Evangeline
 (A Dark Faerie Tale #0.5)
By
Alexia Purdy



Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only.  This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people.  If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Evangeline (A Dark Faerie Tale #0.5))
Copyright © August 2012 Alexia Purdy
All rights reserved
Published by
Lyrical Lit. Publishing
Cover Design by Alexia Purdy
Cover Photos: © elisanth ~ canstockphoto.com
© enrico01~ canstockphoto.com
This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed in this novel are fictitious and are products of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual events, or locales or persons, living or dead are entirely coincidental.


ALSO BY ALEXIA PURDY:
Novels:
Reign of Blood
Ever Shade (A Dark Faerie Tale #1)
Ever Fire (A Dark Faerie Tale) #2
Short Stories:
Evangeline
The Faery Hunt
Poetic Collections:
Whispers of Dreams
Five Fathoms
Anthology:
Beyond the Never
AVAILABLE via Amazon.com


For Rayven


Chapter One
THE SLOW BURN of fire never promises an end. But the end does come. The licking flames that consume all matter until it ceases to exist, extinguishing into tendrils of smoke and soot, Evangeline never tired of watching it. It was hypnotic, calming with the crackle and snap it produced−a snake dance to pull one in and perish with one embrace. This was what she was, and she knew it. The poisonous venom of death, disguised in warmth and light.
Evangeline and her sister, Jade, were unique. She’d never met any other fire elemental witches before. Yet, Evie, as her sister had called her since toddlerhood instead of fumbling with her long name, was just that much different. Her faery blood fed her elemental fire powers and amplified them in every way. 
With these powers came the effects of life in a human city. Iron poisoning. It made her bones ache and her head spin. The nauseating stench of it swirled around the buildings, cars and the streets near her home. Every place. Even the house she’d grown up in was laced with the endless poison adrift in every breath. Jade wasn’t part faery, she was all human, even with her fire elemental magic, the iron did not bother her at all.
Evie didn’t really care, but she’d felt the twinge of envy curl into her mind, at times, right before she swiftly swatted it away. She loved her sister. They were two lights in the vast dark of the world.
“Is it helping?” Jade’s voice broke into her thoughts. Evie turned, gave her a weak smile before gazing back across the yard. The forest was calling her tonight. Its power whispered promises more like a lover would deep into her mind. It beckoned her from the confines of her childhood home. She wondered if Jade felt it too. Something told her, unfortunately, Jade’s full human heritage didn’t allow for this.
“Yes, it helps a lot. It takes the edge off, for sure.” Evie sighed. The headaches were bad lately. Her glamour magic, which kept the iron from affecting her, wavered when the headaches came. Only the power of the forest in the Land of Faerie nearby and her sister’s magical drinks, which were laced with whatever spells she had concocted and perfected to keep the iron sickness at bay, made it better. As she got older, it was getting harder to stave off. She rubbed her temples and pushed back her long black hair, wondering why that was.
“If mom were here, she’d know what to do about that.” Jade slumped into the creaky, old rocking chair, which sighed when she let it rock under her weight.  Evie swayed in the porch swing, hoping the fresh air would calm the raging pain in her head. 
“She might’ve, but I doubt it.” Grumbling the last part made her resent her faery heritage just a bit.  Jade didn’t worry about iron sickness, she was just a year older than her but had a different father. Though he had not stuck around after their mother found out she was pregnant, neither had Evie’s supernatural father.  It had made the three women thick as thieves.  Their mother’s death had come suddenly and left Jade, barely eighteen, Evie’s guardian.  Nothing could have prepared them for that.  Nothing filled the void that their mother had left behind.
“Maybe we should go there then.”
Evie tilted her head up towards her sister. Jade’s chocolate eyes twinkled with the knowledge of a person older than their years. The color matched her own, even though they were different in many ways. 
They had both excelled in fire manipulation and elemental witch magic  which their mother had made sure to mentor them in. But, Jade had excelled in the fire magic and elemental powers of the world around her−far more than Evie ever could. The only thing that had saved Evie from being a miserable failure was the faery blood that amplified the elemental magic she possessed. Only by this miracle had she managed to fumble through the lessons enough to satisfy their drill sergeant of a mother.  Jade was more powerful than her, even with mortal blood.
