by Talia Jager
With that fire now gone, the pathway was open. I ran past everyone as they looked at me. “Come on! Let’s go!” I called to them, rushing toward more heat and fire, everything I was not.
As soon as I got to the main area the fires were at, I got to work. I started shooting jets of water at a section of fire that some of the Summer Fae were trying to prevent from spreading farther.
The roar of the fire was drowning out a lot of sound, but I still heard cries for help although I couldn’t tell where they were coming from. I saw a couple of Summer Fae running in my direction when part of the fire started to curve up and over them. Without even thinking about it, I shot water at it then clenched my hands turning it to ice. That’s when I saw Keir.
“Rory!” he called.
“Keir, are you all right?”
“Yeah. Thanks for helping.” He looked around. “Have you seen any kids around?”
“No. Why?” I asked, still shooting water.
“My little sister, Raelynn, and a few others are unaccounted for.”
That’s when I heard the cries again. A Summer faerie made a swift movement, and the fire moved in a way where I was able to see through it. There were two little girls almost completely surrounded by fire. One of them looked like she was trying to drag the other one, who was unconscious.
I shot water through the wall of fire, turning it to ice. With a quick swirl of my finger, I hollowed out the ice. I ran at full speed toward the circular tunnel of ice I had made.
“Rory? Rory! What are you doing?” Keir called after me.
Ignoring him, I dropped down, sliding through the tunnel. When I got to the other side, I carefully made my way to the little girls. “Please help us!” the little girl cried as she latched onto my arm.
“Of course. I’ve got you now and I’m not leaving your side. What’s your name, sweetheart?”
“Raelynn.”
Internally I breathed a huge sigh of relief. “Okay, Raelynn. I’m Rory. If I can get you and your friend to the water over there, is there any other way to get to the land from the water?”
“Down a little there’s a trail that leads to where the school is.”
I nodded. “Okay, here’s what we’re going to—”
Suddenly the fire shot toward us. I had no time to do anything to stop it, so I threw myself at the girls, pushing them out of the way, but the fire grazed portions of my skin.
I yelled out in agony and collapsed on the ground. Tears sprang to my eyes, and my breathing came quickly as I pushed the pain from my mind. These little girls needed me to save them.
I turned my head to look over my body. There were burn marks on the top of my right shoulder and my neck hurt, so I assumed I was burned there as well. My shirt was burned away at the side, and a good portion of the right side of my ribs was burnt all the way down to the top of my right thigh.
Taking a deep breath I somehow struggled to an upright position and forced myself to scoop up the unconscious girl in my arms. “C’mon,” I said to Raelynn.
We hurried as fast as we could with my injuries and her little legs. The fire was right behind us. We were going to have to jump into the water.
“Raelynn, you need to jump.”
“Okay!”
Just as we jumped, the fire lashed out at us. We splashed into the water and went under, which instantly relieved some of the burning.
Shifting the girl to my left arm, I made a motion with my free arm, creating a circle and forcing the water out, leaving the three of us in a bubble.
I examined the girl in my arm first to make sure she was unharmed, and then I asked Raelynn, “Are you all right?”
“Yes, what about you?”
“I’ll be fine. Don’t you worry about me.”
Raelynn placed her hands gently on my skin and pulled the heat from my burns. “I can’t take away the pain, but I can take away the heat.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
I raised us to the surface and floated us far from the fire. “Which way is the trail to the school?”
“There.” She pointed to the right.
I made our bubble float the way she pointed until we got to a spot where we could get out. Each step sent incredible pain throughout my body, but I had to get these kids to safety.
“Raelynn!” Keir yelled, running to her and scooping her up. “Thank goodness you’re okay.” He looked over at me and his jaw dropped. “Rory! You’re burned!”
“I’ll be fine. Once the healers get ahold of me, I’ll be good as new. Not a blemish or scar.”
“But right now, you must be in pain.”
I couldn’t argue with that.
“Is Skye okay?” he asked, looking at the little girl I was holding.
“I think she hit her head on something.”
“Let’s get them inside.”
I nodded and we started toward the school. All I wanted to do was lie down and sleep, but there would be time for that later, after the fire had been dealt with. The small school came into view about the same time I felt someone’s eyes on me. I turned my gaze back to the fire, and standing about a hundred feet from me, separated by the flames, was Sorin.
As much as I wanted to run to him, I had to get this little girl to the school. I tore my gaze from him and when I reached the building, I handed her off to a teacher.
Quickly, I placed my hand on my burns and put frost on top. It soothed the pain enough that I could continue helping. I gathered a few more Winter Fae and created a thick ice wall around the school to try to better protect them.
At this point, the fire was no longer racing toward the Summer Fae homes and markets. We had at least stopped its progression, but we still had a lot of work to do, because there was still a lot of fire to put out.
After we created the ice wall protecting the school full of kids, I hurried back to help with the rest of the fires. With a quick wave of my arms, I created a curved wall of ice and pulled my arms down in a half circle motion to the right side of my body. Then with one swift decisive movement, I threw my arms and hands right at the curved wall, shooting forceful jets of water. The water shot two different ways toward the flames. I noticed other water benders start to try my approach. All of us were working to keep the fire at bay and not spread farther.
