Seb crouched in front of her. “I wouldn’t have let you fall,” he said, ducking his head to try to look her in the eyes. She kept her gaze resolutely on the ground. “I just wanted to see what you could do, if you could save it.”
Watch the freak fall, see if she can catch herself first, she thought bitterly. What she said was, “Why didn’t you tell me you knew?”
He shrugged. “We all have secrets, right?” A ghost of a smile touched his lips at his repeated words. “I figured if you wanted me to know, you’d tell me.”
“Were you . . .” She licked her parched lips and tried once more to push the words past her fear. “Were you planning to . . . blackmail me with my secret?”
“Bribe . . .? No, I wasn’t planning to bribe you.” He sounded angry and she finally lifted her eyes.
“Well, you won’t have to.” Her voice was stronger now, though it still sounded wheezy. “I’ll. . . I’ll go to the big house and tell them myself. I’ll take whatever punishment they give me.”
Seb looked stunned, his lips slightly parted as she spoke. Good, Kara thought. She was glad she made him speechless with her willingness to expose herself.
“So, he really didn’t tell you then,” Seb murmured. He glanced at Trystin. “You kept your word.”
“Of course,” Trystin sounded annoyed that Seb should doubt him.
“Tell me what?” Kara asked though she was sure she wouldn’t like the answer.
Seb stood, holding her eyes with his. Kara was powerless to look away, no matter how much she wanted to. He lifted his shirt over his head, throwing it to the side. Not that it wasn’t an impressive view, but still, why he was stripping was beyond her—
Her mouth dropped and she shot to her feet as a pair of midnight black wings, as dark as his ebony hair, slowly spread out behind him. Suddenly the puzzle pieces clicked. Trystin telling her he knew of one other like her. Seb hiding something, telling her they could only be friends because he couldn’t be with her, with anyone. Saying she “fit” with him. His parents, sleeping in the forest . . . his claim that his father could have saved himself. Because he had wings.
“You’re . . . you’re like me?”
Seb nodded. Fury raced through Kara.
Chapter Fourteen
Kara shot skyward, branches tearing at her arms. Tinkling music sounded as the gem leaves fell to the ground from her disruption. She’d only ever tried to rise through trees once before when she was young, and had paid the price with a broken wing.
She didn’t care. Her wings, her arms, her heart . . . what difference did it make what was broken now? He’d known all along. He was the same as her. That last thing was what crushed her. He knew the secret was hiding and lied to her about it. He told her he couldn’t be with her when he was maybe the only one who really could.
He kissed you.
She shoved the voice from her head. It didn’t mean anything, that kiss.
Liar.
She finally broke through the glittering canopy, scratched and sore, but she was still aloft with nothing seriously injured. She continued to force her body higher, away from Seb and Tristan and the lies. She glanced back and saw Seb followed her. It was disconcerting, seeing him there above the treetops. She hesitated for just a second and he came closer. She shot forward, giving up on altitude for speed.
She waited long minutes before looking behind her. He was still there, keeping pace, but not coming any closer. Her wings began to ache from the brutal workout she gave them.
Kara. Seb’s voice calling her name was the impetus she needed to push even harder. She turned and saw him gaining on her. A spurt of envious annoyance shot through her—he didn’t even look tired. She was exhausted.
Kara, please.
How could she hear him? He wasn’t that close. One of her wings cramped and she winced. Like it or not, she had to slow down. She dropped a little lower and slowed, feeling Seb near. With a sigh, she gave up on trying to escape. How long could she really avoid him, anyway? She’d have to face him sooner or later. She folded her wings and dove toward the ground, snapping them open at the last second to land on her feet with a thud in a clearing between dark green pines. She whirled toward Seb who landed gracefully behind her.
I’m sorry. She heard his voice as clearly as anything and yet his mouth hadn’t moved.
“How did you do that?” she demanded.
His brows lifted. “You mean Trystin didn’t teach you how to project your thoughts?”
