Journey into the Realm: The Stolen Child (Journey into the Realm Series) (23 page)

A Woodland fairy dropped from the tree. Her brown hair bounced as she landed gracefully on the grass. She wore a green silk dress and a crown of twigs laced in green vines to match. In her hands she held a red leather-bound book with gold trim and age-yellowed pages and another, larger twig crown adorned with flowers.

“Princess,” Eder greeted.

Princess Glissarie smiled. “Nice to see you again, Eder. I apologize for making you wait. The protective wards surrounding the book were more complex than I anticipated. The crown was much easier.”

So the valuable item the rebellion wanted was a book. I wondered what its pages contained, how it would help us. I knew now wasn’t the time to ask.

“No need to apologize,” Eder said, glancing curiously at the book like I was. “We haven’t been waiting long.”

The Princess nodded and turned to her sisters. “Sabina, please make the circle while the exchange takes place,” she instructed, handing the red-haired Woodland fairy the Queen’s crown. “And, Ramira, make sure Ramsey’s friends are finding their way here without trouble.”

Lady Ramira dipped her head and departed. I didn’t watch her go, keeping my eyes on Princess Glissarie instead. She finally noticed me and blushed. “Oh, I am terribly sorry for ignoring you. Just so much to do,” she expressed. “You must be Ramsey. I am so glad to finally meet you after all these years in the service of Lady Rosina and the rebellion.”

“Glad to meet you, too,” I responded, already fond of her warmth and graciousness. “Thank you for doing this for us. I know it must be difficult to leave your home.”

“It will still be here when I return,” Glissarie said. She sighed. “Hopefully in a much better state than it is now. When the war is over, perhaps my mother will realize her past errors and become a stronger queen.”

“We should make the exchange,” Elvina advised. I could tell she was nervous.

Princess Glissarie nodded. “Stand before me so I can have a proper look at you.”

Elvina did as the Princess instructed. The two Woodland fairies stood facing each other in silence, each taking in the other’s appearance and preparing themselves for the magic they were about to use.

“Ready?” the Princess asked Elvina.

I heard Elvina take a deep breath. “Yes.”

Almost in sync, the two fairies began to Glamour themselves with new appearances. Because they already looked so similar, the changes weren’t drastic, but the shimmer of magic made me momentarily dizzy as I watched the process.

It was quick work. When they were finished, Princess Glissarie, now in the guise of Elvina, removed her crown and passed it on to the Woodland fairy who now claimed her face. Elvina took the crown gratefully and placed it atop her head, fully assuming the role of Princess of the Woodland Fairy Realm.

“The circle is complete and the Queen’s crown is in place,” Lady Sabina said, coming to stand beside Elvina.

“Sabina, I am over here,” Glissarie muttered. She even sounded like Elvina now, which was sort of unnerving.

Embarrassed that she hadn’t realized the exchange had already been made, Lady Sabina blushed and moved to stand next to her sister.

“It is time for you to join the other Woodland fairies so they believe nothing is amiss,” the Princess told Elvina. “Say your goodbyes quickly, please.”

Elvina nodded and turned to Eder. “Good luck with everything,” she said, in the Princess’s voice. “Give Joseph my best.”

Eder bowed his head. “I will. Thank you for doing this. And thank you for watching over Ramsey.”

The Woodland fairy turned to me next. “I know much of our time together involved confusion, but I hope I was of some comfort and help to you. I’ll always value your friendship.”

I looked away, wishing she didn’t have to stay here, wishing she didn’t have to sacrifice so much. “I’m sorry for the times I was harsh to you. I know you were just following the orders of Eder and my mother. You were a good friend to me. I wish you didn’t have to do this. I’ll miss having you by my side.”

Instead of saying anything in response, she gave me a quick hug. I blinked back tears as she pulled away. She smiled and left with Lady Sabina without further delay. I knew this was hard for her, so I understood her swift, silent departure. Still, I couldn’t push down the fear that this was the last time I would ever see her, and it made everything inside of me ache with sadness.

