The Bargain

We drove up the snowy, winding road towards the cozy A-frame cabin.

That’s how Bryce described it. Cozy. I leaned toward the windshield, peering past the frantically swiping wipers. Why were they on? It hadn’t snowed for two hours. I glanced over, but he ignored me, beaming at the snow-dusted gravel path, engrossed in his news podcast. Apparently, beef futures were soaring.

I squinted taking in the cabin. It stood away from the main path, surrounded by tall oak trees. An elevated deck wrapped around it.

“Well, Jeanie-beanie, we’re here! Get a load of that beauty!”

I winced at the nickname he wouldn’t drop, no matter how often I protested that it made me sound like his daughter, rather than his fiancee.

“It’s great, babe.”

“You’re not excited,” he said, huffing out excited like a diesel truck breaking. “It’ll grow on you. We’ll be here for a month, plenty of time.”

“I’m just tired,” I murmured, as we parked between the trees.

He thumped my shoulder, hard, without looking at me. “Aw, of course! Sleep after dinner.”

He stamped up the stairs first, his breath billowing out behind him in the frigid air. I blew on my hands, wishing I’d put my gloves in my pockets.

“Where’s the key? Damn it! Hold this.”

He heaved his suitcase at me without looking back. I barely caught it and struggled to grip. I dropped my suitcase.

Thud, thud, thud.

“Watch it, my laptop!” he snapped, still standing on the stair above me, jingling through his keyring.

“It’s mine--” I yelped, twisting to see it at the base of the stairs. Then, the weight of his suitcase overbalanced me. I stepped on the patch of ice I’d avoided only moments ago. As I slipped backwards I clawed for the banister. My fingers collided with the solid flows of ice on the wood. As my hand skidded, I free-fell.

I realized, a sinking feeling in my stomach, that I’d let Bryce’s suitcase handle go in my panic. He’d be so pissed. Would he sulk through dinner about my carelessness again? I couldn’t take another week of silent treatment if it broke.

I looked up, hoping in a small, stupid corner of my heart that he would look down, reach for me before I hit the ground.

He didn’t turn.

I closed my eyes.

A curious tinkling noise surrounded me. An ice-cold grasp enveloped my wrist and jerked me to a stop, then yanked me upright.

I found myself standing five stairs below Bryce, his suitcase safely set on the stair beside my feet.

“What are you doing down there?” he called, slamming the front door open. “Hurry it up!”

I gaped at him. Was I losing my mind?

As we settled into dinner, I replayed the events. Bryce pointed his fork at me across the table.

“You aren’t eating, Sweetheart?”

“Oh,” I put a smile on and looked down at my spaghetti. “Just a little stressed, I guess. So much going on lately, you know.”

His eyebrows went up sympathetically and he shook his head. “This is exactly why you needed this trip. And to quit that job. I’ve been telling you for months to focus on the wedding. You should have listened to me.”

I made a noncommittal noise and bit into a meatball.

“Come on, admit I was right,” he coaxed. “It’ll be awesome up here. You can snowshoe. I’ll go ice fishing down at the lake. Oh, and you can work on your little art projects.”

I glanced up. He grinned at me indulgently.

“Those drawings and paintings. You should do it here. I know you brought the stuff. And you’ll have to get all that out of your system before the kids come along, anyway.”

“What kids?” I asked, stupidly.

“Our kids, Sweetheart.”

I laughed. "We're not having them immediately."

He took a sip of wine, then tipped it at me. "You know we want a family."

"Well, but not--"

"Are you going to bring this up again? I don't want to fight."

I looked at my plate. "I don't either.”

As I cleaned the plates and passed the fireplace, I noticed a few bowls set out on the red bricks of the hearth.

“Bryce, look at this.”

“Hm?”

“There’s...berries and things.”

“What?”

“Holly berries in this one. Acorns in this one. And this one is...pebbles?”

“What the hell?” He squinted at them, stroking his chin. “No one’s used this place for over two years.”

“But these are fresh berries, and leaves.”

He snapped his fingers. “Chipmunks. Must be.”

