And I am back with this month’s edition of my Faylinn stories!

 For Newcomers:

Each month Arielle posts a prompt on her writing blog that goes along with Fairy Tale Central’s featured fairy tale. I’ve been writing prompts for it of a continuing story about a wingless fairy and banished prince, Raylinn and Finn, or “Faylinn” as is their designated ship name…and their tag along sassmaster, Zayd.

The Previous Stories:

• Deal or No Deal (A Rumpelstiltskin-inspired story and the first introduction to these characters)
• Let Down Your Hair?  (A Rapunzel-inspired story)
• It Ain’t Easy Having a Genie (An Aladdin-inspired one, and Zayd’s first introduction)
• Frogs and Bears Make Great Boyfriends (A The Frog Prince and Snow White & Rose Red crossover story)

And my ridiculous titles continue… I literally don’t even try. I just stick something absurd there as a placeholder and then end up going with it. I can’t even with myself.

 A Summary:

(If you’ve never read the previous stories or just need a refresher.)

Raylinn is a fairy who was born without wings and visible fairy markings, a shame to the proud fairies…and punishable by death. In a panic, her mother took her away from the fairy realm into the human world, where she left baby Raylinn with a kind farming couple. After a tragic fire killed Raylinn’s adopted parents (because fairy tale protagonists aren’t allowed to have parents, you know), Prince Finnigan of Talgaria found her and took her to stay at his castle. Except, one day, grumpy King Olten struck his son and Raylinn became enraged and her fairy magic released unbidden, revealing her true nature. Well, Olten hates fairies (as do most people, due to the fairies’ inherit ruthlessness), and tried to have Raylinn executed. Finnigan quickly defended her, causing his father to disown him. Raylinn and Finn escaped from Finn’s father, and, now engaged, have been on the run ever since, having all sorts of adventures and searching for someone who can help Raylinn learn how to control her magic.

At last they found someone, a snarky genie named Zayd. Genies were once fairies who betrayed the fairy queen and were thus stripped of their wings and cursed as genies—people who can only use their magic when their masters make wishes. Zayd’s master, Aladdin, has the genie lamp tucked away and refuses to make any wishes, leaving Zayd powerless (which may be for the best…). In order to convince Zayd into helping Raylinn learn how to control her magic, she and Finn agreed to search the world for a way to break Zayd free from his genie curse.

And thus the threesome travel the world, and find a lot of trouble along the way.

They are currently chilling in the kingdom of Lenderra with Finnigan’s friend, Prince Malak, whom we met in the last story.

 The Prompt:

This month’s FTC featured fairy tale is…

 Little Red Riding Hood!

And the prompt:

You can find the post to this prompt HERE! We’d love for you to join in and write your own prompt piece!

OH. And I have something exciting for you guyssss. These short stories now have a designated…

– PINTEREST BOARD! –

It’s kind of small right now, but if you want to see how I picture the characters and get the overall aesthetic, do check it out! (Am I the only one who gets ridiculously excited about making boards for their stories?? It’s my favorite!)

SO. This piece ended up a bit more serious than the last few have been. But hey, last month’s story was extra silly; I felt like I could afford a slightly more sober one this go ‘round, yeah? Besides that, Little Red Riding Hood has always been a much darker tale to me. This one just called for something kinda creepy. Bwahaha. (Though I do keep these clean and lighthearted, so it’s not super creepy, no worries!)

I also felt like it’s time I got a bit deeper into the characters’ lives. I mean, this is the 5th story! We’ve come a long way with them. I originally meant for these to be more or less standalone flash fiction pieces with the same characters, buuut it has become a semi-connecting short story series. Which, honestly, I rather like. You know me, I can’t just write short, simplistic pieces. It’s gotta get long and complex. ;D

With that said, enjoy this newest edition!

That’s Definitely Not Granny

Zayd swatted a branch out of the way and groaned. “Can someone explain to me again why I was dragged on this boring hike through the forest?”

