Fairy Ring Read online

  Fairy Ring

  nicolette andrews

  Published by nicolette andrews, 2018.

  This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

  FAIRY RING

  First edition. February 18, 2018.

  Copyright © 2018 nicolette andrews.

  Written by nicolette andrews.

  Also by nicolette andrews

  Dragon Saga

  The Priestess and the Dragon

  The Song of the Wind (Coming Soon)

  The Sea Stone

  Reign of Prophecy

  Duchess

  Princess

  Tales of Akatsuki

  Kitsune: A Little Mermaid Retelling

  Thornwood

  Heart of Thorns

  Standalone

  Fairy Ring

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Also By nicolette andrews

  Fairy Ring

  Also By nicolette andrews

  A blanket of stars cloaked the night. The bright face of the moon watched over the silent manor house. Thick tendrils of ivy wormed their way across the stone exterior, encircling the darkened windows. The only sounds were the chirp of crickets and the distant call of an owl. The house was asleep, but the forest was awake.

  From the alcove of a back door, a figure bolted across the lawn. Pale moonlight lit their path as they scurried to the nearby shelter of an orchard. They were halfway there when a faint yellow light flickered to life in a second story window. The golden color drew moths from their hiding as the light grew brighter. The silhouette of a woman could be seen just as the runner disappeared into the shadow of the trees.

  Brenna leaned her back against the rough bark of an apple tree, gasping for breath. She cocked her head to one side, watching the shadow linger at the window a moment more before disappearing into the dark house. The light fading with them. She let out the breath she had been holding. And then reached into her pocket, fumbling with heavy metal keys in trembling hands. The gate lay a few yards ahead. She had only to make it there, and then she would be free.

  One last glance to the house, and she sprinted for the gate. The keys rattled against the lock as she forced them in. The unused hinges squealed as she pressed her shoulder against the ancient wooden door. The sound carried through the still night and she froze in place. It seemed even the crickets had ceased their singing upon hearing the sound.

  When she saw no lights illuminate any windows, nor heard any running footsteps, she slipped through the small crack the door allowed and left the keys inside to be discovered, hopefully long after she was gone. Beyond the walled gate, sheep dozed doting the rolling hills of green. The moon lined everything in silver giving it an eerie glow. A taste of magic on the air made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.

  Where is he? He didn't change his mind, did he?

  A hand grasped her from behind, planting his palm firmly against her mouth. She started to scream, until Edric came around, his handsome face filling her view.

  "You scared me half to death!" She said a little too loud. The sheep baa'd plaintively.

  A Shepard, previously unseen stood up and peered in their direction. He was too far away to see their faces clearly. Before he could get a good look at them, Edric grabbed her by the hand and they ran across the field toward the nearby forest.

  Brenna laughed as her hair whipped behind her like a banner. Her feet felt lighter than air as they ran.

  They did not stop running until they reached the edge of the forest. Edric looked behind them, to be certain they were not followed.

  "Old Mr. Samuels won't chase us, he's more worried about his sheep." She teased, patting him on the shoulder and turning him to face her.

  He had a frown on his face. "He'll know it was us. When they find you missing in the morning..." before he could finish the thought, Brenna pressed her lips to his.

  He leaned down to kiss her again. She was used to hurried kisses, snatched in the stables or behind a shed. Despite his protests of urgency, he took his time exploring her mouth with his tongue, one hand tangling in her hair. The other caressing the fabric of her bodice. Normally she would have swatted his hand away, but tonight was special.

  They broke apart panting, skin flushed. Edric leaned his head against hers, his breath raspy. "We best get going, unless Samuels decides to tell your father," Edric said.

  Mention of her father was like a cold bucket of water dumped over her head. "Let's not talk about that." She leaned in to kiss him again.

  They spent another couple of precious minutes, before he broke away. Taking her by the hand, they turned to the forest behind him. A chill crept down her spine. Every child for miles around heard stories about these woods. In the daylight, the tangled briar filled with shadows and mist played tricks on the eyes. Looking at it set your teeth on edge. In the moonlight, the branches were long fingers tipped with claws, and the mist transformed into gruesome hollow-eyed faces, open maws waiting to devour the hapless fool who wandered in.

  Brenna took a step back.

  "Not having second thoughts, are you?" Edric teased.

  A single pathway dissected the forest. It was the only way through the tangled wood, but Brenna did not know a soul who had gone through it. They said it was a road used by the Fair Folk to travel in and out of their world and that of man. When they had made their plans, laying out in the grass on a bright sunny day, it had not seemed so scary, but now that she stood at the Fair Folk's doorstep, she had second thoughts.

  "No." She bit her lip as she looked away from the woods. "Are you sure there is no other way? Perhaps if we went around?"

  He looked to the woods and then back to Brenna, "Are you afraid of a wee little woodland? Don't worry, I'll protect you from the Fair Folk."

  An owl hooted, and Brenna flinched.

  Edric laughed and she pulled a face at him.

  He cupped her face in his hands. "If you're afraid, we can go another way."

  Brenna sighed with relief before giving him one last quick peck.

