Page 23 of Nix and Tell (The Arun Nixes #1)

Hazel

I feel the change in the river instantly.

That comes of working so closely with Trisantona, I suppose, and I’m delighted for Chlo and Vi. I know it’s them; the plants are invigorated, and there’s a weird, slightly mortal, flavour to Vi’s magic.

I am happy for them, I really am, only…

Only I don’t know if such a thing could be in the cards for me.

Looking around my studio, there are paintings everywhere, and they are all of the river. Beautiful landscapes that would make the most hard-hearted of art professors smile. But my work for Trisantona doesn’t stop there.

Just as I capture the river as mortals see it, and the river as nixes see it, I paint the river as she sees it. Swirling, tormented, full of drowned souls that make my head ache. Nixes aren’t mortals, but we’re not as strong as other fae, not as built to accept godly visions.

I paint and I paint and I paint.

And one day, it may kill me.

The End