Dark Fae (Skeleton Key)

by Lillian Cartier

  I look at the guy, who is still in the room, and make eye contact with him. I immediately realize it’s a set of familiar eyes I’ve seen before. Tilting my head just a bit and examining him a bit closer, there’s a sense of familiarity with him. “You look familiar. Do I know you?”

  “I caught you in the woods. I’m sure I jostled you a bit, but I tried to get to you as fast as I could,” he explains. Well, that just sounds weird. Who just goes wandering around the woods and catches women?

  All the pieces of the puzzle begin to connect with what happened. Some flying asshole was flipping out on me, grabbing me, and I’m pretty sure he was trying to kill me by suffocation. Wait. That fucking tinker-looking bitch dropped me! I pull my head up to get some answers, since this guy might have them and… well, he wasn’t suffocating me, so that’s a point in my book. My head hurts worse with the movement, and I close my eyes again. “Ouch, my head. Ugh.” Putting pressure against my temple with my fingers, I think that it will help when it’s probably just a distraction.

  “What happened? How did I get here? And what was that guy, who was trying to suffocate the living daylights out of me, then dropped me like I was some smelly garbage? Did he seriously have wings or some shit, because I’m pretty sure he was flying? That or I’m just losing my damn mind.” Great. Now I’m rambling. I just need to find my way back to the cabin and keep to myself. No one likes playing with the crazies, especially since I’m sure I sound like one.

  “Actually, I was going to ask you how you got in here. Humans haven’t been here for a long time.” He looks frazzled; the proof is in his messy hair, but I can sense the undertone of concern in his voice.

  “I’m not really sure why you’re talking to me as if I’m the weird one here for being human.” I state human in quotation marks with my fingers. “I’m not quite sure what everyone here expected me to be. I just moved into my aunt’s cabin, even though I’ve never met her. I didn’t even know I had any family until a few days ago. It’s just been me for as long as I can remember. No parents, no siblings, no anyone. Then, bam, I find out my aunt’s been looking for me, only to end up dead. So I’m back to being without anyone, not that I ever had anyone. But I ended up with a car and a cabin. All I did was look around a bit, tried to get comfortable. It was better than where I was staying, at least safer. I saw these cool-looking fairy statues, and there was this weird door that stood out of place and this odd key that opened to an extension of the house. You know where I went wrong? When I took a walk in the woods, I should have kept my ass in that cabin. I’m so lucky that I couldn’t have just run into a bear. Instead, some guy that flies around tries to kill me. Lucky me.” Hmm…I guess that is a bit much. I should learn to keep my mouth shut. I don’t even know this guy, and here I’m just spilling my guts like some nut. “Sorry, that’s probably more than you needed to know. I normally don’t ramble.” I take a few breaths and try to regain my composure.

  He looks back at me with a mixture of sympathy and admiration in his eyes. Wonderful, I confirm his suspicion of me being crazy. I’m just waiting for the moment he slowly backs away and calls the people to put me in a special white jacket. “It’s been kind of crazy, I probably just need to get some rest. It’s been information overload the last few days for me. I should go.” I begin to raise the blankets to get off the bed, and I notice I’m only in my panties. I look down, and I’m wearing just my tank top as well, and I quickly cover myself with the comforter. “Umm, mind telling me what happened with my clothes?” I ask, trying hard not to blush.

  “They are in the bathroom. You passed out so I removed some of your clothing so you would be comfortable,” he replies casually, as he leans against the door to watch me.

  “Do you do that a lot? Go around catching people and undressing them?” I ask, confusion crossing my face. He slowly starts across the room toward me as I clutch the comforter tighter around me.

  “Not typically, but something called me to you. I was worried about you since you’ve been asleep for so long. I’m glad you’re awake. I’m going to get something for your head.” Changing the subject as he places his palm on the side of my face. It isn’t the contact I’m used to, but there is something in me that wanted more of his touch. I can’t explain it. It is unusual, to say the least.

  “It’s getting a bit better. Thank you.” I want him to stay here with me forever, as I look into his face that is beyond handsome.

