Fey Hearted

by N. E. Conneely

  Frustration and resignation flickered across Everblue’s face before he nodded. “I’m staying here, so you will be on your own for a few hours.”

  “Thank you,” Rebecca said quietly, slipping away.

  Silverlight glanced at Rose and saw her confusion. Catching her eye, he shook his head. They could discuss it later.

  Everblue closed his eyes for a moment and then focused on the two of them, forcing a smile. “The stairs are this way, Rose.”

  “Silverlight showed me,” Rose said, following him through the door and to the bottom of a spiral staircase that led to the top of the Commons.

  “I hear it’s an extraspecial performance this year,” Silverlight said. He had wanted it to be a surprise, so he hoped Everblue hadn’t let it slip.

  Rose looked over her shoulder at him. “Oh?”

  “An alkonost is performing.” When she looked at him blankly, he tried to think of a way to explain the creature. “I believe it is something like the harpy in your legends.”

  “A harpy?” Rose glanced back up the stairs. “They’re mostly known for stealing food.”

  “Oh, never mind. The alkonost have a similar form—bird with a human head—but they’re lovely and friendly. They have beautiful voices, and can even enthrall people with their singing. It’s unlike anything you’ve heard before.”

  Rose charged up a few steps, poking Everblue in the side when she caught up with him. “Hurry up, I don’t want to miss any of this.”

  Everblue dodged a second jab and held the door open for her. Rose pulled her gloves on as she stepped outside.

  Silverlight followed, trying to see the scene as she would. A combination of torches and floating lights illuminated the area. People were standing in small clusters, watching the group on the highest part of the knoll. In the front of the performers was a low but sturdy perch that was large enough to support an alkonost.

  There was nothing to distinguish the performers from everyone else, but somehow people knew and gave them plenty of space. One of the performers started clapping, and one by one, the other six joined in. They stopped suddenly, all at once, and after a moment, started singing. Then the drum started to beat, and the harp and flute joined in, too.

  When they finished the first song, Rose clapped along with everyone else, but she leaned over and whispered, “Where’s the alkonost?”

  “She’ll be here,” Silverlight whispered back.

  Rose nodded and returned her attention to the group.

  They started another song, and partway through, one of them let out a piercing whistle. They continued singing as if nothing had happened, but Silverlight started looking at the sky, guessing what that sound meant. Sure enough, as the song ended, he could see a shape moving through the air. He nudged Rose, who quickly spotted the creature.

  The alkonost had the body of a bird—Silverlight had always thought it was that of a barn owl—with the head and neck of a woman. Her dark-brown hair was held back from her face by a gold headband that matched the necklace covering the area where her body transitioned from human to avian.

  She landed on the perch and started to sing. The sound was human enough, but there was a magical tone created by the avian parts of her body that made a person want to forget their worries and get lost in the music. This wasn’t an effort to ensnare the audience, though. Silverlight knew few of them would be able to resist her if she wanted to numb them with her voice; however, a singing alkonost, even in her most benign state, was mesmerizing.

  Rose was watching the singers with a joyful smile. While she was focused on the performance, Silverlight pulled Everblue to the side.

  Carefully moving around groups of people, they went far enough down the knoll that the potential effects of the singing were reduced, but not so far that Silverlight could not see Rose.

  He studied his friend. Lately Everblue had been quieter than usual, with lines of fatigue and frustration around his eyes. “What’s troubling you?” Silverlight asked. “It’s not like you to dodge an invitation. Telling Rose that I won’t agree to a day is very nearly a lie when you won’t offer one.”

  Everblue didn’t say anything, just looked out into the night.

  “Why didn’t Rebecca stay tonight?” Something was amiss there, something Silverlight had thought would improve with time.

  “She didn’t want to come to begin with. She said she felt wrong celebrating our version of Christmas without her family.”

  “Perhaps Rose should talk to her. They’ve been friendly.”

  “Let me see how she does after tonight. It could be a passing mood. I don’t want to remind Rose of painful memories.”

