Magical Journey of the Elf Queen

Chapter 9 - Beginning of an Adventure

“Morning mum.” At the sound of my voice, my mother turns to me with a look of exasperation, while Clover barks excitedly in greeting as she wiggles her tail in the air in excitement.

“Morning,” She sighs, smiling up at me when I come to a halt by her side and simply stare at the both of them. “How are you feeling, Katie told me everything?”

Smiling a little, I knelt by her side to hold Clover down while she hurried bathed the struggling puppy who barked and growled in anger. Shrugging, I simply say in reply. “Confused, I guess.”

Once my mother was thankfully done with rinsing off all the soap from the puppy’s little body, she grabs a towel to dry her off but the sneaky little rat hurriedly slips through my hands and jumps out of the float.

Shaking her body from side to side to shake off all that water, she yips happily at the sound of our startled shrikes.

Even though we raised our hands to cover our faces, we still got sprayed, and before either of us could react the golden retriever immediately hurries off into the house.

Laughing in amusement we watched the little critter go even though she was tracking wet puddles.

I help my mother tidy up before I finally asked the question that has been tugging at my mind since the whole reveal of my non-humanness.

“So, did dad ever leave because of me?”

Caught off-guard by the question, my mother turns to stare at me for a long minute.

“Of course not, Eva why would you think that?”

Raising a brow, I regard her with a meaningful look.

Sighing, she muttered something underneath her breath then stood, bringing me up with her. “Your father never knew what happened that day sweetie, because before he returned home from work I was able to calm down and clean up all the mess we created.”

“And then, what explanation did you give him about me?”

“I told him, I just happened to stumble upon a baby girl in the alley at the back of the grocery store. Unable to see you suffer, I made the spontaneous decision to bring you home.”

“That’s it, I mean all of a sudden you bring home an orphaned child and he simply accepted that?” I ask, completely sceptical of the fact that a rule-following man like my father would be so free-spirited.”

“I mean, of course at first he didn’t think it was a great idea. And he had wanted to get the authorities involved in case you have a parent or family searching for you. But the police couldn’t find anyone related to you, especially since you aren't even registered in the system. So, we agreed with my plan to adopt you and seventeen years later you became his precious little girl.” She says, caressing my face softly.

“Eva, I know you always considered the possibility that our divorce was your fault but honey I swear, it never was. Your father and I had problems because he wanted us to try and have another baby, but I was reluctant. And my reluctance was the one thing that caused our separation Eva, not you, never you. You might not have been ours by blood, but we love you to death.”

Smiling, I relaxed in relief and wrapped my arms around her waist in a tight hug. Even though this topic might seem irrelevant to my current situation, ever since learning about my appearance in their lives I’ve wondered if maybe I became a burden my mother was forced to live with just because my birth mother one day stumbled into her life and practically forced her child onto her.

Later on that night, after careful deliberation on my part, I decided to tick the “yes” option in the red diary. So, once dinner was over and we cleared away the table, the three of us settled in a cross-leg position on the floor.

With Katie on my right, my mother on my left, and the red diary in front of everyone I take in a deep breath and stared at the little box drawn on the page.

Fiddling with my fingers I waited for the feeling of dread or even regret, but all that fluttered in my stomach was nervous butterflies to mark my excitement. Leaning forward with the pen in my hand I ticked the “yes” box.

In response, the red diary brightened with a soft glow and our jaws couldn’t help but drop open in shock at the sight of it.

When the glow slowly deemed, as my birth mother stated the page turned on its own volition. Words written in black ink once again rapidly appeared on the next page and I could do nothing but be stunned.

Katie had to nudge me with an elbow before I could get my bearings and when I did, I shakily picked up the diary to read the words written on the page.

~*~*~*~

Dearest Maria,

Thank you so much for your choice my daughter, I know it must not have been an easy decision to make. Bear in mind, because you ticked the “yes” box your life is about to unfold in so many ways and your journey starts now.

There’s an island called the island of the lost within the Winged Kingdom, this island was a refuge for you and me while I carried you in my womb before making my escape to earth. This island signifies, more or less the heart of our entire Kingdom. Without the pureness that resides there, the Winged could be doomed for all eternity.

Morgan’s distorted dark magic is strong, but not strong enough to break through the barrier that keeps the island safe all at once. But as strong as the barrier may be, it can’t hold for a long time, eventually it will weaken and start to break apart if we don’t act fast!

By my calculation,s there are only a few months left before Morgan’s magic completely breaks through the barrier, and I know this will probably confuse you more than ever but we’re on a need to know basis. You need to get to this island and resurrect a tree called the “fairy dust tree” with the golden dust I ensured appears by your side from a certain point of your growth. But first, to get to this tree you need to find a map.

I have written down a set of clues for you to finish which is going to help you find the map, just handing it out through your mum might be dangerous. I want you to remember one thing though, each clue is unique and they are in any way or form always connected to you.

The page turned again on its own and black words started to appear again:

The first clue is: at the beginning of nightfall...

Here’s a hint- The sun.

“Oh great, it's cryptic.” I huff sarcastically when the diary shuts close automatically and locks with a click.