agreement, yet he had stuck by her. She hoped that meant something. Kelty searched his face for signs of resentment or anger but found none. Still, an awkwardness hung in the air now that the danger had passed.
“Is Nola…?” Rowan asked awkwardly.
“She is a faerie,” Kelty confirmed, settling directly in front of him with her legs hanging down on one side of the tree limb. “Just as she looked in Fable’s vision. She won’t eat yet, but she seems healthy.”
Rowan managed to look relieved and worried at the same time. “We will have to prepare for Fable’s return.”
“And find a way to reach those in Faerie and warn them about that dark magic.” Kelty pulled at a knot in her long silver hair. “And convince the other rulers to accept my court.”
“We will find a way,” Rowan said warmly, reaching out and pulling her to him with one arm.
“And if he destroys Faerie before we get to warn them?” Kelty was reluctant to give up her worries despite the comfort of his embrace.
“Rash action is not Fable’s style. Nor is it The Glorious’s,” Rowan assured her. “Whatever they are planning, it will be slow enough that no one will notice until it is upon them.”
Moon above, may that be enough time for us to get back to Faerie and stop him.
“Please tell me you have an idea how we can get back to Faerie.”
“This world is filled with outcasts,” he replied. “One of them may have the answer.”
“We find the other outcasts.” The simplicity of it surprised Kelty.
His chuckle rumbled through his chest. “Convincing them to join Court will be another matter.”
Kelty pulled away enough to get a good look at his face. “Do you regret choosing me?”
Rowan gave her a steady look. “I haven’t regretted it for a moment.”
A smile spread across Kelty’s weary face, and warmth filled her completely. “Together, we rule?”
“Together, we rule,” he echoed as he pulled her toward him again.
When his lips met hers, it was unlike anything she ever felt. The warmth in her core turned into a pleasant burn. And when she finally pulled away, she knew. She could feel him as if he were a part of her. It was a constant, steady presence—intrusive but in a very good way. She felt his love for her, and the rest of the world melted away in that moment.
They were finally partners.
Chapter 35
Nola lay on her stomach, still not used to the wings and how they felt crushed beneath her when she lay on her back, and studied Briar’s sleeping face. He refused to touch her, but sleeping directly next to him was still a gift to Nola.
She had no idea what time it was; the stones embedded in the wall emitted a soft glow in the darkness as they had all night—or at least what Nola had assumed was all night. She had slept deeply, without dreams of any kind. Now she simply took in the moment, knowing with the dawn, she would have to face her new life—something she was both excited and incredibly nervous about.
What will our future be like? she wondered, fingers itching to trace Briar’s perfect jawline. Will Kelty allow us to be together? Will the rest of the court—
She sat bolt upright. I’m supposed to heal them. How do I even do that?
“Nola?” Briar sat up in alarm.
“I’m fine,” she rushed to assure him. As she turned, she realized their faces were incredibly close, and she hastily scooted backward, nearly hitting her head on the stone basin where Kelty kept water. “I just don’t know how to save the court. That’s all. Any ideas?”
His posture relaxed. “I wish I could help you with that, but magic like that isn’t even known in Faerie.”
“What?” Nola squeaked.
“Well, there is one with the power, or so the Day claims.” He took a look at her face and quickly added, “Kelty will help you. She is the all-powerful Star, remember?”
“Right,” Nola said, not convinced. She folded her now-shorter legs beneath her and stood, Briar rushing to help her.
The world spun a little from the action.
“Here.” Briar kept a hold of her arm with one hand and offered her the berries Kelty brought in the previous night with the other. “Eat.”
There was a twinge in Nola’s stomach at the sight of what looked to her like an abnormally large blackberry, but she took it and popped it into her mouth anyway, hoping her new legs would then quit threatening to give out.
The effect was almost immediate. The pang in her stomach stopped, and the energy at her core invigorated. She looked up to Briar with wide eyes.
The corner of his mouth quirked up in a smile. “The energy from the world around us sustains us.”
She nodded, noticing he still gripped her arm despite her legs being stable. A mark on the inside of his wrist caught her attention. It was a simple black swirl, small enough as to go unnoticed, but Nola was sure it hadn’t been there before.
“What is that?” she asked Briar.
He looked down at it apprehensively. “I made an oath to Fable that I would let you choose your own future. It is why he let you go free.”
Weird…
But other worries pressed on her mind.
“Briar, what will happen when Fable comes back?”
The softness left his gaze. “We’ll be ready.”
Nola frowned and opened her mouth to question further, but Kelty chose that moment to throw open the door.
Gentle sunlight streamed in for a moment before she closed it. “How are you feeling, Nola?” Kelty peered around Briar, giving him an annoyed look.
“Fine. I think,” Nola replied weakly. Kelty then pushed Briar to the side and examined Nola herself.
