Page 18 of Broken Veil
The roadto Bernwood Forest wound through the city, passing parks and quiet neighborhoods, following the main road until it didn’t. Carys watched from the passenger seat beside Duncan as the road narrowed, turning from four lanes to two lanes to one.
Civilization fell away, and the countryside emerged. Houses grew smaller and the trees loomed larger until finally all signs of urban life were left behind and the quiet English countryside surrounded them.
Rolling fields of verdant green and high hedgerows damp with morning mist. The lushness of England surrounded her. Barley fields nodded, and small orchards waved their leaves in the breeze.
Duncan pulled the van into an empty parking lot far off the main road, and every creature in the vehicle, magical and mortal, heaved a unanimous sigh of relief.
Godrik opened the van door, and Cadell bolted out.
Moments later, Naida was outside, kicking off her shoes and running for the trees. She didn’t even look back before she disappeared into the forest.
Laura, Duncan, and Carys left the vehicle and walked over to the sunny spot where Cadell was basking in the light and Godrik was taking deep breaths of fresh country air.
He glanced back at Duncan with a slightly abashed expression.
“The van is comfortable,” the wolf said. “Far more comfortable than most vehicles here. Thank you for procuring it and driving us to the woods.”
Laura squinted as she looked into the forest. “Does anyone see Naida?”
Godrik walked to her side. “Do not fear. The fae woman must be with the trees after so much time in town.” He glanced at Duncan. “I’m sure she means no offense.”
“I’m not offended.” Duncan locked the car and started walking toward the trees. “I know how hard it is for her to be on this side.”
Godrik handed Carys an envelope as the party headed toward the forest. “She was working on the translation last night. I escorted her to the park so she could concentrate away from the distracting human environment.”
Cadell whipped his head around to look at Godrik. “Did you try to change?”
Godrik smirked a little. “Perceptive.” He looked back at Carys and Duncan. “I tried. I wasn’t able to, but I did feelsomething. The dragon’s thought is not without merit. If the Morrígan’smagic continues to grow, there may come a time when shifters on this side of the gates are able to take their true form.”
Laura grimaced. “Well, that would be exciting.”
Carys walked across a grassy berm and paused next to a spiky blackthorn hedge where pale purplish-green berries hung from the branches. Honeybees buzzed around the leaves, and butterflies flitted along the top of the hedge.
No, not butterflies.
Or yes, butterflies, but… more.
It was just a flash, but Carys spotted a flutter of long wings as a purple-headed sprite danced from inside the hedge, popped its head out, then zipped away, disappearing into the shadow of the trees.
“Sprites in the Brightlands,” she whispered.
If sprites were on this side now, what else was coming through?
Laura walked over, copying Naida and removing her shoes when she reached the grass. She dug her feet into the earth and crouched down, putting her hand in the grass. “The ground here feels really alive. I think there’s a gate nearby.”
“I saw a sprite,” Carys said.
Laura looked up. “Really?”
She pointed at the hedge and nodded. “With the butterflies.”
There were more butterflies now, masses of them, dipping and dancing in the sunlight as Naida walked out from between the trees.
“There is.” Naida paused and leaned against a birch tree. Her color was the best it had been in days. “Sprites and nymphs in a nearby spring. The gate is small, but it’s very alive. Do you want to go through?”
Godrik, Cadell, and Duncan walked over when they saw Naida return.
“Elf, you look recovered,” Godrik said.
