I gave in to the weight around me. I’d become the Lady of the Lake without Excalibur, the damsel in distress without the prince to save her, Dorothy without her slippers or Alice without her “drink me” potion. Fantastic dreams weaved into amazing tales of triumph over obstacles. I was not triumphant over anything. I was a coward.

Gavin turned to leave, and I was right behind him so I could close the door when he walked out, but he stopped short and turned back around. I bumped straight into him, our faces close, too close, at this point. “I’ve missed you,” Gavin whispered.

All I could think of was the phrase my dad’s father used to say to him when I was a kid, “Don't let your alligator mouth overload your hummingbird ass,” and I think I’d done just that.

You still smell like a human. They hate humans.” I closed my eyes and cried some more. It was my fault. You did this, Novaleigh. You killed an entire village of fairies.

There, before me, was a pond surrounded by large patches of tall grass and spindly trees that swayed gently with the cool breeze. In the middle of the water was a man hunched over, bound to two tree stumps. He was moaning and in pain. I could feel it from where I stood. I moved towards him but stopped when a deep voice spoke in the darkness. “Do not touch him.

Tonight I will take back what is mine.

I was drowning, but all I needed to do was breathe.

I’m not broken. Not really,” I sighed. “My name is Novaleigh. Novaleigh Darrow.

Trust and faith have left you.” “He will help guide you back to them.” “Blessings to you on your journey.