My heart clenched, and I was about to turn away, but then he rasped, “I love you, Little Primmy.”
I froze, and tears threatened to choke me right there. He hadn’t called me that in so many summers, but when I’d been growing up, it’d been his favorite moniker for me.
Somehow, I managed to swallow my response, but I fell to the floor on my knees and clutched his bony hand. Despite trying to maintain my composure, my voice grew thick. “I love you too, and I’ll be back soon. You’ll be on your feet again and back to normal before you know it.”
I pressed a kiss to his hand. Hot, dry skin greeted me, but the hint of a smile ghosted his lips.
Tears threatened to overwhelm me anew. Hastily, I stood again and blinked away the moisture that stubbornly refused to abate.
I cleared my throat and gave him a buoyant smile that captured all of the fierce optimism swirling through me. “I’ll be off then, Uncle, but I’ll see you soon, and next time you see me, I’ll have the Stone with me.”
CHAPTER TWO
My aunt followed me outside, both of us jogging down the steps leading up to their home. Commotion from the streets filled the air. Fae either walked by in rapid strides, rode astridedomals, traveled in hired carriages, or flew by on enchanted carpets. The activity caused the narrow lane to feel congested and busy.
Artists were hard at work too. Already, several fae who lived in our neighborhood were lined up at their open-market stands that they often employed until lunchtime.
Most of the artists were painting, sculpting, or weaving. It was a common sight as many of the local creators took advantage of our realm’s magic, which was replenished each morning at sunrise.
Vissy, just two homes over from ours, sat on her stool as the tangy scent of her telekinetic magic swirled in the air and tingled the breeze that hit my cheeks. Long black hair felldown her back. She had a painting half constructed and already infused with her magic. The idyllic rendition of the Clawfur Mountains had nymphs dancing near a waterfall. The painting had come to life. Quite literally. The small creatures twirled among the trees she’d created, swinging from branch to branch or hanging from vines while laughing. It would make a beautiful addition to anyone’s home.
Vissy must have felt me watching her because she glanced my way, and her full lips lifted in a sad smile. She called over the street’s commotion, “How is he this morning, Prim?”
I opened my mouth, but Aunt Gwen beat me to answering. “The same, perhaps a little worse.”
Vissy bobbed her head, and her painting hand fell to her lap. “I’m sorry to hear it. I pray to the gods and goddesses every night that they’ll find a cure.”
“Thanks, Vissy.” I dipped my head. “Please continue doing so.”
She blew me a kiss, then lifted her brush again and returned her attention to her canvas.
Other neighbors walking by also murmured greetings and words of condolences. After the third fairy we knew uttered his sympathy, my smile grew strained. They were already talking as if Uncle Timith was dead.
Behind us, the door to my aunt and uncle’s home banged closed, and Verin raced down the stairs with the last of my supplies. She’d already placed most of my things near the lane’s cobblestones.
I shaded my eyes and glanced up the street, looking for Ree. My best friend had said she was going to see me off this morning, but there was still no sign of her.
“Do you see Ree?” I asked my aunt.
Gwen also craned her neck. “No, but perhaps Siam was fussy again this morning, and Harrietta’s running late. You know how it is with little ones.”
My shoulders sagged, but she was right. Life for Ree had drastically changed since she’d become a mother.
“But Opalin and Roosep are definitely coming to see you off,” my aunt added. “They wouldn’t miss saying goodbye.”
Remembering that our dear family friends would also be here buoyed my spirits, and I ducked into the small storage compartment beneath the steps leading to my aunt and uncle’s home to grab my new enchanted carpet. Its heavy weight and thick fibers made carrying it difficult, but once I had it on the lane and had made enough room to unfurl it, its magic activated.
Lifting, it hovered over the busy street, a hand’s length above the cobblestones. Using my telekinetic magic, I transported all of my supplies at once and set them on the carpet. Once everything was in place, I whispered another command, and invisible magical bands wrapped around my belongings.Good. I would need that magic to keep everything locked together because I planned to travel fast.
“Will that be all you need, my lady?” Verin asked, her gaze on my toes.
“Yes, thank you for your help.”
She thrust a bottle forward. “I packed this for you to drink along the way, in case you get thirsty.”
The opaque bottle concealed its contents, so it could have been anything from water to wine, but I appreciated the gesture. “Thank you, Verin.”
I set the bottle on the carpet, and she bobbed her head and hurried back inside.
