The lost dreamer, p.1
The Lost Dreamer, page 1
part #2 of Fire & Ice Series
Fire & Ice:
The Lost Dreamer
Book Two
By Erin Forbes
Praise for Fire & Ice: The Lost Dreamer
“Masterpiece of lyrical genius!” – K.D. Robichaux, Author and Editor
“Really descriptive and some absolutely stunning prose. Truly remarkable.” – Randie Creamer, Editor
“Erin Forbes paints a beautiful picture of a mystical, magical world of wonder that makes you believe you are there yourself.” – Beta Reader, Goodreads review
“New characters and old friends will join together in this magical tale, and fans of the previous book will not be disappointed.” – Millie Florence, teen author
Fire & Ice:
The Lost Dreamer
Book Two
By Erin Forbes
Fire & Ice: The Lost Dreamer
Copyright © 2017 by Erin Forbes
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed in any manner without written permission from the author.
Cover Design Copyright © 2017 by Jennifer Zemanek/Seedlings Design Studio
First paperback edition 2017
www.fireandicebookseries.com
ISBN: 1540460487
ISBN-13: 978-1540460486
For Anne,
Alice,
Luna,
and Lucy,
who taught me to observe the world with wide and curious eyes.
The Academy for Gifted Youth
Students
Alice Hanley ~ a lion-hearted girl with fire in her veins and flames in her heart
Emery Hanley ~ a pale-faced girl with cerulean eyes and ice in her fingertips
Ariadne Moss ~ her laughter brings us a gentle breeze
Juniper Stone ~ a tall and wild-haired girl, whose Gift is just as natural as her name
Ronan O’Reilly ~ a freckle-faced boy with an unbreakable habit of causing things to levitate
Kade O’Reilly ~ feathered friend to our heroine
Violet Holloway ~ a peculiar girl with lavender hair and eyes that change color with her emotions
Cleona Lennox ~ a dark-haired girl with a spiteful personality, usually known as Cleo
Grayson Fields ~ a golden-haired boy with light in his hands
Sage Pine ~ wolf-girl
Hugo Stone ~ the youngest brother of Juniper Stone
Staff
Zara Hawthorne ~ Headmistress of the Academy
Professor Georgina Iris
Professor Eleanora O’Connor
Sir Theodore Barrington
Ms. Ruby Lane
Ms. Augusta Emerson
Mr. Oliver O’ Reilly
Professor Blakely Biddle
The Guardians of Aisling
Emerson ~ a burly Irish wolfhound with shimmering golden eyes
Killian ~ friend to all freckled creatures
Lachlan ~ the finest archer in Aisling
Niamh ~ the phantom mare; equine companion of Ronan O’Reilly
Those who dwell in Aisling
Willoughby ~ an indecisive old troll who lives deep within the White Birch Forest
Lydia Ludwig ~ an old woman who lives on the edge of Willowcrest village
The Droplet Faeries ~ a species of tiny faeries who carry water droplets atop their heads and build villages out of the flowers they tend
The Creatures of the Night Oak Forest ~ invisible to the eye, but not to the mind
Fionn MacMillan ~ the Lost Dreamer
Moira & Marina ~ the Siren Sisters
Clara ~ Queen of the Bears
Nicholas Stone ~ the deaf violinist
Alexander & Ailsa Hanley ~ the loving parents of Alice and Emery Hanley
Sir Emerson & Rosemary Holloway ~ the unusual parents of Violet Holloway
Historical Figures of the Realm
Silas Casper ~ founder of the Academy for Gifted Youth
Wolfgang Gregory ~ responsible for the curse upon the Night Oak Forest
Orinthia Hanley ~ the late grandmother of the Hanley sisters
Alistair Lennox ~ the grandfather of Cleo
CONTENTS
PROLOGUE
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
PROLOGUE
A bright light echoed beyond the emerald valley, stretching over the entire realm of Aisling. The four elements streaked across the Academy grounds, until they collided over the center of the ancient castle. As I closed my eyes against the blinding glow, the ember girl vanished from sight. A strange emotion entered my heart, daring to burst through the core of my soul. The force lifted the spirits of every creature in the meadows, forests, and bustling villages. It seemed as if every dark shadow had abandoned the glittering tower.
The false messages of my warped reflection had faded away from memory. Her tattered dress and translucent skin were nothing more than details in a forgotten nightmare.
It was difficult to remember the timid and insecure girl from the past, as she had grown into a courageous lioness. There was a time when I did not care to learn about the enchanted world that stood before me. After several months at the Academy for Gifted Youth, my elemental powers led me into the spotlight of the Gifted society. A curious series of events had transformed my doubts into bright wildflowers. The strength of true friendship held my world together, keeping it from the act of crumbling into pieces.
My life had changed once, and it was destined to change again.
