by Kate Kelley
“Just in case you made it here. It would be the most logical place to wait to be found,” Terrin said, nodding.
“The most logical place would be on the bank of the river so that we wouldn’t have to travel so far,” Lyra grumbled.
“We don’t know the dangers in this world. They might be in hiding.”
“From Techni?”
“From Techni, from other things.” He glanced to the woods.
Lyra raised a brow at him, “Other things?”
“I feel magic in this land like I’ve never felt before. There are magical beings here. I just don’t know what they are.”
Oriel nodded, as if he understood what Terrin was feeling. “It’s like when I first met Lyra. Being around her made me feel high. All that raw magic,” Oriel murmured. He winked at Lyra, who grinned. Poppi glanced between the two of them with curious eyes. Terrin pierced Oriel with a steady look.
Lyra had felt a steady buzz, a vivacity in the air since landing here. If she concentrated hard enough on it, she could feel the buzz course through her, in her very veins. It made her feel drunk with power. She had chalked it up to just being in a new realm, or her anticipation to rescuing Alec and Iris. But maybe it was magic.
Lyra laid down and closed her eyes. The rest followed suit. It did no good staying awake. They needed their strength. The Lyrebird settled down next to Lyra like some sort of strange, dark-magic-filled pet bird It’s long neck curled along it’s black feathered body as it closed its beady eyes. It was sometime later when Lyra closed her own.
Chapter 33
They were a week into their trek and had made it out of mountain territory. They were moving as fast as they could but it still wasn’t fast enough. There were no paths, no roads to take. Terrin and Oriel cut down vines and slashed brush through the wilderness to make way for us. It wasn’t cold, so their bodies needed less food. And plants and animals were aplenty to here for foraging and hunting. Plus, Terrin’s never-ending satchel of bread kept their tummies full. Fresh water was constant. But they were moving too slowly. They couldn’t make this journey on foot.
They needed horses. Or a portal.
Lyra dreamed of portals at night. Of Alec begging her to come quickly. Sometimes she caught a glimpse of a tan skinned woman with straight black hair. Usually it was just Alec, reaching out, calling her to them. The strange bird followed them the entire way. It didn’t--or couldn’t-- fly, so it bobbed along behind them, its wiry neck jouncing with each step. It watched them with its weird beady eyes and Lyra fed it worms from her hand while they sat around the fire. In return, it kept mice and rats from crawling near Lyra as she slept. At least, that’s what Lyra imagined. Since her visions had been quiet, the bird hadn’t mimicked any of them. He mimicked other birds, squirrels. Sometimes it mimicked Terrin’s growls, which always had everyone but Terrin crying from laughter. She liked the bird, despite the sticky black magic nestled inside of it. The bird wasn’t evil, and truthfully, Lyra was the one who put the magic in it. The bird should be attacking her, not acting like her pet.
The day was just starting. Purple and peach tones striped the sky as the sun rose. Lyra loved the warmth. She didn’t want to be cold ever again. But she would have to go back to earth when they found Alec and Iris.
And then where would I go?
She knew for certain she couldn’t go back to her village. Not after everything she knew and everything she’d been through. She would find her own way, somewhere.
Terrin would continue at Gem as a prince or a Lord of whatever they’re called. I’d never see him again. Mage or not, I’m a commoner. Even Oriel lived away from court. He knew his place.
Poppi rode Oriel’s back, her legs wrapped around his narrow waist, her arms wrapped around his neck. Lyra had to admit, they made quite a pair. Poppi, pale and mousy and staid, and Oriel, warm and tan and brilliant. Despite the age difference, there was nothing keeping them from each other. They’re both commoners. Both free to wed who they wish.
Lyra sighed deeply. She shook her head. Her feet screamed. She sat abruptly, her butt slamming the ground, and pulled her boots off. The rest of them continued their walk along the river. They were following the river south, which should lead them to her Mainland village, or where it would be on Earth. They’d pass through the Black Forest, the very one Edwin fed her blackberries. She shivered as disgust wormed through her.
