Finding Her Wings Read online

  Finding Her Wings

  An Empyrean Tale

  K.B. Wheelock

  Published by K.B. Wheelock, 2018.

  Copyright © 2018 by K.B. Wheelock

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  A Short Author’s Note

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16 | Orrin

  Chapter 17 | Puck

  Chapter 18 | Warren

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20 | Puck

  Chapter 21 | Warren

  Chapter 22 | Orrin

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25 | Warren

  Chapter 26 | Puck

  Chapter 27 | Orrin

  Chapter 28 | Warren

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Where to Find K.B. Wheelock

  Books by K. B. Wheelock

  Dedication

  TO THE BETA READERS who read and critiqued on a tight time frame

  Thank you

  Becca, Michelle, Tory, and Nathalie..

  And most importantly,

  to my husband for supporting me in this dream

  I WANT TO THANK THE author community

  For the support and encouragement that they gave me.

  It is easy to focus on the negatives,

  but the RH authors have reminded me what community is.

  Thank you.

  A Short Author’s Note

  FINDING HER WINGS TAKES place in the same realm as Chasing Augery, a free short story that can be found here https://books2read.com/ChasingAugery

  Mhularuskas, Nixies, Brownies and more are introduced in Redeem if you would like to learn more of them.

  THIS IS A TINKER FAIRY retelling, a story about coming of age,

  finding yourself, finding love and finding family.

  Prologue

  I DON’T REMEMBER MY birth, but every day I’m reminded of what a traumatic event it was. Not such a traumatic event for me, but for everyone in attendance.

  A fairy’s birth is something to be celebrated, as the petals unfold and reveal the little cherub. I have spent a lot of time imagining my birth.

  Yawning, I look up at the pink petals over me and try to grab one with my fist. I can’t quite grasp it, but my uncoordinated action hits the petal causing it to tremble and a noise outside my cocoon startles me.

  I try again to get that pink petal and this time I am able to catch it and I pull it down and it comes off, draping over me. I giggle in delight that I got my prize. The bright light the petal hid makes me squint and I hear “ooh”, “ahh”, “look at the dimples”.

  Trying to get away from the light, I squirm back and forth until I flip onto my stomach, crushing the sweet smelling petal under me. A scream shatters my idyllic birth and someone yells, “She has no wings”. The sky opens up and mourns with the adult fairies, as I am quickly hidden away.

  Chapter 1

  WALKING THROUGH THE glade, I look at the sky and see all the other fairies flying, their flips and spins catching the sun on their gossamer wings. I wish I could be up there with them, but it’s been years since I was small enough to fly with one of the elders. Now I’m relegated to walking everywhere, never to feel the wind rushing by.

  “Hey, Aislin! Where are you off to?” Braylin interrupts my thoughts, as she swoops down to land next to me, her wings folding neatly behind her. Jealousy snakes through me, though I know she feels bad for me. She is one of the few fairies who will walk with me.

  “Oh, no where really. You know I have nothing to occupy me.”

  “So, did you try to paint with Marissa?”

  “Oh yeah, that was an utter failure. My painting ability is nil. Along with my ability to catch light, or to coax the animals out.”

  “Lin, you’ll find your purpose. You know the Creator makes everyone with a purpose.”

  “Yeah, Bray, we say that, but what can I do? I have no wings, no talent. I might as well not bother. I can’t even live in the tree.”

  Braylin jostles my shoulder as we walk, “Yeah, but you have the sweetest house of us all with the best view.”

  I smile, thinking of the home that the fairies had made for me. It might have felt like a pity offering when they made it, but now I love the small home. The Armarillia Cape that they had found made the perfect roof, its bright red popping out in the vast green of the glade. The walls are a rich brown bark and small windows dot the house. The upstairs has an open loft with a large bed and a small window above the bed that looks out over the most beautiful waterfall.

  “It’s pretty cool. But I would rather be in the tree.”

  “Speaking of the tree. Tonight’s the big ceremony. You’re coming, right?”

  “Yeah, I don’t have a choice. Rena put me into the initiates again. I don’t know why she keeps insisting I try to find my powers. Without wings, I have no talent.”

  “Lin, we don’t know that. Maybe this year will be different.”

  I don’t respond. The past 4 years have been the same. Every year I’m brought in with the initiates and led to the talents table. I dip my hand into each bowl of dust for the various talents, but nothing happens. The other initiates make the dust glow when they put their hand in the bowl that represents their talent, then Rena comes and pours a cup of their talent dust over them, changing their wings from the gossamer white all fairies were born with, to the colored wings of their talent. But I stand to the side, watching another year’s initiates go by.

  “Perk up. I’ve got a good feeling about this year. Now, I gotta fly. If I don’t gather enough seeds from the everberries, we won’t have enough for planting next year. The glisch have been horrid this year and have eaten nearly everything already.”

  I laugh at Braylin, “Go and gather then. Maybe I can find some way to help with the glisch.”

