As she descended the grand steps, Kendra overheard Seth talking to Bracken, his emergency kit draped around his shoulders. As there was no immediate danger, that was always a bad sign. She'd have to talk Seth out of going on yet another unsolicited adventure.
"So, when are you going to kiss her?" Seth was teasing. "I know you love my sister."
At that moment, Kendra arrived at the door. Both she and Bracken blushed.
"Stop it, Seth," Kendra protested, embarrassed. True, she was looking forward to a kiss, but it wasn't Seth's job to make that happen. But what if it never happened without her brother's intervention? Love—and brothers—were so complicated.
"Come on and do it, Bracken," Seth blurted out. "You aren't the only one who notices Kendra's beauty, you know. Verl could give you competition."
"When are you going to grow up?" Kendra teased.
"When are you going to kiss him?" Seth retorted.
"That's none of your business."
"Alright, alright," he relented. "The less time I stand here talking, the more time you two have for smooching."
"Seth!" Kendra exclaimed, her face now flushing scarlet, "Enough! Butt out of my love life."
"Bye, lovebirds!" Seth sing-songed, waving and blowing kisses.
"Let's go, Kendra," Bracken invited, trying to change the subject—and provide an instant escape. He took Kendra's hand, and they started off.
"Sorry about that," Kendra muttered, still frustrated. "Seth is such a pest."
"Oh, it's nothing." Bracken shrugged disinterestedly. "Out of curiosity, who is Verl?"
"A satyr who is obsessed with me," she explained. "Don't worry," she added, "the feeling is not mutual, I assure you."
"I didn't know you had a secret admirer," Bracken admitted. "It doesn't surprise me, though. Others were bound to notice you at some point. I'm not jealous at all."
"I pay him about as much attention as you give the naiads." It was beyond question that Bracken alone had won her heart, completely.
"That's fair enough. I love you too, Kendra."
She squeezed his hand, conveying her feelings toward him.
"Well, are you excited for tonight?" Bracken asked her.
"Sure," Kendra replied. "I'm honored to be the first mortal to behold your mother's palace. I'm thrilled to visit, now that the renovations are complete."
"True," Bracken remarked. "You wouldn't believe that the same place was once a demon prison. Mother has labored tirelessly to transform the place into perfection. It is my honor to escort you there."
"Are you sure I deserve it?" Kendra asked, still uncertain. She didn't feel worthy of a feast in her honor. It seemed to be too much.
"Of course," Bracken reassured her, resting his arm across her shoulders. "You'll have a wonderful time tonight. When we arrive, you'll be so amazed."
"Thanks," Kendra responded. "I can think of no better way to spend my birthday."
"Happy Sixteenth!" Bracken exclaimed. "How do you feel about your birthday?"
"I'm not sure," Kendra admitted. "I guess I'm excited, and a little anxious too." Yes, turning sixteen was a milestone she had looked forward to her entire life. But now that it was here, Kendra could hardly believe the day had arrived—had all those years flown by so fast? Just yesterday, it seemed, she had first set foot on the porch steps of Fablehaven, oblivious to the world of wonder that awaited her. Now she held hands with Bracken, the soul she loved more than she dared admit.
Bracken turned to face her. "Kendra, I have a present for you," he said, handing her a small parcel.
"Thanks, Bracken!" Kendra exclaimed. "You didn't have to!"
"I'll do anything for you, Kendra," Bracken replied casually. "This is just a small gift."
Encouraged, Kendra tore through the paper wrapping. Inside, she found a silver velvet jewelry box, about the size of her palm.
Wait, she wondered, heart pounding. Could this mean …?
Bracken seemed to understand her amazement.
"No, no, this is not a ring," he hastily clarified. "I don't want to rush you. But I did choose something special for your birthday."
Very relieved, Kendra opened the box. Inside the silky lining, a crystal locket rested, its size slightly larger than a quarter. Light of an entire spectrum reflected from its many facets.
Carefully, she fingered the chain and lifted the iridescent necklace into her hands. Bracken gently took the locket from her, unclasping it. "May I?" he asked, his expression humble and patient.
Kendra nodded. As she brushed her hair aside, Bracken clasped the locket around her exposed neck.
"The necklace itself is a communicator," Bracken began, explaining the locket's use. "Open it, and you'll find a surprise."
Kendra pried it open. She found a picture of the two of them, surrounded by a silver border.
"It's beautiful!" she exclaimed, eyes twinkling. "But where is this picture from? I don't recognize it."
"Ah," Bracken remarked. "It is not a picture. Instead, it portrays my current location, should I will it."
"And since you're with me, it shows us," Kendra finished.
"Precisely."
Bracken spun the image around. Suddenly, Kendra found herself gazing into what appeared to be a leather sheath, which contained Bracken's first horn.
"How is this possible?" she asked, astounded.
