Nemesis and the Fairy of Pure Heart Read Online Free Page A

evident in the hoarseness of her reply.
    â€œWithout my wings, King Yarg, I will be a prisoner of the immortal realms. Without the life force that they contain, my inner light will be greatly diminished. Is there nothing else that you could ask of me?”
    Yarg looked at Bella, but she could not see any message in his eyes.
    â€œThat is the price, Fairy.”
    Bella lowered her eyes to the floor. “So, if I wish to save Arthur, I must sacrifice my wings?”
    Yarg sighed. “You say that you seek my help. This is the only exchange I am willing to make. So, the choice is yours and yours alone.”
    Bella sniffed. “There is no choice, Yarg. I have to save my prince. I agree, then, to your exchange.”
    â€œVery well,” acknowledged Yarg with a nodding of his head. “You do understand that without your wings, gathering the tokens will be very difficult and very dangerous?”
    Bella’s eyes shimmered with tears, but she nodded her head. She would feel a deep sadness, she knew, the moment she gave up her wings, but she also knew that she would never again know peace until her prince was freed.
    Yarg gestured to Bella to sit, then grunted to the troll stationed beside him. The troll poured a muddy, gurgling liquid into a half-empty acorn shell and offered it to her. The shell, that was almost lost in his fat hands, was just her size, but she shook her head to refuse the foul-smelling drink.
    â€œWell, let’s begin then,” said Yarg.
    Standing, Yarg motioned for Bella to follow him. He walked down the great hall until he came to the last wall at the end of the long passage. He pressed his huge hand on a spot, chanting words beneath his breath.
    As Bella followed, she saw the wall open to reveal a storeroom that had all manner of things arranged on crude stone shelves. There were elfin flutes, silver urchin cups, pixie drums, witches brooms, wings from other fairies, and an assortment of other magical gifts. She shivered and turned her gaze to Yarg, who was now standing over a very old book covered in dust and cobwebs.
    â€œRemove your wings and place them on the table over there,” he said, pointing with his hairy, huge finger. Bella felt the tears well up in her eyes, and willed herself to be brave, to be courageous. She slowly removed her wings and stroked them, a deep sadness winding its way along her spine. Without them, she felt vulnerable and stripped. Quickly, before she could change her mind, she placed them on the table and forced herself to walk away. She felt their power calling her, but she ignored the pull and walked towards Yarg.
    So totally absorbed had she been, that she got a fright when Yarg grunted to gain her attention. He raised his hand in front of him. In his palm was a piece of what appeared to be silver gossamer. It swayed lightly in the air, twirling slowly, whimsically, within Yarg’s palm.
    Bella could see it shimmering in the dim light, could feel its pulsing power. It called to her—demanding, appealing, beguiling—begging her to claim it. She reached out her hand and grasped it, then watched, mesmerised, as the silvery gauze became solid parchment within her hand.
    Glancing one more time at Yarg, she folded the parchment and put it in the charm bag around her neck, then turned and walked towards the carved stone entrance. Without looking back she made her way out into the sunshine.

4
    Laughter’s Gift
    B ella felt the warm sun shining down on her and sighed, wondering what to do next. If she called for Teague would he hear her? She had never tried to call him from so far away. How long would it take him to reach her if he did? She lifted her fingers to her mouth and blew.
    As she waited, she felt the heat from the sun seep into her body, giving warmth to the coldness and loneliness that she felt deep inside. She looked about her. In the background she could hear trolls talking and she started walking away from the courtyard and