Mayor Elarin sat back in his chair, fingers steepled, staring at the wooden beams of his office’s ceiling as his thoughts wandered. ‘How fortunate they were that Miss Kai Ki had come to their town. It couldn’t have been mere happenstance, could it? Surely it was something more, perhaps fate or providence?’

  Glancing out the window at the setting sun, a melancholy smile tugged at his lips. Tomorrow would be their last day with her, and the thought left a strange heaviness in his chest. She had been a breath of fresh air. No… More like a quiet breeze that drifted in unexpectedly.

  He chuckled softly to himself. She truly was a quiet person—speaking only when necessary—yet her reserved demeanour only seemed to add to her presence, rather than diminish it.

  His mind drifted to the confrontation with the Alpha. He hadn’t even known she was there.

  One moment, he was locked in a stare down with a creature that towered over him, muscles rippling and teeth bared. The next, the Alpha was crumpled on the ground, unconscious, and there she stood, just as unassuming as ever. No wasted movements, no grandstanding. She had radiated power with a quiet intensity that was almost terrifying. The wolves had felt it too—the way they submitted so quickly was proof of that.

  Elarin sighed and leaned forward, pulling a blank parchment toward him. He would need to alert the Elders. They were still at the Seelie Court, wrapped up in negotiations for the expansion project, which left him as the sole authority here. A note, delivered by air sprite, would have to suffice. Even so, he doubted they’d receive it before Kai left. Still, he hoped that this would not be the first and last time she graced them with her presence. Who knows, perhaps she would consider this place home one day.

  At a small house on the edge of town, Little Toby sat on his bed, tugging on his ears with a look of deep concentration. His mother, Helen, watched him from the doorway, arms crossed and an amused smile playing on her lips. She knew this look well. He was working something out in that little head of his, and it was only a matter of time before it came spilling out. Finally, Toby turned his big, puppy-dog eyes toward her. “Momma, can I write Miss Stranger a thank-you note?”. Helen chuckled and knelt beside him, ruffling his hair. “Of course, you can. But her name isn’t ‘Miss Stranger.’ It’s Miss Kai Ki.” Toby nodded solemnly. “Miss Kai Ki,” he repeated slowly, as though committing it to memory. Then he hopped off the bed, grabbed his crayons and some paper, and got straight to work. Helen sat on the edge of his bed, absently rubbing his ears in approval as he coloured.

  Sunday morning found Kai sitting in the cozy dining room of the Bed and Breakfast, a steaming cup of tea in her hands. Shae moved about the room with practiced ease, pouring a fresh cup for her guest before retreating to the kitchen. Kai nodded her thanks, as she returned to staring out the window.

  She considered what to do with her final day in town but found herself unable to decide. With a soft sigh, she resolved to simply laze about the B&B. The swing on the back porch called to her, and after finishing her tea, she made her way there, settling in with a contented sigh.

  Her peace was interrupted by the sound of the front door opening and the excited chatter of a child. Shae’s voice drifted through the house as she directed the newcomers toward the porch. The screen door creaked open, and Toby burst outside, his small form hurtling toward Kai with unbridled enthusiasm. “Miss Kai Ki!” he cried, nearly toppling her from the swing as he launched himself into her lap.

  Helen stepped onto the porch with an apologetic smile, wagging a finger at her son. “Toby! What did I tell you about tackling people?”

  Kai chuckled softly, one hand ruffling the boy’s wild hair while the other steadied the swing. “It’s fine,” she said, her voice as quiet as ever, though there was a warmth in her tone that hadn’t been there before.

  She noticed Toby’s small, furry tail wagging furiously, poking out from the waistband of his pants. Something about the sight tugged at her, and before she knew it, a laugh bubbled up from deep within her chest. It was a rich, gut-wrenching sound that left her gasping for breath, her shoulders shaking with the force of it. Toby laughed too and gave an innocent toothy grin.

