And after doing another sweep throughout the entire inn and then back to the shed, I accepted the inevitable.
My carpet was gone.
“Shite!” I slapped my hand against the wall, gaining myself a new splinter in the process. Moaning, I sucked my finger, then pulled the splinter out and sagged against the wall. “What am I going to do?”
I’d been so careful on this trip.Socareful. I’d avoided all conflicts following that first day. I’d even lost travel time when I’d sensed other fae wished me harm. Gods and Goddesses, I’d even carried all of my suppliesup to my chamberslast night just to avoid any thefts, only to have the one thing I desperately needed to travel taken from me.
My spirits plummeted. “Now what?” I whispered to myself.
Enchanted carpets weren’t easy to come by, especially not in a village as remote as Inisville. If I’d been in Whiteolf or even Jaggedston, it might have been feasible to procure a newenchanted carpet today, buthere? I would be lucky if one arrived a month after ordering it.
I slapped my hand against the wall again. “Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. You should have taken your carpet upstairs with you too, even if the blasted thing weighs a hundred stones!”
Granted, my carpet hadn’t actually weighed that much, but it was heavy and awkward to carry, especially since I’d bought one on the larger size so I could carry all of my supplies. And since I was trying to conceal the extent of my abilities, I hadn’t wanted to use my telekinetic magic. Although Kole probably could have easily maneuvered it up the staircase if I’d asked him to.
I balled my hands, anything to stop the rising anxiety clawing up my throat.
Feeling sick at what my future held, I took a deep breath and tried to see the bright side of things. Straightening, I forced a smile because I could order a new carpet. It wasn’t like one wouldn’t show up eventually, and perhaps spending more time in Inisville would allow me to better study my book from the Isle of Song...even though I’d read it cover to cover several times over.
My chin wobbled, but I strengthened my resolve to see the positive.
Perhaps I could learn more from the locals about that creature so I would know how best to avoid another encounter with one. Or maybe, just maybe, the cold weather that hadfilled the land with snow would pass, and by the time I headed out, it would be warmer.
I grasped onto those optimistic thoughts, desperately trying to pretend that this wasn’t a total and complete disaster.
But my lower lip trembled despite my efforts, and I pushed away from the wall to begin pacing along the shed’s exterior. Snow kicked up around my ankles, and a cold breeze brushed my cheeks.
“Think positively. Think positively,” I chanted to myself again and again, then grabbed the lock of Goddess Nuleef’s hair from my sack. I fingered the golden strands, the shiny material like silk. “It’s not over. You’ll get a new carpet. The snow might be melted by then anyway. Traveling could be warmer. And whatever the creature was, if there are any more in the area, hopefully, the rest will be long gone by then. This isn’t the end. It’ll be okay.”
My pacing increased, but no matter how hard I tried to view this as a blessing, and no matter how many times I rubbed and prayed to the goddess, several cold hard facts remained.
I was now delayed, for who knew how long, and the Stone could very well be found by another fairy while I waited for a new carpet to arrive. It had already been a week since the Stone had shot across the sky.
I walked faster, my feet sliding along the slick snow. Tears were on the brink of forming in my eyes. My uncle might die now because of my carelessness. I rubbed the goddess’s hair more. If only I’d been more careful. If onlyI’d?—
A whoop of laughter came from down the lane.
I stopped short just as my three Faewood friends sailed down the street toward me on their enchanted carpet.
Nym, Jessip, and Felix sat securely upon it. Fresh supplies were strapped to it just behind them. In all likelihood, they’d just restocked on food and probably warmer clothing for their journey north. They obviously had the foresightnotto store their carpet out in the open, where anyone could take it.
Felix waved jovially as soon as he spotted me. “Prim, my love, what a pleasant surprise!” The male grinned, his eyebrows waggling suggestively.
Nym and Jessip also waved, and they flew closer to me.
Jessip stopped at the inn’s door, their carpet hovering in the breeze. “Morning, Prim.”
“Good morning.” I forced a bright smile, but moisture still coated my eyes.
“Glad to see you’re safe and sound,” Nym added. “Crazy stuff last night, eh? Did you get a dillemsill as well about needing to stay indoors?”
My smile wavered, and thoughts of the strange creature returned. “I heard,” I replied vaguely, not wanting to dwell on that problem too.
Jessip cocked her head and peered closer at me. “Is everything okay? You look upset.”
I blinked rapidly and forced my expression to smooth. “I’m afraid I’ve had a turn of bad luck, but it’s nothing I can’t fix.”
“Bad luck?” Felix’s brow furrowed. “Did something happen?”
