Page 48 - Demo

The young woman coveted the sense of energy that accompanied the magic.
Years passed and the princess matured in knowledge, wit, and skill. Her scheme was ever growing and changing in her mind, twisting around like a serpent writhing, itching for a scratch that it couldn’t reach.
At long last, the day came when her plan was ready for execution. She visited the stables and from there set off with her father’s stallion.
She had hardly a care in the world for the first stretch of the ride, in fact, she was thrilled, but as she approached her destination, she became more aware of her appearance and fussed over her clothes. Magic would not come free and the matron she would visit wouldn’t hand it to a commoner, the girl considered.
Ahead of the girl and her horse was eventually a small cottage with a thatched roof. It was broken down, the thatching falling in a hole at one end. The house was home to an ancient being. Maybe the most powerful of all the demons. Certainly older than most.
Steeling herself, the princess poured the dregs of her water skin down her throat and tethered the horse to a nearby tree. A luminous figure stepped out of the tree and looked inquisitively at the girl as if asking her why in the world was she dumb enough to approach the evil hut. The princess grimaced and bowed hurriedly to the dryad, trying to convey her apologies, then giving up and rushing off to the hut excitedly.
She did not exit until the trade was sealed.
She emerged changed, but exactly the same as she entered. The girl had already possessed power. The magics of her own people, the humans, a skill honed and improved with time to create illusions and small levitation tricks. In that way she was unchanged. There was only... a little more than before. The girl was unwisely cheerful as she made her way home. The demon warned her that she would pay until it hurt.
What’s losing a small piece of soul each time the girl extends her power?
Upon her return she felt no different than before. The only change was in the weather. The near-eternal sun in Faerieland faded behind a thin grey sheet of cloud.
Within the hour she learnt of her parents’ sudden illness.
The King and Queen died weeks later after betrothing their eldest to heir of Caerfinlae. In misfortune, fortune smiled upon the princess. She was to wed the one young man she loved. The two married happily and affairs went smoothly for years to come. They kept their kingdom at peace.