Page 53 of Foundling

Leita’s eyes narrowed. “You’re not talking about the faelands anymore.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“I’ll have you know that I—”

Look! Both of you, look!

Attalus and Leita blinked at each other in surprise to hear Thalia’s excitement. Carefully sitting up so that he didn’t take an eye out, Attalus turned with Leita to look across the suddenly verdant landscape.

It took him a moment to realize—the forest was growing. Literally growing before their eyes. Petals and leaves and needles shot from stems and branches, all reaching for the sky. Lush vegetation erupted from the lingering patches of barren ground, tree branches burst with bright green leaves, and stalks of grasses and beds of flowers marched across the landscape. Vines slithered up tree trunks, flowers turned their faces toward the sun, and pollen floated through the air in hazy blooms.

Attalus’s mouth fell open to see the absolute wonder. The forest, struggling a few moments ago to regrow, had come back to life.

Everywhere he looked was green, with flowers blossoming in colorful splashes. Birdsong swirled through the air, followed by the birds themselves. Burrowing creatures poked their heads from their dens, little black noses twitching.

Slinky herself deigned to look up from her nap, and Attalus held her up for a better view. She wriggled excitedly, and Attalus put her down, setting her loose to frolic in the fresh undergrowth.

Attalus turned to smile at his amazing mate but was startled to find a tear running down her cheek.

“Leita?” he murmured, his joy withering to think she was unhappy.

“It…” She turned to meet his worried gaze, her eyes glassy with disbelief. “It’s working.”

He burst with laughter and happiness, throwing his arms around her. “It’s working!” he cried. “You’ve done it!” Kissing away her tears, Attalus told her, “You’re amazing, Leita. Just look at you.”

It was small, almost shy, but a smile crept upon her lips. Careful not to scare it away, Attalus nuzzled her temple gently and gave her a supportive squeeze.

“My beautiful, wonderful mate. I knew you could do it.”

13

Leita had promised the mayor of Hallevale and his wife that she would return soon. It was the only way to alleviate their worry when she’d left last time after staying just two nights. “But what if you should need aid, my Queen? How will we find you?” Glenys had fretted.

So, Leita promised to return soon. And she did.

She hadn’t necessarily planned it to coincide with her and the faelands’ magic healing the forest. A happy accident, really.

As Leita and Thalia walked into town, this time they were met with smiles and well-wishes.

“The Queen! The Queen is here!”

“Bless you, my lady.”

“Thank you for healing the forest.”

“It’s Queen Leita!”

She allowed herself a grin and tried to take their praise with humility. “Thank you. I merely did my duty. Thank you all.” It was startling at first when they reached to touch her hands or shoulders, but Leita bit back her initial alarm. They wanted reassurance after centuries of uncertainty and a vicious wildfire.

They walked with her to the center of town, a crowd of happy faces gathering round her. Some clapped, some cheered, some lauded her new reign. It was all a heady mix, one Leita never could have imagined just a few weeks ago.

The fae of Fallorian had met her reign with wariness, and her policy of returning to eating and drinking had proven unpopular. Here, though, she was being celebrated, praised. It felt…good.

Between the townspeople of Hallevale and working with the faelands’ magic, Leita had gotten a taste of success—and she wanted more.

The problem was, not only did she not know what’d caused the faelands to finally connect with her enough to heal the forest, she didn’t know how to recreate it. Just that morning, she’d sat for over an hour attempting to talk with it, but the faelands remained uncertain. Being denied again took the shine off her success.

And, if she was truly honest, she suspected why it’d suddenly worked. Well, not really why, but she could at least say she knew the difference between that day and others. Attalus sitting with her.