“That’s exactly the kind of thing to ignore,” Kendra said.
“But I want it,” Newel pouted.
“What about a scepter with a big emerald?” Knox asked.
“Resist the urge,” Kendra said.
Doren whimpered miserably.
Kendra led them to a curtain of clear water at the rear of the semicircle. The water doused her as she passed through, and the others came after, crowding into the humid alcove, ankle-deep in water. A tiny fairy statue stood near a bronze bowl in a niche opposite the waterfall.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Knox announced, “I give you . . . the back side of water!” He gestured at the waterfall.
Newel and Doren snickered.
“Hush,” Kendra said. “This is a sacred place.”
“Is that a statue of the Fairy Queen?” Tess asked politely.
“I’m not sure,” Kendra said, squinting at it. “But I know it represents her power.”
“Where do we go now?” Knox asked.
“We ask her for help,” Kendra said, clearing her throat. “Fairy Queen, I am here to cross through your realm to Titan Valley. I brought my friends and family as we agreed. Can you help us cross over?”
The air stirred and became rich with earthy aromas. A hand reached up out of the water, which seemed impossible because it was so shallow. Tess shrieked.
“It’s all right,” Kendra said. Crouching and taking the hand, she was pulled down into the water and almost immediately found she was being pulled up out of a pool of water by the Fairy King. The seamless transition from down to up felt strangely natural despite seeming illogical.
“Hello, Kendra,” the Fairy King said. “Welcome back.” He was dressed like a woodsman, with a dark brown cloak.
As he stooped and placed his hand into the water again, Kendra looked around for Bracken or the Fairy Queen. She saw neither, but there were four astrids standing nearby, golden wings tucked behind gilded armor. Kendra realized she was perfectly dry. The Fairy King helped Knox through, then Tess, Tanu, Vanessa, Newel, Doren, and finally Warren. They arose from the water completely dry.
“Look at the birdmen,” Tess whispered loudly. “They’re all muscly.”
“Welcome,” the Fairy King said. “Bracken asked that I apologize on his behalf. He and his mother are combating the remaining demons.”
“There are still demons here?” Warren asked. “After all this time?”
“Regrettably, yes,” the Fairy King said. “Several were entrenched when we took over the demon prison. A few took time to discover. Three major pockets of darkness remain here, preventing the Fairy Realm from becoming whole.”
“Can we help?” Tanu asked.
“I appreciate the sentiment,” the Fairy King said. “I do not wish to put you at risk. You have more than enough trouble to contend with outside of this realm. Come, I will lead you to Titan Valley.”
He guided them into a cheerful forest of tall, slender trees with silver bark and golden leaves. Abundant wildflowers of endless variety served as undergrowth. Shimmering fairies flitted among the blossoms, coaxing more vibrance out of them. Several drifted over near Tess, tittering.
Vanessa pointed. “The moss on that stone is getting brown. Isn’t this supposed to be the undying land?”
The Fairy King gave a nod. “Until darkness is expelled, this realm remains tainted. Sharp eyes will apprehend other examples.”
“It’s paradise, your majesty,” Newel said. “Don’t stare at the nymphs,” he added to Doren out of the side of his mouth.
“Almost paradise,” the Fairy King said sadly.
Kendra began scanning for imperfection amid the beauty. She noticed a few droopy blossoms, but overall the scene came close to a flawless ideal.
On the far side of the forest, the lane emerged onto a brilliant lawn, with flowering shrubs adding variety, along with some colossal sunflowers. In the distance, Kendra observed pillars of dark smoke rising into the pristine sky. Flames licked up at the base of the smoke.
“Those woods are on fire,” Kendra said.
“Now you see what consumes Bracken’s attention,” the Fairy King said.
“The demons are burning down your forest?” Knox asked.
“A great deal of power is colliding to try to expel them,” the Fairy King said. “I believe we will succeed, but it will require time and sacrifice.”
They turned onto another lane and crossed a brook using a bridge that spanned it in a single, graceful arc. Glancing down as they crossed, Kendra glimpsed a pair of naiads swimming upstream.
“The berries on this bush,” Vanessa said, approaching a shrub on the far side of the stream. The small black berries looked grainy. She picked one, and as she rubbed it between her thumb and two fingers, the berry disintegrated into cinders, leaving smudges on her hand.
“Very astute,” the Fairy King said. “This way.”
“What are those berries supposed to be like?” Kendra asked. “Why would that happen?”
“How are a few holdout demons having so much influence?” Tanu asked.
“Something is awry here,” the Fairy King said. “This was the demon prison not long ago. We’re working on it.”
Kendra kept watch as they continued along the lane. She saw so much beauty, the undying glory of spring she had beheld on previous visits. But she also noticed dead leaves, fallen blossoms, and an occasional dry patch of grass.
Warren pointed out a small tree where a few of the branches writhed like tentacles, reaching and curling. Knox hustled over for a closer look.
“Stay back,” the Fairy King warned. “That tree has fallen under unnatural influences.”
The squirming branches stretched toward Knox, but he stopped short of their grasp and moved away. “This place is messed up,” he muttered.
At length they reached a small, clear pond. “Your destination awaits,” the Fairy King said. “Simply walk into the water.”
Kendra looked back at the smoke from the fire. It seemed like the blaze was growing. “Tell Bracken I miss him.”
“I hope he will join you soon,” the Fairy King said. “Please keep all information about this realm, especially our recent troubles, to yourselves.”
“You can count on us,” Tanu said.
“Good luck,” the Fairy King said, backing away.
Kendra got the feeling he had other duties that needed attention. “Thanks. You too.”
She walked into the water. It felt like a normal pond at first, with a
