His uncle’s conversation with the absent Libertine plagued Alexei’s every moment. He had searched everywhere for the object that had been given to his uncle but he could find nothing out of place. Whatever it had been had been hidden well. He could never draw the nerve to confront his uncle for he feared that if he did the man would use the magic on him and he couldn’t bring himself to confide in his own father for fear that his father would ask his uncle about it and thus cause him to lose any advantage of surprise.

So he waited and counted the sleepless nights to the autumn festival.

The days began to shorten, though only those who were watching noticed, and once again he saw the relationship between his father and his uncle strain. They clung to each other as though their lives depended on it and Alexei saw the ghost of fear enter his father’s eyes. Their last night arrived and Alexei lay awake. Yala lay on the bed at his feet, cloth stuffed in her ears to protect her from the “song” the unknown woman had ordered his uncle to play. Alexei was equally prepared but he kept the wax clenched in his hands, waiting.

The night had nearly passed before the soft strands of music, barely more than a musical wind, reached his ears. It was soothing and before Alexei realized the danger he was drifting off. Only a sharp bit to his leg saved him from falling under the firebird’s spell and he quickly stuffed the wax into his ears, cutting off the sound.

His uncle’s form appeared in the dark mirror and Alexei and Yala both lay still as death as the red haired man paused in his doorway, watching him. Finally his uncle moved on and they crept from the room. They followed the man through the halls of the palace and everywhere they passed servants lay on the ground, fast asleep. It became evident to him where his uncle was going and he glanced down at Yala who nodded as he slung the bag of collected supplies he had packed in secret over his shoulder.

Together they slipped out a servant’s door and circled to the high wall that enclosed the magical orchard. He settled on the wolf’s back, quickly slipping on the harness he had had made so that he would be able to hang on without ripping out her fur. The sun had just broken the surface when a huge flock of nightingales burst from the orchard, their small beaks open in song.

Libertine’s birds, Alexei murmured to himself. They scattered, each one winging to a different corner of the kingdom. He watched them flit away, feeling the very earth around him freeze, as though it were holding its breath. Suddenly a large form ascended over the great walls and flew towards the rising sun. Yala’s muscles bunched and he gripped the harness tightly as the wolf sprang into motion after the firebird.

Trey sighed, clinging to the man next to him as he watched the first rays of the sun begin to paint the horizon. He closed his eyes tightly against the pain that welled up within him. How could he do what Libertine asked of him? How could he betray Ivan’s trust in him? How could he use her magic against them all?

Ah, but how could he not?

He stared down at the man sleeping beside him. Ivan’s face had returned to its normal fullness and his muscle tone had returned. He was still painfully thin but his body was no longer in danger of dying. But he was by no means completely healed. Not enough to take up his rule again and most certainly not enough to return to his arcane studies.

Which, Trey knew, he would do as soon as he woke to an empty bed and the prospect of another nine months of loneliness.

He had pleaded with his lover to stop the search. He had shouted and he had cajoled. He had begged and threatened but none would turn Ivan from his course. He was determined to find a cure for the curse, even if it meant his own life.

And that was why Trey knew he had to go through with it.

He ghosted a kiss over his lover’s lips, pouring his apology and goodbye into that small gesture. Straightening he retrieved his flute from behind the ornate woodwork that topped the door and lifted it to his lips. Drawing in a deep breath he blew the first clear note and the waking morning around him seemed to stop to listen.

One note tumbled into another and another, stirring ancient magic from the very land itself. That magic responded to his song and gathered about his feet, swirling upwards to spill out around him. It enveloped Ivan in a thin shroud of sleep and Trey had to turn his back to keep his heart from breaking at his own betrayal of his lover’s trust.

On quiet feet he moved through the palace, pausing only once at his nephew’s door to give his second goodbye before moving on. He let the magic guide him where it willed and he wasn’t surprised when it brought him to the orchard. A flock of hundreds of nightingales waited for him and they sat as he played the melody once over. At the final note they burst into the air, picking up where he had left off and spilling the magic from their enchanted throats.

He allowed the flute to fall from his hands to lie among the bright green summer grass. The sun was breaking the surface and with its rays came Libertine’s call. It tugged at his soul and he felt the pendant against his chest flare to life, stealing his humanity and leaving the flame colored bird in its wake. With a harsh cry he let himself go and the bird took to the air.

