Creatures of The Dark

Chapter VIII

The wind was a cool tickle against the growing summer heat. We had been riding for hours and my thin tunic had long become drenched with sweat by the time we stopped. I hadn't been atop a horse in years and had forgotten how it left every part of my body aching. We stopped by a creek and let the horses drink from the streams. Several of the light fae refilled their canteens as well or stooped to wash their faces further downstream.

Alexandra swung her legs around and hopped off the mare before extending her hand to me. I was surprised by the strength in her grip as she helped me ease off Mareén. The horse huffed, pawing her hooves against the ground as if she wasn't quite ready to let go of us. Alexandra gave the steed a measured look and rubbed her palm against Mareén's neck.

We guzzled down the rest of our canteens and filled them once more. The bandages wrapped around my torso had grown damp and irritated with sweat. I longed to take them off and enjoy the cool dance of the wind on my bare skin, but that would require me to actually take off my shirt. I didn't think I could bear to expose my wrecked body to these strangers. Once was enough.

The light fae rested against trees and logs for a few minutes, thanking Tannon as he distributed bundles of bread and cheese. After everyone ate, we were off once again. We were taking an almost-leisurely pace, I was sure for my benefit. My eyes devoured every sight as if it was the first time.

A sense of ease had settled in me as I sat at Alexandra's back, idle conversations floating in the air. But also, a sour feeling snagged at me every now and again. I couldn't help but feel robbed. I hadn't given myself the opportunity in the last year to truly feel the weight of time at my back. I had lost a year of my life. Every time I thought about the lost year, the memories I had buried, it was a slap to the face.

The sun had long begun its descent before the light fae talked of stopping for the night. They made quick work of setting up for the night, dragging logs around a makeshift fire pit. They removed their supplies from the horses, allowing them to rest for the night. Everyone gathered around the firepit, talking quietly as tiredness began to seep in. It was almost peaceful. Tannon walked to the edge of the pit, and moved his hands artfully in the air. I watched in awe as a ball of light appeared in his palm, he pressed it to the logs and watched it dance in the pit.

My magic had never been so...orderly, it was always a roar and never a spark. I wondered if I would ever master it the way Tannon had demonstrated. Magic had been banned for light fae in the Dark Kingdom, but I could never help the trickles that ebbed out of me, searching for release.

I leaned towards where Alexandra sat, her back against the large log we shared, "Won't that attract someone towards us?"

Alexandra shrugged, as if the thought bored her, "I think they'd be more concerned that their princess was seen traveling with a band of light fae and a fugitive." At my lack of response she admitted, "It wouldn't attract more than smoke from a fire would cause." I nodded, seeing her logic.

"Dosen't Tannon have to keep concentrating, to keep it up." I heard Noro and Saron chuckle at my wording, suddenly interested in our conversation.

"I'm not really the one to ask about light fae magic."

One of the brothers turned to me, "Not with faelight. Once it's there, it's there until it is taken away." Noro pointed towards the pseudo-flame, "You see, faelight doesn't really have any power in it, just what it was created with."

Saron added, "It won't burn or hurt." At my weary look, the fae stood with a wry grin on his lips. Without hesitation he stuck his hand deep into the pit, the white light lanced up his arm almost like a caress. He seemed to be disappointed when I gave no reaction. "Go on. Give it a try."