The soldiers were slaughtered as the enemy soldiers thundered in.
The king and queen laid heavy, longing stares upon their daughter.
“It has to be you who does it,” the queen said with her sad, cooling eyes.
“Do it now,” the king said with a remorseful gaze. “We’ll see you eventually. You need to be strong. You need to be brave now.”
“I don’t want to,” Fallon said, sobbing.
The soldiers were being trampled by the invading forces then in a violent mess of blood and sweat.
“Now,” the king yelled. “It has to be now!”
“I’m sorry,” Fallon said. “I’m only doing it because of you. I’ll see you soon! I promise I’ll come back.”
She ran to the corner of the room to the black obelisk that was cascaded in the red glow of the last of the sun’s rays. With both hands wrapped around its sharp edges, she looked at her worried parents in the midst of the soldiers tearing into the room like wildebeests, and said, “I’ll return, I promise. Ten years, that’s all it’ll be. Ten years. I promise I’ll return. I love you!”
Holding the dark obelisk in her sweaty palms, she thought about how she wouldn’t see her parents—or anyone she cared about for all that time, but this was life or death; they were after her.
She closed her eyes as the madness grew louder and louder in the room with the stench of fresh blood blooming all around her. “Evernochtis briten everness,” she whispered, feeling a brimming power surge from the stone into her arms and shoulders. Opening her eyes, she saw a brilliant brightness that warmed her, like looking into the sun’s rays glistening off a sparkling stream—and then it was gone… everything was gone.
Chapter Two
The brightness faded from her mind and vision, and a warm, welcoming feeling crept over her. Opening her eyes, she saw the black, mirror-like obelisk placed between her hands as she pulled them away. The sounds of the bloody battle had faded. It was replaced by the chirping of crickets, and the stillness one gets when first slipping into a warm bath.
She sighed with relief and smiled. Fallon raised her hands to the sides of her face and she inhaled—her nostrils filled with smoky, mossy aroma.
Looking past the obelisk, that was nestled neatly in a strange white rock tucked into deep folds of lush green grass, she saw she had indeed been moved away from the danger of the castle. So far away in fact, she’d been moved to a place that few would ever view, and from which fewer even had gone back to their world.
Fallon had known about the power that had been bestowed upon her by the wizard, Shadine, since she was girl. She remembered the way the proud wizard’s face brimmed with pride as the king told his daughter of the gift he’d bestowed upon her all those years ago. She knew that if grave danger ever came there was a magical place she could escape to, even if she wished to never use it.
Around her were the plush, vibrant greens of blowing grass; behind her was a trickling stream that had its own tiny waterfall, dripping droplets over the back of a gray stone wall, and a delicate, yet strong fawn grazed over to her right just beyond the trees.
“Ten years,” she muttered to herself, brushing her blond hair back behind her ear. “At least you’re alive, but Mother and Father... I pray to the gods you’re still alive. I don’t know if I can live with myself if I discover I left you… in your greatest time of need…”
The princess wept for the better part of the day, eventually drinking from the fresh steam, eating handfuls of plump blackberries from a bush, and falling into a deep sleep of exhaustion, worry, and yet—relief.
When the morning’s light came the next day, dazzling its way through the swaying trees overhead, a beaming, delicate glow bobbed in front of her eyes. Fallon sat up, examining the angelic glow that faded slowly. Before her was the bare, slender body of a tiny woman with humming blue wings. Her red hair flowed wavily down to her hips. The look in her eyes held a deep wisdom—even though she looked no older than a woman in her early twenties.
“Morn,” she said with a vivid spirit.
“Morn…?” Fallon repeated while rubbing the sleepiness from her eyes.
“Let’s be off! Hurry!” the fairy said while pulling on Fallon’s dress tails.
“Give me a moment,” the princess said. “Where are we off to anyway? Who are you? Where are we?”