Finn ducked seconds before the branch slapped him in the face. Choosing to believe the genie hadn’t done that on purpose, he slapped Zayd on the back. “Because we love your company.”

“Okay, but really.”

“Because we don’t trust you to be by yourself for more than two seconds,” Raylinn provided, casting him an innocent grin over her shoulder.

Mischief gleamed in the genie’s reddish eyes. “That I believe. Still, I could be lounging in the castle stuffing my face with delicacies.”

“I actually requested you come along. I thought you’d be a lot of help,” Prince Malak said at the head of the group, not sounding the least bit perturbed about Zayd acting as if Malak’s castle was his own. “I’ve heard you’re quite knowledgeable about mythical creatures.”

Zayd plucked a leaf from one of the trees and twirled it between his fingers. “I have my moments.”

“Well, I’m hoping we can find whatever has been haunting the forest. People keep coming to Father for the past couple of weeks with all sorts of tales of monsters. The problem is, every story is completely different.” He pushed a large branch out of the way and held it so the others could pass. “Some claim they’ve seen the trees themselves come alive. Others declared a pack of wolves with fire for eyes chased them out of the wood. While someone else swore the ghost of a loved one wandered the woods in a red cloak.”

Zayd raised an eyebrow. “So you’re dragging us out here in these monster-infested woods?”

“That’s the thing, this forest has always been perfectly safe. Sure, there’s a bit of wildlife, but certainly no monsters. Reginald and I spent our childhood roaming these woods, and quite a few people live out here. It’s only been the past few weeks that all these strange sightings have happened. Father keeps sending out soldiers, but they haven’t found a thing. I thought since you three have seen your fair share of oddities, you might be able to help us solve this mystery.”

Finn glanced at Raylinn and found her grinning at him. He returned it, knowing they shared the same thought. As great as it had been spending the past week in the safety of the castle of Lenderra and reconnecting with Malak and his family, they were both getting a little antsy. Neither he nor Raylinn had ever been content staying cooped up for long. Perhaps hiding from his father wasn’t ideal circumstances, but, if he was being honest with himself, the past year traveling across the kingdoms with Raylinn had been the best of his life.

He had always dreaded the day he’d have to take on the crown and rule Talgaria. Spending the rest of his life sitting in long council meetings seemed a fate worse than death. Father revoking his right to the throne hadn’t exactly been devastating. Besides, his sister had been eyeing the crown her whole life. Well, Trayla could have it. Finn always suspected Father wished Trayla was the first born anyway—she shared Father’s hard head and iron fist. This worked out for everyone. Trayla could rule Talgaria while Finn happily lived a life of adventure, with Raylinn beside him and the whole world before them. That’s all he needed.

It was definitely better this way.

He nearly collided into Raylinn, not realizing she had stopped. Instinctively, he reached for his blade. “Is something wrong?”

She rubbed her temple. “I don’t know. I sense something. Magic, I think.” She met his eye and frowned. “It feels strong.”

“Yeah, I’m getting that too.” Zayd motioned a hand to the east. “Somewhere over there.”

Malak’s eyes widened. “I know a woman who lives that way.” He snatched out his own blade. “Come on, she could be in danger!”

They crashed through the woods until the trees thinned and a small building came into view. A white picket fence opened up to a stone path. At the end, a quaint cottage nestled in the clearing, surrounded by a flower garden. All sat quiet. Peaceful. And yet Raylinn grabbed Finn’s arm in a tight grip, her face pale.

“They magic is very strong here.”

He rested a hand atop hers. “Maybe the woman who lives here is magic?” He cast a questioning gaze at Malak.

Malak’s own pallid face was not comforting in the least bit. “Not that I’m aware. Reginald and I always came by her cottage when we got hot and tired from playing. She’d make us pies. We’ve known her for years, she’s practically like a grandmother to us. We even call her Granny Luella. As far as I’m concerned, she’s a perfectly ordinary lady. I mean, she didn’t think a thing about walloping me and Reg over the head if we were being too rowdy, despite us being princes, but otherwise.”