Yala was careful to stay behind the firebird so that it wouldn’t see its pursuers. They passed by towns and farms that should have been bustling with early morning activity but they were still, as if all life within them had stopped. Even the animals and plants of the kingdom were affected by the firebird’s song for Yala had to be careful where she trod to keep from trampling a sleeping animal underfoot.

The firebird must have caught a fast moving current high up in the air for it rarely flapped yet Yala had to strain to keep up with it. If it noticed their presence it gave no indication and Alexei smiled to himself. It was nearly evening by the time they reached the borders of the kingdom and Alexei marveled at Yala’s speed for the trip would have taken days by horse. Such thoughts were driven from his mind, however, as they reached the borders and passed through something that felt like they were pushing through a wall of cold air.

Yala shivered underneath him and he stared upwards surprised to see the firebird shaking itself off in the air, apparently bothered by whatever they had passed through. It paused in its flight to glance backwards and Alexei did the same. He could see nothing strange until a small bird flew past him and into the barrier, where it promptly flew back out though Alexei had not seen it turn around.

He pulled the wax from his ears as well as the cloth from Yala’s pointed ears. “Did you see that?” He asked.

The wolf nodded. “It must be the magic the woman promised your uncle to keep the kingdom safe.”

Alexei peered upwards where the firebird was still hovering, staring at the land it had just left. “What’s he doing?” Alexei wondered.

Yala’s ears were pointed forward, listening to a sound that he could not hear. “Saying goodbye.” Came the unexpected reply from the wolf.

Alexei’s eyes softened. “Oh.”

After another minute the firebird’s great wings flapped and they resumed their journey into the night. Alexei was forced to eat astride the wolf for the firebird did not stop with the arrival of night. It made the bird easier to see for looked like a great shooting star against the black of the night but he worried about Yala. The wolf laughed off his worry, however, and told him that she could run to the ends of the world if need be.

Fortunately it didn’t come to that for by midday the firebird suddenly descended into a thick groove of trees. Yala crept silently through the groove to keep the bird from noticing them. It was a risk, Alexei knew, but they needed to keep the bird in sight lest it resume its journey and they not see it leave. They found a spot where they could see the firebird yet were hidden and they took care of their individual needs in turn while the other kept an eye on the bird.

Their quarry, however, showed no signs of leaving any time soon. It flittered through a tree, plucking ripe cherries from the branches and devouring them. The only time it left the tree the entire afternoon was to land beside a small pool at the base of the tree to drink from the cool water. It then returned to the tree and tucked its head under the heavy fall of its wing.

Yala slept while Alexei kept watch. He gathered a few handfuls of cherries from a nearby but was forced to abandon any further efforts when he accidentally shook a branch and startled the firebird awake. It peered in his direction and he feared that it would come to investigate but after a few moments of silence it turned its back and tucked his head back under its wing where it could sleep but still keep an eye on that corner of the grove.

Shortly after nightfall the firebird woke and shook out its feathers, drawing Alexei’s attention by the rustling of its feathers. Alexei nudged Yala awake and they watched as the firebird devoured a few more cherries before returning to the air. Again they followed it as it flew eastwards. Alexei was grateful that the firebird avoided populated areas for he had no wish to explain why he was riding a great wolf or to be mistaken as some demon prowling the land for mischief.

Their luck, however, gave out when the firebird made its second stop. They clearly saw the creature descend into a small orchard of trees but when they slipped into the orchard they could not find the bird. Alexei felt his heart clench in fear as they crept through the trees, unable to see even the smallest spark of a feather. Suddenly sharp talons dug into his back and he whirled, striking out at the thing that had attacked him.

Bright feathers blinded him as the firebird buffeted his face with its wings. He heard its cries and recognized them as the wordless warnings of “attacker” and “desperation”. He reached out and snatched the bird from the sky, dragging it down to the ground where he pinned it, the strong wings forced out wide so that they could not strike him. The cries became fearful and he spoke soothingly to the bird until it calmed.

“Yes,” he whispered, “that’s it. I’m not going to hurt. Shhhh. It’s alright bright one. I’m a friend remember? Do you remember me?”

The firebird turned its angled head to peer up at him and he felt it jerk in surprise.

He smiled and released the broad wings. “Yes, it’s me.”

The firebird struggled to its feet and stared up at him. It trilled questioningly and he laughed.