When I could no longer see her, I turned to face Eder and the Princess. Seeing her as Elvina felt like a cruel joke, but I knew I would have to get used to it; I tried to quell my feelings by focusing on the present situation. We were ready to go but my friends hadn’t arrived. I was starting to worry that something had happened to them.

“What do you think is taking them so long?” I asked Eder, anxiously bouncing on my toes.

Eder shrugged. “I have no idea.”

“They could have met with resistance,” the Princess said. “Especially if the Queen noticed them trying to leave the dance.”

Eder grimaced. “The centaurs are capable creatures, but from what I’ve heard of Queen Ella, I can’t help but share Ramsey’s concern.”

Princess Glissarie nodded. “I understand, but we cannot help them. The mission depends on the book and me remaining unseen. All we can do is wait.”

“Why don’t you make a circle and go on ahead?” Eder suggested. “You don’t need a crown to travel. We’ll use the circle Lady Sabina made when Ramsey’s friends arrive.”

“All right. Be careful,” she said, making eye contact with each of us before she stepped away and focused on a space of grass. A circle of mushrooms appeared a few moments later. “My mother has a weakness for great promises. Remember that…just in case.” The Princess dipped her head and stepped into the circle, vanishing before our eyes.

“I understand why my mother picked her,” I mentioned to Eder. “She’s warm, yet practical. And she has obvious charm.”

Eder nodded. “She will be very useful to the rebellion. She knows how to motivate a crowd. She and Joseph have that in common.” After a brief pause he added, “They’ve always been close.”

“You’re like that, too, you know,” I said. “You’re a natural leader.”

Eder shook his head. “Not quite. Too often I let my emotions get in the way.” I could tell he was thinking of our past and how our closeness had interrupted his duty to my mother.

“Sometimes that makes a leader stronger in the end,” I replied softly.

He held my gaze, his eyes darkening as he said, “And sometimes weaker.”

The sound of footfalls against the grass pulled my eyes away from Eder. I gasped as I recognized my friends running toward us. Led by Nathan, they sprinted with alarmed expressions. I looked to Eder, whose only response was a shrug.

When they reached us, Rafik was the first to speak. “We have to go now. The Queen’s not too far behind.”

“The centaurs tried to help us escape quietly, but she’s a sharp-eyed fairy. She noticed us right away,” Aimee explained, breathing heavily.

“And she wasn’t happy,” Tavis contributed.

“Then let’s not waste time,” I replied. “I’m glad you’re all safe.” My eyes rested on Nathan, who gave a faint nod, signaling that we would save our heartfelt reunion for the Element Fairy Realm. “Oh, and for those of you who don’t know, this is Eder, an ex-guard to Queen Brielle. He’s…well, he’s here to help us,” I finished lamely.

I couldn’t tell my friends anything of real substance pertaining to Eder because they would only ask questions and now wasn’t the time. If the Queen was as close as my friends claimed, we needed to leave now.

“All right,” Eder began, assuming the leadership role again, “everyone into the circle. Hurry.”

One by one, my friends departed from the Woodland Fairy Realm. I could tell by their puzzled expressions that they were wondering how we had secured the crown from the Queen and managed to find a Woodland fairy to make the circle. I had a lot of explaining to do once I entered the next Realm.

In a matter of moments, Eder and I were alone again. “Thank you. You formed an excellent plan,” I praised.

He grinned. “I know. After you,” he said, gesturing to the circle.

“No, you go ahead,” I offered.

He shook his head. “As of now, I’m fully resuming my duties as your protector. I’ll go last.”

I rolled my eyes. “Together, then?”

He nodded and spontaneously reached for my hand. I knew accepting physical contact like this wasn’t a good idea considering our past, but I didn’t have time to explain that to him. So I gripped his hand tightly as we faced the circle together.

“Wait just a moment, there,” an unfamiliar voice requested. “I would like a word before you depart from my divine Realm. Please, do not force me to stop you with more than words. I would hate to inflict any pain.”

Eder froze beside me, his hand stiffening in mine. He recognized the voice, which could only mean one thing. The voice belonged to the Queen.