Golden flames ignited in my hair, pulling my focus away from the castle. As the light dwindled from the realm, my mind wandered with unexplainable exhaustion. Light footsteps carried my body across the stone floor. When the tower door finally opened, the droplet faeries were nowhere to be found. My surroundings seemed to blend into a muddled haze of colors. The spiral stairwell swayed below my leather boots.
Fifty-five steps.
A sudden and indescribable force pushed my body against the floor, causing my head to collide with the hard stone. A trickle of darkness entered my vision, which was eventually flooded with the waters of unconsciousness. The faint whispers of the Elementals floated through the air, although their presence was nothing more than a dream. Our Gifts had been temporarily drained; however, the people of Aisling rejoiced in our success.
The prophecy was complete.
My sleeping body was soon discovered by the ember girl. She lifted me up and walked down the spiral stairwell. Despite her delicate frame and skinny arms, she carried my weight with determination. Unexpected strength was the greatest power she possessed.
When we reached the final steps, she kindled a fire in her right hand. Although her character was merely a reflection of my own, she mended the broken pieces of my heart. The previous months had tested my resilience in many ways—between the new world of magic, struggle of self-acceptance, and discovery of Juniper Stone. I had finally learned to embrace the Gift that flowed through my veins. The element of fire was no longer an enemy of mine; rather, it trusted me like an old friend.
My battle had been fought.
As my eyes blinked into consciousness, the flames transformed into a bright source of light. The ember girl placed the Gift in my chest, returning the power that had restored the strength of the realm.
CHAPTER ONE
As the dawn light lifted over the hillside, my legs dangled over the edge of a sturdy tree limb. The emerald meadow grass was settled far below. Every hair on my arms seemed to stand with a manner of pride, as the morning air was unusually bitter. My mind was lost in a tired cloud of fog, which seemed to engross every bit of my focus. A lack of sleep had painted a trace of dark circles around my eyes. My dreams were haunted by visions of woodland creatures, shadows, and strange children. The meadow had grown to be a sanctuary for my imagination, which exiled the details of the dark nightmares.
Glancing down at the palm of my hand, I noticed the faint flicker of a spark beneath the surface of my skin. The field was illuminated with the golden glow of the sunrise. Daylight penetrated through the cold air and warmed my freckled face.
As my sister hurried over the crest of the murky hillside, I did not move from my place atop the old tree. Her blonde hair danced wildly in the breeze as she trekked through the abundance of bright wildflowers. As she settled at the foot of the towering oak, Emery’s pale eyes greeted me with hesitation.
“We really must be going,” she spoke softly.
I had given very little thought to the proposition of moving. However, as my sister stood with her dusty suitcase in hand, reality began to crash down upon my shoulders.
I gave a brief nod of my head before hopping down from the sturdy branch. My thoug
The sky had transformed into a few delicate shades of pink and powder blue. The meadow grass seemed to pull on the skirt of my dress, as though it were begging me to remain in the comfort of nature. Dew soaked like tears into my leather boots. I knew that it was impossible for me to stay.
As we reached the crown of the emerald field, I noticed that our father’s carriage was waiting on the old dirt path. He stood beside the door, whispering inaudible words to our mother. Every few moments, he glanced down at his watch. Behindhand arrival was our father’s worst nightmare.
“Thank goodness,” he exclaimed at the sight of us. “We have been searching everywhere!”
“Emery always knows where Alice has wandered,” our mother spoke quietly. “There is no reason to fuss.”
“There is no reason to dilly-dally!” our father corrected. “We mustn’t be late!”
After stepping into the coach, we placed our suitcases beneath our tired feet. The door slammed shut behind us as my father leaped for the reins. A brief moment passed before the carriage bounded into motion.
“Do you suppose it will be any different?” I whispered as we traveled through the quilted countryside.
Emery did not answer my question; however, her eyes looked expectantly toward our mother.
“Many places will never grow old in the hearts of those who believe them to be a treasure,” our mother responded.
I glanced at my sister with a smile. The realm of Aisling was far more than a treasure in my heart. Although it was several months before school would resume, I was looking forward to our return.
The dirt road rattled the dusty coach as the carriage horses cantered onward. The landscape glided past the window in a viridescent blur. My vial necklace tapped silently against my chest.
The memories of our previous adventures in Aisling had left me to wonder if the experience might have been a dream. Nevertheless, my reality had always been unusual.
The journey to the new portal was exceptionally less tedious than it had been in the past. After a short ride through the forest and countryside, we came across a lone hawthorn tree, which stood in the middle of an open meadow. A small bridge led us across the gurgling stream that traced the border of the field.
“We have arrived,” my father announced.
My sister’s fingers gripped tightly to the handle of her suitcase. She leaned against the carriage window, allowing her expression to flicker with anticipation. As the horses passed over the stone bridge, Emery’s pale eyes studied the dappled water.
