Falling For Fire

by Talia Jager

  “Seriously?”

  I filled Kailani in on the major details, and then facing Artin and Jopul, I begged, “Please tell me what happened.”

  “Why don’t we get you back now and tell you then. You’re not safe here,” Artin begged.

  “She’s not safe there either,” Jopul said.

  “Safer than here. Once she gets back, she can put a stop to this.”

  “Tell me!” I raised my voice.

  They closed their mouths and nodded. “Not long after you were forced to leave, war broke out.”

  “With the Iron Fae?”

  “First with Summer Land.”

  I sucked in a breath. We were supposed to be united, not at war with each other.

  “Your parents were furious that they had been backed into a corner. For a short time, they tried to argue with the other courts that banishment wasn’t the best punishment. Spring and Autumn wanted nothing to do with it, but Queen Nerida insisted the ruling stay, and things got bad after that. Gates were closed. Trading stopped. And soon we had war between our kingdoms. That’s when the Iron Fae attacked.”

  “Who killed my parents?”

  “They died in battle with the Iron Fae.”

  “My siblings?”

  “All alive. Eira has been ruling in your absence. She succeeded in preventing us from coming here a handful of times and has sent some of those loyal to her here to kill you.”

  It felt as if I had been kicked in the stomach. “My sister is trying to kill me?”

  “She can’t be queen as long as you’re alive.”

  “That’s right.” I remembered everything Lumi had said when I was in the dungeon.

  “So where are your wings?” Kailani asked.

  My wings. My perfect wings. I hadn’t seen or felt them in two years. “Glamoured,” I answered.

  “You really believe this? Was there a drug in that dust you blew at her?”

  “That was pixie dust. It returned her memories,” Artin responded.

  “Pixie dust.” She looked at me with confusion. “Rory, I don’t know what’s going on, but maybe we should get you some help.”

  “What if I prove it to you?”

  “How?”

  “Faeries have elemental powers. I’m a Winter faerie, which means I can bend water.” I turned on the sink, and with a twist of my hand, I had a ball of water floating above my palm.

  Kailani’s jaw hit the floor.

  I bounced the water ball in between my hands, then tossed it in the air. Wiggling my fingers, I made it freeze into a snowball and then scatter into a million snowflakes, which floated down to the floor.

  “But that doesn’t prove you’re a faerie,” she said softly.

  Sighing, I led Kailani to the couch. “I don’t have any other proof here. You’ve known me for two years. Think about it. Iron and metals made from iron make faeries weak. What happened when I rode in cars?”

  “You lost your energy and would fall asleep.”

  “Faeries like to be outside. We love nature.”

  “You always felt cooped up inside.”

  “Faeries don’t have fancy foods. We eat vegetables, fruits, grains.”

  “That’s always what you ate here too.”

  “I’m a Winter faerie.”

  “You hate the heat here. You love the ice rink. The snowflakes… You’re really a faerie?”

  “She is, and we need to get her home,” Artin insisted.

  “Make the arrangements,” I told Artin. As the words left my mouth, a great sadness settled in.

  “What is it, Your Majesty?” Artin asked, sensing my mood.

  “It’s just that…well, I know I have to go home, but I have family here now. I don’t know how I can just up and disappear without telling them I’m a faerie.”

  Kailani and I had become such close friends that leaving her felt incomprehensible. Even if I had a cell phone, I couldn’t use it in the Faerie Realm, the post office didn’t deliver there, and visiting wouldn’t be easy.

  Kailani’s eyes held mine, and I knew she understood what I was feeling and felt the same way. How could I say good-bye to her?

  “What do I tell everyone?” I asked softly.

  “I can’t believe this.”

  Leaning my head on her shoulder, I let a few tears fall down my face. “You have been an amazing friend. More than a friend. You took me into your ohana and made me part of it. You’ll never know how much I appreciated it. I was new here in a strange place. But you made me feel at home. Thank you for that.”

  “I don’t want you to go.” She dabbed her eyes.