Together we turned to face her – and, my God, was she lovely.

She radiated power and grace. Her shining dark brown hair spilled over her shoulders in neat curls. Her dress was made of peach pink silk and her feet were bare. Flowers were tucked into her hair and in various places among her clothing. Her honey-colored eyes were dazzling to behold. The contrast between her dark hair and light skin reminded me of a porcelain doll. She was perfect. And during my time in the Magical Realms, I had learned that perfect meant dangerous.

“Elf, you may go on ahead. Ramsey and I have much to discuss,” she said to Eder, her radiant smile almost convincing enough to make me nod my head in agreement.

“I’m afraid I can’t leave her alone with you,” Eder replied evenly, his features as hard as stone.

Queen Ella sighed. “Do you not trust me?”

“No,” he said curtly. “I do not. That makes me wise.”

The Queen laughed haughtily and clasped her hands together. “I suppose it does. I am rather slippery when it comes to promises. But I assure you, if you do not leave now, I will kill you both. And you know by my reputation that I am serious. I do not care whether someone lives or dies, so long as my fairies still dance.”

I felt my hands begin to tremble. Her blunt disregard for life unnerved me. I had known fairies like this existed, but never had I encountered one directly. Even the Element fairies cared about preservation. All Queen Ella cared about was the dance, the merriment.

His expression pained, Eder looked from me to the Queen and then back at me, obviously struggling to make a decision. Disliking his hesitancy, Queen Ella lifted her hands and from them she emitted sparks of magical energy that didn’t stretch far enough to reach me, but were close enough to cause me worry. Aside from Golden fairies, Woodland fae were the most magical creatures in existence. From what I learned in ability school, the magic they had at their disposal was boundless. And because they did away with certain emotions, they could focus with ease. I knew Queen Ella could kill me quickly before I had the chance to use any of my Golden fairy magic. She was trained and skilled in her art. Believing differently would surely get Eder and myself killed.

“Go, Eder,” I urged, “please.”

Sensing the power of the situation, Eder nodded and stepped into the circle, leaving me completely alone with the Queen.

“I am not daft, Ramsey,” the Queen said then, moving closer to me with each word. “I know, when it comes down to it, that you are the stronger fairy. However, you are young. You do not understand the craft of magic as much as I. You have much to learn.”

Now close enough to touch me, she leaned in, her lips brushing my ear, sending shivers throughout my body. Her nearness was unsettling and it made her hard to resist. I was terrified of what she would do…or worse, what she would
make
me do. “However, I also know that you rid yourself of my Woodland fairies quite easily with that little display of power. Unfortunately for you, I am not one so easily chased away. You would never have enough time to release the magic required to stop me. Know that I could kill you right now, but I have chosen not to.”

“Why?” I asked, my tongue like sandpaper against the roof of my mouth.

She withdrew and finally put some distance between us. I breathed a grateful sigh of relief, but I knew I wasn’t out of danger yet. “I am a reasonable and practical queen despite my frivolous spirit, Ramsey,” she stated. “I know that in the end, I should ally myself with you, not the King. I have no doubt that if you reach the Golden Fairy Realm, you will seek the help you need from the High Queen. When that happens, I want you to speak well of me. That will not happen if I impede your departure.”

She did a few small twirls on her toes, her silk dress fanning out and exposing her long legs. She didn’t waver once. She was the most graceful being I had ever encountered.

“Sadly, Vortigern’s soldiers came before you did, and I had no choice but to give them my allegiance. I am all about power, you know, and they promised me much. It was silly of me to agree, for I know Vortigern does not mean to keep his word, but I am such a fool for promises. I simply could not resist. But…if you were to make me a greater promise, I would not mind breaking mine to the King.”

“What kind of promise?” I asked breathily, my anxiety making me feel lightheaded.

“I cannot openly betray Vortigern. Such an act would be very irresponsible of a queen. I must choose your side in secret. Vortigern can never know my real intentions. Therefore, I need something to prove that I did not simply let you walk away with my crown. I need a bargain. Vortigern will understand, for he knows my weakness for power.”