  “Rose has a sturdy heart and thinks of Rebecca as a friend.” Though, in truth, he still worried that Rebecca could give life to some of Rose’s concerns about the family she left behind.

  “Even so, there is no need to ruin this night for Rose.” Everblue shrugged. “I just thought we were past this. At first she was so happy to be here, so when she started struggling, I was worried. Then spending time with Rose steadied her. Now I’m afraid that she’s regressing. I miss the girl I brought here, the girl Rebecca used to become when she was around Rose.”

  Several terrible thoughts flashed through Silverlight’s head. There were stories of fey hearted who did not thrive, but they had happened so long ago that it had hardly seemed like it could happen again. That’s what he’d even told Rose.

  “Have you spoken to anyone else? I’m sure my father would help, as would your mother.”

  “They say she needs time and companionship.” Pain filled Everblue’s eyes. “I am trying. I want her to be happy.”

  “I know you do. Rose and I will do what we can.”

  “Thank you.”

  Silverlight sighed. Hopefully a little more time and the company of another human would help Rebecca settle in. He patted Everblue on the back and went to get Rose. The elementals would be starting their show soon, and she wouldn’t want to miss that.

  A few days later, Rose was following Silverlight into the Commons when she spotted Everblue and Rebecca. She gave them a friendly nod as she hurried to get her lunch. It had been a busy morning, and she was starving. As usual, the four of them ended up sitting together. However, Rebecca was even quieter than usual. Rose kept hoping the girl would open up, but she couldn’t get much out of her lately. Rose didn’t know what to think. Part of her wanted to believe that it was just because of the holiday season. Rebecca missed her family, and in a week or two everything would be back to normal. Sadly, Rose didn’t truly believe that was the problem. If this was just about the holidays Rebecca would have said something by now.

  After a while of trying to talk to Rebecca, Rose gave up and focused on eating. Silverlight and Everblue kept up a steady stream of conversation, for which she was grateful. Between the morning’s magic lesson and several hours in the garden, breakfast had worn off long ago.

  “When do you want to do a craft night?” Everblue’s question drew her attention to the conversation.

  “Middle of next week?” Silverlight suggested.

  “That works for us.”

  “You were going to do a painting lesson for Rose, right?” Silverlight stood up and looked at Rose to see if she was done with her food. When she nodded, he picked up her tray in addition to his own. She mouthed her thanks.

  “That was the plan.” Everblue turned to Rebecca. “Are you finished?”

  When she nodded, Everblue gathered up her tray, too.

  As the fey walked away from the table, Rose heard Silverlight say, “I should prepare for a basic carving lesson for Rebecca, correct?”

  Rose was relieved that she would be painting rather than carving. The one time he’d made her do it had been enough. There was nothing about sawing at a piece of wood that felt natural to her, and she was constantly afraid she was going to cut herself.

  Across the table, Rebecca was watching the boys walk away. When they were out of earshot, she turned
to Rose. “How do you do it?”

  “Do what?” Rose asked, taken aback.

  Rebecca’s cheeks pinked faintly. “Be happy. Live with the choices you’ve made.”

  “Umm…” Rose wasn’t sure what to say.

  “You abandoned your family,” Rebecca went on. “How do you live with that? How can you look so happy?”

  “I don’t think of it that way,” Rose started, a little annoyed at the judgment. “I can’t explain what made me choose myself over them, but the fact that they wouldn't miss me was a factor. I couldn’t have done it if my absence would have caused them pain. And I live with it because it was a choice I made, knowing what I had to gain and what I was losing.” She sighed, trying to calm herself. “As for being happy, I would never choose to be unhappy.”

  Rebecca shook her head. “I just don’t understand how you do it.”

  “What made you agree to stay?” Rose asked. “Think about the reasons you wanted to be here, not what you lost. You can choose to be happy.”

