We rode for what felt like hours.

My legs were starting to go numb but I didn't say anything. I hated looking or feeling weak. Growing up I had learned to defend myself, often being picked on at school. Children had a strange way of being able to sense my magic. Many children had sensed my other worldliness and treated me cruelly because of it. It was this reason that I had no friends. In high school, some people would try to befriend me but I pushed them away, never knowing if it was me or my fae side they were drawn to.

Kheelan spoke to the Captain as we rode, talking quickly and often pointing out different landmarks to me. We could see the Faylinn mountains on our right. They were far off and Kheelan explained that the weather was temperamental there, many of the mountains held different seasons and you never knew which season you were going to get. He also told me that the Unseelie Court was on the other side.

From the stories I'd read of the Unseelie, I didn't want to meet them anytime soon.

The forest loomed closer, and the trees just seemed to keep getting larger. I kept thinking they can't be that big but when we stopped, the trees on the edge were the height of a four story building. I was busy looking up, gawking, as Kheelan jumped off our horse.

"We'll camp here tonight and continue in the morning, it's too dangerous to pass through the forest at night."

I looked down at him waiting for him to help me down. "I thought the creatures were scared of you?"

"The Fae in the forest are a different breed from those in the Thistle Maze. They are much more dangerous, especially those who come out at night."

Another bit of information to tuck away; don't go into the forest at night. Kheelan walked away to the edge of the forest to take a look and I bit my tongue in annoyance. First lesson prince boy had to learn; when to be courteous to a lady!

Realising I wasn't getting a hand down, I swung my leg over the horse and slowly slid down. My legs buckled as my feet hit the ground, all the feeling in them gone.

Before I could crumple into an undignified heap on the ground, hands grabbed me and lifted me up and I found myself being held against the Captain's chest.

Shocked, I stayed silent as he placed me on a flat rock. I looked up to thank him but he was already walking away.

"Thank you," I said quietly to his retreating figure.

Slowly I rubbed my legs, wincing as feeling started to stab its way back in. Kheelan came over and touched my legs, giving them a hard rub causing me to cry out in pain.

"Sorry Laila, I forgot you aren't used to riding a horse. Eventually you'll be riding them without a problem."

"I doubt it,' I muttered. "Also, you might want to brush up on how to treat a lady, instead of just letting her get down from the horse herself!"

He at least had the good sense to look sheepish. "My apologies, Laila."

The men set up for the night, building a small fire as I tried to rub feeling back into my legs. The air wasn't cold and I guessed it was more for light than warmth. The sun seemed to set quickly and soon we sat quietly around the fire, the trees looming darkly over us.

Sick of the silence, I decided to get the conversation rolling. "So how big is this forest?"

"Large,' Kheelan answered. Upon seeing my annoyed expression, he re-evaluated his answer. "In reference to the mortal world, it would be larger than one of your largest cities."

My eyebrows raised. "That's pretty massive, do any of the Fae of the court live in there?"

"No, not the Fae of the court. There are many different creatures who live in the forest though. The forest is as old as time, many of the trees are home to spirits and sprites and not all of which are kind."

"How can trees be unkind?" I asked, taking a sip of the water Kheelan offered me.

His eyes darkened in pain. "There is a part of the forest that holds no light, only darkness. There is dark magic there and the trees will trick you by moving around, sending you in circles until soon you are trapped in the darkness with no escape."

Kheelan's eyes blackened and he stared into the fire. "Fae go in there and don't come out. Some have made their way out but they are never the same. Their minds have been destroyed by the darkness and they become non-sensical."

The air seemed to get colder and his face darkened even more. Sensing I'd moved the conversation in a bad direction, I reached out to touch his arm.

"Kheelan -"

He stood up so quickly I nearly thought he had disappeared.

"I'm going for a walk." he said shortly.

He stalked o ff until the darkness encompassed him. I got up to follow when the Captain spoke.

"Leave him, you did nothing wrong, my Lady."

He watched me across the fire, eyes void of emotion.

"I obviously did something wrong, I've upset him."

The Captain looked into the fire and I saw the same pain in his eyes. "Many years ago, his little sister wandered into the forest, she had run away from her nanny, wanting to spend time with her older brothers. A brownie saw her walk into the forest and rushed to tell Kheelan and Kalen. They raced in after her but it was too late. She was never seen again. Fae who disappear in the forest always end up in the darkness."

Guilt flared in my chest. "I didn't know," I whispered.

The Captain stood up brushing off his pants. "Well now you do and I suggest you leave it be, it's not a topic that is widely conversed of."

"Right," I murmured. I looked over but he was already walking away in the direction Kheelan went, leaving me alone with only the fire to protect me.

Great, I thought sourly.

I stared into the flames, thinking of Kheelan. It must have been painful, knowing he couldn't go into the dark forest without losing his sanity. To lose a sister like that must have been so painful. My heart ached for him, realising that I wasn't the only one who knew what it was like to lose someone special.