“Project my . . .” And the fury was back, ripping through her heart. “You’ve been using fairy magic to control my thoughts? And to get me to do things you want? The kiss . . .?”
“Whoa, whoa.” Seb lifted his hands. “Where did you get all of that from projecting thoughts? Not only can I not make you do what I want, I wouldn’t do that.”
“Trystin did, on our first visit here! He made me stay when I didn’t want to. And you knew it. So why wouldn’t you do the same?”
“Trystin didn’t make you stay. He e simply calmed you and took away your fear.”
Kara paced and shook her head. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me. You had to know what I was going through, how terrible it was thinking I was the only freak around.”
“Can I please just . . . try to explain myself?” He tucked his hands into his pockets in the familiar gesture he used when he was unsure of himself. Kara wanted to say no, wanted to walk away and nurse her wounded pride. She also wanted answers, so she gave a terse nod.
“I was raised with neither the fairies nor the elves. I was aware that I was different from the beginning, but it didn’t matter because I was loved by both of my parents. We lived together, the three of us, so I was taught everything I needed to know about both worlds.”
“Your father was a fairy?” she asked reluctantly, trying to hold onto her anger but not wanting to offend knowing how his parents died.
“Yes, and my mother was an elf. We lived alone until they . . . until the fire. I wasn’t in the forest with them because I decided I didn’t want to live alone anymore, so I’d gone to live at the Pole. After the fire, I stayed at the Pole. But they’d taught me very well about the need to stay hidden. I could pass for pure elf, but not pure fairy.”
“Still, Seb, you knew I was like you.”
“Yes, but I also knew you were hiding. I saw your face, how frantic you were that day you flew, when you thought you’d been seen. I understood that, Kara. I didn’t want to be the one to force the issue.”
“Force the issue? When we’re the same? You don’t think I would have liked to know I wasn’t alone? Man, you sure can be dense, Seb.”
He grimaced. “I know how I feel about being part-fairy and I wasn’t sure if you felt the same. Maybe you would hate me for being what I am.”
Kara straightened, her stomach tightening. “You hate what I am?”
He stepped closer. “No, of course not. Well, okay, maybe a little at first. I was drawn to you. I didn’t know why. But that first day, in the cafeteria . . .” He reached out and ran his fingers down a strand of her hair. Kara shivered and he dropped his hand. “And then at the pizza place. Even though I knew there couldn’t be anything between us, I was attracted to you. Then I saw you fly. It was . . . glorious. I’d watched fairies fly, but with you it was completely different. Such power and grace. I was awed. And disgusted at the same time because I thought I was the only aberration. I didn’t want that for you.
“But I couldn’t get it out of my head, how you looked when you were up there. I didn’t want to fall for you. As time passed, it became harder to tell you. The time never seemed right. I was going to tell you when I took you to dinner, but you reacted so strongly to my kiss that I thought I must be wrong about how you feel about me.”
Kara was finding it difficult to hold onto her anger. She tilted her head. “How do I feel about you?” she murmured.
The corners of Seb’s mouth lifted. “You think I’m devastatingly handsome.”
/> Kara bit the inside of her cheek to stop her amused reaction. She could hardly argue the point. “What else?”
His smile grew. “You think I’m intelligent and hardworking.”
Kara shifted her weight, pressing her lips together to hold back the laughter that bubbled in her throat at his teasing. “And?”
His smile fell. “And you love me.”
Kara dropped her eyes from the intensity of his gaze. “How do you feel about me?” she asked quietly.
Seb took another step closer, so close she could lean forward and be pressed against him. His hands came up to her arms, rubbing slowly up and down. Kara closed her eyes against the sensation that tumbled and twirled through her abdomen, climbing until it settled into her heart as a glowing heat. He placed a finger beneath her chin, lifting it until their gazes locked.
“I didn’t think I’d ever care about anyone, Kara. I’d reconciled myself to always being alone, an outsider. I’m sorry I hurt you, Kara. More than anything I want to keep your heart safe. I swear from now on you’ll get nothing from me but honesty.”