  “Hey, that’s a great idea. You’ve a way of finding some interesting solutions. I love the seed bag you made me. I can carry twice as much with it.” Braylin pushes off and flutters for a minute. “You know how to find me, otherwise I’ll see you tonight?”

  “Yeah, I’ll be there. The only fairy without wings.” But my mind isn’t really with her anymore, I’m thinking through the problem of the glisch and protecting the harvest. The glisch are large beetles that eat the berries that are so important to our lives. Not only are the berries food for us, but they’re also needed to plant the mainland. The problem with the glisch is that they can fly and crawl.

  Reaching my cottage, I go inside and sit at the desk, pulling my leafpad and charcoal to me. Quick sure strokes bring the field to life. A fence won’t be enough, but it’s a start. How do I keep them from flying over the fence and still let the harvest fairies in? I don’t notice the shadows lengthen as I mull over the problem.

  “Earth to Aislin.” A voice and knoc
k on the open door has me jumping.

  “Hey, Nip, what are you doing here?”

  “I came to find you. I figured that you’d lost track of time again and would be late to the Dust ceremony. Ren won’t be happy if you hold it up again.”

  I blow my bangs off my face and stand up and stretch. “That late already? I better get changed then.” Nip steps into my house, ducking his head to not hit it on the doorframe.

  “Go ahead, I’ll wait here.”

  I run up the winding stairs to the loft and grab the white shift that all initiates wear to the ceremony. “I really wish Ren would give up on including me in these ceremonies. Nothing is going to change.” I frown at my image in the mirror. This shift might work for the typical barbie doll figured fairy, but for me it just accentuated what I wasn’t. Clinging in all the wrong spots, making me look like I would pop out at any time.

  “You don’t know that nothing will change.” Nip, short for Juniper, is one of the few fairies that are friends with me. His talent is awakening the evergreens, where his name comes from. “And even if they don’t, you know we’ll take care of you.”

  I sigh. I’m tired of being the odd one out. I don’t have a home in the tree. Each branch is given to a different fairy talent. Small houses dot the branches with a large house at the end of each branch. The large houses are the headquarters for each talent, and also have the landing platforms. The base of the tree is where the library, infirmary and dorms are located. I had lived in the dorms until two years ago when the talents had given me my home. It was too hard for me to live near the talents, while I didn’t have a talent. Plus, my habit of collecting things made quite a mess, thank the Creator that I now have space for all my junk in the back of the house.

  I walk down the stairs to meet Nip. “You’re beautiful as ever, but aren’t you going to do your hair?”

  “Why bother? I’m not some dewy-faced initiate who’s meeting her talent family. I’m just there as a formality.”

  “Lin, your family will come. Now turn around and let me do your hair up properly.” He spins me around, and with steady hands pulls my long hair back and twists it into a neat rope and flips it up to rest on the crown of my head. A few twigs strategically placed, and he pats my shoulder. “Now, let’s hurry up, so we aren’t late.”

  “You fly ahead, Nip. No sense in you risking Ren’s wrath.”

  “Oh, no you don’t. I’m walking with you.”

  I shrug and start down the path to the tree that towers over the glade. I try to act nonchalant, like I know nothing special will happen. But if I’m honest, I really hope that this year a bowl lights up for me. We reach the tree, and I look up the trunk into the branches. At the junction of the three largest branches is a small bowl-like area with a flat base. This is where we meet, where the dust is gathered, and where all our magic happens.

  Chapter 2

  “I’LL PULL YOU UP, LIN. Just settle in on the swing, and I’ll tug when I’m up there.” Nip says. He quickly flies up to the branch just below the arena. Attached to the branch is a winch and long rope that trails down to the bottom of the tree where I stand. A board is attached to it with the rope going through a hole in the center and a large knot under the board. I sit down on the board, the rope between my legs and wait for Nip to pull me up. I always find this humiliating, not being able to fly up like a proper fairy. But when Ren says your presence is required, you do what it takes to get there.

  My stomach churns from the spinning of the swing as I’m lifted higher into the tree.

  When it finally stops, Nip pulls me onto the platform and holds the swing still while my head stops spinning.

  “Come on, Lin. I don’t want to miss anything.”

  “I’m coming.”

  I hate this part of all the gatherings. Each talent sits together, which leaves me sitting between the groups and on my own. Nip and Bray try to have their groups on either side of me, so I’m not quite alone. But I still dread it.

  “Hey Lin, what did you do all afternoon?” Bray asks as I sit down in the space she has left me.

  “I think I might have an idea of how to stop the glisch. But I’m having a hard time figuring out how to let the other bugs and animals in, as well as the fairies.”

  “You’ll figure it out. You always do,” She pauses. “Look! Ren is here,” her voice falls to a whisper. “This year they have the most initiates ever! I can’t wait to find out who is a harvest fairy. I’ve been chosen to train!”

