Page 84 of Kissed By Songs of Lilies

"Do you remember the fever that took Momma?" she asked.

"Of course," I said.

"Your older sister was very sick too. Her fever was burning hot. Momma knew Briar wouldn’t make it through the night. So, she slipped out and made her way to the fae market."

"No," I moaned. I knew what was coming next.

Briar nodded. "She made a bargain with a young fae. He was supposed to save Briar’s life."

"But she got the wording wrong," I said softly.

Briar nodded. "When she got home, your sister died in her arms. She went to rouse servants, and when she returned, I was there, sleeping peacefully in her daughter’s bed. She knew at once what had happened."

I frowned. "Why didn’t she say anything to the servants?"

"She probably did, but who would believe a sobbing, grief-stricken woman with a high fever? I was taken to the nursery, so that mother could sleep. But she didn’t sleep. She returned to the market, found the fae she had bargained with, and held iron to his throat."

I gasped.

"To save his wretched skin, he gave her passage to the island. She wanted to see the king of the island. She believed that, somehow, he could right her bargain and bring her daughter back."

"Forrest is powerful, but even he doesn’t have dominion over the dead," I whispered.

Briar nodded. "Only the darkest of witchcraft could even attempt such a thing. I’m told he refused her coldly, and she retaliated by cursing him. But you probably know the rest of that story, don’t you?"

I nodded. "Why didn’t you tell me you were a changeling? How could you hide something like that?"

"I didn’t know until I turned seventeen. Changelings rarely have memories from before. It started with subtle changes to my appearance. My eyes became brighter, and my hair lost its wave. I thought it was ordinary coming of age stuff.

"But it got worse. When I walked by a pool of water—a fountain or a pond—the water would turn white-capped. It even happened by the ocean one day. It felt as if there was something inside of me pulling the tides. It scared me.

"Then one morning, my ears changed. They were pointed. I wore my hair down and hid in my room all day. As soon as the sun fell, I snuck out and made my way down to the fae marketplace. I saw a fae woman with a kind face and a young child in her arms. I begged her to tell me what was happening.

"She brushed my hair back from my ears and inspected them carefully. ‘My dear, isn’t it obvious? You’re a changeling,’ she said.

"She dropped that bomb and just walked away, leaving me dumbstruck in the middle of the market."

"That must have been terrible," I said, clasping her hand in support.

"I knew I had to leave home. Your real family member was dead, and I had stolen her place. You would hate me. I hated myself. So, I left that shell in my bed, and I ran away." She broke down and started sobbing. "I’m so sorry."

I wrapped her in my arms. "No," I said, gently patting her back. "None of this is your fault. You didn’t kill Briar. No one did. Her death was natural. You never asked to be dropped off in our home. You were so young. You must have been so scared when you found out. I wish you had told me. I cried for weeks when I thought you had been stolen."

"I’m sorry."

I rested my head on her shoulder. "I know."

"When you came to the island, I was so scared you would find me. I forced the Fae King into a bargain."

My heart quickened, and I pulled back suddenly. "You did what?"

She bit her lip. "I made him enter into a bargain with me. I made him promise to keep my secret and never tell you my location."

"Why would he agree to that?" I asked.

She buried her head in her hands. "Because I knew about his curse. I threatened to tell everyone."

I fell into silence. This changed everything.

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