Secrets of the Great Oak

Chapter 42

Traverra was having a lovely morning when the four arrived through the Great Oak.

"Just in time," Saleh called from her usual spot on the blanket she always carried. All four of them greeted Saleh and joined her where she sat. "Are you two ready?"

Anna and Jake shared a look at the question.

"As ready as we can be," Jake answered for them.

"Well, the scent is definitely covered. The week of living together did what it was supposed to. Now, when you're in the city, steer clear of anyone as best you can. Don't draw attention to yourself. Only speak to others when you absolutely have to and do your best to keep your distance. Jake's scent is covering you well enough, but in close quarters, it will be easier to pick up on the fact that Anna is a human."

Jake nodded as he took everything in. Anna tried to remember to breathe.

This was it. There was nothing left to do to prepare except to take a breath and walk hand-in-hand towards the city that may or may not hold Anna's sister.

She wasn't exactly sure what she was hoping for. Of course, she wanted Maggie to be alive, but if Maggie was there willingly... if she was truly in love with this prince and left Anna behind for him... if she was genuinely happy...

Anna didn't have a plan for any of those things. She didn't even have a plan for getting Maggie out if they found her. Today was about identifying the princess. Everything else could come later. Anna held onto that hope as she reached for Jake's hand and began walking towards the city that could be her doom.

"Good luck," Stella called as they all waved their farewells to each other. Saleh would be staying with Noah and Stella while Anna and Jake went into the city. She thought that her presence might draw the attention of people she knew and bring about too many questions.

They were to pose as a mated couple from Alune, the city of water magic, there to see the capital city. Paintings of the royal family were placed in the Town Center in a museum of sorts. It was free to the public, but Saleh had given Anna and Jake some coins just in case something came up. Entering the museum should be an easy task, staying away from other fae while in it would be the tricky piece. That's where the week that Anna spent living with Jake would come into play.

Saleh said she smelled enough like Jake now that she herself would believe they were together if she didn't know better. The human scent is weak because it's attached to a mortal soul and, therefore, weak in its own right, Saleh explained. That's what Anna was counting on as the walls of the city came into view.

The Great Oak Forest was not far from the city. Probably a thirty-minute walk. At this time of day, the gates of the city were open, so there was no need to show ID or proclaim one's purpose as Anna and Jake sauntered in.

If the gigantic and ancient stone walls didn't give away the splendor of the heart of the kingdom that they protected, the sprawling city within them sure did. Stone and marble buildings lined the brick streets while colors burst for every nook and cranny. Wings. Store signs. Flags. Magic.

Magic was everywhere.

From glamours to shields to parlor tricks to children making sparks in the middle of the road.

There was laughter and merriment.

Even the shingles covering the roofs were colorful.

Buildings of whimsical shapes and sizes were on every corner. Windows were curved with different designs blown into the glass.