by Janni Nell
I gave a soft chuckle, but I didn’t have time to fully enjoy Nessa’s discomfort. I got to my feet. “Take a step, Ronan.”
Leaning heavily on his cane, he moved forward. So far so good.
“Put your cane down.”
“Allegra, I really don’t think... I’m doing okay without the brace, which is a miracle in itself. Let’s not push this.”
“Oh come on, push it. Live dangerously.” I snatched the cane out of his hand.
When he didn’t fall, he took one step forward then another. “I’m not in pain.”
“Try a few dance steps, something simple. I’ll do them with you. I’ll even hold your hand.”
Ronan attempted a simple sequence. I knew exactly how simple because I was able to copy them. We repeated the sequence. I felt just like a parent helping a kid balance on their first bike. I released my hold on Ronan, who seemed not to notice. I stepped away. He danced on alone, while I silently cheered from the sidelines.
Ronan stopped dancing and collapsed on the bed. “What did you do to me?”
I held a finger to my lips.
“Okay,” he said. “I don’t need to know, but thank you. You’ve given me my life back.” Tears glistened in his eyes. Then he totally surprised me by reaching for his brace.
“You don’t need that anymore.”
“How will I explain my sudden improvement? Even Nessa won’t believe it’s due to a really good shag. Much better if I improve gradually, let them think it’s from physical therapy.”
Sure, I got it. You didn’t tell people—even Irish people—that you’d been healed by a wish. You also didn’t tell them you were going on a visit to Fairyland. I made up a lie about going into the hills to search for the pooka and told Ronan I’d probably have to sleep out for a few nights.
He insisted on driving Casper and me into the hills, but first I made sure we swung by Siobhan’s place.
“Wait in the car,” I told him. “I won’t be long.” I didn’t need any questions about why a couple of the costumes from Siobhan’s studio were essential for “camping out in the hills.” If Casper and I had any chance of moving around Fairyland undetected, we’d have to blend in with the locals. Siobhan didn’t mind me borrowing the costumes.
“I’m not going to ask why you need them,” she said. “All I ask in return is for you to show up at Liam’s prize-giving. He’s so looking forward to you being there.”
“It’s next week, right?”
She repeated the date, time and location.
“I’ll be there,” I said, hoping I wasn’t telling the worst lie of my life. Who knew how long I’d be in Fairyland.
Ronan drove west until Casper and I agreed it was time for us to get out and walk.
When we climbed out of the car, there was a needlessly sentimental moment, where Ronan pointed to his healed knee, teared up and enveloped me in a big hug.
“I don’t know how to thank you,” he said.
“Hey, don’t mention it.” I gave his back a comforting pat. “Aren’t you going to wish us luck?”
“Luck,” said Ronan.
With only one wish-pebble left, I was going to need it.
Chapter Eleven
From our position on the ridge bordering Fairyland, it looked like any other mist-shrouded valley. My belly tingled with excitement at the prospect of entering Fairyland for the first time. What lay beneath the mist? Was it magical and wonderful? Stark and terrible? Would I find the answers I sought? Well, not if I stayed there looking down at the fricking place.
I turned to Casper, who had a kind of faraway look in his eyes. “You ready for this?”
He nodded. A quick jerk of the chin as though he was a warrior again and preparing for the battle for his life.
“Okay, soldier, let’s move it out.”
We followed Dermot’s directions, and came to a jagged fissure in the ridge. I peered down into a well of shadowy grays and browns, sharp-edged rocks, and ledges hardly big enough for a handhold, let alone my size ten feet.
“Dermot said we have to go all the way to the bottom to find the way in,” I murmured without enthusiasm.
Casper grunted, “Uh-huh.”
“Is that all you’ve got to say?”
“Uh-huh.”
I glanced at him, a snarky retort on my tongue, but the words were never spoken. He looked so tired—weary beyond belief. How could I ask him to make the treacherous journey across Fairyland? I should let him go to Heaven. He belonged there. He’d earned it.
