The Golden Winged Horse

by Maggie Joan

  “What’s wrong?” she whispered.

  “Fairies are psychic, right?” I whispered back.

  She nodded.

  “How do you fit into that? Can you read minds?”

  “Of course.”

  “Can you just read minds or can you delve a little further?”

  She crossed her arms over her chest and said, “What are you getting at?”

  “Aeden wants a physical keepsake to remind him of his time with my gran. He told me he still remembers meeting her and her ‘infectious smile’ as he put it. What if you could capture that memory and put it into something physical?”

  Her lilac eyes lit up, flickering specks of yellow and pale blue. “I can certainly do something like that. What sort of physical thing were you thinking?”

  “Can you duplicate one of these flowers? Even if it’s not a real one, just one that resembles it?”

  A smile lit up her face. “You really are a pure soul, Faye. I’m truly honoured you had the opportunity to wear my dress. Consider it done.”

  I resisted the urge to hug her as she really didn’t seem the sort to appreciate it nor return it. We quickly returned to the crowd and I made my way straight to Aeden’s side.

  “Aeden, I promise you will have a physical keepsake of your time with my gran. Can you trust me enough to hand Isidora the flowers?”

  He pressed his lips together for a moment, sighed, then nodded. He freely handed the flowers over to the mage who promptly rushed to the circle of thrones and the flame in the middle. She kept her back to us as she worked. All I could see were her hands moving around.

  “Faye,” she called out. “I need you please.”

  Startled that Isidora would need me for anything, I quickly made my way over to her, wondering what she could need me for. I stood to her left, but slightly in front of her. The fire burned hot and fierce and carried a ball of pink, yellow, and blue in the centre of it.

  “Your hand, please,” she said, holding her hand out for mine.

  I hesitantly reached over with my left hand, wondering what she was going to do. She turned it over so my palm faced up.

  “Quick scratch,” she said.

  Before I could even open my mouth, she produced a small silver knife and ran it diagonally across my palm. I winced from the sharp sting and my hand started throbbing as the sting turned into a painful ache. Blood sprang to the surface, running across my pale skin. She quickly turned my hand over and shook it over the fire. I watched in amazement as the drops of my blood fell into the colourful ball in the middle and turned it a deep shade of emerald green.

  “Twelve drops,” she said. “That’s all I needed. Thank you.” She pushed my hand back towards me, touched the centre of my palm with her index finger, and returned her focus to the fire.

  I looked at my hand and marvelled as the wound she’d inflicted upon me healed up right before my eyes, the pain disappearing just as quickly. I wandered back to the Queens, slightly bemused that my blood was needed, but then again, how else would the dust be made to exempt my bloodline?

  “Hey,” Calico said, taking me to one side. “Isidora is going to be a little while. She’s got to finish that dust then release Tristan somehow. Would you like to go back to the gardens and have a talk?”

  I nodded. “I’d like that.”

  We headed back to the horses and mounted up, and I called the dogs to heel. They deserved to enjoy the outdoors just as much as us. I knew exactly what he wanted to talk about and the closer we came to exiting the tunnels, the harder my heart pounded. I felt almost dizzy from the adrenaline and nerves coursing around me.

  I figured he’d take us back to the side garden, where we could sit on a bench or something and that’s exactly what he did. Either he was reading my thoughts and going there, or he’d planned to go there anyway. I guessed I’d never know.

  He dismounted at the edge of one of the pathways, not far from the rearing horse water fountain we’d been in front of not all that long ago. This time though, he didn’t march off and wait for me to catch up, he stood in front of Kaisa and waited for me to dismount. I pictured the dogs laying down on the grass, basking in the sunshine, and that’s exactly what they did.

  My heart skipped a beat when I saw him holding his hand out for me to take. I blushed and gladly obliged. His warm fingers curled around mine, giving me a renewed sense of strength and energy. As we walked towards the rearing horse feature, each step seemed to ramp up the anticipation of what was about to unfold. By the time we sat down on the stone edge of the fountain, a cold sweat had broken out all over my body and my mind was nothing but a mix of jumbled sentences.

