Faire Eve Read online

  Reaching down to cradle Eve’s tiny body in her arms, Aibell cringed at the sight of Eldon’s pain. The warrior had fallen in love at last, only to lose his love to the darkness. Eldon stood and let Eve’s weight shift into Aibell’s loving arms.

  The Valkyrie could not hold back her own pain and a tear escaped her eye as she acknowledged Eldon’s fears, “I will care for her well, warrior.”

  He fisted his hand over his heart and bowed with deep respect, “Thank you Priestess Aibell. You are kind.”

  Aibell turned to walk back onto the winds that would carry her and her charge to the land of the dead. In the distance, three cyclones appeared. Their dance brought them in rapid dizzying secession to the banks of the dragon’s blood. They surrounded the rotting carcass and their powerful gust swept the land bare of Tiritchiq’s taint. A siren’s song echoed through the air and all held still as the stink of battle magic lifted from the air.

  Elsie stepped forward. She was old and wise. Her magic handed down from generation to generation, but through all her years, the voice of Sayella had never blessed her. In the song of the siren, Elsie had heard the crystal voice and saw how to save their beloved new queen. Aibell did not resist when the old woman took her by the arm and led her to the bank opposite the cyclone sisters. She also did not protest when the woman told her to place Eve’s body into the black currents.

  Eldon looked as if he may move to stop Aibell but Faya’s hand on his chest stopped him. The slight pressure sent a shock of pain through his wounds and while he gasped for breath, Eve’s body slipped down into the blackness. The others around them stood silent, not understanding what was happening, but not brave enough to interfere.

  Those who had watched Eve heal the Ki’Lin, including Eldon, suddenly knew what Elsie intended. The song grew higher and crested in a note as pure as love itself. The black fluid bubbled and began to clear. As it churned in a whirlpool around Eve’s body, the pitch black turned to murky gray and lightened again to a silver gray. The people of Evalon held their breath and watched as, in the final transformation. the river turned to the arctic blue of the dragon’s eyes.

  Eve’s golden eyes opened and her body lifted of its own volition from the water. Her ebony wings spread wide and the crystal blue water dripped from the white-laced tips. Her body healed and whole again, the Sidhe Queen of Evalon rose from death and looked out on her kingdom. As if walking on air, she came to float above the banks.

  When she spoke, her midnight voice commanded, “Bring to this river those who have been touched by the Tiritchiq’s curse. Wash their deaths away and wake them. Welcome those you love back home to an Evalon that is forever free of darkness’ chaos. I christened this river the Elven Frelse, the River of Salvation.”

  23

  After the battle, survivors brought the frozen victims of Tiritchiq’s fire, the wounded, and those who had fallen into the Nádcha Večný to bathe in the waters of the Elven Frelse. Queen Mave and King Midir returned to their rightful place as rulers of Evalon, bestowing the title Queen of the Elven Frelse upon Eve until the time came she would once again rule all of Evalon. Eve stepped down from the throne with graceful relief. Ruling the grand river was honor enough for the worn and wary girl.

  Bibesia and Edesia flurried and flounced as they prepared the nightly Beltane feasts and parties. The halls of Trig Na nOg filled with laughter and light once again. The magic of the land lay safe within the hearts of the Sidhe, and though darkness still lurked, they had pushed it from the inner lands.

  Eldon healed quickly after a dip in the water and he spent every waking moment in the presence of his love. He held her hand the first time she met her grandparents, stood as her guard as she met with the fey people, and twirled her across the ballroom each night. Eve grew to love Mave and Midir despite the things they had done to her mother. The royal couple admitted their wrongdoing and instantly lifted the ban they had placed on Clarisse. They sincerely wished for their daughter and her husband to come to Evalon, together.

  The days flew by and Eve’s return grew nearer. The passage of time in Evalon was slower than Upper World but Eve knew she could not put off going home any longer. In the fey world, she was a young queen. In Upper World, she was a teenage girl with strict parents and homework. Yath, after a tearful goodbye, went home to his people. Aibell returned to the gate of Asgaurd, promising to visit Upper World for a shopping spree as soon as she completed her year as gatekeeper.

  Eve stood at the edge of the portal, tears staining her cheeks. Eldon held her in his arms, his own heart heavy with her departure. The others waited patiently, knowing the young lovers needed time. The past two weeks had been a blur of fury, pain, and victory, but the love found within the destruction had made it worthwhile. He kissed her again, lingering on the soft sweetness of her lips before finally releasing her to bid farewell to the others.

  She spent every weekend and half of the summer in Evalon afterward. Her mother and father often joined her. The family strengthened and grew. Old wounds healed. Eldon pledged his love to her on the very balcony she had once dreamed of and the two of them set a date for the following June.

  After sixteen years of being denied the magical things in life, Eve spent days wandering among the flowers of her grandmother’s gardens. She danced naked in the center of fairy circles and beneath full moons to celebrate the fey holidays. She walked through portals into the arms of people who loved her and even the darkness still living inside her seemed somehow priceless in its midnight beauty.