Free The Immortal Realm by Frewin Jones Page B

green-and-white wooden chalet behind the sand dunes. A carousel and a games arcade on a stretch of cracked concrete above the beach. Ice cream cones. Fish and chips wrapped in paper. Vast golden sands at low tide, the sea a silvery glimmer on the horizon. Building sand castles with her dad. Searching for cockles on the sand flats before the long tide came sweeping in. Running through the surf, sand clotted richly between her toes.
    Such strong memories.
    Is that who I am really? Not Princess Tania of Faerie at all? Anita Palmer, only child of Clive and Mary Palmer of 19 Eddison Terrace, Camden, London. Was Dad right? Have I just been hypnotized by all this? Should I go back now and let all this fade away like a dream?
    â€œTania!” Sancha’s voice dragged her back to reality. “Come quickly. The earl is worse. Eden is asking for you.”
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    Earl Valentyne’s bed had been brought onto the deck of the quarantine ship. The crew would come nowhere near him, but Eden was at his side as Tania boarded the ship and ran across the deck.
    â€œWhat is it?” she asked. “What’s happened?”
    â€œI cannot rouse him!” cried Eden. She stared into Tania’s face with haunted eyes. “You know this ailment; what does this mean?”
    Tania looked down into the earl’s ravaged face. His skin was gray and had a sickly sheen to it. His deep-set eyes were closed, but his face was not peaceful. There was a tension around his eyes and mouth as if he was in pain.
    â€œI don’t know,” Tania said helplessly. “Where are Hopie and our mother?”
    â€œBelowdecks, tending the children.” Eden snatched at Tania’s hand, her fingernails digging into her flesh. “I fear he is dying. He cannot die. You must not let him die.” Her voice was almost hysterical now, her eyes pleading. Tania couldn’t bear to see her sister like this; she had only ever known Eden calm and steadfast.
    â€œI don’t know what to do,” Tania said, her voice shaking.
    Eden turned to the earl, her hands cradling his face, leaning over him so that her face was just above his. “My lord,” she cried, “do not leave me.”
    Close to panic, Tania ran to the hatch that led belowdecks. She shouted down, “Mother! Hopie! Come quickly!”
    She had returned to Faerie to try and help, but now it came to it—what use was she? None at all, she thought bitterly as Titania’s face appeared in the half darkness at the foot of the ladder. I’m useless.
    â€œWhat is it, Tania?” called the Queen.
    â€œThe earl has fallen into some kind of coma,” she called down. “Eden thinks he’s dying.”
    â€œThere’s nothing we can do,” called her mother. “Two of the little ones have also lapsed into unconsciousness. Hopie is doing all she can for them, but…” She didn’t need to finish the sentence.
    â€œIt’s okay,” Tania called down. “I’ll think of something.”
    She ran back across the deck and pounded down the bouncing gangplank to the quayside.
    I have to find Oberon, she thought desperately. He has so much power. Surely he’ll be able to stop this.
    The King was standing on the quay with the earl marshal and Lord Brython. They were deep in discussion as Tania came running up.
    â€œFather, you have to come— now !” she said gasping,clutching at the King’s arm.
    He frowned at her. “Tania, be calm! What is the matter?”
    â€œEden’s husband is dying!”
    â€œNo!” exclaimed Cornelius. “Earl Valentyne dying? It cannot be so.”
    Tania looked into his horrified face. “Yes,” she said firmly. “It can .”
    â€œI shall come,” said the King. “My lords, see to our people. Have the townsfolk keep to their homes as we pass through. I would not have this sickness spread to the people of Rhyehaven. Ensure all pass through