Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
C ome to find out, saying you trust someone, and actually doing it, are two completely different things. As I followed Matteo to the supposed Sanctuary, I could feel Arend’s eyes on the back of my head like a brand.
It was unsettling.
I tried making small talk, but it was an endeavor in futility. I couldn’t hear Matteo unless he turned around and faced me, which he could only do if we stopped walking because apparently even Fae males can’t multitask, and Arend didn’t care to talk.
Fiach was still refusing to talk, and besides, I was still ignoring him for pretending he’s a normal crow and not my familiar. I can be petty too.
Which left me to my own thoughts. Anxious and exhausted, it didn’t take long for my thoughts to turn down a negative path, and I could feel my magic acting restless. Breathing deeply, or as deeply as I could while following two very fit Fae with long legs, I attempted to sooth my magic, but it continued to percolate, the smell of gingerbread unnaturally filling the air and obviously making the two Fae nervous.
Matteo lightly rested his hand on his sword, and I caught Fiach side eyeing me, which just made me feel more uneasy, and my magic roiled all the more.
Finally, I had enough.
“Stop, just stop!” I panted and bent over to rest my hands on my knees. I gulped and forged ahead, “I - I don’t know how to make it stop, okay? I’m sorry. It's not on purpose, I swear.”
The Fae shared a loaded glance, and Arend turned to me suspiciously. Half of me didn’t mind. The other half - well. The other half very much minded. I wondered if they’d ever struggled with rogue magic?
“Perhaps we should take the short cut?” Matteo suggested to Arend, and I could have cried for happiness.
“Yes! I vote yes. Why didn’t you mention this before?”
I was getting very tired of loaded looks. Even Fiach ruffled at that one.
“No. That is not an option. You know the rules!”
“Arend, don’t be such a stick in the mud. My feet can’t keep walking much farther, and I’m not sure what my magic is planning on doing, but it most definitely is planning.”
Matteo gave me an unreadable look, then turned to Arend. “I’m inclined to agree. Look at her. We should get to Tresilben quickly. Aldric will know what to do.”
If looks could murder… I shuddered at the withering look Arend sent his way. Arend was definitely the grumpy Fae.
“Fine.”
Then the two Fae reached for each other's hands, and I gaped, transfixed.
Between their clasped hands was a faint glow that began to grow, slowly at first, then ever quickening until it seemed a large glass or transparent mirror stood in the middle of the forest. Sweat beaded on Matteo’s lip, and the men’s hands began to shake before releasing suddenly.
The shimmering wall remained.
“Caw!” The surprised sound squeaked out of Fiach, and we shared a surprised glance.
“What… what is this?” I’d never seen magic this blatant, and I was transfixed. How much power would something like this require? And how was it… visible? I could see the results of my magic as it healed flesh and earth, I could feel it ebb and flow within me, but to see it in the flesh? I’m not ashamed to say I gawked like a teenager.
“It’s a means to an end. Now let’s end it.” Before I could process what he was doing, Arend grabbed my hand and pulled me through the magic wall.
“How dare -“ My furious splutter died out like a fire doused by a bucket of cold water - swiftly and completely. I looked around me in awe. This was… no longer the Black Forest. Or, if it was, it was no part I had ever seen or heard of.
There was a village in front of me now, or at least, what I assumed was a village. Yet, there were no houses built of brick or stone, no buildings from hewn logs, instead, it was as if the very trees were coaxed from sprouts to grow in such a way to provide homes and buildings. It was the most extravagant yet natural creation I had ever seen. Fae men, women, and even children were going about their business among the structures. I wanted to see everything.
I wondered how they’d managed to keep hidden from the king?
Just as I began to step forward for a closer look, I realized I was still holding hands with the surly Arend, who held me fast.
“I will bring Aldric here.” Matteo threw over his shoulder as he sprinted in the direction of the Fae village, and I realized just how foolish my running from them had been. Matteo didn’t just run - he seemed to move like the wind, as at home in the forest as the wind, and as fast.
I would never have been able to outrun them.
“Don’t go wandering off,” Arend admonished with a squeeze of my fingers. “You don’t know what creatures wander the forest looking for a delicate morsel like yourself.”
There were so many insulting points in that sentence I truly didn’t know where to start. So, I ignored him completely.
Turning away from him, I got exactly a step and a half away from him before my arm pulled tight, Arend gripping firmly and not letting me go. Fiach, beautiful bird that he is, flew from my shoulder towards Arend, who quickly let my hand go as he tried to escape Fiach’s sharp beak.
