Chapter 41 Turning Over A New Leaf

Without a wink of sleep, dawn arises.

I’m nervous to see Vani. What do I do if she’s still… I shake any negative thoughts from my head. Noel and dad got on the first carriage back to our estate. So, at the very least, Vani won’t be able to get at Noel…

The secretary snaps me out of my spiral of thoughts, directing me towards an iron-bolted door. It’s decidedly much more menacing than the unassuming, wooden entrance to the principal’s office.

Entering, I notice two guards flanked on either side. They look nervous and a bit worse for wear. I gasp. Vaniriel is entrapped with the silver vestiges of a tree. It must be iron. I wince visibly, iron burns Fairfolk.

The arches and branches pinning her wrists down, the trunk engulfing her lower body, pearl leaves covering her face. Her fury is palpable in the musty air.

“V-Vani!” I cry out and rush over. She shifts when she hears my voice, but Headmaster Aurelian holds me back.

“Not so fast,” His eyes betray exhaustion. Touching my left palm gently, I feel a golden light coursing through my blood. It’s warm like spring sunshine. He mutters an incantation that doesn’t sound like any language I’ve heard before.

I now remember the great ash tree from my first encounter with the Queen of Faeries, Titania. I’m unsure why the image burns so brightly in my mind, when the iron tree in front of me looks entirely different than Yggdrasil, the world tree.

“Lady Aeriea,” Aurelian pulls me back to reality, “You can speak with your friend now. Do try to calm her down if possible.”

I run towards her, pulling the leaves from her face.

“Wait-” The guards shout, but the principal shushes them. They reluctantly step back into their positions. Paying them no heed, I try unknotting the branches planted onto her limbs. The air calms down, her golden irises follow my movements.

We’re both silent while I try to work, it’s to no avail, however. The iron wrought captive onto its hostage.

“Where is it?”

Mustering all my scraps of rage, I shoot her a glare. Her eyes widen slightly, which I find promising. “Not it, his name is No-el,” I enunciate clearly, “My brother’s name is Noel.”

“As I said yesterday, he’s-”

Curtly, I cut off her words. “So what if he’s not related to me by blood?”

“But, that’s what brother means-”

“Then just consider him my adopted brother!” I huff.

Silence hangs like a Witch hanged upon a tree.

Turning away from the branches and towards Vaniriel, I look her dead in the eyes. “If it weren’t for Noel. I would be dead.”

Although Vani’s expression is still as indistinguishable as ever. I think I can understand her just a little bit better now. She opens her mouth to protest, “He made you weak.”

“I was already weak. I’m still weak. But, I’d like to think I’m a bit stronger now.”

There’s a pause before she mutters, “What of your power?” Her voice is almost soft.

“As if I give a Thrice about that.”

A clear current, carrying the scent of magnolia and maple brushes against my cheek. Her laughter is a breeze of wind-swept leaves.

It's the first time I've heard her laugh... It's beautiful.

Shaking her head, she mutters. “Humans. I thought I understood. Or perhaps, you're just weird, Aey.”

“Like you’re one to talk, Vani,” I laugh alongside her.