Sapphire Falls (The Lost Realm #2)

4. Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Avery

A very sat in silence as her sister bathed in the other room. She’d set out a nightgown and underwear for her and placed Morgan’s wet clothes out on the balcony to dry. Morgan had been so much angrier at Avery than she’d ever expected. She understood what it looked like. That she’d been actually enjoying a comfortable life in Aeritis since she disappeared. But that wasn’t accurate at all. Her time in Aeritis had been mostly terrifying with moments of unexpected joy and love.

A knock at the door brought Avery back into the room. Deep down she hoped it wasn’t Savine. She needed to actually talk with Morgan first before she brought him around her sister.

“Who is it?” Avery asked as she walked across the room to the door.

“It’s Kyla. Savine told me where I would find your room,” Kyla responded.

Avery paused before she opened the door. Savine’s sister had healed her when she first arrived in Aeritis, and maybe she was the one who saved her sister? She wasn’t sure on the details, but Kyla wasn’t in Rylo’s throne room when she’d attempted to assassinate Jasper. If she was the one to save Morgan and get her to Avery, then Avery was indebted to Kyla. Just as Kyla thought she was indebted to Avery for saving her soulmate, Garnel’s life.

Regardless of what Kyla thought, Avery didn’t fully trust her. Not after she realized Kyla could manipulate her emotions with a simple touch. It felt wrong that someone could do that. Kyla tended to act before she asked, and Avery didn’t want Morgan’s emotions manipulated without understanding what Kyla was capable of doing.

She opened the door and took in Kyla’s immaculate Latian gown, similar to the one Avery wore. The forest green was the symbol of Latian royalty and like so many things in Aeritis, the gown seemed to tell a story within its stitching. But this story looked like a horrific battle laid out in red thread.

Avery caught Kyla’s eye as she studied the intricate dress. “It’s the story of the civil war. I’ve waited years to finally wear it, and have carried it with me everywhere I go, hopeful for the end of the war. I’ve added images to symbolize each year of the conflict. All twenty-five years of it. Nearly twenty-six if it wasn’t for you and your sister. Now we can finally return home and I will add you and Morgan to the story. Thank you, Avery. Without you, this conflict may have never ended.”

“No need to thank me. If it wasn’t for you, I’d now be dead and Savine would be tortured for the rest of his life. I’m still sorry about your father’s death. I know he never treated you or Savine as a father should, but he was still your dad.”

“I mourned the loss of my father’s love many years ago, Avery. Now is a time to reunite our nation and to celebrate the just and true King of Latiah.” Kyla paused as she looked deeper into Avery’s room. For some reason, Avery was still holding her back, still unsure if she wanted to welcome Kyla deeper into her private space. Kyla turned to the door before she paused. “How is your sister? I brought you both some food. Soups for warming up, some tea, and bread.”

Kyla had brought her a similar meal the first time she’d eaten Latian food, helping restore her after the brutal bear attack on Quartz Mountain. Regardless of what Kyla’s essence could do, she meant well. She was trying now, and Avery didn’t need to push her away. She opened the door wide enough to allow Kyla to enter.

“Thank you. We appreciate your thoughtfulness. Morgan is in the bath right now. She hasn’t told me much yet, but you found her, didn’t you?”

Kyla nodded. “I did. I saw her at the bottom of Sapphire Falls and pulled her out. Just like with you, the goddess answered my prayer to communicate with her. I noticed that small black object on her waist, but couldn’t imagine it had the potential to kill the king.”

Avery poured a cup of tea for herself and for Kyla. She kept her voice low as she spoke to Kyla. “That’s a gun. My sister must have gotten one after I disappeared. I never even knew she had an interest in carrying a gun.” Avery shook her head. Her sister’s behavior had been so out of the ordinary. Obviously, the bear attack had rattled Morgan to her core, especially for her to now be walking around with a loaded gun in a holster.

Avery needed to check on Morgan, but she couldn’t resist finding out how Savine was doing. They’d been through a lot today, and she felt disjointed, not being able to check in with him.

“How is Savine coping?”

Kyla gave Avery a sad smile. “He’s doing well, considering the circumstances surrounding Jasper’s ending. Your kidnapping and Rylo forcing you to kill Jasper before you were ready shook Savine. I would have suspected that he wouldn’t let you out of his sight for years to come. But, he’s handling your decision to stay here with Morgan better than I would have expected. He has little choice in the matter, doesn’t he?”

