Page 64 of The Ruins of the Heartless Fae

“Oh!” She snapped her fingers. “Are you a human?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Uh, yes.”

“My, I would’ve never thought I’d see a human here.” She leaned one hip against the doorframe and regarded Blár calmly with half-lidded, sharp purple eyes. If she was hoping to unnerve him, it didn’t work because he narrowed his eyes in question. “You’re not much to look at.”

A muscle on Blár’s jaw twitched.

“Who are you?” Kolfinna interrupted before Blár could react; she didn’t want to pry him off Revna if he decided to go ballistic and attack her. “How can you survive here? And where exactly are we?”

“This is a dimension created for the Black Castle.” She sounded as if it were obvious. The sauce coating the ladle dribbled down the handle and dripped down her wrist until smatters of red flecked on the stone floor. Revna brought her wrist to her lips and licked it off. “I haven’t cleaned up at all. I didn’t expect visitors.”Her eyebrows puckered as she looked at Kolfinna closely. “Darling, where are your wings? And why are your ears so … round?”

Kolfinna stiffened at the question, while Blár glanced between them with raised brows. “Wings?”

“My ears have always been like this …” Kolfinna had never heard of fae having sharp, pointed ears, so she was confused at the woman’s appearance.

“And your wings?”

“My parents cut them off when I was born,” Kolfinna said quickly, noting that she also didn’t have wings. “And yours?”

Revna’s mouth hung open in a wide O like it was the most bizarre thing she had heard. “Heavens, that’s horrid! Why would they do such a thing? You didn’t commit a crime, so I really don’t understand.”

“Everyone—” Kolfinna spared a glance at Blár, who watched her silently but with a hundred questions reflecting in his blue eyes—surely, he wouldn’t tell anyone the fae secret? “Everyone cuts their wings off. It’s … normal.”

“Very strange. Mine were cut off during the war.” Revna cleared her throat. “Anyhow—”

“The Black Castle? Is that what this place is called?” Blár asked impatiently. “You know this place? And what did you mean by dimension?”

“This dimension was created solely for the Black Castle.” Revna’s gaze flicked from his head to his toes, a frown twisting her thin, dry lips. “Which is why I’m so shocked to see a human here. This place isn’t for your kind.”

Blár’s mouth pursed into a firm line and irritation flashed over his face. He likely wasn’t used to people talking to him like he wasn’t a black rank.

“We’ve been stuck here for two days now,” Kolfinna said. “We’re very confused as to what’s happening.”

“Huh? Why’s that? Aren’t you training here?” Revna waved a hand and ushered them inside. “You must be famished and thirsty! Come inside and we can talk. I just finished making some beet soup!”

Kolfinna’s stomach rumbled as if on cue and her mouth watered at the thought of finally filling her belly with something other than sandy air. They hadn’t eaten or drunk water in two days and it was taking its toll on them; Blár was noticeably more irritable and snappier while she was weak to her bones. The thought of a home-cooked meal sounded better than the riches of the world. She took a step forward, but Blár grabbed her wrist, stopping her.

“We don’t even know if we can trust her.” His voice was sharp but low.

“This is our chance to find out information.” She shot a glance at Revna, who had her back to them. “Besides, we need food and water, or we’ll die. I know you’re just as hungry as I am.”

Blár mulled over that a moment before sighing and releasing her. “Fine.”

“You know I can hear you both.” Revna chuckled and waved them forward with one hand while her other hand pulled her cape hood over her head. “Come inside, please. I’m not a monster waiting to eat you up.”

Kolfinna ventured inside eagerly. Mana spilled forth from every inch of the house. Her footsteps slowed. The interior was cozier than she thought it would be. Rich and colorful tapestries hung on the walls, and intricate rugs and cushioned seats of every color covered the floors. A spicy, herby, and aromatic smell pervaded the room, welcoming them.

“Have a seat,” Revna said, waving her toward a chair in front of a small four-legged table. The dining table had bowls of dried colorful fruit and an assortment of cheeses on it. Crusty baked bread sat in the center, beside it a cluttering array of nuts and jars of jam.

Kolfinna mutely sat down, her stomach growling louder by the second. It took all her willpower not to devour everything that sat on the table. The jams, nuts, bread—they must’ve tasted like heaven. She licked her lips and finally tore her gaze from the food and forced herself to stare at Revna.

“I didn’t expect guests, so I just have a few things around. Help yourself to whatever you’d like.” She scurried into the kitchen, leaving them alone in the dining area. “Give me a second while I finish the soup!” she called out from the other room.

Blár pulled back the chair beside Kolfinna and it screeched along the wooden floor before he gingerly sat down, his gaze locked on the jams and cheeses. “What’s going on?” he muttered, grabbing a piece of dried fruit. “I’ve never seen some of these.” He held up a dried green and yellow fruit. “None of this makes sense. Who is she and why is she here in the middle of nowhere in this … this world, whatever it is? What if she’s a monster just like those undead soldiers— on the ship? Or the dreki?”

“I don’t know, but she seems nice. We can probably find out something useful … Or maybe she can help us find a way to kill the dreki and get out of here.” Even through her words, she couldn’t stop ogling the food, her mind completely taken by the buttery smell of bread and the fruity scent of the jams and dried food.

Kolfinna plucked one of the dried fruits and inspected it carefully. It was clearly a raisin, but how did grapes grow here? And where did the cheese come from?

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