  Shae and Sebastian, who had been deep in conversation in the dining room, froze at the sound. The gruff dwarf’s brows lifted in surprise, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “That’s Twice the lass has surprised me!” he muttered to himself, shaking his head in amazement.

  Shae peeked through the doorway, marvelling at the waves of magic emanating from the porch. To think such a quiet, reserved woman could release such magic with a laugh.

  Toby wriggled in Kai’s lap, holding up his crayon drawing proudly. “It’s for you! See?” Kai took the paper with a soft smile, her fingers brushing over the colorful depiction of herself standing beside Toby, a bright sun overhead. “Thank you,Toby. This is lovely.” Her whisper, heartfelt.

  Helen, now seated in a wicker chair across from them, smiled in relief. She had worried about intruding on the powerful Fae, but her concerns had melted away the moment she heard Kai laugh.

  Kai glanced at Helen, her eyes lingering on the intricate collar around her neck. “I’ve noticed that some of the adults in town wear those collars. But not the children. Why is that?” Helen’s expression shifted to one of mild surprise, then understanding. “Ah, these are glamour collars. They’re enchanted with runes that use the wearer’s own magic to fuel them. Children can’t wear them because their magic is still developing—it’s too dangerous. They’re only given to them when they reach their second majority, what you might call adolescence.” Kai nodded, her curiosity piqued. “Not everyone wears them, though.” “No, not everyone,” Helen admitted. “I wear one because I travel across the barrier often and interact with humans in the next town over. The glamour helps me blend in.” She smiled faintly. “I study human society—how they live, how they advance—so our town can keep up. It’s important to understand them if we’re to coexist.” Kai’s gaze lingered on Helen, her mind turning over this new information.“That’s… fascinating.” she said quietly, her respect for the woman growing.

  The Cobalts visited with Kai for an hour or so before heading out to the park, Toby bouncing with excitement. He could hardly wait to tell his friends all about meeting the mysterious stranger. His floppy ears wagged in every direction as he bounded out the door, leaving Kai watching with quiet amusement. Hannah chuckled softly at her son’s exuberance and thanked Kai for being so accommodating. “You’ve been wonderful,” she said warmly. Kai waved off the thanks with a small shrug. “It was nothing,” she replied softly in her quiet tone. Helen shook her head and smiled softly up at the taller woman. “To you maybe.” Kai looked down at her with a questioning gaze. Helen sighed and turned fully to face the silent woman, tilting her head back to meet her gaze. The moment her eyes locked with Kai’s, she nearly gasped. Those deep, soulful brown eyes felt like staring into a vast canyon—endless, unfathomable. Yet, within their depths, a spark of innocence flickered, a quiet contrast to the overwhelming intensity. Blinking, she steadied herself.

  “I never thanked you for saving us. It may have seemed like nothing to you, but to me and my son, it meant everything.” Her voice wavered as her eyes welled with tears, and she squeezed them shut, willing herself to stay composed. “If you hadn’t stepped in, things would have escalated. More people would have been hurt. The Mayor is strong, but he’s no match for an Alpha. We don’t get many Fae like you passing through, and when we do, it’s usually safer to keep our distance. Too many share the same views as those wolves when it comes to us lesser Fae. It’s rare to see one like you stand up for us—the last was Shae.”

  As Kai listened, the weight of Helen’s words settled over her. This strange world she’d stumbled into wasn’t some fairy tale of unicorns and rainbows. The attack with the wolves hadn’t been an exception—it was the rule. If anything, she was the exception. Or rather, the Fae she was pretending to be was. She grimaced at the thought, guilt twisting in her gut. She had left out a crucial truth from her new friends. But now? Now, there was no turning back.

  Helen, now watching her son as he wondered along down the sidewalk, went quiet as she felt Kai’s strong hand on her shoulder. “Then I am glad I could help.” Came the steady quiet voice of the taller woman. Helen turned around again and gave Kai a beautiful smile and nodded. With that she said her goodbyes and hurried to catch up to her son. Kai watched them from the door of the B&B. It was nice, she thought, being needed.