“But the door-”

“Don’t be stupid,” he said flatly. “They came from the window. Or there’s a hole in the roof.”

“And...put these things in bowls?”

“Sure,” he said, reaching out and patting my head. “Clever little devils. I’ll look for the holes tonight, patch them up in the morning.”

I pulled away. “Yes, of course.”

Four hours later he crashed into bed beside me with a disgusted noise. "Nothing. Probably a prank from my brother."

"But he's in Costa Rica," I said hesitantly.

He pulled out his laptop. “Jeanie-beanie, don’t worry your pretty little head over things so much. Maybe it was Jasper. Maybe a hobo broke in. Does it really matter?”

“A hobo who locked the door and left?”

He shrugged, looking at his laptop screen.

“Hm,” I said, rolling over. I opened my messages.

Thirty unread. My parents, wishing me a safe trip. Rebekah from work asking why I’d quit. Most of the rest were from Tanya, my closest friend. Wedding reception pinterest boards, dog videos, and questions about if I felt ok.

I started typing.

Here safely. Thanks.

We miss you at the office :(

I miss you too :(

"What are you talking about?"

I felt his breath on the side of my neck and scrunched away.

"Just Tanya asking if we got here safely."

"Oh, you're still talking to her?"

"We're friends."

"Coworkers."

"For five years, Bryce. We're friends."

"Well, she shouldn't disturb you on vacation."

I rolled to look up at him."What?"

"I'm serious. She's always bothering you at night, on the weekends. You're always looking at that thing." He smiled at me. "You know what, Jeannie-beanie?"

I lay frozen, fixed on his smile. It was handsome. He was more striking when he was happy.

And nothing made him happier than this.

"Give it to me."

"But..."

He plucked the phone from my hands. "You're on vacation! Don't think about anything but me and the wedding. You know you'll just waste your time talking to people and scrolling social media."

My fingers curled together around the empty space.

"It's for your own good. I love you."

I woke early and crept into the kitchen. The coffee machine was new, a chrome-colored titan hogging a quarter of the counter. By the time I'd figured out where the coffee grounds went, dawn light highlighted the flowery frost patterns on the window. I glanced at the hearth, thinking idly about making a fire.

I put my hand in my pocket to search for the best way to lay the wood, then remembered it was in Bryce's bag. Something tired and slow stirred in my chest, like hot molasses.

I'd loved him. Before I started doing everything wrong. Before my family pushed me to accept his proposal. Before he'd convinced me to quit my job. Before every grating comment that wore me down like wind on a sand dune.

But here I was after everything, in his family cabin, preparing to marry him. The wedding dress his mother picked for me flashed in my mind, an ivory lace monstrosity which made me look like a pile of crumpled napkins.

I stared at the empty fireplace and sat down heavily. I held my cup with both hands, savoring the heat, and took a sip. Bitter. Bryce didn't use creamer, so we hadn't brought any. Of course.

I set the cup down, harder than I meant, and it sloshed over the side. I sighed. Then I realized what I was looking at on the hearth.

My dinner bowl. Why would Bryce put it there after I washed it? I picked it up.

My breath caught.

Inside sat a bird sculpted from snow. The feathers were drawn with thin lines of pine needles. Its eyes were two spheres of clear ice.

I stared. It was impossibly beautiful.

Bryce couldn't have made it.

My heart pounding, I checked the door and window. Locked.

I turned to the hearth and slapped a hand over my mouth before I could scream.

Cross-legged on the bricks sat a thin figure, snow-pale with black hair coated in sprinklings of frost. Small points of reflected light glittered across their cheeks. Their eyes, black and unnaturally large, squinted in amusement. Their lips curled into a pale blue grin as they raised a slim finger.

Shhhh.

"It was you," I whispered finally, lowering my hand. "You caught me."

They nodded, the orbs of frozen dew on their hair glimmering.

"Thank you."

They smiled more widely, and pointed at my coffee mug.

"...want some?"

They nodded and put both their hands out, eagerly.

"I can make you your own."

They shook their head emphatically, pointed at my mug again.

