“He must see the wisps, but they won’t bother us.” Kenna landed on Fair’s saddle where the horses grazed beside them. He whinnied softly, giving the fairy a sniff. She patted his muzzle. “Hello, handsome Fair. Do you remember me? What is your friend called?”
“The other is Onyx. He’s Klyde’s horse,” Dyna said, removing the pot from the fire. It released steam into the air.
“You have gained new companions since we met last.” The princess sailed down to her and sat on a stone covered in moss. She canted her head, making one of her pointed ears poke out of her hair as she watched her stir the pot curiously. “What is that?”
Dyna lifted the ladle, letting it drip a thick sticky substance the color of honey. “I have brewed a special phloem. It’s a sap full of nutrients to create energy for your tree to grow and strive. Aerate the roots and apply this nourishment to the rot. It won’t heal your tree, but it will delay it from dying and prevent anyone else from falling ill.”
“Oh!” Keena flew up excitedly to look inside, her wings releasing sprinkles of gold dust. “How long will it last?”
“At least two seasons. It can be applied as often as needed.”
The fairy hugged Dyna’s cheek and gave her a kiss. “Thank you, Dyna.”
“Of course.”
Releasing her with a sigh, Keena returned to her mossy seat and sat down. Her sad hazel eyes looked up at her, and Dyna held her breath, waiting for what her tiny Guardian had come to say.
Keena looked up at the Aurora Tree as a gentle wind rustled the branches. Its steady light cast a warm glow over her dusky skin shimmering with pixie dust. “I thought about your offer … but … I cannot join you. My father needs me now more than ever.”
Her wings drooped, and so did Dyna’s shoulders. That was disappointing, but she understood. It wouldn’t be fair to ask her to leave her court behind when it was in such dire straits.
“But I brought you this.” Keena reached into a small woven bag made of grass that hung from her shoulder. She pulled out a green berry. “I noticed your geas is burning. Eat this. It will help relieve the pain.”
Well, that was unexpected. Dyna accepted the little offering in her palm. It looked like a green raspberry. “You can see Leoake’s geas?”
Keena stiffened, and her fingers brushed over her parted lips. “Only the geas, not who cast it. Why would you make a deal with him? Fae deals are tricksy, but everyone knows not to make deals withthat one.”
If only she had gotten that notice.
Dyna grimaced and ate the berry, finding it sweet and tart. “I admit, I was foolish when I struck a deal with him. I received only half answers in trade for a favor of his choosing.”
The princess sighed. “Oh, Dyna.”
“I know. The burning means the time has come to fulfill it, right? Should I be worried?”
“Knowing Leoake, it really could be anything. I can’t say much of his character. Mischievous. Mysterious. Sly. A courtier that makes it his business to know everyone’s business, while never sharing his own. I can’timagine what he would want. I have not known him to necessarily be cruel, but...”
That dastardly Druid may not have shown her cruelty yet, but he wasn’t kind either.
“You couldn’t command him to release me?” Dyna asked sheepishly.
The princess shook her head. “I’m afraid not. Leoake is not of my court. He does not answer to me. Regardless, a geas is a powerful spell. Such things cannot be easily broken, at least to my knowledge.”
Dyna groaned. Well, she knew as much.
“If you want to be rid of him, you must either give him what he wants, or trade for something else that he wants more.”
Dyna wouldn’t know where to start. Leoake didn’t reveal his secrets. He had already gained his freedom from King Dagden. What could be more valuable than that?
Perhaps a sweet little fox might know.
“I wish you luck on your journey,” Keena said, looking down at the scepter on her lap. She rubbed the stone. “If it’s not too much trouble, could I ask you to bring us pure soil?”
Dyna nodded. “I will do my best. But if you change your mind, we are on our way to Dwarf Shoe. We will catch a ship there in Kelpway.”
The princess rose into the air and gave her a small smile. “Thank you for coming, Dyna.”
Then she flew away toward her dying tree.
