Ellie
The fae realm—Aedys—is absolutely incredible.
It’s as if I didn’t know what color was before I came here. Even my most saturated oil paints would look washed out next to the vibrant hues leaking out of our surroundings. It’s like the same light that burns in Taran’s eyes radiates out of everything, from the vivid green leaves rustling softly in the breeze to the pink and orange wildflowers releasing their sweet perfume along the hillsides.
Even the dirt is captivating. I could spend an entire day pressing it between my fingers, seeking every shade that glistens with its inner radiance, and my paints wouldn’t be able to capture a single one.
Not that I’ve had the chance to do anything like that. From the moment Reid and Emlyn left, Taran’s set a pace I’ve struggled to match. I can barely keep up as he leads the way out of the forest, back into the hills, and a cramp stabs at my side from the effort. But I refuse to be a burden, so I force myself to review my situation to keep the pain from overwhelming me.
While I’m happy Reid’s finally paying more attention to his own life instead of mine, I shouldn’t have dismissed his warnings so quickly. Talking to Taran this morning didn’t bring me any clarity, only more doubt and confusion.
It’s wrong, he said. Two words, then silence.
I wasn’t even sure a relationship was what I wanted, but I left the conversation with a battlefield raging in my chest. Shame at being so blatantly rejected—is it because I’m human?—confusion at how I’d gotten things so wrong, and a single banner of relief waving in the air. At least I knew where he stood, and that would hopefully make ignoring his pull easier.
But then the border passage happened.
Even thinking about the experience turns my insides to ice. The cold fury crushing down on me, the rage battering against my eardrums… but if I push past the horrors, Taran’s warmth seeps through. How he took my hands in his, reaching for my mind trapped under the weight of the fog. His voice cracking as he tried to calm me with words I couldn’t comprehend. The comforting weight of his arms as he carried me. How his touch lingered when he set me down.
The relief in his eyes when I finally recognized his face.
There’s no doubt in my mind that he feels something for me—something he’s trying very hard to ignore. But if that’s the case, why’d he let me come along? He could’ve easily made me go with Emlyn.
But he didn’t. Instead, he seems to be doing his best to pretend I’m not here. If that’s how it’s going to be… fine. I don’t need anything more between us. I simply need to focus on doing my part, on being helpful. To prove that humans aren’t lesser just because of our ancestors’ sins.
I huff and puff as I follow him up a steep, rocky hillside, with no idea how far behind I’ve fallen. The terrain finally levels out, and I find him waiting, looking out over the valley.
“Can we take a break?” I resent having to ask, but the cramp in my side’s spiking with every breath. “I’m starving.”
Taran glances at me, and I catch what almost looks like sorrow in his gaze. He nods, setting down his pack.
Just as he’s pulling out the food Emlyn gave him, he pushes me down behind a boulder.
“What are you—”
Taran brings his finger to his lips as he ducks down next to me, his face alert. Concentrating. But he isn’t looking at anything. A couple minutes pass without either of us moving, his musky scent filling my nostrils while the warmth of his body, so close to mine, burns through me.
“What is it?” I whisper, hardly able to stand it anymore.
He holds his finger up again. Another moment passes, and he lowers it, his body practically wilting as the tension breaks.
He lets out a heavy exhale before speaking. “A small group was passing through the valley.” He pulls some nuts and cheese from his pack, offering them to me. “They’re gone now.”
I take a deep breath, pushing past the discomfort of the moment now that he’s further away. “How can you tell?” I ask, then shove a handful into my mouth.
“I can sense their movements through the Land.”
He’s mentioned that before.“What do you mean?”
Taran settles with his back against the boulder. “All fae have what we call land-sense. I can feel where everything is around me. Like a prickle on my skin, but far away.” He sighs, then rubs his brow. “It’s difficult to explain.”
“No, that makes sense.” I think back to our travels so far. “Is that why we never came across any border patrols?”
He nods. “It wasn’t as strong in your realm, but still better than mortal eyes.”
Those eyes that make me not good enough for you.But before my ire can stew, heat flares up my neck. Last night, when I waited for him in the woods… he probably knew I was there the entire time. And with fae hearing—he may have heard my entire conversation with Reid.
I tear a chunk off the cheese and cram it into my mouth, hoping to bury the blaze before it burns in my face. My eyes widen at its earthy flavor, and I quickly take another bite.
