Through the Fairy Ring

Chapter Twenty-Four

Frederick trotted in as I dropped into the chair between the kids' beds. He bumped his head against my leg, and rubbed first one side and then the other along my shin, a deep purr issuing from his chest.

"Did you hear that, Fuzzball? Arden feels for me like I feel for him. And there's nothing we can do about it. Still." I scratched around his ears and down his spine. His back arched and flattened depending on where my fingers were on his back. "Did you have a nice time outside?"

He gazed up at me, his amber eyes slitted with contentment, and then jumped onto the end of Meara's bed. He curled into a cozy cat donut with his back against her legs. I suddenly got an urgent need to touch the children myself. I needed to hold them, and know they were still here, physically rooted in our world, no matter where some of their body parts had gone.

I stretched one arm in each direction, taking each child's closest hand in mine, stroking tiny fingers. It didn't take long before my shoulders started to ache, and my arms grew tired. I let go of their hands, and pulled the covers off Garron, making sure to not look at the ends of his legs. I squeezed his chubby body to me, not hard enough to squish him, but tight enough my heart warmed with the love all children deserve - a love born of gratefulness, wonder and joy that the little human in my arms had been entrusted to me. A lump welled in my throat, and I pressed my lips to his forehead.

Please, please let them be all right.

What if Edlark couldn't really heal them? What would I do then? Or what if he got what he wanted and then refused to heal them?

I couldn't think like that. I had to believe Edlark would help us.

I laid Garron in the bed, next to Meara, and then snuggled into the remaining space beside him. I pulled Meara closer so my arms reached around them both, and rested my face against Garron's head.

Hope for the best and plan for the worst. That was what my Grandmother Michelli used to say, and it was good advice, especially now. I would go to Edlark and do what I must, but I wouldn't stop looking for an alternative solution. I wouldn't give up hope.

I snuggled with them for a few minutes, but the knowledge that the longer I delayed returning to Edlark extended their sickness pushed me out of the bed. I kissed both kids' cheeks, their skin smooth and cool under my lips, and retucked the blankets around them.

I didn't put Garron back in the other bed. With each in their own bed, they looked so lonely. Resting together in their Arden-induced sleep, they appeared stronger and supported by each other's company.

The door squeaked as I left—a protest to what I was about to do. I sucked in a huge breath of air and went to find Arden.

I heard voices in the foyer, so I peeked over the banister to see who it was. Even though Breeju should have left by now, it was always possible that she was lingering in the house. I really wasn't in the mood to run into her by accident. It was Arden and Jax, though, so I went downstairs and joined them.

Jax turned troubled eyes to me. "Good Morning, Hazel."

"I wish I could say it is, but right now it doesn't feel so good."

His lips disappeared under his bushy mustache as he pressed them together, and he nodded. "We were just discussing your return to Shee-Elan."

"Did you decide anything?"

"We don't want you to go alone." Arden's face was a dark cloud. "I'll go with you to make sure you get to Edlark's safely."

"Where are you going?" Tavi walked out of the kitchen, followed by Drostan. It was a veritable party, without any of the good humor and celebration. Maybe a funeral would be a better word. The death of my freedom.