The eyes lifted higher as she stood.

  Lady Strigga emerged into the light, and she was thrice as horrifying as anything I had imagined. Grand golden-brown wings stretched from her grayish-taupe body, and white faye tattoos banded around her legs, arms, and torso. Two stripes of white paint hung down from her large yellow eyes, and she had the symmetric beauty of any faye in her pointed nose, bold cheekbones, and thick lips. A headdress encircled her crown with white tusks and large feathers sticking out from it. She wore a bralette and trousers of hide with no shoes, aside from straps of leather thongs around her ankles. A wisp of silver hair fell from beneath her headdress.

  She was beautiful- and I was scared witless at the sight of her.

  She grinned. “Courage is your gift, is it? And who granted it?”

  I forced myself to breathe and utter my mother’s name. “Everly.”

  Lady Strigga chuckled. “Everly? The halfling? My, she turned her back on the faye, too- though she had more reason to.”

  My interest was piqued to learn Lady Strigga had known my mother, but I was here for a reason. I cleared my throat. “So you knew her, then?”

  Lady Strigga turned her topaz eyes back to me, the memories leaving her eyes. “Yes. We were friends, once. Then she married that human, and didn’t help when my dear Arte died. Nor did she name me a godmother.” Lady Strigga’s eyes narrowed. “Why should I help you, then? That’s what you came for, is it not?”

  I steeled myself once more and faced the mighty faye queen. “I’m not asking for any particular task. I simply need knowledge.”

  One of the korrigans that had led me here flew to its queen’s ear and whispered something. She laughed lightly and whispered back to it, and then ran a finger over its head and turned back to me.

  “So- you’re stuck with Cervis, then?”

  “Of my own doing. He brought me here, and won’t tell me the truth about the forest or any of its creatures or even him. Then I read your story in a book, and… I panicked. You fused with your companion once he died. There are humanoid-deer creatures in the forest. You can imagine I was startled.”

  She cocked an eyebrow. “And why not confront Cervis about this?”

  “When I did, he put me to sleep.”

  She tossed her head back and laughed. “Typical. Unfortunately, I don’t know if I can help you with this- Cervis’ tale is only known to those involved in its making. I know only that he came cursed to this forest and made his home.”

  I stepped forward, desperate for more information. “But what about the wendigos? What can you tell me about them?”

  “They are cursed creatures.” Lady Strigga looked out into the trees as several korrigans huddled behind her. “They are the souls of those who crossed the forest god. You are familiar with the original tale of Cervis? Not the Cervis you know- the constellation he was named after?”

  “Of course.”

  “Many have made promises to the ancient forest god, and ten have broken them. Thus ten creatures are cursed to wear the skulls of the deer they slaughtered and roam the forest. Any who threaten the creatures there shall perish at the hands of the wendigo.”

  Something clicked. “Wait. Those who threaten the creatures there? Then why is Cervis scared of them?”

  She laughed. “Cervis? Scared? He could take on a wendigo with ease.”

  He could- that liar!

  “Of course, it would kill you,” Lady Strigga said. “You have some destiny about you, but you’re still no match for a wendigo. Cervis is quite powerful, though.”

  “Why would it kill me if I don’t threaten the creatures here?”

  “What do you eat?”

  “What?”

  She nodded. “You’re omnivorous, like the rest of your kind, correct?”

  “I- of course.”

  “The palace must get its meat from somewhere. That would be the reason for the wendigo to kill you. Any creature omnivorous or carnivorous is hunted by the wendigos.”

  I nodded. “Makes sense. And- and the Palewalkers?”

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Her grayed face paled, and her eyes searched the trees before returning to me. “What do you know of them?”

  “Only that they’re dangerous.”

  “You haven’t met any, have you?”

  I shook my head.

  “Why am I even asking that? You’d be dead already.” Lady Strigga sighed and stepped more fully out of the nest. She towered at least three feet taller than me and looked down at me. I craned my neck to maintain eye contact. “The Palewalkers will be a conversation for another day. I’m sure Cervis is worried about where you’ve gone, but I’m glad to have helped you. And if you are wondering, you are the only companion he’s claimed.”

  I nodded. “It only matters because I’d needed to know what happened to the others.”

  Lady Strigga nodded. “I know. I’ll escort you back myself, and if you have need of me, or have an emergency, ask the korrigans to return you to me. They are under strict instruction to help you.” She raked her eyes over her charges. “Am I understood?”