It felt like a lifetime ago. Lyra thought of Edwin’s eyes, blue and clear, full of promises. But she’d always seen something there. Something not quite right. She’d ignored her instincts because she’d been lonely. She still didn’t know what he had wanted from her. She glanced at her ring. She hesitated only a moment before ripping it off. Despair hit her, blurring her vision for a second. She blinked and put the ring in her pocket. She would throw it into this river right now but she was certain the ring got her into the portal. It wasn’t wise to get rid of it just yet. She wondered if Edwin knew, before he made it.
The others were far up ahead. Terrin’s dark head barely visible through the brush. A squawk startled her on her right. The lyrebird was watching her. She sighed and tugged her boots on.
“...doesn’t know. She doesn’t know about the river portal. Hehehehehe!”
Lyra froze. She slowly turned her head toward the Lyrebird. It cocked its head and opened its thick, iron-like beak again.
“She’s so close to it. All the bitch has to do is find the door in the river. So close. Imbecile girl. Imbecile girl. I’ll kill her before it’s all through.” The Lyrebird shut it’s beak with a snap, bent down and ripped an unsuspecting beetle from a log.
“What was that?” Lyra breathed. She jumped to her feet, grabbed the bird and ran after the others. A wall of chest knocked her back.
“Terrin,” she breathed. His eyebrows scrunched.
“What are you doing back here? I told you to stay with us,” he said, anger setting his lips in a grim line.
“I needed to rest my feet. But that’s of no consequence.” She thrust the bird up abruptly.
“It spoke. It spoke again. I think it was Techni’s voice. It was a high pitched male voice--”
“What did he say?” His voice was gravel.
“He said that we were close to a portal to ‘them’. I think he means Alec and Iris. He said it’s here in the river.”
Terrin glanced at the river.
“A door in the river,” she added. Her gaze swept the rushing river. No door here.
“Anything else?”
“Oh, nothing important. Just called me a bitch, an imbecile and that he’d kill me.” Terrin stilled. His chest rose and fell heavily. His nostrils flared.
“You can’t kill him,” Lyra reminded him.
“I’ll take him as my prisoner, and make sure he never sees daylight again,” Terrin promised, a dark smile twisting his lips.
“Whatever gets you through. But right now, we need to find that door...” She gently set the bird down and began walking along the river’s edge, scanning the water. It was clear and shallow; she could see rocks and minnows glimmering underneath the flowing water. Terrin walked closely behind. They walked until they caught up with Oriel and Poppi. Terrin caught them up to speed on the latest development. All fell silent.
“He said we were close,” Lyra murmured. A crease formed between her brows. She clutched onto her pendant, calling for its power. A shimmer of electricity ran through her. She scrutinized the river before her, tediously scanning. The river was much deeper here, the bottom hidden with murkiness.
A glimmer, like the reflection of sun on a mirror, blinded her for a moment as it passed through the air in her peripheral. Her pulse sped up. She snapped to attention, focusing on that glimmer, despite the tears forming in her eyes. Her vision tunneled. An inaudible snap of magic resounded inside her center. A silver door, ornate with swirls of gold, shimmered into view above the river, hovering near to the bank.
“My gods.” Lyra proclaimed. She pointed. “There it
is!”
“I’m not seeing it,” Poppi murmured.
“You won’t,” Oriel said matter-of-factly, “None of us will. Except for Lyra.”
Lyra walked carefully down the sloped, muddy bank to the edge, the static rush of the water filling her ears. She kept her eyes on the silver door. It hovered just above the water, not exactly in the middle of the river. It was closer to their side of the bank. She’d still have to wade through the water to get to it. It was quite deep, and quite turbulent. She bit her lip in thought. Turning, she gestured for Terrin to follow her. He immediately came down to her.
“Hold the back of my vest to make sure I don’t fall in.” she said, “I’m going to lean in and see if i can reach it. Maybe just getting close will open the door.” Terrin’s gaze fell through the door. She knew he couldn’t see it. He would just have to trust her. He slid his hand under her vest and took a fistful of shirt, drawing it tight against her abdomen. Her shirt bared her midriff and back.
“The shirt stretches more. It will give you more reach,” he explained. Lyra stood up straight, her feet together.
