Orenda

by Silver, Ruth

  Hudson sat down on the sofa. “What if I don't want her to leave?”

  “Why wouldn't you want her to go home?” Willow asked, glancing up at him, interested.

  “I like her, okay.” Hudson rolled his eyes. “It's not a big deal, Willow. Don't make it into one.” His cheeks burnt.

  “Why? Because she looks like me?” Willow teased him.

  “Don't flatter yourself. She's different, nicer.”

  Jamie climbed out of Willow's arms and came to sit down on the sofa beside Hudson. “I like her too.”

  Hudson glanced at Jamie with a smile. “I think we mean in different ways.” He ruffled his hair. “How about we go into the kitchen and start making a nice lunch so when she wakes up she'll feel at home?”

  “You never offer to do that for me!” Willow said. She stood and headed for the kitchen. She wasn't tired. Not after everything that happened. She'd also caught a few hours of sleep on the drive back. Willow walked into the kitchen and sat down on one of the stools at the counter beside Arianna.

  “I’ve been thinking about Lil, trying to come up with how we can get her home. What if we visit Morgan?” Arianna asked.

  “What about her?” Willow's head shot up and a shiver crawled through her body. She wasn't comfortable speaking of Morgan, let alone visiting her.

  Jamie frowned, confused. “Who's Morgan? How can she help us?” Jamie asked as he opened the pantry.

  “She's the higher Fae. The leader,” Hudson said, looking at Jamie. “How does he not know this?”

  “I tried to protect him, okay? Is that such a terrible thing? To protect my younger brother?” Willow’s voice held a hint of annoyance with Hudson. “It's not a big deal. Arianna’s right; if Morgan can help, Rawlie, Arianna, and I can go speak to her. You and Lil can stay with Hudson, watch over this place.” The last thing she wanted was for Jamie to follow her to Morgan.

  “What?” Hudson shook his head. “No way. You need Lil.” He stared at her hard. “The power she has now, we can't just leave her here to babysit. She’s valuable. If someone gets hurt, she can help more than the rest of us combined.”

  Willow pointed at Hudson, warning him. “Fine. She comes, but you and Jamie stay.” She was not taking no for an answer. She didn't want to risk her brother's life again. Jamie almost died by the sacred springs. The last thing she wanted was to put his life in danger again. She couldn't imagine a life without her little brother.

  “I don't need a babysitter, Willow.” Jamie stalked over to his sister. “I'm not a kid anymore. I’m ten! You should treat me like an adult.” His eyes narrowed and he tried to look menacing.

  Willow tried not to laugh at the look on his face. She reached out, pulling her brother into her arms. “I don't want anything to happen to you,” she whispered, kissing his forehead. “You're growing up, but you're not quite there yet. Give it time, okay? You won’t be a kid forever; enjoy it while you can.” It was something she hadn't been able to do.

  Jamie rolled his eyes and pried himself away from Willow. “I'm not a kid.” He stomped his foot, and his cheeks reddened. “I came with Hudson and Rawlie to save you. They trusted me enough to bring me with them.”

  Hudson cleared his throat. “That was all Lil and Arianna. I wasn’t involved in Jamie joining us on the rescue mission.”

  “Come on,” Jamie whined. “You have to let me come with you. It’s not fair! I want to see the Fae. I didn't even know they existed. I read about them once in a book, but I thought they all died when Eilith came to power. Can I go please, Willow?” he begged.

  “Fine. At sunrise tomorrow we'll all travel to Elfinland.”

  After a satisfying nap, Lil rubbed at the sleep in her eyes and pulled herself from the bed. She glanced at the window and was relieved to see the horrifying rain had ended. At least that meant they were temporarily safe, right? Would she ever find her way home again? Her gift was healing instead of moving between worlds; she’d trapped herself in Orenda. She missed her family, and Bray.

  Lil padded down the stairs, finding her way through the main foyer at the back of the sanctuary. She could hear sizzling from the kitchen and poked her head inside to see Jamie, Arianna, Willow, and Hudson eating at the counter.

  “Good afternoon,” Hudson said. “We saved you a sandwich. Have a seat.” He took the food from the stove, pulled out a stool, and brought her a plate with a sandwich and homemade chips on it.

