The Light of My Hearts
Shopping

The next day...

Kendrick and Twillow spent the day outside, knowing his transformation would happen at any moment. Several of the house staff seemed to loiter around, conveniently performing chores in sight of the couple with the hope they’d get to see the change too. (Most had never chanced to see Kendrick in his true form.) Marci had probably come out three times in two hours just to serve them some sort of snack. Twillow laughed secretly realizing she didn’t know he was wearing enchanted clothes.

She’ll be so disappointed.

Sure enough, just before lunchtime, Kendrick felt the familiar tingle along his spine. Twillow gave him the blue orb to reduce the pain and then she took to the air to give him room in the open grass of the Estate.

Even with the pill, the first few seconds of the reversion looked so painful for the giant. He growled and fell down on all fours to the ground as the pulling sensation took over. It was almost panic inducing since it felt like he was going to fly apart or explode. Twillow watched him, concern painted on her face. He so rarely showed pain that it was distressing to her. But she let the curse wear off without going near him.

Gradually the pain fled his pinched face and relaxed as he rose higher and higher toward her. A gusting wind of a sigh escaped him when the curse was finally lifted and he was at his normal size again. The new clothes were sparkling faintly as they acclimated to Kendrick’s new size. He rocked back on his legs and sat heavily on the grass, shaking the ground a moment.

It was never an easy thing, changing back.

Twillow flew up in front of his face, reached out, and touched his cheek, “Are you ok, sweethearts?”

He nodded, “Yeah. Better now.” His eyes wandered down to his undamaged clothes, “Huh. Guess Chezzi knows his stuff.”

“WHAT? How?!” Marci appeared with more snacks looking utterly disappointed.

Kendrick smirked but Twillow answered her, “Sorry, Marci. Enchanted clothes. No peeks for you!”

“ERRG!” she hissed, “I’m going to bake Chezzi into a pie for this!”

A chuckle rumbled from Kendrick, “Better luck next time.”

She huffed dramatically but smiled back, “So what are you going to want for supper tonight, Mr. Kendrick?”

He shrugged, “Whatever you’re willing to prepare. I haven’t hated anything you’ve made.”

“Well, since I don’t get my daily dose of “man viewing”, I guess I’ll get back in the kitchen and get started on it. You’re going to keep me and my staff busy.” She chided playfully.

“Sorry.”

She flipped her hand, “I’ve been prepping for this long before you arrived...and some of my cooks need the practice.”

Marci sauntered off, leaving the pair together.

Twillow flew even closer and leaned into his face sweetly as she fluttered. His face muscles moved with a smile beneath her.

She fluttered away a bit, “Are you ready?”

“Ready?”

“To go shopping with me?” she pointed out beyond the wall of the Estate.

Kendrick somehow forgot about that request she had made yesterday until she mentioned it.

How could I have forgot...oh...oh yeah. Got distracted.

The giant made a “less than enthused” face, “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

Twillow nodded, “I want you to come along. Besides, Marlayla will need to get used to you.”

“Possible destruction is not something people get used to.” He murmured cynically.

She flew close to him and tugged at his ear, “Sweethearts, I want you to come with me. You’ll do fine!”

He knew he couldn’t refuse her sweet request, though his mind was ranting about how bad it could turn out.

Sighing deeply, he at last nodded, “If it will make you happy.”

“It will.” She flew around and pecked his cheek.

With a groan he found his feet, rising up just over the mansion. He moved over toward Twillow’s windowed balcony door and pointed at it.

“Could you open that? I think I might break it.”

“What do you need?”

“My gold. Need it if we’re going shopping.” He declared.

Twillow flicked her hand and the doors opened. Kendrick peeked inside to judge where his hand could go and spotted the trunk that they’d put the sack of gold into. (Kendrick had been paranoid about thieves finding it but Twillow assured him he could trust anyone who worked at the Estate.) He reached inside her room, careful not to knock over or break anything within. A quick flip of the lid and a pinch saw the large sack in his hand.

He tucked the gold bag into his inner vest pocket and patted it securely, “All right, my light. Lead the way.”

