“And you shall have it,” the Spring Princess said. “That is, if you have something to trade.”
Emma dug in her pocket. I nearly panicked for a moment, thinking we’d lost the rusalka scale in the storm, but my shoulders relaxed as I watched her withdraw the scale from her wet clothes and set it before the Spring Princess. Thevilalet out a collective coo, impressed with the stone’s beauty. The Spring Princess’s eyes glittered as she reached out to take the scale, observing the dazzling colors that reflected within.
“Yes. This will be a sufficient trade,” the Spring Princess said, rising to her feet. “Worldweaver, you shall come with me— your mate may follow, but the others will not.”
Splitting up sounded like a horrible idea, but we didn’t have much of a choice. Emma and I got up to follow the Spring Princess into the forest, leaving Vara and Arthur alone with the vila. Arthur gave me a nervous glance, but I shook my head, telling him to stay calm.
I made sure to stand beside Emma as we followed the Spring Princess through the forest. I wasn’t sure what I could do to protect her if the Spring Princess attacked, but this place made me nervous— it was almost scarier than being in the middle of the maelstrom, and that was awfully terrifying.
“This is how the fae used to live,” the Spring Princess said idly as we continued our walk. “In peace and harmony, feasting daily and enjoying nature. Not battling for power or killing for glory. The world of humans has infected us.”
“But can we be saved?” Emma dared to ask the question, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
“It’s why you’re here, isn’t it?”
The trees created a circular exit into a small grove. Sitting on a tree trunk was a small wooden box. The Spring Princess picked up the box and turned toward us.
“You sailed across the Sea of Storms, fought myalkonosts, and traveled willingly through the portal that thevodanoycreated, displaying your action in spite of your fear,” the Spring Princess said. “Therefore, you have proven yourself worthy, and earned the Seelie stone.”
The Spring Princess pressed the wooden box into Emma’s hands, and she opened it. Sitting upon a velvet pillow was a silver circlet. Set into the middle was a dazzling square emerald. My heart pounded as I looked upon the illustrious gem, and Emma’s face shone with a mixture of worry and hope.
One more. Justone more stone, and we’d have all six. We could open the portal to Edinmyre again. The fae wouldn’t die— we could still save our people, save our country. The end was so close to being in sight.
And yet, there was danger. We had five stones. We couldn’t risk losing a single one.
Emma closed the lid and clutched the box to her chest. “You have no idea what this means to us. How much we’ve had to go through just to get here.”
“I am aware of the trials you have suffered, and I have knowledge of all that is yet to come,” the Spring Princess replied. “Your task is far from over, Worldweaver. I suggest you summon your courage, for the path you are sure to walk is still heavy with dangers. Let this be a warning not to get too comfortable, and not to claim victory before it is won.”
Emma nodded slowly. The Spring Princess gestured for us to follow. “It is time for you to return home. Come.”
I let out an anxious breath. I wasn’t sure if she was going to let us leave, but so far, she’d been nothing but helpful.
And yet… I still felt like something wasn’t right.
My suspicions were confirmed when we returned to the tea party, and saw that all of thevila, along with their dogs, had trapped Arthur in a circle. He’d somehow been changed back into his human form, and was stuck in the middle of all those women. The band had struck up a fast tune. Thevilawere dancing, twirling in circles while Arthur waltzed from one girl to the other. Vara stood on the outside of the circle, holding her belly and looking furious.
Emma’s face whitened when she saw her brother, who appeared red-faced and exhausted. Arthur’s eyes were clearly muddled over, a blank expression on his face, glasses and hair askew. He’d been bewitched. His breath was labored as he danced faster and faster, tripping over his own feet in an attempt to keep up with thevila’swild movements. The Spring Princess watched the dance with a vague satisfaction, looking amused.
Vara saw the Spring Princess, and waddled over. “You! Stop this at once!” she barked.
My mouth dropped open at her insolence. How could she challenge such a powerful being, one who was practically a goddess, without fear?
Vara’s expression remained hard, but the Spring Princess let out a tinkling laugh. “It’s just a bit of fun!”
“They’re going to dance him to death!” Vara demanded.
That was a likely possibility. I feared Arthur’s heart would burst, or he’d break a leg trying to keep up. He was wheezing as thevilatossed him from one way to the other. The music increased in intensity, going faster and faster.
The Spring Princess shrugged. “He would be able to keep up, if not for the diluted humanity of his blood. The fae should’ve never been made mortal.”
“Call them off! I insist!” Vara nearly screamed.
“I protect myvila, but I do not control them. They are free creatures to do as they please, and bringing men into my court was very foolish. You should’ve known they would find him interesting,” the Spring Princess replied.
“So what are you asking?” Vara said through clenched teeth.
“A gift is needed. What shall you offer them, in exchange for your mate’s life?” the Spring Queen asked.
