XVI

So this is what people mean when they say "feels like we've known each other our whole lives". 

Elanor did not know for sure, but she felt that Mira thought this way as well. They talked way into the night and even after changing into nightgowns, so graciously offered by the Autumn hosts. Ladies met inside Elanor's bedroom and continued the hangout, Lumi snoring quietly on her bed. They first discussed expected subjects, such as Elanor and Lumi's arrival in the Faery Lands, then shared what they do for a living, and briefly went over their romantic encounters in life, dating back to childhood. Mira, of course, had to share some details about the unsuccessful attempt at the arranged marriage.

"Neither of us wanted it. We were childhood friends, and he was head over heels with another fae girl. My sisters were hoping that my having Autumn blood and marrying into the Winter Court would open the door for them to usurp both and establish an Unseelie empire. I refused straight up, and my oldest half-sister lashed out. That's where I lost my vision, but it was so long ago, you should not take it too close to heart."

"It's not easy, I feel like meeting those sisters of yours with some clever human revenge plan. Maybe I can ask Talvi if he would plot with me, since he seems to care about his Court."

"Talvi is a welcome guest here, but he does not stay often. I'm glad your arrival will cause him to pass by. And he first needs to sort out his own issue."

"Hazel tried to speak to me of Talvi's illness. His curse... He was very vague, all I made out was him losing a lover or a family member, and having to look at home? Something with birds as well."

"That was masterfully done if he could give away so much. I'm afraid I could not tell you more if I tried." Mira got lost in her thoughts for a moment, then attempted to say something and shook her head in defeat, stopped by the magic of . 

"I hope I can help him somehow."

"You two got along already?" At this, Mira smiled a very teasing smile, even though Elanor could not see half of her face. 

"He strikes me as a kind that gets along with everybody." 

"I'd say he is a big diva and often seems quite arrogant to others. You must have gotten on his soft side," giggled birdlike beauty, and Elanor focused on not feeling too much joy at what she said. 

"We only know each other for a few days, I'm sure he was just flirting his way into convincing me to help with some business of his," she said, trying to stay realistic.

"Oh, so you two are flirting already?" teased Mira, and Elanor's face turned red; she was happy her friend could not see it, but she still threw a pillow at her.

***

Later that night, Elanor was introducing Mira to K-pop, playing some songs that were saved on her dying phone and rehearsing what choreography she could remember.

They were both sleepy and soon, after saying goodnights and giggling at Lumi, who ate way too many troll chestnuts and was already dead asleep, they parted ways, and Mira left for her room for the night. 

The skies were clear, and Elanor could see warm foreign stars through her window. She sat in the thick frame, covered with pillows, with her cup of Yorkshire tea before bed, and was trying to brainstorm Talvi's curse with the new leads she had received that day.

This window must make for an amazing reading spot. I should try it out tomorrow and visit the library that Hazel praised so much.

A light flickered outside in the grass, then another. At first, Elanor watched them with wonder, admiring how beautiful everything is in Faery. Then, she watched herself move one of her legs outside the frame, and fear rose from her stomach, swiftly growing into panic. Her body continued moving, and all she could do was look at the lights and climb out to follow them. She was almost out the window when she threw the mug and tried to grab onto something to stop herself. Unfortunately, she could only reach her clothes she had folded neatly for tomorrow on the chair nearby.

Pants in hand, she was walking towards the faery lights past the terrace and into the ash woods. Her steps were light, and the dewy grass felt cold against her bare feet. Her arms were still responsive, and she was trying to use them to throw herself off balance, which must have looked ridiculous, because her legs and torso continued carrying her forward. 

Think, stop panicking! Maybe when I reach the trees, I could try holding myself onto them and stop. 

She tried calling for help, but her voice would not obey, and her thoughts started to feel fuzzy. Wolf howls sounded from the grove. Elanor felt her heartbeat in her mouth, and her body was shivering with fear and cold. It was a type of fall night when you could see your warm breath coming out in white clouds. Her night gown was trailing behind her, gorgeous, made, without a doubt, by Hazel out of the thinnest white silk. It was in no way keeping her warm and had already gotten wet from the dew. 

She was already entering the woods when howling sounded again. Elanor clung to the nearest tree, smooth ashen bark, matching perfectly the colour of her hair, which was very difficult to hold on to. The forest was covered in mist, and she could not stop looking at the faery lights; her thoughts were slowly corrupted with the fog as well. Her sweaty palms kept slipping, and she was led further and further. She tried using her palms to cover her eyes, but her feet just dragged her faster ahead. 

Will the enchantment stop if I injure my legs?! No, think of something else, there has to be a way... Last time iron helped me, I need iron. 

Biting her tongue like last time did not work, since she could not command her mouth at the moment. The hiking pants were hanging over her shoulders, she wrapped them around to free her hands for the failed attempts to cling to the trees. She hurried to take them off and got into the magic pocket. Walking towards the mist, she fished out a small umbrella, threw it away, hurried back and this time took out a lighter.

If I keep exhausting the spell on this pocket, it should give me smaller and smaller objects, until I can maybe find an old penny. Statistics might be on my side with this one; pennies have to be the most lost items around the world!

Elanor could see the movement in the mist, and a pair of shining eyes stared at her so close now, not further than ten meters. A hair tie, a pack of gum and a button later, she finally felt a small, round metallic object on the bottom of the pocket and squeezed it tight in her palm. Through the almost painful sensation of the penny, the fog in her head started to clear, and she willed her legs to stop. It was weird at first, as if they fell asleep, but slowly she was able to slow down and halt. 

Then, still slow and unable to make her movements faster due to the horror, she began to walk backwards, away from the fog, not taking her eyes off the ones inside.