by Bea Paige
“These are the people of Clan Terra, Accacia. These are my people.” Clover steps closer to my side and takes my hand, gripping it tightly. “Watch,” she says, her face darkening a little.
For a while the people of Clan Terra continue their work, content, happy. My eyes trail to the mother and child who have stopped in the centre of the Light field. They stand in the centre, chatting happily.
Then a loud thunderclap sounds, drowning out all other noise, and the sky darkens so suddenly it’s as though day has turned to night. I can just about make out the people of Clan Terra looking skyward, talking animatedly with each other. Some of the children start to cry. In the middle of the Light field the little girl is wrapped in her mother’s arms. They are both looking skyward. Then another boom sounds, and the sun erupts once again.
That’s when the screaming starts.
Clover wraps her arm around my shoulders, pulling me closer to her. “So you understand,” she whispers into my ear, her voice choking on the words.
I watch horror-stricken as the people of Clan Terra are drawn down into the earth, the very soil sucking them into its depths. Children are desperately trying to reach their parents, but they too are being devoured by the very earth they love, their tiny hands waving in the air frantically. One woman is desperately pulling at a little boy’s arms, trying to pull him out of the earth, but she isn’t strong enough and they are both swallowed. He can’t have been more than four or five. I can see others clawing at the ground, screaming in desperation and shock.
One by one they disappear beneath the surface. Then the soil begins to undulate like a stormy sea as thick, green, vines start erupting from the ground. They shoot skyward, sending dirt and rocks rushing up into the air. It takes only a minute, perhaps less than that, for the Forbidden forest to appear and an awful, monstrous, silence to descend.
“Noooooo.”
I snap my head around to the mother and daughter still standing in the Light fields. Like me, they had been watching the scene with dread. Only now their screams are of a different kind. Fear and shock is replaced with pain. All-consuming, overwhelming pain. I attempt to run towards them, to try and help, but Clover holds me fast.
“There is nothing you can do for them now,” she says sadly. “This is what once was. You cannot help them, Accacia.”
The mother has her daughter in her arms, trying to shield her from the light that is now burning their skin off in layers. Their cries are like nothing I have ever heard before, or ever wish to hear again. It takes a long time for them to die, their skin erupting in painful blisters, until eventually they both fall to the ground, still. The light they once adored has reduced them to nothing but ash and dust.
In the distance, over the echoes of their screams, I hear a man’s tortured cry and I know without a doubt that it is Ezra, that I have just witnessed the death of his beloved Thalia and Roseanna. I shelter my face in Clover’s arms and scream until my throat is raw.
Clover holds me against her chest, her hand soothing my back. I don’t think I will ever recover from what I have just witnessed, so how can I expect Ezra to do the same? In this moment, I understand fully what he has lost.
“This is what Queen Adrielle did to our people. This is why I must become fae, so that I can break the curse.”
I untangle myself from Clover’s arms, shock rendering me speechless for a moment. She stands before me, her own face wet with tears. Yet her eyes are alight with a fierce determination.
“It is the only way, Accacia. I have spent the last few months with these people. With Avery, Eldon and Jael. I wear their ring. I am of Clan Terra. They are my people and I will save them, but you must let me go.”
“I can’t…” I begin. Clover grabs hold of my hands, and wraps them in her own.
“You must if I am to help my people.”
“But the curse… the forest is dying.”
“Yes, it is. The forest has been sick for some time now.”
“And you think you are the cure to that illness. That you alone can make it better? You are one person,” I say angrily.
“Yes. I am one of the five, as you are, Accacia. It is my destiny.”
“To break the curse, Clover. Not to become a part of it.”
“They are intrinsic to one another,” she says, sighing. “Right now, it is difficult for you to understand that. This is new to you, all of it. I have been here for much longer. I understand what is at stake and what must be done.”
“It makes no logical sense.”
“Logic has nothing to do with this. Something far more powerful is required. You will understand, but you need to find this out on your own. I brought you here because I need you to let me go.”
“But I came to take you home.”
“I don’t wish to go home, Accacia. This is my home now. These people are my people, the good and the bad. I can help them.”
“You’re not going to change your mind are you, no matter what I say?”
She shakes her head. “No.”
“Damn it, Clover. What will I do without you?” I hold back the sob that wishes to escape. I’ve done enough crying. It is time to be strong.
“You will survive this, Accacia. You will play your part and together alongside the other sisters we will break the curse.”
“How can you be certain that will happen?” I ask.
“Because I have faith.”
“Faith?”
“Yes.” She smiles, her eyes filled with hope. “I know you, Accacia. We have been friends since we were little. You are as stubborn and as pig-headed as I am. You will do what needs to be done, because it is the right thing to do, because you care. I can see something lighting within you, just like it has lit within me. Do not ignore it.”
I stare at Clover for a long time. I came to Ever Vale in part to find her, but I also came to save Rhain from himself, because of a connection I was beginning to feel for him. Now the connection has been sealed with the Claiming I cannot let him go, and neither can I ignore the growing feelings I have for Devin and Ezra too. Clover is right; something is lighting within me and it scares me to death.
