Magic cascaded from my fingertips, spiraling up my arm before pulsating through my entire being. A sensation, akin to something peeling away from my skin, made me shiver in repulsion and unease. The tingling crescendoed, engulfing me in a wave of discomfort. For what felt like an eternity, I trembled, not from cold but from the foreign sensation that now began to ebb as mysteriously as it had appeared.
Barnaby's grin was unnervingly wide, almost stretching beyond the confines of his face, while the other fey folk nodded, their expressions a mix of appreciation and intrigue. Tiger, who usually remained composed, stood on edge, teetering on the brink of a rampage, torn between his protective instincts and his primal nature, yet somehow managing to maintain control.
But it was Adrian's reaction that caught me off-guard.
His mouth hung open, revealing his strikingly white teeth, the canines sharper than I remembered. His green eyes, usually so composed, widened in disbelief, traveling over my form – from my toes, pausing momentarily at my waist, then lingering a tad too long at my chest before finally meeting my gaze.
Feeling his intense stare, I looked down, apprehensive about confronting my new reality. A wave of shock washed over me. Hours ago, I was a young man in the prime of life, inexperienced with women, yet curious. Now, standing here, in this unfamiliar form, I realized a path once possible was forever closed to me. The irony of the situation was not lost on me; my future, once so clear, was now a mystery wrapped in this new guise.
As I gazed downward, my line of sight was unexpectedly obstructed by two small, soft mounds that seemed alien to my body. Leaning forward, a sense of surreal disbelief washed over me as I observed my feet, which had transformed into a distinctly feminine shape. A hesitant, almost reluctant touch confirmed the staggering reality: my manhood, a fundamental aspect of my identity, was no longer there. My fingers then cautiously moved along my arms, noticeably slimmer, and up to my shoulders, which had lost their broad, masculine frame. I was smaller in every conceivable way, a stark contrast to the man I had been mere moments ago.
A wave of panic surged through me, my breaths becoming shallow and rapid. My heart pounded against my chest, its loud, frantic beats seemingly echoing through the room. Amidst the turmoil, a myriad of emotions cascaded through my mind. Confusion and disbelief fought with a creeping sense of curiosity about the contours of this new body.
Just as the cacophony of my heartbeat reached its peak, a mirror was rolled before me, revealing an utterly foreign reflection. A beautiful, petite woman stared back at me, her features delicate and youthful. My hair, now a deep, lustrous ruby red, framed my face and fell just below my jawline, lending an air of feminine grace I had never known. My ears slightly pointed like those of an elf, added to this otherworldly appearance.
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My eyes, however, were the most striking feature. One silver and the other blue, each surrounded by a halo of the opposing color, creating an enchanting, almost mystical effect. My face, formerly rugged and masculine, was now small and finely shaped, the epitome of youthful femininity.
The person in the mirror was like a young woman in the early stages of self-discovery, with hints of a tomboy's spirit. My height, or lack thereof, accentuated this impression. I had always been modest in stature among men, but now I stood distinctly shorter, my clothes hanging baggily, emphasizing my diminished size.
"Beautiful, serene, fantastically magical! What we see now, you can too," Barnaby purred, his words echoing the whimsical, enigmatic nature of his character. He turned his attention to Adrian, a glint of amusement and warning in his eyes. "Is this the first time seeing a fey Lady? Mind your manners, or you're bound to lose more than your sanity. Fey Lady's are not for the meek." he cautioned, his tone playfully stern.
He looked at me. "Now, Alex, was it? Indeed. Through luck or divine design, you have been blessed to meet I. My obligation to you has ended. And Adrian," Barnaby continued, his gaze intensifying, "You and I will spend ample time together. You must learn the ways of a Lord, the Lord of this city's people. It is your destiny, your end goal."
With a graceful wave of his hand, as if orchestrating the very flow of time, Barnaby signaled the day's waning light. "The day seems to be waning. It is time for us all to seek accommodations. I trust we will see each other on the morrow?"
I stood beside Adrian, silent, still enveloped in a cocoon of shock. Adrian stepped closer, our gazes meeting. A small, reassuring smile flickered across his face, but it lacked genuine warmth. It didn't reach his eyes, which held a turmoil of emotions. His jaw tensed as he alternated his gaze between me and Barnaby.
"Ah, Barnaby," Adrian began, his voice tinged with concern, "where might we find lodging? We were supposed to head to the emporium with Tiger, but that's no longer an option. We have no money, no means to earn any. And you wish for us to remain unnoticed, but how? These are the only clothes we possess, and..." His eyes briefly met mine, filled with a mix of worry and uncertainty. "Sh...he will not go unnoticed. I can't imagine anyone allowing her to pass by without comment. And then, you've removed the glamour," he finished his tone a blend of frustration and apprehension.
Barnaby's affirmation came with a vigorous shake of his head, echoing the whimsy and unpredictability characteristic of his nature. "Such is the way of things here," he declared, his voice resonating with a mixture of sternness and mirth. "We assisted you because it is our obligation as fey. We've stripped away unnecessary enchantments, navigated you through the annals of our world's history, and shielded you from falling prey to Mankin's greasy clutches. Indeed, we've fulfilled our part. You are free to go, in fact, I insist, implore, demand that you do."
As he spoke, the Fey around us began to form a circle, their movements gentle yet insistent, nudging us toward the entrance we had initially used. Their actions seemed choreographed; a dance of expulsion veiled in courtesy.