Samson bowed. “It is an honour to meet you, Your Highness.”
“Oh wow. He is bowing,” I said. “You don’t have to do that, and just Mellissa is fine.”
Samson’s eyes widened. “But that would be improper.” He sounded just like Greg.
Matt and Victoria snickered behind me.
Greg put his hand on my arm and whispered, “Mellissa, we spoke about this.”
“No, you spoke, and I tuned you out.”
Greg put his head in his hands. Samson looked like he was trying to hold back a laugh.
“Is that her?” came a voice from the group gathered.
“It is. I heard him say her name,” said another.
“Your Majesty,” cried a chorus of voices. Then they were all on their knees.
My eyes widened. “What is happening?”
“They are bowing to their queen,” Greg replied.
“I thought I was heir to the elf throne.”
“You are. The water nymphs follow the old ways, making you their queen too.”
“What? No.” I shook my head. “Why aren’t they standing?”
“You need to tell them to rise—something you would know if you actually listened to me.”
This was crazy. I turned to the crowd and cleared my throat. “You may rise.”
And they did.
A young woman stepped forward. She had long, wavy black hair and deep blue eyes. “Permission to approach?” she asked.
I looked to Greg, and he nodded. “Permission granted,” I said.
“My name is Yuri, and I have been chosen by my people to assist you on your journey. It is an honour to serve you.”
“That’s nice.” I gave her what I hoped was a believable smile, while on the inside, I was freaking out. A very big part of me wanted to run away, and the other wanted to collapse on the ground. This was too much. I hadn’t expected anything like this. All this attention was unnecessary.
Greg turned his back to the crowd and tilted his head toward my ear. “She will be making sure the river stays clear of ice.”
“Oh, that’s what she meant.” He nodded. I grabbed his arm as he went to step back. “Can we just get out of here?”
“As you wish, my lady.” He turned to Samson. “Shall we get going then?”
“Of course,” Samson replied. “All aboard. We shall depart immediately.”
We followed Samson to the boat. The girl, Yuri, eyed Matt and Victoria with wide eyes. People bowed and reached out to me as I passed. I let out a long breath when I made it onto the boat. A man grabbed Greg’s hand just before he could climb up.
“Master Ainsworth, you honour our people by bringing the keeper to us.”
He put his hand over the man’s. “The honour is all mine.” The man nodded, releasing him, and Greg climbed aboard the boat.
I raised an eyebrow. “Master Ainsworth?” I asked.
“I told you we are more formal here,” he replied.
“They are, and it’s really annoying,” Matt said as he leant against the railing of the boat. “Are we going to get moving?”
“Yes, we are.” Greg made a hand gesture to Samson, who nodded in response, then disappeared. After some loud bangs and thuds that made my stomach clench, the boat began to move. Yuri was at the front of the boat, waving her arms about. With each of her movements, it sounded like something was breaking. I ran to the railing Matt was leant on and looked out at the water. The ice was cracking and being pushed apart.
“Amazing,” I said.
“Yeah, I know. He didn’t even have to use words to order people about. His Royal Highness is really in his element here.”
“That’s not what I—”
“Samson and I grew up together,” Greg snapped, cutting me off. “We developed our own form of nonverbal communication long ago. I am not any more royal than you are.”
Matt snickered. “Yeah, right. Who are you kidding? We all know you are just some rich, privileged kid. You have no idea what it’s like for us normal folk.”
“You know what—” Greg paused, then said, “Doesn’t matter. You’re a waste of my time. I’m going to see if Samson needs help.”
Matt stared in the direction Greg had gone. “Yep, always better to boss people around while standing over them.”
I grabbed Matt’s arm. “What’s gotten into you? That was uncalled for.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Yes, you do. Seriously, you say you don’t hate him and then act like that. This negative energy really isn’t helping my nerves. We are meant to be a team.”
“I’m sorry. It’s just, when I saw you two together and the way he was looking at you, it’s like you’re just another item to add to his display cabinet.”
I blinked. That statement made him sound jealous, but I knew that couldn’t be right. “What are you even talking about?”
Matt sighed as he gazed up at the sky. “It’s like this—even before I became your guardian, I felt the need to protect you. You are just so naïve. You have this idealistic view of the world, but just because that’s how things should be, doesn’t make them so. Guys like him take advantage of people. It’s in their nature. Even if he is trying to be decent, it’s hard to break out of what you’ve been raised to do.”
“Cut him some slack. He did kind of save me. We wouldn’t have any transport without him, and I never would have learnt the magic I need to know. Besides, I am extremely capable, and you are constantly pushing me to make new friends.”
“Yeah, well, not friends like him.”
I put my hands on my hips. “I don’t see you acting like this when Victoria makes a new guy friend, and I use the term ‘friend’ very loosely when referring to your sister.”
“That’s because my sister is an ice queen in every possible way. She could kick any guy’s butt with her arms tied behind her back. You, on the other hand, are easy pickings.”
“I am not.”
Matt raised his eyebrow and tilted his head. Annoyingly, he was right. I was nowhere near as tough as Victoria, and based on what I’d seen of her magic, she was lethal. He put his arm around me. “Look, I’m sorry. I will play nice from now on. You’re right; there are worse rich snobs out there than Greg.”
