The Last Daughter of Elysia

Chapter 16

It was a clear balmy night and Morgana gazed out over the field of chrysanthemums, peonies, daffodils, and jasmine. A breeze swayed the flowers, wafting their scent over the party. Glowing will-o'-the-wisps and fireflies bobbed through the flowers. Voices and music ebbed like waves on a beach. Yet, Morgana couldn't stop thinking about the dream she'd had the night before. It was the third dream she'd had about the witches. Initially, she'd thought her first dream was due to stress, or Elysia's magic, but now she wasn't so sure. It puzzled her that she was dreaming about the witches in the first place. She'd learned about them in history lessons. Morgana knew that the witches were evil, and many fae and faeries had sickened and died because of their magic. Perhaps the dreams were happening because Morgana was worried about Elysia's magic all the time. Worried that it would eat her from the inside out, like how the witches' magic had eaten the land.

Morgana turned back to the party where clusters of fae in fine suits and gowns had gathered in the courtyard. The chattering fae stood around gigantic golden flowers that were used as tables. Atop these were bottles of wine and vanilla cakes. Beyond the courtyard was a forest filled with Resnim, which were gigantic purple flowers that looked like lilies and were as tall as trees. Bordering the courtyard were clusters of Victra, tiny blue flowers that glowed like stars. There was a crowd around a gigantic spiky orange flower called Laseed that shimmered in the moonlight as if kissed by pixie dust. Two gnomes sat underneath a fern, playing the violin and drums, as sprites in all colors of the rainbow danced through the air.

"Here, take this." Aelys pressed a glass of champagne into Morgana's hand. She wore a beautiful gown that shimmered like stardust.

"Thanks." Morgana smiled and took a sip.

"I can introduce you to my friends, would you like to meet them?"

"Maybe later, if that's okay? I want to explore Native Grove. It's my first time here." Morgana eyed the spiky orange flower.

"Of course, later it is." Aelys smiled. "I can't believe this is your first time here. We have flowers from the Mortal Realm over there." Aelys pointed to the field of swaying flowers behind Morgana. "But the flowers in Native Grove only grow in Elysia because they feed off the magic in the land. I can show you around if you want? There's a path that goes through the Resnim Forest and leads to a lake."

Just then Brighid called out to Aelys. She was standing with a group of Aelys's friends, who all wore exquisite gowns and suits.

"You should get back to your friends." Morgana eyed the group of fae, who were looking at her curiously. No doubt wondering why Aelys was friendly with Morgana all of a sudden. But Morgana still didn't feel confident enough to mingle with Aelys's friends. Morgana swallowed the rest of the champagne, and a light buzz settled over her.

Aelys nodded. "Come find me, after you're done exploring."

"I will. And thank you for inviting me."

"Anytime, I want us to be closer from now on." Aelys smiled and squeezed Morgana's arm.

Aelys walked over to her group of friends, and Morgana wove through the party until she got to the stone path that went through the Resnim Forest. Ahead of her was a group of fae who pointed at the gigantic purple flowers that towered overhead. The group spoke in awed whispers. Morgana walked past them and the music faded as she went further down the path and deeper into the forest.

Hushed voices wove through the resnim. Up ahead was a fae couple, who wore fine suits and were arm in arm. Elderflower smoke puffed over their heads. Morgana fell back a step, not wanting to breathe in the dizzying smoke. There was a soft snap overhead and a large purple petal, the size of a blanket, fell. It was about to land on the couple in front but one of the fae waved his hand and the petal glided to the base of another resnim flower. The couple stepped off the path and melted into the forest.