“Go where?” Evie replied. She didn’t want to hear the answer. She knew what was coming next. Though Evie wanted it more than anything else, the danger Jade could face joining her in Land of Faerie made her shove the desire so deep inside her and into the crevices of her deepest thoughts. No, she couldn’t take Jade into Faerie. It might eat her alive. Even though Evie was a faery, it’d already taking nips and bits of her already.
Jade wrinkled her lips into a semi frown, knowing full well her sister was pretending to not know what she meant. “You know where, into the forest. You need it. It’s like a life force for you.” Jade paused as she glanced out across the expanse of trees and shrubs swaying with the push of the wind. The far off roar of the leaves vibrating with the air rumbled in her ears as she contemplated how it would go if they did venture in. Their mother had warned them of the dangers and malice that filled the Land of Faerie. They’d heeded her until now. Yet, Evie could no longer resist the call of the land anymore, and Jade had to help her. She was, after all, her only living relative.
Evie shrugged, trying to look apathetic.
“I dunno. Maybe.” 
“You should accept it, it’s part of you. You need to be where you belong. Mom said….”
“I know what mom said.” Evie stood up abruptly and stormed into the house. She wasn’t angry at Jade, she wasn’t even angry at their mother anymore for dying. She didn’t know what she was angry about, but it ate at her like a cancer. She knew what she had to do, but she didn’t necessarily want to do it.
In the meantime, Evie would wait. Wait for the right moment to come to make a move. Then, and only then would she follow the pull to the endless lands of Faerie, where the magic was boundless and dangerous at best. She could feel the time approaching, whispering to her that the time was now. But, she’d wait until tomorrow. Tomorrow was a better choice.

Chapter Two
“OKAY, IT’S TIME,” Evie gave a little tap to her sister’s messed up head, which poked out from under the blanket. The early morning sun had barely risen and Jade’s stubborn moan filtered from underneath her comforter.
“Okay what?” Jade shoved the covers down and gave Evie a deadly look. “It’s the butt crack of dawn. What are you babbling about?”
“I think it’s time to go into Faerie.” Evie plopped down onto the bed with its swirled, multicolored sheets. She played with a loose string that hung from the corner of the soft, well-used, thread bare blanket. “I think I’m ready. As long as you are too, and we stay near each other, I think we’ll be fine.” She sighed, hoping her doubt didn’t leak into her voice.
Jade sat up, shoving her long medium-brown hair out of her puffy eyes. Rubbing them, she gave an extended yawn, stretching her arms to the sky. A moment later she gave her sister a weak smile, wondering how it was that today, Evie was ready. Yesterday her reluctance had been oh so obvious.
“Great! Let me wake up a bit and we can get going.” Jade rubbed her face again, feeling more out of it than anything else. “I need some coffee…”
“Done! I’ll get it going, you get ready. I’m all set to go.” Evie jumped up, her mood elevated with every passing minute as she rushed out of the room. Jade frowned, not particularly happy about anything quite yet.
Today was it. Evie knew it. She felt it vibrating through her bones like a thrill that hummed under her skin. Today. She didn’t know what it was going to show her or bring around the corner, but something about today was calling her in every way. 
The smell of honeysuckle and grass clippings swam through the cracked kitchen window as she filled the coffee maker. Along with the ozone of the dawn, the scent was amazing. She adored the way the forest’s sounds and smells wafted around the place. It was the closest they could’ve lived without actually crossing the borders into Faerie. The invisible wards, which normally kept humans out, were but a few hundred feet away. Mom had known this. She’d loved this house for that. It’d served to torture Evie with the proximity of the magic that ebbed from it. She’d felt it in every cell her entire life. It was part of her in every way.
Evie had just finished dropping creamer and sugar into two mugs of coffee when Jade shuffled in. Her hair was dripping wet and hung in long snarled tangles as she pulled her brush through the mess. She was definitely more awake now as she plopped onto a chair at the kitchen table and inhaled the enticing aroma from the mug.
“Thanks! You always make it so yummy.” She took a swig, not caring that it was still steaming hot. The thing about being a fire elemental witch, burns were not a problem.
“Yeah, super strong. Just like you like it.” Evie took a swig of her own, loving the feel of the hot fluid coating her raspy throat.
“So, where do you want to start at? What’s the agenda?” Jade muttered from her cup, reaching for a muffin that Evie had laid out on a platter atop the table. She stuffed a bite into her mouth and watched her sister suspiciously. Evie couldn’t hide much from her. But that was fine. Nothing to really hide, at least not today. 
