Delphinium, or A Necromancer's Home (TCoLaD Book 2)

Midspring and Summerfinding

~ Vijfday, 31st of Aprilis, 11831 ~

They entered the forest without candles or torches, the stars and a small crescent of waning moon the only light to guide them. Síofra led the way, holding onto Lizzy's hand and telling her when there was a root or brush in the way so she would not trip.

Tonight was Midspring Night—Floralia. At dawn the next day, in Faery, they would begin celebrating Summerfinding.

Síofra had wished to go home and partake in the celebrations, inviting Elizabeth along with her. The other girl had hesitated at first, worried that she may not be able to return if she entered Faery. Given that they had met Salome the day before, who had just returned from Faery after being taken for weeks, it was not that unusual a worry. But Pierre himself had told her to go, that Síofra was the future margravine and that gave her a certain amount of authority over the difference in the planes.

He also assured her that he would be fine.

Lizzy smiled. The more pressing thought had been that if she disappeared for a time it would hurt Pierre most. And that there was enough going on in Spadille that it might be a betrayal to go have fun. But Pierre had declined the further extended offer to come as well, yet urged her to go.

"How do you know when you will be in Faery?" Lizzy asked. She stepped on a rock and hopped down, though was almost pulled off by the other girl in her haste, "And slow down!"

"Oh, sorry!" Síofra turned and smiled at her friend before starting to walk slower. "And as for knowing we are in Faery—it is a feeling. Like a rush of warm air. And lights! It will be night, but it will be almost as bright as the day for our Summerfinding. Not only bonfires, but fireflies, and the stars will be brighter than here.

"I just need to find the right spot," she continued. "A place where the planes are almost touching and only need my wish to take that extra step."

They continued on further into the forest. An unusually warm breeze kept them company. Síofra followed it.

"Here!"

They stood on the edge of a small creek. Frogs chirped and a fish's scales caught the moonlight. The warm breeze died and was replaced with a chill.

She turned to Lizzy, winking, and held out her hand. "Take it. On three we will jump from one edge to the other and be home."

Lizzy placed her hands in Síofra's and the older girl clasped their hands tight. "Do not let go. If you hear someone calling you, ignore them."

"Igno—"

"Un, deux, trois!"

They jumped, and landed on the other side, stumbling but keeping upright, the fairy's hand never letting go of her dear human friend. Síofra turned around and her face fell.

"We are not in Faery," she said in a whisper. She looked around—the forest was exactly the same. They had just hopped over the creek and nothing happened. She walked a few paces further into the forest, still not letting go, her free hand out as if wanting to reach into the other world.

"I cannot get through." Tears filled her eyes. She had never been rejected like this.

Lizzy pulled her into a hug. "Perhaps we are needed at home? Faery has a will of its own, you said. And I am not too certain, so it may be my fault, Síofra, do not fret."

"I suppose..." She did not sound convinced, biting her lip and looking around. She had, at times, not been able to enter the human's plane, but never had she been locked out from her home. She had been there only two weeks ago and found the same feeling, the same breeze, walked right into the field by their home.