The man before me was unlike any man I'm used to seeing back home, in the human realm. To call him handsome was an understatement, he was bewitching. His chiseled features were accentuated by the dim fire light that flickered across the area, casting shadows across his sharp jawline. His eyes were a piercing emerald green, and they seemed to glow with an otherworldly light.
As I stood there, mesmerized by his beauty, he approached me with a slow, deliberate step. His voice was deep and rich, with a hint of danger lurking just beneath the surface.
My body was frozen, and I could only stare up at the man looming over me with a sinister smile. He leaned in close, his tall frame casting a shadow over mine as he brushed a strand of hair out of my face with his hand. His touch sent shivers down my spine.
"You would be so much more beautiful without those disgusting scars on your skin," he said, planting a kiss on my forehead. I blinked up at him, unable to speak or move.
"Let me fix that for you," he continued, snapping his fingers and suddenly allowing me to move my head, but not my body.
"Who are you? And what did you do to me?" I snapped, feeling anger rising within me.
"Oh my, not even a thank you?" He brought up a mirror out of nowhere and held it up to me. I couldn't believe what I saw - smooth skin where there used to be scars covering my face, arms, and legs. My black hair appeared longer than before - had he grown it too?
"I appreciate you removing my scars, but who are you?" I managed to say coolly under his scrutinizing gaze.
"You've got quite the feisty attitude. I'm Lysander, a singing Fae, or you can just call me a handsome Fae." He flashes a charming smile, mischief dancing in his eyes.
"A singing Fae? What does that mean?" I ask, still trying to process the fact that I've encountered my first Fae since arriving here.
"It means I have a gift for music and use it to entertain my fellow Fae. But enough about me, tell me about yourself. What's a lovely human like you doing wandering through Silverest's deep forest?" Lysander asks, resting his hand on my shoulder.
I look at him, unsure if I should reveal anything about myself. It's safer to keep that information secret for now. "If you allow me to move, I'll gladly explain why I'm here," I say. My body is still frozen and I can't trust Lysander just yet.
He gives me a curious look and then shrugs. With a snap of his fingers, I regain control of my body. I reach for the sword I brought with me but it's gone. I turn to Lysander and he grins while whistling.
"I'll hold onto your sword for now," he says with a wink.
I clench my hands into fists, feeling frustrated and unsure of what to do.
Lysander notices my reaction and raises an eyebrow, but his expression remains playful. "Don't worry, I won't harm you. I just want to talk," he says with a smile, gesturing towards a nearby tree trunk. He takes a seat and pats the spot next to him. "Come, join me. Let's get to know each other better. You can call me Lys for short."
I eye him suspiciously before reluctantly taking a seat next to him. "What do you want to know?" I ask coolly, trying not to give away too much emotion.
Lysander leans back against the tree and looks up at the starry sky overhead. "Well, for starters, why is a human like you in the Silverest forest? It's dangerous for your kind."
I hesitate, unsure of how much to disclose to this stranger. I can't exactly tell him that I was brought here to hunt and kill Fae creatures, including their queen. Without my sword, I don't know if I can defend myself against him or any other Fae for that matter.
With a defeated sigh, I reply, "I was taken here against my will and now I'm just trying to find a way home." I leave out the full truth, not knowing if I can trust him just yet.
Lysander furrows his brow in confusion. "What do you mean taken here? By who and for what purpose?"
"It's a long story, but basically some creepy guy abducted me and brought me here," I explain with a shrug. "Anyway, all I want is to find a way out of here."
Lysander's emerald eyes fixed on me, his curiosity evident. "Why would anyone want to snatch a human like you? Were they planning to make you their slave?" he inquires.
"I'm not entirely sure," I reply, only divulging a fraction of the truth. "I believe they intended to use me for something."
"Well, consider yourself lucky. I can assist you in escaping from this place," he offers.
I stare at him uncertainly; after all, he is a Fae.
"But why would you want to help me?" My suspicions regarding his intentions are clear in my tone, but Lysander merely smiles in response.
"Let's just say I have my reasons. Trust me, I'm not like the other Fae you might have encountered here," he says with a twinkle in his eye. "Besides, I could use a little adventure in my life. Helping you escape could be just what I need to shake things up a bit."
I study him, wondering if I can trust him. But something about his devilish grin and twinkling gaze tells me that he's telling the truth. I decide to take a chance and nod.
"Okay, I'll trust you. But how are we going to get out of here?" I ask, feeling a small sense of hope begins to grow within me.
Lysander stands up, brushing off his attire with a confident air. "I'll take care of that," he declares with a cocky smile. "But first, let's enjoy some entertainment." He flashes his charming grin once again.
He reaches into his pocket and retrieves a small, exquisitely crafted flute. Placing it to his lips, he begins to play a tune that is unlike any other I have ever heard. It is hauntingly beautiful, and I find myself lost in its enchanting melody.
As the music fills the air, it's as if the forest around us comes to life. The trees sway in rhythm with the music, and the stars above seem to shine even brighter. At this moment, we are in our little world, shielded from the dangers and chaos that exist beyond the trees.
My eyes grow heavy, and I can feel myself succumbing to sleep. I try to fight it, but the alluring melody is too strong.
"That's it, my dear. Drift off into slumber," a voice whispers low and menacing. Though I don't fully grasp the words, the sound of the flute lulls me into a deep sleep, carrying me away to a mysterious dreamland.