“So let’s say the fairy was sad and wanted to do something kind for the child who should have, by all rights, been given to her as a godchild, but because of some idiotic laws of birth, would never know the joy of finding her one true love.”
Nixie’s nails dug into the armrest, fear and even a thread of excitement beat violently in her chest.
“And let’s also say that the fairy was stunned to discover that the girls one true love was not only a handsome man, but a famous one. And that the odds of ever having that ‘sweet meet’ was now near to impossible because of a curse that’d sent her deep into the ground.”
What. The. Hell?
Nixie’s pulse pounded so hard she swore she could taste the adrenaline of it on the back of her tongue. Just how far and how long had Danika been meddling in her affairs?
“So one day this fairy calls due a pledge from an infamous witch who she instructs to tell this very, handsome, very intense young man a story about a the dark genie. And then hands said handsome man a vial full of a finder spell, and urges him to run, not walk to find this genie immediately.”
Nix gasped.
“And let’s just say that the ‘the witch’ adds a tiny compulsion into the story, to make the man obsessed with finding the lamp.”
She blinked, having a hard time reconciling this story. Was Danika admitting to orchestrating this entire thing? Sure seemed like it.
But a fairy godmother couldn’t make people feel combustible heat. Not the way she and Robin felt it. Right?
Didn’t genies and fairies share many of the same rules?
Danika smiled. “I can almost read your thoughts, girl.”
“What am I thinking?”
“How come it feels so real? Right?” She grinned.
“I loved Eric.”
The fairy shrugged delicately. “I don’t doubt that, my dear. There are many we can take in our lives that fit us well. That could make us happy.”
“But?” Nixie prompted, hearing the ‘but’ in there.
“But suppose there is only one in the entirety of the cosmos that was divinely crafted for us. Only one that would make us whole. Makes us a better version of ourselves. That fits us so completely and perfectly that there is no beginning and no end, there simply is.”
Nixie closed her eyes. Her voice was sad as she said, “And you expect me to believe that? That not only is Robin my true love”—she had to refrain from scoffing at that part—“but that ‘hypothetically’”—she finger waved—“you’ve engineered this entire thing?”
“Oh no, not me, dear. I admit no culpability in this matter.” She rocked a little harder, smile broadening.
“Fine.” Nix tossed up her hands. “That a fairy godmother orchestrated this entire series of events because he and I are mated. Even though I’m a genie and apparently there is a rule against fraternizing. Not to mention one tiny element in all of this, though. An important detail that blows your supposition entirely out of the water.”
“And that is?”
Danika looked supremely pleased with herself, but Nixie knew she was about to put the nail in the coffin.
“Maid Marian.”
The fairy’s smile never wavered. If anything, it seemed to grow bigger.
“Now, I know Robin doesn’t seem to have a clue what I’m talking about when I mention her, but even though most of the tales are blown out of proportion; my dad always taught me that hidden within the lie is a thread of truth.” By the time she finished speaking Nixie almost wished she hadn’t, because Danika’s confidence never once wavered.
“Well, now that I know the truth of. Miriam, as you know, was a great seer. In truth, the best. She always knew.” Danika’s smile turned soft, full of memories. “It’s part of what turned her so mad in the end. Her head was full of the beginning, middle, and end of everything. So much so that at times she’d write a tale that was years, decades, even centuries from happening yet. Sloppy, idealistic, or addlepated fools penned most tales written in the archives. But not Robin’s. Robin’s was written by Miram herself.”
Nixie’s heart sank. “So Maid Marian does exist?” It shouldn’t bother her, it really shouldn’t. That’d been the one story that Nixie had loved most in all the world growing up.
But the Robin of Kingdom and the Robin of the tales were nothing alike. This Robin was cold and seemed bitter. The Robin of the stories had been honorable, caring more about others than himself. And his love for Marian, it’d been legendary.
“Oh, aye, the lovely lady is very real.” Danika patted Nixie’s hand. “And Robin’s met her. He doesn’t know it yet, of course, because she doesn’t quite exist as she should.”
She wished Danika had never told her this story. Nixie turned her face aside.
“But he feels the fire. He feels the draw. And so does she.”
Nix’s nails dug into the armrest as she snapped her gaze toward the fairy. “What? You don’t mean… But…but…”