Through the Fairy Ring

Chapter Thirty-Two

The sight of Breeju on the other side of the portal was like bad deja vu. Except her hair looped out of the ties that once held the blond strands smooth, and dark circles smudged the skin under her eyes. She wrung her hands together while she waited for us to enter the Realm. The fact she looked as exhausted as I felt was the only consolation to enduring her presence.

Why was she here, anyway? Had she figured out about me and Arden? I eyed her, wondering if she'd start screaming at me.

Drostan, who had not said much of anything since we left the Pixie house, spoke first. "Breeju? What are you doing here?"

She pushed at her hair, swooping one of the longer strands behind her ear. "I need to talk with Hazel."

"Me?" There it was. I prepared for some Fairy rage.

"Wait," Drostan said. "How did you know we'd be coming through here at this time?"

Breeju tossed her head. "I have my methods, none of which I'll tell you about, so don't ask."

"So you were spying on us?" Drostan glared at her.

She shook her wings out, and rolled her eyes. "Like you've never done something a little...sideways...before. But that's not what I need to talk about. Hazel, you can't go to Edlark."

"What? Why not?" I asked, confused. Why would she care what I did?

"I can't explain, but I'm asking you, please don't go."

"I have to. It's not my choice anymore."

"No, you don't. You can talk to Amena. I'll go with you."

Drostan's eyes narrowed. "Do you know where she is? I'd love to talk with her, but she's conveniently disappeared."

"The last time I saw her was at Arden's house, but she left before I could find out where she was going."

"She was at Arden's?" My heart plummeted into my tennis shoes. "What was she doing there? Did she see the kids?" I couldn't ask it, but the question that loomed over all others was if she'd healed them.

Breeju studied the ground. "She wouldn't. I asked her to at least see if she could reverse some of the venom's effects to give you and Arden more time to talk Edlark into letting them into Darag-Leigh, but she refused."

I gave a frustrated growl and stalked off. Breeju had just confirmed my thoughts. Amena would not show mercy to anyone. She was like any other person drunk on power—human or otherwise: hateful, immoral and, most-likely, criminal.

Breeju jogged to get in front of me. The fabric of her purple dress fluttered in the breeze she created. "No, Hazel. You can't go to Edlark."

"I'm going. Amena had her chance. You gave it to her. She's made her choices, and I've made mine."

She grabbed at my arm. "You don't understand..."

"What the hell are you so worried about, Breeju? Why do you care if the Pixies aren't allowed over here? None of this has anything to do with you."

I wasn't angry enough to miss Breeju wince.

"Does this have something to do with you?" I took a step toward her, and I knew I'd have to kill her on the spot if she'd said yes. "Did you do this?"

"No!" She backed away from me. "Why would I?"

Drostan crossed his arms. "Can't you heal the children? If Edlark can, then you should be able to. Why haven't you?"

Breeju's eyes skittered between the two of us. "Knock it off. I can't heal them, or I would have."

"You can't? Or you won't?" Drostan sneered.

"Stop it! I'm trying to help Hazel. That's all I've ever done."

"But you don't want me to go to the one person who can heal my kids, tonight even, if he wanted to. I can't wait for Queen Amena to decide she'll play nice."

"Just give her one more chance. Please. I'll do everything I can to make sure you have time to get Edlark to heal the kids if that's what has to happen." Breeju's eyes were wide, and she talked too fast. I'd swear she was scared, but of what?

I contemplated her offer—for about two seconds. I couldn't rely on her non-existent pull with the Pixie Queen to wait until the last minute, after the kids had all but disappeared. I tried to walk around Breeju. "No, I'm going."

"You can't." She grabbed my wrist. She was starting to freak me out. I yanked my arm from her grasp and met her wild gaze with calm determination.

"I can, and I will, right now. Don't follow me. You have my answer. Now leave me alone."

She recoiled as if I'd slapped her, her ruby lips in an unhappy pout. "All right. I'm not helping you anymore. You are on your own."

I shrugged and pushed past her. "Are you ready, Drostan?

"I am." He matched his pace to mine, and we headed off into the forest. Breeju watched us the whole time, her expression a curious mixture of anger and fear.