Exhaustion finally invaded her body, her face gray with it. Islinda staggered in her steps as if she was drunk with wine and her knees would have buckled from the pressure however she gritted her teeth and made it to her village through sheer will. She was walking through the muddy, frozen roads of the village and would have hated returning to that cramped cottage, but at the moment, she was so cold that she hungered for a bit of warmth.
There weren't many people on the way, not that any would spend time outside in this harsh winter and at night. However, the few people she had come across sent shivers down her spine when she saw their hungry gazes and the way they pinned on her prize - the deer. Their covetous look made Islinda straighten up, her body tensed and she swore to the gods, she would fight them to the death if they attempted to rob her.
She had worked hard for this and would not let another reap the benefit of her labor. Perhaps, it was the determined look in her eyes or the sight of her wicked-looking arrow she had taken out as a warning, each one she came across backed away. Hence, Islinda walked faster, desperate to get off the dangerous street even though her body protested badly.
By the time she finally got home and knocked on the wooden door, she had two visions. At the same time, she was so cold it hurt and a breath of relief passed through her lips when the door opened and she was staring at the face of Madam Alice. It was quite ironic because Islinda never thought there would come a day when she would be relieved to see her.
At first, her step-mother's expression was one of shock as if she had already written her off as dead - which wasn't surprising - before it quickly morphed into disgust when she realized it was just her - and not someone special, like a suitor for her daughter, Remy - and finally great joy as it dawned on her that she had come back with something.
"I-I'm home…." Islinda's voice was a croak and didn't even realize that she was shaking so badly the movement almost seemed epileptic.
"Come in, come in…" Madam Alice's voice became endearing as if finally realizing her worth. Not that this was the first time Islinda proved it. To be fair, her worth was the only reason they kept her around - so she could fetch them food.
However, the instant Islinda put a foot forward, her world swirled and she found herself falling into never-ending darkness. Exhaustion from the ordeal finally took its toll on her and her eyes shut close. But while sleep should have been peaceful, hers was not at all.
Islinda could not tell what was happening but it felt like she had been tossed into the freezing waters of the deep sea and the next, a great heat washed over her to the point that it hurt. Groans and whimpers of pain slipped from her lips all night. She ached everywhere and felt like dying.
However, even through her ordeal, a face and thought were prevalent in her mind. Her Fae. She could not die before him. She was the only one that he had to nurse him and give him a fighting chance at life. His ethereal beauty filled her mind, especially his unnatural yet beautiful golden eyes. It was all she could see and think; it enchanted her.
She must have slipped in and out of consciousness or perhaps it was a vision or something, but it was blurry and her mind was muddled. But Islinda dreamt one of her stepsisters - Remy or Lillian, she couldn't tell - made her sit up before feeding her something that tasted so bad she gagged and wanted to throw it up.
"No, you don't!" The voice chided her before pushing her back on the bed.
"You would not die on us!" The voice warned her severally and Islinda felt her lips tug to the side. As if she had command over death, it sounded funny to her even in that delirious state.
However, her vision dimmed again and the image of her Fae came to mind again. So beautiful, she whispered before the darkness dug its claws so deep inside of her she wasn't able to arouse again. And this time, the sleep was peaceful.
Islinda finally woke up to the chirping sounds of birds and insects and she let out a sharp intake of breath. Her vision swarmed and she had to fight the thick fog that clouded her mind. Where was she? Suddenly, her miserable looking housetop came into view and Islinda sat up with a great speed that she came to regret afterward.
A sharp groan of pain left her lips when she tried to move and glanced down to see that her hands swelled. Frostbite, it came back to her. She should have known. There was no way spending that much time in the snow wouldn't amount to a bit of suffering. It explained the burning sensation she had suffered last night, it seems one of her stepsisters helped her escape the claws of death.
Although Islinda knew that they kept her alive for their own selfish purposes, she still couldn't help but feel grateful. As if on cue, Lillian appeared in her cramped room.
"You're awake,"
Islinda looked at her, she looked beautiful in her faded gown that had seen better days yet manageable. If only Lillian could detach from her family, Islinda had no doubt she would find a gentleman to settle down with. Unfortunately, birds of the same feather flock together, and she would likely grow old with her mother than part with her. Also, Islinda wouldn't wish such evil on any good man.
"Yes, I am…" Islinda wanted to say but her words were barely a whisper. Her throat was very dry and felt scratchy while her gums and teeth felt like they'd been covered in slime. She could even taste vomit in her mouth, just what happened last night?
As if she understood her crisis, Lilian bent and picked a cup of water on the footstool and gave it to her. Islinda accepted it and without even hesitating to think if the water was poisoned or one of their pranks, she chugged down, the tasteless liquid a healing balm down her throat. She felt better.
"More." She reached out and Lillian's lips twitched before lifting the pitcher and filling the plastic cup with water. It wasn't until the third drink that Islinda felt better. She lifted her face and saw the sour look on the girl's face, apparently, Lillian was not used to serving her. It was the opposite. Well, it seems there's room for a change.
"Thank you." Islinda finally said.
"What is the thank you for?" Lillian asked hauntingly with her arms folded on her chest, "Is it for taking care of your mess and saving your life or scaring the gods out of us after sleeping for two days?"
"T-two days?" Islinda choked out.
It was impossible, she had only slept for a night. Then Islinda got reminded of the enveloping darkness, it couldn't be that it was her sleeping all the way. Oh no, panic gripped her. It was weird but Islinda felt an urge that she was not supposed to be here. That someone out there needed her ….
"Oh, shite…." She finally remembered. It was the Fae.
"Shite?" Lillian echoed with a dumbfounded expression probably assuming that she just cursed her.
"No, no, no…." Her eyes grew wide in a panic, "It's not you…" But there was no use explaining to the girl because her expression hardened.
"You should come and eat your food before it gets cold. I had to shove porridge and medicines down your throat when you were unconscious and I'm sure that's not substantial enough." Lillian said firmly, then turned and left her small room.
Islinda groaned in both disappointment and frustration. Just when she was getting to like her. Although, Islinda knew deep down that the act of kindness was not going to last forever. Once the family had their fill, they would regain the strength to oppress her again.
At the same time, Islinda was desperate to get out of bed and go to the Fae, no, Valerie. It was weird calling him by that word when he had already offered her his name as a gesture of goodwill. It was said that a Fae's name carried power and could be used against them. In one word, Valerie giving her his name meant that he trusted her.
The thought warmed Islinda from the inside. Why did he do that? By the gods, was she blushing?
No, Islinda shook her head.
There was no way on earth she was crushing on a Fae. It has never been done! Impossible! An abomination!
She had to be careful because if her stepmother dared to suspect that she had a highly sought Fae under her possession, then Valerie would be in danger. Madam Alice would hire strong men in the village who would overpower her, oppress Valerie, and take him away to be sold to gods know where or whom?
Islinda strengthened her resolve, she would not let anyone lay a hand on her Fae. It was a promise, she would protect Valerie with her life.
That is if he was still alive.