Didn't Think This Would Ever Happen...

Part 3, Chapter 13: A Light Amidst the Darkness

[Buckle up folks, it's a long and bumpy ride :)]

  I was spending my free hours in the woods. Eating, of course.
  This was far before I understood that life was... valuable. My flesh eating curse had been given to me when I was very young, so I never really got the chance to learn...
  Then again, at this point I was still quite young.
  I served as the Thorn Faerie's eyes and ears. I like to think she cared for me, she was always kind to me...
  Anyways, I was always given time to go and do whatever I pleased. Most often, I used my time to just wreak havoc on unsuspecting humans or eat until I made myself throw up.
  One afternoon I had caught a bear. I... played with it a while before getting bored and eating it.
  It was while eating that I heard something I hadn't heard before.
  It sounded like someone humming. Their voice was soft and sweet and the birds seemed to hum back the same tune. It was the most lovely music I had ever heard, though at the time I had little appreciation for it. My life was filled with nothing quite so happy...
  I ignored it and continued on, figuring that whoever or whatever it was would run away as soon as it saw me.
  Ah, I guess I should mention that I was wearing a humanoid appearance at the time. I had much longer hair then... I didn't think I had ever cut it and my mistress liked to play with it.
  Moving along, the owner of that voice did, indeed, stumble upon me. I turned to look as I heard the humming abruptly stop.
  Standing before me was a beautiful young man. He had golden hair and rose red lips... He had a gentle and graceful countenance and wore simple clothes... I remember he held a basket in his right hand...
  He looked at me curiously, then gasped sharply. "Are you alright?!" He asked frantically, worriedly.
  I stared up at him. Why would he ask me that? Then, it occurred to me that he probably thought that the bear had attacked me.
  "Oh, you poor thing..." he held a hand over his mouth as he lowered himself, his other hand extended out towards me.
  I continued to stare at him. I was confused by him, but it also felt like I couldn't look away if I wanted to. I hadn't seen many humans that weren't ugly and I was a bit... enthralled, if you will...
  Then he started asking me strange questions. "Are you badly hurt? Can you stand? Oh, probably not! Don't worry, I'll help you! Wait right here! Don't go anywhere!"
  He stood and quickly ran off. He almost tripped over a briar vine as he scampered off. He seemed like a young deer, running away from something it didn't understand.
  I sat there in confusion for a moment. Then I got bored of waiting so I went back to eating only to quickly grow bored of that, too. The flavor wasn't as good as other things... I never cared much for bears...
  Uh, anyways, I was licking my hands clean when that strangely pretty person came back.
  I wasn't exactly pleased that he had returned, but I wanted upset, either. I had expected him to run far away and never return.
  They were panting as they fell to their knees before me. They took numerous things out of their basket and began quickly speaking.
  "Where does it hurt the most?!" He unrolled a bundle of bandages in an almost panicked way.
  I tilted my head at him and stared. I noticed that his face was incredibly flushed, so I suspected he didn't do much running. He also had a lopsided ribbon in his short hair that acted as a sort of headband.
  He looked up at me, then he realized that I wasn't as blood-covered as earlier. He also seemed to notice that the bear corpse behind me was open and missing pieces.
  He slowly sat up, looking queasy, "you..."
  I sniffed the air, trying to get a good read on him. He smelled like roses and other flowers. I wrinkled my nose, finding the scent distasteful. It was too strong for me and I wasn't used to... nice things...
  "So you aren't hurt...?" His hands slowly lowered.
  I shook my head and looked up at the trees. I wondered when I should go back. It smelled so nice here and the food was fresh. Not that I hated being in the Thorn Faerie's domain, or anything.
  "Not even a little bit?" He asked, inching closer, "how did you..."
  I looked back at the human. I pointed at the grass and a green flame shot from my finger and onto a small patch of grass.
  He flinched, "magic?..." Then he looked up at me with wide eyes, "you're..."
  I stood up and turned to leave. I had no reason to be here. Besides, humans were inferior and not worth my time. At least, that's what I had been told...
  Humans would cheat and lie and steal all for their own gain, without even thinking of who would suffer for it. Sure, many of the monsters I associated with were similar, but at least we weren't liars.
  "Wait!" He quickly got to his feet and took my hand.
  I frowned a little bit. I had just finished cleaning my hand and now he was touching it. Though, their hand was incredibly soft and was comfortingly warm... I tried to tug my hand away, but he was surprisingly strong.
  Now, I could have easily taken my hand back anyways, but I was just so... shocked by him. I didn't really know what to do...
  "Please, tell me, are you hurt?" I could hear the fear in his voice and I could feel his hand shaking as he held onto me. His pale blue eyes stared into mine with such a genuine distress...
  I pulled my hand from his grasp and walked away. I didn't want to be there any longer. I wasn't supposed to talk to humans...
  He didn't try to stop me and I could feel how terrified he was. I had the strangest feeling that I had seen him somewhere before, but that didn't make any sense. I would have remembered such a pretty face. But why were they concerned for my safety when they were so scared of me?...
  I saw them again the following day.
  I had returned to the bear corpse to eat my fill, but I found that the carcass was gone. All there was in its place was bloodstained grass.
  That, and there was a peice of paper stuck to a briar bush.
  I took it curiously and read it over.
  "Dear fairy,
  Please don't eat uncooked things, it probably isn't good for you. Please wait here until evening, I'll be back soon.
  Your friend,
  Aubade."
