The Fae Princess

 When we came upon an elegant, golden gate, it opened by itself. A stinging feeling entered my mouth, making me swallow hard. I could feel it running up my arms as well. Beyond the gate was an enormous manor. It was a gorgeous home made of twisted wood and covered in tangling vines. I stopped, taking in the view. Suddenly, something grabbed me. I could feel its long, bony hands wrap around my arm, yanking me back past the gate. I gasped, stumbling backward. Looking up, I saw a nearly white face with rows and rows of yellow and brown teeth. My blood ran cold as it gave a screech. It grabbed my other arm and moved as it was about to sink its teeth into me. Its scarce, white hair and tattered robes moved in an invisible breeze. 

 "Release her!" The faerie demanded. The creature holding me stopped and when I looked at the faerie, her long hair rose up around her head. Even her robes seemed to move with an invisible force. She looked absolutely furious. Her green eyes seemed greener and there was some sort of aura around her that moved like unseeable flames. 

 "This human is my dinner, faerie." The creature growled. Its voice was scratchy like wool against skin.

 "Release. Her." The faerie ordered. "You are on the faerie lord's land. Therefore she is protected." The creature hissed, twisting my arms painfully. I inhaled sharply. The creature turned and suddenly I was being dragged away quickly. No, no. Not like this. I moved my fingers, trying to grab one of my daggers. I realized that I had dropped my bow. Shit. I instinctively kicked my legs in a circle, one leg colliding with the creature's. It tripped and we both went tumbling to the ground. Pain entered my ribs and skull, but I didn't let it stop me. I grabbed my daggers and got to my feet. When the creature reached for me again, I swiped with my daggers. I sliced the skin on its hand and it shrieked, giving me time to back away. 

 "I will skin you alive, you filthy human." The creature snarled. A deep rumbling entered the air, vibrating through me. The white being looked around before looking behind me. A terrified expression coated its face and within seconds, it was disappearing into the trees. Relief flooded me and I touched my ribs. My head pounded as I thought. This world is dangerous. When I turned, I staggered slightly. Next to the faerie girl towered a tall man with golden, glowing hair. My eyes found his, golden and fierce. A feeling zapped through me that I couldn't understand. The girl approached me. 

 "Come along." She beaconed. Hesitantly, I followed. 

 "Who is this, Madeline?" The towering man with golden eyes questioned. 

 "My new friend, father. I found her wandering the forest." She smiled up at the man. 

 "She reeks of human stench." He frowned slightly.

 "But she isn't human." She smiled. Isn't human? What is she talking about? 

 "Where did she come from?" He looked down at me.

 "I believe she came from the human world. Like the stories talked about." She answered. 

 "Those are just stories, Madeline. Myths."

 "She had to come from somewhere." She stared up at her father. "She's not human. She must've been sent to the human realm as a child, because she smells human." I remembered my childhood. I was always in the woods, being one with nature. The man looked at me again.

 "What is your name?" He questioned.

 "Nimre, sir." I responded. His eyes widened ever so slightly.

 "Well, Nimre, you are always welcome here. You may stay for as long as you like." He told me.

 "Thank you, sit." I bowed slightly. It felt like the right thing to do, but my throbbing ribs hindered much movement.

 "Come along, Nimre." Madeline began walking towards the manor.