“You have your own path that you must take now,” she says with a gentle laugh. “There is only so much Jael can do for Rhain and Devin. He is keeping them safe for now on my request, but the fae king will never set them free. You must rescue them. They need you now, not I.”
“How will I do that?”
“Avery will give you a map of the fae city showing you directions to an inn. Once you arrive at the inn seek out a fae man called Solomon. He is one of the elders who is loyal to us, he will help you.”
“But the city is some distance away. Avery said it was a miracle we weren’t spotted heading to you. There is nothing but open space between your place and the city.”
“There is a secret pass that runs beneath the tree. You won’t be seen.”
“And Solomon, how will I know who he is?”
Clover opens her hand and out of her palm an image of an elderly man appears. He has the same green eyes that all the fae seem to have, and a kind face. Long silver hair hangs in pleats down his back, with a beard to match. On his cheek is a silver tattoo resembling a bee. The image disappears in a puff.
“He has a bee tattooed on his face?”
“Yes, he does. Before the curse, Solomon was Clan Terra’s beekeeper. He looked after the bees, and in turn they pollinated the crops. He reminds me of my friend Dannika…” Her voice trails off as sadness slips across her features.
“Clover?”
“The most difficult part of being here is missing those I’ve left behind. Even though I have my own path, to know you are one of the five sisters makes me feel a little stronger about what I have to do. What we have to do.”
“I understand.”
“Solomon is a good man, he has an affinity with bees, just like my friend Dannika has with horses. His gift is stronger now that he has become fae. It has evolved into so much mor
e and is the only reason why the fae king has not put him to death. Solomon believes in the prophecy, he will help you and Ezra.”
“Thank you,” I say.
“Accacia, there is one more thing you must know.”
“Okay, what is it?”
“Ezra is broken by his loss. You understand now how he feels, yes?”
“Yes,” I agree. How could I not? The pain I felt at watching his wife and child perish must be nothing in comparison to his.
“But he cannot return to the light. You have to find a way to persuade him to take your blood. He must live. It is important.”
“I have tried. He is determined to die. I don’t know what else to do.”
“Find a way,” Clover says, and with that she is gone.
Chapter Ten
I awake with a start, sitting up in bed next to Clover. She is still sleeping peacefully, undisturbed. But I know that the conversation we just had was as real as she is. I pick up her hand, grasping it against my chest. “Be safe,” I say, pressing my lips against her knuckles before laying her hand back down.
The door to the bedroom swings open. It is Eldon.
“Accacia, come quickly, something is wrong with Ezra.”
I jump off the bed and rush from the room. Ezra is sitting on the floor, his back against the wall. He is shivering, his eyes squeezed shut. A sheen of sweat covers his skin, his shirt stuck to him in places. I glance at Eldon. “How long have I been out?”
“You have slept through the night, or at least what we consider the night here in a place that never goes dark.”
“Christ. Ezra’s been without blood for too long. “Where’s his bag?” I ask, casting my eyes about the room. Eldon picks it up from the chair I was sitting on earlier and hands it to me.
“Here. What’s wrong with him?”
“He’s dying,” I say.
“Dying? But I thought only the sun can kill a member of Clan Lux,” Avery says. He is crouched in front of Ezra, the back of his hand pressed against his forehead. “He is hot. Too hot.”
“He is suffering the consequence of refusing to take my blood.” I pull out one of the bottles and hurry to Ezra’s side. “He gave me his blood to heal me, now he refuses to take mine in return and it’s killing him.”
Avery shifts to make room, looking from my face to the bottle of blood in my hand.
“The curse Queen Adrielle cast goes beyond Clan Lux’s inability to live in the sun. The Queen made sure that all of Clan Lux were forced to feed from the common folk to survive and not from each other. If blood is taken from a member of Clan Lux and not given in return, then it is a certain, painful death.”
Avery looks at me in shock as I settle beside Ezra, pulling him into my arms. He barely acknowledges I am there. “How long has he been like this? You should have awoken me sooner,” I accuse.
“This happened suddenly. We were simply talking, and then he collapsed.”
I pull out the stopper, dropping it to the floor, and press the glass to his lips. “Ezra, drink,” I say, tipping the bottle up. He is aware enough to open his mouth, allowing me to pour it in.
“Is that blood?” Eldon asks.
“Yes, it’s about the only thing that is keeping him alive.”
“Why does he refuse to take your blood? Why would he wish this?” Avery asks, his green eyes troubled.
“Because he wishes to be with the ones he loves. He is tired of this life.”
I turn away from Avery’s gaze and concentrate on pouring the rest of the blood into Ezra’s mouth. Once it is done, I wipe at the drop that has escaped from his lips and settle beside him on the floor. Still in pain and oblivious to what is happening, Ezra slumps further.
“Is there anything we can do to help?” Avery asks.
“Is there somewhere he can rest for a while?” I ask, needing to make him more comfortable. A stab of panic enters my chest, he looks far worse now. The last time he drank the blood, it revived him after a few minutes. That doesn’t appear to be happening this time.
