Chapter 24

Raine's head hurt as she lay in the darkness.

"Raine?" a familiar voice asked; a voice she would know anywhere. "Raine, wake up."

Bryce. Yes. It was Bryce. She knew it was him, and she longed to open her eyes, but she couldn't find the way. She seemed to be lost in the darkness. She looked around for some light, but could see nothing.

"Raine?" Bryce said. Was he crying? Yes. From the sound of his voice, he was. Why couldn't she wake up? "Raine, my love, come back to me. I will do anything you ask, but just come back to me."

She saw a narrow tunnel. Was Bryce's voice coming from the other side? She moved as quickly as she could toward the light until she was consumed by it.

When she opened her eyes, the only visible light was from the stars and the moon, casting its magical glow over the earth. She looked up through the trees, but everything seemed disproportionate. Smaller somehow. She looked over, and Bryce was kneeling down beside her as tears streamed down his cheeks.

"Do not weep, my dear Bryce," she said as she swiped her thumb across his face, catching a tear. Then, she put it to her chest to keep it close to her heart. That was when she realized that she was not tiny anymore. She tried to sit up, but her pounding head didn't allow her to. Then, everything came back to her. "The urn? The Locks of Samson?"

Bryce nodded. "They are right here," he said, motioning to her left.

Beside her, the urn glowed brightly. She sat up and weaved, but Bryce steadied her. Slowly, she began to gain her bearings. "Where is Virtra?"

Bryce shook his head as he bit his lower lip. "She was gone when we arrived, and you were lying beside the urn."

"Was I full grown?"

A crease formed between Bryce's eyes. "What do you mean?"

Raine let out a deep breath. "Virtra turned me back into my true form."

Bryce smiled. "That would explain the wings."

"Wings?" Raine asked, and then flexed the muscles in her back. She could feel her wings flutter behind her. "My goodness! But how?"

A hand reached down to help her up. When she looked up, it was Herman of Cambria. "The urn must have thought that you were worthy of your heart's desire."

Raine reached up and took his hand, letting him help her to her feet. She was the same height that she was when she was human. Bryce pulled her immediately to his chest, but she pulled back. "My people?"

"Your people are safe, Princess," Herman interjected. "But they miss you."

Raine nodded. She bit her lower lip as tears filled her eyes. "But how?"

Herman shrugged. "What would be your heart's desire?" Then, he looked over at the urn. "You see, the wonder of the Locks of Samson is not in its strength or power, but in granting a heart's desire. Virtra's desire was for power. What is your desire?"

Raine thought carefully. "I wish to be full sized, but I wish to remain a fairy. I wish to protect my people, to keep them safe, and I wish for my people to come out of hiding. But my final wish could never be."

Bryce took her hand into his and raised it to his chest. "And what is that?"

"You," she said.

A smile curled the corners of his lips. "But you already have me."

She shook her head. "I put my people's lives in jeopardy with my selfishness. I am the future Queen of the Magical Forest." She looked Bryce straight in the eyes. "As such, I cannot run from my responsibilities. There is much that I must do before..."

"Then, I shall wait for you," Bryce said as tears formed within his eyes.

She shook her head. "I cannot ask you to do that ... for me."

Bryce pulled her into his arms. "You did not ask, and I am not doing it for you. I am doing it for me."

She nodded, and then laid her head on his chest.

"Well, shall we go back to my cabin?" Colin asked. "You are welcome to stay for as long as you like."

But Raine shook her head. "I must speak with my father." She let out a deep breath. "I think it is time that we come out of hiding." Then she turned to Bryce. "But I will see you again. I promise."

"I will be waiting." Then, Bryce pulled her into his arms and his lips descended upon hers. Herman and Colin turned away, giving them their moment. It was a kiss to span lifetimes, to span continents, to span kingdoms. It was a kiss to span time.

When she pulled back, she looked down at the urn. "We must return the urn."

Herman shook his head. "If we return it to the Great Waterfall and its location is known, then someone will surely find it and will use if for their own gain." He took a step closer to her. "No. I feel that it should remain in your possession."

"Me?" Raine asked, surprised. "But I am not worthy."

Herman looked over at the urn still setting on the soft lichen of the forest floor, glowing brightly. "Well, the urn thinks you are." Herman took her hands into his. "You are now the protector not only of your kingdom, but of the Locks of Samson, as well. Use its power wisely."

Raine nodded, and then picked up the urn. "I shall protect it with my life." Then, she looked over at Bryce once more. "I promise that it is not over between us, but I need time."

"And you shall have it," Bryce said, but made no effort to approach. "When you are ready, you know where to find me."

She nodded. "Thank you for everything." Then, she turned to Colin and Herman. "Thank you all. If you should ever need my assistance ..."

Colin smiled. "You will be the first that we shall call upon."

Raine picked up the urn and smiled. Then, she walked toward the direction of her kingdom and vanished from sight, leaving Bryce, Herman, and Colin behind.