Page 5 of Chased By the Fairy

Sorrel gingerly slipped his hand into the offered one, finding it pleasantly warm. Cypress’ grip was firm yet gentle, and Sorrel could feel calluses on his fingertips. The roughness of them sent tingles through the joints of his hand.

Sorrel’s heart sunk. “Are you about to leave?”

There was someone here, right in front of him, who was the same size as him! Someone real – and warm. Someone who wasn’t air or his imagination. Yes, it was selfish, but even though Sorrel didn’t know him, he didn’t want Cypress to leave just yet.

His eyes drifted longingly over his new acquaintance’s wings. Cypress could go anywhere, could leave and never come back. Sorrel couldn’t do that. His feet were permanently stuck to the ground.

If only I had wings.To be so free he could go anywhere and see the large world, which was unbelievably daunting to something no bigger than a human’s thumb.

He wanted to taste just a small amount of that freedom. To see more than the world from the ground. He would never leave Greta alone, all by herself, but he’d love to be able to pick her a wildflower from somewhere and gift it to her.

“Actually,” Cypress said, running his fingers through his windblown hair, “I was wondering if you would like to come on an adventure with me.”

Sorrel’s pulse stammered. “An adventure?”

His eyes turned towards the forest just beyond the fence line.To go past the farm?He looked at Cypress’ wings once more.How far could he take me?

“I know you don’t know me, but I’m asking you to trust me.”

Sorrel shook his head and took a step away. “I’m sorry, but I can’t. I can’t leave Greta.”

Seeming to sense his anxiety, like he already knew him, Cypress lifted his hand to him once more. His wings fluttered, cascading red dust, as he quickly said, “I’ll bring you back to the human woman. I promise to bring you home.”

I promise to bring you home.Maybe it was just his loneliness. Maybe it was just his sense of adventure. Maybe it was just his want to live – even for one night – but Sorrel wanted to leap at this opportunity.

He looked down at Cypress’ reaching hand, beckoning him closer.

But Greta.

Sorrel shook his head. “Greta... she’ll be upset if she finds me gone.”

“We don’t have to go now,” Cypress stated, drawing his hand back. “What about tonight?”

“Tonight?”

I can spend just one night with him?

“Sorrel?” Greta yelled, her voice drifting over from the table outside. He’d been so distracted, he hadn’t heard her come out! “Do you need a hand, little petal?”

“Yes, tonight.” Cypress’ lips twitched, causing his short beard to curl inwards, as if he suppressed the urge to smile. “Yourbedroom must have a window, right? I can meet you by it once she goes to sleep. I promise to have you back before she wakes.”

Large footsteps made the grass crackle as Greta came over to the garden.

Sorrel needed to make his decision, and fast.

“Okay, tonight,” Sorrel huffed out. “I’ll meet you by the window.”

With a grin lifting his cheeks, Cypress nodded as he picked up his discarded sword. “You can’t tell the human about me, though. Humans aren’t supposed to know about fairies.”

Sorrel didn’t tell him that he wouldn’t dream of mentioning anything to Greta.I don’t want to upset her.He didn’t think she’d keep him trapped, but he knew she’d worry for his safety.

Yet, as Cypress left, Sorrel worried about that too.

Not enough to stop him, not when his heart pounded with anticipation and excitement.

I met someone the same size as me.

Sorrel raised to the toes of his right foot and spun in a circle, his hands poised as though he was holding someone’s hand and waist. He danced on top of the coffee table, letting the moonlight glow over him as the dim light of a lamp brightened his mother’s features.

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