Twillow shut the doors to her balcony and flew out across the Estate grounds to the wall. Kendrick followed after her, treading gently to avoid the well-manicured gardens and statuary and kept to the stone path. An easy step over was all it took for Kendrick to traverse the Estate wall. His amber eyes were darting everywhere trying to make sure he didn’t step on anything or anyone.

Ok...I’m out. Now what?

“Kendrick! This way! The shops are just down this street.” Twillow called him, flying ahead.

He took a steady breath and slowly followed.

...

The streets cleared immediately upon feeling Kendrick’s quaking approach. He kept his steps measured and careful as he traversed the city streets. It was indeed an uncomfortable scenario for him. It was strange (and awkward) enough the first time he walked the streets of Marlayla in his true form. (At least this time he had proper clothing.)

It seemed like thousands of eyes were on him.

But who couldn’t look?

He stood taller than most of the buildings and in all likelihood, it was their first encounter with a giant. Thankfully there wasn’t a panic. It was more of a “stare from the safety of some hiding place as he approached” kind of feeling. A human city would’ve been filled with screams of every decibel and lots of panicked running. But he didn’t have the reputation here that he had in the Lower Realm, so while he lived here, he hoped to keep that peaceful. He didn’t want to make things complicated for Twillow or himself.

Still...Kendrick had strong doubts that people’s opinions of his kind would be any different than they were in the Lower Realm. Time would tell.

Twillow flew beside and in front of him. He could tell by her twirls and the faster flutter of her wings that she was enjoying herself. She smiled back at him, coaxing him along despite his uncomfortable grimace.

“See? There’s plenty of room for you.” She announced, gesturing to the stony street.

“I...suppose. Not sure anyone else shares that thought.” he mumbled, keeping his view downward to avoid any accidents.

The only reason it looked big enough is because most everyone cleared out or were inside the shops.

He felt very out of place.

“Don’t wreck anything...don’t step on anybody...careful...careful...” his brain was frantic with anxiety.

Twillow flew over and kissed his upper lip, “I’m glad you came with me.”

He smiled but looked surprised, “Why? I can’t even go into the shops with you.”

“No. But just having you with me makes me happy.”

His finger came up to delicately touch her face, “Thank you, my light.”

She touched is finger with both hands and nuzzled into it. He leaned in to kiss her but suddenly their moment was broken by the sound of something breaking. Kendrick looked down, seeing his boot had crushed a row of potted flowers. The cute, pink flower dryad manning the booth looked mortified.

“Idiot! Great job, you lumbering beast!” his mind spat.

“Oh um...sorry about that.” Kendrick apologized.

Quickly he reached for vest pocket, took out a lump of gold, knelt down and offered it to her, “Will that be enough?”

The flower dryad was nervous and trembling but she held out her hands to accept the payment. She nodded when the solid lump met her hands. Kendrick picked up the flowers he’d stepped on between two fingers, pushed the soil and broken ceramic shards into a neat pile out of the way, and stood up.

“Guess I...bought you some flowers?” he mentioned, holding up the poor pitiful greenery to Twillow.

She had her hands to her mouth, trying not to laugh, “You shouldn’t have.”

He glanced down at the broken pots, “Yeah...”

Twillow took the crushed flowers, noting that not all of them looked terrible. They proceeded down the street until Twillow flew down and landed near a shop with a sign written in fancy silver calligraphy.

“What’s this shop?” Kendrick asked.

“It’s a place that makes our message parchments. I need them to make invites for our baby shower.”

There was that word again.

“Baby shower?”

Twillow laughed, “A baby shower is a party where my family and close friends show up and shower us with gifts for the new baby.”

“Oh.” He nodded.

Seems there were parties for everything.

She gestured ahead down the street to an open area, “We’re almost to the Central Plaza. Why don’t you go there and explore? There’s a lot of open space and food vendors. I’ll meet you at the fountain when I’m done.”

“Um...ok.”

Twillow entered the shop and he hesitated a few moments. Truthfully, he wanted to just wait for her to come out, but he was blocking the street.