  “I’m so sorry. I’m going to miss you so much.”

  “I’m going to miss you too.” She sniffled. “What about your bungalow?”

  “I don’t have a lot of personal things. Could I pack up a box, and maybe store it at your place?”

  “Of course.”

  The four of us went to my place, and I put some of the clothes I had collected in a bag along with just a few things I wanted to take back home. Then I got out a box from the closet. When I walked past the mirror, I stopped and stared. Now with my memories back, I giggled at my outfit. It wasn’t formal at all. I couldn’t remember the last time I had dressed in a gown. My hair was pulled back into a ponytail with a few strands loosely hanging around my face. A folded-up bandana was tied around my head. I had kept on all of my jewelry, but I missed my wings. They were a part of me, and even though I knew I still had them, they weren’t exactly there, and I couldn’t wait until the glamour was off.

  I sat on my bed for a minute and let everything sink in. I had been sent to the human realm two years ago—two YEARS ago. My parents were dead. My sister was out to get me. And I had no real idea what my home looked like. And then there was Sorin, my true love. I wondered what his life had been like for the past two years. Where had he ended up? Did he have a girlfriend? Would he still love me after all this time?

  Always. I had to have faith.

  With the bag on my shoulders and the box in my arms, I said a silent good-bye to the place I had called home for two years.

  Kailani went to put the box in her apartment and said she’d meet me at her shop when I was done with my good-byes. Artin and Jopul walked me to the salon but stayed hidden outside.

  I walked into Iekika’s for the last time. I smiled at Mele as I crossed the room into Kika’s office. She looked up. “Aloha, Rory. What can I do for you?”

  “I…I have to go, Kika. I have a family emergency, and I have to go home. I’m so sorry. I can’t give you notice or wait for you to replace me. I have to go now.”

  She set down her papers and sat up. “Is everything okay?”

  Being honest made the most sense. “No. I just got word that my parents died. I need to go home and help fix things.”

  Kika placed her hand on mine. “Of course. Your family needs you. Hopefully, it won’t take too long for you to get back to us.”

  “That’s the thing. Even though I love it here so much, I don’t think I’ll be coming back to stay. I don’t want you to have to hold my spot.”

  The remaining part of her smile faded. “Oh. I certainly understand, Rory, but please know we will miss you. I hope you’ll come back to at least visit.”

  “I will try my hardest.”

  After saying good-bye and hugging everyone, I walked out the door. Jopul and Artin escorted me to Frozen Sweets, where I told Anela the same thing.

  With her eyes full of tears, she wrapped her arms around me. “You’ll always be ohana, Rory. You’d better come visit.”

  “I’ll try. Thank you, Anela, for being like a mother to me.”

  She smiled. “You’re welcome.”

  When I was back outside, I told Artin and Jopul, “One more stop.”

  They followed me to Northern Lights Ink. Staring at the sign, I smiled. No wonder I had been attracted to Kailani and her store. My name was associated with the northern lights.

  The store wasn’t open y
et, so I went around back to go in that way. Suddenly someone grabbed me from behind, and I screamed.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Sorin

  There was a loud knock at the front door. Who could it be this early? Trevor was running errands out of town today, so I knew it couldn’t be him. Maybe it was someone who was lost? I crossed the room and opened up the door. A man and a woman, both dressed in brown pants and orange coats, stood there.

  “Yes?” I waited for a response. The way they were looking at me made me think they knew me. “Do I know you? Who are you?”

  The male held up his hand and blew dust in my face. I didn’t have time to react before the dust hit my face and I breathed it in. As soon as I did, my life changed.

  Memories flooded back of my family, my friends, my home, and most importantly, of Aurora. Our first meeting at the falls, our kiss, and the way my heart leapt when she walked down the stairs at the Winter Solstice. I sucked in a breath and looked back at the two people on my doorstep. They weren’t people; one was a glamoured faerie, the other a glamoured satyr.

  “Your Majesty.” They bowed.

