I followed Aeris through the stone gateway, still fascinated by the architecture which seemed almost otherworldly, stepping into the threshold of the unknown. The moment my foot passed through the arch, a sensation washed over me - a ripple in reality itself. For a brief moment I could make out whispers in a language I didn’t recognise. The air then began to shimmer, like the surface of a pond disturbed by a single drop of water.


    Then, the transformation began, a whole new world unfolding before my very eyes.


    The dense shadows of Veilwood Forest peeled away like a curtain, revealing a realm beyond my conceivable imagination. The twisted roots and tangled underbush receded, replaced by a pristine stone road that unfurled beneath our feet. Trees, impossibly tall and lush stretched towards the clear twilight sky painted in an aurora of deep purples and blues, speckled with swirling constellations that gleamed brighter than any stars I had ever seen.


    The air itself felt different, softer, carrying a gentle, clean scent - vanilla and something almost musical. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but it felt familiar and welcoming.


    I inhaled deeply, absorbing the world around me as it unfolded. The trees weren’t just trees, some had elaborate windows and carved out balconies, revealed structures interwoven into their trunks. Glowing lanterns suspended from curling lampposts, pulsed with a glowing light, moving and flickering like nests of fireflies. Bridges of intertwining vines arched over crystal clear streams, connecting various sections of what could only be described as a city built seamlessly within nature. The sight stole my breath away and left me feeling enchanted.


    My wonderstruck was disrupted by the sound of Aeris chuckling at my side, watching my stunned expression with amusement. “It’s safe to say you’re not in Veilwood anymore,” she mused. “Oh, the enchantment has a way of flipping your stomach until you get used to it.”


    Right on cue, I felt a lurch in my gut. I could feel my mouth salivating as I clutched my stomach. “You could have warned me before I walked into-” I waved my hand at the surreal landscape still unfolding before us, “-all of this.”


    Aeris merely smirked, shrugging innocently. “Where’s the fun in that?”


    It took me a minute to shake off the initial disorientation, I sheepishly followed as Aeris guided me along the central road. My gaze darted everywhere, from the ornate wooden carvings on the buildings to the softly glowing flora that pulsed and swayed as if they were talking to each other. It was like stepping into the heart of a living fairytale.


    It wasn’t just the flora that caught my attention, creatures of all shapes and sizes moved through the city. Some were small, flitting through the air on delicate wings that shimmered like liquid gold. Others were tall and willowy, their varying skin tones reflecting the soft glow of the lanterns.


    A trio of regal-looking women wearing flowing silks curtsied in greeting, while a tiny being with translucent wings dipped in a bow as Aeris passed. In fact, now that I noticed, nearly every Fey we passed acknowledged her in some way, be it a smile, a nod, or a whispered greeting. It was evident that Aeris was well known and well loved among her people.


    After a short walk, the landscape opened up to a breathtaking view. Before my very eyes, nestled on the top of a cascading waterfall that glistened like liquid moonlight, floated the Fey palace. A marvel of architecture, the palace floated effortlessly suspended above the calming waters, its spires sparkled as if carved from the stars itself. Delicate bridges of woven branches and luminescent vines stretched across the gap, wide enough for at least three carriages to move side-by-side and leading to the main entrance.


    I could only gape helplessly to appreciate the beauty and grandeur.


    Aeris noticed my expression and smirked. “Pick your jaw up, farm boy,” she teased. “You were told that I was a princess.”


    I could tell she was enjoying this, this was her home so she was accustomed to it all. But her gaze rarely left me and her face was brimming with pride.


    As we crossed the bridge, I noted the guards stationed at the entrance. They wore the same armour as the man who had previously come to fetch the Queen, Aeris’ grandmother. Each of them stood at attention, their armour sleek and adorned with silver engravings that reflected the ambient glow of their surroundings. As Aeris approached, they saluted her by placing their left fists over their right shoulders in a synchronised motion. A clear display of discipline and their reverence for the royal family they served.


    Inside the palace, I felt another strange shift. The interior seemed even more expansive than the exterior suggested, if that was at all possible, the walls themselves stretched beyond physical limits. Towering marble columns, carved with intricate depictions of fables and legends, reaching out towards a ceiling that resembled a night sky. Opulence was present, but not gaudy - everything was elegant and refreshing, carrying an air of refined majesty without excess.


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    Once I had time to appreciate the grand entrance, Aeris wasted no time in navigating through the corridors. Leading me towards the living quarters of the royal family, skillfully bypassing crowds and rooms where meetings were taking place. At the end of a grand hallway, double doors adorned with silver inlays swung open, revealing an ornate chamber where two figures were clearly waiting for us.