Kara swallowed. “But would you care about me if I didn’t have wings?”
Seb grinned. “I wouldn’t care if you confessed to having gargoyle or ogre in your heritage and what I’m looking at now is nothing more than mirage. I love your heart. And if you reject me now, I’m going to spend the next few centuries trying to make myself worthy of your love. I love you, Kara. Who knew I was capable of it?” Kara smiled at that. “But there it is,” he said. “I am head over heels, flat out, crazy in love with you.”
Kara’s hands slid up Seb’s sides until she was cupping his face. “Thank goodness.”
Seb’s brows lifted. “Not exactly the response I was looking for.”
Kara laughed. “Now I can stare at you all I want and not have it be creepy. I might even be able to retain a thought or two when I do. I love you, Seb. I didn’t think I’d ever get to say that to anyone either, especially to you. So that just makes me doubly lucky. You’re exac—”
Her words were cut off as his mouth crashed over hers. Her response to him was immediate, like a spark to a tissue, like a flame to a taper, like a blaze to hay. Her arms wound around his neck, pulling him closer, reveling in the feeling of being free to kiss someone without fear of discovery—free to kiss him.
When finally they pulled back, they were both grinning wildly, which caused them to break into laughter. “Can we do something I’ve been dreaming about for a long time?” Seb asked.
Kara stiffened. “Well, um, I . . .”
“Relax.” Seb laughed. “I want to fly with you.”
She smiled, abashed. Then thought about soaring skyward, Seb by her side and excitement lit her mind. “I’ve flown alone for so long. It’s going to be strange having someone up there with me.”
“Well, let’s give it a try and see.” Seb’s wings spread behind his back and Kara’s breath caught. She moved slowly around him, running her fingers lightly across the midnight black wings so different from hers—and yet, the same. Stronger, wider, more substantial than the fairy wings she’d grown accustomed to looking at. His wings quivered beneath her touch. Hers trembled in response.
“Ready?” Seb asked as she came in front of him.
“Ready.”
Together, they pushed off the ground, soaring toward the stars.
Chapter Fifteen
Once again, Kara stood in the big house, in the Big Guy’s office. This time, though, Seb stood beside her.
“I’m so sorry,” the Big Guy said from behind his desk, his white beard quivering in distress. “I had no idea that your self-banishment from the South Pole was so traumatic, that you felt it was forced. I knew you wanted to leave, but didn’t have the whole story until recently.”
Kara’s head drooped. “I couldn’t stay. I couldn’t bring that shame upon my family.”
The jolly man shot up from his chair, planting his fists on the desktop. Kara slipped her hand into Seb’s. But the Big Guy wasn’t angry. He looked sad. “Kara, there is no shame to be had. We have no enmity with any creature, and there is nothing wrong with an elf choosing to love someone of another species. There is most certainly nothing wrong with any offspring that result of such love. The blame lies with me. I should have insisted long before now that the two of you come forth and show everyone the glory of your heritage.”
Kara glanced up at Seb, whose lifted brows and slack jaw reflected how she felt.
“Sir?” Seb asked.
“It’s time for everyone to know you, Seb, and you, Kara. There will be no more shame.”
Fear gripped Kara like a vise. “Tell . . . everyone?”
“And I know the perfect way to do it,” he said, laying a finger to the side of his nose. “But first, there’s someone here to see you, Kara.”
“Me?” she squeaked.
He sat back down and pushed a button on his desk, a jolly smile lighting his face. The door opened and Kara turned as a man with aqua hair and amethyst eyes stepped in.
“Dad?” Her voice was nearly inaudible.
“Kara, sweetheart!” Her dad swept her up in his arms, squeezing her so tightly she couldn’t breathe. It was worth it.
“Dad, I’m so sorry,” she cried when she could get a breath between her sobs. “I made a mistake. I wasn’t careful.”
