Page 90 of Light and Shadow
“This is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. Well, excluding the fairy glen.” My cheeks heat with the memory of that magical night, though it seems like a lifetime ago. “Does this spring feed that entire lake?”
As we walk along the north side of the spring, he says, “There are many springs underground that also feed Naomh Lake.”
As we turn south, Nainsi, Bert, and Fancor smile at us. Bert waves.
Three gray horses nearly as big as Gaofar munch grass near the spring.
Fancor strides toward us. “We were getting worried.” He pats the horse.
Aaran lifts me down to Fancor, who eases me to my feet.
I throw my arms around him. “I’m happy you are here.”
“Well, that’s nice.” He pats my back and blushes.
I hug Nainsi and Bert. “Where is everyone?”
Aaran lets Gaofar join the other horses, then shakes hands with Fancor and stands beside me, waiting for the answer.
Nainsi says, “The true queen sent carts and horses to transport us early this morning. Jax and the soldiers accompanied them to Tús Nua. We wanted to wait and reach the city with you.”
My heart aches a little from the sweetness of this gesture. “I’m happy to see you.” I feel Aaran’s trepidation before he speaks.
“How many did we lose to those portals?”
In a long silence, Bert and Nainsi look at the ground.
Clearing his throat, Fancor crosses his thick arms. “It’s a damned shame to get that close and…” He takes a breath. “We lost eight. Avon, four freed elves, and three of the littles, including Tal.”
It feels as if my heart will spill out on the green grass. I clutch my chest. “They were meant for me.” I crumple to the ground. That monster has three of those babies. “It’s bad enough to be an adult in her clutches, but the children. Tal is so strong, but how does a child survive amidst such evil?”
“They were taken to hurt you. There’s a difference,mo chroi,” Aaran says.
Nainsi crouches to meet my gaze. “We’ll get them back.” She sounds so certain I almost believe her. “Right now, you need to pull yourself together, and we all need to go to the city. You must give the people hope that we can defeat the witch queen, Harper.”
“I don’t know if I can pretend to be something I’m not. I’m nobody’s hero, Nainsi. Those people in town are expecting some kind of magical miracle. Won’t they be disappointed when they see it’s only me?” I feel as if the world is crashing down around me. This is all too much.
Her lips pull into a straight line. “Do you think they are the only ones under the thumb of evil? My parents died for this cause. Many more will die before this is over. If you can’t standup and walk into the city as a sign of hope, then we may as well send you back to New Jersey.”
“Nainsi.” Bert’s voice is soft but admonishing. “Enough.”
She takes a deep breath, and her expression softens. “Forgive me. You have been through a lot since you came here. More than you should have endured. All I’m asking is that you be the Harper Craig who walked through that portal in the woods outside of Clandunna because she had to save the village.”
It seems like a lifetime ago, but it was less than a month ago. Home seems like a distant memory. Sometimes it feels like I was in my condo a moment ago. Right now, it could be a lifetime in the past. It all feels the same. I shake my head to clear the stupid thoughts. Wiping my face, I stand. “You’re right. I came here to help. Everything I went through, and whatever our friends are enduring now, would be for nothing if I give up now.”
Nainsi pulls me into a brief, fierce hug, turns, and mounts one of the gray horses.
Grinning, Aaran takes my hand.
“You’re not disappointed in me?” My courage faltered. He should be disgusted.
With a shake of his head, he leaps onto Gaofar’s back. Once I’m securely seated in front of him, he whispers in my ear. “Fear is normal. Worry over our friends is expected. I never had any doubt that you would stand up. Never.”
That’s more than I can say. I had nothing but doubts. I lean into his chest, and we ride for Tús Nua.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Harper
