Chapter 2
Chapter Two
T he sweet and delicate fragrance of blossoming flowers confirmed the arrival of spring. The colours grew more vibrant as shades of pink, purple, yellow, and white intermingled. The first signs of life stirred in the soil, and tiny sprouts emerged from the earth. Sun peered through the clouds, and I instinctively tilted my head toward the sunlight and breathed a sigh of relief at the warmth gracing my cheeks. Nature awakened, and its creatures stirred. Birds of all kinds filled the air with cheerful melodies, singing praises to the season of renewal.
While going about my daily tasks, I paused to observe the trees in the distance, reminded of when I first arrived here and believed the forest to be enchanted. It may have been my imagination, but it felt like the trees danced solely for my delight, with the wind whispering sweet words of encouragement. Their golden leaves gracefully descended to form a carpet on the grounds, and I found peace in the rhythmic dance of leaves swaying in the gentle breeze. I slipped out of my shoes and set them aside, craving the comfort of the grass beneath my toes.
It had been three years. Three years since we had escaped Karter Moyes—the wretched place they called an orphanage yet was nothing more than a dumping ground for the parentless misfits roaming Sagaya’s streets. When I turned sixteen, I was granted our freedom and guardianship for Jesse and Arnica, deemed old enough to care for them alone.
The sudden rustle of birds startled me. I stilled and scanned my surroundings, listening intently for any subtle shifts in nature’s sound that might signal the approach of danger. As soon as I was old enough, my father trained me for moments like these, his lessons now instilled in my very being. I had grown accustomed to studying my surroundings and looking over my shoulder. Every fibre of my being remained alert as I spun around, listening, waiting, ever watchful for the signs that would prompt us to move and run once more—signs they had found us and were closing in. I had devised countless escape plans and etched each one into my memory, ensuring we would be ready if they ever were to find us. My father had spent our childhood moving us from town to town, never spending longer than a month in each place.
“It’s time,” he would say, and we would gather our things and set off once again. When we cried, he would comfort us. “Come, my little birds. Life moves on, and so shall we. For us to be free, we must not look back.”
Freedom. Every second of his life was spent fighting for our freedom. Most of my earliest memories remained scattered and blurred, but not when it came to my father. I could recall his comforting scent of mint and pine and the deep, soothing sound of his voice. Even with my eyes closed, I see his face, filed in a haven within my memories.
I observed my reflection in a nearby window. I always thought of myself as plain. There was nothing out of the ordinary about me; in fact, I appeared wholly human. A tattered brown dress clung to my average-sized frame, a cascade of unruly brown hair flowing down my shoulders and honeyed skin. I traced my finger along the curved tip of my ear and sighed.
“You, your sister, and your brother are not like others, Jayne.” Papa’s voice replayed in my head. “You’re special.”
My young mind tried to grasp the weight of his words. “Special, Papa?”
“Yes, special.” He crouched to my level, so his whisper reached my ears. “Just like your mother was. Your mother was a woman of immense power.”
My eyes widened in amazement, and my father’s smile softened as he said, “She was a Faerie.”
“A Faerie?” I couldn’t contain my excitement and bounced my little legs in place. “Like the ones in the bedtime stories?”
He nodded, gently tapping the tip of my nose. “Exactly like those.”
“But they’re just fairy tales, Papa,” I pointed out sceptically, and he met my eyes.
“One day, when you’re ready, you too will wield magic.” His promise planted a seed of wonder and potential deep within me.
He had been right. I was just ten years old when it happened for the first time. Flames had danced on my fingertips, illuminating the surrounding darkness. My heart raced when I realised the extraordinary power within me, one that I could barely comprehend at such a young age.
I raised my hand in the air. “Ostende!” I commanded, and the shimmering barrier that enveloped our home remained in place. Relief washed over me, and I exhaled, allowing myself to feel a hint of satisfaction. It definitely wasn’t perfect—I could see that—but it would do for now. I made a mental note to come out again after nightfall to reinforce the protection shield around our home, which rendered us invisible to anyone who stumbled upon us. I still had much to learn about wielding my gifts, but I could sense my abilities strengthening each day.
“You’re gloating, you know.” Startled, I whirled around to find my brother Jesse sprawled on a stack of hay, looking every bit like a King on his throne.
“I am not!” I retorted, throwing him a cheeky grin. “You know, you could be as good as me if you got your head out of those books and practised more.” My eyes traced the freckles adorning the bridge of his nose, and his rosy cheeks flushed from his time basking in the sunlight. Unlike Arnica and me, Jesse was fair in complexion and had to be cautious of spending too much time in the sun. We had limited amounts of rice bran and jasmine left, which I applied on his skin, yet even that did little to protect him from the heat. “Did you fall asleep out here again?”
