"What’s your favorite fairy place?" I asked her as I took a spoonful of my frozen yogurt. We sat on the soft white sand of beach down at the waterfront. The sun was setting on the water and reflected a stunning rainbow of purple and orange.
"Oh, definitely the Summer Court, the summer fey are always so pleasant and fun," she replied and took a scoop of my frozen yogurt with her hand. "And it's beautiful there."
"Hey, who rules the Summer Court?" I thought of Tess and how much she loved the story of Kheelan. She said he once ruled the summer fey or something like that.
"Oh, that's Kheelan. He used to be a great king but things have changed since his queen went missing. The Summer Court hasn’t been the same in her absence. Courts can manage to exist with a single monarch, but summer is all about love and new life. It flourishes when ruled by two monarchs who channel that."
"Where did she go?" I asked. I found it strange that a Queen would go missing. You’d think that people would recognize someone like that walking around, unless she was kidnapped, or dead.
"No one knows. It happened about twenty years ago, if I recall correctly. The summer court misses her greatly. She was magnificent, so kind and warm." Lattie danced and twirled on the sand as she spoke of the Queen. Then she slowed down and came to sit on my knee, looking up at me with sad eyes. "It was then that things started to happen, the bad things."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Well, first the Summer Queen went missing and then Kheelan's father, King Orion, soon after that, he ruled the High Seelie Court which is sort of like the main one. Once he disappeared, Queen Mabry took over and the courts haven’t been the same since. Summer suffers from their Queens absence, and the Seelie Court is an awful and scary place. More and more fey are fleeing to Iron World to be solitary, which makes the all courts suffer even more."
"That's terrible Lattie, I’m so sorry," I said. I felt horrible that my sweet little friend had been forced to leave her home. "But you can stay with me as long as you like, I promise."
She brightened up, flew to my face and laid her tiny, sticky fingers on my cheek. "Thank you Avery. I will be forever grateful for your friendship."
"Nah, don't mention it," I joked. We sat a little while longer on the beach and then headed home. This was a great day. No drama, no stress, just carefree and relaxing. It was definitely out of the ordinary, what with the stories I’d learned, but I could handle that. I’ve been told fairy tales my whole life, the only difference now is that they are real.
I sat and stared out the window as Mr. Vanner drew examples of something easily ignored on the board. I was daydreaming about what it would be like to live in Faerie, back before all of the bad stuff began. I wondered what could have happened to two great monarchs and not a single person knew anything. It was all very strange. Maybe the new Queen had something to do with it? Everything went downhill when she became ruler.
"Avery," whispered someone next to me. I quickly snapped back into realty, I hadn’t even opened the book in front of me. Class was almost over and I hadn't learned a thing. I looked over at Max, who was giving me a very annoyed look.
"What's your problem?" I hissed at her. I was so tired of her glares and quiet comments under her breath that were just loud enough for me to hear. If that’s her version of civil then what’s the point?
"Where are you lately? You're always day dreaming. And you've been late a few times," she accused. Why did she care?
"That's none of your business Max," I snapped. "Why are you so concerned anyways? I thought you could never be friends with me." Just then, the bell rang and everyone started to get up and leave. Max put her things in her bag with frustration. She threw it over her shoulder and turned to me.
"I don't want to be friends with you. I only care about your behaviour in school because you’re the only real competition I have. If you start to slack then things will become too easy for me and people will think that I didn't work hard enough for my education. And no one works as hard as I do!" God, she was on the verge of psychotic; I could almost see a vein protruding from her forehead.
"Okay, okay. Lighten up Max, geez, sorry." I held my hands up in defence and she backed off once realizing how ridiculous she was being. Max seriously needed some friends, or a life or something, a therapist at the very least. She turned in a huff and stormed out of the studio, heels digging into the floor and blonde hair swinging back and forth, a typical Max exit.
I headed over to the gallery after school. It was Tuesday and I had to receive the freight shipment for the week. Around seven o'clock I emerged from the stock room and over to Celadines office.
"Hello darling. Was there a lot to receive this week?" Celadine asked as she looked up from her desk. Even with no make-up, thick framed glasses and a paint covered t-shirt, she was still stunning. Her violet cat like eyes were always kind and welcoming to me, and she always talked to me as if I was the most important person in the world. She was the best boss ever.
"Nope, no more than usual,” I replied. “How did we do with the Gregory showing last week?" I asked.
"Marvellous. His work wasn't my cup of tea, so to speak, but it was a hit with the upper class women and their tennis playing husbands." Celadine was probably just as rich as, or more, than any of those upper class people. But she never flaunts it or acts like it. She takes comfort in lavish things like traveling, and nice dresses, but that’s about it. You’d never catch her mingling with trophy wives or other rich people. "Avery, I have a very important show coming up this weekend, I would like you to be more involved in this one."
"Okay, sure, I’d love to. Which artist is it?"
"It's Mat Mitchell."
"Celadine that's great!" We had been trying to get him to choose our gallery for the launch of his new line. Mat Mitchell hadn't put out anything new since the eighties, so his new stuff was highly anticipated.
