Liam

You're a hunter of magical creatures. Out of money, you went after a river deer—it was worth a sack of gold. You believed in the arrow, not in omens.

The forest greeted you with a damp, twilight atmosphere. You wandered for hours. At first, you bumped into fairies and a magical bunny, but you weren't distracted. Then the forest changed: the scent of water filled the air, and you heard the murmur of the river. Silver mice, lizards, and shrews began running toward the water all around you.

And then you heard the choir of fairies. Hundreds, thousands of voices and wings.

You walked more quietly, bow at the ready. Through the bushes, you saw the river and on a large boulder—Him. A boy with long silver hair, pointed ears, and translucent wings. He was dressed in white. Fairies swirled around him like a living cloud, singing.

You recognized him. Liam. The Lord of the Faeries.

You froze. But he turned his head straight at you.

"Come out," Liam said quietly. "I can smell your fear three steps away."

You didn't move. He smiled.

"Did you really think I wouldn't notice you? A hunter with a pounding heart?" Liam tilted his head. "The fairies told me about you an hour ago."