My mouth salivates when I spy the diamond sigil. This should fetch a nice price on the black market. Then, when I have my riches, I can leave this godforsaken country and live out the rest of my days on a deserted island.
Pure heaven.
I pocket the necklace, donning my business hat again. “Our deal is done. You may do as you please.” I wave her off.
She looks up. Candlelight dances in her eyes, and for a moment, I think she’s going to kill me. But then she dashes out of the cave, making me chuckle.
She’s just too easy to tease.
5
Ivy
Mybreathricochetsoffthe cold walls as I run down a long, winding tunnel. I have no idea where it leads, and I don’t care.
I’m not safe here, and it won’t be long until I’m duped yet again.
That faerie…hetrickedme, and I can’t believe I let him get the better of me. He’s nothing but a crook.
Never accept a favour from the Fae, no matter how tempting the offer may seem, because absolutelyeverythingcomes with a price.
It just reminds me of how alone I am. There’s no one left in this world who I care about, and I must be wiser if I hope to survive.
So, no more bargaining with the Fae.
A bright light shines up ahead, and I rush forth.
Finally. A way out.
Unfortunately, I almost topple over the edge of a cliff once I reach the light, and I rear back, chest heaving as I stare at the sharp precipice.
A sprawling valley lies beyond, stretching far and wide, an all-encompassing sea of mist and trees that hugs the grey sky. It's hopeless.
I am utterly trapped, caught in that wicked creature’s snare of sticky lies.
A biting wind almost knocks me off course, and I fumble along the wall with my hands, searching for the mouth of the cave.
Once I’m tucked away inside, I drop to the ground, wrapping my arms around my legs. The only thing I can do now is gaze wistfully across the stark landscape, wondering if my parents are out there somewhere…searching for me.
I know we’ll be reunited again, and I make a silent promise, hoping they’ll hear me.
Iwillfind you, Mama, Papa. Mark my words.
It must be hours before he finds me.
Once again, I find no sympathy in his golden, fox-like eyes. Only cold indifference.
Mama once told me that the heart of a Fae works a little differently from ours. They lack what we call a conscienceor empathy.
This wicked creature honestly sees no fault in his actions. He thinks he’s justified due to the lore of his people.
They never give freely. It’s just not in their nature, and in turn, they hate to be in debt to anyone. Hence why they seldom accept favours.
That's why they’re considered cruel by my kind. A faerie’s favourite pastime is to trick poor, gullible humans into doing exactly as they please—as I’ve had the misfortune of finding out myself. But a part of me always believed there were some good faeries out there.
There are three classes of Fae: Seelie, Unseelie, and Rogue.
I don’t know what category my new captor falls under, but I do hope it’s the merciful kind. Since he likes to trick poor girls into giving up their necklaces, I highly doubt it.
