All's Fairy in Love and War (Avalon: Web of Magic #8)

by Rachel Roberts

  Sparky and Musso hurtled through the suddenly empty space and smashed nose first into the back of Kara’s closet.

  “I see stars…” Musso said dreamily, sliding down the wall into a heap.

  “Tha webbbb ith bootifull,” Sparky slurred, and toppled nose first to the floor.

  “Tweek, is it going to open again?” Adriane asked anxiously.

  Everyone gathered around the little Fairimental as he raised his turquoise gemstone and scanned the closet. After a tense moment of silence, he smiled broadly.

  “No problem,” the little E.F. said, rifling through holographic numerals. “It should open again in about three years.”

  LORREN’S GLOVED HAND gently clasped Kara’s as she slid from the bat’s saddle into the fairy palace bedroom window.

  “Thanks for a great time!” She tossed her bag onto the dresser.

  “Hmph!” Goldie snorted, then flew into the room, shaking off her costume.

  “Hey, it could have been worse. We could still be raining fairy creatures all over the kingdom,” Lorren quipped.

  “And my Capris with them!” Kara turned her eyes down. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know that portal would follow me.”

  “Hey, I’m sorry, too,” Lorren said, then paused. “If I’d known the rave was going to be so dangerous, I never would have asked you there.”

  “At least it wasn’t boring,” she answered, smiling, but then frowned as she looked up at his masked face. “Prince Lorren, or whatever I should call you.”

  He touched the edge of his mask absently. “The Fairy Realms are in real trouble. I can’t work with the underground if everyone knows who I am,” he explained, then smiled. “Besides, my parents would lock me in the dungeon if they knew what I was doing.”

  “Maybe your parents would like the Forest Prince,” Kara suggested.

  “Were yours thrilled when you told them you were a mage?” he countered.

  “Well, I, um, see your point,” Kara stammered.

  Lorren nodded. “Ironic, isn’t it? I have to hide who I am so I can be myself. You should understand my secret better than anybody, blazing star.”

  Kara gazed into his pale green eyes with new understanding.

  “Look, I have no right to ask you, but if you still want to go after the fire stallion, I can take you to Tangoo,” he said, gathering the bat’s reins.

  “But you said you didn’t trust him.”

  “It was his idea to combine the blazing star with a Firemental horse to attract the power crystal. If anyone knows how to find the fire stallion, it’ll be him.” He looked at her, waiting.

  Kara wondered if she should trust Lorren. It was all so confusing. But if he’d wanted to hurt her, he could have left her to the bulwoggles. Instead, he’d risked himself to save her. And if he had secret-identity issues, well, so did she.

  The boy turned away, bowed his head, and raised the reins, about to fly off.

  “Lorren,” Kara called out as the bat moved away from her window.

  “Yes, Princess?” He turned, his face a silhouette rimmed in starlight.

  “See you tomorrow.”

  Kara watched him glide over the gardens until the darkness swallowed him.

  “He’s cute!” Skirmish broke the silence, clattering across the vanity table.

  Kara’s purse wiggled and fell open. Mirabelle flopped open on the dresser. “What a party!”

  Kara walked to the bathroom to put on her robe.

  Puffdoggie burst out barking, sprinkling powder over Angelo.

  “This is completely against regulations!” the comb cried to the stowaways. “You really rattle my teeth!”

  “They were a big help,” Kara said as she walked from the bathroom, wrapping the fluffy robe around her.

  “Well?” Whiffle asked Kara, huffing a cloud of lilac. “Details, we need details.”

  Kara flopped on the bed, exhausted. “Oh, you know, bulwoggles, flying bunnies, riots, random portals, secret identities—everything a girl could want.”

  “Oooo!” Skirmish shouted, leaping up to brush out Kara’s hair. “How were the snacks?”

  “Shhh, Skirmish, can’t you see she’s tired?” Mirabelle scolded.

