~~I lay tossing and turning upon my bed; throwing the covers off my body, only to pull them back up a half second later when the room proved too chilled to be without them. I burrowed neath the warmth of my quilted blanket, breathing in the scent of the cologne I often used. I found myself in a near dozing state by the time the glowing orbs wisped through the open window. I perked up rather quickly upon their arrival, I’m sure proper folk would find a visit from Faerie Folk most disturbing, but I am not proper folk and the fey were my oldest friends, they first began appearing when I was barely four. I sat up in bed as the orbs blinked brighter and brighter, my room glowing hotly until finally three faerie boys stood before me, pressed round the foot of my bed.

Jamie, the tallest and the leader of the rogue faeries, unwilling to bow to the dark Faery Queen. Tall lank and handsome with a devilish streak was River. His red haired brother, Avery, leaned against my dresser, arms crossed over his broad chest.

The three males glowed with a rich vibrant russet and inhuman glow. Not only did they glow but shimmer with a brilliance as well. Their eyes were unearthly bright and intelligent.

"Get dressed." Jamie’s soft voice commanded, he’d always been rather demanding, "We want to show you round The Fey Lands." I had an inkling there was some other reason to their demand, I didn't question.Only pondered.

It was a strange request, for we had always spent our nights exchanging stories from our native lands, mine happened to be Turkey, but now I found myself uprooted and deposited in England. But this proved to be merely the start of the strangest night of my life.

"Hurry up!" Avery snapped, "Stop lounging, the Fey Door only stays so long!"

I scrambled from the warmth of my bed, pushing Avery from my dresser so I could clothe myself in appropriate garb.

"How long will we be gone?" I finally piped, tugging on my brown trousers, I needed to know if I would need a change of clothes, reaching for my knapsack and shoving clothes in.

"Fey time works different." River replied, tossing me a shirt with a ripped hem, "Three days there may very well be only several hours here, then again it could be a good many years."

"Years?" I echoed, worry inking into my tone.

"I’m simply making merriment." River laughed, "A few hours we well be gone, in your time anyways."

Being unable to fly like the rest I found myself being hauled on Avery’s back, much to his disapproval as the ginger faerie had never warmed up to me, or any mortal for that matter, his wings where a shimmery golden grey, nearly translucaent.

My heart began to thunder in my chest as we approached The Fey Door. I had seen it a few times before, it was an ancient and weathered thing glowing with the same heavenly light as my Fey friends, made of what seemed to be oak. I felt the breath leave my lungs, as it swung open, revealing a brightly coloured world like none I’d ever seen not even in story books or my wildest dreams.

Avery let my fall to the ground. I landed on my backside hard, a wince escaping my clenched teeth. A smirk was upon the feral faerie boy’s lips, his expression dared me to say something. I simply sighed, no sense in fighting with him.

I pressed against Jamie as we entered into The Fey World. A gasp of awe escaped me. The colours were richer and more vibrant than even the loveliest of paintings. The grass felt as soft as a newborn kitten under my bare feet, I cursed myself for forgetting shoes, the lush trees stretched their arms into the sky, knitting together to create a sort of net, the sky was bluer than the bluest blue, the clouds coloured whiter than fresh milk or a piece of clean paper.

It was hard to believe that a world so lovely and perfect could even exist, I was jealous and a bubble of hate and spite was lifted briefly to the surface, I swallowed It down and followed the shimmery males, I felt slow and bulky and so in the way, for the Fey were a graceful and poised race, but I, I was a clumsy and slow mortal. I didn’t belong in this attractive world, filled with such beautiful faces.

"Come on Slowfoot." River joked lightly nudging me faster, "You have to see The Winter Court Castle!"

Jamie nodded in agreement, Avery simply glared in contempt, shoving past me and knocking me breathless against the hard wood of a towering tree that seemed to be made of golden bark. I wanted to ask why he so loathed mortals so, but I figured it was none of my business and went along following the three.

We walked along a well worn path that cut straight through the heart of the bright forest. From the trees I felt peering, curious eyes. I looked over my shoulder, taking in the sight of a Satyr, he stood glaring with even more venomon than Avery had ever given, I shuddered.

