My fav review on the prologue:Yes! Lets fuck up Disney! (Crosses fingers) please let there be massive amounts of sex involved to really
screw with everyones heads! thanks for making me choke ClassyHouse!

~Chapter One~

As I walked through the woods at a brisk pace, I tried to be very aware of my surroundings. I'd heard the strange tales about encounters in these woods.

Tales of shape shifters, animals that could walk as a man or in their true form.

Legends of mystical creatures, God-like in their beauty, which demanded intimate favors in exchange for passage. I shivered at that thought. I had no knowledge of such things and would be in no position to bargain such 'favors.'

And there were the warnings of the wee folk, the Fae, who could be helpful or harmful, depending on their mood. They were said to be mischievous, which is why I called my sister, Sprite.

Her normal vibrant self was forever asking questions and bouncing around with an endless source of energy.

I couldn't allow her to become trapped. Like an unhappy Fae, she would eventually fade and die.

That was not going to happen. I knew I would do anything I had to in order to save Father. To save Alice.

Even if 'anything' meant dying.

The loud snap of a twig off to my right made my head snap around. I took in the area and realized I had zoned out and lost focus. The light had faded and I seemed to be much deeper in the woods than I thought.

My head was feeling fuzzy and I shook it in a vain attempt to clear the murk.

The temperature of the air cooled and filled with a sweet scent that I did not know, but wanted to smell forever. I followed it.

If a change in direction was required, I'd face each way for a couple of minutes assessing the smell. I never had any trouble knowing which way to go.

I walked through an opening in a stone fence. Suddenly the odor vanished and my head cleared. I stopped short. I was in a yard.

A ramshackle hut stood before me. It didn't look like it would withstand a breeze, let alone a strong wind.

Warning bells were ringing in my head and my heart was racing as my palms began to sweat.

I really hoped this was Zafrina's abode and not one of the creatures of legend.

I straightened up, doing my best to hide my fear, and spoke loudly and clearly.

"Greetings, Madame Zafrina. I come empty handed but pure of heart to seek an audience with the Mistress of the Wood," I said reverently.

Alice had insisted on drilling the myths and legends, all the protocols included, into me as I had prepared for my departure. I was thankful now, as I felt more certain that my actions might not get me killed.

A moment passed when it seemed as if the entire forest held its breath.

"Come child, join me by the fire." Her voice, strong and proud, came from behind me. I slowly turned, unsure of what to expect. Spinning round, there was nothing. No woman, no fire, just the high grass, the stone fence and the woods beyond.

I came full circle and a small "oh" escaped me in surprise. The hovel of before had been replaced by a neat and tidy cottage, to which the door stood ajar.

For Father and Alice, I thought as I moved forward and into the arcane cottage.