Chapter 12
All alone in the eerie darkness of the unlit room, sat Evver.
The castle was void of any of the usual bustling or noise. As far as she could tell it was just past the darkest hour of the night. She was certain Cassius would be here soon. Although she was still unsure, of what she was going to tell him. Aurora had changed in the past day. Evver knew she was frightened, but there was more to it and she was staying mum about it. Aurora trembled when Evver told her how she was going to meet Cassius tonight.
Young Evver had to wait until she was sure that Aurora slept.
Was it unrealistic for her to want Aurora and Cassius together? Cassius was her big brother, her hero. Never in her life had he let her down. He had protected her from birth. It was her fault she had been caught and brought to the castle. Cassius warned them to stay at the safe house. They were never to go out unless he was with them. She had thought he was being overprotective. Learning the hard way is never easy. There was a noise in the doorway Evver froze. After a moment there was a clicking sound. This caused Evver to breathe in relief. It was something she and Cassius had used to communicate since she was a baby.
Evver responded in kind.
Footsteps slipped across the floor until they stopped inches from her. Evver reached out and found Cassius’ outreached hand.
*
Feeling her hand in his, was so soothing. He picked her up in a large bear hug. Then he sat on the open bench seat. Using all the tender care he could, he sat Evver across from him.
“Evver,” he said in a quiet whisper. “How are you birdie?” His hands tightened around hers. She smiled. Cassius hadn’t called her that since she was two years old. She was just starting to learn how to fly. You would think because she was a fairy it would come natural for her. Flying would just happen. Not in Evver’s case. Fear of falling had her walking and foregoing the use of her new wings.
Evver had been scared of leaving the ground, she refused to fly. She wouldn’t even try it. Cassius finally convinced her she would be safe. He led her deep into the forest to the largest tree. It was a favorite for the kids for climbing and the birds for nesting. Evver climbed on Cassius’ back then he made his way up to the top of the tree. She clung to him, pleading for him to head back down.
Carefully he pulled her off his back and sat her on his lap.
For the next four hours they watched as mother birds pushed their babies out of the nest. At first she was horrified, but as time passed she realized what they were doing. They weren’t doing it to be mean, they were trying to teach them. The sun was starting to set when she turned to Cassius.
“I think I am ready to try it.”
“Go ahead, little birdie.” She did and she had never stopped after that moment. Until Tommit had her wings clipped. They were both so thoughtful that they sat in silence for a while. He was playing with her corkscrew curls and she had rested her head in his lap. “Don’t worry about me,” she pleads fervently.
“I’m your big brother, it’s what I do.” She smiled. “I will always worry about you birdie.”
“I know.”
“How’s Aurora?” His single question had a million more behind it.
“I don’t know. She is scared I know that. But I think she is trying to protect me from the worst of it. Just like someone else I know.” She squeezed him. “I’m worried Cas. I think she is giving up. You have to save her.” This worried Cassius. He could see Aurora was a fighter but something had broken her. What could it be? Why would she give in to Tommit so easily?
“I am working on it. There won’t be a wedding—don’t worry.”
“You have ten days. Tomorrow, Aurora is being presented to the kingdom. I’m afraid after that, Tommit will win.”
Tomorrow? Tommit was moving faster than Cassius and the others thought he would. If he found Ecraicias’ wishing well then he wouldn’t need ten days. They either needed to find it first or they needed enough of the kingdom to rally against him. Tomorrow night they were all meeting up for updates. He prayed someone would have good news. There had to be hope in all of the darkness that was threatening to consume them all.
“Have faith little birdie. Now, you better get back. We don’t want anyone catching you out during the night. I love you.” He reached out and hugged her. Cassius felt damp drops on his shoulder. He hated how his sister was hurting and he couldn’t fix the problem with a simple lullaby and a sweet treat. Rubbed Evver’s back while he willed the pain to disappear.
*
“I love you, too.” She released his grasp and shuffled out of the room.
Evver heard him move, almost silently, out of the kitchen. He was gone in a flash. Moving back to Aurora’s new room, she didn’t risk lighting a candle. She had wandered these halls, dozens of times. So she felt comfortable moving into the black of night. Every step was deliberate and quiet not wanting to call attention to herself. She was coming around one of the last hallways when she heard a noise. It was a buzzing sound. Stopping in her tracks, her heart stopped. It was a sound she would never forget.
Fairy wings
There was a table close by and she hurried to mold herself in the small opening in the bottom. She was terrified of being found. Evver was startled to hear the sound of a fairy flying. Had they captured someone new? If the Destroyers found her she would be killed on the spot. Evver held her breath and prayed that they wouldn’t notice her.
A light was starting to filter in.
Every second that passed it got brighter and brighter.
Who was coming? Would they see her? Would her meeting with Cassius be the reason for her death? She was terrified. Evver could see her life flashing before her eyes. Her family, her life, those she loved, and Aurora. Aurora what would happen to her if Evver was caught? Would they think Aurora is responsible for her actions? Would she be punished as well? Tears were starting to build. The light in the hall was growing. She was beginning to see the outline of those entering her space.
She wasn’t ready for the wings she saw.
Lote was flying
Evver couldn’t believe her eyes. How was this even possible? Lote had her wings? Every second and every moment of the time she had spent with the motherly woman was in question now. Had it all been a lie? Could she be working with Tommit and Drayben? Evver shook with fury and fear.
Lote flew by, so caught up in her own thoughts that she never noticed the tiny fairy hidden under the table. She would never know she had been exposed. Evver waited for longer than necessary to free herself from the tight space. Unsure if Lote would be returning, she ran the rest of the way to Aurora’s room. For the first time tonight luck wasn’t on her side. The guard had returned to Aurora’s door. He was seated in a chair looking like he had settled in for the remainder of the night. Evver’s mind frantically searched for a solution to her latest problem. How was she going to get past the guard? Fighting back the tears as they spilled from her beautiful emerald eyes was a losing battle at this point. Times like this she wished for her mother and father. For the time before Tommit shattered their peaceful lives.
Exhaustion was starting to creep into her muscles and mind.
She knew she couldn’t fall asleep and then be found here. Why didn’t she listen to Aurora and stay in her room tonight? It once again came down to the same reason she was in the castle in the first place. She thought she was smart enough, strong enough to be out on her own. Luck turned and the guard had fallen asleep. Relief flooded her body as she slipped past him and opened the door just far enough for her to slip thru. She turned around after shutting the door and exhaled loudly. Only to find Aurora standing feet from her with red-rimmed eyes, hands on her hips and fury and worry in her eyes.
“EVVER Where have you been?”