Page 7 of Chased By the Fairy

He stomped on the power button of the remote, and the television turned off. Then he turned and sat on the edge of it with his head in his hands.

Sorrel pretended he wasn’t as alone in this room as he felt.

He was small. The world was large. And he waslonely.

He loved his mother, but he’d never hugged another. He’d never been held properly, in a way that wasn’t a large limb pressing against him. He’d never been kissed if it wasn’t a large set of lips pressing against the entire side of his head and threatening to suck him inside her mouth.

He’d never danced with another, neverbeenwith another. He was bound to the borders of this house, unable to leave simply because of his size, and his unwillingness to leave Greta’s side.

Until tonight.

A small smile crept into his features, and he lifted his eyes to the window.

He said he would come once Greta goes to sleep.Sorrel stood and rushed to the edge of the coffee table to leap to the desk.

Just as he landed, red magic dust glittered from the corner of the window.He’s here!

Removing the toy sword so it would clunk to the ground, not wanting to be seen holding something so foolish, he went to the window and slid it sideways to open it. A small crack appeared, pulling in cold air.

“I thought she’dneverleave,” Cypress sung, before giving a small chuckle. Then he removed his tiny sword. “Do you mind if I cut the fly screen?”

Usually that would have bothered Sorrel, but right now, it was keeping them apart, keeping Sorrel trapped.

He nodded. “Go for it.”

Cypress’ eyes lit up at that, and he sliced it just enough to allow him to crawl through. Just as Sorrel shoved his arm through the hole, he flinched when Cypress took his hand and then helped him to his feet.

His cheeks warmed as he let go.

“I was kind of worried you wouldn’t come,” Sorrel stated, wringing his hands nervously.

“When I make a promise, I always follow through.” That shouldn’t have been so comforting, but Sorrel needed to hear that reassurance. He knew he was putting his full trust in a stranger after only just meeting them.

It was dangerous, just as going past the farm’s fencing was.

“So, are you ready?” Cypress asked, gesturing to a brown sparrow wearing some kind of saddle like a horse.

His gaze roamed over it before drifting to Cypress’ glittering dragonfly wings.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

Sorrel clenched his eyes shut as he clutched Cypress’ midsection from behind.

Okay, so maybe flying is a lot scarier than I thought!Perhaps it was because it wasn’t slow or gentle, but the swift speed of a house sparrow. He’d seen plenty of them flying before, but he’d never imagined fairies might occasionally ride them like a flying horse.

“Hey, it’s okay,” Cypress comforted, while bringing his hand back to pat his thigh. “I told you I’d keep you safe. As long as you hold me tight, I won’t let you fall.”

“Iamholding you tightly.”

“Yeah, but you’re practicallycrushingme.”

Tension shot through Sorrel. His fingers dug into the coat covering Cypress’ chest while he attempted to loosen his arms.

Cypress’ clothing was strange. Soft like cotton but glossy like rough satin. His pants were black, but his coat was a dark purple with silver floral lace embroidered into it.

It was much nicer than the white button-up tunic and the plastic, silky sky-blue trousers Sorrel wore. His vest was black, and he’d never realised his clothing was so odd until he met Cypress. He believed it was from Greta’s pirate doll collection, and he was a little embarrassed by it.

He must look like an idiot.

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