The fairy sighed, rolling her eyes. “We’ve been waiting for you so long! Come now, hurry. He wants to meet you so! And you’re in the land of the Fae, didn’t you know?”
In the Fae? I’d completely forgotten that the wizard’s spell would send me here. But I don’t like it here. I just want to go home…
“Who’s he?” Fallon asked. “And who are you?”
“I’m Pip,” she said in a sweet voice as her wings fluttered. “And he’s the one who the wizard told to watch over you. Come now, it’s not always safe here.”
Fallon leapt to her feet.
She followed the fairy passed the spring, through a thick wood along a narrow path, and over a giant mountain range with sharp rocks and deep crevasses. The princess had no idea how long they’d traveled—for in the Fae, time was like a dream—so vivid, yet so hard to recall once awake.
Eventually they made their way to a patch of barren dirt in the center of a grassy glade—almost a perfect circle around a small stone building with a thatched roof that looked as out of place as a blue toe on one’s foot.
“He’s just inside,” Pip said. “Go on, naught to be troubled by. This is quite exciting! The first time anyone meets him, there’s always that twinkle in their eyes. Go on now. Don’t be frightened…”
Fallon walked up to the red door of the stone building—extending her fist to knock, but instead reached down for the latch and popped it open. She pushed inward, and she slipped inside.
It was a smoky, dark interior with not a single candle lit.
“Hello?” She took slow steps into the room while Pip remained outside in the sunlight.
As she entered there was a musty, damp smell that reminded her of a mossy thicket.
I don’t want to be here. I don’t feel as if this is a safe place, but Pip seems so sweet… so trustworthy. I’ll push through my worries. It will be alright.
“So…” a raspy male voice said. Fallon traced the word to the corner of the room, where a shadowy man sat in a rocking chair with his back to her as he looked out the foggy window. “What can I do for you, dark-worlder?” His shoulders were broad and powerful beneath the tapestry wrapped over them.
“I suppose I am,” Fallon said, with her hands folded behind her back.
Am I the odd one here in this world? It feels so strange to me here, like I’m the one who doesn’t belong…
“Been an age since someone came to visit,” the man said in a clear, calm voice that made him sound like a younger man, not old like she’d envisioned by the slow rocking in the chair.
“I was brought here,” she said. “The fairy brought me… My name’s Fallon. What’s yours?”
The man snapped around in his seat. “I knew there was something different about you.” His eyes were a dark ebony like a winter shadow. “I’ve waited so long. I don’t even know how many years, but Princess Fallon, I feel as if I’ve known you the entirety of my being.”
“I’m sorry,” she said, itching her pants on her right hip. “Who are you?”
“Antolin,” he said, his auburn hair hanging over his brow, and two small, white horns poking out on both sides of his head. “Shadine didn’t tell you about me? Figures. You must be famished.” He stood up from his rocking chair, letting a dark cloth fall to the wooden floor. “What will you have? We don’t have much time after all, so eat whatever you like. I’ve got soft cheese, fresh bread, cured salami…”
“I’m not hungry after all,” she said. “Perhaps later. And what… Antolin… did you mean by we don’t have much time?”
“My dear, you’ve already been in the Fae for over two years.” He laughed. “W
e’ve got much to discuss! And I’ve got to get you ready for your trip home when the time comes.”
“I—” she gasped with a hand over her mouth as she took quick steps backward. “That’s not possible. I’ve just arrived. There was a battle, and—”
Two years? I feel as if its been two weeks. How long were we walking over those mountains to get here? I’ve lost two years with my mother? She must be so worried about me… And how I miss her. I just want to be wrapped up in her arms right now.
“My love,” Antolin said calmly and with a wry smile. “Let’s get you something in that tiny tummy, then we’ll have a chat about what’s to come.”
They ate, even though she wasn’t hungry, and they made their way out to a small, round stone table out of the backside of the villa, and Pip joined in, dangling her legs over the side of it.
