by Riana Lucas
I look up at Holly when she approaches us. “Nice hair,” I smirk at her. Her hair is pulled into a braid similar to mine.
“Whatever.” She flicks her hand at me as she takes a seat next to me on the bed. “So what’s the plan? How do I tell my sister that she’s…well, my sister?” Her nervousness is returning, and I don’t blame her. Jessi has already learned so much about herself that she didn’t know before. This is sure to be another shock.
We both turn to Willow, who has always been the kind, caring one in our close group. She has a way with others that is unlike most. She is able to be honest in a polite way. If the news is bad, she is able to deliver it in a way that makes it not seem so. She also knows Jessi better than either of us, so hopefully, she will be able to offer some insight on the best way for Holly to deliver the news.
“Well, I think you just tell her. You don’t really have many facts on how either of you got to be here, and you don’t know who your parents were or where they are now. You know that you both have the feral disease, that you are sisters, and that you both now live here in the Seelie court. Tell her that and then give her the time she needs to let it sink in. Let her know that you are happy about the news and then give her time to be happy about it too. Although I think you’ll be surprised. Jessi is a kind, sweet child, but also lonely and lost. I think she will be much more receptive to the news than you think.”
Holly takes a calming breath, rubbing her palms along her upper legs. “Okay, that’s what I’ll do then. Now, what about the others, and the queen? When should I tell them?”
“Why don’t you call her mother?” I ask abruptly. I don’t know entirely where that thought came from. I had thought of it before, more so since we got back from the Unseelie court and Holly had her breakdown, but I had never intended to ask. I felt like it was not really any of my business. I feel a little embarrassed at having asked it now, but I am glad I did. I want to know.
Holly’s eyes are wide with shock when she tries to answer. “Umm…well...” She looks at Willow as if seeking answers. Willow gives an encouraging nod and my interest immediately piques. I have been missing something. I look back to Holly when she shifts beside me. Her eyes are now on her hands clasped tightly together in her lap. “Well, I, umm…I used to,” she finally says softly.
I feel my eyebrows draw together tightly in confusion. “I don’t understand. Why would you stop?”
“Because of you.” She peeks at me quickly before looking back at her hands.
“But I didn’t do anything. I didn’t even know who any of you were or even who I was for that matter. I would not have known any different.”
“Yes, but you are her real daughter. I had no right to call her mother once you returned.” Her voice is soft and sad.
I shake my head at her silliness. “Did my mother tell you that?” I ask, but I already know the answer.
Her head snaps up. “Of course not! She would never have told me such a thing.”
I nod. “That’s what I figured. Did she ask you about it?”
“No, but I could see that it upset her.” She is sad and looking at her hands once again.
I take one of them in mine, causing her to look up and meet my eyes. “Holly, I think you should start calling her that once again. She is just as much your mother as she is mine.” I squeeze her hand and talk louder when she would interrupt me. “She may not be your mother by blood but she raised you. You are her daughter, just like I am. She is your mother, and you should address her as such.”
She smiles and gives my hand a light squeeze. “Thank you.”
“You are welcome. So I guess now you have two sisters, huh?”
Holly freezes and stares at me. I wonder if she is going to say something profound or heartfelt, but this is Holly. I should know better. “I will claim the queen as my mother, but I am not calling you sister!”
I smirk at her. “Fine, but I am telling everyone that you are mine.”
Holly drops my hand and stands up, letting out a dramatic sigh. “Fine. I don’t care what you do. Let’s just go find our mother and tell her about Jessi. I think she should be with us when we go to her. It might make her feel a little more comfortable here if she knows that the queen accepts her presence here as well.”
“Good idea,” I agree. We make our way to the door just as it opens. Thorne steps through, his gaze immediately going to Holly. Willow and I both give her a knowing look. She rolls her eyes at us before addressing Thorne. “Come on, then, I guess I’ll fill you in on our way,” she says as if it is an inconvenience. But I know better.
He gives me a questioning look, but I just smile at him as I lead the way out of the room toward my mother’s chambers.
Holly decides to wait and tell both Thorne and our mother about Jessi at the same time. They are just as surprised as we were by the news. My mother is delighted that Holly has a sister and that she now has another child to take care of. Thorne finds the news interesting but then starts pointing out some of the now obvious similarities between the two fae. Their facial features, as well as their hair and builds, are very much alike, as are their personalities. Both are strong-willed and fierce, I agree. I also predict that the two sisters’ love for one another will be strong, but that they will probably also butt heads quite often.
The visit to my mother as well as the explanation of Rowan’s discovery is quick. We still have a young fae to talk to and a wedding to get ready for. Thorne excuses himself from our group before we set off toward Jessi’s room. I am pretty sure he is not comfortable being with such a large group of females during a potentially emotional time. I can’t say that I blame him. I think Willow and my mother are the only two actually happy about all the emotions being displayed lately. Especially after Willow informed my mother of my and Holly’s chat after Holly caught her off guard by calling her “Mother” again. My mother started crying, of course. I think that’s about the time Thorne excused himself.
