“It survived.” Trissa’s voice held so much awe.
In the center of the ashy black ground was a tree so rich in greens and blues that it looked fake. Like someone had just painted it with fresh globs of color and left it to dry.
“Is it like the Tree of Life?” I asked her as we set down near it.
“Their seeds were twins.” Jasper’s voice pinched with emotion.
“Twin seeds? I didn’t know that.” Trissa seemed to know what he was talking about.
“What’s a twin seed?” Elle asked what I was thinking.
My boots settled into the black, dusty ground as they crunched across the gravel toward the magnificent tree. “They say there was once a magical tree near the healing pools, which every thousand years grew a single piece of fruit with a single seed. If you used the seed from inside of it, you could grow a tree with magical properties.” He inhaled and then sighed deeply. “The last fruit, when opened, revealed two seeds, and it’s said the Tree of Life and this tree were grown from it.”
I didn’t know why his story made me emotional, but it did. Tears welled in my eyes.
“You said there once was a magical tree? What happened to it?” Elle asked.
“Dark war. It was the first thing to burn.” He looked wistful, and I found myself wondering how old he was and how he knew all of this.
We stood in reverent silence for a moment, just watching the leaves sway in the wind.
“I wonder how it was saved with no dome,” I finally spoke.
“The Queen, no doubt.” Trissa lowered her head in respect.
She had the power to cover this before the fire and darkness took it? Maybe because she knew, one day, I would need it?
I shook my head. “Okay, let’s do this.”
Elle straightened her spine, peeling open an old tome and flicking the pages between her fingers. “Okay, according to this, the tree will recognize your lineage. Merely placing your fingers onto the bark will activate your powers and transfer them from the Queen to you.”
Transfer them… what if it killed her? What if this wasn’t what she wanted? Or it wasn’t the right choice? What if—
A strong hand landed on my shoulder and squeezed. “She’d want you to do anything to save Faerie.” Trissa’s voice was firm, and I wasn’t sure if she was talking about my mom, the Queen, or both.
I nodded, looking to Elle. “Just grab the bark?”
She consulted her book once more and nodded.
Okay, that seemed easy enough. I unslung my backpack and set it on the ashy ground before wiping my sweaty palms on my pants.
“I’m just a temp Queen. After I get the crystals back and wake the real Queen, I’m giving the power back,” I told my three witnesses.
They all nodded, and I looked away before I could read more into their individual expressions. Stepping forward, I placed my hands on the bark without ceremony.
A shot of energy raced up my arm and into my head, and then everything went black.
There was only darkness for a moment because, from the blackness, I was pulled into a bright light. It felt like someone had hooked me behind the navel, and everything spun. It took me a second to realize I had touched a portal. That tree trunk wasn’t some normal wood. After the darkness, then flash of light, my feet slammed down onto soft grass.
What the…
I stood before the Queen. Long pink hair flowed down her back as blades of tall grass tickled her chin. She wore a confused expression, brow furrowed, hands up in warning. Her short blue summer dress flitted in the breeze of the open field we were in.
Her gaze roamed over me, and her confusion led to shock. Her entire face fell, hands shaking.
“Lily? Is that you? How long have I been asleep?”
Okay, I didn’t know what the hell was going on, but she looked real, and she clearly knew she’d been asleep.
“What is this place?” My voice was dreamy, sleepy sounding.
A sob formed in her throat, and she stumbled forward. “Lily? Are you my Lily?”
My throat clenched at the agony in her face as her hands flew to clasp mine. “You’re here?” she breathed, and then her mouth formed an O shape. “The tree. That means… how old are you? Oh my beautiful girl!” Tears rolled down her cheeks, and she pulled me into a hug, wrapping her warm arms around me.
How did you tell someone that you didn’t think of them as your mom? Someone who fought so hard to keep you safe, someone who loved you so much she hid you with her own sister in an effort to save your life.
You didn’t.
“It’s me,” I said.
Pulling away from me, she examined my face. “You’re so grown.” Worry pulled at the edges of her mouth. “Indra… she’s keeping me asleep.”
I nodded. “I just found out. We’re trying to wake you, but she’s been feeding you sleep potion for two decades, and we only have three crystals. It will take time.”
When I said two decades, she stumbled backward a little, nearly falling over. “I missed everything… missed watching you grow up?” Tears rolled down her cheeks, and at this point, I accepted the idea that I’d taken some portal into her mind somehow. I wondered if my body was still back at the tree but only my consciousness had traveled. That seemed most likely.
“Yeah…” I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t want to break her heart.
Her face brightened. “Your aunt, did she tell you all about me? Did she tell you how much I love you? How is she? I miss you both so much.”
At first, I was confused. My aunt? But then, I realized she meant my mother… A sob formed in my throat. “She’s… dead.”
Every single ounce of confusion or sadness
