Give Me (Wyrd and Fae #1)(37)

“I have to go back.”

“The fae live for thousands of years. Even faelings live for a thousand, minimum. Do you understand what that means? No one can live with regret—or guilt—so long a time and not go insane.”

“I am human. We’re made for regret and guilt.” Mother would never have said that.

“Not all human.” His wicked smile drew her to him. His gaze lingered on her lips, and she felt hers warm again. She could kiss him. Just one more time. “Not human enough.” He said. “Kiss me again, faeling.”

A thousand years with Idris would be wonderful. But he was wrong about regret. She would feel this guilt no matter where she lived. She was in fae now, and she felt it. It would be worse here, where her wyrding power—such as it was—didn’t work at all. A thousand years with no recourse. That would drive her mad. A thousand years knowing two souls were bound in her ring, unable to set them free. Lourdes locked inside Igdrasil, and no one to save her.

“I have to go.”

“Kiss me, Elyse. Could anyone ever kiss you like I do?”

He showed her a cord necklace with odd pretty bits woven into it: a green jewel, pieces of glass, smooth black rocks. “Wear this and I’ll tether you to me, safe forever.” So beautiful, so charming. “Marry me. We’ll make love every day. You’ll be my queen, and you’ll forget.”

She believed him. If she married Idris, she would be bound to fae forever. And she would forget Galen and Diantha and Lourdes. And her mother.

She looked at the necklace. It would be easy. Just put it on. But her mother wouldn’t stay with Aubrey though she had loved him. Mother had chosen the human world. The real world, with all its sorrows and regrets—and consolations. Idris promised pleasure, but only pleasure. What was it Mother had said? Desire and delight are not the same things. Elyse had to get away from Idris. Now.

“I forgive you,” she said.

Surprise registered on his face, then confusion. Then alarm. She wasn’t supposed to know the breaking charm.

“I forgive you,” she said again.

“No.” His seductive demeanor evaporated, replaced by fury. But she knew he couldn’t stop her. She was already leaving fae.

“I forgive you.”

Or rather, fae left her. She didn’t move, but the world around her blurred and refocused. The air wasn’t as sweet. She was at the threshold to Glimmer Cottage, and an unfamiliar crow scolded her from the yew tree in the garden. Too late. Too late. She understood its language. Being in fae had changed her.

She opened the door.





13

A Body



Meduyl had made a fire in the parlor

for a visitor Elyse didn’t recognize. He looked middle-aged and stood a little bent over, like he’d been worn down by years of hard work. He must be a local farmer who’d come to ask Lourdes for a wyrd.

“My sister isn’t here,” she said. Word of the disaster at Igdrasil must not have yet spread, but if it was Friday she’d been gone several days. As Mother had said, time didn’t work the same in fae. It had felt like mere hours. “I’d be glad to help you if I can.”

Something smelled wonderful coming from the kitchen. Meduyl was truly taking her new housekeeping position seriously. Now there’d be only one person to care for.

“Help me.” The farmer had a look of wonderment on his face, and Elyse realized she was still dressed only in gossamer fae scarves. “I knew I’d find you.” He was at Elyse’s side faster than he should be able to move. Her body responded to him with the same passion she’d felt for Idris.

“Galen.” It was the sound of her voice, but Diantha was speaking. They were trying to get out of the ring.

“Get away!” Elyse struggled to break free of the farmer’s hold.

“Mr. Thresher, what are you about?” The alarmed woman at the doorway wore an apron and held a kitchen towel, but she was not Meduyl. “Who has you there?”

“Tunic,” Elyse said. She was instantly covered with a dress. Quite nice, in fact, made of soft and colorful cloth.

“A fairy’s got me, Mrs. Thresher!” The man ran behind a chair near the fireplace. Where did that chair come from? He wasn’t afraid, Elyse was sure of that; he wanted to hide his aroused state from Mrs. Thresher. “Bring the salt!”

Mrs. Thresher ran back to the kitchen and Elyse ran out the front door, calling for Hector’s harness.

“Sun and moon!” She didn’t recognize the rig that appeared in her hand.

Too late! Too late! The crow again scolded her. She muttered cursed crow, and the bird fell to the ground dead.

Oh, Mother! Elyse burst into tears. Her power had finally come in—stronger than she ever dreamed of. You can’t begin to know your power, Elyse. This is what Mother had tried to protect her from. “Hector!” But with dawning terror, she knew he wouldn’t appear.

Mr. and Mrs. Thresher did appear. They ran toward her, throwing handfuls of salt and yelling at her to go away.

Elyse shouted, “A horse—to ride!” A serviceable bay, saddled and bridled, trotted to her from the barn. She mounted quickly as the farmer and his wife filled the air with screams. Thief! Fairy! Woe! Woe! Help us!

Elyse thought invisible and urged the horse on, leaving the farmer and his wife absolutely convinced that a fairy had stolen their horse.