Page 80 of A Fate In Moonstone

“Rest, Princess. You’re in no condition to be moving so quickly.”

I did not rest at all.

Bracing myself against the closest wall, I looked for the other person in the dim space. “Who are you and where the hell am I?”

Someone clapped and a fancy lamp turned on near a sofa, and… was that a TV set?

A hand waved from a high back chair in the living quarters. “Have a seat before you kill yourself faster. If I wanted to harm ya, I would have hours ago.”

My hands warmed. Truth.

“That doesn’t make me feel any better since you kidnapped me,” I said to the gray-haired woman now that I could see her clearly.

“That is logical. Well, you can stand there if you’d like, Sapphira, but I made a pot of tea to help with the groggy feelings, much like the one Celestine makes. You’ll feel better after a cup.” Wrinkled hands lifted a pink flower shaped teapot and poured into a smaller blooming cup. A lovely set. Not one I’d picture with a vile kidnapper.

“How do you know my name and Celestine?” My body trembled and I’d have to sit soon. I eyed the door across the living room and kitchen.

I wouldn’t make it.

Shit.

Blue eyes brightened as a smirk appeared on the elder’s lips. “Since I kidnapped you, I must know all the details of your life, correct?”

That is not something a kidnapper who was out to get me would say, at least, I didn’t think so. Tor’s power appeared neutral on that statement.

Fuck it.

“Okay, well just know that if I die, our realm will possibly die since I’m on a mission to save it. So, consider that before doing anything devious.” It took a few steps before my legs wobbled and I fell onto the sofa instead of sitting gracefully.

“What’s wrong with me?” I slept great despite waking up in some old lady’s house. My body should be recovering.

“You’ve been poisoned by Verin.”

Truth.

I froze and stared at the woman. Who was she?

The elder chuckled and set the flower cup in front of me.

“I am Magrithia, Celestine’s great, great, great, grandmother. You are in my human realm cabin near Crystoria’s portal in the Smokey Mountains. Now drink.”

Truth, truth.

My mouth gaped, but I still grabbed the tea and drank it all in seconds.

Like settling into a hot bath, the warmth from the tea spread over me, seeping into my skin, my muscles, my essence.

Details I couldn’t focus on moments ago were clear. Like the log cabin decorated with odd knickknacks scattered around the cozy human home.

“Why do you live in the human realm?” I asked, my perusing halted when I saw a painting of owls playing card games hanging on the wall.

“I prefer to balance my time between the realms. Keeps life interesting in my old age.”

I guess I could see that. From what I remember from the Fae records she was over 5,500 years old. One of the oldest Fae that still lived, if not the oldest. Many others before her either passed away or disappeared from records on purpose. Maybe they moved to the human realm like her.

“So, what—” I paused seeing the elder wasn’t an elder anymore, but a younger Fae with bright red hair and green eyes.

“I shift, dear. Now, that you’re feeling better, we need to talk.”