  Kara sunk into the big pillow. Tomorrow she would visit the Goblin Castle and Tangoo. But what if Lorren was wrong? What if the sorcerer couldn’t help? Lyra would melt into nothing, all because Kara couldn’t control her magic. Then she’d be trapped and alone in the Fairy Realms, in the middle of a war that could destroy everything she loved. Even if by some remote chance she found the fire stallion, how could she bond with it? Her magic sure didn’t work last time. And how could she possibly find the power crystal? What if the Dark Sorceress got her hands on it first! Hot tears stung her eyes. Why was all this resting on her shoulders? If only she’d never had magic in the first place, this never would have happened.

  Goldie nuzzled into Kara’s neck.

  “Goldie, can you call Fiona?” Kara asked, petting the d-fly’s soft, golden hide.

  The mini settled next to Kara’s ear and sent a series of squeaks to Fiona.

  “Kara?” Emily’s voice asked.

  “Hi,” Kara sniffled. “Anyone miss me?”

  “Everyone misses you. How are you?” Emily asked.

  “I dunno,” Kara answered quietly. “How’s my room?”

  “Well, Blaze and Barney are redecorating, but everything’s quiet, finally. Ozzie took Musso and Sparky to Ravenswood for the night—”

  “I messed up so bad,” Kara cried, words suddenly pouring out. “If I lose Lyra, I don’t know what I’ll do. I’m not strong like Adriane. And the fire stallion hated me. I don’t know what to do!”

  “Kara,” Emily said gently. “You can’t change what happened. There’s so much we don’t know about our magic.”

  “Yeah, but your magic works. I don’t know what mine is supposed to do, except make a giant disaster out of everything. I wish I didn’t have it at all!” Kara started sobbing.

  The enchanted accessories clambered onto the bed, trying to calm the princess, brushing and spritzing everywhere.

  “Your magic is part of you now, Kara,” Emily said. “Wishing you didn’t have it is like wishing you weren’t yourself. We all know there’s only one Kara, and that’s the way we like it.”

  Kara hiccupped a bit of laughter. “Guess I’m stuck with me no matter what.”

  A strange beeping noise blared from Goldie.

  “Hold on, call waiting,” Kara said. She poked Goldie’s belly, making the d-fly giggle.

  “Kara, are you there?” Adriane’s voice asked worriedly.

  “Hey.”

  “How you doing?”

  “Better, thanks, I’m on the other line with Emily,” Kara said. “Let me see if we can do a conference call.”

  Goldie gurgled, and Kara heard the other two mages talking through their dragonfly phones.

  “I’m glad you called, Adriane,” Kara said.

  “Where did all those creatures come from?” the warrior asked.

  “Long story short, I went to a fairy rave with the masked mystery guy,” Kara said. “The portal followed me. And guess what else.” Kara rolled onto her stomach, propping herself on her elbows, knees bent, feet in the air.

  “What?” Emily asked.

  “He’s really the Goblin Prince Lorren in disguise!”

  “No way!” Emily and Adriane chorused.

  “Totally.”

  Emily giggled. “You’re dating a goblin!”

  “Somebody get Mrs. Davies a valium,” Adriane laughed.

  “And get this, Lorren is totally cute!” Kara exclaimed, then felt herself blushing. “I mean, he’s, like, different than other goblins we’ve seen.”

  “No warts?” Adriane asked.

  “No.” Kara paused, feeling a sudden smile spread over her face. “He’s just like a real boy.”

  “So what if he happens to be green,” Adriane chuckled.

  “Yeah, so, anyway,” Kara
continued seriously. “I have to find the power crystal to save Lyra.”

  “And you need the fire stallion to get the crystal?” Emily asked.

  “Yeah, Lorren thinks this goblin sorcerer can help me find the horse. Supposedly the combination of our magic will draw the power crystal to me.”

  “Magic attracts magic,” Emily concluded.

  “What if I can’t…” Kara’s words faded.

  “Listen to me, Kara,” Adriane said firmly. “You’re not going to lose Lyra. Okay?”

  Kara sniffled again. “Okay.”

  “We’ll cover for you tomorrow at the play,” Emily told Kara.

  “I totally forgot! Someone is bound to notice me missing.”

  “We’ll figure it out,” Emily assured her. “Get some rest. Fiona and Fred are here if you need us.”

  “Okay, guys. Thanks.”

  Kara lifted Goldie from her ear, breaking the connection. She hugged the d-fly close, clinging to the words of her friends and the strength of their magic.

