Chapter 12
Will o’ the Wisp
Waves rocked violently back and forth as the girl lay in the bottom of the boat, trying to protect her head from the falling water filling the bottom of the vessel.
She paddled harder, following the light of a shooting star in the only direction she knew to go.
Though the wind and waves were relentless, she sang a song she had become so familiar with.
Trí stoirme agus farraige caillimid cé muid féin,
Ach amháin le fáil ag réalta tar éis titim.
Snámh i dtreo an chladaigh i bhfad i gcéin,
óir níl aon áit caillte againn níos mó.
Trí fear tar eis fás agus foraoisí cosc,
Sin an ait a bhfaighidh tú na daoine óga, goidte agus i bhfolach.
Thar na gcnoc is na gcloch liath,
Sin an ait a rachaidh sibh go léir isteach sa chraic.
The wood from the boat let out a deafening crash, and water rushed in, pulling the vessel and its occupant under the waves and into the inky water.
The girl thrashed in the water, clawing her way to the surface, grasping desperately for something to grab onto to pull herself up.
Saltwater burned her lungs, but still, she fought.
Suddenly, she was hurled onto a sandy beach, desperately coughing up the water that had tried to take her life.
She laid her head on the sand, lips chapped and lungs heavy, and continued to sing.
Trí stoirme agus farraige caillimid cé muid féin,
Ach amháin le fáil ag réalta tar éis titim.
Ember gasped as her eyes opened, and she quickly realized she was lying on her back in the grass, stars dancing above her, and Maia leaning on her chest. Everything began to rapidly come back to her as she moved the draic off her ribs, and she was suddenly aware of the hand gripping hers, fear pulsating through his fingertips like their veins were connected.
“Starshine, are you alright?” Killian asked through a furrowed brow. His breathing was steady, but Ember could feel his grip tighten, like if he were to let go, she might slip away again.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” she replied, pushing herself up with her free hand as Killian helped her into a sitting position.
“Well, I’m bloody happy someone is because I’m sure not,” Fen replied, wiping sweat off his brow. “Honestly, Em, don’t ever do that again.”
“You fainted after you touched that flower,” Killian replied, pointing at the Flor de Lune that swayed gently in the breeze. “You barely touched it and then you just collapsed.”
“You saw the wisps, didn’t you?” Odette asked, sitting cross legged in front of Ember with a smile that looked far too happy for their current situation.
Asteria shot her a shocked glance as she scrunched her brow.
“The what?” Ember asked, rubbing the back of her head.
“The wisps,” Asteria replied, eyes lingering on Odette for a moment.
She twisted her fingers in the air in front of her, and a picture appeared before her, like something you would see on the tv or a computer screen.
Ember sucked in a breath as she saw the picture that floated in front of her, the small blue wisps of light that glowed around the runes at the gate and then again on the path before she collapsed.
“What are those,” Killian asked, still gripping Ember’s hand tightly. Her fingers started to ache, but she couldn’t bring herself to pull away.
“We’ve always just called them wisps, or Will o’ the Wisp,” Asteria replied.
“They’re small traces of ancient magic not visible to the naked eye.
Some Fae can see them, but only through years of very intense training.
I only know of a handful that can, and it took them longer than I’ve been alive to learn. ”
Ember swallowed dryly and took a shuddering breath. “So, why can I see them,” she whispered.
“Now that,” Asteria replied, waving away the image from the air, and glancing back at Odette briefly, “I’m not sure. There are legends about beings that can see traces of ancient magic, beings that are something… different.”
“Like a Wildling,” Ember whispered, eyes closed as she gripped Killian’s hand like it was a life preserver.
Fen’s hand gripped her shoulder, and she was certain she might pass out again if it wasn’t for the boys.
She barely registered that Odette didn’t so much as raise her brow at the name or balk at the events that were unfolding.
That was something she would unpack later.
“I’ve heard that name be used before,” Asteria smirked, plucking a blade of grass from in front of her to twirl through her fingers, “but only whispers. I’m afraid that’s all I know.”
Ember nodded as she took a shaky breath. It seemed no matter what she did, her life would always be more questions than answers. There would always be a secret to unravel, always a shadow playing out the corner of her eye.
“I think it’s time we get you home,” Killian interjected. “Seems to be enough adventure for one night.”
“Thank you for coming,” Asteria said, as they stood, gratitude filling her voice as she smiled. “It meant the world to my parents to feel like at least some Vala are on our side. It is beautiful here, but it can be lonely when you feel like a whole island is waiting for your kingdom to fall.”
Ember swallowed dryly, and Odette gave a small nod beside her, like she understood what it meant to feel like she was heard, like maybe this night had shifted something forever inside of her too.
“We’re always happy to help.” Ember smiled as she brushed off her pants, patting Maia on the snout as she nuzzled into her arm. “I’m sorry there isn’t more we can do.”
“You did enough.” She nodded. “I have a feeling you’ll be able to help with a lot more than you think.”
Ember gave her a small nod, and they said their goodbyes, heading back up through the now quiet town and through the gate, into the Dark Forest.
Ember furrowed her brow as they walked. “How can they do that?” she asked no one and everyone. “How can anyone just take children?”
“Who knows.” Killian shrugged, quickly shifting back into the great white wolf as they made their way down the trail. Odette hummed quietly beside them, lost in her own thoughts as the bells at her ankles and wrists jingled while she walked.
“Anything you would like to add, Quinn?” Fen said with a mocking smile.
Ember frowned at him as she shook her head.
Odette simply shrugged; her unseeing eyes locked in front of them. “There are secrets buried so deep in this island that it would take a truly magnificent person to uncover them.”
