Up The Airy Mountain

UP THE AIRY MOUNTAIN

Jane Toombs

UP THE AIRY MOUNTAIN By

Jane Toombs

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UP THE AIRY MOUNTAIN

Jane Toombs

© copyright February 2004, Jane Toombs Cover art by Eliza Black, © copyright 2004 New Concepts Publishing 5202 Humphreys Rd. Lake Park, GA 31636 www.newconceptspublishing.com

Seven-year-old Vilia knew she wasn’t supposed to go near the open gate. She wasn’t even supposed to know about it, but the older ones often forgot how much younger ones hear. She’d listened to everything around her since she’d been a baby so she knew that every fourteenth year the portal between Faere and Earth opened for four days and four nights. The time before this she hadn’t been born, but it was open now. Children were never allowed to use the gate, but what would a quick peek hurt? Vilia crept closer to the magic portal that showed her nothing of what lay on the other side. In the absence of her parents who were elsewhere on a mission, her great-uncle, Prince Gravier, stood in as her guardian, and he was so strict that she never got to be by herself for more than a few minutes at a time. Today she’d managed to evade all those

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who were supposed to be watching her, even Alain, her much older brother. If she didn’t slip through the gate right now, it’d be too late because someone would soon miss her. And this was the fourth day, so it would be her last chance. Taking a deep breath, Vilia plunged through the shimmering portal and burst into sunlight such as she’d never before seen. The sky above was a bright blue, the growing things under her feet green. Turning around quickly, she noticed the mark of four cinnabell blossoms, a mark that only her people could see. On this side of the portal there was no shimmer, only what looked like the side of a hill with green growth climbing up it. She hesitated, then faced forward again. She could always find her way back here, so since she’d be punished for going through the gate anyway, why not see as much of Earth as she could? As she ventured around the side of the hill, she heard a strange yapping noise and then saw the creature that made it. A furry black and white four-legged animal came rushing toward her. Though smaller than she was, its mouth was open, tongue hanging out, and she could see sharp teeth. “No!” she cried, waving her hands at the animal. “Go away.” But it kept coming, reached her and jumped up on her, its tongue wet on her hands. She screamed, stepped backward, and fell flat. The thing began to lick her face. If it liked her taste, would it try to eat her? Suddenly the animal was gone, and she stared up at a boy with dark

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hair and gray eyes. He was holding the animal by what she saw was a collar around its neck. “Patch won’t hurt you,” he said. “He’s the friendliest dog in the world.” Though she understood what he said, he didn’t sound quite like her people. She sat up, eyeing the dog dubiously. “If he jumps on you again, just say, ‘Down,’ and Patch’ll understand.” The boy reached a hand toward her and, when she took it, pulled her to her feet. “Come on, I’ll show you a game Patch likes.” Without waiting for her reply, he took a stick from his pants pocket and flung it away, at the same time letting go of the dog’s collar. Patch raced off after the stick. “He’ll bring the stick back, and you can throw it for him.” She noticed the boy staring at her and decided she liked the way he looked, so different from boys in Faere, who all had the same light hair and green eyes that she did. “I’m Vilia,” she said, smiling at him. He blinked at her. “Uh, Trevor’s my name.” The dog came bounding back, and Trevor persuaded her to throw the stick. Off Patch dashed again. After a few more tosses, she began to like the game and stopped being afraid of the dog. Eventually Trevor took the stick and said, “We wore Patch out.” Vilia could see it was true. Tongue lolling, the dog rested in the

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shade of a tree. She decided she wanted to sit under the tree, too, and headed for it. Trevor followed. “I haven’t seen you around here before,” he said. When Vilia smiled again, Trevor felt it for the second time--a warm wave sweeping over him. She wasn’t like any little girl he’d ever seen before. For one thing she was wearing a long dress the color of his grandmother’s pink roses, and she kind of sparkled in the sun. He was twelve, lots older, and she was only a kid, but a really pretty one. He’d heard hair called golden that was only blond, but hers really did look like gold, and her eyes were greener than the tree leaves. “Why does your tunic say, ‘Yan-kees’ on it?” she asked when they were sitting side by side under the tree. She pronounced the word like she’d never seen it before. “You must not be a New Yorker if you don’t know the Yankees are our baseball team. We call ‘em the Yanks. And this is a T-shirt, not a tunic.” “I’ve never been here before.” She looked up. “What kind of a tree is this one?” “Maple.” “May I have a leaf?” He got to his feet and picked off a leafy twig and handed it to her, breathing in a scent so pleasing his head swam. As he sat as he sat down, he said, “You smell like flowers.”