"The locket serves as a transdimensional guardian vault to my first horn," Bracken explained.
"What if someone knew about it?" Kendra asked, immediately concerned. "Could they steal my locket to acquire your horn?"
"No," Bracken replied. "My mother and I have fortified this gift with great protection. Besides yourself, only we can use, or even touch it, without turning to dandelion fluff. Rest assured that none will steal it from you. Besides, the portal can only open with permission from the owner, who is now you."
Kendra sighed contentedly. "How can I ever thank you for such a wonderful gift?"
"You already have," Bracken replied, beaming. "It's my pleasure."
In a rush of gratitude, Kendra pecked Bracken on the cheek and wrapped her arms around him. Bracken returned both gestures. Still hugging her, Bracken lifted Kendra, and held her for several minutes.
A familiar voice interrupted them. "Oh my, we're so sorry to intrude!"
"Forgive us, please," another hurriedly added.
After releasing herself from Bracken's arms, Kendra turned to face the speaker and gasped. "Léanne! Ariélle! Célina! What are you doing here? Do you have something for me from the Queen?"
Léanne nodded. "We're here to prepare your attire, hair and makeup. The works."
"It's exquisite!" Célina added. "After all, we designed every bit of it, and everyone knows that French style is far superior to any other."
Ariélle giggled excitedly. "You'll look stunning, Kendra!"
As if on cue, several dryads emerged from the woods, with nearly a hundred dryads in tow. In their arms, each carried a bundle of silken cloth and several long poles. Sparing no haste, they set up a luxurious, pavilion-like tent.
Kendra recognized many of the dryads, which she had rescued from the Shadow Plague. "Lizette! Rhea!" she called out to the two in front. "It's wonderful to see you again."
They smiled back at her. "Our pleasure. We bear you no resentment, Kendra, ever since our shrine was restored. This is a token of our gratitude."
"But why are you doing all this for me? Is it necessary to set up something so exquisite?"
Célina threw a glance at Bracken. "What, you'd prefer to dress out in the open?" she teased. "Because we can arrange that, if you really want—"
Kendra reddened. "No, no! Of course not!" She wasn't at all ready to be so exposed before him. What was that fairy thinking? "It's just that I don't understand why you need to go through this whole fuss for … me. It really is a bit much."
"We're just following the Queen's orders," Léanne explained. "We do not wish to offend you, Miss Kendra."
Two of the dryads each held a side of the pavilion's opening. "Will you step inside, Kendra?"
Kendra nodded, following her companions. As she entered the pavilion, the curtains closed behind her.
A large mirror hung in front of her, beside a pair of posh ottomans. To one side, a clothing rack held several exquisite dresses, wraps, and slippers. To the other, she found a folding screen. Her feet stood on a soft carpet.
Stunned by the opulence, Kendra had never been in a tent half as fancy. "How is this all possible?" she wondered aloud. "You certainly didn't carry all this—that's impossible."
"Magic," Lizette replied.
"This entire room actually exists elsewhere," Rhea continued. "The pavilion is merely the portal."
"Makes sense."
"Well, would you replace your clothes with this?" Léanne pointed to a light slip that hung from a hook.
Kendra slipped behind the folding screen to put on the underdress. When she emerged, she didn't expect such instant reactions.
"My, don't you have a dainty figure!" several fairies chorused enviously.
"I…" Kendra took a moment to study her reflection. She didn't hate her image, but it didn't really impress her either.
"Now, close your eyes," they instructed her.
Kendra closed them. For the next several minutes, she felt a silky dress draped over her body, makeup painted on her face, and her hair stylized.
When Kendra opened her eyes, she could hardly recognize herself. Her hair tumbled down her shoulders in large, bouncy curls that framed her face playfully.
Meanwhile, her face had been transformed. A golden dust-like powder had been sprinkled all over the surface. Rose-gold blush highlighted her cheeks, and she wore lipstick of the same color. Contrasting her long black lashes, her eyes had been gently lined in gold and shadowed in a gradient of rose-gold.
The dress, however, was something else entirely: perfection itself. Layer upon layer of soft gold silk had been wrapped around her body in delicate waves, encircling her legs in a golden dome began at her metallic kitten heels and peaked at her waist. The same material twirled around her bodice, forming a v-neck, while crossing itself at an empire waist, where a donut-shaped button tied in a sash. At her shoulders, cap sleeves draping her arms halfway to her elbows. A sheer veil-like cape, trailing from her back, extended behind her all the way to the room's entrance. Somehow, the skirt had been designed in a gradient. While the blouse consistently held its light value, the skirt became gradually darker as it descended from the sash to the heels.
Léanne sighed happily. "Spin for us, Kendra."
Kendra shrugged, still taking in her enhanced appearance. "Okay, why not?"
