EPISODE 56 — THE MILLENNIAL ORCHID

(Dorcha POV) It’s still night outside. Rain crashes endlessly against the windows. Fairy blood stains the glass in dark streaks. It’s grotesque. Aileen sits on the windowsill, staring silently into the storm. Worried. Lost in thought. I understand why. Too much has happened already… and it still isn’t over. Time is running out. And if we fail— Damn it. This is my fault. I walk over and rest a hand on her shoulder. I need to comfort her. …And maybe I need comfort too. She leans into me immediately. “We’ll make it through this, love,” I murmur. She looks at me like I just uncovered something she was trying to hide. I hand her a steaming cup of herbal tea, sit behind her, and wrap my arms around her waist. The scent of her hair settles around me, warm and familiar. For one brief moment,…