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“Cinnabell.” She ran her fingers over the leaves, then looked at him and said, “I like you, Trevor. Do you like me?” He looked down at his feet. “Yeah, sure.” “Was that a wrong question to ask?” “Sort of.” “But if I didn’t ask, I wouldn’t know, and I want you to like me.” She sounded so plaintive, he smiled at her. “It’s okay, but guys don’t like that question from girls. You’re only a kid, but you are a girl.” Patch roused, came over, laid his head in her lap, and she stroked it. “He feels so soft. I’m glad I found out he wasn’t dangerous.” “You can be sure he likes you. Patch doesn’t make up to everyone.” “I didn’t know about dogs.” Poor kid, she’d never had a dog. “What does the name Trevor mean?” she asked. He shook his head. “All I know is Trevor’s a Welsh name. My grandparents came from Wales.” “To here?” “Yeah, to America, to New York State.” This kid didn’t seem to know much of anything. “How about your name?” “Vilia was a tree maiden.” The girl paused for a moment and went on. “She lived in a woods. That’s why I asked about the tree.” They’d had Greek mythology last semester, so he asked, “You

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mean like a wood nymph?” “They’re not exactly the same. Vilia was more of a wood witch.” She reached up and touched his hair. “It’s so dark. Is that because your forebears came from Wales?” He shrugged. “I guess so.” “What’s that high hill I can see far away?” She pointed. “Airy Mountain.” “Why do you call it that?” What was it with this kid and her questions about names and what they meant? “My grandfather said in the beginning it had an Iroquois name, but some Welsh settled near the mountain in the early days and they changed the name to Airy. He thinks they felt the place was like Wales. He said he felt the same way when he settled here. That’s why they renamed the mountain to fit with the poem.” “What poem?” He grinned at her. “If you keep asking, I’m going to run out of answers. You know how a long time ago people from the countries in Europe believed in fairies and were afraid of them?” “No, I don’t. I don’t even know what Iroquois is.” “That’s the Indians who used to live around here.” She didn’t look as though his explanation helped. “So anyway, the poem’s about fairies by some guy named Allingham. My grandfather likes to recite poetry--I heard this one so many times I know it by heart.”

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Up the airy mountain Down the rushy glen We daren’t go a-hunting For fear of little men. Vilia shook her head. “You talk about things I never heard of. But your poem isn’t right ‘cause it calls them ‘little men.’ I know faeries aren’t little.” What was she talking about? Suddenly she jumped up. He rose, wondering what now. Then he heard someone calling. “Vilia!” She unfastened a gold barrette that held her hair in place and handed it to him. “You gave me the maple leaves so I can remember you. This is so you’ll remember me. I’ll come back in fourteen years.” Standing on tiptoe she kissed him on the cheek. Before he could react, she raced away. Patch ran after her. After a moment Trevor followed. Vilia rounded the hill and saw her brother standing on the Earth side of the portal. Alain grabbed her hand. She caught one last glimpse of Patch before her brother hauled her through to Faere so fast her feet barely touched the ground.

