“If my mom had these abilities, why couldn’t she restore them? Why do you even think that I can? I have no connection to Faerie.” I glance at Allwyn and he still holds his suspicious gaze on the gatekeeper.
“One of the people who helped to bind you was able to read your magic. She claimed your healing abilities would surpass anything we’ve seen. It will take time, and work, but they believed you could do it. And I highly doubt you have no connection. Every fae knows Faerie.” He finishes speaking and pauses, letting the new information sink in.
“We shall go and discuss this, we’ll return tomorrow, gatekeeper," Allwyn announces, making the decision for us. I appreciate it, my mind is already overwhelmed with information.
“Before you go, here is a royal communication stone.” He passes me a smooth purple stone. It’s flat, fitting perfectly in the palm of my hand. I slowly turn it over, watching it reflect the light in the room before giving a questioning look to Allwyn.
“Will this contact all of the remaining fae on the Earth realm?” Allwyn inquires. The gatekeeper nods and Allwyn gives one in return, before he pulls me by our linked hands through the fake wall. Once we’re in the forest again, I turn around to look at the tree. I don’t want to forget which tree led us to the Gatekeeper, but I think that would be an impossibility, it stands out too much.
“Let’s go back to your apartment and get only what you need. Call Jacob and have him bring his car.” Allwyn is bossy when he’s on a mission but he’s missing one key aspect… I never agreed to leave. I need time to process, and I need to talk to Jacob. Annoyed, I let Allwyn have his hand back. The moment I release it I regret it, a twinge of loneliness striking even though he’s right next to me. Allwyn seems to affect me in ways I’m not used to.
As we walk, I try to think things over. Life here isn’t exactly inviting now, I don’t want to fight my way through crowds every day just to go home. Plus the whole unemployed thing doesn’t quite help. I loved my job at Deb’s but I’m afraid working there would be like wearing a blinking sign, telling the assholes ‘freak fae here’.
The need to get to Jacob and have one of those serious talks we do when big decisions pop up, is overwhelming. I power walk through the forest with more grace than I’ve ever managed before.
We get a few hostile looks as we wind our way through town and my apartment building, but I barely give it a second thought. Once we’re safely inside, I lock the door behind us. Pausing, I send a quick text to Jacob with the plan and mention that we need to talk about the latest news, before I focus on packing. Because going to Faerie or not, I can’t pay for this place anymore. At least Jacob offered for me to stay with him until we figure this shit out.
Glancing around my apartment I feel a wave of sadness. This has been my home for two years and even if it’s small, it’s mine. I feel a few tears leak down my face for the life I lost in the blink of an eye. With everything happening, I know I’m not going to be returning to school. Arabella Florian is a past life. Now I have to be Arabella, Queen of the fae. The pressure of my new role is weighing me down. I don’t know how to lead, or anything about the land I would potentially rule. What kind of queen could I really be?
I feel a hand on my shoulder as Allwyn steps in front of me. He wipes away my tears and puts a finger under my chin to raise my gaze to his. I didn’t even realize I was standing with my head down, not moving. He probably thinks I’m losing it.
“I understand the feeling of leaving your home. Change is never easy, but always necessary. Think of this as a new chapter. And do not doubt yourself. I can see the power and strength you possess. You also have a humble nature that sets you apart from any previous fae royalty. You’re unique and exactly who I would picture to save Faerie.” He has a look of understanding and respect, giving me a boost in confidence. Taking a calming breath, I nod and touch his cheek. This man is so hard to understand, but I appreciate him all the same. He closes his eyes for a moment, as if savoring the intimate touch.
When he opens his eyes again, I pull away and move to find my moving bins. There are only four, but that will have to be enough, the landlords can toss the rest. I put them down side by side in the living room and get to work. By the time I hear a knock on the door, I’m almost finished with everything important. I open the door to let River and Jacob in and Andras walks in behind them. It definitely can’t hurt to have an extra set of hands.
“I’m almost finished. Should we wait until we’re back at Jacob’s to discuss the news?” I ask, looking at Allwyn for confirmation.
He gives them a quick glance, before agreeing. “Your walls are thin,” he says simply, his somber protector mode back in full force. I nod and go back to my room to finish the final packing. As I fold a pile of my favorite clothes on the bed and watch it grow by the second, I let out a sigh of defeat. I can’t take them all and only have one bin left. Jacob comes into my room as I’m dumping my bras on the bed and grumbling to myself.
“How are you holding up, Queenie?” He asks, carrying the empty bin over and placing it next to the bed. I stack my clothes inside before answering, ignoring the fact it’s towering out.
“I’m not done processing and today made it worse. Jacob, I’m scared," I admit quietly, my voice quivering. He doesn’t respond, instead he comes up and pulls me into the tight hug he knows I need. Jacob is my safe place and the thought of leaving him behind is making this all worse. If only I could take him with me, then the decision would be easy.
“On to more pressing matters,” he announces and I laugh at his subject change. “Andras, what’s his story?” He lowers his voice conspiratorially so they can’t hear us from the other room.
“I have no clue, honestly. Why?” I ask, forcing him to admit the reason for his sudden curiosity.
“He’s cute, that’s all.” He tries to play his question off as nonchalant, but I know better. Jacob has a crush. I giggle and point at him in accusation.
“You like him!” I squeal and he quickly shushes me, though he’s grinning widely. Good, Sam was a jerk and he shouldn’t let that stop him from finding his happiness.
We gossip as I pack up the last few important possessions. Jacob eventually forces the lid on my clothes so I don’t have to toss them. Then finally we move on to the last thing, my art desk. “Grab Dormy’s cage please, we need that. He’s been in his travel cage for too many days," I direct at Jacob as I grab my roll of art paper and supplies. I can’t seem to give up everything that made me who I am. With a sigh of defeat, I throw
the supplies on top of the bins and secure the lids.
I glance around at my apartment one last time, taking in all I’m leaving behind. Before I let it really sink in, I pick up a bin and the others follow suit. Jacob locks the door and slides my key under it before we walk away, officially leaving my old life behind.
Chapter 9
“What do you mean, you’re going to Faerie?” Jacob yells, his voice loud and accusing. He’s been pacing and yelling since I explained the basics of what the gatekeeper told us. As my gaze follows the path he’s wearing into the carpet, they fill with tears. I can’t do this.
Trying to push away the feelings of doubt he’s giving me, I put a gentle hand on his arm so he’ll stop and face me. “Jacob this is about more than just me. I can’t leave these people to this bullshit for the rest of their lives. I also can’t leave the land like it is. If there’s even a chance I can fix it, then I have to," I say through my tears.
“You can’t leave me behind, Queenie," Jacob pleads quietly as the fight leaves him. “You are all I have left, and the only real friend I’ve had my whole life. Even my family cast me away when they found out I was gay, but you never have,” he says as he falls onto the couch in defeat.
I scoot over and sit in his lap, wrapping my arms around him. We sit in silence for several minutes until River can’t hold her questions in anymore.
“What will we eat? How can we bring in the rest of the fae? Do you really think you can heal the land? What if it takes a while before we can survive there?” she asks all at once, causing Allwyn to hold up a hand to calm everyone down.