by Sarah Noffke
“What do you call this?” Azure gestured at the bar, where humans were chanting at the television as a man on it ran across a green field with a ball in his hand. “Anyway, I think that despite your bizarre reference, I understand what you mean. I can create fire from nothing, but a human would need both the energy drawn from something elemental and a material to combust.”
“Bingo! Yes, they could use a stack of wood to create fire or a can of gasoline. The material has to make sense, though. They can’t just create a car from a tree. They’d need to start with something that had once moved. And to create a television, they’d need an electronic device. I actually make a killing selling broken appliances on the black market,” Ever said, indicating a bag he’d been carrying since they’d left Santa Monica.
“Human magic is complicated,” Azure groaned.
“As are humans. And yes, I’ll teach you how to use your human magic if and when you return from the Land of Terran.”
“Thanks for the confidence,” she said dryly.
“Well, I’ve given you what you need to get into the Land of Terran, but I don’t know what you’ll face once you enter. I’ve never been inside its borders, so I can only guess how strange it is,” he said.
“You live in the Dark Forest. Isn’t that kind of dangerous?”
“Danger is a relative term. The forest gets a bad rap. It’s wild, full of mystery and riddles, but it also makes complete sense to me. Yes, I almost die every day I’m there, but I kind of love the thrills. And actually, I only venture into the Dark Forest on occasion. I spend most of my time in safer areas. A man has to sleep, you know,” he said, draining his drink until only ice cubes remained.
“Are you outcast from the Elves because you’re half human?”
He shook his head. “No, not really. I mean, I’m an in-betweener, so in some ways I think I’m more special than regular old Light Elves.”
“But you’re different. And when people are set apart in some way, it’s hard for them to fully integrate into a society,” Azure said.
“Yeah, and imagine leading people when you’re not like them,” he said, his blue eyes discerning.
“Yes, that’s kind of my point here. It’s pretty futile to think I’ll win the approval of my people.”
“You recruited a gnome on your voyage. You shook fucking hands with a Kilomea. I had merely dropped into the forest on a whim when I spotted you and Cheeto-boy. Now you have a whole crew at your service on this mission. How on this damn planet do you think you won’t win over the Virgoans?” he asked, holding up two fingers at the bartender to order more drinks.
Azure’s fingers found the soul stone at the nape of her throat. It pulsed in her grasp. “What color is this stone?” she asked Ever.
He gaped at her. “It’s blue, obviously. Why does that matter?”
“It’s the first time that a Virgoan’s soul stone hasn’t been in the purple color range. I have an amethyst of the wrong color, and that’s not something I know how to change. I’m not like my people, so how can I lead them?”
“Your strength might very well lie in that difference. As a hybrid, I understand both Light Elves and humans. I know how they think. Once you’re acquainted with the human side of yourself, that might be true for you, too. And just think, who better to lead the Virgoans than someone who knows how to protect them from their greatest enemy?” Ever offered.
“Someone who knows how to create peace with their greatest enemy,” Azure replied, taking the fresh drink. “We better take these to go. I don’t want Monet and Gillian to worry.”
Ever gave Azure a knowing look. “There you go, thinking like a leader.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Azure stepped through the portal, stomaching the experience better than the first time. She was actually so happy to see Monet that she gave up the idea of puking on his boots. She rushed toward him and Gillian, who were stationed next to a cluster of trees. However, Monet didn’t look happy to see her—he yanked out his wand and brandished it at her.
“Stop where you are!” he yelled, and then his eyes focused on something behind Azure. She slowed and turned to find Ever stepping through the portal.
Monet had lowered his wand and was currently doubled over gasping. “Azure, you fucking gave me a heart attack. I-I-I didn’t know that was you,” he stuttered between hyperventilated breaths.
Gillian, who didn’t at all looked startled, leaned back on the tree, hands behind his head. “Of course it’s Princess Azure.”
Monet rose and threw an arm in her direction. “That doesn’t look anything like Azure,” he said to the gnome.
“I’m right here. You don’t have to speak about me like I’m not. And I’m not a ‘that’,” she grumbled, pursing her lips, which were covered in something called lip gloss. It was sticky and apparently served no utilitarian purpose at all.
“You merely see with your eyes, young wizard,” the gnome said, closing his own eyes and looking as if he would doze off.
“Oh, fuck me! I only see with my eyes. What on Oriceran was I thinking?” He blew out an exasperated breath.
“We brought you something.” Ever changed the subject. He had a bag full of various items he’d bought on Earth. From its top he pulled a large bag of Cheetos.
“Oh man, you’re my best friend,” Monet gushed, taking a large step forward, his eyes wide.
“What the hell? What about me?” Azure asked, thoroughly annoyed.
“I don’t even know you, Blondie,” Monet said, plucking the bag of Cheetos from Ever’s hand and opening them at once.
“It’s me—Azure.”
Gillian cracked an eye and closed it again. “I admit Ever created quite the transformation, but you mostly look like the Princess.”
Monet raised his chin and regarded Azure for a long moment, then shook his head as if trying to rid himself of a gross feeling. “I don’t like it. What are you wearing? I can see your undergarments!” He pointed at her see-through tank.
