Bad News Blog-fest challenge.

Here is my sweet little entry for the ‘Bad News’ blog-fest, hosted by Francine at Romancing the Blog. Click here to be taken to her site and view the other participants. Leave comments and follow, follow, follow.

Bad News:

I felt the ground soak my energy as dry land drank from the rain.
“Belita,” Merle questioned.
I couldn’t move.
His breath moistened my cheek.
“Go away,” I said.
“No.”
The sensation in my hands began to return.
My heart started its rhythm once more.
I would live, despite everything, I would live.
“What happened?”
Merle was a nosy brat. How could I tell him? He would announce it to the world, to our parents.
“Did a bee sting you?”
A bee? Oh yes, we were to collect honey, I forgot.
“I will tell Mama.”
It was my turn to utter his favorite word.
“No.”
An elf came as if on the breeze.
Merle saw him first. “Nadriel,” he said.
“Merle, return home and leave me with Belita.”
Merle obeyed. Nadriel always had power over him.
“Why have you come?” The words fluttered from me like broken wings on a sparrow.
“I heard.”
“You did nothing to stop it.”
“I was powerless.”
“I do not believe you.”
The wind whispered through autumn leaves bringing the final blow.
“He returned to Talaith. His duty required it of him.”
I tasted the autumn sun. It burned my throat.
“What of me?”
“You will live.”
“I will never love.”
“Love will blossom with the winter solstice.”
“You know so little of men,” I said.
“I know enough.”
“Did you think? Did you consider the consequence before you cast your spell?”
He said nothing.
“An elf in the woods with his lyre. You said it was nothing. But he followed the music, ensnared by your charm. We were both trapped; I a commoner and he a prince…now we both carry our shame for the rest of our days.”
Still, Nadriel said nothing.
“I have become used, I am…” I couldn’t utter the hated word.
“I am what you made me Nadriel. The laws of men are not the same as with the elves.”
“I will send you another,” Nadriel said.
“I don’t want any other.”
“The lake has revealed the one for you.”
He had spoken of the lake before. A mystery he refused to explain. His riddle did nothing to persuade me.
“I have seen him. He resides not far from here,” Nadriel said.
I remained silent.
“Here,” Nadriel said. “Drink this and your shame will be forgotten and you will have peace.”
“If my shame is forgotten so will be my memory.”
He didn’t respond and still held the vial for me to take. I stared at it. Frosted glass concealed its color. I took it and felt its warmth. The scent of it was like lemon grass and violets in spring. More elfin magic?
We parted and I returned home.
In the morning, I dug a hole in the ground and poured Nadriel’s potion into it. I would have none of it. In the coming months I would marry this new man he spoke of, but my heart would always belong to my prince.

Any ideas for a title? Any lingering questions? Ask and I shall answer.