Page 88 of The Knucker King

“What is ‘Albion’?”

The word struck a chord within Avice, much like Sidhe had. It rolled around in her head and tingled her spine. It was like she had always known these ancient words, and they awakened something dormant within her.

“The Faerie name for the land we walk on,” Trewoofe replied, continuing his sewing. “We have veered from the subject. You were going to explain to me why you are bleeding but not injured.”

“Ah, yes.” She chewed the inside of her cheek. “Eve, after being tempted by a serpent, ate the fruit from the forbidden tree. The fruit gave her knowledge, and for that, both she and Adam were thrown from the garden. Then, as punishment from God, Eve was cursed with monthly bleeding and difficult childbirth.”

“Do you believe this?” he asked.

“I do not.”

“I value knowing your thoughts more than the church’s,” Trewoofe hummed, tying off the final stitch on the leg of his hose. “So, what do you believe?”

“I think it is a body’s way of keeping the womb – the place inside where a baby grows – clean and healthy,” Avice stated.

Trewoofe nodded. “To me, that makes far more sense, as the other explanation does not. Why would all women be punished because one so long ago ate a piece of fruit? What is so wrong with seeking knowledge?” He bit the thread free with his fangs and embedded the knot into the linen. “Am I not learning things from you right now? Does that mean I should be cursed?”

“No, Lord.” Avice rubbed his arm. “So, you understand? I am not injured or dying. It is simply something that happens and I must manage it when it occurs.”

He smiled softly down at her. “I do, and thank you for taking the time to explain it to me.”

The Well King flapped his creation, throwing out the creases with a flourish. Avice chuckled at his enthusiasm as he ran his claws over the soft purple.

“Try them on,” she encouraged, sitting back to give him space to stand.

Trewoofe nodded and rolled off the pallet, rising carefully and shuffling out of her sight. Ashling floated down to rest on her hand as she patted Bramble. She tried to ignore the rustles of fabric behind her and fought the urge to peek at the handsome King.

“Thank you for helping him,” she whispered. The Wisp chimed, flaring proudly. “We would be lost without you.”

She lifted him to her nose and nuzzled into his cooled flames.

Bramble cracked a reproachful eye up at her. Avice, you have forgotten your mission.

“Yes, yes.” She dropped her hand back to the important task of patting her familiar’s head.

Trewoofe swept back into her line of sight. He had slipped his tunic back on and his new hose clung to his legs like a second skin.

“How do I look?” he asked.

Her mouth watered at the curve of his muscles beneath his clothes; the purple accentuated the red in his eyes and the silver sheen of his hair.

“I am not sure,” she teased. “Turn around for me.”

Trewoofe tossed her a smirk before spinning around. His starlight mane tumbled down his long back. She followed its path and studied how his slim shoulders dipped into narrower hips.

She pressed her thighs together. “You look beautiful, Lord.”

He turned to face her, a shy smile on his lips. “You really think so?”

“Yes, and I always have. Your human side is as handsome to me as your Knucker self.”

His smile broke into a wide grin, his fangs glinting in the flickering fire light. “Thank you, little witch.”

34

Chapter 34

Avice