  They compromised by walking along the perimeter of the forest, though she hated being this close. Branches along the edge, snagged her dress, and when she attempted to break free, she only managed to tangle her hem up in it. Edric came over and tried to set her free. But had to rip it in several places to get her out.

  "It's like the forest is trying to pull me in," she said, holding the tattered ends of her favorite dress in her hands.

  "Don't be silly."

  Just then the mournful sound of a hound cut through the stillness of the night. Brenna's head shot up, across the rolling hills where the sheep slept, she saw torches.

  "My father has realized I've gone missing."

  "This way." Edric grabbed her hand and the pair of them dove into the forest.

  Where thick undergrowth had been moments before, cleared away to create a pathway leading them further into the forest. The shouts of her father and the baying of his bloodhounds grew closer. She kept her eyes on Edric, praying they would not be caught.

  Edric tugged her along after him. To their left, a patch of moonlight illuminated a grassy vale, on the other side, a straight pathway leading to the road, she could see a man with two horses waiting just up ahead.

  "That's the man I told you about, we're almost there," Edric said, increasing his stride.

  She stumbled, tripping over the ragged hem of her gown. As she fell to her knees, Brenna looked around the dark forest. For a moment, she thought something had been watching her. Edric lost grip of her hand and turned around to help her back up.

  "We cannot waste any more time," he snapped
.

  "But—" she cut herself off, she didn't want him to think her silly.

  He hurried her to her feet and they pushed through the forest. The dogs and men were getting closer. The wind picked up and the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. He pulled her along though she tried to resist. This wasn't right. They were tempting things that should not be trifled with. It would have been better to get caught by her father, than wander where they didn't belong.

  As they hurried through the clearing, they did not mind their steps. By the time she saw the circle of white mushrooms, it was too late. Edric stepped into it as his hands slipped from hers and in a blink, he was gone. Nothing left but a shaft of moonlight falling on the center of the Fairy Ring.

  Her hand flew to cover up her mouth, to stifle the scream that threatened to escape. She turned toward the torches, just at the edge of the forest.

  "Brenna!" her father called out her name.

  She looked to her father and then to the ring of mushrooms. She could go home back to her father and the safety of the human realm, but then Edric would be trapped in the Fairy Realm forever. He didn't know their ways, not like she did. A few brave men were stomping through the forest, there was no time to hesitate.

  She had only one choice left. She stepped into the Fairy Ring.

  ***

  Dragging open heavy eyelids, Edric blinked into the dim light. A single globe of diffused light hung above him suspended by the fingers of roots that grew from the ceiling. Groaning, he sat up and rubbed his head.

  "Brenna?" he called. His voice echoed back at him reverberating up the walls and disappearing into the dark above. Where am I? The last thing he remembered was the forest and the horseman just a few feet ahead. Then everything went dark. I must have fallen into a hole. He titled his head backward to get a look. But there wasn't one, just a dirt ceiling.

  As he climbed to his feet, he surveyed his surroundings. He was in some sort of underground chamber, there were no windows but a single open doorway stood opposite him. The door was made up of a pair of wood planks crossing each other in an x. Beyond that was a tunnel illuminated in strange green light. He crept up to the exit and peered out. There was no way he had rolled here or otherwise fallen. Someone had brought him here.

  He reached for the small knife he kept hidden in his boot and was relieved to find it had not been taken while he was unconscious. How long that had been he did not know. I hope Brenna is alright. I'll be with you soon, my heart.

  Edric slid out into the corridor, back against the wall, knife clutched in one hand, he looked both ways as he did. There was only one way to go. The passageway was lined with numerous doors, all painted different colors. He inspected the nearest one, the jamb had been carved to resemble a living tree. The door itself was painted to resemble a red bird, and the carved maple branches spread outward from the jamb like a bird in flight, complete with crimson leaves. This craftsmanship is impressive, what wealthy man lives here?

  A few feet down, there was another, orange as a flame at the top until the color faded into a black coal. A chill permeated from an icy blue door, the knob carved to look like a shard of ice. Standing in front of it, Edric shivered and rubbed his free hand up and down his arm, as he continued down the hall. The hallway seemed endless and he decided to try and open one of the doors, but every one he tried was locked. As he tried his fourth door, unsuccessfully, he heard the faintest thread of music drifting from down the hall.

  Following the sound, it led him to the end of the hallway, where it spilled into a cavern. Multi-colored light danced across the walls. Edric had to shield his eyes, the light coming from within was so brilliant. Flute and harp music drifted upward toward him.

  The pathway spiraled downward into the bottom of a large room, it was all carved out of stone. Globes of every color hovered from invisible threads and danced on the air. He watched them bob up and down on the wind, seemingly changing color in a slow dance along with the music.

  From above, he watched as people at the bottom of the cavern danced to music, not the structured and orderly dance of which he was used to seeing but something much more animalistic and wild. While the dancers twirled, the musicians played off in one corner.

