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[silin-vigil]

Silin met his kiss with ardent heat, desiring him. She truly believed it was one-sided, he did not display any attraction and her mind was muddled with desire, she was not even sure how they ended in her bedroom, on her bed. They had crossed too many lines, and she desperately desired him, needing to know how he would feel filling her. If only this once. She only knew she would never speak to him after this, only for his family's debt to hers. Her back arched as he cupped one of breast, pushing her breast further into his palm as he touched her. “Daegel.” Silin softly whispered his name. Silin let out a soft chuckle as he easily moved her so that she sat on top of him, straddling him. Returning his kiss, pulling back, gently and slowly moving her hips against his cock. She met his gaze, holding it, her eyes clouded with sheer lust. Such a raw and unscrupulous look, but was also filled with rich with promise of sensuous rewards only dreamt of before. She leaned down kissing him deeply, wrapping her tongue around his, while her hands roamed over his body tracing the contours of his muscles with her fingers; managing to lightly drag her nails across his skin. Silin broke the kiss before she began to kiss, nibble, and lick along the line of his jaw. When she reached his chin, she proceeded to repeat the process, though this time she focused on his neck. From his neck, she traveled down to his chest, taking the time to swirl her tongue along his skin, savoring him. Time seemed to slow, even stop, as she propped herself on her knees and gripped his hardened cock, aligning it with her entrance and sheathed him within her with one fierce thrust. She groaned at the sensation; revealing in the sensation that felt as though a current of electricity had flowed through her, leaving pleasant sensations behind. Silin was so caught up in her own sensations, feeling heat flood into her. Her inner muscles instantly clenched at the sensation gripping him. Silin lowered herself onto his chest and quietly listened to him breathe, giving herself a moment to adjust to his size. Which was not an easy feature for her, since she felt like a giant exposed nerve, even feeling his breath on her skin made her shiver, with pleasure. Silin sat up slowly on him, “it has been a long time.” She confessed softly, desire was burning strong once again; it was steadily burning into a blaze. With her need growing, she began tracing her hands over his shoulders and arms, “gods.” She moaned, not believing how full and fulfilled he was making her feel, far too many emotions. Finally resting her hands on his shoulders, and straightened her arms before she began to grind her hips slowly against him. First forward and back, then slowly in a circular motion, this added another level to her pleasure, but she still felt as though something was missing, something that would bring it all together. She switched back to her forward and back grinding motion, stopping mid-motion, and raised her hips slightly before she let them drop back down again. Making her moan louder. She began to alternate the three motions, rising and dropping her hips, grinding forward and back, and in the circular motions. Silin alternated between the motions, relishing each one. No being had felt as right as Daegel, how could this fairy fill her with such satisfaction. “You are ruining lovers for me.” She moaned, and her movements began to grow more rapid and frenzied. Soon there was no thought to the rhythm, her body was coated with sweat as she bounced her hips up and down with animalistic need. She did not even realize that she was digging her nails into Daegel’s shoulder. Abruptly her body seized, and for a moment her body quivered, frozen in time before her senses were overwhelmed with pure bliss that flowed out of her in a scream of ecstasy, while her body spasmed with the sensations. Her walls milking his cock inside of her.

Her slender arms shortly gave out, and she laid limply against him, on his hot and sweaty chest. But she could not care less at the moment, at the moment she only wanted to revel in the waves of pleasure, tickling her skin.

Daegel had many lovers over his many years, many a fairy women he had relations with and Elora. Silin was already proving to be an entirely different experience. It was the deep feelings Daegel had found himself experiencing for Silin. Feelings he did not have for Elora. But he could not and did not want to think about Elora right now. That situation was far too overwhelming and daunting. And in this moment he was consumed with Silin. Her scent, her taste, how soft she felt. So rarely he had left his realm except to change the season. But now he could not imagine returning. He did not want to. He wanted to remain here in this moment with Silin forever. Forgetting everything but her. His eyes watched her face closely as his fingers pleasured her, he wished to watch that pleasure make itself known on her lovely face. He watched as her lips parted, her soft moans like pure beautiful music, the way her brows slightly knitted together as the first waves of pleasure started to make themselves known to her. He pulled away only because he needed to taste her. They both wore looks of desire, of need for each other. Daegel had his taste and one taste would not do enough for him. He wondered how they would go on after this. He wondered how they could comfortably interact if Elora did turn out to be pregnant. He would find a way, but he could not be away from Silin. His feelings had grown far too strong, his comfort with her too great, her company too important and necessary to him. He trusted her as she seemed to have some trust in him. He would never grow tired of her moans, her breathing, the way her body began to writhe with her pleasure as it built and finally broke. Daegel slid his tongue between her lips one last time, groaning softly as he savored her taste before he then stood. His arms slid around her waist as her legs did his. A small smile graced his lips as she spoke, loving that she had desired him for so long. "As I felt for you. Even though I was angry I could not help appreciating your beauty." He said softly, "No beauty is as great as yours." He whispered against her lips and then met them in a passionate kiss, his hands sliding down to her ass once more to squeeze the flesh firmly in his hands as he lifted her from the table. He carried her back to the bedroom and fell onto the bed with her. His hands squeezed her and pulled her firmly against his chest, his hips pressing against hers, his hardening cock pressing against her. "I need to see you, to feel you. I have never felt such desire. Not like this, not until you." He confessed softly to her. Perhaps he was doing himself no favors in controlling his feelings for her, but he would allow himself to experience them fully for just this moment in time. His hands that gripped her ass now pulled at her dress, tugging the fabric upward to pull it over her head. His gaze roamed over her body, taking in her soft curves, her full breasts that gently heaved with her breathing, the softness of her skin. His hand roamed up her waist, cupping her breast in his hand and gently squeezing, "So beautiful." He breathed quietly, his voice full of lust and admiration of her beauty. Daegel had far too much on. He pulled back from her to remove his own clothing, needing to feel her skin against his own. He wrapped his arms around her once again and pulled her body on top of his own, his lips meeting her in a lustful kiss, "Ride me, Silin." His hands moved to her hips to bring her up to straddle him, his cock hard and pressed between them, a soft groan escaping him at the gentle friction created by her pussy.

[silin-vigil]

Silin was not sure if she believed his words, after all, he was to marry someone. A heady aroma of cardamom, sugar, and a hint of musk, yet the clothes he wore smelt of frankincense and cedar; the smell of him was utterly enchanting. It beckoned her, like a car to milk. The way his lips grazed against hers as he whispered, and his hands against her, clouded her with a thick haze of lust. Pure, and sheer lust that she had not felt in many years, perhaps even decades. It had been far too long since she allowed herself to be intimate with another. Forgotten how delicious carnal pleasure was. Humming softly as he stroked her, her hips moving against his hand, begging for more. His movements caused her mouth to slightly part as a moan emitted from her. Gripping his hair tighter as his fingers pleasured her. Closing her eyes to silent focus on the pleasure he was giving her body, growing wetter to only have the movement stop. Fearing he had a change of mind, Silin instantly dropped her hands from his hair to his shoulders and pulled slightly away, but the look of lust he wore remained unchanged. That only further proved as he moved his fingers to taste her, feeling her cheeks growing red from it. Knowing, at that moment, this fairy would ruin anyone else for her. Thought Silin was not sure if she meant it sexually or romantically or both. Surely, sexually only. He was to get married and would eventually return home. What would happen after this? Would they both pretend nothing is happening? Silin’s mind raced far too much, and yet the emotion that prevailed was desire. Fueled by the way he spoke her name, his hands pressing into the soft flesh of her backside. He had rendered her speechless, more so when he sat her on the wooden table. Silin watched him, her eyes following his movements and listening to his words. Laying back on the table, something about the fairy being in charge was arousing her. She had not expected it, but easily met his lips in the soft kiss, moaning softly into it. Silin was easily pliable in Daegel’s hand. Trusting him, she realized that she had trusted him far too easily, but she did. She felt the fabric slide off her legs, followed by the warmth of lips pressing kisses along her thighs. Soft moans came from Silin, sure she had never been as wet as she was. “Daegel!” Pleasantly surprised, came, finally moaning his name, as she felt his tongue slide against her lips. She had forgotten how incredibly good it felt to be pleasured. Why had she neglected herself? Every single one of her senses buzzed with pleasure, closing her eyes as her back arched, feeling the wet warmth of his tongue and mouth. Her hips moved against his mouth as she felt herself lose all desire and control. The way Daegel deftly pleasured her had her shamelessly moving her hips against his mouth. Eagerly seeking that point of no return. Her body and movements gaining speed, imaging this was going quickly as it had been far too long. Silin’s body peaked, reaching her climax and moaning his name as she gripped his hair. Feeling her pussy pulse as she rode out the immense waves of pleasure. Slowly feeling herself relax, “Daegel.” She said softly, trying to normalize her breathing as she lay on the table, trying to also get her thoughts in order. Yet nothing was, all she could think about was how much of an amazing mouth Daegel had. She knew she was attracted to him the moment she saw him but had never expected him to be as talented as he was. There were many questions she had, but at that moment the only thing she desired was him. Silin sat up on the ledge of the table, as her legs slid around his narrow hips, meeting his gaze. “I have wanted you since you stepped out of the cave.” She confessed softly, after all, she was sure they would never speak of this again.

Daegel could no longer deny himself. She was so beautiful, so tender, her eyes looked at him with as much desire as he held her with. It only confirmed for him that was right that he kiss her; that really he needed to. He needed to experience her kiss, her touch. It was bold of him, especially when he had a fiance, but how could what he felt be so entirely wrong? The gods had given him such feelings and it felt futile to try and resist it any longer. His arm slid around her waist to pull her body against his own when she straddled his lap, his arms firm around her waist as he kissed her. He wondered how long she had desired him as he did her. Her kiss showing that she had felt desire for him as well, that she was not just returning heated affection. There was depth to her physical expression as well. How long had both of them known? For so long he had fought it to the point that he now found himself in an impossible situation. But he could not stop himself, he would not. He enjoyed her kiss far too much, her soft breasts pressed against his chest, just her. She consumed all of his senses; the soft scent of clove and rose, the soft feel of her body, the sweet and almost fruity taste of her kiss, the sound of her soft sighs and moans. So easily he could lose himself in this beautiful witch, he wanted to completely. So quickly and easily his purpose seemed to have become to love her, the bring her happiness, pleasure, company. How quickly and easily he had fallen for her only to be stuck marrying another. He would need to discover for certain what game Elora was playing with him because now that he knew Silin’s kiss he could never unlearn it. It would be with him forever. Her fingers running through his hair caused goosebumps to prickle up on the skin of his arms, needing more of her touch. The kiss broken, his eyes met hers, looking deep into her eyes with the same unsuppressed desire. His feelings ran deeper than physical desire. There was ease in her being in his life, ease in talking to her, ease in her company and nature. Perhaps the feelings were love, but he could not yet confess that depth. Not while he was set to marry. If Elora truly was pregnant it would only make it more painful to have said it if he could not be with Silin. His eyes moved to her lips once more as she attempted to protest that they should not go on. She was right. Though neither of them made an attempt to end the embrace they currently found themselves in. As Silin guided his hand under her skirts and he felt the dampness of the fabric between her legs it seemed to awaken something far more lustful within him. He pressed his fingers firmly against the moist garment, rubbing slow circles over where her clit was. “And I desire you, Silin. With an intensity I have never felt for anyone else.” His words whispered against her lips, his own lips pressing against hers in another ardent kiss as he slowly stroked the small bud of nerves through her undergarment. He eased the crotch aside to dip two fingers between her lips, gathering her arousal on his fingers as they slid slowly up through her lips to circle with direct contact around her clit once again. “No being touches the beauty you possess.” The kiss broken for only a moment for him to speak the words. His cock was beginning to strain against his trousers, wanting the attention of her grinding against him as she sat in his lap, but Daegel wished to cause just her pleasure, his own able to wait and certain he could derive pleasure from hers. He withdraw his hand from between her legs, taking a moment to taste her arousal from his fingers and groaning softly in response to the sweet taste that met his tongue. “As sweet as you smell,” he commented softly. He moved his arms around her body and lifted her with ease, his hands sliding to her ass to hold her up, squeezing the flesh reverently before he placed her on the table, “Silin,” he said her name with praise.

His eyes met hers, raw passion and desire heavy in his gaze. “Truly no being touches your beauty.” He whispered. His hands held her knees and pulled them apart gently, “Lay back,” he said softly, kissing her gently before she could do so. He pushed her skirt up her legs, his hands traveling up under the waist of the skirt and tug the hem of her undergarment down her legs, tossing it off to the side as he looked at her. Her womanhood glistening with her wetness and beckoning him to come taste more of her. He knelt at the edge of the table, his lips pressing a damp trail of kisses from her knee and up her legs to her inner thighs, alternating between thighs as he grew closer to her sex, his teeth lightly bit at her soft skin. A low groan of approval emitted from him as he smelled her, “So beautiful, Silin.” He whispered. His hands held her thighs, squeezing the soft flesh as he tongue then darted out to slid up between her lips, her arousal now gathered lightly on his tongue which he then circled around her clit. “Fuck,” he muttered as his tongue worked her clit for another moment before his lips then closed over it, sucking at the nub as he brought two fingers up to slide into her, curling them slightly as he guided them in and out of her, the pace slowly building. Daegel could stay between her legs forever, tasting her, pleasuring her.

[silin-vigil]

Silin listened to him speak about his parents, rather grateful that he had heeded her advice. She did not wish to distance him from his family, it was clear he was close with them but she had found the interaction odd, how easily they allowed him to step in without so much a protest. Silin had never meant to cause him hurt, or harm. She only had wished for him to see it for what it was. Her gaze dropped to his hand when he grabbed it once more, a beat seemed to pass between them. Her body warming as their gazes met, seeing plain as day the heat and emotions in his brown eyes. She had not expected him to be so bold, but her whole body ignited with heat when their lips met. Momentarily stilling as he deepened the kiss, before her body returned the kiss. Her lips meeting his movements, a moan emitting from her. Far too easily falling into lap, her legs straddling him in the chair. A small voice telling her that it was not right, he was a committed man. Where had these feelings emerged from him, and yet Silin slid her arms around his neck and inched closer to him. He felt solid, firm against her. Everything about Daegel reminded her of the word reliability, stability. There was something so endearing to Silin in that, their lips touching once more, sensual but grew in need. Had he desired her? He had been far too good at concealing his attraction to her. Her hands sliding through his soft hair. The kiss sending fire through her, knowing a damp spot grew between her legs. It had been too many years, hundreds since she had allowed another touch her. Soft waves of pleasure going through her body continuously, promising so much more if she allowed herself to give in to him. Just as she was getting ready to pull herself away, Daegel broke the kiss. Her gaze shimmered with unsuppressed desire, her gaze shifting between his lips and eyes. “Daegel.” Her voice conveying the desire that danced in her gaze, “I do-” tempted to end things there. Silin knew she should have. It was not right, but it seemed her mother dark side was beckoning her all too much. Daegel underneath her felt far too good. Her hands resting on his shoulder, and gently squeezed his shoulders. “Your words warm me, Daegel.” She spoke softly, moving a hand to cup his face, gently rubbing her thumb across his scruff. “We can not.” She protested weakly, it would take no convincing truly. She wanted to give in to him, “and yet-“ taking one of his hands and guiding it under her skirts and in between her legs to feel how moist her undergarment was. “My body desires you, only you.” She could not give him a reason as to why her body seemed to have such a reaction to him, only that she did desire him.

Daegel looked over at her suddenly as she questioned him. He realized then he had spent a great deal of time thinking about his relationship with his parents, but it was never something he had voiced to her. He shrugged, "That they are not benevolent parental figures I believed they were before I came with you to pay their debt. I suppose I thought I had talked about it with you because you had pointed things out early on that forced me to reconsider my relationship with them. How different it is from my sister's. The times I have returned home it is as though things are entirely different. I see how they are far more parental and involved with my sister than they ever have been with me. It's not to say that they behave as though they do not love me, but," he paused and shrugged, "Things are different now and I see it much more plainly." he said finally and sighed. Things had changed greatly in his relationship with his parents. He did not believe they could ever go back to how things were. Even if he ever returned back to the realm for good it would inevitably be entirely different. He had grown. "It is not a regular habit and I do not intend to make it one." he said and chuckled dryly. Daegel presumed he had only been successful in his fight with Denet because the owner of the inn had come in and broken up the fight. If if had gone on he was not sure what the outcome would have been. As Daegel held her wrist he noticed the way her eyes dropped to his lips. It was the first clear indication he had that there might have been mutual attraction between them. It lit desire within him, a fluttering feeling in his stomach that rose to his throat and threatened to work his tongue to confess his feelings for her. Her kiss against his cheek did nothing to help the matter. It was far too tempting to turn his head and meet her lips in a kiss. He wanted to, it would be so easy to, and he felt she wanted him to as well, but it felt wrong of him when he was still with Elora. "I may not, but it also is not right of them to sit there and talk about you as they do." They were far too physically close to each other. The moment feeling far too intimate. Her bringing up Elora as his wife-to-be managed to ground him, ground his feelings that were becoming far too difficult to ignore. He sighed softly at what she pointed out, it bringing the concerns he had to the surface. "I worry she is not pregnant as well. It has been a worry of mine." He stated softly. Talking with Silin was as easy as things came. He could not think of anyone he spoke so easily with except for his sister Faelyn. But this felt different. He felt he could be quite plain and open with Silin. Where that sense of security grew from was a bit of a mystery, but he felt it. "I do not believe you are bad mouthing her. If anything it makes me feel better to know someone else also sees the worries I feel about this." He needed proof, something concrete. He wanted to say more, but there was a knock at the door. The mention of Godwin and her having accepted dinner with the man once against rooted some jealousy in him. One that told him he should have gone ahead and kissed her anyway when the thought occurred to him. He ate the root when she indicated that he could and watched her get the door. Though he could not deny the smugness he felt when she postponed her dinner. He could not step in the way of any pursuits she might seek. He held no claim over her and regardless, he knew she felt something for him too. He had seen it. Even if it was not to be acted upon. Yet. Daegel watched Godwin wag his finger and nodded slowly as the man acknowledged who he was, "Yes, that is who I am. Daegel." He introduced himself. He did not feel such jealousy over the news that Elora had apparently lost her virginity to the man. Daegel only wondered if Elora had gotten as intense about Godwin as she had about him.

He watched Godwin take his leave and brought his attention back to Silin as she approached him and pressed her fingers around his neck. His eyes roamed over her lovely features; her deep brown eyes, the soft and tempting lips. He grabbed her wrist again, but this time more firmly than before. He slowly drew her in closer to himself, his eyes meeting hers intense and full of deeper feelings than he had any words to express. He pulled her in fully against himself and met her lips in a soft yet passionate kiss. He let go of her wrist to wrap his arm around her waist and pull her into his lap, needing to feel her body pressed against his own. His kiss grew ardent, his hands pressing against her wanting her even closer if possible. The feelings he had seemed to bloom further in the kiss. When he slowly broke it, his eyes were back on hers, "I have never felt what I feel kissing you." he said softly to her, "And gods know that I have long yearned to do so." His words were soft, the things he felt for her were hard to put words to, but he knew he felt far more deeply for her than he recalled feeling for anyone let alone the woman he was set to marry at this time. His eyes moved to her lips, enjoying the freshly kissed slightly pink hue they had taken on. "You are so beautiful, Silin. I have never seen such beauty." He spoke softly, leaning in to brush his lips against hers.

