If the cave entrance had been a dream, the queen's domain was paradise. Trees with spiraled roots stretched so high, Sindri couldn't see where they ended and where the sky began. Green and gold leaves rustled in the limbs above to form a tunnel of dancing light on shadow along the path. Shrubs and flowers in every variety dotted the landscape, mixing with tall, wild grass and sparkling streams meandering throughout the landscape.

"Where is this realm," Sindri asked, rushing to keep up with Thayer's long stride.

'Twas a shame her powers didn't include speed or longer legs; the man was a giant, occasionally ducking to avoid low-hanging branches. For every step he took, Sindri needed three.

When Thayer suddenly stopped, Sindri slammed into his back and bounced off, landing firmly on her bottom with a yelp. Turning a small semicircle and facing her, the impossibly handsome fae regarding her with a tilted head and a smirk.

"We are between planes," he replied, offering his hand to help Sindri to her feet. "Think of your world as a pocket sewn into the fabric of our universe. Your home is but one of many pockets to our overall tapestry."

A pocket realm? Multiple worlds? If Sindri's wits weren't already scattered, she feared her head might explode from the very idea.

Taking his hand, Sindri righted herself and brushed her palm on her dress. Handsome as he was, she didn't find physical contact appropriate, especially dismayed by the fact she felt nothing for him — not even an excited flutter in her chest.

What had she expected though: the heavens to part and the gods to celebrate the fastest end to a curse from the most hated Æsir known to humans and deities alike? No. The magic humming within seemed to whisper at the back of her mind like a buzzing insect, telling her to settle for a long journey ahead.

Thayer cleared his throat, pulling Sindri from her musings. Blinking, she said, "I apologize. My mind is elsewhere."

A curious expression crossed his youthful face as he tilted his head and smirked. "Far off in another world, I reckon, by that vacant gaze. What are you thinking?"

A man interested in what she had to say? That was new.

Eyes cast downward, Sindri shrugged. "I fear my thoughts may not be suitable for such delicate ears and fair society."

Thayer's deep laugh prompted Sindri to snap her head up as she stared at the strange, chortling man. Mirth sparkled behind the greens of his eyes as he motioned for her to continue walking. "My, you are different, aren't you!"

Indignance burned her cheeks. "Am I meant to find you normal? For Odin's sake, you have wings! And a face far too appealing to be polite!" Sindri slapped both hands over her mouth as Thayer's giggles echoed among the thick foliage. She hadn't meant to say that — would never have such audacity to utter such scandalous words in her father's hall.

Thayer bent his spine in a low bow before splaying a hand over his broad chest. "I am rather handsome, aren't I?"

Sindri rolled her eyes, ready to retort with sarcasm, only to choke on her tongue when she attempted to speak. Instead, she gagged, looking for any words to use when the truth finally did the trick. "Your head is too big if you think so highly of yourself."

Once more, Thayer laughed, creating a strong desire in Sindri to slap the giggles out of him. Hands firmly on her hips, Sindri glared. "Do you always behave like a child?"

Orange and gold like autumn leaves on fire danced in the light as Thayer's wings quivered. Within a second, he hovered, looming over Sindri with a grin. "Fae are naturally prone to mischief, and will use any opportunity to find humor in a situation."

That sounded too much like a certain Nordic god she'd recently run into, though Sindri couldn't recall ever learning about Fae. "But why do it?" she demanded, bewildered by Thayer's juvenile conduct. "Also, where do the Fae originate? I have never seen or heard mention of one until last night."

Thayer's smile slipped faster than a rock sinking in a pond as he landed on the ground again with a soft thump. A blush darkened his cheeks as all the amusement fled his eyes. Was this the equivalent of cursing among this man? To tell him no one believed? "Because we enjoy it. I would ask if you jest, but Fae are incapable of lies. How do you not know your heritage?"

Sindri pressed her lips together and said nothing, deciding to wait for an introduction with the queen before volunteering any new information. Hopefully, she'd have more sense than her jubilant sentinel and provide a solution. Or listen and give her some form of empathy and encouragement.

On a positive note, at least Loki hadn't cursed her to spend eternity with Thayer.

Their stare-down lasted almost a minute before Thayer blinked and puckered his lips. Seeming to determine Sindri was serious, Thayer solemnly said, "The first Fae were born from stardust on the midnight breeze. The king and queen settled for a time in the human world, but mankind is destructive by nature, and our people clashed. When they killed the king, his lady wife created this realm and vowed revenge upon those who brought about her husband's demise. Afterward, she sought solitude here in the world between worlds, observing and bestowing blessings among her Celtic followers. I dare say she will find you especially intriguing."

Anxiety bubbled inside Sindri's stomach, souring her meager supper. What if this monarch deemed Sindri unworthy? Would she do her harm, or simply exile her?

