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ANOTHER DAY HAS COME, and I’m no closer to finding a solution to Lin’s flying issue. I have a drawing, but the parts don’t make sense to me as they come from the human world, and I’m not sure how to make them here.
Maybe I should be honest with myself. I am using this as a distraction, a way to not face the fact that I’m a prisoner of someone I have never seen. I don’t know if my friends are safe or even alive. I don’t want to face myself, but that’s what I must do as I pass this space. Not even the beautiful stargazer can distract me anymore.
A knock on the door has me jolting. Why would they knock on the door that they have locked. Why not just walk right in? I get up and walk to the door, as a more impatient knock sounds. With trepidation, I open the door and feel my jaw drop at the gorgeous woman before me.
She has the classic fairy figure, and her dark hair cascades down her back. Her porcelain skin and pink lips add to her beauty. I can just see black tattered wings behind her. At her feet, is a large basket with a variety of dishes in it. I stand there staring at her until she clears her throat.
“I’m sorry. Please come in.”
“Thank you. How do you find your accommodations? Is there anything you need?” She lifts the heavy basket and drags it into the room. I rush to take it from her.
“No, no nothing. It’s perfect. Well, besides the being locked in part.”
“Well, that is just a formality. Once you’re ready to join us, then you will have free rein.”
“Join you? Who are you, and why would I want to join you?”
She takes my arm and leads me towards the table. “Let’s eat while we talk. I brought a nice wine with me, just for you.” She smiles up at me, and I feel my whole body go hot. NO, think of Aislin!
We sit down at the table, and she sets the food out, more food then I will be able to eat in a sitting. She opens the wine and pours me a glass.
“I am Loretta. And, as I imagine you know, I am the reason the talents are going missing.” She looks at me as if waiting for my response, but I just keep eating. Flustered, she continues. “As the talentless fairies mature, Ren will send them out to find me and get their talents back. But the only way to get their talent back is to find magic. The magic that I can teach them.” She smiles at me, but it has no warmth in it.
“So, if I want my talent, then I have to accept the magic that you will teach me?” She nods her head. “And what do I have to do for this magic?”
“Nothing much, just follow my orders. Help me to conquer and rule Empyrean.”
I nod my head thinking about what she is suggesting. “What will happen to Empyrean once there are no fairies with talents? Who will help control the storms and the water levels? Who will plant the harvest or harvest the seeds? Who will help the animals hibernate or wake for the spring thaw?”
She flicks her wrist at me. “Look at the Human Realm. They do not have fairies that do any of that, but they seem to do just fine.”
“I’m not so sure I agree with you there, but I do want my talent.” I pause, thinking through what she has said. “But what about my friends? Will they get their talents? Will they be safe?”
“They are safe, and if they have their talents, that will be up to them. Now what do you say?”
“Loretta, I’m honored, I really am. But this is a big decision. Can I have some time to think about it? I don’t want to make the wrong choice.”
She frowns, and I can see her anger building, but then the small anger lines disappear, and she smiles. “Of course, my dear. This is a big decision.”
I smile my thanks and rise, signaling that our meal and time together is up.
She smiles over her shoulder as she steps out the door, “And as one of the first in my army you will be given an officer position.”