  Majesty? That meant my parents were dead. “Please come in.” I stood to the side so Jastra and Nyella could walk inside. I closed the door and paced around the room for a minute thinking about what this meant. “I’m sorry. Where are my manners? Can I get you something to eat? Drink?”

  “No, Your Majesty. We’re fine. We’re here to escort you home,” Nyella said.

  “Do you want to sit?” I gestured to the couch.

  Jastra and Nyella exchanged a glance. “We should hurry.”

  “I need…I need a minute. My parents are dead then?” I looked from Nyella to Jastra.

  “Yes,” he answered.

  Running my hand through my hair, I said, “Aurora?”

  “We’ve been trying to get to you both for a while now. Eira has made it difficult, but obviously we succeeded. Aurora was sent for as well,” Jastra explained.

  The mere mention of Eira’s name made my blood boil. I didn’t understand how she could have just turned on her sister the way she did. “Do you know if Aurora’s okay?”

  “She’s believed to be fine.”

  I wouldn’t believe it until I saw it with my own eyes.

  “Dune? Skye?” I questioned, worried they had died with my parents.

  Nyella replied, “Both fine.”

  “What happened?”

  “We can fill you in on the way home. Time is of the essence,” Jastra answered.

  “Why?” I asked, trying to wrap my head around everything.

  Jastra let go of a deep breath. “For one, if Eira finds out that we’ve come, she’s certain to have guards waiting at the portal. Two, the fae need you, Your Majesty. They’ve been without a good leader for quite some time. They’re scared, angry, and restless.”

  “Let’s go.” I grabbed my jacket. “Wait. What do I do about my life here?”

  “The cabin is owned by faeries. It will all be taken care of,” Jastra said.

  “The people I’ve met?”

  “All will be told you returned home.”

  I chewed on my lip, thinking about what I should do. “I need to tell Patrick myself. It’s the right thing to do.”

  Nyella nodded. “Of course, Your Majesty. We just ask that you hurry.”

  I led them into town to the gym. “I’ll only be a few minutes. Stay here,” I told Jastra and Nyella, leaving them in a café down the street. Knowing only Patrick would be there this early, I went to the pool.

  Patrick looked up when I walked in. “Hey, Sorin. Here for a swim?”

  “No.” I shook my head. “I have some bad news.”

  “Oh?” The corners of his mouth turned down. “What is it, son?”

  “My family needs me. I need to go home. I’m so sorry. I know I should give notice and all, but I don’t have the time.”

  He reached over and put his hand on my shoulder. “I understand. Is there anything I can do?”

  “No. I have everything handled. I just wanted to tell you in person and thank you for your friendship.”

  “It’s been an honor, Sorin. I wish you the best and hope that you’ll return someday.”

  I smiled, knowing that probably wasn’t going to happen. After shaking his hand, I hurried back to Jastra and Nyella. “Where do we need to go?”

  “There’s a portal in the forest.” Nyella led us out of the café and down the street to the forest.

  I needed to know more about what was going on. “Tell me what happened.”

  “The Winter king and queen tried to get the others to reverse the banishment. When it was clear that wasn’t going to happen, gates were closed, trading stopped, and everyone became hostile. Winter attacked. Soon all the Seasons were all at war with each other. The Iron Fae got wind of this and used the opportunity to attack. We’ve been fighting for a long time,” Jastra explained as we walked.

  “Who killed my parents?” I asked.

  “It was in battle. Your father died fighting and your mother died when the room she was hiding in collapsed. Many knights, including Cahir, guards, and our advisor were also killed.” Jastra sidestepped between two trees.

  “That’s terrible.” My heart was broken for the loss of life that we had all suffered. I thought about Keir, who lost his father, and my siblings, who faced life without parents. Guilt washed over me. If I hadn’t fallen in love with a Winter faerie, this wouldn’t have happened. My parents were dead because my heart had leapt for someone it wasn’t supposed to. I blamed the royals too. If they had been willing to change, this wouldn’t have happened either.

