“Blair is resting in the basement from training. And Jinx is in Charmden, training for war,” she said, my heart sinking.
“What!” I shrieked, pulling away from her.
“Yeah, with Hex13 taking out most of Hoax’s warriors, the females are being forced to train. Crane is like a madman, torturing anyone he doesn’t think is fit to fight. Blair suffered a broken wing and a concussion while in training. Eboenia, what’s going on? Why is everyone saying you’re responsible for the attack at your ceremony?” she asked, rubbing her stomach anxiously.
“I had nothing to do with that! Sure, I didn’t want to marry Sin and wished death on Hoax, but I would never put innocent lives in danger like that.”
Lune squinted at me, stepping closer. She pulled my lip down and saw the marking War had stamped on me. “What is this? This looks like witchcraft,” she said, alarmed.
“It’s a lot to explain,” I replied, feeling the weight of her gaze.
I rushed downstairs to the basement, which felt like a small piece of Charmden. The walls had soft, glowing moss that lit up the space. Delicate vines hung from the ceiling, sparkling with tiny lights that looked like stars. In one corner, a small waterfall trickled into a clear pool, surrounded by bright flowers and lush greenery. Cozy nests made of soft leaves and petals were scattered around, creating a inviting home for us fairies. The air was sweet with the scent of nectar—the scent almost made me miss Charmden.
Blair was resting in her naked tiny fairy form on a bed of leaves inside a basket, her wing and head wrapped. I gently touched her face, and she groaned in pain. Summoning my wand, I sprinkled healing energy over her wings. They fluttered, flapping wildly as her eyes slowly opened.
“Be careful with her. She’s been stuck in that form since her injury. Her concussion won’t let her shift back. She’s fragile,” Lune warned from behind me, her tone different, her aura tense. I wondered if she believed I had orchestrated my own kidnapping.
I brushed my thumb across Blair’s forehead. “Eboenia?” she whispered, her voice weak.
“Yes, I’m right here,” I replied, a tear slipping down my cheek.
She sat up, holding her head. “We looked everywhere for you,” she said, sounding groggy. “It’s okay, I’m here now.”
“How did you get away?” Lune pressed.
“You wouldn’t understand.”
“I understand a lot! I need to know what you’re up to. I have a baby that could come any day now, and I’m not sure it’s safe to have you around. Your aura is dark, and your eyes aren’t bright like they used to be. Something or someone has gotten inside you,” she said, concern etched on her face.
“The brightness you thought you saw in my eyes was a façade. I don’t have to live in fear anymore. If you want me to leave, I can do that after I see Jinx,” I replied.
I picked Blair and held her close. “It’s her pregnancy hormones. She’s been a bitch the last couple of days,” Blair mumbled, then sniffed me. “Ugh, you smell like shit,” she gagged.
“At least I know you’re feeling better,” I laughed, grateful for the moment.
Lune watched me closely as I helped Blair with her head wrap. Fairies were delicate and sensitive beings, and I knew Blair could’ve been healed if she hadn’t been feeling down from my absence. “Blair, I’m okay. You can come out of this form.”
I set her on the floor next to me and slowly helped her shift back, her wings folding into her back and disappearing. She stretched her arms once she came to her human form. “I feel much better now. You were always a good healer. Now, enough about me, where in the hell did that demon take you?” Blair asked.
“Come and take a bath with me,” I replied.
I peeled off my filthy clothing before stepping into the pond. The water instantly cleaned off my body, causing the grit and grime to disintegrate. Blair stepped in too, and we settled on the cooling rocks at the bottom of the pond.
“Come and join us, Lune. Don’t be such a prude,” Blair called out to her.
Lune stepped in wearing her long silk wrap garment, crossing her arms and pouting as if she didn’t want to be in our company. Blair rolled her eyes at her; this wasn’t what I was looking forward to.
“War is the wizard who captured me,” I told them.
“Did you just say wizard? As in the ancient teacher of sorcery? He looked a little too young to be a wizard,” Blair responded.
“Apparently, he was chosen. He was a warlock at first, but his body was sacrificed for greater power. The wand that I have belonged to his lieutenant, a fairy named Clover, whom I’m related to. War is just picking up the pieces of how things were supposed to be, and I know you two don’t want to hear this, but Hoax is the reason why Hex13 and Charmden are at war with each other. All of us lived peacefully together in Charmden until Clover invited the elves into our world,” I replied.
“Wow, I thought that was a myth. I heard my father talking about it when I was a little girl,” Blair responded.
“Do you not hear yourself, Eboenia? You want us to believe Hex13 were decent beings? Did you not see how they were killing our warriors? They are dark and wicked, and you’re brainwashed!” Lune yelled at me.
“Yes, they are dark beings, but only because they had to be! The wizard was framed for Clover’s death, which ignited the war. They are deadly assassins; I’m not denying that. War is as wicked as they come, but they still have structure and beliefs. They spared the women of Charmden and only came to kill Hoax’s warriors. That should tell you something!” I argued.