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“You’re fortunate I retrieved you before the prince found out where you’d gone,” Alain scolded as he hurried her along toward the palace. “I won’t tell him, but you’ll be punished anyway for vanishing.” “I know.” She smiled dreamily. “But it was worth any punishment.” When Trevor, Patch ahead of him, rounded the hill, the dog stood sniffing the ground. Then he put back his head and howled, an eerie sound that chilled Trevor’s blood. He searched for an hour, but somehow the dog couldn’t pick up her scent. Vilia was nowhere to be seen. Neither was anyone else. Where had she gone? And who had called her? He’d never met any kid like her. Why would she tell him she’d be back in fourteen years? Trevor fingered her gold hair ornament, sighed, and thrust it in his pocket. If not for that, he could almost believed he’d dreamed her. **** Vilia paced back and forth in the confines of her tower room, wishing her great uncle to perdition. She was twenty-one years old, not some child to be locked away. She was his grand-niece, flesh and blood, not a criminal. Her brother, Alain, perched on a high stool, shook his head. “You know you wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t been so outspoken.”

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“I merely stated that since I am no longer a child I intended to venture through the portal.” “And then informed him that you didn’t intend to return.” She stopped pacing and frowned at him. “I was trying to be honest.” Her frown faded, and her head drooped. “Oh, Alain, he’ll be waiting. Fourteen years have passed, but I know Trevor hasn’t forgotten me.” “It’s clear you haven’t forgotten him. I wouldn’t be so sure about the other way around.” He didn’t think it wise to add that even at seven she’d possessed the Faere glamorie and had probably ensnared the poor lad at the time. But that boy was a man now, and fourteen years was a long time to remember a little girl. She put her hands on her hips. “I tried to send him dreams. Some must have gone through. He’ll be there. If you don’t believe me, go out and see for yourself. He’s got black hair and--” “And gray eyes, and your gold hair ornament with your initial on it. You’ve told me more times than I can count.” “You’re the only one in Faere I can trust.” “Trusting in me doesn’t alter the truth. If you go through the portal to Earth and don’t return, you’ll die. The prince is only trying to save your life.”

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“That’s what they say. How do you know I’ll die? I don’t believe it. Do you know anyone from Faere who’s not returned through the portal and died because of that?” Trevor sighed. “As it happens I don’t. But that doesn’t mean it’s not true. And what’s this about sending dreams? To do that you have to have the dream yourself.” “I know. We were together in those wonderful dreams.” She smiled, but after a moment the smile faded. “I don’t want being with him to be no more than a dream.” Tears welled in her eyes. “Go find Trevor. Please.” She handed Alain a maple leaf preserved by her magic. “Give him this.” “It’ll wither on Earth.” “This is the fourth day, the very last day. Please go.” Unable to bear listening to her sobbing, he took the leaf and strode to the locked door. Calling through it, he told the guard he was ready to be let out, he heard the key turn in the lock, and the door opened. Once he was in the corridor, the guard closed and re-locked the tower room door. The click of the key turning echoed in Alain’s ears all the way down the spiral staircase. He didn’t expect this Trevor of hers to be waiting, but he’d have to do as she asked and then tell her the truth when he returned so she could get on with her life.

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**** In the kitchen of farm house where they’d both grown up, Rianna Coe stared at her brother. “You’re going to the hill again? Don’t you ever give up?” Trevor shrugged. “I took the week off, so why not?” “You know Grandpa and Grandma left this morning for that Elderhostel in Maine. I’ll be alone.” He sighed. “You know you’re safe in the house. I can leave Tinker here with you.” Rianna knew twenty-nine was too young to turn into a basket case. She hadn’t worked in almost a year. Offers still kept trickling in, but she couldn’t bring herself to take any of them. She’d never model again. Not when it might bring another stalker into her life. “Sis, what happened to you was over two years ago now, and you know the bastard is in prison. You’re safe.” She hugged herself. “I can’t help the way I feel any more than you can help being drawn back to that hill where you had that strange encounter fourteen years ago.” He grinned at her. “Of the third kind. And Vilia said fourteen years. Come with me and meet her.”

