Origins

“I told you the rules were simple! Never give them your first name. Never eat food that they give you.”

“Hey, at least I didn’t stand in a fairy circle.”

“So, what do you owe?”

That is the question, considering I’m not sure. I had known my new friend from work was of the fae, but the man had charmed me completely. Not in the romantic sense, because I could tell he wasn’t in my league, just in a way that made me want to be his friend. He seemed a little ostracized, to be frank, and I am all about inclusivity, so when we started talking months ago, I never thought he’d ask me to come to his house for a meal, or that I would finally let lose my name. I was drunk.

“I wish I knew.”

“You’re so dead, darling. They got your great-great-grandmother and they can get you too.” I roll my eyes at my phone.

“Mom, it’ll be fine. He asked me to accompany him at the work Christmas party, as friends, so I don’t think he plans to eat my soul or whatever.”

She sighs deeply on the other end of the phone. “You know you attract them because of your bright hair.”

“Plenty of people dye their hair pink mom.”

“Yeah, and they all end up minions of the fae. I can’t believe you gave him your name Marnie.”

I just laugh. “Mom I swear I’ll be fine.”

“Well make sure you’re bundled up and have an ice-scraper. I hear it’s going to snow for the next couple of days.”

“All right will do. I love you, mom. See you on Christmas Day.”

“Love you too Mar-mar.”

In my cramped studio apartment, I can already see the snow beginning to fall. It gives me a sense of peace, and I snuggle underneath a blanket, letting sleep take me.

During the Christmas party, I struggle to find my friend for the first time. I shouldn’t be surprised since I knew people would be dressed up as elves and in all sorts of Christmas costumes, but it amuses me. I head to get a drink first and feel a tap on my shoulder.

“I found you, Marnie.” The way he says my name doesn’t alarm me like everyone says it will. I feel no sense of wanting to control me or wanting to suck out my soul.

“Hey, Oberon.” It’s not his real name, but that’s what his name tag said when he started, so we just all call him that. Mostly me, since I’m the only one who talks to him.

“Any Christmas cookies you can eat?” He asks, bumping my shoulder.

“Nope, but plenty of spiked punch!”

“Vegans.” He says, rolling those bright purple eyes at me playfully.

All fae have the same color eyes and pointy ears, which makes it easy to spot them, but from what he’s told me, each one’s hair is unique minus a royal. Oberon’s is a natural aqua color, that falls wildly around his face.

“Quit checking me out, Mar.”

“Oh please. You wish.”

He flashes me a bright smile and we find a seat nearby. Everyone else avoids him like the plaque, and even though it bothers me, I’ve never seen it affect him.

“I enjoy this dress.”

I remember what I’m wearing and look down, admiring it all over again. When I saw it in the store, I felt it was one of a kind, a purple dress that matches Oberon’s eyes with silver snowflakes embroidered on it.

Everyone here is in reds or greens, but I didn’t want to conform. Of course, Oberon is wearing a blue suit and is dashing in his own way.

“Thank you. I like the suit, it’s very... winter wonderland.”

He laughs, and we talk more about work, about our lives.

“Do you want to ditch?” He asks me, and without hesitation, I slam my drink.

“Let’s go.” Standing up, he grabs my hand and I follow him out.

I hear my mother’s voice in my head about how dead I am, and I decide if being here on this cold, snowy night with a man like Oberon gets me killed. Well, c'est la vie.

However, when we step outside, I realize that there’s no snow, but large tall trees, dusted with bright greens and purple flowers.

“Oberon?”

“You can call me Blythe here.”

I turn to look at him, “Is this allowed?”

My face must be giving me away because he laughs.

Anyone who knows anything about the fae would know where we are. He’s brought me into their homeworld, a place no human can go without being invited, and from what I’ve heard, being invited is not always a good thing.

“It is, but it’s frowned upon. I’ve always found that I enjoy a warm Christmas.”

“It’s only Christmas Eve though, what about tomorrow?”

“Worried I’m kidnapping you?”

I shake my head, if he was, he’d be proving my mom right, but I know she’d also probably find me no matter what. Besides, against all her wishes, I trust him.

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you get back in time for Christmas with your mom tomorrow. She’d hunt me down if I don’t.” He pretends to shiver and I playfully slap his arm.

“Okay, so now what?”

“Well, it’s a surprise, Marnie.” This time when he says my name, I feel the amount of power he has over me, making me stumble. “Mar! Are you okay? Are you hurt?” He rushes to help me straighten up.

“No, not at all. It’s just this place, right?” His hands are warmer here, like everything else, and I’m starting to regret wearing this velvet dress. He hesitates for a second, almost shocked that there’s no damage before he responds.

“Yeah, I hardly come home that often, and I’ve never brought a friend. I’m sorry it just slipped my mind.”

I nod, “Wait, you’re actually from here?” It’s a stupid question to ask, but for some reason, Oberon has never mentioned his origins before, so it surprises me.

“Well, all fae are silly.”

“Interesting, it seems I still have a lot to learn.” I chuckle and he smiles at me again, but this time it makes me feel warm. I definitely should not catch feelings for my friend who happens to be a soul-sucking fae that knows my name. Yeah, definitely a bad idea.

“I’ll teach you lots of stuff, Mar.” He uses my old nickname again, the one I gave him before I let slip what it was short for. It’s dangerous, but I don’t regret it. I think back on how I got here to this enchanted wood, and I have no remorse. I feel a sense of gratefulness towards Blythe.

