Skeletal features whipped to the side, brightness catching his eye. A contrast to the darkness he thrived in.
Bending down, he plucked three white feathers off the floor. They felt soft,delicate. Disgustingly pure.
The Skell King’s teeth cracked as rage took hold. Shadows violently ripped along the walls, slithering down to pool at his feet. Venomous, loyal demons.
The feathery tufts began to wither, transforming to rot in his palm.
The sound that left his mouth took on a life of its own, becoming a nightmarish creature.
“What have you done,my Queen . . .”
16
CARWYNN
“Maybe we should takea trip to the Human Realm and pay those little eejits a visit.” Breena grumbled, dodging a low-hanging branch as we trudged through the forest.
As the sun dipped, the sky was lit up in hues of orange and gold, looking like a creamy sorbet you could smear your finger across. We’d left the orb-guided path a while ago having gone rogue, trekking through the thick woods.
“I could hex them to shite their trousers anytime they’re near someone they find attractive,” Aine added, lugging a knapsack over her shoulder.
“Oooo yes!!!” Breena chuckled.
I’d made the mistake of telling them about the bullies I’d dealt with while growing up in the Human World. There was something in Aine’s voice that confirmed she was dead serious.
“As fun as that sounds, they’re probably all grown adults by now and don’t even remember me,” I said nonchalantly.
“Ugh,” Breena huffed. “Right, the whole time difference. I still can’t wrap my head around you being just awee little babe,” she teased.
“I look the same age as you!” I snapped, trying to sound annoyed but a smile tugged at the corner of my lips.
Although my aging has now slowed, had I originally grown up in Ferie, I would’ve still been a young child. Time moved differently between the realms. Whereas human adults hit maturity mid-twenties, it took Ferieborns decades to reach that.Those poor Ferie mothers who breastfed.I guess no one foresaw what would happen biologically when I was hidden there. I grew rapidly, like humans. Even David couldn’t escape the speckling of gray that snuck into his hair. Worst of all, puberty and maturity hit me early, gifting me with the monthly visit from Aunt Flo like a normal human girl.
Lucky me.
I let out a frustrated exhale, remembering the tantrum I’d thrown at David when I found out Ferie women only got their period once every few years, unless actively taking fertility potions to aid pregnancy. A condition I had zero interest in, at the moment.
Which reminded me?—
“Hey, could one of you make me awomb juicerefill?” I muttered, slightly cringing.
“If you stop calling it that immediately, thenyes,” Aine said, turning to make sure I saw her repulsed expression.
“Already made one—left it in the kitchen cabinet,” Breena chimed, barking out a laugh. “Also, I think we should call it the wombshield elixir. Or maybe fertile fool potion?”
“Veto fertile fool,” I said, stepping over a downed tree. “Wombshield, it is. Thanks guys!”
“No problem.” Aine’s voice sharpened, wickedness creeping in. “Wouldn’t want you to start popping out a litter of red-headed luckbabies wearing tweed suits.”
Fuck’s sake . ..
Me sleeping with Lochlainn seemed to be their endless source of entertainment. They’d never let me live it down.
“Awww!!!” Breena let out a high-pitched yelp, clapping her hands, bouncing. “Think of how cute they’d be! At the rate you could pop them out, we could have a whole collection of them in a decade!” Her eyes glistened. “I’d be Auntie Breena! I’d read them stories, make them cute little blankets, and have them play tricks on the neigh?—”
“Oh my god, Breena!” My shout cleaved through her words.
Aine and Breena shared a look, then burst into laughter.
