At that point, I wasn't surprised by the fact that a creature like him existed in this world. Nor was I terrified of the idea that he was probably somewhere lurking in the shadows before approaching me. I wasn't even embarrassed by the fact that he probably heard me crying, because really – what point was there even keeping face anymore?
No, I was surprised by the fact that he looked like something out of an old fairytale book. Of those on faeries that didn't depict them as beautiful and gentle creatures. But as crouching in bogs, shrouded in foliage, and adorned with horns. He looked like he had just come out fresh from a lake of moss, for his dark black hair had trails of aqua leaves and amethyst flowers. For a moment, I took note of how they seemed to have been purposefully arranged rather than by chance.
I wiped my nose and my eyes with my sleeve, "Sorry?"
"You left your – " he paused, probably noticing my red puffy eyes. "Are you alright?"
I threw my hands up half-heartedly, "I wish I could say I'm fine but I'd look pathetic if I tried to lie now, wouldn't I?"
Out of politeness sake, he didn't answer.
"Sorry," I repeated. "You said something about me leaving my things in your, um, forest? I didn't even know if I had carried anything with me."
The man looked over his shoulder for a brief second, "Yes, um…"
He gently set the suitcase down, pushing it gently towards me. I recognized it immediately. Mara's old vintage-style suitcase she had gifted to me, old leather that had been worn by time and rain. A gentle friend of hers with whom she carried as she rushed from university to university, from shelter to shelter, alleyway to alleyway, until finally bringing it to me. To our penthouse in the clouds. And here it stayed, even worlds away.
I swallowed my tears.
"Thank you." I said, setting it on my lap. "I'm sorry it was in your forest."
"No, it's alright – it… I…" he rubbed his neck, "I'll get going then."
I hummed quietly, wrapping my arms around it tighter. That old leather smell was still there, Mara's distinct smell that was of old books, leather, and sandalwood. However another lingered, one of musk and wood, wet grass and lavender. It must've been the forest, how long had her things been laid out there, I wondered. Waiting to be broken down by the fungi, for the skin to start decomposing, for the flowers to take root.
The grass rustled and I noticed the man was still standing there, looking down at me with a worried stare.
"I thought you said you were – "
"I know. I know what I said, but I'm concerned about you."
"About me?" I said, incredulous. "You don't even know me."
"I know when someone's crying," he paused. "And I know when someone's not afraid of me."
"I've seen scarier things." I said, "You're by far the least scariest thing I've ever seen I think. You're startling, but that's about it."
"I'm startling?"
"Like a pretty gem, I think. I'm not good with words."
His black-backed eyes and neon crescent pupils crinkled in mirth, "Like a gem? Now that's something I've never heard before."
Even though he had no mouth, I could see from the twitch in his face that he was smirking.
"I'm not good with words, I'm sorry." I grumbled, fiddling with my fingers.
"No," he laughed softly, a fruitful sound that felt like the gentle hum of earth trembling. "No I didn't mean it that way. I've just never been called that before, it's usually something bad."
I arched an eyebrow at that, "Like what?"
He leaned against the large tree. Folding his arms over his stomach and looking up at the canopy inquisitively, "Monster. Curse-bearer. Among many other things."
"Why?" I asked.
"Because I am Fae – "
"You are?!" I interjected rather loud, startling him enough to jump, "You're a faerie?"
"Yes but – shush! Why are you so loud?" he whispered, "I'm not supposed to be here, you see."
"Why?"
"Because I am Fae – let me finish." he said, holding up a single leaf-tipped claw. "And faeries are not welcome creatures in this world. And before you ask, the answer is in this book."
He plucked a book from the air. Its cover was coated matte black and etched upon it in silver ink were stars and a globe, a straight line dividing it into northern and southern hemispheres.
"This is the bible of the only religion Planetarium, and by extension Sun-Glint, has ever had. Of the god of Planetarium, the man who lives in the box. It talks about many things, but on a specific page it states –" He cleared his throat, "It is written: To my first and second children, I give all my love. But to those outside, forever shall you remain until this is rewritten."
Obviously my first thought was that was terrible, my second thought was that oh no, I was also included in the 'outside' part, wasn't I? It gave me even more reasons as to why I couldn't ever reveal my identity.
"I'm sorry."
"I thought you'd be a follower of the religion, seeing that everyone is."
"Yeah, well… I think I gave up trying to believe in much of anything a long time ago." I said, which was true. But after what I had gone through, I was beginning to seriously reconsider it.
"You're certainly full of surprises."
"A compliment?"
"After living in the same space with the same people for over five hundred years? Most definitely."
I smiled in good humor, "Thanks."
"So did it work?"
"Did what work?"
"Getting your mind off what was making you sad," he said, bowing his head low to meet my level – sharp eyes suddenly turned soft. "You're smiling now."
"Well, now my mind's back on it." I joked, knowing full well that the image of Mara would never be able to leave me completely.
"But you're still smiling."
"I am."
"It's a start."
"To what?"
"To being okay again."
"How do you know I'm not okay?"
"Because I've been where you are."
"… How do I know you're not lying?"
"Because faeries can't lie."
That was true, all books I'd ever read on faeries have always said so after all. A warm candle-flicker of a memory came to me then, of huddling by a small fireplace underneath a dirty blanket – reading book after book of fairytales.
"Thank you then."
"For not lying?"
"For not treating me like some spectacle on my first week here," I said. "You'd be the first, I think."
He stayed silent for a moment, "You know you shouldn't thank faeries either, or else – "
"I have a debt to pay?" I found myself smiling, slightly puffing out my chest in pride. "I'm pretty sure I already did the minute I said sorry to you before."
His eyes widened slightly, "You've read about us."
I only smiled mischievously.
However, just as he was about to speak a familiar voice resounded in the gardens.
"Lavy?" a deep voice called, "It's me, Jude! I'm here to pick you up for tea with the other kings, where are you?"
I looked to him in surprise, worried over how he'd feel if he was caught by a king in the gardens. Confirming my suspicions, he looked just as surprised and caught off guard as I was. He hurried to me and grasped the suitcase in my lap, leaning close.
"I didn't think King Jude would be here so soon," he whispered. "He'll ask questions if he sees you carrying this around, I'll deliver it to you again."
He was right. I knew he was right, but I still had trouble letting go of the last shred of Mara in my hands.
"I promise I'll deliver it to you." He said, crescent eyes earnest. "Faeries cannot lie, remember?"
I relented as Jude's voice grew closer and louder, "I remember."
He looked guilty for a moment.
"I'll see you again."
"I'll see you," I said. "It was nice speaking with you."
"And I you," he spared a glance over my head and over the bushes. "Until then."