  “I want to start by apologising,” he said, clearing his throat. “I’m sorry for springing that kiss on you like that, it was extremely insensitive of me and very bad timing. I think emotions were running high considering what had just happened in Cotopia.”

  Our legs were touching, and eighty percent of my focus was trying not to focus on that fact. Just being around him sent my hormones through the roof. Cute boys back home didn’t hold a candle to Calico. He was something else entirely and every part of me was very aware of that fact.

  “It’s ok,” I said. “Honestly, I’ve never been kissed like that and it was a bit of a shock to the system.”

  A cheeky smile tugged at his lips. “Is that a good thing?”

  “If you’re trying to fish for a compliment about your kissing skills, then yes, it was a fantastic kiss.”

  His smile broadened into a grin. “I’m glad you liked it.”

  The intensity of the glow in his eyes made my heart beat against my rib cage like a caged wild animal desperate for freedom. As much as I wanted to look away to lessen the power of the moment, I couldn’t.

  “This would be so complicated,” I said, my voice trembling. “I don’t even understand how it would work without one of us sacrificing our lives in the world we know. If you were from my world, I would be all over this like a wasp with jam.”

  He tipped his head back and laughed. “‘Like a wasp with jam’, very interesting analogy. Would you not want to just see where it goes? I’m very aware of the complications and I have spoken with Isidora about a possible solution to one of them.”

  I remembered before we left to head home for the flowers and Tristan, he’d been in a deep conversation with Isidora. Was that what he was doing? “What were you talking to her about?”

  “Remember I mentioned she gave me and Aeden a little booster so we could be human sized whilst in your world?” I nodded. “Well, I spoke with her about the possibility of that being a more permanent thing.”

  I frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “Well, the boost she gave me and Aeden to go over just now was a one-time deal. I asked her if it would be possible for that to happen every time I crossed into your world.”

  I gasped. I didn’t know whether to be excited or question him some more for the fine details. “Really?”

  He nodded and reached for my other hand. “She can do it. She’s going to create a serum that will change me every time I pass the border.”

  “And there’s no risks or complications to you?”

  He shook his head. “None. Well, except for one.”

  My heart leapt into my throat. “What?”

  “The only risk is that you don’t want this.”

  “Are you crazy?” I squeezed his hands. “You’ve been in my head, remember? You know the answer to that already.”

  “I’ll have you know I’ve been a perfect gentleman and stayed away from your thoughts for a few hours.”

  I laughed. “A few hours. I’m so lucky.”

  “Believe me, I’m the lucky one.”

  I blushed. “Tell me what happens if this actually works. Where do we live? Let alone all the other complications, children, families, work.”

  “We’ll figure it out when the time is right. Can we not just enjoy it for what it is right now?”

  Every cell inside
me screamed yes but my head held up a barrier, one that didn’t want to face heartache further down the line. “I don’t want to end up with a broken heart, Calico, and I don’t want you to either. How could I possibly be content with a normal human after you anyway? Nothing and no one would ever compare.”

  He dropped my hands and cupped my face. “What I hear is fear. And if you honestly think no one could compare to me, then you already have your answer as to how this will work out. I’m old enough to know what I want, Faye, I’m old by my time scales and yours. I’ve never considered anyone in the way that I have you. I’m willing to risk my heart to pursue it. Are you?”

  What would my dad say? But our time together over here had opened my mind to so many possibilities, anything could happen, even this. “Yes.”

  He leaned in and touched his nose to mine, staring those beautiful blue eyes straight into my very soul. My body started trembling, my heart raced so hard I couldn’t distinguish one beat from the next. He closed his eyes and touched his lips to mine. I couldn’t help but close my eyes and fall into oblivion with him.

