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“Do you want to go back to the castle?”
The pixie’s wings lurched, wracked with an involuntary shudder that only pained those shoulders more. Yu shook his head.
“Later. Recuperate. Somewhere private.” A pause, then, “Em okay. With Jyss.”
Rick stilled, then decided that Jyss wouldn’t hurt her even if the Fae didn’t like his current relationship with Emerald. Besides, Emerald was way stronger than Jyss and wouldn’t let herself be ambushed. With a nod, Rick turned and continued his offbeat path away from the castle.
Minutes later, he arrived in a forest lusher than the rest, the snow melting away to give way to blue flowers and silver-white grass. Two rocks stood on a clearing, smoothed over the years and covering the ground with a steady thrum of peaceful energy. While others did their best to respect the area and keep away, this was a deeper part of home to him and one of his favorite spots. But it was also the one he dreaded going to lately.
“Hello, Mom and Dad…your Highnesses. I’m sorry for not visiting sooner and for not being here for a while. It didn’t feel that long where I was, but I heard it’s been months and only my sister has been your frequent visitor.”
There was no response, but he was just getting started. He sat down in front of the rocks, then gently placed Yu on the ground. Yu looked up quizzically.
“Talking who?”
Rick smiled. “My parents.”
“Alive?”
“Dead, but…it’s not that simple.” He looked to the rocks again. “I brought a friend with me. You might be able to tell that he’s new and foreign, different from me and my sister. His name’s Yu and he needs some help. Can you help him?”
The silence went on. Yu’s lashes fluttered, drowsiness and perhaps the wound already tiring him, but the pixie started when a light circled his tiny feet. Rick held up a hand before the creature could fly away, meeting his gaze and shaking his head.
Trust me,he tried to communicate without words.I won’t hurt you.
The pixie’s wings stopped moving, his body tentatively returning to the ground. The circling light continued, then grew brighter, before spiraling up and coating the pixie’s bottom half. Yu whimpered at whatever sensation was coating him, which Rick supposed felt like being wrapped up in a warm, tight hug.
“Just stay still,” he suggested. “If you can.”
The light danced upward, reaching the pixie’s chest and finally, his shoulders. Yu’s whimper grew louder, then died down, and Rick watched as the pixie’s agonized expression morphed into a relief so stark and raw. It felt like Rick’s tension was being healed, too, leaving his body until the two men basked in their relaxed state and the light died away. Rick observed Yu’s shoulder, pleased when even the traces of blood were gone.
“Thank you, Your Highnesses. Did it feel good to bestow kindness on a stranger?”
The light flared, then retreated. The lack of brightness told him that there were opposing answers and his mouth quirked.
“Come on, Dad. I’m sure it felt good, even just a little bit. No one will know that you didn’t look down your nose at a non-Fae.”
The light didn’t come back, as if not deeming his words important enough to answer. Rick let it be, not needing it. But he did need one for a question that had been plaguing him since his return—hell, since he had been thrown out of here by a force that their security should have been able to detect but didn’t.
“Good,” Yu muttered, then lay down more freely on the ground. “No more pain.”
“That’s good.”
“Thanks.”
“He’s grateful,” Rick said to the rocks. Then, “Is my sister thirsty enough for the crown to betray me?”
There was silence again. He waited for the light to come back and coat him this time, for the answers to be as clear as day. But there was no light and there were no answers. Frustrated, Rick moved to stand up—and was hauled down so smoothly and so effortlessly.
Erinnala is special. So are you, Rickavior.
When we are gone, it will just be you and her. Please rely on each other as your father and I did. We have bigger enemies outside to indulge in these petty fights you two always have.
Your games and your irresponsible ways are going to be the death of us! Maybe we should have just broken our centuries-old rule and given the throne to your sister!
The words were familiar, taking him back to the years in his life when they said them to him in reality. It felt like another brand of comfort, but his heart twinged remembering how the king had seen his son, especially during their later years. The queen, in the meantime, favored Rick more than anyone else, to the point that Erin was either neglected or scolded for always trying to outshine him.
Rickavior, your heart is light and that’s what our kingdom needs. People will take advantage, but those who know you well wish they had that lightness within them too.
