Spell Bound - Chapters 13 & 14
This is the final part of our spy story. We hope you’ve enjoyed it…and if you missed a week, they’re all available in Kindle Unlimited.
This Saturday is our Garden Tea Party from 9 am to 3 pm PT in our Facebook group. We hope to see you then!
And here is the next part of our story.
Chapter 13
As they reached the edge of the next meadow, Nora and Hob slowly lowered them to the ground. “We should walk from here,” Hob said.
Felicia looked at the tall trees up ahead. “I’ve never seen such large oaks, and they’re all growing in a circle.”
“Yes, they are,” Nora agreed. “And I’ve missed seeing them more than I realized.”
“Looks like we’ll have a welcome after all,” Hob observed as three pixies approached.
“What is your business here?” the one in front asked, then smiled. “It’s about time you got back!”
Hob reached out and shook his hand. “Good to see you, Daniel.” He glanced over at Nora. “It took us a little longer than we’d expected.”
“And we brought a friend,” Nora said. “This is Felicia, and it’s thanks to her we made it back at all.”
Daniel looked back at the other two pixies. “Inform the queen.”
As they turned and headed back to the trees, Felicia’s eyes widened. “The queen?” she asked, smoothing her hair.
“Tell the queen we’ll be there shortly,” Nora said, taking Felicia’s hand. “We need a moment to freshen up.”
As they walked over to one of the trees, Felicia asked, “Do you normally ask the queen to wait?”
“Well, she is my aunt.” Nora smiled. “Trust me, she’ll understand.”
Gesturing for Felicia to follow, Nora climbed up a small staircase that wound around the base of the tree. “There’s a guest area up here. We haven’t had a reason to use it much lately, but it will be a good place for us to talk.”
Felicia walked into the large space and smiled. “This is charming. It’s part of the tree, but it’s not. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“I prefer the light, but it’s safer underground,” Nora replied. “However, during the day, we should be fine here.”
“Safer?” Felicia looked out of an opening in the wall that framed a beautiful view of the meadow. “Safer from whom?”
“Those faeries we saw are just one of the problems we’ve been having,” Nora replied, “but that’s not what I want to talk to you about. At least, not now.” She hesitated.
“What is it?” Felicia asked.
“I don’t want you to tell the queen that I guided you to the book.” Nora looked a bit uncomfortable. “That’s kind of cheating. I was supposed to wait for you to find it on your own, but I wanted to get home so much…” She glanced around. “I’ve missed it.”
“I can understand that,” Felicia replied. She took Nora’s hand. “I’ll say I found the book and started looking through it. You just happened to be there, when I said the words.”
Nora let out a breath and smiled. “Thank you. We should probably go.” As Felicia turned back towards the stairs, Nora shook her head. “Not that way. Follow me!”
Felicia watched as Nora pushed against one of the walls and it slid open. A narrow bridge was suspended between their space and another big branch of the tree. “We use these to save time.”
They crossed three bridges and ended up in another tree. Nora knocked on the trunk and a door opened.
“You’re just in time,” Hob said. “The queen is talking to Daniel, but she wants to see us as soon as they’re finished.”
Nora nodded. “Have you heard anything about the apprentice?”
“Only that…” Hob stopped talking as a beautiful pixie with dark red hair entered.
“I’m glad you made it back.” The queen smiled at Hob, then walked over to Nora and hugged her. “You’ve been gone a long time.”
“We were delayed,” Nora said. “And we have bad news. The apprentice’s handbook is missing…along with the apprentice.”
“Actually, we have the book,” the queen replied, “but the apprentice has betrayed us and joined the faeries. She turned her attention to Felicia. “And who is this?”
Felicia took a step forward and curtsied. “I am the new apprentice.”
Chapter 14
The queen glanced from Felicia to Nora, then smiled. “We have much to discuss. Why don’t you join me for dinner?” She looked back at Felicia. “I will bring the book and maybe you can give us some insight as to its secrets.”
Felicia nodded. “I will do my best.”
“Until tonight,” the queen said, then turned and glided out of the room.
Nora and Hob exchanged a glance. “Let’s show Felicia around the meadow,” Nora suggested.
“Exactly what I was thinking,” Hob agreed.
Felicia followed them to another door, which opened into a long hallway. At the end was a platform and an opening to the outside. “Hold on to the railing,” Nora said.
The platform started descending rather quickly and Felicia grabbed onto the railing. A few seconds later they were back on the ground.
“Our emergency exit,” Hob explained. “We’ve used it for years.”
Nora looked over at Hob and smiled. “It’s still my favorite way to travel.”
Felicia’s legs felt a little wobbly, but she was glad to be back on the ground. “You two have known each other for a long time?” she asked.
“All our lives,” Hob replied.
“We’re cousins,” Nora explained. “He used to jump up and down as the platform lowered and try to scare me.” She smiled. “But I got him back.”
“She made my side disappear one time,” Hob admitted. “Of course, she would never share that bit of magic.”
“Sworn to secrecy,” Nora said. “And I didn’t want it used against me.”
Felicia was still focused on them being cousins…which meant Hob and Nora weren’t romantically involved. A part of her was more interested in that information than she cared to admit.
“It must have been wonderful growing up here,” Felicia said, looking around. “It’s all so beautiful.”
The circle of trees took up one edge of the meadow. Flowers and tall grass went on for as far as Felicia could see. She knew there was a creek with willows beyond…or was it on the other side. She turned and tried to make them out, but all she could see were more flowers. As she continued to turn, there was more grass beyond the trees, then the edge of what looked like a very large forest.
“Where do the faeries live?” Felicia asked.
“Why do you want to know?” Hob replied.
“Ignore him,” Nora said, frowning at Hob. “I think the last apprentice has us all a bit jumpy.”
“Sorry.” Hob shook his head. “That was rude. The faeries live on the other end of those big woods, which wind around and lead back towards the portal. That large meadow we landed in divides the portal from their lands.”
Felicia nodded. “Thank you. I’m just trying to get a map in my head, so I have some kind of reference.”
“We can do better than that,” Nora offered. “Before dinner, I’ll show you some of the old maps.” She glanced at Hob. “What do you think?”
“I think it will be a good way to explain our history with the faeries,” Hob replied. “Although, I’d much rather take a walk in the meadow right now.” He turned to Felicia and smiled. “I think a walk is exactly what we all need. It will give us a chance to get to know each other.”
Felicia wondered if he was being charming or careful. Probably both. She realized she rather liked that combination.
Nora started laughing and ran ahead. “Last one to the creek does the dishes!”
Felicia and Hob chased after her and for the next hour, they had fun. Felicia had never seen anything like this place. It wasn’t just being four inches tall in the meadow…it was everything. The flowers were lovely and seemed to be more interesting the further they walked. The sun was warm. The breeze was perfect. She smiled and decided to enjoy every moment. It would give her something to remember when it was time to go home.
Read another two chapters next Thursday!