rm orange glow over the trees. The air was filled with the sweet s

the stranger. She couldn't shake off the feeling of intensi

y above filtered the sunlight, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. Leila's footsteps

e the stranger had given it to her, or that she had accepted it without hesitation. The ring seemed to glow

Why had he given her the ring? And what did it mean by "protecting her when she need

it to get home and examine the ring further, to try and uncover its secrets. The trees seemed to blur togeth

The high stone wall, lined with iron spikes, glinted in the fading light of day. The two vi

la," Thorne said, his bushy

ring some herbs for my mother's soup. You know i

asing into a smile. "Aye, that it is. You

h. As she did, she noticed a black raven perched in one of the trees, watching her with an

the crowd, nodding greetings to the familiar faces. Children played in the center of the village, their laughter and shouts carrying

sed by the blacksmith's forge, where the sound of hammering echoed out into the evening air. Nearb

e, and she knew every inch of it. But as she glanced back at the forest, she couldn't shak

ning air. She stepped inside, her eyes adjusting to the warm glow of the fire pit and the lanterns that hung from the ra

cheer. Serving girls moved deftly through the crowd, their trays laden with foaming mugs and steaming plates. In

er, Elara, looked up from the ale she was pouring. Elara's face was round and warm, her hair a rich, dark brown that fell

etting the ale down and opening h

ite being adopted, Leila had never once felt like anything less than Elara's true daughter. Elara had a heart o

ra's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Ho

apron around her waist. She picked up a serving tray and nod

didn't press the issue. "A

and exchanged banter with the sailors and soldiers, her mind still reeling from the encounter in the forest. The

She felt a sudden pang of restlessness, a desire to leave the tavern behind and explore the world beyond. But for now, she pushed thos

ale and bowls of duck stew on the table. " Not so little anymore he's walking and h

ng at her. " Oh just a bit up past the wall I didn't really go that far" she said. But Lau

it your scaring the poor girl and besides no one's seen a Fae creatu

said but her husband only rolled his eyes. " I'd be more concerned about a wolf coming unto the farm tha

ave she began walking back towards the counter to pick up some more orders but as she did Arthu

to pull her arm free, but Arthur's grip only tightened. "Come on, Leila, don't be lik

e. "You call grabbing me like a possession 'fun'? L

en he laughed and released her arm. "Oh, Lei

anger. "I'm not some plaything for you to enter

er her, "Hey, Leila! You're not still mad abo

he embarrassment of that memory. She had been so foolish to think that Arthur

ra raised an eyebrow and asked

t the usual, Mother.".Elara's expression turned stern. "One of thes

g to put the encounter with Arthur out of her mind.Soon her mo

er. She wrapped her arms around herself, gazing out towards the Fae woods. The darkness

woods, she shivered not only from the cold as their

ived near these woods all her life, and nothing had ever happened to her. As s

ng with a sinister light. "Leila, my dear, what are you doing a

omeone to keep you company? I'm more than happy to obl