“Sure, join us.” Evans says as I stare daggers at him.
“Thanks, I’m Kyle, Liauna’s boyfriend.” He says.
Rolling my eyes in exasperation I correct him. “No Kyle you’re the ex. We haven’t been a couple for over a year.”
“I’m Evans, that’s Callum and I believe you’ve already met Anton.” He states.
Just my luck Evans is nicer to my ex then he is to me. Feeling irritated, even though I’m surrounded by hot guys, I try to ignore them. I just want to relax. Laying my head back on to my donut floaty and try my best to let my mind go.
Evans and Kyle really seem to be hitting it off. Like attracts like I guess. Jerks. Here I am, a girl in a pool with 4 hot guys and I’m trying to ignore them. Which is hard to do because Callum and Anton are just swimming around having a splash war. What is wrong with me? I don’t want any drama. So instead of joining in, as much as I want to, I float away deciding to stay to myself. Closing my eyes again, I take a deep breath and imagine I’m in the pool alone and soon feel myself drifting off.
About thirty minutes go by and I’m completely relaxed when I feel something touch my butt. I don’t think too much about it until a few minutes later it happens again. Opening my eyes, I see Kyle standing next to me.
“We need to talk.” He says.
“About your hand on my butt? Touch it again and you’ll lose that hand.” I tell him.
He laughs. “No about us. I want to get back together.”
“Sorry that ship has sailed. Why are you waiting till three new hot guys show up to try and get back together?“ I ask him.
“I just miss you is all. You were my best friend.” Kyle tells me.
“I miss you too and miss spending time with you, but we’ve grown apart. I just want to be friends.” I declare.
I can see that his spirit is crushed but I will not lead him on. I’m not that kind of girl.
“It’s been real guys, I’m out. Enjoy the pool.” I say over my shoulder. Flipping my floaty over I enjoy the feeling of the cool water on my skin as I swim towards the edge. Hoisting myself up I towel dry my body and then twist the towel in my hair. When I look up I see all eyes are on me. Great. I feel my face heating up, my cheeks are probably bright red. I really need to get control over my blushing.
I wish I could come up with some witty comments but I’m at a loss. I quickly turn around and head into the house.
Stopping at the washer and dryer, I rotate the loads, taking the dry ones to the couch to be folded after my shower. I walk up the stairs and go straight to my room to get clean clothes before I take my shower. The hot water feels wonderful on my skin after being in the cool pool water. I don’t want to get out but I know we are low on propane so I reluctantly shut off the water. I go through the motions of drying getting and twist my hair up into the tower again. Just as I’m pulling on my bra the door opens. Seriously, don’t people knock anymore? Thank goodness I put my underwear on first.
Chapter Five
Excuse me,” Anton says in a sexy voice.
“Are you gonna stand there and stare or are you going to close the door?” I ask sarcastically.
He chuckles. “I think I’ll stare, thanks,” he winks.
I close my eyes, his voice sending sensations through my body.
“Sorry, I’m going.” He says
Hanging his head he turns around and leaves, closing the door behind him. As the door shuts I’m left wondering how I’ve caught his attention and I think I like it. Finally dressed, I hang my suit on the shower curtain bar to dry. Slowly I make the trek to the stairs, ugh I still have laundry to do.
As I come down the stairs, I hear my parent’s hushed voices. It sounds like they are arguing in the kitchen which is unusual for them. All I hear as I get closer is, “We need to tell her, it’s no longer safe.” Odd. I wonder who they are talking about. I try not to dwell on it as I enter the living room and see Raelyn sleeping on the other couch with Max snuggling with her.
“Rae, you’re drooling and Callum’s here.” I whisper in her ear.
She wakes with a snort and I die laughing, taking a few steps back.
“God, L, don’t do that to me, I almost had a heart attack.” She says throwing a pillow at me.
“You want a heart attack, go look in the pool!” I tell her, motioning with my finger for her follow me to the den window.
