JOURNEY INTO THE REALM: The Spell Master (Journey into the Realm Series) (14 page)

***

I opened my eyes to
many
pairs of eyes staring at me from above. I tried to lift my head, but someone prevented me from doing so.

“Stay down, Ramsey. Don’t move too fast,” Aimee said.

Thankfully, her voice was at normal speed. Even so, I still felt dizzy.
At least the pictures are gone
, I thought to myself. But the aching in my back remained. It was dulled, yet still persistent enough to make me wince at the slightest hint of movement.

“What happened to you?” Nathan asked, and even though I felt horrible, I was relieved to hear his normal voice again.

“I…I don’t know,” I said, tears blurring my vision. Not because of the pain – even though that alone would have been enough to make me cry any other time – but because I was terrified. Something was wrong with me, something I had a horrible feeling no one, not even Aimee, could understand.

Ellie’s eyes were wary as she looked down at me. “Why did you faint?”

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to remember what had happened before I opened my eyes to see everyone staring down at me. “Faint? I fainted?”

“Yes,” Aimee said. “Just a few moments ago.”

I put a hand over my forehead. It was slick with sweat. I closed my eyes, trying to quell the sick feeling I had in my stomach. Images continued to spin before me, but this time they were of the Elf Realm and not the dream. Still, it wasn’t a pleasurable experience.

“Keep your eyes open, Ramsey. We don’t want you to pass out again,” Brielle told me.

My mouth tasted all wrong, moist and dry at the same time. I couldn’t remember the last time I had felt this nauseous and removed from myself, like I was floating above my body.

“Does your head hurt?” Tavis asked.

“Yes, you hit it fairly hard when you fell,” Daran added.

“No, but my back hurts…really bad, actually…like knives,” I barely managed to say before I had to take a gulp of air to keep from vomiting.

“That’s odd,” Ellie said, her eyes narrow with…wait, was that suspicion I detected in her dark gaze? I wondered what she was truly thinking. Did she know something I didn’t? Or was this just her general way of showing concern?

“No, it’s possible that she fell harder on her back than on her head,” Aimee informed everyone. “It depends on how she fell. Did anyone see?”

Heads shook, so the question was readily dismissed.

I decided not to say that my back had started hurting
before
I fainted. It was too weird for me to make sense of, and I wasn’t in the mood for any more questions. Besides, if my own suspicions were correct, only one elf would know the reason I fainted. Actually, more like one
elfen
.

I needed to get home. Now.

“You must have overworked yourself today. That’s probably why you fainted. You need rest. Nathan, Reid, can you help her up?” Aimee asked.

I saw them both nod. They each grabbed an arm and lifted me gently to my feet. The dizziness lingered, but I was able to stand on my own.

“Someone should take her home,” Janie suggested.

“I will,” Brielle offered. “I know the way.”

“So do I,” Nathan said.

Brielle sighed, impatient but sympathetic as she touched her hand to Nathan’s arm. “She’ll be fine with me, Nathan. I can take care of her.”

He nodded silently, but I could tell that he was offended by Brielle’s words and concerned for me at the same time. Either Brielle didn’t notice, or just didn’t care, because she grabbed hold of one of my hands to steady me without paying any attention to his obvious discomfort. I was still a bit wobbly on my feet, and I was grateful for her support.

“Goodnight, everyone,” I said warily, trying to get over the bitter taste in my mouth.

A round of goodbyes and encouraging wishes to get well soon came from my group of friends, fading as we left the bonfire. Only Nathan and Aimee walked with us, but they stopped when we reached the end of Aimee’s property.

“I’ll come by tomorrow to check on you and make sure you don’t need any healing,” Aimee offered.

“Thank you,” I said sincerely, glad that she was looking out for me. Having a healer as a friend was turning out to be valuable. I was a magnet for dangerous situations. Fairies weren’t the only danger. I had become a danger to myself, apparently.

Nathan took my hand and gave my fingers a gentle squeeze, and I was so touched by the gesture that I didn’t care that Brielle and Aimee were present for such an intimate exchange. “I would tell you not to overwork yourself again, but I know you won’t listen. So I will simply tell you to feel better and get some rest so you can teach me how to ride, all right?” He said this quietly, and I realized how much my fainting must have frightened him. This time, when I looked into his eyes, I wasn’t sent into a trance. His concern was more important to me than noticing the striking silver slashes.

“Okay,” I said, and managed to smile, because witnessing his pain was worse than feeling my own.

Nathan and Aimee returned to the bonfire, and Brielle helped me walk home. The pain in my back was sharper and felt like little pricks from thousands of tiny needles, but I trudged forward because I was determined to get to the root of this bizarre incident.

“How are you feeling?” Brielle asked when we were halfway there.

“Dizzy,” I told her. I didn’t mention my back.

“That’s understandable. Are you okay?”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Your fainting was strange. I heard that Nathan worked just as hard during fencing practice as you did. You shouldn’t have had greater effects.”

