His great antlers jutted out like wild tree branches. Twisting like ancient twigs.

It was by far the biggest deer I'd ever seen.

Something that can't exist.

He was bigger than a horse. And stampeding toward me.

His cloven hooves tearing through the moss and foliage along the forest floor. Throwing up clods of dirt around his shoulder as he rushed.

I knew I should run but I was frozen where I was. Unable to move. My feet had suddenly sprouted roots that wouldn't let me go.

"No!" I shouted, tossing my arms over my face to protect myself.

The stag didn't even slow. Just lowered his head to scoop me onto his antlers.

I shrieked and balanced amidst them. My hands pricking on the sharper points. Tiny bits jabbing into the back of my legs as he carried me at this roaring pace.

My voice became one long resonating scream.

***

I didn't know how long he'd run because I'd been too busy clinging to him and trying not to fall before him to be trampled underfoot. But hanging on was like clutching the top of a rushing carriage.

Little to hold on to.

The trees became strange as we went further. The leaves turning a gilded shade. Shimmering gold as each shined like a precious stone.

We brushed under them but didn't dislodge them. As if these trees weren't alive.

They're something else.

Permanent centurions guarding this place. As we drew near, their lower branches lifted like arms rising to let us pass. They rattled and clattered like made of armor.

As they peeled open, I was stunned to see what was revealed.

A towering white castle. Made all of shining marble.

***

It was the most gorgeous structure I'd ever seen. With tall parapets and gold rooftops. White balconies framed by gold rails.

It looks like something from a dream.

An unreal place.

Soon the stag reached the drawbridge and it lowered before us for him to cross. Then the massive gates to the bailey swung wide and even the double doors of the castle flew open. Their black ringed handles thudding along the wood as we ran by.

We slowed as we entered a grand banquet hall. The click of wooden cups on tables ceased. And gowns of every shade of spring swept over the room. Beautiful women with heavy curls piled atop their heads hung on the arms of silver-eyed men.

The way they moved was ethereal. Slow and somewhat disinterested as they turned to watch the stag entering the center of their Banquet Hall.

As if it is the most natural sight for them to behold.

Every piece of furniture I saw was embroidered in gold. And upholstered in rich red velvet or dried furs.

Everything is beautiful.

Every woman, man, bit of furniture, chandelier or tapestry is stunning.

I was paralyzed by the sight.

And somehow as the stag lowered me the great antlers became arms that set me on my feet.

I turned to look and found myself face to face with the man that'd watched me bathe.

"Now, Sweet Thing, ask me who I am?"

I licked my lips and tried to gather my composure. Realizing that the room had silenced the moment he spoke.

"Who are you."

"I'm king here. King of these woods. King of this land. King of all things Unseen. And you, Sweet Thing are in my court now."

"What does that mean?" I asked nervously.

"It means that a single taste," He lifted his finger pointedly. "of anything within my hall and you become mine forever."

"And if I taste nothing?"

"If you can resist the temptations of my Castle, for one night, then you may return home."

"How many people have left your Castle?"

"None so far." He took a step back to gesture at the number surrounding us, proudly. "But I must warn you, you will end up in my bed."

I was already shaking my head. Thinking of my fiancé. My Jason.

But the Fey King leaned forward and pressed his lips to my ear. "Oh, you will. And I'll be buried to the hilt in you."

I shook my head with my mouth gaping but was afraid to deny it for fear that he'd only become more adamant. I could feel I was on tenuous ground already.

He's all powerful here. I didn't have to see the way those in the court watched him to know. I could feel his power everywhere here. It was all consuming. Like a flavor on one's lips which touched from every direction you turned.

Like his fingers could stretch from any corner.

This was the sort of place where hands would reach from walls to caress you while you slept.