Midsummer Night's Fling: Belinda Boring, Kamery Solomon, Lacey Weatherford

by Weatherford, Lacey

  “You’re most welcome. Now, which question would you like me to answer first? I know your mind is brimming with inquiry.”

  I nodded, stepped down from my perch, and approached him. I touched his jaw, peering closely into his eyes. “How did you fool everyone? I see you for who you are, but the others saw only William? And where is he? Why were you in his place? Please tell me you didn’t hurt him!”

  Hadrian chuckled low, and brushed a stray hair away from my face before his hand lovingly cupped my cheek. “I see you wish for me to respond to all of them at once. So be it.” His arms then encircled my waist. “I used a glamour to fool those of your village. William is currently unharmed at his forge until the time is right, and I am here because he asked it.”

  “He knows of you?” I gasped, surprised.

  “We were introduced last night.” He smiled, rubbing his jaw faintly before returning his hand to rest at my hip. “We exchanged many words, but one thing was certain. He loves you, and wants nothing but your happiness. It was decided we would swap places for the ceremony, and give you one last magical experience before I returned to my world.”

  “He was the one who asked?” The idea that William cared enough to suggest this struck me hard. What quality of man puts other’s desires before his own? How would I ever be worthy of such affection?

  Hadrian nodded and tilted my head back so he could look deeper into my eyes. “There are not many that I respect, especially in this world, but I can understand his reasoning. He wants you for himself—entirely—and will do whatever is needed to remove any obstacle. I would do the same.”

  “He loves me,” I whispered.

  “And you love him.”

  I tried to argue, and say I also loved him but he interrupted.

  “I know you feel the same for me. It seems we’ve all fallen under the same enchantment. Unfortunately, not everyone will get their happy ending.”

  Tears began to form as the reality of his words rested on me. What seemed like a game of fancy in the beginning had become serious, and I wished for a different outcome.

  “But enough of such sentiments. Your William is safe, and we have the night ahead of us. I am here, and your wish is my command. Shall we go and dance?” He extended his hand out to me.

  “I’d like that,” I whispered, brushing away my tears. “Here’s to one more night.”

  “Here’s to your dreams coming true.”

  The next few hours materialized as though they’d been deliberately lifted from my mother’s stories. Hadrian and I danced until we were breathless; laughing and enjoying each other’s company. We ate good food and drank more mead than was probably wise. However, the private moments of magic performed for my pleasure were my favorite. Through his attentiveness I wanted for nothing and truly felt like a Fae princess. It would be a night to remember the rest of my life.

  As the night waned and couples began slipping away for more private celebrating, we found ourselves sitting before one of the smaller fires. We reclined together with my back against his chest—content and happy. I picked up one of his hands, entwined my fingers in his, and placed a small kiss on the back. He tightened his arms around me, and his mouth brushed against my ear. It was perfect—he was perfect—more than I could ever have expected.

  “Have I pleased you, Aithne?” he whispered, and I nodded.

  “I was just thinking how none of my daydreams could be compared to tonight. I will cherish these memories forever, Hadrian. Thank you.”

  “The sun will soon be rising.”

  Although it was dark, and the stars still twinkled, there was a feeling in the air that he’d spoken the truth. “True, the sky will start to lighten soon, and the festival will be over.”

  So will our time together, I thought.

  “Then before it happens, there’s one more thing left for us to do—the finishing touch on a delightful evening.”

  I twisted around in his arms so I could look into his face. “Is there something we’ve forgotten?”

  He nodded, with a mischievous grin. Catching his meaning, I blushed. A kiss. A kiss from a Fae would make the night complete. We had yet to share one, and it caused a flurry of nervousness through me. What would it feel like to finally receive one?

  “I don’t think I’ll ever see anything as beautiful as your blush. How I wish I could take you with me, Aithne. I love you.” Lowering his head, his mouth claimed mine, and for a moment everything went quiet.

