“I hope the cook doesn’t get in trouble for that missing food,” I whispered in her ear.
“Don’t worry. I told her it was for you. Those ladies just love the ‘strong and handsome Temir,’” she said in a singsong voice.
I held back my eye roll and reached for a biscuit.
She smacked my hands, and I pinned her with a hard look. “Let the boy eat, Temir. Look at him, skin and bones.”
“I make sure he’s fed,” I answered defensively.
“Why do you guys talk about me like I’m not here?” He took a vine of grapes.
“Sorry, dear.” Gaea shoved the tray into my hands with a wink and spirited away. She was back within seconds with a woven blanket to lay on the warm ground.
“I wish I could do that,” the boy said to her.
“No, kid. You don’t. Trust me, it’s safer these days to just be a plain fae with no magic.”
“But why?” he asked.
“Because if you have magic,” she leaned into him, “the king will steal you away forever.”
“I’d get to be with you guys, though. So, I don’t see the big deal.”
Gaea and I exchanged a look, knowing we’d never be able to explain it to a child his age.
“How about that name?” I asked, slowly reaching for the biscuit I had put down.
“How about River?” Gaea asked.
“Hm. It is my favorite place.”
“Mine too,” she answered with a sweet smile.
Gods she was beautiful.
“Okay, River is my name, then.” He shoved an entire block of cheese into his mouth.
“Do you want to fish when we’re done eating, River?” she asked.
I stood to look for a good stick, knowing what his answer would be.
“Mmhmm,” he mumbled.
He opened his mouth to speak and Gaea raised her palm to stop him. “A gentleman does not talk with his mouth full.”
We were somewhere within the Marsh Court, but I wasn’t sure where. The trees were planted so close together, at times I had to turn sideways to get through. The brush crunched beneath my feet, and birds sang melodiously high above me. I found a stick long enough for fishing and followed the sound of the river back to them. Just before I left the cover of the forest, I stopped, leaning my shoulder against a towering oak tree. I watched them on the blanket and felt my heartbeat stop. I saw the way she looked at him, and I knew, in that moment, that was her dream. To be free to care for a fae child. To escape the chains that bound us both. Nothing in her life contrived.
Without warning, her head snapped up and turned to me. “Temir!” she screamed. “Get out of the forest right now.”
I turned to look over my shoulder and ran for them. Before I was halfway through the clearing, she stood, grabbing River and holding her hand out to me.
“Faster,” River yelled.
But I wasn’t fast enough. The claws of the attacker ripped into my flesh as I was slammed to the hard ground, smashing my head into a jagged rock. The cries from the distance were muffled as a lavrog, a massive horned feline, bellowed in my ear, saliva dripping down over my face. I could feel the torn skin on my back as the beast continued to hold me down. I managed to look up and see the absolute horror on both faces in front of me.
“Take him ...” I whispered. “Take him back.”
Gaea shook her head in terror. Her eyes unblinking as she watched and held the boy firmly to her chest. She needed to go.