Zayd snorted, interlacing his fingers behind his head. “Well, you may want to be checking on her, because Raylinn is right. There’s some pretty strong magic coming from inside that cottage.”

He needn’t say another word. Finn, Raylinn, and Malak moved as one for the door. Malak didn’t bother knocking. He shoved it open and burst inside.

“Granny Lu—!”

Finn nearly slammed into Malak this time as his friend skidded to a halt.

Zayd sauntered in behind them and burst into laughter. “Well. No wonder we were sensing magic. This is something.”

Finn just blinked. He peered outside, assuring his eyes hadn’t been lying to him. Nope. Small cottage outside. Single story, stone roof, a few round windows. Very normal.

So why in the kingdoms did the inside look like a multi-story mansion?

They stood in a foyer so vast it looked as if the whole cottage could fit in this room alone. Tall windows with lush red curtains stood on either side of the outside door, letting in streams of sunlight. A great, round table with a vase full of gardenias sat in the middle of the red and gold carpet. On either side of the table, curved marble stairs led to the upper halls.

Finn spun around slowly, taking it all in. “I’m gonna take a wild guess here and say it doesn’t normally look this way?”

Malak, mouth agape, shook his head. “Definitely not.” He raised his sword. “Granny Luella!”

“Oh, I’m so glad you could come visit, my dears.”

The scraggly woman voice emanated from everywhere, as if the walls themselves spoke.

Malak’s eyes widened and he glanced at Finn, grimacing.

Finn slid out his sword. “That’s not unnerving at all.”

Raylinn raised her hands and purple fairy markings began to glow across her arms. “Zayd, any idea as to what this is?”

The genie scratched his wild mane of orange hair, eyeing the room with interest. “Huh. I didn’t even know there were any of these things left,” he murmured, appearing lost in thought.” Of course, I guess they could hide anywhere. Interesting.”

“Zayd!” Finn and Raylinn shouted in unison.

“Hm?” He snapped his head back to face them. “Oh. Well. You’re definitely gonna want to keep your weapons out and eyes open. These things can be pretty tricky.”

Throaty laughter emitted around them. “I do hope you’ll stay a while.”

Creaking, like boards breaking, sounded around them. Then the floor moved.

“Whoa!” Finn lost his footing as the floor tilted forward, as if the whole house was being tipped over. The others slipped down as well, sliding toward the far end of the room. Finn slammed into the base of the stairs.

A doorway leading to blackness appeared at the edge of the room, right where the floor was dumping Raylinn, Malak, and Zayd.

Finn tossed his sword up the stairs, snagged one hand around the bottom railing, and reached with his other. He caught Raylinn by the arm and halted her descent. She tried to snatch Malak and Zayd but they slipped by her and tumbled through the black doorway. The door slammed shut.

The railing began to pull Finn up. He stretched his neck around to see the bottom of the stairs rising toward the ceiling, bringing him with it. The whole room appeared to be rearranging itself.

He clung to the railing for dear life as it rose with him. Raylinn’s full weight pulled on his arm as she was lifted up from the tilted floor. They dangled helplessly in the air, the stairs continuing to rise.

“Hold on!” he cried over the creaking boards, struggling to cling to both the railing and her. He tried to pull his foot up to the bottom step, but couldn’t quite make it. His arms screamed from the strain.

The stairs stopped midair, then jerked to the side.

Raylinn’s hand slipped from his. She screeched, flying helplessly through the air, and then smashed into a wall. The entire wall flipped around, taking her with it.

“Raylinn!” Finn’s sweaty fingers slipped away from the railing. He tumbled in midair, not knowing up from down. Darkness filled his vision. His back slammed on a hard floor, and the creaking boards quieted.

All sat dark and still.