“I want to go into the forest together. Then, let me go in further by myself. I want to feel the magic around me, see what I can sense.”
“You better scream loud then, if anything happens or you need me.” Jade frowned, not liking the idea of leaving her little sister alone to roam a dangerous forest of magic. “I’ll try not to lose my mind while you’re gone. But don’t take too long, I say, one hour, and then I’ll be hunting you down.” Jade waited, hoping for the answer she wanted.
“Sounds like a deal, sis,” Evie flashed a smile as they finished their breakfast and headed out into the cool early summer morning.
Chapter Three
THE SHIFT OF damp moss and dead mulch made the trek into the forest slightly unpleasant. It had sprinkled the night before, leaving a layer of moisture clinging to everything and the air hanging thick. The soil was almost muddy. The damp and sticky clumps gripped onto their shoes and shifted with their weight. Once their house had faded into the thick rows of trees behind them, they were alone, with only the calls of birds and small animals to accompany them. 
Jade peered around, sniffing the air. The scent of pine and rotting foliage filled her nostrils. Not necessarily unpleasant, just stronger than it would’ve been without the rain. 
Evie was delighted. The place reeked of magic. Life vibrated from the limbs of trees and the small saplings swayed in the slight breezes that caressed their leaves. The earth and sky harmonized, sending waves of intense calm through her. She was in her element again. The only place she didn’t feel sickly or different. She let the tendrils of power seduce her, enjoying every second.
Jade could feel it too, prickling along her skin like static electricity. It wasn’t as potent as Evie’s senses, but she could feel it nonetheless. Her elemental magic was by no means weak−she could match Evie easily with her own spells and fire wielding. Faery magic was more amplified than hers, though. It reeked from everything in Faerie. The land was enchanted, alive and breathing just as she was. It was both exhilarating and terrifying at the same time.
“Where do you want me to wait?” Her voice sounded quiet in the density of nature. She didn’t quite feel at ease yet, though her magic was also earthly bound. Hers was human-born. Evie’s were supernatural.
“Here is fine,” her sister’s voice was smooth and filled with excitement. Evie’s eyes were wide, her vision filled with the extraordinary things around her. Small demi-fey flew past, and paused slightly in their flights to observe her momentarily before zipping away, finding nothing special. Just another fey girl wandering the forest. They lingered on the human a bit more though, their eyes stared hungrily for seconds longer. But Jade knew better. She gave then no attention and sent them off in their unacknowledged spite. 
“Okay, remember; scream loudly. I’ll be right there in a flash.” Jade placed her hand on her sister’s shoulder, ensuring she was heard. “Don’t go too far, and don’t talk to anyone.” Her eyes gleamed her warning as Evie turned toward her. 
“I know, I promise. Not too far.”
Jade nodded as her hand slipped off her sister. Evie made her way deeper into the foliage and shrubs, letting the forest swallow her up in no time. The woods claimed her, happy to take one of their own. Jade felt alone in the desolation of Faerie. It was no different than a regular forest. Except for that tingle of magic that crawled across her like ants swarming. She found a fallen log with moss growing to one side of its bark situated in a small incline on the forest floor. Sitting down, she sighed. 
Patience. She needs to do this. I must be patient and just sit and wait.  I can sit still for a bit. One hour, that’s all. What could go wrong?
She swallowed down the parched knot forming in her throat. So much could go wrong. This was the Land of Faerie after all, where nothing is what is seems, and nothing is impossible.
~~~~~
Nothing could compare to it. Nothing would ever be enough to replace the feeling this place gaver her. Evie had already decided this. Only a few minutes in, she just knew. No other strip of earth would ever make her feel this way. No human city, no land anywhere but here. This was home. She could feel it to her inner core. Smiling, she let it flow over her as she watched the creatures of Faerie slowly creep out of their places and curiously watch her. They would acknowledge her with a narrowing of eyes or a curious glance, and then be on their way. The trees would sway in her direction, almost wanting to envelope her in a welcoming hug. 
Welcome home, they whispered. Welcome home.
A crack echoed nearby, breaking her solace with a jerk. Evie turned to study her surroundings, waiting for whomever or whatever disturbed the land to show themselves. Even the birds had quieted their songs, silenced with caution, awaiting the intrusion on their solace. 