My attention was diverted from my task when I heard Keir shouting orders to the Summer Fae to pair up with the Winter Fae to work as a team to put out the fire. I glanced around him; something felt off. I couldn’t place it. I spun in a circle, panic rising in me. That’s when I heard a loud crack. I glanced up and saw the fire had overtaken one of the trees, and a large branch was starting to break. Directly below was Keir, but he wasn’t paying attention. He was focused on putting the fire out in the long grass, which was quickly spreading toward him.
“No!” I dropped my arms and started running as fast as I could. “Keir!” I screamed.
He glanced toward me in confusion. I slammed right into him, but his strength kept us upright. I turned to face the fire he was fighting and started moving my arms; that’s when I heard the final crack of the branch. Keir began to pull me, but I quickly turned and faced him. Making fast circular motions, I wrapped my arms around Keir and, using his momentum, knocked him to the ground.
A ball of ice started to surround us, blocking us from the fire. The top was still forming as the branch finally broke free and fell toward us. Keir quickly flipped us so his huge body covered mine. In that second, pure panic and fear flew through my entire body, but it wasn’t Keir’s or mine. It must have been Sorin’s. He must be close by. Right before the branch hit us, the ball of ice was completed, and I let out a sigh of relief.
Keir lifted his head and looked around. When he realized we were safe inside an ice ball, he moved off me. “Thanks, Rory.”
“You’re welcome.”
“You didn’t get healed,” he said, glancing at the burned part of my body.
“No time. We need t
o get this fire out.”
“Any ideas?”
“I have one, but I’ve never done it before. I need to be in a body of water. Can you help me get there?”
“Yes. It’s that way.” He motioned with his head. “What are you going to try?”
“Let’s just say that it’s not going to rain, it’s going to pour. Help me rock this ball.”
Using our bodies, we got the orb rolling. I pushed the dizziness out of my head and felt it when we hit the water. I melted the ice down, and we stood up. Once again, I felt a surge of emotions that were not my own. Sorin’s fear. It frightened me that I was so in tune with his emotions.
Pushing away the thoughts, I cleared my mind so I could be completely focused on my next task. I made my way farther into the water until I was waist deep. Closing my eyes, I started big exaggerated movements with my arms. The water behind me started to slowly rise. The amount of energy and concentration was insane—unlike anything I had ever felt before. I made my arms swing wide then pushed them up over my head, forcing the now thirty-foot wall of water higher. I kept moving just as I had been taught and let my emotions flow.
After what felt like an eternity, I opened my eyes. The wall of water started to crest a little bit, like a wave. As it moved toward the shore, it sucked up more water, continuing the cycle. Focusing, I pushed it over the land, and other Winter faeries helped to put the wave farther inland.
Once everything was covered by the water above, I dropped my hands, taking my control away from the water. In that moment, the water crashed down over the fire, washing away all evidence of the roaring flames.
There was a moment of silence, but then both the Summer and Winter Fae erupted with cheers. I smiled, happy that we were able to prevent the fire from reaching the village and crops. I walked slowly back to the shore. Once my legs touched the ground, they buckled beneath me, and I landed on the dirt.
“Rory! Are you all right?” Keir knelt next to me.
“I’ll be okay. I just need to rest. I’ve never done anything like that before. I don’t even know how I did it.…”
Keir scooped me up easily. “Let’s get you to the healers.”
“Your healers are busy. Take me to the gate.”
“Rory—” he protested.
“I can make it home. Your healers have enough to deal with.”
“Fine.”
I rested my head against his chest, trying not to let exhaustion overtake me. As we made our way to the gate, Winter Fae beamed with pride, and to my complete surprise, the Summer Fae who were out fighting the fire made their way over to me as well.
A Summer faerie with bright orange hair and yellow wings stopped Keir, knelt down to a knee, and took my hand. Kissing it, he said, “Words cannot express my thanks and gratitude, Your Highness.” Then he stood and bowed in respect.
I smiled and said, “You’re welcome.”
Keir once again started making his way to the gates.
“Tell me how many lives were lost.”
“A few. I’m not sure exactly.”
On the way, many other Summer Fae wished me thanks for what we had done to help save their homeland, and in that moment, I had never been prouder of myself, my faeries, and my land. I had never been happier to be born a Winter faerie, because without my water bending, I couldn’t have done what I did to help the Summer Fae.
When we finally made it to the gates, Keir walked through a little ways and, with Artin’s help, got me onto my horse. Keir gently took my hand in his, giving it a loving squeeze, and said, “Thank you, Princess Rory, for everything you and yours have done here today.” When he let go, he bowed in respect. Normally I’d give him hell for acting so formal around me, but since there were others around, it wouldn’t go unnoticed.
I smiled. “You are most welcome, and I’m so incredibly sorry for the lives that were lost. Please extend my condolences to their families.”
Keir nodded. “I will.”
Artin climbed on in back of me to give me support. He gave the reins a little shake, and we rode home with the rest of the water benders, all of us tired and hungry, but feeling victorious.