Groaning, he massaged his temple. “Note to self, never live in a moving house.” Slowly, he shoved to a sitting position. Only blackness filled his vision. As his breath returned and the fog cleared from his head, he remembered himself. Or, more specifically, Raylinn.

“Raylinn!” He jumped to his feet and felt around. A solid wall met his fingers. He swerved around and had better luck. A faint light glowed in the distance, giving him just enough light to see he stood at the dead end of a long, empty hallway. The light appeared to be coming from a room at the other end.

He reached for his sword, only to come up empty. Right. He had to drop it. And it was his favorite sword too. He balled his fists and moved forward. “Hey, you stupid house, if you’ve put even one scratch on my fiancé I’m going to burn you down to the last baseboard.” Of course, Raylinn was perfectly capable of taking care of herself and way more powerful than him. She was most likely off somewhere actually burning the house down with her magic. But yelling at this unseen force made him feel way better.

The hallway proved to have nothing but solid walls on both sides, so he kept moving forward until a cracked doorway came into view, the faint light emanating from within.

Really, really wishing he had his sword, he carefully pushed open the door. It creaked creepily. He expected nothing less.

A flame from a single candle wavered on a table on the far side of the room, casting eerie shadows on what seemed to be a simple bedroom. Nothing but a little bed, a washbasin, and a wardrobe filled up the cramped space.

A lump in the bed shifted, succeeding in pulling out a very unmanly squeak from Finn’s throat. He reached for his sword again.

Blast it all!

Why did he keep doing that?

The lump moved again, and a person slowly pushed up against the pillows. Finn could just make out a curly head of gray hair and a wrinkled face. But it was rather hard to focus on those things when the person’s eyes were glowing yellow. He was pretty sure this was not Malak’s Granny Luella. The old woman opened her mouth, and great white teeth gleamed in the firelight.

“What big teeth you have, Grandmother!”

The rational part of Finn’s brain told him to run and not sass the monster before him, but now that he could at last see the threat, the fear wasn’t quite so bad. Besides, Zayd wasn’t around to do the sassing for him.

The creepy grandma let out a hacking cough. “All the better to—”

“Eat me with?” Blazes, Zayd really was rubbing off on him.

“I was hoping you wouldn’t notice.”

“Yeahhh, I’m not sure why you thought that would work.”

“In my defense, I haven’t fed in a while,” she said in the same scraggly voice they had heard in the foyer. “It’s rather hard to keep up appearances when I’m hungry.”

Haven’t fed in a while? Hungry? That did not sound good.

Her eyes burned brighter than the candle. She threw off the covers and leapt out of the bed.

Finn staggered back as the frail elderly woman in a frilly nightgown widened and grew. Rough dark fur replaced skin, nails lengthened into claws, and her nose and mouth elongated. In moments, a creature that stood like a man but resembled a wolf had replaced the grandma.

All right, that was definitely disconcerting.

The wolf revealed its many, many sharp teeth in what almost seemed to be a smile, but no smile Finn would want to have a portrait of. “What? Have you never seen a Roden wolf before?” Though guttural and scratchy, it still had a woman’s voice, so he could only assume this was a female.

He twiddled his fingers next to his empty sheath. “Can’t say I have. Though you haven’t given me a great first impression of one. Taking away my friends was rather rude.”

She chuckled, a throaty, gravelly sound. “Oh, don’t worry about them. I’m sure they’re enjoying the mansion somewhere. Do you like what I’ve done with it? The old lady’s cottage was much too plain. This is a far better abode for me to reside.”

“I’m not sure it was yours for the taking.”

There was that grating laugh again. “You’re an amusing one.” She raised her snout and inhaled deeply through her nose. “Oooh. You’re that banished prince, aren’t you? What is it?” She took another whiff. “Ah, there it is. Prince Finnigan of Talgaria. Hated by his father and kingdom alike.”

His heart took an unhealthy skip. “How did you know that?”

