The Choice of Magic - Michael G. Manning Page 0,154
might be going hungry soon. They weren’t waiting for us. They were waiting for the supply wagons.”
Will stood up. “How long do we have before lights out?”
“What lights?” asked Dave sarcastically. “All we have is a campfire.”
“We stopped early today, so we still have an hour,” said Corporal Taylor.
“I’m going to stretch my legs,” said Will.
“I’ll come with you,” volunteered Tiny.
The corporal nodded. “Don’t go outside the perimeter, otherwise the patrol guard will be all over my ass.”
Will and Tiny walked until they were beyond the reach of the light from the campfires, then Will stopped. “I need to talk to someone. I wasn’t expecting you to come.”
“I can go back if you want,” offered the big soldier.
“It’s all right, just try not to be surprised,” said Will. Under his breath he repeated a single word three times, ‘Tailtiu.’ Deep down he felt something, and he knew she had heard him.
Ten minutes passed in near silence before Tiny asked, “Is someone supposed to meet you?”
Will nodded. “She’ll be here soon, I think. Thank you for today, by the way.”
The big man shrugged. “I don’t have many talents, but I know who to trust.”
A voice purred at them from the darkness, “You have good taste then.”
Will tried to reassure Tiny, who looked as though he was about to jump out of his skin. “Don’t worry, it’s my friend.” It was then that a slender hand snaked up behind the big man and stroked Tiny’s cheek and neck.
“W-wh-who are you?” said Tiny, his voice tremulous.
“Leave him be, Tailtiu,” said Will sternly. “He’s never met any fae before.”
Tailtiu peered at him from around Tiny’s shoulder. “Oh, I like them fresh.” Then she moved around to the big soldier’s front and gazed up at him hungrily. “And he looks delicious.”
Tiny stood frozen in place, though whether it was from magic or fear, Will wasn’t sure. His eyes moved down, taking in the fae woman’s naked form. She was still covered in scars, though they were a dark green now, making her appearance even more feral. After a few seconds Tailtiu turned away and stepped toward Will. She opened her arms as though she would embrace him but almost immediately leaped back, hissing.
“Nasty!” she exclaimed. “What is that all over you? Iron? Why, William? Why would you do that?”
He chuckled. “I like breathing. This helps keep arrows out of me.”
“Don’t expect a kiss from me until you’ve taken it off and had a long bath,” said Tailtiu with obvious disgust. Will saw one of Tiny’s brows go up in surprise. The fae woman noticed as well and she gave the big man a sultry look. “Didn’t you know? I’m his aunt, but don’t let that fool you. We’re very—close.”
Alarmed, Will waved his hands at Tiny. “Don’t listen to her. It isn’t like that.”
“Sure it is,” said Tailtiu. “Would you like me to show you?”
Ignoring her remark, Will continued, “You still owe me another day.”
Tailtiu sighed. “Always business with you. What do you want?”
“Can you move about without being seen?”
“Of course,” answered his aunt, before glancing back at Tiny. She puffed her chest out slightly and formed her lips into a sly pout. “But I much prefer being seen.”
Will’s friend was turning red, and Will worried that Tiny might pass out from the strain of enduring Tailtiu’s attention. “I want you to scout the mountain ahead of us. There may be soldiers in the area.”
“Of course, there are,” she said abruptly, waving her hand toward the camp. “I can smell hundreds of them over there, along with an unsavory amount of iron.”
“That’s our camp,” said Will dryly.
His aunt smiled sweetly. “I knew that.”
“How long will it take you?” he asked.
She pretended to think, putting one hand on her chin, then answered, “I don’t know. I’ll find you when I’m done.”
Will had hoped it would be quick and easy, but he guessed that was just hopeful thinking. “We have to go back to the camp. I’ll call you tomorrow—”
“It won’t take that long, silly boy. Not to worry, I’ll find you when I’m done.”
“But we’ll be in camp.”
Tailtiu began walking away, fading into the darkness. “I can always find you, Will.” She glanced back once, her eyes glowing ominously. “Remember that.”
Once he was sure she was gone, Will nudged Tiny who seemed to have fallen into a trance, staring into the darkness. “Come on. Let’s go back.”
“Oh, right,” said the big man. As they were walking, he asked a question, “So she’s really your aunt?”