A Grimm Warning (The Land of Stories, #3)(71)

“Recruiting,” the general said.

They walked back through the trees in the direction they had come from and disappeared into the fog. The other soldiers gathered their weapons that were scattered around the trees, hitched the horses to the wagons, and followed them into the woods. Conner, Bree, and Emmerich were the only ones left in the area.

Conner gestured to the others to stay quiet as he climbed down the tree. Once he made sure the coast was clear, he signaled for them to join him.

“That poor old man,” Emmerich said with his eyes full of tears. “I can’t believe the general would do that to him! I always thought if someone needed help I could save them like a superhero in the movies, but I guess I was wrong.”

Bree placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Conner’s mind was racing as he thought about something the general had said. “Did you hear what he told the soldiers?” Conner asked the others. “He said, ‘Napoleon will be so proud.’ ”

The same thought had occurred to Bree. “Yeah,” she said. “Napoleon’s been dead for, like, two hundred years. I don’t think they realize how long they were in the portal.”

“Then how do we know how long we were in the portal?” Emmerich asked.

Conner and Bree looked at each other and chills went down their spines. Could they have been stuck in the portal for longer than they realized, too? It was all the more reason to find someone they knew as quickly as possible.

Conner felt so guilty for exposing Bree and Emmerich to this; it almost brought him to tears. He knew he should get them out of the Land of Stories as soon as he could.

“I’m not going to lie; these guys are really scary,” he said. “And right now we need to get to the Fairy Palace pronto so I can warn my friends that the army is here. Once we’re at the palace, I promise I’ll find a way to send you back to the Otherworld.”

Bree and Emmerich both nodded.

“Now follow me,” Conner said. “We have to travel west into the Fairy Kingdom—and we have to move fast.”





CHAPTER FIFTEEN





A BITTERSWEET REUNION


Alex sat by her grandma’s bedside holding her hand. The Fairy Godmother had been sleeping peacefully since she got there. She didn’t look like she had a care in the world, but Alex knew this was her favorite fa?ade to keep; even as she slept she couldn’t be trusted to show her true feelings. Something was very wrong and Alex could sense it.

“Are you going to tell me what’s the matter with her?” Alex asked. “Or are you just going to sit there and make me figure it out on my own like everything else?”

Emerelda and Mother Goose sat on the other side of the bed keeping to themselves. Red and Froggy were there, too; they stood at the foot of the bed wishing there was something they could do to comfort their friend. The week had proven to be a difficult one for all of them.

“Your grandmother has been feeling very tired for a long time,” Mother Goose said. “She asked me not to tell anyone—and then today she didn’t wake up.”

“Today is the first time I’m hearing about this, too, Alex,” Emerelda said. “She was keeping it from everyone.”

“But what does tired mean?” Alex said, becoming frustrated. “Does she just need to rest? Is there anything I can get or give her to wake her up? Or is she… is she…”

Alex couldn’t bring herself to say it.

“I’m afraid there’s nothing any of us can do,” Mother Goose said.

“So she’s dying,” Alex finally said. “If that’s what’s happening why can’t either of you just tell me?”

Emerelda sighed, not for Alex, but for herself. “Yes,” she confirmed. “We believe the Fairy Godmother is dying.”

Tears immediately ran down Alex’s face. She had always known her grandmother wouldn’t be around forever, but she’d never expected to lose her so soon.

“I am so sorry, Alex,” Red said.

“Please let us know if there is anything we can do,” Froggy said.

Alex didn’t say anything. Of course there wasn’t. The only thing that would comfort her now would be if her grandmother woke up.

“I haven’t even lived here a full year yet,” Alex said through her tears. “My grandma is the only family I have. I just don’t understand why this is happening.…”

Mother Goose hoped it would supply the young fairy with a little comfort if she explained.

“Your grandmother has been around for a very long time, Alex,” Mother Goose told her. “She’s worked very hard to make the fairy-tale world what it is. She knew she wouldn’t be around forever and over the past couple of centuries she’s looked for someone to continue her work when she’s gone. She’s had many apprentices and all of them have failed but you. In you, she finally found someone she knows will continue her legacy and continue it well. And knowing this, she’s given her soul permission to move on.”

This only made it much worse for Alex. “So what you’re saying is, it’s my fault,” she said. “Had I never come to live in the Land of Stories or joined the Fairy Council, she would still be looking for a successor and wouldn’t be in this bed. I’m killing her.”