Fairy-Themed Prompt Contest
Judge: Shaina Merrick (@shainamerrickwriter, now @shainaherself)
Prompt 1
Prompt: “They say fairy dust tastes like memory.” Created by Lydia Jane.
A nearby leaf is coated in gold fairy dust. I snatch it from its bush and bring it to my lips.
They say fairy dust tastes like memories. This batch tastes like a panicked cry and a swift right turn. She’s tired and knows she can’t fly for much longer.
I smile, taking the same turn she did. A few steps later I hear the soft chime of bells. My probing eyes land on a small patch of moss coated in gold. I kneel and run my fingers through the dust.
Her wings won’t carry her any further. She can’t even get into a tree.
I taste the quick scramble to hide beneath the nearest mushroom and hope the human won’t notice.
It almost isn’t fair. They’re so easy to find once you know how to interpret the emotions captured in their dust.
Quickly, I snatch the mushroom from the ground. The fairy stares up at me in stunned exhaustion. I grab her and shove her in the bag at my waist with the others.
Today’s hunt is proving exceedingly profitable.
Prompt 2
Prompt: “There are consequences to cutting off your wings.” Created by Lydia Jane.
There are consequences to cutting off your wings. But no one understood them. I certainly hadn’t.
***
“Cut off your wings and lose your rights as a guardian. That is your only alternative,” the judge bellowed.
Rubbing my face, I weighed my options although I’d already made my choice. I took the blame from my little brother. The judge knew this but had no proof. I could lose my wings or betray my own blood.
“Cut them off.” The words came out cold and lifeless. They tasted like iron in my mouth, as if just saying those three words made my mouth bleed.
The deafening pain hit before I realized the executioner had swung his axe.
***
I would never forget that night. My back still ached. I still tasted the hot iron. I awoke in cold sweats reliving the night.
At the moment, I hadn’t realized what would come (although my decision would never change).
I was banished.
Banished to another world. A world of darkness… of hate… of death. A world unredeemable.
Instead of saving lives, I took them. Instead of granting more time, I stopped time.
I was no longer Malik Emrys.
I am the Grim Reaper.
Prompt 3
Prompt: “No one told me the fairy king was like… this.” Created by Lydia Jane.
No one told me the fairy king was like… this.
I sat back, tapping my foot impatiently. “Just go already.” No wonder Mama sacrificed me to keep the visiting king occupied while she attended state functions.
“You can’t rush these decisions.” King Aldred stroked his chin as he surveyed the chess board.
I snuck a glance at the grandfather clock in the corner. In the past two hours, he’d made approximately… two moves.
No wonder fairies were so well-known for being peaceful. They didn’t rush into wars. They didn’t rush into anything. I suppose, living for thousands of years, they didn’t feel the gnawing of minutes ticking by…
I resisted a groan. There had to be a way out of this!
Oh! I sat up. The problem was that we were playing the wrong game.
“Your Majesty,” I murmured, “there’s a sport I think you’ll enjoy much better than this.”
He glanced up at me. “What’s that?”
I stood, cracking my knuckles. “Croquet. It’s my favorite.” At least if he took forever, I could have some fun whacking at things with the mallet.
After all, one day I’d be Queen of Wonderland. I needed practice with our national sport.
