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A massive hand covered in gray bark emerged from the pit beneath the roots.

The tree nymph climbed her way out and tilted her head back and forth, inspecting the group.

She pulled her lithe body from the hole and walked toward them, earth trembling with each step of her long legs.

Close to eight feet tall with bark growing from her limbs, she straightened out, snapping sounds echoing as her joints popped.

Her eyes glowed green and tiny phosphorescent flies buzzed around her as she scanned the group of fae before her.

More gray bark covered her human-like face and every so often, a black beetle would dart out of her flat nostril and run to burrow back into her ear. She stepped toward the group with jerky movements, stopping feet away when her gaze snapped to Thorne who was standing at the front of the group.

“Hello King,” she crooned in a voice both young and old. Male and female.

Ava backed up, bumping into Raine who steadied her and placed his hands on her shoulders in solidarity. She glanced up at him and gave him a look that said, ‘I understand why you had nightmares.’

Thorne took a step forward. “Nelida. We’ve come to?—”

“I know the purpose of your visit,” she hissed as her eyes roved over Ava. “You wish to know about the prophecy.”

“Yes,” Thorne replied.

Nelida remained quiet, scanning the group again when her eyes landed on Raine. She smiled menacingly, her blunted yellow teeth bright against her gray skin. “I’m surprised to see you back. After what happened last time.”

He remained silent, though Ava felt his hands tighten slightly on her shoulders.

Nelida stepped forward again, looking between Thorne and Ava. “You have figured out you are siblings, yes?”

“Yes.” Thorne nodded.

“Your grandfather visited me over one hundred years ago, knowing he was the last living fae with portal magic in his blood.” She paused, glancing at the rest of the group before continuing. “He wished to know how to defeat Deidamia. If he even could.”

“But it was told Pellas was supposed to send Deidamia back. That he abandoned us.”

“He did not abandon you,” Nelida explained. “I told him it would not be him who could send Deidamia back to her realm and seal the portal shut forever, destroying it. He wasn’t strong enough.” She paused, then her eyes snapped to Ava’s. “But there would be someone who was.”

“Me?” Ava whispered, her worst fears confirmed.

Nelida nodded. “Aurelia didn’t even know she was with child when he visited. I told Pellas and he made the decision to take your mother somewhere safe to raise you until you were ready.”

Thorne looked at Nelida. “Ava still looks human. Has no magic. Is there a way to access it?”

“Yes,” Nelida replied as she walked closer to Ava, wet soil squelching under her steps. Ava tensed. Nelida’s rotten breath was warm as she stood over her. “But it is dangerous, especially for a human.”

“How?”

“She must make the journey to the Elderoak Tree. Something that was done thousands of years ago for the fae of Monterre to be blessed with their magic.” Growls sounded in the distance as Nelida continued. “It is a perilous journey that some fae did not survive.”

“We’ve never heard of this,” said Thorne. “Why?”

“That, I do not know. Past kings were not invested in the history of our kingdom. I assume there are ancient texts somewhere.” She stepped back and looked at Thorne.

“What will she face on this journey?”

“I cannot tell you the details, for I do not know all of it.” The snarling grew closer.

“The journey is perilous, and different for each fae. No one knows exactly what happens in those woods surrounding the sacred tree.” Her eyes bored into Ava’s as she continued.

“You will face your deepest darkest fears and secrets. Only then are you deemed worthy to be blessed by the Elderoak.”

The sounds of the beasts were growing ever closer as the mist thickened and swirled around them, preparing itself to close in again to prevent their escape.

“The swamp creatures are getting restless. While I may not harm you, I cannot deny them a meal,” Nelida said.

“Why are the creatures behaving this way?” asked Thorne.

Nelida backed up and spoke. “They do not want to see Ava succeed. They are glad the daemon queen is back. If she wins, they will be free to roam and devour as they please.”

“Do you wish Deidamia to win?” he asked.

Nelida seemed to ponder on his question, then replied, “No… I do not wish to see my land destroyed.”

Something screamed from behind them, and Ava jumped, the group circling around her, protecting their princess .

“Call your eagle, King. For it is time you leave before the beasts can fill their bellies. And they’ve never tasted human before.” Nelida slinked back in her tree, leaving the group of fae alone in the swamp, surrounded by growls and snarls, screams and cries. Mist swirling feet away from them.

“Protect Ava,” Thorne directed the group. “Skye’s on her way.”

Ava drew her bow and aimed in between the warriors, her shaking hands making it difficult to aim.

“Put your bow down,” Casimir ordered from in front of her. “You’re too scared, you’ll only end up shooting one of us.”

“No,” she answered. “I’m going to help if I can.”

“Quit being so stubborn—” He was cut off by a creature lunging at the group through the mist. The same kind she and Casimir had fought earlier, only much larger.

It jumped straight at Quinn, who was in front of Ava on her right, but she dodged it with a roll, landing in a crouch with her hands extended, aiming her magic. Roots came up from the ground, grasping the creature’s legs to slow it down.

