Brianna

Brianna scowled at the man behind the wooden counter, who smirked at her with a knowing glint in his grey eyes.

"I told you the cost of them garments Miss and I told you 'bout the boat you asked about, I got nothin' else to say" he spat every 's', the subtle step back was not lost on the old man and he actually grinned. What remained of his teeth had yellowed to a degree that Brianna bet to herself that they'd fall out within a year or two.

"Fine" Brianna shoved the silver coins in his open dirty palm and snatched the large grey cloak and boots from the countertop before stalking out of the small store uttering profanities into the chilly empty street.

Mor was impatiently waiting in the ally and when she saw her, leaning gently against the damp brick wall and tapping her leather booted foot, Brianna had stopped abruptly. Her heart flipped at the sight. Confusion was written on her beautiful face, it made her all the more endearing. Brianna was so close she could smell the cinnamon latching onto her senses, making her feel unsteady. The voice inside her seemed to inch closer to the surface, eager for…something. They had arrived in the small town that afternoon and had checked into a small inn above a tavern. It smelt like off barley and the thin walls did nothing for the noise of the lively towns less than esteemed inhabitants created, so they'd ventured into the town to secure Mor some more suitable attire and to enquire about the boat.

Mor had laughed and observed the people around her with an animal-like fascination, her head tilting as it did when she discovered something that intrigued her. The whole journey to the town was still burned into Brianna's mind, the way Mor spoke with such undeniable hope and yearning, her eyes had sparked a lost flame within Brianna's very soul. The faerie was mesmerising to say the least and the more time Brianna spent with her, the more she craved more.

Mor seemed oblivious to the gentle smiles Brianna couldn't help but give her when she'd spoken or the blush in her cheeks when the woman caught her looking at her. The energy between the pair seemed charged. Mor tipped her hood back revealing her graceful face, a look crossed those features as her hand slowly and tenderly touched Brianna's cheek.

At the sudden touch, Brianna sucked in some cold air; it seemed to shock her heart into racing. She'd forgotten her name. She'd forgotten she wasn't supposed to even be helping Mor. She'd forgotten about Hybern. She'd forgotten about everything except the woman before her and the voice seemed to melt with anticipation.

Her heart beat ferociously in her ears and her cheek burned with Mor's feathery touch. Brianna dared to look up into the woman's eyes and deeply regretted not doing so sooner. They were golden flames of heat, igniting the hidden torches of her need. Brianna swallowed the feeling of terror as Mor moved closer toward, the feeling of it resting against her sent her body floating and yet she remained rooted to the cobbled ground.

Leaning against the wall Mor had not long stepped away from, Brianna shook herself, you are not afraid, she sternly told herself and stood straighter, her feet becoming the roots that held her in the moment.

Brianna smiled unabashedly; a sudden wave of courage anchored her heart within its cavity, like a bird in a cage. This feels strange, she thought, like new and old all at once. Her mind couldn't think properly but her soul danced, free like a child playing.

"That smile could stop a heart" Mor whispered, her eyes going wide as though surprised by her own admission, uncertainly washed over her face but was soon replaced with her own shy grin. Brianna let her fearlessness into her eyes for Mor, she wanted her. She didn't know what wanted her exactly… her body? That strange voice? Her soul? Her heart? Perhaps she was losing her mind?

They were so close she could feel Mor's warm breath against her cold face, and she leaned up towards the females soft and succulent lips…

"You!" Brianna cringed at the sudden boom of the male voice, deep and rustic clear as the descending sun behind them. Mor leapt into action without misplacing a foot, she twisted her body and pulled out a concealed weapon in one swift motion, her eyes seemed to glow. Brianna's heart leapt in her chest and she balled her fists within the soft material of the cloak she'd purchased, noticing that they shook.

What. Was. That?

She didn't have time to think before Mor growled under her breath. Actually growled at the fast approaching man.

