"She was beginning to be aware of a feeling she thought she could never feel again, something wonderful, warm and exciting but also addictive, poisonous and dangerous. She knew she was starting to repeat past mistakes. What to do? Follow the heart a...
The morning sun came in through the window, illuminating the whole compartment. Three weeks had passed since the troubled visit to the enchanted realm beyond the woods and Edric was willing to do everything to make amends with the fire-haired fairy. Like the agreement, he had visited her once a week, but their meetings were filled with silence and rancor. Every time he would ask something, she would respond:
- I'm not obligated to answer. Our deal didn't cover any conversations, just the fact of you spending time with me.
She was so stubborn! She wouldn't even accept his tries of apology. But it wouldn't pass that day, he wouldn't leave the woods without having sort it out with her this grudge. Like the other times, he passed through the magical barrier and got in the forest that was Briar Rose's home. She was singing, but when she felt his presence, she suddenly shut up, stopped whatever she was doing and made a grumpy expression. He got closer to her, trying to find an apology she would accept, but the only words that came out of his mouth, maybe weren't the best:
- What's your price? - he asked, while she stayed silent - What do you want to stop being angry at me?
- Are you trying to buy me? - she said calmly, but with contempt.
- Call it whatever you want, I don't care. I just want to be in good terms with you again. So... What do you want?
- Honesty - Briar Rose stated, firm and serene - I've been totally sincere with you about everything, but you thought it was a good idea to lie to me.
- I didn't lie. But if that is what you want, I promise I'll never lie to you.
- Oh, I'll make sure of that! - she grabbed his wrist with a supernatural strength and started to recite strange words in a strange language - Kafaid Yta Ykeyt!
He tried to flee from her grasp, but it was impossible. A blinding white light evolved his wrist, coming directly from her hand, burning him in that spot from the inside. The light took the form of a crest with a symbol that look like an S mixed with the symbol of infinity or an elaborated half crooked H.
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Then, the light started to fade, indicating that the spell was over, and she let go of him.
- What the hell? - he shouted - Are you out of your mind?
He was grabbing his pulse, in an attempt to calm his pain. He continued to complain, over and over again, calling her bad names, even threatening her, until all his anger got out of him. He tried to stead his breath and he just spoke again when he was calm.
- I'm sorry - he sincerely apologized - I shouldn't have talk to you like that.
- I'm not mad at you. At least, you were honest - she approached him and caressed his cheek - Are you mad at me?
- No... - he whispered, taking her hand of his face and closing it in his and looking to the burn mark of the spell - But... What did you do to me?
- I put a spell on you, a truth spell - she explained slowly, never looking him in the eye, like she was ashamed or afraid - I'm helping you fulfilling your promise.
- What... ah... What does this spell do?
- It compels you to tell the truth. It doesn't force you to reveal your secrets, but every time you'll talk to me, you won't be capable of lying.
They both went silent. He was still processing what she had told him, and she was waiting for his reaction, either it was good or bad. He looked again to the mark on his fist, then he petted her head, comforting her, telling that she didn't have to feel afraid, ashamed or even guilty. She certainly had her reasons and, if he wanted to be with her, he was willing to accept that small price. Their eyes met, and he saw relief on hers. They were still holding hands and he pulled her closer, caressing her face and kissing her forehead. Trying not to be rude but with the will to get away from him, she pushed him gently and sat on the bench-like rock she was when she healed the jackdaw. He sat next to her.
- Let's have our talk? - she asked.
- I've been waiting for three weeks - he replied with a smile.
They didn't talk about themselves. Instead, the matter of the conversation were the villagers and their trivial lives. They laughed about somethings, they argued about others, but they were so entertained that at the time to say farewell it was hard on both. They wanted more.
- The spell still works on the other side? - Edric questioned, a little bit worried.
- No. This spell will just work here. You can ease your mind.
He nodded and got evolved by the mist, while she just observed him disappearing. She went back to her tasks with a smile fruit of a feeling she hadn't had in a very long time. In the village, everyone was preparing themselves for the night. The smoke with sweet smells of food was coming from the stoned chimneys, smells that made Edric's stomach growl with hunger. He came in the house that was temporary his, greeting his temporary family with a big smile and siting with them at the dinner table. On his mind, while eating the same old potato soup, was the thought of what fairies eat. By this time, Silver Bell would be hungry, and he didn't really know what to give to her. Until now, she had eaten some fruits and berries, some cheese, some water... When the dinner ended, he stayed by the fire, with the pixie in on hand and a blueberry on the other. She was eating, and he was talking to her, his only confident, telling her about his day. She sometimes commented back, but he couldn't understand her. She was three inches tall and he could see the shape of a girl inside the bright grey light. He was getting cuddle inside of covers when, suddenly, Lillian walked inside the room with a wooden cup. He noticed that, this time, her nightshirt was a little bit sloppy, showing more skin that it was supposed to, and her hair was not messy at all.
- Who were you talking to?
- No one... - he hesitated before answering, praying to the spell do not work, and that made Lillian suspicious - I mean... I was talking to myself.
He noticed the cup and tried to change the matter:
- What's that?
- Some milk I warmed up earlier. I thought drinking it before going to bed, but I'm not really into it anymore. So, I passed by to see if you wanted?
He sat with his legs crossed. Lillian knelt before him, their eyes at the same level, staring at each other, and passed the wooden cup to him, which he glad accepted but putted aside. She looked at that gesture with displeasure, but never stopped smiling. Edric thanked her and she leaned forward, crawling up to him slowly and whispering at his ear with a gentle and seductive voice:
- You're welcome!
Lillian gave him a goodnight kiss on his cheek and retreated up to her feet. He was paralyzed by the confusion he was feeling because of that odd moment. He could still feel her warm lips pressing on his cheek. For some unknown reason, he didn't like that feeling. A couple minutes later, he finally snapped out of his paralysis and tried to sleep. It was easier than Edric thought it would be. Outside of the kitchen, just behind the door, Lillian was waiting until he felt asleep before heading back to her room, but not before to let loose a somewhat devilish grin and a statement:
