The creature chews at fresh shoots of grass, shaking her long, silvery mane. When the sun catches the individual strands, strands that shimmer with pure, untainted magic, I drop my quiver of arrows and get down on one knee.
The unicorn contemplates me with her jewel-black eyes, sighing softly with a shake of her head. Her mane stuns me yet again, and even with Fae eyes, it’s hard to make out her silhouette.
I’ve forgotten how to breathe.
Even amongst the Fae, there are creatures so rare, so enchanted, that they’re considered legendary.
The magical mare doesn’t move, frozen in time as she appraises me with that glittering eye of deep onyx, as if she approves of my bow.
The beginnings of a horn peek from her forelock. That’s where she stores her magic.
The equine stomps her hoof, and heat spreads through the clearing, chasing away the winter chill. I close my eyes, sighing in deep reverence.
It’s like being kissed by pure sunlight.
The unicorn vanishes into the woods with a flick of her tail, and I stay put until she’s out of sight, keeping my head bowed and knee planted on the ground.
She leaves a breath of spring air in her wake, and when I look up, I spy a glittering joy of snowdrops trailing behind her.
My heart pounds as I still don’t move from my crouched position. I feel so blessed to have seen a unicorn in the flesh.
They haven’t been seen in over a century. It was long believed that humanity had hunted them all into extinction, but it looks as if some may have survived.
I couldn’t help but notice the silver gash on her right flank. Whoever tried to hurt that sweet, guiltless creature deserves to rot.
That gash was definitely the work of a Dark Fae, and I curl my fists, releasing a light growl. I swear, if I ever get my hands on that faerie, I willkillthem.
Rising to my feet, I sling my quiver back over my shoulder, stepping towards the snowdrops. I pluck one up from the ground, twirling it in my fingers.
Morning dew drips from its silky white petals, and inside each dewdrop radiates pure magic. Using my own magic to preserve the droplets, I pocket the flower away, then begin my trek back to the mountain.
Time for some experimenting.
I lock myself away in my study later that evening, gazing deeply into the lens of a light microscope. I do some bookkeeping on the side, deciding to kill two birds with one stone.
The unicorn’s magic looks even more spectacular up close, and I’m just grateful that I had the foresight to wear a pair of protective goggles. A single drop alone could blind the eye.
I reach across, adding another coin to the pile on my right.
One hundred and fifty gold lions, and I grind my teeth. Still not enough for safe passage across the Haunted Sea.
I’m Fae, so any captain worth their salt won’t take too kindly to my presence aboard their ship.
I’ll need to pay handsomely.
Many seafaring humans consider faeries bad luck on board. Many have had run-ins with merfolk at sea, so I doubt I’ll be any more well-received. A typical glamour won’t last long, so I need a backup plan. I could steal a boat, but I have no idea how to sail.
Bannog is my best chance, but it’s just a shame he’s out of my budget. I bet he only likes to be paid in Fae gold, too.
He may not even want money as a form of payment; he may prefer to strike a bargain with me instead. I hope he doesn’t ask for anything too precious.
Fae currency is quite different. Silver crescents are shaped like half-moons, whereas stallions are round. Golden suns resemble a five-pointed star, whereas lions are oval. Our copper is the same, shaped like a hexagon.
Yet, there’s one thing both currencies have in common—the face of His Majesty, King Corvis.
The Fae have been known to enchant their suns and crescents to resemble lions and stallions, and it fools many humans.
Mostof the time.
