Godmother stopped speaking as she turned to face me with an amused smile. Tilting her head, she waited for me to finish before she said, “That was so lovely, my heart.” All her former ire seemed to have disappeared. She even looked brighter and more pleasant. “Did you make that melody up?”
I shrugged and gave a slight nod.
“What a merry little tune.” She sighed contentedly, sitting back in the plush chair. Had my song brought this change in her? I couldn’t believe it!
“I think you’ve had enough practice, Rachel dear. Why don’t you go on and visit your beloved garden? I know its where you draw your greatest inspiration from, isn’t it?”
Marcus merely stared at her with wide eyes.
“Yes, ma’am. It is a pretty day out. Thank you.” I gave a slight curtsy, then rushed out the glassed doors. I was too excited about getting outside, about the possibility of finding Liam, to consider changing from the stiff dress Godmother insisted I wear in her presence.
I was sure he lingered somewhere near the woods, his favorite spot.
Trees seemed to bring him comfort in the same way that the wind brought me a sense of peace.
I heard the sweet humming of his violin first and followed the sound to find him sitting beside the pond in the shelter of a giant willow. His legs were crossed and eyes closed as he played a soft tune. I could feel the wind’s pleasure. The melody reminded me of the spring breezes that blew the remaining fall leaves about the walkways and sent them skittering across the still pond waters.
The song ended with a dramatic sweep of his bow across the strings, he finally opened his beautiful green eyes and smiled when he noticed me.
“The nightingale escaped her cage early today? I figured you had another hour of practice.”
I smiled, pleased with myself. Tilting up my chin, I bragged, “I might have convinced her to let me fly away early.”
“Did you now?” He set his instrument in its case, then stood and hopped across the pond, his bare feet stepping lightly over the stones. In a blink, he sat beside me with knees drawn up to his chest.
My heart raced. I shrugged. “Perhaps.”
His full lips turned up on one side, causing a dimple to appear on his sun-warmed cheek. “Weren’t you warned to not use your persuasive talent on your Godmother? She’s a shrewd old woman. It would ruin our plans if she caught on early to what you can do.”
My pride drifted away like a dandelion’s powdery fluff on the wind.
“What plans?” Wrenn’s warnings cascaded through my mind raising a chill over my arms, despite the day’s warmth.
“To get you away from here. She keeps you caged like—”
“Right. What if I don’t wish to fly free? I’m not even sure what’s…. I know practically nothing about World. And only a little about Realm. Though my tutor has—” I halted my words, unsure if I should trust him or not.
Oh, I desperately wanted to trust Liam. Warnings rang inside my head while my heart urged me to scoot just a little closer to him.
Liam pulled out a rectangular object. It reminded me of a palm-sized book, except it was solid, with no pages. Words appeared on the glowing surface. He motioned for me to follow him to a bench beneath the shade of the willow. “We can see the screen better under here.”
Screen? My throat tightened. So much I didn’t know. So many things were alien to my naïve mind. “What is that?”
Liam stretched his legs out before him, crossing them at the ankles. His toes were smudged with mud from the pond. He loved dangling his feet in the water. He also seemed to love touching plants, running his long, graceful fingers along the stem of a flower, or brushing his thumb over the petals.
I tried not to be too jealous of them but usually failed.
“It’s called a cell phone. It’s a device that humans use to communicate with each other, and to find out information, like a computer, which you probably have never heard of, either. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work here, but I did save a few things to show you.”
Glancing around nervously, I checked to make sure we were really alone.
His elbow lightly jabbed my arm. “Don’t worry, she doesn’t even know I’m here, remember?”
“I hope she doesn’t.”
“She doesn’t. I have a few tricks, too.” He winked and handed me the device. As I looked at the pictures, a dull ache pounded in my forehead. What was I seeing? I tried to rub that ache away but to no avail. “There are so many people. Where is this?”
“A city. It’s where a lot of people live. They call it Los Angeles.” He swiped his finger across the screen and another picture appeared. “This is Los Angeles at night. We were camping in the hills that surround the city. And—” he did it again, “this is New York. It’s on the opposite side of the continent.”
Tall structures touched the sky. There were so many people they looked like the pebbles that layered the stream’s bed. Was this normal for World? “I know what a continent is. A large body of land. Usually divided into sections. States, provinces, or towns.” When I looked up from the device, my face was only a couple of inches from his. He had a splattering of faint freckles covering his cheeks and nose.
I bit back my smile, not wanting him to know that I was noticing such things. Such as the fine hairs that covered his chin. Sometimes they were there, other times they were gone. I didn’t understand how he did that but was too afraid to ask.
He remained silent for a long moment. A faint smile caused the edges of his mouth to tremble. “Correct. Marcus and I live in what’s called the United States. That’s only one of several places that cover what we call World.”
“What about…” I hesitated a moment, then decided to ask anyway, “Realm? What do you know about that?”
“Very little. You’ve probably been taught more about it than I have. Like your Godmother, Marcus was banished from there. He doesn’t like to talk about his life before he came to World. If it’s anything like this In-Between, then I bet it’s amazing.”
