Free Epic by Annie Auerbach Page B

bedroom door. “Here we are. Your old room!”
    M.K. was almost speechless. The room was princess pink and perfect for a little girl, which she wasn’t anymore.
    â€œIt’s like I never left,” M.K. said, a bit horrified.
    â€œAll your things are here,” her father continued. “You’ve got your dolls, your pictures. . . .” He looked at her and finally realized that she wasn’t a little girl anymore. “Well, it’s good to have you home, Mary Katherine.”
    â€œActually, I go by ‘M.K.’ now,” she said.
    â€œOh. M.K.? I like that,” said Bomba. “It’s more . . . grown-up.”
    At that moment, a beeping sound pierced the air.
    â€œWhat’s that?” asked M.K.
    Bomba flipped a switch on his belt sensor to stop the beeping. “That was just one of my sensors,” he explained excitedly. “Today is actually a highly unusual day because there’s both a full moon tonight and the summer solstice, which only coincide every hundred years or so.” Finally, he took a breath. “Well, you probably want some time to settle in. Make yourself at home, Mary, uh, M.K.”
    Bomba walked out of the room, gently closing the door behind him. Then he tripped and tumbled down the stairs. “I’m okay!” he shouted.
    M.K. sighed. She sat on the tiny bed, her knees almost hitting her chin. In every way, she didn’t fit.
    Coming home was the worst idea ever , she thought to herself.

R onin and two other Leafmen skillfully rode their hummingbirds back toward Moonhaven—the city of the Jinn. It was a beautiful place at the water’s source, formed out of living plants and stone. As Ronin flew closer, other Jinn came out and welcomed them back.
    After dismounting, Ronin immediately sought a meeting with Queen Tara.
    Beautiful and strong, Tara was not only the queen, she was the life force of the forest, and the only one with the power to give and restore life. It was her job to preside over the forest with respect and compassion. She also had a soft spot for Ronin.
    Ronin found her in a lovely, shaded grove and kneeled down. “Your Majesty, we need to discuss today’s ceremony. Boggans have crossed our borders again, and—”
    â€œYou’re not getting enough sunshine,” the queen interrupted.
    Ronin looked up at her, confused. Then he realized Tara was talking to a sprout, whose leaves were drooping.
    The queen laughed gently and continued talking to the sprout. “Well, I think he looks silly kneeling there, too, but I can’t get him to stop doing it.”
    Ronin stood up and began again. “I think the Boggans are scouting our defenses. You know they’d do anything to stop you from choosing an heir. But don’t worry. I’ve got a plan.”
    â€œWhen we were kids, he wasn’t so serious,” Queen Tara told the flower. “And he had the sweetest smile.” With a swirl of her hand, the tree canopy swayed, letting a beam of sunlight fall on the sprout.
    Ronin sighed. “Would you like to hear my plan?” When she didn’t answer, he continued. “Instead of a public ceremony, I go in with a small platoon. Pretend we’re stopping for a drink. We grab a pod, and bring it back to you. It blooms. We’re in, we’re out.”
    Queen Tara shook her head. “It doesn’t work that way. I can’t choose unless I’m there. It’s about the feeling. I get it from the pods. I get it from the forest. I get it from all of us. Don’t you have feelings, Ronin?”
    â€œYes,” replied Ronin. “I feel this is a bad idea. The Boggans are determined and deadly.”
    â€œI’m not completely helpless,” said the queen.
    â€œI am aware,” said Ronin. “But you’re the life of the forest. Looking after you is my duty.”
    â€œIs that the only reason you do it?” she teased.
    Ronin