Octavia Bloom and the Missing Key (Through The Fairy Door Book 1)

by Estelle Grace Tudor

  Evony came fluttering through the door. “There you are, Genevieve! I knew you must be feeling better – the unicorns are in full bloom. My mother has regained her powers; we advance to Castle Astra tonight!”

  And with those words, the peaceful moment passed.

  Mum, Octavia, Otto, Felicity and Martha retired to the Amethyst room for a light lunch and a rest before they had an audience with the queen.

  “So, you never knew about me? At all?” Otto asked Octavia as they sat on the window seat together.

  “No – I had no idea until I dreamt about you. Did you dream about me too?” Octavia asked. Ferren listened avidly, accepting berries from Otto.

  “Only that once. I knew about you, of course – Hevva woke me from time to time to give me various potions and she would tell me stories. The queen wanted me to be prepared for when I came home. I always had faith I would come home; I knew I had to meet you!” Otto mirrored Octavia’s own giant smile.

  “Come and have more honey cakes, you two. We will need our strength for later,” Mum called over. Although she smiled, too, it didn’t reach her eyes.

  Otto jumped off the seat and ran over to her. Stopping for a brief hug, he snatched a few cakes and tossed one to Octavia, who caught it with a laugh. She broke off a piece and held it out to Pan, who was eyeing it hopefully.

  “Don’t give Pan any more. I think he has had quite enough,” Mum said, and looked pointedly at the bird’s rounded stomach. Octavia giggled and finished off the rest of the cake herself.

  Martha watched the exchange quietly; she was toying with the compass under her tunic. Mum looked over at her.

  “We will get her back, Matty, I promise. Now you need to eat,” she coaxed gently.

  Martha managed a few nibbles before pushing her plate away. Mum eyed her sadly for a moment before speaking to Octavia.

  “Whilst I remember, I will look after the key for now. Don’t look so sad – it will be returned to you on your tenth birthday,” she added with a laugh as Octavia reluctantly pulled the vine necklace over her head and handed it to her mother.

  A knock at the door made them jump. Mum went over to answer it.

  “The queen will see you now,” Briar told them.

  A surprise awaited them in the throne room: a tall, handsome male fairy sat in the throne next to the queen; his moss-green and gold eyes twinkled sardonically at the girls. Octavia started; those eyes looked oddly familiar.

  Queen Rhosyn noticed Octavia staring, whilst Evony looked amused.

  “Please may I introduce my husband, King Llyffant.”

  The king inclined his head. His long, green hair was swept back off his face and tied with a vine. He had magnificent green-and-gold-speckled wings.

  “Lyffy?” squeaked Ferren from Octavia’s shoulder in surprise. Octavia looked again into those green-gold eyes and smiled. Of course! Lyffy.

  “Welcome, Otto, you who know only too well the devastation one of Nesrin’s curses can wreak. Well, we too have been afflicted – Nesrin was in love with King Llyffant, but he was betrothed to me.” Queen Rhosyn bestowed a loving smile on her husband. “When Evony was younger, the king took her into the meadow to practise archery. Nesrin came upon them and turned the king into a toad in her jealousy and anger. In his shame, he left to live in my woods, though we looked for him and never gave up hope. I have to thank you Bloom girls for reuniting us.”

  “But how did you cure him?” Octavia blurted, and then flushed at her outburst.

  “The purest medicine in the world – love,” Queen Rhosyn said simply. King Llyffant raised her hand to his lips and kissed it respectfully. He looked at Octavia.

  “You have my sincerest gratitude, Octavia Bloom; my pride always did get the best of me. I needed to have faith that true love always wins.” He winked a slow, amphibian-like wink.

  Octavia smiled back delightedly, and exchanged a knowing look with her mother.

  “Now, to business!” Queen Rhosyn announced, waving her staff. A large, circular crystal table appeared, surrounded by golden chairs. “Please be seated,” she told the assembled crowd.

  An assortment of strong-looking fairies and creatures took their seats. Aurus nodded to Octavia from across the table where he stood, and Queen Gwenyn buzzed a hello from a tiny throne on the table.