  His lips were firm and there was no hesitation. He feathered them softly before descending for a deeper, fuller kiss. His confidence caused me to part my lips and melt as his tongue dipped in to savor me. He even tasted like magic—or how I would imagine it—and I found myself being swept away on a wave of pleasure. I adjusted my position, and moved so I could encircle my arms around his neck.

  His hands sunk into my hair, gently at first, but as he deepened the kiss, his fingers tightened into fists. There was a hunger now to his approach—as though he was afraid I would disappear. I responded in kind, enjoying my body’s equally ravenous response. I didn’t care who might see—we were stealing precious minutes.

  But underneath it all, something lurked. A thought and feeling I couldn’t deny.

  He wasn’t William. My William. The one I wanted.

  Pushing back, breaking the seal of our mouths, I covered my lips with my fingers. The decision I’d thought most difficult had been easy to make. Now that it had been made, I wanted to run and find William—beg him to forgive my foolishness and overlook my childish heart.

  “It is as it should be,” Hadrian spoke, a sad smile on his face. “As much as I wished I was the one, it is clear he is yours now, tomorrow, and forever.” He stroked the side of my cheek then brushed my hair over my shoulder. It was startling—the difference his caress created now.

  “I’m so sorry, Hadrian. I didn’t want this to happen.”

  “I know. I’m sorry too.” He arose and helped me to my feet. “I guess this is where I say goodbye again. And thank you for an incredible time. You are a remarkable woman, Aithne. I will never regret meeting you.”

  He opened his arms, and I entered into his embrace. Resting my head against his chest, I held onto the front of his shirt. “I wish we could still remain friends, but that isn’t possible is it?”

  “We will always be friends, but not like you want. I’m not sure when I’ll return to your world. Maybe years from now I’ll come back and we can reminisce on what could’ve been,” Hadrian replied, stroking the back of my head. “Is there anything I can give you? A parting gift?”

  I stepped away, and touched his arm. “You’ve given me more than I ever hoped for. Thank you.” I looked over his shoulder toward the village, my mind on William.

  “Promise me you’ll live each moment together to the fullest, that you won’t waste a single day,” Hadrian asked. “Cherish one another.”

  I nodded, unable to speak around the lump in my throat. He pulled me closer and gently placed a kiss on my forehead. I shut my eyes, wanting to hold onto this farewell for as long as I could. There was a small gust of wind, a tinkling breeze, and when my eyes reopened, Hadrian was gone.

  I didn’t need to look around to know I wouldn’t find him. He’d come back to give me the perfect night, and help me transition from childhood to womanhood. There was no more indecision or uncertainty. The fantasy could be laid to rest as I fully clasped hold of my future—to William. With the last of the enchantment fading, it was easy to see William had always been my choice, I’d just been too afraid to admit it.

  A hand slipped into mine, and I smiled.

  “I love you, Aithne. Are you ready to begin our life together, or do I need to wait a little longer?” William asked, and facing him, my heart beat faster as I beheld him. He appeared so earnest, and I didn’t fight it any longer. I threw my arms around his neck.

  “Yes, I’m ready. I love you too, William. I’m so sorry for everything. Please, please forgive me.” I sobbed
against his chest, and he returned my embrace.

  “Shush, there is nothing to forgive. Haven’t I told you this already?” Letting me go, he tilted my chin back. “Here’s to our happily-ever-after.”

  As the sky finally began to lighten, announcing the dawn of a new day, he kissed me.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Hadrian

  I’d intended on leaving and not turning back, but in a moment of weakness, I paused. Hidden in the shadows, I watched on as the girl I loved was swept up into the arms of another. I agreed that William was the better choice. He just wasn’t me.

  I tried to curb the jealousy that flooded me as they kissed—a true kiss of happiness. I didn’t doubt that their lives would be one of married bliss, and whatever challenges they faced, they would do so together. It was the way it was meant to be.

