Reversing Fae

Chapter 4

I feel a little awkward and embarrassed after meeting with Kvahein today. Even more so, Klovis managed to figure out that I had a little heart to heart talk with my great ancestor. Actually, he saw the protection mark on my forehead, and he is starting to tease me endlessly about it.

"Seems like someone made up with their pawpaw."

"You should stop reading human books. You are learning too many useless slangs."

"It's not useless if I can make you cringe."

I glare at him, making a mental note to report this to Grignel. I almost want to smash the mirror over his head, but that would be such a waste considering all the trouble that we went through just to fix it.

"Kreee!" I got startled when Gem, who grew up in size, screeched next to my ear.

"Gem? What is it?" I give the side of his beak a gentle pat to calm him down while my other free hand massages my ear that was ringing from his earlier screech.

"He is asking for you to ride on his back." Kvahein surprises us when he comes out and pats Gem's head. Gem purrs and rubs his head on Kvahein's cheek affectionately. I thought that he would have swatted Gem away but he did not. Kvahein noticed my look and raised a brow. "This cockatrice is a rare species of phoenix and dragon. What makes you think that I would hurt it?"

"Can you read minds?"

"No, but I can read your expression. Which reminds me, you have to fix yours because you are always easy to read. It would be advantageous to your enemies." He then fixes his attention to Klovis. "You are to return her to the human realm once you fix the realm."

"Understood."

"Do you know how to use the mirror?"

"Ahh, about that. I have a vague idea from the book of Joanah, but I could not figure out how the original Unseelie were able to reverse the realm." Klovis looks at the small pouch in his hand where the mirror is stored. "Now that I think about it, since when have the roles been reversed?"

"Stop wondering about the when and start asking about the how. If you don't have an idea, you could have asked." Kvahein regards him with an indifferent gaze, making Klovis shrink in his sitting position.

"W-Well, I could not dare impose on something that relates to the great Joa—"

"There's nothing wrong with seeking knowledge unless you intend to use it for the wrong reasons." He sighs, shaking his head. "Young ones today are too prideful to ask for help." He turns to the pouch and points at it. "Get to the throne room in the Unseelie court. There's a spot there, a window, that points in the direction of your kingdom. At the first peak of sunrise, make sure that the mirror hits the rays of the sun as it reflects the original Seelie court."

"That can't be all." I interrupted. "It can't be that easy. A process that switched the entire realms couldn't be done with just reflecting one kingdom to another."

Kvahein appears to be smiling when he looks at me. He seems pleased. "You're becoming sharp with matters involving magic. That's good." He gives me a brief praise before looking back at Klovis. "You and that Seelie brat have to hold the mirror together while chanting a spell to reverse the realm."

"WHAT!?" Klovis reacted heavily while I just snapped my fingers and muttered, "I knew it. It had to be something tricky." I smirked.

"Livia, not the time to gloat." Klovis gives me a disapproving look.

Kvahein's gaze darts between me and Klovis. "You two certainly lack what one would call being in a dire situation, seeing how you both can quarrel despite the situation I laid out." Kvahein temporarily lost his graceful composure when he ruffled his hair. "Listen, as my last favor for kicking you both out of my house, I contacted Beor and asked him to help you two seek refuge in the spirit's home while healing."

Hearing the name, I began to recall a certain elk head when we were inside that strange realm to get the sap for the mirror. There's nothing wrong with Beor, but there is something else that concerns me.

"Does that mean that we have to undergo those challenges again to get to Beor?" Klovis shivers along with me. The last time we were there, we faced odd challenges just to get to the next floor. Each one of those is more dangerous than the other. There's no chance that I am going back there if we were to repeat what we have gone through.

"Be at ease. There would be no need for such efforts." Kvahein assures us and he extends a hand towards Gem. The red Cockatrice lowered its head and allowed Kvahein to hold him. "This creature here is from that realm so he will serve as a guide to Beor's domain."

Klovis and I breathed out easily after that, which caught the attention of Kvahein. He looks at us accusingly. "I feel like you two are relying more on luck than your skills."

For some reason, Klovis and I did not dare to comment. We must admit that there is some truth in his words.

Kvahein begins to chant and soon, a portal appears before us. "This will take you to the fairy realm. Livia, head inside first. There's something that I must talk to the prince. It involves his lineage. It will only take a minute."

I have a feeling that whatever they are about to discuss is something private. I'm curious as to what it is, but I know better than to pry into private matters.

I nod, looking at Klovis. "I'll see you inside." I mounted Gem's back as we headed to the portal, feeling the familiar nausea that comes when switching realms. Just before we crossed it, I turned back just in time to see Klovis wearing a haunted expression.  

~*~*~END OF CHAPTER~*~*~

Sorry for the short chapter. I've been very busy lately. However, as short as this chapter this, if you read between the lines, there are hints about plot twists involve. 

Next chapter is going to be better as Livia and Klovis are back in fairie! :D