Once upon a time, a normal girl was transported into the fae world. Mated with the King, she is forced into marrying him and producing an heir. Terrified, Isla determines to find her way back home, but an evil witch has other plans. Will she prevail...
Darkness shrouded every living thing. The sound of crows filled the air. An animal darted behind her, as a maniacal laugh echoed in the distance.
Whirling around, Isla saw a flicker of light several yards away. Her breath hitched as she stumbled towards it, her feet catching on roots and vines on the forest floor.
The light was closer now, shining dimly through cracks underneath a pile of rocks. On her hands and knees, she began moving the rocks, hoping to find the light's source. Just as her hand brushed against the last few stones, something caught her eye.
A group of fireflies floated ahead of her, each one in a straight line as if they were guiding her. She glanced down at the pile of rocks at her feet only to find them as dark as their surroundings.
Leaning against a tree for support, Isla stood to her feet, her body sending shooting pain down her spine in complaint. She slowly put one foot in front of the other, until she reached the last of the tiny creatures.
There lay a small pond, its water black as night. She stepped closer to dip her bare toes in the cool water. When her toes touched the water's surface, a swirling mist began to form.
Suddenly, a small voice asked, "Oh Isla, why are you afraid?" The water rippled as a woman emerged from its murky depths.
The woman's eyes were full of compassion as she swam towards the shore. "Who are you?" Isla demanded, adrenaline coursing through her veins, "My name is Anahita, I am the goddess of the sea." "Goddess of the sea? If you're the goddess of the sea then why are you in a pond?" She asked, rubbing her aching back. The woman smiled gently, placing her hand on Isla's stomach.
The baby gave two distinctive kicks.
Anahita smiled up at Isla, "I'm here to help you." "Help me? What do you mean?" The goddess offered her hand as she gestured for Isla to sit on the shore. "I have heard the news that Achlys has cast a spell that was placed on your husband, although intended for you."
Isla swallowed, her heart clenching. "Yes, it's true. Paxton has been in a coma for a month now." "A month?" She murmured, brows furrowed, "Skies, Achlys isn't playing around. But don't worry, I can fix this." She took Isla's hands in her own and led her knee-deep into the water, closing her eyes and chanting under her breath.
The water began to bubble around them as Anahita raised her hands over her head, clapping them loudly.
Everything disappeared.
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The sound of songbirds filled Isla's ears. Though her eyes were squinting in the bright sunlight, she could see that she was in a cheerful meadow. She nearly collapsed with relief when she realized the heavy darkness of the forest was gone.
Anahita was crouched beside a small brook, her hands creating intricate patterns in the water. She turned her head at the sound of Isla's footsteps.
"Thank you for getting me out of that wretched place." Anahita smiled and dried her hands on the fabric of her dress. "You're welcome, and I agree, it's an awful place. Ancient spirits roam the forest and many of the corrupt witches choose to set traps to get new testing subjects."
A shiver ran down Isla's spine at the thought of becoming a slave to Achlys. "So, where are we now?" "Thousands of years ago, gods and goddesses heard of Arrida's curse, and many other kingdoms for that matter, and created a haven for fae in danger."
"And Paxton was certainly a fae in danger."
The world around Isla began to spin as the phrase repeated in her mind. "He's here?" She cried, "I thought he was in Arrida in a coma!" "Well, his body is." Seeing Isla's perplexed look, Anahita continued, "Do you really think a fae with that much power would succumb to Achlys?" Isla's cheeks burned with embarrassment "When he was hit by the spell, he used his powers to separate his soul from his body. So while his body was still alive in Arrida, his soul would be here until Achlys would think he was dead."
Did he leave me all alone for a month? Isla's vision became speckled with red. How could he? I thought he was dead! I could have had the baby while he was gone! I was so miserable! That son of a star.
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Author's Note: Ooh, Isla's got a feisty side! Why would Paxton leave her all alone? What will happen? What do you think of Anahita? thank you for reading!
