It was not so simple to return my orb-ish state to normal. It took me the better part of a full turn just to get the glow to change from blue to an angry red.

Most fluttered away at that point... quickly, I might add. Perhaps they do have a catalog on emotional lights. Or perhaps the expletives I was spitting out gave them a good indicator of my emotional wellbeing. Which, at that point, was zilch. Momma would’ve tanned my hide.

At long last, it popped back inside me. Everyone who stuck it out... let's just say mine wasn't the only sigh of relief.

Sir Hans immediately took me to see Healer Jenson after the library visit. That wasn't fun, but at least my ankle is straight now.

Jenny cooed over me until I had to retreat, my stomach about exploding with food I wasn't hungry for.

I’m now settled in one of Sir Han’s rooms at his home. He wouldn’t let me be anywhere but, although the same creature who kidnapped my family is also after him. Strength in numbers, he had said.

The tears I’d been denying flow down my face. Deep sobs take me into a fitful sleep filled with nightmares and Jill screaming for my help.

A warm body snuggles in next to my own and I cling to the warm, soft fur. A tongue licks my cheek and then the rest of her settles around me in a cocoon. She bathes me in love, a lullaby for my ears alone emanating through her purrs.

The nightmares go away as I latch onto her. At long last, blissful blackness takes me away.

~~~

The next morning Jenny comes into my room with the boy clothes made for challenger Sir Ri. I almost loathe the clothes for taking away my family, but realize my blame is misplaced. My goal is the same as before. Protect my family and the prince. But now... things are just a little bit more wonky.

I know for a fact they won’t give my family back, no matter what I do. But mayhap they’ll keep them alive, if I’m able to give them some of what they want. And until I have a better plan, I will hold on to hope. For I will get them back. It is only a matter of when.

“Aria, how are you?” An undercurrent of compassion lines Jenny's words and her brows are drawn together, as if this is painful for her. She's a kind soul who feels others' pain, but right now... I don't want that.

Ran yawns from the bed then kneads the covers with her ginormous claws. “Ran, no! Bad dog. You’ll ruin the covers.”

She yawns again before turning her rump to me and going back to sleep. I almost smile. Almost.

“Jenny, I’m as well as can be expected. When is the first match?” Something to keep me busy rather than sitting here... it's welcome. The only other idea is to forgo the tournament and search the streets day and night... but that portal could have dropped them anywhere. It would be searching for a needle in a haystack.

Until such a time as I have a lead, I must keep being as normal as possible in case they are watching.

“The tournament begins in a half turn... are you sure you are up for it?" she says, sitting on the bed and patting it for me to come sit beside her.

I do, reluctantly, afraid she's going to drag me in for another hug. She doesn't, just waits patiently for my answer. I sigh, looking out the balcony window but not seeing it. "I must, Jenny. Sitting here, doing nothing but thinking is worse. So much worse."

She squeezes my hand, her eyes knowing. "Then we must make haste to get you there to fly your banner.”

“My banner? I have no banner.”

She smiles with a glint in her eye that makes me wary. “The bath is on its way. You shall allow me to help you bathe as you eat.”

I nod, too exhausted to argue.

I strip down and ease into the bath. My ankle seems to have healed completely, something I’m left to wonder over. I’ve always healed quickly, but—this is more than that. The Spark... it truly makes me wonder what Natasha gave.

My thoughts drift to the fairies. There are true, honest to goodness fairies living in the library. Hiding in the library. The library I visited often.

I knew it! The place really is magical.

I’m soon as clean as salt scrubs and lilac soap can get me. I shove some meat and fruit down my throat as Jenny plaits my long locks. She binds it to the top of my head, but foregoes the itchy wig.

“What about that?” I gesture to the hairpiece that looks like a rat nest, but is about the same color as my own hair.

She waves me out the door with a secretive smile. She binds my chest and dresses me as quickly as she is able.

This time it’s the same black trousers, but paired with a white shirt and beautiful golden doublet. The Timber is traced in white this time, red eye shining forth with a ruby gaze. That reminds me of the little sprite queen, and a smile overtakes my face.

Jill always told me the stories were real. She said if Eldertrees and Timber Wolves were real, then why couldn't creatures such as fairies and dragons be real? I humored her ideas and brought her more books on magical creatures, but never thought it true. When I get her back, I will introduce her to the creatures living in our city. She will be so excited to prove me wrong.

There’s a knock at the door.

“Come in,” Jenny calls.

Sir Hans walks in looking quite spiffy himself. With a white shirt and open black doublet traced in gold, he’s quite the looker for a man his age. His hair is pulled back into a warriors queue. His blue eyes are dim and slightly red rimmed. Two bushy brows rise when he sees me, his eyes glimmer with humor.

“My, what a handsome man you make!”

I chuckle despite myself. “What every girl so longs to hear, Hans.”

A knife materializes in my hand at my request to the Spark within my soul. Jenny jumps back, covering her gasp with a shaking hand.

I quickly let it dissipate. “Sorry. Just needed to see if it was real and not...”

“A dream,” Sir Hans finishes.

I squeeze my eyes shut, covering my hurting heart with a hand.

“I am so very sorry, my dear.” Jenny wraps her arms around me, a sob shaking her shoulders.

Her warmth calls to me and I burrow my nose in her lavender and chamomile scent.

Sir Hans places a hand on my shoulder. “We will get them back. I have everyone on high alert. We will find them. I promise you,” he pledges in a gruff voice.

