The Incandescent | Book 7 | The Fairy arc

Chapter 7 ~ The Father and the Son

Morning sunlight rippled through the broken window in fractals. Drave was asleep in his own bedroom aboard the ship. Erasmo slept on the pillow beside him, until soft footsteps disrupted the restful slumber. Drave continued to sleep, ignoring the noise, but Erasmo woke up, hovering in alarm. His sparkles flickered when he heard movement from within the ship.

Erasmo tugged at Drave's shirt, but Drave pulled the bedcovers over himself, reluctant to get up. Erasmo gave him an irritated smack before arming himself with Ivyslash and opening the door, which made no noise since it was well oiled.

Erasmo peered around the door, sparkling in surprise when he saw a fairy. Purple energy flowed from her wings and body, moving around the ship and restoring everything that was broken or destroyed. Even the dented kitchen mixer straightened, becoming whole once again.

Ireyna turned around, seeing Erasmo at the bedroom door. She smiled as purple energy continued to flow from her, restoring everything it touched. The glow had shimmery sparkles in it as it flowed around the entire ship, leaving the bedroom untouched so Drave could continue to sleep undisturbed.

Erasmo slowly came closer, amazed by what Ireyna was doing. He sparkled happily, hovering around Ireyna like a butterfly. He tried to touch the purple energy, but Ireyna moved it away from him, blocking it with her wings. The purple energy began flowing back towards Ireyna, retreating into her wings and body. Ireyna closed her eyes, breathing deeply as the energy settled within her. She opened her eyes and looked at her work, satisfied with the completely restored ship.

"Let's go make pancakes," said Ireyna, walking towards the kitchen. Erasmo danced as Ireyna gathered ingredients. By the time Drave got out of bed, Ireyna and Erasmo made rosewater cardamom pancakes with oolong rose tea.

Drave stared in amazement at the sparkling clean kitchen, fantastically scented with desserts and tea. His blond hair was sticking up from sleep, making him look like a hedgehog. Erasmo came over and hugged Drave before returning to his seat. It was then that Drave finally saw Ireyna.

"Who are you? Where's Mara?" Drave asked, uncertain of the unexpected visitor. He didn't think she was a threat, since Erasmo seemed comfortable around her. But Mara was nowhere to be seen.

Ireyna came over to Drave. "Mara is safe with your father. I am Killian's wife Ireyna. I came to restore your damaged ship and bring you to your father and your sister."

Drave's eyes widened in surprise. "My father is here? On this planet?" he asked, hope surging within him.

Ireyna smiled in confirmation. "Yes, he is. I will take you to him. But first, tea!"

As Drave sat down and enjoyed a wonderful breakfast, Ireyna told him how she met Killian and married him, of their life together and what Killian had been doing all those years. Drave wanted to meet his father as soon as possible, but Ireyna encouraged him to finish his breakfast and to take his time getting ready, aware of how Killian would react to his son's return.

Though Drave knew he was in for disappointment, he had the faint hope that his father might still love him. Maybe because he saw Mara first, he might be more receptive towards me, Drave thought, refusing to let go of the small hope.

Ireyna sighed, knowing Drave was in for a letdown, but she agreed to take him to Killian's home upon Drave's insistence.

Drave carried a backpack with clothes and personal belongings as he flew alongside Ireyna. Erasmo held an elegant pink plate with leftover pancakes, carefully wrapped and tied neatly with a purple ribbon. Ireyna carried Erasmo as she led the way.

Neither the fairy, the Iredescent, nor the Vanquesha saw the invisible outline of the Glittered Inktraitor and the glowing blue butterflies surrounding him, watching them leave the ship and fly above the forest. The Glittered Inktraitor materialized, a surprised expression appearing on his face when he saw the fairy.