“Secrets?” Fen snorted. “What sort of secrets could be hidden under the pristine cobblestone in Sigurvik? Or perhaps they’re scribbled under the paint on the side of the Bookwyrm or buried in the walls of all the gods forsaken manors?
” He laughed to himself, but Odette simply cocked her head, face serious in a way that made Ember’s stomach coil into tight knots.
“The secrets of this island are all drawn in blood.”
“Are you sure you don’t need us to take you home?” Fen asked, as they neared the Echopoint by the school. The walk back through the Forest had been surprisingly uneventful, and Ember wanted nothing more than to climb into her warm bed and sleep until she had to be up for school the next day.
“I’m sure.” She smiled. “You guys need to get home before we all get in trouble.”
“Well, I’m off then,” Fen replied with a salute. “Someone save me a seat in Zoomancy tomorrow.” And with a pop, he was gone, Odette following quickly after him, leaving Ember and Killian under the stars alone.
“Ladies first.” Killian grinned as he motioned toward the low hanging branch on the Echopoint.
Ember nodded and grabbed the tree as Maia leaned against her leg, and just as she whispered, “Lothbrok Manor,'' under her breath, Killian was beside her, holding tight to the tree and her hand.
They landed with a thud on the ground outside the gate, and Ember quickly brushed the dust off her jeans.
“What on earth are you doing?” she whispered hoarsely. “You need to go home before we’re caught.”
“Starshine, if you know anything by now, it’s that I don’t do what I’m told.” He flashed his teeth at her with a wink as he held out his arm to escort her up the long drive, whispering into her ear, “And I don’t get caught.”
Ember felt heat creep up her neck as she smacked his arm away, but she couldn’t hide the smile that played at the corner of her mouth.
“I’m walking you to the door,” he continued, matching her stride. “What kind of man do you take me for?”
“Man would be a stretch,” Ember smirked, “but thank you. I appreciate the chivalry.”
“Always, Starshine.” He winked as they quietly walked toward the front door. Maia trotted through the yard toward the barn at the back of the house, and Ember quietly made her way up the steps.
Ember grabbed the handle to the large door and hesitated, looking back at the tall blond with smoky eyes.
His face was leaner than last year, more chiseled.
As much as she liked to joke with them about still being boys, they seemed to have turned into men overnight.
A chill ran down Ember’s spine as she took a breath and gave him a quick nod.
“Well, goodnight,” she whispered.
Killian gave her hand a squeeze, lingering for a few seconds longer than Ember expected. “Sleep tight, Starshine.” He grinned and then turned to walk back down the dark drive.
Ember slipped through the door and leaned against it as it quietly shut behind her.
She wasn’t sure why she was struggling to breathe or why her heart suddenly felt like it was going to leap out of her chest and dance around the hardwood floor in front of her.
Since when did Killian Vargr make her feel like she couldn’t breathe, like she might melt into a puddle from his smile alone?
Ember shook her head and pushed herself off the door, creeping through the darkness toward the steps to head to her room.
“Bit late to be out on a walk, don’t you think?” a voice cut from the sitting room to her right.
Ember froze and sucked in a breath before turning and walking into the other room. “How long have you been waiting for me?” she asked sheepishly, scuffing her foot on the floor as she stood behind the sofa.
“Since I came out of my office to check on you before bed and you weren’t anywhere to be found,” her mother replied without turning around, not even bothering to put the book down that was in her hands.
“Gaelen said she might have seen you sneak out, so I decided it was best to wait up and make sure you got home safe.”
“I didn’t mean to worry you,” Ember replied.
“Worry me?” Aoife scolded, as she closed the book and turned around. “I was terrified, Ember. You can’t just run off without a word of where you’re going. I just got you back. I can’t lose you again.”
Ember felt the guilt crack open her chest and burrow itself inside of her.
“I was just with Killian, Fen, and Odette,” Ember replied, but the excuse didn’t sound convincing, and by the look Aoife was giving her, it certainly wasn’t enough.
“I know exactly who you were with, my tracking charm finally located you near the school earlier.” Aoife patted the couch, motioning for Ember to sit beside her. “If you want to see your friends, all you have to do is ask. You don’t have to sneak around.”
“I know, Mum.” Ember nodded. “I’m sorry.”
“I know what happened with that girl last year,” Aoife continued, as she conjured a kettle and two cups. Ember sucked in a breath as she closed her eyes. “I couldn’t bear it if something happened to you. I need you to be honest with me, even if you think I might hate what you have to say.”
Ember closed her eyes as she took a shaky breath. The last thing she wanted was to make her mum feel like she was sneaking around and lying and couldn’t trust her. Suddenly, her heart was heavy for a fireplace and kitchen table and warm bed that weren’t hers anymore.
“I think I’m just having trouble… adjusting,” Ember sighed, as she sipped the tea from her mug.
“That’s understandable.” Aoife nodded. “You had a home and a family. Any change, even a happy change, is scary.”
Ember swallowed the lump in her throat as she nodded, unable to come up with words to reply. She missed the boys terribly—missed the Kitts so bad it hurt some days. But they couldn’t come first, not anymore. She had to rebuild this relationship with her mother, even when the loss ached.
”Can I tell you a secret?” Aoife asked, as she gave her a soft smile.
Ember nodded as she laid her head on her mother’s shoulder, eyes growing heavy.
“I’m having a hard time adjusting too.”
Ember furrowed her brow as she looked up at her mother, and something like relief flooded through her.
“I never thought I would get this with you, and sometimes I don’t know if I’m doing it right.”
”You’re doing just fine, Mum,” Ember whispered, and she meant it. With her entire being, she meant it.
“It will get easier, Mo Stor,” Aoife said, as she kissed the top of her head. “We will find our way together, you have my word.”