  My heart had a hard time believing.

  I commanded my body to move as I saw William take something from his pocket and get down on bended knee. Aithne’s hands flew up to her mouth as she cried with excitement, and I didn’t need to hear to know he’d just asked her to be his wife.

  Standing, William came behind her and tenderly brushed her hair aside so he could attach the token of his affection around her neck. The medallion he’d crafted with his own two hands—pouring all his love and commitment into the task.

  He’d shown me the previous night, and we’d both agreed how ironic it was that he’d etched the figure of a fairy on one of the pendant’s faces. On the other side, he’d scribed the words You’ve enchanted my heart. It was the perfect gift, a keepsake she would no doubt cherish for the rest of her life.

  The more I watched the couple, the more the words of my mother came back to me. We’d yet to talk about my father and her relationship with him, but seeing the pain in her eyes as she spoke of her regret in losing him, made my next decision easier. A human life was short compared to that of the Fae—to have it filled with any kind of regret, small or large, was unacceptable.

  In the brief time I’d known Aithne, I knew she was a passionate creature, and although she was grateful for the experiences we’d shared, sometime in the future she’d come to regret her indecision. She would look to the man she’d devoted herself to, and sorrow that she’d ever partially thought herself in love with another.

  Imagining that kind of hurt in the eyes of my beloved Aithne sent a pain lancing through me. It was within my power to remove her memories—to take those of William as well—and make it so I was never there. I’d half hoped she’d ask when I offered her a parting gift, but in her gratitude and eagerness to see William, it had slipped by. Standing here in the shadows, already overstaying my time in this world, I would make it right.

  I closed my eyes, and softly uttered their names in preparation for the spell but was interrupted when a firm hand grasped my shoulder. I turned around and found my mother and brother behind me, both wearing compassionate expressions.

  “I know you think it is wise, Son, but I ask that you not complete the spell.”

  “It must be done Mother. Although it pains me that she would forget me, her regret hurts more.” I lowered my gaze, unable to bear the sadness I saw reflected in her eyes.

  “That is true, but what of the growth your Aithne has gained through this experience? By giving her a memorable night, she now knows her own heart and can be content. If you take her memories, she loses something priceless—her surety in choosing William.”

  “How is regret valuable? Why leave evidence I exist? Let me wipe their minds so they can focus solely on each other.” Confusion warred within my mind.

  “What you gave her is a gift she will always hold dear. Yes, there may be regret and times when she may wonder, but look, Hadrian. She is happy now.”

  I followed the direction my mother pointed and saw the wisdom of her words. Aithne and William were dancing, their laughter rising above the minstrel’s music. Their features held a radiant glow, and it was difficult to look away.

  “Trust me. Her joy will far outweigh any regret she may feel. You did the right thing. Now come home.”

  I nodded, and her hand brush against my cheek as she leaned forward and kissed me. I heard her footsteps fade softly, leaving me alone with Favian.

  “Shall I take your memories, Brother?” He hadn’t spoken a word before, but as I turned from the humans, I was grateful he was here.

  “No. Mother is correct. Aithne was a gift I shall forever cherish. If I take away the memory, I take away the gift. They will be mine to bear alone.” I clasped his shoulder, and squeezed.

  “You truly love her.”

  “I do, but eventually all things must end. Maybe there is wisdom in these flings you speak of.” Even as the words left my mouth, they felt hollow.

  “Perhaps. Come, let’s return home. I’m sure we can find some kind of diversion.”

  Following Favian, the shimmering portal linking our worlds revealed itself, and I glanced around one last time.

  “Take care of my heart.”

  And stepping through the opening, I said my final goodbye.

  Forever

  By Kamery Solomon

  Dedication

  For Mom and Belinda

  Prologue

  I half wished I’d never come. Seeing her, without being able to hold or talk to her, was killing me.

