The Dark Fairy King
Chapter 34: Stuff of Nightmares

Chapter 34: Stuff of Nightmares

"Venoms, elixirs, toxins, curses from the dark woods. Not for the faint-hearted. Buy at your own risk," Devran droned, barely looking up.

"So passionate in his work, am I right? Let’s test that," I muttered, rubbing my hands together with a grin stretching ear to ear.

A pointed cough sounded behind me.

I turned—and there she was. Scarlette. Arms folded, olive-green eyes sharp enough to slice iron.

Right. A glaring Scarlette in dark robes and purple hair looked like a Dark Fairy you didn’t mess with.

For a second, I forgot my scheme. She was captivating—in a mildly terrifying way.

Hand on hip, she snapped her fingers at me.

"I’m not daydreaming. Don’t do that," I grumbled, trying to save face.

Honestly, can’t a man admire his wife in peace? I am her husband, after all.

She rolled her eyes and turned to Devran, still loitering at his stall—oblivious, or pretending to be.

That’s when I noticed our disguises were working.

"Hi there, sister Dark Fairy," Devran said, addressing her first. "Anything you require?"

Dark Fairies always addressed their own kind before anyone else. I worried Scarlette might fumble the act—but she pulled through.

"Yes," she said brightly. "Do you have those venomous scorpion alcohols? The ones that sting your tongue just enough to give it a kick?"

My eyes lit up. Of course she knew my favorites. My wife had taste.

"Sure," Devran said. "Not cheap. Twenty ingots each. But they’re the real deal. I’ve been doing this a long time."

I handed over the money without hesitation.

"Oh?" he said, eyeing us. "Mixed Fairy couple?"

"Yes. I’m with him," Scarlette replied smoothly.

"Good. Then be careful," he added, lowering his voice. "There are extremists who target folks like you."

"Wait—what?" I frowned, glancing at Scarlette.

Why would Devran give us a warning? Was he... looking out for us?

"Haven’t you heard?" he continued, his eyes flickering with unease. "There’s a prophecy: a child born of Love and Dark magic will one day bring ruin to our world. Greatest potential for destruction. A harbinger of doom."

Scarlette’s eyes narrowed. Her voice was cool, but I saw the flicker of unease behind them. "Why haven’t I heard about this?"

"Maybe read the Dark Fairy scrolls," he said dryly. Then added, almost grudgingly, "Or just break up with this fruitcake." He jabbed a thumb at me.

Fruitcake? I couldn’t tell if that was an insult or a dessert recommendation.

I hugged the Kitsune bread to my chest like a stuffed animal, mildly offended.

Scarlette looked deep in thought while Devran kept talking—still not even glancing my way.

"Trust me. It’s more convenient, sister Dark Fairy," he said to her. "Call it looking out for my own kind."

"And what kind of protection would we even need?" I asked casually.

"You wouldn’t even know half of it." He waved me off like a fly.

Then he paused and squinted at us, studying our faces.

"Wait a minute..." he muttered. "You two look like King Veravos and Queen Scarlette."

Scarlette froze.

So I had to improvise. Thinking on the spot? My specialty. Not hers.

"But that’s impossible," I said smoothly. "Though almost correct."

"I’m Ravos, the Love Fairy. And this is Charlotte, the Dark Fairy. Total opposites of the royals."

Devran raised a brow, staring a beat too long.

"Do others comment on your appearance too?" he asked, standing up. "Your Majesties," he added with a sly grin and a bow.

I forced a laugh.

Scarlette blinked. So did Devran.

"We’re professional royal impersonators," I added quickly.

Scarlette recovered—barely."Yes. Totally professional."

"Off with their heads!" she declared, pointing skyward.

I nearly facepalmed. Why, Scarlette?

"I shall impose corporal punishment for people without common sense!" I added, mirroring her pose.

What other choice did I have?

Devran burst out laughing. "A comedy act! You two are a riot. Fairy folk love this stuff."