[silin-vigil]

Silin glanced up, “eyes open to your parents?” She questioned, wondering what exactly he meant. He had not spoken all too much on the relationship with his parents, or how things were when he returned to visit them. Though she supposed she not get heavily invested in his personal affairs, he was to return home once the debt was paid. “Hm, I did not presume you were a fighter at all. I have to admit, I am quite shocked.” She confessed, dabbing away the blood and cleaning his knuckles still, stilling when she felt his warm hand wrap around her wrist. Her body warming instantly and met his gaze as he leaned closer, but she did not lean away from him. Silin merely held his gaze, it dropped to his lips as he spoke. The words took her by surprise, but it was pleasant warmth that blossomed within her, he had defended her. That was something no one, not physically at least. Her gaze lifted from his lips, she was not sure if she should scold him or thank him. It was more than she could have asked of him, but why had he done it. “No, I suppose they would.” She was not sure what they could say, but their opinions of her mattered little to Silin. He was so close, that Silin leaned over and pressed her lips to his cheeks, it was a quick and chaste peck but a thanks for what he had done. Her heart sped up slightly, it was not outrightly wrong for her to do that, but she knew it was not the most proper thing. “Thank you, you should not have done it. As it may cause more issues for you. Issues you do not need.” Silin spoke gently, but she meant it. She did not wish to add to his issues. Feeling her skin prick as he let go of her hand, she wanted more of his touch. More skin to skin, but they could not. There were far too many factors. Dipping the rag in the lukewarm water now and wrung the rag once more moving to his other hand as he spoke about Ceniz and Elora, frowning slightly as he confirmed what she already knew. “I imagined as much. I do not wish to sway your opinion on your wife-to-be. But I do not believe there is a child, perhaps she is only a woman who had fallen in love. Her belly has not swelled, and she is still wearing corsets.” Silin pointed out, speaking with Daegel came too freely. Perhaps she should have minded her words more, gently dropping his hand once they cleaned and placing the rag in the water bowl. Grabbing some more of the balm and rubbing it on his knuckles. “Forgive me. I should not badmouth her. I only question her intentions of this.” She clarified, taking the tray to the kitchen. A knock at the door grabbed her attention. She had agreed to dinner at the castle, though it would only be them, perhaps Hamlin. She hoped he would join her. “It is Godwin, I have accepted dinner.” She had forgotten, with Daegel and the state he was in proving to be a great distraction. “You can spit the root or eat it.” She spoke to Daegel as she went to get the door, Godwin. His eyes flew to Daegel, curiosity in them above all. Silin however postponed their dinner on a different note, stating she had business to deal with. Which was not a lie, Daegel had brought her goods from his realm. She could not deny it was exciting, “I know you.” Godwin wagged his finger at Daegel, Silin was confused and looked between the two. “You are to marry the baker. Congratulations, she is quite something.” Silin narrowed her eyes, it was dawning on her that they, too, had been involved many years ago. She had forgotten, she had her first bleeding and Godwin pursued her. “Ah, I had forgotten how much you enjoyed deflowering the woman of this kingdom.” Godwin chuckled but he was blushing, “I was but a mere stupid boy.” Trying to defend his actions. “I shall see you soon.” Silin gave him a nod to confirm and bid him a goodnight. Silin closed the door, before moving to the table once. Glancing over at Daegel, “Are you alright? I did not even think to ask if you had been hurt anywhere else?” Her gaze searched and glanced at his neck, and reached out to gently press around his neck.

Pulling her hands away, “I suppose there is only so much damage fists can do.” Silin stated as she took her seat once more, “What did you bring?” She questioned, looking upon him or if he merely brought more of the same plants, crystals, and herbs which she would not mind if he had.

Daegel stepped into the cottage. A sense of home washed over him. The inn did not feel so homey, of course, not even with Elora there. But at this point Daegel was well beyond believing he would ever find a sense of home with Elora. It seemed to exist with Silin now. It felt so natural to come to her after the fight. Elora offered no comfort or mending to him like Silin did without even a question or word. She moved about her kitchen already gathering materials to clean him up. Of course, he would have likely refused any comfort Elora offered him, but he could also acknowledge that the fight with Denet was over his insult of Silin. So Daegel supposed Elora was not feeling too fond of that. He shook his head at Silin’s question. “No, it happened here not an hour ago.” He said and looked about the cottage for Sage, spotting the cat slinking through a cracked window likely to observe what was happening in the cottage. He smiled at the cat, but once again his lip seemed to burn with pain from the crack Denet had put in it. Daegel sat back in the chair as Silin approached him, lifting his chin so she could look at his face. A feeling of warmth washed over him as she stepped so close, standing right between his legs. He wished to wrap his arms around her, press his face against her stomach and just hold onto her. He wanted to feel her arms wrap around his shoulders and her delicate fingers slide into his hair. It would be so easy to do with how close she stood. He could only imagine the comfort and warmth of her embrace. The close distance between them brought about her familiar scent of rose, clove, and cinnamon. He wished to bury himself in it, hold her close, feel and smell her all around him. But as she spoke the tender feelings he was having were awoken into something more lustful. He enjoyed all too much the way she ordered him to open his mouth and lift his tongue, how close she was standing between his legs. He would have opened his mouth for her gladly, feeling a jolt in his cock that wanted more of her ordering him around like that. But he simply took the root from her and placed it under his own tongue as she now instructed. He allowed the root to sit, the taste exactly as she described, but quickly he was noticing the pain in his lip and around his eye and cheek fading away. A small chuckle burst forth as she called him a fool, “I suppose I deserve that.” He said and chuckled once more because it was foolish. He had created a mess for himself. The next day he would need to return and make amends with Elora and her brother. But for now he was enjoying how close Silin was to him. The pain in his lip had subsided enough that he did not feel great pain as she dabbed at his lip. “No. Even with my eyes opened to my parents nature I do not believe I could ever fight them. That is not in my nature.” But fighting in general was clearly not out of the question for him though he was not typically a fighter. He wanted to defend Silin, needed to really. He watched her move away from him to rinse the rag, his eyes following every movement she made even as she came back over to him and began to clean his knuckles that were bruised and bloodied some of it his own and some of it Denet’s. But Daegel was more focused on how delicate her touch was, how she carefully cleaned his hand. Without even thinking about it he found himself reaching up, his free hand sliding to her wrist that held the rag. He held onto her for a moment leaning in closer to her as if her soft scent was beckoning him, “it was Elora’s brother that I fought with.” He said softly. "They do not have a kind word to say about you." He would not tell her what was said unless she asked it. The actual word that was used could remain unsaid. He felt the meaning was communicated all the same. His fingers brushed against her wrist as he slowly let her go to allow her to continue cleaning his hand. He needed to control himself, he could not be so close to her. It was far too tempting to kiss her.

The temptations only seemed to grow the more he came to question why Elora was lying to him and her family looking at him almost as though he were prey. It made his affection for Silin grow, his desire to go to her intensify. But for now he had to contain himself. He had no exact proof other than the knowledge that Elora was lying to him about one thing. He would need to bide his time. "Elora has seen no doctors. Ceniz informed me of exactly as you told me. Also that she would have had to travel to find any doctor elsewhere. I would have noticed that she was not around and it would be senseless for her to do so." his jaw tensed, "She has told me she has seen a doctor. Assured me of it even. Why would she lie?" he asked a question that did not demand an answer of Silin. The obvious answer would be that Elora was lying about her pregnancy. But why? Only because of her jealousy over Silin? It seemed so foolish when he had taken up spending most of his free time with her anyway.

[silin-vigil]

Silin watched as he stood up, and stated that he should be leaving, and simply gave him a nod. “Have a good night.” Standing now, she figured she could walk him to the door. Watching as he pet her familiar; it was unusual, but she did miss having him so close. It seemed that distance had made her attraction to him even stronger, but it would do no good now. He was to be wed, and she had heard of Elora going to the seamstress in town for fittings and fabric picking. She seemed excited from the few fleeing passes they exchanged. No, she needed to truly give herself an opportunity with another. Giving a nod and soft smile as he glanced back, shutting the door once he passed the gate. There was no use in her reading into anything he did, it felt like him simply explaining things as they were. He could not have feelings for the witch to whom his family owed such a debt. But he had accepted her offering of friendship. Over the course of the following days, the conversation and Daegel standing too closely played far too much in her mind. She needed to forget about Daegel in that sense, it would bring her no good. Hamlin came rushing through the door of the cottage, starling Silin as she had been deeply in her thoughts. “Silin! I am here for my potion and my uncle is here.” He said proudly, standing just a bit taller. Silin fought a smile, finding it amusing that Hamlin liked his uncle more than his father, but most boys did. That would only grow in his teens, “here.” She stated, footsteps coming to a stop and someone knocking on the wooden door Hamlin left open. “Silin.” Godwin greeted from the door, and Silin motioned him to come in. “Godwin. It is nice to see you.” She greeted as he stepped over the threshold of the door, “and it is always a pleasure to see you.” He spoke with a smile. He resembled the king, but his eyes were a lighter green and built like a commander, which is exactly what he was. Not only that, but he did the dirty work of the king, and fought the battles he did not. Sometimes she pitied him, for doing the work the king did not wish to dirty his hands with. They were only human men, complexity ran deep in them. Usually, such interactions were quick, but she had made a promise to herself to try to be open, and friendlier. Though she struggled, what did one speak about? “How are the battlefields treating you?” Silin questioned, two pairs of eyes on her in an instant. Surprise in Hamlin's, as well as Godwin’s, but his also glimmered with amusement. “Well, my brother has done well in not having many enemies with other kingdoms, our trade routes are secure, and we are moving merchandise easily from them. Very well, I would say.” Silin merely gave him a hum of approval, not exactly sure how to respond to him. Why was this conversation not coming nearly as easily as it did with Daegel. “Silin can we please stay for dinner? Please, Father is trying out a new cook. I do not think he knows anything about the kitchen, he boiled snails and expects us to eat it.” Hamlin whined, breaking the tension in the air, Silin narrowed her eyes playfully at Hamlin, “Should I tell you what is in your potion?” Hamlin vigorously shook his head. “No, no, no, it tastes good, that is all I care about.” Hamlin offered Silin a sheepish smile, “I am sure Silin has many things to do. We do not wish to intrude on her evening.” Godwin spoke, standing to leave. “No, it is quite alright.” Finally speaking, Hamlin broke out into a gleeful smile, “but you will help me cook.” Looking pointedly at Hamlin, who seemed to shrink in his chair, but the glee was still visibly displayed. The rest of the evening went far too well, the conversation between Godwin and herself was slowly coming with more ease as they found a common ground, plants. Godwin and Hamlin managed to even make her laugh a couple of times throughout the night, she could not deny that it was a warm feeling, but it felt familiar far too different from the time she spent with Daegel. He heated her womanly ways, but she needed to forget that.

The sound of the gate creaking grabbed Silin’s attention, noticing it was Elora. Elora did not dare pass the gate but simply stared at the three through the window, Hamlin and Godwin had not heard her, but Silin had. The two made eye contact, a sly smile on Elora’s lip. Silin knew that everyone in town would know of this tomorrow. Perhaps Elora could not wait to run to tell Daegel, but it confused Silin as Daegel showed no interest in her except to pay off the debt his parents acquired. Before she could make sense of Elora’s jealousy, the two lived together. Now it made no sense, Silin watched her until she disappeared down the path before Godwin came over to look out of the window, standing far too close to Silin, but it only felt invasive. Yet she did not step away, “what are you looking at?” Godwin asked, Elora long gone. “Nothing, just admiring the moon for a moment.” She lied easily, before sitting down to eat with them. Concluding their night, it did not go unnoticed by Godwin that Silin was more welcoming and promised he would be visiting her far more frequently with the perfect excuse of learning more about herbs and plants. Merely giving him a nod and smile. He seemed true to his word the following night showing up and Silin readily gave him information about plants, informing him of plants that would be good to crush and use the poison to rub on their weapons. Information that was native to anyone who was well-versed in herbs and plants. Silin sat at the table, her book out as she carefully wrote out a new set of measurements for the potion she had promised Daegel for his baby, it was not foolproof, but she was carefully making the improvements. Closing the book and putting it away, she heard a knock, fully expecting it to be Godwin, but to her surprise it was Daegel. Shock and surprise across her features, noticing his roughened state. She had imagined he was in his realm, “Daegel.” She finally spoke, moving to the side of the door to allow him to pass inside. Now noticing the bag he was carrying as well, but his words registering now, instead of joining him. She walked to the kitchen and placed a few healing ointments on a small wooden tray with a few other things she would need. Setting the tray down before him at the table, “You did this in your realm?” She questioned, stepping far too closely to him. Grabbing an iris root, that had been cleaned, Silin snapped the root in half. She took the piece and stepped right in between Daegel’s spread legs, very ready to place the root under his tongue. “Open and lift your tongue.” She instructed without any thoughts. It was only until she realized what she was about to do, and the position she found herself in. Her cheeks reddened as she stepped away. “I-I mean, here, place it under your tongue. It is bitter with a flavor of floral. It is not very good, but any pain you feel will subside.” She explained. Grabbing a jar that contained a slick and filmy consistency, she scooped some on a finger. Gently rubbing it on his blackened eye, it would heal only at a faster rate. What a fool, he was, she thought. “Fool.” She said out loud now; grabbing a soft cloth and dipping in the water. Wringing the cloth before, she brought it up to gently wipe the blood near his lip, leaning ever so slightly to make sure she would not reopen the wound before she switched to dabbing it gently. “I did not take you as a fighter. It was not your parents, was it?” Meeting Daegel’s gaze for a moment, but found no answer in them. She did peg them as violent, but they so easily allowed their son to take on many burdens, she did not believe it so far off. Finishing his face, she wet the cloth once more and wrung it, grabbing his hands with her and gently wiping at knuckles as, touching him, came with too much ease. She wished his hands would slide across her skin. His hands were rough and calloused from his work and wielding the bow and arrow, she was sure. Moving in between his legs, all she wished to do was straddle his narrow, waist. Why could she not have those thoughts about Godwin?

Daegel seemed to be the only one to elicit such thoughts and reactions.

Daegel should not have been standing so close to her, it allowed him mind to wander to places it should not. In her presence he was constantly attempting to remind himself that he was to be married, that had a child on the way with another woman. But time and time again he also found himself thinking of Silin and how things could have been much different. He knew it did not do him any good. He knew that he needed to make peace with his choices and move on. It was difficult. Life seemed to hold so few things that were entirely for himself. Back with his family he was always taking care of everyone and even in this world he was paying their debt and now he had a future coming that he would have to provide for as well. His time with Silin now representing a much more peaceful and comfortable period in his life, no matter how fleeting it was. When he had met her it had all felt much more bleak to be going with her, but now he wanted that again. His hand passed over hers, for a moment he debated pressing his hand to hers, feeling how soft he knew she had to be. But he refrained from doing so, only holding his hand just above hers and allowing her to feel the coolness of his hand. Though he noticed the way she bit down on her lip and found it far to desirable. He had to pull away though. Once he ended the cool air emitting from his hand he withdrew it. He nodded, "If you trust him then I will pay him a visit. I do not believe Elora has been out of town for any doctor. She told me she was seeing one here,” and it appeared she had been lying. Which could only cause Daegel to wonder what else she was lying about and to what extent. He noted the name Silin had given him with the intention of visiting the healer the next day. He sipped from his mug of tea and looked over to her as she spoke, seeming to not pick up on any jealousy from him. No, instead she seemed to think it an impossibility for him to deem her as an attractive and sexual being. She had read his jealousy as surprise. How she had not noticed his longing gazes nor picked up anything in how closely he stood to her was befuddling to him. He must have been far better at concealing his attraction than he knew. He smiled at her though, a more jovial look to his face now, “I was not doubting that any man would find you attractive.” He held up a hand as though he were defending himself and chuckled. It was the fact she was so attractive and that he desired her that made it all the more frustrating to him that the king’s brother would come sniffing around. Daegel had not met the man and yet felt no doubt the man would be a dog, if only because of his own jealousy that Daegel would presume it so. Daegel smiled softly at her. Though the word friend did not hold the depth of the feelings he believed he held for her, friend was as good as it could be and he would gladly accept that over nothing at all. Friends were not something he had outside of her. Even the men at the blacksmiths he could not grow too close to. He would always be hiding something from everyone else in this world but her. He noticed the way her cheeks had tinged a pink hue and his mind wandered to places it should not, wondering if she turn such a shade in the height of her pleasure. If the subtle pink was something that would bloom across her chest, between her legs. So much for friendliness, he thought. Only a friendship with her would be difficult, but it was better than not having her at all if he was to continue living in this world. He supposed he could run like many magical beings did when it came to their half breed children, but to Daegel it did not feel right and regardless it was not as though he could so easily take Silin with him. Not when she viewed him as a friend and not when she herself was indebted to this kingdom. Even if she would run with him it was also not as though she would be granted access to his realm. But even the idea of her going with him was pure fantasy as was everything he thought about her.

They would be friends and that was enough for now and it seemed to be something they both greatly needed. He smiled at her, “I am happy to be your friend as I am happy to have you as mine. I promise that I will visit.” He finished off his tea and set the mug aside. He would. Even through the protests of Elora he would visit Silin. “I suppose I should be going.” But he paused for a moment, “Thank you for the tea, Silin. And for listening.” It was all too tempting to give her a friendly peck on the cheek, but he was keenly aware he could not be so physically familiar with her. “I will see you when I return from my realm.” He added and walked over to Sage to give the familiar another scratch under the chin and then went to the door. “I will see you soon.” He said and looked at Silin one last time before he exited. The sun was setting and he knew the weeks ahead would be frustrating and difficult for him. The next day when he had visited the healer Ceniz who confirmed for him Elora had not seen any doctors in the kingdom and that if she had seen a doctor outside of the kingdom Daegel would have surely noticed her absence since it would have been at least a week of travel for her. All of that only caused more questions for him, but he saved it for addressing after he visited his parents. Elora was not keen on the idea of him leaving for a week again, but that reaction had been expected. She never wanted him to go, never wanted him far from her sight, but he with some reassurance he was able to convince her that he must go alone. When he returned home it was not the most warming of welcomes once he had dropped the news of his nuptials and that the bride to be was expecting. It would have been a bucket of ice cold water over his head if it were not for the fact that he himself was not so excited and that his perception of his parents had been the same as it was before he had ever left. But it was all different now. His sister expressed excitement, but being his closest confidant he spoke freely with her of his worries and concerns and even his feelings for Silin which had taken her by surprise, “You have feelings for the witch?” She questioned him, there was an underlying excitement in her tone. Faelyn was ever the romantic. She adored love stories and falling in love herself and she did so easily. Even in the context of what was going on in his life she could find excitement in his feelings for Silin though his expression gave away he felt no such excitement and it dampened her own excitement for him realizing they were feelings he could not act upon. “Sorry, I just thought it exciting that you should have feelings for someone. Truly, you do not develop them easily. I cannot even think of the last time you had taken up with someone and pursued it at all. If only she was the one you had gotten pregnant.” Faelyn lamented and sipped from the mug of tea she had carried outside with her. Daegel was preparing to leave in the night and she had stopped him for a talk since he had spent most of his time back home searching for things to bring back to Silin. “Does Elora know you are a fairy?” Faelyn questioned him. “No and she cannot. Silin is going to help me with a potion to keep the signs that the child is a half breed at bay until I can teach them to control it.” Daegel explained which earned a thoughtful nod from Faelyn. The conversation went on for awhile longer before Daegel said left. Faelyn’s friendship as his sister was one he greatly missed. When he came home it only grew more evident how much he missed her and just how much the divide between he and his parents was growing. Upon returning to the inn Daegel had little time to hide his goods before Elora was knocking at the door as if she had been watching for him. He wondered if she did. There was so much to question about her now.

