Shadow Locket

We push through the brush towards the light and emerge into a small opening. Moonlight trinkles through the treetops creating streams of bluish tinted color.

“This has to be it.” Elau whispers, grabbing my hand and walking to the middle of the opening. “I can feel the energy.” I nod feeling it as well, a faint vibrating pulse drawing us to this spot.

“So now we wait.” I say and take a seat on the forest floor. Elau sits next to me wrapping his arm
around my shoulders protectively. I lean into him smelling his sweet scent that provides more comfort than anything else. I can’t help but fidget with the grass below me. Nervous about what will come next.

“What are you thinking about?” Elau asks.

“What if this is it? We find proof and then what?” I look up at him with fear in my voice. “I can’t just go striding into Tartarean and I’m not sure I even want to. My whole life is here. I can’t leave my Mother by herself.” I feel tears swelling up in my eyes and look away from him.

“It is a huge change, and I don’t expect you to just become a Princess in a day. But you also need to think about Queen Lauriel.” I look back at him when he says this. “If you are her daughter then that means that she was murdered. Her death deserves justice and you may be the only one who can prove that it was a homicide.”

“So I change my whole life for a woman I’ve never met?”

“I know that sounds scary but I think that you would make an amazing leader, and you have support from me and Maeve. You can do anything you put your mind to, Nic.” He pulls me in tightly and places a kiss on my brow.

“I know, I just… I’m not sure I want to.” I say this but feel regret at the words. I think back to my fiery vision of Queen Lauriel dying trying to protect me.

“Then you don’t have to, but at least we will know the truth.” Elau replies, trying to comfort me.

My thoughts move to King Iress. For 23 long years, he has lived in solitude, the weight of his grief a constant companion. His once vibrant eyes now hold a sorrowful depth, a testament to the loss that has marred his soul.

I have heard the stories. The king, once a man of great vigor and charm, had been brought to his knees by the sudden death of his beloved wife and child. They said he had loved them fiercely, their laughter echoing through the halls of the castle, filling it with warmth and joy. But that joy had been snatched away in an instant, leaving behind an emptiness that no amount of time could fill.

I imagine him sitting alone in the grand hall, the flickering candlelight casting shadows on his weary face. The silence, once a peaceful respite, now a reminder of all he has lost. Every corner of the castle held memories of happier times, each one a painful reminder of what could never be again.

My heart aches for the king. I can’t help but wonder how he endured the endless days and nights, the haunting memories of his family ever present. Did he dream of them? Of me? Did he see their faces in his mind's eye, hear their voices in the quiet moments? Or had time dulled the sharp edges of his grief, leaving only a hollow ache?

As I lean into Elau, lost in thought, I vow to myself, to bring some light back into the old king's life. No one should have to bear such a heavy burden alone. I at least need to tell him the truth. I think to myself determined by that thought alone.

Suddenly, a soft, shimmering light catches my eye. I blink, thinking it is a trick of the moonlight, but the glow persists. It seems to be moving, dancing through the air with a grace that leaves me breathless. Look at Elau to see if he notices the light as well. As it draws closer, I realize it is not a trick of the light at all. It was a Lunasprite.

The tiny creature hovers in front of us, its wings beating so fast they are almost invisible. It has a delicate, translucent body that glows with a silvery light, and its eyes sparkle like tiny stars. I feel my breath catch in her throat as I watch the Lunasprite.

“Hello,” I whisper, not wanting to scare it away.

The Lunasprite tilts its head, as if considering my words. Then, to my amazement, it speaks. Its voice is soft and musical, like the tinkling of bells.

“Hello, Niccola. I’ve been watching you.”

My eyes widen. “You know my name?”

The Lunasprite nods. “Yes, I know many things about you. I know you are worried about the future.”

I feel a shiver run down my spine. How can this tiny creature know so much about me? “Then can you tell me the truth about my past?” I ask, my voice trembling slightly.

The Lunasprite smiles. “Perhaps. Sometimes, all one needs is a bit of guidance, a sign that they are on the right path.”

I feel a warmth spread through my chest. “What do you mean?” I ask and a soft glow appears at the creature's fingers. Then out of thin air a locket appears. I hold out my hand and the Lunasprite places the necklace on my fingers.

“My locket?” I say recognizing the necklace, “How did you get it?” I ask knowing that I had left this locket in my mother’s house.

“The answer has always been with you.” It says.

“A necklace?” Elau questions

“I’ve had it all my life, but it doesn’t work. The clasp is broken.” I say staring at the creature.

“Despa vernia” It speaks and the locket clicks open.

“A shadow lock.” Elau whispers next to me facinated by the dark magic. I hold up the locket revealing the inside and see a picture of King Iress with Queen Lauriel holding an infant baby with smiles larger than life.

The Lunasprite hovers closer, its light growing brighter. “Trust yourself, Niccola. You have the strength and wisdom within you to face whatever comes your way. Believe in the magic of the world, and it will believe in you.” The being disappears. I stand and turn to Elau but by the time I turn around we are back at the edge of the forest as if we had never stepped a foot inside.