“Tristan, wake up. Do you hear that? It sounds like harps!” Ryan was already sitting up in bed, reading one of his favorite books. The sound of music was indeed in the air this morning.

“Where’s it coming from? It’s so beautiful.” I walked toward our window and opened it. The air outside smelled of lilies and other unusual and dainty fragrances. I exhaled with pleasure.

“I love this place, Tristan. Do we have to leave?” Ryan pouted.

“I know. It’s incredible here,” I said.

I opened the front door and peered outside. The fae were on their instruments near a small fountain. They sat and played intently. The queen was sitting on a hill above them. When she was us, she waved.

She floated over, toward us. “You’re awake! How did you sleep?”

“We slept delightfully, Rhiannon. I have to admit to you that we don’t ever want to leave this place,” I said.

Everything felt warm and cozy here. It was indeed a heavenly experience. The fairy queen smiled. A few of the harp players giggled to themselves. “Well, I suppose you could come back to visit when the cub gets a little older,” she said.

Ryan popped his head out of the window. “Seriously? We can?”

The fae giggled, endlessly. “Yes, but only if you promise to keep the light within your heart glowing. I’d quite like to see your baby after its born.”

Ryan hopped out of the window, nearly stumbling into the soft grass. He ran as fast as he could to hug the queen. “Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!”

“My mate is very pleased about this.” I laughed.

“It’s my pleasure,” she said.

Holger and Gorbins both walked out of their respective rooms. Gorbins’ three hairs were slicked back, and his green skin was radiating. “Damn, Gorbs! You’re looking pretty suave today,” I said.

Gorbins cleared his throat and said, “I always look suave. Don’t play.”

Holger chuckled. “Gorbins, what am I going to do without you in my life?”

“You think I’m leaving, huh? I’m just getting started with you!” His upper lip twitched. He pounced on Holger’s back. Holger frowned.

“Come! We have a feast prepared for you in the castle. Our sorceress has asked to give this to you.” Rhiannon held out four small, golden capsules. All of us popped the pill.

“I don’t feel anything,” Holger muttered.

But within seconds, wings popped out of our shoulders. A strange sensation overcame my body. I could fly!

“Whoa!” Ryan exclaimed. “This is crazy! Look at me! I’m the world’s first pregnant flying bear!”

“Be careful!” I called out, feeling my wings take me into the air.

Holger zoomed past everyone else, flying at an uncontrollable speed. “HELP!” he screamed. He started to spin in circles. “I’m going to be sick!”

“Holger, come on! Quit playing around!” I flew forward and stabilized him. His face looked paler than ever.

“Ugh. Thanks, man,” he muttered.

“Right this way!” Rhiannon flew elegantly toward the castle gates.

The landing was a bit of a doozy, but we all managed to do fairly well. Ryan showed off and did a flip, before landing on his feet. “Dang, that was fun!”

The fae soldiers opened the castle doors for us, as the trumpeters touted their horns. “Hear ye, hear ye! The queen and her guests have arrived!

“Yes, well done. Enough of that. Let’s eat, already,” Rhiannon said.

We floated past the foyer and entered the grand room. The room was made of smooth marble. Candles were placed all around the walls and tables. Statues were artistically carved below the large stained glass windows.

“Holy crap,” Holger whispered.

“Meh. I’ve seen better,” Gorbins said.

In the center was the most extended table I had ever seen. Fae of all kinds were gathered, talking amongst themselves. The nobility sat, patiently staring at the endless amounts of turkey legs, glazed ham, roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, grapes, apples, freshly baked pies, chocolate cakes, donut holes, fried chicken, corn on the cob, and so much more.

Ryan’s eyes were wide open. His tongue hung out of the side of his mouth, drooling. “Big bear, are you excited or what?” I asked, full of excitement myself.

He is trapped in a daze of desire. “I have never seen so much beauty in my entire life,” he whispered. “Need. Food. Now.”

Holger seemed to be lost in the same daze himself. He slowly walked toward the table, hands outstretched in front of him. “Food. Good.”

“What is wrong with these mortals?” Gorbins sighed and hopped toward his seat.

A small, fair-skinned fairy, Jules angrily sighed when she saw Gorbins’ presence at the table. “Who let him in here?”

Other fairies argued amongst themselves. Another fairy said, “Yeah, didn’t he leave us for outer realms?”

Rhiannon pounded her dainty fist against the table. “Enough gossip. Gorbins has reported to me for years, so he has played his cards well. He doesn’t live the virtuous lives that we do, but that is his choice and sacrifice. It would do us well to show him a little respect.”

The room quieted down. Our party still couldn’t stop staring at the delicious food. The queen continued. “These are our guests for the day. One is bearing a singular child, as you can see.”

“Wonderful,” someone whispered.

“So beautiful,” Another fairy said.

Ryan blushed and telepathically communicated to me: Am I that big already?

Before I could compliment my mate, he went back to staring at the food.

The queen then pointed toward me. “His alpha mate, Tristan has already been tormented enough by the fate sisters and their annoying plans. He has been sent to alternate realities, endured the soul suckers that wander them, and even laid down his life for his friends.”

Their claps filled the grand room. I heard Ryan’s voice inside my head: Can we eat already?

“The darkness was spreading into our beautiful forests, and we have no one to blame but ourselves. When I see my people point at Gorbins and scream with venomous slander, it breaks my heart. The fae are supposed to be a wise and generous group of people. What has happened to us?” she asked.

