**DAPHNE**
Tears streak down my cheeks as I weep next to the fountain.
*Isabel!*
"Aquini!" I shout. "Where is the Valley of Great Rest?"
She tilts her dew drop-like head, "'Tis beyond the Waterfall and down the Waking Rapids."
"I must go there," I say, standing on shaky legs.
Aquini quivers with alarm, shaking her head. "You cannot. There is only one way down and it is not by boat, or bird, or winged Fae."
"Then how?" I scream, my neck stretching toward the archway I believe to be set in the direction of the waterfall that we avoided on our way here. "I must know. What is the one way?"
"Death," she says softly. "That is the only way. As it will always be."
My heart plummets. Now the tears I shed are of disappointment. I growl at the air above me and when I do, the space around my body quivers with electric charge.
It is as if I've lost her all over again. My sister. The joy of thinking she was somewhere in Faery that I might get to see her, to *thank* her, touch her, hug her, hold her - dies on the breeze filling my heart with renewed pain. The knowledge that she and I had different mothers means nothing to me. For we have been sisters all our lives.
I whimper, choking on a sob as I remember her child's promise to protect me for all her life. Just to be Queen of the Dead? Really? Damn her. Damn her for making that promise and damn my mother for asking it of her.
Aquini's voice whispers softly past my ears, "You still have one sister left. Do not forget that. And you will see your Isabel again. One day."
Diana! Aquini is right. I do have one sister left. A sister that is being held as a prisoner in the Land of Winter Fae.
I am not human and in fact I never was. I am Fae. And not just any Fae. But a princess. My mind whirls with the possibilities. "I have magic," I hiss and Aquini nods.
I can rescue her. I can rescue Diana!
I study the hands before me, my hands. They don't look any different. They certainly don't feel any different.
And I do not need Ash's help and I do not need his permission.
As if Aquini hears my thoughts, which I rightly believe she does, she says, "You are not a princess, majesty. You are a Queen, and you have been a Queen since you were born. You, are Daphne, daughter of Clayeira, Queen of the Hidden Fae, and rightful ruler of the Woodland Realm and the Hidden Kingdom within."
"But," I protest. "I don't feel like a queen."
Aquini laughs, approaching me with twinkling water in her flesh. "But you are one. You have always been one. But, I must warn you."
I stand and walk toward her, my eyes fixed on the farthest archway from where I stand. I can hear the chorus of rapids coming from that direction, and I wonder, do each of these arches lead somewhere different?
She hears me, in tune with the thoughts that dance in my head. She answers, "There are five rivers of Fae. Each represented by a single arch. This place... is where they come together. This palace is the birthplace of all River Magic. No matter which realm the waters flow from. And yes, one leads to the Valley of Great Rest."
I nod, my eyes filling. "Right. I just can’t swim in it." I take a deep breath and step toward the stairs.
"Majesty, wait!" Aquini says.
"Please!" I say, spinning around. "Call me Daphne."
"Of course." A twinkle of a smile plays about her featureless face. "A warning Daphne. You must keep your origins close to your heart. Tell no one who you are until the time is right."
No one? But I must! I have to tell Ash. "But how will I know when that is?"
"You will know. Your magic shall return like fire in your blood. Wait for it, for it will tell you all you need to know. Remember, to find Magda, the Witch of the Whispering Leaves. She will help you harness your power. Until then? It is much too dangerous to let anyone know what most have forgotten." The water of Aquini's body begins to bubble and boil, darkening with a deep red hue. Almost as if blood swirls inside of her, but I do not feel threatened. "There are those who will stop at nothing to kill you. There are many who did not want your return. From living your entire existence in the mortal realm, your magic is still very weak. Should they find out you have returned, they will be out for your blood. Your origins must be kept secret!"
"But where are my origins? Are they not my place of birth? At least, that is what Petra said to me. Is she wrong?"
Aquini shakes her head, "She is not wrong, nor is she right. Your mother was the Queen of Hidden Fae. Blessed with the most adaptable of all magics. Hidden Fae are the only species that may draw complete magic from all realms. Yours, is the most coveted of power. And so, it has remained hidden. The Kingdom of Hidden Fae lies deep with the Woodland Realm. You must go there before you rescue your sister. Gather your armies and take seat upon your throne. Only then will your ascension be complete."
She loses her coloring and for a moment I see the face of a beautiful delicate woman, made from the river below.
"Aquini... you are so beautiful! Your face - why do you hide it? Why do you not allow all to admire such loveliness?" I gasp as something occurs to me. "Are you...?"
She nods, bows. "I am a Water Mystic. With the ability to see where things come and where things go. And yes, your majesty, I am of your people, I am Hidden Fae."