LOGINShare
Chapter 22
Related chapters
Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 23
"He saved me from some human poachers. Then, one night, he brought me in out of the rain because I couldn't fly with wet wings and was cold. He offered to let me stay with him and I accepted." Twillow explained. Alec smiled at her but then a frown crossed his mouth as he seemed to 'look' at his son, "You 'saved' her from human poachers, hmm? 'Dealt' with them did ya?" Kendrick's eyelids lowered, his voice flat, "Yes. What of it?" "You know how I feel about that, Son." Alec's tone was firm and reproaching.+ "I do. And I'd rather not discuss it again." Alec sighed, steadying his breath. It was as if an invisible storm was trying to brew between the two titans. Twillow felt herself shrink back a bit Finally, Alec spoke again, defusing the situation, "So what have you brought me today?" Kendrick handed him the basket and Alec began meticulously feeling and smelling the fruits and vegetables it contained. "Ooo. You brought me some of those strawberries. Those were so good last time.
Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 24
A couple days later... Kendrick was taking an afternoon nap on his bed whilst Twillow sat on the edge of her hanging bed finishing a basket she'd been weaving. She held up the simple form to check it for weak points or gaps. She sighed with frustration, noting it wasn't really good. "This would be so much easier with magic." She mused. Though she could utilize her internal magic for little things like transferring flames or bringing small objects within her reach, she kept up her frugal conservancy. In the Parliel Realm her magic was strong and she could have it do multiple tasks at once with little strain. Magic was so easy to replenish there; almost like drinking water when one was thirsty. Here in the Lower Realm it was a desert for magic; she had to conserve what she had. But as she looked at her less-than-stellar basket, a thought occurred to her. Kendrick knew a human wizard who could utilize the magic of this realm...maybe he knew of some ways she was unfamiliar with to keep
Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 25
Leida moved her head in a 'so-so' gesture, "It depends on what it is. If it's subtle enough, like a potion or herb, it can be seen as normal. But big spells like freezing water or creating fire, that would get him arrested...probably burned at the stake."The fae looked horrified, "That's awful!"Leida nodded, "It's the reason we moved into this forest since no one else lived here...except for Kendrick."+"But your husband only uses his magics to help others, yes?""Of course. Mostly medicines and remedies." Leida explained.The fae shook her head, "Why would they execute him for something that helps others?"Leida frowned, "Some believe all magic is tied to evil forces."Twillow was bewildered. She couldn't fathom why humans would condemn a wizard like Sig who wasn't using his magic for any nefarious purposes.Leida moved off toward her countertop where she had a big bowl of chopped apples and lots of spices ready."Well, Twillow. Let me show you a bit of my magic." She stated with f
Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 26
Later near sundown..."Here, Twillow. I want you to have these." Sig stated, handing the fae a small cloth sack filled with crystals. "They probably aren't much, but if you arrange them in the same symbol on the bag they can keep themselves charged with magic. Perhaps it can help you absorb some more if you need it?"Twillow gratefully took the bag in her hands and the crystals grew brighter inside upon her touch, "Thank you so much, Sig. These are perfect."Though the crystals weren't very powerful by fae standards, Twillow knew they would help give her a bit of "magical nourishment". Granted, it wouldn't give her an instant refill of magic should she deplete her natural reserves, but it would sustain her after a while. Putting them around her bed as she slept would be a good use for them.She batted her wings and smiled at the wizard and his family, "Thank you so much for your kind hospitality. I'm very grateful.""You're very welcome, Twillow. Please come again." Leida reciprocated
Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 27
They stared at the sky some more until Twillow started humming a tune she remembered about stars and gradually it built into quiet singing. As she sang she noticed Kendrick's breathing slowed beneath her. She held a note in the song and suddenly his chest seemed to shudder beneath her.She stopped singing and glanced at the huge arms draped across his stomach. The distinct raised texture of goose flesh covered them. She'd given him chills with her singing. He'd said her singing was beautiful before, but seeing the physical effect it had on him was the greatest compliment she'd ever received about her singing."Please, don't stop yet." He requested in almost a whisper.Twillow smiled and continued her song, even delving into a second one just for him. When she stopped he gave a contented sigh. The deep motion of his exhale made Twillow slide down off of his chest and into the space between his stomach and ribs. It was actually much more comfortable than the firmer surface of his chest.
Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 28
Twillow listened for the woman as she flew. She followed the sound of the woman's screams and cries and was soon able to locate her in a clearing amid the forest. She had long, dark brown hair and medium toned skin. She was naked save for the ropes that bound both of her arms to the trunk a big tree. She was on her knees, sobbing and seemed clearly exhausted from fighting her bonds.Who had done this to her and why?With a quick drop of her wings, Twillow glided down the rest of the way and came to a running landing in front of the bound woman. The naked woman cried out but then stared at her with wonder through tear-filled eyes.Twillow held up her hands and approached quietly, "It's ok. I'm here to help you.""Wh-What?" the woman stammered in a strained voice.Twillow observed the tree and the ropes that bound the woman, trying to find a way to unbind her, "Who did this to you?"The woman shook her head as if she didn't want to say."You don't know? Why would they tie you up out her
Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 29
A wicked smiled slowly turned his mouth upward, "And...you're about to get blood on my boots."The sweep of his leg was so fast and abrupt that less than half of the men were able to duck or veer from its path. A terrible melody of snapping bones, short screams, and the dull thunk of bodies striking trees rang out. Crimson stained the grass as a complimentary mist. The giant's boot swept back, returning to its original place calmly as if apathetic to the death it had just dealt.His head tipped slightly and seemed to bob in a counting sort of gesture, "Hmm...eight."With a deliberate step he delivered a swift end to the nearest slayer, "Seven."There was a frantic scramble of the survivors to get to their feet and flee for the trees.A sickening crunch, "Six..." and two more, "Five...four..."Two slayers turned defensively and fired their crossbows; mere leaves caught up in the bloody hurricane that was barreling down on top of them."Three...two..." the morbid countdown continued.Th
Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 30
Winter...As the weather turned colder, Twillow had kept indoors near the fireplace. She didn't like the cold at all and was ill-equipped to deal with it. She was, however, feeling stifled since she couldn't go out flying for very long without freezing. Flying around Kendrick's home, while spacious, was not the same as flying in the open sky. The coat and wintery outfit Kendrick had gotten for her helped but she lost so much heat through her thin wings it was like leaving a door open on a cold blustery day. However, today the pair were going on a trip to Alec's which Twillow had been looking forward to.Twillow sat on Kendrick's broad shoulder as he walked through the snowy forest. She shivered, even though he had provided her with a long, fur-lined coat to keep her warm. It was long enough that when she lowered her wings and wrapped them around her front they were covered too. But even with the coat, it was still too cold for her.Her giant companion never seemed bothered by the cold
Latest chapter
Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 41
Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 40
Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 39
Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 38
Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 37
Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 36
Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 35
Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 34
Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 33
