The Seer's Curse by J.J. Faulks

Author:J.J. Faulks
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Troubador Publishing Ltd
Published: 2018-02-01T16:00:00+00:00

Orleigh broke into a jog in order to keep up with Teymos as he strode across the grounds of the estate. The lightness of her step was tempered by the weight of the loneliness unfolding inside. They crossed the gravel-strewn courtyard with its central fountain embedded in a maze of deep maroon- and black-petalled roses. Her ears pricked at the sound of stones scrunching underfoot, relishing it like the dying embers of summer.

When they reached the lawn, she kicked off her sandals. The cool grass brushed against the soles of her feet, and it felt like freedom. The green blades rose up to meet Teymos, like soldiers swearing their allegiance. A carpet of daisy flourished before him, lining his path, their pale petals blushing pink at his touch.

“Where are you going?” she asked, trailing a step behind. The daisies smiled up at her, shimmering silver and gold, as if any friend of Teymos was a friend of theirs too.

“To work,” he answered, the reply so predictable that she could have chimed along.

“That’s what you always say,” she grumbled, letting her head fall back like an exasperated child as she rolled her eyes. A waterfall of curls cascaded down her spine, their tips pooling at her waist.

“That’s because it’s true,” he said.

“But where are you working?” she asked. “Who are you meeting?”

“It’s a secret.” Teymos lifted one finger to his lips, and he winked at her, his open eye flashing with jets of blue lightning.

She pouted. “You mean that it’s not the concern of a mortal such as myself—” she gestured to herself with a theatrical flourish “—and that I shouldn’t ask so many questions.”

Teymos laughed, a joyful thunder that shook the earth beneath them. “Those are your words, not mine.”

“It’s what you’re thinking though,” she said.

They were nearing the edge of the grass. The hedge that marked the boundary of the estate towered over them, a dark green wall bejewelled with dainty pink and yellow flowers. A low wooden gate filled the only gap in the hedge, and beyond lay the gloom of the Great Forest.

Teymos opened the gate. With his hand resting on the wood, he stopped and turned to face her. “Somethings are better left unknown,” he said. “But you should never stop asking questions.”

“Maybe one day I’ll read about all your adventures in the myths.” She took a step towards the gate and as she did, tendrils emerged from the ground beneath her. The vines twisted and writhed around her ankles, stretching up her legs, their intricate mesh preventing her from taking a single step further.

“Maybe you will,” he said, and then added, “Stay safe.”

“I’m not the one going into the Great Forest,” she pointed out and looked down at the vines that held her. With Teymos’s enchantment guarding the perimeter there was no risk of her finding adventure. “Nothing ever happens here. I’ll be fine.”

Teymos nodded and smiled. He stepped through the gate, but then paused. “And remember…”

“…don’t let the goats into the house,” she chorused along with Teymos’s warning.

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