  I read it a few times, just to be sure of what it said. Had the human really predicted that I would come back? And they expected me to wait for them here?
  I sat down and lazily gazed around the area. I might as well see what they wanted. If I didn't like them, I could just eat them, after all.
  It was a while before I heard someone's footsteps and, lo and behold, he had returned.
  A smile came to his face when he saw that I was sitting in between the bushes.
  "You came back," he sat down on his knees, a beaming smile on his face.
  I looked him up and down again. There was something about him that was weird, but I couldn't put my finger on it. Again, it felt like I couldn't look away from him...
  "I was worried that you might not be able to read, considering you wouldn't speak yesterday," he explained, avoiding eye contact as he dug through his basket.
  I stared at him with an offended expression. I wanted him to look at me. I wanted him to understand that I could do whatever I wanted.
  He took out a small bundle of cloth and set it on the ground in front of his knees. He untied it and revealed a handful of shiny blackberries. "Here," he said, "this should settle your stomach."
  I gave him a skeptical look. I was sure I didn't look friendly, so why was he so... unafraid of me? Was it because I hadn't done anything aggressive yet?
  I swiped the berries off the rag, causing Aubade to flinch.
  I eyed him as I sniffed the fruit. I hadn't eaten a fruit in a very long time. It seemed like such a weird thing to do... But I wasn't about to pass on free food. Besides, even if it were poisoned I wouldn't die.
  I gingerly popped one into my mouth.
  Aubade's smile began to return, "I picked them just the other day, so they should be perfectly ripe."
  I greedily shoved the rest into my mouth, hardly fitting them all in at once. It certainly didn't taste as rich as it should, considering my curse, but if I ate enough at once the flavor should add up, right?
  Aubade started pulling something else out of his basket, "I have more. I just hope you haven't made yourself sick from eating... something raw..."
  While he wasn't looking, I crawled over to him, leaning over and peering into the basket.
  He jolted the moment he noticed me, almost tipping the basket over. He was leaning away onto one of his arms, his free hand twitching. He was breathing quite heavily and I could tell he was scared.
  Knowing that didn't make me quite as happy as it should have.
  I sniffed him again. Today he smelled more like grass than flowers. I looked into the basket and began pulling out its contents.
  Aubade took a moment to sit back up and he situated himself farther away from me. He took a quiet breath of relief.
  In the basket were a few more pouches of berries and a bit of bread and cheese. Actual food.
  I looked back over at the human, wondering what his real intentions were in bringing me food.
  "Can... can you speak?" He asked quietly.
  I folded my arms haughtily and nodded once. Did he really think I couldn't?
  He shifted his weight uncomfortably, "then why won't you speak to me?..."
  "I don't need to," I said simply before shoving more berries in my mouth.
  He seemed shocked by my voice, blinking a few times. Then he smiled, "I'm glad you like them. I was worried that you might die from... eating that..."
  "Hmh!" I huffed, "it takes more than that to kill me."
  Aubade looked at the ground, "I had hoped so... What's a fairy doing in these woods, anyways?..."
  I eyed him once again, "eating."
  "Oh- well-" he grew a bit embarrassed, "I had meant... I didn't think there were any around the area..."
  I continued to stuff my face, "then you are rather blind. Typical of a human not to notice the enormous glowing, green mountain staring them in the face."
  Aubade looked up at me abruptly, "you mean you're-"
  I smirked, "yes. I serve Maleficent."
  His eyes shook as he stared at me, "you..."
  I ripped the bread apart, giving him only a sliver of my attention as I devoured his food. I had always liked sweets, but I couldn't tell if this was a sweet bread or not... It made me feel oddly sad...
  Aubade stared at me for a long moment. I finally looked over at him with a glare, daring him to say what he was thinking. I was over this already, upset that I could hardly taste anything.
  He was speechless, shaking his head slowly in surprise.
  I rolled my eyes. What else had he expected when he witnessed me eating a carcass? Now that I thought about it, Aubade smelled rather sweet...
  I had never tried to eat a human before... but I was told that they typically weren't very good.
  Aubade closed his eyes tightly for a moment, "then why... why come so far out just for food?..."
  I shrugged, biting into the block of cheese. My bottomless pit of a stomach refused to be satiated by human foods. I knew it was futile to keep eating it, but I wished I could taste it how I used to...
  Aubade seemed to notice my mood change, despite how slight it was. He moved a bit closer, "was there something in particular you wanted to eat?..."
  I shrugged again, not really wanting to answer his nosy questions. Why was he so curious, anyways? He knew I was dangerous and he chose to stick around. Whatever happened would be his own fault, now.
  He looked around nervously, "so you really were eating..."
  "Yes. I was eating a dead animal. Is that really so hard to say?" I grew impatient with his tiny human intellect.
  Aubade flinched when I snapped at him. He hesitated, "it's just... gory things... I just don't like them..."
  I folded my arms, "then why'd you take the corpse?"
  "But I didn't?... I thought you ate it all?..." he tilted his head curiously at the bloodstained grass.
  My brows pressed together, "it was gone when I got here."
  "Then who took it?... There really aren't many scavengers in the area..." Aubade seemed worried, "and other humans don't normally come this deep into the woods..."
  I shrugged, unconcerned as I devoured the rest of his cheese, "well, it's gone, isn't it? It isn't our problem, now."
  He pursed his rose red lips as he continued to think deeply with a concerned expression.
  I narrowed my eyes at him, [autocorrect said "married" instead of "narrowed" XD] "don't humans live in groups? Why are you here by yourself?"
