Through the Fairy Ring

Chapter Twenty

An older Fairy woman sat just outside the door, embroidering on a pillow case. Her wings lacked the diaphanous sheen I'd seen on younger Fairy's wings, and her face was creased with gentle lines. She looked up when I came out. "Hello, dear. Are you feeling better?"

"Yes, ma'am. I feel amazingly good, actually."

"King Edlark asked me to escort you to him when you awoke."

She slowly stood and made sure she'd gained her balance before laying the embroidery on the chair. "Will you please follow me?"

"Yes, thank you."

We shuffled down the hallway.

The somber quiet of the hall pushed me into making small talk. "This is a lovely house."

"When we moved here it seemed quite grand. Now, though, we're a little cramped for space and it's showing its age." She gave me a wistful smile. "Once we were a resplendent people, but now... Your focus changes when you are in exile, and no longer the driver of your own destiny."

"Oh. I'm sorry."

"It's certainly not your fault, dear. It's nice to sometimes remember the old days, though."

The woman stopped before the last room at the end of the hallway. "Here we are."

An overhead candle chandelier provided light. Bookshelves lined one wall and a stuffed chair tucked into a nearby corner. Edlark sat at a table in the center of the room, working with strands of wire. I hoped he had some pants on, because he was still shirtless and looked naked.

I thanked the woman and then entered the room.

Edlark looked up, and even at the distance, his eyes were a brilliant emerald. He set down the wire and ran his hand through his bangs, pushing the hair out of his eyes. He didn't smile, but he didn't look as cranky as the first time I'd met him either.

"Won't you sit?" He gestured to the chair at the side of the table nearest the door. I crossed into the room and sat down.

He picked up a golden coil, measured off a piece, and cut it. He weaved the line through a couple of circles, and then twisted the end to secure it. I watched him, silent, unsure of what to say. Thanks for not letting me be eaten, even though you probably wanted him to finish me off? Actually, that probably was a good place to start.

"I...um, want to say thanks. I don't know what I'd have done if you didn't come along." I gave an uncomfortable laugh. "Well, I would have died."

He set the pliers and wire on the table. "The birds you sent were in a tizzy."

"Birds?"

"A whole flock attacked the house. We had birds flying through the halls, nipping at our wings and hair. It was obvious they were upset. They were very worried for you. I couldn't have ignored them if I wanted to."

"Really? I guess in my panic I randomly called out to any bird that could hear." I thought for a moment. "Are any still around? I should tell them thanks, as well."

Edlark shook his head. "Once I had you, they went their own way."

He pulled his chair to the corner of the table so he faced me. "What were you doing with a Beetak? And why are you on Shee-Elan? I must say, I did not anticipate you coming here. Ever."

I gave him what I hoped was a friendly grin. "I'm surprised I'm here, too. First, though, about the...Beetak, you said? He met me when I came through the Fairy Ring, and I don't know why—and am embarrassed to admit it—but I trusted him right away. He told me he would take me to you, and..." I squinted, trying to remember. It all had the otherworldly quality of a bad dream. "He said something about how you were expecting me."