Swear Not By The Wings

I open my eyes to find myself still in the magical woodland. There is a book beside me. In the very short time I've been here, I've found a new love for novels. I was never one to enjoy reading, but Elio took in my disheveled state last night and installed a mini library to my room. He said it would help ease my mind. How nice of him! Sarcasm. I read until I got tired and eventually, fell asleep. I kick myself for ever thinking that I might wake up to the comfort of my own bed.

Elio is the name of the fae who has brought me here. He told me about his close alliance with my great-grandmother before showing me to my cottage.

I was surprised that he's given me my own house instead of locking me up in some type of dungeon.

My head snaps up when I hear a knock at my front door. The knob turns and the entrance swings open.

Elio stares at me with a blank face and says,

"I will be showing you around." I quickly move to my feet when he's already out of the door. I instantly become self-conscious when I notice all the fairies gazing at me. I am wearing a simple cotton dress. I don't think I look bad but compared to the otherworldly people, I must look weird. I am the only being here without wings.

"Well girl, where would you like to go first?" Elio asks. I am taken aback by his thoughtful tone. I look up to see dragons flying around in the clear blue sky. Elio notices my curiosity and leads me to an unknown destination.

There is a tree station that leads up to the clouds. There, fairies are training their pet dragons. The "bender" fairies are the ones who occupy the backs of the creatures. These special fairies have the ability to control elements such as earth, fire, water, and air. I watch in amazement at how the winged people operate with the giant beasts.

A lavender-colored dragon spots me and hovers over my head. Elio looks at me expectantly while I just stay put, confused. The fairy boy and other faeries sigh at me.

"Is it dangerous?" I wonder aloud.

"Probably, try petting it," Elio says with an evil grin on his face. My eyes widen.

"Oh he's just playing around," a new voice says. I smile at the purple-headed fairy who then speaks again,

"or not." My smile quickly fades. The fairies are now laughing at me, for the billionth time. A blush invades my face along with an unsafe emotion in my gut.

"We are only teasing," says Elio who unexpectedly, lifts me up and places me on the back of the creature. My skin tingles when the fairy makes contact with my sides. I feel myself beginning to hyperventilate. I am not fully recovered from yesterday when Freya, an animal fae, dropped me from the sky.

"Why are you so nervous? It's not like your boyfriend is going to find out," Elio squeezes my sides and secures me to the dragon. Is he talking about Landon?

"We aren't dating," I reply, breathlessly. I feel a little bit better when Elio sits down behind me.

"Right, just try not to have a heart attack," he hums into my ear. I force myself not to lean into the sound of his harmonious voice. The fire breathing wildlife gradually elevates from the treetop. With the surreal feeling, butterflies fill my stomach closer to the sun we get. It is beautiful and frightening all in one. At first, I was screaming. Then crying. And finally, laughing.

At one point, I turned around to glance at Elio. The male was watching me carefully with inspecting eyes. When the ride ended, I was practically dragging him to the next place.

I find myself gravitating towards a garden. The flowers are different from the ones I am used to. These plants sparkle under the sun rays. The faeries here seem much more pleasant than the others. These are nature sprites. Elio explains how they are in control of updating the plants and wildlife to match the seasons. They even remind the woodland creatures to go into hibernation in the winter and make the flowers for the spring. If I were a fae, I would want to work in the garden. Because I am admiring the plants, I don't notice a pink-headed sprite approach me.

"Hello, you must be Arrietty," I jump at the soft voice. The fairy is rather tall and angel-like. Her wings are similar to a butterfly's and her eyes are crystal blue. I don't miss the way Elio can't take his eyes off of her. Suddenly, I feel insecure about standing next to the beautiful nymph.

"My name is Ellowyn," she says. I shake her hand when I notice her accessory. She has a gorgeous flower crown placed on the top of her head. My silent praise catches her attention and she laughs.

"Do you want it? It'll go lovely with your red hair,"

she proposes. Before I can reject the offer, she places the crown over my red hair.

"Doesn't she look pretty?" Ellowyn topics to Elio.

The boy stares at me for a moment before saying,

"Sure, " I avert my gaze down when the flower fairy lifts my head with her manicured hand.

"He thinks you're very pretty," she whispers for only me to hear. I turn to her quickly,

"How do you know?" I ask. Ellowyn simply points to her head, smiles, and walks away. Fairies can read minds? Interesting. Elio saunters away so, I follow him. I do not want to get lost in a place like this!

"I didn't know fairies have the mind-reading ability," I say, trying to make a conversation with my tour guide. Make the best out of a difficult time, right? The white-headed boy just scoffs at me.

"Yea, you don't know a lot of things," he dismisses.

By the end of the day, Elio and I have already visited every part of the woodland. I met weather fairies, crafts fairies, health fairies, music fairies, and even warrior fairies. None of them were very nice to me and I can't say I am surprised. The warrior fairies were the meanest. They are considered the most important, which is why they possess a lot of pride. They're in charge of keeping everyone safe.

"Are you a warrior fairy?" I ask Elio.

"Why on earth would you think that?" He snaps back, astounded. My shoes suddenly become interesting. Is that a pink ladybug?

"I asked you a question," Elio almost growls. I gasp at his aggression and timidly answer,

"Warrior fairies protect, and you kept me from reaching the ground when Freya dropped me from the sky." The fae rolls his eyes at my statement.

"I wasn't going to let you die. You're here to learn a lesson. Don't think such stupid ideas. I don't want to protect you," he asserts, firmly. I gulp at the realization. What if a fae tries to kill me? Will Elio let them? Wait, what kind of fairy is Elio anyway?

"Winter, " Elio says out of nowhere.

Huh? Right, mind reader.

"I'm a weather fae, I control the winter, " he clarifies.

Well, that would explain a thing or two.