Evie wondered if she should scream. No, she would wait, she could handle it. She just knew she could, no matter what or who it could be. Listening, she attempted to narrow in further onto the noise. None came, but she felt eyes on her, studying her with an intensity so strong, she could actually feel their eyes almost burning into her. 
“I know you’re there,” she called out. The forest didn’t answer. Even the sway of branches had stilled as she waited. Slowly sucking in some air, she glanced around again and caught sight of him. A man. Dark hair and blue eyes watched her with a curious interest and a slight smile hovered on his lips. 
“Who’re you?”
He tilted his head, amused by her words. His smile grew, curled up and flashed the ivory white teeth underneath. His magic called to her, like fire for fire. It made her breath catch as she felt it across the air. He was a faery, but his power matched hers somehow, leaving her completely enthralled. 
“I’m Jack. Who’re you?”

Chapter Four
JADE FELT A presence. It was unworldly and felt like a rush of earth and water tumbling around her. She stiffened. The hairs rose on her neck as she turned around, flicking her eyes about the forest but finding nothing. 
“Evie?” she whispered.  The trees didn’t reply. They danced in a sway, rippling like a tide as the wind rode the branches. Jade couldn’t help but feel that someone was watching her. Shivering, she ran her hands over her arms and backed into a tree, hoping it was all in her head.
“Evie? If that’s you, it’s not funny!” Nothing but space and a haunting whoosh of breezes greeted her. She sighed. It was probably just her imagination. Feeling paranoid was not uncommon for her. When you’re different from your peers to the point you can manipulate others and the elements, she could trust no one. No one but her own flesh and blood.
Jade settled against the tree and scolded herself for being so jumpy. The feeling ceased and the calming sounds of the woods resumed their songs.  She didn’t blame Evie one bit for loving it out here. Nature was an entity unto itself and its power was intoxicating. Jade was sure that whatever pleasure she derived from the earth itself was amplified a thousand fold for those bound to Faerie. It reeked of magic and power. It was like a surge tingling across her skin, vibrating and teasing. 
She could never use it like her sister could. It was bound to faery blood only. But, that was okay with Jade. She had her own elemental magic to consume. And it was just as good.
A twig snapped, sending her jetting to her feet. Her breath huffed and burned in her chest as she spun around once more to find the perpetrator. This time he walked slowly into her vision. This time he wanted her to see him.
“What do you want?” her voice cracked, suddenly dry with the tingle of fear that slowly embraced her. She licked her lips, wanting the desert in her mouth to go away, but it didn’t comply. Not with an ethereal looking man standing before her.
The faery stood just a bit taller than her. His waist-length deep brown hair and skin the color of pale cream shined in the sunlight. Almond eyes blinked back toward her, amused with her widening eyes and opened mouth. They twinkled and were the same color brown as his hair. Jade found it interesting that he looked very near human. She’d expected wings, translucent skin and bug-like eyes. Maybe more like the demi-fey who fluttered on their tiny, fragile wings with their sharp cornered eyes without whites. No, he was the size of an ordinary man, only more mesmerizing than any one she’d ever met.
He was dressed head to toe in dark rich leather, soft and worn with use. It enveloped his body, fitting snuggly against his muscles and giving him a warrior’s look. She gasped as he stepped closer, an amused smile played at the corners of his lips.
“Stop!” She pressed her back against the tree, feeling trapped yet amazingly curious about the faery man. “Don’t come closer, or I’ll…I–”
“Or you’ll do what?” he snickered. His eyes twinkled playfully, making her seethe as its effect made her fear chip away.
“You don’t want to know,” she gritted her teeth, hoping it was a sufficient enough warning. She readied her magic, letting it tingle on the tips of her fingers.
As if sensing it gathering, he paused, sniffed the air and glanced around. He refocused on Jade and gave her a warm smile, no longer approaching her. “Forgive me, elemental. I can be off putting.” A tilt to his head as he continued to watch her but she held her ground, stilled and readied to slam the magic onto him if necessary. 
“What are you doing in Faerie, elemental? Your kind are not native here. You risk much by treading here.” He pressed his lips together, looking slightly concerned but it faded just as quickly. He edged over to the fallen log she’d just been sitting on, sank to sit on it and patted the other side for her to join him. When she didn’t move, he sighed and slid off his sword, propping it next to him and pulled out a sack which had been strapped to his back.