I passed it to them, wondering if it would fall through the air because I was hallucinating. Or maybe the hot mug would melt their pallid fingers away?

They beamed at me, licked the rim of the mug deliberately, then took a long gulp.

High pitched chimes filled my ears again, then flattened and resolved into a low, amused voice.

"Bitter stuff, but delicious."

"Who--um, who--?"

They made a mocking, tiny whoo--whoo sound. "Little owl, many names have humans given me, and more from my kin. Specter, moon-caller, night-ghast, Jack Frost, aes sídhe, winter-queen, boogeyman, fair folk, fairy."

"What do you call yourself?"

The creature clapped, delightedly. "The right question!" They bowed, sweeping an arm aside with a shower of snowflakes. "Neve."

"And....why are you here?"

Neve winked and vanished.

"Who are you talking to?"

I jerked, and the mug sat alone on the hearth. Bryce stood in the kitchen doorway, staring at me.

"No one, just--um, thinking out loud."

An indulgent smile graced his face. "Sure, Sweetheart. But does thinking make breakfast?"

I stood, unwilling suddenly to leave the spot and the creature I’d dreamt up.

“You're not going to starve me, right? I’m heading to the lake, so you can pack me a lunch too. Carl and Craig are coming up to Craig’s cabin next week and I need a catch to brag about."

I nodded and moved into the kitchen, almost on autopilot. I started on pancake batter, then sausages. My mind whirred. Was I losing it? Or--?

Strong arms wrapped around my waist from behind. "You're not sore at me about last night, are you? I know you love that thing. But you understand, don't you? You need to relax and get out of this funk you've been in."

My mouth moved on its own as I started pouring batter into the frying pan. "Not at all. I think some quiet, alone time will be good for me."

Horrified, I tried to stop the words, but they kept on, my tone light and simpering. "I know you wish the best for me, babe. I'll make you a big lunch and a thermos of coffee so you can fish all day if you want!"

Bryce squeezed tightly. "There's my girl."

I packed his lunch and ate breakfast, a prisoner in my own body. As soon as I waved him to the car and locked the door, I felt the release. I whirled around to see Neve standing by the coffee machine, sniffing the steam.

"How dare you!"

"Be more specific, I dare much."

"How dare you--speak for me, control me!"

Their big, inky eyes blinked in astonishment. "Why, you let that man do it, and he's naught but a mortal. I thought you'd enjoy it."

"Well, I don't!"

"Poor thing. Better find your voice soon. It'll freeze up with the rest of your wee mortal heart."

I stamped my foot, fury suddenly breaking through me like wildfire.

"What do you want from me!"

Neve stepped closer. " Payment for the gifts. Only fair."

"For saving me?"

They shook their head. “You threw my treasures out last night. Terribly disrespectful."

"I didn't...know those were yours."

"Well," they said, smiling a terribly happy smile. " now, you do."

" And the...price for that?"

"Paid for in how amusing you are, and the essence I need to speak to you. Long has it been since any human in my forests let me kiss them, even indirectly."

Heat rose to my cheeks.

“Did you enjoy the bird?”

“It’s...lovely,” I murmured.

“Then the memories I took when I held your hand are enough for that.”

“Memories!”

"Memories of my realm, of snow, ice and the warmth and beauty you humans find despite it. How full of those you are."

I didn’t know whether to be flattered or insulted.

"And this, a last gift, if you wish." Neve drew a hand from their gauzy robe and held out my phone.

"Where--?"

"I've made him forget where he hid it. It's important to you, no?"

I stretched my hand out, my heart leaping. I froze.

"And the price for this one?"

Neve grinned. "Be my companion for your stay. I grow tired here, alone but for the moonbeams and snow-creatures."

“You want me to--be your friend for a month?” A laugh bubbled up. “I’m not interesting enough for a fairy.”

Neve’s lips pressed together. Suddenly I could see my breath rising in front of me.

“Do you think to tell me my own mind, human?”

“No,” I stammered. “N-not at all. I’ll be your friend, of course!” I shivered violently, racked with sudden chills.

