“Well, that wasn’t unsettling at all,” Leonardo grumbled as we trailed Adriano along a high catwalk, and I silently agreed.
The towering trees surrounding us held ancient carvings etched deep within their trunks, each line humming with an old magic. Despite their hollowed centers, the trees pulsed with life, whispering secrets as we ascended a wooden staircase spiraling upward. Higher and higher we climbed, wrapping around a tree until we emerged onto a platform leading to one of the many houses woven into the forest. The door-a blend of golden hues and deep emeralds-was set directly into the tree, framed by tinted windows that reflected the forest’s glow.
“Someone will bring food shortly. Fresh clothes are inside for you,” Adriano murmured, leaving Leonardo and me in silence.
The house was far more magnificent than I’d anticipated. The bed dominated the room-a massive four-poster seemingly carved straight from the tree itself. It might’ve been, if not for the plush mattress softer than anything I’d ever laid on, draped in blankets of mossy silk. The rough bark walls bore delicate etchings, and against one side, a slim staircase wound upward to a second floor. I’d hoped for another bedroom, but instead found a modest kitchen. Lacking human conveniences, the Fae relied on magic, with a hearth emitting a soft green flame, filling the room with a comforting warmth that was neither stifling nor cold.
Grabbing the soft, forest-green clothing folded at the bed’s edge, I climbed the stairs to change. The tunic was softer than any fabric I’d ever felt, and as I slipped it on, I felt a strange connection to the forest around me, almost as though I’d become part of it.
When I returned downstairs, several dishes of food awaited us on the circular wooden table. I hadn’t tasted many of the dishes, even among humans. One plate held steaming smoked meats, while another displayed a colorful salad, and a third offered small round cakes resembling smooth stones. At the center, a golden pitcher sat filled with water-or so it seemed.
“That’s not water,” Leonardo remarked, eyeing the pitcher with a raised brow. “The Fae who brought it said it’s nectar and warned me not to drink too much.”
Pausing mid-pour, I studied the liquid as it swirled into my goblet. It looked like water, with the same clarity and consistency, but the aroma was unmistakably sweet, with hints of something floral.
“Do you think the old tales are true about eating Fae food?” I asked, eyeing the platters cautiously. An old legend warned that consuming anything from the Fae realm bound one here forever. It wouldn’t affect me, but Leonardo wasn’t Fae.
“Just a myth. I asked,” he replied, sinking onto a cushioned stool beside me. “Everything here is dangerous.”
“It is,” I agreed, taking a small sip of the nectar. “But it’s also beautiful, isn’t it?”
The nectar’s taste matched its scent-light and floral, with a subtle sweetness. As I swallowed, a comforting warmth spread through me, easing every ache and worry, leaving me feeling clear-headed and at peace.
“It has its appeal,” Leonardo conceded, picking up his goblet.
“See? It’s not so bad here.” I teased, helping myself to the smoked meat. “Imagine what the rest of the Fae realm must look like. I can’t picture anything more magical than this.”
“I’ll admit it when you tell me what’s up with you and that Fae Lord,” he grunted, diving into his plate.
“Jealous?” I teased, chuckling as I took another sip of the soothing nectar.
It didn’t make me feel intoxicated, only calm, as if all my worries were distant shadows.
“Perhaps,” he admitted, his expression serious as he met my gaze.
I let out a sigh. “When I was younger, I used to visit a creek that ran through the forest. I didn’t have many friends, but one day, I met Andrea there. He looked human then, and he was always there whenever I returned. We became friends, but as I grew older, he stopped showing up. I hadn’t seen him since long before my mother and I left your pack. It’s really not as interesting as it sounds, Leonardo.”
“He looked human?” Leonardo’s brows knit together in confusion. “Have you asked him why he appears Fae now?”
“Not yet,” I replied, setting my plate aside. “But I will.”
After we’d eaten, I slipped into the bed with a contented sigh. It cradled me perfectly, neither too soft nor too firm. This, I knew, would be the hardest thing to leave behind.
“For once, you’re not complaining about sharing a bed with me?” Leonardo teased, settling in beside me.
I rolled my eyes, feeling my heartbeat quicken at his warmth beneath the blankets. “I’m too tired to complain. Next time, though.”
“Oh, so there will be a next time?” he asked, his tone playful.
“When it comes, you won’t hear any complaints from me,” I murmured, my eyes growing heavy as the forest’s gentle sounds lulled me to sleep.
When morning arrived, I eased myself from Leonardo’s embrace, cheeks flushing as I straightened my clothes. He sat up with a tired grin, running a hand through his messy hair as sunlight poured through the green-tinted windows, softening to shades of orange and red. Through the glass, three moons hung in the sky, each at a different phase.
Soon, a knock came at the door, and Adriano and Andrea awaited us outside.
“I trust you slept well,” Andrea remarked, his gaze flicking briefly between Leonardo and me.
“Better than I have in months,” I answered, glancing at Leonardo. Despite the restful night, he looked exhausted, dark circles deepening beneath his eyes.
It struck me then-had I unknowingly exposed him to the dangers of the Fae realm? Could a human even survive traveling between worlds?
Before I could voice my concerns, Andrea spoke, studying Leonardo closely. “Travel between realms can be hard on the body. Fae are resilient, but others… less so. A visit to the catacombs should help. The hot springs carry the realm’s strongest magic and will restore your strength.”
Leonardo nodded, his voice a rough whisper. “Much appreciated.”
“We’ll go after we talk,” I promised, letting the worry show in my eyes.
We followed Andrea and Adriano across bridges and platforms until we reached the heart of town, centered around an enormous tree with a platform encircling it. At a table carved from the tree itself, Andrea leaned against the wood while Leonardo and I took seats.
“Tell me,” Andrea began, “what abilities have you mastered?”
“Fire, though I wouldn’t say I’ve mastered it,” I admitted, cringing slightly under his gaze. “Once I’m connected, it’s easy to summon, but controlling it… that’s another story.”
Leonardo arched a brow, intrigued. “Meaning?”
“It’s overwhelming. Like a flood I can’t contain.”
“Not many would complain about too much power,” Adriano chuckled.
I frowned, glancing between Andrea and Adriano. “What’s the point if I destroy everything around me?”
Andrea silenced Adriano with a look. “I believe you should stay here for a while to master Earth as well.”
I grimaced, feeling the weight of his request. “Last time, an hour here cost two days in my realm. Leonardo has a pack, and we have family waiting for us. I want to learn, but we can’t stay long.”
Andrea’s expression softened. “Time is unpredictable here. You may already have been gone for years. Trust me, a week won’t change anything back home.”
My heart sank. “I didn’t know, Leonardo,” I murmured, meeting his eyes guiltily.
He squeezed my hand gently, a warm smile breaking through his fatigue. “It’s okay, kitten. I knew what I was getting into.”
I nodded, accepting Andrea’s offer. “We’ll stay a week, but then we have to go home.”
Andrea inclined his head. “Very well, one week. Now, let’s get you to the catacombs.”