  “Maybe you can, but I don’t forget my family that easily.” Rebecca’s eyes darted over Rose’s shoulder, and she clamped her mouth shut, looking even more sullen than before.

  Glancing over her shoulder, Rose saw Silverlight and Everblue nearing the table. She turned back, smoothed her features to hide the fresh irritation, and tried to look as though nothing had happened. She needed to think about this before she discussed it with Silverlight.

  “Are you ready?” he asked. “We need to hurry to make it to your healing lesson.”

  Standing up, Rose nodded at Silverlight before addressing Everblue. “Good to see you again, and you, Rebecca.”

  Rebecca jerked her head in what was supposed to be a nod but didn’t say anything.

  Everblue smiled, clearly ignoring Rebecca’s attitude. “I’m looking forward to painting.”

  Rose forced a smile back, and they headed out of the Commons. When they stepped outside, Rose breathed in the fresh air and let their walk clarify her thoughts. Silverlight should know about the exchange. Not just because Rose wanted him to hear it from her, but because there was a chance he could use the information to help Rebecca. While the girl’s comments had been somewhat hurtful, Rose knew it didn’t really have anything to do with her.

  “Silverlight?”

  “Hmm?”

  “Rebecca said something…odd today.”

  He stopped walking and turned to look at her. “What did she say?”

  “She wanted to know how I could abandon my family and be happy here.” Rose quickly explained the conversation.

  “I hope she can remember why she picked this life and that helps her find some peace,” Silverlight said.

  “Should we tell Everblue what she said?”

  “I can pass it along. Everblue knows she’s having problems and is doing his best to help her. He’s working with his mother, Summersky. I believe they’ve consulted with Moonbeam and the rest of the treis, too.” He started walking again. “Hopefully what you said will give her some perspective and allow her to come to terms with her new reality. She could have a good life here.”

  Rose nodded, but deep down, she wasn’t entirely sure it would work out that way. Perhaps it was the venom in Rebecca’s words, or the way she’d waited until they were alone, but Rose thought Rebecca was even more troubled than she was letting on and was doing her best to disguise those feelings from Everblue. All in all, Rose couldn’t help but think that Rebecca needed more help. Rose simply didn’t feel that she was in a position to help her. She didn’t have a way to bridge the gap between their different views and feelings about the people they left behind.

  Chapter 14

  “Try again, Rose,” Silverlight said a couple of mornings later during their magic lesson, handing her a splintered piece of wood.

  Rose didn’t bother hiding her frustration. She’d fixed two pieces of wood already but still couldn’t identify the common scent of the magic, and Silverlight had told her that if she couldn’t identify it, she couldn’t use it efficiently. So far today she’d experienced roses, irises, lilies, lemon, and sandalwood.

  She took the wood from him and held it in her hands, wishing for it to be whole and useful again. There was a strong aroma of irises and sandalwood as the wood repaired itself.

  “Irises and sandalwood,” Rose growled. “I’m never going to get this.”

  “You will.” Silverlight rubbed the back of his neck. “But not today. That’s enough for now. I need to think of a different approach before our next lesson. Besides, I’ve got fun plans for us today.”

  On a different day those words would’ve excited her, but as it was, she couldn’t get past her current failure. “What if…what if I don’t get better? Does that mean the magic is rejecting me?”

  She watched him, afraid to breathe, afraid of his answer. Rose took his wide eyes and open mouth as a sign that the thought hadn’t crossed his mind.

  “How could you think that? Rose, it takes some people a long time to master the basics. Plus, outside of this room magic hurries to do your bidding. I’ve never seen it so eager to help someone. Pearl loves you, and Cobalt’s here when Pearl isn’t. Esmeralda even moved her nest to the woods near here. You definitely aren’t being rejected.”

  “Are you sure? As bad as I’m doing in here, I’m an even worse healer. The magic doesn’t help me there.”

  “True, but Alda says you’re the quickest study she’s had in years and that you will make a remarkable swordsman.” Silverlight saw her get ready to protest. “I won’t hear another word about this until lunch. Your next lesson may calm your fears.”

