Elkhana
Even in the dreams and visions that toss me like a ship upon the storm, I have not noted this – but now that I have seen I cannot stop looking. He has wings now – maturing as his kind does. But they are not the wings of ravens or of doves, of butterflies or of dragonflies or of bats or dragons as I might expect. They are mayfly wings – delicate andsotelling.
My heart is racing at the sight of them. I can barely tear my gaze from them to meet his eyes instead and when I do, I nearly gasp at what I see in them. I have seen devotion before. I have seen worship. I have not seen knowing like this.
My breath hitches as understanding dawns. He remembers the dreams we’ve shared. He knows me – and he has returned with my symbol on his back. Could he mean …? But no, my hopes are futile. He has brought another gift. He is here for a vision, not for me.
It’s hard to hold back my disappointment. It’s ridiculous to hope a fae lord would come and save me from a magical fate. The fae are known for their inability to really love. Their inaccessible hearts. Their cold ways that know no generosity or compassion. How could I have been moved to think otherwise? I’m a fool and I do not like being foolish.
And of course, he’s brought to me another poor thing in a cage. My lips thin and I’m about to prepare myself to throw this latest gift in his face.
And then he opens the little cage, and my heart stops in my chest.
Is the world spinning or is it only me?
He’s brought a bee and as my heart suddenly stutters to a start again, it stings his lip.
I can’t help it. My mouth drops open. My breathing is a series of tiny shudders. It cannot be. It cannot be. And yet it is.
The delicate messenger flies to my palms and delivers it straight to my hands – the sting of his kiss.
Does he realize? Does he know?
Food, freedom, his ring to wear, the sting of his kiss, and his heart in your hair.
We’re most of the way married already.
But no, he doesn’t realize. He is dropping to his knees and asking for a vision and he does not seem to know. And I must make a choice. I must decide what I will show him. Because I could show him what he wants, or I could show him what he needs … or I could even show him what I need.
Power is not a friend sometimes. Its burden is too much for mortal shoulders to bear. I’ve watched it crush and kill and the power in this single decision is crushing me now. I dare not choose the wrong path. If I do, I won’t just lose him – I’ll lose my soul with him.
