Ascending Light

Laurel

Crysen was chosen to be Laurel's personal servant to atone for running away. He had yet to meet Laurel and was a little nervous. Shimmer kept him distracted with stories of his home until the guards came to take him to his 'mistress.' They were placed in the dungeons not far from where Zacesi and Laurel's room was. As Crysen ascended the stairs behind the guards he was struck with nostalgia for the familiarity. Laurel had been placed in the same room as he had been.

Laurel was sitting in the chair reading a book whenever they entered and she waved away the guards without looking up. Crysen stood there awkwardly for a long time while Laurel read and simply stared at her beauty. She was, like any other aura fae, dual colored with ombre hair that went from deep orange to equally deep red. Her eyes were red and with an orange ring around the iris and her skin was tanned. Her wings, which were folded lazily, were a deep red with orange veins. She wore black, which was more than likely Zacesi's choice of wardrobe.

When she finally looked up at Crysen it was with reservation and distrust. She said nothing for the minute she stared and Crysen had to resist the urge to shift his weight nervously. He was a prince. He was used to giving orders, though he rarely did, not taking them. But if he wanted to get everyone out of the castle and free Laurel then he would do what he had to.

The soft voice that spoke to him was shocking as Laurel said, "So you're the fairy that escaped this hell. I've met Gleam but I didn't know there was another light fairy."

Crysen swallowed and nodded. "Gleam is my cousin. I was his aunt's child, Amber."

Laurel considered this for a moment. "Amber? The one that went missing?"

"Yes. She ran away with my father Emery Onyx. She died shortly after my birth." Crysen felt a wave of grief but pushed it aside. "I'm sorry for what's happened to you."

Laurel's wrinkled her nose. "I'm angry but it's not your fault. I would've done the same thing. It would've been far worse if he'd succeeded with you. I know that."

Crysen smiled. "We'll get out of here, Laurel."

She looked away sharply. "Ha! And just how do you suppose we'll do that?"

Crysen glanced around the room and noticed a tiny little vine poking out of a crack in the wall. He flew over to it and touched it, feeling the feeble life force. Laurel watched him intently as he fingered it and gave it some of his power. It grew from a tiny speck to a long curl and Crysen let it hang from the crack and grow its way into the foundation. "Light Blossoms don't usually grow in places where dark fae reside."

Laurel's eyes widened as understanding dawned in her eyes. "Zacesi has no idea." She gave a wide grin and flew over to inspect the vine but didn't touch it. "Those things are all over the castle and Zacesi has no idea." She grinned at Crysen.

Crysen smiled back. "It'll take some time to get it prepared but when the rescue party arrives—and there are enough royals in here that they will have to come—we'll be ready."

Laurel looked at the vine intently. "Skye told me he had found hope. I'm glad to know his hope was real and not some half-concocted plan."

Crysen nodded. "I wish it were something greater but it's all we have. All I need is time to give the vine power."

Laurel nodded. "You'll have that. I won't need you all the time anyways. Zacesi gave me free reign over you in hopes that I'll punish you. He may take it upon himself to punish you when he realizes I won't, I'm warning you now."

Crysen nodded. "As long as my power is safe, that's all I need. I can handle the rest." He would have to in order to get them all out.

With their comradery established, Laurel sent Crysen back to the dungeons to work on the vine. Shimmer was delighted to see him back and asked all kinds of questions so that Crysen had to inform him of everything that happened and what he thought and how he felt. Skye seemed intent on informing them that his sister was a great ally to have because she could sense and influence emotions. That was, in fact, what aura fairies did. It was almost the opposite of empath fairies, who could sense a fae's emotional and physical well being, though they couldn't influence anything.