“This is too hard for you,” I said. “If you want to retire now. I’ll—” Cry forever. Never love again. Jump off the ridge and follow you to Heaven. When I spoke it was from the heart. “I want you to know, I’m okay with that.”
“And I’m okay if you’d rather have another guardian angel.”
“Of course I don’t want another angel. I’m trying to be noble here.”
He flopped onto a nearby rock and laughed softly. “Don’t be noble, it doesn’t suit you.”
“Thanks very much.”
“Just be who you are. The snarky, blunt Allegra is the one I—”
“The one you what?”
“The one I want...for my morsub.”
We both knew that wasn’t what he’d been going to say.
“That’s settled, then. Good to know we’re on the same page.” I peered into the deep darkness of the fissure. “We’re going down.”
We got half way without mishap, then I slipped on some mossy rocks. Casper grabbed hold of me but he was too weak to keep us both upright. We overbalanced sliding down, bumping on dirt and rocks before coming to rest at the bottom in a tumble of arms and legs. My elbows were grazed and my head was covered in rapidly swelling lumps.
“Fuck,” I said loudly.
“Hush,” Casper said. “The Fae might hear you.”
I folded my lips around another curse. Were we that close to the rip in the border? Well, yeah, since my toe was itching as though a thousand mosquitoes had stopped to feed. I felt a thin stream of invisible magic spilling into our world. The magic wrapped around me. My grazed elbows stopped stinging. The bumps on my head shrank beneath my questing fingertips. Even the bruises from Colum’s sucker punch stopped aching.
“This is amazing. Do you feel the magic, Casper?”
He was doubled over puking as though he had a serious hangover.
“Come here,” I said. “There’s a stream of magic. It’ll make you feel better.”
“No, it’s the Fae magic that’s making me sick. It doesn’t agree with angels.”
I reached for his hand, which was so big and broad it made mine look like a child’s. “This is your last chance to change your mind about entering Fairyland.”
He touched my lips with his fingertips. “I’m coming with you.”
“Then we’d better get changed.” I unpacked the Fae-type clothes I’d borrowed from Siobhan. I changed into the flowing pale blue dress and white hooded cloak. The dress was a bit short and the matching ballet pumps squashed my toes, but from a distance, with the hood covering my red hair, I could probably pass as Fae. Casper looked pretty good in his own outfit of loose trousers, long flowing shirt and hooded cloak. Even if he was too tall and broad to pass for Fae.
I couldn’t see the rip in the border, but I found it by following the stream of magic. I kept a tight hold on Casper’s hand, leading him forward. Moving through the rip in the border was like floating, like drifting between clouds of the softest cotton wool. My body bubbled with energy.
“This is amazing.” I turned to check on Casper.
His hand clenched mine in a death grip. His agonized expression knifed my heart.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s like squeezing through barbed wire,” he gasped.
We were already in the middle. Going back would be as painful for him as going forward.
“You can do it,” I urged. “Only a little farther.”
I could already feel the cot
ton wool softness parting and opening as I left the border behind. I pulled Casper after me, hoping it was like ripping off a Band-Aid—the quicker the better. He tumbled into Fairyland and fell to his knees. Pain had drained the color from his cheeks. I knelt beside him, my arm around his shoulders.
“I’m okay,” he said bravely. “I can do this.”
“Sure you can.” Oh crap, I hoped so.
When he had recovered a little, I helped him to his feet, easily supporting him with one hand while I grabbed his cane with the other. Had Casper suddenly lost weight? Or had my own strength mysteriously increased? Testing my theory, I bent down and lifted a nearby boulder. I didn’t even break a sweat. Just call me Super Allegra.
I was brought back to reality pretty quickly when Casper tried to walk. Even with the help of his cane, he struggled to take a single step.
He sighed and passed a hand over his forehead. “I’m no longer able to move fast. It will be best if I don’t come with you to interview Sharina’s family.”
