Kendra watched as the last person disappeared through the metal hoop then turned to her mother. "Hey, Mom, I'm going to the gazebo."
"Alright, be careful." Her Mom said, but Kendra barely heard her, she was already running towards the woods.
Kendra reached the lake in less than five minutes, out of breath but still energetic with purpose. She hurriedly threw open the doors to the boathouse and cranked the boat door open so the boats could get through. Kendra climbed into the smallest boat and untied it from the small dock.
She felt the strangest sense of déjà-vu until she realized the first time she had come to Fablehaven she had felt so desperate to save her family that she had gone right to the Fairy Queen for aid, but had expected to turn into dandelion seeds and float away on the wind. But now she knew better. The Fairy Queen was her mother from another life; the Queen had to help her.
Kendra quickly rowed over to the island, only hindered a little by the nymphs in the lake. Whenever a hand reached over the side she slapped it with her oar. Once she reached the shore she stepped out of the boat and made her way over to the shrine.
Kneeling before the shrine she prayed for contact with the Fairy Queen. It came into her mind with the sweet smell of flowers mixed with sunshine.
Kendra, what brings you to my shrine?
Involuntarily Kendra's eyes teared up as she choked, "My brother was taken and I need your help."
A soothing yet sad croon of a dove echoed and the scent of the sea and saltwater tears filled Kendra's mind, not making it easier for her to keep from weeping.
I already know this. Bracken was troubled and came to me for aid a while ago, seeking an army to recover your brother.
"Why didn't you help?" Kendra wondered out loud, and then realized it might have been rude to ask.
I would not risk going to war with The Realm of Darkness, not when my consort has finally been returned to my side and when my country is in the process of being rebuilt.
Kendra though about this for a minute then said, "I think if you helped we could win and crush Morgana and never have to go to war."
A tickle of wind brushed her back as silence took hold of the shrine. The Fairy Queen fell silent and Kendra shivered, remembering the dandelion seeds flying away on the wind. But the silence passed with a cold and hard word that hung like an iron anvil in the air.
No.
At length Kendra blinked and started breathing again, feeling confused and lost. "No?" She repeated unbelievingly.
Yes, I will not risk my country for the life of one dangerous Shadow Charmer. I know you love him, Kendra, but there are some things you have to let go.
"Seth isn't dangerous!" Kendra stood up, fury overtaking her mind, pushing out the Fairy Queen's words. "If you aren't going to help then fine, I'll come up with something on my own."
I'm sorry.
The Fairy Queen sighed the last words; it settled on Kendra's hot head like a cloud of mist and cooled her anger. Kendra turned around and asked, "One last question, if you don't mind."
Go ahead.
She took a deep breath and said, "Am I Adalyn?"
There was once more silence from the Fairy Queen, but this time an unbearable longing and sadness swept Kendra off her feet and knocked the air from her lungs.
Yes.
He word whispered in her mind as the world spun in dizzying circles around her. The world caved in on itself, leaving Kendra in the centre of it, then darkness followed.
Kendra's eyes snapped open even before she heard the ocean lapping at the shore of the enchanted island that used to be the location of Zzyx. She turned her head and saw that she was sitting on a throne made of what appeared to be wood from a living tree. She stood on shaky legs and looked down at all the people kneeling at the bottom of the stairs.
The Fairy Queen appeared beside Kendra and smiled joyfully as she gestured to her people then to Kendra, "My people, your Princess has returned!"
The entire crowd erupted in cheers and hollers and weeping. The fairies all squealed and threw flowers, the nymphs smiled placidly, the Astrids cracked smiles, a few brownies and leprechauns and small elf-like creatures began jigging and clapping, it all felt so sudden and yet so familiar and warm.
Welcome home.
The Fairy Queen's voice echoed in her mind with the most intense love that Kendra had felt from her yet. Kendra nodded, tears in her own eyes, and smiled back as the cheers of the Fairy Kingdom still rang with joy.