“I guess I was just unlucky,” I said, keeping my eyes trained ahead of me because I knew Brielle would see that I was lying if she looked into my eyes.

I knew I hadn’t fainted because I had overworked myself. Something else was going on, but I had no idea what that was. And I wasn’t going to include anyone else until I did.

Brielle walked with me up to my door, and I let go of her hand. “I can take it from here. Thank you for helping me home,” I said.

“You’re welcome. If you need anything, just have someone find me,” she said.

“Thanks.”

She waved and disappeared into the night, leaving me alone with a throbbing back, a stomach still doing somersaults, and the kind of headache that came with getting out of bed too quickly in the early morning. I opened my door and slowly crept inside. I could see through the darkness that Zora was already asleep. I had made it home just after midnight.

I strode with determination into my room, ready to wake her and begin my interrogation. But exhaustion descended upon me the moment I laid eyes on my bed, so warm and inviting. I dressed in my nightgown quickly and climbed in, realizing that I was in no state for attack mode. My back still aching, I hugged my knees to my chest and closed my eyes. My talk with Zora could wait until morning. No doubt she would still have the same excuses then anyway. No reason to rush her inevitable denial.

I felt better as Kalani fluttered onto my bed and curled up beside me. I gently placed my hand over her and lightly petted her on the back. She purred and snuggled closer to me. The hard scales and horns on her head felt rough on my skin, but the sensation took my mind off the pain in my back. I focused on the gentle hum of the baby dragon lying next to me and prayed I wouldn’t dream of the meadow.

My prayers were futile.

The dream came again, only now it was more of a nightmare.

I woke the next morning to bright sunlight streaming through my window. Oddly enough, my first thought didn’t concern the events of last night or even Nathan for that matter. When I rubbed my eyes and sat up in bed, I remembered the morning after I rescued Zora – realizing the elfen lying next to me in the lavish purple bed wasn’t some hallucination and the bittersweet moments that followed as I reflected on Stellan’s betrayal.

Now, feeling worn and tattered, I wished for Stellan’s solid presence. Had I wasted too much time hating him before he left for war? Since starting school and meeting Nathan, my elf soldier’s absence had been almost bearable. Mornings like these changed everything. I missed him – his strong hugs and constant words of encouragement. I could use him today as I recovered from my fainting spell, but thoughts of him would have to be enough.

Kalani was still sleeping beside me. As I moved, she opened her eyes and then covered them from the light with her wings.

“The sun’s blinding, isn’t it?”

Kalani nodded slowly and growled. She buried her head under my pillow and snorted obnoxiously.

“You can sleep longer if you want. Don’t worry,” I told her gently, smiling despite the headache that had overtaken me. I touched my fingers to my temples and breathed evenly, trying to chase away the pain so I could face the day.

I put on my favorite green sundress, a present from Addison before she left for Tarlore. Then I slipped on a pair of sandals and walked out of the room, leaving Kalani to rest. My back ached only slightly now, so I was able to walk normally.

Zora had left a note saying she was at the orchard, so I made myself breakfast and planned my day.

The time finally dawned on me as I stepped outside. It was past ten in the morning, which meant I had slept for more than eight hours. Something was definitely wrong with me. My exhaustion was growing worse with each passing day.

I couldn’t think of anything else as I walked down the streets. Why was I sleeping so late? There had to be a reason. There also had to be a reason for my fainting spell. Everything had to be connected. I didn’t believe in coincidences after what had happened with Zora.

In the back of my mind, I thought of my secret. Maybe that was the reason things were getting so strange. Despite her obvious desire to keep me in the dark, I needed to ask Zora a few questions. She had to answer.

I didn’t have anywhere else to turn.

***

I decided to pay Brielle a visit, just to let her know that I was all right. Danica was present to open the door when I arrived, greeting me with a bright smile.

“Is Brielle here?” I asked, as I stepped through the doorway.

“Yes. She was hoping you would stop by. I heard that you had a nasty fall last night.”

“Yeah, but I’m okay now.”

“That’s good to hear. Princess Brielle,” Danica called, “Ramsey is here!”

“I’ll be right there!” Brielle called back.

Moments later, Brielle joined us in the living room. Danica poured us all tea as we sat down on their cushioned wooden couches. Before she could ask me how I was doing, I told her about Kalani.

“I’m so delighted to hear that she’s finally hatched,” Brielle expressed as I relayed yesterday’s event. “Dragons are just the most wondrous creatures. Has Zora’s hatched yet?”

“No, but I believe it will soon.”

“Probably sooner than you think. Dragons are very sensitive creatures. Zora’s dragon has most likely noticed that Kalani hatched and doesn’t wish to be far behind.” Brielle paused to set her cup down on the table between us. “Anyway, how are you feeling?”

