"Enough, son," says an older fairy male. His gray hair curls around his pointed ears. "The Queen has spoken."
"Thank you, Fren.” Queen Arden bestows a grateful smile while extending her palm. “The dagger, please."
"Here, Queenie."
Reaching for the small knife sheathed at my hip, I try not to take offense over the fairies not removing my weapons. I'm sure a blade seems a paltry weapon when you possess magic, but I'm just as deadly with a blade as I am with my charms.
I extend the knife towards her hilt first. The brush of our fingers makes all the burning blood in my body travel south. Pink dots her cheeks as she presses the blade to her palm. A soft gasp leaves her lips as golden blood pools from the slice.
She hands the weapon back to me, and I do the same to my hand.
"Press your cut against mine," she instructs.
I don't have to be told twice to touch her. The delicate skin of her palm is warm and just as soft as I thought it would be. Our bodies drift closer. The top of her dress gapes in the breeze, and I avert my gaze.
The beast smashes against me.
Its fangs pierce my stomach and lacerate my flesh with its claws. It roars, not to be let out but in hunger for the Queen before us. There are many reasons I force him back down. Paramount is that if he were unleashed, I doubt very much Arden would like to make his acquaintance.
He lacks the delicate charms a female of her beauty needs.
The warm tendril of her magic curls around our pressing hands. Green light encases us as metal floods my mouth. The magic enlivens my beast. My knees nearly buckle at the overwhelming sensation of Arden and the force it requires to keep my curse back.
My wound sizzles as the magic takes hold. A bargain struck. I feel its permanent ties in my blood.
"It is done," she whispers.
Reluctantly, I remove my palm from hers. Different emotions flicker over her face. There is worry in her eyes and gratitude. Whatever danger awaits me scares her.
I shake off the lingering traces of dread at her palpable fear.
Clearing an invasive, murderous creature isn't something I've come across before, but I'm a competent man and can rise to the occasion. I have a Queen to impress and a wish to claim.
All I need is for the fairies to hold up their end of the deal. Their Queen certainly will, but the others—especially the one I can feel glaring at me—can't be trusted. My earlier idea solidifies as I stare into Arden's eyes.
She'll hate me, but it must be done.
"Get some rest. A room in the east wing will be prepared for you. At dawn, you will be sent into Meadowmist."
The two other fairy scouts take my arms. Pulling me away from Queen Arden, my beast roars in protest. I can't help but glance at her again, knowing I'll have plenty of time to enjoy her beauty if my plan is successful.
"I'll dream of you, Queenie!" I shout.
Elwood blocks her from my view, but I caught her curious smile all the same. This trip into the Deadlands just got a lot more exciting.
5
FINN
At dawn, I was yanked from my silk bed.
Elwood was luckily absent from my rousing, but his two stone-faced accomplices had begrudgingly handed me over a sparkling dagger, a bag filled with rations, and supplies to make a meager camp.
If the food they packed was like the kind I'd been served last night, it would be a rough week ahead. Fairy food was ridiculously sweet. I'd need to take care on the trail, or I'd lose my teeth long before my life.
And I have plans for my dazzling smile.
After shackling my wrists in irons, they march me from the castle and towards the edge of the forest. Meadowmist seems like a deceptive name, as I'm seeing less verdant rolling hills and more perilous, overgrown trees and unkempt roots. It's been a while since I trekked through a forest in search of riches, but with a fairy wish on the line, I'll do what I have to.