He glanced behind himself and he could see lots of citizens watching him back, peeking out from their buildings. A flash of yellow caught his attention next to the heel of his boot. There was a strange little creature that resembled Darby’s species but was distinctly different. This one looked like a little boy wearing a yellow vest but he had bent, brown and white spotted, goat legs and tail, along with tiny sharp goat horns sprouting from his head. A tiny, scraggly piece of beard sat on the end of his chin, but his face was that of a child. He only had three fingers and each one seemed to resemble the tips of hooves.

The little creature was reaching out to touch the heel of his boot, but he was constantly flinching as if he was getting ready to touch a scalding hot pan.

Kendrick’s brow raised slightly and he cleared his throat.

The wide, caramel-colored eyes shot up and the boy froze when they met Kendrick’s. His goat ears fell comically.

"Run, Gyles!” several children’s voices cried out from down the street.

With a startled bleat, the goat boy ran off with a clatter of hooves back to his group of friends who were laughing at him. Kendrick flicked his eyebrows up, sighed, and began slowly walking out toward the Central Plaza.

Crazy kids...

There the street opened up to a huge, wide-open, grassy area where all kinds of vendors and some entertainers encircled the area. Huge spires that were part of the white and gold tree that formed the bridge to Marlayla sprouted here and there, providing shade. A large sparkling fountain populated with beautiful figurative sculptures that appeared to be bathing in the water dominated the center of the plaza. What was amazing though was the water seemed to defy gravity, swirling around in fanciful blobs that took on the look of swimming fish before plopping back into the base. Just like most things in the Parliel Realm, it was very pretty.

The delicious aromatic smells of food that he’d scented a long while ago were even stronger smelling now as dozens of food vendors encircled the Plaza.

He was feeling a bit hungry.

The bustle of the Plaza seemed to slow and stop, quieting when he appeared from between the buildings and stepped into the open area. Kendrick paused, eyes moving slowly. He noted the guards patrolling the area were watching him very intently. Somehow, he anticipated everyone to run. No one did, but he was clear they were waiting for him to make a move. He gave a brief nod of his head and slowly entered the Central Plaza. He felt like a spectacle...something he really didn’t like but knew would happen. Kendrick tried to be casual as he walked around.

As he moved, he noticed a familiar scent briefly. He turned and walked two steps to the right until he came to a small, modest, blue tent booth displaying dresses and fancy clothes on several mannequins. Though he didn’t mean to, his shadow blacked out the booth and its neighbors.

“Darby?”

The merchants on either side flinched and looked up in amazement. Then, a tentative pair of antlers poked up from behind the booth as the timid faun appeared.

“K-Kendrick! It’s you!”

“Good to see you again, Darby.” Kendrick knelt down.

Darby couldn’t help but flick his ears down and shy with the movement of so much living bulk descending over him.

“I see your antler grew back...looks bigger this year.” Kendrick gestured with a finger.

Darby absently touched his antler, “Y-yeah. Didn’t take too long after...you know.”

“No more trouble from those two Minotaurs?”

The faun shook his head, “No. I haven’t seen them. Thankfully.”

Kendrick nodded, “Good. If not, I could help you with that.”

“No! No. It’s ok. I’m good.” Darby assured. “Um...wh-what brings you to Marlayla? I thought you, Sig, and Helia left?”

“We did. But I’m back with Twillow. She’s going to be having our first child soon.”

Darby’s brown eyes went wide, blinking, “A-a baby?”

“Yeah. I’m here for a few months until our child is born.”

“Well...uh...congratulations. I’ve...I’ve never heard of that...I-I mean a fae and...” Darby fumbled, sounding like he’d made the wrong comment.

Kendrick laughed gently, “I know. Pretty sure it’s never happened before.” He glanced at a sparkly woman’s shirt that appeared to be made from golden cloth, “This is eye-catching.”

“Oh? That? It’s made from the golden fleece of Midas sheep. Touch it! It’s so soft but light!” Darby encouraged.

Very gently, Kendrick touched the top, “Hm. Very soft.”

