The Hunt ended successfully. My Queen was pleased and the years into the forest passed in peace. With constant dancing under the moonlight, from time to time couplings between fae and trolls or even with visits from Epona's horses which would transform into handsome men and dance with the fae.

I, instead, passed my free time to the perimeter of the Harrows' house. As the years passed I found out the boy, Mathew had grown into a tall boy, with fair hair and light blue eyes. He would leave for winter and return on summer when the sun was high and the wind fresh.

He was twelve when I used glamour, transforming my body into that of a human girl's with brown short hair and eyes blue like his. He was kicking a ball, such a primal thing, when I appeared on the outer side of the fence. "What are you playing?" I called at him and leaned my elbows, feigning innocence.

Mathew looked at me with surprise and strangely color appeared on his cheeks. Why was he turning red?

"Soccer." He said. "Do you want to play?" he pointed at the ball.

I would never play something human but for the sake of curiosity, I nodded and jumped above the fence. "I'm Trey," I said and Mathew nodded, introducing himself to me.

For the next two hours, we ran and played together. I had never laughed so much in my whole time. Mathew was quick like a sylph, fast like an air horse and smart like a troll. No wonder his father didn't want him to be taken. We sat on the soft grass and watched the sun setting Mathew turned to me.

"Thank you for keeping me company. No one of the other kids do."

"Why?"

"Because I am not from around here. I came from the city."

Cities. Vile and dirty places with lots and lots of iron. I hated them. "Well good for you, I am not from the city. But I like the ball game." I got up and brushed my dress clean. "Can I come and play again?"

Mathew smiled at me. His blue eyes shined as he said "Sure."

We spent two weeks like that. Me appearing and disappearing, always avoiding the questions about my 'family' and 'home' while Mathew was trying to make himself respectable for me. But I had to admit the kid had the nerve. One day he came to our meeting spot, a fallen trunk close to the forest's edge, with a swollen eye.

I gasped and he shrugged. "Fight."

"For what?"

"Some of the boys talked about you." He murmured and when I realized what he meant, my chest tightened.

None of the fae had ever treated me like this. Even my mother's training was hard, teaching me not to feel, only to obey. I lowered my head muttering a 'thanks'. Mathew sat on the trunk, his head falling to his chest. "I am leaving tonight."

"Oh. School is starting?"

"Yes." He looked up at me. "Will you be here when I come back?"

And for the first time, I smiled truthfully at him. "I will."

--------------------

Five years passed like this. Summers of running, playing and laughing with Mathew. I found myself eagerly waiting for the warm days and the warm nights and cursing when the first orange leaf would appear. Mathew grew from the frail boy he was into the young man his father maybe was when he met my mother.

His warm smile and kind eyes were welcoming every time I appeared in his garden, using glamour to make myself match his age. But at the same time, our Queen was growing restless. She wanted a new Hunt and I had to organize it again for her.

It was one of the days after Mathew's return when I was summoned to the Court. Viona sat on her throne, pixies and slender bodies sprawled around her, looking at me partially with boredom and interest. "You asked for me, my Queen?" I spoke as I kneeled before her.

"There are rumors about a young man, Harrow Mathew his name. Bring him to me."

My breathing stopped. No this couldn't be happening. "May I ask her Majesty, why is she bothering with such a weakling?" I tried not to tremble.

"My, little Trey, this is quite a question indeed." Viola got up and stepped down from her aisle.

A gust of wind hit me suddenly and I fell back to the floor, my back arching as vines of poison ivy hit my arms and face. I didn't scream but bit my cheek instead, feeling golden blood running into my mouth. The Queen leaned above me and grinned. "Did you think that I didn't know about the Hunt all these years ago? That you never brought me that child?"

"I did bring you a baby with blue eyes!" I shouted not caring about protocol.

Viona laughed. "Foolish Trey. The changeling which would be placed into Mathew's crib would kill all the Harrows. That was my purpose."

"Why? What they have ever done to you?" I thought about Mathew and his father Tom. He was the one who had taken care of his son when his mother got sick. And after meeting her, at one of our summers, I had realized my mother's traces of magic in her blood.

She had healed the wife of her beloved, despite her feelings for him, she offered him happiness. At the cost of her own emotions.

Viona grabbed me by the neck, lifting me up. "Your mother was brave but weak at heart. Her emotions for the human were a disgrace to our Court. Why do you think she died? She withered like a flower in winter."

"Mathew is innocent." I blurted, hissing at her.

"No sweetie, in fact, think of that as a delayed punishment, for both yours and your mother's disobedience."