  Aubade looked back at me, "well..." he was obviously reluctant to share.
  I puffed air out of my nose as I held myself higher, "I didn't want to know anyways."
  He began to smile again, "then why ask?" He tilted his head to the side and he was smiling at me the way I had seen other humans smile at small animals.
  I didn't appreciate that. I couldn't be smaller than him, we seemed to be the same height. If anything, I should be the one who was taller.
  I turned my head to the side, closing my eyes and huffing. "Because I wanted to."
  He giggled quietly, "well, I'll tell you if you tell me what you're really here for."
  I looked back at Aubade, frowning.
  He leaned back on his hands, laying his legs out in front of him, "take your time, I have a while." He seemed comfortable and I didn't like it. He was supposed to be afraid of me.
  I glared at him, though I found myself unable to do so very harshly. "I already told you. I was here to eat. I was hunting, if that's what you want to call it."
  "Really?" He seemed surprised.
  "Yes. Why else would I be here?"
  "Oh... I just thought that... Well, you work for the Thorn Faerie, so maybe you were here to do something for her?..."
  I shook my head, "no. We aren't busy as of right now. She hasn't dished out any curses lately, so I get a lot of time off."
  Aubade smiled sadly, his gaze falling on the ground, "it's funny you mention that..."
  "Hm?" I felt upset that he was upset, which was very upsetting. Why did I feel like I cared?
  "I'm out here all alone because Maleficent cursed me..."
  I blinked. Was that why he seemed so familiar to me?
  "I was a little boy doing little boy things..." he continued to stare at the ground with a melancholy look. "I was only trying to be polite..."
  "What did you do?" I tilted my head.
  "I called her "miss"," he closed his eyes tightly as he sighed. "So now I'm going to die soon... well, not die die, but it's basically dying."
  I hesitated, "I wouldn't think that would make her so angry... I guess she was already in a bad mood." I couldn't remember Maleficent ever cursing someone like that. So why did Aubade look so familiar to me?...
  Aubade sighed quietly, "well, it is what it is, I suppose. It isn't like there's much I can do about it."
  I had a sudden realization, "you said you won't actually die? You didn't happen to run into three little old ladies who changed your curse, did you?"
  He looked surprised again, "I did. How did you know?"
  I pressed my hands onto the sides of my head, "those annoying old- ugh! Do you know where they are?!"
  He shook his head, "no, I- I'm afraid I don't... Why? Have they been causing trouble for you?..."
  "Trouble?! They keep altering perfectly good curses! You see, there's this princess Maleficent cursed to die on her birthday and those stupid fairies made it so she would only fall asleep until "true love's kiss woke her". What a dumb way to change a curse."
  That's who he reminded me of! I realized that he looked quite similar to that princess. They probably weren't related, but they were both quite beautiful.
  Aubade stared at me, "they did the same thing to mine... except, I'm no princess and I'm supposed to die on my twentieth birthday... And, well, now I'm out here... avoiding spinning wheels..."
  I sighed heavily, "Maleficent is amazingly powerful, but not very creative. That princess is going to fall asleep on her sixteenth from pricking her finger on a spinning wheel, too."
  Aubade chuckled, "well, it is a bit comforting to know I won't be the only one..."
  "How much time do you have?" I asked. His curse seemed a little uncalled for and I was curious about how long my mistress had given him to live.
  "Not too much longer," he smiled.
  I paused, thinking deeply for a moment. "If only "true love" can wake you, why are you secluding yourself?"
  He gave me a sly look, "I won't need a true love if I last my whole birthday without pricking my finger, right?"
  "Oh... I guess so..." I noticed that I had consumed all that was inside the basket. I sniffed the air, he didn't smell like he had anything else on him.
  I pushed the basket over to him.
  Aubade wore a sheepish smile, "I hope you feel better now."
  "I've been fine. No matter what I eat, I won't get sick."
  He paused, "but, still... why would you choose to..."
  "Because it's the only thing I really want to eat."
  "Huh?... don't faeries eat mainly fruits...?"
  I smirked, "I'm special."
  He smiled nervously, "ah... okay..."
  I stood up, "goodbye."
  "O-oh," he got to his feet quickly, "you're leaving so soon?" He sounded disappointed and a little sad.
  I shrugged, "I don't have a reason to stay, unless you have something to offer me?"
  He hesitated, "to offer?... Hmm... Come back tomorrow and I'll have something for you."
  Aubade was smiling brightly, the basket clutched in his hands.
  I stared at him for a long moment. Long enough that he shifted uncomfortably under my gaze. I hurried away afterwards. I didn't like that I couldn't look away from him when I wanted to.
  Needless to say, I returned again the following afternoon.
  Aubade met me in the same place, though asked me to follow him to a small clearing.
  He set out a small blanket, "it's been forever since I've had a picnic!"
  I wasn't familiar with the word, but I nodded, pretending to understand.
  Aubade set out dishes and silverware, "I brought something special. I don't normally do any baking because I can't justify eating that much sugar." He chuckled as he pulled out something that smelled amazing.
  Aubade set it down carefully, "it's still warm, so don't burn yourself."
  "What is it?" I asked as I dug through my pockets in search of the gift I had brought for him. I wanted to repay him for feeding me, even if I couldn't really taste it and it wouldn't make me feel satiated.
  "You've never had pie before?" He wore a huge smile that my eyes were naturally drawn to. "This is apple pie, and it's one of my favorite desserts. I think you'll like it, too."