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Rianna wondered how he could have such confidence. She hadn’t laughed at him on that midsummer day fourteen years ago when he rushed in to tell her about Vilia. After their parents died and they came to live with Grandpa and Grandma, she and Trevor had grown close together. Whether she’d believed him was another story, but she’d never even hinted to him that she didn’t. That was because she sort of did. After all, he’d shown her a gold barrette with a V on it. He’d been twelve then, though, and now he was twenty-six. Too old, as she was, to believe in fairy tales. If she went along to the hill, she’d be there for him when what he expected didn’t happen. He wouldn’t be alone. Neither would she. If only she could get over this terrible fear that she wasn’t safe no matter where on earth she was. And that every strange man meant to harm her. Outside, the day was warm and sunny. Tinker raced ahead of them, running back from time to time to make sure they were following. “You went to that performance of ‘The Merry Widow’ with me,” he said. “You heard the song about Vilia, the wood witch. That’s what she said the name meant.” Rianna wasn’t going to waste her breath trying to talk sense to him. “It is an odd name.” After a moment she took a deep breath of the flower-scented midsummer air and added, “What a perfect day.” “It will be.”

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He sounded more determined than anything else. Glancing at him, she saw his fists were clenched. Not as sure as he pretended to be, then. She was glad she’d come along. Trevor shouldn’t have to face a shattered dream alone. Vilia had somehow charmed him enough at twelve so he still believed in her at twenty-six. The hill was on the back forty, near a grove of maples. Both of them knew every inch of the farm, having wandered all over the property as kids. Rianna well remembered the hill, and it was just a hill, though the highest on the farmland. Tinker reached the place ahead of them, coming back to circle around them as they approached the hill. “I know the exact spot where she vanished,” Trevor said. "Old Patch sat there and howled.” Rianna followed him part way around the hill and stopped when he did. “This doesn’t look any different to me than the rest of the hillside,” she told him. “No, but it must be.” Tinker came up with a stick in her mouth which she laid at his feet and looked up expectantly. “Okay, girl.” Trevor picked up the stick and threw it. Tinker raced after it, barking in disappointment when it landed on a low branch of the biggest maple. “Good thing you never tried out for the Yanks,” Rianna told him.

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Tinker tried in vain to leap up high enough to grab the stick. Trevor headed for the tree. “Hang on, I’m coming.” Rianna remained by the hill, watching them, smiling as Trevor swung himself up into the maple, next to the tree house he'd built there. Her smile died when she sensed something--she didn’t know quite what it was. A vibration? She swung around and stared at the hillside. From nowhere a handsome golden-haired man materialized before her. Rianna stared at him, too petrified to scream. Alain, confronted by a pretty, but obviously terrified, dark-haired young woman, hastily projected his glamorie to ease her fright. “I didn’t mean to upset you,” he murmured. “Oh, I--that is, I didn’t notice you until…” Her words died away as well they might. It wasn’t every day a man walked out of a hillside. Still, she sounded more flustered than frightened now. Glamorie could be useful when dealing with humans. “You weren’t expecting me.” He didn’t quite make it a question. After all, she’d been standing at the gate entrance, even if she couldn’t see it from her side. “Well, not you. I mean…” Again she failed to finish a sentence. A dog barked, then came running around the side of the hill. Black and white, just as Vilia had said. But young. Possibly a descendant of the one fourteen years ago. The dog immediately jumped up on Alain and licked his hand.

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“Down, Tinker!” the woman ordered, and the dog obeyed. A dark-haired man carrying a stick in his hand appeared, stopped, and stared. He and the woman resembled one another. Was it possible…? “Trevor?” Alain asked. “I’m Trevor. Who the hell are you?” “Vilia’s brother, Alain. I take it this is your sister?” Trevor nodded. “Where’s Vilia?” Alain handed him the maple leaf, which withered as soon as it passed into Trevor’s hand. The man kept it anyway. “I didn’t really expect you to be here.” “You didn’t answer my question. Where is she?” Alain sighed. “There’s a problem. At the moment her guardian has her locked in a tower.” The woman gasped. “Oh, how cruel. How could he?” Alain bowed slightly. “And you are?” “Rianna.” He gazed into her soft silvery-gray eyes, smiled at her, saw her blink, and knew his glamorie was still affecting her. Turning to Trevor he asked, “How much did Vilia tell you about us? I can’t explain anything until I find out what you know.”