As he opened the door she flung herself into his arms, but her brother, Denet, followed in closely behind her and shut the door. “I am so glad you have returned.” Elora gushed, pressing kisses all about his cheeks before finally kissing his lips. Daegel forced a smile at her, too many things were in question about her and her family for him now, but he had to keep it to himself still. He needed further proof. He did not yet know what he was trying to prove, but he knew she was willing to lie to him. He only had to be diligent about weeding out said lies to figure it out. “I was worried you had gone back to that dreadful witch.” Elora said. It took everything Daegel had not to roll his eyes at the statement, “I told you I would return in a week. I have not yet broken a promise like that. You worry far too much.” Daegel cupped Elora’s cheek affectionately. He wondered about the strong reaction he got from her whenever he went away, why it was so strong and what exactly she was so worried about. “She worries plenty about a man who owes such a great debt to a witch. There is always the possibility the witch could grow impatient and take your prisoner. You never know with those kinds.” Denet stated. Daegel noted both of them insisted on calling her the witch as if they did not know her name. Everyone in this town knew Silin’s name and let her be, but this family held some strange grudge against her only for being a witch. “Me debt is my own.” Daegel stated coolly, trying to keep his own growing frustration aside. “And we pay it.” Denet stated flatly, his arms folded across his chest. “Not at my request. Only at your sisters insistence that you do.” Daegel looked over to Elora who now approached him and wrapped her fingers around his bicep, gripping tightly onto him, “Do not worry about him.” She waved her hand at her brother, “We are more than happy to help pay your debt.” Elora said with a charming smile, the charm that had won him over initially now seemed tainted by something else, some greedy gleam in her eye that he had foolishly not detected before. “How can you trust a man who does business with witches? They are the most untrustworthy of sort and no doubt that witch you owe the worst of them. She even has her talons sunk into the royal family!” Denet now spoke with anger. Daegel felt pure anger rising now at how they spoke of Silin, “She is helping.” He defended, keeping his composure for now. Elora tugged at his arm, attempting to get his focus solely on her. “Helping? If that is what you would like to call it then I am certain she gives many a helping hand to the men who come to her.” Denet’s words were now enough. With ease Daegel stepped free from Elora’s grip and grabbed Denet by the front of his shirt, “What did you say?” He asked, his voice low and challenging of her brother to say what he meant. “She is a whore.” Denet spoke with a cocky smirk. “And a whore you frequent based on the reaction I’m getting.” Debet said with amusement. Daegel reeled back and then threw his fist forward, punching Denet in the jaw. The man fell back, clutching his jaw and groaning with pain. Daegel stood for a moment watching the man collect himself, but soon Denet had thrown himself on Daegel, hitting him with the same anger Daegel had shown him. Daegel was no stronger than Denet, the unfortunate part of being a fairy was not possessing the same strength as the elves. It was what made them so vulnerable. Soon the two were on the floor and throwing punches. Daegel could only hear the rush of his own blood on his ears, the adrenaline of the fight coursing through him as he defended himself and Silin’s good name. Faintly he could hear Elora in the background screaming at the both of them to stop. The owner of the inn and a few men from the tavern below came busting through the door at the sound of Elora’s screaming and yelling and pulled the men off of each other. Elora rushed to Daegel’s side, checking his face before she moved to her brother to check on him as well.

When all were assured things were well and some semblance of peace had been made between Denet and Daegel the siblings returned to their home. Daegel picked up his bag of food he had gotten for Silin and exited the inn. The sun would be setting in a couple hours, but now he truly had some things to discuss with Silin and perhaps seek her healing hand. He walked down the path leaving the town towards Silin’s cottage, arriving at her door less than an hour later. His lip was bloody, a bruise beginning to form around his eye, and a large cut that formed along his cheekbone from one of the blow’s Denet dealt him. Daegel considered it fortunate for himself that Denet had left looking in as rough of shape as he did. Daegel offered Silin a small smile when she opened the door, but the adrenaline that had now subsided made the pain in his lip apparent and he winced. “At least I come with goods for you,” he offered in a way that was attempting to lighten the mood from how he appeared.

[silin-vigil]

Silin watched as he stepped closer to her, instantly feeling herself grow warm from him. Her body had such a reaction to him. She hated it, she wished her attraction to him had died down, or vanished. They had been living together for a little over a month, and she had never attempted to share time with him. However, she was well aware she had to keep her distance from him because she was sure he was not fond of her. And Elora seemed to perfectly occupy whatever free time he did have. A bitter taste coated her tongue at the thought of them sharing something as strong as a child. Realizing that perhaps it was time that she did allow herself to feel something, to try to bond with another. She hated the fact that it was the jealousy she was feeling for Daegel to come to that conclusion. He was not for her, nor would he ever be. After all, she was sure all she felt toward Daegel was just sheer desire, and perhaps a level of fondness. One she did not so readily admit, but his presence alone in the cottage had made being home much bearable than the silence she had suffered the first couple of weeks her grandmother had passed. His hand guided hers into the position he desired; it happened quickly, far too quickly for her liking. Her gaze dropped to his hand, his hand hovering over hers. Biting down on the corner of her bottom lip, yearning that he would touch. But she knew they could not, especially since she knew what the receiving end was like. Aside from that, it simply did not confirm that Daegel was attracted to her, he had Elora. Yet, the way he was speaking left her far too confused, his hand raising a bit higher as she watched intently. Soon her hand felt the rush of cold, but she did not jerk back and simply stayed in place as she felt the coldness emit from his hand. How strange, Silin thought, but it was by no means felt unpleasant. In fact, it very much reminded her of taking one’s first step outside into the cool night after being stuck in a stuffy tavern that was far too hot, with too many bodies which only made the room warmer. But that first step outside into the cool night felt refreshing and pleasant. The mention of a child not being able to control that breaking the desire he had so easily clouded her with, “right. I understand.” She spoke. The reality of why she should attempt to move on is only being enforced at the mention of Elora missing her bleeding. The gods truly reminded her that they were not meant to be, and his mentioning to add the favor she had just offered to the debt stung. Stung far more than she wanted to admit. Then again, it was no fault of him, she had made her bed and had to lay in it. Silin simply gave him a nod of acknowledgment, her gaze upon Daegel when he questioned her, holding his gaze as she lifted a shoulder and offered a shrug. “I do not believe so. He is a human man, and elderly but a very qualified healer. I respect him as he did my grandmother and me. I doubt he would forget seeing a pregnant woman, but perhaps you should visit him?” Silin suggested, “he has a tiny shop not too far from the blacksmiths. Ceniz, that is his name.” Silin informed him. Silin herself held some doubts about how truthful Elora was being, but perhaps she was pregnant and was seeing a healer who was not in the kingdom. Her gaze, seeing Daegel’s features change into an emotion she could not quite make out at the mention of Godwin. Wondering if the idea of someone desiring her in such a way seemed impossible to Daegel, Silin laughed softly. It was the first time she had laughed, and it not being Hamlin’s foolery. “Do not be so surprised. Men do find me attractive, despite my demeanor.” She assured him. “Yes, I will be fine. You do not need to worry about me.” Giving him an encouraging nod to go visit his family if he desired. Silin adjusted herself more comfortably in the wooden chair, the mug held in between her hands as Daegel answered her question. His words were simple, and they should not have warmed her as they did. Yet the way he gazed, his words, left her confused and her heart fluttering.

Her cheeks finally displayed how warm she felt, turning a soft red. “That is all good and well.” She managed to break the silence. Silin felt foolish, perhaps she was seeing things that were not there. Aside, even if they were. He was not the man for her, he would be the husband of Elora, and the whole town knew it. She did not desire to be the mouth of the town once more. It was the last thing she needed, another scandal and her name being dragged through the streets. She was chained to this kingdom, and she did not want more attention on herself. And yet instead of kicking Daegel out, and telling him to just pay his debt; Silin offered a smile to the fairy. “You are also the closest thing I have had to a friend in many years.” She commented. “And I never thanked you, you being here when we returned was…helpful. I did not feel my grandmother's death so heavily.” Speaking of her feelings did not come so easily to Silin, after what her lover and mother did. Speaking freely felt foolish, as she felt like it could be weaponized against her. There were other ways she wished she could thank him, but she supposed that was something that was not meant to be. “You are welcome to visit me whenever you want or can.” Remembering that Elora would surely have some say.

Daegel shook his head, "No, but we can emit the cold when we wish to." He stepped closer to her and took her hand and brought it in front of her with her palm up. He hovered the palm of his hand over hers, not touching, but near enough that she would be able to feel the warmth of his skin, "You can feel that I am warm as you are." He said and raised his hand a bit further from hers. He focused on his hand above hers for just a moment before the waft of cold moved forth from his hands to lightly blow a rapidly cooling beam of air to her hand. "Children cannot control that. They learn it young, but I would not be able to hide from their mother what they are." He said softly and then pulled his hand back. He was blurring too many lines for himself, getting far too close to her, speaking far too low to her. It made it impossible for him to not want to pull her into his arms, to kiss her, but he needed to stop. It was ridiculous that he needed to keep reminding himself that he was to be married. Perhaps if he had loved Elora or found feelings for her other then enjoying the feel of her he could be excited for it, but marriage had never been a serious thought for Daegel. He had always grown so used to take care of his family that such desires were things he had never given much thought or energy to. Daegel watched her as she pulled out the crystal and it formed into her spell book.her magic was just unlike what he had spent his time around, it was different and still rather intriguing to him. He walked over to the grimoire as she opened it and picked out a spell for him to look at though, truthfully, as he looked it over it made little sense to him. Daegel did not do spell work, his magic he carried all within him. He looked to her as she explained further, “She has missed bleeding twice now.” He told her, wondering how he well such a potion would work on a child, or how safe it would be. But he trusted that if anyone could make it safe for his child that Silin could. Why she would be willing to help him with such a thing when he owed her such a debt already was beyond him, but he was grateful for her. "I suppose it goes without saying that you can add it to the debt I already owe you." He said and smiled softly at her though the whole situation felt rather grim for him. He would have to go on hiding his true nature from Elora until he knew he much, much better. It would likely be years down the line. He felt his stomach flip in a sickly way at the thought. Though the child was unwanted he knew he would end up loving it no matter what. Elora was another case, being married to a woman he was not sure he would ever love or not. Perhaps he could come to love her in some matter, but he questioned the depth of how romantic it could be for him. He enjoyed sex with her, but the witch he stood with now held much deeper feeling for him than Elora did. Daegel laughed dryly at her quip, "Yes, perhaps I should have, but then," He paused and shook his head at himself, "I don't know." It would have denied him the opportunity to be around Silin further. He recognized that perhaps he was in a position to romanticize Silin because of his situation, but he truly did feel more at ease with her, more open with her. She may have had a coldness to her, but it was not without its reason. She had inherited being tied to a kingdom and though she could live in a way that appeared to be free there was a prisoner-like quality to it. But she still carried the warmth of the earth with her, a caring nature that gave one the sense they could approach her. Elora was physically warm, but lacked much depth as far as Daegel had been able to tell. Their conversations never more than pet names, sweet nothings, and erotic before she became pregnant. Now the conversations were full of worry and voicing the concerns of her parents. He would need to find a way to make it all bearable for himself, but he was finding it difficult when her parents and brother looked at him in the way they did. It seemed as though they all knew something he did not.

"Not significantly. She frequently tells me about the concerns of her parents, she seems more anxious and frustrated with me than ever, but that is to be expected with pregnancy." However Daegel felt his ears perk up at the mention that Elora had not been to the doctors in months. "She told me she has been to the doctors. Might he have been mistaken?" He asked her, now wondering if he had caught Elora lying to him. Though he wondered for what reason she would lie about this. Was it her jealousy over Silin? That seemed foolish though not unfounded. Daegel looked up from the mugs he set out at the mention of Godwin and his fondness of Silin. Daegel felt a surge of jealousy, his jaw clenching for a moment as he gathered himself, knowing his jealousy was a stupid thing for him to feel. "Then I suppose I shall go soon then since you will be protected." He managed to comment. If it had not been for the knock at the door Daegel could have gotten far too close to Silin. As much as he wished to kiss her, feel her body pressed against his, it was not a fair thing to do. Even if it was the first time he truly felt something mutual between them that did not just border on friendship. There was heat there, something passionate that wished to bubble over into more, but Daegel had fully sullied any chances of that. It was only torture to himself now to stand so near to her, to be so close he thought he could almost feel the heat of her body against his own. It would have been nothing for him to reach out and tuck those dark and luscious curls of hers behind her ear and reveal more of her lovely face to him, to cup her soft cheek and draw her into a kiss. But that knock at the door was a reminder to him that he was set to marry and had impregnated another woman. But at that time he had not known he would come to have such blossoming feelings for Silin, no in fact, he was fighting them at that point. Something he should still very much be doing, but absence truly only seemed to make the heart grow fonder. He sat at the table and sipped his tea as she addressed the person at the door, watching her get the potion bottle and exchange money. He had missed her in these past weeks. So much so that just watching her move about the cottage in that moment seemed like a dream, one that set in stone for him that he longed deeply for her. Silly, he thought. What a silly fool he was for resisting what his heart told him even so early into something that seemed dark initially. It had come to not feel so. The only darkness it caused was forcing him to realize his parents were not all he had allowed them to be built up in his mind as. "I do not have much to renegotiate at this point. I will go see my family at the end of this week and gather what I can for you then we can discuss a renegotiation. I needed someone to speak freely with more than anything. You are all I have for such things." He stated, his gaze lingering on hers for too long. He finally broke it to sip from his tea, the liquid hot but comforting like every cup of tea she had prepared for him had been.

[silin-vigil]

Silin stared at Daegel as he spoke about his unborn child and the problems that would arise from it being a half-breed. Her expression did not hold judgment or contempt, merely understanding and a level of empathy. Daegel had not asked for such a position, but he had been so quick to jump into bed with Elora, but Elora as far as Silin was aware was very easy on the eyes and clearly had her charm. Daegel was not the first Elora was seen with. Tilting her head curiously, “the winter fairies run cold?” She had touched him once before. It felt far too long ago to recall if his hand had been warm or cold, but it piqued her interest to know if his hand would be cold and soothing as they ran along her body. The thought surprised Silin. Daegel brought up valid points and difficulties, and Silin was only thinking of what his hands would feel like against her. Frowning slightly, but more so at her only lustful thoughts than the Daegel’s problems. Silin for once was truly at a loss for words or solutions, and yet she truly did want to find a solution to help ease his unease. Scouting her memories, she pulled out a small golden-white crystal. The crystal soon morphed into her family grimoire. Silin flipped thick old, fragile pages of a leather-encased book. Carefully reading the recipes of her ancestors, all the while listening to Daegel and what they each did, until it landed on a recipe that was a concoction for magic suppressing. Glancing up at Daegel. “Here.” She pointed to the recipe for Daegel to look upon it, as if the recipe would make any sense to him. Which it most likely would not. No one but her family and perhaps other white witches thought there were a few herbs and items that he probably would recognize. “It is a magic suppressor, but it’s in need of serious reformulation as it is for an adult. But I am sure I could come up with something in the meantime. How far along is Elora?” Silin asked Daegel. Silin could not explain why she was so willingly helping him, why she wanted to help him. Listening to his plan of moving in with her after the wedding, was an unusual feeling. She could not place the emotion, “That is wise.” Her gaze upon him once more when he exploded in frustration, but it did not phase Silin; merely watching him as he expressed him. While Silin easily could be older than him, even she herself did not feel prepared to bring a child into this world. Much less a half-breed. “You should have returned and stayed home when I gave you a chance.” She gently teased him, but there was some truth to her words as well. “Has anything changed in Elora’s treatment toward you?” Silin questioned as she remembered some unusual information. “I find it odd that she is not seeking medical treatment from any of the kingdom's doctors. I ran into the kingdom healer, and he told me he had not seen Elora in months.” She informed him causally, figuring maybe she was going out of town for such a thing. The nearest kingdom was two weeks away, it simply did not make sense to Silin. “If you wish to go, go. Do not worry about me. Godwin will be in town shortly anyway.” Silin spoke with a casual wave of her hand. “The king's brother, he is…quite fond of me. He will be lingering around enough.” Silin explained, remembering Daegel had not been in town long enough to have crossed Godwin’s path. “I do not believe them foolish enough to attempt anything while he is around,” Silin assured Daegel. Silin watched him as he set down the mugs and honey, he did it with too much ease and grace; as if he had never left. Even more confusing was when he stepped closer to her. Far too close, she could see his brown eyes, but they were shades lighter than hers. Silin could not help but lean in ever so slightly, noticing the softest flecks of amber in them. She had not noticed how warm and inviting his eyes were, but that was a problem. Everything about Daegel was inviting and disarming, was it a skill winter fairies possessed? One would think them cold and detached given the season.

Her gaze dropped to his lips, her eyes following the shape of his lips. She longed to feel against her own, against her body; wondering what kind of lover he would be? She felt her body grow immensely warm from his proximity and her thoughts. Her heart beat faster; her body felt far too warm now. Her mouth slightly opened as if she were ready to speak or grant him full access to her mouth in the form of a kiss. A knock on the wooden door, broke her trance; moving past him to go greet the person at the door. A villager who had come from medicine, Silin listened to them and grabbed a green potion, sending them off with it. She turned back to Daegel, but now she sat at the table and grabbed the mug with both hands, taking a sip of it. “I am glad you trust me.” Avoiding his gaze, but then it landed on him in confusion. “What did you wish to renegotiate if you do have something to bargain with?”

Perhaps if there had been more time Daegel would have developed feelings for Elora and felt more excitement about the life they were bringing to the world. It would not be the child’s fault they were born under the circumstances they were, but it was taking him a great deal of time to warm to the idea, to feel any excitement about it. But living with Silin had not made it easy for him to find feelings for Elora. He felt his feelings towards Silin were nothing more than physical attraction, but even living away from her now he still had not found himself feeling more deeply for Elora and only missing the comfort of Silin’s cottage. The comfort of Silin herself and her presence nearby even if she was in the other room. There was something comfortable about her. Despite the foot they had started out on her presence in his life was one he was coming to feel comfortable around, one he wanted around. Perhaps it was because he did not need to entirely hide his being a fairy, he did not have to keep anything from Silin like he did Elora. He felt so stupid, so foolish for how he had been. Though the past could not be changed, he knew that. He was stepping up as he needed to do, but looking at Silin in that moment made it incredibly hard to not feel that regret. Daegel followed Silin into the cottage, noticing Sage laying near the window. He walked over and scratched the familiar’s head affectionately and looked to Silin once more and nodded, “I know. I have not revealed myself, but how do I hide such matters once the child is here? It will not go unnoticed that there is something magical about them. Fairy children cannot control their abilities. There will be a day where the child looks at a glass of liquid and freezes it, holds their mothers hand and causes it to cool instead of warm, waves their hand and creates a layer of frost. That control only comes with time and guidance on how to control it. I realize I have made my bed, but how do I protect my child and myself?” He did not expect Silin to have answers for him. He was only hoping that since he could speak more freely with her that the answers might present themselves to him in their conversation. He had no one else he could talk to about it and he could hardly get away from Elora long enough to manage to see his family. He supposed he could run. He could make it to the realm, there would be no question of his child being allowed in. Daegel nodded, “Yes, thank you.” he accepted her offer of tea and sat down at the table now, watching her move about the small kitchen. “I do not intend to live with her family. I have saved enough that I can put us up comfortably in a room for awhile after the wedding. By the time the baby comes I should have enough to rent us a larger space.” Daegel at least had a plan. A tentative one, but he was going to try to make it work with Elora, he had a plan to take care of their child, her was moving the correct pieces. “I have not been able to. I suggested that I should visit my parents once and Elora would not stop insisting that she come along even when I told her that I wished to speak with my parents about everything before they were introduced and I literally cannot take her into the realm. I would have to reveal myself and get all this special permission. She’s impossible!” His frustration finally broke and was given away. “And I worry that if I just leave, even if I leave a note, she will come here making it a problem to do with you. She can be so unreasonable a person at times.” Daegel looked to Silin, wondering if there was some way she could help him even if it were just to get away to visit his family, but it was not Silin’s problem to handle and he was highly aware of that.

