Part of the reason my mother had left me at the temple at such a young age was that I would be trained and taught on all manners of fae. Everything from brownies to the high-born city elves to the dark fae that lived below the surface in the Underground, to the pixies that fluttered around Kane.
The Deathless One said nothing, waiting for me to either die or beg to be rescued, but I wouldneverask him for help.
“Nice frog, brownie creature. I'm sorry. I don't know what you are.” Cautiously, I started sidestroking away from the creature. It didn't move at first. Just followed me with its yellow gaze.
Maybe it's harmless.
I had run into a few different fae creatures in my village. There was a very polite gnome merchant who would travel and bring the most beautiful carvings to the temple.
I wouldn't judge this creature just because it was in Kane’s court. The creature allowed me to swim to the bank. Giving myself a moment to breathe, I pulled myself out of the pond. My dress weighed heavy, full of water and pond scum.
The creature turned slightly, tilting its heart-shaped face at me.
Then it hopped forward.
A sluggish sensation filled my limbs, every movement draining me more.
I couldn’t tell if my magic was at its limits or if the non-stop fight-or-flight movement was wearing me down. I had used a lot of power, and I didn't want to use any right now when I still had to fight off Kane. I glanced around for anything that I could grab. But I didn't want to seem threatening. Not if I needn't be.
The strange creature hopped again until it was just an arm's length away from me.
Too close for my comfort.
“I'm sorry if I disturbed your pond,” I said in my softest tone. “I'm just going to be on my way now.”
That forked tongue flicked out again, long and wide, and then it opened its mouth to croak. Green gas poured out and onto my face.
I choked on the gaseous liquid. It stung my throat, my eyes,the inside of my nose. I coughed again, struggling to catch my breath.
A strange tingling started through my limbs. I quickly stood, meaning to put distance between this thing and me. I stumbled, attempting to get on my feet, but suddenly I couldn't feel them anymore. The numbing sensation traveled through my body.
What's happening to me?
Colors blurred around me, and the deep green of the swamp melted with the night sky, blending into one blurred image.
The tiny bumps on my tongue soured, burning with a tartness that turned my whole mouth numb.
“What’s… happening…?”
Staring at my hands, I moved them, slowly, almost as if some unseen force surrounded them in a thick substance.
I couldn't feel myself fall, though I knew it was happening by the change in scenery.
I splashed into the pond, floating on the surface.
The brown creature hopped onto my stomach and pushed me down into the water.
The world around me wavered, the light disappearing.
Without the ability to move, there was no chance of escape.
Crispin…
How can it end like this?
Was my entire existence worthless?
Would Crispin be happy to see me on the other side? Or would he be disappointed that I gave up, that the sacrifice of his life had been for nothing?
