“There’s more to it than that, though. Several things create a realm, each one a complex combination of those the realm not only chooses to give to, but also to take from. You’re correct in your deduction that I am the land. The same land that chose you to become queen and undo the damage by those seeking to take what is not theirs. Aria, your light will drive out the darkness devouring the Nine Realms,” he explained. “I wasn’t the only one who chose you to lead our people. There’s another within this window, one who pushed for your creation before she’d ever birthed the male who’d sire an heir of sun.”
Goosebumps erupted over my flesh as a chill raced down my spine. “Who?”
“Follow the path forward. All shall be revealed in time. If your intentions are true, and your heart is free of malice, then you’ll find the spring water from the fjord of Vanaheimr awaiting your rebirth.”
The stag reared back on its hind legs and then crashed forward with a deafening crunch against the forest floor. At the same moment, the sun vanished, leaving me blinded by the darkness enveloping me. Warmth drifted against my face before the brush of fur against my arm had a sad smile playing over my mouth.
“Blessed are those who see beyond the darkness, Aria Prometheus. Follow your soul to the Well of Transformation and be reborn, Queen of Sunfire.”
Chapter Three
Aria
The darkness seemed as endless as the night. As I walked through it, I imagined brightness within my mind that triggered a flood of colorful sunflower images. Various types became the sun while others shifted to flowering meadows as their tart, earthy scent tickled my nose.
Giant Sungold sunflowers with fluffy, golden petals that resembled pom poms came first. The land was as soft and as pliant as the petals of the giant flower. Suntastic Yellow sunflowers with striking, yellow petals stretching from the black center came next. As if they were the wheat in the fields, they stretched farther than the eye could track. Little Becka’s, with their burnt-orange centers that faded into deep, startling red-and-orange-tipped petals became the trees, flourishing in the high and low lands. Earthwalker’s earthy tones of oranges, reds, mahogany, and browns became the soul of the world I built inside my mind, flourishing those who trusted it to nourish and protect them. In the center of them all were the Lemon Queens. They may have had smaller petals, but they were brighter yellow than any of the others. The queen fed and pollinated everything else, sustaining life through the soul it housed.
Ahead of me, a minuscule light flickered, and I angled my steps toward it, wanting to know what it was. I wasn’t sure how far I’d traveled before I again hesitated. The light was suddenly moving toward me, startlingly rapidly. It whizzed through the velvety darkness until it slammed into me, sending us both clattering to the ground in a crash of limb and . . . fluff?
The creature purred softly as I took in what appeared to be an arctic fox with wings. Glowing dust seemed to sprinkle from it, without it having to move from where it remained on top of me. The fox-like animal had giant ears, much like those of a fennec fox. A large, puffy cat-like tail flicked from side to side behind it, sending glittering dust shimmering behind the thing.
It rudely stated, “You stink.”
“You don’t smell like roses either, buddy,” I grumbled right back.
“Don’t you have wings?”
“I’m a person.” Why did he sound so offended by my lack of wings? Shouldn’t I be the one to find the lack of them offensive? “Humans don’t have wings.”
“Pity,” it complained before crawling from my chest to sit beside me and loudly lick its paw.
“What are you?” I’d seen nothing like it before.
“Fennix’s a Foxtyre, and I’m a Catteris. My name’s Fennia,” a singsong voice said beside me. I turned to find another creature beside me, having no idea how or when it had gotten there. It also had wings, which fluttered just enough to keep it off the ground for a moment before it dropped down beside Foxtyre. “She’s so cute, Fennix! Can we keep her? Can-we-can-we-can-we-please?”
“She stinks,” he grouched before changing paws. “I doubt it’s den-broken, either. I say we eat her and cut our losses.”
Den-broken? Sitting up, I glanced back and forth between the winged creatures, smiling like an idiot. The irony of this shit wasn’t lost on me. I empathized with Fennix’s concern for his floors, having taken in enough strays to recognize the dangers. Hell, I couldn’t even argue that I didn’t stink, since I hadn’t showered since right before heading to meet Aden at the start of the trials. Once they’d showed us our rooms, I’d intended to request a shower, but I got sidetracked.
“But, Fennix! You said we could get a pet, and I love this one! She’s pretty, and her hair matches yours!” Fennix and I glanced at Fennia, offended by her comparison. “What? It’s the same silvery color!”
“His is white, and mine is silver. It is not the same color,” I pointed out crossly, while Fennix made a displeased sound in agreement. “I’m also not a pet. Pretty certain my inner beast wouldn’t enjoy being treated like a sweet, fluffy house cat.”
“If Fennia wants you as a pet, then a pet you shall be, creature.”
At Fennix’s sudden sharp tone, I forced myself to stand so I could glower down at the ankle biter. Both stared up at me, as if just noticing I wasn’t tiny, like them. When I felt my point was properly made, I knelt and smiled at Fennix, who stepped back.
“You’re both cute, but I’ll skip asking if you are house-broken and all that jazz.” Laughing at the haughty look on Fennix’s face, if a Foxtyre could actually look haughty. I may have been projecting. “I don’t suppose either of you know the way to the Muffin Man?”
“Muffin Man?” Fennia asked.
“The Muffin Man?” Fennix parroted back, tilting his small head. The slight jostle sent his large, fluffy ears cattywampus, which caused my lips to twitch. “I’ve never heard of someone named something so preposterous.”
“The Muffin Man!” I held the snicker in—barely. “It is indeed a preposterous name, but one must never tell the Muffin Man such a thing,” I said in a saccharine tone, rising once again. “It was lovely meeting both of you, but I’m a Walkabout and my time is short. I’m certain Esmeralda probably lost her shit and is raising hell or sitting in a dungeon in chains from doing so.”
I started past them, but then I paused because, at some point during our banter, something had changed. In the darkness, it looked as if someone had hung thousands of strands of fairy lights from leafless tree branches. The rock-covered path was lit up by the same silver orbs I’d seen all over the floor of the room I’d landed in. Only, instead of rolling around slowly, they acted like leaves caught in the breeze.
“Did she not see how cute we are?” Fennia asked in a wounded tone from her spot behind me.
A soft puff of air, which I assumed belonged to Fennix, followed. “She was a heathen, darling. Pay her no mind. We can find another pet. I promise.”
“I want her! She’s so pretty, Fenny. Please?” she begged, which caused my shoulders to shake.