“Forgive me, I’m tired and parched. Been on the move all day and I do regret barging into your solace, but I must have some nourishment.” He pulled out a flask of water, uncorking it to take huge swallows. He then clasped it shut and pulled out a small sack, grabbing some nuts and berries out of it and shoveled it into his mouth. 
Yuck, Faeries have no manners apparently. 
With a mouthful, he offered her some of his sticky snack but she shook her head and waited. Hoping Evie was not nearby.
“I don’t bite, elemental. I am really quite harmless. You can put that fire away you got there. You might subsequently start a forest fire if you let it flicker a little more.” He nodded towards her hands. Jade pulled them up and stared in horror to see that her hands were afire, dripping slight embers to the forest floor without her realizing it. She quickly extinguished the flames and stomped the smoldering ashes with her shoes. 
He gave her a haughty laugh, amused by her loss of control. “You know, if you wanted to burn me, I’ll be pretty vulnerable in a few minutes, being that I’m exhausted. Would you mind if I hung in your woods for a bit? It’s quite quaint actually.” He looked around and pulled a blanket out of the pack, laying it on the soft mulch of the ground and plopping onto it, using the fallen log to shelter one of his sides.
“Wh–what? Y–you’re going to stay here?” Jade stammered. He couldn’t linger around here−their house was just a few strides away. What if he discovered it?
He placed his head on his pack, one arm easing over his eyes. “No need to stutter. I’ll keep to myself, don’t worry your pretty little head about it, miss.” He nestled into the ground, sounding truly exhausted. After a few minutes of silence, she wondered if he really was just going to rest here for a bit. What did he want?
“Who are you?” she asked one more time, her voice sounded suddenly small and squeaky. She cleared her throat as she slid to lean against a tree once more.
“I’m called Verenis. What’s your name, elemental?” he asked without getting up. His face was still hidden under his arm, blocking the light out. His breathing slowed to rhythmic and peaceful. Jade wondered if he’d fallen asleep already.
“Jade.”
“Now, Jade, what are you doing in Faerie?” Verenis rolled to his side, leaning on his arm as his eyes flashed toward her. A sea of earth drifted in them. It made her dizzy and wary of him, though his face was pleasant enough to look at and sent shivers down her skin.
“What do you care?” 
“Heh, touché,” he smirked at her remark with his eyes dancing. She crossed her arms and frowned, feeling somewhat childish. 
“What does it matter? What are you doing here, if I may ask.”
“Trying to stay alive.” The faery promptly shifted onto his back, covering his eyes again to cover them. 
Nothing about him made sense. Jade had lost her patience and muttered her annoyance. He didn’t stir but softly snored as he drifted away into sleep. Jade watched him, unable to tear her eyes from his resting body. She wanted to ask him a thousand questions, but right now was not the time. She wondered if she would ever see him again after today. The thought of where Evangeline had run off to in the desolate woods had temporarily slipped her mind.

Chapter Five
EVANGELINE ENJOYED THE power that Faerie circled around her as it quenched her thirst. The headache was all but gone as the exhilaration of the land filled her to the brim. It was heaven. Pure and organic. Nothing in her human world compared to it. Now, nothing ever would. That, she knew was for certain.
The invasion of her private moment had jolted her out of the clouds. Jack hadn’t attempted to hide himself from her, and now stood in plain sight, watching her with utmost scrutiny. Evie felt naked under his gaze, not the kind where her clothes were being stripped away, but like she was a student in a class caught daydreaming and failing miserably. She brushed the self-conscious fear away like cobwebs that stuck to her skin and made her feel icky. He was intense and she knew she had to get to know him. 
“You need to pull more of the earth’s energy rather than from the air. It’s sturdier, less volatile.” His voice sounded out across the tiny clearing they stood in. The sun streamed down the canopy in spikes, warming her face and throwing shadows across his chiseled one. Black, wispy hair fell across the cusp of his eyebrows, partially hiding his features. Stark, blue eyes stared back at her but a hint of a smile was nowhere to be found.
“What?” She was stunned. Not knowing what to do. The stranger approached her and held out his hand, showing how it burst into a wave of flames and cracked with electricity. It made her gasp and back away, unsure what to do. His eyes watched her calmly as his intrigue danced across his face. 
“It won’t hurt you, I wouldn’t let that happen.”
