Without hesitation, Deirdre grabbed the sides of her dress and started walking fast. She’d worn the red ankle boots Riddik had given her, which made our quick travel easier.
What’s wrong? Are you hurt?I called out to Axelia with my mind, wondering what could have the dryad so upset.
When she didn’t respond, I thought the worst, but then her silky voice entered my head.
It is better if you see for yourself.
We arrived at the tree line and I reached out for Deirdre’s hand. She stared at it, probably debating on whether she should hold it.
“I don’t know what to expect once we enter this grove. It’s safer if you stay close.”
“All right.” Dropping her dress, she gripped my hand.
Normally, the grove would be packed with gold finches and meadowlarks, creating a cacophony of sounds… and now… silence.
Needles from the evermoors covered the ground, making it impossible for grass to grow in this area. The tall trees blocked out the light. Though the Dryad Realm had no sun, the sky itself was always alit.
A fallen trunk blocked the path. I climbed over first, then held out my hand to help Deirdre, but of course she was already climbing down. When her feet landed on the ground, I took her hand again, gripping it tightly.
Another fallen tree, two more, a strange rot covering the next.
A coldness entered the grove and I stilled. The temperature never changed here. It was always warm.
Deirdre gasped beside me as Axelia showed herself. “She’s talking to me… in my head.”
“She does that. I find it a bit intrusive.”
Deirdre grabbed my arm, the primroses I picked falling to the dirt. Her nails dug into me, and I wondered what Axelia was saying.
“Show me,” I said, urging the dryad on.
Axelia turned and walked past the last set of trees.
The grove parted to reveal a rolling green hill.
Overhead, a storm brewed. Dark clouds coiled in the sky, streaking it gray. The air crackled with lightning, something I had never seen before in all my years living here. There had been rain but never a thunderstorm or a hurricane.
“What is that?” I asked out loud.
I don’t know, but something threatens the Life Tree. Our world isin danger. You must go to the southern lands and find out what is happening.
“What is she saying?” Deirdre asked, still holding on to me.
There was only one thing in the south that could cause dark magic to infiltrate the Dryad Realm: the Lich King.
I will let you know what I find,I reassured the dryad. “We have to return now.”
With Deirdre in tow, I started running back toward the gate.
“What was that?”
“I don't know. There are no storms here. Something is happening back home.”
Even running, we weren’t fast enough. Deirdre kept pace, but as panic clawed at my thoughts, an old fear rising to the surface, I scooped her up into my arms.
She squeaked at the sudden movement, but held on.
“Sorry,” I said, expanding my shadow wings and taking flight. “We need to move quicker.”