“More so than World?”
He nodded. “Yes. There are some beautiful places in World, but they are few and far between. The trees aren’t alive as they are here. I can feel…something, but here I can hear their thoughts, sense their feelings. Here, I feel like I’m amongst old friends. If that makes sense.”
I laughed. It didn’t really, but I appreciated his honesty.
Liam reached up and tucked a strand of loose hair behind my ear. “I love hearing you laugh, Rachel. You have the most stunning eyes that I’ve ever seen. No human has such an intense blue color. And I’ve never met anyone with such long, golden hair. Except,” He touched the short strands that grew along my neckline, “this part. Why is it brown?”
“I’m not sure why. But I did learn that Godmother cut some of my hair to make this place. One of my old maids told me about it once. I didn’t understand then, but I suppose it’s how she made this fold between worlds?”
His fingers ran over the stubbly strands. “You know, I’ve stood before the entrance into the manor. Marcus has something he uses to get in. I used to think it was a golden piece of string, but now I wonder. I always thought the bars on the gate looked like a rope. Maybe… it’s really an enchantment made from your hair.”
I tugged at the braid that hung over my shoulder, the tip long enough to rest in my lap. She refused to allow me to cut my hair. And wasn’t it a feeling, at the back of my neck, a tingling I experienced every time she arrived? I gaped as I looked around me, wondering if Liam’s theory was true.
We both grew silent, lost in our own thoughts as he continued flipping through pictures of people walking along a busy street, or sitting around small tables where they either ate or drank from white cups.
People. Living their lives. Just as unaware of my world as I was of theirs.
The pictures changed. A beach at sunset. I’d not only read about such places, but I’d seen a few pictures in the books I was allowed to read. Mountains! Yes, these
places I understood. Valleys covered in colorful flowers and tall grasses. So beautiful. Then he turned to a picture of a snow-covered road. Smaller buildings lined both sides. There were bright with lights and colorful decorations on the buildings. I looked up at him.
“Christmas time in a small town we once visited. There are others like us. Did you know there are other people from Realm who’ve somehow managed to travel between worlds through the portals?”
“Why would they want to get out?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m always looking for a way to get in.” Chuckling, he turned to another picture. “This is the same town in the summer. We stayed there for a few months, waiting on a circus to pass through.”
“What’s a circus?”
He explained with the same patience Miss Wrenn had when giving instructions. “This particular one is a …uh…special circus. The ringmaster and owner is also a collector, like our guardians. His name is really hard to remember, but Marcus wrote it down somewhere so he can recall it when needed. To find the circus’ location, he has to say the ringmaster’s name three times.”
My eyes widened. So strange.
Liam continued, “Marcus had some business matters to discuss with the man. I didn’t like him.”
“Why?”
Liam’s gaze locked on me for a long moment before he finally said, “I could feel…evil seeping off of him. He was covered. In glamour. Do you know what that is?”
I nodded. The books described glamour as something faerie used to hid their true identity from humans.
“Sometimes,” Liam continued, “I can see past glamour. That’s one of the reasons Uncle has kept me around, instead of trading me off to that circus owner. I suspect the fellow was once some type of goblin dignitary in Realm.” He waved his hand dismissively. “Anyway, I can let Marcus know if someone is being deceitful or not. It’s why he talked your Godmother into allowing me to practice with you now and then. He wants me to try to read her and see if I can figure out her…um…” he chuckled and his nose wrinkled in such a cute way, my breath caught, “secrets.”
We both laughed. I didn’t miss that he was still playing with strands of my hair that had come loose from the braid. And I didn’t mind at all.
“Have you figured out her secrets, Liam?”
He slowly shook his head. “She hardly ever speaks to me. And I’ve only played for her a few times. I need to get a little closer.”
I straightened my back and said haughtily, “Maybe I can persuade her.”
“No!” His tone was so adamant, I jumped. “Don’t Rachel. Don’t take the risk. Promise? I’ll find a way in. I meant what I said about wanting to help you get free from her prison. She’s just using you.”
“How so?” I wanted to hear his theory. Was it the same as Miss Wrenn’s
“She drinks in the magic from your voice and music. I bet you have no idea how powerful you are, do you?”
Was that why she’d demanded that I keep playing? How long had she been feeding off my music? I shuddered at the thought and shook my head.
Before I could ask him to explain more, he snatched the phone and hopped to his feet. He searched around until he found his shoes. “I have to go. Uncle seems urgent. I hope he didn’t anger her.” Shoving his feet into his socks, he then slipped on his brown leather shoes. He always dressed so nicely.
“Liam, where do you and Marcus live when you’re not here?”
“We’re nomads. Every time we leave here, we end up in a different place. It’s too hard to explain right now. Promise me that you won’t try any more tricks with your music? I worry about you when I’m on the outside.”
“You do?” The expression on his face made me believe him.
He leaned down and gently kissed my forehead. “Yes. I think of you all the time.”
Then he was gone as if he faded into the very trees that surrounded us.
Chapter 7
Present day.