  “Bray, that’s great!” I see Ren staring at me, and she looks over to the line of initiates. “Ren wants me to join the initiates. I’d better go.” Bray squeezes my hand.

  “It’ll be fine. Maybe this year will be different.”

  I look at her with fondness. “You say that every year. But, thanks.” I stand up and walk over to where Ren awaits.

  “AISLIN, YOU WILL BE first this year. Because this is the double moon year, we will be going by age.”

  “Yes, Ren.” I dread going first. Why did she say age? Not that alphabetical would’ve been any better.

  I look at the tall woman before me. She’s put together, her gold gossamer dress flowing around her, the gold wings catching the light of the moon. As far back as I can remember, she’s been the same beautiful woman, never aging. She strides forward and stands under the Moon stone.

  “Talent Fairies, it is the night of the double moon. A twice sacred night, for we will welcome the new talents, and we will welcome the moon harvest,” she says, projecting her voice over the gathering. Cheers erupt around the gathering. “Once the moon harvest is gathered, we will have the sacred progression over the realm and then the celebration dinner. But now for the first initiate.”

  I walk forward, dreading this. My hands dip into the first bowl, and nothing happens. I walk to the next bowl, and the next, and the next. But nothing happens. I hang my head as I reach the last bowl. Failure is all I hear, though the arena is silent.

  “Aislin, I’m sorry.” Ren says. I nod my head, a tear slipping down my cheek and walk back to my seat between Bray and Nip. Silently, Bray and Nip each take a hand and squeeze. I draw strength from them as I hear the excitement of the other fairies.

  “Water!” Ren cries, and the water fairies all shout welcome to their newest member. Six more times the different talents shout welcome to the new additions.

  Something about the next candidate catches my eye and I watch with interest as he walks towards the bowl. He’s tall and quite muscular. His hand goes into the first bowl, and nothing happens. He takes a step to the next bowl, and the next and the next. By the time he comes to the 6th bowl a hush has filled the arena. All eyes are on him, and I feel for him, knowing the pain he must be feeling. Slowly his hand goes into the bowl, nothing. His head drops.

  “Orrin, I’m sorry.” Ren says and points him to sit with me.

  I start, for the first time I will have someone to sit with me. He shuffles towards me and sits down heavily in the seat before me. What do I say to him? Should I put my hand on his shoulder?

  “Hey, Orrin. I guess we’re in the same boat.” Stupid, stupid, stupid. Why did I say that? The only thing that would make it worse is if I had said at least he has wings. “My name is Aislin.” He nods his head, but doesn’t speak. Fine. If he wants to sulk, I’ll let him.

  I realize that I haven’t been paying attention as another shout tells me one more initiate found their talent. I look at the line and see that two initiates are left. Both are boys, one on the shorter, stocky side, and the other is tall and skinny with glasses.

  “Puck,” Ren calls, and the shorter boy steps forward. I let my mind wander as he goes from bowl to bowl. A gasp has me turning back to where Puck stands. His hand is in the last bowl, but no glow has come. How could this be? Before this, I was the only fairy with no talent, and now we have two more.

  “I’m sorry,” Ren says, concern lacing her voice. “Please go sit with Aislin and Orrin.” He walks towards us, and Orrin moves over to
make room for him.

  ‘Hi, Puck,” I say softly.

  “Hi,” he says. I look into his soft eyes and melt a little.

  “Our last initiate is Warren.” Ren looks at him, concern evident in her stance. The tall thin boy steps forward and puts his hand into the first bowl, nothing. He takes a step to the next bowl, nothing happens. His step slow, and I know what the result will be. “I’m sorry, Warren.” He walks to join us. Whispers fill the arena, and Ren claps her hands to get everyone’s attention.

  “Let’s welcome our new talents and start the Moon Dust ceremony.” Ren claps her hands, and 4 large fairy men carry in the large bowl for the ceremony. Placing the bowl in the center of the arena, the men step to the side. Ren nods to a small fairy who precedes the singers in. They line up, and with a wave of her wand, the small fairy leads the singers in song.

  I usually love to sit and listen to the singers, join in on the choruses of the old songs that would bring the moon dust down. But this year, my mind is left puzzling over the 3 men who sit in front of me. What does it mean that they have no talents? Are they like me, or will their talents come next year when Ren forces them to go through the ceremony again?

  “Hey, Aislin? Is that your name?” a male voice asked, gently touching my leg. I jolt and look around. The benches around us are slowly clearing, and I can sense the unease of the other fairies. They are not rejoicing as they usually do.

  “Yes, Aislin. And you’re Warren, right?” He smiles slightly and nods his head.

  “Yeah, talentless Warren.” Bitterness laces his voice.

  “Well, Warren. You’re in good company. I happen to be the resident expert on being talentless.” I say with more bravado than I feel.

  “Yes, Lin. You are the only one who knows what these three are going through. I am going to put them in your care. Hopefully, between the four of you, you can figure out what has happened to cause some of our initiates to be talentless.”