  After the mother and son departed, Kai decided it was a good time to explore the woods behind the bed and breakfast. Shae, ever the thoughtful host, packed her a quick lunch since it was nearly noon and handed her a map. “The groves are marked here,” Shae explained, pointing at the various locations. “Forest Fae often gather in these spots. You might even come across the fire Fae near the hot springs.”

  Kai studied the map, intrigued by the possibilities. Thanking Shae with a barely audible word and a small nod, she headed into the trees.

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  The woods were lush and alive, but it didn’t take long for Kai to notice that something was off—or perhaps, something was more. Among the familiar oaks, maples, and pines native to North Georgia were trees unlike anything she’d seen before. Towering trunks shimmered faintly, as if kissed by moonlight even in the daytime. Leaves gleamed with hues of gold and silver, their edges sparkling as though dusted with starlight. Flowers dotted the forest floor in every imaginable shade, but some seemed to shift colors as if responding to her presence.

  Kai paused to touch one, a deep blue bloom that, under her fingers, pulsed with a soft inner glow before folding back into itself. She felt a rush of childlike wonder, as if her childhood dreams had come alive.

  She followed the map to the first grove, a small clearing bathed in sunlight. A rainbow of flowers spread across the field like a living carpet. Kai carefully stepped through the clearing, wary of crushing the delicate blooms. She crouched to study them more closely, only to freeze when one of the ‘flowers’ unfurled. It wasn’t a flower at all but a tiny winged creature—a fairy. The fairy shook its translucent wings stretching with a tiny yawn and let out a startled chime-like sound. Before Kai could react, the rest of the ‘flowers’ took flight, revealing themselves as a kaleidoscope of fairies that swirled around her in alarm.

  Kai stood perfectly still, her wide eyes following their delicate movements.

  Slowly, she lifted her hand, palm up, in what she hoped was a gesture of peace. One brave fairy fluttered closer and, after a moment’s hesitation, landed on her outstretched finger. The tiny creature stared at her, its eyes wide with apprehension. Kai stared back, fascinated. She smiled softly, her lips barely curving. The fairy’s wings twitched uncertainly before it began to hover just above her hand. Its movement seemed to reassure the others, who returned from their hiding places among the trees.

  Within minutes, fairies were landing on her shoulders, perching in her hair, and chittering in bell-like tones. Kai chuckled quietly and held out her pinky finger to one, gently shaking its tiny hand in greeting. The fairies erupted into delighted laughter, their voices ringing like wind chimes.

  After half an hour of playful interaction, Kai decided to move on. One fairy, however, decided to stay, perching itself atop her head as she made her way deeper into the woods. The next grove was a cluster of moss-covered boulders surrounded by oversized cabbage-like plants. As Kai approached, she spotted a tiny bearded man tending to the plants with a watering jug. A gnome. He wore blue overalls, suspenders, and a pointed red hat—an image straight out of folklore. The fairy on Kai’s head let out a bell-like greeting, causing the gnome to look up. He did a double take, his round eyes widening as he took in the towering stranger. He muttered a series of grunts and humphs, calling to others who began to emerge from the boulder formation.

  Each gnome was unique. One was rotund with a beard so long it nearly brushed the ground. Another was slender and wiry, with sharp eyes and a fidgety demeanour. A third had a head of wild grey curls that poked out from under a crooked hat. All of them stared at Kai with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. Kai spent some time observing their work and exchanging subtle nods of acknowledgment before continuing on her journey. She visited several more groves, each one unique and teeming with life. More fairies joined her, chattering and flitting about as she walked.

