Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
My aunt followed me outside, both of us jogging down the steps leading up to their home.
Commotion from the streets filled the air.
Fae either walked by in rapid strides, rode astride domals, traveled in hired carriages, or flew by on enchanted carpets.
The activity caused the narrow lane to feel congested and busy.
Artists were hard at work too. Already, several fae who lived in our neighborhood were lined up at their open-market stands that they often employed until lunchtime.
Most of the artists were painting, sculpting, or weaving. It was a common sight as many of the local creators took advantage of our realm’s magic, which was replenished each morning at sunrise.
Vissy, just two homes over from ours, sat on her stool as the tangy scent of her telekinetic magic swirled in the air and tingled the breeze that hit my cheeks.
Long black hair fell down her back. She had a painting half constructed and already infused with her magic.
The idyllic rendition of the Clawfur Mountains had nymphs dancing near a waterfall.
The painting had come to life. Quite literally.
The small creatures twirled among the trees she’d created, swinging from branch to branch or hanging from vines while laughing.
It would make a beautiful addition to anyone’s home.
Vissy must have felt me watching her because she glanced my way, and her full lips lifted in a sad smile. She called over the street’s commotion, “How is he this morning, Prim?”
I opened my mouth, but Aunt Gwen beat me to answering. “The same, perhaps a little worse.”
Vissy bobbed her head, and her painting hand fell to her lap. “I’m sorry to hear it. I pray to the gods and goddesses every night that they’ll find a cure.”
“Thanks, Vissy.” I dipped my head. “Please continue doing so.”
She blew me a kiss, then lifted her brush again and returned her attention to her canvas.
Other neighbors walking by also murmured greetings and words of condolences. After the third fairy we knew uttered his sympathy, my smile grew strained. They were already talking as if Uncle Timith was dead.
Behind us, the door to my aunt and uncle’s home banged closed, and Verin raced down the stairs with the last of my supplies. She’d already placed most of my things near the lane’s cobblestones.
I shaded my eyes and glanced up the street, looking for Ree. My best friend had said she was going to see me off this morning, but there was still no sign of her.
“Do you see Ree?” I asked my aunt.
Gwen also craned her neck. “No, but perhaps Siam was fussy again this morning, and Harrietta’s running late. You know how it is with little ones.”
My shoulders sagged, but she was right. Life for Ree had drastically changed since she’d become a mother.
“But Opalin and Roosep are definitely coming to see you off,” my aunt added. “They wouldn’t miss saying goodbye.”
Remembering that our dear family friends would also be here buoyed my spirits, and I ducked into the small storage compartment beneath the steps leading to my aunt and uncle’s home to grab my new enchanted carpet.
Its heavy weight and thick fibers made carrying it difficult, but once I had it on the lane and had made enough room to unfurl it, its magic activated.
Lifting, it hovered over the busy street, a hand’s length above the cobblestones.
Using my telekinetic magic, I transported all of my supplies at once and set them on the carpet.
Once everything was in place, I whispered another command, and invisible magical bands wrapped around my belongings.
Good. I would need that magic to keep everything locked together because I planned to travel fast.
“Will that be all you need, my lady?” Verin asked, her gaze on my toes.
“Yes, thank you for your help.”
She thrust a bottle forward. “I packed this for you to drink along the way, in case you get thirsty.”
The opaque bottle concealed its contents, so it could have been anything from water to wine, but I appreciated the gesture. “Thank you, Verin.”
I set the bottle on the carpet, and she bobbed her head and hurried back inside.
Aunt Gwen’s mouth puckered, and she peered down the street again. “Opalin and Roosep should be here any minute. They knew you wanted to leave at seven.”
Before I could search for them, a flash of magic puffed at my feet, and a dillemsill appeared.
“Primelle Hollaran, you have a message,” it chirped.
I leaned down and picked up the tiny messenger bird with purple feathers and a long yellow furry tail. “Yes?”
The dillemsill squeaked through its small beak, “Harrietta would like you to know that she won’t make it to your residence this morning as she’d hoped.
She’s heartbroken she won’t see you, and she requests you connect with her as soon as you’re able, and to also send her regular updates during your travels. ”
I smiled sadly. I wasn’t surprised by the message.
Not only did my friend have a young infant, but she was also newly married and was already back to work even though Siam was so young.