“You have me?” she asked.
“Yes.”
She leaned forward, reaching for the golden handle. Water sprayed her face. Her boot toes dug into the mud.
She was a couple inches short of reaching it. She looked down into the rushing water, it’s currents just a few feet away from her face. She never was a great swimmer. She leaned further, reaching. Sweat dripped down her back. Terrin jerked her back in and she fell against his chest. She growled in frustration.
“I’m just going to swim to it,” she said, wiping her sweaty palms on her pants.
“This is a torrential river. You’re not a great swimmer. I’ll hold you.”
Lyra looked back at the door. It faded into transparency and then snapped back into shape.
“Fine. But hurry,” she snapped. Terrin set down his satchel and removed his shirt. Sleek bulges and cords of muscles flexed under the mid morning sun. It never ceased to amaze her; shoulders and chest impossibly wide, his waist narrowing into a sculpted abs. His pants hung low on his hips, revealing a v shape disappearing below the waistline of his pants. Lyra tore her eyes away.
“Hurry up,” she snapped. Terrin winked at her. She turned her face before he could see the blush staining her cheeks. Terrin splashed into the water a few paces, and Lyra followed carefully. Oriel and Poppi watched from the bank.
Terrin turned and grabbed her around the waist, clutching her tightly to him from behind as she faced outward toward the door. The water was already waist deep on Terrin, and cold. Terrin moved slowly toward the door, his warm arm clutching her bare waist as the cold water pushed her legs to the side. Lyra reached forward toward the door knob. Terrin slipped on a rock, recovering quickly. The water rose to Terrin’s shoulders as he held her bottom up under his forearm. The door was right there…
She lunged and her hand closed around the knob. A sharp intake of breath let her know that Terrin saw it now. A rush of water engulfed his face. He whipped his head back, treading with one arm. A splash behind her told her Oriel and Poppi were making their way toward them now. They must see it now.
“What are you, Lyra?” Terrin rumbled into her hair. His warm breath sent rolling warmth from her neck all the way down her thighs, even as cold water drenched her lower half. She took in a shuddering breath and pulled the door open. Blinding white light washed over them, searing their eyes closed.
Terrin pushed her through and then clasped the door frame, lifting himself up and through. A second later they were standing in a quiet wood, water sloshing off of their clothes into the rich soil. She breathed in deeply, and the smell of damp earth and fresh floral notes reached her senses, ones that reminded her of her childhood.
Was that honeysuckle?
Her eyes went misty as she spotted the wild flowers, unassumingly tucked into the brush.
“These were my mother’s favorite. I haven’t seen them or smelled them in ten years.” A laugh bubbled up her throat as she wiped a tear from her eyes. She picked a yellow and white honeysuckle and tucked it into her vest pocket, it’s heady fragrance encompassing her being. A honey bee buzzed nearby.
“A bumblebee! Look how big it is!” She watched the fuzzy body flit from flower to flower, busy with devouring pollen with its long, hairy tongue. Bumblebees were nearly extinct now on Earth. Terrin walked up and carefully closed a glass jar around the flower and the bee, closing the lid around it and pinching off the stem. He punctured the top with his smaller knife. The bee angrily thumped the glass.
“This is a female bumblebee. My beekeeper will be pleased.” He put the jar in the satchel.
“Let’s get Iris back on the throne. Then maybe you won’t need to breed bumblebees,” Poppi said behind them. Terrin nodded at her. Lyra raised her eyebrows. The girl who used to fall on her face in front of the King was speaking to him plainly now without a shred of shame. Poppi was blossoming.
“It’s a half hour walk to where my village would be. We’re almost there. Thank the gods for that demonic bird.” Terrin and Oriel started cutting through thick hedge and vine to clear a path for walking.
The bird puffed out its feathers, marching to Lyra. She smiled down at it.
“I didn’t name my horse, and he died. They say that curses animals, not naming them. I think I’ll name you..Galdr.”
“Galdr. Old language. Means spell, incantation. Very nice,” Oriel commented. He hacked his sword through a thick vine. Something sticky sprayed up from it.
