by Godiva Glenn
Biting her lower lip anxiously, she scrolled through her phone to re-read Gerri’s vague text for the twentieth time. Blair was supposedly caring, intelligent, and ambitious. He was new to the island, had an impeccable past, and was a built like an oak. Gerri’s words exactly.
Alethea didn’t miss that hint. The tree comment was definitely a reference to Blair’s package, and though she wasn’t sure how Gerri knew such a thing, she was infinitely amused by the knowledge.
The pessimist in her was shouting but it was easy to tune that side out. She’d done her research, or rather, Pavel had done it for her. Gerri was the real deal. She’d settled many shifter clan disputes with her matches. She had a one hundred percent success rate, and there were dozens, if not hundreds, of babies that existed purely thanks to her skills.
Joseph coughed into his fist with a covert glance past her shoulder, and Alethea turned around to see what he’d noticed. Her jaw nearly fell onto the wooden walkway. The man approaching had to be her date—Blair, no given last name.
Built like an oak was correct. His shoulders and chest were broad, and he was easily one of the tallest men she’d ever met. The sun reflected bronze highlights in his deep brown hair and as he came closer, his matching dark eyes scanned her from head to toe.
She blushed as a smile crested his lips. His gaze felt loaded with desire, and she nervously pressed her red lips together as she fumbled for the perfect introduction.
“Hi,” she said breathily. Wow. If only Nikki could see me now.
“You must be Alethea. It’s wonderful to meet you,” he said in a sexy, unidentifiable accent. He lifted her hand and delicately kissed the back of it, a greeting she usually hated in new men but welcomed from him. Damn, those lips can touch me anywhere.
She caught her breath and nodded with too much excitement before stopping herself and scrunching her fingers anxiously through her curls in an attempt to hide her red face. “You’re right on time. It’s just us and one other couple.”
His magnetic stare left her briefly to look behind her. “I’ve never been on a boat.”
“Really?” She turned around they walked together down the dock. “The water is calm today. It should be a smooth ride.”
“I’ll trust you.”
He held her hand as she stepped onto the deck then joined her. It was a small touring boat so there were a few benches. They sat together, and Alethea did her best to avoid eye contact with her guards. The boat rocked quietly until the captain finally pulled them out of port. Once they were on the open water, she turned to Blair.
“Gerri didn’t say much about you,” she said.
His eyes flickered across her face and seemed to stare at her lips for a moment before he glanced away. “Ah. Well, what would you like to know?”
“Where are you from? Are you vacationing, or ...?”
“I live here now. I’m from Prism.”
She shook her head. “I’ve never heard of that city.”
“Oh, no. Prism is a fae planet.” He stared out at the water, his eyes squinting.
Her eyes widened. She’d heard of the fae, but to her knowledge, there were not many in the area. “So, you’re a…”
“Fae, yes. That’s the common distinction.” He tugged at his tie. “From there it goes into specifics. Sprites, shifters, different magical beings.”
“Is it impolite to ask what you are?”
“Hmm.” His hand brushed his chin for a moment.
“I know that some shifters don’t like to put it out there, while others are proud to state it,” she rambled at the sight of his instant unease. “It’s fine if you don’t want to talk about it just yet.”
One hand tugged at his tie and he glanced away from her. “Is this… how water usually is?”
She leaned back, now catching the beads of sweat on his forehead and the frantic look in his eyes. “Oh no, no… are you okay?”
“I don’t believe so.” He cleared his throat and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m sorry. You’re very lovely but I—”
He ran to the edge of the railing and vomited over the side. It was the last thing she’d expected, and she’d imagined a dozen ways this date could go wrong. She covered her mouth with her hands and froze. Joseph joined him at the railing, holding him to keep him from toppling over. She glanced at Marie, who had a neutral, if not disappointed look on her face.
Damnit. Really, Gerri? You had to find me the one guy who can’t even last five minutes on a boat?