  “Thanks to our human friends here, our flowers are blooming once more,” the queen began. “Our spies have tracked the fire imps to the Middling Grounds, where they await Nesrin’s orders. Martha will lead the guard with Aurus, using her compass.” Martha jumped in her seat at her name; she dazedly looked around the group of warriors and trackers, and gulped nervously. “Evony, Felicity and the archers will space themselves throughout the group. Queen Gwenyn’s bees will scout from the skies, whilst the king, myself and the remaining Blooms will bring up the rear. Feargal, you will remain here with a small guard to protect Castle Enfys and the remaining fairy court,” Queen Rhosyn instructed.

  Shouts, neighs, grunts, buzzes and bellows of assent echoed around the table, to which the queen nodded imperiously. “Go and collect your weapons and supplies; we ride within the hour,” she told them.

  Chairs were scraped back, and hooves and claws clattered on the stone floor as the room was vacated. Octavia gazed pensively around at Otto, her mother, Martha, Felicity and Evony in the ensuing silence.

  Otto was bouncing in his seat, ready for action. The queen smiled at him affectionately and said, “I have a gift for you, Bloom son. This shield may look small, but its reach is mighty. Hold it above you, and it will shield not only you but those around you,” she told him.

  Awestruck, he received the gift and said, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

  “It has been a pleasure having you here, but I am pleased you will be going home.” She turned to look solemnly at Martha. “I pledge to you, Bloom daughter, that you will all be going home safely.” She held out her hand. Martha took it tentatively and watched as a rainbow bloomed from their entwined hands. Martha’s eyes widened and a happy smile grew across her face; she met the queen’s eyes and, after a searching moment, nodded.

  “And finally, Key Keeper,” Queen Rhosyn addressed Mum, “your biggest gift, and weapon, is to believe and have hope. Our land has been reliant on the faith and belief of humans for millennia; over time that belief has diminished as humans forgot about magic. But you, our last true believers, with the traces of fairy magic in your veins, make us stronger.”

  Mum looked around at her children and niece and smiled. “I believe in them and in the magic of this land, and I have hope that you will get Beatrice back,” she said as Pan nodded his head in agreement from his perch on her shoulder. She stood and curtseyed to the queen and king in turn. Not a wobble in sight, Octavia thought proudly.

  “Sorrel will take you to the kitchen to gather supplies.” The queen dismissed them with a smile.

  The kitchen was a whirl of activity as garden fairies and food fairies hurried to put together enough supplies to feed the army. The girls and Otto watched as pots and pans floated through the air and packages of food wrapped themselves all under the orchestration of a plump, matronly, extremely old fairy with faded red hair.

  Sorrel took them over to her. “Cegin, this is the Bloom family from the human world. Please supply them with necessary sustenance for the journey ahead,” she said.

  Cegin eyed them over the top of her waving hands, her wand a blur. Without missing a beat, several packages sailed over to land in a neat pile in Mum’s arms. With a surprised laugh, Mum handed out the packages to the children, who placed them in their bags. Bottles of elderflower water flowed in an arc, narrowly missing Pan, who was fluttering above Mum’s head, over to the group, who plucked them one by one out of the air. Pan gave an indignant chirp and settled on the safety of Mum’s shoulder, where she stroked him placatingly.

  “Thank you!” the children chorused and were given a terse nod from the fairy, who went back to her ministrations.

  They left the
hustle and bustle of the kitchen and followed Sorrel up and out into the courtyard. They blinked in the bright sunlight; the sun was high in the sky and warmed their faces as they walked over to the assembled group.

  King Llyffant nodded to Octavia as she took her position at the rear with Otto and her mother. They stood next to the queen’s hare, Eira, who twitched her whiskers at them in greeting. Octavia stared at the regal-looking hare in admiration.

  Evony, who was passing by, noticed Octavia staring. “Eira is beautiful, isn’t she? She can create snow!” she told her. Octavia’s eyes widened, and Evony smiled.

  “Wow,” Octavia breathed. “I did wonder if she had any magical gifts, because Nesrin’s raven Taran can create thunder,” she added thoughtfully.

  “You’re very perceptive.” Evony nodded. “Technically, Nesrin should not have a magical companion – they are only for the true queen or king of Fairy Land – but my mother struck a bargain with Nesrin to try to quell her thirst for power. Sadly, it did not work.”

