Page 3 of Once Upon a Woven Wish
Gold.
Strands.Then curls.Then, circles turned into coins.Clinking softly onto the rim of the stone well.
Shining.Bright.Real.
He continued to work, creating more weavings of light that turned into more round gold coins.When he finished, a bulging satchel rested at her feet.
“Enough, you said.Enough and no more.”His voice was laced with exhaustion as he sagged against the old well.Tired lines creased his face as though weaving the wish took a toll.
Perhaps it had.
Serena’s eyes burned with the hot sting of tears.“You…did it.”
He said nothing, his face remaining impassive.
She started to thank him, but then a wave of dizziness accosted her.She swayed on her feet, a flutter rising in her chest.She touched her head as she reached out to steady herself on the stone of the well.
He moved back, putting distance between the two of them.
A strangeness overcame her.
“What—” But the word stuck in her throat.She blinked, her vision fuzzy.
There was a thought at the edge of her mind that was now gone.She placed a hand to her temple and rubbed.
“The price has been paid,” he said, his voice solemn.
“What did you take?”
“A memory,” he said.
Panic seized her.“What memory?”
“If you knew, it would not be gone.”His mouth drew down in a frown as though sorry for the taking.“You will remember the wish.Always.But the cost…it leaves space.”
She pressed cold, shaking fingertips to her lips.What had she done?
“I want it back.”Her voice warbled with her fear, her regret.
“No refunds.”
A choked sob escaped her.She turned to hide her shame, putting her face in her hands as the hot tears pricked her eyes.
“Now, go,” he said.
When she turned back, he was gone.Only the satchel of gold remained.
But beneath her skin, shimmering under the surface, was a tremor of something forgotten.Something changed.She would never be the same.
Chapter 2
Shehalf-ran,stumblingonceon a rock, but didn’t stop.The well’s memory clung to her like fog.She kept seeing his eyes.Hearing his voice.What will you pay?With the weight of the satchel clutched between her hands, her heart raced.Not only from the exertion of the climb but also from the sheer fear pounding through her from her experience at the well.
When she exited the edge of the woods, she paused to see the village in the distance.Quiet, sleepy.Not yet alive with the raucous noise of village life.
Dawn was burning on the horizon.Which meant the taxman would come to collect his debts soon.How was she to get the satchel into the village without garnering attention?By the time she arrived, the first stirrings would be happening.It was heavy, bulging and noticeable.
Serena chewed her lower lip, unsure of her next move.She had no choice and needed to get there before he came calling.
