“How do you feel, pidge?” I asked.
“Much better. Feel this.” Ava took my hand and guided it over her leg, where the serpent had bitten her. The skin was smooth— as if the snake bite had never happened at all.
“That’s incredible,” I said breathlessly.
“The pool really does have amazing healing powers,” she said. “It must be true that the Elven goddesses bathed here.”
Kallie hummed, like she was completely in her element. “This wholeplaceis incredible.”
“How much of the city do you think is real, and how much is an illusion?” Marcus wondered aloud.
“Most of it’s real,” Kallie stated with certainty. “I can feel it with my own illusion magic. The buildings, the people… all that is real. The sun and sky are obviously illusions, along with some of the plants.”
“Notallthe plants?” Marcus asked.
“I can feel some of them with my Earth magic,” I said. “I bet they’re able to grow them under artificial lighting.”
“Right,” Kallie said. “But the biggest trees could never grow underground like this. Those, I’m guessing, are for aesthetic purposes.”
“They’re very good illusions,” I stated. “I can smell the cherry blossoms.”
“Eh,” Kallie said, like fancy illusions were no big deal. Forget her. This place was breathtaking.
Footsteps approached, and someone stopped next to the pool. Ava and I turned toward the newcomer, and he cleared his throat.
“Charlie,” he greeted brightly. “It’s great to see you again.”
I furrowed my brow. “Forgive me. I’m not great with voices.”
“Yes, of course. My apologies. I am Edwyrd of Forevermore, guard to the Emperor’s legacy,” he introduced. “You may call me Eddie.”
I gaped. It was the guy who’d found me after the cave-in earlier this semester— the one who’d helped me navigate my way out and get back to the prison bus.That’swhy he was down in the caves to begin with— because he lived here. He was an Elf all along!
It took me a few moments to find my voice. “Eddie? How the hell are you, man?”
I hoisted myself out of the pool and held out my hand to shake his. His grip was firm, and he shook my hand fast, like he was excited.
“I’m great, now that you’re in Forevermore!” he said.
I tilted my head. “What do you mean by that?”
Eddie laughed lightly. “There is much to tell you. If you are done here, we can discuss things while we walk.”
My friends and I didn’t want to leave the Golden Fountain of the Goddesses, because really, it was freaking cool. But we also wanted to hear more and explore the city, and getting some answers was more important than having fun.
Everyone climbed out of the pool, and Ava used her Water powers to dry us off. We wrapped the silky robes we’d found in the bathhouse around ourselves. The fabric was smooth against my skin, and felt fit for royalty. Oberi changed into unicorn form, and Eddie began leading us through the streets of Forevermore.
“That fountain was amazing,” Ava remarked. “I didn’t know the Elves had healing powers.”
“Oh, it’s quite rare,” Eddie explained. “The waters themselves are blessed. For an Elf themselves to have healing powers, they must drink from the waters. But not everyone who drinks from the blessed pool will develop healing abilities. It is reserved for the most gifted of our kind.”
There was so much to experience in Forevermore that it was clear the magical fountain barely scratched the surface. We passed by vendors selling freshly baked cookies, and the scent of coffee drifted out of a cafe. My mouth watered, and Marcus’ stomach growled.
“Forgive me,” Eddie said quickly. “You must be very hungry.”
He stopped at a vendor’s station. "Hello, Elvira," he greeted.
"Edwyrd!" a woman replied brightly. "How are you this fine evening?"
