Journey into the Realm: The Stolen Child (Journey into the Realm Series) Read Online Free

Daran’s for that matter,” I replied, sighing heavily. “The question is, do you?”
    Aimee smiled. “That’s why we’re here. Your secret was a shock to us, but we’ve realized our mistake. We should have stood by you.”
    It made sense that Aimee was doing all the talking. She was never at a loss for words. But I wondered how much of her speech was scripted and how much was coming from the heart.
    “Say something,” Tavis implored once the silence between us had grown awkward.
    I took a deep breath. This was definitely not how I had planned our reunion. But having Aimee and Tavis beg on their knees for my forgiveness wasn’t realistic, and I knew that. This was their apology: coming to Tarlore, admitting their mistake, facing me without flinching. I could take it or leave it.
    “I understand your reaction to my secret. That doesn’t mean I’m not bitter over it, but I do understand. Thank you for coming to make amends.”
    I blinked hard and took another steadying breath. Aimee stepped forward and took my hand. Tavis smiled but remained where he was.
    “Nathan told us you were leaving soon,” Aimee mentioned. “I wish we had more time to talk.”
    I nodded. “So do I. But Nathan and I have obligations.”
    “Wait, Nathan’s going with you?” Tavis asked, startled. “Isn’t that impossible? He’s not a Golden fairy.”
    “Plans have changed. King Vortigern devised a spell requiring me to journey through each Magical Realm before I can enter the Golden Fairy Realm. And to move from Realm to Realm, I must acquire the crown of each ruler. I can’t do that on my own, so Nathan’s coming with me.”
    “We’ll come too,” Tavis surprised me by saying. I had thought it would be Aimee who spoke first.
    “I can’t ask you to do that,” I said, releasing Aimee’s hand and taking a step back.
    “You don’t have to,” Aimee assured me, exchanging a quick glance with Tavis. “We’re willing to risk whatever danger there is in this journey. We didn’t support you when we could have in Birchwood, but we can now.”
    I shook my head. I couldn’t let them do this. It wasn’t right. “This is different than standing up for me at Stellan’s funeral.” I paused when nightmarish images infiltrated my mind. I swallowed and found the will to continue. “The first few Realms could be easy, but I’ve been to the Element Fairy Realm. It’s no stroll down the dirt roads of Birchwood. And I have to somehow steal King Vortigern’s crown….You can’t come.”
    Aimee narrowed her eyes in defiance. “No. Don’t say that. You admitted that you can’t do this alone. Just having Nathan isn’t enough either. You’ll need a healer. And Tavis’s explosive power will add to the offensive spell power you and Nathan share.”
    “We can get you to the Golden Fairy Realm, Ramsey,” Tavis added. “Just give us the chance.”
    Of course I wanted to tell them no. Bringing them along was a risk I shouldn’t take. They could be killed. But they were also right. Even with Nathan by my side, the journey wasn’t a guaranteed success. I could do with a little more help. Aimee’s healing and Tavis’s offensive ability would greatly improve my chances of reaching the Golden Fairy Realm. They were assets I couldn’t afford to ignore. I couldn’t let my emotions get in the way of my goal. To end this war, I had to be a realist. I had to let them join me on this journey through the Realms.
    I couldn’t say no.

~2~
Preparation
    I found Aimee and Tavis each a room for the night, then updated Nathan on the status of our departure. At first he argued over my decision to bring our friends along but quickly came to the same conclusion: We needed all the help we could get. But that was it. No more additions to the group.
    Keeping my journey a secret from Zora would be easy. Even though our relationship was slowly rebuilding after its downfall only a few months prior, we didn’t talk much. Talking usually led to rehashing