“Lyra Addisonia, I never thought I’d live to see you face to face.” A female voice, gentle but full of strength, resounded at their backs. Lyra turned and her heart leapt into her throat. A fragile looking woman stood near them. She wore a regal gown of fine material, hunter green and brown. It reminded her of the old days, the way it sloped, the intricate designs on the sleeves. Her hair was long and silver, flowing into ringlets passed the backs of her knees. Her skin was fair and lightly lined, crows feet by the eyes and creases on her forehead. Good bones told Lyra she was once the picture of youthful beauty. She still was beautiful. Her eyes were a startling green. They looked familiar.
“My, what a beauty you are. Golden hair, sun-kissed skin. And that bone structure--gorgeous. You’re thinking about my eyes. How they’re like your mothers, how they’re like your own.” Terrin moved closer to Lyra, clutching his sword. The frail woman walked closer, her steps shuffling. Her back bent slightly. Her breaths were labored. The woman was ill. She raised a soft hand toward Lyra’s face and she let her cup her cheek. A warmth flowed through Lyra, like stepping into a warm bath. A sense of belonging settled in her heart.
“Who are you?” Lyra whispered.
“My name is Lubena. I’m Queen of the Fae. And I’m your great, great grandmother.”
Chapter 34
Lyra blinked.
“How?” she asked, the words barely escaping her suddenly dry throat. The woman gazed on calmly.
“I’m fae. We live quite a long time.”
“H-how are you here? How did you find me?” Lyra was sputtering, but she couldn’t help it. She shifted on her feet, her body stiff.
“Please, sit.” The woman gestured to a small cleared spot of forest floor where two silver chairs appeared out of thin air. Lyra gasped. The woman shuffled over and sat, waiting. Lyra could do nothing but obey. She glanced at Oriel, Poppi, and Terrin. They watched, Oriel and Poppi gaping while Terrin watched with barely contained energy, his aura a deep red in his center. He was intensely uncomfortable. He didn’t trust the woman.
But Lyra found that she did. The ancient green eyes were hers, were her mother’s, her grandmother’s. She felt in her heart that this woman was family. Lubena swiped a casual hand through the air and three more chairs appeared. She nodded at the others who watched dumbly before darting to their seats.
“King Terrin,” she nodded toward him. His jaw softened slightly and he nodded back.
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“How did you find me?” Lyra asked.
“Oh, I’ve been waiting for you. We all have.” The hair at the side of her head slipped behind an ear, revealing a long sharp point at the tip. Lyra’s eyebrows rose in surprise.
“How do I know you’re my great great grandmother?” Lyra asked.
The woman smiled. “You’re great grandmother, Numi. Beautiful girl. My only child. Her father was Aurora, fae King.”
Lyra choked. “The one who made the..”
“The spectrolite. I trust you have it.” She eyed Lyra’s neck. Lyra pulled the stone out of her shirt. The old woman smiled until tears shone in her eyes.
“So Rumi did pass it on before she died.”
Lyra shook her head. “No. Ganymede, a dark sorcerer, killed her and took it. He must not have known its worth because it ended up in the hands of the Ursa Princess, Navi, and her sister Poppi,” Lyra glanced over to where Poppi sat with her hands clenched on her lap and her back ramrod straight. “Actually, Poppi, I never asked you about that. How did you get my mother’s necklace?” Poppi wrung her hands as her eyes bored into Lyra. She was deliberately avoiding looking at the fae queen.
“I didn’t know,” she finally squeaked, “I’m sorry. I didn’t know it belonged to your family. It was given to me by my father, when I was just a little girl, before he went mad. I have no idea where he got it. I assumed he bought it. It gave me...powers. I could read people’s minds sometimes if I touched it and tried hard enough. Navi never knew. That’s how I learned she was working for someone evil.”
“Why did you give the pendant to Lyra?” The fae queen asked, curious.
“I wanted to give her something I cherished, to make up for my betrayal to her.”
Lyra smiled wanly. “I had a vision of my parents being murdered by Ganymede. I didn’t know it was Ganymede at the time, but the pendant was on my mother when she died. Ganymede took it from her, and somehow your family ended up with it.”