He stretched out his arms. “How can you tell?”
“Do me a favour and fetch Arnica. It’s time for lunch,” I requested, knowing very well he would do it, despite his grumbling.
Jesse stood with an exaggerated groan before setting off along the path leading to the nearby lake. I heard him whistle a familiar tune, a song my father would sing to us as children.
“And cover your tracks on your way back!” I shouted after him, to which he responded with a rude, one-finger gesture before continuing. Remnants of hay still clung to his curly brown locks, and mud stained his backside—in fact, he was covered in it, having dirtied his freshly washed clothes. I sighed. Why did I even bother?
I observed my baby brother, the one I once changed diapers for and rocked to sleep in my arms at night. He was changing rapidly; it was like his lanky frame had given way overnight to developing muscles that bulged beneath his skin.
I folded the dried clothes before placing them neatly into the basket. Having finished that task, I made my way to the chicken coop, eager to discover if they had gifted us with any eggs this morning. I took a quick look at the makeshift home we had created for our new feathery companions and peered in from outside. Six white, oval-shaped treasures lay nestled within. “Well done, my little furry friends!” A smile played on my lips as I knelt to gather the eggs into the hem of my skirt.
Three weeks had passed since our visit to the tavern. Arnica had proposed using the coin to buy chickens, and since then, we’ve had fresh eggs every day without fail. Thanks to the bountiful eggs from our chickens and our small vegetable garden in full harvest, we were thriving—better than we had been in a long time. This also meant we no longer relied on frequent trips to town to scramble through the crowded markets to gather money.
Once I finished, I plucked some fresh carrots from the garden to add to the pot of stew I’d been cooking since dawn. It always turned out better when I left it simmering for most of the day. Glancing up, I spotted Jesse returning with Arnica in tow.
“Six eggs today!” I lifted one triumphantly, clutched the carrots in my other hand, and broke into a small celebratory dance. Jesse jogged over to me, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
“Well, would you look at that!”
“I told you they would pay off,” Arnica said, a smile spreading across her face. Proud and relief tinged her voice, mirroring her expression.
“Turns out they were worth every penny.”
“Every last penny!” Jesse exclaimed, sharing in our excitement.
I looked at Arnica again, taking in her damp hair and sodden clothes—signs of another one of her escapades to the lake. “Oh, Arnica! Don’t tell me you’ve been in the water again,” I said. “It might be warming up, but the air is still cool. You’ll catch a cold if you’re not careful, and then we’ll be in real trouble.”
“I couldn’t resist, Jaynie. The water calls for me.” She met my gaze with a mischievous glimmer in her eyes, as if daring me to scold her again. I knew that look all too well. It was the same look she wore after spending hours experimenting with her unique abilities, and despite my concern, I couldn’t help but smile. I admired her spontaneity and passion for exploring, even if they occasionally landed her in situations that worried me.
I reached for a dry towel from the freshly collected laundry basket and walked over to her. “Here,” I said softly, wrapping the towel around her shoulders. She shivered slightly and leaned into my embrace with a grateful smile, holding the towel close. “You know, your lips have a bluish tint. Come.” I ushered her inside and guided her toward the warmth of the open fireplace. A tempting aroma of thyme-infused meat wafted through the air as I approached the cast-iron pot and stirred its contents with a ladle, losing myself in the symphony of flavours taking shape. Jesse, with his ever-increasing appetite, peeked over my shoulder, his eyes wide.
“Gods, Jayne. That smells incredible,” he exclaimed, with a hint of longing.
Jesse’s hunger seemed insatiable, his belly constantly grumbling for sustenance. Arnica and I had begun reducing our portions to ensure he had enough, but even that did little to appease his appetite. Knowing how challenging it was to keep up with his growing hunger, I made a mental note to gather extra supplies during our next trip to the village.
“I just need to add the carrots. Would you be a darling and chop them for me?” I asked Jesse, smiling sweetly. He gave me a disgruntled look, but begrudgingly moved to the kitchen counter.
I set the dining table, which was adjacent to our cosy living room. A smile graced my lips, recalling the day that would forever be etched in my memory—the day fate led us to discover this old, abandoned cottage nestled at the forest’s edge. Despite its small size, it had everything we needed: a hallway, a bedroom, and a bathing room. I recalled the first time I had pushed open the creaky door. The interior was dusty and dimly lit, yet the home held an undeniable charm. It felt like a hidden sanctuary, a secret world waiting to be explored. I was startled when I realised that, to us, it could be more than just a ramshackle shelter; it could be our home. We spent the following days cleaning and tidying, and my heart swelled more with each improvement. We found discarded furniture, which I lovingly restored, and a cosy hearth became the focal point of our newfound haven, warming our souls and bodies during colder nights.