He turned the mannequin slightly, noting it wasn’t made for a fae. He had the urge to buy something for Twillow but wasn’t sure.

“Are you...looking for something in particular?” Darby asked.

“I’d like something for my mate...but she has so many dresses already.” He pondered.

Darby thought a moment, “Well...has she gotten her ceremonial wrap yet?”

“Ceremonial wrap?” Kendrick squinted.

“It’s a special wrap gown that fae mothers wear on the day they expel their Life Water.” He explained.

“You know about that?”

“Outfits for every occasion are my business. Though...it’s been a while since I’ve sold a wrap like that. Fae births aren’t that common.”

“Do you have one?”

“Not on hand. BUT...” Darby darted behind his table into his large pack and retrieved a thick book, “I do have a catalog of outfits I can get or make.”

“You make these?”

“Sometimes. Depends on the outfit.” Darby explained, thumbing through the pages of the thick book. “Ah. Here we go. I have six style options. But they only come in this color palette since that’s the tradition.”

Kendrick leaned down closely, took the book, and squinted at the tiny images. The ceremonial wraps were white with gold and green accents. They all were flowy in design, like waterfalls of sheer cloth, but wrapped in different ways around the wings and body of the drawn fae models. Kendrick noted there wasn’t much to them; very revealing. His brows went up.

“Huh. And this is what the fae mothers wear for this ceremony?”

“As long as I’ve known of them.” Darby nodded. “They are custom fit to each fae and made from the hand spun silks of the Mothuri weavers.”

Kendrick handed the book back to the faun, “Tell you what. I’ll have Twillow come over here when she gets done with her shopping and we’ll buy her wrap from you.”

“You will?” Darby seemed shocked, his deer ears lifting.

“Sure. I still owe you for helping us last time. Would be the least I could do.”

“Well...o-ok! Thank you, Kendrick!”

Kendrick moved his head up a bit, “So, Darby. What food stand would you recommend?”

“Oh. Uh. That depends on what you’re hungry for...”

Kendrick inhaled slightly, nearly overwhelmed by the plethora of different food scents that fogged the air of the plaza. One particular scent stood out to him.

“Mm. Some meat would be nice.”

Darby’s ears went down a bit, instinctually nervous by the predatory remark. But then he remembered.

“Ok...Oh! I know just the place! Go to the far end of the Plaza near that last big tree pillar and there’s some friends of mine who run an eatery that specializes in cooked meats. Glacigi’s Rotisserie.”

Kendrick nodded and stood up, “Thanks, Darby. We’ll be by later.”

“I’ll be...here? Yeah.” Darby fumbled a bit.

“Wow, Darby! You know the giant?” his booth neighbor, an old orc who sold wooden walking sticks remarked when Kendrick left.

“Uh. Yeah. I know him...kinda.”

...

It didn’t take Kendrick long to find the place Darby had recommended. The smell of cooking meat was enough of a hint. He noticed a simple tent shade that was off-white with an orange valance all the way around. Behind the tent was a large firepit with several kinds of meat skewers slowly turning and roasting. There was a muscular being tending the meats in a long, charcoal-smudged apron. His hair and beard were on fire...or rather...his hair and beard were fire. His skin was a deep navy blue and his eyes were a striking, orange color. With the movements of a painter, the fire man was basting each piece of meat with a large, floppy brush soaked in some special sauce. After he did this, he would open his hand and flames would appear from his palm and create a beautiful, caramelized bark on the outside of each piece.

The smell was heavenly.

Attending the front of their booth was another equally interesting being. This one was female but she appeared to be the polar opposite of the fire guy...literally. Her skin was bright white with hints of blue and purple in her shadows. Her hair looked like a swirling blizzard, coalescing around her head and her eyes were jet black.

She of course noticed Kendrick approaching (who wouldn’t?) and set to preparing herself to greet him. When he came within a few yards he checked around and slowly knelt near her booth, trying not to loom so prevalently.

“Hello.” He greeted.

