“Yes, one that is signed by both myself and Indi. She has allowed me full use of her body and mind in exchange for my help.” Tabitha smiled.
“Your help with what?” Raxx asked.
“That is not for me to say.”
“Yes, it says so right here.” Faye held up the parchment and pointed at a paragraph that confirmed a non-disclosure agreement.
“What are you up to, Tab?”Raxx asked, his eyes narrowing.
As quickly as it had appeared, the mysterious contract vanished into a small puff of smoke. Faye flinched and pulled her hands back.
“Now that’s been cleared up, it’s wonderful to meet you princess. I have heard so much about you.” Tabitha grinned.
“You have?” Faye asked, turning to shoot Raxx a confused expression.
Raxx scowled at Tabitha warningly.
“Well, it’s no wonder you’re falling for this one. She’s gorgeous – lucky boy, Del’Raxxin.”Tabitha’s lips quirked into a sly smile.
“I wouldn’t say I was especially lucky, given the circumstances.”
“Come – sit, sit.” Tabitha instructed, gesturing to the chairs in front of her desk. “Would you like anything to eat or drink? I’m sure it’s been beastly being trapped in that cell day and night.”
“No, I’m fine thank you,” Faye replied.
Raxx snatched a glance at her. The faerie’s eyes were practically out on stalks as she took in the room, complete with the witch’s bizarre collection of majick items.
“Fine, down to business. I like a woman with a direct approach.” Tabitha slid out from behind her desk and she made her way to Faye’s side.
The faerie froze as Tabitha circled around her, eyeing her with interest. Raxx’s wings shuffled at his back and he grew steadily more uncomfortable.
“What ‘business’ do you have with me – Tab, is it?” Faye asked, her voice steady and confident.
The witch smiled. “Tabitha, if you please. I have a few questions before we begin, if you would indulge me, princess. Tell me about your majick. How long have you possessed it? Can you recall a time when you weren’t this way?”
“Wh-what exactly is the meaning of this?” Faye spluttered. “Am I to be interrogated?”
“Well, we’re not here to exchange pleasantries and drink sweet tea, my dear,” Tabitha scoffed. “Do you want to learn to control that raging fireball inside you, or not?”
Faye simply stared back at the witch, aghast.
“I’ll ask you again – have you always possessed majick?”
The faerie paused, seemingly weighing up her answer before speaking. “Yes. I’ve always been this way. I’ve been told many a tale of how surprised my mother and her handmaidens were on the day of my birth. They say I came out sparkling like the sun.”
“How romantic,” Tabitha replied in a flat, bored tone. “I don’t care for poetic licence. I prefer to see cold, hard facts.”
“Wait, Tab don’t—” Raxx leapt to his feet, not seeing the majick building in the witch’s palm until it was too late.
A bright crimson bolt shot in Faye’s direction. The princess squealed with surprise and shied away, her hands raising instinctively to protect herself from the impact.
There was a loud crackle and Raxx shut his eyes against the onslaught of bright light, hissing with pain. Sparks showered to the floor from the collision.
Raxx’s eyesight took a moment to recover. Dark, inky blots swirled before his eyes as they adjusted to the dim room once more.
“What was that?” Faye spat angrily, getting to her feet with such force that the chair shot backwards, screeching against the floor. “How dare you.”
“My, my – colour me impressed, princess.”
