The Changeling Soldier Read Online Free Page A

fairy’s. It had to be; caring about mortals only ended in broken hearts.
    Even though Isaac was a changeling he had a human soul and was therefore mortal. A good time didn’t require a long time though. She’d learned that one early while living in the mortal world.
    “You know, delicate, glamorous, extravagant.” Melody watched her closely, a little too closely. Her gaze sharpened with every passing heartbeat.
    Ella glanced away to flick through her fabric samples. There was something amiss here. Did Melody know she was talking to a fairy and her brother was a changeling? Did Isaac know and just hide it well? Desire fizzled out and her heart beat a little faster as the adrenaline rush stole the cold that had been creeping through her sluggish blood.
    At least those descriptions were more accurate. Fairies loved parties. She’d just missed the mid-summer celebration in Annwyn. She’d almost returned, determined to make a grand entrance and hold her head high. Then she’d changed her mind. Her mistake, as apparently that celebration had been amazing as well as disastrous for the King, Queen and Hunter. Like many fairies, she was hoping Prince Felan would get his act together. All the fairies she knew in the mortal world had gone home, if they could. Those who were in exile were preparing for death. Unless she planned to join them, which she didn’t, she needed to cross the veil and go home.
    Perhaps once back in Annwyn she could again find favor as a dress designer and maker. In the past, her father’s high status had granted her many favors, but this time she’d be trading on her own merits with the past hanging over her head like a sword waiting to fall. What if she wasn’t good enough for Annwyn and had to return to the mortal world and spend the rest of her long life dressing the rich, if not royal? She swallowed.
    Then she’d better leave the doors open and do this one right.
    She gave Melody a small smile as if warming to the idea. “Wings?”
    Melody laughed. “Don’t be silly. Fairies don’t have wings.”
    No, they didn’t. That had been a human fabrication, along with reducing fairies to tiny, harmless flutterbys.
    “So can you do it?” Melody leaned forward, thumbing through the sketches with fabrics pinned to them.
    “Of course I can.” Ella smiled as if nothing were amiss. She didn’t like people knowing what she was. It was unnerving and hadn’t happened in at least fifty years—and it was usually followed by trouble, as people had some serious misconceptions about fairies.
    Melody picked up a sketch, her hand bumping Ella’s. The pin jabbed into the back of her hand. “I’m so sorry. Let me…” Melody’s gaze dropped to the blood welling on the back of Ella’s hand.
    A second too late, Ella cast a glamour over the blood so it appeared to be mortal red.
    Melody blinked as though confused.
    “It’s nothing, just a scratch.” Ella licked her thumb and swiped the blood away. “Occupational hazard, really I’m all right.” Yet she was sure that Melody had stabbed her deliberately.
    “Of course. Are you sure you’re okay?”
    “Yes.” No. It took several breaths before she was sure her hands weren’t shaking.
    Perhaps she shouldn’t have taken this job. Or perhaps she was just being paranoid. Was that another symptom of winter in Annwyn?
    From the corner of her eye she could see Isaac. His face was carefully neutral and yet he was watching everything. There was definitely something going on, but she wasn’t sure what or if he was part of it or not. Perhaps brother and sister were well versed in fairy lore…but what did they want? Usually people who knew about fairies treated them very well and with respect. However, that wasn’t the case here. Perhaps it was Isaac who wanted to know more about what he was—now that was something she’d gladly assist with. But Melody, there was something not right about the girl.
    She was too…too conniving Ella realized. She acted like