But Ree had married at a very young age, and she and Bennif needed rulibs, even more so now that they had an additional mouth to feed.
Of course, Ree and Bennif hadn’t expected to conceive so soon.
Miraculously, Ree had fallen pregnant the first month they’d begun trying for a family.
And even though it normally took females decades, if not centuries, to conceive, Ree had fallen pregnant immediately and had subsequently become quite overwhelmed.
My aunt patted my shoulder. “It was as we guessed.”
“Indeed.” I sighed. “Oh well. She has a lot on her plate without me adding to her burdens.”
I brought the bird closer to my mouth so it could hear my message clearly. “Please inform her that I’ll miss her as well, and I’ll see her soon. And, of course, I’ll check in as often as I can.”
“Is that all, miss?” the bird chirped.
“Yes.” I set it down, being careful to avoid putting the small bird anywhere a domal’s hooves could tramp on it in the road.
The dillemsill began to spin. Its wings flapped and twirled around its body as the small creature’s magic grew. It spun so fast it became a blur, and then in a wink of magic, it disappeared.
I ran a hand down my braid and eyed the street again. “I should really get going. Perhaps Opalin and Roosep got waylaid too, and—”
“Are you off hunting as well, Prim?” a boisterous male called from down the lane.
My spine stiffened, and the hairs on the back of my neck tingled. I was so tempted not to turn around. So tempted, but if Abel was also after the Wishing Stone, there would be no avoiding him. No matter how quickly I planned to traverse the land, he was bound to catch me.
Stars Above. Just my luck.
I swung around, my smile brittle. Sure enough, Abel was also packing supplies onto a carpet. I sighed. “I am, and from the looks of it, so are you?”
My aunt muttered something under her breath. I didn’t catch it, but I doubted it was flattering.
Abel stood tall, his broad shoulders and meaty build making him dwarf those around him. “Aye, every night that I’ve seen the Stone in the sky, I’ve felt it pulling me. It wants me to find it.”
I rolled my eyes, not even caring if he saw it. “I’m sure it does,” I replied sarcastically, and then added, “It probably wants to be found by you as much as I want to marry you.”
His eyebrows slammed together. “What was that last bit you just said?”
“Nothing.” I knew there was no point in repeating it. It wouldn’t deter him.
He began walking toward me, the usual swagger in his step. “Perhaps we could travel together?” His words dipped suggestively. “Side by side? I could watch out for you, especially when you’re sleeping. You know how the Wood can be at night when—”
“That’s what wards are for, Abel, so I’ll pass, but good luck to you.” Before he could say another word, I swirled back around, but I still caught Vissy’s grin.
“When are you going to give up, Abe?” she called good-naturedly. “Prim’s made it abundantly clear she’s not interested.”
A grunt came, then the puff of Abel’s aura, swelling with irritation, beat against my back. “Some females play hard to get. Everyone knows that. Doesn’t mean she doesn’t actually want me.”
“Actually, it does,” I remarked.
Abel just grunted.
I sighed and gave my aunt a side-eye.
“Don’t provoke him,” she said under her breath. “And please, do your best to avoid him.”
“Oh, believe me. I will.”
I glanced down the street one last time and decided I couldn’t wait any longer. But just as I was about to give up on seeing any other loved ones before I left, a female called over the crowd, “Primelle!”
Aunt Opalin frantically waved upon a swiftly moving carpet, her flapping arms barely visible above the street’s congestion.
A grin bloomed across my face, and I waved as well, then laughed at how exuberant she appeared. “You made it, Aunt Opalin, and not a moment too soon!”
She finally came into clear view, and her smile broadened. Even though she wasn’t technically my aunt, only a dear family friend, she still seemed to enjoy that I’d taken to calling her that.
Finally reaching us, Opalin jumped off her carpet and said in a breathless rush, “Oh, Prim, I’m so glad I got here in time.
” She pulled me into a fierce hug, and my magic immediately recognized her unique essence.
Rose buds, sparkly illusion magic, and thyme.
It all was so Aunt Opalin, and I hugged her tightly in return.
“Me too. Ree had to cancel, but I’m glad you could be here.” I glanced behind her. “Where’s Roosep?”
She blew a strand of blond hair from her face. “I’m so sorry, Prim. He wishes he could have been here too, but he couldn’t get off work.” Opalin’s brow pinched, and worry filled her green eyes.