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“I could tell she wasn’t from around here. And I know her name means wood witch. Look, I need to see her.” Trevor pulled a gold hair ornament from a pocket. “She gave me this so I wouldn’t forget her. I never have.” “He came out of the hillside,” Rianna put in. Trevor took a step forward. “If he came out, I can go in.” Alain held up a hand. “Not without one of us. Me, in this case. Even if you could enter, you wouldn’t be able to get to Vilia.” Trevor hesitated. “What’s in there?” Vilia had been right about her Trevor. This human wasn’t going to be put off. Either he had to try to wipe away any memory of his sister-not easy with two at once. Or else he must find a way to let Trevor see Vilia one last time. That way, she could say goodbye. Alain had never lied to Vilia, and she’d never forgive him if he told her he’d met Trevor and didn’t find a way for her to see him. “Against my better judgment, I’ll take you through,” he told Trevor. Rianna clutched her brother’s arm. “If you go, I go. I’m not staying here alone.” “Tinker’s here.” She shook her head. This grew more complicated by the minute. “The dog can’t enter with us,” Alain said.

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“That means I can.” Rianna smiled at Alain. Though humans had no glamorie, her smile was lovely, and her dark beauty appealed to him. “You both can enter Faere with me, but neither of you will be able to stay there. Each of you take one of my hands, but first throw the stick for the dog to chase so she won’t try to follow us in.” A moment later Trevor and Rianna found themselves in another world. “Why this is like fairy land,” she whispered. Trevor dropped Alain’s hand, took one glance around at the shimmering lights and said, “Where’s the tower?” “Single-minded, aren’t you?” Trevor frowned at him. “I’ve been waiting fourteen years. We’re wasting time.” “I must caution you the meeting with my sister will be bittersweet for you both.” “Take me to her.” Alain eyed him, finally saying, “You’ll need to look like one of us. To do that we must cover your dark hair. Your eyes are a problem, too. A hooded robe might do it, if you keep your eyes downcast at all times.” “You mean a monk’s robe?”

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Alain shook his head. “We don’t have monks. You’ll be a sojourner--a man who stays in one place awhile, then travels on.” He lifted both hands, and his fingers made signs in the air. Rianna eyes widened. “You’re making the robe out of air!” Trevor saw she was right. Weird place. But if Vilia was here that didn’t matter. In every dream he’d had of her she’d grown older and more beautiful. The dreams haunted and frustrated him, since in them he could hold her, but no more. He had to see her again. Talk to her. Touch her. Kiss her…. He realized Alain was offering him a hooded green robe. As he reached for it, he remembered the withered leaf in his hand. But when he looked, the maple leaf was as fresh and shiny as when he’d picked it from the tree fourteen years ago. He handed the leaf to Rianna and slipped on the robe over his jeans and shirt, cinching the gold cord around his waist. He settled the hood over his head, pulling it forward as far as he could. “You’ll do,” Alain told him. “But don’t look at anyone. Rianna, you can’t go with us. We’ll leave you in a secret place where no one will find you. A safe place that no one can enter except me.” Trevor looked at his sister, expecting frightened objections. To his surprise she was gazing into Alain’s eyes as if she actually believed she would be safe, even alone.

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They followed Alain to a small round building of green stone. He said a word Trevor didn’t recognize, and a door opened. In the center of the interior, a small waterfall flowed into a little pool where bright fish darted. Alain directed Rianna to a curved and richly upholstered bench near the pool. “The fish will keep you company until I return, and if you listen carefully they’ll whisper secrets.” Rianna seated herself on the bench, Alain bent over and took her hand, lifting it to his lips. “That’s so you’ll remember me,” he murmured. Almost the same words Vilia had said to him all those years ago, Trevor recalled. Had they been a charm to draw him back, no matter what? His sister certainly looked charmed. She gazed up at Alain in a way Trevor had never known her to look at any man. His momentary impulse to grab Rianna and flee from this--this enchanted land, waned as he realized his need to see Vilia was greater than any qualms he might have. Alain touched his arm, inclining his head toward the door. Trevor looked at his sister. She smiled at him. “I really am safe here. I can feel it in my bones. Go find your Vilia while I listen to the fish whisper.” Whatever Alain had done, it was clear to Trevor that his sister wasn’t panicked at being left alone.