We peek through the metal blinds, and spy four hot guys outside. Callum is floating in my donut. He better not pop it. Evans and Kyle are racing while Anton is reading a book on one of the lawn chairs. He has a brooding look on his face. Probably because I kicked him out of the bathroom. They are all so handsome in their own way making me wonder what they are still doing here.
Rae giggles. “Callum on a donut, that’s the cutest thing I’ve seen in awhile.” As she finishes her sentence, Callum looks in our direction, like he can hear her and winks. Weird. We duck under the blinds and laugh.
I hear the signal for the dryer going off, so I head in that direction. I slow my stroll, to listen for my parents. They are still talking so when I walk in I greet them, but go straight to the dryer. I rotate it again, only one more load thank goodness and head straight to the couch.
“Liauna,” my mom calls. “We would like to talk to you in private later. Maybe after we clean up from dinner.”
“Sure mom.” I reply.
I get to folding laundry, Raelyn walks up beside me and starts helping. Eyeing me questionably, she holds up of pair of plaid boxers.
“Liauna, I understand it’s the apocalypse and all, but really boxers?” She questions me.
“Rae, those are not mine. They are one of the guys. I offered to do their laundry. It’s the least I can do since they saved my life.” I respond.
We fold the rest while I tell her about Kyle and him wanting to get back together with me. It was my decision to break up. I knew that I wanted to train and do runs. He, on the other hand, wanted to stay home and just do chores. I’m strong, stubborn and independent. I’m one of this faction’s best fighters and knew in my heart that I would be perfect for doing the runs for supplies. I couldn’t just sit back and watch others risk their lives while I stayed safe.
After explaining that I told Kyle I just wanted to stay friends, we finish folding the laundry. I say bye to Rae and head upstairs to put my clothes away. Placing the last piece in my drawer I decide to read for a little while as it will calm my nerves. I’m anxious for the talk with my parents and since pool time didn’t work out so well, maybe this will take my mind off things. Grabbing my book I head out to the balcony. From where I’m sitting I have a great view of the pool. Eye candy as well as my book, I’ll take it.
I start to doze off while reading and realize I’ve been out here for at least an hour. Standing I yawn and stretch working out the kinks from sitting so long. Walking back into my room, I yell out my bedroom door letting my parents know I’m going to take a nap.
I wake up a couple hours later all tangled up in two sets of arms and legs. I lift my head up and see that I’m snug between Callum and Anton. How the hell did this happen? I try to wiggle my way free but Anton’s arms tighten their hold, cool against my skin. He snuggled up to my back more and Callum is snoring in my face. Strange. OK, I’m going to have to wake their asses up and figure this out.
“Anton, Callum, what the hell are you doing in my bed?” I say loudly, but not loud enough for my dad to hear. I don’t want him running in and seeing this.
“You were having a nightmare,” Callum yawns. “Anton and I came in and laid down with you, as soon as we did you stopped yelling and I guess we fell asleep too.”
“Next time, please just wake me up.” I tell them.
It’s always the same, creepers in our faction and I’m helpless to stop them.
Finally I get myself untangled from them and stand up to glance in the mirror. No major bedhead and no spit dripping down my chin, thank goodness.
“Aww Liauna, come lay back do
wn. I can’t snuggle with Callum.” Anton smiles and pats the empty spot between them.
“Yes please do, Anton’s not my type.” Callum laughs.
“As nice as that sounds, I can’t. I have to prep for my run tomorrow and help with dinner. So get off my bed and out of my room.” I tell them.
They lazily get up off the bed and I usher them to the door, grab my favorite blue pen and notebook and close it behind us.
As we reach the kitchen, my mom is already getting dinner started.
“Do you want help mom?” I ask her.
“No I’m all set, why don’t you start making the rounds and see what people need this run.” she responds while opening the fridge.
Heading to the front door I see Evans standing there and he offers to go with me. Strange, but I welcome the company. Maybe he’ll show me his soft side. Ha, that will be the day!
