At first, it all seemed so magical. She rolled her eyes at the thought of it now.

It was only a month ago when he watched her approach his home. With a wave of his hand he made marbled pillars rise from the lake so she could make her way to him. The water around the stepping stones bubbled and steamed; the heated rock burning away moisture so her feet would stay dry.

She was admittedly impressed. Doves flew over her, dropping the rose petals clutched in their small claws, and sun rays burst through from the clouds reflecting myriad rainbows off the water. It was a touch obnoxious, but she enjoyed watching her luggage float to the door. Little girl in her enchanted, she practically skipped her way to him, a roll of gilded carpet unfolding to receive her at the steps.

There would be no carpet today. Today, she drove to the lake’s edge in a beat up rental that stank of cigarettes, armed with an empty cardboard box for her things. She took the side door reserved for his visible human servants, and sighed.