  I forced myself to look away and retrieved my payment. I held my hand out to him, "give me your hand."
  He looked at me with an almost worried expression. He slowly set down the knife he had been using to cut himself a slice. I noticed the cutlery looked incredibly dull and worn out.
  "Give me you hand." I repeated.
  He looked at my concealed hand nervously and pursed his lips as he carefully placed his hand in mine.
  I flipped his hand over and placed my gift inside it before closing his hand up and pushing it back towards him.
  Aubade curiously opened his hand to look at what I had given him.
  I distracted myslef from that by picking up the pie and trying to figure out the best way to eat it.
  Aubade gasped quietly, his eyes glittering. "Where did you get this?..." In his hand was a very smooth, very shiny, and very pretty rock. Aubade's eyes and the rock reflected against each other, almost blinding me.
  I shrugged, "I have tons of them." I did not have tons of them. I didn't know why I felt the need to lie. I had actually gone out to find a good rock and had stumbled upon such a fine specimen.
  I did have a lot of rocks and other things, but I didn't have very many smooth ones like this.
  "For the food," I clarified before biting into the pie.
  "Aw, Thank you," he smiled brightly as he placed the treasure safely inside his pocket. "Oh, I just realized that I never introduced myself! How silly of me! I'm-"
  "I already know your name," I said. "You wrote it on the note."
  He paused, "oh, then can I have your name?"
  I was disappointed by how bland this pie tasted, when it had smelled so good. At least I could tell it was sweet. I loved sweet things, they made me feel better when I was sad... It was hard to find sweet things now.
  "Lilia," I said before stuffing my face.
  "Lilia," he chuckled as he spoke, "you're quite the messy eater."
  I looked at him slowly, trying not to seem too surprised. I thought to myself, Why did he say my name like that?
  To Aubade, I'm sure it sounded completely normal... but I hadn't heard my own name in a long time and I guess I had forgotten how it sounded when someone else said it...
  Aubade pulled a cloth from the basket, "luckily, I prepared for this!" He handed it to me.
  I swiped it and looked at him skeptically. Then I quickly wiped my face.
  He sat back and took his plate into his hands, "you know, you don't have to snatch things. I'm not going to stop you from taking something that I offered you."
  I stared at him, "why not?"
  "Hm? Do you really know such rude people?" He was shocked.
  I was shocked as well, "humans don't do that?" But humans were mean and nasty... weren't they?...
  "I mean, I'm sure some do, but most people wouldn't do that," he explained.
  "..." I wasn't sure what to say. I didn't like how concerned he seemed for me. I was fine. I could take care of myself.
  I put more pie in my mouth as I tore my eyes away from his.
  He continued to look at me with that concerned expression. "I knew that place was evil... but they're even so unpleasant to their own people?..."
  "I said that I was special," I spoke without looking at him, "they're just jealous."
  "Jealous that you eat... meat? You didn't seem too happy about that, yourself..."
  "Jealous because I'm the Thorn Faerie's right hand man." I said quickly.
  He pursed his lips again, poking at his slice of pie, "so you..."
  "I wasn't there when she cursed you and I don't like that she cursed you for such a silly reason. That princess deserved her curse, though." I was licking the tin that the pie had come in.
  Aubade shifted his weight, "is there... any way to undo the curse?..."
  "Not more than it is already," I spoke slowly, now. I needed to be careful with my words.
  Aubade looked down. He didn't say anything.
  I didn't like that.
  "Eat your pie," I said, putting the tin back down.
  He did his best to smile at me, "it'll get cold if I don't, huh?..."
  "Yes," I used my hands to urge him, "eat it. Tell me how it tastes."
  He tilted his head, suddenly snapped out of his sadness. "What do you mean?"
  "I can't taste it."
  "Hm?"
  "I'm special," I said again.
  He opened his mouth to ask something, but apparently thought better of it. He took a bite of his pie, then he smiled. "Do you have a sweet tooth?"
  "I don't think any of my teeth are sweet," I said in confusion.
  "No, I mean, do you like sweet foods?" He chuckled.
  I nodded, "yes, they're my favorite."
  His smile grew, "then you would love it. The filling is basically just apples, cinnamon, and brown sugar. The crust also has a lot of sugar in it... it's very sugary." He laughed.
  I found myself smiling with him, glad he wasn't upset anymore.
  He tilted his head to the side, "I don't think I've ever seen you smile before."
  I abruptly covered my mouth and sat up.
"It isn't a bad thing," he smiled warmly, "my parents always said that you're never fully dressed without a smile. Even if you don't have much reason to, you should try your best to smile."
  I was very confused by this. Wouldn't smiling all the time hurt your face? It seemed like it would be creepy if someone were always smiling...
  "Lilia," Aubade sighed.
  I met his gaze instantly.
  "It's such a pretty name," he giggled as he ate his pie.
  I felt my hands twitch. What did that mean? Did he think I was pretty?... I'd only ever been described as vile, wicked, mischievous, and as "a little stinker", I wasn't sure how to respond to being called... pretty...
  I met with Aubade for many days and he would share different foods with me and tell me what they tasted like...
  After some time I began to tell him more about me... my curses and the embarrassing stories behind them... what life was like serving the Thorn Faerie... where to find the best rocks...
  I was still young, probably only two to three hundred so I was still figuring myself out. I didn't have many ambitions or desires, so I was very boring to Aubade, I'm sure. Though, he always listened intently when I spoke with him... No one else listened to what I had to say because I was so young... I was sure the Thorn Faerie only kept me by her side because I had a lot of raw magical energy...
