Sevana had a few choice words she wanted to say about that, but bit her tongue. This was not the time or place for an argument.
Sky searched the face in front of him, brow furrowed. “So…it’s my choice? I mean, you don’t mind taking me?”
“Mind?” he repeated, faintly shocked at the question.
“Oh, you’re making a mess of this!” a female voice said in exasperation. From the other side of the pond, a door opened—again, seemingly from thin air—and a woman appeared. She had the same style of clothes, although hers were in a deep, shimmering green, her hair elaborately braided around her head. With quick footsteps, she skipped over the water’s surface as if it were solid ground and came directly to Sky.
Sevana blinked at her, nonplussed at this abrupt appearance. This Fae’s…wife? Consort? From the way she casually leaned against him to kneel in front of Sky, they had some sort of close relationship, so Sevana guessed wife. She could tell Sky felt overwhelmed by the woman’s beauty, as a slight flush came into his cheeks as he stared up at her.
“My dear child,” she said to him with a warm smile, “My name is Ailana. This is my husband, Lorin. You are a handsome, sweet boy, and we would be blessed if you chose to stay with us. Don’t you wish to do so?”
Sky nodded, dumbfounded. But then, she could have suggested throwing him into the pond and he’d have likely nodded in agreement. He was so star-struck by her, most of what she said likely went right into one ear and out the other.
She lit up—literally, her aura became almost blinding for a moment—and reached out, scooping him up into her arms. Sky gasped at the sudden movement and grabbed her around the neck for balance. But once there, he liked being so tightly hugged by the beauty and gave her a shy smile.
“You’re mine, then,” she told him firmly.
“And mine!” Lorin protested.
Giving a musical laugh, she ignored her husband’s pouting and turned to Sevana. “Artifactor, I thank you many times for bringing my son to me. If, in the course of your work, you find other children that are like him, will you bring them also?”
So, not content with just one child, eh? Having no problem with bringing them orphans, Sevana just shrugged. “I will. As long as you understand I want favors in return.”
Lorin understood her perfectly and gave her an elegant nod in confirmation. “We will find ways to repay your kindness.”
Good enough for her. She looked at Sky, who seemed somewhat befuddled with this abrupt adoption but beyond happy at the same time. “Well, Sky, I’d wish you luck but I have this feeling you won’t need it. So instead, I’ll say enjoy your new life.”
A grin wide enough to reveal two missing teeth split his face. “Thanks, Sevana. Really, thanks.”
“Don’t mention it.” With a salute to him, and a proper bow to the Fae, she turned around and left the way she had come in. She had a bounce in her stride and a wide smile on her face as she walked. Some people would likely question her decision on this, giving a child over to the Fae to raise, but in her mind, human society had already had their chance to take care of the kid and they’d failed miserably at it. The Fae would raise him with all the love and care he should have had from the beginning. She had no qualms leaving him there or bringing other children here in the future.
Pleased with herself, she hummed a ditty and enjoyed the feeling of a deed well done.
About the Author
Nearly twenty-eight years ago, in the hills of Tennessee, a nice, unsuspecting young couple had their first child. Their home has since then been slowly turned into a library as their daughter consistently brought books home over the years.
No one was surprised when she grew up, went to college, and got her Bachelor's in English. Despite the fact that she has a degree, and looks like a mature young woman, she's never grown out of her love for dragons, fairies and other fantastical creatures. With school done, she's ready to start her career, hopefully by blending two of her loves: books and fantasy.
Her website can be found here: http://www.honorraconteur.com or if you wish to speak directly with the author, visit her forum at: http://z13.invisionfree.com/adventmage/
Table of Contents
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
Seventeen
Eighteen
Nineteen
Twenty
Twenty-one
Twenty-two
Twenty-three
Twenty-four
Epilogue
About the Author
The Dreamer's Curse (Book 2) Page 25
