A Sacrifice of Names

Chapter 20

I didn't dance. I never danced, but I could feel my feet move in a way I had never felt them move before. He had me pressed against him, his hand resting on my lower back.

I felt calm.

"Where have you been?" I finally managed to ask, but I almost couldn't hear my own voice, as if it was carried away by a wind I could not feel, reducing my voice to a mere whisper.

He didn't reply.

I wasn't surprised. Perhaps it was for the best even. Most times he would speak it were warnings and my dream would be over. I didn't want it to be over.

For the first time in my life I didn't mind dancing.

I closed my eyes, feeling myself moving slowly to music I could not hear.

"War is coming," he whispered belatedly. Part of me wanted to ask what he meant by that, but I knew I had to cherish the few seconds I had left of this dream. Soon I would wake up, he always forced me to wake up. So I remained silent.

"When it does I am warning you to stay where you are now. You are safe there."

Safe, safe? How did he even know where I was? Finally I found myself looking up, frowning slightly. His silhouette was clear, yet still shrouded in shadows like always. However, this time I could see the shape of two horns on top of his head. I let out a soft chuckle, reaching up in an attempt to touch them.

Wrong move. I immediately felt his hand slide from my waist.

"Remember, don't go out there. Under no circumstance leave Daleagh."

✒

"Breakfast!"

Nothing but a groan sounded through the closed door, resulting in Keely knocking on the wood a little louder.

"Ailbhe, breakfast!" She shouted this time, sounding a tad annoyed.

"Yes, Yos, in a moment," came Earie's reply, grouchy and obviously still half asleep.

"It's Keely," the green-skinned fae huffed and rested her hip against the door, determined not to leave until Earie would show herself. The sun was already showing herself in the reflection of the window of the building opposite of them, which meant, in the Shadow Court, that it was already early afternoon. Keely had decided that morning she wasn't exactly fond of the few hours of sunlight this place got.

"Shi-" sounded through the wood, accompanied by some rustling before the door was opened, almost forcing Keely to lose her balance. "Sorry, sorry. No idea what was in that tea last night, but I slept better than I have in-" Earie blabbered. In what exactly, though? Weeks, months maybe even? How long ago had it been since she last had a proper night of sleep?

"That is because it was spiked," Keely deadpanned. Earie's cheeks paled.

"W-what?"

Faerie wine, faerie alcohol. The food here hadn't had any impact on her so far, despite her grandmother's warning words, but she knew it was wise to stay far away from any alcohol made in these lands, despite the occasional cravings for a good glass of wine or beer.

"It were just two small sips. We're not stupid," Keely shrugged, but Earie noted the grin pulling on the ends of her lips. "We're not blind either. We know how little sleep you've gotten the past few days. Innogen suggested it might help. Don't worry, it was far from enough to make you completely lose your mind."

"I didn't..." Earie stammered, "I didn't do anything-?"

"Hm, no. We were already back here, but you were complaining about how afraid you were you wouldn't be able to sleep again, so she poured a little into your tea with the slight hope to shut you up," Keely explained while making her way back towards the kitchen, making sure Earie was following her. "You were humming some strange song when you went up to your room. After you managed to undress you were asleep within minutes."