We are the same height now, Nola thought, finding it strange to be at eye level with the faerie instead of looking slightly down at her.
“You ate?” Kelty asked.
Nola nodded hurriedly. “Yes. Now please tell me you know how I am supposed to heal them.”
“I don’t.” The look Kelty gave her was one of pity. “But it was in the vision. It will come to pass. It doesn’t have to be today,” she added reassuringly.
“How long can they last?” Nola asked.
“They are weak and conserving the energy they have. They can exist for a while yet. It just is not a pleasant existence,” Kelty answered. “You have time.”
“As for you.” Kelty pinned Briar with a sharp gaze. “You are not one of my court, and so as punishment for killing one of my court, I will make you one of my court and bind you to me for the rest of your days.”
Nola gaped at her. In the chaos of events and her own transformation, she had forgotten what Briar had done.
> “Did you mean to kill her?” Nola turned to Briar.
He cringed but met her gaze. “Yes. She would’ve killed you otherwise.”
He killed for me. Nola turned the words over in her mind as her breath came faster. Part of her was still shocked, but the other was deeply touched.
“You couldn’t have discussed this last night?” Kelty glared at Briar.
“She was just turned into a faerie,” Briar shot back at her.
Kelty sighed and turned back to Nola, taking her hands. “He must be punished, and this made the most sense. The oath will allow him to remain here.”
And I want him to remain here. Nola looked over at him, his core still shining bright. Her shock began to dissipate. No matter what he has done, I still want to give us a chance.
She nodded at Kelty.
“And do you wish to become a part of my court?” Kelty asked her.
“Of course,” Nola answered immediately as a thrill went through her.
Kelty nodded in approval. “I will bind the oaths in front of the court,” she told them both as she let go of Nola’s hands.
Nola heaved in a breath and caught Briar’s eyes again. He gave her an encouraging nod.
“Okay. Let’s do this,” Nola said.
Kelty gave her smile then, too, and Nola felt a rush of excitement.
I will truly be a part of the Court of Outcasts.
Kelty pushed open the door and led them out into the morning light.
Nola squinted and put up an arm to shield her eyes. She could just make out the figures of the Court of Outcasts, standing in a semi-circle facing them. Rowan graciously moved to stand at Nola’s side to block the sun. She gave him a grateful smile. Briar stopped just outside the tree, mostly behind Kelty.
Lark stood the closest to them, and she openly stared at Nola. The fiery-colored one Nola learned was called Anthem was glaring at Briar, and next to him the gray one called Dane simply surveyed everyone with a closed-off expression.
There is darkness surrounding them, Nola realized. It felt wrong, repulsive, almost taunting to Nola.
“See the outcasts,” Kelty began, addressing her court. She paused and looked to each of them, giving them a chance to fix their attention on her and nod respectfully.
“Last night, Sayra’s remains were used to create new life.” Kelty gestured to Nola. As all eyes focused on her, Nola snapped her attention back to the situation at hand. Not knowing what else to do, she gave them a weak smile and a nod.
“Nola has agreed to become one of the court—”
Nola stopped listening, as the pulsing darkness surrounding the three faeries drew her attention once more.
It doesn’t belong in such a place of life, she thought angrily.
Impulsively, she stepped forward to grab Lark’s hand. Out, Nola silently urged at the darkness, much like she once had done to drive the iron out of Kelty’s body. A warm energy started in her core and traveled through her arm, eating at the darkness and traveling into Lark and then down into the ground.
It was over in a few moments, and Nola dropped Lark’s hand as if it burned her.
What did I do? I should’ve asked first! What is wrong with me?
“I’m sorry,” she stammered, but Lark broke into a smile and threw her arms around Nola’s neck.
“Uh…” Nola saw the rest of them gaping at her out of the corner of her eye. Kelty looked as shocked as Nola had ever seen her. Briar wore a proud grin.
“She is staying, right?” Lark asked as she let go.
Nola stumbled a little from the force, and Rowan reached a hand forward to steady her.
“I like her,” Lark added, ruffling Nola’s hair.
Nola felt a little spark of annoyance, but she decided maybe she wouldn’t mind being a child-like new addition if it meant they accepted her.
Kelty recovered and nodded. “Yes, Nola is staying.”
Home. I am home, Nola thought, feeling complete for the first time in her life.
Chapter 36
Kelty worried that Nola wouldn’t have the energy to break through the dark magic on both Anthem and Dane, but the new faerie was determined to heal them. Rowan followed slightly behind Nola as she took Anthem’s hand and then Dane’s. Kelty was tense as well—and could practically feel the tension coming off of Briar beside her—as Nola did so, but her court only looked at Nola in wonder and shock as she performed the same magic she had on Lark. Once the darkness was gone, she then collapsed. Rowan caught her just before she hit the ground.
