The Choice of the Fae (Complete on KU)

“Take this with you.” My grandma yanked at the neck of my coat to make me lean forward to her, she was tiny, even compared to my 5’4 stature. “It will protect you.”  She clipped a chain around my neck, under my long dark hair tied in a high ponytail. “What is it?” I asked. But when I looked at the necklace now resting over my clavicle, hanging low between my breasts I saw a pink stone shard resting in a cage of silver wires. As I looked at the necklace she tugged my hand to her, fastening a bracelet of black stones. “Obsidian to ward off dark energy and evil.” She said as she fixed the clasp. “And rose quarts to promote the healing of a broken heart.” She pointed to my chest where the pendant sat. I rolled my eyes as I surveyed the pendant around my neck “Grazij, Nana…” I responded. “And silver for feminine energy and strength.” She said, waving a crooked finger in the air as she turned to the kitchen counter. I rolled my eyes and grinned. “Don’t you think this is a bit overkill Nana…?” I said softly as she turned back to me with a small canister, shoving it into my hand. She shook her head. Braided gray hair strands swishing furiously as she rustled about for more of her protective artifacts. “What’s this?” “Crystals cannot protect you against bears, Mi Amore.” “Bear spray… gotcha…” I stuffed it into the back pack on the table. “And this.” She said, almost urgently. A glass vial no bigger than a makeup tube, with a thin neck and wild mouth, plugged with a wooden cork sealed with red wax. Inside was a mix of different coloured herbs and tied around it was a strand of rope. “Nana, pi fauri, this is too much!”  She furrowed her thick brows and shook her head. “Cinnamon, sage, Rosemary and elderberries. The string is made of Yucca…” “I get it Nana, you want me to be protected…” “These are dangerous lands Alice!.” “Nana, I hiked and camped all the time back home, I’ll be fine.” “This isn’t back home.” I sighed and nodded. “How do I use this?” I asked, swirling the contents of the bottle around. “You hang that in your tent for protection. If you sleep beneath those herbs it will protect you from physical attacks.”  “Thank you Nana, but I don’t think I need all this…” She shook her head and gave me sad, dark eyes, “You promised me you’d be safe.” She reminded me. I nodded and leaned down, kissing her cheeks. “I’ll be safe Nana, I promise.” I smiled as I grabbed her shoulders in a tight hug, “Get back to bed. I’ll be home in a few days.” She nodded, wringing her hands nervously on her apron. “Don’t worry Nana, I’ll be home soon.” I waved at her and saw her peer through the windows of her little house as she watched me pack my heavy backpack in my suv. And as I slammed the trunk closed I gave her a wave and smile, rounding the car as she clutched her chest with her hand with worry. I opened my door, being careful to not ding her pristine old Buick town car that she’d had for as long as I could remember. She still stood there, worry plastered in her kind eyes as she watched me pull away.