  Chapter 22

  By the time we returned to the Queens Court, both grinning like Cheshire cats, Isidora was just lifting the glass off Tristan’s dome. He instantly returned to his normal size, which quite frankly, was huge. He towered over Kaisa and Izar. I couldn’t thank my lucky stars enough that I’d not released him in Dad’s office, although, it would have been the perfect way to irk him about his pristine workspace.

  Tristan turned his attention straight away to Aeden. “Well, look what we have here. A turn of the tables. How about you be my little pet tonight, hmmm?”

  Aeden’s eyes widened as he stumbled backwards. “I…um…I think I’m busy…the…the gardeners need some help…and…and I’ve not seen my mother for so long, I should have dinner with her really.”

  “I’m afraid all I heard was agreement,” Tristan said. “Buckle up, cowboy, you’re coming flying.”

  Aeden shrieked and ran to Amode. “Mother, aren’t we scheduled for dinner?”

  “Nothing that can’t wait, my dear,” Amode replied, smirking. “You go along with your friend and have some quality time.”

  Tristan’s eyes sparkled like never before. He stood tall and proud and seemed to be wholly enjoying Aeden’s torture. As Isidora approached him, he unfolded his wings, making me gasp at the sheer spread of them. They must have easily reached ten feet across, each wing full of stunning, shimmering golden feathers. I wondered if riding him, or rather flying, would ever be an option for me.

  “When we get married,” Calico whispered into my ear.

  I giggled and playfully shoved his shoulder. “So much for being a perfect gentleman.”

  He grinned back at me and blew me a kiss, seeing as we were still mounted. “I thought we could go and see your gran and wait for Aeden there. Tristan will deliver his dust at record speed. Isidora has given him a little turbo option.” He pressed his index finger to his lips in a shush motion.

  If I could attach a GoPro to anything right now, it would be Tristan’s head, facing back at Aeden. I watched Isidora as she sprinkled a mix of forest green and gold dust all over Tristan’s wings. By the time she’d finished, I couldn’t tell his wings used to be golden at all.

  Amode gave Aeden a gentle nudge towards Tristan. “Go on, dear. I’ll see you when you return.”

  Aeden whimpered and trudged over to Tristan. Tristan dropped his left wing and bent to his knees to allow Aeden to mount him. Just as Kaisa and Izar did, his golden coat wrapped itself around Aeden’s legs, keeping him firmly in place.

  When he stood back to his full height, he looked every inch the majestic animal he truly was. He glanced up at the ceiling of the Court. The pointed turret slowly folded back on itself, revealing the bright blue skies above.

  Tristan flapped his giant wings once, lifting himself into the air. Then, moving his legs like a galloping horse, he headed vertically up, flapping his wings only twice on the ascent to freedom. Aeden yelled something ineligible, which at the steep angle Tristan was flying at, I presumed was something about that.

  Small giggles sounded around the Court as Tristan exited the turret and flew off into the sky.

  “I think he’s in for a good time,” Isidora said. “I might have put a pinch too much in Tristan’s power.”

  Everyone laughed, no doubt all wishing the same thing—that we could see his face. I had no doubt that Tristan would pull some acrobatics, just to give Aeden a taste of his own medicine.

  “Shall we go?” Calico said. “He should be done around nine p.m. your time.”

  “What time is it now?”

  “Around six.”

  I raised my eyebrows. “He’s going to fly the whole world in three hours?”

  “It normally takes around seven or eight but with Isidora’s help, he’ll be done rather early.”

  I giggled. “Ok. I need to call Macie. Will you meet her? I know she’ll just die at meeting you.”

  “I’m not sure I want your best friends’ death on my conscience, but sure.”

  Calico pulled at a little black bag attached to his saddle. He opened the drawstring neck and delved a hand in. When he pulled out a small pink coin, I knew immediately what it was for.

  “You mean no more riding across lands?”

  He grinned. “No. At least not tonight.”

