Because if they are true, once I enter that mountain range, the one shrouded in a ghostly mist, I’ll be in Fae territory. And I have to wonder if I will ever come back out again.
But in the end, the only real monster I have to fear right now is the king himself, so go forth I must—even if I have to ride into the gaping maw of hell.
I urge Belle forward, and she gallops down the rocky slope and across the barren landscape.
The terrain turns rougher and craggier the closer we get to the mountains, but I keep my eyes peeled. At any moment, I suspect one of those sleeping giants might tear itself free from the earth and crush me under its fist. Yet they remain static, and I narrow my eyes against the biting wind until I reach the first peak.
Soon, I come to a stop and gaze into a misty valley. It’s quiet. And dark.
Light ceases to exist beyond the mountains. Nothing but sprawling rock lies in waste ahead of me, but I have no choice.
Straight into the maw of hell.
From this point onward, I’ll be leaving the kingdom of Liona and entering Fae country, if that’s really what it is.
Here, theFaeare free to do as they please. They are free to enslave me and bend me to their will. This istheirland, and I am merely trespassing.
But somewhere in that unholy nest of vipers lives my Aunt Elly, and I’ll be damned if I don’t find her in a matter of days.
By this time next week, I’ll be having supper with my aunt, and I hope those faeries enjoy the chase.
If they want me, they’ll have to catch me first.
A day goes by, and I still find no sign of the Veil.
But at least the sprawling rock has given way to evergreen forest. The pines stretch towards the sky, their topmost branches vanishing with the clouds, and I swallow a lump in my throat.
Everything seems so much bigger here.
I would do anything to see a simple hawthorn or a hazelnut—anything that sheds its leaves come winter.
These trees are frozen in time. Nothing moves, and I can barely see the sky.
The forest is draped in moss, giving the light a sickly green hue, and the ferns are as tall as Belle. I’ve had to hack several down with my sword, and I swear I woke some ancient evil from its slumber at one crucial point. Something malevolent awaits me in these woods, and whatever it is, it’s far from friendly.
The faerie wilds are untameable, and it truly is disorientating. It could be days before I find my way out again.
I’ve checked my map dozens of times, and I’ve even used Papa’s compass for guidance, but I feel like I’m running in circles.
I’m pretty sure I passed that tree with the gnarled branches a few miles back, but it’s hard to tell. Everything looks so similar.
I need to top up my waterskin, but there’s no sign of water. I climb down from Belle’s saddle and touch the ground. No moisture. Only a carpet of dried pine needles.
I search the sky, but it’s hard to see any geese through the thick canopy.
The sun should be setting soon, but again, it’s difficult to tell. There’s barely any light in this place.
It’s best we get some sleep, at any rate, and continue our search in the morning. Belle is looking tired.
I tie her reins to a tree, kissing her snout goodnight. I stopped at a town a few days prior to pick up some supplies, and I even managed to find Belle a new saddle and bridle, too.
I also managed to stock up on rations, so we should be good for the next week or two.
I gather some rocks for a firepit, and after a few failed attempts with a rock and my knife, I finally get a spark going. Once the tinder catches fire, I wrap myself up in my cloak, holding my hands before the flames. The temperature has dropped drastically, and I’m afraid I’ll freeze to death out here.
Hopefully, I will make it through the night.
I wake with a start.
