21. Rest
Killian’s legs trembled with fatigue as the cabin finally came into view. Square and cozy, it sat nestled among aspens, a vibrant herb and vegetable garden at the back. Its thatched roof billowed over white walls and branch-lined window panes. String for laundry wove around the side like a spiderweb.
Killian’s chest ached as he pictured Raela growing up here. A toddler running among the tall grasses, a girl tripping through the doorways, a young woman hanging the sheets. He could imagine her vibrant radiance filling the whole area. It was missing now.
Auntie Shou paused beside him. “It hasn’t changed a petal.” Auntie Mo wrapped her arms around her shoulders, and Auntie Shou sighed. “It’s so good to be home.”
Once inside, Auntie Shou, Auntie Mo, and Auntie Toru fell into rapid-fire chatter as Phineas and Killian sat around the small table. Killian had to duck a little, but Phineas was bent in half to fit his body under the shortened roof. Soon, Auntie Mo shoved Auntie Shou over to a seat and set a steaming mug of tea before her, despite her protests that she could help prepare the drinks. Auntie Mo quickly distributed the other mugs.
While Phineas struggled to manage his long appendages in the small chair, Jax and Klatma—the ancient mother bear—waited outside, the cubs taking turns batting at Jax’s tail. Killian memorized every arch, every bookshelf, and every slat of wood of the stairs on the far side of the living room.
His body quaked in fatigue, but his knee bounced in anxiety. He needed to go save Raela—his princess. But Auntie Shou set her hands on his leg, reminding him he needed to refuel. Auntie Mo dropped a bowl of the most mouthwatering sweet rolls before him. Drizzled with fresh honey and topped with a lemon lavender jam, the bread heated through to his marrow. The stew was next, and Killian almost forgot how cold he’d been in the dungeon.
The murmurs from the women had settled some as Auntie Mo and Auntie Toru pulled up chairs to sit next to their sister. Killian felt a weight settle on his chest, and the group quieted.
Auntie Mo’s eyebrows pinched together as she wagged a piece of bread toward Auntie Shou. “Don’t tell me you’re leaving again.”
Auntie Shou’s face crinkled without fully smiling as she sipped her third mug of tea slowly. “Raela must awaken.”
Auntie Toru whimpered.
“Of course she must,” Auntie Mo said, “but you can’t go out there again, not just yet. You are all bones, and you stink. And what are you wearing?”
She speaks the truth.Jax contributed through the open window. Killian cast him a glare. It was a tough competition between her and the Shadowbeast. Rotting, moldy …
“Then I will bathe first, if only to spare our more sensitive guests.” Auntie Shou winked at Jax, who bristled.
“I’m coming with you when you leave.” Auntie Toru pouted and folded her arms much like Auntie Mo. “You cannot run around the castle alone. I’m coming.”
Auntie Shou closed her eyes. “If you must.”
“I’m coming too!” Auntie Mo leaned forward. “I won’t lose you again. And you will not leave again in such a way.”
Auntie Shou reached for her sister, clasping her hand. “I am sorry.”
Auntie Mo rubbed her eyes vigorously. “And I forgive you.” Glancing at the men, she nodded toward the couches. “Rest. You must be at your best to save our Raela. No reason to rush to death so tired.”
Killian stood, fatigue causing his muscles to shake, but all he could think about was Raela. Zalina couldn’t kill her, but … would she hurt her? And what about the others in the castle? What about his father? If the fairies had put them to sleep, too, they were sitting ducks under Zalina. Not really a threat, but so easy to dispatch. His knee started to bounce again. He needed to return. To save them all. To apologize to his father … to …
Auntie Shou came to stand beside him, taking his arm and pushing him back into a chair. “Rest, Killian. I will wake you soon, and we will go together. But you, even more than the others, need a moment to recoup. From what the future shows me, I see that Zalina will not hurt the others. Not yet. Not until you are there and can be threatened.”
Killian scoffed as he sat in the chair. “Not very reassuring, Shou.” Worries flooded his mind. He wouldn’t sleep. This was a waste of time.
And then his head lulled back with a thunk.
“Princeling,” a voice called, echoing and distant. “Princeling, it’s time to wake.”
Killian leaned forward on the chair, his mind suddenly whirling with thoughts of Raela and Zalina and the nightmarish battle of the slick forest. Auntie Shou stood beside him with a glass of water. “The time is now,” she murmured as she patted his shoulder. Moving toward the others, she woke them as well. She was no longer wearing her muddy blanket but looked nearly human in her dress, apron, and shoes.
Killian rubbed his eyes and straightened in his seat. Scratching his chest, he gasped as he faced off with a scowling Auntie Mo. She poked his chest. “Do you love our Raelametanashi?”
He raised a brow, but this answer was easy. “Yes.”
“Will you fight for her with your breath.”
“With your life, Mo,” Auntie Shou corrected from across the room.
“Will you fight for her with your life?” Auntie Mo repeated.
“Yes.”
“Will you be kind to her mistakes? Risk … Shourentameta’il, what is corrent?”
“Embarrassment.”