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When they were outside, the door closed behind them, Alain said, “Nothing will harm her while she’s in Faere, and she knows that.” Apparently seeing Trevor’s skeptical look he added, “That includes me.” **** Just before the two of them reached the tower, Alain said, “Do not speak to anyone while we’re on the way to Vilia.” Trevor nodded, understanding he didn’t sound quite like those of this land. “The guard will be reluctant to allow me to bring a sojourner to visit my sister, but, since he hasn’t been told not to, he’ll let us in. Keep your head turned away from him.” Trevor followed Alain up the spiral steps to the level of the tower room, anticipation roiling inside him. All of this had proved far stranger than he’d imagined, but his eagerness to see Vilia overrode all else. True to Alain’s prediction, the guard wasn’t happy about letting a sojourner in, but finally unlocked the door. Alain gestured for Trevor to go inside first. Though Trevor heard the door close and the grate of a key in the lock, his attention was elsewhere. Vilia, standing by a slit of a window, stared at him, her green eyes puzzled. She wore a long gown as green as her eyes, and her golden hair hung to her waist. Her shining beauty made his breath catch.

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“I’ve brought you a present,” Alain said from behind him, reaching to pull the hood free of Trevor’s head. For a moment Trevor thought Vilia didn’t recognize him, but then her eyes widened, and she whispered his name. Three strides brought him to her, he opened his arms, and she melted into his embrace. He couldn’t speak--all he could do was lay his cheek against her hair, breathing in her never-forgotten scent of cinnabell flowers-whatever they were. But then he felt her softness press closer, heard her murmur, “Don’t ever let me go.” Easing her away a little, he gazed into her face, raised invitingly to his. “Never again,” he whispered against her lips. Her eager response made him deepen the kiss, holding her tightly against him. “I believe you two have forgotten me,” Alain murmured. Reluctantly, Trevor let her go, but kept one arm about her shoulders, holding her by his side. “I told you Trevor would be there,” she said to her brother. “Thank you for finding him. Now how do you plan to free me from this room?” “For what purpose? I brought Trevor so you could release him from your spell. You know he must return to Earth.” Vilia glared at Alain. “I intend to--” Trevor cut off her words. “I won’t leave Vilia locked in this tower. Never.”

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Alain sighed. “You don’t understand. Those of us who live in Faere cast a certain glamorie when we visit Earth. Humans fall under its spell and are drawn to us whether they want to be or not.” “He’s not under any spell of mine,” Vilia protested. “He has your hair ornament.” Trevor reached under the robe, pulled it from his jeans pocket, and handed it to Vilia, then scowled at Alain. “Your sister is the only one in the world for me.” “The problem is this isn’t your world, this is Faere. You can’t remain here, or you’ll die. Vilia can’t go back to Earth with you, or she’ll die.” “I don’t care!” Vilia cried. “He’s the one I love.” Trevor gave her a searching glance. “Is what he says true?” “He thinks so.” “I speak truth,” Alain insisted. “I wish happiness for you, Vilia, but not death. And I’m certain you don’t wish to see your lover die here in Faere.” Vilia’s eyes filled with tears. “If you love me, brother mine, at least get me out of this horrible tower. I know you can.” “Do it,” Trevor growled.

