The Billionaire's Runaway Nurse

Ironheart's Faerie Bargain

anting from the effort, William stopped running and glanced over his shoulder. Across the moonlit meadow, the lights of his house shined, where his beloved wife lay dying. William vows to hear her cries of pain and vows to help her at all costs.

Fear fueled his determination. He fled into the black forest ahead, immediately blinded by the darkness. Shivering with fear and cold, he slowed his steps and forced himself to think about all the ideas he had heard about the Wee Folk.

“The fairy ring,” he whispered. “I need to find a ring.”

Eyes fixed on the dark forest floor, he searched for evidence of a circle of light. Long moments passed; His forehead began to be beaded with the sweat of despair, and a touch of despair slowed the frantic beating of his heart.

“Little People,” he called, his voice barely louder than the sound of drifting clouds. “I'm asking for your help.”

He couldn't see anything. I can not hear anything.

Covering his face with his hands, he knelt down at the base of an old oak tree. Stones and gnarled branches cut into his feet, but he could only feel the pain of knowing that his sweet Martha was dying.

And with it, their unborn child will die. He cried, tears falling through his icy fingers and onto the ground. Finally, after hours, he noticed strange changes taking place around him. The cool night breeze becomes warm as if warmed by the rays of the midday sun. The rustling of oak, birch and old tree branches almost becomes a song, a gentle, soulful melody, sounding like hundreds of flutes in harmony. Between the narrow spaces of his fingers, William saw light. Among the dew-drenched leaves, sparks swirled in a perfect little circle.

They were there. They will come.

Fairies.

“William,” a small male voice said.

William was very careful outside the circle, for he knew that if he entered the glowing circle, he would be swept into the world of Faerie and have little chance of escape. Bending lower, he tried to see the fairies. He saw nothing but flashes of light, but suddenly remembered that the Wee Folk could quickly transform into human form. He walked away.

“Speak now, William,” the voice demanded, “or the help you seek will quickly be denied.”

William noticed the authority that permeated every word of that small voice. “My wife,” he blurted out, more tears falling to the floor. “Martha. The baby... the baby won't come. It's been almost two days, that's true. Please…"

“What are you willing to sacrifice to save the child and its mother? " the voice asked.

“Anything,” William replied impulsively, clasping his hands as if in prayer. “Whatever you ask for.”

He saw sparks gathering on the dark ground forming a large glowing ball, and he realized that the Little People were discussing the deal. Silence reigned, then the light parted again. “In exchange for the lives of your wife and children,” said the last voice, “I demand an engagement. One of your descendants must marry one of mine. Do you accept these conditions, William Ironheart?

William didn't take a second to think about the fairy's terms. "Yes! Oh yes!"

The lights shining between the leaves grew brighter and brighter, so bright that William couldn't bear to look at them anymore. He closed his eyes.

“Your plea has been accepted,” the small voice announced. “Martha has given birth to a beautiful and healthy daughter.”

William trembled with happiness, but he did not respond. Wee Folk avoid gratitude.

“Go now, William Ironheart, and raise your daughter, but don't tell anyone about our agreement,” the fairy's voice commanded. “Even though you will have nothing to do with its implementation, you can be sure that the promise you make tonight will come true.”

Still closing his eyes, William got up from the ground, ran out of the woods and across the vast grassy field. When he finally reached the front yard of his house, evidence of fairy magic rang in his ears along with the powerful cries of the healthy newborn and the joyful cries of Martha.

Clapping his hands, William laughed and danced in the yard and saw that in the woods in the distance, the fairy lights continued to twinkle faintly.

In exchange for the lives of your wife and children, I request an engagement.

Still dancing, William nodded remembering what the fairy said.

A fiancee. Suddenly, his dancing stopped, his laughter faded. Now that he was assured of the safety of Martha and his daughter, the true meaning of the deal with the fairies finally dawned on him.

He reached over to the fence and leaned against a wooden post, his forehead again beaded with sweat. Will his granddaughter one day get married in the enchanted world? Could it be one of his grandchildren? Great-grandchildren? He couldn't guess, because the fairy's voice gave him no clue.

All he knew for certain was that the rash and desperate promise he had made not long ago had irrevocably condemned one of the progenitors of the Ironheart to the mighty clutches of the Fae .

TO BE CONTINUED...