Chapter 3 #2
The hairs on my arms stand upright, goose bumps scattering across my flesh. “Perhaps that’s for the best. You have an air of mystery about you. Is it so terrible that I wish to match it?”
“Terrible is not the word I would use.” He drags a finger over the dirty table and lifts a hand, inspecting it. “Perhaps we should order our drinks instead of exchanging names.”
Drinking with a strange fae is the exact behavior Lady Ashbridge would want me to avoid. And yet, in a moment of rebellion…
“All right.” I clear my throat. “Two pints of ale, and I’ll be gone.”
“You mean two pints each, I’m sure.”
I narrow my eyes. “One for me. However much you drink is none of my business.”
He leans in. The action is sharp and quick, as is the look in his eye. “You are a fae, are you not? One drink will do nothing—”
No. How does he know? He can’t—and the others certainly can’t. My stomach sours.
“Hush!” I clap a hand over his mouth.
Beneath my hand, his lips twitch as if he wishes to let out another round of boisterous laughter.
“You don’t know what you’re saying,” I whisper with venom dripping from my tone, “nor do you know the consequences of someone overhearing.”
He says nothing, and I let my hand drop. Relief evades me. My shoulders tense as I lean back.
His friend moves to stand, but the white-haired stranger waves a hand. “I’m in no danger.”
“Ha.” I scoff. “That’s what you think.”
He laughs again, but I’m no longer charmed by the sound. It’s almost as if he’s laughing at me—or perhaps not, but it’s challenging to get along with someone who is so openly threatening my way of life.
If anyone in Far Water knows what I am… No. I can’t begin to imagine the outcome. There’s a reason my father taught me to hide.
“I’ll keep your secret,” he says. “It’s only that I did not realize it was meant to be a secret. My apologies.”
Of course, a fae does not understand. He may not even realize I’m a halfling. This fae doesn’t have the answers I’m looking for if he cannot begin to understand me. “Well… it is.”
He tilts his head to the side. “May I ask why?”
“I’m sure you know why.” I lift a shoulder. “The mortals here dislike your kind—my kind, I suppose. Besides, I am a mere halfling. I have as much of a claim to this mortal-run land as anyone does.”
Halflings have a terrible reputation with the mortals and Sun Fae alike. I’m the only thing a mortal fears more than the fae—all thanks to a bloody prophecy.
Recognition flickers across his features.
“I suppose that’s true.” He folds his hands on the table as our drinks are delivered. “And you believe I don’t have a right to be here?”
I pull a pint closer, wrapping my hands around the frosted glass. “I’m not the one who makes the rules.”
“But you agree with those who do?”
What a complicated question. Following the rules of this land keeps me safe, and I’ve always done so without question, until now.
“It’s not my place to disagree with them.” I lift the glass to my lips. “They claim to make rules for our safety, and I don’t pretend to know more about safety than those in power.”
“You don’t give yourself the credit you deserve.
” His lips quirk up on one side. “Halflings, like you, are the bridge between two lands. In other places, places so far you cannot imagine, they walk freely between fae and mortal lands alike. Tell me, have you ever felt an urge to snatch a mortal babe?”
“I beg your pardon.” My eyes widen, and I set the pint down with a thud. “Of course, I haven’t.”
“Then what makes you think I have?”
The tales of fae stealing babes have been spread around for so long, and by so many mouths, that it’s considered more than a myth. It is our reality—or, perhaps not, if this fae is to be believed.
I shake my head. “Then what, pray tell, is happening to our children?”
“The same thing that’s happening to ours—and it isn’t only the children who are in danger, little halfling.”
The almighty, immortal fae… their children are in trouble, too? Fear prickles at the back of my neck. “I don’t understand.”
“Ah. Perhaps that is for the best.” He smiles, but it’s not real, not like the times I made him laugh. The mirth doesn’t quite meet his eyes. “Let us change the subject.”
“Yes, let us.” I lift my drink, guzzling as much as possible.
