I awake when I smell a light fragrance. It smells like a sweet blend of honey and flowers. I blink my eyes and sit up, only to find my hands bound to posts on either side of me. "Finally, she awakes," a brown haired woman speaks. She has cool gray eyes and white flowers braided into her hair, and a dark green dress falls to her ankles. I look down at myself. Someone has changed my clothes. My jeans, tank top, and cardigan are gone, and in their place is an ornate whit gown. My cheeks redden as I realize someone changed my clothes without me knowing.

"Where am I?" I will myself to ask. The woman tilts her head, and I see that the tips of her ears are slightly pointy.

"You, dear human child, drank the water of the Land of the Fey. You are now bound here. The nymphs brought you here to the queen's palace for her to do with you as she pleases."

"No!" I shout. I might never go home? I have to! Dad needs me! I have friends, school, and even Morgan I guess. I have a life though! I jerk my arms, but it only tightens my bonds. The woman looks at me sadly.

"You poor child... How did you even get here? You should've been in your own world." I explain about the stairway, and how my dad told me to stay away from it, and then about my encounter with Acadium. "Aye, a wise man, your father. You should have listened to him. You should've heeded the unicorn sooner as well." I'm crying now. I know it's my fault, but...

"Just how do I leave?" I ask weakly. She shakes her head.

"You can't," a loud, clear voice rings. Into the small room steps a woman in a long white dress that trails behind her. The white is bright and clings to her body, yet ripples like quicksilver. Golden hair is twisted around her head in a beautiful up do, and a circlet of gems surround her head. And, she has wings. As in, fairy wings. The brunette woman curtsies deeply. This must be their queen, I think.

The queen makes her way to me and grasps my chin, forcing me to look directly into her eyes. They're ice blue. "Hm..." She mutters, touching my auburn hair. Still holding my chin, she asks, "what do you call yourself, child?"

"My name is Reyna." The woman bristles.

"What is it, Queen Liana?" The woman who spoke to me before asks.

"Hush, Stella." She returns to staring into my eyes. "So, Reyna, do you know what your name means?" I shake my head.

"No. My dad chose the name, and my mom loved it." Queen Liana stiffens.

"Well, it seems it is up to me to now decide your fate, dear Reyna. How old are you?"

"Seventeen."

"You're young even for a human. I prefer my humans younger, but I suppose a slightly older one will do just as well." What? Do just as well for what? "At least you are somewhat elegant looking. Your eyes though dear, are the primary factor preventing me from sending you off to tend to the chimera right this instant. I think you could serve me well as a personal companion." She looks to the woman named Stella. "Stella, inform this human girl of her future tasks as my companion, and of the rules of the world."

"Yes, your Majesty." The Queen turns swiftly and leaves. Stella looks at me excitedly.

"What was that about?" I ask.

"You really don't know what your name means?"

"No. What does it mean?" Stella smiles brightly.

"Your name means "Queen". And I think the queen knows, but do you?" Know what?

"Do I know what?"

"Reyna, isn't it obvious? You're Fey, at least, partially." Me, Fey? No way.

"That's impossible," I counter immediately. She raises an eyebrow.

"Is it? You said your father warned you to stay away from those stairs. Tell me about both your parents." Isn't it possible that I'm normal? Still, I tell her.

"My name is Reyna Edith. My parents are Melody and Matthew Edith. My dad has red hair like me and green eyes, and my mom was blond and had bright blue eyes like me."

"Why do you you the past tense for your mother?"

"Because she died ten years ago."

"Oh, I'm sorry..." Her eyes flash widely. "Wait, what was her name again?"

"Melody," I repeat.

"And she had your eyes?" I nod.

"Oh my God," Stella whispers.

"What?"

"You would be that exact age... Since time moves so much more slowly here than in your world, it seems like forever ago, but for you it's only been ten years..."

"I don't understand," I argue. "I only want to go home."

"No human has ever escaped..." She trails. I can sense a 'but' coming.

"But...?" She smiles faintly.

"A long time ago, it is said that a human boy wandered into this world. He too accidentally drank the water here, and was bound to Queen Liana. However, he somehow broke free of that bind."

"How?" I ask eagerly. I should be able to return home soon after all!

"The Queen had a servant she had follow her everywhere. An elf, to be exact. She was her confidante, and her best friend. Melody was her name. She fit your mother's exact description.