“Apparently it’s all the rage with humans,” she told him. She didn’t get it either.
“Yeah, they are such bad seamstresses that they can’t even make clothes that cover them properly. And those shoes! Remember when you turned up your nose at the modest heels your mother wanted you to wear to your coronation? These are monstrosities compared to those. And with those on, you aren’t going to get far in the Dark Forest,” Monet said, cramming Cheetos into his face, which Azure kind of wanted to punch right then.
“Good thing she doesn’t have much more forest to pass through. Actually the next bit is really easy to cross,” Ever said.
“Why is that?” Azure asked.
“Because it’s mostly devoid of plants, trees, and rocks. Well, let’s call it what it is. It’s barren,” Ever said.
“Why?” Azure asked, but then she knew. “The humans… You said they pull their magical energy from the elements. Have they stripped the area around the Land of Terran?”
“Good, you’ve been paying attention,” Ever quipped, hiking the bag up on his shoulder. “Now I’ve got to take my leave, but you’ll be fine. Well, or you’ll be imprisoned for the rest of your life. Either way, I’ve done all I can at this point.”
“You’re leaving?” Azure asked.
“Indeed. I’ve got deliveries to make.” Ever patted the bag on his shoulder.
“They can’t imprison her for life. She’s royalty.” Monet scoffed.
“It doesn’t really matter to the Terrans. If they catch her, she’s a trespasser, and their law clearly states they can imprison anyone who trespasses illegally into their land,” Ever explained, mostly indifferent.
“What about my soul stone? Do I need to hide it?” Azure asked, realizing that the low neckline of her shirt didn’t cover the jewelry.
“You must have it in case you get hurt. And since it isn’t purple like other witches’ and wizards’, I wouldn’t worry about it,” Ever said, pointing at the leather band on Monet’s wrist t
hat held his purple amethyst to clarify what he meant.
“What should we do?” Monet asked, indicating himself and Gillian.
“I’m going to take a much-needed nap,” Gillian announced, pulling his bowler hat down over his eyes. He didn’t look at all interested in the present conversation.
“You will wait here,” Azure said. “I don’t want you any closer to the Land of Terran than this. You two will get me caught immediately.”
“What does that mean?” Monet said.
“It means you both reek of nonhuman,” Azure explained, a lump rising in her throat. If she hadn’t already dislodged her soul stone, she’d think she was about to cough it up.
“Okay, but if you’re not back in a day I’m coming after you,” Monet said, and then caught an expression on Ever’s face. “Scratch that. If you’re not back in a day, then the elf is going in after you. Ever, you can pass into the Land of Terran, right?”
“If I desired to do so, although I never have. We’ll wait and see. Hopefully it won’t come to that,” he said. “I’ll be back from my deliveries by sunrise tomorrow, and we’ll reconvene here afterwards.”
Monet clapped his hands, but he didn’t look like his normal self. “Then it’s settled. I’ll stay here and drink the gnome’s flask, and you, Azure, will storm the Land of Terran. Put something gnarly in their well, like pickle juice.”
“Yeah, after I somehow magically locate my father,” she agreed, her head suddenly feeling crowded. Before now, Azure hadn’t really thought about how she’d find her father. A detection or connection spell might work, but she hadn’t really mastered either yet. She felt slightly haphazard now, having set off on this mission without planning the most crucial part. She had expected the solution to occur to her as she journeyed through the Dark Forest.
“I thought about that while you were off gallivanting on Earth” Monet slipped his hand into his robes and withdrew a bottle with dark green liquid sloshing inside it. “Although I had few resources and a gnome who wouldn’t quit babbling, my extraordinary talents allowed me to mix a scrying potion.”
Azure’s mouth dropped open. If the potion worked, it would allow Azure to see her gran and possibly talk to her if she was close to her own scrying bowl. Sometimes the potion was used for spying on others, to watch them and determine their circumstances, but if two people both had scrying potions then they could communicate. It was impressive that Monet had been able to create such a complex potion under the present circumstances. Maybe he could one day take Charmsgood’s role in Virgo as the Potions Master after all. “You made a scrying potion? Why?”
He dropped his eager smile, deflating. “Because you need to know how to find your father, and I’m guessing there’s a batty old woman back in Virgo who can tell you. I really did think of everything.”
There hadn’t been much time for her gran to tell her how to find her father before she left. She’d told her where—the Land of Terran. Maybe she would know, or could tell her how to create a detection spell. She took the bottle from Monet. It didn’t look to be exactly the right color for a scrying potion, but at least she didn’t have to drink it. “Thank you, Monet. I really don’t know what I’d do without you,” she declared.
“Your life would be pathetically boring, I’m sure,” he assured her. “Now get the fuck out of here already. I’m going to get sloshed, and I can’t do that with you lingering about, all afraid to continue your death mission.”
Azure nodded, but didn’t much feel like saying goodbye. She turned her attention to the Light Elf. “Thanks, Ever. I really appreciate you helping me.”
“No problem. I’m always happy to help if the cause is righteous,” he said with a wink as he backed away. Then he turned and strolled for the trees, his figure slowly becoming indistinct.