Avery wondered if Kyla was judging her for her decision to stay with Morgan in Nephel for a month. She suspected that Kyla would never abandon Garnel for an entire month, but this was her sister and she couldn’t leave her alone. Not after what Avery had been through on her own in Aeritis.

“I want to see him soon. I know I need to talk with him, but not yet. Morgan’s been keeping something from me, but I think she wants to tell me,” Avery said, sighing. Suddenly, her whole body felt exhausted. Like the weight of everything they had experienced rushed at her, threatening to send her spiraling.

Kyla’s eyes widened. She could sense Avery’s emotions, no doubt. But she didn’t say anything about her sudden exhaustion and overwhelm. “I understand. I need to be with the council. We are planning a quick departure for Latiah with our troops, cutting up to Orofine along the river valley. I hope your sister feels comfortable sharing her experience with you. If you need anything, I am here for you, always Avery.” Kyla paused in the doorway. “Oh! I almost forgot. I have something of yours.”

Kyla turned and picked up Avery’s backpack from the hallway. It was repacked and the iron axe that Savine had gifted her was strapped to the outside of the pack.

Avery choked back a cry at seeing her bag. Yes, it was silly of her to care this much about her last items from Montana, but she couldn’t help it. They’d helped her survive in this world and she felt empty without them. She gave Kyla a quick hug. “Thank you so much, Kyla.”

After Kyla left, Avery heard Morgan getting out of the bath. The drain gurgled as the tub emptied and Morgan emerged from the bathroom wearing the formless nightgown Avery had left her. She made a dramatic twirl before she walked over to Avery’s backpack.

“What’s all this?” Morgan asked.

“Kyla, the woman who found you brought food and my backpack by. She’s Savine’s sister.”

Morgan’s face softened as she touched the bag. “You still have your bag.”

Avery smiled at her, nodding. “I was really lucky to have it. It’s been a lifeline to have a piece of our world with me. I even have a full external battery to charge my phone one last time. I’ve taken some pictures and I don’t know what I want that last charge to be used for. Something fun or some way to remind me of home, I think.”

Morgan pointed to the bathroom, her phone visible on the floor. “My phone isn’t working. You’re lucky you have your stuff.”

“My clothes are ruined except for my fleece and my rain gear, but you’re welcome to anything you need in there.”

Morgan gave her a tiny smile, moving across the room to the food tray. “Thanks. Is this the food?”

“It is. It’s safe to eat, but never accept food from a fae you don’t completely trust. They can’t lie like we can, but they love to bend the truth and extract truths from others. If you eat or drink something that a fae gives you, you’re basically under their control. They can ask you anything and your body will force the truth out of you. Believe me, it’s not pleasant.”

Morgan poured herself a cup of tea and took a bowl of soup, still piping hot, thanks to the essence from a cook in the Towers. “I’m guessing you had to learn that the hard way.”

“Unfortunately. And it wasn’t only once. There’s so much I need to tell you to help you adjust to this place, but first tell me your story.”

Morgan sighed and took in a spoonful of soup. After she swallowed she said, “I’ll just be direct. That bear wasn’t any normal bear. He was some sort of a monster. He could transform from a bear into one of those elf looking humanoids. The fae.”

Avery couldn’t hold in her astonished gasp. The bear was actually one of the fae? If he was fae, then that means they could pass into their realm too. She didn’t want to interrupt her sister further, so she held in her questions while Morgan continued her story.

“I don’t think he wanted me dead, but I couldn’t understand anything he was saying. I was getting an infection from my injuries, and I thought if I didn’t get away I would die.” Morgan sucked in a breath, her hands shaking as she continued. “As luck would have it, we were in an abandoned mine shaft and I found an iron pipe. I bashed him in the stomach with the pipe, then on the head. I kept bashing him until he was dead and I don’t regret it. I did what I needed to get out of there, but when search and rescue returned to the cave, there wasn’t a body. Nothing. People think I’m crazy or I hallucinated the whole thing. But I survived, and I guess that’s what really matters.”

