Welcome, Little Ones!

I'm so so so excited to be here with you all. This story was originally just a single scene, an idea to write from Faeward's POV. This multi-chapter fic has become possible because of all of you! All your eagerness, the brilliant questions everyone had... I had to write more for these two!

Thank you so much to my phenomenal beta, Mel, as well as my top notch pre-reader Jill.

Please check out my FB group Fanfics For Nerds to see the stunning banner as well as all the fun teasers I post with each chapter!

Without further ado, let's get into it!

.: One :.

There have been many times in my extraordinarily long life that I have sought the pleasure of humans. Humans are simple creatures, driven by needs they do not fully understand, compelled to only consider the moment they are in. There is no care given to tomorrow; there is only now, and in many ways, there is freedom in such a philosophy.

It's been nearly twelve months since I left the Hazel Court, and though my relief is beyond measure to be away from the wretched place, part of me misses the only home I have ever truly known. I miss the scent of magic, the certainty in the uncertain. The human world is a screaming metal monster, toxic to even those who inhabit it, and even the laws of chaos are lost here.

I've been sent on a quest, a truly vile quest I have no intention of fulfilling. I will wander the world for a while longer, and when the summer solstice comes again, I will return home, failed. I know it will mean my execution, but even that is something to look forward to.

Fae don't live forever, but our lives are so long that human timekeeping becomes tedious. Why worry about decades when you will live centuries?

My own eternity has become dull. I am tired of being a puppet dragged between two power-hungry monarchs, hell-bent on using me as a tool for the other's destruction.

I should think death would be a nice reprieve.

Despite my intentions to fail, my orders were incredibly specific, and thus, I am bound to obey to the best of my ability.

So instead of wandering unclaimed woods and basking under a full Samhain moon, I'm diving deeper and deeper into pools of humans, hunting.

There were a few in the last twelve months: a human girl who I had quickly learned would not suit my purposes at all, then there was that witch boy who tasted of sweet magic. He too was not enough to meet my requirements, nor was the next girl to cross my path. Some were more tantalizing than others, and with some, I even got as far as asking for their aid, but nothing lasted.

I knew in my heart I could never love any of them enough to break the spell as Marcus wanted.

The party tonight feels just as fruitless as the last several parties I stalked. Plenty of young flesh, but there is something always missing, something just not quite right.

I'm about to leave when I catch sight of her. Her long golden hair is shining like sunbeams in the dark warehouse, and her laughter is carrying over the sounds of hundreds of humans and the inane thrumming they call music. She smells of magic, and I am drawn to her.

I watch as she tilts her flaxen head toward the smaller body beside her, and I can feel her love pulsing out of her. It draws attention from everyone around them, and a man turns to grope her companion.

There is a flurry of activity, and the girls leave the dance floor before I can reach them.

I have no choice but to follow.

I watch the golden-haired girl prop her friend against a wall, but I still haven't caught sight of the little one.

Another blonde joins them, and I smirk at their costumes. Angel and Devil. They smell of magic, though it is much more slight than I initially thought. Still, it's enough to intrigue me, and I watch as they head inside.

I feel it before I see her. Magic, so strong it turns my gaze, like she's reached a hand out and tilted my chin in her direction. She is a tiny little thing, with wild brown hair and eyes the depth of the sea, and she is absolutely radiant.

My breath catches in my throat, my desire spiraling out of me so hard and so fast, I can't catch my breath. She calls to me in a way nothing ever has, and I'm absolutely powerless to stop myself from approaching her.

A man steps toward her before I can, and I can smell alcohol and lust on him as he reaches for her. I can sense her magic, confused and annoyed, pushing at him as the girl's slight frame fails to fend him off.

I race to her side, pulling her from him and bringing her into my arms.

Nothing has ever felt more right.

I only have to tell the drunken man to get lost once. Most people sense my energy and divert on their own, but given his drunken haze, it takes a minute for him to realize the danger I present.

In my arms, the scent of the girl is making me feel drunk in an entirely different way.

With a stronger will than I believed I possessed, I place my hands on her shoulders and gently pry her from me. Her head tilts back, her hair wafting in the breeze, and my stars the scent of her.

It's nearly enough to bring me to my knees.

"You saved me," she whispers, her voice the most seductive siren's call. "Thank you."

Her thank you is really all I need. By fae law, her acknowledgement of the service done means that she's now in my debt.

"A debt owed," I muse aloud. "You smell of power, Little One. What do they call you?"

She's hypnotic, liquid as a snake and just as deadly. "I don't tell strangers my name."

I cannot help my smile. She deals like a fae, though I can smell by the scent of her power that she is very much not.

"Wise," I agree. "Come with me, Little One." I'm not only talking about moving from this place. I hope she realizes that.

It's clear she doesn't when her feet stay planted. "I'm waiting for my Tanya."

My head tilts as I consider this. "Your Tanya." I bend toward her, inhaling the power left tingling on her lips from the kiss of her friend. Her friend has power of her own, though nothing as potent as this Little One's. Still, if her friend is clearheaded enough, she might interfere, and I can't risk that. "Magic, undoubtedly, but not your power." Nothing is like her power. I'm nearly drunk just standing next to her. "No, Little One, you'll have to do. Come."

Were she fae, the command would be enough to bring her pleasure beyond comprehension.

I don't think about my next move; I just know I need to take her away from this place. I need to have her to myself.

I plan to deliver her all the most wicked pleasures of this world, again and again. I will lose myself between her thighs and devour her whole, like a wolf swallowing the sun.

She will be mine.

This fic will post Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. There are 13 completely written chapters. Thank you again for joining me on this dip through Faeward's wicked mind.