  “The portal is just ahead,” Nyella said, pointing at a large tree.

  “Do we have any way of knowing what is waiting on the other side?” I asked.

  “No. We must be ready for anything,” Jastra answered. “I’ll go first and handle any problems.” He placed his hand on the tree and disappeared.

  “Your turn,” Nyella said. “I’ll be right behind you.”

  Taking a deep breath, I put my hand on the tree.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Aurora

  The assailant tried to force me backward, but Artin blocked the exit with an ice wall. An icicle formed in the hands of my captor. He held it to my throat and sneered. “One more step and I’ll kill your queen.”

  Suddenly I felt myself yanked backward. He let go, and I fell forward. I turned to find Kailani on the attacker’s back. She grabbed the hair on either side of his head. The snowflake tattoo on her face started to glow slightly. Frost appeared on Kailani’s hands and spread to the side of the faerie’s neck and then continued on down his spine. He stopped struggling, and as soon as Kailani hopped off his back, he dropped to the ground. His eyes shot to Kailani, and he asked, “What did you do to me?”

  Curiously, I walked over to him. Artin followed. Kailani examined her hands. Artin moved the stranger’s shirt out of the way and said, “He’ll be fine. His spine is frozen, and we’ll keep him like that until we can get him to a cell.”

  “Did Eira send you?”

  He didn’t answer.

  “What’s your name?”

  Silence again.

  The light blue hair told me he was indeed a Winter faerie. “Why are you trying to kill me?”

  “Eira has a few faeries who are loyal to her. He must be one of them,” Artin told me.

  I sighed, annoyed that the traitor wouldn’t talk. At least he was incapacitated now.

  Jopul and Artin put the would-be assassin in the back of a truck. “You stay quiet now.” Artin slid his fingers over his mouth, freezing his lips together.

  “I’ll stay outside to keep an eye on him,” Jopul said.

  “Are we going to be riding in that?” I asked, eyeing the truck.

  “Only for about five minutes. Jopul will drive since metals don’t bother him,” Artin replied.

  “Are you sure it’ll be a short drive? I don’t want to be wort
hless when I get home.”

  “I promise,” Artin replied with a smile.

  Once we were inside, I asked Artin, “Do you think she sent more than just one?”

  “Highly unlikely. She doesn’t have a lot of followers. Two are guarding her.”

  “Does she know you’re here?”

  “Not that I’m aware of. Lumi sent the two of us secretly.”

  I turned my attention to Kailani, who was still staring at the frost on her hands. “How did I do that?” she asked.

  “That’s what I want to know,” I replied.

  Artin looked at Kailani. Reaching out to her face, he asked, “May I?”

  She nodded.

  He touched the tattoo. “It’s cold like ours.”

  “How is that even… Wait, wait, wait. Is it possible that she’s a vessel?” I asked.

  “It’s possible, but wouldn’t she know?” Artin replied.

  Thinking back to what we had learned in school, I answered, “No. In school, they taught that vessels don’t know who or what they are. Their powers only show up in dire need, so they can go their whole lives without knowing.”

  “You said you’ve been friends since you first got here?”

  “Yeah. Like day two.”

  “Maybe the vessel part of her recognized who you are?”

  “It’s possible.”

  Artin studied Kailani’s face. “The snowflakes on her face. They resemble yours.”

  “Yes. She designed them herself.”

  “How did you come up with the design?” Artin asked.

  “I just sat down one day and drew them up. I suppose I used Rory’s as a reference.”

  “The snowflakes and swirl pattern resemble mine a little, but now that I remember, they look closer to my mother’s, more so of family members who have long since passed…” My voice trailed off.

  “So it’s possible that you’re related.”

  Silence filled the back room.

  “How fascinating. Not only did you befriend a vessel, it’s most likely the essence of a Winter faerie who came from somewhere back in your family line.”

  Kailani was looking between Artin and me.

  “What are the chances?” I asked.

  “Astronomical, but with everything going on in your life, you shouldn’t be—”