“I didn’t want to come here,” Fallon said. “I’m worried for my parents; I don’t know what happened to them. I never wanted to come to the Fae, it was just something that my father beckoned Shadine to do. He was always so worried that I’d disappear on him, or someone would come for me.”
“Was he wrong?” Antolin asked with a mouthful of bread.
“I suppose they came for me after all…”
There was a long silence then. It was like a mother shushing her child while she’s sewing, but they’re forced to sit in the room without toy or doll. Things grew strange for her during that long time devoid of voice. The trees around them shifted colors gradually, as if they’d gone through seasons…
This all can’t be real. Even though I know I’m in the Fae, this is more like a dream than reality. Maybe it is just all a dream. Perhaps it’s all just a terrible dream. Wake up, Fallon, please wake up!
, The stream behind the house seemed to freeze if for only a fleeting minute… and the sky overhead flashed dark and light…
Why is this happening to me? I just want to go home. But pretend. Just pretend everything is fine for the time being. Just keep a fine conversation going…
“That food was splendid,” she said. “Thanks so much. I should be off to bed soon, though.”
Antolin looked over at her with a handsome gaze and a thin smile. “Off to bed? You’ve just gotten here, let’s share in song. What do you know?”
“I really am tired. I feel as if I should—”
He began to sing, and his dark, charcoal eyes pierced into hers, and she was enamored by his rugged looks. He sang a song she didn’t understand the words to, but as his velvety voice rolled into her ears like silk, she swayed to the tune.
I want to stay in the moment, but I can’t seem to focus on anything but him… and his voice. It’s as if I don’t know where I am all of a sudden— and I feel so… tired.
Night stalked in, and Pip closed her eyes to enjoy the tune.
“Fallon,” he said, stirring her back awake. “I’m so pleased Shadine the wizard trusted me to care for you in your time here. I’ve enjoyed our time together.”
“Yes, it’s been rather pleasant,” she said, running her fingers through her wavy hair. “It’s been a good day. Although I’m quite tired.”
“It has been a good day,” he said, looking up to the full, beaming moon. “I’ve enjoyed these years together.”
“Years?” Fallon croaked. “What do you mean? I’ve only been here the better of a half day…”
“My love,” he said with a kind smile. “You jest, and you look just as lovely as the day you first strolled into my house.”
A shrill anxiousness blistered within her. I’ve been in this house for years? I’ve got to get out of here. He’s not keeping me safe… He’s keeping me… This can’t be. How have I been here for years? This place isn’t magical, it’s a bad dream. I’ve got to get out, I’ve got to get home.
“You want me to teach you the ways of the Fae?” he said.
“No…” she said as warm exhaustion rolled over her as if she hadn’t slept in days.
“You should let him show you things,” Pip said. “You don’t want to eat the wrong sort of elderberry or drink the wrong type of lavender tea!” She winked as her nude body sat at the corner of the table.
“I suppose I should,” Fallon said with a heavy fog sitting in her mind.
I want to doubt her, but she’s so loving. I feel as if she’s the only one here who truly cares for me.
Antolin reached his hand out, and she took it slowly.
“Let me show you our world,” he said in a welcoming voice. “Let me show you the perfection that your world could never achieve. For here, in the Fae, anything you want and desire is within your grasp if you’re only brave enough, and loving enough to embrace what your deepest desires are.” He moved his handsome face inches from hers. “That’s what the wizard charged me with—I’m going to teach you what true happiness can be while you’re here. I’m going to show you why this is the world you always imagined in your deepest dreams, but you always had to awaken from. Follow me, lass, I’m going to show you what true happiness is…”
Chapter Three
As if in a dream, she saw their surroundings had changed drastically. They were in a deep forest where the sky sparkled through the treetops like shimmering diamonds. A warm breeze washed through, letting her soft blond hair rustle at her shoulder. She could smell the cool moss as the stream rolled along elegantly next to her ankles.
“Look!” Antolin said, pointing out into the forest with his hand on her hip.