  Rose nodded, not sure that she believed him. If he was wrong, she would be sent back to her family, whom she still missed. However, even with her difficulties learning to use magic, she didn’t want to go back to the human world. She was happier here than she’d ever been. There was no doubt in Rose’s mind that this was where she wanted to be, if only the magic wanted her, too. The only thing that could make it better would be seeing her family again, even from a distance. Not knowing how they were or what they were doing hurt more and more each day.

  “Get your shoes and jacket.” Silverlight’s voice pulled her back to the present.

  Rose hurried out of the room, hardly noticing Pearl’s weight as the dragon settled on her shoulder. She quickly laced up her boots and apologized to Pearl as she set her on a chair so she could shrug into her jacket. Pearl huffed and tucked her tail under her chin. When Rose tried to pick her up, the dragon batted at her hand. Making a face at Pearl, Rose left her on the chair.

  When they were both ready to go, Silverlight led Rose out of the house and onto the path that led into the woods north of the Field. It wasn’t a path Rose had been down before, so she eagerly looked around. The woods around Veles always seemed to have something new to offer.

  A few minutes later, she spotted something she’d only seen once before. Hopping along a branch was a deerlike creature the size of a small fawn, with wings of emerald green and deep blue folded against its body and a tail of equally colorful plumage draping down until it nearly touched the creature’s hooves.

  Rose tugged on Silverlight’s sleeve. He slowed and looked back at her. Not wanting to startle the creature, she pointed at the tree. Silverlight looked over, nodded, and kept walking, though he moved slowly enough that Rose could watch it jump from one tree to another before taking flight.

  When it had disappeared into the woods, Rose asked, “What was that?”

  “A peryton, and a young one. I’m rather surprised that we didn’t see its mother. They don’t reproduce easily, and the mothers are usually very protective.”

  “Poor thing. I hope its mother is all right.”

  “It could be a weanling. Someone would know if there was a motherless peryton.”

  “I hope so. It’s so cute and cuddly looking.” Rose glanced over her shoulder, but it was long gone.

  He snorted. “Wait until you see an
adult. The males have sizable antlers and are solid muscle. The does are almost as large, and those hooves can do a lot of damage. That’s even before you take magic into consideration.”

  “I said they looked cuddly, not that I would run over and hug one.” Rose rolled her eyes. “Really, I wasn’t that foolish before I arrived here. I’m hardly going to become dumber after being introduced to magical creatures.”

  “Just remember, the peryton are elemental fey, and as such, they deserve even more respect than your average creature.”

  “Tell that to Cobalt. He rolled over for a belly rub last night.”

  Silverlight shook his head and picked up the pace. It wasn’t long before the path narrowed, and shortly after that, he took them on an even smaller path that veered off to the right. Moments later they were winding through a thicket that, even in winter, had brambles dense enough to prevent Rose from seeing what was ahead.

  There was a playful gleam in Silverlight’s eyes. “Are you ready?”

  All she could see were brambles. “For what?”

  “To see the Elementals’ Field.” Silverlight took her hand and pulled her forward before she could answer.

  The path deposited them into a field that stretched out before them, roughly beautiful and welcoming. It was dotted with towering oaks and lofty maples. It was as if they were keeping watch even in winter when their leaves had fallen. The ground was slightly green—not the green of summer, but the darker green of grass that was too tenacious for winter to beat into submission. Patches of snow lingered in the shadows, accenting the remaining green and brown.

  However, the landscape was nothing compared to the herd of pony-sized perytons munching in the distance. Silverlight had been right: the adults were something else. One of them looked up, flicked an ear in their direction, and then went back to grazing. It must have decided they weren’t a threat. Rose spotted two males with antlers bristling off their heads and bronze, green, and blue plumage that put peacocks to shame. The females had fawns frolicking around their feet and were as lovely as the males but had more muted browns and hunter greens in their coloring.