Haze nodded as they passed a few dwarf children chasing a squirrel up a tree. 

'The shortcut is in a few miles, but it's worth it." The empress told her.

"Oh good, I can't wait to get there. Who is Lily's mate again?' 

"Collin." The empress informed her.

"Thank you, she told me but I'd forgotten it." The fairy responded.

"Oh It's fine," She said, as the path led them around a sharp curve.

After another three miles, the empress looked at her.

"Come with me, into that glowing tree stump over there." She told the fairy.

"That's the short-cut." She explained.

"Oh," Haze said as the empress grabbed her hand and they jumped in it, together.

             It shot them through a series of glowing neon glitter lights. First blue, then green and purple. Finally it glowed pink right before it spat them out onto the ground. 

"That was intresting," Haze said, dusting herself off as she stood; then helped the empress off of the ground. 

"Where are we?" She asked the empress.

"One mile south of Lily's palace." She said.

"That's an excellent short-cut." Haze replied as they walked the rest of the way to the fairy palace.