  Aubade was... he was different, to say the least. I could tell that from time to time he was rather afraid of me, but he never stopped caring about me... I grew fond of him. I felt things when I was around him. I'd never really felt anything when I was around anyone.
  Yes, there was fear in my heart when Maleficent was angry and I would feel whatever she felt most of the time. But those weren't really my emotions. The only time I ever really felt anything was the glee I would feel when I messed up a mortal's garden... With Aubade... well, I felt a lot of things.
  When he smiled, it was contagious. And whenever he touched me I felt incredibly warm. He always complained about how cold I was... I couldn't begin to explain how I felt. I was young and confused. Even now, I'm not entirely sure of what I felt.
  Aubade had asked me once if I was happy working for the Thorn Faerie.
  I nodded and said that I was content.
  "That's not what I asked," Aubade chuckled. "Are you happy?"
  I pulled up individual strands of grass, avoiding looking at him. He laid beside me, his hands behind his head. I was sitting with my legs crossed.
  "Lilia," he started.
  My eyes were drawn to him at the sound of my name.
  "Are you happy?" He finished genuinely.
  I searched his expression, but found no ill intent. Aubade was always so kind to me...
  I heaved a sigh as I hung my head in defeat, "you know I can't lie to you..."
  Aubade smiled softly and pressed his hand against my arm, "you don't have to tell me if you don't want to..."
  I shook my head. "I don't hate working there... But sometimes the castle is stuffy... and a lot of the people there don't smell great... but my mistress is good to me."
  "That's right," Aubade nodded, "you're the favorite."
  "Yeah..."
  Aubade sat up, "by the way, do all fae have such colorful hair?"
  I appreciated that he was changing the subject. I shook my head, "some fae can change what they look like, and others can't... I just like it this way..." I ran my fingers through my hair, feeling a little self conscious.
  "I think it's cute," Aubade reached out and took a strand, "and it looks like you have little horns, too! Is that on purpose?"
  I hesitated. "Uhm... I'm not sure..."
  Aubade laughed, "that doesn't make any sense! Oh, can I braid it for you?! My mother taught me how to braid, telling me that girls would love me if I knew how! Haha, a lot of good it does me now!"
  I smiled sheepishly, not sure what he was talking about. "Yeah... there don't seem to be many human girls here..."
  Aubade giggled, "I haven't seen a girl in years! For all I know, they could be extinct!"
  I nodded, fiddling with the grass again.
  Aubade moved behind me and I was about to defensively turn around. Then, Aubade started gently pulling at my hair. The only person who had ever played with my hair was Maleficent. Was I allowed to let Aubade touch it?...
  Aubade was humming to himself as he did whatever he was doing to my hair.
  I clasped my hands together nervously, waiting for him to finish. It wasn't long until Aubade threw my hair over my shoulder, "there we go!"
  I gazed down at it. The Thorn Faerie had done this to my hair before, but it had never looked so... messy. And Aubade seemed to have expertly weaved my hair so that the pink was striped along the pattern. I noticed that Aubade had tied it off with his ribbon. I looked up at him In surprise.
  Giving me food was one thing, but something he used regularly?...
  He smiled brightly, "I think it came out pretty well, considering I haven't braided anyones hair in years!"
  I nodded, "it's... good..."
  Aubade's hair was wavy and now that it wasn't secured in place, it moved with him. There was a lot of volume and so any little movement he made caused his hair to shift. He smiled at me, "you don't have to pretend just to make me feel better, Lilia."
  I held onto the braid tightly, "I'm not! I like it very much!"
  He laughed and I grew embarrassed of myself again.
  I enjoyed my time with Aubade and whenever I wasn't working, I was with him. I never told anyone that I was meeting with a human, though my mistress seemed suspicious of me. She would chuckle and ask me where I was running off to. I always told her where, but not why. I didn't want to lie to her.
  Still, I had the feeling she knew anyways. I was only surprised that she never stopped me. I thought she hated humans... Then again, I had thought that I hated humans, too...
  One day I had arrived to our clearing in the evening. At this point it had been two years since I had met Aubade, but to me it felt like only a few months. As I approached, ducking under a tree branch, I heard something strange.
  It was a voice I hadn't heard before. It was laughing alongside Aubade's voice. Was there another person? But Aubade said that people didn't normally come out this far...
  I peeked through the bushes, suspicion and anger filling me.
  There was a tall and dashing young man with Aubade. His attire was simple, but clean and well-fitting. He was smiling down at Aubade, chuckling.
  Aubade was stifling his giggles, "who knows!"
  Their hands were clasped together and Aubade was swinging their arms from side to side with the happiest expression.
  "I might know," the stranger said with a sly smile.
  "Oh, you're too much!" Aubade pushed him away gently, giggling again.
  "Why can't you leave? Isn't it lonely here all by yourself?..." He took Aubade's hands again, stepping close to him.
  I didn't like this human. He kept touching Aubade and it bothered me... He also smelled faintly of metal, which made me want to plug my nose.
  "No, not really," Aubade turned his face away, pulling at his hands. His face was flushed, "I have friends..."
  "Way out here?" chuckled the man who smelled of metal, "are you certain you don't wish to return with me?"
  "Maybe some other time," Aubade smiled as he pat the man's arm, "I'm supposed to be meeting with someone soon."
  "Then I shouldn't keep you all to myself," he smiled and squeezed Aubade's hand before saying goodbye.
