Free Kelpie Curse: A Feyland Urban Fantasy Tale (The Celtic Fey Book 2) by Roz Marshall Page B

daisy-covered grass in front of the Bright King's throne, Elphin was flanked by Urisk on one side, and Cailleach on the other. A small crowd of fey surrounded them, those who were curious—or bored—enough to listen to the king's decrees. Others were setting out the silver table in preparation for the evening meal, and on the far side of the clearing a tall elf plucked on a pearly harp, the delicate music lilting high over the ethereal throng and their murmured conversations.
    Elphin's would-be masters had both made representation to the faerie king; Cailleach making much of her advanced years and her requirement for a servant to attend to her day-to-day needs; Urisk stressing the necessity of help with the never-ending work in his herb garden, which would leave him available to treat the ills and ailments of the King's subjects.
    Elphin's heart hammered in his chest as he inclined his head in deference. Could this be his chance to escape the Realm of Faerie? He clenched his fists. "My lord, I would ask to be returned home, to my mortal life."
    The King regarded him for a moment. "But you are under an enchantment, are you not?"
    Elphin risked a glance at the King. "Yes."
    "And you have not fulfilled the conditions to be released from the spell?"
    His shoulders sagged. Would he never be free of the witch and her malicious sorcery? "No."
    "Then I decree that, until that day, or until one year from now—whichever comes first—you are to work for Urisk, tending his herbs and helping with his medicine. And then you shall be returned to Cailleach, to continue as her cup-bearer until your enchantment is lifted."
    With a howl of frustration, Cailleach spun on her heel and stomped angrily back into the forest, her two wolves trailing behind her. At the edge of the clearing, she turned suddenly and pointed a bony finger at Elphin. "You have not heard the last of this, Elphin Irving, mark my words!"
    Urisk touched his elbow. "Ignore her," he said. "She is not a graceful loser." He jerked his head at the magical buffet from which mouth-watering aromas were drifting across the glade. "Let us eat our fill, and then return to my cave. She cannot hurt you now."
    He is right. She cannot hurt me now. Or at least not for another year.
    Hope blossomed in Elphin's chest and brought a smile to his lips. He had a year to enjoy the warmth and sunlight of the forest, rather than the bleak icy slopes of Cailleach's mountain. A year to enjoy the simple company of the goat-man, and the rewarding work in his garden. And a year to make Corinne fall in love with me.
    With Cailleach out of his life, anything seemed possible now. Even his dreams might come true. He grinned, and followed Urisk across the clearing to the silver table.

E PILOGUE

    C ORINNE PULLED OFF the gaming headset, her skin prickling. She was not alone in the darkened VR booth.
    There's someone else here.
    Her senses still on high alert after the wolf attack, she reached into her quiver for an arrow and nocked it to her bow, aiming at the intruder.
    "W—woah!"
    Someone flicked the light switch and she threw up a hand to shield her eyes.
    At the entrance stood a greasy-haired youth in a vintage Def Leppard t-shirt, his palms raised in front of his chest. The sim café attendant. Behind him, Mother's concerned face peered over his shoulder.
    "Don't shoot!" The attendant's face was even whiter than his usual geek pallor.
    Logging out of Feyland always left her disorientated. Coming out suddenly and unexpectedly, like she just had, she was having a hard time getting to grips with reality.
    She looked down at her hands. A willowy arrow with a sharp bronze arrowhead was nocked onto a magnificent maplewood bow whose inlaid silver scrollwork looked totally out of place in this modern setting. Especially since she was still wearing her gamer gloves.
    "S—sorry," she said, and dropped her arm.
    "Corinne!" Mother pushed past the attendant. "What's wrong?"
    "Uh, I don't know. I was playing my