Now, Willow and I are standing behind my mother and Holly as they knock softly on the closed wooden door to Jessi’s room. I can feel the anxiety surrounding us, but I can also feel Holly’s excitement. As the reality of the situation sets in, I can see that she has become much more accepting of the fact that she now has a sister, someone that is her blood. I can relate to the feelings she is experiencing. It can be overwhelming to go instantly from being alone to having a family that loves you, but it is also amazing.
After only a few moments the door swings slowly open, a delicate Jessi peeking out from behind it. Only her face is visible, but I can immediately see the difference in her. Still the pale porcelain of the fae, it is no longer a deathly pale color. There is a bit of pink in her cheeks and her lips now. Her eyes are bright, blood red no longer surrounding the soft green in the middle. Her hair is now brushed and clean as well. The color and texture is an exact match to Holly’s, as well as the length. It hangs loosely around her face and reaches far down her back. I can see I am going to have to encourage her to braid hers as well.
Although she seems a bit timid, she is not scared like she was when she first arrived. Her eyes roam from face to face, widening a bit at the sight of my mother and then again when they touch on me. But then she notices Willow standing at my side. I see her visibly relax at the sight of her friend and protector. Holly made a good call when asking Willow to accompany us. Willow offers a reassuring smile before Jessi looks at Holly again when she speaks.
“Hello, Jessi. I am not sure if you remember me, but I am Holly.”
“Umm, yes, I remember you. You were getting your treatment while I was.”
“Yes, I was. It is nice to meet you. May we come in?” Holly asks politely.
“Umm, okay.” Jessi looks curiously at us as she steps back and opens the door further, inviting us into her room.
Similar to the rest of the guest rooms in the castle, it is warm and inviting with windows on two of the four walls allowing plenty of sunlight in. It also has the familiar frag
rance of fresh flowers, positioned about the room in decorative floral arrangements. The room is tidy, the bed made, and not a thing is out of place. This surprises me since Jessi is so young. I would have expected an unmade bed and maybe a few miscellaneous items such as clothing thrown about, but there are none.
Once we have moved through the door, Jessi closes it softly and then looks around the room a bit frantically. “Um, you may sit wherever, but I’m afraid there aren’t too many options.”
There is the bed as well as two sitting chairs in the corner. Willow, my mother, and I move over to the corner to give Holly and Jessi some space. Willow insists on my mother and I taking the seats. I concede but pull Willow to sit on the arm of my chair.
Holly motions for Jessi to sit on the bed with her. “Is everything alright?” Jessi asks as she sits down on the edge of her bed. It is obvious that she is nervous about our unexpected visit.
Holly notices as well. She reaches for Jessi’s hand but then thinks better of it as she speaks to reassure the child. “Yes, yes, everything is fine. We just wanted to check on you, see how you were.”
“I’m okay,” she answers hesitantly.
“Do you understand everything that has happened? I know Rowan and Anna explained what was happening with you, about the feral disease. Do you have any questions?”
“No, not really. I get that I was really sick, and that it’s a part of my blood. They gave me human blood, and it helps keep the disease away for a while. They said I would have to get the blood every few weeks until Rowan can find a better cure,” Jessi answers matter-of-factly. She speaks much better than a typical twelve-year-old, especially one that has been on her own in the Faery Forest with the feral disease raging through her.
“Good. That’s great. It sounds like you understand completely.” Holly glances over at us; we smile and nod our encouragement. She looks back at Jessi who is watching us as well. “Um, so I have some news for you. As you know, Rowan took samples of our blood so he could run some tests while we were being treated.”
“Yes, okay.” Jessi nods her agreement that she was aware of this.
“Well, when he did that he also ran some comparisons on our blood. He found that ours was the same.”
“Um, okay. What does that mean?” Her head tilts slightly to the side in curiosity.
“It means that we are related. Sisters actually.”
“Oh,” she says softly, glancing at Willow quickly. She is unsure of the news and looking for confirmation. Willow nods and offers a small smile. Jessi takes a deep breath and looks back at Holly. She studies her quietly for a few moments as Holly stares back at her. Holly is trying to look confident and sure, but I can see the vulnerability in her eyes. She does not want Jessi to reject her. Jessi must see whatever it was that she was looking for because she reaches her hand out to take Holly’s. “So we’re really sisters?” she whispers in awe.
Holly nods her head in answer as her shoulders drop just a fraction in relief.
“Does this mean I get to stay with you and we can be a family?” For the first time since we met this child, she actually looks and sounds like the vulnerable young fae she is.
Holly nods again, appearing as if she is unable to speak.
I know that feeling as well. Willow and my mother both have tears coming out of their eyes. I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from doing the same. Seeing the joy and fear in Jessi over being able to have a family is heartbreaking. She has been alone for so long, and it is completely unfair for someone so young to have had to go through that.
Jessi glances at us once again, seeking our approval as well. We nod. Jessi squeals and jumps us, throwing her arms around Holly’s neck.
We all laugh at the look of horror on Holly’s face.
