“Ya don’t need luck.” She winked, leaning against the door frame. “Don’t take any shite from anyone!”
“I’ll try not to.” I strode past her, heading down the hallway.
“Oh! And if ya run into that cute, blonde puppy-eyed guy who follows you home—see if his tongue can help you feel less lonely later tonight.” She burst into a giddy laugh that echoed down the hall.
I let out an exasperated grunt.
“I hate you.” My smile ticked up. “Byieeee.”
3
CARWYNN
Our house wason the outskirts of Luckland City, in a small village community called The Mounds.
I was hesitant to move in with new roommates at first, but David made the arrangements having known a couple of the Aos Si elders. He insisted it’d be the best place for me. How he knew them, I had no idea. And I didn’t bother asking—if I had to hear one more hollow, avoidant answer, I was going to lose my shit.
When my eyes first laid on the house, I nearly peed myself in excitement. It was literally my mystical, magical dream home. Quaint, adorable, cottage-y, and burrowed into a hilly mound. Even better, it was like an exact replica of my favorite movie, one where child-sized people lived in cottage-chic holes under hills. When I first mentioned the comparison to David, he had a good laugh, knowing exactly which one I was referring to since I forced him to watch it countless times when I was a teenager. It made my heart happy having someone who understood my human movie references.
The Mounds village was incredible. Basically, if a fairytaleimpregnated a grassy hillside, it would’ve birthed The Mounds. From far above, you’d never know there were houses or stores. One side of town was a deep wooded forest that hugged the shoreline while the other was made up of a smaller forest that led to Luckland City.
Our cozy little home had oval skylights overhead that let sunlight flow freely in. Although we didn’t have a cool circular door, we did have an arched one with beautiful gold trimmings. And thanks to Breena and Aine’s Si green thumbs, the garden out front was exploding with bursts of rainbow colors.
The sun was falling, giving away to night as I walked through the streets. Each path was lined with bright orbs floating above. It reminded me of those industrial-looking string lights people would put in their backyards in summertime.
I’d never felt more like I lived in a storybook than when I walked through my neighborhood. So breathtakingly adorable. Shopfronts had vibrant stained-glass windows in a magnitude of hues. Some with little square window grids while others had large arched ones. The small stone streets and pathways had a faint glow to them at night—magic that’d guide your way as you stepped.
Very clever. Who needed technology when you had magic?And the best part of all—the sound of people chatting, laughing, enjoying their night.
It was less than a fifteen-minute walk to Luckland City center. The peaceful, nature-filled walk of The Mounds swiftly turned into a busier bustling city. Charming wide gray cobblestone streets were the first sign that you’d crossed into the city’s territory.
Large stone buildings lined the streets and had rich green ivy twisting up the walls, like greedy hands trying to steal the building. It always reminded me of those elite ivy leagueuniversities in the Human Realm, minus the douchey frat boys. The ivy really did add a look of sophistication and class to everything.
At the immediate center of the city was the Trefoil Castle. Deep green marble illuminated with gold accents everywhere. The entire city surrounded the castle, as if swallowed up by it. Large stone walls lined its circular perimeter, so guests could only access the grounds via massive golden gates.
I walked along the wall’s perimeter, taking in the lively city. I tried to keep a brisk walk to fight off the chill in the air.Tit bit nippley, but we’ll make the breast of it!
It was nice not to hear the butchering sounds of angry horns blaring. Cars didn’t exist here since there was no need. You know,magic.
People mostly walked everywhere and when they didn’t, many could fly or catch a ride with an Enbarr. Which, by the way, looked to me like a horse, except more fluffy with pointed ears. But apparently if you called it that, it was demeaning.
There were so many different species of creatures, but most looked like they could pass as human. With my simplistic, human-raised brain, I usually bunched everyone together, referring to them aspeople. Sue me.
As the Golden Oak came into view, I slowed my pace.
It had a radiantly gold sign. The letters were made out to look like roots of a tree. An arch entrance on the left led into the casino while the other led into the enormous pub.
Crossing the road, I headed for the right arch, stepping inside.
I was immediately greeted by two large figures—one average guy on right and a hulking one to my left. Both were dressed to the nines in tweed suits, looking gruff as hell with their brown-and-ginger beards. Lochlainn’s men for sure.
Their eyes tunneled into me. I hesitantly crept by, unsure if they were drinking me in or trying to spit me out.
In my delusional head, I was totally glaring back at them in challenge. But in reality, it was probably more of a polite smile, avoidant of confrontation. Something I was usually pretty good at, unless there were Brownies around.
Little assholes.
Everything about the pub was decadently comforting. Dark wooden beams lined the ceilings, along with elaborate gilded tiles. The same dark wood covered the walls of the bar, booths, tables, and gave way to small intricate carvings scattered throughout. A velvety, dark green carpet lined the floors. Gold, brown, and green seemed to be the common theme here, with a dash of fancy.