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Without replying, Alain strode to the door and called for the guard to let him out. When the man unlocked and opened the door, Alain tossed a glittering dust that settled onto the guard’s head and shoulders for a moment before disappearing. The man stepped back and slumped to the floor. “He won’t come to for a while.” Alain gestured for Trevor and Vilia to follow him from the room. Reaching down, he took the guard’s key and re-locked the door. “Using sleep dust is going to put me in bad grace with the prince for the rest of the year,” he muttered as he led them down the stairs. At the base of the tower, Trevor pulled the hood over his head again. Clasping Vilia’s hand, he drew her with him as they set off with Alain in the lead. “I don’t care what they say, I’m going through the portal with you,” she said. “No, I’ll stay here.” She shook her head. “I won’t have you risk your life.” “So what ‘they say’ is true.” “No, no, I won’t believe it. I want to live with you on Earth, and I will.”

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Trevor’s joy at finding Vilia ebbed with every step he took. ‘Bittersweet’ Alain had warned him. No matter how he felt about Vilia, she was not of Earth. This didn’t matter to him, but he believed Alain’s warning. She’d die if she left her own land permanently. Would he die if he remained in Faere? He thought it unlikely he’d be allowed to find out. His chest ached with grief. To find her again had been his fondest dream. And he had--but only to discover they must part. Barely aware of the wonders they passed, he tried to figure out another solution, and only when they stopped was he aware they stood before the little house of green stone where his sister waited. “Why are we stopping here?” Vilia demanded. Without replying, Alain said the strange word that unlocked the door and entered ahead of them. By the time Trevor and Vilia caught up, Rianna had risen from the bench, and Alain was holding both of her hands while he gazed at her. “Unbelievable,” he murmured. “Your beautiful eyes shine like silver.” “Who is she?” Vilia asked Trevor. He told her. “I should have known she was your sister, for you resemble each other.” Rianna and Alain looked only at each other, not turning to toward the other two.

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“I’ve never seen my brother so fascinated with a woman,” Vilia said. Trevor repeated Alain’s earlier words back to him. “Have you forgotten us?” Rianna eased her hands from Alain’s and smiled at Vilia. “How beautiful you are. No wonder my brother could never forget you.” She shifted her gaze to Trevor. “How lucky you are to be with her at last.” “There’s time for you to take Vilia through the portal for an hour or so to say your farewells,” Alain said. “Let’s hurry,” Vilia took Trevor’s hand and tugged him toward the gate to Earth. When they appeared on the other side of the portal, the waiting Tinker barked joyously, racing back and forth as they walked toward the maple tree. Vilia stared up into the tree. "You've built a little house up there!" "For you. For when you came back to me. As a boy, I hoped you'd like my tree house, but neither of us are children now." Vilia eyed the wooden steps nailed to the trunk, lifted her long skirt and began to climb. "I can't wait to see inside." "It's nothing grand," he told her, once they were both inside the small structure and seated on the pad that covered the floor. "But it's private." Below, Tinker barked in disappointment.

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"Can't you bring her up here?" He smiled. "I could, but I won't." She opened her mouth to speak and he caught her to him, covering her lips with his, thrilled to the very marrow of his bones with her eager response. Her cinnabell scent surrounded him and her mouth tasted of nectar. The arousing pressure of her softness against him made his breath catch. Drawing back slightly, she kissed her way to his ear where she whispered, "Long years apart, my love. When I grew old enough to know what I was missing, I sent you my dreams, but they were never enough." She'd called him her love and the dreams he'd dreamed belonged to her as well. Trevor stored her words in his heart. He ached with his need for her, but held back, unsure she was ready for the passion building higher in him by the moment. "I know you love me because you came to me," she murmured, easing away to lay on the pad. She lifted her arms to him. "Show me you love me here in this tree house you made for us." He stretched out beside her and pulled her close, his kiss fueled by pent-up desire, and the love he'd saved for so long to give to her. Time ceased as he uncovered her delicious secrets, caressing her breasts, tasting her essence, wild with need, but holding back until she, naked as he was, lay writhing under him, clearly as desperate for their joining as he was.