Foraging became our daily mission. We scoured the forest and nearby fields for anything that could sustain us. We learned to identify edible plants and fruits before bringing them home to harvest and share. We hunted, too, but as it grew colder, the snow and ice posed its own challenges. The animals drew deeper into the forest, which was unsafe for us to follow. Some days, there were moments when I wondered how we would survive on rations with barely enough for our next meal. The conies ultimately got us through in the end; the small creatures burrowed and made dens on the outskirts of our land, making it easy for us to track them through the snowfall. Their presence became our lifeline during the harshest days of winter.
Arnica walked over to Jesse in the kitchen, the tips of her wet hair leaving shiny trails on her face. She playfully shook her head.
“That’s not funny!” Jesse exclaimed, hastily wiping the water from his face.
She ruffled his hair. “Oh, come now—you needed a bath, anyway!”
I laughed quietly so Jesse wouldn’t hear me. Oh, my sister. Ever the antagonist. Arnica: “Born like a wild horse, unable to tame,” Papa would say. My sister sure was wild, fierce and overly competitive. The more Jesse retorted, the more she fired back at him.
“Jaynie,” she called. I turned to face her. “I’ve been timing it. I can hold my breath underwater for nearly fifty minutes now!” Her voice was alive with a blend of excitement and curiosity. I glanced over at Jesse for his reaction, but he simply shrugged and approached the table.
“Is that normal?” I asked, passing around the bowls.
“Normal?” Arnica countered. “What part of us could ever be defined as normal?” She gestured towards me while reclining in her chair. “You can summon fire with a snap of your fingers; Jesse can delve into people’s thoughts, and I can manipulate water.” Pausing, she reached for her glass of water and traced her finger along the rim, prompting the water to obey her command, rising and swirling in mesmerising spirals. “And now it seems I can extend my time underwater.” Her words struck a chord with me, and I furrowed my brow. “Perhaps I’m part fish,” she quipped, flashing a toothy grin.
I rolled my eyes and turned to Jesse. “That would explain the smell, then,” he interjected.
I reflected for a moment before addressing Arnica again. “It seems your abilities are growing stronger, and what about you?” I asked Jesse. “Have you noticed any changes?”
He responded with a casual shrug and smile, reaching for the bread I had placed in the middle of the table. As he tore off a piece, I recalled the incident from a few days prior, when Jesse had accessed my thoughts without any physical contact. It scared us half to death as we communicated through only our minds. I walked back over to the kitchen to gather the spoons. While I prepared our bowl of broth and sliced the rest of the bread, anxiety crept in, gnawing at the edges of my thoughts. Strange things were happening within us. Our gifts were evolving with each passing day at an accelerated pace and manifesting in ways we had never experienced before. But why? If I thought about it long enough, it worried me. I didn’t know what this meant for us.
During times like these, I deeply felt my father’s absence and longed for his guidance. “Come. Sit, Jaynie,” Arnica beckoned, pulling out the chair beside her. I sat again, lost in thought, until Arnica interrupted my mental wanderings. “It’s your birthday today!”
I stirred my stew. “Did you really think we would forget?” She continued, blowing on her food to cool it. No, but I had hoped you would.
I lowered my voice, a touch of desolation seeping into my words. “It’s just another day, Arnica. It means nothing to me.” The idea of celebrating another birthday felt of little importance; it was trivial compared to the challenges we faced each day.
“You’re nineteen, Jayne! Not forty!” My brother teased me with a light thud across the back that caught me off-guard and sent me lunging forward. Clearly, he was getting stronger.
“It’s really not a big deal.” I forced a smile before returning to my meal. Today, I was another year older. I was nineteen, yet my body felt weathered, carrying the weight of the years that had slipped by since my father’s passing. Being the oldest, I bore the burden of responsibility for keeping my siblings safe—a role that aged me far beyond my years. I didn’t desire this life for my siblings, one hidden away from the joys this world offered. I wanted better for them. I glanced over at them, my determination unwavering.
One day. One day, a time would come for us all to be free.
“We got you a little something.” Jesse reached beneath his chair and handed me a small package.
“What? How did you…?” My words trailed off as my mouth hung open. I stared at the delicate gift in my hands, wrapped in a simple brown cloth and secured with twine from the bark of a tree.
I hesitated, lightly tracing the texture of the packaging, not wanting to disrupt its beauty.
