Odette

Three

Eric

Opening my eyes I was staring at a wooden ceiling. Where was I? The last thing I remember is going deeper in the forest to hunt. I had no idea how I ended up here? Where my uncle and brother? Lifting my body I started to feel pain and looked down at my stomach there was a bandage over my ribs and I laid back down groaning

The door slowly opened and a small cat jumped on the bed snuggling with me

"Hey kitty" I said petting the cat as it purred 

I began looking around the room and noticed it was filled with a bunch of feminine stuff. There was a wardore near the door and two desk on either side of the bed. Lifting the cover I saw my clothes from the hunt were gone and I was wearing a light long sleeve top matched with pants 

"Stella! Leave the human alone" a lift voice yelled walking in the door with a tray 

She jumped when she saw me staring at her. "You're up! I guess my stuff worked" 

Walking closer to the bed she placed the tray on the sheet and leaned over pulling my shirt up. I watched her check my bruise and connected the dots that she saved my life. The woman was extraordinary she had long black curls that hung over her face and was wearing a small loose dress. As her body leaned over I got a glimpse of her breast as they spilled out over her top and I looked away quick 

"This has started to heal too" she said pulling my shirt back down and smiling at me 

"Where am I?" 

"My cottage. I found you in the river floating and I thought you were dead. What are you doing so deep in the forest anyways?" she answered taking a chair and sitting besides me 

I watched her open the containers of food and placing them in a bowl. I was going to answer her questions but she blew a little on the spoon and forced it in my mouth 

"Open up! You need to eat and gain strength" I opened my mouth and let her feed me like a baby

Eating the porridge it tasted amazing and I begged for more as she continued to bring the spoon to my mouth. I've never had anything like this before and the castle had the finest cooks

"This is good" I commented 

The fairy smiled at me and gave me a cup of filled with purple liquid. Sipping it the taste was similar to grapes and grass it wasn't good but I didn't complain and drank it all. The women looked pleased and carried the food leaving the room. She came back shortly with a basket of medicine 

"I have to change your bandages" she lifted my shirt again and began peeling off the paper 

I had a huge cut on my side and winced when she added a clear liquid on it. "Sorry, it's alcohol to sterilize the cut" I nodded my head taking the pain. 

I stayed quiet as she finished and wrapped a new piece of paper on my wound. I was so fascinated by her beauty I had read that fairies were natural caretakers and used magic to heal. Mother would tell me they were the most beautiful creatures and that your lucky if one takes care of you 

"What is your name?" she suddenly asked 

I stayed quiet thinking about how I should answer. Would she know who I am? 

"I'm Odette" she smiled again showing tucking a piece of hair behind her ear 

"Eric" 

"Just Eric?"

"Yes" I answered not wanting to give my last name. I know she would run if she knew I was the prince

"Well Eric with no last name I'm glad you're awake" 

Watching her leave the room I rested my head on the pillow and started petting the cat named Stella. Thinking back to yesterday I couldn't help but wonder who pushed me. It felt like they wanted me dead and it pained me to know my own family tried to kill me

...

I ended up falling asleep and woke up to the smell of food. Lifting my body I was able to stand and walked towards the door. The house had one level so when I left the room I went down the hallway and found Odette humming to herself at the stove. The cat was laying on the couch watching her dance around. She was interesting person and I was shocked she hasn't kicked me out for being human

Most of the fairies in the kingdom fear and hate humans. Its understandable though my father has only made their labor worse and since the war they were forced to live in the forest

"Your a great singer" I commented causing Odette to spin around 

"Eric! You're supposed to be in bed. You might open your wound" she stopped cooking and ran over to me

"I feel fine" her tiny body was trying to push mine back to the bedroom but I was bigger and didn't move 

"Ugh, you big human! Just sit down at the table and don't move" I laughed as she gave up and went back to the stove 

I followed her directions and pulled out a chair at the table. The cat jumped off the couch and came over to me purring. I enjoyed the aura of Odettes house it wasn't much but it felt comfortable and much more homey than anything in the castle

She rushed over placing a bowl in front of me with a plate of roasted pumpkins and peppers. I smiled as she took a seat next to me and we began eating. The food was delicious once again and I couldn't help but eat like a crazy man. Odette started giggling watching me eat and I looked at her nervous 

"You have... something on your face"

I tried to lick it with my tongue and she giggled watching me embarrass myself. Odette moved closer and used her thumb to swipe the rice off my lip. We stared at each as she sat back down, I was memorized by her beauty. My father had been trying to set me up with a few women in the kingdom but none of them sparked my interest. But here I was sitting in front of the most beautiful women I've ever seen 

"It was just some rice" she looked down nervously 

"Thank you" I mumbled shifting my eyes from her face

We went back to eating and sat in silence for the remainder of dinner