“H-Hello, Sir! Welcome to Glacigi’s Rotisserie.” she piped up, holding up a tray of cut slices of meat, “W-would you like a free sample?”

“Love one.” He nodded but wasn’t sure if it was wholly polite to take the entire tray she offered.

He hesitated but she gave him the whole tray anyway.

“Smells good.” He commented.

“Thank you.”

A quicky lick and Kendrick cleared the tray to sample the offerings. His eyebrows went up, thoroughly impressed with the flavors.

“Oh. Tastes even better!”

The ice-like woman gestured to the burly fire man tending the meat, “My husband is the meat artisan here. Almost a century of experience of self-taught “fire hand” magics used during the whole cooking process. If it tastes like char then it’s free.”

“Nothing but meat and spices I tasted. Delicious.” Kendrick commented as he plucked out a large sack of gold, “How much?”

“Depends on what you want and how much. I can freeze anything you want to take home.” She offered.

He smirked, bouncing the bag, “How would you two like to quit early today?”

“Oh!” she seemed thrilled but tried not to show it so obviously, “I’ll...I’ll ask my husband. Fin!”

Kendrick smiled, turning his head a bit. The culinary couple seemed just as different as he and Twillow. Yet it seemed they too had made their differences a side note to their feelings. The fiery man stopped working, finally taking notice of Kendrick. (he’d been so busy with his meats he didn’t notice!) His flaming hair flashed bigger briefly. Then the flame of his hands disappeared and walked over.

“Yes, Sir? What can we do for you?” he inquired in a coarse but friendly male voice that contrasted with is wife’s softer voice.

“Fin, he would like to buy all of today’s meats.” She announced.

“Oh! That so?”

Kendrick nodded, “If that’s all right?”

“All right?! That’s great!” Fin bellowed, fire hair and beard growing slightly with his excitement.

A short negotiation of price later and Glacigi’s Rotisserie was sold out and shut down for the day as Kendrick sat down with his back to the tree to eat a nice lunch of delicious “hand fired” meats. Most of the meats he had no idea what animal they came from but Fin was all too happy to explain each one before he ate it. For Kendrick, meat was meat but this was divine. He finished off several hundred pounds and returned the metal rotisserie sticks back to Fin, who fire blasted them clean.

“Delicious.” Kendrick complimented, picking his teeth momentarily with the last metal skewer.

“Pleasure doing business with you, Kendrick.” Fin stated loudly, “Don’t recall ever seeing a giant here in Marlayla.”

Kendrick gave back the skewer, “You probably wouldn’t. Pretty sure I’m it.”

Fin shook his fiery head, “Pity. More appetites like yours would let me retire early!”

“Darby recommended your meats.”

“Oh! You know Darby? Funny little fellah. My wife loves his clothes. She’ll probably take all the gold you just paid us and spend it at his booth.” Fin remarked.

“I will not!” his wife argued as she packed up. “Stop telling stories.”

Kendrick chuckled, “Don’t get yourself in trouble now, Fin.”

The fiery man laughed back, “Always in trouble...never out of it.”

It wasn’t long until the couple was packed up for the day and left to enjoy themselves. They waved as they disappeared out of the Plaza. Kendrick was relaxed and satisfied as he leaned back into the tree closing his eyes.

He wondered if Twillow would be along soon.

As he sat, digesting, he felt the tiniest impact against his left shoulder, like a leaf falling. His eyes opened and he turned his head slightly, expecting to see Twillow.

It was a fae...but not Twillow.

In fact, it was a little boy with largish, clear wings buzzing on his back and a black tunic shirt. His bright purple eyes were wide with surprise as he slid down Kendrick’s arm and came to a stop at the bend of his elbow. It looked like he’d accidentally crash-landed or ran out of flying steam and Kendrick’s shoulder was the first thing he could land on.

Several people, plaza guards in particular, noticed the occurrence and seemed to freeze, waiting for his reaction to the intrusion. Kendrick blinked and held very still. The little fae boy buzzed his wings to steady himself and then he looked straight up into Kendrick’s eyes.

“Um...hello?” Kendrick kept his voice quiet.