The half goat half man had been following us, for some time, by the looks of it, I thought. His dark eyes glittered with a dark intelligence I could only hope to obtain some day. Softly yet firmly he spoke;

Mere mortal you belong not in these lands

You are slow and bumbling

And belong here not

Be gone little human this land is not your own

This land will swallow you up

And bring strife among the clans

You will become the darkest blot

Against the Queen, daring and true

For in your hands, a dark fate awaits

"Be off with you Satyr!" Avery snapped, crossing his arms across his chest, glaring daggers at the half bred creature. "Your cryptic messages will not be heeded here!"

The hyper intelligent being met his gaze, "I shall speak if I desire it." To his lips he brought a pipe flute, playing a beautiful melody, "Why have you brought a mortal to these lands?"

The Satyr was incredibly handsome, unbelievably tall and still walked with an elegance unknown to any man or woman. He came to me and cupped my chin roughly in his large hand, jerking my head up to look me in the eyes. They were a burning amber colour that seemed to gaze into the darkest recesses of my soul. They glittered as he crushed my jaw line with bruising force, bringing my face so close I could smell the mint leaf on his breath, for a moment I feared his lips would crush mine, claiming them as his own instead he tossed me backwards, I landed hard on my back with a loud cry.

"Take him away." The half bred snarled, glaring down, "Or I will." He reached for the dagger at his side; it glinted in the hot sunlight.

"Step down Satyr." Jamie snarled, pulling himself to full height. The Satyr still towered above him, but he was also faced with three fuming faerie boys. He shrank back, but not before spitting in my face.

Avery helped me up grudgingly, letting me press fearful against him as the Satyr stomped away, his pipe flute music growing fainter and fainter.

"I told you that we should not have brought the mortal here!" Avery snapped, still holding me to his side, I could hear his heart th-thumping against his ribcage, "Now that terrible Satyr will go to The Winter Queen!"

"Who’s she?" I asked, "The Winter Queen?"

"Fey Royalty."

"Oh." I respond, not fully understanding the blunt reply, but caring too little to ask anything more. We diverged from the well beaten path and into the thicket. Bramble snatching my blouse and trousers; little runs appearing. Branches slapped my face, crimson rivers welling up and spilling over. I yelped and rubbed my now smarting face, Avery urged me faster.

"Come little one, we still have a long journey ahead of us." He spoke; hefting me on his back, for my mortal feet worked much to slow for their liking. We seemed to flit past the whole forest. Yet I wondered how that was possible. Then I remembered this was a different world. A new world I’d never explored. Things surely did work differently.

Clinging to Avery I buried my face into the crook of his neck, near tears, my stomach twisting with the sheer momentum and velocity. I had nearly thrown my cookies by the time we came to a clearing and took a break. Avery was sweating and straining as he let me slide from his back.

I sighed, feeling heavy and in the way. "Perhaps we should just go home?" I suggested, feeling rather shameful for my mortal weakness and bumbling nature.

"Why should we let that horrible Satyr spoil our fun?" River gleamed, putting an arm round my shoulders, he was much taller than I, and I glanced up.

"But shalln’t you get into trouble? With the Winter Queen?" I inquired, rocking upon the heels of my feet.

"We are scoundrels, trouble follows us as it is," River’s eyes twinkled with mischief, he pulled his long amber hair into a ponytail, smiling devilishly, "Do not fret over us little one."

Jamie plucked me from the ground, and placed me on the lower branches of a tree, "Sit." He told, "Let us set up camp without you in the way."

That made me feel all the worst, more in the way than ever. I sighed again, watching them with curious eyes, I was impressed, as always, by the grace of them, even when completing such lackluster tasks. I wished I was like them. Not a slow bumbling human.

The following morning I awoke cradled against Avery’s wide chest, my eyes bleared with sleep. I gave a large yawn, stretching my slender arms above my head as I sat up, I watched the bright, near rainbow stained sky with interest, the clouds seemed a shimmering pale pink, a bit like a kitten’s tongue. Avery mumbled something incoherent in his sleep, rolling over and grabbing my waist in the process pulling me back down. I laid embraced in Avery’s warmth, my gaze traveling to the lush undergrowth where a horned marten peered from the brush, tiny black nose twitching.

