Her mouth hung open, her eyes wide with wonder as she stepped in. “This has been here the whole time?”
“Yes, not even the pixies are allowed in.”
“Who tends to the gardens?”
“The dryads.”
She gasped and stopped on the stairs that twisted down to the main floor. “Can I meet one?”
She’s queen… but…
“I’ve never even seen one. Could one be here right now?” Without waiting for me to answer, she ran down the steps, running across the soft grass. “It smells wonderful in here.”
The courtyard within bloomed with life. Pink roses arched over the main stone path. Ivy curled down the pillars and along the stone benches. One lone fountain sprouted water from a blooming stone rose.
Watching Deirdre spin and smile reminded me of better days, back when my family was alive and well. Laoise used to spin like that. She had that same carefree beauty when she visited here.
Losing everyone at once had plagued me for a hundred years, and never once did I yearn for happiness, yet watching Deirdre, seeing the simple joy in her vibrant smile, I knew I wanted to grasp a future I didn’t deserve.
Before I could question my decision, I moved to her and grabbed her hand.
She stilled.
“There’s more,” I said, pulling her deeper into the gardens, past the hanging wisteria, its blossoms brushing our shoulders, and toward the ancient lilac tree that marked the place where everything had changed.
A soft breeze blew around us, the air thick with the heady, sweet scent of lilac.
“It’s so beautiful…” She turned around, soaking it all in.
Placing my free hand on the bark, I spoke the ancient fae phrase, and the tattoo on my back glowed. The bark warmed under my touch, becoming malleable. The breeze picked up asthe lilac tree creaked with magic, peeling open to reveal the gateway into the Dryad Realm.
“Is this really happening?” She squeezed my hand, her face lit in ecstasy.
“Welcome to the realm of the dryads.” I pulled her through, magic tingling every muscle.
Once we breached the gate, I released my hold and let her enjoy the view.
“Oh my.” She held a hand to her mouth, her eyes twinkling with awe.
Tall grass surrounded us, and the nearby trees rustled their leaves in greeting.
Massive sunset-colored sunflowers created a path up the hill. They turned to regard her, bowing forward as she gently grazed their petals with her fingers.
Each flower she passed, she touched.
The smile on her face widened.
She’s breathtaking.
I shook the thought from my head. Though I wasn’t sure why, I continued to fight this desire for her. She was my wife and my queen. Shouldn’t I at least try?
There is danger here.
Axelia’s voice entered my thoughts.
Did something happen?Searching through the thick foliage, I tried to sense the dryad’s location.
Come to the south, past the grove of evermoors. There is something you must see.
