Forest of the Fae (The Balloonist Chronicles Book 2) Read online

  Forest of the Fae

  THE BALLOONIST CHRONICLES: BOOK TWO

  L.J. Higgins

  All rights reserved.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and events are used fictitiously and any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2021 by LJ Higgins

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Cover by Maria Spada.

  Contents

  1. Olivia

  2. Olivia

  3. Lucy

  4. Lucy

  5. Lucy

  6. Olivia

  7. Olivia

  8. Lucy

  9. Lucy

  10. Olivia

  11. Olivia

  12. Lucy

  13. Lucy

  14. Lucy

  15. Olivia

  16. Lucy

  17. Olivia

  18. Lucy

  19. Olivia

  20. Olivia

  21. Lucy

  22. Olivia

  23. Olivia

  24. Olivia

  25. Lucy

  26. Olivia

  About the Author

  Acknowledgments

  Books by L J Higgins

  Utopia

  Have you enjoyed this book?

  Olivia

  Forest Of The Fae

  Raven paced back and forth across the dimly lit dining hall, casting shadows over the stone floor. Her deep crimson hair tumbled over her shoulders in various plaits and twists, the top pulled back and secured in a knot. My mind searched for the right words to say as my eyes followed each of her steps, but I could find no words of comfort or great seeds of inspiration. I’d helped create the mess Raven and her rebel elves were in, but I had no way of getting them out of it.

  “That’s the fifth time our patrol groups have been hit by the queen’s army this past week.” Raven continued to pace.

  “But no one was hurt, Raven. They all managed to fight their way out of the situation and retreat,” offered Asuka. She sat to my left at the large round table, taking pride of place in the middle of the dining hall.

  Raven stopped and faced all four of us sitting at the table. “She’s testing us. Seeing how strong we are and where our weak spots are. She’s seeing if the fae are truly losing their magic. If she wanted any of us dead, we would be already.”

  “Then we stop sending out parties and bunker down in the Den,” suggested Orion, a male elf with greyish blue long hair.

  “We can’t stop. We’ll be sitting ducks,” said Diara, another of Raven’s trusted friends.

  I wasn’t sure how I’d earned my way into Ravens inner circle. After all, my stubbornness in visiting the queen was what had started all of their problems. But I couldn’t say I’d take it back. If I hadn’t gone to ask the queen for Elderflower Nova would be dead.

  “Why don’t we ask Nova for some ideas,” suggested Tora in her sing-song voice. “She is a pirate after all.”

  “Pirates know how to invade and attack, not how to fight a war,” bit Asuka.

  “What are you trying to say?” Tora rose from her chair, staring Asuka in the eyes.

  Asuka stood, meeting her stance. “Your pirate and the human are leaving tomorrow. What help will they be then?”

  “Ladies, calm down. This has nothing to do with Nova or Olivia. This is our fight,” said Raven.

  “One she started.” Diara pointed at me.

  A few weeks ago, I’d thought we might be friends. But the moment she discovered I’d stirred the queen’s wrath, the friendly smiles had turned to death glares.

  “This isn’t Olivia’s fault, and she has every right to return home to her family and friends. This war started long before she arrived here. It started long before any of us were even born. But, if you want to blame someone for this war, blame me. I gave Olivia permission to visit the queen. And it was me who rebelled against the queen to start with.” She gave me a curt nod and I did my best to smile back.

  The room fell into silence.

  Raven let out a loud sigh, raking her hand over her face. “This meeting isn’t going anywhere. Everyone’s dismissed. We’ll reconvene once everyone is done pointing fingers and ready to start coming up with real ideas and plans.”

  We all rose. Diara and Asuka mumbled between themselves as they left.

  “You want to walk home with me?” asked Tora.

  She’d done so much for Nova and I since we’d arrived. She’d invited us into her home. She’d fed us and found us clothing. And she’d cared for Nova when I thought she might die. Leaving her was going to be hard.

  “Olivia?” called Raven. “Can you stay a moment?”

  “I’ll meet you at home,” I said to Tora.

  She squeezed my forearm and left me standing in the room, following the others out.

  “I’m sorry the meeting turned into finger pointing,” said Raven. “A sniff of war and they turn into children. It’s been six years since we marched out of the queen’s kingdom and I forget many of them had never even wielded a weapon before they arrived here. They may squabble, but they fear war. As do I. But, I’ve known since I left the castle walls at sixteen it would come to this. Both Mother Earth and the fairy Alita predicted so.”

  “Sixteen is so young to leave everything you know and lead a rebellion. If you can do that, there’s every chance you can win this war,” I said. “Can Mother Earth or the fae tell you anything of the outcome?”

  Her face turned solemn. “No. That magic has been lost to both of them. Unless Mother Earth’s heart piece is returned to her I’m afraid there isn’t much hope of victory, only prolonging the inevitable.”

  “There must be a way to restore Mother Earth’s heart,” I said. “If you can return it to her the war is won and the queen can no longer rule.”