The sun was high into the sky before the others awoke. After a quick breakfast we were on the road again. It was slow going, but they did not wish to take me down the main roads. Too many prying eyes, they told.

I walked slowly, bumbling.

"Pick it up back there!" Jamie commanded, and I knew he was talking to me alone. I suddenly hated my slow mortal body, I cursed it, loathed it. Hated what I was, or maybe it more that I hated what I wasn't. Why couldn't I be a perfectly poised, graceful...Immortal.

Those thoughts of self-doubt and self-loathing, not being perfect. I felt my sprit for adventure slowly draining until I was left with a hollow feel inside. A deep, hollow sigh was pushed past my lips.

Jamie looked backwards, "Holding up alright back there?"

I gave a light shrug, "I guess so." But I didn't feel all that up to the adventure any longer, "Maybe we can go home?"

The three faeries looked back, surprise written across their handsome faces, "After all this, you want to go home?" Avery snapped, crossing his tanned arms across his wide chest, "After all this. You just want to turn back?! This is why we should have just left you back in the Mortal Realm."

I felt tears prickling the corners of my eyes, the harshness of the words crushed what little spirit of adventure I had left. "I'm sorry...I just...I just I don't belong here. I'm too slow and clumsy and all I do is get in the way and make trouble!"

Jamie pulled back to wrap an arm around my scrawny shoulders, "Samuel, if we didn't want you here we wouldn't have brought you. We value you and like your company."

The words were kind but did little to lighten my darkened mood.

2: Chapter Two

~~He comes." The tawny satyr spoke in a rich baritone, bowing before the Faery Queen so low his horns nearly kissed the smooth whorled marble floor below.  The Queen's ashen skin was pulled taunt over sharp angles of bone and high cheekbones, ice-blue hair streaked with white spilled down the elegant curve of neck, her crown was crafted by bramble and hemlock, jeweled with deadly yew berries. She sat upon a throne of black thorne, ice and bright purple hemlock, staring coolly down on the brawny satyr, "On the quest that has been fortold centries ago, the quest that leads to your demise."

The Queen regaured the Satyr coldly, chin raised haughtily, slender ice blue brow raised in arrogance, her blood red nails tapped the icy arm of her throne, crossing her thin legs and leaning forward she spoke, "This will not come to be," snarling firmly, "For you will slay the boy. And bring me his corspe." She covered up her doubt in her own words with arrogance, "The boy is clueless as to why he was brought to this land, and the rouges themselves are nearly just as clueless,  I do not fear them. Yet and still, kill the boy before he can fully realize his power."

"But my Queen. You understand not, these faery rogues are none to be trifled with!" Annoyance crept into his voice, "They are much stronger than when you first banished them!"

"Kill them. Surely you, bold Cassian," She left her throne, striding down to the level of the Satyr, lifting his head with two fingers, hooding her icy cold eyes "Can make waste of three faery boys."

Her yewberry red lips pressed against Cassian's, claiming them roughly with passion, crushing them as easily as she would the body of a butterfly, she preferred moths. "I've seen your eyes watching me, you crave my body." She spoke in a heavy and husky tone, pressing a kiss against the throat of Cassian, who shuddered in lust.

"B-But my Lady, I was sure you prefered the company of women!"

The Queen's head was thrown back in a laugh, "Of course I do, but," She unlaced her bodice, her milky breasts exposed, "It may be just the incentive you need to bring me the boy, dead."

Cassian's mouth went dry, loins stiring with desire, "M-My Queen...I-I," He swallowed a lump in his throat, "I will bring the body of the boy, one two conditions."

"Go on."

"I have three nights with you," He waited until the dark Queen had nodded,"And you let Agafya go."

"You want me to relase the useless faun girl?" Her arms crossed, "Why?"

"We grew up together, she might as well be my sister."

