Once he has his wish, he will be gone. She'd never force him to stay.
A traitorous part of her hoped that he'd feel conflicted over it. Already, he has burrowed into her foolish heart. She can’t allow him to infect her anymore.
If she is a cursed being to him—a monster—then so be it.
The rage dissipates from his gaze. Golden lashes tickle his cheeks as he blinks rapidly.
She steels her spine, tearing her eyes away from his handsome face.
It couldn't have been easy, being raised amongst a different kind. Finn possesses primal magic, and keeping it hidden all these years shows tremendous fortitude. She has compassion for him, but his words cut deep.
All his light-hearted quips were nothing more than platitudes. Perhaps he thought to win her favor by using flattering words, suggesting that she was weak and lonely enough to grant him a wish without him having to assist her.
The thought makes her heart ache and her blood boil.
She turns on her side, facing away from him. The Fairy Queen does not wish to look at his face tonight, nor rest her magic against him. It would be abhorrent to him anyway.
"Arden—"
Her muscles stiffen, and she waits to hear him come towards her. Thank the Spirits he remains on his side of the camp. Moisture burns her eyes, and she feels ridiculous. She is a queen, not some lovesick youngling.
Her realm needs her. Problems of the heart mean nothing while so many suffer.
The opinion of one conceited changeling will not make her forget her purpose.
Curling into herself, she clenches her eyes shut. Her voice rises barely above the freezing wind.
"Whatever you wish shall be yours.”
11
FINN
The Fairy Queen is quiet.
After disbanding our camp, we ventured deeper into Meadowmist. The forest’s terrain became more dangerous than before. This section has been fully claimed by the Deadlands.
Pools of boiling goo steam in putrid puddles. Twice I've nearly fallen into ones concealed by dark, mushy grass. The trees are barren. Black stumps with thorns protruding from where leaves once hung. The stench of rot clings to the air, making it hard to breathe.
Arden’s silence has nothing to do with avoiding the deadly trappings.
The chill in the air is nothing compared to the icy walls she's erected between us. I know the reason they are there, and I hate it. Hate that she doesn't meet my eye with her curious stares or listen intently to my ramblings. Every attempt I've made at light-hearted conversation has been answered by the sound of whipping wind.
Arden flutters further away on her gossamer wings. Favoring thedeadtreesover my company.
Whatever you wish shall be yours.Her words from last night plague me.
Since I was a child, breaking free of the curse was all that I wanted. Suppressing my magic was physically painful. The toll it’s taken has been great. The beast that is my power has been eating me alive for decades.
Arden’s encouragement to yield to it had sparked my ire.
Spending most of my life fighting it, I would be damned to just let it have its way with me. I've seen the destruction it can cause. It is a beautiful, terrible power that I won't let consume me. If I did, what would be left?
Regardless of my internal struggles, it is the only thing that has proven to destroy the Void's obsidian towers. I may have to let my beast out again before the mission is over. There is solace in knowing that if I do, it will be the last I ever have to contend with him.
Whatever you wish shall be yours.I should've bargained for more.
Found a way to keep Arden with me, even knowing a relationship between us would never work. She is a Queen with a realm to care for. I’m a treasure hunter who’s only felt content on the high seas. I crave adventures.
