The Serpent and the Swan: A Grimm-Dark Fairy Tale by Ashland Pym

Author:Ashland Pym [Pym, Ashland]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Night Sea Press
Published: 2021-01-05T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

Predators and Prey

Come morning, Cygna had slept little but she was started from her dozing by a sharp knock at the door. It took her a moment to remember that, while there was a resemblance, this was not her own bedroom. A faint golden morning light hung around the walls and the furniture but there were no windows and no discernable source, only a painted sun that she did not remember being on the wall the night before. In place of the fruits that had laden the table the night before there was a plate of breads and hard cheeses with a pitcher of cold, clean water.

The rapping at the door came again and when Cygna unbolted it the Woman Wreathed All in Shadow swept in.

“Good, you’re a sensible girl. I feared you were the adventuring type and might go out in the night, despite my warning.”

“What is out there?” Cygna asked.

“A curse gone horribly wrong.”

“Is it the Lindworm?”

“Yes. I fear it sensed your arrival and came looking for you. But I have taken precautions. Here, I brought you breakfast.”

“Thank you, I have my own food.” She drew the provisions her father had given her from her satchel.

“That sad loaf of bread? It won’t last you long. What a life you must have led to be so mistrustful.”

“I was warned not to trust the Fair Folk.”

“Your father’s kind do like to make up stories about us. And about you.”

“This place doesn’t feel right. Like it is trying to force itself on me by wearing a mask, but that mask keeps slipping.”

“It’s trying to welcome you home. It wants to you feel as though you belong. Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted?”

“And how would you know?” the Swan Maiden snapped.

“You are one of us walking among your father’s people. That has never ended well for either side.”

“I’m not the only unnatural thing up there. What do you know of the serpent that is ravaging my world?”

“Not your world, my dear. Not exactly. And never call yourself ‘unnatural’ unless you want a clip on the ear. There is nothing wrong with you. Stop using the language of others to describe yourself. Now, I am here to bring you out to meet your people—but that shift absolutely will not do. I don’t know how they treated you back in that wretched place you’ve called home, but here you will have raiment befitting your station. I took the liberty of having this prepared for you.”

The Woman Wreathed All in Shadow opened the wardrobe and produced a gown of deep blue velvet and samite with silver embroidery. When Cygna tried it on, she found that in place of the left sleeve was a veil of shimmering silk. The bodice tied at the side to accommodate her wing. As the Woman Wreathed All in Shadow cinched her in, she felt a prick in her eyes at this simple act of decency. She had many fine gowns at home that she was expected to appreciate. Here, the subtle flutter of sheer silk against her feathers enhanced and celebrated her form.

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