"Apologies," I say, straightening up.
Leanansidhe stands tall and willowy, her scowl now an amused grin, "All's forgiven. Do you like tea? Perhaps you'd prefer wine, it's been a day for you already."
"I'd like to just talk, if that's okay," I reply. The last thing I need is to be turned into a violin for the next half century.
Her eyebrows raise, "I treat my guests with the uttermost hospitality. Unless they do not behave with proper etiquette, they become trespassers; anyone who poses a threats won't be tolerated."
I raise the teacup, "tea it is."
"In exchange for you brother's sanctuary, I need Good fellow's emerald dagger -and a promise later to be met," she starts, sipping her tea.
"The favor, I'll agree to -as long as I don't have to hurt anyone. As to the other thing, why in the world do you need it?" I ask.
She shrugs, "Curiosity perhaps. He's had it with him forever, I've never known him to be such a sentimental creäture."
"I'll give you the favor but I won't steal from Puck," I shuddered.
The image of Puck ran through my mind. His eyes turned feral on his handsome face when he grinned; he knew who he was and didn't try to hide it. If that dangerous, elusive power inside was somehow aimed at me there would be little I could do.
She give a huge sigh of disappointment, "Well then, I won't promise you your brother will be in the same condition you bring him. I think he'll look wonderful as a harp. Perhaps he'd make friends with Leo -he's the violin there. You have nowhere else darling. Seeing your devotion to your brother is touching," her smile would be kind if her eyes didn't show the hardness beneath, "now I'm quite determined to have your brother."
I clench my teeth, the tea-cup shaking as I set it down with a clang, "Fine."
Leanansidhe laughs gleefully and claps her hand together like a child, "How perfect. It's a deal then. Oh and darling-," she gracefully picks herself up from the chair, "I'd do it fast if I were you. Goodfellow will be leaving soon. It'll be much harder for you to chase him through Wyldwoods. He doesn't usually carry the dagger on his person when resting,"she finished, eyes gleaming wickedly
Leanansidhe had told me which room he was staying in and I'd bribed the brownies that acted as maids to get him out of his room for the night. If I didn't act soon, I'd chicken out.
His room was just like the others, silk sheets under a canopy bed and crafted wooden night stands with beautiful cream curtains.
I knew there was a possibility it wouldn't be here but I figured a good search couldn't hurt. I searched to typical hiding placed first, under the mattress, in the sock drawer, the pillowcase.
Eventually, I moved the ottoman.
There was an almost unnoticeable shadow in the corner of my eyes yet no object to cast a shadow. I quickly spun to hit it with the first thing I could grab.
His eyes widen with amusement for a second before he collapses beside my feet with a theatrical yelp, "Oh my shoulder," rolling on the floor with laughter and then lifting himself up to wipe tears of laughter out of his eyes, "I don't know how I'll recover that downfall."
"Oh the horror," I roll my eyes.
"Don't worry princess," he blinks at me with doe eyes, "I'm sure I'll recover from such an injury- eventually. Though the scar..." he solemnly pats his shoulder where I'd hit him, pursing his lips he whistles, " it's gonna be bad." his eyes look at his shoulder in horror while his lips are laughing.
My mind flashes and I step toward Puck, "You poor thing," I playfully say, going in for a hug and...
Bingo, the swirled wooden hilt of a dagger peaks out from his belt with a shining jewel -the same bright green as his eyes- encrusted in the centre of the handle. Just what Leanansidhe wanted.
I squeeze him tightly and "attempt" to lift him up, "hug ya better?" I laugh and slip the dagger out of his belt loop into my sleeves. Though his body was on the lean side of an athletic build, he weighed more than I expected.
"I'll tell the brownies to make you some tea." I start inching towards the door and away from him, "I might even have some chocolate I brought with me. I'll be just a minute."
"Truly," he begins
I'm at the door and I only to slip out...
"You wound me, princess," he finishes bitterly just before he practically flies toward me and pins me to the wall.