Not quite what I had meant, but I’d take what I could get if it meant Matt would stop with the snide remarks. I needed our odd little team to get along for my own sanity.
I opened my mouth to respond when I was hit by a chorus of voices.
“Our Queen.”
“You have returned to us.”
“We owe you thanks.”
I pushed Matt away and turned slowly on the spot. “Did you hear that?”
“Hear what?” Matt stepped toward me, but I put my arm up to stop him coming closer. My ears rang as the voices got louder. More joined in, and they began to shout.
“Your Majesty.”
“The forest is where you belong.”
“You must stay.”
“Don’t leave us.”
I clutched my ears. Where were these voices coming from? Matt edged toward me. I screamed as he placed a hand on my arm. My head was ringing. I stumbled backward, turning my head side to side, searching for the voices. They kept calling to me. Matt shouted my name. I slapped his hand away to stop him from touching me. Branches suddenly shot across the boat, slamming into him.
The voices became angry. “Danger. We must protect the queen.” Vines wrapped around Matt. I needed to help him, but my body wouldn’t move. My head was throbbing. It was the trees. They were calling out to me and were trying to protect me. They thought Matt was a threat. I needed to stop them. Make them understand.
Fire blasted through the vines, then ice shot across the deck. The trees screamed in pain. My heart was racing. I ran to the edge of the boat and leapt in the air. Two arms grabbed me around the waist. I screamed, kicking my legs about.
“Have you lost your mind?” Victoria yelled in my ear.
She spun me around, forcing me away from the edge. “I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but I’m not about to let you kill yourself.”
“Can’t you hear the screams? The trees are in pain. They need me.”
The trees surrounding the river stretched toward the boat. Branches slammed down on the deck. Vines wrapped around the boat. I tried to push Victoria away. She grabbed my arms and twisted them behind my back.
Matt appeared on his knees in front of me. “Mel, what are you going on about? Please calm down so we can help you.” I could hear the worry in his voice. What was wrong with me? None of what I was doing made sense.
“Matt,” shouted Greg, “you need to get through to her before she destroys the boat.”
I was destroying the boat. I’d thought the attack was just the trees, but it wasn’t. They were calling to me. The worry and need for help that the trees were feeling had trigged something inside me but I hadn’t meant for this to happen. Their cry for help had added to the pressure I was feeling and sent my powers haywire. I had to stop, but I didn’t know how.
Matt put his hand on my cheek. “Mellissa, you feel like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders. You’re scared and overwhelmed. You’ve been playing it cool, but inside, you are freaking out, and I’m sorry I didn’t notice. I was too busy trying to protect you from the wrong thing.” He glanced over his shoulder. “Something you don’t need protecting from, because you are way stronger than anyone gives you credit for. I let you down, but that won’t happen again. We will face whatever happens when we arrive at the Tree of Time together—you, me, Victoria, and Greg. We are a team.”
Tears streamed down my face. He had put into words the feelings I hadn’t let myself acknowledge. “I don’t know how to stop it,” I croaked. “I’m not strong enough.”
Matt leant his forehead against mine. “Yes, you are. You have the strongest heart of anyone. You can do anything.”
Matt was suddenly yanked away from me. “No!” I screamed.
The Heart Crystal glowed. Everything seemed to slow down. Matt was thrown by a tree branch. Victoria rose up while forming an ice wall. Greg was directing a spell in Matt’s direction. The crystal floated up from round my neck and shot out a flurry of multicoloured lights. Everything around me lit up. Then, it all went dark.
Gregory
Greg threw a barrier up, stopping Matt from being thrown off the boat. Waves were beating up the side of the boat as tree branches crashed on the surface of the water. The boat was going to sink if he didn’t do something soon, but every barrier he put up, Mellissa’s magic destroyed. He had known she was powerful, but this was too much. It was like the forest had come alive.
Bright lights blinded him. Everything went silent. Greg cast a quick series of spells, temporarily patching up the boat. When he could see again, all the trees had retreated.
“Mellissa!” yelled Victoria.
Greg turned to see Mellissa passed out on the floor with a cut on her head. Victoria was shaking her, trying to wake her. He ran to her side, skidding down onto his knees.
“Sanum quod fit.” Greg’s hand glowed green, and he waved it over Mellissa’s head. The wound began to knit itself back together.
“I guess you really are a healer,” Victoria muttered.
Greg ignored the insult. The twins really had a low opinion of him. As if he would have lied about his training. Once Mellissa’s head wound was healed, he checked her pulse. That was fine. He bit his lip. Something more had to be wrong with her. She had completely lost it a moment ago.
“Vulnere.” Both his hands glowed yellow. He hovered them over Mellissa.
“What are you doing?” asked Matt. Greg hadn’t noticed him approach. He stood over them with a worried look on his face.
“Healing her, what else?” Greg replied.
“I know that. I just don’t know that spell.”
“It searches for non-visible wounds.” Greg’s hands stopped glowing, and he clenched them into fists. Mellissa had exhausted herself with the excessive use of her magic.