Nikki rubbed Alethea’s back while she lay face-down on her bed groaning. She’d had some disastrous dates, but this took the cake.
“It’s going to be okay,” Nikki reassured her.
“How?” Alethea said into her pillow. She rolled over and stared at the tiled gold and white ceiling of her room. “I didn’t even get to know him before he was trying to drown himself over the side the of the boat.”
“It’s not the end of the world, though. Maybe he was a shithead anyway and you dodged a bullet.”
“He was really cute, though. Like… beyond what should even be legal. And he’s not just another guy, he’s a fae and he’s from an entirely different planet. I didn’t even learn what he is. What if he’s a sexy shifter? What if he can fly?”
Nikki sighed. “Never mind that. If he couldn’t handle a boat I’m not sure why he’d agree to meet you for a boat ride.”
“I don’t think he even understood. The look on his face…” Alethea flinched, recalling Blair’s pallid complexion. He’d kept apologizing when he could even speak. They’d had to turn the boat right around and Joseph ended up taking him home. It’s not like they could continue the date after that. “What if Prism doesn’t have that much water?”
“Fairly certain water is necessary to all living things,” Nikki reasoned.
Alethea tossed her pillow across the room. “Maybe I should call Gerri and see about redoing it?”
“Like a different guy?”
“No. Just a better date setting. It’s my own fault because I didn’t want anyone to give away that I was a princess. I thought there was no way my cover could get blown on the freaking sea.”
“Or you could just tell him the truth. But personally, I’d hold out for a guy with a stronger stomach. We’re surrounded by the clearest blue water this side of the ocean. You own like three yachts. Don’t you think—”
A rattling buzz interrupted her. They both turned to look at the phone vibrating on the nearby end table. Alethea scrambled over and frowned at the unfamiliar number.
“Hello?” she answered cautiously. Narrowing her eyes at Nikki, she mouthed ‘two yachts.’
“Alethea?”
She waved Nikki over and lowered the phone, pressing the speaker button. “Yes. Blair? Are you feeling better?”
“I’m so deeply sorry,” he groaned. “That’s honestly never happened to me. I couldn’t have predicted such a reaction.”
“But you’re okay now?”
“Perfectly fine, barring how utterly embarrassed I am.”
“It happens,” Alethea replied. Nikki rolled her eyes.
“May I request a second meeting with you?” There was some rustling and the sound of whispers on his end of the line, followed by, “I mean a date. I would like a second chance.”
“Of course!” she said too quickly. “Ah, when will you be free?”
“Tomorrow for lunch?”
Nikki placed her hand over the mic and whispered to Alethea, “If you miss another tennis practice your father will flip.”
“Seriously why do I need to practice for a game I don’t even compete in?” Alethea hissed. “It’s bad enough I still do ballet. As if my toes need to be holding up this ass and these breasts.” Her hand motioned to her voluptuous parts in turn.
Nikki snickered and released the phone.
“Hello?” Blair asked.
“I can clear my schedule for that. What did you have in mind?”
“I’m not sure just yet. But I�
�ll type the message—I’ll text you tomorrow morning. I’m currently tracking down the perfect spot.”
“Sounds wonderful.”
“Yes. I look forward to being in your presence again.”
“Same.”
The call ended, and she dropped the phone onto the mattress. Nikki tilted her head. “Okay. I’ll admit that his voice is quite nice.”
“That accent, right?”
“Indeed. This time try to learn more about him than how sexy his chin scruff is, though. It’s only a matter of time before your father finds out that you’re sneaking around, and you’ll need a better reason than Blair being the most handsome guy in the world.”
Alethea pulled her long hair up into a makeshift bun and gnawed her lip. Nikki was right, of course, but Alethea had other considerations.
Like how to continue to sneak her guards with her on dates.
“First things first.” She scrolled through her phone to find the matchmaker’s number. “Gerri didn’t tell me my date was from another planet. I’m going to need more info before date attempt number two.”