  We both dismounted but this time I refused to say goodbye to the horses and the dogs because it wouldn’t be goodbye, it would be see you soon. I would come back after Gran had been given her peace to sort out ownership of the dogs, or maybe see if they could come back with me.

  Calico snapped the coin in two and set the two halves down. As the rainbow bridge appeared, he took my hand and kissed the back of it. “All anything needs is a little magic.”

  He was right. That was all that was needed.

  ***

  Macie sat opposite me, her jaw wide open, and her eyes never leaving Calico. I’d raided Dad’s wardrobe and given him a shirt and a pair of dark denim jeans. Considering his muscle mass, he rather filled out the shirt to the point I thought the seams would burst. I had also called Macie and told her to meet me at Arby’s. I needed some comfort food and an Arby’s was my go-to for that.

  She finally looked at me and said, “You mean to tell me that for the past thirty hours, you’ve been hanging around with…with…Strider here whilst I’ve been back here, on my own?” She looked back at Calico and slapped her hands on the table. “Have you got a brother?”

  We both burst out laughing. “Oh, yes,” he replied. “I most certainly have.”

  “Good,” she said. “I want to meet him.”

  As the waitress came over to take our orders, as Ben was still off, Calico whispered to me, “Who is Strider?”

  “He’s a character from a film trilogy. A rather hot character if you hadn’t gathered.”

  “But me and Aeden look nothing alike.”

  “I know,” I said, smirking. “But we’ll let her figure that out.”

  He grinned. “You’re evil, but I like it.”

  We gave the waitress our orders, Calico copying mine seeing as his experience of human food was rather limited. Whilst we ate, Macie grilled me on anything and everything of the fairy realm.

  However, halfway through her sandwich, she suddenly frowned and cocked her head to one side.

  “What were we just talking about?” she asked, stuffing some loaded fries in her mouth. “My head is all over the place these past couple of days.”

  My heart lurched as I realised that Tristan had been over us, the dust doing its job instantly. I never kept things from Macie and this lifelong secret would eat away at me, but I valued my friendship with the fairies as much as I did my friendship with Macie. It was a situation where I couldn’t have it both ways. Keeping Calico in my life at the cost of holding back a secret was something I could learn to live with.

  We finished up around eight, leaving plenty of time
to get to Gran, although I suspected this place would have been the last stop, that would have made the most sense anyway, but I was no Pegasus route planner.

  “I’m going to go and see Gran,” I said to Macie, pulling some money from my purse. “Can I call you tomorrow?”

  She nodded and threw her own money on top of mine. “Sure. Have a good night. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

  I laughed and headed for the door, hand in hand with Calico. I drove us over to the care home, Calico never taking his hand from my leg. He sat in a quiet brooding silence, making me slightly concerned.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked.

  “I don’t like the fact that you’re doing all the things I should be doing.”

  I frowned. “Such as?”

  “You shouldn’t have to pay for our food, it should be me. You shouldn’t be escorting me around, it should be me escorting you.”

  I giggled. “You do sound awfully sexist. For one, you bought me a meal in Adonara, so I’m repaying the favour. For two, I’ve been riding a horse, that technically classifies as escorting myself.”

  “It does not, not when I’m by your side. If it’s that much of an issue, I can have you double up on Izar with me.”

  “Seriously, not necessary. I am quite capable of doing things myself, if you hadn’t noticed.”

  “I am very aware of that fact, however, it doesn’t mean I can’t do those things for you, does it?”

  “Well, no.”

  “That’s that settled then. I’m going to learn to drive as soon as I can and get some of that money from Isidora.”

  “‘Get some money’, what is that supposed to mean?”

  “Well she’ll create some of course.”

  I laughed. “Of course, just like that. You know that’s illegal, right? Creating money?”

  He patted my leg. “I won’t tell if you don’t.”

  I shook my head and added money to the list of things to be discussed further down the road. And his driving licence. The thought of him in charge of a car worried me somewhat.