  “Come on; I’m sure you’re hungry. I should make you something to eat,” he insists, as I memorize the feeling of his hands in my hair. What is wrong with me?

  “Oh, no. That’s fine. I’m not hungry.” Betraying my denial, my stomach growls, as he smiles gently.

  “Your body doesn’t agree. You’ve been asleep for three days. You should eat. Come on.” My jaw drops at the revelation of being passed out for three days straight. Before I can ask him about this, he turns and walks across the room, sliding open a drawer, and pulling out a pair of flannel pajama pants. “Here, they might be a little big on you, but I’m sure they are more comfortable than your clothes.” He sets them down on the foot of the bed. “I’ll wait for you right outside the door.” He walks up to me to caress my cheek, and he instantly enamors me. His eyes still have a look of concern with something more that I can't quite place. He places a kiss on the top of my head and leaves the room, shutting the door behind him.

  Things seem to keep getting weirder. I should be completely spooked that I’m in a stranger’s home and think of the best way to get out of this joint. When I think of leaving here, sadness comes over me; I realize that I don’t want to leave this place. Well, actually, it’s not this specific house that’s holding me here, but the man who just left the room. If he held me here, it wouldn’t be against my will. My thoughts are scrambled, and I am having a hard time pulling all the factors apart to digest them. I pull on the pants he’s left out for me and prepare to meet him on the other side of the door.

  As I open the door, he’s looking at me, and there’s a smile lighting up his face as he examines me from head to toe. I feel heat begin to creep up my cheeks. People have tried to devour me with their eyes in the past, but no one has affected me the way he does. I shiver as goosebumps form over my bare skin and watch his eyes drop down to look at them.

  He takes me by the hand, and I feel the warmth of him caressing over my skin, radiating past the hand he’s holding as he leads me down the hall. “Let’s make you something to eat. Any requests?”

  “Anything is fine. Thank you,” I reply uncertainly as I willingly follow him.

  “No favorites?” he asks me with surprise and a quick glance of his beautiful eyes

  “Really, I’m happy with anything. I’m not picky.” I’m not in a place in my life to be picky. I eat to survive. I can't remember the last time I really enjoyed something that I wanted before I ate it. I don’t usually choose my meals as much as I appreciate what I am given.

  Pulling out a stool behind the kitchen counter, I take a seat. He turns to rummage in the fridge as I take a look around. Laying out eggs, cheese, and ham on the counter before he closes the door to the fridge, he asks me if omelets sound good. My stomach growls and I nod slowly.

  “Sounds delicious.” I smile back at him.

  He begins to move around the large, modern kitchen, obviously comfortable with his cooking skills. It seems bigger than the needs of just one person. While it isn't feminine like Lauren's, I can feel the warmth in the house, and I wonder if it is just this area. Looking at him again, I realize that it might just be this stranger.

  “If I’m eating your food, I should probably know your name. Unless you feed all the strangers you bring home, of course?” I am hoping to turn this into an easy conversation.

  Glancing up at me, and not losing focus on the food he’s preparing, he responds, “Nyx. What’s yours, kitten?” Smiling back at me with the look he is giving me right now; I know I want to see it over and over again. I have never wanted that from anyb
ody before.

  “Tessa,” I reply shyly, as I force myself to look down at the dark counter and away from his intoxicating eyes.

  “Pretty name, Tessa.” He turns around to grab a plate out of the cabinet, as I look back up with a curious glance as I catch sight of his cloak. I can’t see a lot of his body with him wearing it. It isn’t cold. Who wears cloaks nowadays?

  “Thanks. Are you cold?” I can't help but ask as he looks at me again. His eyebrows scrunch together as if he doesn't understand my question. I try again in a gentle voice, “It feels warm to me, and you’re wearing a cloak. So I thought maybe it’s because you’re cold.”

  His face turns serious, and I think I said something that may have offended him. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you. I probably shouldn’t be here. I should go. I appreciate the hospitality. I should get out of your hair. Thank you for letting me crash here. I’m sure I’ve been an unexpected intrusion.” Shut. Up. Tessa. Just get up, find the door, and leave. I force my body to get up from the chair to find a way to leave the kitchen and hope I’m going in the direction of the front door. As I make my way out of the kitchen, someone grabs me by the back of my elbow.