  I waited for a moment after he left the clearing. Who was that? Did Aubade know him? Why was he here? This wasn't his clearing.
  Aubade stared at the place the man had left from. He heaved a sigh, his shoulders visibly rising and falling. He pressed a hand to his chest and his cheeks remained red.
  I entered the clearing.
  Aubade jumped, shaken from his thoughts. He ran up to me, "you won't believe it! The most amazing thing happened!"
  I was taken aback by his excitement. He wasn't the least bit worried or afraid?...
  He was beaming, "I met someone today! Another human! He was out collecting firewood when he heard me humming! He came right over and- and he was just so charming! Lilia you have to meet him! The moment I told him that I was by myself he said that he wanted to take me back to the town! He offered to take care of me and everything!"
  I smiled, though I didn't mean it at all. I could tell that Aubade cared for this person to some extent. He was so enamored by this human and I didn't want to see Aubade stop smiling. "That was nice of him."
  "I know! We had only just met and it felt like we were already close!" Aubade laughed as he took my hands, "it was wonderful! It felt so natural to speak with him! He might come back soon! I would love for you to meet him!"
  I couldn't quite keep up with his train of thought, but I continued to smile and nod at him. He looked so happy...
  I was jealous of that strange man. He could make Aubade smile like this, when I never could. Aubade was still afraid of me, I knew it. Even after so long, he was still cautious around me.
  It was then that I should have realized how I felt... It feels so stupid to think I hadn't the muddiest idea how... in love with him I was...
  I had fallen for him without knowing it...
  All Aubade could speak of that evening was that human. He didn't even know that man's name, yet he couldn't talk about anything else.
  Aubade set up another picnic for us. He had prepared a large cake and seemed very excited to speak with me.
  I sat down across from him, putting my chin in my hand and my elbow against my knee, waiting for him to speak.
  "He really tried to convince me to go back to town with him! I refused, of course! I've still got a while to go before I can leave the forest! He asked me why I wouldn't go and I had to make up an excuse!"
  "What'd you say?" I continued to smile. I was glad that he was so happy... even if it was because of someone else. I watched as he cut a slice of cake for each of us.
  Aubade passed me a plate, "I told him that I was nursing a bird back to health! You should have seen his expression! Lilia, he looked at me like I was an angel or something!"
  I faltered, "are you nursing a bird?"
  He laughed, "no! It was just an excuse! You've changed so much over the years and yet you're still so gullible! I love that about you, Lilia."
  I looked down at my cake and put it in my mouth. I felt rather embarrassed of myself.
  "Lilia," he began.
  I looked back up. Whenever he said my name it felt like I had to be completely focused on him.
  "When this curse is gone, I think I'll go with him to his town. The people there seem nice and he's offered me so much. I felt so awful rejecting him like that."
  I blinked. Was Aubade really serious?...
  "I haven't spoken with other people in so long! I think it would be fun! I really can't wait!" He daydreamed as he happily ate his cake.
  "What does it taste like?" I asked quietly. Aubade was going to leave with that man?... and I couldn't go with him... I couldn't be around humans... Aubade was going to leave me?...
  "Oh!" Aubade smiled wider, "this one is blueberry flavored! The frosting is plain vanilla, but the filling is blueberry jelly so it's tied together quite nicely! I'm not super great with cakes, but this one was fun to make."
  Aubade looked so... alive. He was energetic and so happy... I didn't know what to think of it.
  Of course, it made me happy that he was happy... but he was happy because he wanted to be with that man...
  "Oh, there's something really important I have to tell you the next time I see you! So you better not change your schedule!"
  I nodded, "I don't plan to."
  The next time I saw him he immediately took me by the hand.
  "Come with me," Aubade pulled me through the forest at a brisk pace.
  "Where are we going?" I asked curiously.
  "To my cottage," he smiled back at me, "we shouldn't talk about it out in the open."
  Along the way Aubade told me of how his days went. He explained in great detail a peculiar squirrel he had come across. The little fella just wouldn't leave him alone and Aubade ended up having to find it a new home.
  Aubade's kindness always amazed me. I wasn't capable of even a third of his kindness, I was sure.
  We came upon a cute little wooden house that Aubade quickly pulled me inside of. "You aren't doing anything tomorrow, are you?"
  I shook my head and he let go of me.
  "It's quite dark out already, hm?" He looked out the window. "I guess you were a little late," he laughed.
  I looked around. It was cozy inside and nothing like the Thorn Faerie's castle. "I guess so..."
  "Well, what kept you?" He asked, sounding quite interested.
  I shrugged, "I got caught up in the dungeon."
  "How many prisoners do you have right now?" He started a fire and the house instantly felt more welcoming.
  "Just one... they aren't human and there's just a lot of... problems..." I walked over and sent green fire from my hand into his fireplace for him. I knew he didn't like hearing about things like this, so I was quick to get over it.
  "Since it's so late already, why don't you stay the night?" Aubade offered sweetly as he made his way into the kitchen.
  I hesitated, looking around nervously.
  "Please? I insist!" He smiled brightly at me.
  I sighed with a small, bashful smile, "alright... I'll stay..."
  Aubade made us a nice little dinner and we spoke about random things, just like normal. It were as if that man had left Aubade's mind entirely.
  We were sitting on the floor by the fire and Aubade sighed with a smile, "you know what?"
  "What?" I asked. I slowly leaned against his shoulder. I had become more comfortable around him lately and he didn't seem to mind when I touched him anymore.