  Edric inched down the spiraling pathway, entranced by the spectacle before him. It had to be some sort of masquerade, they wore flamboyant wigs in outlandish colors: aquamarine, violet, crimson, chartreuse. And even more wore the most realistic animal masks he had ever seen. On first glance, he could have sworn a fox was dancing on hind legs with a deer wearing a hide gown. When he got closer, he could see their masks pushed back on their heads. Their capes fluttered like the wings of butterflies, but they were still just capes.

  At the foot of the path, he was so transfixed by the array of strange party guests that he could not help but stare. Clever gloves made to look like claws, were pushed through manes of red hair. Other's had false teeth made to look like fangs glimmered in feral smiles as they danced to the beat of the music. A man with deer antlers pushing through curly brown hair danced with a woman whose long translucent hair reminded him of spider webs. Everywhere he looked there was a new exotic and beautiful sight to behold. Women with flowers in their hair that looked more part of it than decoration, weaved back and forth as men with knotty knees and nut-brown skin jumped into the air doing amazing feats of acrobatics.

  To one side of the room was a buffet table, almost buckled beneath the weight of all the food. Cornucopias overflowing with fruit that tumbled across the table, roasted meat served on large leaves, and drinks in glasses cleverly designed to resemble flowers. Edric's own stomach grumbled at the sight, he had been so nervous about running away tonight, he couldn't eat. But the sights and smells of their feast changed his mind. As he stared with envy at the feast, he watched a man wearing a bird mask pick up a roasted fist on the table. Instead of pushing back his mask to eat, however his bird beak opened and he dropped the fist in whole.

  Edric blinked in confusion, and then he took a closer look at the dancers. Now that he was closer, he could see some had eyes slit like a cat, or cloven feet of a deer. How is this possible? He took a few steps back as a horrifying realization dawned on him. As he backed up, he collided with someone. He swiveled to look into the dark bottomless gaze of a man. His hair like a tangled briar, and his skin coarse and rough as bark. His feral smile made Edric's blood turn to ice.

  "You've wandered where you should not, human," the man-creature said.

  Edric jerked away from the man he had collided with too terrified to speak. As he did, the otherworldly music stopped, leaving a deafening silence in its wake. And as one, the room's occupants turned to look at him. Pointed teeth were barred, and clawed hands reached for him, as he skittered backward, only to be snatched by the shoulder by the dark-eyed man.

  "Forgive me, I did not mean to interrupt," Edric said looking at the hostile creatures who encircled him.

  They stared at him with a hundred different colored eyes, without blinking, without saying a word. He shifted uncomfortably, waiting for someone to speak.

  "Can someone tell me where I am?" he said, his voice sounding terrified and meek.

  "You have wandered into the Thorn Kingdom," said a voice that shook like thunder.

  The crowd parted, and a man wearing a crown made of interlocking thorns stood. His hair was like a tangled mass of vines and fell down over his nut-brown shoulder. The revelers bowed as he moved through them.

  He loomed over Edric, half a foot taller at least. "How is it that you find yourself in my kingdom?" he asked.

  Edric could not tear his eyes away from the man. There was something predatory in those eyes that set him on edge. "I am not entirely sure. I was running through the forest with Brenna, when we got separated."

  "Who gave you permission to enter my woods."

  He swallowed past a lump in his throat. "No one, my lord."

  "Take him," the king, for he presumed him to be so, waved his hand to take h
im away.

  The man-creature, tugged on him to drag him away. Remembering his blade for the first time, Edric swung it toward the creature. It hissed in distaste and recoiled away from it. He spun in a circle threatening them all with the blade. Though he could not imagine what he would do against so many.

  "Get back," he said. It was said the fae feared iron but he'd never taken any stock in the old tales. But it seemed that it was true, if they were afraid of this tiny little dagger.

  If only Brenna were here she'd know what to do, she loved all those old stories her grandmother told. He had to mentally shake himself, he wouldn't wish this sort of fate upon her.

  The king looked scornfully. "You dare threaten me and my court," he said, his voice seemed to shake the ground beneath him.

  "Just let me go, and I'll be no trouble to you."

  Just then, a wolf-like creature lunged and bit his wrist. Edric yelped in pain dropping the knife. It was then kicked by another one of the strange courtiers far from Edric's grip.

  Once he was without a weapon, it was easy enough for them to overpower him. The feral man-creature grabbed his arm and pinned it behind his back.

  "Please, I just want to get back to Brenna," he shouted fighting against his captors, though it was futile.

  "Who is Brenna?" the king asked.

  Edric looked up at the king, eyes wide, he couldn't let him have Brenna, let them do what they wanted to him. But they could not harm his Brenna. "You stay away from her."

  "Perhaps I will ask her, myself," the king said, then turning to three more of his subjects. "Find the girl, bring her to me."

  "No!" Edric shouted as he was dragged from the room.

  ***

  Brenna's eyes fluttered open. Through the fog of waking, she looked around her room. Had it all been a dream? She pulled her blanket up to her chin. It was a nightmare, I hope when I do run away with Edric it does not go awry like that. Her blanket brushed against her cheek, she had not remembered it being quite this soft, and her mattress did not have its usual lumps. She burrowed further into her bed, stretching limbs gone tense from sleep. As the sleep faded from her eyes, she realized the blanket was not hers.