Daegel stood from the table, his anxieties making it difficult for him to settle. He went to the cabinets and pulled out mugs for the two of them as well as the honey. He did it all in a manner as though he still lived there. It felt as natural as that to him. He set the items of the table and stepped closer to Silin, “I do not expect you to have all the answers for me, but I feel you are the only person I can be so open with.” His voice was a bit lower as he spoke, looking down at her. Very close to her. Far too closer for a someone set to marry someone else, but his natural being felt drawn to Silin and it was only becoming more difficult to ignore.

[silin-vigil]

Silin was about to lay back on the hammock, but she noticed concern? In his gaze, she could not be sure, but she was unsure of why. She had heard that he managed to find something among the blacksmiths of the town, and also that he did not go straight to living with Elora, which seemed odd. Then again, Silin was sure this child was not wanted by him. He did not wear the face of a being that was overjoyed by the idea of bringing a life to this world, but she had given him an out before and he did not take it. Though she knew it was because of his parents that he did accept her offer, nodding as he stated renegotiating, but stilled as he spoke of concerns. Wondering what exactly he meant, and it felt much more ominous when he requested to speak inside the cottage. “Very well.” She stated, moving from the hammock onto the grass and heading inside with him. Sage curled up on a window, still basking in the sun from the window. Taking notice of Daegel glancing about the cottage, how odd she thought, but she did not allow herself to hyper-focus on the gesture. He would be married in a matter of time, the town was buzzing with the gossip of them. Hamlin had stopped by and inquired heavily about them, and then insisted that Godwin, his uncle, would be perfect. Which perhaps in another life where she was attracted to burly-looking men. He was not an unattractive man, in fact, most women would marry him if not for the royalty title, but Silin just felt nothing. Aside from that, she already felt the shackles of the king, she did not want to add any more to herself. If she did not have a soft spot for Hamlin, she would have fled. She was sure of it. The shackles were there but did not feel so heavy, she hoped that when Hamlin grew he would be a right and just king. Maybe then she would get to leave once more. Silin moved to sit on a plush dark gold chair; her focus on him as he spoke. Her brows furrowed slightly, but slowly shook her head at his question, “I do not know much of them. Only that the bakery is something from her mother's side of the family. I am not sure what her brothers do for coin. Her father died some time ago, and they believe I did not wish to aid him but that was not the case. They do not like witches or magic. They never once have come to me or my grandmother for that matter when they feel ill. I am not sure if they assumed that my family and I were meant to treat every person who fell ill, but we did not find out until after his passing.” She explained their brief history, “that wound seemed to only grow, seeing that the king took no action toward us.” If anything, the king scolded them in front of his council as well, stating that it was their own fault for not seeking help. “It probably did not help to see the king's protection toward us as well. I would tread carefully.” It was really the only advice she could give him. “I am not sure what their stance is with other magical beings or if it is just my family bloodline they dislike, but I think it is best to keep what you are to yourself.” Humans seemed obsessed with fairies, and dark witches as well. Silin herself did not understand that appeal, no, what she felt for Daegel was raw attraction. It had nothing to do with the fact that he was a fairy. But that was pointless now as well, it was one-sided and would lead nowhere. She stood from the chair and moved to the kitchen to brew some tea for herself, “would you like some?” She offered as she set some water to boil. Adding some special herbs and spices to the tea once the water had boiled. Pouring the warm liquid in two mugs and moved to sit closer to him now, handing him his mug. “I think it would be wise to have your own place after the wedding. If there is malice in their gaze, I do not think you should move in with them even after.” She added, figuring it would be the wise thing to do. “Did you go back home recently?” She questioned, wondering exactly what he wished to renegotiate. Or if he had brought her more plants and herbs from his realm.

Silin was also curious if he had spoken to his parents about becoming a father. Silin somewhat admired him, he had lived so carefree, and while there had been consequences, at least he did it. While she had completely shut herself off from allowing herself to feel anything for anyone. She did not allow herself to have any meaningful relationship after what Lodeli and her mother had done to her. Though she supposed she was allowing something to bloom with Daegel, it was not a relationship by any means nor friendship. She was not sure whether it would ever fully flourish to those, because of Elora. They were merely two magical beings who managed to be honest and speak among each other without fear of judgment.

The congratulations that Silin offered him sat as coldly in his belly as she seemed to have said it. He felt completely and utterly stupid for getting Elora pregnant. It was careless and he now realized he should not have been feeling as sorry for himself as he had been so as to allow himself to end up in this situation. As he looked at Silin another reality began to settle in for him. One that told him that he had been coming to feel far too domestically about Silin. That living with her and working around her cottage for her was actually something that felt natural to him. And now he would not be coming around at all until he figured out a way to provide for his child and Elora. Elora would have to become his wife. That reality sat heavily within him as well. Sure, Elora was fun and comforting when he had arrived, but he had never meant it to go this far. Silin's features were not all too revealing to him on how she felt about the situation. He was sure she was not pleased in the sense that it seriously caused trouble for the debt he was paying off to her. He knew no amount of gold Elora ever gave Silin would cover the debt that was owed to her. He assumed both he and Silin were quite aware of that. It would only be when Daegel eventually revealed that he was a fairy to Elora that she could ever know what the debt truly was and how her gold simply did not cover it. Almost as if she had read his mind that very topic came up, though truly it was hanging in the air waiting to be addressed. It had to be. "She will never be able to pay it off just on the earnings of her family bakery. I will still make my runs to my realm, but as you stated we can discuss a renegotiation later." Truthfully in that moment it was all a great deal to consider. His life had been entirely flipped on its head twice in just under two months. He was facing an all new reality all over again and it was a great deal to grapple with and Elora was no comfort for such things. Especially not when he was still hiding from her that he was a fairy. "I did not even think about the brothels until after I had met Elora. I forgot they were a common thing out here." Daegel felt something strange about the question asked, but that was his only answer to it. Yes there were brothels, but he was not typically a regular presence in this world. His eyes set on Silin as she sat at the table near the window, the morning sun rising and setting her in a beautiful golden glow. He would miss these mornings. He could no longer fight that he found her so beautiful, that he enjoyed being in her presence. This moment where he now had to lose the time he had to enjoy those things and fight them had to be let go since his new reality contained so little of her. As little as Elora would allow. He nodded and watched her grab her cloak, Daegel felt as though there were something he should be apologizing for. The debt would still be paid, but he felt as though she too might have come to enjoy his company even a little. She had given no real indication of feeling the attraction he had started to feel toward her, but he knew that living alone was much lonelier. It was always nice to have the presence of another in the home. There was comfort in that. He watched her walk down the path, the cloak billowing at her feet as she walked determinedly into the forest. He did not take his eyes off of her until he could no longer see her because of the trees. He would not need her help with packing and it would be her last view of him for some time until he got settled. He went into his room and packed the few things he had acquired since taking up residence in the room. He could fit it all in a pack that he slung over his shoulder with his bow and arrows on his back. He went into town and got himself a room at the inn, putting it on the tab Silin had told him to that he would begin paying himself once he had settled himself in a job.

Weeks passed and he had found himself a position at the very shop he had bought his bow and arrows at creating the weapons as well. It provided a stable wage, one that could provide for both he and Elora. Eventually he was able to take his room off the tab and began paying it himself. Elora would not live with him until they married so as to save some of her dignity with the townspeople. Her belly did not yet show that she was pregnant, but they were running out of time for that even. Daegel found he did not enjoy living away from Silin. He might have been the one fairy not quite as enticed by human women as other fairy men or perhaps it was only Elora and detesting the situation he had put himself in. Silin’s question of why he had not just gone to a brothel echoed in his mind heavily in the weeks that passed. But Elora had approached him and she had been so lovely and sweet. Now she was feeling overbearing and possessive of him. Two things he was unused to and did not enjoy. He felt it was not entirely her fault. No, he had known it was unfair to blame her for he too was an equal part in what created their child. It was only that it was foolish, a child not created from love or very deep feeling at all. Daegel approached the cottage, a small bit of happiness blossomed in his belly at the mere idea of seeing Silin. Daegel still had not worked up the courage to tell Elora that he was a fairy. It was something in the way her family regarded him that made him hesitant still. They looked at him with suspicion. Of course, that was to be expected on some level, but it set him far more on edge than a family simply questioning his intentions or his ability to provide. There was something that almost felt predatory in their eyes. Daegel looked up from the ground he had not even realized he had been staring at as he walked, too lost in his thoughts, but the ground had changed and he recognized that he was growing closer to the cottage. He could see Silin's figure laying in the hammock between two large trees. It swayed slowly and he believed it would be all too easy to scoop her out of it into his arms, but he had to refrain from such thoughts. He was set to marry Elora in the next month. He sighed softly to himself, his thoughts heavy and all too full of worry. "Silin." He greeted in return, a smile now easily finding his features when he spotted her, something that had not been so easy for him in the previous weeks. He thought on some level he cared for Elora, but he was also keenly aware that he kept telling himself that rather than feeling it. He sighed once more, "Renegotiate, but I do have some concerns and I have no one else I can voice them to." He explained, "Can we go inside? I would rather not risk any ears." He did not believe he was followed, but it felt safer inside. He did not trust that Elora would not somehow find out he had seen Silin. He followed her inside and looked about the cottage fondly, missing the warmth and magic that danced in the feeling of the home. He looked at her, "I did not expect Elora's family to like me, but they look at me in such a way that," Daegel paused and sighed as he tried to think of the word, "It is disconcerting. I know they do not expect me to be able to provide for her and our child, but it is not that. There is malice behind it. Something strange and uncomfortable. I do not like to be in their home long. Do you know anything about them?" he asked her. He knew she did not spend time in the town getting to know people too deeply, but they showed up at her door before. One could hear things just from that.

[silin-vigil]

Silin watched Daegel as he placed a box of pastries and dried fruits on the table, wondering why he looked rather grim. Silin could only assume they had spoken, and remembering Daegel’s words that he had not made Elora any promises seemed to only enforce that this baby was not desired on his behalf. She opened her mouth to protest, but no words came out, She closed her mouth and sat in silence for a moment. Rethinking her initial protest, she had no right to ask him to stay as much as wanted. She had been the one to suggest it, after all, but it only made sense to her. Daegel had not once shown that type of interest or attraction toward her; it would be that the gods placed a man she was attracted to only tease her. Feeling a bit lost on what to advise him, or say to him. Meeting his gaze, “I suppose I should congratulate you.” Finally breaking the silence, “Congratulations.” But her tone sounded far too flat to sound sincere. It was only attraction she felt toward him, she should not feel as bitter as she did. “I will see you when I see you, but your chores remain the same. I do not know how you will find the time between a job and your debt.” Realizing that she sounded far more bitter than she had intended, she exhaled softly. “Sorry, I understand you will need to provide. Visit me once you find something and we can renegotiate the terms.” She stated, though now she just sounded exactly as she had in the cave. Feeling rather grateful she had not fully allowed her guard to go down with Daegel, he would leave and there would be an emptiness once more, but that was a wound she needed to heal. Needed to heal on her own, her grandmother was gone and grief was an emotion she did not enjoy dealing with. Dark witches understood death, and this was a time Silin envied them. They might not understand life, but grief and death were far easier on them than her, or so it felt that way. “Elora came by as well to visit me, she told me as much.” Deciding that it was best to leave out that, Elora also asked her to stay away from him. Which made no sense to Silin since Daegel only seemed to have eyes for Elora anyway. “Elora also started paying off your debt, that way you can focus fully on them.” She added, sure that Daegel and Elora had discussed it. “If you desire it, we can also go down that route, but it is a hefty price in terms of gold.” Silin would make it impossible for Elora to be able to acquire it. She did not want to accept Elora’s or her family's money. He had been in their realm for a month and a half and managed to get a human pregnant, some would say it was impressive. “There were brothels, you know?” Silin spoke, confused as to why he went for Elora instead of a whore. At least with them, they understood and rarely demanded more than their pay. “Well, I should go. I have things to do.” Silin stood from the chair, looking down at her uneaten breakfast, having lost all of her appetite. Now that she would be seeing less of Daegel, she could only hope the attraction she felt for him would die down or completely diminish. “Let me know if you need help moving anything.” Thought she could not imagine he had much to him. Grabbing her cloak and dropping it over her shoulder as she headed out of her cottage. The cool, fresh air was very much welcomed by Silin, she felt foolish for even lusting after Daegel. The pregnancy felt like a hard slap that her life was best lived in solitude. Instead of heading into town, Silin headed into the forest. The solitude of the forest was a balm to Silin's soul, a respite from the judgmental eyes of the kingdom she called home. She did not need that right now. She did not return home until later that evening, opening the gate to notice a villager hanging by the door. Only to find out he needed to buy some medicine, Silin got him the proper potions and gave them instructions before they were on their way. Silin took off her cloak and hung it as she stepped inside, only to find it completely empty. Knocking softly on the bedroom door where Daegel had been, but no voice or sound stirred.

Wondering if perhaps she had been too cold or distant from him. Then again, she did not wish to impose herself on him as they knew that he would return him as soon as he was done paying his debt, but now would he return? Would he take Elora and his kid to his realm? Questions that she did not need answered, he was not her problem. Yet Silin could not help but think about him in the following weeks, laying on the hammock as it swayed softly, mindlessly playing with the ends of her hair as she stared at the darkening sky, the sun slowly setting. The golden hues of the setting sun painted the sky, and she felt the gentle caress of the breeze against her skin. With a contented sigh, she closed her eyes and let her senses merge with her surroundings. As she lay there, the air around Silin seemed to come alive, whispering secrets and ancient tales to her. She could hear the rhythmic rustling of leaves and the murmur of woodland creatures in the distance. The warmth of the waning sun bathed her in a gentle glow, filling her heart with a profound sense of peace. Silin admired the setting sun, admiring the myriad colors that painted the horizon. The sky transformed into a masterpiece, with streaks of scarlet, gold, and purple blending together in perfect harmony. It was as if the very essence of magic and wonder was being woven into the fabric of the sky. That moment of peace came to an abrupt end at the sound of footsteps approaching. Silin propped herself up on her elbows to look in the direction to find Daegel who looked as dreamy as ever, “Daegel.” She greeted with a smile. “Have you come to renegotiate?” She questioned, her gaze still on him. “Or is it something else?” She asked.

Daegel took the tea from her and smiled gratefully, but the gratefulness was mostly for the smile she offered, small but beautiful. He knew he must stop thinking about her in such a way, but he found it incredibly difficult not to. Daegel felt as though the more he was around Silin the more natural occupying the same space as her felt. It only made it more difficult for him to deny that attraction he felt for her. Daegel looked across the table at Silin. It occurred to him that there was something too natural about sitting there with her, looking at her across the table enjoying tea together. It was as if it were the most natural thing he had ever done. His attraction to her truly was getting far too apparent to deny to himself. He wondered if perhaps it would not be better for him to live with Elora just for the pure fact that he felt he could too easily try to cross lines he should not with Silin. But why should he care so much? He was not beholden to Elora in any manner. He nodded at Silin's question though, the topic of discussion being Elora and for that reason being a wet blanket over his more lustful and warm thoughts about Silin. "Yes, I am sorry to report that it is about you though I am sure that was no surprise after her display yesterday." He explained softly and finally sipped from the tea when it had cooled down enough, the liquid truly bringing him some calm and clarity after his argument with Elora and his confusing emotions about Silin. Were those feelings so confusing? Or was he only trying to deny them? If he gave it too much thought they actually seemed rather clear to him, but considering his ties to Elora and the public manner in which he had been carrying on with her it did not make him out to be the more honorable man. But then he was no man. He was a fairy and a fairy who had never needed to play by the rules of man. Until now. And he still had six decades of time to be spent among men. Daegel sipped his tea once more as she spoke about the potential benefits of him living in town, living with Elora or just not with Silin herself. It sat poorly with him. He liked the cottage. He liked living on her grounds and the magic that constantly surrounded the cottage. He found it quaint and comfortable. "It is all a lot to consider right now. I have not made promises to Elora which is why it bothers me as it does that she has been behaving in the way she does, showing up as she has. Though for your protection maybe it would not be the worst idea if I do not live here." Though Daegel found himself not wishing to go, he could see the point in it only to protect Silin from what Elora was attempting to bring to her door, the drama and danger of showing up with torches and being threatening. He sighed softly and looked to Silin as she stood and dismissed herself for the evening. "Goodnight," He told her softly, his eyes following her figure as she walked to her bedroom, his eyes landing squarely upon her swaying hips, her ass looking perfect to grab and hold even beneath her skirts. He wished to feel her pressed against him, sharing a bed and enjoying the feeling of one another uninhibited by anyone living nearby them. But for that reason, for those thoughts, perhaps it would be best if he stayed outside of the cottage and not right with her. He finished his tea and went to his bed, spending most of the night only tossing and turning.

Daegel stood in front of Elora, mouth slightly agape as she told him she was with child. He felt a sinking in the pit of his stomach. It was not lost on him that many knew about how they were carrying on with each other. It would not be considered honorable of him to not marry her now. It was then plainly clear to him how much he would not desire to marry her. Unwanted thoughts of disappointment flooded him when he thought of Silin. He felt foolish for so quickly and blatantly carrying on with a human woman. But he also did not feel right walking away from his child. Elora threw her arms around his neck, looking up at him with eyes pleading though he did not put his arms around her, “We must marry.” She urged softly. Daegel looked into her eyes, a soft sigh releasing itself from him as she spoke, “We must,” he agreed softly, his voice revealing his lack of excitement at the news. Her grip around him seemed to tighten at his obvious lack of joy at the news though it was not as though she was expressing much excitement herself. It felt possessive more than anything else, “my family can pay your debt to Silin.” She offered softly, “Your family cannot pay that debt and I will not accept it, but I will still marry you as I should.” He said and stepped out of her embrace to pick up a bag of goods he had picked up for the cottage. “Why do you insist on staying with Silin?!” Elora’s frustration broke causing Daegel to scoff, “My debt to her is not simple debt that your family could pay off. It is far deeper than that.” But Daegel was in a complicated position. It would be inevitable now that Elora should figure out what he was. She would be having a child who was half of what he was, there would be no denying it. If he did not reveal it it would make itself known through small things the child did. He was a fool for not being more careful. He did know how much easier it was for humans to procreate, he should not have let it get to this point and risk himself as he had. “What is it?” She demanded to know, “You know she is a witch. My sisters life is owed to her grandmother and in so many years my own family has not been able to pay the debt. Your family will not be able to pay it. It is mine to pay with my labor.” He was still attempting to not reveal too much to her. "I need to think about all of this. I will do what is right, but I need to return these items to Silin and I just need an evening to think about it all." Daegel explained. Elora's gaze was full of anger that he would leave upon hearing this news. He understood. But he needed time to think about how he would approach revealing that he was a fairy to her, thinking about what a child meant, what his future would now be, and how he would provide for said child. A great deal had just been thrust upon his lap. He pressed his lips to Elora's forehead and she clung to him, her fingers gripping onto his shirt, wanting to hold him there but he carefully removed himself, "I will see you tomorrow." He said and kissed her forehead once more and left. Elora's brother, Gaetan, had entered the room after Deagel had left, looking to his sister, "You told him?" Gaetan asked her. Elora nodded, "Yes, he believes I am with child. As does the witch." Elora still spoke with venom about Silin. Though her intentions with Daegel may have not always been bad from the start, they had quickly turned that way when Gaetan had pointed out his belief that Daegel may have been magical himself in some fashion, that he believed Daegel to be a fairy from him limited experience with them. Gaetan had spent some time tracking fairies for their blood it being as precious as it was. "When he comes back tomorrow we must convince him to stay under the guise we are to have you both married as soon as possible." Gaetan said to her as he went to the window and looked out, seeing Daegel below growing distant from their home as he walked in the direction of the witch's cottage.

