I hadn’t yet seen Edinmyre at night, but as I was reminded, time moved differently here. I could feel my physical form back on Earth— I was still sitting in front of my grandmother’s hearthfire back in Dolinska. My legs ached, and my back was hurting from sitting on the floor for so long.
But at the same time, I washere. I could feel the moon on my face and touch the long grass, and the stars overhead were unmistakable. The cool breeze drifting across my skin felt comforting, and put me at ease. This was the land where I knew I belonged. I reached up to feel the fluffy wolf ears at the top of my head, and knew I’d achieved my goal.
Babcia and Bapa were already here. Bapa had taken the form of an old wolven, his black fur peppered with white and gray. His tail swept behind him as he lifted his head to sniff the wind.
My grandmother was gathering flowers from the ground. She conjured an illusion of a wicker basket, and began placing the flowers in it one by one. Her Edinmyre form was beautiful. Her wings were translucent, like those of a dragonfly’s, and they were edged with silver that flickered in the light of the violet moon. She wore a pair of graying wolf’s ears and a long tail that resembled Bapa’s.
Seconds later, Arthur appeared at my side. It was like he had teleported here in moments. Like all shifters, he was forced to come to Edinmyre in his animal form. He staggered forward as a red wolven. I reached out to catch him by instinct. I found our spirits were solid— I could touch him here like I could back on Earth.
A loud bark interrupted my thoughts. Puck was running through the grass, chasing crickets and flapping his large, floppy lips as he ran.
“Puck’s here, too?” I asked in surprise. The dog had moved from sleeping in front of my grandmother’s fireplace to playing with butterflies.
“We can take our animal companions with us, if we wish. They’re attached to us, and can aid us in our meditation, as well as protect us,” Babcia explained. “Puck has been to Edinmyre many times.”
Tygrys would love Edinmyre, I was sure. I had the thought to take him when next I journeyed through meditation.
I’d forgotten how incredible it was here. Miniature faekin, who looked like tiny people no bigger than my fingers, were hovering in the branches of the trees above. They sang and played tiny instruments, making soft music with panpipes and harps made of gossamer string. Only a few yards from us was a crystal cave, and near it, a pool that was so clear, I could even see the bottom of it from here.
Several large pairs of green eyes stared out at me from the bushes. The faekin knew we were here, but were afraid to approach.
“This is one of my favorite spots in Edinmyre,” Babcia said as she continued to gather periwinkle flowers into her basket. “The cave just beyond is a wonderful spot to harvest crystals that are not found on Earth.”
Arthur walked forward and sniffed some of the flowers. “I can smell. A herd of deer just walked by not but an hour ago.”
“All of your senses are retained in Edinmyre,” Bapa said. “You can even eat and drink while in spirit form here, but the food will only nourish your spirit, not your body.”
Babcia snapped a few blue raspberries off a bush and handed them to me. I ate them, and although I could taste their texture, when I swallowed, they didn’t go down to my stomach— rather, I could feel the energy they gave me dissolve and immerse within my magic, making me stronger.
“It would be very useful to cast strong spells,” I said as I ate another raspberry.
“Yes. Your magic is stronger here than it will be anywhere else,” Babcia said. “But as I said, you must be careful. Too long to linger here, and it will be difficult to leave.”
The buzzing in my head had increased, turning me drunk. The lavender was so overpowering that every breath felt like drinking in the flower. I wanted to lie down and rest in the golden grass, which looked so comforting beneath my feet.
Babcia noticed me weave to the song of the faekin in the trees. “You can return to your body at any time during this state, just by thinking about it,” Babcia said. “Keep in mind that your body is still vulnerable on Earth. If you are killed while you are journeying, your soul will remain in Edinmyre, but you will have to locate one of the gods in order to be allowed into the Great Hunting Grounds. I advise you only journey when you know it is safe to do so. Follow me back to Dolinska.”
She vanished before my eyes. Bapa copied her lead, until it was only Arthur and I remaining in the veiled wood. The sound of the faekin in the trees was ringing in my ears.
I didn’t want to leave Edinmyre. I wanted to stay. I wanted Ethan to come here, so I could be with my mate in this land that never grew old and never died. I took a step forward, to climb the trees and join the faekin amongst the leaves.
But Arthur tugged on my sleeve with his fangs, and it brought me to a halt. I smelled frankincense under my nose.
Mindlessly, I thought of home. Before I could blink, I was sitting in front of the hearthfire, the smell of cinnamon filling my nostrils.
When I appeared back in my grandparents’ home, the intoxicating feeling left me. I looked down— Babcia had waved the bag of herbs under my face, to break the spell and bring me back.
I breathed a sigh of relief. Babcia was right. Journeying could be very addictive.
“You almost lost your wits,” Arthur said. He was back in his human form, and sitting beside me.
“It’s easy to do,” I said with a shrug. “Edinmyre is where we belong. I wanted to stay there.”
“We belong in Edinmyre, but we settled on Earth. We must make the best of it,” Babcia said. She had placed the basket of flowers beside her, and I blinked as I saw it.
“You brought the flowers back.” I reached out and took one from the basket, twirling it in front of my face.
“Your spirit can take things from Edinmyre back to Earth, if your magic is strong enough,” Babcia said. “But that’s a very advanced practice. It’s not something you’re ready for.”