Fallon couldn’t believe what she was gazing upon. Wild, enchanting, powerful and serene—she was looking at a grazing unicorn. She was all alone out in the woods, and Fallon felt herself holding her breath at the majestic sight.
“It can’t be…”
“It is,” he said with a smile. “A once in a lifetime sight, even in our world…”
“Have you seen one before?” she whispered to not scare it off.
“Once,” he said in a soft voice. “Actually, it was before Pip brought you to me. It’s incredibly lucky, supposed to give you long health and age if you get to see one in your life.”
“Well,” she said. “You must have two long lifetimes now.”
He didn’t respond, yet Fallon could feel tension in his demeanor. Antolin pulled his hand away and stood solemnly, as the white unicorn turned to look at him with brilliantly piercing eyes.
“What’s the matter?” the princess asked. “Did I say something?”
“I just…” He sighed. “I just think I’m going to miss you is all when you’re gone… You’re leaving so soon…”
“I am?” She raised her eyebrows. “I—I feel as if I’ve only been here a week.”
“It’s been eight long years,” he said. “You don’t remember all we’ve been through, do you?”
She took a long look of disbelief at him as the mighty unicorn trotted off slowly. He looked deeply distraught, his eyes had dark bags under them, his lips quivered, and his auburn hair slightly covered his face. Fallon did cock her head as his white horns had seemed to have grown to the length of daggers.
What does he mean, ‘all that we’ve been through’? Does he see this place differently than me? Is it because he knows the Fae because he’s from it? Or is there something else going on here? I feel as if I’ve only had a handful of moments where I’m in the moment…
“Don’t worry,” she said. “I’ll still be here another two whole years before I leave, and after all I must get home to my family…”
A shock of worry came to her as her hands shot up to cover her mouth and her eyes were wide.
“My parents,” she said. “It’s been eight years. Are they still alive? They’ve aged all the time I’ve been away here… I have to get back home. I have to get back to my—”
“I understand!” he shot at her as his ebony eyes grew a shadowy black. “I just… I have so many things to show you still… The Epiphony Tree, the Larks of Büewn, even the Colossus of Parth! Shadine will be disappointed with me if I don’t show you ho
w wonderful it is in our world…”
“It’s been so wonderful here,” she said. “Really, it’s exquisite, but I’ve only come to escape from those who seek to harm me. This isn’t my home, and I’ve got to reach the castle and my family when my time here is over.”
He sniffled, wiping a tear from his eye, standing back up, straight and tall. He seemed to be towering over her by a full two heads. “You’re right,” he said. “Let’s enjoy our time together while we can. Come, let’s go find more adventures to partake in…”
He reached for her hand, but she nodded and walked deeper into the woods with her hands at her sides. He followed.
They were soon walking along a long path with swooping trees on both sides that overhung with heavy branches, and fireflies glowing upon them. The road was suddenly a smooth, cobblestone path with violet butterflies flapping their wings as they floated by.
“Are we still in the forest?” she asked.
He only smiled, staring deeply into her eyes. Pip then flew by between them.
“Pip!” Fallon said in excitement. “Where have you—?”
But the princess’ demeanor changed as Pip darted past, snatching one of the butterflies out of the air, crushing it in her tiny hands, and chomping down onto it. Fallon’s stomach turned.
“What’s the matter?” Antolin asked.
“Um, its nothing…” She shook her head, as Pip flew off after another.
“Fairies have to eat too,” he said.
Fallon covered her face in disgust as Pip continued her hunt.
“Look, there.” He pointed out into the trees. “You see that there?”
Fallon removed her hand from over her eyes to look.
“The red… You see it?”
“It’s faint… What is it?”
“It’s a Bloodlark. A red bird as rare as the phoenix itself. Said to have a call that would soothe any broken heart.”
Magic Underground: The Complete Collection (Magic Underground Anthologies Book 4) Page 47