Blair crossed his arms and looked up into the dense canopy of the tree he stood under. How Vevina had managed to find such a beautiful specimen on short notice, he’d never understand. It was exactly what he wanted.
“It’s perfect.”
“I wouldn’t say that. I’ve seen better.” She looked pointedly at his chest where his tree currently hid behind another suit.
He touched the tree and felt the warmth of its energy humming beneath his palm. “I don’t think all of my magic is gone.” Closing his eyes, he sent a silent command forward. The tree shook. When he opened his eyes, the small red berries peppering the branches had grown and were more vibrant. “No, it’s certainly still with me.”
Vevina’s gazed longingly up at the topmost leaves. The desire to climb was clear on her face. “I can feel my magic too, but my touch would only reverse what you’ve just done.”
“There are many trees around us. I bet they would enjoy your company.”
She shrugged. “Earth trees aren’t as receptive as Prism’s.”
“But you still feel the urge.”
“Yes,” she admitted sheepishly. “But first I want to make sure you haven’t been stood up. That’s a saying for when your date doesn’t show up.”
“I don’t think Alethea would do that.” He squatted down and smoothed the large, checkered blanket he’d spread beneath the tree. On Prism, they spread coarse silks across the ground, but that would have been presumptuous. Fae had picnics as a precursor to sex. He only wanted an innocent, human date, so he’d mimicked what he’d found in common Earth imagery.
“Unfortunately, with humans you never know. They aren’t like fae. They hide and don’t always say what they mean.”
“Fae do that too,” he chided. “I believe in Ms. Wilder’s talents. Besides, you didn’t see her. She’s perfect. My heart already knows.”
“Are you sure that’s not just your lower brain talking?” Vevina teased.
He didn’t reply to her goading. There was no doubt that Alethea aroused him, but he could tamp down that particular desperation. “In all fairness, I do feel at a disadvantage with her. When she first saw me, I couldn’t read her face. I think I’m spoiled by my acquaintance with you.”
“You’ve interacted with Brook, and now with Gerri. The non-verbal cues probably aren’t as mysterious as you think.”
“Perhaps. But I found myself hoping for her hair to turn a bit pink upon seeing me.”
Soft pink being the color of sexual interest, Vevina rolled her eyes. “Look alive. Alethea’s here… but she’s not alone.”
He stood and peered across the grass and wildflowers but saw nothing. Vevina ducked behind the tree and scampered away. After a moment, Alethea appeared in the distance, carefully making her way through the sporadic patches of tall grass. Beyond her, a shadowed figure moved away from them. Probably a friend, just as I have Vevina.
He met her halfway and led her back, helping her to sit on the blanket. Her long hair was pulled up and she wore a blouse that hung from her shoulders. Her lovely neck called to him. He could only imagine how soft her skin, how fine it would be to place kisses there.
“A picnic?” She tucked her feet beneath her and smiled at him. “I never would have guessed.”
He sat beside her. “I’ve always wanted to have one. I thought that it would be a pleasant first experience to share with you.”
The sun snuck through the trees to shine into her eyes and she scooted closer to him to avoid it. Furrowing her brow, she said, “I’ve never been on one either.”
“Really?” He pulled the large basket of his things forward and opened it. “There is so much beauty around here. I would think many men would wish to sit with you in such a way.”
She searched his eyes, but he looked away. He couldn’t explain it, but her stare was too raw.
“Most men bring me to fancy restaurants. Or actually, the same fancy restaurant. Over and over.”
“I see. Is that preferable?” He dug around and found two plastic wine glasses. Holding them by the stem, he pulled out a wrapped bottle of wine.
“I don’t mind dinner. I just hate that everyone tries to impress me with money.”
“Then should I admit that I don’t have much money?”
She laughed, taking his words as a joke. “I think a picnic is the most romantic date I’ve ever been on, so I can forgive you.” She took the glasses from him and held them while he filled them partway with wine. “I appreciate the thought this took.”