I bit my lip and thought about her question. I couldn’t possibly tell her the truth, not if I was intent on keeping what really happened last night between Zora and me. So I resorted to more lies, definitely not a segment for “Ramsey’s Finest Moments.” “I’m fine. I feel a lot better.”

“That’s good to hear. You really frightened everyone last night.”

“I know,” I said, frowning. “I didn’t mean to.”

“Of course you didn’t mean to,” she said. Then she paused, looking down at her cup of tea. “Nathan was worried about you.”

“Yeah…I could tell, even through all the dizziness,” I told her, making a lame joke because I was suddenly feeling
very
uncomfortable.

“He’s a good elf, Ramsey. A lot better than –”

“Don’t say it, Brielle. I know what you’re thinking.”

I knew
exactly
what she was thinking. Ever since that episode in the barn when we rescued Zora, Brielle had openly shown her dislike for Stellan. I knew she had reason to because of his betrayal, but I wished she would just forgive and forget like I had. Then again, I knew I couldn’t hope to change her mind. Once Brielle was set on something, only she could decide otherwise, another trait that showcased her independence.

Brielle clasped her hands together, looking more like a royal than she usually let on. “I’m just saying…maybe Stellan going away was a good thing.”

I raised my eyebrows. “A good thing? War is a good thing?”

“No!” Brielle cried, making me feel foolish for jumping to conclusions. “Not the war part, of course. The going away part. Maybe you need a little time to sort out your feelings, your
true
feelings.”

“I don’t need to sort out my feelings, Brielle,” I snapped, crossing my arms against my chest. I knew the gesture made me look like a child, but I was too upset to care. “My feelings are fine.”

“Oh, really? Then why is it that whenever I see you look at Nathan, it’s like he is all that matters to you? He is the world, the sun, the stars…everything.
Huh
?”

“You got all that from one look?” I asked sarcastically.

“Many looks. I said
whenever
you look at him. It’s becoming kind of a pattern,” she admitted, watching me with a scrutinizing gaze.

I cringed. Could everyone see how close Nathan and I were already? As if we had known each other for years?

“Is that a bad thing?” I asked quietly.

She shook her head. “Honestly, I think it’s great.”

“What? That I’m close with Nathan?”

Brielle nodded. “Yes. You need someone different, Ramsey. Someone more…
you
.”

“And Stellan doesn’t fit that description?”

Brielle sighed. “You really want to know?” she asked, cradling her tea cup.

“Yes,” I said, holding my breath.

“He’s a dashing elf, Ramsey. He’s strong and courageous and gorgeous and talented. But he isn’t…
human
enough for you.”

“Human enough? What’s that supposed to mean? I’m not human,” I retorted.

“Yes, I know you aren’t,” she said tensely. “That’s not what I mean. You have to settle down and let me finish. I don’t mean human as in mortal. I mean emotionally.”

“I’m totally confused,” I admitted.

Brielle put her tea aside to devote herself to her explanation. “All right, let me put it this way,” she said. “Stellan is a rock.”

“A rock?” I laughed; I couldn’t help it. The idea was absurd.

“Yes, a rock. Now be quiet and listen,” she scolded. “Stellan is a rock and Nathan is…earth.”

I laughed even louder, almost spilling my tea. “So he’s basically dirt from the ground? How nice,” I commented. “Just the kind of guy a mother would love.”

“Don’t think of it that way,” she said. “Think of it this way: a rock is hard, cold, strong…and closed-off. Earth is open, warm, soft…but not fluffy. Nathan is earth. He’s open to things, he’s comforting and supportive, but still strong enough to defend himself and those he cares about.”

“You know him better than I do,” I remarked cynically.

“No, I just know elves,” Brielle said. “And I know
you
know that I’m right about Nathan. You can’t fool me.”

“I’m not trying to fool anyone. I’m just trying to understand why….”

“Why what?” she asked.

I sighed and decided to finally be honest with her. “Why I feel as though Nathan and I have this connection on a deeper level than I thought was possible.”

She smiled smugly. “Finally, you’re opening up.”

“It isn’t easy,” I admitted.

“I know,” she said, “but you can tell me these things. I’ll only listen…and maybe throw in a few of my own opinions.”

“Only a few?” I joked.

“All right, maybe more than a few. But enough of me,” she said. “Now for Stellan. He’s the rock. He was already strong and tough when he left for war. What do you think he’ll be like when he returns? Easygoing and sensitive? I don’t think so.”

“Stellan isn’t just tough. He’s kind and brave. He stood by me through everything that happened last June…and he loves me,” I protested. “I know he does.”

Brielle sighed. “Even so, it’s the whole picture that’s important, not just the minor details of someone.”

“Do you think I’m in denial?” I asked suddenly, feeling like Brielle would be the only elfen to give me a straight answer.

“No,” she replied tentatively. “I think you’re doing your best not to hurt anyone. But trying to love someone to avoid hurting him is not going to work.”