“Go on! Open it,” Arnica urged with an encouraging smile.
I carefully loosened the twine and unfurled the cloth. The sight of a stunning silver moon pendant with a diaphanous turquoise stone nestled in the corner captivated my attention. I gasped, my free hand flying to my mouth in a reflexive attempt to stifle the sound. Jewellery was a rarity in our world; such fine pieces were usually worn by ladies from higher social ranks, those linked to noblemen or wealthy merchants.
“W-Where did you get this?”
Jesse exchanged a look with Arnica before she said, “I came across it.”
“You came across it?” I echoed, my disbelief apparent. It was valuable! Possibly one of the most valuable things I had ever seen up close. A troubling thought crossed my mind, and I couldn’t help but ask, “Did you steal this?” My gaze shifted between the two of them. Arnica’s response was swift, tinged with a hint of offense.
“Goodness, Jayne, do you really think that lowly of us?”
“It’s just…” I hesitated. “We can’t afford anything like this!”
Jesse blurted out the truth. “Arnica found it!”
“Jesse!” Arnica’s reproach was immediate, and he grinned.
“Well, you did!” he affirmed, the pride clear in his voice. I turned back to Arnica.
“You found it?” She looked at me, a mixture of contemplation and wonder in her eyes.
“I kind of feel like it found me, to be honest.”
“It found you?” Confusion laced my words as I observed her before glancing back at the pendant.
“Yes.” Her gaze returned to the pendant, and she seemed almost in a trance. “But I’m pretty sure it wanted me to give it to you.”
“It wanted?” I repeated. A strange sense of connection to the pendant enveloped Arnica’s words. Picking up on the narrative, Jesse carried on from where Arnica had paused.
“So… Arnica was just sitting by the edge of the lake, and she saw this glow emanating from the lakebed. And as the reckless adventurer that she is,” Jesse began, a mischievous grin on his face. “She couldn’t resist. She dived in to investigate, and as she swam towards that glow, she said she could hear your name, like a distant song humming through the water.” Jesse mimicked the sound then, his voice adopting a sing-song quality, “Jayne, Jayne, Jayne. Isn’t that strange?” Jesse’s words faded as I focused wholly on the pendant resting in the palms of my hands. The captivating turquoise stone seemed to gaze back at me, holding a familiarity that tugged at the edges of my memory, elusive yet tantalisingly close. The details of the story became a distant murmur as my thoughts circled around the pendant’s enigmatic allure, as if it connected to a time and place I couldn’t quite grasp.
Both of them observed me closely, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and anticipation. “Are you okay?”
Entranced, I couldn’t take my eyes off it. A subtle ingle traced my skin where the pendant touched, and I flinched. It wasn’t alarming, just… peculiar. A spark of energy coursed through my body and faded just as quick. Yet, in its wake, a wave of warmth unfurled, spreading from where the pendant rested in my hands and radiating to my chest.
“That was odd,” I remarked, my voice hushed.
“What’s odd?” Arnica’s inquiry was swift, curiosity knitting her brows together. I glanced at them, finding their mouths agape and eyes on me. Suppressing a laugh at their astonished expressions, I marvelled at the spectacle—the two of them, frozen in place, waiting for some unexpected revelation. I couldn’t resist the impulse.
“AHHHHHH!” I let out a sudden, piercing scream, jerking with exaggerated movements. The result was priceless. Arnica shot up from her chair, instinctively reaching for her dagger. Laughter bubbled up within me, spilling out freely.
“Are you out of your mind?” Arnica yelled, her voice one of exasperation and concern.
Still chuckling, I said, “I couldn’t help it! Look at you two!”
Jesse, ever the sceptic, rolled his eyes. “For goodness sake, has old age sent you off the deep end?”
Between giggles, I managed to squeeze out an apology. “I’m sorry, really!”
Calming down, I unfastened the chain and turned my back on Arnica, gesturing for her to secure the pendant around my neck. Her hands deftly clasped it together, and I turned back to face them. Arnica headed into the kitchen, and I heard the creak of a cupboard door.
I lifted my gaze, spotting Arnica holding a small, round confection in her palm. It was a dark, rich brown, with a solitary candle perched atop it. A smile tugged at my lips as I admired the familiar sight of the small, solitary candle we’d used countless times before for all our birthdays.
“Go ahead. Light it up, fire girl,” Arnica teased, prompting me to snap my fingers, igniting the candle instantly.
What we had here wasn’t much, yet in this fleeting moment, it felt as though I held the wealth of the entire world in my hands.
“Make a wish,” Jesse urged, as I closed my eyes and blew out the flame.