"Yes, I am very excited. Here is a list of the things I need you to take care of," she instructed as she handed me a small notebook. "Take your time; I want the best of everything. Let me know if you need any help. Mona will be here during the day if you are to need her for anything."
"Thanks Celadine. I'll get started on this tomorrow. I'm taking off for the night; do you need me for anything else before I go?"
"No darling, have a good night. I'll talk to you later this week." She pecked me on my cheek and opened the door for me. "Have a good day at school tomorrow."
"Thanks, goodnight," I said and left.
Chapter Thirteen-Jack
I grabbed my purse as I made my way out the door and scanned over Celadines list of things she needed me to get done for the gallery in order to be ready for the showing this weekend.
"Get black silk fabric, call the caterer, book the bartender, and find large white feathers," I spoke out loud to myself as I walked down the stairs to the coffee shop. When I approached the counter Will turned to face me.
"Hey Avery," he greeted with a smile. "Are you talking to yourself or to me?”
"No, I have a lot of stuff to get done for the showing this weekend. I don't want to forget anything, it's my first one and Max is going to be there," I said reluctantly. "Hey, you're coming right? I put you on the list."
He smiled his adorable Will smile. "To miss seeing the jealousy on Max's face? I wouldn't miss it for the world!" He laughed and handed me my regular coffee.
We talked for a few more minutes before a line began to form behind me and then I turned to be on my way, waving over my shoulder as I left. But, before I even made it as far as the door, I smacked right into someone, my hot coffee splashing all over them, and myself, wonderful. I looked up to apologize to the person but then realized who it was.
"Oh, great," I moaned.
"Is that what you usually say when you spill scalding beverages on people?" asked Jack, smiling that stupid smile at me. I looked down at
his plain white t-shirt, now soaked in coffee and grinned.
"Well, I don't normally have someone standing so closely behind me. And I would say I’m sorry, but I don't like to lie. Napkins are over there," I replied coldly and tried to walk past him but he quickly stepped in my path.
"At least let me buy you another coffee," Jack offered. He had an annoying charm about him that made it extremely hard to say no.
"You know this is borderline stalking," I stated. "I should have called the cops a long time ago."
"Then why didn't you?" he asked, knowing very well that I wouldn't ever do it. I just glared at him. He really got on my nerves, even more than Max did.
"Buy me another coffee and then get out of my way," I ordered, walking him over to the counter. He bought me my usual and himself an espresso.
"Care to join me for a coffee?" he asked, motioning towards a table. I shot him an astonished look.
"Are you serious? I told you to get out of my way. Stop showing up wherever I am and stop being a pain in my ass!"
I wanted to go upstairs and change my coffee soaked shirt, but I didn't want him to know where I lived. So instead, I stormed out of the shop and figured I could just buy a cheap t-shirt somewhere and change then.
Once outside, I hopped on my bike and threw on my helmet. I turned the key but nothing happened. I tried again, and still nothing. Damn it! Could this night get any worse? I got off and threw my helmet on the ground in frustration like a child throwing a tantrum.
"Now, now, no need for that," said a voice from behind me. I didn't need to turn around to know who it was. "I'd be happy to give you a ride wherever you need to go," Jack offered. I turned to face him, fighting the uncontrollable urge to punch him in his pretty little face.
"No thanks, I'll walk."
"Why not just take the bus then?" he suggested.
"Because I get car sick and I can't be in an enclosed vehicle! There, something else for you to find amusing about me!" I screamed, flailing my arms about like a crazy person on the street. God, he really got me wound up. I’ve never been this neurotic.
"Avery, please," he said looking around, slightly embarrassed. "There's no need for this. Just accept my offer, my night is pretty much free and I don't mind giving you a ride," Jack pleaded impatiently. "Besides, I have a motorcycle," he added with a grin.
Of course he does. I just stood there with my arms crossed, still like a child.
"Come on, please. It's the least I can do for being such a jerk." Well, that was true I thought. But could I stand being around him for a whole evening? I looked up at his face. Yes, of course I could. Well, at least I could stand looking at him, he was beautiful. Just as long as he kept his mouth shut.
"Fine, but I need more than one ride. I have three stops to make," I demanded. I bent down to pick up my helmet off of the ground.
"Yes, of course. I am at your disposal this evening Madam." He bowed mockingly.
"No making fun of me!" I ordered. He just shook his head, holding back a laugh.
He got on his bike and I scramble on behind him. Jack reached back to grab both of my hands and wrapped them around his waist. He must have been outside all evening, his hands were absolutely freezing. "Hold on tight, k?" he said over his shoulder. I just nodded and squeezed as hard as I could. I could feel him chuckle as we took off through the city like an out of control rocket.
He was the craziest driver I had ever met. We, in my opinion, barely made it to the shopping center alive. Jack swooped in and out of traffic, barely grazing almost every car and even a few pedestrians. I jumped off of the back of the bike the second we stopped and threw my helmet at him with as much force as I could, which wasn't a lot. He took off his own helmet and turned to face me.
"What the hell was that?!" he asked, startlingly.
"You maniac, you are trying to kill me! Or do you always drive like you own the damn street?!" I was pacing back and forth now, trying to contain my anger. It wasn't working very well.