  “Don’t leave.” I turn my head and it’s Nyx. “You didn’t offend me; I just don’t know what to say. I don’t know how or if you know.” He takes a deep breath then looks up directly at me.

  “Come and sit down. I would feel better if you ate some food. We can talk in the kitchen while you eat. Please.” There’s the unexplainable pull again. There aren't any words I can use to describe the emotion I am feeling. My brain tells me that I know nothing about this guy, other than he didn’t kill me or hasn’t tried. But my body wants to stay. I want to get closer to him. Steering me toward him by the hand again, he begins to lead me back into the kitchen. I place myself back in the chair, and he pushes the plate with an omelet in front of me.

  “You should eat.” As he hands me a fork, he pours two glasses of juice and places one in front of me and another in front of his chair. Picking up his plate, he sits beside me with his plate of food.

  Looking over to him, I wonder if we are now going just to sit next to one another with the awkward silence. It doesn’t appear that he is in the mood to converse, and he appears to be avoiding eye contact. This moment isn’t uncomfortable at all, as I watch him take the side of his fork to cut through the omelet before scooping it up, placing it in his mouth, and chewing. My stomach begins to growl.

  “It would make me feel better if you would eat. It tastes better when it’s hot.” There’s a small pause before he follows with a, “Please.” I start to dig into my omelet, and the first bite I take is heaven.

  “Thank you so much. This is delicious,” I compliment him between bites. There’s a small grin appearing on my face, thanking him. I help myself to what’s left on my plate, devouring every morsel and taking a few gulps of my juice. I did not realized how hungry I was.

  “You told me you were at your aunt’s cabin?” he asks, as I finish and nod in response. The food made me feel a lot stronger, though it did nothing to explain my feelings for him.

  “Yeah, this guy just showed up one day. He gave me the news about her passing and left me a few things, including the cabin,” I tell him, as I set my glass down and look at him again. "I just came here recently to figure out what to do with all of it."

  “I heard you mention a key; what did the key look like?” Nyx presses, as I look around the rest of the house.

  “It was the weirdest looking key, creepy. It was heavy for being a small thing. It’s probably why it didn’t break, considering it was made from heavy glass,” I inform him, expecting a reaction suggesting I am crazy as I finish speaking.

  “Was it a skeleton key? About four inches long?” he asks, as if he knows exactly what I am talking about.

  “Yes! How did you know?” I ask excitedly.

  “I’ve heard about the key before. It explains how you got here,” he says to me easily. Now I am confused and I stare blankly at him.

  “What do you mean here? You’re not making any sense. You make it sound like I entered into this whole different world. All I did was take a walk outside of the cabin into the woods,” I assure him, as he stares down at the table for a moment. "I can leave anytime and go back home."

  Nyx takes a deep breath, as if he’s getting ready to tell me something important. Reaching over, he turns my chair gently, so I’m facing him and grabs my hands. This predicament is only getting weirder, but I notice that I find myself wanting him to be closer. The feeling of him holding my hands is so natural. This guy would think I am nuts if he knew what I am feeling, so I remain silent.

  “I feel it, too,” he whispers. “The strange pull you feel that you can’t explain? I feel it, too.”

  “How? This isn’t normal for me; it’s so strange. I feel like I’ve known you for a long time, like you would keep me safe from danger. I don’t know how I know, but there’s this part of me that is certain you would. But we don’t know anything about one another.” I marvel as he stares into my eyes.

  “We feel it because we're supposed to be together. It’s how we know when we’ve found the piece of us that connects us. The one that makes us whole.” His tone is so simple as he tells me all of this, but my heart starts to race in my chest.

  Puzzled as ever, the words he’s saying make sense because I feel all of them. I feel that Nyx will be able to heal the parts of me that are damaged. He will be able to replace the parts of me that have been missing. I won’t feel alone any longer; there is a strong fire burning within me that somehow tells me he is it.