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UP THE AIRY MOUNTAIN

Jane Toombs

Vilia's dreams of love-making hadn't prepared her for the demanding hunger of her body for completion. Every touch rocked her, every kiss deepened her need. Trevor was a magnificent man in every way. Now, her body demanded. Now! She reached for the part of him that she knew wanted to be part of her and spread herself to allow them to join. He gasped at her touch, rose over her and she moaned in anticipation . He filled her, slowly at first, then faster and harder until she floated on a wave that took her to some wondrous place she'd never been before. When she lay beside him, still in his arms, she said, "My dreams never took me where you did. How could they when we weren't really together?" He kissed her, his lips warm and tender on hers. Tears filled her eyes. "I wish I could stay with you forever." **** Left alone with Alain in the green stone house, Rianna looked into his jade green eyes. “I feel so safe here that I’ll hate to leave.” He raised an eyebrow. “Safe with me?” She smiled. “Am I not?” “No.” Instead of rising panic, anticipation tingled along her nerves. “Why not?”

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UP THE AIRY MOUNTAIN

Jane Toombs

In answer, he bent his head and kissed her, pulling her into his arms. Rianna wrapped her arms around him, falling into the kiss, parting her lips in encouragement, surprised at her lack of fear, thrilled by her response. She’d never expected to feel passion again. Deep inside her she knew this was a man she need never be afraid of, a man she didn’t want to ever leave. With him, in his land, she had no fears. In every way she could she encouraged him to make love to her, so she would at least be able to take away a wonderful memory when she had to go. Alain's kiss, no longer tentative, grew demanding. His caressing hands slid under the shirt she wore and she wished they could lay skin to skin, wanted to feel him inside her, wanted… What she wanted was to stay here with Alain forever. After a long, wonderful time, Alain let her go. “I’m drawn to you,” he murmured. “As I am to you.” “I swear I stopped the glamorie as soon as we entered the portal into Faere. So I don’t compel you.” “I know. On Earth you surrounded me with warmth, and I felt it drain away when we came into your land. But I still want to be with you-in every way.” He sighed. “Only for a little time, sweet Rianna. We can’t be together any more than Vilia can remain on Earth with your brother.”

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UP THE AIRY MOUNTAIN

Jane Toombs

She blinked at him. “Why can’t she?” “If my sister leaves Faere permanently, she will die. If your brother stays in Faere with her he will die.” “That’s not fair! Are the two lands so incompatible?” “No. The problem is that if one from Faere remains on Earth, then a human from Earth must replace the lost one. It’s lightly referred to as ‘a body for a body,’ but there’s nothing light about the rule.” Rianna gazed into his fathomless green eyes, almost believing she could see what was in his heart, and made up her mind to say what was in hers. “The fish did whisper to me. They said I should ask if you could you love me.” “I’m more than half-way there already.” “Then I see no problem.” He frowned. “You’re remarkably dense for a man of magic. Shall we go through the gate and give Trevor and Vilia the good news?” “You mean…?” She threw her arms around him and kissed him with all her heart. His passionate response thrilled through her, confirming what she already knew. Alain was the love she’d never before found. “There’s no hurry,” he whispered in her ear. “Good news never spoils.”

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UP THE AIRY MOUNTAIN

Jane Toombs

**** Later, hand in hand, they passed through the shimmering portal and found Vilia and Trevor sitting on the grass cuddling each other under the maple tree, Tinker at their feet. The dog’s alerting bark made them look up. “It can’t be time to go so soon,” Vilia wailed. Trevor opened his mouth to add his protest, then took a second look at his sister, laughing and happy, the way she’d been before the stalker shattered her life. Seeing Alain smiling down fondly at her, Trevor’s heart lifted, both for himself and for Rianna. She, like him, had found love. “I’ve solved your problem, and mine as well,” she told him. “A body for a body.” Trevor touched his fingers to his forehead in the salute he used to give his sister when they were small. Then he hugged Vilia to him. “You won’t have to go--ever. Alain and I are about to trade sisters. They’ll meet us here fourteen years from now so we can catch up on details.” Vilia’s eyes shone with joy as she reached to kiss him. Tinker, catching the hovering happiness, raced around barking as though she was the cause. And maybe she was--after all, her full name was Tinkerbelle.

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UP THE AIRY MOUNTAIN

Jane Toombs

The End

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