Auntie Mo turned back to him. “Will you risk embarrassment for her?”
Killian pondered her words for only a moment. He loved Raela, he would do anything, even protect her from embarrassment or shame, even if protecting her caused others to judge him. “I will.”
Auntie Mo slowly eyed him up and down. Then she reached up. Tugging on his shirt, she pulled him low enough that she could pat his cheek. “Good. You may seek her hand.”
Killian fought off a wry smile. “Thank you, Auntie.”
Her eyes widened at the name, but then she smiled too. “You’re welcome, my prince.”
Phineas and Killian stepped outside, strapping on some old swords and daggers that Auntie Mo had dragged out from a hidden cellar. The leather cracked and groaned, but Killian hoped it would hold. No matter what, Killian would reach Raela this afternoon. He tracked the sun, thankful that Auntie Shou kept her word and only let him sleep for a few hours. Evening would soon arrive, and he wanted to end this before the sun went down.
“Princeling.” Auntie Shou held out one last sword. “This sword calls to the light. I think you should take it. As a way to fight off the darkness. It was created by the fairies and used in the original battle. Your grandfather wielded it once.”
Killian nodded gratefully as he strapped it to his side. His grandfather’s sword. Pride at the legacy and humility at the honor flooded him. His finger followed the edges of the emerald gems that lined the hilt, and the gold fillagree edged the fleur-de-lis pommel. Now it was his in another war against the goblins, and the evil they protected.
The fairies came out of their home, their gowns tucked into leather pants and frilled sleeves billowing from their bracers. He worried for them, but they were magical and knew the risks. Based on the glint of ferocity in their eyes, he wouldn’t be able persuade them otherwise.
Jax shook his shoulders and looked at Killian. They all followed suit, waiting for his cue.
Killian turned and faced his companions. “Thank you for coming with me. We will rescue Raela, no matter what Zalina throws at us.” He looked at Auntie Shou. “And we will go one step and one breath at a time when we need to. And fight to the end.” Auntie Mo patted Auntie Shou’s back. Auntie Toru bared her teeth in a way that should have looked more menacing, but with her petite frame, missing teeth, and hundreds of wrinkles, the effect was more comical than frightening. With a gentle smile, he continued. “We will save Raela, my father, and our kingdom from the darkness. I will fight for you, I will protect you, and I will defend you to the end.”
“And we’ll defend you,” Phineas said.
“And we’ll defend you,” the fairies repeated.
As I always have, I always will.Jax growled.
Killian nodded and turned, the fatigue burning away under the adrenaline of this moment. He was ready. His focus was singular. Killian led the others back toward the gate, heading north to his castle. North toward Raela. His steps were sure, certain. Only when they reached the meadow did he pause. The sun shone, and the wind slipped through the grasses. But it wasn’t the same. The colors were muted, the senses flattened.
The others stopped beside him, and he turned slightly toward Auntie Shou. “It doesn’t seem as bright without her.”
Jax snorted. Oh, dear braces of rabbits, you are so in love.
Killian pinned him with a look. “Tell me it’s not as full of life.”
Jax rolled his eyes and sniffed the air. Perhaps there is a change of scent. And perhaps a decrease in the magic.
“Raelametanashi is brimming with magic. She is connected to the life magic of our realm. But now, she is sleeping, so the forest sleeps too. Zalina will be disappointed Raela isn’t at her full potential.” Auntie Shou cupped her ear. “Even the birds rest now. But when you wake her, the forest will wake.” She turned and stared at Killian intensely. “And when you love her, your kingdom will bloom.”
Phineas slapped Killian on the back. “Good luck. Better not make her mad or the kingdom will catch on fire.”
Killian started to laugh until he saw Auntie Shou tilt her head back and forth as if considering the possibility.
Swallowing hard, he led them through the grasses, the brush line, and the pine trees. As they approached the gate, Killian halted. It looked as it had before, except, perhaps, the shadows were darker. He glanced behind him, and the beam of light pulsed as it struck the earth through the trees, burning through the boughs above.
The group—and the whole earth—seemed to hold their collective breath. He met their gazes, and each nodded with grim determination. Auntie Mo looked furious and lifted two fists as if she would pummel her enemies to a pulp. The mousy Auntie Toru also looked ready to battle, though more like an angry cactus or a bristling willow tree. Auntie Shou had a face of confident serenity and held a blue flame in the palm of her hand.
Killian hoped fleetingly that he could simply open the gate and they could waltz up to the castle in twenty minutes, unhindered. But as the light spread to make an arc behind them, covering hedge to hedge in a protective barrier, he prepared for battle. Zalina would never make it so easy.
Jax growled. Phineas shifted his gait and pulsed his grip on the pommel. Killian reached for the gate, unclicked the lock, and swung it inward. The meadow was shockingly dark, without any light from the afternoon sun like in the forest. It was also blocked by something within that writhed like a coil of snakes. As the gate swung back and clattered against the trees, the coiling halted. Silence reigned.
Then a wall of sound, hissing and screeching and thunderous, preceded a thousand cords of twisting thorns that launched through the gate and began their assault.