Page 3 of Entwined

But Glynnis stomped off with the butterfly anyway, and at last he could stop squinting. Before leaving to search for his ma, Bram decided to have a drink of lily stamen water. He hadn’t been able to fly through the thickly wooded forest, but he’d be able to travel across the glen to the river much faster by air. The sugar in the water would give him the extra boost he needed for such a far trip. For some odd reason, even though he had gotten a full night’s rest, he was still so sleepy. If he didn’t know better, he’d think he was ready to lie down again.

Once Bram had taken his fill of the sweet liquid, he took off in the direction of the big river, also known by their clan as Tine Ban. At any other time, the rush of air across his skin and through his long hair would give him a thrill. Instead, the excitement of flight had been replaced by an aching need he’d never known existed.

Of course, he’d been aware of his maturity since he’d been a wee fairy. However, he’d never anticipated how all-consuming becoming ripe for his alpha would be. He’d been warned that until he coupled with his mate, he’d remain anxious and unsettled, unable to focus on anything else.

Maybe that’s why I’m so sleepy.

From high above the surging waters of the Tine Ban river, Bram dipped and circled, searching for his ma along the shores. Many of the glowing fish were active, leaping in the currents and making it difficult for him to spot where she might be. Her light stick would blend in with the frisky fish.

Beginning to tire, Bram thought he might have to stop for a bit so he could rest his aching wings. But then an orb of light moved out of the river and into the forest.

That must be her!

Bram swooped down as fast as he dared—a move that always terrified his ma. She was certain that one day he would simply smash himself on the rocks. What she didn’t know is that he couldn’t move slow, his body wouldn’t allow it. Fortunately, his body also knew how to keep him safe. He hadn’t crashed to the ground or slammed into a tree yet, and he didn’t mean to.

“Ma! Wait!”

Bram’s dear mother halted right beyond the edges of the forest. She turned and regarded Bram as he slowed his approach in the hope she hadn’t noticed how frightfully fast he’d been flying.

“In the name of the blessed ones, Bram. You’re all aflutter! What has you so excited?”

Bram landed then leaped forward, throwing his arms around her neck. “Oh, Ma! I woke up in the pillow moss beyond the glen and I knew!” He pulled back, gathering up her hands in his. “I’ve reached my maturity.”

She gasped then yanked him into an embrace. She’d been his life-giver and he would need her help when the time came. The moment was one he was sure she’d been anticipating for years, the same as he had.

His ma held him away from her with a beaming grin. “My sweet boy. Have you met your alpha yet?”

He cocked his head. Oh dear. Should I have done that already? All he’d ever been told was that he’d know who his fated mate was when his maturity arrived and that the rest would take care of itself. His bottom lip trembled. Nothing had taken care of anything.

Am I broken?

“No. Where do I go to meet him? Can you help me?”

Her eyes widened almost imperceptibly. “I see. Well, darling. That’s not for me, or anyone, to do. You should instinctively know where he is. Did you feel a pull toward any location in the glen? Or in a direction away from our valley?”

What felt like a huge river rock landed in his stomach. All he’d felt was the thrill of his maturity and the excitement of telling his parents.

“There’s something wrong with me, Ma. I don’t feel anything like that at all.”

Tears welled in Bram’s eyes and he yawned. His body was so confused, he had to be broken. It wanted him to go to sleep even though he’d barely been awake, and it wouldn’t tell him where his alpha was.

His mother gazed at him with concern and she placed the back of her hand to his forehead. “Why are you so tired, Bram? You usually rest so well in the mosses.”

“I know, I always do. That’s why there must be something wrong with me. Otherwise, I should know who my alpha is by now, right? Maybe I need more sleep?”

She arched her eyebrows. “Sleep… Oh my. Yes. That must be it.”

Bram nodded. “I’ll take a nap.”

His ma gripped his arm tighter. “You don’t understand. What did you dream of last night?”

Her tone made him nervous. Bram hoped whatever was happening didn’t have anything to do with the sun fairies.

“Is there something bad going on?”

Their world was typically peaceful and serene, so it had to be those awful, sun-kissed monsters who had wrecked him. They must have invaded his dreams.

“No, darling. Not bad. Perhaps…unusual?” She gave him a reassuring smile. “We’ll get to the bottom of this, I promise. Let’s fly home after you’ve had some berries. I think you’ll need the energy to make the trip.”

Now that she’d mentioned it, he did feel as if his wings were caked in mud. “Okay. And you’ll help me understand?”

She framed his face with her palms then placed a kiss on his forehead. “Yes, my darling. But I think once you fall asleep and let yourself drift beyond the stars, you’ll find your alpha waiting there for you.”