  Voices chirped up all around the clearing, and Lady Strigga nodded.

  “Very well, then. What is your name, heroine?”

  “Aster Fallowfall.”

  She smiled. “A good name. Fitting. Now- you must trust me for this to work, and I’ll warn you it won’t be comfortable.”

  “Okay.”

  She spun me around and grabbed me under the arms. Before I could blink, I was being lifted into the air. I gasped, my heartbeat soaring, and Lady Strigga started through the trees from the forest’s canopy. Millions of birds circled the leaves and branches and came to investigate as we soared by. Once the initial fear passed, it was actually quite beautiful.

  The trees shifted back in color to the pastel blues and dark navies and indigo of the Palewood. It made me wonder what Lady Strigga’s realm was called- perhaps it was in a book somewhere. Why hadn’t I thought to look for a geography book? That would be so helpful.

  Lady Strigga stopped at a seemingly random spot in the forest and turned to me once we were both back on the ground. “Cervis will come looking for you soon. The wall is invisible unless one of its inhabitants comes through it. Sit quietly, and I will wait with you to keep you safe.”

  I nodded, and she curled her wings around herself and leaned on a tree. I stood with my arms across my chest. The occasional shiver ran through me and I pretended it was from the chill breeze running through the forest, but in truth I was nervous. How would Cervis react to my truth-seeking journey?

  It was mid-afternoon when the wall shimmered into view and great white antlers came into view. I took a deep breath and faced him head-on.

  Cervis emerged from the wall and opened his eyes. He spotted Lady Strigga and gasped, and immediately threw himself between me and her, lifting his antlers toward her.

  “What have you done, Strigga!?”

  “Returned your charge to you. Why have you been lying to her?”

  “Lying!?”

  “You are aware this is Everly’s daughter, correct?” When he didn’t answer, she tutted. “You ought to get to know your charges better, Cervis.” She turned to me. “Good luck. You’re in safe hands now.”

  Strigga spiraled up in a flare of golden dust and flickered into the trees, soaring out of sight. I turned to Cervis, arms still folded, and forced myself to square my shoulders and meet his eyes.

  “What were you thinking!?” He hissed.

  “You wouldn’t give me answers-”

  “Not here, Aster. Put your hand on my side. I’m guessing since you got out you know how to get back in?”

  I didn’t answer. Instead, I just closed my eyes, and held my breath once he started moving again. We got through to the other side and Cervis finally whirled on me.

  “Why would you go to her! I told you never to follow the korrigans and you did exactly that before it had even been a week!”

  “You don’t tell me anything and I knew she would know!”

  “Strigga hates humans and you are three-quarters human! She would have killed you if she hadn’t learned who your mother was! If I’d known you were so desperate for answers, I would’ve told you-”

  “Told me what!? More lies? I’m done, Cervis! I’m done being lied to!”

  His eyes flashed ice blue and the color stayed. “You’re done being lied to? I’m done being stuck in this forest!”

  “Cervis, why did you lie to me to begin with? You told me the wendigos would kill me-”

  “They will!”

  “-But you didn’t tell me why! I can just eat plants and I’ll be safe!”

  “I was scared you would leave.” His voice went soft, the blue color of his eyes settling on cornflower. “If you knew the truth of how dangerous it is out there, I’d be alone again.”

  I saw past his fury, past his lies, straight to the heart of his loneliness, and felt my anger dissipate, though an overpowering intensity continued to burn in my blood. I took a breath and lowered my voice as well. “I made a deal, Cervis. I’m not going anywhere. But I’m not complacent just sitting around the palace- and if you don’t tell me the truth, I’m going to assume the worst.”

  He sighed, and the blue receded, leaving his eyes ghostly white again. “Very well. Talk to the korrigans, eat your plants- but you must promise not to go into the Palewood alone. If you can make it a moon here without another life-threatening incident, I might take you out myself. There is some beauty to the Palewood, and cautions you can take against the Palewalkers. And do not ask me about them yet- alright? Can you live with this?”

  I took a deep breath.

  “Yes. I can accept those circumstances. But- no more lies, Cervis, alright?”

  He nodded. “Very well. I maintain the right not to answer, though; let that be known.”

  “Deal.”

  And we headed back into the floating palace.