It was sundown by the time we made it home. My parents, Lumi, and a few others met us. “Aurora!” I heard my mother’s panic-stricken voice, probably seeing my torn and burnt flesh.
Artin helped me off my horse gently. I said, “I’m fine, Mother. Nothing the healers can’t fix.”
“What happened?” my father asked.
Artin cleared his throat. “She risked her life saving the lives of two children, Your Majesty.”
Pride showed on my father’s face. “I’m very proud of you, Rory. How extensive are your injuries?”
“My right side got burned. It’s not deep.” I stood tall so they wouldn’t regret sending me. “Once healed, I’ll be fine.”
My father nodded and turned his attention to Artin. “How is Summer Land?”
“The fire is out. They suffered a loss, but it’s nothing they can’t deal with. Healers should be able to help.”
“Good.”
“Your Majesty?”
“Yes?”
“You should have seen the princess. She was extraordinary out there…” I listened as Artin told my parents how I had created the wall of water, effectively putting out the fire. When he finished, my parents looked at me, pride shining in their eyes. “I have never seen anything like it. I’ve never seen a fae of any kind be able to harness that kind of power unless they were an Elemental. She is very powerful. If I may speak freely?”
“Of course.”
“You should highly consider letting her become a master in water bending. The realm could truly benefit from her training and knowledge.”
“Thank you, Artin. We will consider it. Were there any casualties?” my father asked.
“Two Summer Fae didn’t make it back…” Artin said.
I closed my eyes. “I wish I could have done more.”
My father placed a gentle hand on my left shoulder. “It is sad that lives were lost in the senseless act the Iron Fae created, but don’t you dare place that blame on your shoulders, my daughter. If it weren’t for your desire to help, I guarantee more lives would have been lost. You remember that.”
“Thank you, Father.”
“The royal family is safe, and the queen doesn’t show emotions well, but she said thank you,” Artin said.
“That’s more than I expected from her,” my mother said almost under her breath.
My parents looked at me, and I saw another flash of pride in their eyes before they went back to business discussing how much land had been burned and who was going to help heal it. I heard my father say he wanted to offer a few of our healers.
“Lumi, take your sister to her chambers, and we’ll send Elara there,” Mother said.
“Yes, Mother.”
My parents turned and left, and I let go of a deep breath.
“You’re putting on a front for them, aren’t you?” Lumi asked.
I bit my lip and nodded as the tears sprang to my eyes. “It hurts.”
“Lean on me. We’ll get you better in no time.” With her help, I got up to my room and on my bed. Lumi lifted my shirt. “Ugh! It’s stuck to your wounds.”
“Just pull it off.” I clenched my fist as she unstuck my shirt and pulled it up over my head.
Elara and another one of our healers came in with a small bowl of water. They instructed me to lie on my good side. They dribbled the water from the bowl all the way down my side on the burns. I whimpered and gripped at the sheets.
Lumi slipped her hands in mine. “Squeeze as hard as you want.”
Using the water, the healers forced my body to return to its normal state, taking away all the pain and leaving behind only the blood and dirt.
“You’re physically healed, but you should rest, Princess.”
“I will. Thank you.”
Once they left, Lumi helped me get cleaned up and into bed. I closed my
eyes and let sleep take over. I didn’t wake up until the next afternoon.
A few days later at dinner, the royal horn blew loud from the balcony of the castle, and an announcement was made. “Fellow Winter Fae, starting with the Summer Solstice, the four courts will take turns opening their doors to all fae who wish to visit. It is our hope that we can open communication with each other as well as get to know the different cultures.”
My heart fluttered as I thought of seeing Sorin again though I wondered how his mother had given in so easily and quickly.
That night I dreamed about Sorin. He was waiting at the falls for me, and when I got there, I ran into his arms. He put his warm arms around me and we danced, gazing into each other’s eyes until we couldn’t keep our lips apart anymore, and they touched. The kiss felt so real that when I woke up alone, I was sad.
After breakfast, I walked up to Raina and whispered, “I need to talk.”
She looked over. “Okay…”
“Not here.” I grabbed her hand and dragged her to a clearing. I looked around, making sure nobody was close enough to hear us.
Raina looked at me like I was crazy. “What is it?”
I paced in a circle. “It’s Sorin. I can’t get him out of my mind. How is it that I can meet someone just a few times, and everything I thought I knew has changed? The way I see everything is different.” I stopped walking and looked at her. “What do I do?”
She took a deep breath before answering. “Try to think about it logically. He’s just another guy to hang out with, flirt with, have fun with, but at the end of the day, he’s a Summer faerie, and you can’t fall in love with him.” She paused and pursed her lips for a minute. “The way I see this, you have two options: either stop thinking about Sorin and get involved with someone here, or try to change the way things are done. Change the laws.”
“I don’t know if I can do either of those,” I admitted.
“You have to, Rory. Maybe you shouldn’t go back to the falls for a while,” she suggested.
“I’ve never felt this unsure of things, Raina.”
She put her arms around me. “It’ll be okay, Rory.”