Good.I’ll be home in no time. But how much time will have passed?
* * *
The court is held between the roots of a tree that seems to have its canopy in the clouds. Is this how ants feel as they scurry around my world?
Ten men make up the court—from what I’ve seen there are far more men than women, that or the women are kept hidden away. I’m not sure if I’m curious or uncomfortable. Maybe both. The ten stand in front of the tree, behind them is an entrance. All ten wear short gleaming swords.
Ronan briefly explains what happened this morning and then introduces me. “This is Talia, the human woman I have brought.”
While the people had looked at me as though assessing before, now that they know I’m human they stare.
One of the ten asks, “do you agree with what Ronan said?”
I’d like to be able to disagree about everything, but he gave them the facts as they happened. “Yes, but I want to go home.”
Some of the fae gasp like I’ve uttered a grave insult.
I rush on. “I didn’t ask for the sight, or to be brought here. He didn’t ask to bring me here.” And surely that is a problem. I hope it is.
Then ten confer. “Time has moved on in your world. To return you now would be harmful.”
“Harmful to who?”
“People don’t disappear and then return unaged years later. It raises questions. The people you knew have mourned and moved on.” One says.
“Welcome to faery,” says another.
But I don’t want to be welcome. This isn’t home. “You can’t take humans and force us to live here.”
“That is the price for our protection. You may not have asked to pay it, yet it must be paid. You will want for nothing.” He smiles and I’m sure it’s meant to be reassuring.
“Ronan?” I look at him, pleading for him to beg on my behalf.
“Step forward, Ronan.” The man at the end of the line says.
Ronan obeys, leaving me standing in front of them by myself. The one who summoned him, hands over his sword. “Congratulations. You have earned your place.”
I stare as Ronan steps up the front, joining the line at the other end. The man who’d handed over his sword steps back into the gathered crowd.
What happened? Is he now one of the ten? Where does that leave me?
“We will celebrate the return of the hunter tonight.” The blond man next to Ronan says as he lifts Ronan’s hand, still holding the newly acquired sword.
A cheer goes through the crowd.
No one cares that I don’t want to be here.
Not even Ronan.
He turns away and talks to the other ten, hugging them like they are long-lost brothers. Maybe they are. I turn away. My life has been taken, but I have no life here.
