The griffins fight overhead, battling it out to see who will eat me for dinner. It's terrifying, waiting for my end. How am I supposed to save my family now?
The battle finishes as the grey griffin transforms into a man. He holds his strong, muscular arms out towards his rival. When the griffin spots him, it squawks in fear and flaps off, its tail between its legs.
The young man turns to me.
"I'm sorry about that," he says. "The griffins are allowed to hunt these grounds freely. When they're hungry, they tend to forget their manner and will fight over food. Sometimes they need to be reminded that a Royal is never undermined."
He kneels before me and offers me a hand, smiling.
"Are you okay? You shouldn't be out in the Fates' woods unescorted. It's much too dangerous. And, Milady, where is your coach?"
He looks around and I see his face clearly for the first time. Oh my gosh. It's Jared.
No. Wait. The eyes are the wrong colour.
"You saved me?" I ask, gasping. My breath seems to have deserted me in my moment of need.
His eyes light up and crinkle in laughter.
"So you can speak. For a minute there, I thought I had saved a mute. But mute girls don't exist except in Fae tales."
He is beautiful. The moonlight shines along his jaw. His hair is shorter along the sides than I can remember, and his eyes shine with mischief and joy.
He helps me up, his warm hands holding onto mine and stalling when the time comes to let go.
It's Teague. But…he's not trying to kill me. He is charming, and polite, which is much more like Jared. But it's NOT Jared.
He pulls me across to the moonlight, and for a moment is left speechless.
"I know you," he states.
I shiver, and step away, but he grabs my hand and pulls me closer. I panic, and cry out, because he is going to hurt me. I just know it.
"Let go of me. Please, let go." I lean away and he lets go, giving me space.
"Why do you fear me? I will not harm you." He studies me in silence. It's a little unnerving.
"Do you know me?" I whisper.
"Yes…and at the same time, no."
It's like he thought up an alternate reality that was paradise and it just decided to visit him, but he can't believe it. He is so happy, and yet disbelieving.
"I've dreamt about you. I didn't think you were real, but here you are."
He swallows nervously, but I am no longer afraid. For one thing, although he is actually older than me, he looks so young.
I step towards him. He is wearing a high-collared shirt tucked into black pants and black polished boots.
"I'm sorry," he says, bowing. "Let me introduce myself. I'm Teague, Prince of the Fae. And you are?"
My mom always told me the truth. And told me to always tell the truth. It's a policy in our family – no lies, no deception, no hiding things – and it works. Though, admittedly, it can be a struggle sometimes.
I remember when Uncle Jack died. I was six, and just about old enough to understand how these things worked. I knew he was never coming back.
They broke the news to me with a large banana split. I had just finished it and could see a noticeable rise in my belly fat. When they told me what had happened, tears streamed down my face and large, wracking sobs hit my throat. I had never known anyone to die.
Mom and I went for a walk, and I calmed down. But then, a strawberry sundae was produced and I knew something else was up. That's when they told me about what my surname meant.
I was always proud to be called Grimm. Being associated with the famous storytellers always brought a smile to my face, and my worn copy of Grimm Fairy Tales showed that I loved the stories as much as the association.
The fact that the surname was a curse didn't upset me as much as it should have. So Uncle Jack had been cursed? I don't care – I only care that he's gone. But when they told me it was being passed onto Dad, it blew my world. Literally.
I thought that fairies didn't exist. As it turns out, I was wrong. Fairies exist, as do ogres, pixies, will-o'-the-wisp, tree nymphs, gnomes, nixies and trolls. Not to mention mermaids.
Being told that I was half siren was a bit of a let-down. My first reaction was "Why amn't I a fairy?"
When I realised it basically meant I was a mermaid, I asked why I didn't have a tail. And so came the story of what my mother gave up. But she had told my father everything from the beginning. She had previously had a tail, but since I was only half-Fae, I didn't. Mom gave up her tail and her magic to be completely human like Dad.
My mother also explained to me that as I got older, I would get golden marks on my wrists and it would be better to not wear revealing clothes. This also explained why I had gold streaks in my hair and eyes.
I had never stopped and wondered why did I have these things, but as soon as I knew the answer, my life took on a new meaning. Each second spent with Dad was precious, and I knew I would have to protect Charlie. Because it would pass on to him. The curse.
Of course, I didn't know he was Charlie then. I just knew he was a boy. My mom was still pregnant with him.
When Dad was gone, I knew that Charlie was more important than ever. But we realised that the curse wasn't after him anymore. It was after me. So we moved, changing our surname from Grimm to Grime, and packing up to leave whenever a strange coincidence or accident occurred.
I had been best friends with Nan for two years when it found me. As soon as I came to trust Nan properly, I told her. She believed me without any proof. I proved it just to confirm it and still she stuck alongside me. Not thinking me freakish, but gifted.
The first quest I did made Brody Carmichael my boyfriend. It was like all my dreams had come true. He was my crush. But then everything turned sour, what with Jared joining the party and everyone but Nan forgetting everything. And my family. But they always remember everything.
Nan has come to be the person I rely on most. She is a rock of support. And I don't know what I would do without her, especially now that Jared's gone.
For a while I hated Jared. I really. Hated. Him. With good reason. He dragged me into the middle of a forest and abandoned me. He wouldn't tell me anything about when he had reappeared mysteriously after the Red Hood incident. He was constantly moody, grumpy and surly.
But somehow, he slowly turned it round. Just chivalrous acts here and there. Kindness. Being a shoulder to cry on when I thought Charlie was dead. Making me laugh. Pulling me out of depression.
And finally, when I went to recover Charlie from the Fae Plane, he kissed me. Shortly after this, he combined with Teague to become the most powerful being that ever lived. Also the darkest and most dangerous. Now I don't know if he's ever coming back. And if he did come back, I don't know how I would feel towards him. But I have more important things to focus on.
When I was told I had to go back in time, I couldn't believe it. I didn't think it was possible. But it is. Even for the Fae, it's pretty advanced stuff.
Annoyingly, I have to go back the same night as Brody's ball. I just hope I don't spend too much time here.
Brody now knows about what the deal is with the Fae, and all he wants to do is protect me from them. Which is cute. But occasionally annoying. Anyway, he treats me well and is always so kind and…if I am attracted to him why do I feel so conflicted?
My point is, I always tell the truth. Things work out better that way. My whole life could have been a lot worse than it actually was if I hadn't found out what had actually happened to Uncle Jack.
So much worse.
But now, for the first time, I question my policy. Should I tell him who I really am? Or should I evade the truth?
He raises his eyebrows and I realise I am standing there, looking at him with a slightly afraid expression.
"M-my name is…" I let it hang there. It's time to make a decision.
I look directly into his eyes and answer.
"My name is Wilhelmina Grimm."
I don't say it, but I think it.
I know you too.
Hey! So I've had this idea a while, and I finally decided to publish it. Please let me know what you think in the reviews. Should I continue this? Or just leave it?
Thanks XXXTheArtist