  KARA STOOD IN the bright morning sunlight, Goldie on her shoulder, taking in the expansive Fairy Gardens. Elaborate pathways wound through fountains, gazebos, and floating fairy bridges. But here and there delicate flowers were fading, their once vibrant colors washed and pale, leaving a feeling of emptiness throughout the gardens.

  The golden sun felt too hot, and Kara removed her dark blue jacket trimmed with white fleece, tucking it under her arm. She’d chosen a very fashionable riding outfit from the closet this morning, complete with tan suede riding pants tucked into knee-high leather boots and a white silk blouse. Her long blond hair was pulled back into a ponytail, her unicorn jewel blazing on its necklace against her tan skin.

  Goldie squeaked and pointed.

  In the distance Kara saw what looked like a rainbow cloud sweeping over the gardens. It was dragonflies, dozens of them in every conceivable color, leaving sparkling trails like miniature crop dusters.

  “That’s an amazing fairy dragon you have.”

  Kara turned to see Queen Selinda approach, regal in a flowing golden gown. She gave Kara a smile. “I’ve never seen one bond with anyone. They are usually so independent.”

  “Goldie’s special,” Kara said, scritching between the mini’s wings.

  “As is her bonded.” Selinda smiled.

  “What’s happening here?” Kara asked as they walked under a purple and white willow whose branches drooped with withering leaves.

  Selinda sighed. “Not even the fairy dragons can keep the gardens alive. The heart of the magic is fading.”

  “But if magic is flowing wild everywhere else, why is it fading here?” Kara asked.

  “That is precisely why. Magic is our most precious resource, part of a delicate ecosystem connecting us to the web. In ancient times, Avalon’s magic would flow here first, then to all other worlds. When Avalon vanished, the Fairy Realms became the center of magic. But now even we are running out of magic.”

  “What happened to Avalon?” Kara asked.

  “You know that long ago humans and animals worked together, sharing magic between Aldenmor and Earth.”

  “Yes, our friends at Ravenswood have told us the stories.”

  “Some humans turned on their bondeds,” Selinda continued grimly. “They became dark mages, stealing magic from the animals and twisting themselves into unrecognizable forms.”

  Kara shivered. “Like the Dark Sorceress.”

  “Yes, and worse.” Selida continued, “Human wizards waged a long war with the dark mages. And in the end, the only way to save Aldenmor and its creatures was to close the portals forever. It was during the separation of worlds that Avalon was lost. The Fairy Realms have maintained what magic we could, but when the Dark Sorceress rose to power, it was not enough. Now the web is unraveling and with it—our worlds.”

  Kara looked at the gardens. “So why close off the Fairy Realms rather than open the Gates of Avalon?”

  “There are some who believe that the gates should remain closed—not to keep the mages out but to keep whatever is inside locked away.”

  “But Avalon is the home of all magic,” Kara protested.

  “The legends say in Avalon, magic flows from a place called The Well of Tears.”

  “That sounds sad.”

  “Indeed it does, Princess. Great magic can bring great loss.”

  “Yes.” Kara thought of brave Stormbringer and how much the mages loved and missed her. And now Lyra. If anything happened to her— “What do you think?” she asked quickly.

  “I think we need to open the gates. And trust in the magic to guide us, no matter what we find.”

  “Well, I used the magic—and messed up, as usual.”

  “Aldenmor would have perished if you had not released those crystals,” the queen explained. “You did what was needed. And you proved yourselves as powerful mages.”

  “Look what I did to Lyra.” Kara’s eyes brimmed with tears.

  Selinda wiped slender fingers across Kara’s face, drying her tears. “We don’t really know what happened, do we?”

  “I…” Kara replayed the moment in her mind. She’d been using her jewel and something had gone wrong. Her magic had reflected off a mirror and hit Lyra. “So maybe that wasn’t my fault?” Kara asked, mulling over the possibility. Could the mirror have altered her magic?

  “I don’t know, Kara. But I do know that humans who bond with magical animals are special. If the bond is true, they are the most formidable of magic users.”

  “I didn’t do so well with that horse,” Kara reminded the queen.

