The Last Druid (Fae Court)

1. Everly

Everly

Chapter one

The sun’s rays dance through the canopy of trees, creating a blanket of warmth on my face. Tilting my head back, I let my eyes fall shut and the fresh forest air flow over me, calming my soul. Whenever I am in nature, I feel a deep sense of connection and joy that I can’t find anywhere else.

The sound of my friends catching up reaches my ears, and I can't help but smile. They sound like elephants stomping through the forest. Mia and Scarlett aren’t usually fans of hiking, but the gorgeous weather made them eager to join me today. It’s the first nice day we have had weather-wise in a few weeks, and we’ve decided to make the most of it. As we venture through the winding forest path, I confidently lead the way. Having completed this trek numerous times, I am well acquainted with the optimal route.

However, Mia and Scarlett seem to hold a different opinion. Their audible panting is unmistakable compared to my breathing. In an attempt to hide my amusement, I tightly press my lips together, knowing that they would unleash their wrath upon me if they caught me smirking at them.

I am starting to get hot though. Slipping my arms from the straps of my backpack, I drop it to the ground and pull my long sleeved thermal over my head. I tie it securely around my waist before reaching for my backpack, leaving me now in just my tank, skinny jeans, and favorite hiking boots. The backpack I have is easy to carry because there’s only a water bottle, some snacks, and a change of clothes inside. I learned in my early days of hiking to travel light.

As I round the next bend in the trail, a strange tingling sensation rushes over my skin. It’s as if I walked through one of those thick spider’s webs. The remnants of it cling to me, creating an unsettling sensation on my skin.

“Argh . . .” I wipe my hands over my arms, neck, and face. “I hate spiders.”

Squirming with a mix of anticipation and anxiety, I turn to my friends for reassurance. If there is a spider crawling on me, I want it gone immediately. My vision blurs momentarily, little specks of white floating in front of me but I blink, and it's gone.

As I refocus, I’m met with empty space.

Where did they go? They were right there . . .

Nervously, my hands grip the straps of my backpack and I let out an anxious laugh, walking back the way I came. “Okay, guys. Very funny.”

I stop and listen, but the only sound I hear is the gentle rustling of the leaves as the wind blows through the trees. Even the chirping of the birds has come to a stop. I feel my muscles tighten and my breathing speed up as my anxiety starts to increase. I take several deep, calming breaths, trying to slow my rapid heartbeat. The last thing I need is to have a panic attack halfway through a hike. Wiping my clammy hands on my jeans, I slowly turn in a circle.

Where did they go?

My friends are incredibly understanding and compassionate when it comes to my past and my struggles with panic attacks. They constantly go out of their way to create a safe and supportive environment for me. Their empathy and thoughtfulness truly make a difference in my life, reminding me that genuine friends prioritize your mental health and well-being above all else.

I’m not quite sure what triggers my episodes, just that, every now and again, a feeling of emptiness settles in my chest like a heavy weight. I feel incomplete, as if there was a piece of me that has gone missing. Even though I can’t explain why, it’s there, leaving a lingering sense of dread behind. I sometimes detect this urgency that I’m supposed to be somewhere, but I never can think of where.

Shaking my hands out in front of me, I roll my shoulders, getting myself under control. Then I take a good look around, my eyes catching on the vibrant colors of the flowers. My brows drop. This isn’t the way I came. I look around again with clarity and notice subtle differences in the scenery. Though everything seems to be the same at first glance, it’s not. It’s too early in the season for wildflowers, and I know there won’t be any on this trail for at least another month. Everything around me seems . . .

Brighter.

“Guys?” I call out again.

Nothing.

The silence is deafening.

Feeling a sudden sharp pinch on my leg, my eyes quickly scan the ground, desperately hoping it isn’t a snake. Instead, I’m met with a pair of furious– Wait, what exactly am I looking at?

Tilting my head to the side and squinting slightly, I try to make sense of what I’m seeing. If I were a child, I might have believed it was a fairy, but as an adult, I know better. Fairies aren’t real, right? Could I have possibly taken a fall and hit my head?

The fairy, small enough to fit in my hand, has light brown hair adorned with leaves and twigs, which are braided down her back. Her wide sapphire eyes seem almost too big for her face as she stares at me. Agitated, her shimmering translucent wings flutter, creating a cascade of sparkles in the air. Her delicate face twists into an angry scowl, making her look extremely furious. Suddenly, she emits a growl that resonates like sharp bells in the air. And then, to my surprise, she opens her mouth, revealing two rows of sharp teeth.

Instinctively, I take a step back, only to stumble over a small fallen branch. Panic courses through me, causing my muscles to tense up, but I somehow manage to swiftly regain my balance before toppling over. Suddenly, the fairy flies toward my face, and I let out a surprised squeak.

“How dare you tromp through here destroying homes?” she snarls.

My gaze automatically drops to the ground in confusion. I see the stick that I stumbled on, and to the side is a fairy circle of colorful mushrooms, much larger than any I have ever seen. One in particular catches my attention because of its caved-in side. I indeed did stand in what looks to be a small home, but not for the fairy, for something even smaller.

Crap.

Heart in my throat, I instantly drop to my knees on the moss-covered ground to get a closer look.

“There wasn’t anyone inside, right?” I ask.

I duck down trying to get a look inside, the coolness of the ground soaking through my jeans. I realize then that I am on the ground, and looking for what exactly?

When there is no reply, I peer over my shoulder at the fairy hovering in mid-air. The short yellow dress she wears seems to flow over her skin, it’s extremely distracting. She is frowning in what I can only assume is bewilderment before replying.

“No one was in there. Now, if you stomped on the other one with your stupid giant feet, then it would be a yes.”

Sitting back on my haunches, I rub my temples. “I’m so sorry.”

The fairy’s sapphire eyes open wide in incredulity, and she glances about. What did I do now?

“Did I say something wrong?” I ask, dropping my hands to my legs.

Her extremely large eyes blink twice before she snaps from her stupor.

“You're human!” she shrieks, flying a little closer.

Still kneeling on the ground, I glance around in confusion. “Uhhh . . . yeah . . .”

“You’re going to be eaten alive here,” she gasps.

“By bugs?” I question.

The fairy shakes her head at me. “How did you get here?”

I frown and think back. “Where is here?”

“You’re in Faerie.”

I slowly stand up, unable to stop my laughter. When the fairy doesn’t laugh, my smile falls. “You’re not serious, right?”

“Do I look like I’m joking?”

“But I can’t be here. Here doesn’t exist.” Panic laces my words, and I come off sounding slightly hysterical.

“Well, clearly, you’re wrong,” she replies, rolling her eyes at me, and crossing her arms over her chest.

“But . . . how do I get back?” I ask, a slight tremble in my voice.

This can’t be real, right? I must have touched a nightshade plant or fallen and I’m lying unconscious somewhere.

The fairy’s sapphire eyes soften only marginally. “I’m not sure, but I can take you to someone who will.”

My heart races as I try to decide what to do, my head full of conflicting thoughts. If this is really happening, how did I get here? How do I get home? Do I blindly trust an adorable but nightmarish fairy? What choice do I have?

Everything happened so suddenly. I am supposed to be enjoying a day out with Mia and Scarlett, laughing and joking around and enjoying the crisp mountain air. Not standing in the enchanted land of Faerie. I can feel it, a profound shift taking place within me, as the realization sinks in that my life will never be the same.