    The authority radiating from them was unmistakable. Before us stood Aeris’ parents - the Crown Prince and Princess of the Feywilds.


    Her mother, a beautiful and striking woman with piercing golden eyes like Aeris’, was the first to react. She frowned, her flawless features tightening in frustration. “Aeris,” she scolded, crossing her arms in front of her chest. “You were in Veilwood again?”


    The sharpness in her tone made me straighten instinctively, and for a fleeting moment, I saw something uncannily familiar in her reaction. It was eerily reminiscent of the way the Queen had looked upon seeing Aeris. An immediate shift from concern to controlled frustration. It was the look of someone who had faced this kind of reckless behaviour multiple times before, someone who lived fiercely but feared even more.


    Aeris sighed, standing her ground as she had done with her grandmother. “I was just scouting the border. Given the spread of corruption, I wanted to see the situation for myself.”


    Her mother’s eyes flashed with sadness and concern. “You could have been taken. Humans-” She stopped herself, glancing at me before exhaling sharply. “You know how dangerous it is.”


    Before she could continue, her father, a tall man with a regal yet easy demeanour waved a dismissive hand. “She’s home, and she’s unharmed,” he said, smiling faintly. Despite his calm expression, there was an undeniable weight to his presence, a quiet authority that demanded respect. He seemed gentle with Aeris, as all fathers are to their daughters. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was every bit as powerful as the Queen - maybe even more so. The way he carried himself, it was as if the air itself was bending subtly around him.


    Aeros nodded in appreciation, grinning stupidly at her father before she regaled her parents with a retelling of her most recent adventure. Although I noted she had strategically omitted some of the details, particularly when she was disadvantaged. When she had finished, her father turned to me, nodding approvingly. “So then, you’re the one we have to thank for her safe return.”


    I hesitated, still uncertain of their social etiquette. Especially in front of royalty, so I simply bowed my head slightly. “I just helped where I could.”


    Her father chuckled, as if he had already inflated my involvement in his head based on Aeris’ recklessness. “Modest, I like that.”


    He gestured to the grand dining hall beside us. “Come, I hope you haven’t eaten already. I’d like to know more about our unexpected guest.”


    We sat at a long, beautifully crafted wooden table. The food was unlike anything I had ever tasted, delicate thinly sliced meats glazed with sweet nectars, crunchy vegetables that seemed to glow faintly, and warm bread that was so fresh it melted on my tongue. Throughout the dinner, Aeris’ father asked a series of casual yet probing questions, gauging my background, my life in Briar’s Hollow, and my awakening in the forest.


    I hesitated for a moment before speaking, compared to their extravagance my life was going to seem extremely mundane. “I grew up in Briar’s Hollow,” I began, my voice steady and thoughtful as I recalled my childhood. “It’s a small village, not far from the edge of the forest. Quiet for the most part. My parents were simple and ordinary folk - my mother a healer, my father a carpenter. We weren’t all that wealthy, but we had enough, and we were happy.”


    Aeris’ mother watched me thoughtfully, tilting her head slightly with sympathy. “You spoke of your parents in the past tense,” she noted. “They are no longer with us?”


    I swallowed a mouthful, nodding my head. “No. They’re gone. I was taken in by Edrin, a family friend. I live on his farm now.”


    At the mention of Edrin, Aeris’ father’s expression shifted subtly, his gaze sharpening with suspicion. There was a pause in the conversation as he watched me before finally asking, “And your magic?” leaning forward ever so slightly.


    I paused hesitantly, again it felt like they were expecting some elaborate origin story. “It was unexpected,” I admitted honestly. “I had never used magic before today. I vaguely remember Edrin tested me once when I was younger, but he actually seemed relieved. I don’t think Briar’s Hollow has seen a wizard, or a sorcerer for as long as I’ve been alive.”


    Aeris’ father continued to watch me carefully, he appeared to be convinced that I was being genuine but I couldn’t help feeling unsettled.


    Aeris let out a low whistle. “So you don’t get taught about magic as kids or anything?”


    “Not a thing,” I confirmed.


    Aeris seemed to be in disbelief, based on everything I had witnessed so far about the Fey magic was commonplace.


    Aeris’ father smiled. “Then we’ll make sure to help you understand it properly.”


    I struggled to contain my excitement at that thought, it was true that there was nobody in Briar’s Hollow that could help. Especially given the Queen’s earlier warning about the dangers of magic, now that I had time to think and a full stomach, I was more certain than ever.


    I wanted to stay here for a while, to not just learn about the Fey. But also to learn about myself.