  “It’s a Firemental,” Selinda said as if that explained everything. “A very bold plan from Tangoo. Some might even say desperate.” Looking out over the grand gardens, she continued. “Everyone here knows what’s at stake. They want to believe in you.”

  “Even the goblins?” Kara asked, trying to imagine the hot-tempered Goblin Queen spreading magic for the good of the worlds.

  Selinda’s fine features tensed. “The goblins have been terribly manipulated by the Dark Sorceress. We have had our differences but I know Raelda wants the best for her kingdom, and I would like to think we could become friends. But if we have to go war, we will.”

  Kara thought of Lorren. Was she his friend or his enemy? Whose side was she on, anyway?

  Seeing Kara’s troubled expression, the queen fell silent for a moment as they walked toward the Fairy Ring.

  “I heard there was quite a party last night on the Fairy Isle.” The queen raised an eyebrow, a twinkle in her eye.

  Kara gave the queen a quick glance. “I, um…”

  “Angelo filled me in.” The queen smiled.

  Kara frowned. Ooh, that big mouth comb!

  “Fairy raves are very much a part of us,” Selinda explained. “Music, dancing, and creative expression are what we live for. Although in these times, raves can be dangerous.”

  Kara glanced at the queen. “I’m sorry I snuck out.”

  “Evidently you had good company.”

  “He’s not what he seems,” Kara said quickly.

  “Now that’s your fairy blood speaking,” Selinda chuckled softly. “Many things are not what they seem in the Fairy Realms.”

  “Wait, how can I be part fairy? Does that mean my family is, too?”

  Selinda shook her head. “Fairy blood skips human generations but is particularly strong in you. You are directly descended from Queen Lucinda, the greatest of all Fairy Queens.”

  “Tell me about her,” Kara asked.

  “She was a great leader, a blazing star. She truly believed in the goodness and magic of all living things.”

  “What happened to her?”

  “She had a sister.”

  Kara stiffened. “The Dark Sorceress.”

  They walked into the empty Fairy Ring, heading through archways of yellow and pink flowers swaying gently in the breeze.

  Selinda smiled, her violet eyes searching Kara’s troubled expression.
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  “I wish I had all the answers for you, Kara. In a few hours, this ring will be filled again with the kings and queens from the other kingdoms and we must decide the future of the Fairy Realms. And perhaps the future of the web itself.”

  Kara looked in Selinda’s eyes. They were full of compassion.

  “You do not have to stay here against your will.” The queen paused. “You have a legacy of great goodness, and also of darkness. But your path is your own.”

  Kara steeled herself. There was only one path for her right now. “Queen Selinda, I’m going to save Lyra.”

  “Then you must go to the goblins.” Queen Selinda waved her hand to the grand mirror by her throne. “You are the one we’ve been waiting for. Be strong and proud of who you are.”

  “Thank you. I will.” Kara stepped to the mirror and held up her jewel. It blazed with the mighty power of the unicorns. The mirror’s surface swirled, spreading like circles in a stream. Kara raised her hand and slipped it through the glass. Before she could change her mind, she stepped through and vanished.

  ON THE OTHER side of the mirror, Kara found herself on a parapet walkway looking over a bustling courtyard in the center of a huge castle. Towering spires stood at the four corners with the main castle keep in the center. She looked over the ramparts and gasped. The enormous castle was built of gleaming gray stone, perched on a cliff overlooking amazing waterfalls that plunged straight down into clouds of white foam. In the distance the landscape was covered with thick forests, deep blue lakes, and gray boulders that lay upon the green hills like sleeping giants.

  “Good morning, Princess.” Lorren ran to greet her, his voice slightly high and nasal. “Welcome to Castle Garthwyn!” he said proudly, smoothing his deep blue tunic. Sweeping his velvet cap from his head, he bowed deeply. Spiky black hair with green highlights stuck out over pointy ears. He offered his arm to escort her down the steps to the castle grounds.

  “Thank you, kind Prince.” Kara glanced at the boy.

  Lorren the Goblin Prince was nothing like Lorren the Forest Prince. A gleam in his green eyes was Kara’s only hint of the dashing outlaw in black she had come to know. But which was the real Lorren?

  “Lorren!” a loud voice echoed throughout the courtyard.