The fey

Taking a pair of scissors from his desk, Ethan poked the point into his thumb, pushing until he felt the telltale pain and blood beginning to trickle out. Taking a deep breath, he swiped his blood on the line under the old drawing of a fairy on the last page of that chapter. He swore he could feel a chill run down his spine as he smeared his blood on the page, and then...

Nothing.

He glanced around, breath stuck in his chest for a long moment, then he slowly let it out. Nothing had happened. He shouldn't have been surprised or disappointed but couldn't really help it. The idea of a magical book that would give him actual, true magical powers? It was amazing to consider and knowing it was nothing?

He tossed the book to the floor and fell back onto his bead, staring up on the ceiling. He sat like that until he heard a giggle coming from across the room. Sitting up, his eyes shot open as he saw a small woman sitting on his desk. Not Tinkerbell small, but almost child sized, though she had the proportions of an adult. Her hair was silvery blonde and her eyes a similar silvery color. She wore a dress that seemed to be made of leaves with flowers decorating it, and she had dragonfly-like wings growing out of her back. She tucked some hair behind an ear, revealing that they were longer and more pointed than human ears.

"So, you're the one who called upon me, are you?" she asked. Her voice was melodic, almost as though she were singing while she spoke. "What, may I ask, brought you to such a decision? What do you need my power for?"

"I... I don't know?" Ethan asked. The fairies face fell a little, a brief display of annoyance. "I found the book and read it and who wouldn't want power like that, right?"

You had no specific objective in mind?" she asked. "Nothing you aim for in the now that my abilities would assist you with?"

"Well, um... there's this girl I like..."

"Ah, unrequited love?" she asked, leaning forward. Ethan could see a spark of excitement in her eyes. "Or perhaps merely undiscovered? You seek to awaken feelings in this would be love of yours?"

"I- if possible."

"All things are possible, child. We fey are experts in the field of charm magics. A simple enchantment could have you catching your beloveds eye. With continued work, I guarantee that you can become her world."

"It's not that easy," Ethan said. "There's an issue. She's with someone already."

"A minor inconvenience at most."

"They've been together seven years, I really don't think it's minor."

"You have much to learn, child. Now come," she said, hopping off the desk and walking over to him. "Take my hand and I will impart on you the mark of our pact."

Reaching out, he took her hand.

"What is your name, child?"

"Ethan."

"I am Iala. Let our pact be sealed." As she spoke, Ethan could feel an itching on his wrist. Looking down, barely visible in a silvery script, was a runic symbol. Iala released his hand and walked back across the room. "Now, to begin with your problem. Shall we start with the young woman who has caught your eye, charming her into seeing what was right before her? Or shall we attempt to remove the obstacle that has come between the two of you?"