Join me in night painted with crimson and black.

He stood over an empty well, wide as the hole left by a fallen star. The wind howled around him, tearing at his scarves and nipping at his exposed skin with hundreds of cold teeth. The air smelled of fallen leaves and decaying moss. He looked down into the well, drawn by the gravity of its depth; hungry as a monster’s maw.

And around him – not even a tiny petal of snow. The world was made of wind and grass, battered and trampled by unknown forces. Grey under the eternal night, lit only by the moon, now small and insignificant, shining with almost non-existent light.

“Tiyan…”

His heart quickened. He knew that voice, the voice he had grown to love. The voice that had always brought him comfort, even in the worst of times.

Noyd.

And it was calling to him from the well.

“Noyd!” his mouth didn’t open, he only heard his scream in his head. He tried, but his voice choked in his throat, pushed back into his lungs. In panic, he touched his mouth and was horrified to find that it was sealed – with vine, thin and hard as stone. He didn’t feel any pain, but the utter horror – and Noyd, his Noyd, trapped in this dark well, made him sick with fear.

“Tiyan… help me…”

“Noyd!” his head rang with a scream. He dared to look into the well again, but saw nothing. The forest around him began to whisper, as if to support him in his struggles, to help him tell her that he was coming for her.

Noyd… I am almost there… Noyd… I am here… the low murmur of the leaves under the endless night mocked him. Mocking Noyd.

But he was not there. He wasn’t almost there. He didn’t dare go down into the shadowy depths. He was still a coward, a self-centred fool who cared only for himself. He hated himself. But he couldn’t force himself to take risks. Even now, after all he had been through, he was too afraid to go down like any good man would.

I’m coming, Noyd… take my hand… I’ll save you…

He wanted to shout to the trees to keep them quiet. So they didn’t promise what he couldn’t do. Noyd’s voice became less and less, until it fell silent again. Tiyan began to pull at the vine that bound his lips until he felt pain. But the vine tightened more, crept further into his mouth, and he knew it would go straight into his lungs if he tried any further.

He felt heavy stones in his chest, just like when he found his parents dead. It was his fault. Again he was bringing pain and death, disappointing everyone who had ever loved him.

The wind had to stop, for he couldn’t hear its wailing anymore. Nature stopped moving… no, it stopped living. The grass beneath his feet was suddenly covered with snow, and the white petals began to fall slowly from the sky, covering his jacket with a delicate down of snowflakes.

And then… he felt a presence behind him.

Dark and dangerous. But at the same time… endearing. Tempting. A silent, crawling pleasure crept into his mind and under his skin, making him tremble with an unknown and unwanted sensation.

Tiyan stood frozen, realising that he couldn’t move, couldn’t turn back. He felt someone – or something – leaning over him and pressing against his back. He saw with utter shock as darkness gathered around him, pure shadows, as if made of clear night.

“Such a loss of effort… such a loss of tears…” he heard a seductive voice, deep as a distant storm. “She would be lost even if you tried… why risk this precious, young, vital life for a lost cause…”

All Tiyan could do was groan and try to throw himself into place, but he was trapped. Trapped between the dark presence behind him and the shadows dancing in front of him. The shadows caressed his skin with deliberate strokes that he instantly hated.

Do you like it? Do you want more?

“You possess such a gift…” the voice continued, sultry and delicious. “It would be a pity if you offered it to another life, even the most beloved. Your power is untainted by good, untouched by light. Let it grow within you… let it bloom within you and spread your soul to the most pleasant places…”

Tiyan felt as if someone’s chin was resting on his arm. A strong scent of violets enveloped him. The pressure increased, he felt the person behind him melt into his back. And Tiyan slowly began to melt into him as well.

All he could manage was a moan through the sewn mouth. From behind him came a soft laughter that set his mind on fire. He wanted to hear it again, if only for a second, a moment. His mind whirled. And Noyd… she was there, waiting for him. But he couldn’t force himself to break the spell. He wanted it to continue exploring him.

“Remember where your home is. No longer in the human world. You are a treasure, a delicacy that I shall gladly taste.”

Tiyan’s eyes opened wide and he realised that he was burning again. His flames, which had never harmed him, were now scorching the leaves around him in a fierce and wild heat. He felt his body stiffen and tense. He tried to tame the flames, but they grew wilder. Qhal watched him from his place under the spring canopy, taking it all in with a curious and fascinated gaze. Somehow it dawned on Tiyan that Qhal knew exactly what power he had… and how to use it. He knew it all, perhaps even sensed his embarrassment.

