After breakfast, which Bodin spent mostly silent after his odd comment, we went out to the grounds to examine Charters House.

It was the strangest place I’d ever seen. As we entered the grove beyond the house, I was surprised by the methodical way the trees grew, leaving a path between. Over the top of them were hard, dried vines which created an arbor that darkened this place.

Giving one the sense they’d just entered a sacred hall.

Once through there, the trees peeled open to reveal a pretty grove. Red, blue and yellow flowers were in full bloom here. Water trickled over the heavy leaves to drip within the bubble of ripe nature.

There was a faint humming in the distance.

“What’s that sound?” I turned around to look.

“Things that live here.” He said dismissively. Catching my arm and turning me toward the flowers. He knelt and plucked one. Straightening to tuck it thoughtfully behind my ear.

Or trying to distract me.

Why?

“I used to come here as a child. It was my sacred place.”

“But you were always at my house.” I objected.

He tilted his head chidingly toward me. “It may’ve felt to you like I was always there, but I was here often enough.”

I shrugged. It seemed like he was always at Demetrius House.

With me.

***

“Why here?” I asked simply to fill the silence.

“Because here is where they come...”

“Who?”

“To understand you must first know the fable.” He gestured to the bed of soft grass which looked flattened as though he often sat here.

“What fable?” I slid to the ground, rapt with curiosity now. I saw a flash of the many times he and I had played out in the gardens of Demetrius House. Now and then I’d persuade him to tell me a story and he’d quietly tell it. And though I could barely hear his quiet voice, the tales had held me riveted.

The particular day I was recalling, had ended poorly though. I was only about twelve years old.

My cousin Randy Demetrius, a few years older and a miserable excuse for a human, had materialized in the gardens. Before I knew he was there, he’d snatched my bicep and ripped me to my feet. His fingers biting into my skin.

It’d hurt.

“What are you doing out here?” Randy had demanded. Eyeing me from head to toe before sneering. “And filthy! Has your father not taught you better than to look like a common maid?”

The insult had been not only to me but my father.

I’d given him a black look. Glowering through angry blue eyes.

“My father has taught me better than common rudeness!” I countered furiously. “And that gentleman do not put their hands on ladies such as you are right now.”

Bodin had been laughing uproariously. Earning him a venomous look from my cousin.

Randy had leaned low to whisper for my ears alone. “You’ll get your comeuppence one day, you little wretch.”

I sensed he wanted to call me fouler things but could think of none just that moment.

***

I was brought back to the present by Bodin’s abrupt voice ripping me from my reverie.

“The tale goes that there is a Fey King, a man who is able to control all sprites and wood creatures throughout the forests. An ethereal being living in a castle constructed of magic. He himself is as undeniable as the banquet he lays out for his unwitting guests who are careless enough to stumble into his web. From there he is able to lure them to taste the bittersweetness of his offerings.”

“But,” Bodin cautioned. Lifting a finger for emphasis. “a single taste can land you in his court for all of eternity. Or least as long as it pleases him.”

My brows lifted in surprise.

“But there was once, a woman he released.”

“Why?” I blurted. Leaning forward, breathless. Wondering what would inspire such a powerful being to release mere prey.

“It’s said that her great spirit entranced him. That he was mesmerized by the innocent creature he bedded.”

I felt my cheeks redden at the sinful turn of the tale.

“So, he sent her back to the world of man a ruined woman.”

“Indeed.” Bodin lowered his head. “But not without child.”

I gasped in outrage for the woman. “Did she know?”

“The tale goes that he told her before he left her.”

“Forever?”

“No.” Bodin’s gaze fell to the ground. “He came back one day. To collect the son he’d given her.”

“What’d she do?”

“True to her great spirit, she refused to surrender the boy.”

“But?”

“But the Fey King would not leave empty-handed.”

I was leaned forward, my hand on my knees as he let the suspense of the story grow. A smile teasing his lips as he assessed my expression.

I was sure that I probably looked as eager as a child.

“So she offered herself in the place of her son. Leaving the boy to be raised by his kind father.”

“What a lonely upbringing...” I murmured thoughtfully.

“It was not so bad.” Bodin chuckled. “He found friends to occupy his time.”

***

“Well, that is good.” I was vaguely happy with the ending, at least. “So why have you brought me here?”

“Because they say, if you are very still and you look beyond your eyes you might catch hints of his creatures in these woods. Because they link to the woods where the Fey King found his beloved.”

“Really?” I looked at him askance.

“Indeed.” He nodded gravely. Slipping down to sit next to me and catching me hand over top my knee. Clutching it in his warm grip.

I jerked and he commanded. “Be still.”

As I sat with him, I was soothed by the heat of the sunshine peering through the trees to cast lovely gold rays in on us. As if brightening only where we sat. Birds chirped above us, and I looked up to see the treetops were littered with beautiful red birds, shining like rubies amidst the green leaves. I could hear the drizzle of a creek in the distance and smell the earth and grass around us.

Suddenly I heard the grating of tree bark as though a log were being dragged through the forest.

“Close your eyes.” Bodin directed. “Give her time.”

Who?