Well, it’s still hotter than the hobs of hell here, but it beats the miserable cold we endured last winter. Welcome to this week’s Tuesday Tales. Our writing prompt is FEATHER. I’m continuing with my Fantasy, The Bonds of Time .Enjoy.
Margaret McCoy ignored the varied sounds of the hospital around her and glared at the tape on Samantha’s arm, the one that hid the needle piercing her skin to allow the liquid running down the clear tube to feed her body. The woman who appeared to be in her mid-fifties, had black hair, streaked with silver, green eyes that usually sparkled with energy, and a peaches and cream complexion that belied her age. She was short and stout, as were most of her kind when they were forced to manifest for long periods of time, a fondness for sugar and chocolate not helping matters.
She stared down at her charge, her face almost as pale as the sheet covering her. She brushed back a lock of dark auburn hair, her touch as light as a feather and sent more healing energy into Sam’s body. How could this have happened? For twenty-four years, in the guise of an aunt, she’d watched over the changeling princess, protected her and kept her hidden in the bosom of another land’s capital, far from home and what she’d thought were the dangers. She’d lived a solitary existence away from others of her kind, with only the three young fey aware of their true purpose. With the magical world’s future at stake as well as this one, it was a heavy responsibility, but now … She was certain that she hadn’t let down her guard, and yet, Rogan, the Merciless, had found her. How had he managed to attack her as he did? But the attack had failed and in his rage, he’d gone after the other three, the fairies who’d stood beside her all these years. That they were immortal and would return after time spent in Sanctuary wasn’t the issue, it was this place and the very real danger it represented. Astrid claimed to have it all in hand, but surgery…
“Aunt Meg.” Sam’s eyes drifted open. “Don’t feel so badly; it isn’t your fault that this happened. People get sick all the time.” Even in her agony, the young changeling sought to soothe her. “It’s not like I’m dying. The doctor thinks it’s a ruptured appendix, and Doctor Astrid agrees. In a little while, they’ll open me up, take it out, and I’ll be fine. In fact, I’ll be able to go home in a couple of days. The doctor even promised that I wouldn’t have much of a scar.”
Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.
Living the Dream 