“What are you?” Evie’s fear receded with his words, and traded places with curiosity. The flames danced along his skin in a vibrant blue-white. It was entrancing, called her like a moth to a light. She’d never met another faery, ever, and this man was one. A true and real faery. She unwittingly reached out to touch him, surprised when he pulled away, extinguishing the flame.
“I’m a Teleen. A fire and lightning faery−it’s what I’m made of.” He smiled, flashing a set of perfect white teeth. “Well, I told you my name. So…what, can I ask, is yours?” His eyebrow lifted in questioning.
“I’m Evangeline, but my sister calls me…”
“Evie?”
She furrowed her brow at him, wondering how it was that he knew that. “Yes, have we met?”
Jack shook his head as he gave a short laugh, clearing his throat and pulling of his pack strapped diagonally across his chest. “No, but I’ve seen you and that fire elemental witch at the edge of the woods over there. Didn’t mean to pry, just happened upon you two practicing one day, not too long ago.” He winked, sending a thrill through her. She felt her heart hammering away in her chest. “Evie is nice, I like it better than Vange or Angela.”
“Oh, thanks,” she stammered. Her focus was off completely, this strange being had tilted her world the moment he had walked into the clearing. She felt an odd attraction toward him, feeling her cheeks flush as she watched him pull out a flask of water and gulp down some mouthfuls. His movements were fluid and his physique was of someone who had spent many a day outside hunting or running. Not an ounce of fat on this one. A perfect man, in every way.
Evie pulled her eyes away. Held out her hands and called her flames into being, letting the fire flicker on her fingers. Hers was not blue, like his, but the orange/yellow of a normal fire. The colors danced across her skin, feeling warm and comforting as she maneuvered it. 
She glanced toward Jack, bringing her brown eyes to meet his deep, blue sea ones.  The moment felt suspended, even the air seemed to calm into an odd stillness that embraced them. The overwhelming scent of pine and mulch circled around, fueling the magic of the moment. They continued to stare, lost in each other’s eyes. 
The feeling suspended time. Evie felt lightheaded and snuffed the flames out, breaking their connection. What was that? No man had ever held her in such a frozen shock. But, this was no regular man after all. The boys at school paled in comparison to him. The confusion he caused her made her want to run, but her feet were cemented to the ground and wouldn’t budge. Jack’s staring didn’t help either. It was like he could see all of her soul, every last bit of it.
“Well, it’s been a pleasure meeting you, Evie.” He smiled, picked up his pack and headed toward the edge of the clearing.
“Wait!”
Jack came to a stop, turned his head slightly and brought her into his periphery. The sides of his mouth twitched up and his eyes betrayed his eagerness to do just what she had asked.
“What is it?”
“Will I see you again?” Evie bit her lip, praying that the request didn’t make her look desperate or needy. She didn’t really expect anything, but the chance to speak with the Faery was just too good to let it fleet by without a word. To never see him again already made her insides ache. No, she had to see Jack again, even just to speak and ask him about Faerie. Just for a little while.
“Most likely, I’m usually out here everyday hunting around morning and late afternoon. It’s nice out here. It’s purely exhilarating in Faerie, you’ll see.” Jack closed the distance between her and held out a small blue orb, it shined in the late morning sun, swirling inside like smoke and lightning flashing within it. “Take this and just call my name into it, I’ll hear you.” 
Evie held out her hand and he placed it gently into her palm, his other hand cupped hers underneath sending a jolt of pleasure up her arm and into her chest. Letting go, he turned and disappeared, running so fast that his body became a blurred streak as he vanished into the forest.
Evie was left breathless. Jack was fascinating in every way. She smiled to herself, knowing that his coming back was like hitting the jackpot. ‘Jack’ was just who she’d hoped to find, a faery with an affinity to fire, like her. A kindred spirit in a sense. How lucky could she have been? Breathing in deeply she turned her face up towards the warmth of the last rays of sun, peeking over the canopy of rustling leaves before the forest blocked it out. This was paradise at last. And it was finally hers.

Chapter Six
“I DON’T THINK that’s a good idea at all.” Jade protested as she paced the living room, finally tiring and flopped onto the lazy boy. The TV flashed along with the incessant laughs of some comedy show where the audience was live and their giggles permeated the soundtrack. Evie’s admittance of seeing a faery man named Jack for a few months had made her stomach knot up with guilt. She had a similar secret. So why was she so upset? She wasn’t the one about to go deep into Faerie on a journey to his home like Evie was. 
