Ume's Lament Extract
:: Short Stories Currently in Print
:: Contemporary Stories
:: Supernatural Stories
:: Fantasy Stories
:: Faerie Stories
:: Tales from Carnia
The rainbow silks of the dancers rustled as they whirled around the marble dance floor. The air was heavy with the scent of flowers and full with the sound of laughter and gentle music. Salir stood still and silent at the edge, watching the dancers whirling around, their pale hair streaming out around them, glistening wings sparkling in the moonlight as though covered with dew, eyes bright with laugher, and he smiled to see them. For the first time in a long time he felt at ease, peaceful and comfortable, as though this was where he belonged, back among his own kind, back among the faeries.
“This is where you belong,” a voice whispered into his ear, seductive and warm, reading his thoughts. Turning Salir met the gaze of the pale haired woman. Her golden eyes were bright, dancing, as they met his. “This is your home, you should stay with us, be among your own kind again, away from those . . . those mortals.”
“Those mortals . . .” The mention of them brought images to Salir's mind, of Talyn, his blond, blue eyed farmer's boy, and slowly he shook his head. “No, I left my home to be with Talyn, I cannot stay.”
“But you want to, don't you? You miss your own kind. That mortal boy, he will never truly understand you, not like we will. Besides, he will grow old and die while you are still young. Why put yourself through all of that, why not stay, with us, here, where you belong?”
“Because . . . because this isn't where I belong.” It was a wrench to say those words, it made his heart ache to say them out loud because deep inside, he knew that it was true. He couldn't stay, he wasn't home, he would never have a home again.
“No,” the woman agreed, “but it could be.” She caught his hands, her touch was cold and strong, like stone. “You do belong here, Salir!” she insisted. “This is your home. You should not leave us, you should not leave me!”