by Lenore Wolfe
Excerpt from Fire Sprite
Realm of the Elemental Witch
Book One
Alli stopped, stunned. She couldn’t have moved. Indeed, she felt like she’d only just begun to exist—now—at this very moment. Like nothing had not been life, only a dream, until now.
The boy looked like no mortal boy she’d ever seen. For one, he was far too beautiful to be a mortal boy. More like what she imagined she’d see if she could but—look into a dream. Perhaps she’d died, after all, and this really was heaven. If so, she could spend all her tomorrows—here—with him….
Even with his amazing looks—he still gave her a tentative smile. What happened to being seduced by the Fae? Alli thought, stifling a sudden urge to giggle. Still, she stared at him. And she knew she stared—but she couldn’t seem to stop.
He started back and panic set in as he walked straight up to her. What could she possibly say to him? But even though she wanted to back away, she didn’t. Instead, she stood her ground as he reached her.
He looked deep into her eyes. His were the deepest sea-green—like the ocean she’d gone to see—then changing, like the leaves on the trees in the middle of summer. She caught the aroma of the flowers, as their scent floated on the breeze.
Strange. But she’d never noticed how wonderful everything smelled before.
Surprised, she started to reach for her wayward hair, but he touched her hand, and she stopped. Then, with the deepest tenderness a boy had ever shown, he reached up and tucked the lock of hair behind her ear. As he brought back his hand, he gently ran his finger across her cheek.
Shocked, the gesture touched something in her, and tears sprang to her eyes.
He caught one of her tears before it spilled down her face. He brought it to his mouth and sucked it from his finger.
She felt mesmerized by him. In that moment, she knew love—like nothing she’d ever felt before. With that realization, she sensed—she’d never love anyone, ever, the way she loved this boy—right here—right now.
A stern voice broke them out of their trance, in that instant. She looked away to find the most beautiful woman, stalking toward the boy. In the next moment, the Queen commanded him to return home.
Yes, Alli felt quite sure, it had been a command. Amazed, she stared. She didn’t have to see the crown on her head, a crown that looked to be made of the stars themselves, to know this beautiful—intimidating woman—was a Faery Queen.
The boy turned and, with a lingering look, walked away. She watched him leave, wondering if she’d gotten him into trouble. She hoped not.
He did as he’d been commanded, and he didn’t look around, and Alli felt disappointed. Did this mean he couldn’t talk to her? Would he refuse to come near her now, for the rest of her stay here?
She stared at the Queen, who stood before her. She looked down at Alli, as if she could see right through her. After a long moment, she tilted her head.
“You’re okay, child,” she said in a quiet tone, belying the depth of her power. “But you need to understand, there are laws here,” she said. “And these laws do not include a human and Fae getting involved with one another, other than friendships, of course. You may build relationships that befit both of our people,” She stepped closer to Alli, “but you do well to be reminded of the boundaries remaining between us.”
Alli swallowed and nodded.
The Queen smiled and seemed to relax. “Come, child,” let’s talk. I’d like to get to know you.”
“Yes, my—Queen,” Alli said. Was that what she called her? She tensed, watching the Queen’s face for any sign she’d done anything wrong. Finding none, she relaxed, but only a hair, and followed the Queen to the main table to sit beside her.
“I am sorry about your mother,” the Queen told her.
Alli nodded, looking away.
The Queen’s eyes seemed to soften a hair. Alli turned to stare into her icy-blue gaze. Wow, even her gaze felt powerful. And the dress, which seemed to be made almost from the stars, like her crown, did nothing to lessen the panic running through Alli’s veins.
“You may stay, child,” the Queen said to Alli.
Alli swallowed. “Thank you,” she choked out.
The Queen nodded and all the lights of her crown and dress shimmered. Even her skin seemed to shimmer.
“You’re very beautiful,” Alli said, then flushed to realize she’d said that out loud.
The Queen laughed. Her laughter seemed melodious to Alli. She nodded again. “You’ll do, child,” she said.
Shutting her eyes, Alli let out a long breath. She seemed to have passed some unseen test she hadn’t known she was taking.
“You have quite the destiny in front of you, child. Or so I’ve been assured.”
Surprised, Alli’s brows shot up. “Do I get to know what that destiny is?” Alli asked.
The Queen laughed, again, hearing this. “Soon enough, child. But, for now, we’ll be merry and enjoy this great banquet. We have much to celebrate with you being here—and the arrival of the Sisters of Three.”
Alli noticed the Queen’s icy-blue gaze softened significantly, at the mention of the sisters. That made her curious about them. Then, she realized the Queen included her in that statement. Did that make her special, in some way, too? The Queen seemed to think so.
More curious, than anything, she tried to eat. When she noticed that the Queen disapproved of her slow eating, she went to pick out a bunch of fruit, something that she knew she’d be able to eat a lot of, and sat down to enjoy the feast. The Queen smiled, seeing this, and Alli finally relaxed. She’d done something right. Perhaps, she’d live after all.
At this thought, the Queen laughed again, and Alli glanced up sharply. But the Queen’s attention was caught on some new guests. Stunned, Alli felt her breath lodge in her throat, as she followed the Queen’s gaze to the Sisters of Three.
They were magnificent, the three of them. But before she had a chance to look any further, Cilia came up to her.
“Come, child,” she said. “I must get you prepared for tomorrow’s feast.
Reluctantly, Alli got up and followed her away from the crowd. Yet, even as she walked away, she kept looking for any opportunity to gain any glimpse of the women who’d managed to seize the attention of her whole world….