Her yellow eyes gleamed. “I could smell it on you—all those memories, all those emotions. You are just dripping with them!”

“You can…smell my memories and emotions?”

“Oh yes.” She took a step forward, moving with all the grace of a beast ready to pounce its prey. Finn forced his unsteady legs to stay put. “That and so much more. The questions, the doubts. Poor Finn, you just about had yourself fooled, didn’t you? You thought running away would solve all your problems.” She shook her head and tsked. “But what about your kingdom?”

He grasped his sheath with a sweaty hand. “My…my kingdom doesn’t want me. Talgaria hates fairies. I’m just a traitor to them.” Why was he telling her this? There was something hypnotizing about those yellow eyes.

She pulled in another deep breath, and the glow in her eyes brightened. “You think that’s why they hate you? Finn, Finn, Finn. You really have fooled yourself. Do you honestly believe Talgaria is happy with you leaving your sister as the only heir?”

The room grew hot, stifling. “I…”

“Really now, Finn. Your Father is cruel, but at least he has some sense of how to rule a country and keep the people appeased. But Trayla? Well.” The wolf moved closer. Her fur smoothed away to skin again, but this time wrinkle-free and flawless. Auburn hair fell down in silky waves across her shoulders. Her snout shrunk to dainty, pointed features, and brown eyes much like his own stared back at him. And the face of his sister sneered. “Trayla is cold and selfish,” said the wolf with his sister’s mouth. “You know she doesn’t care about anyone but herself. What do you think Talgaria will be when she takes reign?”

The bedroom faded away into darkness. A castle rose up behind the Trayla-wolf. Sweat trickled down Finn’s temple. Not any castle. Home.

Movement caught the corner of his eye and he lurched around.

He stood in the city below the castle, but not the thriving town he was accustomed to. Around him, people in ragged clothes hunched over from heavy burdens, their ankles bound in shackles. The city sat in shambles. Buildings rotting away, gardens nothing more than weeds, the street trodden and worn. Yet, above it all, the castle stood high and proud and glimmering.

Laughter snapped his eyes back to the wolf in his sister’s skin.

“Your sister will raise taxes, turn the people of Talgaria into nothing more than her slaves. She will live in high luxury while the citizens serve and wallow in their own mire.” She leaned forward. Two fangs pinched her bottom lip. “All because of you. You abandoned your people. You ran away like a coward. And now Talgaria will fall.”

He tried to breathe, tried to think, tried to move. But he could only stare into those gleaming eyes and shake his head. “N—no. I…I was only trying to help Raylinn.”

She scoffed. “Help her? You think dragging her across the world with no home, no sense of security, is helping? You are selfish, Finnigan. Selfish and cowardly, and now everyone you care about will suffer because of it.”

More ghosts of his people passed by. Their sunken eyes held no light, no hope. Nothing to live for. Only sorrow.

He gasped for air but it felt as if a cruel hand squeezed his lungs shut. “But I… I didn’t…” Didn’t what? Run away? That was exactly what he had done. He had left his kingdom in the cruel hands of his father and sister instead of fighting to keep his place as crown prince. Instead of showing Father and everyone else that Raylinn was nothing like other fairies. And he convinced himself it was good. That the kingdom and Raylinn would be better off. But it was a lie. This senseless adventuring helped in nothing but fulfilling his stupid, childish desires.

The Trayla-wolf stepped closer, so close her breath scalded his face, and she took in a deep, long breath through her nose. “Ah yesss. How big your fear is.” She parted her lips and saliva dripped from her fangs. “All the better to consume you with— Aaaahhhhhhgggg!” Her eyes widened in horror and her body stiffened.

Finn staggered back.

The illusion of his kingdom shattered away like glass and he stood in the bedroom once more, but now sunlight streamed in from a window. His sister no longer stood before him, but the wolf. She collapsed at his feet, and did not move again. 

“Aha! Take that you foul devil.”

