Ever the curious creature, though, I decide to follow him instead. I want to know where he’s going.
He stops several feet down the tunnel, angling his head, and that’s when I meet that ornery eye of glowing yellow. “Are you my shadow?”
My brows knit at the strange question. “No...”
“Then stop following me!”
His voice rebounds off the walls, punctuating his point, and I finally get it: he doesn’t want me anywhere near him, either.
That’s fine. We can just avoid each other. That should make life easier for both of us.
But alas, I’m too inquisitive for my own good, and like the fool I am, I reach out, “Wait.”
He turns, fixing those burning eyes on me again. My mouth dries, and where do I begin? I have no idea how to speak to him, but if we’re going to live together, we can at least be civil to each other.
“I’m… sorry for what I said last night.”
Unless my eyes deceive me, his face softens slightly.
I brush the thought aside, peering shyly at my feet. “And… thank you for bringing the lamp back to the cave. You… didn’t have to do that. Especially after what I called you.”
I hold up said lamp for his inspection.
He continues to stare at me, his expression unreadable, and my cheeks burn under his scrutinising gaze.
His jaw ticks, and it almost looks as if he’s trying to smile. But then he scoffs and marches back down the tunnel again.
I try to keep up with his pace this time. “Would you be able to point me to the way out? I…need to go outside.”
“Nature calling?” he muses, and my cheeks blush bright red.
“N-no!”
Now, a smiledefinitelyappears on his lips, and it displays his fangs.
I shake my head, finding it hard to believe that I’m discussing my bathroom habits with a faerie.
Finally, we reach a fork in the tunnel. He points left. "That way should lead you to the foot of the mountain.”
I peer down the tunnel. It must be miles long, but needs must. “Are you going down the right cave?”
He shifts, distributing the deer’s weight across his shoulders. “Yes.”
I should probably stop and head on my way, but I can’t help myself; it’s not every day you get to speak with a member of the Fae.
Besides, he doesn’t seem to be in a talkative mood today. Last night, he spoke so freely with that silver tongue, but he was hoping to make a trade, I suppose.
Now that he’s got what he wants from me, he’s lost all interest. I wonder if he would even care if I returned once I finished outside.
“What’s down that way?”
“The pantry.”
“Oh. How interesting...”
He regards me irritably, and I have to agree. It's not the most riveting conversation I’ve ever had, either.
Finally, he turns towards the right tunnel. I hold out my hand again. “Hold on.”