If this stranger intends to bring me into topics I don’t understand, I’ll need the ale to get through the evening. This is what I get for extending kindness to a stranger.
“Do the people of this town treat you without compassion?” he asks.
My lips twist into a wry smile. “That doesn’t feel like a change of subject.”
“I find it hard to change the subject when I’m curious about you. It’s rare for me to meet people such as yourself.”
Of course, it is. Considering the prophecy and rumors, halflings often hide their nature.
My jaw clenches. “On the contrary, most here are kind to me. They’re my friends and neighbors, and I grew up with them.”
His shoulders slump. “That’s good to hear.”
His relief seems genuine. Perhaps he is not an unkind man, even if he is peculiar.
“You know far too much about me.” I drain the rest of my drink. “Tell me something about yourself.”
He gestures for another round. “There’s not much to know about me.”
I scoff. “I don’t believe that for a moment.”
Before someone can serve us, an older neighbor approaches with two pints.
“Ophelia!” Tom grins at me as he sets down the glasses. “Didn’t think I’d see you tonight.”
“I wasn’t planning on being in attendance.” I smile weakly, gesturing to the drinks. “What’s this?”
The fae lifts a brow at me.
“Just a little pick-me-up for ya.” Tom’s gaze lingers on the fae. “You two be safe.”
“We will,” I say.
Once we’re alone again, the fae leans in, his eyes sparkling. “You’re right. The people here adore you.”
“Tom is a drunk who enjoys spending too much gold. His attention is nothing.” My cheeks blaze as I lift the cold pint to my lips. “I would still like to know about you. You haven’t told me a thing.”
“Fine.” His jaw ticks. “I’m a student of arcane magic. Does that itch the scratch of curiosity, or would you like to know more?”
He is a magician, then. I’ve heard tales of the fae magicians, the illusions they play with, and the intellect they carry. This strange fae may be curious about me, but I’m just as interested in him.
I tilt my head to the side. “Most would like to know about arcane magic. Is it similar to the witches? I know many witches.”
“Not quite.”
“Closer to a sorcerer?” I whisper, knowing his keen ears will pick up the question.
“No.” He wets his lips and leans in, his eyes sparkling. “Not like that at all, but if you wish to go somewhere private… I can show you what my magic is capable of.”
EMYR
I expect her to send me away. The woman with the strawberry hair and near-permanent scowl doesn’t seem interested in me, and I’m sure she doesn’t trust me. Her magic is weak, but it is there—a trickle in the ever-flowing stream of arcana.
Despite her prickly nature, she agrees to a moment of privacy. I can’t bring her to the palace, and she won’t invite me into her abode. The only other option is getting a room at the inn.
Tibalt stands guard while we duck inside, keeping the door unlocked.
“Does he not wish to come in?” she asks, her brows furrowing.
I can’t tell if the halfling is afraid or intrigued, but perhaps Tibalt’s presence would put her at ease.
“He can join us if you’d like, but there’s no need. Tibalt is accustomed to standing outside doors.”
“I don’t care what he does. You promised to show me magic.”
How impatient she is. It tickles me.
“And I will.” Small displays of magic are easy to conjure. I may as well give her a show. “As I said, it’s unlike the potions and rituals the witches in your town may do. My magic is within me. I need nothing outside of me to conjure the sun’s energy.”
I snap a finger and extend my hand. A small ball of golden light radiates from the center of my palm.
In the same breath, I conjure another illusion—a second version of me. My magical double stands strong next to me, and when she jumps back, I laugh.
My double echoes the sound.
She looks back and forth between us, her eyes wavering from our hands to our identical faces. “I don’t like that trick.”
“You don’t? It is quite useful.” My double and I smile. “It’s only a trick, as you said—an illusion of the light.”
There is more to it, but she may not be ready to delve into the intricacies of what our illusions can do.
“Yes, I imagine it does a good job at shocking poor halflings like me.”
“You’re really that afraid?” I swat at my double. “Go away, then.”