  Octavia nodded eagerly. “I would love to hear more about that,” she said, hoping for another fairy story.

  Mum laughed before Evony could reply. “You and your fairy tales! I don’t think this is a good time,” she reminded her daughter, as Queen Rhosyn stopped talking with one of her advisors and shot a rainbow from her staff to garner attention.

  Felicity gave brief hugs to her family and, hoisting her quiver of arrows, followed Evony to the centre of the troupe. Martha gave a small wave and headed to the front, where she was welcomed by Aurus.

  Queen Rhosyn nodded in satisfaction as all eyes turned upon her. She looked down from her seat upon the largest unicorn Octavia had ever seen. It bloomed with golden flowers, which sparkled like liquid gold in the sun’s bright rays.

  “We will head into Bloomsville Village, where those of you without hoof will collect their unicorns.” To a rousing cheer, the golden gates were thrown open and a crystal bridge was revealed, from which a winding path snaked into the village.

  The rest of the Fairy Court waved flags and blew tinkling trumpets as the party exited Castle Enfys and headed toward battle.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Flight of the Bumble Bea

  Soren and Finnian were waiting in the town square with a herd of vibrantly blooming unicorns. Soren’s eyes rounded when he saw the king; a collective gasp swept through the villagers, followed by a ripple effect as fairies bent in a fluid bow at his passing. King Llyffant smiled and nodded as he rode along on his own bronze-flowered unicorn.

  Finnian hurried over and breathlessly assigned unicorns to those who needed them. Otto was given Oren, a lively unicorn blooming with bright orange flowers, while Mum paired with Fides, a beautiful mare with brown blooms. Octavia was overjoyed to be reunited with Xanthe, who was glowing with renewed colour.

  Martha seemed lost for words as Aurus approached her, leading Linnea and Caeruleus.

  “For Beatrice,” he said gruffly, nodding at the blue unicorn, who turned sombre eyes on her. Octavia rubbed her cousin’s arm in support as she watched the exchange.

  “Thank you, Aurus,” Martha said when she found her voice. Octavia could see the hope shining in her cousin’s eyes, and wished fervently that they would indeed be returning with Beatrice alongside them, riding the large stallion.

  Soren approached the king and queen, whilst his father looked on nervously. “May I offer my services again? I would be honoured to accompany you and assist with the unicorns,” he said. Bowing low, he gave a quick sideways glance at Evony, which was not missed by the king.

  King Llyffant pursed his lips and regarded the fairy for a moment, then looked at the queen with a raised eyebrow. After a silent interchange, the king nodded.

  “Very well, young Soren; you may come.”

  “Thank you, Your Majesty.” Soren backed away and swung onto Ember, who reared in anticipation.

  “Show-off,” Evony muttered, but her tone didn’t quite match the look on her face. She caught Octavia’s grinning face and, flushing, looked away.

  Everyone once again took up their positions within the troupe and waited expectantly.

  “Martha, Aurus, please lead on!” the queen commanded. The group left the village and headed into the dappled coolness of Rhosyn’s Woods.

  “So, do I get a companion too?” Otto asked, looking at Ferren and Pan as they sat on Octavia’s and Mum’s shoulders. All three rode side-by-side along the wide track. Octavia looked questioningly at their mum, who looked puzzled.

  “I really don’t know,” she said. “Two children born in the same generation with copper curls and violet-blue eyes has never occurred before.” The track narrowed, and she was forced to steer Fides ahead of the twins.

  “Maybe I should ask the queen.” Otto craned his neck to look behind him at Queen Rhosyn, who was deep in conversation with the king and a large eagle.

  “Probably not the best time,” Octavia told him, manoeuvring Xanthe around a fallen log.

  They watered their unicorns and filled water bottles in the same glistening stream at the edge of the woods before forging on past the Flower Fields, where garden fairies and forest fairies were working together to nurture the newly growing seedlings. They stopped briefly to shout well-wishes and wave their aprons like flags as the troupe passed.

  As the company approached the Middling Grounds, the archers nocked their arrows and Queen Gwenyn ordered her bees upward to look for signs of ambush, but all was still. They passed through the area uneventfully; nothing stirred, yet the air was heavy and cloying. They forged on – making good time, as the healthy, blooming unicorns pranced on swiftly – and decided to make camp and discuss their plan of attack at the edge of Misty Marsh. In the distance, Castle Astra could be glimpsed shining brightly on its cliff.