Neve relaxed, and the chill left me. “How silly of me, I’d forgotten how fragile your kind is. Well, remember, if you don’t fulfill your bargain--I’ll take you away.”

The next couple weeks passed more quickly and enjoyably than I’d expected. Every morning I made Neve a cup of coffee and left it near the machine, then made Bryce’s meals before he left for the lake. Neve appeared right after, sitting on the counter, singing, “Remember, if you break this bargain, I’ll take you away!”

“Yes, yes, you tell me everyday.”

Neve picked up the mug. “Will you tell him the truth today?”

“You wouldn’t understand,” I sighed, staring at my open sketchbook on the counter. Neve filled the page. “Everyone says he’s the best match I’ve ever made, and he is, objectively. If I can just make us...me work, so he stops...”

“Treating you like a dog?” Neve supplied helpfully.

“He does not!”

“If you say so, little owl.” Neve drained the mug and licked their lips. “Enough of him, he bores me painfully. I’ll show you the best part of my forest.”

“Where?”

“The clearing.”

I strapped my snowshoes on and we hiked together. Animals and birds came to Neve. Each looked at me curiously, and approached me after Neve whispered to them. I held a robin and smiled so widely I probably looked as unhinged as Neve. The trail of deer, squirrels, rabbits, and foxes followed us as we trekked, me clumsy in my snowshoes, Neve leaving the faintest footprints in the fresh snow.

“Almost there,” Neve hummed, beckoning me forward.

We stepped into a large clearing. Sunlight streamed down, setting all of the snowflakes and icicles into diamond glitter.

My skin tingled with the cold, but it didn’t hurt. It never hurt, near Neve.

“Beautiful.” I whispered, stepping further in. “Thank you.”

“We’ll stay here today. Moonlight is best.”

“But, I can’t--”

“Why?” They squinted at me. “Him?”

“He...his dinner--”

Neve laughed. “Fly home, then, little owl. Feed your helpless chick.”

I hesitated, looking toward the trail. A deer sniffed toward me. I plunked into the snow.

“No. I want to see.”

Neve settled beside me, grinning. We ate snowberries and talked. All too soon, the sun set. As the moon rose above the treeline, my breath came out in white clouds, but still I didn’t shiver. The stars glittered just like the snow.

“It’s astonishing. I’ll paint it for you.”

Neve laughed. “Paint it for you. It is mine.”

“I should...go home.” I said, reluctantly standing.

“Come,” Neve said, taking my hand. “Moonbeams are quickest.”

We stepped forward and in an instant we stood in front of the A-frame.

I laughed. “Why’d we walk!”

Neve squeezed my hand. “More beautiful that way.”

I opened my mouth to tease, but the front door crashed open. Oh no.

“Where the fuck have you been!”

I cringed as Bryce thundered down the stairs at me. “I--”

The slap knocked me off my feet. As I crashed into the snow I realized I could feel cold again.

“Shut your mouth, bitch!”

My torn sketchbook hit the snow beside my head as I struggled to sit up.

“I bring you on this trip and all you do is doodle weird shit and leave me alone, starving? Selfish, ungrateful bitch! You think anyone wants you? I’ll teach you!”

I scrambled back, my eyes blurry.

“Neve!” I screamed. “Neve!”

Bryce laughed. “Crazy bitch. You’ve lost it.” He grabbed my arm, hard enough to bruise. “Get inside.”

“Neve!” I wailed. “I won’t complete the bargain. You hear me? Neve!”

He yanked me toward the cabin. “Go on, scream, sweetheart!”

Then he froze.

“Oh,” Neve said, smiling on the stairs in front of us. “If it’s screams you desire, I’m happy to oblige.”

“Holy sh--” Bryce’s words dissolved into strange gurgling as Neve pointed at him.

“Enough words from you, I think. Enough for a lifetime.”

Bryce fell to his knees, clutching his throat, his mouth opening and closing like a fish.

“Little owl.” Neve said, offering their other hand. “You’ve breached the bargain. Come home.”

I stepped forward into the frigid moonlight, smiling.