  “Somebody help us!” I screamed out in frustration. “Gods, witches, anyone! I'll do anything you want—just let me be with her again!” I collapsed into the dirt—sobbing—my pain overtaking me. I wondered if immortals could die from a broken heart.

  I hated who I was becoming, but I couldn’t be who I was before, not without her. I had to get to her.

  “My help will cost you greatly,” a soft voice responded behind me. I turned to see a cloaked figure. A witch.

  Chapter One

  Human minds are easily fooled, I thought.

  It wasn’t hard for me to do really, especially when they were asleep. Their unconscious state left them weak and vulnerable, an easy target for someone like me. I didn’t think I was a bad person, a troublemaker at the worst. I had created some incredible problems for people in the past, enjoyed stepping into their dreams and giving them my own direction. It was always a fantastic laugh for me, not so much for the poor human who’d let me in without realizing.

  I chuckled as I remembered the night when I turned an old man’s sweet imaginings of golf into a nightmare which involved his putter becoming a snake that ate him. Just as he began his swing, I conjured a giant serpent, suddenly writhing in his hands. The man screamed like a woman and tried to swear, but was stopped short when he was swallowed whole. He awoke so forcefully I was literally thrown to the ground as I entered my own mind again, his screams of terror echoing in the dark.

  On a different occasion, I scared a child awake by creating a terrible monster with long claws, wolf like teeth, and glowing red eyes which peered at him through a window. I’d watched from the shadows as the boy played in the sandbox. Ever so slowly, the window gradually appeared just outside the area. The boy, as curious as I’d pegged him, jumped up and ran to inspect the window only to find my creation waiting on the other side of the glass. Shock registered on his face and when the beast let out a terrible roar he screamed. I felt a certain amount of pride over that moment—no one knew how to produce a terrifying growl like I did.

  My favorite time to hand out terrors usually coincided with the release of a new horror movie. Poor blonde girls; they always died in the movie, and I was there to help hammer that into their subconscious minds—over and over again with relish.

  I mused over the many times I had been . . . uh . . . encouraged to leave the humans alone. I didn’t ever get in trouble for anything—exactly—except for a few choice incidents, which also happened to be some of my favorite memories.

  My mother, who held a certain amount of sway in things, didn’t approve of my shenanigans. She thought they were cruel, as did most of the other Fae. Her opinion only m
attered when I still lived with her though, and that was a long, long time ago. When I got caught messing in the minds of those I shouldn’t, she would make me do various things as penance. Smaller incidents were punished with a stern talk, larger ones with house arrest. It wasn’t too much of an issue then, since seeking out my choice of entertainment hadn’t been much of a priority. But as soon as I was on my own, it was all I wanted to do. As a result, I didn’t visit very often—or at all.

  It wasn’t my fault though. As crazy as it seemed, there really wasn’t much to do in and around Fae. Time had a way of changing things. I didn’t even know how old I was any more. I’d stopped counting somewhere after three hundred because it didn’t seem to matter much after that. All the Fae ever wanted to do was romance each other. Ew. That was not for me. Sure I liked girls, but the last thing I needed was another woman to nag me. If they weren’t romancing each other, or secretly romancing humans, then they were growing some type of plant. I understand greens are great and all, but really? I seriously worried the vegetation might begin to take us over at some point. There’s only so much that can be done with foliage.

  Thus, the mortal fantasies became my escape–my salvation from boredom. I tried to come up with something new each night, but being an immortal—having an unlimited amount of nights—was starting to leave me with no fresh ideas whatsoever. I’d been doing this for too long.

  Boring . . . Over dreamt . . . Really? Puppies? Socks? That’s what you’re dreaming about? You have no imagination! I snorted as I stood on the edge of the forest, shuffling through the minds of humans sleeping peacefully before me.

  There was a disgustingly low amount of ideas to work with. It was either socks or vampires, neither of which I had much desire to dip into. It had been a while since I’d made my way near this town, and with the way things were looking, I didn’t think I’d be returning any time soon.