Stepping through the copse of trees, I feel a familiar sensation slither over my skin. It’s not unlike how it felt to walk into Nostra’s hidden hamlet the first time. This time my eyes are wide open as I enter.

“Well, Lights be damned,” Ezra says.

“More fae magic?” I ask.

“No, not all fae, witch too,” Avery says, with a knowing smile.

The copse isn’t filled with trees, like it appears from the outside. Instead there is only one tree. A gigantic beast of a tree, of the likes I have never seen before. Its circumference must be at least the size of a large tower block back home on Earth. There are windows carved all the way up the trunk, illuminated from within. In a few of the dwellings nearer the ground I can see people moving inside. Strings of white lights hang from every possible branch. Perched atop the branches that stretch out from the trunk are small huts, and between them are wooden walkways joining one to the other. I tip my head backwards. There appears to be no end to the tree. It just grows up and up until it is lost amongst the cloud of fireflies that hover above us all.

“This is Nostra’s doing?” Ezra asks.

“Yes. The fae that live here owe him a great debt.”

“But I thought his visit didn’t go well when he came here,” I say. “That’s what he told us, anyway.”

“His visit didn’t go well. At least not with the fae king and his loyal followers. But there were a few elders who trusted Nostra and his word. They believed what he had to say, believed the prophecy. They helped him to escape the Forbidden forest and in return he spelled an acorn. That acorn was planted and grew into this place we now call home. Protected by his magic, it can only be found on invite. He made a safe haven for those members of Clan Terra who wish for a different life than what the king is able to offer.”

“I see,” Ezra says. “And this fae king you speak of. He doesn’t know this place exists?” He glances at me, a frown crossing his features.

“Oh, he knows that it exists. He’s just never been able to find it,” Avery says with a smirk.

“And what of Queen Adrielle? Does she know about this place? I mean all of it, not just your… tree.” I’m not sure how else I should refer to it. Tree-block, tower-tree? Who knows.

“Queen Adrielle has never set foot in the Forbidden forest or the realm beneath it. There is a magic here that she fears. When she cursed Clan Terra, she disturbed one of the oldest magics of all. Why do you think she rarely leaves the castle? Why do you think she gets the Dark Knights to do her bidding? She is afraid. Mother Nature’s reach is vast.”

“Interesting,” Ezra says.

“Shall we go up? I suspect you wish to see Clover now.”

“She’s here?”

“In a manner of speaking, yes,” Avery says, walking towards the large opening in the tree.

“What do you mean, in a manner of speaking?” I say, catching up with him.

“You’ll see. All will become clear.”

It’s as beautiful inside the tree as it is on the outside. A central circular staircase curls upwards from the floor connecting at intervals with a landing on each floor. The balusters are all hand carved, entirely different from each other. Some are carved into depictions of plants, some animals, some flowers, but all are individual and beautiful. The hand rails are polished and smooth and catch the light of the lanterns that hover in the air above our heads. They are just like the lanterns back in Nostra’s hamlet. The familiarity of his magic is comforting.

“How many floors are there?” I ask.

“Enough to house a great many fae,” Avery says noncommittally. He walks over to a central platform that is raised slightly from the floor and steps up onto it, beckoning us over. “It will be quicker if we take the lift.”

“You have a lift?” I laugh. Yep, tree-tower it is. No self-respecting tower block is without a lift. This is, indeed, the fae version of a high rise.

“We used to call it the rising, but Clover corrected us. Now it is known as the lift. Clover has enlightened us in many ways. She is quite the woman.”

Avery catches my eye and I am certain I see love in the depths of them. I am more intrigued by the minute. Clover and I have a lot of catching-up to do.

“What is a lift?” Ezra says, stepping onto the platform. I stand next to him and take hold of his hand. There is no rail to keep us from falling over the side. He looks down at me, a puzzled expression on his face but he doesn’t pull away. The platform starts to move upwards, and both Ezra and I are forced to steady ourselves from the sudden movement. His grip tightens.

“Lights be blind, what is happening?” he says.

“Don’t worry, it is perfectly safe. You’ll find that your feet are fixed firmly to the platform. You won’t be able to move until we stop.”

I try lifting my feet, testing the truth of Avery’s words, only to find that I can’t. “He’s right. We’re stuck fast,” I say, letting go of Ezra’s hand.

“We could have taken the stairs,” Ezra snaps, snatching back my hand.

“I didn’t think taking the stairs would be wise, given the shape you are in,” Avery says, casting his gaze over Ezra.

“There is nothing wrong with me, I am perfectly capable of climbing up a few steps.”

“Sure you are,” Avery responds, entirely unconvinced.

Ezra opens his mouth to protest when the platform picks up speed and we begin rushing past the floors in earnest. We are going so fast that my hair is blown about my face from the acceleration. Ezra’s own face has paled several shades. I’m guessing heights really aren’t his thing.

Eventually the lift comes to a stop and we are all able to move our feet again. We are in the topmost section of the tree. I can almost touch the ceiling.

“Follow me,” Avery says, stepping onto the landing.

In my haste to see Clover, I rush past Avery and open the only door on this floor. “Clover, it’s me, Accacia,” I call, stepping into the room. Standing to greet me is another half-dressed man, not dissimilar in looks to Avery except he has russet-coloured hair, fuller lips and a dimple in his chin. He stands as tall as Ezra, is just as broad, and has wide shoulders that taper into a well-defined waist. I try not to gape. “Where is she?” I demand.

“Let me introduce you to Eldon,” Avery says. “He and I have been watching over Clover whilst she undergoes the Changing.”

“It is my pleasure to meet you Accacia, Clover has told us much about you,” Eldon says, holding out his hand. I don’t take it.

“Where is she?” I repeat. “And what do you mean the Changing? What’s going on?” Eldon and Avery exchange looks. They are hiding something. I glance at Ezra helplessly.

“You heard Accacia, where is Clover?” he demands.

Eldon sighs. “Through here,” he says, turning on his heel and opening a door to another room connected to the one we are standing in.

Beyond is a bedroom and lying in the centre of a huge bed is Clover. She appears to be sleeping peacefully. Rushing to her side, I shake her gently. “Clover, it’s me, Accacia. Wake up.” She doesn’t stir. “Clover, I’m here. I’ve come, just like you knew I would.”

“She cannot respond right now. It will be another moon cycle until she awakes,” Avery says as he enters the room.

“What’s wrong with her?” I ask. My eyes graze over her body. She is wearing the same dress as the one I saw her in when she visited me in my dream. Her bright red hair is much longer than I remember, falling past her chest and reaching the curve of her waist just where it dips in above her hips. Her skin is pale, flawless, and even more beautiful than my own.

“Clover is undergoing the Changing,” Eldon repeats.

“You said that already. What the hell is the Changing?” I stand, crossing my arms against my chest.

“She is becoming fae,” Avery and Eldon say simultaneously.

“What?!” I screech, losing all patience.

“If you have any knives, I’d remove them. Accacia has a bit of a temper,” Ezra says with a smirk. If I hadn’t been so angry at the fae men, I would have laughed.