"Melody never agreed with Liana forcing stray humans into bondage, but she remained silent. Until the boy was brought here. Liana liked him, being how handsome he was, and essentially kept him as a pet. Melody spoke up, and surprisingly, Liana listened, and moved the boy into a position as a guard of sorts. She also sent Melody to keep close watch on the boy. Little did she know, that the elf soon fell in love with the human." I listen with interest. This story is wrong in so many ways, but it's sweet how the elf and the boy fell in love with each other. "Despite their differences, together they found small ways to be together, and eventually found a way to escape. Together." Stella looks at me. "Reyna, I think you're the child of Melody and that boy. That would make you half-elf, or a Halfling." Before I can argue that it's impossible, she talks again. "I remember the boy. He was a looker. Red hair and green eyes. Isn't that what your father has as well?" Yes, I realize. It finally hits me. I'm half elf?

I breathe in deeply before talking again. "So if I'm half elf, shouldn't I be unaffected by drinking the water?"

"Not necessarily...." She admits. "You're still half human. I think that just means that it isn't as severe for you.

"But still, your father was completely human, and managed to escape with the help of one of the Fey. Maybe you can do the same!"

"Okay, Stella, will you help me?" The brunette otherworldly girl pouts.

"Not me! Sorry, but I don't know how." I sigh in exasperation.

"Who else could I ask?!"

"How about that unicorn?" She suggests. "After all, he was looking out for you before."

"True. But how could I contact him?"

Stella smiles. "That's something you can do with even the littlest bit of Fey blood. You're linked to the pure beasts of this world. Simply think of them, and send out a plea for help with your mind." Okay, that doesn't seem to difficult. Now, just for these bindings around my wrist.

"Thank you, Stella. Could you get these off me now?" I hold out my hands. The girl shakes her head.

"Sorry Reyna, I can't. I don't want to risk getting killed by Queen Liana."

"What do you mean, killed?" Is that what happened to....? Stella nods.

"Queen Liana was enraged when she found out that the human escaped, especially when it was her confidante that not only helped him, but escaped with him. It took her a while to find them, but eventually she did, and she killed Melody." Oh my God.... My mom was murdered by this psycho fairy queen...

"And besides, I may be wrong, but I believe there is only one way to reverse your bond to this world, Reyna. In order for you to be released from bondage, someone-or something- pure must become tainted. The holy must sin. For Melody, it was betraying Liana," Stella states gravely.

"Acadium is a white unicorn," I whisper. Even I know what that means...

He is among the most pure creatures to exist.

Stella nods. "Yes, and he possesses human and fey intelligence. If he were to sin and become tainted, you would be free."

"Isn't there any other way?" I plead. "Please, there has to be another way!" I sit and pull my knees to my chest. I want to go home, but I don't want to destroy what that pure unicorn stands for.

"You must," Stella says gently. "There is only one way out, and this is it. Acadium can get you out, and he will get you out of the enchanted forest as well." Doubt crawls into my mind.

"How do you know? You've never met him. How do you know he won't just say no and leave me?"

"Unicorns are drawn to regal, innocent, and pure things." We both look over my white dress. "You're seventeen, which isn't an adult by even human standards. And, are you a....?" She asks while wagging her eyebrows. My cheeks burn again.

"Yes! As a matter of fact, I am!" Stella raises her hands in defense.

"Had to ask. Now call the unicorn already!" I clasp my hands together and close my eyes.

Hello...? Acadium? Acadium! I need you! Please, it's Reyna. I'm about to give up when  a moment later, my thoughts stop echoing.

Reyna?! Are you okay?!

I think so....

Where are you?

I'm in Queen Liana's palace somewhere.

Helpful much?

Acadium, please.... My hands are bound. I can't move....

You figured it out, didn't you?

Figured out what?

How you're a Halfling. You are, after all, speaking to me telepathically.

You knew?

Of course. Would I really trust a human to touch me? Your father was the one exception.

You knew him?

I gave him the same warning too late as well. He'd still be here if not for that elf, Melody. Your mother was such a pure hearted elf.

I really wanted to keep hearing this, but I also needed to get out of this world. Acadium, can you hurry please?

I'm coming.

Crash!

Splinters fly everywhere. The white unicorn charges through the room towards me, swiftly slicing my bonds.

"Get on my back!" I look at Stella, who nods quickly.

"Hurry!" I waste no time in sliding over the unicorn's sleek white back. Good thing Mom taught me how to ride bareback style.

"Hold on!" Acadium hollers. I grasp his silver mane tightly, and he takes off.