Before we get to Kyle’s house, Evans takes my hand and I feel sparks tingle up my body.
I give him a what the hell look and he drops my hand.
“This can’t be possible, you’re human,” he mutters.
“Dude, what’s your problem.” I ask as we step up on Kyle’s porch.
Before he can answer me Kyle answers the door. Of course he’s in shorts again, shirtless.
“Like what you see?” He asks.
“Kyle, please get a shirt on, I don’t think Evans is gonna swoon over you.” I laugh.
Evans laughs too. It’s musical! I had never heard him laugh before but I know I want to hear it more.
Kyle’s mom comes to the door and hands me a list and hugs me. “Sorry Liauna, I’ll try and tame the beast and make sure he answers the door fully dressed next time.” She eyeballs Kyle and he puts his hands up in a no contest motion.
“Thank you.” I smile. “I’ll try my best to get all your items.” I hug her and head off to the next house.
Moving from house to house, most people are just asking for the basics this time. We arrive back at my house just in time for dinner.
Anton and Callum are helping my mom set the table. My mom brings out the meal and we are ready to eat. We pray and then dig in.
After dinner the guys clean up the table and I do the dishes, slowly. I’m not ready for whatever my parents want to talk about. Finishing up, I hang my towel and wring out my sponge.
My dad calls for me. “Liauna, please come to the den.”
“Ok I’ll be there in a second Dad.” I reply drying my hands.
Walking as slow as I can, I head to the den. I wrack my brain trying to think of what they would want to talk to me about but come up with nothing.
Chapter Six
Entering the den I go and sit next to my mom. She takes my hand and I have to take a minute to compose myself. Looking around I take in how my parents have styled the room. There is paneled dark wood on all but one wall. That wall has a massive bookcase with some family pictures on it. This couch we’re sitting on is the only piece of furniture in the room. Taking a breath I look back to my mom.
“Liauna, what we want to talk to you about is going to be confusing. Please let your mother and I finish before you ask questions.” Dad states.
“You were our miracle baby, you know that right?” Mom asks with tears in her eyes.
All I do is nod, my throat going dry.
“Your father and I were about to give up hope. We had gone through much heartache trying for a baby. But after losing baby after baby it put a strain on our marriage. We still loved each other very much but needed some space and time to reflect. So we separated for a little bit. One night I went out with some of my friends, I saw this gorgeous guy at the bar. He was tall with brown hair, clean shaven, square jaw, dimpled chin and beautiful steel blue eyes. He was wearing a fitted t-shirt and jeans that looked a little odd on someone so beautiful. Sorry, dear.” She says looking at my dad.
Looking to my father for approval, he nods and she continues her story. “He came over and chatted with us, drinking as well. The next thing I knew I woke up at home with him in my bed. I was devastated and embarrassed.”
At that my father stands up and walks over to my mother, wrapping his arms around her.
”Before he left, he told me his name and left me his number. After he left, I called your father and told him what had happened. He was furious with me. I told him all I remembered of the night, which was seeing him at the bar and then waking up next to him. It took some time but your father forgave me. A few months later we learned I was pregnant. You’re father and I were over the moon. The day you were born Roman showed up, he claimed you were his daughter. He stated he was taking you with him. We begged him to leave you with us, we had prayed so long for you and we weren’t about to lose you. He agreed, with the stipulation that when you turned 20 you would go visit him.” My mom finished, tears running down her face.
“Liauna, look at us.” Dad said, “We are so sorry we didn’t tell you sooner, but you are our daughter no matter what he says.”
I look at them both, feeling more love for them than I ever thought possible. A single tear runs down my cheek and I rush to hug my mom. My dad wraps his arms around us, kissing my mom on the forehead.
“I don’t care what this Roman character says. You are my parents, not him. Nothing will ever change that.” I tell them.
My mom cries some more and I swear I see a tear or two running down dad’s cheeks.
“So, what does this all mean?” I ask.
“You are half-fae,” Mom states, wiping away tears.