“Oh come on Jade. I’m eighteen now. I can do it if I want to.” Evie pressed her lips together, annoyed with her older sister. She was still treating her with kid gloves, trying to keep her safe when all she needed was to let her go. She was going to visit the Teleen Caverns with Jack. With or without Jade’s approval.
“What if you get hurt? What if…” Jade swallowed the lump forming in her throat, stifling back a barrage of tears. “What if you never come back?” 
“But I will come back, you know that!” Evie sighed, trying to form a smile toward her overly concerned sister. “Besides, Jack won’t let anything happen to me. I already visited his home in the Guildrin Seelie Court. It was fascinating! No one hurt me there. No one will.” She stood up and stared at her sister, wanting to know why she was so worried. It was would be a quick journey, he knew the way very well.
Evie’s heart fluttered at the thought of Jack. He’d been nothing but kind and wonderful to her. He’d taught her more about faery magic than she could’ve imagined. The time they’d spent together had made them realize how much their feelings had grown. It was unbearable to be away from him. He was her light, the only one that made the days right. The only one she would ever want.
Jack had made it clear that he intended to marry her. He had told her how much he had felt compelled to be in the clearing that first day when they had met. Nothing short of fate had brought them together. For a Teleen warrior, there was never a question when matched pairs met each other, it was an instantaneous connection. That’s what had happened to them, there was no fighting it. Evie felt completely alright giving in to it. She loved him, and that was all she needed.
“Don’t act so innocent either, Jade.”  Evie’s voice came out soft but accusatory. Jade’s eyes flew back up toward her, a flash of guilt slipped from them, but she quickly covered it up. It was too late. Evie had seen it and knew down right well what it meant.
“What do you mean, Evie?”
“Oh come on, that faery guy you’ve been seeing too, did you think I wouldn’t notice that? Did you think I would never find out? Who is he, Jade?” She glared at her sister, awaiting a response. 
The look on Jade’s face was nothing short of shock as the color drained from her face. Jade looked away, her lips tensed as she contemplated her answer.
“Verenis, that’s his name. He’s a faery prince in exile.” Her eyes flicked back up in a panic. “Evie, don’t tell anyone, please! He’ll be killed. They’re hunting him.”
Evie knelt down next to her sister, a warm smile spread across her lips. Pressing her hand down onto Jade’s. “I won’t tell anyone, not even Jack. I promise.” Jade let out a sigh of relief and grinned back at her, tears lining her eyes. “But, I have to tell you, because I love you, and I’m worried for you too.” Evie paused, hoping the words would come out right. “Don’t see him anymore. Faeries are dangerous for humans. He’ll enchant you, trick you or hurt you if he wants to. Never underestimate him, Jade. Never. Promise me you’ll stop seeing him, please…”
Jade pulled her hand away from her sister, curling into the opposite side of the lazy boy. Her fear morphed into a slight distain, unsure how to answer her sister when she knew what she would do anyway.
“I can’t do that,” she whispered, closing her eyes and let the pent up tears spill down her cheeks. They splashed onto her clothes and the chair, leaving small drops of wetness where they landed. “Please don’t ask me to do that. Anything but that.”
Evie stood up slowly, and sighed with worry. The faery already had a grip on Jade. It was probably too late to break their link. She closed her own eyes and wondered if everything would be alright. Maybe. Maybe not. There was no telling the future, not even with magic or superpowers. Not even a Faery can see such things. Some caught glimpses; the oracles she’d met could see many things. Nothing was for certain, that was the only certainty.
“Okay, just promise me to be careful, please Jade? Do that for me while I’m gone.”
Jade nodded, sniffled and rubbed her tear-streaked face. “Alright, I will.” 
Evie leaned in for a hug, holding her older sister tightly. Evie felt as if she’d grown up these last few months. She was no longer the younger sister, the child. Faerie had changed them both in ways they’d never imagined it could. As they separated and Evie went to her room to pack some things, she knew it had already happened. Nothing would ever be the same for either of them. Nothing. 
Chapter Seven
GRAY STONE OF granite and marble was everywhere. It composed the walls, the ground and the looming roof overhead. Only the caverns that were fed by waterfalls and springs shined in blue and gold light from the faery lamps surrounding the small lakes of water that rippled softly like pools of black ink. These were her favorite spots in the deep underground city of Teleen. The only solace she could find in the vast rocks and boulders.