  "My birthday is tomorrow," his smile grew as he looked down at me.
  I had a bad feeling.
  "I'll be twenty."
  I looked away from him, "already...?"
  "This is a good thing," he nudged me, "only one more day and I'll be free."
  "Is this what you wanted to tell me?" I sat up.
  Aubade nodded, "just think about it, Lilia-"
  "Aubade," I said slowly, "this is dangerous-"
  "Listen," he smiled as he took my hands and squeezed them, "it's only one day. How hard can it be to go one day without touching a spinning wheel, when I haven't been near one in years!"
  I felt myself beginning to mimic his expression. "Yeah... yeah, you're right."
  "Of course I am! I'm always right!" He laughed. "Now, let's go to sleep so tomorrow can come faster!"
  "I don't think that-"
  "Shh!" He pressed a finger to my lips, "I'm always right, remember?" He winked, laughing at himself.
  And I laughed with him...
  I didn't sleep. I felt incredibly anxious. Aubade could be in a lot of danger, how could I be calm?
  I leaned against his bed, laying my arms and head on the mattress. I kept my eyes on him, worry gripping my insides tightly.
  I didn't want him to fall asleep forever... and I didn't want him to go with that man...
  Either way, he would be leaving me.
  I didn't want that... but there was nothing I could do to stop it. If only I could stop time...
  Aubade was very excited when he woke up. He was humming and singing throughout the morning and I wished I could be happy with him.
  I smiled at him, but I was in pain. I didn't want this day to exist.
  That afternoon Aubade insisted on taking me to pick flowers. He was astonished to learn that I had never done it before.
  He was laughing as he taught me. I found it difficult to be gentle with the flowers when my hands wouldn't stop shaking.
  I hadn't felt like this before. I was filled with a sense of dread that wouldn't go away...
  I thought about asking Aubade to stay. I thought about offering him more than that man ever could.
  But I knew Aubade would never agree. I knew how badly he wanted to be with his people again.
  I was only crushed that I wasn't one of them. I knew Aubade would choose then over me. I knew he would choose them a million times over.
  I was a filthy monster and he deserved more. He deserved someone who could make him happy.
  And that wasn't me. It could never be me.
  Aubade held my hand tightly as we walked back to his cottage.
  "Do you think we should make a cake?" He asked excitedly.
  "We had cake the other day," I responded.
  "That is true... and that one was rather large." He paused and grew a bit embarrassed, "to be honest, I had made that for my birthday... I wasn't sure if I would be here to make another one."
  I looked over at him in surprise.
  "I mean- well! Ugh, you see, I know it isn't likely that the curse will actually come true! You said that the Thorn Faerie doesn't keep tabs on petty curses like mine so would she care enough to interfere? I don't think so, but there's always a chance."
  I nodded, "yes... but if you want to make a cake, I'll be happy to eat it with you."
  He smiled, hugging my arm, "you're such a good friend, Lilia!"
  I leaned my head against his. I didn't want him to let go. I wanted to stay like this. I didn't want him to leave me.
  "What flavor should I make it?" He went back to holding my hand and walking.
  My hand was limp in his. I didn't want to hold his back... if I did I might not be able to make myself let go.
  "What's your favorite flavor?" I asked, hardly whispering.
  He looked over at me and stopped walking. He smiled, putting his hand on my face, "don't be scared, Lilia. The day's almost over and I feel fine. Wouldn't I feel all "dark omen"-y if something bad was going to happen?"
  I nodded, refusing to make eye contact.
  "Please, there's nothing to be afraid of," he squeezed my face.
  I couldn't begin to count all the things I was afraid of... I realized that Aubade felt no remorse in leaving me. He probably didn't know that I couldn't visit him if he left with that man... I hoped he didn't know.
  "My favorite flavor is vanilla," he drew his hands back, "boring, I know! But I love putting caramel on it!" He pulled me along back to his cottage, going over different recipes he could use and asking me my thoughts.
  I tried really hard to listen, but I couldn't take my eyes off of our hands. I...
  Forgive me... we're coming to the hard part of the story now.
  I wanted to take him into my arms and never let him go... but I knew that would only make him hate me more...
  Or maybe I only regret not embracing him... I don't think I ever did...
  Back at his cottage we made a cake. I tried to help, but I had never cooked before. He tried to teach me, but we only ended up making a mess.
  Somehow, we managed to make a cake... though, I have no idea how.
  As the sun was receding behind the trees, Aubade and I were sitting outside.
  He was smiling excitedly up at the sky, "only a few more hours..."
  I nodded silently. My chest was tight and I couldn't make my feelings go away. I wished to stop feeling them, or, at least, to feel them less.
  ... I shouldn't have wished for that...
  When the sun was gone Aubade stood and I got up with him.
  "I don't know if I can stay awake long enough," Aubade chuckled, "I'm already tired..."
  "You've had a busy day," I said.
  He nodded, "so have you. I'm glad I got to spend my birthday with you."
  I smiled at the ground, my chest getting tighter, "me too..."
  "Well, I should make something to keep us awake!" Aubade laughed as he approached the door. "How does tea sound? Or maybe hot chocolate?"
  I looked back up at the sky, seeing the stars shining above me. I closed my eyes tightly, swallowing my pain. I only had a few more hours with Aubade... I shouldn't waste them.
  I turned to follow him inside. I beloved tea would be the best option, considering we already had cake.
  Just as I was about to take a step and give my response, something whizzed past me.