  They made camp in a raised clearing above the swamp, where jagged stone steps led from the swamp and continued up a huge wall of stone behind in jutted ledges. A dark waterfall fell into a pool at the bottom. A wise-looking fairy tested the water and deemed it safe to drink from.

  Black clouds started to roll in, and thunder boomed ominously in the distance. Evony scanned the skies and seemed satisfied before directing Soren to take the unicorns to the pool to drink. Gwenyn’s bees surrounded the camp, a buzzing net of protection.

  Martha and Felicity came to sit with Octavia and Otto. Felicity showed the others her arrows. “Evony just gave these to me – they’ve been dipped in sleep dust to knock out our enemies. Then we can capture them easily!” she said.

  Octavia looked with interest at the arrows, but stopped when Mum narrowed her eyes. “Please be careful with those! We don’t need any more of us succumbing to enchanted sleeps.”

  Nodding sheepishly, Octavia helped Mum split a large loaf of bread five ways, which she handed out with cups full of fat, juicy blackberries. Pan flitted around Mum’s head until she held up a chunk of bread; he swooped low and nipped it from her fingers.

  “Thanks,” he mumbled through his full beak, settling next to Ferren, who was nibbling a berry delicately.

  “Cheeky bird,” Mum chuckled.

  The king and queen retired to their tent with their warrior chiefs. For a few peaceful moments Octavia watched tendrils of mist snake along the ground whilst sipping her peppermint tea.

  Out of nowhere, tension surrounded the camp. The hairs rose on the back of Octavia’s arms; she gathered Ferren close and noted Mum doing the same with Pan, tucking him into her pocket. Octavia looked around at her family as the light-hearted conversation stopped and everyone looked up, sensing there was something wrong.

  There was a moment of eerie silence, then a sudden shockwave ripped through the camp. Creatures and fairies alike were tossed into the sky like broken toys, and stunned bees rained from the sky, hitting the ground heavily. Mum gave a yell and pulled Octavia and Otto down, while Martha and Felicity ducked.

  Queen Rhosyn fought her way out of her tent as it exploded around her, her fury visible as she
propelled herself forward on her large wings. She hoisted her staff and pointed it into the falling throng, stopping their descent. Unconscious fairies and animals hung like puppets on invisible wires.

  “I can’t hold them much longer,” she shouted through gritted teeth. Her hand shook on the staff, her knuckles white with the effort.

  King Llyffant gave a roar and struggled to his feet, pushing the remnants of the tent out of his way. He joined his staff to the queen’s; their combined efforts slowly brought the group gently to the floor.

  The fairies came around gradually and tried to flutter feebly to their feet; the shockwave seemed to have rendered their wings useless. Foxes, deer and stoats tried to stand on wobbly legs. Gwenyn flew over to her bees and buzzed at them encouragingly as they came to their senses.

  Queen Rhosyn searched the boiling skies with a scowl. “Nesrin!” she screamed. “Show yourself!”

  A high-pitched laugh echoed around the ravine, bouncing off the cliffs as thunder boomed in its wake. Lightning flashed, illuminating a figure standing on a high precipice, surrounded by nocturnal creatures; bats, owls and giant moths flapped around it, creating the illusion of monstrous wings. An army of dark creatures stepped up to join them.

  Queen Rhosyn focused on the dark figure and zapped a glowing rainbow at it; the arc burst through the winged creatures, dispersing them as they shrieked and dived. Archers took aim as they came within range, picking the leaders off easily. The rest wheeled off and swooped hard and low, claws raking at the unicorns, who reared and shook their heads in their efforts to fight them off.

  With a shout, Otto surged forward and extended his shield over the terrified unicorns. The golden canopy blinded the bats, who shrieked and flew back up the cliff face, where Nesrin watched in fury.

  “Attack them, you fools!” she screamed at the diminished bats, who turned and aimed for Gwenyn. The queen bee buzzed angrily as the horde of bats arrowed for her bees, snapping at them in the air and shaking them furiously in their cruel mouths.