"Well, yes, I do," he replied smugly, and grinned. "Avery, look I’m sorry that I scared you. I thought you were having fun, you kept holding me tighter and laughing."
"I was holding on for dear life and yelling at you to slow down, idiot!" I turned and started towards the shopping center. I had things to do and I wasn't about to let him throw me off my schedule. But he ran after me and grabbed my arm, gently.
"Avery, please. I am truly sorry. I never meant to do that to you," he started to apologize. "I always drive like that. I am not used to having a passenger. You're actually my first." He smiled that stupid smile at me and a strand of his perfect black hair fell in front of his left eye. I was beginning to think that smile was dangerous.
I instantly calmed and dropped my gaze to the ground. I took in a deep breath; he seemed sincere enough about this. I guess I could forgive him.
"Come on, I've got a lot to do. So keep up." I instructed with a roll of my eyes, and motioned him to follow. He gladly did. We spent the next few hours confirming appointments and booking the caterer and the musicians. I couldn't help but wonder if these things were more suited for Mona to be doing, but then I figured she probably never left her desk long enough to run errands for Celadine.
Jack and I stopped for a bite in the food court. I had a piece of pizza and a smoothie while he sat and sipped on his coffee. I couldn’t believe that we were actually getting along. Well, he didn’t talk much, so that made it easy. He just happily followed me around as I checked things off my list.
"Are you sure you don't want anything to eat?" I asked. "My treat, since you're driving me around on these mindless errands."
He smiled at me, as he usually did, but I didn’t find it annoying this time. "No thank you, I am not hungry." But I could tell he wasn't finished. "Since you are offering a favor in return of mine, maybe I can take a rain check?" he asked. Bingo. He was such a sneak! So he was only doing this to get a favor out of me?!
"And what if I say no?" I asked. Even though I was going to say yes, I was raised to be polite and courteous.
"Well then, I would have to accept that. A favor is not a favor if it is forced on the person," he stated. Jack leaned back in his chair all casual and suave looking while he sipped his coffee and glancing up at me from the rim.
"Of course I owe you a favor, what kind of person would I be if I didn't?"
He seemed pleased with this. "Well, that is what I am trying to figure out." When he spoke, his whole face changed. He was not the annoying, arrogant Jack I was beginning to know. For a second there was a sweet and vulnerable person sitting right across from me, telling me that he wanted to get to know me. I was flattered, I’d never had a boy like me before, not that I knew of anyway. I just blushed and stared down at my hands like an idiot. There was an uncomfortable silence for a few moments, until Jack broke it. I think he took my silence as how I felt about him 'getting to know me'.
"Well, what else is left on that list of yours?" he asked flatly, changing the subject and his tone. He had a hint of embarrassment to his voice and when I looked at him he wouldn't meet my gaze. I guess I deserved that. Why didn't I say something back to him? Like 'Sure, that sounds nice' or 'I would like that very much', anything! I just sat there like a lump when this gorgeous guy across from me basically said he liked me. I was truly a moron.
"Uh, I don't know," I stuttered. I was a million miles away from my to-do list. "Um, I just have to find some black silk fabric and I’m done for today."
"Well, let’s go. There is a fabric shop at the other end. We can go there on our way out; my bike is down there too." He abruptly got up and walked away without another word. I scuttled after him, trying to figure out how to fix this. We walked in silence almost the whole way there. I stopped right out front of the store and turned to him.
"Hey, about what you said back there. About getting to know me?" I started, a
s I tried to make eye contact again. "I'm sorry that I never reacted. I'm just kind of naive when it comes to guys...if you know what I mean?" I looked at him for a sign of forgiveness.
He looked like the Jack that I thought I knew, the one who was arrogant and annoying. "Avery, I don't know what you are talking about. I'm sorry if you misinterpreted something that I said, but I never meant anything about getting to know you in any other way besides as an acquaintance."
Ouch! That was cold. I cringed in embarrassment.
"Fine, I’m sorry for making my acquaintance come around with me today," I snapped through my teeth. "You can leave now, I'll manage from here." I turned and sped into the store. I didn't want him to follow, but I didn't want to look like I was running away like a little baby either. He didn't follow, and when I glanced back to see if he was coming, he was gone. I felt like crying, but I kept my cool and called Julie to come and get me.
Chapter Fourteen-It's a Date
"What a total jerk," squealed Julie, as I told her about my evening. We sat together on the old leather couch in the coffee shop.
"It's not his fault though," I replied, defending Jack. "I just sat there like an idiot! I can't believe what an utter mess I am."
"Hey! You are not an idiot. If he can't be patient enough to get to know you then screw him! You don't need a guy like that," she claimed.
"Oh yeah, then what kind of guy do I need Jules? I have never had a serious boyfriend and I’m almost twenty years old!" I crossed my arms and slumped down into the couch. "I should get a cat," I added under my breath. Does a tiny sprite count as a cat? I laughed to myself as I thought about my secret little roommate. She was probably in my room watching TV and eating all my cookies.
Iron & Wine (The Iron World Series) Page 8