I can’t bear to listen. Those poor men are about to be robbed before my very eyes.
And I am just as despicable for allowing it to happen. So, I cover my ears, waiting for it to all be over.
“There’s a bloody big log on the road!”
“How're we supposed to get to the market now?”
“We’re going to have to move it. Come on, lads!”
They all get off their carts, and soon an argument breaks out.
“No, you get there!”
“Don’t lift it yet!”
“Ow, me toe!”
I startle when someone taps my shoulder, and that’s when I gaze into the otherworldly eyes of Tegwyn, momentarily surprised by their brightness.
A vibrant ring glistens like real gold around his pupils, and maybe this was a mistake. He may be able to cover his horns and face, but those amber eyes could never pass for human.
We shouldn’t do this; I don’t want him to get caught.
“It’s time,” he says.
I close my eyes, exhaling deeply through my nose. “No. We should rethink this. Those men. They will see what you are right—”
The faerie leans closer, and now our faces are inches apart. I forget how to breathe.
Those eyes simply arrest me in place.
“Just trust me, Ivy. We won’t get caught.”
It must be something inside those gilded eyes, because my fingers curl around his gloved hand as he guides me to my feet, leading me to the road.
The men don’t even so much as glance our way. Is he using some kind of cloaking spell to shield us? I don’t sense any magic.
Tegwyn approaches a pony near the back of the party, and I’ve never seen a sweeter creature.
With big, shining eyes of obsidian and a dappled grey coat like pebble-stone, all I want to do is pet her.
“Why, hello there,” Tegwyn croons, reaching his claws towards the frightened pony.
She pulls at her fastenings, trying to get away from the ominous faerie with the glowing eyes, and I round on him.
“Stop, you’re scaring her!”
He takes me entirely by surprise, whispering sweet nothings into the frightened animal’s ear. “It’s okay. I mean no harm. That’s a good girl…”
He brushes his knuckles down the pony’s cheek, very conscious of his sharp claws, and the pony finally shuts her eyes, relaxing at his touch.
My throat closes up at the pure, wholesome sight, and he truly is captivating with the way he calmed that frightened animal.
He had the same effect on the deer in the woods. Are animals drawn to him somehow?
Tegwyn has a true gift.
Finally, he glances over his shoulder, waving me forward. “Come. She’s at ease.”