The flames licked higher into the air as I placed another log on the fire. Not sure of how much time had passed I began to worry when they didn't come back. It didn't help that I was starting to hear noises coming from the forest. It sounded like something was crashing through the undergrowth, sending shivers up my spine.

If this had been the mortal world, I wouldn't be scared. I used to do my running late at night, finding the quiet of the night soothing. But as Kheelan had said, there were more dangerous creatures which lurked in the darkness here.

Snap!

I shot to my feet when I heard the twig break. It was coming from behind one of the trees on the edge of the forest, I was sure.

I didn't have a weapon so I pulled a branch from the fire, moving it in front of me. Behind a tree, I saw the outline of something moving, it may have been white. It didn't approach but just stood there, watching me when I heard a whimper. Not thinking, I took a step closer.

Was it a dog?

Edging closer, I moved the flame forward to get a better look.

A dog like creature sat near the tree. His coat was a beautiful white, though the hair was long, giving him a shaggy look. He watched me sadly, taking a step back as I moved closer. My father's warnings rang in my head but I couldn't help myself, he looked hurt.

Making cooing noises, I slowly reached out and held out my hand to him, opening my mind to his emotions. He leaned down, his wet noise touching my hand and I felt it; he was in pain. I slowly moved my hand up and touched his head.

"Hey boy," I said softly. "I'm not going to hurt you. Come out here where I can see you."

Seeming to understand I wasn't a threat, he limped out from behind the tree. He was a large dog, already the size of a Great Dane but he was thick chested. His face still had that puppy look about it and I guessed he wasn't that old.

Leaning down, I saw the rose vine wrapped his paw. The blood was dried but it still looked sore.

"It's okay," I chanted, as I slowly unwrapped the vine.

He whimpered as the thorns were pulled from his flesh and I gave him a pat of encouragement.

"Good boy." I murmured, as I took the last of it off. Once I was done I threw it into the fire.

His tail, which was long and plaited, was wagging furiously.

"That's better isn't it?" I cooed, smiling. He nudged my hand and I gave his head a rub. With a thud he sat down beside me and started cleaning his paw.

I continued to scratch his head, wondering what type of creature he was. I didn't remember reading about him in dad's book. I was surprised my power had worked here.

When I was little, I'd realised that when I touched someone I could tell what they were feeling. At first I thought it was fun, I'd go around touching people and animals, curious to know what emotion they were feeling. Eventually it grew out of control and soon I couldn't control it. My father had figured out what was wrong with me and he taught me how to contain it. He explained how dangerous it was to use such a gift and made me promise to never use it unless it was important. Not wanting him to hate me, I'd agreed, only wanting him to be happy.

I figure coming to Faery and being around potentially dangerous Fae was an important enough reason to use it.

I was still staring into the flames, thinking of my father when they returned. They froze when they saw the dog.

The Captain reached for his sword but I held up my hand.

"It's ok, he won't hurt you."

"Laila what on earth?' Kheelan snapped. "Why is there a Cù Sith sitting at your side?"

"He had a vine stuck in his paw, so I took it out for him. He hasn't tried to hurt me or anything, I think he might be friendly."

I looked at him as he cleaned his paw, seeming unaffected by the two powerful fae in front of him. "So he's a Cù Sith huh? I've never heard of them."

"They are known as Faery hounds.' The Captain explained. "When they bark they can cause their prey to be scared to death."

I glanced back down at him, realising why they were afraid of him.

"He didn't seem like a bad dog.' I said slowly. "He hasn't barked yet, so I think we're safe."

The dog yawned and sat his head in my lap, settling in for the night. I laughed and rubbed his head, sensing his contentment. Kheelan watched me warily but soon relented as he sat back in his spot, chuckling.

"What?" I asked.

"You've been here less than a day and you've already befriended a harbringer of death."

"Even harbringer's of death need love, Kheelan."

He laughed.

I watched him, wondering if he was alright. Seeming to sense what I was doing, he gave me a reassuring smile which I returned.

Dammit I was starting to like him.

"We better get some sleep,' he said lying down, "You need to be prepared for tomorrow."

"Don't remind me." I groaned.

Lying down, the dog turned around, curling up at my feet. "Goodnight Alpin."

"Alpin?" Kheelan looked at me strangely.

"I think it suits him, don't you? I can't call him dog, it's rude." I looked down at Alpin. "Do you like that name Alpin?"

He wagged his tail which I took as acknowledgement.

Kheelan chuckled. "Alright, Alpin it is. Drake will take first watch. See you in the morning. Goodnight Laila."

"Goodnight Kheelan, goodnight Captain."

His back to me, I saw the Captain's head move in acknowledgement.

God I hoped Kheelan's brother was more friendly than him.

I looked back at Alpin and smiled. At least I'd made one friend.

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