22
Willow, my mother, and I say our goodbyes so that Holly and Jessi can have some time alone to get to know one another better. We have a busy day ahead of us so Holly and Jessi will meet us later at the wedding. Jessi was over the moon at not only being invited, but at the idea of getting to dress up with some of the outfits my mother will be providing her. The more I am around her, the more I see the contradiction in personality she has. On one hand, she is still only a child, giddy with excitement over getting to dress up like a princess or excited over having a big sister. On the other hand, she is so mature and grown up because of her time alone in the Faery Forest with no family to take care of her, having to fend for herself and survive all on her own. It is so sad, but I am happy for the opportunity she is finally getting to be a child without worries under the protection of those who love her. I understand more than most what she is going through.
Willow and I turn the corner just before we reach my room, my mother having gone the opposite direction to her own, and run right into Reed and Gideon. They both look a bit frustrated as well as in a hurry. I reach for Reed to keep from falling, Willow having to do the same with Gideon.
“What’s wrong?” I ask Reed, only a little concerned. I was blocked from his thoughts earlier, thankfully, or else he would have witnessed firsthand my meltdown earlier this morning. But I know that if there were something seriously wrong I would get at least a small sense for it. Now he just seems frazzled.
“I have been looking all over for you. We have a lot to do so my parents can get married and we need help.” His voice is a little on the whiny side. Now I understand what his problem is. Reed hates this sort of thing just as much as I do, but he’ll do anything for his parents, just as he knows I will.
I let out a sigh. “Fine, what do you need?”
He grabs my hand and starts to pull me in the opposite direction, toward the throne room, before he even begins to answer my question. “We have to decorate for the wedding. There are fae there to help with their magic and I keep telling them to just do what they think will look good, but they won’t. They keep telling us that we have to tell them exactly what we want them to do. I have no idea how to decorate for a wedding, neither do these guys.” He nods toward Gideon, letting me know that he is also talking about Thorne even though he is not present. I assume he is waiting in the throne room for Reed and Gideon to return with reinforcements.
Now I let out a sigh. “Reed, you know I have no idea how to help with something like that.”
“Maybe not, but she does.” He grins over at Willow. I look at her as well. She has a huge smile on her face and her hands are clasped tightly in front of her chest. I can almost see the excitement trying escape from her. I roll my eyes.
She doesn’t miss the action. “Stop doing that and don’t act that way. This will be good practice for when you and Reed get married.” Her voice is light, but I see the sly look she shoots Gideon, who laughs. I do not find this the least bit funny. In fact, I can feel my chest tightening and my breath lodging in my throat already. I let out a squeak, catching everyone’s attention. They stop to look at me. Reed acts concerned, but Willow seems understanding.
“Is this why you were so freaked out this morning?” She is only partially concerned. She also sounds exasperated. I narrow my eyes at her when she steps closer and takes my hands. “You need to calm down. You know I was only teasing, and this morning it was your own fault for jumping to the wrong conclusion.”
“Wait, what happened this morning? And what’s going on now? Are you having problems breathing?” Reed asks in bewilderment and concern.
“She did this same thing this morning when I told her about the wedding. She started having some sort of panic attack and couldn’t breathe,” Willow states matter-of-factly as she rubs her hands up and down my arms trying to soothe me, completely oblivious to the fact I don’t want to discuss this.
“Why would you…” he begins to ask me, but seeing that I probably won’t be able to answer him, he turns to Willow. “Why would she freak out about that?”
Willow opens her mouth to answer and my eyes widen. I don’t want her to tell Reed that I thought we were the ones getting married. How embarra
ssing. But I still cannot catch my breath, so I just close my eyes and prepare for the humiliation.
“I think she thought the wedding was for the two of you.” I can hear the smile in Willow’s voice and let out a gurgled gasp. She and I are seriously going to have a talk about what it means to be a best friend, and how said best friend should never reveal such embarrassing information about the other.
My eyes are squeezed tightly shut, and while my breathing is finally starting to even out, I don’t dare open them. It is silent and I know that all eyes are on me. I hear a funny noise, followed by another. The suspense and curiosity are getting the best of me so I open one eye slightly. Gideon and Reed both have their hands covering their mouths trying to hold back their laughter.
I let out a loud huff and turn my back on them, intending to stomp my way down the hall, away from all of them.
I don’t get very far, though. Reed reaches out quickly and grabs my arm, then slides his hand down to take my hand. “Sorry,” he manages to say past his laughter. I turn, trying to tug my hand from his as I glare back at him. “Really, I’m sorry. It’s just that, well, I thought we talked about this last night and decided that we would wait for a while before we discussed it again. Why would you think I would change my mind and not tell you? Much less try to plan our wedding without you?”
I stop struggling to pull my hand free and let my shoulders sag, my heart rate picking up just a little at the mention of our wedding. “I didn’t think it was you. I thought maybe someone overheard us and then told my mother. I thought she was the one behind it. You know it’s something she would do,” I say quickly, trying to justify my irrational thoughts as well as reassure him that I would never think he would do something like that.
“Wait, you two talked about getting married?” Willow squeals happily.
I close my eyes and shake my head, having forgotten somehow that Willow and Gideon could clearly hear every word we were saying. Now this would be all over the castle within the hour. Reed must realize this as well because he turns his attention to Willow.