A tiny snore came from a shelf. I looked over to the bed where Nami slept, her blue hair tumbling over fluffy white blankets.
I held a finger to my mouth and pointed to the sleeping pixie.
Deirdre’s eyes widened and this time they weren't from fear but pure fascination.
I took a brown box imprinted with a purple flower from the left shelf, knowing this one held the lavender shortbread cookies, a favorite of mine. I motioned with my head for the human to follow me out.
Once we left the icebox, I closed the door and the archway glowed, relocking itself.
“What was that in there?” Deirdre whispered.
“An ice pixie. I give Nami all the sweets she wants, and she keeps them fresh.”
“That's brilliant.”
“It is, isn't it? I thought so. Though getting an ice pixie to do your bidding is not easy. But pixies and I get along very well.” I opened the box and took out one of the purple-dusted cookies and handed it to the human. “These are some of my favorites.”
“Thanks,” she mumbled, as if saying that word was the hardest thing she ever had to do.
She took a bite, her eyes doing a little roll as she shoved the rest of the cookie in her mouth.
Though it was late, if she needed more substance, I could wake the cook.
We sat in silence, Deirdre eating the cookies.
She coughed, and I went to the nearby jug of water.
“Here,” I said, pouring her a drink.
She grabbed the glass and hastily guzzled every drop. Water slid down her chin, and she held out the now empty cup.
“More.”
I went to pour and noticed the jug was empty. “I need to refill this. Stay.”
Taking the clay jug, I walked outside.
Just outside the kitchen door, ivy crawled along the ground and onto the old, worn stone bench. The iron well pump sat nearby. Runes etched into the handle of the pump that pulled water from an underground spring. Rumors said an ancientsidhe had blessed the spring when the castle was built, ensuring the water would always run clean.
A will-o’-the-wisp floated in the air above me. Its glow lit the area.
Holding the jug under the spout, I pumped the handle up and down, refilling it with water.
“Thank you,” I said, giving the tiny creature a slight bow before heading back inside.
Deirdre slumped over the table, frowning, picking at a cookie in her hand.
She lifted her head as I entered, her posture stiffening.
Without a word, I grabbed her cup and refilled it.
And without a thank you, she took the water and guzzled it.
King of the Fae and I was out here tending to the child of prophecy like a scullery maid.
While I didn't necessarily need to sleep, being immortal and all that, I did need rest, and it had been a long, eventful couple of days. Not just for me, but for the little thorn by my side.
I grabbed the box. “Let's go.”
