mo

Yelena’s mother Cerise held out her hand and a winging butterfly hovered uncertainly over her fingertip. She laughed down at her

hey also carry with them the pollen from one species to another which the flowers need in order to grow. They

hite fluffy head and watc

d her daughter as she stooped to pull the plant from the soil. “To balance our taking of this

the roots can be boiled

ulant. As a tea, it can keep th

led. “And t

ps digestion. It is a good plant to have in the kitchen. Come, let’s walk

s towards the road into town, the goats the grazed in the ta

g rain had filled many with puddles. It was a game that Yelena pla

it’s people are many. Humans are young in c

Fae,” Yele

orld, Yelena, though the Fae would tell you otherwise. They do not like to admit that they are not t

d slipping into a puddle, and Cerise

e must always remember the edict that we follow as healers – do no harm. Not only because it is the right way to be, but be

ays dipped curtseys and gave greeting. Cerise smiled graciously and returned their gre

the market, her heart leaping when she saw that a trader had come with toys. Children gathered

th a bright red dress and hair

ng her gaze, laughing. “Ah, that sta

reaked across the market towards them, clutching a loaf of bread to his chest.

his already bedraggled state, his clothing torn, and his face and hair filthy. He came to a stop at Yelena’s feet

ached them, wrapping her arms around his shoulders, using he

ker protested. “T

cautioned the blacksmith with a raised finger. “I will pay for what he has taken,” she took a coin from the purse tied to h

s head ruefully. “The lad does not know how lucky h

ves, if we expect to be taken care of in our own ti

looked up at her

ely. Now let the lad g

that he was skin and bones and a shock of overgrown silver hair. She reached up to

corner of his jaw worked as he stared intensely at Cerise, but he did not speak. “Mmm,” Cerise hummed to her

. His eyes fell to her face and then where she held him, and his fingers ver

smile lacked its brightness, though it remained gentle. “Come, Yelena, let’s tak

to the keep framed by grasses and fields of crops. “Elliard is what our keep is called. It is a safe space, where everyone is

her, his express

e in Elliard must so our best to restore it in whatever small way we can. I

ment. “And he is very handsome. That he is Fae and I human was perhaps why our fathers introduced us, seeking

boy through to the kitchens. The kitchen hands stared at the silver haired boy in open fascination although

ttens, not lads, My Lady Cerise,” she observed already scooping stew from the pot that was always cooking

e loaf of bread that he still clutched, breaking it into p

, eying the stew as if he ha

rsel yourself, Yel

ferred it to her mouth. “Like this,” she showed him. “

to do so, and he fell upon the bread and stew with a

day,” Cerise murmured, he

d sighed. “That is… trouble to come, My Lady,” she predicted. “

” Cerise replied. “What h

d spread, driving us from the fertile lands, hunting us for our magic and treasures, taking more than is their due and forcing on

eyes filled. “I know it to b

from the boy’s silver hair. “His kind, My Lady…” She shook h

red. “But destiny will