The monster struggled, but broke free as it noticed the opening left in front of Ava and charged directly for her. She screamed and released an arrow, but Casimir was right. She was trembling too hard, and her aim was off. The arrow landed feet away from the creature, almost hitting Quinn.

“You’re going to get us killed!” Quinn yelled at her as Casimir shoved her behind him and she fell. Quinn had wrapped her roots around it again and the moment it was still, Casimir lunged and impaled it through the top of its head.

The creature was dead, but growls echoed as the monsters closed in. Shadows emerged from the mist surrounding them, more of the creatures taking shape as they crept closer.

“Where’s Skye?” Raine shouted, raising green vines from the ground to build a temporary wall around them.

“Close!” Thorne yelled back .

“She’d better hurry,” said Jorrar.

Ava was still on the ground, trembling and frozen in fear. Casimir turned toward her. “Get up,” he growled.

She shook her head as she marveled at the creatures around them, tearing through the vines, ravenous eyes seeking their dinner. A cry sounded from above and Skye appeared, hovering above the group.

“She can’t hold all six of us at once!” Casimir shouted.

“She can take three,” said Thorne. “She’ll drop us to safety and come back for the rest. Hold them off for a few minutes longer.”

Casimir leaned down and grabbed Ava under her arm, lifting her up, then looked at Thorne. “You and Raine go with Ava. We’ll wait for Skye to return.”

“But—” Thorne tried to argue but was cut off.

“You’re our king. You go with the first group!” Casimir shouted at him.

They widened their circle slightly, allowing Skye to land. Thorne quickly climbed on her back, and she rose into the air, grasping Ava and Raine around their waists with each of her taloned feet.

Ava screamed as they ascended, watching the remaining three fae get smaller the higher they flew.

Bile rose in her throat as the eagle carried them over the swamp to safety.

Minutes later, Skye was landing in a clearing in the woods, dropping both Ava and Raine.

Thorne jumped from her back before she flew off, heading to rescue the remaining members of their party.

Ava was hunched over on her hands and knees, nausea rising as she felt someone’s hand on her back. “Are you okay?” Raine asked.

“No,” she whispered, breathing through the nausea and dizziness that followed .

She gathered her bearings, sat up and crossed her legs, rubbing her temples.

“Not much for flying, huh?” Raine quipped.

“Well, I’ve never been carried by a giant eagle before, so there’s that.”

Ava looked up at Thorne who was standing before her, obviously still reeling from the news. Reaching his hand down, he pulled her to standing.

“Are the others okay?” she asked.

He nodded. “Skye just arrived. They’ll be here shortly.”

She breathed a sigh of relief, shoulders slumping.

“Umm… guys…” Raine urged from behind them.

They turned around and looked at him. “Yes?” Thorne asked.

“Did you summon these animals?”

“What animals?” asked Ava, fearing there were more creatures they had to escape.

Raine gestured toward the woods. “Look,” he whispered.

From between the trees and under the brush, creatures great and small emerged.

Familiar small glowing foxes crept out from under the shrubs.

Deer slowly inched their way into the clearing from between the trees while colorful birds flitted about.

Butterflies appeared and danced around Ava, landing on her and then taking off again and again.

The remainder of their group landed with a thump as Skye remained on the ground beside them.

“What’s going on?” Quinn asked.

“Shhh…” Thorne whispered, in awe of what was unfolding.

More and more animals came. Bears and snakes and even small insects surrounded Ava, as if paying homage to her. She watched in fascination and held out her hand as a butterfly landed on her outstretched finger.

Luna appeared, bounding through the crowd of creatures toward Ava and jumped into her open arms, licking her face. The rest of the companions joined the animals; Casimir’s bear Aro, Raine’s wolf Sabriel, a gray marbled owl and Quinn’s midnight black panther.

“They’ve come to honor their princess,” Thorne whispered.

Ava stood still, holding Luna with tears in her eyes, fae warriors standing around her. They were surrounded by animals who had come for miles. Had come to see the princess who was lost. The one they’ve been waiting for to save their world.

She smiled at the creatures, heart warm at the affection they showed. Aro ambled close and bumped his head against her hip, saying hello with a low growl. She knelt and set Luna on the ground to scratch behind Aro’s ears, kissing him on the head.

She looked around, surrounded by the animals and met eyes with the members of her party. They all regarded her with fascination as they took in the significance of the moment. News had spread quickly through the animals, and they had gathered, waiting for the opportunity to see her.

Aro continued to nudge her hand and she turned to Casimir who was looking at her like she was a puzzle he didn’t know how to solve.

Luna padded over to Casimir and rubbed against him, purring and chirping.

He leaned down, scratched her head and she purred with contentment.

He looked back at Ava, a sense of wonder on his face as he tried to make sense of what was happening.

She held his gaze while Aro nudged her hand yet again.

The animals filtered away through the woods, leaving the way they came, until the group was left with their companions sitting around them.

Everyone looked at her, as if waiting for her to say something. “Well, that was…. weird.” She smiled awkwardly.