THE SECRET SEA: EXPANDED EDITION

71

Sleepyhead. Always nodding off everywhere but in my arms. Come on Tim, I know we planned to take a long rest, but enough is enough!

I'm dreaming again. I see Eve gasp, perched on a steep roof in the freezing cold. She grasps the splintering frame of a belltower and steadies herself as the wind whips straight through her thin pajamas. Below her are rows of Victorian homes, their roofs arching into points, almost as if they are reaching for her. Big Ben looms in the distance.

"London? What the hell?" says Eve, shuddering. She looks down from the precipice. There's seemingly no way down. A tear streaks her cheek. "Tim? Varn? Somebody help!" It's the dead of night and no one can hear her. All I can do is observe her plight. The streets below look so small—scratch marks across a slate.

She winces in pain and nearly topples off the roof before reclaiming her grip. While finding her balance, she searches to her side and gasps. Massive wings are jutting from her skin, their iridescent feathers waving in the wind.

Time skips ahead. I watch Eve awaken with another chill. A blanket of gray clouds rush beneath her and the air bites her face. A thunderous sound propels her forward. She's flying.

"Oh my god," she gasps. Her feet are talons and her body is covered in sharp quills. A tear flies from her cheek as she blacks out once more.

Now Eve is looking in a mirror. Half-lidded eyes shine a golden glow as she gazes at her reflection. She steels herself, fighting back panic as she grips the edge of the sink. "Pteridophia, I know you're there. You're alive!"

Eve, please don't be frightened.

Eve watches her mouth move in the mirror but hears no sound, only senses a voice in her head. Somehow, I hear it too.

Yes, it's me, Pteridophia.

Eve's face contorts and she shakes her head. "Impossible! Queen Suzerain told me your soul had succumbed to my own...that it was gone forever and only your knowledge remained!"

Something in the world has shifted, and I believe it was your doing. A great veil was lifted and my thoughts emerged once more. I struggled for a time to find my place within your body. I'm sorry if I scared you. My fear overtook me and I decided to fly until my strength gave out. After realizing I had left you stranded and alone, I took control again temporarily to get you back home.

"You...you can't do that," says Eve, her lip quivering. "This can't be happening."

I'm sorry Eve. I never expected to return either. I'm afraid we're stuck like this for a time, at least until my energy fades. It won't be long. I've searched your mind. You've been so brave and so passionate. The Queen led us astray but you saw through her. Your actions were justified and this world owes you everything. I'm glad I have a chance to say goodbye.

"Oh, Pteridophia," sighs Eve. Her fear shifting to sadness. "You're dying? For real this time?"

A small price to pay. My mother's soul is safe and the world I adore so much will continue on, until its natural end. The Antecedents brought the end upon themselves by meddling with reality. They don't deserve a reset world. I'm relieved you uncovered the truth.

"There must be something I can do to help you."

Well, before I go, it might be nice to say goodbye to those who helped raise me–the faery folk. I think I was trying to reach them when I emerged from the void in a frenzy. Would you like to accompany me to the Mên-an-Tol stones? The faeries are sure to receive us with open arms. Tim as well.

"But, we hastened their doom! Magick is dying."

Magick is fading but in time it will return, all thanks to your efforts to stabilize the energies the Antecedents shifted out of balance. You and Tim saved both planes of existence—the faeries will hold no grudge against either of you.

"Then yes! Of course we can go. I assume...we'll fly?"

Correct.

I feel myself being pulled away from the scene. My helpless voyeurism comes to an end.

I'm shaken awake. An old edition of National Geographic droops off my middle to the floor as I look up at Eve.

"Wake up, doofus. I'm a bird now."

I rise up and wipe the drool from my mouth. "Sorry, I keep falling asleep everywhere except the bed. Wait, what did you say?"

"Tim, Pteridophia is alive! I remember everything now. It's a miracle!"

"Right, of course," I whisper, wide-eyed. "Somehow I know. I saw you both together."

"Whatever. Let's go!" Eve grabs my wrist and pulls me off the couch. "Find something warm to wear, like, ski-trip warm."

I raise an eyebrow. "What?"

Eve laughs. "Just meet me outside."

"But you're still just in a t-shirt, Eve."

"Hurry up!"

I step outside onto the porch in Eve's magenta winter parka and snow pants. A towering bird creature is standing on the lawn. "Right. You're part crow now, or something."

"You're not surprised?" Eve's voice sounds the same, if a little more bass-heavy. Her transformation is somewhere between an Aloja, human and bird, containing vestiges of all of them.

"Eve, nothing could surprise me at this point. Not even a moose-sized bird with my lover's eyes."

"Pteradophia says hi. I think I can only hear her in my mind. Do you hear her?"

"I don't know how, but yes, I can hear her too."

VarnLiqn shakes his head. "I hear no bird."

"Thank you, Pteradophia," I say. "We wouldn't have a future without you."

You're most welcome.

I rub my neck. "So Eve, you look cool like that, but it's not permanent, is it?"

Eve mutters to herself for a moment. "Nope," she says. "Are you ready to go?"

VarnLiqn jumps on Eve's shoulder. "RIDE BIRD."

I smile. "I guess you remember him too, now?"

"Yup, how could I forget!" Eve nuzzles the racoon with her feathery cheek and it giggles unsettlingly.

I awkwardly climb on Eve's back and lock my limbs around her. My SKI ANTHONY LAKES toque is secured to my scalp. "I can't believe this. Where are we going exactly?"

"The Mên-an-Tol stones in Cornwall, England. Pteridophia has family there. Faerie folk. She wants to see them again before the end."

"The end of magick," I sigh. "I can't imagine they'll be too happy to see us."

"Pteridophia swears it will be alright. Besides, we have VarnLiqn with us...he's practically a faerie anyway."

"Practically," says VarnLiqn proudly.

"Fair enough," I say, strengthening my grip on Eve's muscular shoulders as she spans her gleaming wings. Soon enough, I'm screaming in terror as we glide through the sky.