As I walk through the forest, the trees start to lose some of their radiant coloring and become grayer, and far less leafy. The moonlight tracks in much brighter than it was back in the clearing, lighting my path better than I expected. And aside from the odd gnarled root here and there threatening to trip me up, the path is mostly clear.
The voices grow louder as I draw closer, and I start to see bright orange lights flickering in the distance and the smoky scent of a fire wafts my way.Bonfires.
Of course.
It’s Samhain and the whole of the realm is likely out celebrating. I’m close enough that I can start to make out the fires better, and the shadowy shapes of Fae gathered around them. I tuck myself behind the nearest tree and watch for a moment.
Maybe listening to my gut was a bad idea…
There are several bonfires dotted around what looks to be a massive garden. Dozens of Fae are scattered around the fires dancing, drinking, and eating. It looks like… fun? The complete opposite of the solemn and contemplative way we pay homage to the holiday.
I quickly dart from my current hiding space and duck behind a closer tree to get a better look. Drawing closer may not be the wisest move, but when else will I ever have a first handopportunity like this to learn more about them outside the ghost stories that are shared around campfires and hearths back home? The excitement at the prospect buzzes over my skin, but I tuck myself closer into the trunk to ensure I won’t be spotted.
One of the first things I take notice of is that the Fae are tall.So tall. They must be close to six feetat a minimum. Including the women. And they’re all so lean with clearly defined muscles, I’m almost envious. The women exude poise and grace as they sway their hips and limbs to the rhythm of the sultry music carrying over the celebration. I was lucky enough to not trip over a tree root and land on my face on my trek to get here, let alone be able to dance likethat. I’m in awe of them
And the men. Well, I think it’s safe to say I’ve never seen anything quite as handsome as the way they look. They’re all muscle and brawn andman.
They’re also far too well-dressed to be partying in a forest, the women wearing sparkling gossamer gowns in deep blues, purples, silvers, and blacks. The men wearing finely tailored tunics of similar shades, almost like a dress code.
I take in the rest of the area around the garden and notice a slate gray stone staircase at the very back of the garden that leads up to a terrace connected to a massive, ornate building. The entire back wall of the terrace is made up of floor to ceiling windows. It’s so well lit, that even from this distance I can see the elegant onyx chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and the swarms of more Fae twirling around what must be a ballroom.
My knowledge of the world, andrealms, is limited but even I know enough to put the pieces together that this is likely a palace. I mentally leaf through the tomes I’ve read on the Fae trying to see if I can come up with some idea of where I am before I make the decision to venture further.
The two strongest families are the ones that rule over the realm: the Seelie and the Unseelie… blah blah blah… TheSeelie are said to be more benevolent than the Unseelie, their malevolent counterparts.
The accompanying image flashes in my mind: a golden, verdant landscape juxtaposed against a decaying gray scape.
Now, I know it’s the middle of the night so it’s going to be dark regardless, but looking at the foliage around me, I’m beginning to think I’mnotin the land of benevolent Fae.
The trunks of the trees themselves are even tinged with grays and blacks, instead of their usual wood brown. There are no leaves on the trees making the branches look like skeletal hands, reaching out to grab unsuspecting victims. It alllookssinister. Looking back to the palace, I notice all the blacks and grays on the stone exterior. The dark and enigmatic atmosphere it portrays.
Oh, fuck me.
This is the Unseelie court. The one place Ireallyshouldn’t have wandered into. I shouldn’t be in Faerieat all, but the Unseelie Court? They’re supposed to be the worst of the worst. The Fae of nightmares. The most ruthless and brutal of Fae.
Why, Gods, couldn’t it have been the Seelie Court?
But the thing is, the more I watch them from this distance, they don’tlookall that ruthless or brutal. In fact, they look beautiful and intriguing… Maybe I’ve lost my mind or hit my head on my tumble into Faerie because now Ireallyneed to get out of here.
I start to slowly back away, hand flexed at my side ready to reach for the blade in my boot if needed–not that I'd know how to properly wield it–keeping my eyes trained on the Fae in front of me.
But in doing so, I don’t notice the one standing behind me until he speaks.
“Now, I know for a fact,youdon’t belong here,” the dark, smoky voice says from behind me, malice dripping from every word.
