Free The Changeling Soldier by Shona Husk

soon. Just because she needed his help to get out of here didn’t mean she trusted him completely.
    He nodded but didn’t look convinced.
    A shiver scraped down her spine like a lover’s fingernails. He’d seen something and it involved her. “Why do you ask?”
    “Curious. Can I get you anything?”
    “The key.”
    “I’m working on it. You do get out of here. We both do.”
    He’d definitely seen something. And since he’d said that he couldn’t change the future she had to assume that whatever he did would get her out of here. “Is your sister always this crazy?”
    He sighed. “No. This is her first kidnapping. Why didn’t you give her the wish?”
    She’d promised herself no more deals with mortals a long time ago. Melody didn’t realize what she was asking, yet in hindsight it would’ve been the easy way out and she wouldn’t be lying here surrounded by iron.
    “Because there’s a price, Isaac.” She liked the way his name formed on her lips. “What would she give up to have what she wants? Fairy deals never end well for humans. It’s been nearly two centuries since I’ve made a deal with a human. I’ve tried to blend in.”
    “You sew magic into your dresses.”
    She smiled. “Yes, because I enjoy making them, and I want the wearer to enjoy them too. That’s my gift to your world. It can’t be forced from me, the same way your gift can’t be forced. Warn your sister not to proceed.”
     
    After Isaac left her, Ella spent some time trying to change her size a little, just enough that she could slip her foot free, but she had nothing. She was completely without magic and she was cold. She needed sunlight and warmth. She needed to return to Annwyn. In her heart she knew she might not get home in time. Her long and colorful life was going to come to a silent and dark end in a basement with no one to note her passing.
    Isaac would notice. He’d probably even mourn. But that wasn’t what she wanted, she wasn’t ready to die and find out what kind of afterlife fairies went to. There were things she still wanted to do. She wanted to spend time at Court again. She’d like to find love—not that she’d ever say that aloud, as the Court fairies would laugh. Perhaps the two things she wanted couldn’t be had at the same time. She’d like to have a child. A fairy child. Someone to carry on her name.
    She wasn’t going to be bested by a slip of a human.
    Melody would regret that she’d ever hear the name Ella Aaron.
     
    The door creaked open and a light flicked on. Ella blinked a few times and lifted her head, but it wasn’t Isaac coming down the stairs. It was Melody. Her stomach flopped over and then curled up. It took a moment for Ella to recognize the feeling as absolute terror. Fear was something she didn’t feel very often. Terror was new and much colder and sharper than fear. It locked her muscles and caught in her throat.
    For the first time in her life, Ella was close to understanding what it meant to be mortal, where life could be snatched away in a heartbeat and there was nothing she could do about it. She didn’t like it at all. Where was Isaac?
    “I thought it was time we had a talk.” Melody crossed her arms and stared down at her, as if aware she had all the power.
    That alone rankled. She was Eletta merch Arawn, daughter of the old Lord of the Hunt, a Court fairy who was on sabbatical in the mortal world. It was more like hiding until the scandal involving her father blew over, but still, she was here by choice. She was not some weak, banished fairy, or even a Brownie serving mortals in exchange for lodging and food. No, she’d carved out her own life in the mortal world and she would not let Melody take it from her. She forced herself to sit up, ignoring the burning of her skin as the iron connected and the weakness in her body from the prolonged contact. She wouldn’t give Melody the satisfaction.
    When Melody stepped back a pace, Ella bit back a smile. Good. Fear