She threw me at the far wall. My back broke as I hit the floor again, this time not bothering screaming from pain. The Queen walked back to her throne and sat, a smirk on her face. I would tear her apart for that.

"Prove to me that you are stronger than your mother. Bring me the boy for my empty consort seat and you'll be spared."

I knew that none of the human consorts were surviving long enough. Viola was getting easily bored with them, feeding them at the orges instead. Slowly I got up and mockingly I bowed at her. Let her think that she had won. I would help Mathew escape.

And then I would kill her.

Mathew was sitting at the garden's swing when I appeared at the front of his house. His body was relaxed and his head was moving back and forth since he had his earbuds on. I looked at him for a moment trying to keep his memory alive within me. After these years of summer and laughter, I could finally understand why my mother had spent the last years of her life watching over this family.

Love comes like the rain. Soft at first, then wild and untamed.

Love is frail like the newborn blooms. Crush them and they disappear.

Mathew looked up at me. And smiled.

Don't look at me like that Mathew. Don't make this harder.

"Trey!" he called and he grabbed me into a big hug, swinging me around. I inhaled his scent, pine, and earth. He put me down and cupped my cheeks, his thumbs brushing my cheekbones. "Where have you been all day? I waited."

"I am sorry. I had work to do."

"You never carry a cell phone anyway. I wonder why you've never spoken to me about your family."

I gulped and stepped back. "Mathew you have to leave this place."

He frowned. "Why?"

"I can tell only this. You are in danger. Please leave."

He crossed his arms over his chest. "Trey, I am not going anywhere before you explain to me what you are talking about."

The front door swung open behind Mathew. His father stepped out. I looked up at him and when we locked gazes, his eyes widened. "It's you isn't it?" he demanded and walked to Mathew's side, pulling him away from me.

"Dad stop!"

"Why have you come?"

I tried to keep my voice steady, thankful for the glamour. "I came to warn you. She wants him and I am not giving Mathew to her. Take your family and go!"

"What the hell are you saying Trey?" Mathew spoke irritation in his voice.

"Son, go inside."

"No!"

Before I could speak I felt the iron on my shoulder, piercing me. I screamed from the pain, forgetting the glamour and falling to my knees. My hand went to the wound clasping it tightly. I felt Mathew step back before I saw him. His eyes were wide, his lips parted in surprise.

"She is fae. They are liars and deceivers." Tom spoke harshly.

I couldn't help but laugh as I got up. "Is that so Tom Harrow? Who do you think healed your wife when she was sick?"

He gasped for a moment, his hand going to his mouth. "Glodwin?"

"Aye, and she died for that. We may deceive, but we are not liars."

"Trey..."

I looked at Mathew. Something between disbelief and horror was painted on his face. I smiled at him, letting my hand fall from my wound. "I am sorry Mathew, but this is who I am." I made a step back. "Truth is, you are a fae's lost child, a boy who was supposed to die seventeen years ago but an oath and your father stopped me from doing that. My mistake has led to this and I will keep you safe." I turned to his father. "All of you."

"Trey, wait!"

I jumped from the fence, wincing from the wound and let my wings appear. I glanced back. Mathew was trying to follow me but his father was keeping him from following me. Good, at least he was useful.

"Mathew, these years were true for me. Please believe that, at least."

And I disappeared from their sight.

The Court hall was empty when I entered again, save for the Queen sitting on her throne. She glanced at me and smirked. "You failed Trey."

I pulled my sword and smiled back at her, letting my teeth sharpen and my eyes glow yellow. "I know."

And I leaped at her. I felt empty inside when I charged against the strongest creature of our folk. I didn't care when her power slashed me open, blood running from my body. I still landed in front of her swinging my sword across her neck and cutting her head off. For someone ancient like her, she was really ignorant. Viola's body melted into golden goo and burnt brightly, while all her powers rushed to me.

I never expected to use my mother's knowledge against the Queen. But as Viola the Tenth disappeared and Trey the First emerged, I found out that power could deceive and feelings could ignite strength like fire at midsummer night.

The fae folk accepted me quickly. It seemed that Viola's behavior wasn't the best of the kind. The Court changed as the days passed but my mind was still on the boy with the blue eyes. It was at one of the noon sessions when the troll appeared before me.

"My Queen a mortal wants an audience!" he squeaked with his tiny voice.

I nodded and soon white fog covered the hall taking quickly the form of a body.

My heart jumped.

My eyes watered.

"Mathew..."

He smiled at me. "Hello, Trey."