Noyd.

Noyd…

Curse him.

Qhal smiled at him, a strange gleam in his eyes. As if he knew, or as if he didn’t know at all.

Tiyan’s head hit the ground. The flames died down slowly, too slowly. The leaves rustled above him, silently expressing their disapproval of his outburst.

What had happened? And why did he surrender so easily? As if his mind had shut down, leaving only an empty need. As if the dark presence behind him knew exactly what he wanted and was playing him like a harp.

This was a dream. Just a dream. In a dream… everything is unreal.

He would never surrender to anyone, ever, not to shadows that wanted to own his soul.

But something told him that dreams could very well become reality, in Ain’asel.

He would save Noyd. He would always try to save Noyd, even in fear, even in danger. It was a lie, a cruel lie that he shouldn’t believe. He was not a coward. He was better than that.

He had to believe it.

Or he would be lost.

Yet… the pure darkness still lingered on his skin, tempting and dangerous, like a night from which it emerged…

The meat tasted as if it had been prepared by the goddess herself.

The thought crossed Tiyan’s mind and he found it ridiculous, but very apt. A simple meal, like dry meat – but for him it was the first meat he had eaten in many years that didn’t have the aftertaste of rotting. Not only filling and empowering… but also tasty, so tasty that he would eat ten more bites if the Fae allowed it. He felt that way… when he was a child. A long time ago. When spring still visited Avras and he knew the smell of freshly baked bread.

His companion didn’t eat, looking at him the whole time, with real curiosity. Tiyan was too engrossed in his meal to really care. But when only a small piece of meat was left in his hand, he couldn’t help but look at the fey. Not obviously, just a little. The fey didn’t seem to notice until his lips curled into a small smile. His smile was kind and open, like Gravir’s smile before all this began.

This is not real, Tiyan.

Fae can make you believe in anything. Numb you like a stari fox injects poison into the system of its prey…

“Humans eat more than Unseelie. I would think you would be stronger. But you are all so fragile.”

Tiyan swallowed hard. The meat had gone down the wrong way and he coughed, trying to clear his throat. The meat went down, thankfully, without causing any more problems.

“The Unseelie don’t eat that much?” His question was dictated by curiosity, but he also needed to talk. He was used to not talking, but having a Fae stare at him all the time – in dead silence – like on a curious specimen, was a little disconcerting.

He was so sure that he wouldn’t answer, after all, it was pointless from his point of view to share details of the Fae’s life with him. And yet…

“Some eat. Some don’t need to. The ageless feed on magic, it fills them to the brim.”

Tiyan glanced at the Fae’s pack. Probably more dried meat in there.

More dried meat.

And… more of that delicious drink he was offered last night.

Tiyan…

… do not.

“You are one of the ageless?” Tiyan expected to hear that yes… but the fey just laughed.

“I am only a servant. Very few Unseelie are old enough to be considered ageless. Not anymore.”

Not anymore.

“So why don’t you eat?” Tiyan raised his eyebrows inquisitively.

“I eat,” the Fey smiled, pointing to his throat, still lit from within by the firefly-like light, a reminder of the sun. “I eat the food of my people. Of my kind. And it’s always around us, even at night. I will never be hungry.”

At first, Tiyan didn’t know what the fey was talking about, he hadn’t seen him eat yet. But another look at his throat and a bright glow from behind the membrane made him understand. Quick as a flash of lightning in the stormy sky.

Light.

Tiyan understood now. This Fae was feeding on light, as if it fed on flesh. How was that possible? Magic spread its wings in front of him, showing him the bright colours of an unknown, strange world. Between the white and cold petals of Ain’asel – a cornucopia of hues, a prismatic spectrum Tiyan wasn’t ready for.

And beyond them, shadows, darkness and decay. Tiyan never forgot why he was here, and what powers fairies had.

This had to be a trap, but he had no idea what its purpose was. The Fae already had him on a platter, ready to eat. The idea that this fey was different and somehow better than others was also ridiculous. He had no reason to be kind to him, or to set a trap for him. Maybe… it amused him, or he somehow treated humans like playful pets – good for a short time, pleasant to stroke.

“Do not worry, I have sworn on my name to bring you to the palace, safe and untouched by darkness. It will be done. My king wishes you well and I will follow his orders,” he added when he saw Tiyan looking at him suspiciously. “It’s so easy to read in your body language. A very open book you are.”