Finn looked up to find an old woman in a dressing gown wielding a bloody ax.

“Whew!” She dropped the tip of the ax to the floor and leaned against it. “It’s about time I took care of that demon. Been messin’ up my cottage for weeks now, she has!” She raised her droopy eyes up at him and offered a gummy grin. “Thanks for distracting her so I could finally take her down.”

“Erm.”

A thump and grunts pulled him around.

Through the doorway sat not a long, dark hallway, but a small, cozy, sunlit sitting area, and three delightfully familiar people lay on the floor.

Raylinn sat up, wincing, but when her eyes locked onto Finn’s a grin blossomed across her face. “You’re all right!”

The haze in his mind cleared and he found his own lips forming into a grin. “So are you!” He hurried over, dodging a floral couch, and reached down to help her to her feet.

Malak jumped up and slapped Finn on the back. “Good to see you both.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll help myself. Thanks.” Zayd shoved up to a sitting position and rubbed his head.

“Fairy demon!” The old woman charged into the living room, screaming a battle cry. She raised her ax and headed straight for Zayd.

The fairy’s eyes widened in horror.

“Wait, Granny Luella!” Malak leapt in front of Zayd, palms out. “He’s a friend!”

The woman wrenched to a halt, and the anger on her face disappeared with a bright smile. “Why, Makki! How nice of you to come visit! Although…” She narrowed her eyes again and peered around Malak at Zayd. “What is this nonsense about being friends with a fairy?”

Malak patted the woman’s shoulder. “He’s a good fairy. Well…mostly. Either way, he can’t use his magic. See? He doesn’t even have wings. He’s harmless.”

“Hmph.” Zayd crossed his arms and glared at the both of them.

“Well, all right then. Any friend of my Makki’s is a friend of mine I suppose.” She hobbled over and leaned the ax against the wall, as if it were an umbrella. “Would you four like some lemonade? Now that my cottage is back in order, I finally know where the kitchen is again.”

“Ummm.” Raylinn peered into the bedroom door at the dead wolf. “What exactly happened? I was wandering these dark hallways for what felt like forever when suddenly it all blinked away and I was dumped in here.”

“Yeah.” Malak, too, was eyeing the wolf warily. “I seemed to be in some sort of dungeon when the same thing happened to me.”

Zayd scoffed. “Lucky. I got stuck in a room that kept flipping around on me. No telling how many bruises I’ve acquired.” He rubbed his arm, frowning. “Stupid Roden wolf. And here I thought they were practically extinct. Of course, I guess they could be hiding anywhere, being as how they can shapeshift and manipulate the area around them.”

Finn’s heart sped up, the nightmarish images of his kingdom returning. “That’s what she did,” he murmured.

Raylinn turned to him, brow furrowed in concern. “You mean you were with the wolf?”

He just swallowed and nodded.

“Nasty creatures, the Roden wolves.” Zayd said. “They feed off fear. Basically inhale it. It makes them more powerful. The more fear they feed on, the more they can manipulate the area around them.”

“So that’s what she’s been doing.” Malak shook his head at the dead creature. “She must have settled down here in hopes of feeding off the fear of anyone in the woods. No wonder people kept reporting wildly different sightings.”

“Ye-ep.” Zayd plopped down in a rocker and stretched his legs out. “The extra fun thing about them though is that they can sense your deepest fears just by smelling ya. One whiff, and suddenly they know every single fear you’ve got. Then they can shapeshift and manipulate the world around them right into your specific fear and, yum yum, happy feeding time for wolfy!”

Finn’s breath hitched. “You mean…the things they show you are your fears? From your own mind?” Everything the wolf showed him came from…him?

“Foul beast.” Granny Luella spit in a flower pot sitting on a table next to her. “She waltzed into my house unannounced, stuffed me in my wardrobe, and changed the whole place. Well, I wasn’t having that. I escape multiple times and tried to get her, but she kept moving the rooms around. Been wandering my own house for weeks now! I was finally able to sneak up on her though when this handsome young man had her distracted.” She patted Finn’s arm.