"She told me she would be open to us paying his debt he owes her if he were to be willing to make a deal." Elora said, a cruel smile appearing now, "It would be easy to keep her away once we've convinced her that I have married him." Elora explained. Gaetan turned to his sister, the same cruel smile on his lips, "That is perfect then." He said and exited the room, their plan laid perfectly before them. The sun was setting by the time he returned to the cottage. He stepped inside, his expression grim as he came through the door with the bag. "Silin." He said simply and set the bag on the table and pulled out some dried fruits and that he had picked up for her along with a small box of pastries from Elora's bakery. He sighed heavily and looked at her, "Elora informed me that she is pregnant." He said and hung the bag up on a hook near the door. He turned to Silin, his hands hung at his sides, "I suppose I have my answers from our conversation from last night. I have no choice but to marry her now, live with her." Though he did not sound excited as a man should be to have a child on the way, to be marrying a woman he should love. Instead he was filled with regret for how he had handled any of his time in this world. He had only been looking for a little bright spot in the mess of a situation he felt he had been in, but now that situation had not felt like such a mess compared to what he found himself dealing with now.

[silin-vigil]

Silin watched Daegel move the meat with ease along with the blocks of ice, following him down and doing a small enchantment to prevent the meat from spoiling. Daegel was far too easy to watch, out of all the men she could desire, why would have to be this fairy? It felt wrong of her to desire him, especially when he had someone but then again Silin had seen him first? She had found him attractive when he emerged from the cave? Did that not give her some right to her thoughts? Silin poured both the golden-colored tea into two mugs and set honey on the table. Silin wasted no time in sweetening her tea. Everything else in her life might have been soured or bitter, but Silin liked her teas sweet. Raising her eyebrows as he mentioned that Elora wished to argue and Silin had a sneaking suspicion that it was about her, how could it not be? Her actions, it was somewhat of a giveaway. Bringing the mug to her lips, Silin took a sip, the warmth of it completely relaxing her and calming her worked-up nerves. “Soothing.” She whispered with a small smile. “Drink some, it will help you.” She assured him. “It never helps to think about things when you are already worked up.” She commented. Holding the mug with both hands as she listened to Daegel, “Hm, it was about me?” She questioned him, but Silin knew the answer. “Or partially about me, I am sure.” Selecting her words carefully, as she did not wish to further upset Daegel nor did she wish for him to think she was centering herself in their issues. “Looking back at it, I believe her coming here that night was a display of jealousy over an actual threat, but she is a fool,” Silin commented. “Had anyone known what she was doing, it would be her brother and her executed by the king.” She was not sure if such protection from the king was a curse or a blessing. Lately, it had felt far more like shackles than anything else, she had not been able to travel for weeks, weeks that were turning into months. For once, she was not sure what to do. Could she give them the recipe and be on her way? Would handing it over mean her peace be over? Would he have no need for her and sever all treaties they had created? Pushing such thoughts aside, she did not wish to think about such things, especially on a full moon. Her gaze met his eyes once more as he spoke, “You are more than welcome to move into town with her or stay at the tavern. You can put it on the tab.” She offered, and perhaps it would be wise for him to be away. She needed the distance, if he was out of sight, surely the desire and attraction she felt would fade. Her gaze subtly dropped to his hands, admiring them. Following his veins up his forearms to his biceps, he was not overly muscular no, but his physique truly gave away he was an archer. He surely was light on foot and light, which would allow him for quick movements. His broad shoulders and torso, narrow hips. Hips that were far too inviting to wrap one's leg around. She forced herself to look away, to stop the thoughts, they were only driving her mad. Glancing at her own mug, the golden liquid was half gone now. It was not helping her quell the desire she felt for him. “Perhaps it would not be such an idea.” She spoke, “It will calm the waters between you two.” She attempted to rationalize to make it seem more favorable for him to accept. “I do not wish to cause issues among you two.” That much was truthful. Silin did not want to cause issues, and she felt herself far too tempted by him, even if it was one-sided as well. She was being a fool, incredibly foolish, Daegel had done nothing to give her the impression that he was even remotely attracted to her. It truly was for the best that he did not find her appealing. She was not sure what was to happen if Silin slept with him when his family owed her? His lines were clear and she would respect it. She held her tongue to not speak ill of her family, even if she wanted to. It was not her place, nor should she care.

Daegel had gotten himself involved with her, he could handle Elora. “I will leave you with your thoughts, have a good night's rest.” She tried to reach to hold his hand, but refrained from touching him, knowing it would do nothing for her. Silin stood and emptied the rest of the contents out of the mug and headed to her bedroom, only to find herself tossing and turning most of the night. Her mind was heavily occupied by a certain fairy; desiring desperately to be found in comprising positions. The next morning, Silin could only hope that Daegel would patch things up with Elora. Silin sat at the table, spreading freshly made jam on a piece of bread. Hearing a knock on the door, Silin stopped what she was doing and opened the door, only to see Elora. Her eyes were swollen as if she had been crying all the previous night, Silin stepped to the side to allow her in. “I do not know where Daegel is, he might still be sleeping, or he went off hunting,” Silin stated before Elora could speak. “It was not him I wanted to speak to anyway, not right now.” Silin exhaled, slightly vexed by her words. It was far too early for Silin to deal with Elora. Only now there was a change to her voice and even in how she looked at Silin, there was pleading in her tone and gaze toward Silin. “Are you not feeling well?” Slight concern in Silin’s voice, but Elora simply shook her head. “No, I am with child, but I am not going to come to you for medicine. I only came to tell you to stay away from Daegel.” Silin stood silent for a long moment, having been rendered speechless. It was no shock what they were doing, and humans procreated so easily, they blessed in that sense. Hiding the disappointment she felt about the news, “his family owes me money, that is all, Elora.” That part was true. Elora nodded, “how much? My family owes a bakery and I will pay it off.” Silin almost laughed at the suggestion, but held it back. “It is not a simple debt, but if he allows it. We can discuss a number.” She suggested. Elora glared at Silin, “I will speak to him when goes into town then.” Silin simply gave her a nod as she stood and left. Silin was not sure how long she sat there, but soon she heard Daegel come in. “Daegel” She greeted, unsure if he had gone to town and spoken to Elora, but she knew it was not her place to drop such news. She felt for him, debating if she should warn him.

Daegel admired the moon along his walk home. The sky was perfectly clear and the moon glowed intensely. Daegel felt he understood witches and their worship of the moon. He understood why Silin would engage in rituals for it, but it only gave him further questions for her and her practice. Though he wondered how much she would share. When he had questioned her earlier in the day about her rituals she seemed hesitant to share with him. He understood. Though they inhabited the same space there had not been some deep bond growing between them. Though he felt there should be. Though perhaps that was a foolish thing since he did not even know where that desire stemmed from or rather what it meant. It seemed sensible to form some kind of friendship. Aside from the prickly feelings she had created upon how they first came to know one another Daegel had discovered she was not unpleasant at all really. Sure she was distant and suspicious of many, but that seemed to be expected of witches considering how humans viewed them. But Daegel found himself fascinated with her magic even though where he came from was possibly even more magical. Her magic was different and under her control entirely and there was much she could do with that, much more than he could individually as a fairy. He also could just use reason to see her more than he already did. He so often slipped away to Elora. Elora made the nights pleasurable, but he was certain he was doing nothing good for her reputation. He knew he was not. Her brother did not seem to view his favorably and truthfully Daegel would not look favorably on a man doing the same the same to his own sister. He could not fault Elora for wanting more, for questioning his position with Silin. But Daegel felt he could not give Elora that. It put him at far too great a risk and he did not trust easily. Elora seemed to speak freely with her family and he worried that if she knew he was a fairy then the entire town would end up knowing about it as well. It was a matter he would need to tend to sooner rather than later, but it was his opinion that cooler heads typically prevailed. He would save it for when the tempers had calmed. He needed more rest anyway. The days of travel still seemed to weigh on him. As Daegel approached the cottage he had hoped to slip in unnoticed to allow Silin to continue with her rituals, but perhaps he should have known she would easily pick up on the sound of the wagon. He felt guilty for interrupting her evening, perhaps he should have sucked it up and found a better way to calm Elora down, but he was bothered by the accusations and prying. He looked to Silin, “I apologize for interrupting your evening.” He said as he moved past her to put the meat into the cellar. He walked down a short set of steps that descended deeper into the small cellar. It was a cramped space, but cold and perfect for the storage of meat. Daegel returned to the wagon to then bring down two blocks of ice that had kept the meat cold on his journey. He placed them on the floor of the cellar to keep the small space even cooler. Hauling the ice was easy for him, something that reminded him of his work back home for the moments it took to haul it into the cellar. He stepped out and closed the cellar door and turned to Silin, “Elora wished to argue tonight.” He explained simply, “She could not simply be happy to see me again.” He did not reveal what it was exactly. He wondered if that were even worth bringing up though he realized how bitter he sounded with his statements. He felt that perhaps the whole issue with Elora would have even been smoothed over if he had returned with her the night before instead of staying at the cottage, but it was always so easy to look back and see what should have been done differently. Even if there was nothing different from how things were when Elora had first met him. Besides his being a fairy there was nothing he had truly lied about with her.

“Not by her brother, only by her though I hold no doubts her brother has gotten in her ear.” The family itself was rather strange. Daegel had little interaction with humans before this change in his life, but even still they struck him as a bit odd. He had to admit the full moon did seem something special. The cottage seemed to almost vibrate with magic much like it had when it woke upon Silin's return to it, but she seemed to even have a glow about her. Not literally, but he could sense the magic of that night and even more sense that he had truly interrupted it all.

[silin-vigil]

Silin nodded to him, “I do not see why not.” She commented, figuring it was best. Silin was surprised by his question, stilling for a brief second as she found her words. “Rituals, but yes, witches do all kinds of different rituals. I suppose the only thing we have in common is we go into the woods; some dark witches or covens make human sacrifices, others dance around a fire, others sing, or do offerings with incantations, bathing in a lake under the moonlight, a combination of all them.” Leaving out the more lustful aspect of some rituals, feeling strange to disclose such things to him. Prude was a not word she used to describe herself but speaking so freely about sexual or lustful nature to a fairy that had a woman did not feel right to Silin. Perhaps because of what had been done to her. She watched him as he got up and rinsed his plate, her gaze roaming over his once more, realizing how narrow his hips were and broad shoulders. “Likewise, enjoy your evening.” She said, giving him a small smile. Once Daegel left, Silin stood and finished Hamlin’s potion. Hamlin and his father arriving shortly after. His father reminded Hamlin of all the courses he had for the day after he took it. The king thanked her before he left with Hamlin, who pouted on the way out. Silin spent much of the day preparing for her rituals. Once night was upon them, Silin stepped out of the small cottage under the moonlight and walked barefoot into the woods, the grass that surrounded her cottage became mushy terrain the further she walked into the forest. The moonlight guided her, coming upon the opening in the woods, the one she had been using for years. Silin draped her cloak on a low branch, her corset, and dress following. Moving into the opening. Silin's slender fingers gently traced symbols in the air, invoking the energies of the universe. As she chanted in a melodic voice, the air crackled with anticipation. The spirits of the forest seemed to whisper her name, sharing their secrets and unlocking the arcane knowledge she sought. From her hidden pouch, Silin produced bottles of rare herbs, shimmering crystals, and fragments of ancient texts. She sprinkled them in a circular pattern around her, each element contributing to the spell's potency. With each addition, the air thickened, rich with the scent of earth, smoke, and magic. As the ritual intensified, the full moon cast its silvery light, illuminating Silin's face. She closed her eyes, channeling the energy pouring forth from the celestial body above. Her body swayed with the rhythm of her incantation, a dance of power and intention. The surrounding woods come alive, shadows stirring, mesmerized by the witch's ethereal presence. Every tree and creature seemed to hold its breath, drawn into the enchantment woven by Silin's mystical prowess. In a flourish of movement, Silin raised her hands, palms facing upward, and called upon her deepest well of magic. The very fabric of reality trembled as her words harmonized with the moon's presence, fusing together to create a symphony of magic. Vibrant beams of light shot forth from Silin's open palms, weaving intricate patterns in the air. Stars seemed to materialize, filling the clearing with their radiant glow. A chorus of ethereal voices soared, carried on the wind, their haunting melody mingling with Silin's incantation. The climax of the ritual approached, and Silin held nothing back. Her voice, now infused with raw power, echoed through the forest, reaching every corner of existence. With sheer determination and heart-stopping magic, she unleashed a surge of magic that transcended mortal understanding. The ground beneath Silin cracked momentarily, releasing a burst of energy that rippled through the earth. Time seemed to stand still, as if the very essence of creation paused to witness the magnitude of Silin's spell. And then, with the final word trembling on her lips, Silin released her power, dissolving the sacred circle with a flick of her wrist. The forest exhaled, its harmony restored.

The moon, having witnessed the breathtaking display, showered the witch with silver light, granting her blessings. Silin collapsed onto her knees, taking a moment to gather herself before she got up as if nothing happened, feeling recharged and energized. Dressing herself and heading back to the cottage. Once she arrived, she ran herself a bath, the only sounds were of the house settling and a few animals also singing for the full moon. Glancing out the window, she stepped out of the tub once she had finished. In her room, Silin opened a window allowing the moonlight to shine in, crawling onto her bed. It did not take long for Silin for her hands to begin exploring her neglected body, as her own hands' showed appreciation for her gentle curves. It was far too pleasant but stilled as she heard a wagon along the stone path. Frowning slightly, she sat up, slipped into a nightgown, and headed out toward the front. Daegel was back, confusion, and vexation mixed into her features. “Daegel?” She questioned in slight disbelief. Frustration slowly built that she could not find release. “You are back early, why?” She questioned, moving aside so that he could put the meat back into the cool cellar. Not only was this fairy fueling her lust, but also blocking her from any release. She sighed softly, wondering if she should proceed, but she would not be able to do such an act so quietly. “Was your evening soured?” She questioned, it seemed to be the only logical explanation. “By her brother?” Silin asked, moving to brew herself some calming tea, hoping it would help her charged body unwind enough to sleep.

Daegel had truly dug out the best items that he could find on his trip. He did not know what drove him to wish to impress her, but he was doing so anyway. He wanted her to see the beauty and magic of where he came from. It was strange to him how that fondness had grown. But there was nothing objectionable about her. Had he found the level of debt and time a bit unreasonable? Yes, he very much had. And while much of what his eyes had been opened up to was rather upsetting he still found a level of peace or understanding to have a different view of his parents and his life back home. Or maybe it was just validation that some of the feelings he had about his parents all along were in fact seen by another. He did not know for certain though. They were all things he was still very much working through and understanding. As he explained each item to her he began to notice her drawing closer to him. So close that for the first time he could truly pick up on her scent. She smelled of everything she laundered their clothing and sheets with rose, clove, cinnamon, lavender, but there was also a note of fruit to it, citrus and apple. She smelled warm and sweet. He could imagine burying his face in her thick beautiful hair as he held her against himself, inhaling her scent. She pulled back though and it pulled him out of those thoughts, those thoughts he certainly should not be having about her. He shrugged his shoulders, "I just had it all made up in my mind that it would not actually take as much time off as it did. I just had no basis for how you valued things.” He explained, it was not meant to insult her in any way. It was only his inexperience with this sort of thing really. “But understanding what I do now it makes sense to me. No argument here.” He chuckled softly. But he quickly nodded, “Yes, my travels were long. Sleep well,” he told her, lingering at the table for a few minutes, looking out the window into the darkness as he thought about how he believed he desired her. The way she was was just alluring. She carried herself with cat-like grace. And he was utterly taken with how she smiled. He sighed softly and then picked up his bag and walked into his room. He paced around for about an hour just settling himself back in before he finally laid down and sleep quickly took him. The sun had barely broken over the horizon when he woke. As he pulled open the curtains he could see it just beginning to break in the distance, tinging the sky a lighter shade of blue and then to green, the shades slowly melting into a bright yellow as the sun finally began to rise. Daegel had always enjoyed sunrises, watching the colors change and the animals rise from their sleep and beginning to roam. It was the perfect time to hunt. Daegel gathered his bow and arrows and stepped outside the cottage. He did not intend to go far. Out here they were far enough from town that the animals roamed more freely. He readied his bow and an arrow, ready to shoot in case he came across anything. He slowly stalked along, his feet light and quiet across the forest floor, his eyes scanning over the land looking for any movement. It was then that he spotted it. A deer about a hundred feet ahead of him. Daegel slowly brought his bow up and aimed it at the animal, watching for one moment longer before he released the bow and it quickly sailed across the gap between them and hit the deer in its side. The animal stumbled and Daegel quickly pulled another arrow, aimed, and hit the deer again. The animal then faltered and passed on. Daegel approached the animal and knelt down beside it. He rested his hand on the deers side and bowed his head, saying a quiet prayer to the gods and expressing gratitude to the deer for what it would provide. He picked the doe up and carried it back towards the cottage. He loaded the animal onto a wagon and carefully removed his arrows. He went inside to freshen up and get something to eat before he headed into town.

As he entered the cabin it seemed apparent his timing could not have been better. He sat at the table as she handed him a plate, his hunger now very evident to himself. He looked over at her and shook his head, “It is highly likely that I will” He intended to see Elora, he had to. After her little performance the night before he needed to see her and speak to her. “I got a deer and I will have to take it into town to have it cleaned up. I imagine they can store it overnight for me as well.” He explained. He finished his plate and looked to her once more, curiosity in his gaze now, “What rituals do you do for the full moon? Do the different kinds of witches have different rituals for the moon?” He truly knew little of her long except for how humans often treated them and that were were capable of many great and sometimes terrifying things. It only depended upon the witch. He stood up and rinsed his plate for her and set it aside to dry, "Enjoy your rituals tonight. I will return at sunrise." He said and stepped out of the cottage. He picked up the wagon handles and headed into town. The walk took longer carrying a wagon with dead weight on it, but he got it to the butcher and handed it off to them to take care of for him. He took care of a few other things in town and then was off to see Elora in the evening. The conversation between them only grew tense though as she wished for him to take her more seriously than he seemed to be, the pressure likely put on them by her family as well. But there seemed to be a streak of jealousy when it came to Silin as well. Elora demanded to know just how close they actually were though Daegel insisted it was only professional. But there seemed to be no calming her. It only led to an argument between them causing Daegel to leave for the night. It was not so late in the evening that hte butchers had closed and he stopped to pick up his cleaned and carved up deer. He put the cost of it on the tab, the meat packaged with ice and loaded onto his wagon for him. He brought carried things back to the cottage. By the time he was on the road the sun had gone down, but the sky was clear and with the moon full it was bright and easily guided his path home.

