Phantasia spent the night recuperating from her ordeal, bathing in the positive energies of the church and turning over her thoughts in her head. Learning to feel the flow of her natural power and focus it with intent was a skill she would have to spend some time working on – she couldn’t always rely on natural instinct to kick in under pressure, as it had done earlier.

“Interesting,” mused Faye, her totem swaying in an invisible ocean above the church roof, “It would indeed appear that the hypotheses of Prince Dionysus and Queen Thetis have been proven correct. This power you speak of would seem to combine traits from the separate elements, thus suggesting you are a natural elemental conflux that-”

“Thanks, Faye, I think I understand,” interrupted Phantasia before her handmaiden could give her an over-long lecture on the subject.

“Of course, Princess, my apologies.”

Phantasia looked up at the moon from atop the church spire. There was always the possibility that someone might look up and see her there, but she didn’t care. It was probably a good thing that she was the only one who could see the floating, ethereal dolphin though.

“I’ve gotta protect my friends,” she said.

“I see,” said Faye. Her stoic reaction told Phantasia that her handmaiden hadn’t been reading her thoughts.

“I’m going to tell them who I really am,” she added with a big grin. With unexpected speed, the dolphin spiralled around her body until Phantasia felt as if Faye were standing right there in front of her.

“That is not a wise decision,” she said.

“I think it’s the best way,” replied Phantasia, meeting the dolphin’s stare.

“Humans do not accept our kind with ease,” said Faye, “They will be distrustful of you. The friendships you have garnered will be tested. There is no logical reason for you to reveal yourself at this time.”

Phantasia made sure that their eyes met across the aether. She wanted Faye to understand her conviction in this decision, even if she didn’t understand the decision itself.

“I’ll have faith in them,” she said, “Just like they had faith in me.”

Faye’s totem floated there for a few moments, and Phantasia wondered what was going through the Water faerie’s logic-ruled mind. Faith, certainly, was not something they believed in.

Faye’s voiced echoed across the gulf between the worlds, emotionless in nature, but with a trace of both defeat and, Phantasia thought, maybe a little encouragement.

“…if that is your wish…”

***

Chapter 13
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