Jules stood up and bowed. Tears were in her eyes. “My queen. From the bottom of my heart, I apologize. Please forgive me.”

“That’s the thing. Forgiveness is a powerful idea. And we all deserve forgiveness, don’t we? Does Gorbins not deserve forgiveness too? Or is he too green for all of you?” The queen stood silent, waiting for an answer, but no one dared to speak.

“Of course, we must ask ourselves where this darkness even came from,” she said.

“Perhaps the goddesses?” A brave fairy asked.

The queen shook her head. “No. The darkness does not come from one thing or being. I have been watching our heroes for quite some time now. I have also been studying the dark shades of evil that inhabited our neighboring lands. I have concluded that it comes from us. All of us.”

The table gasped with shock. One fairy couldn’t believe her ears. “Us? I’m sorry, my queen. But we are a just land. It sure didn’t come from here. Talk to the dwarves. Talk to the dragons in their dungeons. They are surely the ones responsible, not us.”

The queen listened intently, but she didn’t hold the same views. “All life is holy. Yes, we believe that here. It’s one of our mottos, isn’t it? Though, there always seems to be more to a good slogan. All life is unique and special, but we all need to be kept in check! Otherwise, our righteousness will get the best of us. It will fade into a gloom.”

Another fairy stood up. “Are you saying that too much light can turn into darkness?”

Ryan stopped looking at the food. I could tell he was getting annoyed. He stood up, holding his big belly in his hands. Everyone stopped bickering to gaze at him. “Were you there, in the darkness?” Ryan asked.

Rhiannon smiled and waited for the fairy to respond. She slowly lowered her head in shame. “No. I was not, but that’s beside the point!”

“Tristan knows. Gorbins knows. Holger surely knows. Your queen witnessed our battle. The shadows lurk in our minds. There is no use in blaming one another. Instead, we must rally and fight with love. We must be sure of ourselves. We have to love who we are, no matter what we’ve done in the past. You all hate Gorbins because he left your home. I understand that that is against your unspoken guidelines here. Still, he has made a conscious effort to help our friends and us. He has helped your queen too. You should find your heart. Clutch that feeling of goodness. And forgive him. Love him so that you can love yourselves.”

The room was utterly silent. My mate sat down. Rhiannon giggled to herself. “Now, can we freakin’ eat already? I’m a starving, pregnant bear. I demand cake!”

His speech had somehow woken a lot of the fairies up. Within seconds, the room was clapping in agreement. “We will make a conscious effort to do better!” The queen announced. “Let’s feast!”

The whole gang eagerly chewed their food. It wasn’t long before we were all begging for seconds. With so much good food and wine in our bellies, it felt like we were on top of the world.

We stayed in that castle until nightfall. One by one, we became acquainted with the fairies. They told us stories of the ancient battles that went on in and around their lands. We learned more about the dwarves that got kicked out for their greediness, the dragon shifters that lost their mates, and their hope. We heard the tales of the elves and their nobility, beyond the blue lakes in the north.

As the red sun was setting, we told them about our home. Frisky Pines, as simple as it seemed, was beautiful. It was full of life, possibility, and all of my friends were there. I hadn’t had a real family in some time, but they were as close as they could get to being one. I was more than excited to bring Ryan there.

Hours later, we floated down to our rooms. The queen hugged us all individually. Holger seemed like he didn’t want to let go. It was a bittersweet goodbye.

“You have all inspired me,” she said. “I’m at a loss for words.”

“So am I,” I whispered. “I’m glad to be going home. These quests have taken a lot out of me, and I know my pregnant omega feels the same way. I’m going to miss this place the most. It’s so beautiful here. You have treated us with such respect.”

Ryan smiled. “Yass, queen. Seriously. You have been the best host in the world. Slay until the end of time.”

“Omega, you slay. You’re about to have a special baby boy. Teach him to love and to accept.”

“I will,” Ryan said.

Holger had tears coming down his face. He started to sniffle pretty loudly. “I don’t want to leave! I have to go back to the stinkin’ fire station. It’s not fair!”

The queen laughed. “Holger, you’re a hero! You get to save lives.”

“Yeah, I guess,” he muttered.

Gorbins patted his back. “I’ll keep ya company, I will!”

“At least I have Gorbins,” Holger said.

I couldn’t hold back my laughter, and neither could the queen. After she stopped snickering, she hugged Holger. “If you aren’t happy, you need to do what you love. Set yourself free.”

He blushed and wiped the tears from his eyes. “Well, I’ve always wanted to open up my own fishing supply store.”

Ryan smiled. “That’s right, chief. You go every morning, right?”

“For the past ten years,” he said. “I reckon I’ll give it a shot. I might as well!”

The evening is starry and majestic. As we said our goodbyes, I shook Gorbins’ hand. “Well, old pal. I guess this is goodbye.”

“I’m sorry to have put you through so much,” he said, solemnly. “But everything happens for a reason.”

“I know. There are a lot that goes on in the outer regions of the world. And that’s not accounting for the goddesses’ meddling either,” I said.

We embraced for the first time. Then, I watched him walk up the trail. “Where’s he going?” Ryan asked.

“He doesn’t have a home,” I said. This was the first time it dawned on me.

“Well, I hope he can find one someday,” Ryan said. He turned around and opened the door to our home.

I looked back, one more time. The little green man walked into the darkness. “Me too,” I whispered.