[silin-vigil]

Silin listened intently to him explain the herbs, plants, and crystals, and they were truly unique that it was so painfully obvious they were not of this realm. They had a capturing beauty. She would need to find out where to store them, and she hoped one of these plants would have healing properties, but she figured that was a thing for her to figure out later. Though she could not deny that hearing of his realm was exciting and new, Silin had no interest in going into it. She was not sure why? She was sure many would kill to go visit fairies in their realms, but Silin felt it intrusive and if the gods had not given them access then it was surely for a reason. Silin also had no intention to bleed them of their sources, though she was sure one witch could not do that. Her focus was one more on his words, taking mental notes of what he was saying about each plant. Her gaze on him, her eyes following the contour of his jawline, his lips while thin it did not mean they were any less inviting, up his nose until she met his gaze. Realizing how close she had been before sitting back right in her chair, it had not been her intention, but the thoughts had her confused beyond measure. She should not be lusting after a fairy, he would return home. It was clear he loved his home and it was not worth it. Forcing herself to think of anything but the invasive thoughts she had just thought. Her taking ten years off surprised him? Confusion on her features now, “Why does that surprise you?” She questioned. “I am an earth witch, I do not take lightly you sharing plants with me from your realm. It means a great deal.” She explained, hoping her ten years made sense. She was not undervaluing the effort nor the plants that would be used. Not only that, but she did not want him to think it was for any other reason. Noticing the smile that graced his lips, it dawned on her that this man could be very dangerous for her. How could a fairy, anyone for that matter, have a smile that could disarm? Silin slightly frowned, forcing herself to look down at the details of the phoenix feathers, noticing the blue hue. “Oh, I am sure it is a stunning sight to see.” She commented, glancing back at Daegel. “Thank you.” She said. “It has been a long night, have a good night.” She stated, gathering what he had brought her and heading to the room with it. Silin awoke the next morning, everything from last night reeling in her mind, Elora threatening her to think about inviting he was. Silin needed distance from him, and she could only hope he would spend the next couple of days making Elora happy, and away from her. After taking a moment to freshen up, Silin stepped outside of her room and moved to the kitchen. Touching her cauldron, and it was coming to life, Hamlin, and the king would come soon to take his potion. Silin sighed contentedly as she stirred the bubbling cauldron, the fragrant scent of herbs filling her cozy cottage. Her familiar, Sage, curled herself around her feet, purring in delight. It was mornings like this that made Silin grateful for her simple life, one that most would not understand. As she reached for a jar of dried herbs on a nearby shelf, her hand accidentally knocked it over. With a muttered curse, Silin bent down to clean up the mess, her hair tumbling over her shoulder. Silin cleaned the spilled herbs up and stepped away to gather freshly laid eggs for her breakfast, stepping out. As soon as she had, she heard something in the distance and quietly went to go investigate. Spotting Daegel, he was hunting, or target practicing? She was not sure, only that she could not look away from him. Quietly hiding behind the thick foliage, admiring the fluidity of his movements as he aimed his arrows with precision. The way his muscles rippled and how his shoulders and back moved with grace, she felt a familiar warmth between her legs. Once she had not felt for many years, Silin was not sure what was happening to her or why her attraction to Daegel was growing.

Was it only because he was the only male that was around? Was this her body demanding some sort of release? It seemed only natural her body was demanding such an act during the full moon. Turning to leave, disturbing, would do nothing for either one of them. Her thoughts only grew more lustful if she lingered. Silin picked the eggs and headed inside, trying to keep her mind focused on the food she was preparing. Waiting for Daegel to join her, Silin sat down and looked over at him as he ate. “Are you visiting Elora today?” She asked, “I only ask because it is a full moon tonight, and I have rituals to do, it is probably best you stay the night with her.” Silin explained but while it was true she would do some rituals one could only do under a full moon, she also fully intended to pleasure herself under the moonlight, it was a climax that was unforgettable. Perhaps that is why her mind subconsciously was demanding one. Her mind drifted to wondering if it would be much more intense with someone else, her gaze on Daegel as the thoughts crossed her mind. She could only hope that such thoughts would vanish once the night was over.

Daegel was perplexed by Elora and her brother arriving at the cottage waving torches at Silin. Did they not know Silin was protected? He also was frustrated that he had been gone for as long as he said he would be and she had come looking for him. Daegel was enjoying his time with Elora, but it just felt quite intense to him that she should be behaving in such a way already or at all. Daegel had always been a little emotionally detached in his romantic pursuits and he felt he should be open minded to a woman who was so excited about him, but at the same time he did not like her threatening Silin. It made him worry about Silin, made him feel that perhaps he should not so readily leave most evenings like he had been. "Ah, yes." He said readily moving on to the conversation about what he had brought her. He found himself rather excited to show her what he had brought. He pulled out various plants, crystals, and some phoenix feathers which were especially rare. He watched her first pick up the blue flowers, a smile appearing on his face as she looked at it, "I am relieved to see they maintained their frosty appearance. That is bláth gorm. You will find that all over the forest floor. They bloom in the mornings, rising with the sun and then close not long before sun down. We often use them as medicine for fevers and coughs. But they also are used to celebrate the changing of the season. When the time comes for us to come out and bring about winter our homes are decorated with these flowers. Wreathes and garlands. We will wear them in our hair and the pigment from the blue flower is so potent it can be crushes and used to dye garments." He explained his people's usage of it, but he wondered what she would use it for. He explained some of the herbs to her and more of the plants as their significance and use. He looked at one of the clear and shimmering blue crystals she picked up. It looked like a piece of glacier in the sea, blue and bright, "That one is quite precious as well. Much of our heirloom jewelry pieces are made with those crystals in them. If you go outside on a clear night where you can see every star in the sky the crystals seem to reflect that. Their shimmering is more intense than it is even in the sunlight. It's seen as quite romantic which is why it is so often used by couples." he readily explained the traditions of the fairies to her. He found it rather easy to do. He was not worried about her seeking out his blood. Daegel noticed the smile. It was small and slowly perked up in the corner of her lips in the prettiest way. Though it may not have been directed at him Daegel took some amount of pride in the fact that he had caused it with the goods he had brought her. So pretty, breathtaking even. Daegel firmly believed she should allow herself to smile much more than she did. It made his mind wander with possibilities of how to make her smile once more. Though it struck him that perhaps he should not be as concerned with such things considering Elora, but he simply could not help himself when he saw her smile so beautifully. "Ten years?" Daegel questioned, rather shocked it was that much she was willing to take off. Not that he was ungrateful for the decade removed, merely surprised. He had believed he would be working off an extra few weeks or so every time that he went, not ten years in one trip. "That seems more than fair to me, truly. I had expected only a few weeks at most to be shaved off." It was incredibly fair. What he had brought her had significance and much of it was rather rare to come across such as the phoenix feathers that had now caught her attention. He watched her pick up a phoenix feather and smiled, “they came from some old arrows of mine. I did not know for certain what would be of use to you, but I know you do not have those out here. I thought it could not hurt to bring them to you and see if you could find use for them.” He explained.

“They are helpful with hunting in my realm. The phoenix feathers guide the arrow better, but even though they exist where I am from they are still a rare sight. I spent a great deal of time procuring those feathers for my arrows. Our phoenix's are not like those I have heard about in the summer realm. Ours are white with a blue hue to the feathers in the sunlight and they have ice blue eyes. When they are reborn they combust into blue flames and white ash. I had spotted a phoenix one afternoon when I was returning from work. Being in the mountains I had a clear view of the valley below and I spotted it flying against a very pink sunset. It was an incredible sight. I followed it to its home and gathered some feathers from it. I returned every few days to gather more feathers before it seemed the creature figured me out and found itself a new home." He explained, it was a generous thing to bring her and it did not seem at all lost on her that it was indeed that. These were all things he could not share with Elora and yet it was so easy with Silin. Though why he was comparing the two was something he did not want to fully address yet.

[silin-vigil]

Silin watched through the window but noticed she was not the only one watching them, as Elora’s eldest brother also watched Elora and Daegel. Truly, Daegel was blessed that her family was not trying to hold him far more accountable for the honor of their sister, but then again, Daegel did not have land or wealth. The circumstances would surely be far different if he had those things. Hearing him tell her that he had informed her of him going away for the week. Elora had only wished to vex Silin; trying her earnestly to not take it personally. It was not? Surely, it was only because Silin was a witch and her family had not helped their father, but they had not requested it. Exhaling softly, watching Daegel comfort Elora, finding it rather bothersome, but only because Elora was the one who threatened her. It was a miracle the human women did not accuse Silin of being Daegel’s lover. That was more than likely due to the fact that Daegel spent most of his downtime with Elora, and whenever people came around, Daegel was rather busy with the labor of tasks Silin had given him. He looked away as he kissed her goodbye, hearing Daegel now approaching and stepping inside the cabin. Silin avoided eye contact with him, listening to him speak. “It is not entirely your fault.” Her tone gave her vexation away. Usually, Elora and her family had avoided run-ins with Silin, but living with Daegel had given them an indirect connection. It was bound and normal to happen, after all, Daegel and her lived under the same roof. Why had she not made him live in town? Ah, remembering that she had wanted someone to fill the void of her grandmother, she could blame no one but herself. “I am, nothing happened.” She answered him, keeping it simple after all nothing had happened, and she did not say anything of great offense, only falsely accusing her of nonsense, but that was nothing new for Silin. Nor was Elora the only person who disliked witches. “What did you bring?” Silin asked, now sitting down once more. Silence brewed between them as Daegel took out the plants, plants that were not native to this realm. That much was clear in their presentation, they were beautiful. Everything he pulled out of the bag was captivating, Silin could not help but inch closer now. Everything caught her eye, but how could she measure the beauty and magical properties in years. Picking up a flower, it petals were a deep blue, almost the color of the winter skies, and they shimmered as if they had been dusted with frost, twirling the flower in her fingers causing it to shimmer. Its pollen was a deep silver, it reminded her of the moon, sure that its nectar would prove useful. Now gathering the plants he brought, they all had unique designs of delicate leaves of a silvery-blue hue that seemed to shimmer and sparkle under the light. The stems of the herbs were white and slender, Silin dug her nail into it; bringing it up to her nose to smell. The herb oozed a sweet-smelling sap. She was not sure what exactly she could make with them, but surely there were healing properties in these plants and flowers. Setting the plants down and picking up the crystals, they had enchanting beauty to them. Perhaps they were her favorite, they shimmered like stars in the night sky, reflecting the light of the moon and snow-covered landscapes. She was sure, the crystals were multifaceted and had a captivating, prismatic quality. “Beautiful.” She stated, her mouth lifting into a small smile, but she could not help herself. How could she resist such beauty, beauty that she had not known nor would she ever, had it not been for the circumstances. Silin turned to Daegel but quickly dropped her smile now, “Ten years. I will take off ten years, does that seem fair to you?” She questioned him, her gaze turning once more to what he brought, her gaze falling on phoenix feathers, “oh?” She spoke curiously, picking the feather up. It was warm, nearly hot to the touch. “These are yours?” She asked, running her two fingers down the length of the feather, “for your bow and arrow?” She inquired.

The anger she had felt had all but melted, she imagined it was due to the fact that what he brought looked rather promising. If nothing else, they were beautiful, and she could easily display them around her home. Silin knew they had far too many magical elements for them to be only pretty to look at. Their realm was full of magic, in fact, it was rumored that their realms had more magic than theirs, as their world was magic. The forest here was only a forest, the forest in the fairies' realm was an enchanted forest. One could enchant a portion of the forest or will it do its bidding, but the whole forest was not magic.

Daegel felt far too strange about the feeling that was conjured up when she stepped away from his touch. He was only attempting to comfort her, but her refusal of it disappointed him? It seemed foolish that he should feel disappointed she did not want his comfort. He had only just been angry with her, but even the anger was rooted in some kind of jealousy. The feelings were all too confusing for him, conflicting really. He felt that the break to see his parents would be much needed even with his new found conflicting emotions about his parents as well. He nodded though, not quite knowing why he should be cautious of Elora. He wanted to press Silin on her concerns about Elora more, but it did not seem the moment for the conversation and it did not come up again before he left. When the time came Daegel informed Elora that he would be gone for just over a week. She even attempted to insist that she should be allowed to go with him, but Daegel was swift and firm in his refusal. He could only make this trip alone. Even if he wanted Elora to go she would not be allowed within his realm. He stayed with her the night before he left, saying quiet and slow goodbyes to Elora before he returned to the cottage to gather his belongings the next morning. He was quick to return to the spot where the portal would open up. The walk that had taken Silin and himself a few days had only taken him two days going back. He walked through the night hoping to make the most of his week away from the cottage. His family was quite happy to see him. His sister most of all. Daegel did not know if it was what Silin had opened his eyes up to about his parents, but they did not feel as happy to see him as they used to seem when he would only just return from work. Something changed in him. He felt most distant from the two of them. Most of his week at home was spent spending time with his sister and going into the mountains and mines and forests looking for goods to bring back to Silin. His sister joined him for some of his excursions that week, but his parents did not. It felt like a growing distance between them. It was small, but he felt it there, lingering and threatening to become a wider gap between the family members. Daegel wondered what would become of such feelings. He did not mention them to his sister either, one of the few things in his life he had chosen to keep from her. However he did find refreshing to be back in the cold world he came from, eating his mothers cooking and enjoying his homeland and the beauty of it, but it was soon that the week drew to its close and Daegel departed before his family woke only his sister catching him just before he walked out the door. Which Daegel knew he should have expected. She had known he would try to leave without saying goodbye. His travel back to the cottage took the three days, not wishing rush back, very much lost in the thoughts of what he was returning to, the confusing feelings and, honestly, overbearing nature of Elora at times. He loved her physical company, but emotionally she was more tiring for him than enjoyable. But Daegel wondered if he was just struggling with finding joy in much lately.

Night fell on the third day and Daegel knew he was not far from the cottage so he stuck out the walk. Within an hour he could see the billowing smoke coming from the chimney first and then as he walked down the path he spotted Silin and two figures waving torches at her. Daegel’s pace quickened to a full run now wondering who could possibly be trying to attack Silin? However as he approached he saw that it was Elora and her brother. “What are you doing?” He asked Elora more angrily than intended, but what had gotten into her? He had never seen her behave in such a way. “I was so worried about you!” Her arms were flung around his torso as she looked up at him. Daegel held her upper arms, pulling away from her as he held her and made eye contact, “I told you I would away for over a week.” He stated, wondering what could have possibly been so worrying. He had been gone for exactly as much time as he said he would be. Elora’s expression was hurt, but Daegel was firm with her, “You will land yourself in great trouble if you harm Silin. And that trouble does not come from me, but from those with far more power than I have.” Elora put on the guilt through. She wriggled free from his grip and pressed herself against him, her face buried against his chest, “I just missed you so.” She lamented softly. Daegel comforted her for awhile longer before he sent her on her way for the evening, informing her he would see her the next day. She seemed disappointed he would not join her, but he had business with Silin. He entered the cabin not long after Silin had gone in and looked at her, "I am sorry. I told her I would be gone for a week I do not know why she felt it was needed for her to show up here." He moved across the room and set his pack on the floor near his bedroom door. "Are you okay?" he asked her, there was genuine concern on his end. He was not entirely heartless, he knew that he had approached Silin in a very dangerous situation at the hands of his lover. He was not without some qualms with Elora now, but he would handle that further tomorrow.

[silin-vigil]

Silin refrained from answering him, after all, she did not owe him anything. He owed her. Even if his words were far too harsh, confusion about where the anger had come from? Why was he so upset? Surely calling him out for eavesdropping was not such an offensive thing to say, was it? However, it seemed that he reined his anger in and apologized for it. It did not make much sense to Silin why he had but he was terribly lucky Lodeli had drained her emotionally. Seeing him was a tiresome affair, even in passing. It stirred up far too many memories, while it is true that she felt nothing. It was a wound that did not heal as easily as she pretended for others. Tensing when he placed his hand on her shoulder and did not allow herself to relax under his touch. No, instead she stepped out of his grasp, his hand dropping. While she was aware that it would be conveyed as her not liking the gesture, that was not the issue. The issue was that she liked it all too much, his touch felt warm but firm, was he a being that was reliable? Protective? Such a touch could confuse a witch? She refused to relax under it. Sure there were callouses from the use of bow and arrow, but shoved such foolish thoughts out of her head. There was no room for them, especially since he was a fairy that was taken. Silin said nothing as she processed his words, his gaze holding gentleness and warmth; she was unsure of what to make of it, what to make of him. He confused her, and it did not help that she found himself attractive, which was one of the reasons she kept clear lines between them. “Strength matters little in such a situation, I am bound to be forgiving and understanding.” She stated, not just with her mother but with the townspeople. It was not a reproach, it was merely a statement. Nodding to his question, “I suppose so, but be extra cautious with her.” She added. Silin held his gaze, observing him carefully, seeing that he was being honest with her. It was not an easy question to answer, but glad that he did value his life over his parents. It was a hard thing to accept, but they were lucky, as they had much more time with theirs than humans did. Thought clearly that had it its limitations as he did not accept her proposal for him to free himself of it, but she merely gave him a nod. She would not beg him for a different outcome, he was old and wise enough to know what she had tried to do, and if he did not accept it, she would respect his choice. “Very well.” She spoke, standing before him for a moment longer. “Have a good night,” Silin said before she turned to leave. Her day had been long enough and exhausting. The following day her mother did not show up, which was odd, wondering why? But Silin did not reach out to find out, the less she saw Lodeli, the better. Once Daegel left for his home, most of the days passed without incident. The emptiness of the cottage did not feel so heavy, listening to the wind dance through the leaves of the trees as Silin lay under the trees in a hammock. Solitude, it is a feeling she had grown comfortable in. She was unsure if she liked it or not, though she supposed she should learn to like it as it would be her normal after Daegel paid off his debt. Distance shouts of her name causing her to sit up in the hammock, only to have a wave of relief wash over when she realized it was Hamlin. The boy visited her while Daegel was gone, informing her of all the trouble he got himself into which did cause her to laugh a few times, all while informing her of the gossip of the castle. “Oh, and my uncle is coming to visit, Silin. I do not know, but the maidens say he is quite dashing, and I was thinking how great would it be for him to fall in love with you and marry you. You would be my aunt! The town would have to bow before you.” Silin only raised her brows, chuckling at the idea, and shook her head. Glancing at the colorful leaves of the tree, the wind dancing with them. “It is not their respect I want.” She spoke.