  At last, she arrived at a brook where she decided to stop and eat. Settling under a grand oak, Kai unpacked the lunch Shae had prepared. The fairies dispersed, flitting to the water’s edge to play. Halfway through her ham sandwich, Kai noticed movement among the trees. A young satyr emerged hesitantly, its small horns barely nubs atop its head. Kai pretended not to notice, keeping her movements slow and unthreatening. The satyr glanced at the fairies, who pointed toward the stranger. Startled, the young fae stepped back into the shadows before cautiously reemerging. When he stomped a hoof in greeting, Kai finally looked up and met his gaze. She smiled softly and raised her hands in a gesture of peace. The fairies, sensing the satyr’s nervousness, swarmed around Kai, lounging in her hair and perching on her lap. One even began to root through the picnic basket as another toppled into Kai’s open thermos. The sight of the quiet stranger quickly rescuing the unfortunate fairy from drowning seemed to reassure the young fae, who eventually approached to drink from the brook.

  More satyrs arrived shortly after, their initial wariness giving way to curiosity. They watched Kai closely, but her calm presence and the fairies’ clear affection for her eased their fears.

  As the day wore on, Kai continued to explore, enchanted by the groves and their inhabitants. By the time the sun began to set, she realised it was time to return to the B&B.

  When Kai emerged from the forest, she was not alone. A parade of fae creatures followed in her wake—fairies clinging to her hair and clothes, gnomes perched on her shoulders, and toddling fauns prancing at her feet.

  Shae, who had been anxiously waiting on the back terrace, stared in open-mouthed shock. Rina stepped outside just in time to see the spectacle and burst into laughter.

  Kai met Shae’s astonished gaze with a helpless look. “I couldn’t say no,” she said, exasperated. It took some coaxing—and a few bribes of sweets—but Shae eventually managed to disperse the fae. Kai collapsed into a chair with a groan.

  “What in the world happened out there?” Shae asked between fits of laughter. Kai recounted her day, still baffled by the fae’s behaviour. “I think it was their eyes,” she said with a sigh. “How do you say no to those?”

  Rina and Shae laughed until their sides hurt.

  That night, Kai retreated to her room, exhausted but content. As she fell into bed, the sisters reflected on how much they would miss the quiet stranger when she left in the morning.

  Kai woke feeling more refreshed than she had in years. For a long moment, she simply lay there, staring at the soft patterns of light dancing across the ceiling as the morning sun peeked through the curtains. Her body felt rested, her mind strangely clear. But there was something else—a reluctance she couldn’t quite shake. She didn’t want to leave this bed. Not just because it was comfortable, but because the thought of packing up and leaving Tennga felt… wrong. It had only been a weekend, but this small, peculiar town had wormed its way into her heart. The vibrant woods, the strange and wonderful creatures, the laughter of a certain floppy-eared boy… It had been a place she’d never expected to find, and now she wasn’t sure she wanted to leave.

  Shaking off the feeling, Kai forced herself to sit up. “Enough dawdling,” she muttered, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. She ran through her morning exercises with practiced efficiency, her muscles loosening as she moved. A quick shower followed, and then she dressed in her usual attire: durable cargo pants, a fitted black tee, and her worn leather jacket. By the time she’d packed up her duffel bag and glanced at the bedside clock, it was already 8 a.m. “Running behind as usual,” she muttered, grabbing her bag and slinging it over her shoulder. Opening the door, she nearly collided with Shae, who stood with her hand raised to knock. They both startled, though Shae jumped back with a small squeak. “Oh! Good morning, Kai!” Shae said, recovering with a sheepish laugh. “I was just coming to check on you.”Kai raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t mean to scare you.” She murmured. “No harm done!” Shae grinned, motioning for Kai to join her.

  Together, they walked down the hall toward the stairs, their footsteps muffled on the plush carpet. As they descended, Shae chatted lightly about the weather, the latest town gossip, and how Rina had already started baking her famous lemon tarts. At the bottom of the stairs, they found Rina waiting in the front parlor, her arms crossed as she leaned casually against the doorway. “Breakfast?” Rina asked as they approached. “You can’t leave on an empty stomach.” Kai shook her head with a polite smile. “I appreciate it, but I need to get going. I’m already running late.”Shae and Rina exchanged a glance, then nodded in unison. “Well, at least let us walk you to your truck,” Rina said. Kai didn’t protest, and soon the three women were making their way through town.