  People don’t just fall in love instantly. They date, they get to know one another, and rarely is someone lucky enough to find the one person they are interested in. Life isn’t a fairy tale. People end up with broken hearts, bruised every time someone they think is the “one” doesn’t work out, until they heal enough to try again. I am not one to date. I don’t date. I am busy surviving, working to keep a roof over my head and not starve.

  “Tessa,” Nyx calls my name, squeezing my hands and pulling me out of my inner monologue. He cups my face up with one hand to meet his eyes. “Where did you go?” he asks.

  “Sorry, I’m just processing,” I answer as he nods slowly.

  “Has anyone told you about the Fae?” he asks. Pulling my head back slightly from such an odd question, I stare at him curiously, as he slowly drops his hands down with a look of sadness on his face.

  “No, why would someone tell me about the Fae? Isn’t that another word for a fairy or something?” I’m curious as to where this conversation is going, because now it’s gotten a little weird. How did we just go from being connected to fairies?

  A slight furrow forms between Nyx’s eyebrows. I imagine he does this when he’s frustrated.

  “The key that put you through a door placed you into our world. It’s the world the Fae live in. There haven't been any humans here for over twenty years. I’m surprised the key made its way to you. Not only that, but the key doesn’t work for just anyone. The key has to choose the people it lets into our world. We have no control over what the key does,” he explains.

  Shocked and speechless, I can’t tell if I’m crazy, or if I’ve bumped my head hard enough that perhaps I’m still dreaming. He is talking to me about a world that doesn’t exist. This doesn’t feel like a dream. I don’t know why, but there is a nagging feeling telling me that Nyx is being truthful. I just know that he would never be dishonest with me.

  “Tessa, I know it’s a lot to take in, especially if you didn’t know about it. I would have never guessed that my mate would be a human,” Nyx tells me softly as I blink rapidly.

  Wait. Did he just say mate? Snapping out of my trance, I blink quickly.

  “Did you just call me your mate?”

  “I did. We have an instinct where we can sense when we’ve found the one meant for us. It’s taking every bit of willpower for me not to take you in my bed and cla
im you as mine." Nyx presses his lips together as his eyes darken hungrily. "I sense your uneasiness and confusion, and I want to help you. I want you to be comfortable around me.”

  Feeling a blush warming my cheeks, just knowing he’s restraining himself because he wants me, has me wiggling a bit in my seat. The funny thing is, I want him just to take me in every way possible. I want to feel the heat of his body against mine and show me a level of ecstasy that I know he can give me. Nyx clears his throat. “I don’t know what you’re thinking, but if you don’t stop, I can’t promise I will be able to control myself.”

  “Umm…” Reeling over the information he just revealed, I need to get my head out of the clouds and get some answers. “You said there are Fae here?” Nyx responds with a nod. “Are you Fae?”

  “Yes.” Okay then. The one guy I want to throw myself at and let him have his wicked way with me is a

  fairy. Would that even work? “Was that guy I saw in the woods one, as well?”

  “Yes, he’s Fae, as well. Kristopher is my cousin. We’re all Fae. There are no humans here. Well, not until you showed up.”

  I cautiously scoot off the chair and back away from Nyx asking, “Is Kristopher the guy that grabbed me in the woods? Is he your cousin?” His eyebrows scrunch together as if he’s trying to find a way to explain something to me. My instincts tell me to stay with Nyx, but I can’t disregard that I don’t know this guy well, or that his cousin tried to hurt me. I don’t know what caused such hatred in Kristopher’s eyes when I don’t know him.

  Nyx extends his hand out and reaches toward me. “Please Tessa, let me explain.” I look at his open-palmed hand, and there is that strange pull again. I want to go to him, the thought of getting away from this very Fae makes me feel uneasy, even pained inside. I place my hand into his strong one, and he wraps his fingers around mine and pulls me in.

  Placing a hand against my cheek, he strokes my cheek gently. “I won’t let anyone hurt you. No one,” he reassures me with an emphasis on the last sentence. Closing my eyes, I embrace the warmth radiating off his body.