“Hi.” The winged boy responded, almost casually.

“Are you...ok?”

The boy’s wings fluttered, “Yep.” He looked around a moment, “You sure are big.”

Kendrick chuckled at the obvious statement, “Heh! Yeah. I guess I am.”

At that moment Kendrick looked beyond his arm to see the same group of children just a few feet from him. There was the satyr kid in the yellow vest, a minotaur calf, a pair of winged fae girls that looked like twins, and three elven children.

Quite an eclectic crew.

They all seemed to have expressions of amazement and hesitance on their little faces.

A tiny pat to his arm brought his attention back to the fae boy, “What’s your name?”

“Oh... Kendrick.”

“I’m Caelus.”

His introduction was like a spark to the other children who began calling out their names. Kendrick tried to keep track but they were all speaking at once. He just kept nodding to them politely, unsure of what was happening. Sure, Leon and Fina liked him and acted like this around him, but he’d never been accosted by so many random children at once.

And with as much audacious boldness as Leon, Caelus flapped his wings and began climbing up Kendrick’s arm. Then as if that was all the encouragement they needed, the whole group of kids began climbing up onto Kendrick. He froze, blinking as he unintentionally became a living, breathing playground for the children. In a few minutes he had two fae children that flew up into his pocket, a kid on both shoulders, and the rest ran and hopped around his crossed legs. (Apparently, Leon using him as a climbing apparatus wasn’t so aberrant.)

Kendrick didn’t move a muscle. There were so many tiny children and he was trying to keep track of all of them, lest something bad happen.

How the Hell did this happen? He had been blissfully minding his own business waiting for Twillow and now he was the Plaza playground?

Not only had he drawn the attention of the children but several adults were watching the odd scene. Some looked amused and relieved by the sight while others still looked concerned. Kendrick just sat quietly like a statue, allowing the clamoring all over him.

Caelus had managed to ascend to Kendrick’s shoulder and was surveying the Plaza. For a moment Kendrick pondered: if he had a son, would he be bold, adventurous, and look like Caelus did? He glanced down at his shirt pocket where the two fae girls were playing. Or perhaps a daughter as delicate and pretty as these? Would he or she look more like Twillow or him? He frowned. Would everyone love them as Twillow was adored, or would others fear and hate them as he was?

He hoped and wished with every fiber they would be the former.

And then he spotted Twillow approaching. She had a delighted smile on her face as she approached, carrying her purchases in wrapped paper packages. Kendrick gave a quick lop-sided smile but tried to maintain his still composure.

“Are you enjoying yourself?” she laughed.

Kendrick glanced around at the children hopping and climbing all over him, “Well...they are.”

“You’re cute you know that?”

Kendrick huffed, “Only you seem to think so.”

“Shall I leave you here for the afternoon?” she teased.

He carefully shook his head and then glanced around, “Ok, little guys. I’ve got to be going.”

A chorus of disappointed noises moaned out from the children.

Twillow laughed gently and then gestured at Kendrick with her arms. He looked at her.

“Do this.” She instructed, flipping her arms wrist up and palms open.

Kendrick mimicked her and slowly realized the pose created two “slides” for the children on his crossed legs to use to get down. The children saw it and figured it out quickly. They squealed with delight as they slid down his forearms and landed softly in his palms. It tickled but Kendrick maintained his stillness. Caelus flew off his shoulder and landed on the ground easily. That just left the two little fae girls in his pocket who acted like if they held still and stayed quiet, they’d get to stay in Kendrick’s breast pocket and he’d forget they were there. But his gaze immediately fell on them and he gave a silent laugh when they ducked down, shushing each other.

“Nice try.” He smirked, reaching for his pocket with both hands.

With gentility he plucked them out one at a time.

“Awwww!” they complained.

He had just set them down when a woman’s voice shouted from across the Plaza, “Camilla! Fern!”

The two fae girls turned quickly, their little wings dropping expressively.

“You two get over here right now!” the fae mother dressed in refined clothes gestured strongly.