  The streets were quiet in the early morning, but not for long. As they walked, townsfolk began to appear—first one, then another, and soon a steady stream of well-wishers approached. “Safe travels, Kai!” called the butcher, tipping his hat. “Come back soon!” shouted a pair of dryads, waving enthusiastically. A sprite flitted down from a nearby lamppost, offering a tiny bouquet of glowing flowers. “For luck,” it chimed before darting away. Kai nodded and thanked each one, her reserved nature making the attention both touching and overwhelming.

  By the time they reached the front of Town Hall, a small crowd had gathered. Among them were many of the fae she’d met during her brief adventure in the grove woods—the gnomes, the satyrs, and even a few fairies who perched on the shoulders of their larger companions. But her attention was immediately drawn to Helen and Toby. The boy launched himself at Kai, wrapping his small arms around her waist. “I don’t want you to go!” he cried, his floppy ears drooping. Kai knelt, her steady hands resting on his shoulders. “Hey, now,” she said gently. “It’s not goodbye forever. I’ll visit, okay? ” Toby sniffled, his big brown eyes searching hers. “Promise?” He whined. “Cross my heart,” Kai said, drawing an imaginary X over her chest. Helen, her eyes misty, stepped forward and pulled her son into her arms. “Thank you,” she said softly to Kai. Kai nodded, her throat tightening.

  As the crowd began to thin, Mayor Elarin approached, his kind eyes warm with sincerity. “You’re welcome here anytime, Kai,” he said. “You haven’t been here long, but you will be missed.” Kai felt a surprising pang of gratitude and reached into her pocket, pulling out a small stack of business cards. “If you—or anyone in town—needs a delivery, just request me specifically,” she said with a wry smile. “That way you won’t get stuck with someone ‘Not in The Know!’ On the inside she cackled at the irony of her statement. The Mayor laughed, clapping her on the shoulder. “I’ll remember that.” With a final nod, he turned and headed back toward his office, duty calling. By now, the crowd had dispersed, leaving only Shae and Rina standing with Kai by her truck. She watched as Helen led a sniffling Toby away, a small smile tugging at her lips.

  Rina stepped forward, pulling Kai’s taller form down into a tight hug. “You’d better come back and visit,” she said firmly. Kai nodded. “I will.” Rina gave her a satisfied look before turning and heading toward her shop, her movements graceful and fluid. Shae stepped up next, handing Kai a small lunch box. “Something for the road,” she said with a wink before also pulling her down into an embrace. “Don’t you be a stranger, Kai.” Kai hugged her back, her voice soft. “You’re a wonderful hostess, Shae. Thank you for everything.” When Shae finally released her, her eyes glistened with unshed tears. She gave Kai a watery smile before turning and starting her walk back to the B&B.

  Kai was about to climb into her truck when a thought struck her. Pausing on the first step, she turned and called out, “Shae!” The woman turned mid-stride and walking backward. “What is it?”Kai hesitated, then smirked. “I’ve been wondering—what kind of fae are you exactly?” Shae threw her head back and laughed. “Why, I’m a Lunar High Elf, silly! You know, a Moon Fae!” Kai grinned. “Of course you are.” With a wave, she climbed into her truck. Shae stood there, watching as Kai maneuvered the vehicle back onto the road. She didn’t turn away until the truck disappeared from view, her sigh heavy with melancholy.

  As Kai drove down the winding path leading out of Tennga, she couldn’t shake the sense of loss that settled over her. The woods blurred by, and as the hidden road merged with the main highway, she thought of all the incredible creatures she’d met, the kindness she’d been shown, and the laughter of a certain boy with floppy ears. She smiled to herself, her hands tightening on the wheel. “I’ll be back,” she murmured, the words both a promise and a vow. And with that, she drove on, leaving Tennga behind—but not for long.