  A bolt of lime green electricity shot past me and went inside through the open door.
  My eyes went wide, "no-"
  I rushed inside, looking around frantically.
  Aubade stood by the far wall. His hand was outstretched towards a pitch black spinning wheel. His eyes were wide and empty, and he moved as if he were in a trance.
  "Aubade! No!" I dashed across the room.
  But I was too late.
  His finger pressed against the spindle and his eyes rolled to the back of his head.
  I was only quick enough to catch him before he hit the ground.
  The spinning wheel began to dissolve into green mist and there was malicious laughter echoing in the distance.
  I held Aubade's limp figure in my arms. I shook him, "Aubade?..."
  He didn't respond.
  I began shaking him forcefully, "wake up! Wake up!!"
  I can't remember how long I sat there trying to wake him up...
  ...
  Eventually I laid him down in his bed, pulled up a chair, and sat down beside him.
  I remember laying my head in my arms against the mattress. My eyes were wet and I felt like screaming.
  I wouldn't cry... I didn't want to do something so ugly in front of Aubade... he didn't deserve that...
  The next time that light streamed in through the windows, I looked up to see something I hadn't expected.
  There were sparkles outside the window closest to me. The window opened itself and the room was filled with the magical sparkles.
  Those sparkles puffed into the forms of three small women. One wore red, another green, and the third blue.
  I recognized them. They were the ones who messed with that princess' curse. The ones who messed with Aubade's curse, too...
  I stared blankly at them.
  The red one eyed me nervously, "this was unexpected..."
  The green one smiled sweetly towards me, "thank you for keeping an eye on him for us, dear."
  "I didn't do anything," I said.
  The blue one looked around, "well I certainly hope you weren't the one who made all this happen." The red one chided her.
  I opened my mouth, then closed it again as I looked down at Aubade's sleeping form.
  The red one perked up, "have you tried breaking it, yet?"
  I shook my head, "he didn't know anyone..."
  "Well, he knew you, didn't he?" The green one asked, "from the looks of it, you seem to care for him quite a lot."
  "But I..."
  "What's the harm in trying, dear?" Asked the red one, "you're the only one he knew right? Then who else could his true love be?"
  I stared at Aubade. Could that really be true?... Did Aubade really feel that way towards me?... Was that why he didn't mind when I touched him anymore?... He hadn't spoken of that man at all since the day they met, was he really not going to leave me?
  I let that hope enter my heart.
  I was nervous as I looked back at the women. I hadn't kissed anyone before. Didn't they have more to say? Instructions, maybe?
  "Go on," they all ushered me with their hands, standing at the foot of the bed.
  I took a deep breath, trying to calm down. I'd have Aubade back if I just kissed him. That wasn't so hard...
  I leaned over Aubade, our faces barely apart. He looked so peaceful and just as beautiful as ever.
  I steeled myself and pressed my lips against his.
  As I pulled away I watched his face, waiting for his eyes to open...
  I waited...
  And waited...
  "Oohhh," the blue one balled her fists, "I should have known!"
  The red one clamped her hands over the blue one's mouth, "hush!"
  The green one approached me and carefully put her hand on my arm, "I'm sorry, dear... are you sure he didn't know anyone else?..."
  I was filled with... something... It wasn't quite sadness. I wasn't angry. I don't know what I felt.
  Surprise? Defeat?
  My body trembled as I spoke, "there is one other..."
  I gave the fairies that man's description and they hurried off to find him.
  I watched from afar as they brought him back to the cottage.
  I watched as he kissed Aubade and how he sprang to life.
  Aubade was so happy to see that man again...
  My eyes filled with water and threatened to overflow.
  The green one looked at me from inside with an apologetic smile.
  I fled.
  I ran.
  I was a coward.
  I couldn't even say goodbye to him.
  Of course I was happy he was awake... but I couldn't feel happy when I knew he could never love me.
  I was a spirit of mischief. Something made to cause problems. I was made to be nasty and horrible. How could I even for a second think someone so pure and kind could care about me?...
  I was only angry for a moment that Aubade's true love was someone he had only spoken to once.
  Before I knew it, I was back at the castle. I was in the throne room, wiping my eyes.
  Maleficent looked down at me, "I saw you... at that boy's house..."
  I nodded, biting my lip to keep from crying. I was on my knees before her. I didn't have anywhere to go. There was nothing and no one that could help me.
  She held in a sigh, "you know you kept my vengeance from me."
  I nodded again. I deserved whatever was coming. Hopefully it would help me forget any of this happened...
  She stood in front of me, "it's only fair that I curse you, as well."
  I looked up at her, tears trickling down my face.
  The Thorn Faerie held her scepter in hand, making a stirring motion with it. She spoke slowly, "Lilia, you have gone against your own nature. For this, I curse you to truly loose yourself whenever you allow your emotions to consume you..."
  Instantly, I felt my throat close tightly. I gasped for air, digging my claws into the stone floors.
  I felt so heavy. I fell to the ground, tears bursting from my eyes in a tidal wave.
  I began to sob, lying on the ground in a useless heap.
  I had never felt so hurt. I had never cried so powerfully... It felt as if my insides were trying to be outside of me... Like someone had poured lava down my throat and sealed all the exits...
  I don't know how long I was there for...
  Eventually Maleficent took me into her arms, changing me back into the form of a crow. She stroked my head, "don't worry, you'll grow up... Lilia, my pet, one day you'll learn that humans aren't worth your time..."