Page 86 of Realm of Nightmares
“One, go!”
Tiernan took off, sprinting up the final few stones with every burst of energy he could summon. From the corner of his eye, he knew Aran kept pace. If anything, they’d reach the top at the same time. Never one to be bested, Tiernan pushed himself until his body wanted to give out, until every fiber of power left inside of him wanted to crash. Heaving himself over the final step, he fell forward through the illustrious gates of Maghmell and collapsed into a field of long grass with budding flowers.
Aran landed a few feet from him, laughing and choking at once. He rolled onto his back and tossed one arm over his eyes, shielding his face from the blaring sunlight. “I’m not sure how you did this last time. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to walk again.”
“Good thing you don’t have to.” Tiernan stood, his wings bursting from his back in a flash of midnight blue and violet.
In Maghmell, the full might of their magic was restored. Their injuries were healed, their energy replenished. Tiernan offered his hand and pulled Aran to his feet.
“Thank the fucking gods.” Aran spread his wings, deep crimson and gold, then glanced over his shoulder and winced. “Apologies. Forgot where I was for a second.”
“Come on.” Tiernan laughed. “Let’s go find the goddess of life.”
But Maghmell was nothing like he remembered. Where once there were resplendent buildings in the hues of the dawn with curving gilded staircases, now there was nothing but icy blue and rosy, pink clouds. Before there were beautiful spires carving out the skyline, and waterfalls of turquoise flowing endlessly into rivers and streams. Wildflowers bloomed over every stone archway and Danua’s palace of ivory and glass sat perched atop a mountain of clouds, but all of it was gone. As though it had been a dream, a figment of his own imagination.
Tiernan angled himself, flying higher, and though the clouds shifted, blending into wisps of lavender, he couldn’t feel the breeze against his skin. Tiny dancing lights floated along the ground, weaving in and around the obscuring mist. In the distance, he could barely hear the echo of birdsong, whispers of laughter, the spirits of the deceased safely tucked away within the realm of eternal paradise.
“Why does it feel like an illusion?” Aran flew up next to him, surveying the swirling mass of clouds. He frowned. “Was it like this the last time you were here?”
“No.” Tiernan shook his head. “Something is off. The last time I was here, there was an entrance. And there were souls…everywhere.”
He’d searched for his parents, to no avail. While he was certain they’d both been relegated to Maghmell after their deaths, he’d been unable to locate them during his brief visit. It was unnerving to see the realm hidden away in the clouds, like a well-kept secret, just out of reach of those not quite worthy. They could attempt to flyintothe clouds, but given everything he and Aran had recently endured, the last thing he wanted was to fly into the unknown. At least not without a plan.
“I don’t understand it.” Tiernan dropped to the field, glaring up at the clouds, and Aran landed beside him. “Where is she?”
“She is not here,” a soft, feminine voice, reminiscent of tinkling bells, sounded from behind them.
Tiernan spun around to see an explosion of stardust, and from it appeared a petite figure with sheer, shimmery wings. Barely as tall as the blades of grass in which they stood, the tiny faerie flew up, perching upon the petals of a pale yellow flower. Silver hair fell to her waist and her skin looked as though it had been made from moonstone. Piercing blue eyes, as clear as crystals, stared up at him and she smoothed her impossibly small hands over her dress. It moved around her like constellations in the sky.
Lianan.
Aran stepped forward, slowly, careful not to startle her. He crouched down, staring at her in wonder. “You’re the will ó wisp.”
Her keen eyes flicked to him.
“And you’re the High Prince of Autumn.” Her head tilted, just slightly, and her frosty pink lips pursed. “My deepest regrets for your brother, Shay.”
Aran stiffened and stood, his solemn nod barely noticeable. Pain lanced through his features, sharp and quick, but he shuttered the emotion away.
Tiernan came closer, clamping his hand down on the High Prince’s shoulder in a show of solidarity. “Where is Danua, the goddess of life?”
“Lianan has already answered that question. She is not here.” The will ó wisp plucked at a petal, yanking it off the flower’s stem completely. She crumpled into her small fists, making a series of nonsensical noises, and when she opened her hands, she’d fashioned afaolanpup. Lifting her cupped palms to her mouth, she blew gently, and the yellow flowerfaolanfluttered into the space between them. Up it flew, circling their heads, and Aran ducked as the magical creature attempted to nip at his ear.
“The fuck,” he muttered, swatting at it. The artificialfaolanflew higher before disappearing into the wall of clouds. He narrowed his gaze at Lianan. “We understand that much, the goddess of life isn’t here. But where did she go?”
The will ó wisp sighed. “She seeks that which was stolen from her.”
“Stolen?” Tiernan repeated, glancing over at Aran. Wariness lined the High Prince’s face and his green eyes darkened with concern. “What do you think that means?”
“It could mean anything. I’ve never known Danua to leave Maghmell. The only time she ever does so is to collect the worthy from a battlefield.” Aran lifted one shoulder, debating. “But that’s only during war. Any other time and the souls find their way here on their own. She simply waits to greet them.”
Tiernan turned to Lianan, doing his best to quell the surge of alarm firing through him. “What was stolen?”
She fidgeted with a few blades of grass, twisting and braiding them into a crown. “So many questions,” she murmured.
“Yet you’ve only answered one,” Tiernan countered.
Her crystal blue eyes flashed in warning. “Perhaps this is because you continue to ask the wrong ones.”
