THE RELUCTANT GROOM

The grip was strong enough for the intricate handle of the old, silver dagger to dig into my flesh, reflecting its model onto my palm.

Peeking from my spot around the corner of the shabby building, into the dark and filthy alley, I saw it. A creepy creature. His massive body hard to miss, yet somehow it took me almost two weeks and a path of eleven bodies to find him. 

Knelling before his victim, he took down his stiff from layers cap and dipped it into the spilled blood of the poor human, whose throat was completely ripped out.

Our suspicions were confirmed, it was a red-cap.

His greenish skin glittered from the specks of blood reflecting the moonlight. The thick liquid dripping off brown greasy hair.

The view was to say at least disgusting, but there was no time for complaining. So, steadying my heartbeat I stepped forward as silent as possible, holding onto the shadows, sneaking up to him. Busy with the corpse he didn’t notice my approaching right away. But when only 3 meters separated us, he froze.

Shit.

Rising to his full height he drew his sword, smirking ominously with long needle-like teeth. His large red eyes glowing murderously upon taking me in.

“Well, well. What a sweet pie we have here.” his raucous amused voice scratching my

Refusing him the satisfaction to see me running and screaming in fright, I kept an impassible attitude. “I’ll take it as a compliment.”

His drooling grin only grew.

“Your blood will make a nice layer on my cap. Or- maybe shall I keep you for myself?” he pondered on his options, scratching his chin and casually closing the distance between us.

Showing my own fangs in a devilish grin-

“You can always try.”

I charged first. Moving past his left side and slashing deep into his upper arm, causing the sword to hit the ground with a loud clash. He may be strong but I'm faster. 

Not losing any time for him to recover I cut the back of his knees drawing fresh green blood. A ferocious roar shattering the silence of the night. His attempt to reach the sword with the other hand was ruined by a hole between his ribs. 

Honestly, I expected more from this one. And there is no time to fool around, so-

Losing my interest in this boring game I knocked him down with a kick of my leg, and rising his own sword, decapitated him, making the thick blood spill, mixing with the red one of the human, whose life he stole not so long ago.

My long ears caught the sound of the approaching guards, police. When they arrive, before their eyes will lay a human body and nothing more. The red cap soon turning into dust in the foreign realm.

Taking his sword, I blended into the shadows, leaving the alley behind.

*

Two days have passed after the fight and I finally reached the remote beach on the outskirts of New York City. A lonely black horse was gazing into the horizon. 

Upon sensing my presence, he trotted happily toward me. 

“Long time no see buddy,” I whispered the words when he snuggled into my shoulder. “Take us home.” I sigh, climbing onto his back and holding tight.

Picking up speed toward the water he gradually lifted us in the air. Galloping now through the thick haze just above the dark waters.

Ciel’s glamour faded once we approached the fairy shore. His limbs were longer, the color changed to midnight blue, little glimmering stars appearing all over his body. A longer neck adorned with a shimmering mane moved in excitement.

Once, an old witch told me that Ciel may be something like a familiar to me. The whole idea is absurd. He isn’t bounded to me, in fact, he appears when he wants, helping me out sometimes. No one can see his true form except me which is also odd. And most importantly fae doesn’t have familiars! Like- never. Not even the strongest ones, not to mention a joke of a fae I am.

I see him mostly as a forest spirit, who took a like in a scared child some years ago.

My thoughts about it abruptly stopped as I got distracted by the view of our destination. 

The white sandy beach shining in daylight gave a magical glow to the land. Ancient, emerald giants were scratching the sky, reaching above the clouds. A light breeze singing through their leaves welcomed us.

Soon enough Ciel trotted between them stirring under me in delight. I was just as relieved to be back. 

A rich, familiar smell of fallen leaves, rain, and earth filled my lungs, making me bloom from the inside. A soft moss carpet gently hugged the uneven ground. Gnarled roots rose high above it, slowing Ciel down.

As we deepened into the land, the forest grew thicker, to the point where it was hard to move. Forcing me to dismount a few times.

It was getting darker, and I was getting nervous.

No, I'm not afraid of the dark. Fairies are twilight creatures; night was my time. But in all its beauty the forest was dangerous. And more so during the night hours. The perfect time for hunting. And you were the delicious, juicy, mouthwatering, and most wanted pray.

I was feeling the dread increasing, but as a lighthouse greeting and guiding you to the shore, away from menacing waters- The lights of the city called for us.

A few more steps were needed and before us, covering almost the entire valley laid Celirium. The capital of the great Ilysterion kingdom. 

*

“You don’t understand! I need to see him now!” Yelling desperately, I tried to break free but to no avail. This half-fae, half-werewolf bastard was too strong. “Jade, please!” I cried out defeated, willing my body to obey and giving my best pout. But this bitch only looked down on me, his dark green eyes warning to not mess up with him. Okay, something was definitely wrong cause he wasn’t usually like that with me.

“He’s busy, Sky.” 

“Fine.” I sigh waiting for the moment he’ll loosen his grip on me. When he did, I hit his knee to take advantage and sprinted down the hall with all the strength I had left after the trip. Almost breaking the door, I tumbled face forward into Tamor’s office.

“Gracefully,” he stated uninterested, his pen freezing midair for a moment.