I could have kissed my familiar.
Just as I was contemplating the logistics of kissing an often grumpy crow who was more than likely an unwilling participant, Matteo showed up and an older gentlema- gentle-Fae-male? I scrunched my nose. That doesn’t have the same ring - I needed to think of a different term. Human terms just… didn’t seem to fit the stately Fae.
“Ah, Katharina. So you are this mysterious magic wielder we’ve been feeling? I’m so glad you’ve decided to visit us. We’ve been - most curious about your magic.”
My manners took over and I curtseyed. It seemed the right thing to do, he was just so, so… elegant. “Hello, sir. Thank you for having me.” I cringed inwardly.
“Matteo has told me briefly of your meeting, but I am most curious to hear more about your magic. Would you be willing to talk to myself and the Fae council about it? We’ve not seen a human with magic in many years.”
Surely there are other humans with magic, I can’t be the only one, right? Although, King Almains has been rather aggressive about eradicating magic lately…
But still. As nice as this Aldric seems, I was a woman alone with no future. I needed to keep that at the forefront of my mind.
“What do you say to a trade of sorts?”
Aldric cocked his head, and the corner of Matteo’s lips tilted up in amusement. “What sort of trade are you thinking? We don’t have much in the way of goods.” He motioned to the modest village behind him.
“Knowledge,” my words came out clear and strong, and I could tell that the Fae around me approved. “I would like to learn more about my magic, and how to - control it.”
“I think that can easily be arranged.” Aldric smiled warmly and his eyes twinkled. “Knowledge for knowledge, that is a rich trade indeed, Mistress Katharina.”
“Just Katharina, please.”
“Very well, Katharina, if knowledge is your price, then Ruhan would be the best Fae for the job. I can extend a place to stay for the duration of our exchange, if you would allow it?”
A purpose and a place to stay. My future was definitely beginning to look brighter already. A weight I hadn’t even realized was weighing on my heart eased slightly. I rubbed at it, the sensation disconcerting. “Thank you, I would appreciate it.”
Aldric didn’t lead me to the village, much to my dismay. I was very keen to have a closer look, but he explained there was no room for me and had wanted to respect my privacy. So I followed him some distance from the village to a charming little cottage surrounded by welcoming trees.
I reached out a hand to caress several of the trees as I passed, and I could have sworn they sent me feelings of acceptance through the light contact. I had always felt at home in the forest, and the feelings only seemed to grow stronger the longer I stayed.
I sent out small tendrils of magic back into the trees, and surprisingly my magic complied. Maybe the Fae council would have an answer as to why my magic was - acting out, for lack of a better term.
As we arrived at the little house, I couldn’t help but be drawn to it. It wasn’t like the buildings in the village, where they seemed to grow from the trees themselves, but rather it felt like the trees had grown around it. Like it had always been a part of this forest.
Moss and ivy covered most of its walls, it looked almost as if the walls were made of logs the trees had donated. It should have looked neglected and dilapidated, yet it wasn’t. It stood proud and tall and strong, and I loved it already.
“This house will be yours for the duration of our agreement. Please make yourself at home. I will send Ruhan to escort you to the council after you’ve had some time to wash up.”
I thanked Aldric as he left me to my own devices then explored the little house. Inside was small, just big enough for one person to comfortably live in, which suited me just fine. There was a simple bed, a tiny kitchen area, a rocking chair, and a washing table beside a small tub.
Simple, yet oddly perfect.
I opened the window to allow Fiach freedom to go in and out as I went about getting ready. I had just finished freshening up when a knock sounded on my door. I had become oddly territorial in the short time I had been here and already considered this house to be mine. I might have to talk with Aldric to see how I might go about purchasing this place.
I smoothed my hair down and went to open the door. A dark haired Fae stood at my doorstep, and I couldn’t stop gaping at the gorgeous man before me.
No man or Fae should be allowed to be this good looking.
He straddled the line between pretty and rugged, and I simply wanted to stare at him for a month non-stop. Was that weird? Most definitely. But that’s exactly what I wanted to do, though definitely not all that I wanted to do.
The flutters this man provoked were intense, and my magic stirred in my chest and seemed to almost pull me towards him. I finally was able to tear my eyes from his too-perfect face down to his strong, broad shoulders and his - was that a Morgenstern on his back?
My heart froze as I realized who he was, this Ruhan. This beautiful blackguard with the traitorous face and the deadly weapon.
The Dark Fae had found me.