“Yeah.” I described what I’d seen as I’d gone through the woods.
“Sounds shady,” she said. “But I’m not surprised. You’re queen now, and you’re new. Some people are going to object.”
“But I’m supposed to save their asses!” I still wasn’t keen on fighting a mysterious super witch, but the Truth Teller had made it clear what would happen if I didn’t—devastation. So I was going to do it. That should at least keep the townsfolk from trying to murder me.
“Could be someone from another kingdom,” Eve said.
“How did they get in? Isn’t this place protected?” I asked. During the competition, it had seemed like the kingdom was safe from outsiders.
“It is,” Meria said. “And we’re well hidden. But fae are cunning and determined. I wouldn’t be surprised if a few could find their way in.”
I grimaced.
“Fortunately, we’re at the portal, and we’ll leave your stalker in the dust,” Eve said. “For now.”
It was a small comfort.
We’d reached the pebble beach where the portal was located. It shimmered with a silver glow, a spot in the air that appeared disturbed. The guard who monitored the portal stepped aside to let us pass, but the one who had been following us raced to catch up.
“You cannot leave," he called, still about forty feet away.
“Watch me.” I grabbed Eve’s hand and dragged her to the portal. She was the one who knew the way, so I had to go through with her. “Get me out of here so I feel like I have at least a little freedom.”
“Roger that.” She grabbed Meria’s hand and we stepped through the shimmery silver air.
The ether sucked us in and spun us around, twisting us though space in a way that made my stomach lurch. When it spat us out on solid ground, I stumbled, clutching my belly. “I’ll never get used to that.”
“Probably not,” Eve said.
“A little too honest sometimes, Eve.” I’d been hoping she’d tell me I’d be fine in no time.
“Yep. Now come on.” She started forward, and I followed. Meria caught up and stuck by my side.
The portal had ejected us onto a grassy hillside. The sun shined overhead, and a faint breeze carried the scent of wildflowers. In the distance, a massive oak tree reached for the fluffy white clouds.
I craned my neck to see the top. “Whoa, that’s big.”
“Yep.” Eve nodded. “Biggest and oldest in the world, thanks to the spirit who lives within it.”
“And she’s the Truth Teller?”
“The one and the same.”
“It’s amazing,” Meria said. “Never thought I’d see it.”
“Anyone can come,” Eve said.
“But not everyone knows the way,” Meria said. “And I never had any question worth asking. But maybe…”
“Your family?” I asked.
“Yeah. Maybe there’s another way to get them back.”
I hoped so because I was pretty sure my "blood sisters" plan wasn’t going to work.
“One question at a time, ladies,” Eve said. “I can bring you back, Meria. But the seer doesn’t like to be disturbed, so we need to keep it minimal on this first visit.”
I frowned and looked at Meria. “It’s not fair that I got the crown and I get to go first to ask about my family. You’ve got a missing family, too.”
“Maybe not, but you’re the one with mysterious magic that needs explaining so you can defeat the super witch. So you should go first.”
“I agree with her,” Eve said. “We’ve all got a lot invested in you not screwing this up.”
I gave a weak laugh, but she was right. I really needed to not screw this up.
Decided on our course of action, we approached the tree in silence. Eve stopped about fifteen feet away, and we did the same. The tree leaves rustled in the breeze, and the sight of the ancient oak made awe rise within me. It was so big that my mind could hardly comprehend it.
“What next?” Meria whispered.
“Patience,” Eve said. “She knows we’re here. She just needs to decide if she’s going to show herself.”
I drew in a deep breath, vowing to wait patiently.
That lasted all of two seconds.
Come on, come on.
Finally, magic shimmered on the air. It felt like rough bark and smelled of leaves. A ghostly figure appeared at the trunk of the tree, her form ephemeral and vague. She was semi-transparent and her face was featureless, but the power that emanated from her was enough to shake my bones.