As Kendra spun around, her dress sparkled with every movement. Every square inch of the fabric seemed to ripple around her, as though it was the rapids on a river. The effect was simply magnificent.
The entire audience, some one hundred fairies and dryads, applauded proudly. Envy flashed in nearly every face, but most made an attempt to hastily conceal that particular emotion. Besides, it was very easy to mask with joy and pride.
"Oh, you're just darling!" Ariélle squealed. "Just perfect!"
"Quite so," Célina agreed. "I'm afraid I'll have to design an identical dress for my sisters and myself."
For once, neither of her sisters bothered to rebuke her. "I declare, it's time to return you to your escort, Kendra. Are you ready?"
Kendra gasped. After this whole spectacle, she had forgotten Bracken. Of course she was ready to return to him!
"Absolutely," she declared. As the curtains opened, she rushed into the fading daylight. From every angle, she glowed in the light of the sunset. Then she and her escort were reunited.
Bracken's reaction was nearly indescribable. Eyes widening, his chin dropped in pure wonder and admiration. He blinked rapidly, as though he could not believe the sight before him was real.
"Masterful job, ladies," he finally spoke, acknowledging their handiwork. "She's always been an angel inside, but you've brought this quality to her surface. My highest compliments."
Léanne and her sisters blushed. "It was nothing."
"We must hurry to our Queen," Célina added. "She expects us now."
Without hesitation, Bracken nodded. "Of course. I do not wish to delay you." In a flurry, Léanne and her hundred sisters departed, along with the dryads.
Bracken bowed to Kendra. "Shall we?" he asked, extending his arm.
Beaming, Kendra curtsied and took his arm. "I would like nothing more."
With this response, she and Bracken resumed their stroll to the Hidden Pond.
"So, where were we?" Bracken asked. "You took quite a while in the pavilion, and I entirely forgot what we were discussing."
"Um, nothing really," Kendra replied. "I kissed your cheek, you kissed mine, and we held each other for quite a while. Remember?"
"Ah. Yes, I do. I'm guessing you don't want word of that little scene getting around to Seth?"
Kendra flushed bright red. "Oh, goodness no!" Then she realized there had been witnesses. "But what if Léanne or the other fairies tell anyone?"
"Don't worry," Bracken reassured her. "I will specifically forbid it as soon as I see them. It'll be our secret." He winked at her.
Kendra sighed in relief. They walked in silence until they reached the water's edge. Bracken led her to one of the boats and held it steady.
"After you, my dear," he invited. "I can hold you steady."
Grasping Bracken's hand, Kendra climbed into the boat as gracefully as she could, although her puffy dress made it difficult. "Thank you."
Still holding Kendra's hand, Bracken released it to take the oars. "My pleasure," he replied, rowing toward the shrine with effortless speed.
Kendra wondered how the little boat was moving so swiftly. Bracken must have commanded the naiads to assist him with this. She doubted they were happy to obey, considering their passenger was the person they envied the most.
"They're not going to tip me over and drown me?" Worried, Kendra gazed at the water uneasily.
"No," Bracken clarified, in a tone loud enough for those underwater to hear. "It is strictly prohibited."
"That's good." Kendra laughed. "I'm not exactly dressed for swimming, am I?"
"I don't think so," Bracken responded, laughing along with her.
"We should do it sometime," Kendra suggested. "Assuming we're not wearing party outfits at the time."
"Why not? It isn't a bad idea," Bracken agreed. "Anyway, we're nearly there." He steered the boat toward the shore of the island.
When they reached the island, Bracken leapt out of the boat with ease. Kendra, on the other hand, missed Bracken's extended hand and wobbled out, nearly falling into the water. Bracken caught her in the nick of time, but not before getting drenched. This mortified Kendra.
"Why did I have to land so clumsily?" She hung her head in shame. "I'm sorry I got you all wet."
"Don't be," Bracken told her, rubbing droplets of water from his jacket. "I'm not the one who is covered head-to-toe in all that finery. You're just fine."
Kendra's smile returned. "All right."
It didn't take long for her and Bracken to approach the Queen's shrine. Holding each other's hands, they knelt on the soft grass, facing the fairy statuette.
Bracken turned to Kendra. "Are you ready to cross over?"
She nodded, and a disorienting feeling overcame her. To her relief, it passed momentarily. Hand in hand, they stood in the Fairy Realm at last.
"It's absolutely beautiful!" Kendra breathed, soaking in the splendor that surrounded her. While flowers bloomed in abundance at her feet, paper lanterns of every hue soared in the twilight sky above her.
Bracken shook his head adamantly. "Not as beautiful as you."
Kendra started to protest, but Bracken set a finger to her lips. "That's not up to debate, my dear."
"Oh, fine." Kendra gave a mock pout. "We can both agree there is plenty of beauty here tonight, can't we?"
"Absolutely."