How tiny they were! She had expected giant, mythical monsters, but the Wisps were so delicate and beautiful. She felt a powerful sense of love blossom through her heart.
“Hello. My name is Seda,” she nervously announced, raising her hand in a hesitant wave.
“We know,” they said in unison, their high-pitched, ethereal voices echoing around her. “We have been waiting for you, child.”
If Seda wasn’t anxious before, she definitely was now. They all spoke as one and confirmed that the Corvids were right;they were waiting for her.
“What was it you wanted to talk to me about? Can you answer my questions, too?” she asked them.
“Your journey is not complete, child. You have more to learn. We are sad to see that you are not ready. Time is running short. You must return when all is unlocked,” they echoed around her.
“Unlocked what? My power? I’ve found my power. Can you tell me what it means?”
“The winged powers,” they replied. “But…” They paused as Seda’s heart thrummed like a caged drum.
“But what?”
“You’ll need their help to succeed. Return to us once you have all four stones and are in harmony with them. The heavens, the earth, and the dreams must unite alongside The Mother Goddess. Place the stone of protection into themagical door you were shown, and return all to the tree in which you were born. We will grant your wish when you come back,” they said.
“What wish?” she asked.
They didn’t answer.
Seda’s mind spun in confusion. They described a magical door she was shown…
Seda’s adrenaline suddenly surged, and her eyes widened as she realized what it was—the door Roya had led her to beyond the Gardvord.
But what was the stone of protection? She recalled that the door wouldn’t open, and there was a mark beneath the rounded part of the opening.
It was shaped perfectly like a… crescent moon.
Just like my moonstone.
Her heart raced with excitement. She had to find Kalon and get back her necklace. She knew it was important!
The pink mist began to swirl around her in a tornado of fog, with the Wisps blurring in the whirl. She felt dizzy as her hair knotted above her head. She watched the Wisps turn into blue ribbons flying through the air around her.
“Wh…” Seda tried to ask, hearing Elco’s roar behind her.
Blackness swept her under, dragging her into the darkness of sleep.
“There she is…” the familiar, deep voice said in her dreams. “Do you remember yet?”
Chapter 47
Luelle
“Ouch!” Luelle growled at the seamstress who stuck a pin in her side, likely on purpose. This was the third time she had poked her while being fitted for her dress.
“I’m sorry, madam,” the young seamstress said with an innocent look. Her large, blue eyes sparkled with mischief, and golden curls fell into her face as she knelt to finish hemming the bottom of the gown.
Luelle fought the urge to kick the woman.
The seamstress bit her lip and then shyly asked, “So you and the king are close, yes?” Her eyes shifted back to Luelle as she tried to hide her eager anticipation.
“Yes. HisMajestyand I have been friends since childhood,” she replied with an annoyed huff.
“I’ve heard he has been rejecting ladies and will not take anywomen to bed.” She went back to pinning the dress for Luelle, her pointed ear tilted toward Luelle.