“Gillian, I realize you’re asleep and really tried your best not to help at all, but I just want you to know that I appreciate your expertise and will never tell another living soul that you were at all helpful,” Azure told the gnome, who was laid out with his hat covering his face.
He let out a loud, fake snore in reply.
“Okay, I’m off,” Azure said to Monet. His robes could use a wash, but she still walked forward to hug him. There was no one who understood her quite like Monet did, and so leaving him right then felt wrong. It felt like leaving behind a part of herself. However, there were some things she needed to do alone, and instinctively she knew this was one of them. Being queen was a lonely job, and it started now.
“Dear Azure, please don’t make me have to risk my pretty face to save you,” Monet said, his chin still pressed into her shoulder. He pulled away and looked her straight in the eyes. “Go in there and do what you’ve got to do, but remember why you’re there. It’s because you’re meant to rule Virgo.”
“I hope you’re right,” she said, a tender smile on her mouth.
“Fuck, those brown eyes are tripping me out. When you return, I want you to get back your freaky blue hair and bright eyes. No more of this drab human look,” he said.
“You got it,” Azure said and turned, leaving her best friend and the bag her gran had packed for her behind. What she sought now resided in the Land of Terran.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Ever had said that she had less than a mile to the gates of the Land of Terran. Immediately upon exiting the grove of trees where she’d left Gillian and Monet, she knew what Ever had meant about the land bordering Terran. Her heart shattered when she spied the forest ahead. It looked as though a fire had ripped through this section, scorching the trunks of the trees and killing their roots. The leaves of all the trees were dead, hanging lifelessly from the branches.
As Azure neared the first trees, she reached out a hand to touch the trunk. The tree swayed slightly and then turned to ash, scattering in the wind. Azure pulled her elbow to her face to protect it from the soot that whirled around her. The ground under her wedge heels was gray, and the dirt looked barren. Humans had done this. They’d drained all the energy from this area of the forest.
In the Virgoan realm it was commonly understood that they used Oriceran, but also gave back to the planet. Land was used for crops, but not for more than a decade. It was given time to rest. For every tree cut down for building, two were planted. And often there were celebrations that fed the winds, rain, sun and moons. It was this type of lifestyle that had kept the homes in Virgo small and the people rather simple. They didn’t live outside their means.
Azure wanted to cry, staring at this dead forest, but she didn’t dare risk tears for fear her makeup would wash off. She kept walking, almost meditating, trying to find a way to heal the plants around her as she passed them. Her magic could definitely be employed to grow new plants. There were many things she could do, but she’d risk depleting her magic, which she might need in the Land of Terran.
Azure’s eyes squinted against the sun filtering through the burnt trees ahead. Soon it would be down and she’d need to be inside the borders of the Land of Terran by then. The terrain ahead was hard to make out due to the sunlight in her eyes, so she didn’t notice the hunched figure until she was already in the small clearing. The man’s head turned to the side; he seemed to have heard Azure behind him. He stood and whipped around to face her, his trench coat whirling behind him as he did.
“What are you doing here?” the man demanded, his eyes dragging over Azure from head to toe. He had a chiseled jaw that matched his slicked-back and molded hair. In his hand he had a potion bottle half-full of crimson liquid. At his feet were seedlings, the only green in this section of the forest. A potion? What was this human doing with a potion? The humans of Terran didn’t buy such things from witches and wizards. Unless… Charmsgood’s dead body, mangled from the harpy attack, flicked into her head.
“I was taking a walk,” Azure told him, frustration crushing down on her. That was the best she could do? A fucking walk.
The man cocked his head to the side, skepticism written on his fa
ce. “You’re from Terran, correct?”
Azure guessed it was her fashionable clothes that caused him to make this assumption. Well, that, and she was just outside their borders.
“Yes,” she said, sliding her hand to her hip and around to her back, to where her wand was stashed behind the waistband of her jeans.
“Then you know better than to be outside our borders. The rogue dryads could be out here,” the man warned, corking the potion bottle in his hand and slipping it into his coat.
“I was looking for a power source to leech,” she explained, backing up with her wand in her hand, although it was still behind her back. Was this Charmgood’s murderer? She remembered Ever saying that someone had to have given the Potions Master to the harpy. That was how it commonly worked. Offerings were usually given to harpies.
“We’re harvesting right now. If you were from Terran, you’d know that a source will be delivered to city center tomorrow,” the man said, his eyes tightening.
Azure had fucked up before she’d even entered the Land of Terran. However, if this was Charmsgood’s murderer, then she’d kill him here and now. He was just a fucking human, and they apparently didn’t have souls.
Then she remembered she was half human. Ever was, too. There had to be something good in this species.
“Where did you get that potion, and what are you doing with it?” Azure asked, her eyes drifting to the area where the man had been hunched a few moments before. It was a regrowth potion, something only one wizard she knew could create.
“How do you know this is a potion?” the man asked, stepping forward.
“I guessed as much. Where did you get it?”
“Look, you’re not to tell anyone in Terran what you’ve seen here. What is your name?”