Jumping to my feet I slammed my hands onto his table to receive his full attention.

“I saw him! I mean, his equipage at the mansion! He's here for sure! I need to do something, I-” 

Jade’s hands around my waist and mouth interrupted my yelling.

“I’m sorry Sir.” he apologized.

Tamor let a tired sigh, lying back in his chair and pinching the bridge of his nose, he ordered in his slightly hoarse voice. 

“It’s fine, let her go. And you calm down.”

Then, fixing his eyes on me, inspected quickly for any injuries. But his calmness at my news- oh you-

“You knew!” I stated in shock. He didn’t even ask whom I’m talking about! Not even raised a brow! “From when? Why did you hide it?”

“Because- I knew you’ll react exactly the way you did.” 

“Are you kidding me? I waited 5 years for his return, he could’ve been dead the moment he crossed the border!” I roared in frustration, my body shaking with anger.

“I forbid. It’s an order.” He barked the words to silence me.

“How dare you order me that?”

I couldn’t understand. Not when e knew how important it was for me. Not when he knew how this monster killed my mom, maybe also my father.

“That’s a joke, right?” I tried my luck, “You won’t ask that, not you, Tamor. You know better than anyone that I trained last fourteen years for this!” My tone rising with every word until I was almost screaming.

“Control your temper Sky!”

I turned my gaze away from him. The feeling of betrayal eating at me. In my anger, I remember my last attempt at Dumarque’s life, a carriage accident, almost successful. I may try …

“Don’t even think to try what you have done five years ago” he guessed my thoughts, “He is one of the High Lords now, and he is against the war, that is what matters now.” 

I sighted, I knew how important was to stop the war, especially for Tamor. One of his sons died there and another had gone missing. There were a few moments of silence like nobody knew what to say.

Then I observed how tired he actually was.

Because fae stops aging around 20, at his 256 years he still looked young, but his cherry eyes lost their usual spark, his long red hair was messed and untied, even the clothes on him were no more impeccable. The dark marks under his eyes stealing his youth.

It hurt to see him like this. Tamor is my adoptive father as well as Jade’s, and of the other two friends of mine, Carmila and Rosalind. Then there were Tarmog, who was killed, and Sundel, who was missing.

“Any news about Sundel?” I asked unsurely.

“There is a body that is supposed to be his, I’ll know by tomorrow for sure. I sent Vextel to check.”

“The mission has been completed,” I mentioned, changing the topic.

“I knew it the moment you stepped into the city” he replied, “you wouldn’t come otherwise,” he smiled sadly at me, sighing heavily he continued: “I’m sorry Sky, I know what this all means to you, but I beg you to wait for a while.”

I ponder for some time, that was a hard promise to make, I didn’t trust myself so much.

“Yeah, well, I promise to try to be a good girl.”  

The corners of his lips twitched in amusement.

I bowed and almost turned to go when Jade meaningfully cleared his throat. 

“Sky, I’d also like you to talk to someone,” Tamor carefully asked, staring strangely at me. Okay, this is becoming interesting. “There is a human girl that Jade brought from a mission, he’ll tell you the details. She is frightened. We tried ourselves but every time it had been worse, we used glamour but maybe her vision got cleared a bit because she was panicking. We stopped eventually for her to eat at least, make her understand the situation.”

“Why not Ro she is more suitable for this?”

“She went in the mountains to get some herbs for her potions”

“Carmila?”

“She is undersea for two months now.”

“You know I’m as sensible as a cabbage”, I whined “she’ll probably have a heart attack should I open my mouth.”

“Yes, well, for now, you are the only option, besides you were more often in the human realm, therefore you should find a way to explain,” he said looking down like his table was the most interesting thing in the world. Jade was mirroring his action, that was odd. I wonder why they are so uncomfortable about her.

Duh, these fae males with their tempers.

“Fine I’ll try, but if she dies of heart attack don’t blame me.”

*

 When I finally made it to my room, I locked the door and slide down it to the floor. Nothing had changed and I was glad. 

Panoramic circular windows let my gaze linger on the incredible view. Celirium’s lights were enough to illuminate the entire room. The soft mossy carpet adorned with blooming flowers welcomed my throbbing from exhaust legs. A large wooden bed with red silk sheets lured me to sleep, its thick canopy promising a good rest. The walls covered with oh- so many books sang me a lullaby of great stories.

Gods. I was so fucking tired.

Getting out of the bathroom after a while, I found myself staring into the large mirror. 

Here, in our realm, I was not using a glamour to cover my real form, it was meant for humans anyway, and didn’t even work on other fairies. 

Previously short, dull, brown hair regained its past waist length and black, shiny, color. Flowing in loose curls. Familiar silver eyes were staring back at me. At my long-pointed ears, plump lips, and longer members. At full breasts and alluring hips. My 1,75 meters height combined pretty well all of my features. The result was an elegant and delicate one.   

I’ve missed myself. 

Giving a bitter smile, I stepped away.

Time to see the girl.

I got dressed in a white short top and a blue, waist-high loose skirt which ended just below my knees. Always barefoot at home, I exited the room to meet Jade.

After we talked, Jade led me to the girl’s room. Opening the door, I inhaled a sharp breath at the scene.