As Jenny rubs soothing circles on my back, I nod. This is not the time for tears or a breakdown. I had that luxury last night, but now... now is the time to be the warrior Father kindled in me, and these last years—these last years I grew those embers into a raging fire. I am a warrior. I am a fighter. And those who took my family will wish they had never been born.

I harden my soul and focus on the goal, not what I have already lost. “I’m ready.”

They both look at me with pride. “There she is,” Jenny whispers.

I’m spirited down the hall and into a receiving chamber.

My jaw drops. Bustling about the interior are many orbs. They circle around Ran, who I hadn’t noticed was gone from my room. One in particular catches my eye. He bobs to the rest and one fills in as he takes his leave.

I reach out to his being, something that is getting easier with practice. But instead of just connecting to the one orb... it reaches out to everyone. The bombardment of emotions gives me a headache on top of the headache from crying last night. So. Fun.

“I never had time... to thank you,” I say, rubbing my throbbing head even as I smile at the little guy.

“For what?” The orb bobs before me. The one who so often lighted my reading and then led me to his family when I needed them.

“You saved my life more times than I can say. You led me to your father against everyone’s wishes and fought for me. Thank you.”

He glows a deep pink, and I know I’ve embarrassed him. “It w-was nothing.”

I grin at him. He reminds me of my little brother. Strong willed and foolhardy, but extremely sweet. “What’s your name?”

“Larich, my lady.”

“I am no lady, Larich, but thank you.”

“You are a lady and much more, Guardian.”

I stare at him, wide eyed, my mind having no idea what he means.

My eyes are drawn back to the orbs circling Ran as they move in quicker circles. She looks at me with shocked, hopeful eyes.

Help!

I almost snicker. Almost. “How’d you get yourself into this one, may I ask?”

They said you could ride me if I did this one thing. They said you would never have to have another mount if I let them do something that tied me to your spark. But—but! She whimpers as the orbs circle her faster, darting in and out in an almost choreographed dance.

“Is there anything I can do to help? Ran is getting spooked.” One of the orbs bobs, turning a bright purple. I smile, thinking I know exactly who that is and what she wants.

“Hi, your majesty.”

“None of that, my girl. Her majesty was my grandmother. Come join me by the wolf and I will link the two of you.” I silently comply.

“Can I touch her?”

“Yes, indeed. It would be helpful,” the Queen replies.

I lay my hand on her shoulder. It twitches beneath my touch. “Easy, girl. It’s just me. Whatever they do, they do to both of us.”

Not helping! she hisses.

I chuckle, as I sense no ill will in the Queen's emotions, and the Spark inside me seems content. “I believe they’re trying to help.”

She grunts in obvious discontent, her tail between her legs as she whimpers.

“I will link the spell to your Bond as well as your Spark. Either of you will be able to call off the shift at anytime.”

The what? Ran yelps.

Before she has a chance to run as fast as her namesake, she changes before my eyes. A couple of crackles and pops make me wince, but she seems to not feel a thing as she looks at her body in shock.

Her nose elongates into that of an equine, while the mane like that of a male lion recedes to just the top of her neck ridge. It’s as thick as a pony’s mane, but beautifully so, and as long and elegant as any horse I’ve ever seen. Her tail sprouts long white hairs until it’s swishing the ground.

Her lithe body grows more upright and her sloped hindquarters built for leaping ripple out and up until they are the long legs of an equine built for speed.

Last but not least, her two marvelous ivory saber teeth sink into her mouth to sprout on her forehead.

Her large bulbous brown eyes grow cross eyed as she tosses her mane. A unicorn? They made me a fancy pancy UNICORN? She prances around, her hooves clacking on the smooth marble floors instead of her soft, silent paws. She picks up one hoof and then the other, shaking them and trying to sit them down quietly.

It reminds me of the one time I put stockings on the feet of Grindle, a toy terrier Father rescued and brought home from the wars as a gift to mom.

The poor little guy did not like the stockings, walking around with high steps and constantly trying to shake the things off.

Ran seems to like her hooves just about as much.

I snicker a little. Just a little. Her eyes grow red and she puffs out steam from her nostrils. She looks like a unicorn from the Sixth.

“I’m not laughing. Honest." I throw my hands up in supplication, biting my tongue.

Her eyes return to brown. She huffs, going back to trying to walk in her new body.

I snicker. She pounces. It’s a bit awkward with hooves instead of paws, but she makes do. The horn makes an indention in the stone floor a few inches from my head. I gulp.

I. Am. A. Uni. Corn. Her breath comes hard and fast.

She stands over my torso with hooves to either side of my ribs and muzzle stuck in my face. Her warm breath puffs tendrils of hair from my forehead. “These may be the last words I ever say, but you sure are a cute unicorn.”

She snorts much like a horse, getting snot all over my face, then nuzzles my face with her now whiskered horse's muzzle. She draws her tongue from the side of my chin all the way to my forehead. I laugh as she licks me with more enthusiasm.

“Ran! Stop. Enough.” I push her muzzle out of the way and flick some gooey slobber at her. She goes to lick it with her tongue but can’t reach where it landed on her flank. She spins in a circle three times before she gives a huff and plops down.

Her legs splay out underneath her as she pouts. Never have I seen the gangly legs of a horse used in such a manner. I give up containing my laughter.

She puffs a breath of air and tosses her mane. I’m cute, you say?

I get up and rub her forehead around the horn. “You’re absolutely adorable. But more than that, you are beautiful and frightening and strong still as a unicorn, and I love you're doing this for me.”

She purrs and rubs her chin to mine.