McKale pulled the shining chain with the golden talisman from his pocket and several of the Fae gasped. The Summer King’s eyes flashed through several dark colors and the grass beneath our feet began to whither. As his mood settled, his eyes remained a vivid gold to match the trinket, and the grass sprang to full life again.
“I find it hard to believe the Princess would be so careless with her favorite charm,” the King murmured.
I watched McKale swallow at the same time the nerves in my body frayed.
“Aye, King, sir. ‘Twas quite the chaotic moment.”
The Summer King surveyed McKale for a moment before saying, “The Princess is occupied at the Summer Gala. My people will return the trinket and carry forth your message to her.”
The bronzed Fae male stepped forward to McKale and placed his hand out. McKale’s fingers clamped around the chain and he looked from the male to the King. No, no, no! This has to work! I gave McKale a nervous glance, and I could see the gears turning in his mind just before he spoke.
“Er… Summer King… might Robyn and I enter Faerie and return the item ourselves?”
Every set of Fae eyes widened and snapped to him. A stillness fell, as if the air molecules had stopped moving around us. The King’s face was a mix of shock and humor.
“I understand humans are not meant to enter the sacred Faerie realm,” McKale forged on. “And we would be ever so respectful, sir.” He looked up at the sun. “We have several hours before the binding will take place. We would seek the Princess and return immediately. ‘Tis very important to me.”
The King gazed at McKale like he was dealing with a precious, albeit naïve, toddler whom he couldn’t quite understand. When the King let out a chuckle, neighboring flowers brightened and butterflies burst forth from their cocoons. Dancing Leprechaun and their women paused in awe to watch the newborn flutters all around them.
“Lucky for you, McKale of the Leprechaun, I am feeling exceptionally giving this day. Consider this a binding gift. You may enter my realm so long as you return at once at the conclusion of speaking with my daughter. I will even have one of my guards guide you. One bit of warning, however…” His freaky shimmery eyes moved back and forth between McKale and I. “When humans enter, they seldom wish to leave. Are your minds strong enough to resist? It is quite a risk given your importance to this clan.”
I held back a derisive sound. We were not in danger of the realm’s lure, but I’d never have the nerve to say that to its proud ruler.
McKale let out a rush of breath and nodded his understanding. “Aye, King, sir. We can only imagine how difficult it will be to leave yer magnificent realm once we’ve set eyes on it. ‘Tis why Robyn agreed to accompany me.”
The King waved a hand at the male with a sheen of bronze hair and skin, who then stepped toward McKale and I. “Take them. Do not linger.”
My stomach dropped and Mom gave a tiny whimper. This was really happening.
“Follow me,” the bronzed Fae said.
I know my family wanted to embrace me and say things, but caution prevented them. With a final squeeze of my hand from Cassidy, and shared glances of fear with my parents, we were off.
Stepping into the slice of sky to enter Faerie was like deliberately walking into my own worst nightmare. It was the hardest thing I’d ever done. McKale went first behind our guide, keeping his fingers linked with mine. The force between realms felt as if we were pushing against a strong wind, though there was no movement of air.
When we were finally through I found myself breathing hard with a pounding heart. It was dark, but I could make out the portal guard in his glinting armored uniform, who’d stepped aside to let the three of us in.
“Summer King’s orders,” our guide said to the guard. “They’re to see the Princess.” The two Fae shared disbelieved shakes of their heads.
I felt McKale’s grip tighten around my hand and it gave me strength. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. We were in, and so far I didn’t feel any different.
“Let us be on our way,” said our guide. Now that we weren’t in the King’s presence, the Fae male allowed annoyance to creep into his voice about the task of babysitting humans.
We followed him down the darkened corridor which was squishy underfoot and smelled of wet earth. When we came to the opening, our surroundings brightened and our feet halted. I’d assumed we were below ground, but I could see now that we weren’t. We were in a labyrinth of sorts—a series of intricate tunnels. The walls were formed by twining growths of plant-life, greens and browns, like aboveground roots that had looped and braided. And through spaces between the twists of vines I caught glimpses of a clear, pink sky.
McKale pulled my hand to keep up with the bronze guide. The Fae wasn’t waiting for us, and if we got lost in here we’d never find our way out. McKale’s other hand reached around his back as we walked and slipped to his waistband, pressing the button to activate his video equipment. I followed his lead, reaching up to rub the spot on my necklace that would turn it on. Now we just had to hope and pray that nothing in the strange land of Faerie would keep the electronics from recording. Dad assured us that his watches and other electronics had not stopped working or been broken when he’d entered in the past to deliver reports.
We wove our way through tunnel after tunnel, some tight and confining, and some wide open. Voices and magical music filtered down halls as we passed, and my steps grew lighter at the joyous sounds. Pleasant, foreign scents swirled past, as fragrant as spun sugar and budding blossoms. It hit me with a jolt that Faerie was messing with my mood in a good way, which was frightening in its own right. The air held the magical feel of a theme park, encompassed by promises of fun and adventure. It prodded me to let go and enjoy. After weeks of heavy, burdensome worries, the lightness was welcome.
Without my permission, a smile stretched out on my face as our tunnel widened and we came upon an opening filled with laughing voices and music more wondrous than any I’d ever heard. It sounded like songbirds and chimes and instruments that rang out in a way that caressed the wind. The sky burst with luminescent color above us—pastels shifting like clouds.
Our guide stopped to speak with a guard at the tunnel’s exit. I sidled closer to McKale, wishing we could dance. I wanted to spin and leap. McKale let go of my hand to shake out his limbs. He rubbed his ears before glancing at me.
“Robyn?” he whispered. “Is it affecting ya? Get a hold of yerself, love.”
What was he talking about? I was fine. I gazed at his multifaceted hair, autumn colors enhanced by the Faerie sky. How could I not appreciate the beauty of it all? No harm could come from enjoying the sensory of this enchanting land. Standing there in my gown, I was more feminine and alive than ever. I knew if my feet began to dance, each movement would be filled with unfamiliar grace. I wanted the bronzed Fae to hurry his chat with the other guard so we could see the Gala up close.
After our guide had finished debriefing the tunnel guard about our situation, the guard took an interest in me. His gaze held me in place, intense. Silky black hair spilled around his amour, and I couldn’t look away from his silvery eyes.
He held out a perfectly masculine hand to me, palm up. “This is a pretty one. So much taller than our Fair females. I think I might enjoy curves such as these. Greatly…”
Without thinking I reached out to take his hand, not wanting to seem rude. The last thing I heard was McKale hissing my name in warning.