Chapter Three

He stood at 6'3, and his hair was an icy blue color. It was bundled tightly at the nape of his neck, and Wynne wanted to pull it down to run her fingers through it. A closer look at him revealed muscles straining against his silk shirt. He had a sword at his hip, and leather boots laced up to his thighs, over thick canvased pants. He was tending to the plants in the field.

The draw Wynne felt toward him frightened her. Especially knowing that whatever he was wasn't human. Yerrow ushered her closer, calling out for the man in Gaelic as they approached. He shifted, turning to face the duo, and instantly locked gazes with Wynne. His eyes were almost the same purple shade as lavender. His features were strong, and prominent among them was a scar over the bridge of his nose and through his lip. Was this truly the Ghillie Dhu? He looked nothing like the stories papa had told her.

Dirt covered his arms and chest. He'd obviously been tending to the plants for some time. How long had Wynne even been out for? She wasn't sure, and she intended to ask. But right as the woman opened her mouth to speak, he gave her a soft smile and addressed her calmly.

"I see you're awake. You must have many questions, little one. You were brought into this realm nearly two days ago, and have been unconscious for all that time. It seems that the Hunt found you and took an interest. You were brought to my woods. I have looked over any fresh injuries you had and healed them. Yerrow has taken care of you. "

Wynne just stared. He had answered most of her questions before she had even gotten a chance to ask-. And him calling her little one made her freckle dusted cheeks heat. What in hell was going on? Wynne had never been attracted to someone like this before. She didn't exactly understand what she was feeling towards him, but she was struggling with it.

"Sir, why did the.. Hunt, you called it? Take an interest in me? And why bring me here? " She questioned him. "And can I go back? How long do I have to be here? " As she asked, her insides felt like they were on fire. She was panicking again, and it was making her nauseous.

Of course, he immediately picked up on her distress and closed the distance between them quickly. Laying a hand on her shoulder, he gasped momentarily as it felt like sparks were flying. She had begun glowing at his touch, her skin radiating soft light. Wynne didn't notice. He quickly composed himself, focusing on calming the woman.

"Breathe, little one. All is okay. " He soothed, weaving a calming enchantment into his words. It was easy to see when it took hold. Wynne was no longer pale as a sheet, and her stomach was no longer in knots. He had done some sort of magic to help her. And she felt she could trust this man.

He began to answer, as he released her shoulder. "The Wild Hunt took you because it saw you as a sidhe. It suspected you were not where you should be, and brought you here to be where you belong. As to why here specifically, they didn't bring you to me. Yerrow found you in my woods, and brought you to me herself. But I can't say whether or not you can return, or how long you must stay. "

"But why would I belong here! I'm human!" It was obvious to tell that Wynne was outraged. She had no idea why the Wild Hunt would think her fae. She didn't know she truly was.

But the Ghillie Dhu did.

"Little one, have there ever been accidents as you grew older? Things that happened that you couldn't explain? "

Wynne should've been outraged that it seemed he ignored her question, but she wasn't. Instead, the memories of her 18th birthday immediately surfaced in her mind. She felt compelled to answer him.

"On the day I turned 18, a teakettle erupted. The boiling water covered my hands and wrists. There was no acceptable explanation as to why it had erupted. And doctors couldn't explain the lasting nerve damage in my hands. " She raised her hands to him, demonstrating the scars.

"And I've had these dreams...all my life. Of places like this, and some of the creatures I've seen since this began." She dropped her hands, rifling through her satchel for the sketchbook, and opening it to a drawing of the field they were currently standing in. Exactly as it was then, with the exception of the two of them. "But I don't understand how that would make me anything more than human. Even my parents are human! I would know. "

"Alas, I do not have all the answers you seek. But I believe as the hunt did, you are not human. If you would wish, I can travel with you, to get the answers you look for."