Blood rushed into my cheeks. I’d never wanted to disappear more than at this moment.
Conor choked on a laugh. “Um, yeah, Lex. Eloquently put.”
My face burned so hot, Myrna, probably felt the heat radiating off it. “Lexie,” I whispered.
“What?” She shrugged.
I couldn’t even begin to look in Grant’s direction. Nobody but him knew, as Lexie put it, my card had gotten punched last night.
“It’s probably not even about me,” I whispered.
Myrna said, “I’m unfamiliar with your terminology, but I think it’s safe to assume you’re on the right track. But I must point out only her true love, her soul mate, will awaken this magic.”
“Her? So it is Kylie?”
Grant’s gaze burned into me, but I refused to look up. I swatted Lexie’s leg, wishing I had brought a muzzle for my loud-mouthed friend.
“What?” she asked. “You know you’re all wondering the same thing.”
“She is as I envisioned,” Myrna answered.
“See, Kylie, it is you.” She nudged me.
“But these things aren’t always true?” I asked Myrna.
“Yes. If you were not to find your true love, your magic wouldn’t reach its full potential.”
I had a feeling a question burned through Grant. Was he my true love? I could answer yes with confidence, but was it clear to him? Talk about pressure. My gaze flicked in his direction. He studied me, as if looking for some sort of magic to come oozing out of me. I looked back to Myrna.
“Even if my magic grew more powerful, what if I don’t want to bring down kings? Then the oracle would stop there, right?”
“Read again, my dear. It’s your fate.”
A knot formed in my stomach. “No. It won’t happen. Even if this stupid oracle is about me, it’s not going to happen. I don’t want this.” I slid the book off my lap and into Lexie’s. “Any of this. It’s not me. I was a regular girl, normal, and now.” My throat tightened. “I never asked for this.”
I rushed from the room, through the front door, down the cobblestone path, and came to an abrupt stop. I didn’t want to end up lost in the woods alone. This tragically beautiful place had me trapped. I wanted to go home to my mom and dad. I wanted my old life. I shook with anger, fear, frustration, hopelessness.
“Kylie.” Grant said my name as if approaching a wild animal he didn’t want to spook.
I turned to him. “What am I supposed to do, Grant?” Tears streamed down my cheeks.
He crossed the short distance and pressed me into him. “Maybe I’m not the one.”
I scoffed. “Of course you are.”
“We don’t know that.” As much as it might hurt for him to admit this, in his mind, it was likely a real possibility.
“Yes. I do.”
He held me at arm’s length. “How? There’s no way to know.”
“I didn’t realize it at the time. I’ve been so wrapped up in everything that has happened but when I heard this, it all came together.” I rubbed my cheeks, drying them. “When the merrow had you and Conor in a trance, I manipulated the earth easily. Too easily.”
“You were scared. You said yourself, emotions always help you act fast. You’ve been getting stronger for a while now. That doesn’t mean anything.”
“Unless I have a huge surge of emotion, magic needs a fair degree of effort on my part. When I helped free the puka, it drained me, but today it happened with ease. And then back in the forest, when you said, um, all that stuff to me, you didn’t see it but I split the earth. I know the flowers have happened before, but I saw a crack in the soil. The earth was pulled in two, by me.”
He stared off into the distance. “I don’t know. I’m still not convinced.”
“Grant! I don’t need some awesome display of power to know you’re the one.” Why did he find it so hard to believe? As the realization hit me, I whispered, “Unless…you don’t feel the same way.”
“No! God, no. That’s not it.” He released me and paced, cursing quietly. “I never should– If only–”
“Don’t. Don’t say you regret it.” My heart fell and stomach felt hollow as I prayed he wouldn’t say those words.
“I don’t know. Dammit, Kylie. I’ve ruined your life. From the moment I entered it I’ve done nothing but cause you problems.”
I turned my back to him, and stared out into the forest. Tears created warm paths on my face, dripping on the dirt beneath me. My chest ached.
Grant wrapped his arms around me and turned me to face him. “Kylie, I don’t regret loving you. Please know that.”
“But you regret last night?” I spat the words at him, the pain amplifying my anger.
He didn’t answer. The wind had been knocked out of me. Tightness gripped my chest and I couldn’t take a single breath.
“Not in the way you think,” he finally said.
“There’s only one way, Grant. Either you do or don’t.”
“But the oracle…you said it yourself. You don’t want it.”
“So, if you would’ve known this going in, you never would have slept with me?”
“Would you have? If you knew what would happen as a result of it, would you honestly have wanted to?”
“Yes! I would accept any fate if it meant I could be with you. I’m sorry you don’t feel the same way.” I tried to turn and jerk free of his hands. “Let me go, Grant. I can’t do this with you right now.”