Tears streamed down her sister’s face, streaking down the raised purple scars on her cheeks. God, how could her sister have had to suffer so much? Avery scooted her chair to her sister and pulled Morgan into a hug as she let out a deep, mournful sob. Avery wouldn’t let go while Morgan sunk her face into Avery’s shoulder, her body shaking as she held her tight. Finally, Morgan let go, her face puffy from crying.

“I can’t even imagine what you’ve been through. Did Mom and Dad believe you?” Avery asked.

The long sigh told Avery all she needed to know. “The idea of a pointy-eared shifting bear-fae, or whatever you called them, isn’t exactly an acceptable explanation when it comes to a bear attack and missing person story. They were trying hard to support me, while dealing with your disappearance. They didn’t believe me, but they did care for me. I think they needed me as much as I’ve needed them over the past few weeks. Since I got out of the hospital, I’ve been staying at their house. I wasn’t ready to go back home yet.”

Morgan let out another long sigh. Avery could see the exhaustion on her face. She should let her sister get some rest, but there were so many things that weren’t adding up.

“Do you know how you got here?” Avery’s voice was quiet as she asked the question. She thought back to her own journey to Quartz Mountain and the terror and confusion that came with her experience.

“I think so. Back at Quartz Mountain, the last thing I remembered before I lost consciousness was the bright light and the high pitched sound. I didn’t see you disappear. Honestly, I thought I was dying when it happened. But, the sound and the light happened again this evening, and I knew at that moment it had to be linked to your disappearance.

“I went for a drive to get away from Mom and Dad. It’s been… intense just seeing them band together and work nonstop to try and find you. I went over to Sapphire Falls and while I was looking over the railing I started to hear your voice. You were screaming for me and the next thing I knew I was falling down the waterfall with that bright light and ringing sound. When I came to, I was on the shore and Kyla was helping me up. She touched my head and I could understand her. But I’m confused by that. We’re speaking English now, how can we speak another language?”

Avery shrugged. “I don’t understand it either, but Kyla said she prayed to the Goddess for my ability to understand their language. I guess her prayer was answered, because I can read and speak the fae language.”

Morgan’s face looked puzzled, but she didn’t say anything.

Avery thought of her parents, of how desperate they must be now that Morgan was missing. “I wish there was something I could do to help Mom and Dad. I wish I could let them know I’m okay. What I still don’t understand, if you don’t mind me asking, is how did you end up with a gun?”

Morgan’s face looked stone cold as she turned her head and looked out the window to the balcony. She rubbed her neck, the tension in her muscles obvious even to Avery.

“I bought it after I was out of the hospital. After that thing’s body wasn’t found in the mine shaft, I was scared he would come back for me. So I’ve been carrying it everywhere I go. I want my concealed carry license. But until it comes in, I’ve been open carrying. I want it back as well. I don’t trust these creatures.”

In some way, it made sense to Avery that Morgan would do this. She’d always liked to have control over her life. Always calculating every potential variable to her success and comfort. So if she felt like her life was threatened, she’d do everything she could to account for that potential danger.

Avery wanted to reassure her in some way. “You don’t have to worry about that, Morgan. The fae can’t tolerate iron. If it gets in their blood, they die. The fae that attacked you is dead.”

Morgan glanced toward the door, a cold look on her face. It sent a chill down Avery’s spine and Avery felt her sister’s cool shadows circle their feet. Did Morgan even know she was performing magic?

“We can try to get your gun back, but for now, I just got my axe back and this knife, if it makes you feel better.” Avery took out her knife and gave it to her sister. It wasn’t the same iron knife that Savine gave her, but it was better than nothing. “Keep it. Wear it on you if it makes you feel better. I have a lot to tell you too, but after the day we both had, I think we need to get some rest.” Avery looked down at the splendid gown she still wore. “Before I change and get into bed I should go talk to Savine. There’s an insane amount of locks on this door, so just lock them behind me and I’ll use my keys to get back in.”

Morgan yawned. “Yeah, sleep sounds like a smart idea. This was a horrible day, but I’m happy I know you’re alive now.”

Avery smiled at her sister as she pulled her into a hug. “I’m so happy you’re with me, Morgan. Things may seem messed up right now, but I promise we’ll figure it out together.”

As Avery left the room, she watched the fae lights dim and heard her sister sleepily say, “Goodnight, Ave.”