When the first song ends, the stadium erupts in massive applause. The crowd chants my stage name, over and over, filling the vast auditorium with their roaring voices. My heart pounds so hard, I fear it might finally break free of my chest. If only I could break free of my own restraints.
Liam is watching me again. I should have started the next song by now. The septet awaits my lead, the string section strums softly to fill the void. But my fingers are frozen over the keys. If only he’d offer some sign. Anything. He promised that soon, we’d make our escape. After one of our concerts. This might be our last time in the human realm for several more months. I don’t have that long to keep hiding our secret.
Liam’s brows rise over his wolf mask.
If only one of our gifts was mentally speaking to each other… even though we never seem to have too much difficulty knowing what the other is feeling. He’s cautiously curious. I can tell by the tightness of his kissable lips. He’s a little concerned by the lines crossing his normally smooth forehead. Despite the mask, I can see the questions building in his emerald green eyes.
I look down at the keys and smile, hoping that he knows the smile is for him. Godmother will assume I’m pleased with the piece I’m about to play. She is another one I’ve learned to carefully read.
Eighteen Months Past…
I couldn’t help myself. Despite Miss Wrenn’s warnings to not trust Marcus or his nephew, despite Godmother’s determination to keep me away from World’s influences, I snuck out every chance I had to meet with Liam through the summer months.
When Godmother was gone, we hung out in the music room, making up songs together. Marcus would sit nearby with an amused smile as he watched us.
One day, curiosity getting the better of me, I had to ask, “Master Marcus, if you and Liam end up in a different place every time you leave, how do you find your way back here?” I absently played with the short strands of dark hair at the nape of my neck, knowing the cut locks were the key to my entrapment.
Marcus stood and came nearer to the piano. Holding out his left arm, he revealed a leather braided band circling his wrist. Woven into the braid was a golden strand. “You allow me entrance, my dear. I know Liam has shared our theory about your hidden sanctuary, has he not?”
I nodded. “You think Godmother used strands of my hair.”
“We are almost sure of it.” All I have to do is rub my fingers over this bracelet and think of you and the gates appear before me. We try to make sure to seek entrance somewhere not too obvious. As for us leaving a different place each time we depart, we’ve come to accept this and have adjusted. We leave our bags at the entrance. It’s been an adventure for both of us. We’ve been dropped into some amazing places around the world, have we not, my boy?” He patted Liam on the back.
“I’m getting hungry, Uncle,” Liam changed the subject. “Do you think you can talk the cook into fixing something for us? She seems to be taking a liking to you.” He winked, grinning.
Master Marcus’ chest puffed out a little. “Yes, the widow Westin thinks I’m rather debonair. I do think I’ll go visit her for a spell.” He turned back to me and asked, “Do you think your Godmother will visit today?”
My hand automatically pressed against the back of my head. “No, I don’t think so.”
“Very good,” Marcus nodded. “Then we will stay for a little while longer. I’ll be back shortly.” He casts his nephew a strange glance, then left us.
I stood and stretched the kinks from my back. “What was that about?”
Liam’s smile was tight as he put away his violin. “He’s being funny, nothing more. It’s raining outside. Does that bother you?”
I grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the hallway. “Let’s stay inside. You’ve not had a chance to really have a look around, have you?”
He caught my hand in his. “No, not really. Are you going to give me the tour?”
I nodded. His flirty expression made my insides tremble. He didn’t let go of my hand as I headed toward the library.
“This is where I’ve done all my studies,” I explained as Liam looked about him in wonder, his beautiful mouth hanging slightly open. What would it be like to kiss that mouth? Would it be like the stories described?
I often wondered at what Godmother allowed me to read. There was no rhyme or reason for her choices. The books that talked about World in a real sense had been removed shortly after I turned twelve. A few had found their way back onto the shelves. Was that Miss Wrenn’s doing?
“I love sitting by the tall windows on this couch, curled up in a blanket with a book opened on my lap.”
“Have you read all of them?”
I gave a one-sided shrug. “Only the ones I can reach. If I can’t reach them on my own, then I’m not supposed to read them.”
He turned in a small circle. “Do you ever have an urge to climb up and get one?”
A slow smiled pulled my mouth upward. I nodded, staring up at one in particular. A history book. It said World History on the spine.
His gaze tried to follow what I was looking at. That devious grin crinkled his cheeks. He stood beside the cases that went all the way up to the ceiling. “So long as you can reach it, correct? Then it’s permissible?”
“Y-es?” What was he up to now?
Liam hooked his fingers together. “Put your foot in here. I won’t drop you, promise.”
“But…”
“No buts. I know you really want to see what that book says. And you should. It’s good to know. Come on, now, before Uncle returns.”
Without a second hesitation, I ran to him, stepped into his clasped hands and was lifted up to the forbidden shelf. I removed the book and adjusted the others so the vacant space wasn’t so obvious.
When he set me down, I looked up at another shelf where a book on faerie history sat. “One more?”
He bowed, sweeping his arm out in a grand gesture. “At your service, my lady.”
Promise Forever: Fairy Tales with a Modern Twist Page 20