An Fae Arrangement

Chapter 3

Amber shades of sunlight slipping through the cave awoke me the next morning. Sluggishly I arose, remembering what I’d done the day before. Guilt embodying me completely. Sitting there I thought again if I should turn back and face my duty to my people..but the blameworthiness horror wouldn’t allow me to even go back now. What was done was done, I had to seek out my mate there was no going back.

Changing out of my horrifying dress I put on some simple blue trousers and grey tee, letting it hang loosely off my shoulder. My hair still intact from the messy bun my handmaiden had done. Walking towards the small pool, I used the water to wash my face, letting all the makeup I’d had done melt away. It felt refreshing, like I was removing the layer I hadn’t promised away. The glittering water, peeling back the layers of purity. Looking around I remembered which path I had to take in order to retrace my steps and head back towards the route I should have taken. Packing my sleeping bag back up I headed back towards the pool. Sitting back by the glistening waters, I tugged back onto the bond commanding it to let me see something, anything to encourage me to keep going. The visions allowed me to see the seductive male, now asleep in the forest. His breaths slow, his muscular body intolerable against the cold surface. His wings shivering against the icy branch, he’d nestled himself against.. Was he searching for me too? Resting sweetly, before my visions brought me back to where I was. I had to find my mate it’s no coincidence that he’s out here, he must be seeking for me too. The moon gods had shown me this for me to inquisitively seek on further hope. Clutching into that part of desperation.

Rising to my feet I set back towards the route I’d previously taken, after 2 hours I was at the part I diverted due to the wolf seeking me out. I headed north and after 1 hour felt the bond almost rip me. I stopped in my tracks, he was near, the bond was so intense he had to be here it was like it was demanding for me to see him. Looking around I couldn’t see anyone, there was nobody in sight. As I had before with the wolf I decided again to ascend up the tree for wider vision range. Once carefully perched I awaited, practically crying out for my mate down the bond. Before a male appeared, he was tall in height, I hadn’t payed attention to it before. He was searching. He stopped exactly under the tree in which I was perched on. I didn’t dare move or let out a single breath, wondering what this man is thinking. “You can come down now, unless you’d like me to send the wolf up” his low husky voice called out.

Shocked I stayed up in the tree, peering down at him. He giggled before leaning on the opposite tree and saying “I know you’re in the tree, your scent lingers below”.

“How do I know you aren’t trying to call me down to harm me”, I yelled back. Again the male let out a low laugh. “I think you know I won’t harm my mate, I know you feel the bond pulsating through you so come down and let me get a real glimpse of you”, he said.

Warily I climbed down from the tree. Now facing the males name I did not know. “Here I am, now are you going to tell me who you are?” I asked rather inquisitively. I felt his eyes all over me, “Not here” was all he said before I remember seeing darkness.

…

When I awoke I was in the most beautiful willow I’d ever seen. The view past the wide windows were almost as if I’d fallen asleep outside. The leaves of auburn and lily pads floating amongst a beautiful flowing river, that led towards a waterfall. This place felt like I’d been here before. Letting my eyes take in the surroundings, I realised I was in a bed that was big enough to fit four of me. The room rather dim and dark, not complementing the beauty of outside. Looking round in this unfamiliar but familiar environment, I realised I was in the place I’d seen through the bond. The birds chirping along as if they were told to welcome me here. After a few moments, the man I’d been envisioning appeared in the doorway, leaning against it before speaking to me.

“How did you rest?”, he asked. “I don’t remember falling asleep, I remember asking you your name and then everything goes dark, what happened?” I asked worry clear in my tone.

“You’re in my home, this is Aland. We are a realm hidden away from Onedhen. We’ve remained hidden for almost a 100 years”, he said with his husky voice. Confusion must have been written all over my face as he let out a low laugh, and came to sit next to me on the bed. “How did I get here?” I asked still unsure how I’d got to this realm. “Well Valoria, I’m a mind fae, so I put you into a state of sleep so that I could bring you here without you seeing our secret passage ways” he explained. “Why can’t I know how to get here?” I asked still a bit sleepy. Again the man let out a low laugh “Incase you decide that you don’t want to be my mate and ask me to return you back to your betrothed” he said, the word betrothed clearly bothering him. “If you must know that marriage was arranged for me long before I was aware, I didn’t agree to it and I’ve never met that King, I’ve just heard the cruel and horrible stories about him” I spat.

“ I didn’t mean to offend you, but my people these lands, we are in peace and the war you have out there is not one I seek to bring within my borders” he explained. “Again, you haven’t told me who you are?” I quizzed. He let a low laugh before holding his hands up. “Are you sure you wish to know who I truly am” he asked his gaze holding mine.

Mate.

Mate.

The bond was almost electrifying by us now, the intimacy showing within our stares.

“I’d like to know who my mate is yes, I want to understand who you are, why the moon gods picked you” I replied.

“Well Valoria, you’ll have to stay here and get to know me to achieve that knowledge” he replied with a smirk. I carefully studied him, was this a game to him or was he enjoying leaving me to continuously ask questions. I nodded before he asked me to join him for breakfast. Why was this man so secretive and why hasn’t he atleast told me his name yet?

So many questions burned through my mind but I didn’t want to let him access them so I nodded before getting out of bed, he showed me where there was so spare clothes that I could change into before coming downstairs. I smiled and headed for a shower first. This man was very secretive and I’m unsure why. Questions racing through my mind, my doubts creeping in that perhaps I was in danger. Before a message was slipped into my mind, thinking of me?

Shaking this off I got out the shower, getting dressed before storming down to the dining hall, a chuckle echoing through the bond.