But the descriptions of stardust were beautiful and poetic, like something from a dream. It sounded much nicer than a glorious death in battle, and a story she'd have loved to hear at bedtime by the hearth.

Sindri followed Thayer in silence after that, occasionally pausing to avoid the white and gray fox underfoot as it chased giggling miniature fae in a rainbow of colors, flapping their wings and bouncing just out of the creature's reach. Thayer swatted at them like pesky insects before muttering something about troublesome pixies.

"What's the difference?" she asked after Thayer flicked a pink pixie with purple hair. The pixie bared its naked, round bottom at Thayer before flitting away. "Aren't you all the same species?"

Thayer glared as if Sindri had uttered an unspeakable curse. Nose in the air and shoulders squared, Thayer replied in a haughty tone, "They do not have our nuance or respect for culture. The pixies are more mischievous than kittens in a basket, and if one isn't careful, he or she will find herself in a precarious situation. The only thing they are good for is pixie dust."

Good to know. Sindri wanted to know more about pixie dust and its uses, but decided against it. Thayer didn't seem particularly thrilled with that subject, and Sindri already had enough to think about.

When the first opened into a wide meadow, Sindri gasped. Twilight bathed the landscape in purple and pink light as silver flowers bloomed, revealing glowing orbs that dotted the grass. A deep, musky aroma of evergreen trees and flowers Sindri had never seen permeated the air as more luminescent motes flickered in every color.

A huge smile spread across Sindri's face as she kicked off her boots and tread through the down-soft grass. Her skirts swept over the ground as she spun to face an amused Thayer, who had folded his arms as he watched her with a satisfied grin. The little fox darted forward, snapping at the twinkling lights while Rín grazed in the field. Sindri squealed like a little girl as her toes wiggled in the squishy soil. "This is beautiful."

"Wait until you see the queen's grand hall." Approaching her, Thayer collected her muddy boots with one hand while offering his other arm. "Come."

Sindri stumbled, paralyzed by a fresh wave of nerves. "Now? As I am?" Her clothes were filthy, and her hair had to have been in a right state, and Thayer wanted her to introduce herself without properly grooming?

"Unless you choose to attend naked."

Who was this strange, uncouth creature? Sindri folded her arms across her flat chest and fixed her stare forward. "My attire shall suffice," she replied flatly.

A predictable chuckle followed as he led her across the vast meadow, toward an ever looming city among trees so tall, they touched the gray clouds. Fire in gold, green, blue, and orange floated in lanterns twisted to resemble leaves, blanketing the dirt roads in fragmented light. Scented petals rained as branches swayed in the breeze, singing a gentle song of welcome to Sindri.

Sindri turned a slow circle as she cocked her head backward and stared in open-mouthed wonder. "Are the trees... singing?"

"Aye, m'lady. This bodes well for you." His accent thickened as he spoke with a fond lilt, and Sindri couldn't help but share his joy at something so wonderful.

The leaves rustled, whispering in the wind to join the song. With so many voices among hundreds of living, sentient trees, Sindri couldn't understand anything. "Do you know what they are saying?"

A tall maiden with blazing orange, red, and gold wings glided to them at the city's entrance. Hair the color of molten lava hung in loose, bouncy curls past a very ample bosom. Her dress touched her feet, shimmering in tones of silver and gold. Atop her head rested a silver circlet, shaped in the unpredictable patterns of dancing flame.

The painfully beautiful woman — whom Sindri assumed was the Fae Queen as Thayer bowed — cast her gaze upon Sindri. Ancient wisdom shined from ale-colored irises as she clasped her petite hands at her waist. "They bid thee a fair welcome, bonny lass from lands in the far north. You are a long way from home and your gods. How did you come upon our lands?"

Sindri dropped into an awkward curtsy and kept her focus on the ground. The queen's unwavering stare was unnerving; it felt like she could see all the way into the soul if she chose. "Forgive me for the intrusion, your Majesty. I seek your help to remove this curse."

"What curse? By whom?" When Sindri dared to glance up, she noted a small frown and furrowed brows creasing her perfect skin.

Had she offended the queen? Perhaps Sindri should elaborate and explain she didn't mean the Fae were cursed. Finding her voice past her dry throat, she said, "I was fleeing an unwanted marriage. When I went to pay tribute to Meili, the trickster god Loki came to me as an old woman and cursed m—"

Scarlet bloomed across the queen's cheeks as her nostrils flared and her eyes narrowed. "Loki did this?" The edge in her voice sent Sindri and Thayer retreating several steps as the monarch's mouth contorted with rage. "I should castrate that scoundrel when next we meet!"

Of everything Sindri's simple mind could have expected, it was not the wrath of a scorned Fae queen or her familiarity with a certain Nordic god.

WC: 1835
Overall WC: 8318
Second Milestone Met