"I see, this girl is important to you, eh?" The Queen's gaze held his own cooly, relacing her bodice she smirked, 'You will kill the boy and I will release the girl."

"B-but what about..."

"You relentless horndog. You will kill the boy or the only thing of Agafya you'll see is her head. Now off with you, useless bastard."

When the satyr left the Lady sighed, sitting on her thorne, chin resting on her hand, large ice coloured eyes scanning the spacious room. The Queen realized fully that she was painfully bored, and it annoyed her. She was used to being entertained by scantily clad young girls, dancing provactivly for her amusement. That was not so today. Today the girls had been given the day off. Why ever had she been thinking when she allowed such a thing.

Her most faithful servant, a lithe and dark-skinned centaur with long black hair braided down her elegant and slender back. Her heavy breasts barely contained  by her tight bodice. "M'Lady?" She bowed humbly, brushing a loose strand of inky hair from her forehead, "do you require anything?"
"Yes, bring me Ikini. I required entertainment."
"M' lady, you've given her the day off! She's down resting and visiting with her kin!"
"I don't recall asking for back talk. You will bring Ikini to me, now."
"Yes Mistress." She clomped off, returning twenty minutes later with a pale skinned Faery girl, blue hair wild and untamed. She looked confused.
"May lady? I had thought I had the day off, was I mistaken?"
The Queen waved the confused girl's questions.
"You shall join me in my bedchambers."
___________________________________________________________________
Ikini bit her lip, lacing her bodice up, tears welling in her emerald green eyes. She felt dirty, especially  as the Queen's scornful eyes raked her slim body, a deep hunger still breaking the surface of her cold gaze. The faery girl shuddered with the weight of silent sobs, feeling sinful and dirty. She felt soiled, gathering the rest of her clothes she scurried from the spacious bedchambers, tears running down her cheeks.
When Agafya, the faun girl, came into the room she had to avert her eyes, as the Queen lay sprawled, naked, across her deeply purpled bedcovers.
"My Lady," The faun girl began, trembling as the Queen drew her nimble body from the bed, towering over the girl.
"You have some nerve, girl, to come into my bedchambers unannounced." She cupped the faun's chin, a dark grin spreading across her lips, "Perhaps you hoped to see me...indecent."
"N-No my Lady. V-Vini bade me to tell you, the King from the Summerlands has arrived unannounced, he demands your audience."

The Queen sighed, exasperation colouring her sharp features, "How dare that fool have the audacity to demand my audience!"
"Dress me." She ordered the pale faun girl, who's cheeks burned red  at the request.
"S-Surely V-Vini is more qualified..."
"Do you honestly think I have the time to wait for Vini, you insolent and stupid girl!"
With shaking hands the faun clothed her dark queen, shame marring her features. She was disgusted that she was so easily ordered round by this...This icy bitch of a woman.
"Cassian begs for your release."
Agafya's eyes widened at the mention of the satyr she considered her kin, "Oh?"
"Yes, yes, he brings me the corpse of the mortal boy foretold in the legends, once done I release you."
"But my queen, how can the legend foretold be so easily erased and rewritten?"
"You forget yourself," The queen warned, "Do not forget who you serve. The greatest queen to ever rule. Under me the armies have been strengthened, under me there is unwavering loyalty," She neglected to mention the fear that all the people had of her, after being publicly  challenged by a young man by the name of Jack. Jack had been beaten within and inch of his life and left for dead in The Centaur's forest, no one knew what had happened after that, but many suspected he met his death after witnessing a great many ghouls pouring from the woods, mouths smeared in red. "I am the most powerful Queen that's every ruled, or will rule."
Agafya held her tongue, not bringing up the fair and kind Ryashia who had ruled before, meeting her death in battle, her stomach pierced through by the point of The Queen's blade, her blood drunk by the land. Agafya's thoughts turned to Cassian, wishing vainly she could press against the warm strength of him, he had been for as long as she could remember her fountain of support, without him she felt utterly lost, lost braiding the hair of a Queen that held her hostage, anger made her hands shake, all she could think was to rip the hair from the Queen's head, and watch her scream and writhe in agony. The thought was enough to bring a smile to her face.