Our laughter fills the air as we fuse into one.
“You’re full of tricks.” She peers at the fireball in my hand. “May I touch…?”
My pulse jumps. I close my hand and click my tongue. “Only if you’d like to burn your fingers off.”
“Then it’s an offensive magic?”
“It is. My studies are in the manipulation of energy. My magic isn’t as harmful as a curse or hex, but this can do more damage than, say, a garden witch.”
She takes a step back. “And all fae have access to this?”
“Fae are inherently tied to nature and can control the elements, but each type has stronger control over a certain element.” I squint. “You truly know nothing of your kind?”
“You’re the first high fae I’ve spoken with.” Her fingers twist together. “Can you teach me even a bit of magic? I’ve always wanted to learn.”
“What if you use it against me?” I whisper. “I didn’t miss how you glared at me, my lady.”
“I promise not to hurt you.” She takes my hand, uncurling my fingers. “Show me. Please.”
I would have shown her even if she had not begged, but I can’t deny that I like how it sounds coming from her soft lips. The way she looks at me, gentler than I’ve come to expect from her, is equally as sweet.
“Close your eyes.” I meet her gaze steadily, holding her hand between both of mine. “I’m trusting you, and you must trust me.”
“All right.” She closes her eyes. “I trust you, for now. A moment of faith is all I can give.”
We’re strangers. I can’t expect anything more.
I inhale, filling my chest with energy and air. “Breathe with me, and exhale—just like that. With each breath, feel the air filling you. You are breathing an element, a magical energy. Can you feel it?”
After a moment of hesitation, she says, “No.”
I place a hand on her chest, just above her breasts, my fingers pressing into soft skin. It would be inappropriate in any other setting, but she pushes into me rather than backing away.
“Breathe deeper.”
She listens. Beneath my palm, her chest heaves and her heart races. The trickle of magic grows from a drop to a stream, and I know she’s not as useless as she’s been led to believe. There is magic in her yet.
“Right there. Feel the warmth in your hand.
Her eyes fling open, shining a bright lavender—her true eye color, with no glamour. Her hair whips around her face. In a room with no windows, there shouldn’t be a draft, but the air moves around us, pushing us closer together.
My chest presses against hers.
Her lips part. “I feel it.”
“You do. You channeled the element of air. Do you know which kingdom you are from, little halfling?”
“I-I am a Moon Fae.”
“Ah…” I chuckle softly and smooth back a piece of her hair, only for the wind to blow it out of place. “We are channeling the jovial element now. Moon magic will come even easier to you. All you must do is practice.”
The air settles, her magic waning as quickly as it grew. Her chest still heaves, pressed to mine, and my fingers brush over her soft, now-pointed ear.
A breath catches on her lips. “I have never experienced something so wonderful.”
“And how do you feel now?”
“I feel… powerful.”
“You are.” I narrow my eyes, ducking my head until our faces are inches apart. “Don’t let anyone make you feel anything but powerful, little halfling. Do you understand?”
She nods silently.
“Good.” I force myself to step back, her fingers slipping from mine. The act we performed is nothing, yet it feels as intimate as if we had kissed until our lips bruised.
That won’t do. I’m here to find my spouse, after all, and this halfling can’t be the one—no matter how her lavender eyes call to me, no matter the generous way her hips curve outward, as if begging for me to bite into them. We could never be, not with the prophecy pushing us apart.
I know the words as if I wrote the prophecy myself: a halfling will bring ruin to the land. My parents would never permit me to marry one, nor should I be thinking about such things.
Tibalt knocks on the door. “Your Highness.”
He doesn’t have to say anything more. I know he’s here to ruin my fun, and perhaps he should. Tibalt is my friend, but my parents are the ones who employ him.
I let out a soft, weary sigh. “I’m afraid I must leave.”
“So soon? Can we not continue our practice?”
My lips tug up at the corners. “You must find another teacher. I’ll be out of this town before I can see your growth—and grow, you will. I’m sure of it.”