“We followed you. I want to know what’s going on.” He explained.

The bird hissed in irritation.

Alexei cocked his head. “Can’t you speak?” He asked. “I can understand animals but all I’m getting from you is the most basic of emotions. Surely you can form words since you also a man.”

The firebird hesitated, shaking its head slightly. “It is . . . difficult.” Came his uncle’s words through the firebird’s soft trills.

Alexei smiled. “But it can be done. I understood that.”

The bird flared its wings, flapping them. “You shouldn’t be here!” It snapped, “Why are you here? How?”

“I heard you the night you went to the pool in the garden. I knew that you would use magic to put the kingdom to sleep so I was prepared. We’ve been following you.”

“Yes, I’d noticed that something had been trailing me since I left the last grove. That was you?” The firebird asked.

Alexei nodded. “I was gathering the cherries when I accidentally surprised you.”

The firebird started and stared at him sharply. “You haven’t eaten them have you?”

The young prince shook his head negatively.

“Give them to me!” The firebird demanded and Alexei complied, searching his pack to make sure every last cherry had been turned over. To his surprise the firebird devoured all but two. “They are magic,” the bird explained, “they are not for humans to eat.”

Alexei blushed in embarrassment. Of course! How silly of him not to notice. “I didn’t realize.” He admitted.

The firebird snorted. “No harm done. But you shouldn’t be here! You have to go back to Afron’s. Libertine has sealed the boarders of home so you can’t go back until the beginning of next summer.”

Alexei shook his head firmly. “No,” he stated, “I’m going with you.”

The firebird hissed and snapped at him. “No! It is too dangerous!”

“It doesn’t matter. I don’t know what’s going on between you and this woman but I’m going to find a way to put a stop to it! I don’t care if I have to follow you all my days but I know that eventually you will lead me to her.”

Golden eyes glared at him for a long moment before the bird finally sighed and lowered its head. “I wish you wouldn’t do this, Alexei. Libertine’s court is no place for a human. Especially not one such as you! She will seek to enslave you. I do not want that! If my leaving hurts your father so can you imagine what it will do to him if his son is taken as well?”

Alexei smiled and reached out to rub the firebird’s crest. “I will be careful, uncle.” He promised.

The firebird sighed and leapt up to perch on a tree. “Rest then, my foolish prince. We will arrive tomorrow but there is still a long ways to go and your wolf will need to swim a long distance.”

“You promise not to leave me behind?” Alexei demanded.

The red head nodded wearily and Alexei settled down to sleep. It seemed to him that he had just closed his eyes for a moment before the firebird was tugging on his red hair and urging him awake. He mounted Yala’s back and the firebird was airborne. He dozed on the wolf’s back, barely aware of the passing land that was becoming increasingly rocky. Suddenly a wide sea opened before them and Yala came to halt on the shore. He peered upwards where the firebird circled once above them before gliding out over the open water.

“Looks like this is the part where we swim.” He muttered.

Yala plunged into the water and he clung to the swimming wolf’s back. The shore dropped out of sight and still they swam. Fear began to seep into him as no land came within sight a few hours later and he felt Yala’s strokes slowing. How would they ever reach land? How much farther did the firebird expect them to swim?

His question was answered a few minutes later as the firebird abruptly descended, something falling from its bill into the still waters. It circled slowly and Alexei gasped in surprise as a thick trunk broke the surface of the water and formed into a large tree. Yala swam to it and they clung to its branches as the firebird came to rest beside them. Cherries hung heavy and ripe from the magical trees branches but Alexei refrained from plucking them.

The firebird allowed them a few hours rest, turning over the remaining cherry to him and urging him to keep it safe for their return. Alexei noticed that its eyes were fixed on the eastern horizon and that a faint tremble ran through its warm body. He reached out and stroked the red feathers, earning a quick glance.

“What’s wrong?” He asked.

The firebird shuddered, turning to stare back at the horizon. “Her call is strong,” it replied softly, “I am late in returning and she is angry.”

“Libertine?”

The bird nodded. “Yes.”

Alexei drew a leg up underneath him. “Who is she?”

“A rusalki, a fae whose powers are tied to the seasons. She has made her home on an island in the middle of the sea to keep herself and those other magical creatures who have chosen to live there safe from humans.”

“What does she want with you?” Alexei inquired.