"I suggest you turn around" she sounded menacing. Mor stood directly in front of Brianna and flexed her honed muscles in a practised manner. She was a warrior. And she was utterly terrifying. The fae warrior with the gold eyes really was fearfully beautiful, deadly even.

Brianna would swoon if she didn't appear to be in mortal danger. Again. She really couldn't escape idiots somehow locating her at the most inconvenient of times.

She peaked around Mor and noticed the man had stopped at least seven feet from them his face a picture of fear and anger. His lip quirked in a grimace and he shifted on his feet. He was shorter than Mor slightly with jet-black hair and a matching well-groomed beard. He stood in a carefully tailored tunic and matching jacket, with a custom made sword dangling by his side, his hand itching to wield it, he screamed wealthy. Brianna tried to think on the prominent and wealthy men she'd angered and gave up.

"I have no quarrel with you stranger, only with her" he pointed a finger directly at Brianna and the tiny hairs on the back of her neck stood. How dare he! She removed herself from behind Mor and stood directly in front of her, confusion bled into Mor's eyes, she was clearly battling some instinct to protect. Well, Brianna thought stubbornly, I can protect my cursed self!

"Well who doesn't?" Brianna had many enemies, too many to count on her fingers. But his face, now that she could see him clearer, did seem familiar. He scoffed. "Be specific or we'll be here all day"

"I warned you never to return, Amica" her heart stopped. The pain in his voice echoed throughout time itself and the small bob of his Adam's apple as he swallowed his emotion made her cringe. Only one boy had called her Amica, or 'friend'.

"Christophe" she breathed. He bowed mockingly.

"You remember me then," he laughed, the sound rang in her ears and he started to move towards them, Mor attempted to control her breathing "I am surprised, you have been gone so long"

Brianna faced Mor who kept a strong grip on her weapon.

"Cristophe, this does not concern you, go home…"

"Go home!" he laughed, throwing his head back. Once he reached her he shook his head. "I should kill you now, there's still a reward for your head" Mor cocked her head to the side, and she gripped Brianna's wrist with her free hand, glaring at Cristophe with all the warning she could muster. In a word, it could drain a man of his blood but Cristophe was focused only on Brie. Lucky me, she thought.

"What you did little bird, is fly away without a second glance back" she sighed, she did not wish to discuss her past, especially not in front of Mor. He would undo everything she'd built, all the walls around her heart were crashing and she flailed to keep what remained intact.

"I left" she stated "I had every right to, that is all" he stepped back, shocked.

"My father took you in, taught you everything he knew alongside me, we cared for you and you left in the night with a shoddy note saying you needed to be free" he scoffed "after all we endured, after everything, you just ran!"

"You know I cared for you too" he frowned, "but you only know half the story" he wove a hand through his hair and sighed.

"I should take you to father now and rid myself of your…stain" he murmured, it was clear his anger was depleting. Brianna glared at him, the words stinging like the little cuts on your hand after you squeeze a lemon with them.

"You will need to kill me to take me back there" he let out an exasperated breath.

"You still won't tell me will you? Did our friendship mean nothing to you? Did I mean so little to you?" hurt flared in those pretty eyes. "I searched for you for months to no avail" he admitted, "I thought you dead". She wanted to laugh at him, at the stupidity of it all. She hated having to come back to this rotten town; Mor was unearthing so much mess it was unnerving to feel completely out of control.

"It is because I cared for you that I did not and will not tell you, you idiot" the vice grip on her wrist loosened and Mor stepped to the side, close enough to intervene should the occasion rise but at a respectable friendly distance. Cristophe bobbed his head once at her in recognition.

But Brianna's traitorous mind was already transporting her back to a time and memory she had desperately drank and ran into oblivion…

Hi guys thanks for reading so far and for sticking with us. I am obsessed with telling this story and have a lot in store for the characters. I really appreciate any reviews, comments, likes and interaction you can offer so I know how to improve the story and also so I know if you're enjoying it! I mean even if only one of you were enjoying it, I'd still write this story because I want to see it through but I am really happy you're still reading. Love to you all. Xx