Tiyan didn’t know if he should say something or not, so he just bit into the last piece of meat and started to chew.

“The sun named me Qhal. The moon named me Kos,” the fey thought suddenly. “I think it’s only fair that you know my name. If only to help you call me when something wants to eat you.”

“Do many… things here want to eat us?” Tiyan wanted to know.

“Oh yes,” Qhal grinned. “And especially you. Humans are considered a special delicacy by many fairy species.”

That didn’t reassure Tiyan and Qhal seemed to enjoy his discomfort. Of course. It was amusing for a creature that could possibly splatter him on the ground like a bug with his power. Maybe he didn’t want to. But he could, and that was enough.

Tiyan thought that the journey with him might be safer… but definitely filled with fear. Filled with a different kind of danger.

And light.

*

“The Monh Mountains,” Qhal pointed to the sharp mass that loomed on the horizon. The mountains were shrouded in a thick mist that hungrily devoured all contours, leaving only vague shapes. The huge moon seemed to be drowning behind them, in a lake of mist.

Eventually the mass of Monh began to feel closer – Tiyan didn’t know if they always did this and he was too tired to see it – or if Qhal’s presence had something to do with it. His guide didn’t look tired. In fact, he seemed to be invigorated, by some inner force that masked his suspicions. When Tiyan asked if they would hunt, the Fae told him that he had taken the dried meat for that purpose. It was dangerous to hunt alone in the Shadowlands. Only the Shadow Fairies dared to go after the animals that lived here, and of course the Unseelie. He had the potential power to stop Lakai or Subillan, but that power was weaker than it should be and he would be drained for days after. That didn’t mean anything to Tiyan, but he suspected that Qhal didn’t underestimate his strength. Something primal slipped into Tiyan’s mind at the sound of these names. As all living creatures should know what they are and fear them.

Qhal didn’t look afraid.

But the seriousness of his words told Tiyan that hunting would be… unwise.

The snow began to fall again. Tiyan had always been sure that the eternal winter was a cruel plague sent upon Avras to torment the humans. That the Fae lands were touched by lush spring or summer, and that the Fae enjoyed watching the struggles of humanity from a warm place. Ain’asel was even colder than his home, filled with a different kind of darkness that sucked the strength from his muscles and bones. It seemed that the Fae reacted differently to snow and winter. Qhal even seemed to enjoy the cold.

As if they were all born in a cradle of snow, born to use winter as their ultimate gift and weapon. Born to revel in the freezing ice.

Tiyan knew that he would try Qhal’s patience if he kept asking… besides, he didn’t feel safe. Not at all. But for so long he hadn’t seen anyone… so bright, light as a breeze, full of real joy of life… that he allowed himself to relax a little. After all, his king wanted him whole, as he said. He knew it might cost him more than a finger. But he was tired of living in fear. Tired of this life full of pain.

One question wouldn’t let him rest. So he dared to ask.

“Shadow fairies?”

Qhal turned his beautiful face towards him. It was painted with winter bites, his usual pale features reddened a bit.

“You would both like to meet them… and not at all. I like your questions, Tiyan Markon. They are not as obvious as they might seem.”

Tiyan raised his eyebrows.

“We will meet them. One way or another,” the Fae’s tone was amused, yet… slightly off, as if he didn’t know if that was a good thing. But he was a Fae, he didn’t need to be afraid of one of his own kind.

Humans are considered a special treat by many of the fairy species.

An unwanted shiver ran down his spine, unwanted and colder than the winter around them. Lakai. Subillan. He knew nothing of Ain’asel. But it seemed that even fairies weren’t always safe here. And even fairies could have enemies.

They trudged slowly through the snow, Tiyan’s fingers entwined with strange green vines that Qhal had enchanted for him. They – somehow – kept his wounded hands warm, under thick gloves that Qhal offered him. The drink he had been given on the last day had kept him on his feet longer than he had expected.

The Monh Mountains came closer and closer, looking bigger and bigger. And darker. Promising unknowns.

Tiyan bit his lip in a defiant gesture… and followed Qhal. Hoping that the snowdrifts didn’t hide the form of a predator and shadows between the branches – a fairy so eager to taste him.

And a thought rang through his mind, a thought that separated him from Qhal with a border of thorns and blood.

They killed your parents.

They have Mina.

They need you. But they would destroy you if they had the chance.