Tamlin hoped he had seen the last of Janet. What happened on their last meeting in Carterhaugh was a mistake, and if the fairy queen ever learned about that mistake, they would both be sentenced to a slow and agonizing death. It wasn’t that she was an evil queen, as such. Maev ruled her people well, but within her heart was an unquenchable jealousy the things she possessed, and such possessions included ex-lovers, among whom Tamlin was numbered.

It had been years since they had spoken let alone touched. Yet, had Queen Maev learned about his union with Janet, she would do more than either.

That Tamlin hadn’t met the fair woman of the nearby estate in months was a relief. The gate to the fairy realm, to which he was assigned as guard, would close within three days, by which time the recent indiscretion would no longer be a concern.

So it was with a sinking heart that he stumbled upon the red-haired Janet a second time, while patrolling the area as a wolf. Being half-fae meant that he could take on many forms. It was, in fact, against fae law for Tamlin to take human shape, but he longed to sense the world of man like he once had all those ages before being turned fae. That was where all the trouble started. That was how Janet found him, while picking roses in the queen’s wild gardens.

It was an innocent mistake and having once been human, he could see how it could be made. But to take anything belonging to the queen was punishable by death, and Tamlin served as both guard and executioner.

Therefore, it was with ill intention that he approached young Janet on their first meeting, but each step softened his heart against her, for each step made clearer her radiance. And when he was within arm’s reach, it was as though a spell had been cast, a spell much more powerful than that conjured by the fairy queen when she found him in a similar position once upon a time.

The stern look in her eyes, the way her hair softly danced upon the breeze, the scent of her skin. He found himself frozen where he stood, and as hard as he tried, he could not draw the blade nestled in the sheath on his back.

“How dare you pick these roses without leave of the queen.” It was meant an accusation but came out a plea.

“How dare you imply that I require permission. These flowers, as the rest of this forest, grow on my father’s land.”

He was taken aback by the fire in her voice as any other maiden would have fled. It would have been useless, of course, for the fae have ways of making sure their victims cannot escape. This Tamlin knew well, for he had once been such a victim. But here was Janet, standing before him, defying him, challenging him. It was surprising, even tantalizing, and it set his heart to racing.

When she outstretched a hand to brush aside a lock of silver that had fallen into his eye, his only reaction was to reach out and stroke her cheek with his.

They became entwined and stretched out among the soft litter of the forest.

After that, how he harm her? She had reminded him of what it was to be human, to be alive. The least he could do was let her go and hope the queen and her many eyes had not observed them.

So, on their second meeting, when Tamlin stumbled upon her and he a wolf, thoughts both fair and evil raced through he mammalian mind.

Wolves had sharp teeth and strong jaws for tearing. But, how could he? It was the only way to ensure he avoided the queen’s wrath. He resolved to see the task to completion this time, for what choice did he really have while at Maev’s mercy?

He carefully approached from behind, his paws falling gently on the moist forest soil, sure not to make a sound, not to alert her. He suspected that the moment his eyes fell upon that face again his resolve, no matter how strong, was sure to be broken.

He prepared to pounce when he smelled it. Janet was not alone. His heart raced again but out of fear. It was only then that he realized she had not been picking roses, but a poisonous plant. She was planning on doing his work for him. She was planning on taking their lives.

At first, the thought brought relief, for it would relieve him of the deed. It would straighten matters for him. Janet would be gone for good, and the queen would never know.

But as he turned to stalk off into the brush, relief turned to guilt, guilt to panic, panic to pain, and pain to grief. One moment he delighted in never seeing her again, but when faced with the reality, he longed to see her for the rest of time.

Against his will, his body took the form of a man.

Hearing the commotion, Janet turned to find him. And even then, she was not startled.

“How dare you pick these flowers to harm the child within?”

“If the child cannot have its father, how can I allow it to begin?” That fire was still in her voice, but tears filled her eyes, as they did his.

The forest found them embracing as day became night, and Tamlin plotted his escape with Janet.

For he had once read in a forbidden tome that on the last night the gate is open, the queen must march through the forest to cast the spell that will seal it once again. It instructed that if a fairy is present at a certain well on the edge of the forest when the spell is cast, they will become human once the gate is closed.

However, the ancient script contained one warning: the fae would lose all shape and power, and may his or her love devour. Unless they heed this final warning, and hold each other ’til the morning.

* * *

As the final day of the gate’s opening dawned, snow fell in flurries. Tamlin hurried along the way only to find his way to the human realm was barred. Twelve fairies heavily armed with spears stood to each side of the steps that climbed to the opening between the ancient oaks.

Tamlin fought with all his might to overcome those who guarded his escape. His blade swiped and parried, while sure not his fellow guard to injure. With all his skill and his many forms, he reached the entrance to the way of man but not without pain. From a distance Queen Maev howled his name, and without turning he fled, leaving a trail of red in his wake.

He raced through the forest as fast as his animal forms would allow, the queen and her champions in tow. More than once he heard them at his tail and feared the chase was up.

By the time he emerged near the well of power, he was a white fox all but spent. Janet took him in her arms as Queen Maeve’s knights erupted from the trees on steeds black, brown, and white. They circled Tamlin and Janet but could not harm them despite their might. The Queen came riding on her horse of gold at their heels, and cried aloud in rage. But even her magic, as strong as it was, could not harm them by the well of power.

“Very well, Tamlin. You may have your wench. But know that when I cast my spell, before the gate closes you will lose all form, and her blood will be on your hands nonetheless.”

With that she steered her mare into the trees from where she came, her men following, hooves shaking the earth like thunder.

Tamlin, still a fox, stared into Janet’s eyes and prayed that she would not fear or let him go, no matter what form he took. If she did release him from her hold, he would lose all control, and prove the queen’s words true.

He watched in horror as his reflection became a growling wild wolf, but Janet didn’t let him go. He lost all sense of time before he changed into a towering bear. Still, Janet squeezed with all she had and would not let him go. He felt his humanity flee as his body turned into a lion bold and struggled to break free. Again, Janet did not let him go and with all she had she squeezed. Next, he changed into a naked man and she wrapped him in her woollen coat. He caught his reflection in her eyes: the father of her child.