“Assuming I can even find her family. Anyway, the case comes second. Top priority is getting you to the River of Dreams.” We had entered Fairyland at the eastern border, which was closest to Dingaleen. Dermot had said the river was in the west. I figured if we walked in that direction, we’d get there eventually. I mean it was a river, and they’re usually quite large. I tried not to think about the probability that there was more than one river in Fairyland.
Casper said, “It will take me weeks to cross Fairyland.”
“Not if you fly.”
“I’ve been having trouble flying.”
“Give it a try. What have you got to lose?”
Remembering he was no longer comfortable with me watching his wings emerge, I turned away. He grunted softly, like someone lifting weights. Then he stifled a cry of pure pain. I whipped around. He was doubled over, flinching as though knives were stabbing his shoulders.
“I can’t,” he panted. “My wings won’t...”
I reached out but stopped short of touching his poor shoulders. Forcing a smile, I said, “Guess we’ll have to walk. Nothing like a stroll through Fairyland. Oh, wait—I’ve got a better idea. I’ll carry you. No point wasting all this superhuman strength.” I lifted him off his feet.
“Put me down.”
“Not gonna happen. Now, which way is west?”
“Allegra, I’m serious. Look!” He pointed south.
At first I couldn’t see what he was so excited about. I even suspected he might be trying to trick me into putting him down.
“Can you see it?” he asked.
“There’s really something there?”
“Take a look.”
Okay, my curiosity was piqued. I put him down. Squinting into the sunlight, I made out a group of spires in the distance. There were too many for just one building and they came in lots of pastel colors. Creams, blues, greens, yellows. In the center of all those other colors was a group of pale pink spires.
“A palace?” I wondered. “Surrounded by a city?”
“There’s only one way to find out. This is where we part—temporarily, I hope.”
“No. First we go to the river. Together. Then we’ll check out the city.”
“And waste valuable time?” he said. “Your job is to stop the pooka, not babysit me.”
“You don’t have the strength to reach the river on your own. You need me.”
“I’ll manage.”
“You’re kidding, right?” I didn’t want to hurt his feelings, but someone had to face up to the facts. “You can barely stand without the cane. The river could be miles away. I’m coming with you.”
He slowly shook his head. “Your first duty is not to me, but to the people of Dingaleen. The pooka will call others to ride. More people will be hurt unless you stop him.”
“You’re more important than—”
“Don’t say it.”
I wanted to tell him he was more important than all of them put together, but an angel would always opt for the greater good. Arguing would only put off the inevitable. “I hate it when you play dirty.”
“So we’re finally on the same page? You won’t try to follow me?”
“No, you’ve made your point.”
“Good.” He tried to hide his fatigue, but it was evident in his dark-circled eyes and gaunt cheeks.
I couldn’t help murmuring, “How will you manage?” I hadn’t meant him to hear, but he did.
“One step at a time. I’ll rest when I need to. Go on, Allegra. Go. Finish your investigation. Once the Fae realize we’re here, they’ll expel us. You don’t have much time.”
“This would be a whole lot easier if I had the address of Sharina’s family.”
“They’re the royal family, for heaven’s sake. Go to the city. Look for a palace,” Casper said. “Then follow your toe.”
“Hello, we’re in Fairyland, this whole place is saturated with the paranormal. My toe hasn’t stopped itching since we got here.” Totally working overtime, unlike my watch, which had stopped the moment we entered and was still flashing the same digital time. Nothing was normal in this place. We’d have to reinvent ourselves just to survive.
“How will I find you again?” I asked.
“I’ll find you. I always do.”
When I hesitated—only because I didn’t want to leave him—he gave me a gentle shove toward the distant spires. “Go on. Go.”
“Okay, no need to get pushy. I’m going.”
I didn’t look back. If I had my heart would have broken. We’ll meet again, Casper. I swear it.
Chapter Twelve
Although I had taken the precaution of wearing the floaty fairy-style dress and cloak, up close no one would mistake me for Fae. My bone structure could never be called delicate. Ditto for my facial features. Still, from a distance, with the hood pulled low, I figured I’d pass. Not that I had much chance to test my theory, since the road I travelled was deserted. Where were all the Fae? Maybe they had congregated in the place with the spires. Funny how those spires didn’t seem to be getting any closer even though I’d been walking toward them for—I glanced at my watch. Oops, totally forgot it had stopped working. There was no way of telling how long I’d been in Fairyland. Time, along with everything else, was different here.