Malak stepped over and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “I should have checked on you the moment we got reports of danger in the woods. I’m so sorry I wasn’t here sooner.”

“That’s all right, dear, quite all right. It’s all over with. Of course, now she’s soiling my carpet.” She wrinkled her nose.

Zayd raised an eyebrow, almost looking impressed. “She didn’t feed off your fear?”

“Oh, she tried. Thought she could hunker down in an old woman’s house and have an easy feast of fear. Ha! I was a nurse in the fairy war. It takes a lot more than a big bully with teeth to scare ol’ Luella.” Her eyes narrowed on him again. “I’ve dealt with plenty of magical bullies. The fairies were ruthless in the war against us.”

Zayd merely shrugged. “I was stripped of my wings and free will and banished by the queen fairy. Trust me, you’re not the only one bitter towards them.”

Granny Luella appraised him, and, gradually, the wrinkled frown lines across her forehead softened. “Is that so? Well!” She clasped her hands together and grinned. “How ’bout that lemonade? I’m parched! Afterwards you boys can take the blasted wolf outside and burn it.” She scooted toward a door that appeared to lead to the kitchen, grumbling something about blood leaving terrible stains.

Malak followed her and Zayd hopped out of the chair. Finn moved to join them, but Raylinn grabbed his arm and held him back.

“We’ll be right there, Granny Luella!” she called to the woman, then pulled him out the front door into the flower garden. She settled onto a stone bench beneath the window and patted the spot next to her. “I think we need to talk.” She eyed him expectantly.

“Uh oh. From what I’ve heard, those words usually lead to a break up.”

She rolled her eyes, though he didn’t miss her smile. “Finn. Really.”

Smirking, he settled down next to her, but when he met her serious gaze, his smile fell.

She grabbed his hand and held it in her lap. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

“Am I that transparent?”

“Well, yes, but that’s not the point. You just encountered a creature who could show you your deepest fears. I’m pretty sure I’d need a good long talk after that.”

“Yeah.” He let loose a long, heavy breath. “She showed me Trayla,” he admitted.

She grimaced, but kept quiet, watching him intently.

“She was the queen,” he went on, “and had the Talgaria people enslaved. They were so…hopeless.” The horrible image of his people’s empty eyes seared through his mind.

“Oh, Finn.” She rubbed her thumb over his knuckles. “Remember what Zayd said? Those were just fears. It wasn’t real. Your sister is definitely, erm, not the most pleasant person. But I don’t think she’s going to destroy Talgaria.”

“Maybe not, but…” He licked his lips. “I’ve been a coward, Raylinn. I abandoned my people. I never really wanted to be king; it was almost a relief when Father banished me.” He closed his eyes, shaking his head. “I should have fought for my right for the crown. For my people. For you.” He opened his eyes again and met her sad gaze. “I’ve forced you into this life of running and hiding and danger around every corner, just because I didn’t stand up to my father.”

Surprise flashed in her eyes. “You forced me? You’re caught up in this whole mess because of me.” Her voice hitched on the last word and tears filled her eyes.

His heart clenched as he processed what she was saying. “No, don’t say that.” He tightened his hand around hers. “I’ve never regretted choosing you, Raylinn. Never. My only regret is that I didn’t stand up for you.” He pressed a hand against her cheek, and rubbed a tear away with his thumb. “I love you, Raylinn. And that is why I should have fought for the throne. If I were the one making the rules, you could live a life of luxury, without all this running and hiding.”

She smiled at him through the tears. “I don’t need a life of luxury. I just want you.”

“But are you happy like this? Really?”