“It wasn’t too much thought,” he admitted. “I always had the notion that I would have this moment with someone special. It was only a matter of finding you.”
The look on her face made him wonder if he’d been too honest. He tapped his glass against hers. The action made her look down, then take a sip.
Licking her lips, she held her wine up to the sun. “What is this?”
“It’s just wine.”
“No…” She swirled it gently. “Wine isn’t lavender in color, for starters, and it doesn’t shimmer.”
“It’s from Prism. Is it not good?”
“It’s great.”
He gulped some of his own wine down. Vevina had provided it, but he’d never had it before. The flavor was like nothing he could describe, but he found it pleasant. “That’s… interesting.”
Alethea placed a hand on his wrist. “Wait. You’ve never had it either?”
“I’ve never had any wine, no.”
“Maybe don’t drink it so fast, then.” She let go of him and made the motion of tucking her hair back, though there was nothing loose. “You’ve never been on a boat. You’ve never had wine. Anything else?”
He motioned to the basket in front of him. “All of this food is new to me. Crackers. Cheese. Olives. I tried to bring things similar to what I’ve seen brought on picnics back home, but of course, the foods are not the same.”
He spread out the various containers and set out plates. He’d also found something called a ‘pasta salad’ which was green and looked appealing, as well as many different fruits. “I wanted to try all of these with you.”
“Who were you on Prism?” she asked softly.
“Nobody special.”
“You watched picnics but never went on one? Did you never date? Sorry if it’s nosy, I’m trying to understand.”
Despite the lingering sweetness of the drink, his mouth felt dry. He’d hoped to keep his secret a little longer. “I watched many things. Heard of many things. This date was a dream of mine for as long as I could remember.”
She watched him. “You’re still not making sense, not really.”
“Couples would come and sit underneath my branches just like this. They’d share little foods and drink and fall in love.” He looked up at the tree they sat beneath. “This is what I was on Prism.”
“A tree?”
“Yes. A dryad. A tree
spirit.” He met her eyes. “I don’t know what you assume of such a thing. I don’t know how humans comprehend magic and the fae.”
She shook her head. “I don’t know. I’m confused, but I’m mostly… no, I’m just confused. You lived in a tree, or?”
“I did. And in a sense, I was the tree. Dryads have simple existences. We are born as saplings knowing everything we need to know. We know our names and our purpose—to grow our tree and see to the land around it. We’re tied to it, never to leave.”
Her brow furrowed. “That sounds crazy.”
“I’m serious.” He motioned around the grass surrounding him. “From here to where the shade of those trees starts, that was the size of my land. I tended it rigorously every day. That was my one and only task.”
She followed his gaze around them. “Then how are you here?”
“Magic and a granted wish,” he said with a dry chuckle. “Is it too strange?”
She cocked her head to the side. “Gerri gave me the rundown on the basics of Prism, so I’ve had time to get used to the idea. She even told me that the original shifters came from another planet as well, which I had no idea about, so it’s all sinking in. Maybe later I’ll reflect and find it strange, but for right now I’m just… fascinated.” She lifted a piece of dark purple fruit and held it up, scrutinizing it. “You’ve never had a blueberry?”
“I didn’t know that was called a blueberry. The package just said mixed fruit.”
A curious glint appeared in her eyes. “You’re serious.”
“Until a few days ago I’d never even needed to eat or drink. I’d only seen a boat as an image on a screen.”
“And you’re determined to share as many firsts as you can with me,” she repeated.
“Yes.”
“Why me?”
“Because it feels right.”
She smiled crookedly. “We just met.”
“You could look at it that way. Or you could consider that I’ve been waiting a few thousand years to be sitting under a tree that wasn’t my own, sharing this moment with a woman like you.”
The smile on her lips softened and her eyes held him in a different regard than moments earlier. He wished he could read her mind or emotions, but he didn’t know what to expect. She held the berry up and pressed it to his lips. He ate it, but though it was delicious, he barely noticed. All of his attention was on her.