The firebird hesitated, on the verge of saying something but after a moment its bill closed and it shook its head. “Not yet. Ask me after we’ve reached the island.”

Alexei sighed and nodded reluctantly.

Golden eyes fixed on him and he stiffened slightly. “You must be very careful, Alexei,” the firebird warned, “Libertine holds no love for humans. She is a rusalki and her moods change with the seasons just as her powers do. She may seem kind and giving now but come winter she will change. Never forget that she is dangerous. Never forget that her greatest passion is to enslave humans, as she was once enslaved by them.”

The young prince nodded. “I understand. I will be careful.”

His uncle sighed. “I won’t be able to protect you, Alexei. Her powers far surpass mine and for all intents and purposes I am her creature. I will do what I can but I fear it won’t be much.”

Alexei smiled and stroked the firebird’s long feathers. “Do not fear. I am the one here to help you, remember?”

“Though I wish it were otherwise.” The firebird replied darkly. “Come, her call is getting stronger and it is getting harder to fight. We must hurry lest you meet her in one of her rages.”

They swam on into the night and when the morning sun rose it did so over a vast island. They wearily struggled ashore, both prince and wolf collapsing on the sand to catch their breath. The firebird circled over them, urging them to rise and finish their trek with insistent trills. They did so and followed it through a dense forest of trees that opened up into a broad grassy area.

Flowers of every color dotted the brilliant green grass and Alexei’s eyes followed them up a rise where a large castle made of crystal gleamed in the sun. The firebird flew towards it and the water-laden wolf and boy followed. Creatures he had only seen in his childhood picture books stared at his passing, cocking furred or antlered heads as they went by.

They reached the crystal castle and the firebird skimmed through golden doors that opened at its approach. Glancing down at Yala who cocked her head in a wolf’s version of shrug they stepped inside. The firebird’s light was reflected on the transparent walls, making the entire hall seem to glow in its passing. They followed it to a second set of doors that also opened under their own power.

Alexei mounted the stairs leading up to the door and stepped through into a vast room. Human-like and animal-like creatures turned to stare at and he hesitated at the threshold. The firebird trilled, drawing the room’s attention back to it as it alighted, landing on human feet before the tall woman who sat on a glass throne at the end of the hall.

A few brief words passed between them, too low for him to hear before the woman reached out and drew the golden pendant over his uncle’s head. Red feathers scrapped against the floor with a serpentine hiss as the firebird’s form resolidified. He watched as the woman turned the pendant over to a fae who appeared at her side and disappeared with the precious artifact. She held out her arm and the firebird alighted there with a powerful snap of its wings.

Alexei found himself suddenly fixed by the woman’s emerald eyes and he stiffened, for they seemed to stare right through him. She held out her left hand and Alexei’s body jerked into motion without his consent, drawing him a few steps forward before Yala growled lowly, reminding him of himself.

He shook himself sharply and came to a halt. “There is no need for that, lady.” He reproved gently, “All you must do is ask.”

Her bright eyes narrowed for a moment before her face suddenly relaxed into a brilliant smile. “Then come, childling. Let me see what my firebird has brought to my land.”

He came the final few steps to stand before her and bowed prettily in the way that always seemed to please Afron’s daughters. “Forgive me this trespass, my lady.” He pleaded, “I only wished to see what wonders existed beyond the borders of my own home.”

He straightened and found himself glanced over. While the woman observed him he did the same. He had never seen a rusalki before and had to admit some surprise. He had expected the fae creatures to be smaller but Libertine was tall and willowy. He could barely make out her long silver hair flowing against the glass throne. Her face was round and her emerald eyes sharp.

Alexei shivered despite himself for the eyes the studied him bore a striking resemblance to his father’s in both color and intensity.

Libertine shifted, turning her attention to the bird on her hand. “The day grows late. Go to your duty.” She ordered.

The firebird’s wings flared and it leapt from her hand into the air. Alexei watched as it darted through half hidden passageways, disappearing from view when it rounded a wall that had not been made of the same translucent crystal.

“You bear a striking resemblance to a man I know.” The rusalki said, sitting back in her throne.

Alexei returned his attention to her and nodded. “Everyone says that I resemble my uncle in looks.”

