Jacob is a photographer and artist. One day, as he is walking through the woods, he catches a glimpse of a fairy, a tiny, flying human-shaped creature. He knows no one will believe him, not even his lover Robert, so the following day Jacob ventures back into the woods whereupon he discovers more than he bargains for. An old oak lying across the rushing waters of a small river is the gateway to another world. Fairy Land is a place of wonders where he meets Kellen, a fairy soldier, Faena, a vain beauty, and King Utrin. Jacob is eager to return home to Robert, but the fairy king gives Jacob a task he must complete before they will show him the way back. He must break the energy barrier between Fairy Land and the Demon Realm for the fairy soldiers to pass through. In the realm of the Demons, Jacob meets Xavier, from whom he discovers what the fairies have been hiding from him -- time passes differently in these realms than on earth. Devastated, far away in both time and distance from his home and beloved Robert, what is the twist that returns the smile to Jacob’s face? The surprise that brings the joy back to his now miserable existence?

Changelings

Jacob watched the top of Robert’s face over the paper, trying to ascertain whether he was thinking of a reply or whether he’d dismissed the question altogether.


Robert must have felt Jacob’s eyes upon him. Again he looked over the newspaper.


“Are you serious?” he asked in a tone that defied an answer in the affirmative.


Jacob looked at him for a few seconds then shook his head. “No, course not.”


He busied himself with spreading the whipped butter over the pancake so that it melted into the maple syrup. When he looked up again he found Robert was still looking at him.


“Why did you ask me that?” Robert put the paper down and picked up his coffee.


Jacob wished he’d kept his mouth shut. He was feeling slightly defensive.


Robert’s eyes remained on him. He could tell Robert’s brain was working ten to the dozen trying to figure out what the hell he was on about. Why had he said anything at all? He’d known the reaction he’d get.


Chapter 5