“Happier than I’ve ever been.” A mischievous gleam twinkled in her eyes. “It’s like you suddenly don’t know me at all. Do you realize how bored I’ve been in Malak’s castle? I am so grateful to him and his family for their hospitality, but sitting around all day?” She shuddered. “I was about to lose my mind. Today was the best day I’ve had all week!”

A laugh rumbled out of him, a good, therapeutic laugh that released so much of the tension. He felt like he could truly breathe again. “I feel the exact same way.”

Grinning, she squeezed his hand. “So no more feeling guilty about my life, all right?”

“Deal. As long as you stop feeling guilty about my life.”

“I’ll try my best. Although…” Her smile dropped away. “You are the rightful heir of Talgaria. And, well, I’d much rather you rule over it than Trayla. Perhaps…perhaps we should find a way for you to get your place back as the heir?”

He glanced down at their joint hands as a dozen thoughts tumbled through his mind. She was right. Though he did not regret choosing her over the throne, he couldn’t abandon his people. His mind made up, he faced her again. “Trayla’s not queen yet. Father’s got a good many years left on him. But it’s true. I need to be there for Talgaria. I’m just not sure how. But”—he smiled and squeezed her hand—“I know we’ll figure it out. Together.”

Her face lit up, and as so much love poured from those violet eyes of hers, his heart stirred. From that single look he knew. She would stand by his side, no matter what. And he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Still holding her hand, he jumped to his feet, pulling her up with him. “Besides,” he said, “right now we still need to find a way to break Zayd from his curse, since we did promise him and all.”

She chuckled. “True enough. It’s been…interesting, having him as a teacher.”

“Ah, you know, he’s starting to grow on me.”

The genie in question chose that very moment to pop his head out the door. “You two lovebirds comin’ or what? Granny Luella said we can’t have any cookies until all the guests are at the table. Oh, by the way! I found your sword, Finny. I hope you don’t mind, but I told Granny she could use it to cut the lemons for the lemonade.” With a cheeky grin, he darted back into the cottage.

Finn turned to Raylinn and frowned. “I take it back.”

I hope you guys enjoyed this Finny-focused one! I think it was time he was the center of attention for once, yes?

I’m not sure where I’ll go with the story from here. Of course, they’ll still be pieces inspired by fairy tales, but I may try to connect them into an overarching plot a smidge more? Possibly??? (Who knows.) Truthfully, I’m 100% pansting this and there are probably a ton of plot inconsistencies (I never even mentioned Finn had a sister until the last story…mainly because I had no earthly clue he had a sister myself. Thanks for giving me that info so late in the game, Finnigan. >.>) I reeeally need to go back and read through and polish the previous stories and make sure everything is consistent. I’m sure they’re all a mess. I sadly never have time to focus on these pieces too, too much. They’re just something fun to do to keep the creative muscles going.

Maybe one day I’ll get my life together (har har) and make them more consistent and polished, but for now I sure do enjoy just pantsing them and having fun. And your enthusiasm makes them 1000x more enjoyable! Thanks for reading and being excited over these with me, guys!

I know this post is already a MONSTER, but I have on more quick bit of news! The award ceremonies for The Silmaril Awards have started today! *Gandalf fireworks* For the next two weeks, us ten hosts will be revealing the winners for each category. Today Jenelle has opened up the ceremonies and is revealing the winner for the Wisest Counselor! You definitely need to CHECK IT OUT.

I’ll be back next Monday (the 23rd) to reveal the winner for the Least Competent Henchman. (And then I can finally get these guys out of my house. Someone help me.) See you all thennn!

LET’S TALK!

Have you joined this month’s prompt? (For once I’m not getting mine out at the very end of the month and can actually say there’s still plenty of time for you to write your own piece!) What did you think of this newest Faylinn story? Would you prefer these to be more standalone-ish or a continuing plot with an overarching story? (Seriously, I’d LOVE to know. These are just as much for you as they are for me, and I’m open to any and all suggestions and comments!) And are you excited that the award ceremonies for The Silmaril Awards have begun? I AM!!!