Her gaze moved from the leaves to the sky, the soft mounds of clouds, it was a simple life. “I like this, it is enough.” Hamlin did not seem to understand and moved on to other topics. She did not expect him to, only a magic being who was in tune with nature would understand. Hamlin left after he ate supper, stating that she was the best cook ever, which only made her smile. Though she supposed she was not a bad cook. She understood all too well how to blend and combine herbs and spices, but she imagined it was the same with other witches who also knew their brews and potions, they went hand in hand after all. Daegel should have returned by now, nightfall was upon them. She had not worried about him not returning at all, he knew the consequences were far too dire, but it occurred to her that he could have used that time to find another witch. Disturbance settled in her stomach, but she did not have time to dwell on it as she saw two figures with wooden torches approach her home. Silin stepped outside, her familiar staying by the window. Elora and her eldest brother, seeing as her father passed some time ago. Elora’s features gave away that she was upset, and she brought support, nerves flooding her. “Elora.” Silin greeted, but she waved the wooden torch around madly, which caused Silin to take a couple steps back. “What did you do with him, witch? Where is Daegel?!” She asked, clearly upset. Had Daegel not spoken with her? Or was this an act of Elora’s? Silin could not tell but vexation flooded her, exhaling softly, “he returned to visit his parents and sister, he will return soon, I am sure.” Silin explained, her gaze moving from Elora to her older brother, who only held hatred for her. “You are lying, you did something with him! You are no better than your mother!” Elora raised her voice. Silin stepped back once more as they seemed to have stepped close, the fire unnerving her. If the king were to hear of this it would be their heads, she was foolish or in love? Or both. Her brother, however, wished to bestow revenge, she was sure. Their father died, after all, because they refused care from witches, and yet somehow it was their fault when they did seek them out. As if they were supposed to just know who fell ill. “I did nothing, he is supposed to return today.” Silin tried to reassure Elora, but it dawned on her that no matter what she said they would not believe her. Footsteps quickly approached them, and she felt relief when she realized it was Daegel. “There.” She motioned with her hand in the direction of Daegel, to which Elora dropped the wooden torch in excitement running to him, her brother having stepped back now. Silin's gaze dropped to the torch, tempted, so incredibly tempted, to allow this place to burn. What would the king do? But quickly ran to get a bucket of water and put out the fire, it was her grandmother's home, after all. “Leave, or I will inform the king of this.” Meeting Elora’s older brother's gaze. His jaw only clenched before walking away, but he did not give his back to her. No, he walked backward until he was off her grounds. Silin allowed Daegel to deal with the rest and headed inside. She took a seat as she waited for Daegel to come inside with what he brought, but as she waited, her anger tampered up.

Daegel's face did not hold back on expressing his frustration with her words, his brows furrowed, his jaw set, lips tight. If he were honest with himself he would be able to admit that he did not enjoy hearing Lodeli discuss her beauty and go on about making a mistake in choosing her mother. Yes, perhaps he had heard more than he would care to admit to and those words exchanged between her and Lodeli sat peculiarly with him. He should not care if a man found her attractive. Especially not when he had a woman like Elora so interested in him. But he did not like it anyway. "Is that a relationship? A man who chooses to go behind your back and carry on with your mother?" he scoffed at the idea, his features lighting up in a condescending smile, "Sure, then. Accept such ridiculous treatment. Who am I to stand in the way of such a thing? And who am I to care? My apologies, Silin. I did not mean to overhear your mistreatment." He said. His words had been more biting than intended. Almost immediately he felt guilty for his being so condescending about such a thing. It came from a place of jealousy. Which he would never admit out loud. How could be admit jealousy when they were in the positions that they were? However his features softened as she continued to explain who Lodeli was to her and her mother further. Daegel was never one to remain angry for long. His anger could flare up and almost as quickly calm when he realized his words had been too hurtful. And it was clear to him that in this moment they were, that she had been hurt. Silin had never been so open with him about herself, things she had been through. It made him deeply regretful of adding to that hurt she experienced from others knowing and commenting on it. He set his watering can on the ground and looked at her for a long moment, "I'm sorry for my harsh words." He spoke carefully, "I should not have said them." He reached out and gently rested his hand on her shoulder, his eyes softer now, warmer. "Forgive me for overhearing the conversation at all and know I do not judge you for what others had done to you. If the town is laughing at you for the pain that was done to you then they are cruel. I do not view it as foolish to be forgiving. It takes strength to be forgiving when trust and love have been broken in such a way. You are stronger than they are." He knew his own bruised ego had caused him to be hurtful to her as well and he only hoped she still had forgiveness in her to forgive him for the infraction though he had had little information to go off of when he said such things. "Why should your mother want to meet me? Just to be nosy?" he questioned her, his words some attempt to make her laugh? He was not sure, but he did not think she ever smiled and a lovely face like hers should.

Daegel looked at her for a long moment, his attention fully on her as she had wanted. Why he found it so easily to listen to do, to do as she asked, was something that seemed rather beyond his understanding. Her question gave him pause though. He stood there and looked at her for another long moment, pondering the question, “No,” he spoke the word slowly, as if he were unsure, but he did not feel so unsure. If she had wanted to kill one of his parents to pay the debt he would not have stepped in their place. Perhaps selfishly he would have viewed them as having less time to live than he did. If she had wanted his sisters life he would have certainly stepped in her place. It seemed as if Silin had gotten closer to him, her eyes staring into his, looking for an answer, “If it was owed with their lives then I would hope they would know to step into that place instead and not expect it of their son." Though he supposed them even accepting him paying the debt with his servitude likely meant they would have accepted him laying down his life in their place as well, which was a greater struggle in his mind than anything. His own parents perhaps not as benevolent with him as they were his sister. "I am," He confirmed, his plans to travel back were set in his mind for the following week. He looked at her for a long moment though, slowly shaking his head, "I said I would repay the debt. I will do so. My parents are older, they will not do what you need done as well." She was giving him an out, but he would not accept it. Something in him told him he could not. A voice, a feeling in his gut, it told him he could not tell his parents to serve the time for him. He did not want them to. He wished to be reunited with his sister, missing her deeply, but he could not do it. "I will visit my family for the week and I will return with goods for you." he would not move on it. He would see his parents for the week, but he did not wish to deal with one of them while the other was serving under Silin. A shift had been set in him, one that had changed his feelings on his parents. Not entirely, but being with Silin had forced him to view his parents in a much different light. He needed to sort out his own feelings, what they were and what they meant, and he did not feel that would be best served by having to be around even one of them all the time while another was away.

[silin-vigil]

Silin chuckled dryly at his words, “I am truly expected to believe that? You know you are lying, I do not delve into the relationships you carry. I would expect you would extend the same for me, but I see you do not.” She accused, her tone harsh. She had fully believed him to be with Elora and had not expected him to be home. Though she wondered if it would have changed anything if she knew he was, more than likely not. She fended for herself rather well, and Lodeli did not love her or her mother, but her mother was too smitten by Lodeli. He was handsome, after all, he was a love or lust warlock, it was quite hard to repel that type of magic even as a witch. Silin’s hatred was far bigger than magic, as she had denied him time and time again. Thought she noticed, for Lodeli, she was just his toy, that he did not want anyone else to have. It was not love, that had been clear when they betrayed her. Silin was sure he disappeared any and all men that she took seriously, she just knew it, even if she did not have proof. Her focus however was purely on Daegel, but this had bound to happen? She thought, she knew her mother and ex-lover visited her, thought it strange he came alone. Far too strange, now that Silin pondered on it, noticing that her thoughts were all the place. But his following words caused her to see reason, FAR TOO MUCH reason. Was he more leveled than her? Or maybe he just simply did not care for such trivial things in this realm, even if his words had a bite to them. He was to return to his home after all, investing his time and emotions into anything in this realm was rather a moot point, and he was wise to do that. Thought he seemed to have no problems investing his time with Elora, but again she could not completely fault him. She even understood it, while Silin did not trust the baker, she had heard her nature was sweet and kind. Everyone was always drawn to that, but she had learned that people far too often took advantage of it. She would rather be as she was than allow anyone to step on her again or like they had her grandmother for decades. She refused it. But it also did not mean she would misdirect her anger, not completely. Silin was sure he had heard far more than he was letting on and was eavesdropping, but then again, she supposed it was best he heard what happened from her rather than the town. He was supposed to be there for seventy years or so. She could not keep in the dark about her life, they lived together. It was bound to get intermingled no matter how many boundaries or walls Silin placed. She brought a hand to soothe her temple, rubbing her temples, a soft sigh escaping her lips. Adverting her gaze from Daegel’s now. “Lodeli.” She stated his name as if Daegel was supposed just know who the warlock was. It was not the greatest thing to admit that she was a fool, betrayed, and left looking worse than a fool. “My mother’s lover, but he had been mine.” The last words came out awkwardly. “I do not care for him anymore, and I forgave my mother, sorta.” Frowning as she explained, perhaps she was explaining it too simply. “I forgave her the moment she spared Hamlin. It is a long story.” She spoke with a sigh, clasping her hands. “I suppose it is best it comes from me than the town, they add much exaggeration. Lodeli is a warlock, a love one, but I am sure that warlocks and witches with love magic are cursed to never find love themselves or even know such an emotion. I should have known that. My mother is beautiful, very beautiful. She uses magic to enhance her beauty, so you can only imagine. Perhaps she rivals the beauty of elves, almost that beautiful.” Silin explained, hoping he would grasp what she was conveying, but she also left out that Lodeli had been her first everything, but he tainted every sweet moment they ever shared by now. There were no sweet remnants left. “The whole kingdom knew, I had been kind and sweet to them, but not a single soul told my grandmother or me.

My grandmother was suspicious but did not want to approach me until she had proof. However, Hamlin was the one who told me. He did not know, but he had caught them once when he was on his way to visit. Even after my mother’s threats, he still told me.” Silin spoke, “My mother was desperate for my forgiveness, so I gave it to her for sparing Hamlin.” “I was a fool, and the town laughed behind my back. They probably still do, I do not know.” She was civil with her mother and Lodeli, mostly because she liked to prove to them that what they had done did not affect her so deeply, except it had. Silin could not remember the last time she had sincerely smiled or felt at ease, or even trusted anyone to do something for her simply because they wanted to. No, she felt like everything and everybody had an ulterior motive for their actions, and that had only been further proved after her grandmother died, and she went to collect what was owed from her. Her gaze lifting to Daegel, “There is not much more to say, that is what happened. Though I am sure my mother will come tomorrow, desire to meet you, and then they will be on her way. She brings me herbs and such,” her gaze trailing to the spread herbs and plants on the wooden table. Silin lifted a shoulder, her gaze turning back to Daegel. Something about telling Daegel the story did not feel nearly as terrible as it had been. Perhaps she had healed from such a sour moment. Silin also felt that Daegel would understand, to Silin he was a fairy who sacrificed far too much for the sake of his sister and parents. She was not sure what act was more cruel, stealing someone’s time or love? Daegel was truly a victim in everyone’s tale, her features softening ever so slightly for a brief moment. Wondering just what kind of influence his parents had on him for him to step in, or had it been out of sheer goodness? “Daegel,” Desiring his full attention now, “what if I had wanted one of your parent's life in repayment for your sister's life? Would you still have stepped in?” She asked, seeking the answer in his brown eyes. “Why?” Questioning his answer. “You are to travel back home soon, yes?” She knew he would, “send me one of your parents back.” She was giving him an out, something Silin had not done for others, but the circumstances felt different.

Daegel’s eyes followed her as she approached the bow and picked it up. It seemed obvious to him that she was not experienced with the weapon, a bit of clumsiness on how to hold it which he found strangely endearing. He found himself quite torn between wanting to grow friendly with Silin to make their stay together something that could perhaps be enjoyable, but the other part of him said that he was only meant to repay and debt and should do so as quickly as possible and move on, keeping things on some kind of formal level between them, keeping clear boundaries on how they interacted. Daegel felt those lines would inevitably blur on some level, but for now he would keep it respectful and conversational. He nodded in agreement, “Strong and sturdy. The creator did a fine job of it.” It was a compliment to the humans. They were capable of making some very fine weaponry from what he could tell. He continued to eat his food, nearly finishing the bowl already. He looked to her as she began to explain her relationship with the royal family. Daegel held a distrust for royalty perhaps since he did not come from a world where that was a reality, but he could empathize with them for what they went through with the prince. As Silin had pointed out it was not at all dissimilar to what his family had gone through. "I wonder if your grandmother felt that someone with so much power over people as it is probably should not have the ability to make a potion where he could decide who could have it and who could not if he so wished." He was really thought aloud, but with the thoughts he had of royalty as it was he believed it was possibility. "But they do not wish for you to ever leave again? It sounds as though they are prettying up something more dark than that. You are free, but you cannot leave." At least she had allowed him to leave if he so chose to to visit family or go to town. He could very much do what he wanted to in some regards, but her being forbidden to leave again? He was not in a position to be too sympathetic to her, but it was also something that sat strangely for him. He finished off his bowl of food and sat back, his gaze moving out the window to the sun that had already set, but the last of it was quickly descending in the horizon. He gaze moved back to her as she stood beside the table. The way in which she mentioned he was making new friends felt strange, like there might have been some resentment or annoyance behind it, but he did not comment on it. He simply noted the chores that she wanted done and on what days. He nodded, "All noted. I will do so." He felt no need to argue with her on these points. He wanted his sister alive and so he would pay off his parents debt to ensure she could live and Silin's demands were not anything that overexerted him and he would get the opportunity to see Elora more if he wished to. And he wished to. She would be a bit of fun for awhile and some company outside of Silin. He followed her gaze out the window to the sinking sun and nodded as she spoke, "Thank you." The expression of gratitude for that felt a bit awkward for him only because he had already helped himself to a piece of fruit earlier in the day. He had not realized there had been a chance she would not allow him to enjoy the fruits. But truly he had not found her expectations unreasonable outside of her demand to pay the debt with servitude at all and the time frame. The actual work itself was all manageable. Daegel spent more and more time with Elora. Within weeks it seemed apparent to most that he and Elora were an item. Daegel stopped short of referring to her as more than a woman he was spending time with. Why he did so? He could not be certain. It did not feel quite right to refer to her as his. He was enjoying his time with her, she was a pleasant and welcome distraction. While he had been grateful for a room of his own at Silin’s cottage he often found himself staying the night in Elora’s bed though he would always leave just as the morning sky began to turn a lighter shade of blue with the rising sun.

By the time he would make it back to the cottage the sun had always just broken over the horizon and he would get to work on the tasks Silin had requested of him. He had heard people talking about him and the two women. He was a strange man who had turned up with Silin, but was seen with Elora on nearly a daily basis now. Yes, truly hardly a day passed between when he would see Elora. She seemed to always wish to be near him and for now Daegel was enjoying it. He looked forward to finishing his tasks and then heading to Elora's to enjoy her pastries and her body. She was a woman who loved ssex and she seemed all too eager for him as well. But his duty would call every morning, the debt was not going to finish paying itself. He normally would slip out before Elora ever woke, not wishing for her to beg him to stay. He could not. His only explanation to Elora was that he was a very hard working man. Last night he had not stayed with Elora. He had gone over and had dinner with her, slept with her, but returned to his own bed that night. His chores that day were a bit more demanding and he had wish to be able to get that extra time of sleep than spend it walking back to the cottage in the morning. He was working in the garden, tending to some of the buds that had started to appear from the seeds that had planted weeks previously. He picked up a large watering can and walked towards the back of the property to use the water pump to fill it up. He stayed for a few minutes, taking a seat and getting himself a drink of water. The sun was at its highest point in the sky and while it was bearing winter out his labor and the sun still made him quite warm. He picked up his watering can and started back towards the front of the property. It was then he heard the voices as he came around the side of the cottage. He was making his way back to the gardens at the gate when he noticed them. It was Silin and a man though he had some trouble making out exactly what it was they were speaking about. The only thing he could really make out is that there was the sound of attraction, something akin to it, the mention of beauty and blossoming and evidently the mention of the her mother. It was strange. Some strange connection between this man and Silin and her mother. He had not intended to stop and listen, ht he found himself slowly moving closer until he stepped on some leaves, making enough noise that he heard the voices hush suddenly. Daegel continued walking wanting to seem as if he had not been listening, but he stopped in his tracks as Silin and the man rounded the corner. He nodded, “Silin,” he greeted and continued on his way to the garden. He watered their seedlings and then returned the can to the porch as he walked into the cottage to find himself something to eat. Daegel could not help the way his face contorted when she demanded to know how much he had heard. He truly did not understand why it was a big deal that he had heard anything, but none of what he had heard told him much. “Why does it matter? I was not listening in if that is what you’re attempting to accuse me of.” He did not take kindly to her attempts to accuse him of eavesdropping. Sure, he had heard a few comments, but what sense could he make of any of it? Daegel wanted to remain level headed. A sense of reason was the only thing that was making this tolerable for him. Sure, he enjoyed his time with Elora and he had come to start bonding with the animals that lived at the cottage, but it was not his home. He would rather be back fully in the grips of winter with his family, in the mountains with the cold wind whipping violently past him as he worked. Anything but what he had happening currently. He missed the schedule of his life at home. And perhaps that homesickness fueled the frustration he felt with her approach to him. That and the fact that she had actually caught him listening in.

Despite himself he found himself all too curious about the man commenting on her beauty. Why should he care though? He had Elora’s bed to enjoy most nights and her sweet nature. Silin had rough edges. She was too the point and did not linger much. There was little for him to grasp onto for even a friendship with her though they lived together. “And who was that anyway? He certainly easily earned a rise out of you that it should extend to me just for walking by the window.” He said, his tone accusing back to her now.

[silin-vigil]

Silin looked up from her plate, when he motioned to the arrow, her gaze following it. Before she stood up and went over to look at it, she picked it up and admired it. Silin did not know how to wield any weapons, all she knew was if need be she could enchant it. Making it stronger, and more precise in their shooting as well, but she saw no need for that as he did not need protection. No, he was only using it to hunt. At the end of the day, Daegel was a fairy; certainly, he was in tune with nature to some level. She imagined that when he would hunt animals, he would grant them a swift and painless death. Taking her seat back in her chair, “It seems to have been a good choice, the wood is quality.” It walls she could comment on were the quality of the wood as being a witch of the earth, she knew a thing or two about wood. However, the words came out softly, almost timidly. Mostly because Silin never gave out compliments about anything and the concept of complimenting seemed rather lost on her, but it had been sincere, she truly did find the bow and arrows beautiful. She was curious to see him use it. Silin was glad to hear that he also seemed to just want to get this over with without much issue, not that she had believed otherwise. Daegel seemed rather submissive, and all too willing to try to make things easy. Eating more of her soup as he spoke about royalty, “They are not supposed to walk freely among their people, they do not either.” She explained, knowing she would have to clarify her relationship with them. It was a simple one, truly, she saw no reason to hide it either, so the question did not surprise her. Though she felt slightly flustered when he admitted to watching her, then again, it made perfect sense. “They gifted this cottage to my grandmother for saving their son, the castle has direct access to it.” She explained, “Much like your sister, Hamlin needs a potion to stay well. They had experimented with everything, Hamlin sometimes falling gravely ill. The queen finally put a stop to the madness, gifting this cottage to grandmother, stating that anything in town would be free, so long as we give them potion yearly. Which we did, and have. I have given Hamlin his potion since he was a child.” Remembering how she had to try to convince him, and even reinvented the potion to taste like berries just to get him to drink it. But they had done it for him. Silin adored the boy, but his father’s request was not a fair one. “The king and queen fear something happening while I am away. They ordered me to stay in the kingdom. I do not know why my grandmother did not give them the recipe like she had with your parents, but if she did not. I will respect it.” Silin stated, but she was not sure about what she would do regarding the king's order. “His life is just as valuable as the commoners in other kingdoms, where witches are not allowed to heal.” She added, with a defeated sigh, that she would figure out a way to keep her grandmother's work alive. She was only one witch, and she was not deluded enough to believe she could change how this world viewed witches. Nor was it her goal to do that, she only wanted to help people in memory of her grandmother. Silin finished her meal, and washed her wooden bowl before heading back to the table, but did not sit. “Seeing as you are making new friends, I will give you a list that you must complete daily. Then there are bi-weekly and monthly things that must get done.” She informed him, figuring it would be best to give him the list of chores. He could time manage them as he pleased, Silin listing each chore that he needed to do, and finishing it off, “Ah for the meat. There is a meat shop in town; take your killing there, and I will pick it up. They skin it, and cut it up for you, easier to manage.” It was also less mess for Silin, no stench of blood and death. A feeling and scent she did not like to be around. The stench stayed in the air for weeks, and it attracted animals, and things she did not like. “Then you are free to do as you please.” She finally spoke.