From this side of the border, the valley wasn’t mist-shrouded. The sun shone brightly from a baby blue sky. Even the ridges that enclosed the valley had lost their rough and craggy appearance. They were now emerald green and plump like fat pillows. I had started to jog, passing some seriously picturesque shrubbery along the roadside, when I heard voices coming from around a bend in the road. I barely had time to hide behind the shrubs before a group of Fae came into view.
There were four of them. Two male and two female, who, like all the purebloods, were slender with delicate, beautiful faces. They appeared to be young couples. The males strode out in front, while the females dawdled behind, giggling together.
By their conversation, I guessed they had recently come from the place they called the City of Kings.
My city of spires?
“And did you see Princess Perfecta’s shoes?” one of the females was saying.
“Only designed and made by Padraig O’Shaunnessy,” added her friend.
“Indeed, dear one, I wish I could get a pair by Padraig. Did you know he has a waiting list years long?”
“For commoners like us, but obviously not for princesses.”
One of the males said to the other. What is it with females and shoes? You do not need more than two pair. One for outside, one for inside. I do not replace mine until they wear out. My shoemaker might not be as fancy as the great Padraig, but he is quick and cheap and his work is the best a leprechaun can provide.”
The female said to her friend, “His shoes might be made to last, but they have no style.”
“I heard that, dear one.” He laughed. “You will pay for that later.”
“You will have to catch
me first.” She giggled, and took off down the road. Literally took off, spreading her gossamer wings and flying away over the hills. The others took off after her, their laughter filling the air. Clearly Fairyland was the happiest of happy places.
I waited until they were out of sight before I emerged from the shrubs. Although my heart was still thumping from almost being discovered, I had learned that Princess Perfecta was in the City of Kings. Hopefully the rest of the Levara family lived there too.
Once again, I picked up speed. Jogging soon became running. Running changed to something I’d never experienced before. My new superhuman strength kicked in and the miles flew beneath my feet. Even so, fairy distances were deceptive. It took way longer than I’d expected to reach the city. On the outskirts, I slowed, pulling my hood low over my head. I tried to shrink into my cloak, making myself appear smaller. Just in case the illusion wasn’t as effective as I’d hoped, I kept away from the main streets, making my way down narrow lanes and alleys toward the pink spires.
As I’d suspected, those glistening elegant spires—think Disney and then some—belonged to a palace. Wanda would have loved the look. Me? I was having trouble keeping my lunch down. If you can count an energy bar and a few sips of water as lunch.
The palace boasted a sparkling moat and a white drawbridge, which had been let down to admit traffic. Two silver-uniformed guards stood on either side of the open portcullis checking the Fae who had business within. I got the impression the whole drawbridge and moat thing was decorative rather than defensive. The only threat the Fae faced was humans entering Fairyland and diluting their magic, which meant that I couldn’t simply stroll up and ask for an audience with a member of the Levara family. My disguise wasn’t that good. I’d be spotted and chucked out of Fairyland quicker than you could say human intruder. The situation called for subtlety, which, it has to be said, was not one of my strengths. I briefly considered spending my last wish to enter the palace, but, even assuming Padraig’s wishes worked in Fairyland, using it would be a waste. There must be a back way into the palace, a trades-fairy entrance so to speak.
Keeping close to the city buildings with their shadows and niches, I worked my way around the palace. Just as I’d suspected, there was a back door. Several, in fact. They opened onto a swath of pristine grass, which was nice for the palace employees, but didn’t help me since there was no direct drawbridge access. Anyone entering the castle had to present themselves to the guards near the portcullis. The only way to avoid the guards was to swim the moat and sneak in behind them. Not in broad daylight, obviously, but the sun was already sinking toward the horizon.