  “Many elves have tried to steal the heart piece... all have failed.” She paused for a moment and then shook her head. “This is not your burden to bear. Tomorrow you and Nova will set a course for your own home. You must be wanting to pack your things and go to sleep. I apologise once again for Diara and Asuka’s behaviour.”

  “As you said, they’re scared and it’s easier to blame the stranger. Especially a stranger who is leaving them when war is brewing. I’m afraid the last thing I’ll be able to do tonight is sleep.”

  “You aren’t abandoning anyone. As I said, this isn’t your war. And their behaviour doesn’t help us work out a way to stop the queen from slaughtering all the elves living here in the Den.” She sighed. “With the piece of heart she is too powerful, and the fae’s powers diminish daily. I’m afraid many if not all of us will die or once again be under her power.”

  “I wish there was something I could do to help. There has to be a way. I know you don’t like the way Nova talks sometimes with her ripping open bellies and what not. But Tora’s right. She wants to help after you’ve all done so much for us, and she might have some good ideas.”

  “It’s not me who has a problem with Nova, but there are certainly elves she rubs up the wrong way. Tora seems quiet taken by her though.”

  I’d seen the way Nova and Tora looked at each other across the room in the small home we shared. Each time it warmed my heart and I wondered how Nova would bear leaving Tora behind. Part of me thought she wouldn’t.

  “You should have a talk with her before we leave. It can’t hurt. I grew up in a tiny village with a woman who sewed to make a living. I’
m no help. But Nova, she was a pirate on a ship and survived on her own on an island until she found me,” I said.

  She thought on it for a moment. “Maybe both of you can share breakfast with me in my home in the morning before you leave. Bring Tora too.”

  “Thank you. We would love to join you.”

  “I’ll let you go. I have many things to think over. Maybe you should ask Tora for a few drops of Valger to help you sleep. I might have some myself.”

  “That’s a good idea. I know you have a lot on your mind, but each time I climb into the basket of the balloon I end up somewhere new and unknown. I can only hope this time it takes me home,” I replied and turned to leave.

  “Olivia?” called Raven.

  “Yes?” I turned to face her once more.

  “You’re more helpful than you know, and much braver than you realise. Sleep well. May Mother Earth watch over you.”

  When I pushed open the wooden door of Tora’s home, I was greeted by Nova and Tora sitting at the small table near the kitchen. They exchanged a glance before looking at me and a bubble formed in my throat.

  “What did Raven want?” asked Tora.

  “She’s invited the three of us to a farewell breakfast at her place in the morning.” I eyed them over.

  “Best yer sit down.” Nova smacked the seat of the chair beside her.

  “You two are worrying me. What’s going on?” I asked.

  They exchanged another glance.

  “Okay, stop it. What’s happened?” I asked, eyes darting between them.

  “Nova and I were talking…” started Tora.

  “I ain’t comin’ with yer tomorra.” Nova folded her arms across her chest.

  My heart dropped into my stomach, but I forced a smile. “I was pretty sure this was coming. So you two…”

  Tora reached for Nova’s hand and her face reddened at Tora’s touch.

  “I ain’t felt like this since I lost Celina when me ship and crew sunk beneath the oceans waves. I’d be dumb as bait if I didn’t stay.”

  There was a happiness in Nova’s eyes I hadn’t seen until she’d spent time with Tora. Tora had softened her edges somehow.

  “I’m glad you’ve found someone who makes you happy. Both of you. And I think Raven could really use your skills with this pending war.” I swallowed down the lump in my throat.

  “Me? What’s a pirate got ta ‘elp elves? Most these elves don’t think much of me.”

  “That’s not true,” said Tora.

  “It is. I see the way they look at me,” said Nova. “But I don’t care. As long as I’m with you.”

  The look they shared had my thoughts drifting to the days William and I would sit in our tree together, the soft summer breeze kissing our cheeks. William had never looked at me like we could stay lost in each other’s eyes forever. It’d been weeks since I’d thought of him. When I’d set off in the balloon, I’d have done anything to be good enough to be his wife. Now all I wanted was to be back in my small stone home with Edith, smelling the fresh bread cooking in the fire while she hummed a tune as she sewed.

  “Why yer cryin’?” asked Nova. “Yer not gunna miss me that much are yer?”

  I wiped at my cheeks. “Just missing home. I desperately hope this time I’ll be back with Edith.”

  “An’ William?” She drawled his name.

  “He would’ve married Margaret Travers by now, but I don’t think he was the one for me anyway. Not when I see the way you two look at each other.” Another tear slipped over my cheek. It was true, I no longer loved William Archer and I’d left everything I cared about to be enough for him. Had he even noticed I was gone?

  “Maybe this journey has nothing to do with William,” suggested Tora. “I know it’s what you thought when you left. But, think about all the things you’ve done since you climbed into your balloon. I bet you never thought you could do them before.”

