The Fae Princess (The Pacific Princesses Book 2) Ektaa Bali (free ebook reader txt) 📖

realising they were quite close to the home of the Wollemi King. Willow reminded them they should be more wary if there were ferocious cassowaries lurking nearby.

The dense trees did not let them see too far ahead, so it was a rather big shock when they saw bright light streaming through the trees in the distance. When they reached the beams of light, they found the forest encircled by an enormous clearing with bright green short grass that spread out for acres.

Crouched behind a few bushes bordering the clearing, the Fae children and Pancake gasped.

In the centre of the clearing, on a small hill in front of them, stood the largest tree Vidya had ever seen. Whatever she had pictured a million-year-old tree to look like, it was not this. Its trunk plunged into the blue sky, so tall that she was sure it was at least three times as tall as any tree she’d seen before. There were many branches extending from the central trunk, but each branch did not split into more branches. He reminded Vidya of a fern, with many long, slender, green leaves extending from each branch. He looked lush and healthy, and regal, just as a King should, Vidya decided.

But between them and the King of Trees sat an impressive group of ten to twenty large cassowaries, lounging like giant grey rocks on the grass. They were emu shaped birds, good sized, long, feathered bodies, brilliant blue necks, with a small head crowned with their famous bony crest. Long legs ended in huge, powerful feet that were known to be able to kill a grown man with a single kick.

“These are northern cassowaries,” whispered Lotus, peering at them. “And female. They’re bigger than the males. Look at that one,” he said, pointing at the largest. “That lady must be two meters tall, even taller than your father, Vidya.”

Vidya cleared her throat. “Well, we’d better go and have a chat with them.”

“What do you mean have a chat?” Willow hissed, affronted. But there was no point, Vidya had already stood up and was now striding toward the group of cassowaries. The other kids hastily followed her, exclaiming at her boldness. Pancake grumbled in her pocket but did not comment, clutching tightly onto the fabric.

The cassowaries did not seem surprised to see them. They lounged in their spots as Vidya approached, watching her every move with beady black eyes. The largest of them stood and casually strolled over the grass to meet her at the edge of the group.

“Hello,” said Vidya a little breathlessly. Now that she was here, she didn’t quite know what to say. “I… er… seek an audience with the King of Trees.”

“The Wollemi Pine King!” corrected the cassowary, in a surprisingly deep voice, looking down her beak at her. “The Greatest and Oldest! King of all that grows under the sun!”

“Well, yes,” said Vidya awkwardly, feeling the others gather behind her. “He has information that I desperately need.”

“So!” the cassowary said loudly. “I am Akurra, leader of the cassowaries who guard the Wollemi Pine King. Glory be upon him. I will decide whether or not you get to see him!”

“But he’s just there,” Lotus pointed to the enormous tree towering above them all just ten meters away.

Akurra ignored him. “So, what do you have?” she asked. “What have you brought us?”

Vidya paused in confusion. “Er… nothing?”

“Then!” Akurra announced. “You are not permitted entry,” she fluffed her feathers arrogantly. “Leave, or suffer the consequences. My girls are quite hungry and like the taste of Fae children.”

Lotus gaped at her.

“You are speaking to the Queen of the Eastern Bushland Fae!” he said. “And the Queen’s word is law!”

“That may be,” droned Akurra, unimpressed. “However, you are no longer in what you call the Safe Zone. Here, the King of Trees is ruler. You are not permitted entry until you bring us what we desire.”

“And what would that be?”

“The most valuable thing you have.”

The kids all exchanged incredulous looks.

“Seriously?” scoffed Willow. “What a thing to ask!”

“What about him?” Akurra lowered her neck to peer at Vidya’s tummy. She realised Akurra meant Pancake.

“He’s not for sale!” Vidya retorted, covering Pancake defensively with her hand.

“Well, off you go then,” said Akurra, jerking her head for them to leave. “And don’t return until you have something nice to give me.”

The kids had no choice but to turn around and continue back the way they had come. They flopped down on the grass, groaning about their sore legs and wings. Akurra had gone back to sit in the sun with the rest of the group and didn’t seem to mind the Fae kids sitting at the edge of the clearing.

“What a rude bird,” remarked Lily, pulling her backpack into her lap.

Lotus and Willow pulled out a couple of muffins Daisy and Luna had given them and wolfed them down hungrily.

Vidya was rummaging through her bag for some food for herself when she saw it. The crystal vial of silvery liquid. She remembered who had given it to her.

The most valuable thing you own…

Vidya jumped up and ran back over to the group of Cassowaries, waving the vial in the air.

Akurra stood back up and lumbered over, her eyes narrowed.

“What is that?” she snapped.

“The most valuable thing anyone will ever give you, Akurra,” said Vidya, confidently, showing her the vial. “Unicorn Tears. From the only living unicorn. Princess Sonakshi of the Blue Mountains and Macuata,” said Vidya. “Take a drop and you’ll have the power of a unicorn for a day.”

Akurra’s eyes grew so big Vidya thought they would pop out. She smirked triumphantly. As valuable as the tears were, being a friend to a unicorn meant Vidya could just get more later if she needed. But to anyone else, these tears were priceless.

“That is something,” breathed Akurra. She waved another cassowary over with her wing, and the other bird hurried over, reached down and gently took the vial from her hand with her beak. “Back in my day, many a