Her gaze glanced out the window, the sun beginning to set. “You are free to pick anything from the fruit trees,” Silin added, she would pick the eggs and harvest the honey when they ran low on supplies. They seemed to fall into that routine with ease in the following weeks. Though Silin did notice, he would be gone and sometimes be gone all night, but he was there by morning doing what was expected of him. It became very obvious that Elora, Silin had learned her name, and he had become an item. Rumors spread throughout the town and people were confused as he was living with Silin, but it cleared up as Elora made it a point to be seen with him in any and all public spaces. Silin still harbored mixed feelings, unsure why, but she did not trust the baker. It could not be jealousy, could it? Silin had made it a point to interact only when needed. While he was attractive, Silin could have any man she desired. He was no different, but she found all too much that he filled the emptiness she felt all too well. She did not feel so alone, something about his presence was relaxing and warm. But she utterly refused to lean into it. He would leave, in fact, she was sure he was getting ready to go visit his family soon. Silin wiped the wooden table as she had just finished making remedies, noticing that Daegel was also out. Hearing a knock on the red wooden door, fully expecting a person from the kingdom. Only when she opened it, it was her ex-lover. “Lodeli.” She greeted him with no emotion and allowed him inside. “Cethin sent you some things for your brews and potions.” Silin took the pouch and opened it, looking at its contents before paying him. Plants and herbs that were not so easily accessible, since she could not leave the kingdom now. “Thank you.” She stated before she headed to her bedroom to pull some gold coins to pay him. Lodeli took the payment without a second thought. Lodeli’s silver eyes glanced around as if he was seeking something, “I heard you are living with a man now, where is he? Your mother stayed home, and said she feared he too would fall in love with her.” Silin refrained from scoffing, bold of her mother to assume. “You can tell my mother to worry not.” Lodeli’s quirked a brow, before a slow smirk spread across his lips, stepping closer. He leaned in close to her, their noses almost bumping, “you are not sleeping with him.” It was a statement, he was not questioning her. Silin could not deny she felt something ignite inside her from her proximity, but she was not her mother. It felt wrong, and not as pleasant as it once had been. Stepping away to create some distance, “no.” Confirming his statement, she could understand why the feeling or emotion would tempt someone but to her, it did not appeal. It could not, her nature was not in the darkness. Lodeli stared at her for far too long, while Silin wished he would leave. She could easily get him to leave, and have a root drag him out with ease, but she knew it would only create a bigger scene. “You can tell my mother to come visit, Lodeli.” He hummed lowly at the sound of his name. “You were adorable in your youth, but now you have truly blossomed.” Silin swallowed; his magic was a nuisance, it filled the air with an aroma that almost felt like aphrodisiac. “Your mother will hate to learn that you have surpassed her beauty.” Those words snapping her out of his annoying trances. “I should have waited for you to fully blossom. I jumped far too quickly to your mother.” His words caused her to anger. “Leave.” The sound of twigs crunching came from outside the window, Silin heading out to inspect the noise, Lodeli following her in tow. Only to see Daegel, had he been spying on her? Her gaze narrowed, but also was glad. “Daegel.” She greeted, turning to Lodeli who gave her a chuckle and gently cupped her chin. “Sleep well.” He said, letting go of her before she could smack him. Once Lodeli disappeared from the distance, she headed back inside, spotting him. “How much of that did you hear?” She demanded rudely, but Lodeli had left her far too worked up.

Elora hung heavily on Daegel’s mind. It was a pleasant interaction, better than pleasant really. She had filled his belly with her delicious pastries and made for good company. It was only one afternoon with the woman, but he would certainly make a point to find his way into her bakery again. When he was not too busy working around the cottage. He was not prisoner, he did not feel prisoner. Silin had made it clear he was free to come and go. Daegel could be such a fool for a pretty smile, but he was drawn in by Elora and her sweet nature. It was foolish, but he like any fairy seemed to not be immune to finding human women incredibly charming and beautiful. Though as he entered through the gate and walked towards the cottage it occurred to him that he shared a home with a rather beautiful witch as well. Only the situation between himself and Silin was quite different. One that created a slight bit of tension. Or at least, made any attraction feel a bit awkward. Though as he walked through the door and saw her cooking there was a small flicker of domesticity to the image before him. Something warm and welcoming about it, but he pushed that aside. He was content to at least develop a friendship with her, that would have to be necessary for the amount of time they would have together. It made him wonder what it would look like when the debt was paid, how he would feel about finally being able to return home. He wondered if it may even be difficult, if things would change between himself and his family. So many things to wonder about, but only time would tell and he would simply have to take it a day at a time. He looked to the young prince. Prince Hamlin was a tall and still rather gangly teenager. Looking at him Daegel believed Prince Hamlin would be taller than himself by the time he entered his twenties. Daegel chuckled when the prince lowered his voice, “Yes, I am Daegel.” He confirmed, he wore a small amused smile and looked to Silin as she swatted the boy’s hand away, “I have had my full of those pastries this afternoon and I live to tell the tale.” He said and looked back to Prince Hamlin and nodded at the box, encouraging the prince to take a pastry. He knew the risk of someone wanting to poison royalty was very real, but Elora had no reason to know that the prince would be at the cottage he was returning to. Daegel looked to Silin, their eyes meeting for a lingering moment before they both looked away. Daegel was unsure what her gaze was conveying in that moment, but it did feel like something. Daegel heard the approaching hooves. He looked out the window before following the two of them outside. It was easy to piece together that it was the king and queen. Daegel stood a bit behind Silin, but he bowed respectfully to the king and queen. He did not wish to draw negative attention upon himself. He stayed back though, walking back to the cottage porch he sat down on one of the chaired outside and watched Silin and the king interact. Silin’s body language seemed rather rigid in that moment, he could not read quite what it was. She was gifted with being able to hide her emotions quite well. But he sensed the shift in her demeanor. He found it a bit of the strange side how the king and queen were at the cottage. He had never heard of royalty interacting so freely with those outside their palace walls except to ride by on horseback or in a carriage. That was what he had always heard from the fairies who frequented the world outside their realm. Most fairies never reported seeing royalty outside such contexts, so it was quite peculiar to him that they would arrive at the cottage. But then it had been equally as strange when he walked in to find the prince there as well. Though that he could have excused as a child’s fascination with a witch.

When it seemed their conversation was coming to an end he stood up and walked back into the cottage. He ran his fingers down Sage’s back and walked over to the stove to look at the stew that Silin had cooking, it smelled lovely and despite his afternoon of pastries he felt he already had room for supper. His gaze moved to the door as Silin stepped in, “It smells great.” He complimented her and found himself a bowl from a cabinet and served himself a bowl. He sat at the table and began to eat, the stew filling him with a pleasant feeling. One that reminded him of home. It felt much like the stew his mother had made the night Silin had come seeking the debt to be paid. That had been less than a week ago, but so much had changed. It was an unfortunate situation that he should be taken from his family, but he still needed to find the opportunity in it. Find his way to make the best of it. Daegel nodded, “Yes!” He said almost excitedly as she asked about the bow and arrow. “You can look for yourself.” He pointed to a round hard case carrier that housed the arrows and the bow was affixed to the front. The bow was crafted from a dark brown stained wood with a deep blue cloth grip that was comfortable to hold. The feather at the end of the arrows were the same deep shade of blue. It was by no means the most expensive bow and arrows there, but it was a fine set. While Daegel knew little of the currency here, he did feel it was unlikely that price was such a determining factor in a bow being good or no. When he held it, it felt right. As though it spoke to him and he had used it for years before. It was right. As if it were instinct. He nodded, “I will use the tab and steal nothing.” He affirmed and finally began to eat his stew, listening to her, “I know little of royalty, but all I have ever heard from other fairies is that they do not freely walk among their people and they are rarely understanding.” He offered his limited knowledge, but it felt in line with the sentiment she was voicing. “What did the king say to you? If you do not mind my asking. Your expressions are not easily to read, but you seemed to grow stiff as you spoke to him.” He was not sure they were at a point where she might answer a question about a private conversation he had only observed, but he also could not help wondering.

[silin-vigil]

Silin gave him a small nod, glad to hear that her grandmother did everything correctly. Her grandmother had never been one to cut corners, something Silin had hated in her youth but understood the value of it now. She had seen magic go awry because a smell had not been done right or missed an ingredient. Her head had tilted ever so slightly as he explained the way the faeries functioned, and where they lived. It was different, and it perked her interest, but she diminished her curiosities. It seemed to her like everyone dreamed of fairies, and wished for them in their young years. Perhaps it was because fairies had to contact them; beings in this realm had no way of reaching them. It was fascinating, even as an adult as old as her. In truth the tab would be paid off by the king, an arrangement also set up, but that was the queen’s doing more so than the king’s. A mother who had been grateful, Silin moved throughout the small kitchen arranging and restocking everything she had gotten from the town. Hamlin telling her all about his lessons regarding sword fighting, lessons in the history of the kingdom, and lessons of a future king. It made sense, Silin was not sure why the boy was so endeared to her, perhaps it was the bond of them discovering her other and ex-lover, though Silin had not always been so bitter. No, she had smiled and been carefree, perhaps even playful, but that died that day when they uncovered the truth. She did not understand why the warlock had betrayed her, and much less with her mother, but Silin cut her thoughts there. She refused to go down such a path, it had never led her to any answers before, and it would not now. Nothing had changed except that she still spoke to them when they visited her, she refused to allow them to believe her life had stopped because of them. Once she had put everything away, Silin began to prepare some food for them as she entertained Hamlin. However, Hamlin and Sage seem far more entertained among themselves, the cat weirdly adored the boy. Perhaps even more than it did Silin, but it did not bother her, she had seen Hamlin as a young boy and how consumed he had been with sickness. It was a beautiful thing to see him alive and happy, it was dawning on her that for Daegel it was the same regarding his sister. Though she was not sure if she would sacrifice so many years of her own life? No, she was sure she would not have. Sage jumped off Hamlin’s lap before Silin heard the front gate cracking open. Wondering if people were visiting already or if Daegel was back, but it was answered as he stepped inside. “Daegel.” Returning his greeting. Hamlin standing, trying to be authoritative. Though she supposed he did, if he wished to bring harm, he could, but it was not in Hamlin’s nature to do so. While young, he was quickly towering over Silin, but did not surpass the height of Daegel. Silin took a moment to realize the height of Daegel, tall and on the leaner side, but his shoulders had some width. He truly had the physique of an archer, there was muscle but not like guards or swordsmen. “Prince Hamlin, you are Daegel?” His voice had dropped lower which amused Silin, but she fought off a smile before Hamlin sighed, and took a seat again. “How was that?” He asked Daegel, his hand trying to sneak their way to the pastries, which Silin swatted away quickly, shaking her head at him. “You are a prince, not a commoner, you can not eat just anything. Aside from that, I do not know her. I do not trust her.” Meeting Daegel’s gaze for a brief moment. However, it was short-lived, as her attention shifted to many hooves coming to a halt outside her cottage. Hamlin ran to the window and sucked his teeth in annoyance. “My parents.” He stated, opening the red wooden of the front of the cottage. A wave of relief visibly rolled over the king, and the queen ran to hug her son. The king was tall with salt and pepper hair, and brown eyes that did not hold the warmth they had in his youth, but they greeted Silin kindly.

The queen was younger but not by much; small streaks of gray adored her light brown hair, and her honey-colored eyes focused on her son. Scolding him for leaving the castle without permission, but most importantly without his guards. Silin approached, bowing to them, something she did not like doing. No matter how kind they were, it was not a system witches were used too. Even if she grew up in it, it was not in her blood. “Silin, it is nice to see you came back.” The king spoke, the queen now smiling at Silin, “It is so nice to have you back, how were your travels?” She questioned, but the sincerity lacked in her gaze. It was only cordial of her to ask, “Fine, thank you.” Silin replied, the king gave his queen a knowing glance. “Thank you for keeping our little gem entertained, I shall put him on a tighter leash.” That was sincere, it was the only time sincerity flooded those golden eyes when it came to her son. They headed back to the carriage, the king staying behind, “it is very nice to see you again, we grew worried we did not think you would return in time.” But she had started to feel a sinking feeling in her stomach. “I have always returned, and I will have the potion ready.” She spoke. He gave her a nod of acknowledgment, “I would like to think you have made a home of this place, with your grandmother and all. My condolences, we did not visit during that time.” He spoke, Silin’s jaw clenching. No, they had not even allowed Hamlin to visit. In fear of what? She did not know. “My wife and I think it is best that you cut your travels short or perhaps not travel. I can send someone to fetch whatever you need, but we fear losing you.” Only it was evident they wished to keep her prisoner, sure it was her home, but travels were needed. Her grandmother’s work and relationship would not die with her. There were kingdoms that did not allow magic, those were the ones that her grandmother had longed to help. “I understand, perfectly.” She spoke. “Thank you, Silin. I will still send that guard periodically in case you wish to send him.” Silin bit down on her tongue, sending him to check on her, she was sure. Silin re-entered her home, and glanced at Daegel, “there is stew on the stove, help yourself.” She stated. “Did you find an arrow that would suffice?” She questioned, moving to the kitchen to grab herself a bowl of it. Trying to push the bitterness of the conversation she just had. Glancing once more at him as he moved to serve himself, annoyed with herself that she was even attracted to him at all. She cared little what he did with his free time, he would be allowed to court, and fuck whoever he wanted. It was not her business, she firmly reminded herself. Glancing down at the bowl of food, “Stealing is a severe crime here, which is why I mentioned it earlier.” She spoke, “I know other kingdoms consider it a petty crime, but every crime is trailed the same with punishments that are not fitting of the crime.” She explained more of the kingdom, figuring it would be wise knowledge for him to know. “The royalty here is kind…that does not feel like the right word. I do not know how to describe them, but stay in line and do not call attention to yourself, and you should be fine. They have many guards but are generally well-loved by the people, I think that is why Hamlin is allowed to walk freely among them.” But he was also a good kid, but Silin did not voice that. Even when her mother had threatened to turn his tongue into a snake, he still had run to her and told her.

Daegel nodded, "A cool breeze then." Daegel said. He stood near the hanging linens and give himself a moment to find what direction the wind was blowing from. He turned his back to the west and held his arms outward at his sides. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath and as he slowly released it the wind gradually began to pick up. The linens began to billow gently in the breeze he had created. He turned back to her, their eyes meeting for a moment before she explained what she would like to see planted in the garden and nodded, figuring that would be the case. "It does. My sister lives quite normally. Normal in our terms. She can do all the things any of us can." It was fortunate that Theodora had been able to restore his sister to such good health. It was Daegel’s understanding that that could not have been the case, but Theodora had done so because of his sisters young age. “There are some that live in ice houses. My family has a cabin. It is all a matter of preference. There are even those that withstand the cold better than others. I am someone who is more affected by the cold. There is no clear reason for why that is, but it is just one of many small differences between fairies.” He explained to her and started to eat some of the rice as she continued to question him. Honestly? There was something endearing about what seemed to be her fascination with his realm and fairies. He chuckled, “I suppose we have in a way. We do value things of man. Much more than the elves do, but we also do not live as long as elves.” Daegel believed he was grateful to not live as long as the elves did. It seemed to him that they saw far too much devastation in their long lives and were far too detached at times. That was not to say Daegel disliked the elves at all. He felt respect for them and their long lives, but he did not envy it. Daegel finished his plate and rinsed his dish as well, but while she went to the bathroom he went back outside to gather his linens. He pulled them off the line, the fabric smelling of cloves and fresh from the cold wind that had dried it. He carried them to his room and made the bed and hung the curtains. When she had finished with her own bath he went into the bathroom to take one himself, wishing to rid himself of the sweat and dirt from weeding the garden. The bath he ran was cool and refreshing. It relaxed him, the exhaustion of travel and work seeming to set in. He got out of the tub and made his way back to the room and collapsed onto the bed, falling into a deep and comfortable slumber surrounded by the pleasant aroma of the freshly washed linens. Daegel woke early in the morning. He sat outside the cottage as the sun rose. The air cool and crisp. Soon it would be time to change the seasons. He assumed Silin would be understanding and allow him to have that be the period of time in which he could return home to help turn the fall into winter. Silin soon stepped out with her cloak and he followed her into town. The path was straightforward, it would be easy traveling back. The people of the town took notice of the two of them as they entered. The looks to Silin seemed to be excited, but for him there were only questions in the minds of the townspeople reading clear in their faces. He turned to Silin, “the Vigil tab. Got it.” He said and nodded to her before they parted ways. Daegel making straight for the first blacksmith shop he could find.

After seeking some direction, Daegel stopped outside the blacksmiths, looking over some of their swords, but his attention was quickly drawn to their selection of arrowheads. He picked one up and turned it over with his fingers, feeling the sharpness and density of the piece, but his attention was pulled away by a woman, “You look at though you know what to do with those.” She said coyly and stepped closer to him. Daegel smiled at the woman, “I do.” He said simply, his gaze roaming over her for a moment. She was short with some curve to her body with straight dark hair and milky skin, her eyes green and her smile all too inviting. Human women really were such a weakness. He was not the only fairy to fall easily for them. There was something terribly endearing about their very raw sensuality that they seemed to love to cover in a layer of coyness that was flirtatious and alluring. “Are you a soldier or a hunter?” She asked him, her hands held behind her back as she moved closer, emphasizing her chest even if she was attempting to seem more demure. “Neither. Though I do hunt for necessity.” He needed to remind himself that he had to be careful of what he reveled about himself. Silin had warned him of the value of his blood, but it had always been good practice to not readily reveal oneself as a fairy. The woman nodded and rested her hand on his upper arm, “You feel very strong.” She did not let go of him and looked up at him through her lashes, her eyes seeming as green as emeralds in that moment. “But I suppose you have to be to use to a bow and arrow. I have have never been able to use one myself.” She explained and smiled now sweetly at him. She was pretty when she smiled. Daegel set the arrowhead aside, “Perhaps I should show you some time. It’s a useful skill to have.” He said. The woman beside him seemed to brighten more even, “I would love that. What is your name?” She asked him, her hand still clinging to his arm, but now holding onto his bicep as if she were with him. Daegel smiled at her once again, “Daegel. And yours?” He asked her. “Elora. I may be new myself, but I do not believe I have seen you before, Daegel.” She said, her eyes met his, the smile she wore gently reached her eyes as well, “that is because I only arrived here yesterday.” He explained. “Oh? Are you only visiting?” She asked him, disappointment seemed to flash across her features, “one could say that, but it will be a long visit.” Elora’s features softened once more when he said that and he found himself even more endeared to the human woman. He turned to the blacksmith and told him the tab to put the bow and arrows on and slung his purchase over his shoulder. “So you are with the witch?” Elora asked him as they walked away. “I work for her. How did you know?" he asked. "The tab. All the shops know that tab." Elora explained, but she quickly moved on and insisted on showing him to her bakery where she gave him as much bread and pastries as he could have ever hoped for. But it was not long before he noticed how far the sun had shifted in the sky and he had to depart from Elora. He said his goodbye with the promise he would be back to see her and it was a promise he intended to keep. She was a lovely little bright spot that he wished to explore further. She seemed as sweet as the pastries she made. And her pastries she had actually sent him home with a box of. She hung over his mind as he made his way back to the cottage which now was much happier and lively than the day before. He felt the magic was fully awake now and active, seeming to roll off the place in waves as he grew closer and closer. He walked through the front gate and entered the cottage, “Silin,” he greeted as he stepped through the door, but there was another with you, “And you?" he looked to the very young man and set the package of pastries on the table. Based on the clothing the teenager had on it seemed obvious he was of some wealth.