Chapter Six – Teague

I see her fall as I get to the spot in the trees. Not in the mirror, but through my own eyes. Before I can do anything, the goat snaps his finger, and she floats upwards, as if she's floating in the water on her back, drifting over to hover by him at his waist level. Her hair drapes to the floor, and her eyes are shut.

She looks so beautiful. I shake that thought away frantically. Those are Jared's thoughts, not mine. Right?

"Aw, the prince to the Fates. Why so glum? I'd say why so blue, but your eyes seem more gray at this time." He chuckles, and I glare at him.

I get myself into control, angry. Jared has pushed for control before, but never before has he succeeded. Something about the Grimm being here seems to wake him up. He's more alert, and he's fighting harder to get control and get back to her.

"What do you want with her?" I refuse to show that he's gotten under my skin, and gesture to Mina.

"She's just here as a barter chip. Of course, the outcome of what happens here depends on you."

I glare at him. "What do you want?"

"I want to make a deal with you." He keeps his triumphant smirk on.

"I figured that part out." I say, rather dryly. "Now tell me what the deal is."

"You have two choices. You can give up your claim to the throne, and she will have her memories returned and be left here. Or, if you decide to not give up your claim, I will use this dagger to slice her throat and I will keep her memories. Your choice."

I stare at him, and he dances around gleefully. I can't give up my claim to the throne.

Mina won't survive that! Jared hisses the words. You can't let that happen!

I can't let the throne go to another family either. I snarl.

But- I cut him off by beginning to talk to the goat.

"And how are you able to take that dagger from her?" I had tried multiple times - and failed - to do so.

"She gave it willingly." He snickers at my growing resentment. "And I will be returning it to her. It wouldn't leave her presence anyways, considering the fact that part of her doesn't want to give it up. But enough dilly-dallying. Give me your answer."

"No." I spit the words. "I would never do that."

"Then I'm afraid you've left me no choice." He slides the dagger across her throat, and I can already see the crimson blood pouring out.

"You monster!" He's already gone when I speak the words, and I kneel by Mina, looking at the dagger that is now so neatly back in her belt. She's on the ground now, no longer floating on her back. Her hair is a tangled mass, lying everywhere, and her eyes are closed. She would look so peaceful, but the blood reminds me she is not asleep. She's dead - most likely - and it's probably my fault. I attempt to push the guilt away. "Mina? Mina, are you there?" A small tear lands on her shirt, and I close my eyes, pushing those tears - Jared's tears, or so I hope - away.

"She isn't lost yet." A voice echoes from above the trees, like bells. "But she will be if you don't listen."

I look up, and a girl drops down from the trees gracefully. She brushes off her green skirt and top, and her green flats glisten in the light. She flutters light green wings once before making them disappear, and grins.

"Who are you?" I ask, staring at her as she brushes her long, golden bangs aside. The rest of her hair isn't a problem, as it's in a bun.

"The name's Tink. At your service." She does a quick curtsy, and once again brushes her bangs out of her eyes. "But that's not important right now. What's important is fixing that wound before it kills her."

Ah, Tinker Bell. I frown. "She's already dead."

"No, not yet. There will be side effects though. A wound like this - and her meeting the conditions she meets - can be fixed. You're lucky it wasn't her heart." She gestures to her. "Well, pick her up already! We haven't got all day!"

I scoop up Mina's limp form in my arms bridal style, and follow after the fairy. She's quicker than she appeared to be, and I have to run to keep up. But it isn't long before she leads me into a small hut.

"Set her down on the bed, and I'll begin the healing process."

I do as told, and watch as she gathers materials. "You said there'd be side effects though."

She looks up for a moment, almost gravely. "There will be."