“Yes, of course. You may use my room. Eldon and I will carry him there,” Avery says, bending down and placing Ezra’s arm over his shoulder. Eldon does the same, and together they lift him off the floor. Ezra moans, the slightest movement hurting him.
I follow them, stopping momentarily at the door to the bedroom. “This will not be the last time we meet. I’ll be seeing you soon, Clover,” I whisper, taking one last look at my best friend before stepping away.
On the floor below, we enter Avery’s apartment within the tree-tower. It is not dissimilar to Clover’s rooms, with the same wooden furniture, and lit with tiny sparkling lights that don’t appear to be anything other than magical. There is certainly no electricity here.
Avery and Eldon place Ezra on the large double bed.
“Is there anything else that we can do?” Eldon asks.
“No, I think he will need to sleep this off.” I perch on the bed next to Ezra and pull my sleeve up over my hand so that I can wipe the sweat from his brow. Ezra grumbles under my touch.
“I could use something to eat and drink though. If that’s not too much trouble,” I add quickly.
Avery nods, and with a flick of his wrist the table in the corner of the room is filled with a bowl of berries. Next to it a wooden tumbler holds a sweet-smelling liquid.
“Fae magic?” I ask with a tight smile.
“It has its uses,” Avery responds. “If that is all?”
“It is for now. When Ezra is sufficiently recovered we will leave for the fae city. Clover said that you have a map, one that will show us the way to the inn?”
Avery glances at Eldon, then at Ezra. I know what he is thinking.
“He will recover,” I say.
“As soon as you are ready, I will bring you the map and take you to the entrance,” Avery says with a sharp nod of his head.
“Thank you.”
The fae men leave the room, shutting the door behind them. I turn my attention back to Ezra, who is sleeping a little more peacefully now. He still whimpers, but the tightness around his mouth is gone and his breathing has gentled slightly. I pull the silken cover over him, then take a seat at the table. Unlike Clover’s, this room has a window. I lean out slightly, looking down. Amid the sea of green leaves, I can see people move along the walkways between their homes built amongst the branches. I wonder whether any of them are the people I saw being dragged down into the earth.
I pick up some fruit and bite into a ripe berry, the sweetness of its soft flesh exploding in my mouth. It is like nothing I have tasted before. My stomach growls, urging me to eat more. It takes me no time to devour them all. I wash them down with the sweet, honey-flavoured drink.
“Thalia, Roseanna…” Ezra mumbles from behind me. A sob rises up his throat and bursts in the air about us. My heart breaks for him. I get up and rush to his side.
“I’m here, Ezra,” I say, climbing onto the bed next to him. “It’s me, Accacia, I’m here,” I repeat, laying down beside him. I turn on my side, resting my head on the pillow. His handsome face is drawn, pale. Every time I look at Ezra a little piece of him seems to wither away. It is like watching a colour photo fading in the sunlight, until eventually the image disappears. Ezra turns towards me. His eyes are shut, he is still very much asleep, but he reaches out, pulling me into his arms. I go into them willingly, not caring that I am not the woman he wishes to hold in his arms, knowing that he needs human comfort wherever it may come from.
“Thalia, oh Thalia,” he cries into my hair. “I am sorry. I am sorry I couldn’t save you both.”
“It is not your fault,” I say. I don’t know whether he can hear me. I have no idea whether the words I am saying are filtering into his consciousness or not. Whether they would make any difference to the grief he feels, the torment, but I continue anyway. “It wasn’t your fault. You are not to blame.”
Ezra is crying in earnest now, the sound he releases from his chest is the same as the sound
he made the day his wife and child were turned to ash and dust. It tears me to shreds, but I don’t break. I don’t cry. I just hold onto Ezra as tightly as he is holding me. It is strength he needs right now, and I am determined to give it to him. “You couldn’t save them, Ezra. Nothing you could have done would have made any difference. You would have perished too. You are a good man. You are not to blame.”
“All these years, my love. I never got to say goodbye. I miss you both so much it hurts. I am sorry,” Ezra mumbles into my hair. His hold on me lessens as he falls into a deep sleep, arms slackening as his body relaxes, the tension finally releasing from his muscles.
As he lies within my arms, I wonder what on earth I can do to make him change his mind. I don’t want to lose him to the light now that he has begun to brighten my life with his.
Chapter Eleven
I must have dozed off as well because when I awake I find Ezra staring down at me. He is lying on his side facing me, his head resting on his hand.
“Hi,” I say.
“Hello, Accacia,” he replies. The grey of his eyes is soft now, no longer stormy. There is a kind of peace within them. Something I haven’t seen since we met.
“How are you feeling?”
“About as good as I look, I imagine,” he responds.
“You look better,” I lie. Apart from the difference in his eyes, he still looks terrible, but I’m not about to tell him that.
“I find that hard to believe.” He is looking at me strangely, a frown creasing his forehead. I get the distinct impression that he is warring with himself over something. Eventually, he speaks. “Thank you, for giving me the blood. For staying with me.”
“I… you were aware of what was going on?”
“Not entirely, no. I just remember you telling me to drink the blood. Then, when I awoke a few minutes ago, I found you lying next to me. I thought perhaps you stayed to look after me, was I wrong?”