Crisis: dodged.

I gave Scarlette a pointed look. Scarlette just shrugged, like impersonating royalty wasn’t a crime worthy of decapitation.

"How long you been doing this?" Devran asked.

"Since forever," I said. Scarlette nodded.

"Right? No one remembers what came before," Devran mused. "I’ve been a shopkeeper here forever too."

He hesitated. Then reached under the stall and pulled out a blood-red flower. Its petals shimmered faintly, pulsing like a heartbeat.

"Consider it a gift," he said, handing it to Scarlette. "Something to protect you when the time comes."

Something flickered in his expression—concern? Guilt? I couldn’t tell.

But I recognized the flower instantly. It would burn her the moment she touched it. She wasn’t a true Dark Fairy—just pretending to be one called Charlotte.

"Oh, put it in the basket!" I said quickly, grinning to keep up the bubbly Love Fairy act.

Devran obliged.

"Don’t touch it," he warned. "Your Dark Fairy lover will explain." His eyes lingered on Scarlette.

Her fingers twitched, curiosity glinting despite the warning.

"Do you have more of these?" she asked, voice calm.

"Well... not exactly," Devran replied, suddenly cagey.

"Where would you get more?" I pressed.

"No answers for free. I only gave it because you might be targeted. Call it a Dark Fairy looking out for another." He gestured at Scarlette.

What’s the catch?

"How much is this again?" she asked.

But he shook his head. "Not for sale. Just use it wisely."

Of course he wouldn’t reveal the source. That flower was illegal.

I had banned it.

"Thanks for the gift," Scarlette said, still oblivious.

Devran smiled again. We bid him goodbye.

The truth? That flower was the stuff of nightmares. And I made damn sure Scarlette didn’t lay a finger on it.

Never let your guard down.

We walked toward the market’s entrance, the weight of the day pressing down on us like wet velvet.

"All right, spill..." Scarlette grabbed my arm. "Tell me about this flower."

"Later," I said, scanning the crowd.

She nodded, begrudgingly.

The tension hung between us until she broke it again.

"Don’t you find it unnerving to see people who should’ve been dead just... living their lives in this new world we created?"

"You mean Devran?" I scoffed. "Yeah. He’s like Devran but... not quite. Hard to describe."

"He’s kind of wholesome and brotherly, in a strange Dark Fairy way," she added.

I gagged.

"You did not just use Devran and wholesome in the same sentence."

Scarlette laughed.

But I couldn’t unsee his hands around my throat. Even if he didn’t remember it.

"But don’t you think he’s... different?" she asked again.

"You mean without blindly serving Judorah?" I replied. "Judorah doesn’t exist in this world."

"It’s like he got a fresh start too. Makes you wonder what if, doesn’t it?" she said.

"Yeah, and the best part? He doesn’t remember a thing," I said. "Still secretive. Still money-loving."

"At least now he’s serving himself. Or so it seems," Scarlette added.

I nodded slowly.

"Or so it seems," I murmured.

"Then again, it’s only one encounter," she said.

"That’s true too." I grinned. "Consequences of a vague wish for a new reality and all..."

Scarlette shoved me, clearly irritated.

"How was I supposed to know they’d all come back? I was under duress when I made that wish," she muttered.

"I just wanted a world where you weren’t consumed by darkness..." Her voice trailed off, eyes turned away.

"Scar... I don’t blame you," I said sincerely, grabbing her hand.

And I didn’t. This world wasn’t perfect.

Sure, it brought back shifty characters like Devran. Maybe others. But I was exactly where I needed to be.

Next to her.

Still... there were questions. So many.

Then, as if sharing one wary brain cell, we both looked at the cursed flower pulsing softly in our basket... then at each other. No words. Just the cursed flower pulsing quietly between us—its glow a quiet accusation. And one question we both felt but didn’t dare say aloud: what had we really brought back with us?

Why was it here?