I stumble through the farm, not used to trekking at night. My adrenaline courses through my veins, my pulse pounding in my neck as my heart races. I've never snuck out before, I've never had a reason to.
A low fence catches my foot and I fall forward, laughing at myself. I should've had Mother healed after the full moon. Then I wouldn't have to sneak out. Any other night, I'm sure Mother would've been fine with my going to a party, especially if it was with the townsfolk. Maybe not a faery party, but I lied well enough earlier. She would be none the wiser.
Brushing off my hands, I let a curse escape my lips. Walking along Betsy's pasture, I wonder how I will find the Fair Folk. Kailan appeared before me one day while I cleaned up the farm. That faery girl appeared as I talked with Betsy. I never went in search of them. They found me.
The forest looms in front of me, the shadows seeming impossibly dark against the land bathed in moonlight. The moon can't light the shade of the trees, the foliage too thick to allow light to penetrate into the darkness. A breeze blows from the depths, shifting my hair. It all seems rather odious.
Taking a shuddering breath, I step into the woods. The only sound is my feet crunching against fallen leaves and broken twigs. No wildlife is out, no bird calls to it's friends in the sky. Nothing shifts. Only the trees sway against the gentle wind, their trunks creaking. The air begins to thicken, the energy shifting the further in I go.
Within the forest, I feel vulnerable, a feeling I don't have very often. My heart races and I swipe my sweaty palms over the skirt of my dress. All of Mother's warnings rush back to me at once, now that I'm choosing to find the Fair Folk, now that I know who they really are.
-Never say thank you.
-Take care of your wording, and listen carefully.
-They are tricksters, and their demands are ruthless.
-They appear beautiful, but that is a lie. They are soulless creatures who take beauty.
-Never drink their drink or eat their food. It's magicked and most often not what it appears.
-The full moon is the most active time, when a tithe is expected.
A tithe. I have nothing to offer. My steps falter. In my haste to distract my mother, I forgot to pack something to offer the Fae when I find them. That one girl demanded two dozen eggs just to pass along a message. "Ah, hell."
A giggle erupts to my left. I startle, stumbling away from the noise, tripping over a fallen tree. I hiss when my palms scrape against twigs, breaking the skin.
The giggle sounds again. "Poor, defenseless human. What are you running from?"
I look around, trying to find the culprit, but all I see is a dark shadow. Large, feline-like eyes open, glowing in the darkness. Teeth flash, appearing sharp. "Hehe, you found me. Would you like some help?"
Taking the opportunity this Fae has given me, I pretend to be lost in the woods. "I'm running away from home. But I don't know where I'm going."
The Fae steps closer, his figure becoming visible. Ears stick up from his head, his body is lean, naked except for shorts and covered in fur. Behind him, I see a tail twitching. "I know of a place you can go. There's a party going on tonight too."
My heart skips. To be safe, I play dumb. "Okay. But I don't have a costume, especially not one as good as yours."
He grins, revealing fangs. "You're perfect the way you are."