  I released a long breath. “You might be right. But what matters most is me being in the balloon brought the two of you together. I’m so happy for both of you, and tomorrow I get to go home to the people I love. Maybe we’ll all get our happy ever afters?”

  The two drops of Valger Tora had placed on my tongue made my eyelids heavy to the point I could no longer keep them open. I mumbled my desire to go to bed, leaving Nova and Tora sitting at the table as I crawled under my blankets for the last time.

  Darkness surrounded me as I fell under the full effects of the Valger, but where in the past a deep sleep had swallowed me, this time I found myself in the thick of the elven forest. Alita, a small ball of brilliant blue light hovered in front of me. Her glow brightened, willing me to follow her.

  We wound through the blur of tree trunks and dense bushes, reaching a wooden bridge that stretched across a waterfall. Carvings representing the story of Mother Earth were etched along it. The boy she’d fallen in love with who had stolen the piece of her heart, the woman who’d used its magic to build herself a kingdom.

  Alita guided me further, until she disappeared into a dense wall of shrubs. Pushing my way through to follow her, I emerged into a clearing where monstrous tree roots dove in and out of the damp soil. The tree’s thick trunk reached out into sturdy branches, filling the sky above with leaves of every shade of green and gold.

  Its warmth called to me, moving me forward until I could reach out and stroke its rough bark. A pulse of energy coursed through my fingertips and swirled inside my chest. Sadness. That’s what seeped into my soul. An immense sorrow for all that’d been lost and had happened.

  Taking my hand back, I brushed away the tear that’d slipped over my right cheek and swallowed the melancholy down. A rustle sounded in the nearby bushes and my heart stilled, my body rigid as I listened for what it might be.

  A small fox emerged from the greenery, its brown-orange fur glowing. It felt familiar. As though I’d seen it somewhere before.

  “Are you the fox I saw when I first arrived in the forest?” I asked, remembering the hopelessness I’d felt when Nova and I had landed among the forest in my hot air balloon. The first living thing I’d seen was a fox. Then Alita had found me and guided me to the Den and Raven.

  The fox blinked in reply, followed by a serene ethereal voice echoing around me. “I have been watching you since you first came to the Forest of the Fae.”

  “It was you who sent Alita to help me, wasn’t it?” I asked, realisation falling over me.

  “Yes. For I knew your presence here was of great importance.”

  “Importance? What do you mean?” I asked.

  The fox sat, its emerald green eyes locking onto mine. “I use much energy speaking to you like this. It has taken months to build the magic needed to visit you in your dreams. I know you have questions, but there is something I need you to know.”

  “You’re Mother Earth, aren’t you?” I asked.

  “Yes. What is left of her. I’m here to tell you Raven and her elves cannot win. Not against the magic the queen possesses while she keeps a piece of my heart.”

  “They’ll die?” I choked on my words. “Tora, Raven, all of them?”

  “If my heart is not whole, they will all die.”

  “There must be a way. There must be something they can do to beat the queen,” I said.

  “The queen cannot be defeated until what is mine is returned. Then the tides of war will turn.”

  “But Raven said all elves who have tried to retrieve the heart piece have failed.”

  “Yes. In her arrogance, the queen has cast a spell that alerts her to the presence of any fae or elf who tries to take it from her. There is no elf or fae in this realm or any other who can return the piece of my heart.”

  “So, all is lost?” My shoulders sagged.

  “There is still hope. You are our hope.”

  The tree began to fade, my vision darkening at the edges as I strained to hold on to the image of the fox in front of me.

  “Me? What do you need me to do?”

  “
You are our only hope,” her voice grew distant as the fox and tree faded into darkness.

  Olivia

  FOREST OF THE FAE

  Sitting at Raven’s round cedar table in the centre of her home, the thunk of spoons against wooden bowls filled the room. Raven, Tora, Nova and I ate the berry porridge we’d been served for breakfast in silence. I’d barely eaten a bite, the dream the night before clouded my thoughts. How could the hopes of Mother Earth lay with me alone? Had it been real or had Tora given me something other than Valger that’d played with my mind in my sleep?

  “You’d think someone ‘ad ripped out yer tongues it’s so quiet.” Nova wiped her forearm across her mouth and leaned back in her chair, her bowl empty.

  I sat my spoon down and sat up straighter. “I’m afraid I don’t have much of an appetite this morning.”

  “Something on your mind?” asked Raven.

  The dream was on the tip of my tongue. What would she make of it? Mother Earth visiting me in my sleep. Would she laugh and think me a fool? I pushed the words back down my throat and swallowed.

  “Now we’ve had breakfast didn’t you want to talk to Nova about something, Raven?” I said.

  “I’ll grab your dishes and wash them up.” Tora piled up our bowls and made her way to the kitchen.

  “Yes. Nova, now you’ve decided to stay I was wondering if we could meet later today and discuss some strategies for this pending war. Presuming you’re willing to help us out now you’re staying,” said Raven.