  “Thanks.” She smiled, scooting onto the chair as she let out a heavy sigh. There was so much to get used to, but the truth was she didn't want to adjust. She wanted to find a way home. Maybe there was another way that they just hadn't considered yet? Rawlie had driven through that frightening forest, and Bray had found his way into Orenda accidentally. There had to be another point of travel, another door to send her home.

  Willow was the first to interrupt the quiet. “Tomorrow we're going to Elfinland, to try and get you back to your world. We also need to find what is opening the portal to Orenda and close it, and we’re hoping the Fae will know something.”

  Lil nodded at Willow. The more Lil stared at her, the less they looked alike. Swallowing her food, she glanced at Hudson. “What is Elfinland, and who are the Fae?”

  “Elfinland,” Arianna said, “is the land of the Fae. Fairies, I think you call them in your world. And they are probably our best chance to get you home, since the plan with the Mystics didn’t pan out.”

  Hudson leaned on the counter. “There's a few things we should warn you about before we take you there.”

  “Warn us? About what?” Jamie asked. His eyes widened with curiosity.

  Hudson grabbed a seat beside Lil. “Well for starters, the Fae aren't the nicest of people. They're not evil, but they're a complicated species. They are unable to lie, though they aren't always forthright with the truth. The Fae love to play jokes and cause all sorts of trouble. If we tell you not to do something at the Seelie Court, you must listen, okay?”

  “Okay,” Lil said. “What kinds of things can't we do?” She finished the last bite of her sandwich. She didn't want to screw up and cause more trouble.

  Willow started ticking the things off one by one on her fingers. “No dancing, no eating or drinking, no kissing, no eye contact for longer than three seconds.”

  Hudson continued with the list. “No singing, no celebrating their festivities, no promises, and no gifts are to be exchanged.”

  Lil laughed. “No fun either, huh? That's a lot of rules.”

  “She's Morgan Le Fay, legendary fairy queen for the Seelie Court. She's cunning, ruthless, and at times dangerous. But she’s powerful. She has the gift of sight. If anyone knows what’s powering the portal in your world and where it is, Morgan can help us. The Seelie Court is at least better than the Unseelie Court,” Hudson said.

  “The what?” Lil asked.

  “The Unseelie Court,” Willow said, keeping her voice low. “The Seelie Court is civilized, as in they have rules and order. There's mischief as with any Fae, but they're not vicious. From time to time they've helped our kind. But the Unseelie Court, well . . . ”

  Lil swallowed the lump forming in her throat. She didn't need to ask about the Unseelie Court to understand what was being said. “How do we find Morgan?” She pushed the chips around on her plate, having lost her appetite.

  “I don't know how to get to Mount Etna, but that's where Elfinland is located,” Hudson said. “I was hoping Rawlie would be able to figure the way.”

  Lil contemplated their words. “Mount Etna? That sounds far away.”

  “In your world, I believe Mount Etna is in Italy,” Willow said. “And I know how to get us there.”

  Lil's eyes widened. “You're not serious? Rawlie can't go home to Australia because the airports were destroyed, but you expect us to get from Orenda to Mount Etna. How?” Was Willow crazy? Lil wasn't about to strap on a jetpack and short of that, how else would they get to Mount Etna?

  Hudson laughed. “There's a network of sanctuaries
through the tunnels. One of our neighbors has a direct portal to Elfinland. We have our ways to get around, Lil. Have some faith in us.” He climbed off the stool and cleared the dishes. “We'll go tomorrow morning when we'll have all day to travel and are well rested.”

  Lil glanced toward Hudson. “A portal?” She wondered if it could send her back home.

  Willow eyed Lil. “Yes, it leads to the different lands of the Fae. It won't take you anywhere else though.” She answered the unspoken question. “If it could, we'd have sent Rawlie home years ago.”

  “So.” Lil watched as Hudson did the dishes. Rawlie came into the kitchen, looking disheveled from sleep.

  “What'd I miss?” Rawlie ran a hand through his messy hair, sitting down at an empty stool across from Willow.

  Jamie grinned, excited. “We're going to Elfinland tomorrow to speak with Morgan.”