Kelty stepped forward with a worried frown, but she saw the smile on Nola’s face as Rowan scooped her up and headed toward Kelty’s tree. A quick glance behind her showed Briar’s expression lost its tension as well.
“Do you all feel the ara again?” Kelty addressed her court. Though relief shown on their faces and relaxed postures, she had to be sure they were actually cured, that they would live.
Anthem and Dane nodded stoically, and Lark responded with an emphatic “yes.”
“What sort of magic does she have?” Lark cocked her head as Rowan reemerged from Kelty’s tree, having deposited Nola inside.
“I don’t know yet,” Kelty replied truthfully. Rowan stepped up to her side and gave her an encouraging look.
And now we shall see how they take this next part. Kelty mentally braced herself.
“As punishment for taking the life of one of my court, I have decided that Briar shall be forever bound to me and the court.”
“You would bind one such as him to the court?” Anthem challenged her immediately.
“He knows Fable better than we all do. He is an asset to this court,” Kelty said with a tone of finality.
“And if he betrays us?” Lark asked, giving Briar a wary look.
“He won’t,” Kelty said with confidence.
In the end, they had no choice but to watch as Kelty clasped a hand with Briar’s and used her own spirit energy to bind him to her and the Court of Outcasts, forever their servant.
Moon above, let this be the right choice.
“We are a united court now,” Kelty addressed them all directly afterward. “And we shall grow and thrive.”
* * *
Despite the glares and worries, the Court of Outcasts all begrudgingly accepted Briar, though Kelty suspected Nola played a huge part in that. They were completely enamored with her, each trying to teach her something new about faeries.
Nola grew steady on her feet rather quickly, though she had little control over her wings. Briar kept a close eye on her, catching her if she wobbled as she tried to keep her balance while extending and retracting her wings.
Kelty and Rowan had made a trip to the field where the humans had been taken to Faerie, but it was just that again—a field. There were no traces of magic. Or of the faerie called Allora that held the humans there.
Briar took this news rather uneasily. “If Allora cannot get back to Faerie to join Fable…”
“She’ll do what?” Kelty prompted.
“I don’t know what she’ll do,” Briar admitted.
Another faerie on our list to watch out for, Kelty thought with a sigh.
With Nola’s help, Kelty tracked down and paid a visit to each of the humans, removing the compulsions from their minds and doing her best to restore memories, though she let them continue to think Nola was to blame for the lost time when they were supposedly stuck underground. It was better that they didn’t remember the faerie parts of their experiences.
While Kelty dealt with the immediate fallout of Fable’s actions, Rowan pored over what notes he had on the outcasts of the Day, drawing up a better profile for each of them and guesses at where they might be within the human world.
It was likely he would be one of the ones leaving to find them, and Kelty dreaded the day her court would be spread out and in more danger than they were together.
“What are you thinking about?” Nola’s voice brought Kelty out of her thoughts. She reached down just in
time to grab Nola’s arm as her feet slipped.
Nola scrambled onto the branch, almost unseating Kelty as she did so. “I’m still not good at climbing,” she said by way of apology. “Or flying. Or anything much.”
Despite her laments, Nola was smiling sheepishly. Kelty wanted her to get used to being a faerie before they started magic lessons again. She wanted her to have time to enjoy it before they faced the difficult path ahead.
“You are progressing well,” Kelty told her.
“Sure,” Nola said with a slight eye roll.
“I was thinking it would be time soon for the court to spread out, expand, search for the other outcasts. We have to find some way into Faerie to warn them of the dark magic. And we have to be ready for Fable to return.”
“He got what he wanted.” Nola looked down, tracing the edges of the bark with one finger. “If he comes back, it will be for me.”
“And we can’t let him have you,” Kelty said with finality.
Nola suddenly looked up. “Just promise me that if he comes, no one will die for me—especially not you.”
“I cannot promise that.” Kelty eyed her. What in the name of the moon brought this on?
Nola sighed, expression turning pouty. “Fine,” she said before sliding off the branch.
Kelty leaned forward, ready to dive off and save Nola from the fall she would never make without the mastery of her wings, when she saw Briar below. He caught Nola and deposited her on the ground, looking up to catch Kelty’s eye as Nola stalked away.
After giving him an exasperated look, Kelty climbed down the other way to join Rowan at the base of her tree. She caught a glimpse of Briar disappearing into the foliage as he went after Nola.
“She knows something we don’t,” Kelty said, dread forming a pit in her stomach.
“She was alone with Fable in that jail.” Rowan looked up from his papers. “She will talk eventually.”
“We have taken so much from her.” Guilt threatened to crush Kelty as she thought of how she couldn’t thwart Fable, how he beat her at every turn.