“Half-fae? What, like a fairy?” I could not have heard that right.
A new voice comes from the doorway. “I should take it from here.”
Turning my head I see a beautiful man walking into the room. He is just as my mom described him.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I yell.
Anton, Callum and Evans must have heard me yell because they come running into the den. Anton and Callum tackle Roman but Evans is kneeling. Seriously, what is wrong with him?
“My lord,” I hear Evans say. Rising he grabs for Anton and Callum. “Please get off my King.”
“King?” Mom, Dad and I ask at the same time.
“Yes, I am King of the western fae and I’m here to retrieve my daughter.” He simply states.
“My name is Liauna and I’m not going anywhere with you.” I explain, looking him right in the eye. “First off I’m needed here. Secondly I don’t know you.”
“That may be but I told your mother I would come for you when you turned 20. You need to visit the Fae Realm and meet your subjects, they need to know that you are alive.”
“Well my birthday isn’t for another two weeks. You’ll have to wait.” I tell him. “I will come with you then, but only for three days.”
“It would be longer than three days. It takes that long to get to the portal” He replies.
“Fine, but three days total in the fae world.” I tell him.
Mom and dad nod in approval but Anton and Callum don’t. I can’t blame them since I don’t even want to go.
“I had hoped your betrothed had already gotten you ready to make the trip.” Roman says eyeing Evans.
“Wooaahh, hold your horses there King Roman. Betrothed?” I ask, this is too much.
“Yes, all royal fae are betrothed at birth. Didn’t you feel the sparks when you touched?” he says raising an eyebrow and in Evans direction.
My parents, Anton and Callum are all staring at me. I can feel my cheeks flushing as I nod my head.
“Yes, he took my hand earlier, I felt it.” I tell them all. “I can’t marry him, I barely know him.”
He just shrugs.
“I’m sorry my dear, you and Evans are soul mates, it is a fae custom that you marry the one that sparks your soul.” Roman replies.
“Well it’s a good thing I’m just a half-fae then.” I say, stomping out of the den and upstairs.
I reach my room and shut the door behind me locking it. I face-plan
t onto my bed with a groan. So much is going through my head. Half-fae, new dad and a fiancée? A couple days ago I was just a girl trying to survive the creepers while keeping her family and friends fed and safe. Now I’m a princess and I have soul mate? I need time to process this.
There’s a knock on my door. “Liauna, can I please come in?” It’s Anton. I stand up, smoothing my hair in the mirror and unlock the door.
Opening the door I let him in and close the door. He sits on my bed and pats the spot next to him. So I do. When I look at him he gives me a little smile and I lose it. I lay my head on his shoulder and cry. I feel his arms wrap around me and he just holds me.
“If you want to talk, I’m here.” He whispers in my ear.
After a few minutes of crying, his shoulder is drenched with my tears. I finally sit back knowing I probably look a hot mess and he just sat there, stroking my hair while I cried. I’m grateful for the support he is giving me.
“I’m sorry Anton, I just can’t wrap my head around all of this.” I tell him, smiling weakly.
He takes my hands into his and as soon as he does I feel sparks again. What the hell? I thought Roman said that was only for my soul mate.
Anton and I drop each other’s hands and stare at each other. I reach for one of his hands and sure enough I feel it again.
“Well I wonder if Evans is willing to share?” Anton chuckles.
“Hell, one soul mate wasn’t bad enough, now I have two? Evans share? What about me? Do I get a say in this?” I stand, my voice rising with each question.
“I have always felt lost, like a part of me was missing. Until I saw you in that store. Something in me clicked, I knew you were meant to be mine.” Anton replies. “I talked the others into following you, relieved to be close to you again, even if you weren’t mine. Yet.”
Wow. “I do have feelings for you, but this soul mate talk complicates things in my head. I’m not saying I don’t want to be with you but I feel a pull to Evans. No matter how much I try and fight it.” I tell him.
“We will figure this all out.” Anton promises.
Fate of the Fae Page 4