Emerald eyes stared at him searchingly and Alexei crossed his hands behind his back not seeking to stop her. Unable to detect a lie the rusalki shifted and released him from the penetrating gaze. “You have come a long way, princeling.”

He blinked in surprise. “You know me then?”

“I do not travel out among humans any longer but I know whom my firebird associates with. I am aware of the boy his lover has claimed as his own.”

He bowed again. “My name is Ilya.”

Libertine scowled. “I have heard that name before. A very different man before you carried it. Do not insult me by trying to pass it off as your own. What is your true name, princeling?”

Alexei shrugged. “I have read that your kind can sense lies, my lady, and therefore you should know it is no lie. Ilya Ivanovich is indeed a name I may bear for it was given to me along with another name at my birth. My true name, however, is my own. I know that giving those with magic my true name gives them power over me. Do not insult me by trying to trick me into giving you such a tool.”

They stared at each other for a few long minutes but it was Libertine who was forced to back down. His father had been very careful to give him two names at his birth to keep him safe from those who could use his true name against him. It was no lie to give this secondary name that had once served his father.

“Why are you here Ilya?”

He shrugged. “I wanted to see the Russian phoenix’s paradise and I wanted to see what beauty could draw it back year after year. I could not imagine a woman that could lure such a creature as the firebird back to her year after year. I am glad that I did not even try for you truly surpass any images I could think up.”

Libertine preened slightly under his words and he allowed a flirtatious smile to cross his face. “You have had a long trip I see.” She said, gesturing to his dripping clothes and the damp wolf beside him. “Allow me to extend a measure of hospitality to you.”

He bowed his acceptance. A bright light formed in her cupped hand and she sent it floating towards him. “The wisp will lead you to rooms that you should find comfortable.”

“You are too kind, lady.”

She waved him away and together he and Yala followed the light into the confines of Libertine’s palace. It unnerved him to see so many rooms that had been set up in a parody of a human household but which obviously had never had an occupant living in them before. It was like walking through a home fit only for ghosts. They came to one such room and the wisp disappeared, indicating that this was to be his room.

He was immensely grateful for the gift of hot water he found waiting for him to wash the brine from his hair and clothes. Even Yala submitted to the indignity of sitting in the tub while he washed her coat. Clean and dry he pulled on the light airy clothes that some unseen servant had left for him. His stomach made its hunger known and though the plate of fruit and pastries on the table looked very tempting he remembered his father’s warning about eating the food of the fae lest he become bound to the fae world forever. Sighing he forced himself to choke down what was left of his water laden supplies.

Yala left with the promise to find him something edible that wasn’t doused in magic and he made her promise not to turn any magical creature into her next meal. He made a quick inspection of the room, looking for any hidden dangers or spying nooks. When he was satisfied he was safe he drug himself to the sunken bed and climbed in but even though his body was weary from the long journey sleep eluded him.

There were no sounds anywhere within the castle and it made him feel terribly lonely and isolated. The complete darkness and silence made it feel as though the walls were closing in on him and eventually he lost the fight with himself. He rose from the bed and folded the heaviest of the blankets. Cradling the cloth in his arms he slipped out into the hall.

He followed the winding path back to Libertine’s audience chamber where he peered in, hoping to find some trace of his uncle. Unfortunately only the rusalki herself was present. He couldn’t be sure if she was awake or not for she sat on her throne as still as death, her piercing emerald eyes closed as she basked in a strange golden light filtering down from a single translucent pane in the ceiling.

Alexei frowned and tried to get closer to identify the source of the light for he could clearly see that night had fallen through the crystal walls. However he was unable to get close enough for fear of waking the rusalki and with a silent sigh he slipped back into the hall. He circled the audience chamber until he found a delicate stairway leading to the next level. He mounted the narrow stairs, careful lest he should slip, and made a search of the second floor. He could find no source of the light, however, so he moved to the third floor and on to the fourth when even that one gave him no answers.

He searched through rooms upon rooms of treasure, pausing every now and then to marvel at some object. His father’s taste in treasure ran to elaborate robes with gems sewn within them with golden thread and that was where it ended, so it was with fascination that he eyed swords and goblets made of precious metals and decorated with so many jewels it made them look downright ridiculous. He had to resist a laugh at the realization that the fae really were as covetous as the legends made them out to be.

With no rooms left to search he mounted the stairs one last time and climbed up to the final floor and the apex of Libertine’s crystal palace.