CHAPTER 32: CH 32: PLANT THIEVES - PART 5

The three of them moved quickly through the snow, but every step grew heavier.

The deeper they went, the thicker the snowfall became.

The once clear path through the forest blurred under the constant white veil. Trees bent low with the weight of ice, their branches creaking ominously.

"Where did they go? We lost them again."

Mira’s voice carried frustration as she spun around.

Lucian didn’t answer. He simply lifted his hand and pointed ahead.

A faint glow flickered through the storm, like a lantern struggling to stay alive.

The fairies.

Their glowing wings shimmered faintly in the distance, weaving in and out of sight as if the snow itself wanted to swallow them whole.

Berry let out a relieved breath.

"There. Let’s not lose them this time."

They trudged forward, step after step, the snow pulling at their boots as though trying to drag them back.

At last, the glow grew stronger. The fairies weren’t aimless—they were gathering.

Lucian narrowed his eyes as he saw the swarm flying into the mouth of a cave. Its jagged entrance loomed like the maw of some ancient beast, half-buried beneath the frost.

"We’re here."

He murmured.

Without hesitation, he walked forward. His cane pressed deep into the snow, steady but unyielding. Mira followed close behind, wary, her dagger at her side.

Berry lingered for only a moment before stepping in after them.

The cave swallowed them in darkness.

The faint light from the fairies’ wings was the only thing guiding them now.

Inside, the air was warmer, damp with moisture seeping from the frozen stone. The fluttering glow filled the cavern, revealing what the fairies had been protecting.

They were circling something.

Something lying on the ground.

Lucian stepped closer, his presence filling the cave like a shadow. The fluttering stopped for a moment.

Dozens of tiny eyes turned toward him.

Their glares were sharp, filled with fury and desperation.

The fairies hissed in unison, their wings buzzing angrily, ready to strike.

Lucian, however, did not flinch.

"I didn’t come to cause you trouble. I came to extend peace."

He said, his voice steady, almost commanding.

His hand moved into his coat. Slowly, deliberately, he pulled out a bundle of green.

Plants.

Fresh, alive, still holding the warmth of growth.

The fairies’ wings faltered for a moment. Their angry buzzing dimmed into uncertainty.

"You need this, don’t you?"

Lucian asked.

Still, none of them moved closer. Their suspicion lingered, their sharp eyes darting between the plants and Lucian’s cold expression.

Lucian lowered himself slightly, placing the bundle of plants onto the ground a short distance away from him.

"I don’t expect you to trust me. So take it yourselves. I won’t stop you."

He continued.

He straightened, then deliberately stepped back.

The fairies exchanged nervous glances, whispering in their high-pitched voices.

Finally, one broke formation, darting forward to sniff at the plants.

A glow rippled from its body as it let out a small trill of relief. The others followed. Together, they carried the bundle toward the figure lying still at the heart of the cave.

It was a queen.

Even in her unconscious state, her glow was undeniable, her presence commanding. But she was weak. Fragile. Her body’s light flickered like a dying ember.

The fairies pressed the plants against her lips.

The queen stirred faintly.

Her chest rose, her glow brightened ever so slightly.

The fairies gasped with joy. The anxious tension in the air softened into fragile hope.

"They’re feeding her."

Mira whispered.

Berry’s eyes widened.

"So the rumors were true..."

Lucian turned his head slightly, a questioning glance.

Berry stepped forward, his tone thoughtful.

"I heard about this a long time ago. Fairies are bound to their queen. Their lives depend on her. If the queen dies, so do they."

Mira’s expression softened with pity.

"No wonder they were so desperate."

Lucian, however, looked unmoved. His gaze remained on the weakened queen, sharp and calculating.

Berry noticed and sighed. Then, an idea sparked in his eyes.

"What if we turn this into an arrangement?"

He suggested.

Lucian raised a brow.

Berry smirked.

"Think about it. These fairies are weak. Their queen is dying. Without us, they’ll vanish in the snow before the next season ends. But with us? We could provide them with the plants they need to keep her alive."

"And in return?"

Lucian’s voice was flat, though the faintest trace of curiosity edged in.

"In return, they work for us.

Berry said.

Mira frowned immediately.

"Work? They’re already suffering, Berry. Don’t you think—"

Berry cut her off.

"Mira, think. We’re not enslaving them. We’re giving them a choice. Starve, or survive with our help."

The fairies froze. They had been listening.

Their glowing eyes flickered between Lucian, Berry, and Mira.

They understood.

And they realized that this was their only chance.

One fairy flew forward timidly, wings trembling. Its voice rang high and clear, desperate but determined.

"If you... give us food... if you give our queen plants... we will work."

The others joined in, echoing in harmony. "We will work! We will work hard!"

Lucian finally shifted, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

So this was it.

A bargain.

The desperate pleading of an entire species at his feet.

He let the silence stretch for a moment, watching them squirm under his cold gaze.

Then he spoke.

"Very well."

The fairies gasped with relief, their wings glowing brighter in unison.

"But, if you try to deceive me... if you think you can eat freely without honoring your part... I will make your lives even more hellish than they already are."

Lucian’s tone hardened, slicing through their hope like a blade,

The fairies froze in terror, wings trembling. They bowed their heads quickly, their voices frantic.

"No tricks!"

"No lies!"

"We swear!"

Lucian smirked.

"Good."

He turned away, cane tapping against the stone as he began walking out of the cave.

Berry followed, his grin wide. Mira, however, lingered, her eyes soft with guilt as she looked at the trembling fairies.

"Don’t be afraid. He’s harsh, but... he’s not cruel. If you do your part, he’ll keep his word."

She whispered to them.

The fairies clung to each other, still shaking but faintly relieved.

For now, at least, they had secured their survival.

The fairies turned to look at Lucian as one and they spoke.

"You are a good human. We will remember what you are doing for us. We’ll help you when you need it."

And for some reason, Lucian shuddered at that promise.