“No. It’s my turn to talk.” His tone demanded my attention.
I gave him an icy stare. “Then talk.”
“You don’t get to be the only one upset here. What am I supposed to say? I’m happy I destroyed your life? If you want the truth, no, I don’t regret last night. In the most selfish way possible, I don’t regret a thing. No matter what your future holds, I wouldn’t give it up, but the part of me that’s madly and deeply in love with you hates myself for it. I shouldn’t steal any chance of your happiness to fulfill some crazy desire for you. Seeing you out here, crying, wanting to run, what am I supposed to feel? I caused this pain. I did this.”
“No, Grant, we did this.” I leaned my head against his chest. His hand brushed my hair, and we stood there. No idea what the future held, no idea if we even had a future now, but locked in this moment, not willing to give up just yet.
Chapter 14
“We should get back inside.” I broke the silence.
Grant nodded against my head. I pulled back and he followed to the house. We were almost to the door when he tugged my hand. I spun, ending flattened against his chest and he kissed me. Like a get-a-room kiss leaving me breathless.
“I’d do it again, Kylie. Undoubtedly, I’d do it again.”
Speechless, I nodded.
“C’mon.” He opened the door and led me inside.
Myrna bustled about in her kitchen. The shelves were lined with neatly organized white plates and bowls but the teacups were all different colors and sizes. She turned on the water and rinsed something in the sink.
Conor and Lexie looked up from where they sat. She walked over.
Grant made his way to talk to Conor.
“Are you okay?” She placed her hand on my shoulder.
“Yeah,” I said to reassure her.
“Want to go outside and talk about it?”
I wanted to talk to my best friend but we didn’t have the time to waste. “It’s okay. We can talk later.”
“Okay. Myrna’s packing some snacks for the road, whatever that means. Doubt it’s chips and soda, which I could totally go for now. Ugh, I’d kill for a cheeseburger. You faeries eat too healthy for my taste.”
I stared at her.
“Oh sorry. Yeah, focus. Conor says we need to take off soon to make it back by dark.”
“He’s right.” The reminder hurt. I’d return to the castle. Grant would go, well, wherever he was going and that is how it would be left. Confusion, heartache, doubt, regret, all things I’d never anticipated had come o
ut of this trip.
Grant stared at me. He wore no smile, only sadness. He crossed the room and pulled me against his chest. He kissed my forehead and rested his chin on my head. I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him, tighter and tighter, as if maybe we could become one, never forced to separate again. Realizing I’d probably just injure one of us, I relaxed my hold and pulled back. “Where will you stay?”
“I’m not sure. I could go to Nanny’s but they’ll be looking for me and I don’t want to put her in the middle of it.”
“They’ll never stop looking for you and now I know why.” I laughed without humor. “A little late, but still. If things get too bad, why don’t you go to my parents? You can stay with them. They can keep you hidden until this all blows over.”
“I don’t know if this will blow over. Plus, I don’t want to be far away from you. I won’t know how you are or what’s going on.”
“Think about it, okay? Know the option is there.”
“I know.”
“Hey, we need to get going.” Conor stood near the door. “No need to say your goodbyes now. Grant’s going to stay with us until we get to the edge of the forest. Any further would be too risky.”
Hearing that brought some relief.
Myrna walked in and handed a bag to Lexie with some fruit and other things I couldn’t quite make out. If the mood hadn’t been so somber, I would’ve laughed at Lexie’s expression when she saw the bag’s contents.
Myrna motioned me into the kitchen. “Kylie. May I call you Kylie?”
“Of course.”
“Your fate doesn’t have to be a curse. Great people are born from prophecy.”
Unsure how to respond, I stared and waited for her to continue.
“This was set into motion before you realized it. From the moment you came in contact with Grant, it started, and I don’t think you can deny that.”
How did she know Grant was the one?
She smiled. “Everyone can see the love between you two. Fighting this prophecy will never help. Let the future unfold naturally. This doesn’t mean these events will happen today or even tomorrow. It could be thirty years from now. Live your life and let destiny find you. It’s seemed to serve you well thus far.” She looked to Grant and my friends.
“I’ll try.” I ran my fingers over my necklace. “I don’t want to bring the king down, though. Really, I don’t.”
“That’s a shame. That old bastard has never been one of my favorite people.” Her eyes twinkled.
My mouth fell open. No one ever spoke ill of the king. Well, except me. “But, if Alastar thinks I’m going to be his ultimate demise, why does he want me married to Liam? Why not get rid of me?”
“The oracle doesn’t specifically say you will bring him down. There are other kings out there. The land of Sidhe is a big place. Maybe he wants you on his side. Then again, as the saying goes, ