Page 46 of Once Upon a Woven Wish
“Godspeed, old girl,” she muttered to the horse.
She pulled the book from the saddlebag, gave the horse one last pat, and then turned toward the mountain.She climbed, her breath crystalizing in front of her.She pushed herself to hurry, making her legs burn and her heart race.Her only thought was getting to the top, was findinghim.The stranger.
No.
Caedon.That was his name.
He waited for her when she arrived at the top.The hood of his cloak was down to reveal his face in the early morning light.His eyes, so bright, pierced her the second she halted, trying to catch her breath, clutching the book to her chest.
His expression was one of sorrow, of regret, of pain.
Ah, so the girl has returned,the voice of the Well said.It sounded delighted by her arrival.
“Yes, I returned.As I promised.”But her gaze never left Caedon’s.
“It is time, then,” he said.
“No, wait, please.I have one last request.”
He lifted a brow, curious.
The Well said, agitated,The bargain was struck.The payment is due, girl.
She ignored it.“There is something I must know.Grant me this one last…” She paused, pressed her lips together.Then continued, “…favor.”
The girl wishes for a favor?
Caedon swallowed hard, his throat working.
There is no time—
“I will give you my life,” she snapped and glared at the Well.“You can give me one last moment with the Weaver.”
Silence and then a low, malicious chuckle.Very well, girl.
Her gaze swung back to his.He regarded coolly, looking impressed she dared snap back at the Well.
“I have nothing to offer you,” he said.
She took a deep breath and blew it out.It misted in the air around her as she continued to clutch the book to her chest, hope rising there.“You said once the price is always too high.But you never told me why you’re here.What you did.Who cursed you.”
Faint morning light flickered in this blue-green depths as he glanced away, unable to look at her.He said nothing for a long time.His jaw worked, as though he held back the words that wanted to erupt.
At last, he spoke, his voice low and rough and guarded.“I loved a girl once.Mortal.Not unlike you.”
Serena’s heart lurched.
“She lived in a small village on the edge of the forest,” he continued, his gaze drifting into memory.“She was kind.Smart.Full of joy.Her laugh was bright.Her smile was infectious.She smelled like wind and sun and everything lovely.Her hair was the color of a copper.But her people were dying.A fever swept through, claiming lives and threatening those she loved.She came to the Well.”He paused here, swallowing hard.“She begged for help, but had nothing to give.”
She understood then.Because, once, she was that girl.“You gave it to her freely.”
He gave a sharp nod.“I broke the law.Fae magic is never free.Wishes are bargains and there is always a price, Serena.But I loved her.And I could not stand to see her and her family suffer.I gave her what she asked.Freely.Without a price.Her family was saved.I was condemned.”
Her throat tightened.The edge of the book bit into her fingers.
“The Seelie Court called it treason.To give freely was to upset the balance, to unravel all bargains.And so, they bound me to the Well to become the Weaver of Wishes.To claim the price and deposit it there.”He jabbed a finger to the Well.
Serena’s mouth went dry.“What happened to her?”