“Well?” demanded Victoria.
“She’s fine. Just needs to sleep it off.”
There was a loud crash, and the boat tipped downward. Samson came running. “Your spells are fading. The boat is too damaged. We need to evacuate.”
Greg jumped to his feet. They needed to stay on course, or they would never make it to their destination in time. He could salvage this boat.
“Matt, take Mellissa below deck and make her comfortable. She should be fine, but if her condition changes, come get me.” Matt nodded, scooping Mellissa up in his arms and disappearing below deck. “Victoria, do you think you can help Yuri keep the boat afloat?”
She shrugged. “No idea, but I’ll try.” She grabbed Yuri and ran to the edge of the boat. In unison, they pulled their arms back and kept repeating that motion until the boat steadied itself.
“Samson, I need you to help strengthen my spells on the boat. I’m hoping the extra power will make them last longer.” Samson nodded, and together they recast the repair spells, this time with more accuracy. Hopefully this fix would get them to Novosvillas.
“How long until we reach Novosvillas?” Victoria groaned. “My arms are getting tired.”
“Not much longer,” Greg replied. “Once we get past that mound of trees, you will be able to see the port.”
“Then what?” she asked. “We are way behind schedule, and Mellissa still hasn’t woken up.”
This was the exact question he had been asking himself a couple of hours ago and then practically screamed at Samson when he had asked what was wrong. He had instantly regretted his outburst. It wasn’t Samson’s fault but he was the only person onboard who would understand his worry. Greg knew once his father found out about the delay he wouldn’t be pleased and there would be some sort of punishment to follow. Luckily, after discussing things with his cousin, he had calmed down and they had decided on how to proceed next.
“Samson is currently contacting the council to tell them we are running late. There is no way we are going to make it to the capital today. I figured we could stay overnight in Novosvillas. That should allow plenty of time for Mellissa to recover.”
“Seriously, you want us to stay in a changeling city?”
Greg put his head in his hands. Did she not hear herself? She sounded prejudice and snobby. Novosvillas was a beautifully city—full of culture and knowledge. She should be grateful to stay in such a place.
“Oh, miss, Novosvillas is a beautiful city,” Yuri said, “so full of life, and it has the most magnificent library.”
Greg smirked. “Thank you, Yuri.”
“You’re welcome, Master Ainsworth. I assist many boats along the river and always look forward to the ones that go to Novosvillas.”
Victoria rolled her eyes and muttered something under her breath.
“What was that?” Greg asked.
Victoria glared at him. “It’s cold.”
“Well, maybe you should wear the cloak I gave you.” He pointed at a dark blue bundle at her feet, knowing that wasn’t what she’d muttered. “It’s lined with fleece.”
She looked him up and down. “And look as stupid as you do? No thanks.”
Samson stumbled onto the deck. “Err, Greg, your father wishes to speak with you.”
“What? You were meant to call Lady Gabrielle.”
“I did. I explained everything, and she was very understanding, but not long after the call ended, Uncle Steffen—I mean, Lord Ainsworth—called. He doesn’t sound happy.”
“He never is.”
“I left my communis in my cabin. Thought you might want some privacy.” Samson mouthed “Sorry!” as he walked past.
Greg hurried down to Samson’s cabin. Why had he thought he could avoid his father’s wrath? Once again, he would be a disappointment. The fact that he had found the new keeper, taught her sealing magic and go
tten her halfway to the Tree of Time would all be forgotten. He was behind schedule and embarrassing his father. He took a deep breath and pushed the door open. The communis glowed on a small table. Greg picked the device up and sat on Samson’s bunk.
“Hello, Father. I understand you wish to speak with me.”
“Gregory, what took you so long?” snapped his father. “Don’t you know I’m an important person and my time is valuable?”
“It’s a wonder you took the time to call me then.”
“Don’t get smart with me, boy. You have brought shame to the family, and there is nothing more important than protecting our family name.”
Greg was glad his father couldn’t see him as he rolled his eyes. “And how exactly have I shamed the family?”
“You are running late. You know how I feel about tardiness. You have also damaged my boat and injured the keeper. Worst of all, I had to hear all this from Gabrielle.”
Greg clenched his jaw. How dare he throw an accusation like that at him. There was no way he would injure Mellissa. In fact, he had healed her. How quick his father was to blame him for everything. He must have twisted Samson’s message. Technically, what happened was all because of Mellissa, but she hadn’t meant it. Greg wanted to scream at his father, but that would achieve nothing. He counted to five while taking deep breaths, carefully considering his response.
“The delay could not be helped. Things happened beyond my control. Mellissa had a mishap with her powers. That is all.”
“You were meant to teach her to control her powers. Another task you have failed at.”
“I did my best, Father, but no one has a full understanding of elf magic as they’ve been missing from our world for so long.”
“Even so, I expect you to report these problems directly to me, not Gabrielle.”
“I was just following protocol, Father. Is that not what you’ve always taught me to do? It was agreed that I would discuss all things concerning Mellissa with Lady Gabrielle.”
“Those pesky fools on the council getting in my way,” growled his father.
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