The cool air that dissipated across the water felt fresher here and less claustrophobic than the windowless chambers of the stone rooms and halls. It was always cold too, much colder than she would’ve ever thought it could be underground. At least it was constant, like the thermostat was stuck on one setting only–ice cold. 
Evie had returned here many times with Jack. This last time, she had returned to stay forever. There was nothing left for her back home. Verenis had made sure of that. She wiped away a lone tear that slipped from her eye and pulled her knees closer to her chest. The cool rock beneath infiltrated her warmth like ice, making her concentrate more on radiating her inner fire toward her skin to keep the cold at bay. At least her fire elemental power had come into great use here. The Teleen never were cold. Under the glamour they wore to look more human-like, they were pure blue fire and lighting, never made to feel the cold. Never without light and warmth.
Evie wondered if this was really home now. It didn’t quite have that feel yet. Only being with Jack had made her stay here even one bit comfortable. It was scary and so big, she felt lost in this entombed place. There were more men than women too. Engaged to Jack had kept her from the clutches of being courted endlessly by the single men here. She’d been relieved, but felt the desire in their eyes as she walked past some of the men. Their stares sent ripples of fear through her, but she would walk with confidence to repel any malice they might be thinking. She made sure to perfect her fighting skills whenever she could, just in case she ever would need it. She was near warrior status now, she was that good. 
The thought of her sister Jade brought a slight whimper to escape from her lips. Evie couldn’t believe what Verenis had done, though she understood why. Erasing Jade’s memory of anything to do with Faerie included her memory of Evie. She’d discovered this when she’d run into him after he had enchanted Jade. Questioning him of his intentions with Jade, he’d made her understand what he had done and why. 
Verenis was a hunted man, and the Unseelie army was coming for him after, hunting his faery family, to bring his kingdom to ruin. Jade had just told him she was pregnant with his child. Even with all the happiness which had surged through him, he had felt the dread creep in. The Unseelie Queen would kill them all without doubt. If she discovered Jade was his wife and carried the heir to the Summer Seelie Court, they were doomed. Verenis was not equipped to defend them against the evil or the power of the Unseelie army. The Queen would crush them all. She’d already taken so much from Verenis as it was. So much.
Knowing there was no other way, he had erased Jade’s memory. The conversation echoed in Evie’s head as she choked her tears back.
“What have you done?”
“I made it safe for Jade and our child.”
“Made it safe? What happened?” Evie’s eyes had grown wide with fear as realization filled them. “The Unseelie…they’re coming aren’t they?” The look on Verenis’ face told her everything.
“I have to warn her…” She started for the house, desperate to get to Jade.
“No!” He grabbed her arm and pulled her back. “She won’t remember anything. I erased the memories of Faerie, of our relationship...” He had let his head hang down as his voice cracked. “…and she won’t remember you.”
“What?”
“You’re a faery. I couldn’t weed out the memories selectively, she won’t remember you either. It’ll keep her safe. They’ll find no trace of me or anything of Faerie here.” He let go of her and stepped away. “I’m sorry, Evangeline, I had to. Jade and the child will be safe this way. Please understand.”
As he had told this to Evie, she knew he was right. She had let him go, turning to look into the windows of the house that had been her childhood home. She saw Jade washing dishes as her new husband came up behind her, nuzzled her neck and kissed her skin. They looked happy, though it was all a farce. 
Verenis had chosen him personally to take his place. A human husband, oblivious that it was all a spell−a trick. He thought he was the father of the child in her womb.  He thought Jade was the woman of his dreams. Verenis had made it so and nothing Evie could do would change it. 
But, she didn’t want to change it, even though her heart was breaking. To save Jade and because she loved her sister, Evie turned away. She left her to her new happiness without memories of Faerie. Without memories of Evie. Never to return again. 
She had slipped away into the dark clutches of the forest, back to the Teleen Caverns, back to her Jack. The only family she had left.

Acknowledgements
I’d like to thank Cyndi Stauff for doing some last minute editing for me, you’re amazing! Thanks to all my literary family, you guys are so talented and I am so honored to be on this ride with you. 

About the Author
Alexia currently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada–Sin City! She loves to spend every free moment writing or playing with her four rambunctious kids. Writing has always been her dream and she has been writing ever since she can remember. She loves writing paranormal fantasy and poetry and devours books daily. Alexia also enjoys watching movies, dancing, singing loudly in the car and Italian food. 


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