Chapter 34
Gil
My job as portal guard happens nightly, filling in the shifts that no one wants. My life consists of mostly watching the water, sitting at home, or trying to bury my feelings at work.
It’s rare that I do anything else, so when an invitation to visit the Moth Castle in Eclipsica comes from Heather, I don’t hesitate to answer.
“Gilllllll,” she sings, as royal guards guide me into a formal study.
I recall someone mentioning at the party that Heather’s birth plan was to settle here.
The queen has gathered doctors and equipment, blending our magic and mortal technology to make it as seamless as possible.
It’s comforting not just for Heather, but to know there is space to be made for humans here.
She’s propped up on a collection of pillows that have turned the formal sofa into more of a nest. With heavy eyes, she waves me over.
“We have news,” Moth says, his tone grave as he stands and embraces me in a stiff hug.
“You do?” I say, returning the squeeze, before settling on the chair opposite Heather, as Moth paces behind her.
“Firstly, I am like honestly so sorry I haven’t had more time to help you on this.”
I give her a knowing look. “I think you have some pretty good reasons to not be giving my problems your full attention.”
“Sure, yes, but I like her! Once I did some digging, I found out that while Marina doesn’t have socials, her aunt has a shop, but their phoneline doesn’t work. I sent a message, trying to see if she still works there, but there was no answer.”
“Of course,” I sigh. Things couldn’t be that simple.
“So, I searched her name and the store, wondering if maybe there’d be a recent review. I found something … something I don’t think you’re going to like.”
“We certainly did not,” Moth huffs, scratching Sprout—their fluffy, dog-like creature— under the chin.
When Heather passes her phone to me, it’s some kind of board, with photos of what I assume is Marina’s aunt’s shop.
“Jett Brooks’ and Willow Wiles’ daughter is here to greet you at The Rockstar’s Girlfriend.
Missing that connection to your old favorite band?
This small shop, co-owned by Marina Brooks, is a piece of nostalgic heaven, run by the elusive daughter of the former power couple.
Tell her your stories and buy some limited merchandise. ”
“What is this?” I cringe. “Marina doesn’t even like that place. Why would her aunt…? Her aunt posted this, didn’t she?”
Heather’s mouth stretches in an unsure expression.
“I know what it’s like to be used for clout, but Marina doesn’t know she’s being marketed as a meet-and-greet, does she?
” Heather asks, looking justifiably horrified.
She was an influencer before her life with Moth and may have more context than I do on all this.
Still, the anger runs through me all the same.
“No, no, I don’t think so,” I seethe. “I’ve been sending messages in a bottle hoping they find her.”
“Well, you don’t have to hope anymore. Moth can hand deliver a letter and—actually, maybe not.” Heather’s face suddenly tenses. “Um…”
“My flame?”
“I think that was a contraction,” she whispers. Moth kneels down, and the two exchange whispers, as she squeezes his hand tight. He leaves a kiss on her brow before leaping into action. Suddenly, a royal physician, the queen, and Heather’s mother gather in the room. I quickly give them my love.
“You two are going to be the best damn parents. Don’t worry yourselves about anything else.
” I wink, taking the scrawled address from Moth before leaving the room.
Before I close the door, I catch sight of Moth gazing down at Heather, tenderly holding her hand; it’s pure love, the kind that’s worth fighting for.
I have an address now.
But with no way to disguise myself, it doesn’t help much. Fall has come to the mortal realm, and still I remain here, unable to get back without drawing attention to myself.
There’s an extra layer of punishment watching Magnus strutting in and out of the portal like it’s a high-end taxi, date after date, all summer long.
But he’s not the only person who uses this portal. It’s the best way to travel to every region of Eclipsica when you don’t have time, wings, or a boat. More folks use it to visit the mortal realm than I’d have guessed.
But not the springs—not anymore.
On quiet nights, when I’m stationed here alone, songs have become the other piece to my messages in a bottle. Melodies she can’t hear, but I imagine can reach her through the water. Whether she’s in the shower or walking through the rain, I imagine the droplets can bear the weight of my feelings.
But as I play, it all falls away. There’s longing at the tips of my claws and a heaviness on my breath. The song plays across the reeds, and into the water, but Marina remains a world away. Clawrece follows me each night, nestling at my side.
A traveler emerges from the water, but it’s not Marina—it’s never Marina. “Are you still grounded?” he asks, sitting down next to me in the cove.
Clawrece clambers up to him, thudding her tail. Magnus leans down to scratch under her chin.
“I’ve taken up some extra shifts. Still, no word from her, and the glamour I ordered has been delayed…again,” I say. “I understand they’re busy crafting spells for the autumn ball, but that’s all costuming and cosmetic. I need mine to go to the mortal realm undetected.”
“Yes, and I’ve come to help you think of a new plan.”
“A new … what?”
“Did you think I came here to simply debrief you about my own romantic shortcomings?”
“Well, yeah,” I chuckle, “It’s your usual MO, isn’t it?”
“As you so often give me advice, I thought it was my turn to repay the favor.”
“What could you possibly tell me that could help?” I sulk. “Magnus, I can’t go up to the mortal realm looking like this.”
“Of course you can,” he says with a slight grin. “Surely you know what holiday the humans celebrate in the month of October.”
“Of course!” I say, leaping up from my spot on the rocks. All hallows eve, the night when mortals dress as monsters.
I could walk around in plain sight.
“What do you say we spend Halloween in the mortal realm?” he asks coyly.
“We?”
“Certainly.” Magnus’s grin is wide and fang-filled. “You’ll need someone to watch the portal that opens near her, won’t you? Besides, I’m keen to see if any of the ladies dressed as vampires wish to realize their dreams.”
Usually I’d roll my eyes, but I don’t have time to be annoyed because soon, I’ll finally see Marina in her realm, and I can be myself while I do it.
“Shift change is in thirty minutes,” I say, the wheels in my head turning. If we use a direct line like Magnus is talking about, that means it’ll appear as close to Marina as we can get.
“You really up for making sure no one gets through? It might take a while to pack.”
“In my experience with traveling, these normally spawn a little farther off the beaten path: an old tree, an alleyway. Magic is intuitive, Gilbert. It does not want to be found any more than we want strangers to find it.”
Monsters only lurk in the shadows and reeds in her world. Today is the only day I can pass through in the daylight.
I have to try.
Clawrece pushes into my leg with a high-pitched whine.
“It appears someone wishes to join us.” Magnus laughs.
“You think I can take a gator to the mortal realm?” I ask. Most tourists seem afraid of them, but then again, mortals also seem afraid of all sorts of animals. I don’t have a list of what’s commonly domesticated, but it’s possible they’re common pets, like large dogs.
“Gilbert, you should know the answer to such basic questions about mortals,” Magnus scoffs, leaning down to pet Clawrece. “Of course you can bring her!”