“Thank you for bringing me here. It feels like the spirit of Christmas has followed me, I think. I just feel really warm, inside and out.”

“Yeah, this place will do that to you. Come on, my parents are probably waiting for me.” The trees are beginning to thin, and I can’t help but suddenly feel very self-conscious.

“Obe- I mean Blythe,” I see him shiver at the use of his name, “If I had known I was going to meet your parents I would have dressed better.”

“This dress is amazing, and I think they’ll enjoy the purple. You’ll see why in a second.”

I feel my face turn red as buildings begin to enter my line of sight, and they’re all decorated from head to toe, but not with traditional Christmas lights. There are hanging wreaths, decked in illuminated purple lights, ornaments, and what looks like talismans. They’re so beautiful, I can hardly stand it, and tears spring up in my eyes.

“Do you not like them?” He asks, confused.

“No, I just think they’re so gorgeous, it made me cry a little.” I laugh softly, and he smiles again, dragging me further into what seems to be the town square. Every person we come across is of the fae.

“My parents always throw a Christmas party every year. It doesn’t snow here, but we still like to party.” Blythe pulls me a little closer as we begin to near other fae and whispers, “Don’t look anyone in the eye just yet.”

I nod, and just keep my eyes on him, or the decorations. They have what I’m assuming are their yule trees lining the streets, decorated with items that praise the sun god, and have offerings for wood spirits tied to the branches. I did some research after Blythe asked me to accompany him to the Christmas party because I wanted to be more open to his traditions, but I never in a million years thought I would see these things in person.

I turn my attention back to my friend, and I see how despite the ears, and violet eyes, he’s just a regular guy. He wants to grow a beard, but I told him a brightly colored beard might be too much for our workplace, but I kind of hope he grows it out anyway.

“Now you’re checking me out, Marnie.”

He let my name slip again, but this time its effects are even stronger. I have to hold back the moan rising in my throat, and I pull my jacket closer to my face, despite it being so warm. “I’m just trying not to look around so much.”

“Oh, and why’s that?” The gentlest voice I’ve ever heard asks, and we turn to see a woman who looks younger than me with blonde hair and her hands on her hips staring us down.

“Mom! I’ve been looking for you! You can look now, Mar.” I’m so shocked that this tiny human is his mother I don’t even feel the presence of someone coming up from right behind me.

“Who is this, son?” This fae’s voice is rough, and so much deeper than Blythe’s that I’m almost too afraid to turn around, almost. He’s tall, probably 6’5 at least, and he’s got a bright purple beard that matches his eyes, and I’m well aware that only royal fae have hair that matches their eyes.

“Dad, this is my friend Mar. She’s the one I’ve been writing about.”

“Ah.” He eyes me up and down, notices my hair, and then smiles at my dress.

“She’s practically fae, son.” I laugh, thinking he’s making a joke, but freeze when I notice I’m the only one.

“Yes, darling, I do believe you’re right, but not like us. Perhaps a distant relative was once fae, and mated with a human until their descendants' fae blood became diluted, but did no one tell you, dear?”

I can’t quite seem to wrap my head around it. “Um, no, but there has to be a mistake, I don’t know anyone in my family who could…” Except at that moment, I do realize. My great-great-grandmother, the mystery of our family. Could she have been fae? Or was it my great-great-grandfather who impregnated her and then took her away? “Oh, shitake.”

Blythe grabs my hands and I’m so flabbergasted still I don’t see him move in front of me.

“I’m sorry you had to find out this way.”

“So, is this why you brought me here, to find out if I was a fae?” I’m still very confused, but I know that I can’t just let this go.

“Not at first. I just wanted to enjoy a warmer holiday with you, but when I said your name, it should have been painful. Your reaction was that of a fae, so I figured I’d find out since we are already here. My parents are royals and can detect others of our kind.” I furrow my brow at how he almost accidentally hurt me but brushed the thought away. I don’t have enough brain capacity to comprehend everything at once.

“So, I can still go home to see my mom, right?”

Blythe’s dad laughs and pulls his wife away with him as he speaks. “Of course, Mar. We’re not like that. We’ll leave you kids to it. Enjoy the festivities!”

After they are gone, Blythe pulls us aside so we can talk privately. We end up in a garden, my coat folded in my arms as we sit on a bench.

“I can’t wrap my head around this. Do you think your parents could help me find my great-great-grandparents? This is so crazy. At least now I don’t owe you my soul or anything right?” I ask and he laughs, similar to how his dad just did.

“You never owed me anything to start with Mar, but I do have a favor I’d like to ask since I know you’re not fully human now.” He seems nervous, and won’t stop bouncing his leg.

“What is it, Bly?” He smiles at the new nickname.

“Well, I’m sure you saw my dad’s a royal fae. He runs this town, and years from now I’ll have to take over, but I can’t until I find my mate.” He’s clearly flustered and embarrassed.

“Mate? Fae have mates, like from werewolf stories?” He laughs again.

“No, it’s just- well kind of, I guess? Except there’s no Goddess who magically pairs us from a certain age. When we have a mate it’s built on love, and the bond gets sealed with magic so that whoever I end up with has their lifeline tied to mine.”

“Oh, all right. So, do you need me to be your wingman? Whatever you need you can ask me for anything.” However, I’m not prepared for what comes next.

“Fae can only choose one in our lifetimes. So, Marnie, will you let me choose you?”