  “The hell we are!” Rawlie's eyes widened, and he glared at Willow. “Was this your idea?” he asked, not believing it. “You'll get yourselves killed, and for what? What do you hope to do?”

  Hudson's voice remained calm, as he rinsed the plates in the sink. “Morgan can help us stop Eilith and send Lil home.”

  “At what cost? She doesn't just give away favors without expecting something in return.” Rawlie pointed at Hudson. “You of all people should know that!” His tone was bitter and filled with disgust.

  “My deals are none of your business,” Hudson retorted, scrubbing the dishes harder.

  Lil watched the exchange without saying a word. What had happened between them? She opened her mouth to ask, but Willow shot her a look and shook her head no. Lil tried to change the subject gracefully. “What's the plan if we don't go to see Morgan?” It was an honest question, and one that Rawlie needed to face so he could come up with an alternative solution.

  “You’re stuck here indefinitely,” Rawlie said.

  Lil had seen the study a few times, but was surprised to find an entire library within the sanctuary. It consisted of books from the history of Orenda, the Mystics, the sacred springs, and even the Fae. Lil pulled half a dozen books to the floor and sat on the old artisan rug, flipping through dozens of pages. She had so many questions and was itching to learn more. Lil had found it interesting that although they had electricity, there was no television, no phones. Their level of technology seemed inadequate compared to her home, but perhaps it was because Eilith had severed all communication. What was the point of owning a television if there was nothing but static on at all hours of the day?

  She was beginning to understand Orenda. She read as swiftly as she could, fingering through pages of books, delving in and out of chapters as she tried to prepare for Mount Etna and the Seelie Court. It still puzzled her that the Fae existed. She'd heard stories of fairies before, but none of them were remotely believable. They were children’s tales, story-time fiction. Lil briefly wondered if they existed back home as well.

  “There you are.” She snapped the books closed, and she shifted on the floor, looking up to find Hudson watching her. “The others are looking for you. They're in the study playing a game.”

  “A game?” Lil asked. “What kind of game?” She pulled herself to her feet and replaced the books back on their shelves.

  Hudson shrugged, hiding the hint of a smile. “Jamie's in bed, and Arianna is burning off some extra energy training. We thought truth or dare might be fun before we go tomorrow.”

  Lil gave him a strange look. “Really? Truth or dare?” Nothing good ever came of that game.

  “It was Willow's idea. Sounded like fun to me.”

  “If you say so. Let's go.” She followed him out of the library and down the hall to the study. Rawlie and Willow were sitting together on the sofa; it wasn't a big surprise, as they always sat together. Lil sat in the empty chair opposite and Hudson grabbed a seat on the floor.

  “Who wants to go first?” Willow asked. “Everyone knows the rules, right?”

  Lil laughed. “I'm pretty sure they haven't changed between worlds.” It was a simple enough game to play, and it might take their mind off the trip tomorrow.

  Rawlie grinned. “I'll go first.”

  At first, everyone stuck to simple questions—nothing too embarrassing. Even the dares were tame, but once everyone got a little more comfortable, the stakes got higher.

  Willow pursed her lips, considering her two options. “Truth.”

  Rawlie nodded. “What did you first think of Lil when you met her?”

  Willow smiled. “That's easy. When she came over here, I felt like she was an impostor, trying to steal my life.”

  Lil's mouth dropped. “An imposter? Believe me, this isn't where I'd choose to be right now.” She hoped that first impression had changed.

  Willow glared at Hudson. “Truth or dare.” She smirked.

  Hudson sat there a moment. “Truth,” he said reluctantly.

  Willow nodded. “Do you secretly hope that Lil won't be able to return home?” Hudson didn’t respond. “You have to answer the question,” Willow pressed.

  “I know she wants to go home, but yes, I guess I do hope that she'll find a reason to stay.” Hudson stared down at the ground.

  “But do you hope she won't be able to return home?” She reminded him of the original question.

  “Yes. Now it’s your turn again, Willow.” He stared at Willow, ready to unleash his fury right back on her.

  “Nope.” Rawlie laughed. “You can't pick on the same person. Either Lil or me.”

  Hudson groaned and nodded. “Lil, truth or dare?”