“No, Kara, no. It’s me who should be sorry. I projected my fears onto you. I wanted to protect you and instead I caused you grief and pain.” He leaned back, tears bright in his eyes, smoothing his hands down her hair. He pressed a kiss to her forehead. Kara closed her eyes. She’d missed him so much, and selfish or not, was happy he was here.
Her dad looked at her earnestly. “Kara, I loved your mom, more that you can imagine. It never mattered one iota to me that she was a fairy. Or maybe it did, but only in that it made me love her more. She came along after my first wife left, and saved me from despair. When she was . . . killed . . . on that sled,” his voice cracked, “it nearly broke me. I didn’t know how to raise you without her by my side. Any of you, really. And so I made mistakes, the result of which was you feeling like you had to leave when someone saw you. I should have taught you to be who you are. Everyone in the south misses you. Not just me and your stepsisters, though we’ve missed you most. Everyone. They ask about you all the time, even knowing what you are now.”
“Dad, I miss you so much.” Kara felt as though she were moving through a dream. She realized how wrong she was to have left the way she did.
“Your sisters are here, too. They wanted a tour and I wanted some time alone with you, so you’ll see them soon.” He smiled. “You can come home now, Kara.”
Kara’s gaze immediately went to Seb, whose jaw was clenched. “Can’t you move here?” she asked her dad.
His eyes flicked between Kara and Seb, and understanding lit his expression. “Kara, I can’t... your sisters. Our lives are there.”
Kara nodded her understanding. Suddenly, the Big Guy spoke up. “Let’s not make any hasty decisions right now. Kara has a job to finish here.”
But what about once the job was finished? Could Kara leave then—l eave Seb? Her heart cringed at the thought. She glanced at him but he refused to meet her eyes. His hands were clenched into tight fists. Blowing out a breath, she knew that to leave him would be the hardest thing she would ever have to do—if she left, that is.
Maybe, just maybe, she wouldn’t have to.
Eight Months Later
Kara and Seb waited anxiously in the backroom of the new dance hall. Today was the official unveiling and grand opening of the dance hall. The building had turned out exactly as they envisioned, but Kara worried that what she and Seb had thought was so great would only be so-so in the eyes of the rest of the village.
“It’s time,” Bay said, rubbing his hands together excitedly.
Together they, along with all of the others who had worked on the project, walked out onto the front steps. The steps were carved from i
ce, blue light reflecting up from below to echo the blue of the surrounding ice. As beautiful as it was, Kara still preferred the sapphire blue of a certain someone’s eyes. She looked into them now and smiled. It didn’t matter how others perceived the building. It was a project of love for her and Seb, and that was what made it so precious.
In front of them a large canvas was held aloft by several fairies. Kara and Seb looked up to see Trystin grinning down at them. They heard footsteps and voices on the opposite side of the canvas as other elves waited for the reveal.
“Welcome!” The big, booming voice followed by a jolly laugh silenced the talkative crowd. “Are you ready to find out what top secret project has been taking place here?”
At the sound of cheering, Seb took Kara’s hand and squeezed it. “Ready?” he asked her.
Kara nodded, losing herself in him as she always did. She’d hoped that when they finally admitted their love to one another she might be better able to control her thoughts around him. He was so gorgeous that she still couldn’t, even after all this time. Her eyes dropped to his lips, wishing he would kiss her.
He groaned. “Kara, you have to stop looking at me like that if you don’t want the reveal to be us kissing.”
“I don’t care,” she said. Seb leaned down to accommodate her. Had the canvas not dropped just then, startling them before he could touch his lips to hers, the reveal would very much have included them kissing in front of everyone.
The dance hall was revealed. Silence reined. Kara’s worst fears were realized. The dance hall was a failure. But then a shout went up, then another and another. Cheers rang across the hills and rolled back to them from the surrounding ice mountains. Seb grinned at her and she laughed.
It was a good ten minutes before everyone quieted enough to hear what the Big Guy had to say next. “This is your hall,” he said. “A place for you to gather, for fun, for business meetings... and even, I’m told, for romance.” He looked pointedly at Kara and Seb. Kara blushed while Seb just looked proud.
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