Admonished the fae twins trotted over to their mother. When they reached her, she pulled them close to her side and herded them away quickly, still scolding them. Kendrick didn’t miss the fearful, yet defensive look she shot him before she left with her children. That was the reaction he expected anyway, acceptance was alien to him.

He frowned and sighed, “Yeah...probably wouldn’t want my kids near someone like me either...”

“Kendrick?” Twillow asked him.

“Hmm?”

“I said, are you ready to go?”

“Oh. Actually, I was wondering if you had your ceremonial wrap yet?”

Twillow gave a surprised look, “Not yet. How do you know about that?”

“I have a friend who sells them and told him I’d bring you over to look at what he’s got. He helped me find you the first time we came here.” He explained.

She smiled brightly, “That sounds great! Where is he?”

Kendrick checked around him first and stood up, “Over there. The blue tent.”

They arrived shortly at Darby’s booth and the fawn straightened to receive them.

“You...must be Kendrick’s wife?”

“Twillow Birchwood.” She gave a short nod.

“Oh!” he nearly forgot that was her name but everyone knew the Birchwoods, “Yes! Yes of course! Um...” he grabbed his book of wrap designs, “You need a ceremonial wrap for your Life Water ceremony? Congratulations by the way. I have these designs and can make any adjustments you need if you find one to your liking.”

Twillow perused the designs and she and Darby planned the wrap. When a design was decided Darby began taking down Twillow’s measurements. Kendrick stood patiently, waiting for her decisions to be finalized when a voice shouted out through the air.

“Kendrick! Where’s Twillow?”

Kendrick turned his head to see Twillow’s brother Elmry flying toward him. Kendrick hadn’t had much contact with the youngest Birchwood brother. From what he could tell, Elmry was suspicious of him, more so than Gillam even. He was much smaller than his older brothers, a trait he had no doubt inherited from their shorter statured father. However, he was strongly built with proportionally larger wings.

His scent and tone were urgent as his head whipped around and his wings stuttered. Kendrick didn’t like that.

He pointed down at his feet, “Twillow is here with me. What’s wrong?”

“Twillow! Twillow!?” he shouted worriedly.

Twillow looked up, “Elmry?”

He gasped and landed with a buffeting wind, “Are you alright?”

“Of course, I am. Why wouldn’t I be?” Twillow was perplexed by her brother’s fear.

“Oh, thank the stars. It wasn’t you...” he uttered as he embraced her tightly with relief permeating his tone.

Kendrick and Twillow both looked confused. Darby subtly put the catalog away and kept writing his notes.

“What are you talking about, Elmry?” Twillow asked.

He seemed to compose himself a moment before he said, “While I was out making deliveries across the city, I heard several people talking about a pregnant fae who was attacked by a Kraskol late last night.”

Immediately, Kendrick’s nose was slammed sharply with Twillow’s fear scent upon hearing the strange name. He knelt down immediately.

“A Kraskol...but...that-that can’t be possible! They were wiped out ages ago!” Twillow denied.

Elmry shook his head, “I thought so too but that’s not what I’ve just heard.”

“Who was the fae?”

“I don’t know...that’s why I thought it was you! I flew right here to check on you the moment I heard this fae was drained of her Life Water. I saw Kendrick first.”

Twillow’s hand went up to her lips with horror, her wings fell.

Kendrick listened intently, “What is a Kraskol?”

“It’s an ancient, dark creature that seeks out pregnant fae, paralyzes them, and drinks their Life Water.” Elmry explained.

“But they were supposed to be wiped out!” Twillow insisted, “How can this be happening?”

Twillow’s fear scent was agitating him. He didn’t know what a Kraskol was but what Elmry just said was enough to arouse his protectiveness to a very high level. Kendrick placed a portion of gold ingots at Darby’s table. Immediately he scooped up Twillow in his other hand and held her protectively to his chest. She wanted to protest but couldn’t deny feeling his immense heartbeat just in front of her and his powerful hand so gently guarding her made her feel safe.

“Contact us when you that wrap is ready, Darby.” He stated simply and began walking with purpose back to the Birchwood mansion.

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