My view was fixed on the horizon. The sunlight seemed to burst from behind the gnarled hawthorn tree. Each glimmer wrapped around the trunk, as though the morning sunlight provided the comfort of a golden shawl.
“Where is the portal?” I turned my head to glance at our mother.
“Not everything is what it may seem,” she responded. As we neared the crest of the hill, my mother did not speak another word. Her brown eyes held a gentle expression of knowledge, accompanied by the slightest hint of whimsy.
I began to wonder if our father had lost control of the coach, for the horses continued to canter directly toward the old tree. I watched with wide eyes as the branches twisted apart and formed into the shape of an open doorway. A sparkling film was draped over the entrance, reminding me of the enchanted dust that once provided a portal to the realm of Aisling.
As the horses carried us through the wooden archway, Emery tugged me back into my seat. A delicate smile was spread across her face. The air seemed to shift as the carriage came to a steady halt.
“It has been far too long,” Emery murmured.
Glancing out the window, I noticed the familiar, towering sycamore trees that sheltered us from the cerulean sky. The horses stood silently on an empty dirt road. As we continued our journey, magical memories flooded into my mind. I recalled the countless afternoons I had spent beneath the sparkling canopy of trees.
My sister watched me with eyes that reflected her spirit of wonder.
“It must feel strange to return… after so many years.” I glanced at our mother. The spring breeze brushed a gentle stroke of strawberry-blonde hair across her face.
“This land has always been our home,” she whispered as her brown eyes fluttered with delight.
CHAPTER TWO
As the carriage rounded the wall of wild forsythia bushes, a large stone house appeared before us. It was settled deep in the valley between the raging sea and brindled forest. The garden was overgrown with wildflowers and bramble thickets; however, it did not lack pure elegance.
Time seemed to move with slow and careful strides as the horses came to a halt beside the door.
“Welcome to Macnas Manor.” My father smiled as we stepped out of the coach. “This was the home of your late grandmother.”
My eyes traveled across the old windows and heavy blue door. Something about the manor reminded me of our former home. I found myself pondering the number of mysteries the abandoned house might hold.
“You grew up here?” Emery inquired.
“Indeed,” our father responded. “It wasn’t always this forgotten, of course.”
“Your grandmother was quite the remarkable gardener,” said Mother. “It is peculiar to see the remains of her work.”
After a long moment of silence, we stepped toward the door of the house. Several layers of turquoise paint were chipped and peeling from the wood. The keyhole was large enough to peek through.
Our father retrieved the old key from his pocket and swung open the door. His boots created footprints in the dust that blanketed the hardwood floor. His blue eyes scanned the cobwebs that draped delicately across the furniture. Childhood memories traveled through his gaze with clear and irrefutable grace.
As I followed our family through the entrance, dust danced silently through the air. Sunlight streamed through the open doorway, piercing every shadowed corner of the hall.
“Time has left its scar on this beautiful home,” our mother murmured.
“There is nothing that cannot be fixed with a bit of elbow grease,” my father responded.
I glanced at my sister with an expression of amazement. It seemed as if time had come to a halt in our grandmother’s home. Although they were coated with a thin layer of dust, several trinkets and books lined the shelves in the corridor. A collection of old photographs was displayed on the bookshelf that stood beside the stairwell. As my eyes scanned the faces of the individuals who smiled for the camera, I caught sight of the bright hair and pale eyes that once belonged to my grandmother.
Emery wandered toward the living room and pulled open the curtains of a large window. Rivers of golden light streamed through the shadows of the abandoned manor. The house suddenly seemed much bigger than before.
“You will find your bedrooms upstairs.” Our mother stood beside the upright piano. “After you are finished unpacking, please meet us in the kitchen. This house will need quite a bit of cleaning.”
I nodded before gliding toward the hallway and picking up my luggage. The stairwell appeared to be untrustworthy. As the wood groaned beneath me, I allowed my legs to carry me toward the second floor. The glimmering light that shone from the windows seemed to grow sparse as I ascended the stairs. Shadows consumed the second floor as a flame ignited in my left hand. I stood for a few minutes, taking in the space that surrounded me. The hallway extended in opposite directions. My amber eyes peered through the darkness, although I could not see past the first chamber door.
“It is dark in here,” Emery whispered in my ear. If I were not so familiar with my sister’s voice, I might have jumped with alarm. We drifted toward each end of the house. The dim hallway light reminded me of a gloomy path in the Night Oak Forest. Solitude had left me with the terrible sense of vulnerability.
As the light of my flame guided me through the shadows, I noticed a door at the end of the hallway. Beneath a fine layer of dust, cobalt blue paint coated the polished wood. A crystal handle gave entrance to the room.
The walls were painted a delightful and calming shade of buttermilk. A tall window stood near the back of the room, where the floor met the steps of a dormer platform. Daylight seemed to fall upon the wooden boards, illuminating the chamber in a vibrant shade of gold.
