It wasn’t hot on the island, as I expected. Rather, a cool breeze drifted through the air, making the temperature moderate. The very air seemed to glitter, a golden hue setting over the forest as we roamed down a twisting dirt path.
As we headed farther in, the foliage grew more colorful. Cherry blossoms floated upon the wind, and tulips sprouted in mismatched rows alongside wildflowers and hydrangeas. Mushrooms dotted the path, marking their way up tree trunks covered in moss. Tygrys flocked from flower to flower, collecting nectar and dusting his antennae with pollen.
“Jadwiga Waldemar did not lie. It really is a land of eternal spring here,” I noted, sticking my nose into a large flower.
“Do you hear that music?” Arthur asked, lifting an ear.
There were notes of flutes and harps upon the air. I figured we should follow the music, and headed that way. The music got louder and more upbeat as the trees broke, and laughter drifted from the trees ahead.
The court of the Spring Princess looked like one big garden. Ivy wound up the side of stone walls, which made a fence around the area. Flowers grew in precise rows here, beside hedges that were trimmed in the shape of dancing sorceresses. There were a variety of orchards growing under rowan trees, thyme blooming beside hawthorn. Each plant in the garden was particularly beloved by the fae, used in our spells and potions. I could feel my magic enhancing just being in the presence of these flowers and trees.
In the center of the garden, a tea party was being held. Gossamer blankets made of what looked like sparkling dew were spread out along the grass. Lounging upon them were women, their skin a variety of bright colors, from pink to yellow to green. They ate figs, pomegranates and decorated breads. They drank elderberry tea from precious china, and spoke in sing-song voices.
The women had pointed ears that curled at the ends, and wore dresses sewn from foxglove and bluebell. In fact, I wasn’t so sure the dresses they wore were actually clothing, but rather plants sprouting from their skin. Their wings were on full display, fluttering softly like those of butterflies as the breeze kissed their membranes. Their hair was pure white and nearly transparent, floating upon the air like it was made of cobwebs and sunlight.
I wasn’t sure what kind of faekin they were, but they were beautiful, and I knew that made them dangerous. There were no men here, besides Arthur and I— the Spring Princess only had ladies in her court.
Besides the faekin, there were dogs— dozens of them, all breeds and kinds. The faekin tossed leather balls for big dogs to catch and cuddled tiny lap dogs in their arms. A couple of girls giggled as they played with a group of puppies, who were tugging at the ends of their dresses with little growls. Tygrys gave a weary growl, hiding behind Emma’s hair at the sight of all the canines.
I searched the party, until my magic resonated with an individual near a picnic basket at the head of the group. It was a girl who couldn’t be more than sixteen. She had a dotting of freckles across her face, with doe-like eyes and long hair that spanned down her back. A crown made of flowers sat upon her head. Her dress was made of apple blossoms, spanning out around her in a magnificent train. The faekin doted on her, laughing at her jokes and placing gentle touches on her arms.
That had to be the Spring Princess. I was certain there was none other in this garden that shared her power, save for Emma herself. Though the girl looked harmless, I was sure she could blow us all to pieces if she wanted to. She was as old as time itself, and therefore, we had to respect her if we wanted to earn her good graces, and the Seelie stone.
When we entered the garden, the faekin looked up. Conversation bubbled as the female fae watched us stroll toward the Spring Princess, whispering behind their long fingers.
These faekin weren’t malevolent, but they were mischievous, which was just as bad— for a fae, anyhow. Jokes our kind pulled usually ended up more fatal than fun. We had to keep our wits about us.
“Don’t accept anything from anyone while we’re here,” I reminded everyone. “Don’t give any of them your name, either.”
“No thank you’s, while we’re at it,” Emma added with a grumble.
I gave a huff of agreement. All three of those situations could lead to bad contracts, and we didn’t want to accidentally stumble into one while we were here.
The dogs were jumping at Tygrys as he fluttered by. A few almost caught him in their jaws, and he gave loud squeaks of displeasure.
“Tygrys, get in my pocket,” Emma ordered. Tygrys flew into the safety of Emma’s jacket, and the dogs whined at the loss of their new game.
The Spring Princess looked up as we ventured near. Emma and Vara slid to their feet. Arthur and I sank into bows, and the girls into curtseys— it was important we gave the proper respect.
“Your highness,” I began. “It is an honor to be in your court.”
“You have no need to bow, King of the Arcanea,” the Spring Princess replied. “My court has been preparing for your arrival, and the arrival of the Worldweaver.”
I figured that she knew we’d be coming, but it was still unsettling. She spread her hand out and said, “Come, sit among us. We were just enjoying breakfast.”
Vara and Emma took seats on the gossamer blanket across from the Spring Princess, and Arthur and I laid beside them. Lavender bread was passed around. I was starving, but I knew better than to eat food here in Edinmyre, especially if it was prepared by these strange women. It’d get us stuck here.
The Spring Princess caught our curious looks as we watched her court frolic among us. “They are myvila,” the Spring Princess said. “Ibrought them here from the mountain range known as the Alps in your world many years ago, after the humans forgot what magic was and there was no longer a place for them on Earth. They remain virgins, as I, and live together with me in this female’s paradise.”
Ah,vila. I should’ve known. They were beautiful nymphs who had great affection for dogs, and were known to be one of the few amongst faekin who could heal. As I was a fae myself, I was immune to their power, but other men, even supernatural, would fall victim to their charms.
A blue-skinnedvilashuffled up to us and offered Emma an apple. “For you, my dear.”
“No, but I’ll remember the offer,” Emma replied kindly. Thevilaretreated the apple and took a bite, giving a sly smirk.
“You desire something else,” the Spring Princess said. “The Seelie stone.”
“That is what we are here for…” Emma said, trailing off. She wasn’t quite sure what to say. One wrong word could incur the Spring Princess’s wrath.
