Someone was caressing her face when she awoke. A faint glow lit the space around her. A face, fair as any she had ever seen, was close to hers, his breath sweet and warm, with the faint smell of honey. Have I met my death?
"Where do you hurt?" he asked.
She blinked, trying to remember what she heard about heaven.
He fluttered his wings, bringing more illumination to their surroundings. She peered past him, seeing the seams of the pocket. Definitely not heaven. Still, she said nothing. The sway of the snow monster’s gait nauseated her. Swallowing hard, she grabbed the seam of the pocket. The threads raked against her translucent skin, but she was happy to be feeling anything after the numbing cold. Staring at the stranger’s outstretched hand, she refused his help and pulled herself to her feet ... then promptly fell against him.
He chuckled. The deep sound filtered through her confusion but she did not fail to notice the stranger was sure footed, and wore heavy furs.
"Do you ride in pockets often?" she asked, examining his expression for a clue of what he may know.
Crossing his arms, he answered with an amused expression. "Not if I can help it."
"W-who are you?" she whispered. Frowning, she wondered why she kept her voice low. "Are you out to help capture fairies like you?"
He studied her for a moment, a dazzling smile easing across his face. "I’m Stellar," he said, eyeing her wilted wing.
You certainly are. I haven’t a doubt you’ve torn many a fairy’s heart with your comely face. She inhaled his musky scent. Just like Calpine--a scent to lure, then wound. "Greetings, Stellar."
He frowned. "Turn around."
Making certain he knew she was not to be ordered about, Zoe splayed her fingers to show her royalty. Her brow creased when he did not react. "Dolt, do you know who I am?"
His eyes widened. "Dolt?"
She splayed her fingers again.
"Did you hurt your hand?" he asked.
She tucked both hands into her armpits, trying to gather warmth. "You know not fairy sign? You must be daft."
"Perhaps. Now turn around."
Does he intend on trussing me? She shook her head, determined to keep her fear hidden.
He grinned. "Your wing is broken. May I see if I can fix it?" he asked, pulling his wand from his belt.
She turned sideways, so she could keep an eye on him. Jaw set, she remained silent while he examined it, sending radiating pain through her.
"Did the elf do this to you?"
"No, I ..." Her eyes widened. "Elf you say? You know his name?"
Stellar nodded, muttering a spell.
Her pain evaporated, but she hardly noticed through her realization. Ah, so you are a friend of the snow monster. Traitor! "What does Elf intend to do with me?" She frowned when Stellar laughed. Handsome you may be, yet an idiot to laugh at nothing.
"His name is not Elf. He is an elf. Santa has many of them."
She stepped away. "And who is this Santa?"
He moved closer. "Where are you from?"
Deciding not to answer, she backed against the seam, cornering herself. She could feel Stellar’s warmth and a pleasant heaviness filled her. "Are you a friend or foe, fairy boy?" I don’t know why I ask—you will simply lie.
He pulled his wand from his belt, turned her and pressed it to her back. "Friend." He spun her to face him. "That is the truth."
Did I speak aloud? I must have. Testing her shoulder, she looked up with gratitude when she could move her wings without pain. "You fixed it!" She flapped hard in her excitement and the force of only one wing cooperating knocked her into the side of the pocket. "What happened?" She looked up at him, embarrassed. "Let me try again."
"The pain is healed, but your wing is beyond any magic’s repair." Stellar whispered, helping her up. "I am so sorry."
His eyes filled with a sadness so tangible Zoe felt it was she that needed to comfort him. "At least there is no pain." She winced at the play on words. Except for the pain of no flight. "What is to become of me? My wand is gone ... I broke my wing and then I ... " Hesitating, she decided not to tell him how she threw her crown, should he fly back and steal it. She felt a bit remorseful of thinking such a thing when he appeared so kind. He is a friend of the one who captured me. I must remember that.
"What were you going to say?" he asked, studying her.
"Nothing, I lost something, that’s all." I lost everything, even Calpine and my sister. The thought struck her harder than she expected and tears slid down her face before she realized she was crying.
She gasped at Stellar’s embrace. Even through his thick furs, she could feel the hardness of his muscles. He could crush me! Zoe looked up, meeting his eyes. They sucked her into an abyss, her fear evaporating before it took hold. Though she felt she would sneeze at the fur tickling her nose, she nuzzled deeper into it, heady with comfort and warmth ... and something she didn’t want to admit.
She liked being in his arms, captor or not.