  Lil didn't like divulging her feelings, least of all around a group of people. She could handle dare. Besides, she suspected what the dare would be if she picked it. “Dare,” she said, meeting Hudson's stare.

  “I dare you to kiss the person you're most attracted to in the room.”

  “Really?” Lil laughed. It was pretty much what she expected, though she figured he'd have made her kiss him. So at least he won brownie points for creativity. “Hmm.” She smiled. “Who do I find most attractive? Is it myself?” She got up from the chair, coming closer to Willow. She smiled and stood in front of Rawlie. “Or perhaps Willow's boyfriend?” Willow's cheeks burned and her nostrils flared in anger. Lil smiled and laughed. “Look at all of you, worried who I might kiss. Silly games.” She stepped back from Rawlie and Lil, her eyes landing on Hudson. She bent down to the ground where Hudson sat. “This is why we're playing, isn't it?” Lil leaned in, her hands on the floor as she brushed his lips. The kiss was soft at first, tentative and curious before she took another taste, one hand moving from the rug to his cheek, stroking his jaw.

  Willow cleared her throat. Lil tried to ignore but finally pulled back, blushing as she got up from the floor and sat back down in her chair. “I guess it's my turn to pick someone. Willow.” Lil glanced at her.

  “Truth.”

  Lil thought about it for a moment. “Did you really think I was going to kiss your boyfriend?”

  Willow laughed. “Yes! I can't believe you almost did that. Hudson was the one who picked the dare, not me!” Her cheeks reddened from laughter.

  “Hudson,” Willow said. “Truth or dare?”

  Hudson glanced at Lil, knowing whatever he chose would be about her. “Truth.”

  Willow laughed. “No fun. Okay, truth.” She spent a moment thinking up an answer. “Have you ever had a girlfriend?”

  Hudson shook his head. “No. Since the Scourge I've lived here with Arianna. She's like a sister to me, and I don't meet too many girls my age. So, no, I've never had a girlfriend. Are you done embarrassing me?”

  Willow smiled. “No. You should pick dare next time.”

  Lil shut her mouth when Hudson's eyes landed on her. “Your turn, Lil.”

  “Don't you have to pick Rawlie?” It wasn’t fair that he didn’t have a turn. They should all be subjected to the same punishment.

  “Nope. He picked you.” Rawlie was enjoying the fact he wasn't being forced to embar
rass himself like the rest of them.

  Lil sighed. “Okay, dare.” She was avoiding truth at all costs.

  “Sing to me.”

  “You're kidding?” Lil's eyes nearly popped out of her head. “I can't sing!” she croaked. “I have a terrible voice. That is just cruel.” She had many small talents, but singing was not on the list.

  “It can't be that bad,” Hudson said. “Come on, Lil.”

  Lil shook her head, adamant. “Not going to happen. Pick someone else.” She gestured at Willow. “Make her sing.”

  Willow laughed. “He can't choose me again. Although Lil is right. If she sings anything like I do, you don't want to hear it.” Willow stood. “With that, I'm heading to bed.” She reached for Rawlie's hand. “Come on, you're going upstairs with me. It's late.”

  Rawlie groaned in protest. “But I want to see what happens between these two love birds.”

  “Tomorrow,” Willow said. “Good night.”

  Willow and Rawlie shut the door behind them, leaving Lil and Hudson alone together. Her heart quickened, and she felt the soft squeeze of his hand. “Let's go with truth instead. Trust me, you don't want to hear me sing.” At least they were alone.

  “Okay,” Hudson said. “Did you ever have romantic feelings for Bray?”

  Lil scrunched up her face in disgust. “No. I told you, we’re just friends. He's like a brother to me.”

  Lil's face grew serious. “I'm going to ask you a truth now, okay?” She didn't care whether he picked truth or dare. She'd made up her mind that there was something she wanted to ask him. Now that they were alone, she was comfortable voicing her question.

  “Shoot,” Hudson said.

  “What was the fight about between you and Rawlie? What happened the last time at the Seelie Court with Morgan?” There was no good time to ask him. If he was ever going to answer her, now was the time.

  Hudson let go of her hand. Anxiously, he wiped his sweaty palms on his pants. “Are you sure you want to know?”