Blood of Fae

Secrets to keep.

Ler*

The intoxicating smell of basil and frankincense left me confused. Hardly able to focus on anything other than the little witch before me, I barely noticed my brothers leaving the forest. Her blue-green eyes held no fear, there was a spark of defiance even now within them. She was 5'7, give or take a little. Her cloak hid her small frame from view. Wishing to see more of her features, I released her arms and gently removed her hood. A look of confusion touched her face but she quickly masked her face to neutral.

"You are a pretty little witch, Brighid. My dragon rather enjoys your smell."

Crimson flushed on her face as she lowered and turned her head ever so slightly to the right. Her brunette hair shifted forward ever so slightly, allowing her pointed ear to be seen. Wait, did humans have pointed ears?

"I am not a little witch." her voice was almost a whisper. "No coven owns me."

"I have never seen a human with pointed ears. Is it normal for some witches to possess them?"

Brighid quickly raised her head with malice in her eyes. She opened her mouth as if to speak. Then I watched as realization touched her features. As if she had just processed my words fully. The little witch sure was pretty even when her temper flared.

"You can see my pointed ears?" Brighid raised a hand to her face as she paced back and forth in a line. "How is that even possible? Does the bond make the illusion spell obsolete? Or is this something all dragons can do because you are a deity? I have never met a dragon in person before, so it's possible, right?"

"Would you like me to answer those questions or are you just thinking out loud? And how is it a witch has never met a dragon before?"

I watch as the little witch stops pacing, she runs both her hands over her face. Takes in a deep breath and balls her fist in the air before releasing both her breath and resting her fist by her side. She turns around to face me and seems to be trying to compose the temper I can see building up on the surface.

Brighid clears her throat. "I am not a witch. I do not use dragons to help me cast spells. Therefore, I have never met one of your kind. Honestly, I thought dragons were always, well, in dragon form."

Unable to resist, I replied "So no then, witches don't have pointy ears."

I watch as she bites her lower lip and breaths in deeply once more.

"To answer your question, Brighid, only some forms of illusions work on dragons. Usually we can smell out the magic and know something is there. Which is why some dragons tend to have loads of treasure, even though humans try to hide it through magic. That's why witches call upon us to help with some casting in the first place. Of course, we usually are the hired muscles, so to speak."

“What will you do with me now?”

“I’m not entirely sure, to be honest. We will have to go before the elders eventually though. You are still in trouble for taking what wasn’t yours.’

Her breathing elevated and I could see her crimson color return. She practically yelled right in my face. “I have never stolen anything in my life, dragon.”

Clearing my throat, I calmly replied ‘Pardon me, but isn’t making someone your mate kind of stealing?’

My words seemed to deflate her strong stance. As guilt seems to replace the anger within her.

"We have a long journey ahead of us, Brighid. Have you ever flown before?"

"So not a witch," she points at herself before continuing, "I have been on a plane before though, if that counts for anything."

Find myself pondering the best way to explain the task at hand. When Wyre becomes impatient and pushes himself forward,

"Have you ever ridden a horse bareback, little agra (beloved)?"

Brighid shakes her head yes as she replies, "Yes, I have ridden horses all my life. You have to hold on to the mane and pay attention to the horses' body language."

Wyre grins sheepishly.His golden eyes burned into the little witch before us. He seems smitten already, although I am not fully sure why he's so eager to roll over. 'Normal witches fear us. They are easily intimidated by our presence. Even though they are the ones calling upon us for help. Our agra has spunk and is quick on her feet. Do you not agree Ler?'

We must have been silent too long. Brighid was looking at us with a raised brow. "Everything ok dragon? Was that the wrong answer?"

"Your answer is fine little agra. We must find a clearing though. This area is too crowded for me. The sun will be fully gone soon. You will have to stay awake while riding. Are you able? Or did you deplete too much energy on the spell you wove between us? "

"Do you want me to lie to you or tell the truth, dragon?"

"You may call me Wyre my mate. The truth is always preferred whenever possible. You may give Ler little white lies about his attire when needed, however."

Before I can scold my dragon, Brighids whimsical laughter feels the air and I forget to speak. It reaches all the way to her blue-green eyes. And I long to make her laugh more in the future.

"If I am being completely honest, Wyre, then no, I do not believe a long journey is favorable today."

"It is settled then. We shall go and the rest for the trip can wait until tomorrow."

Taking her hand, we slowly walked her towards the village we had seen on the flight over.The only sound was that of the leaves crunching under our feet. A nice warm bed and a little breakfast before the trip would be best, even for us.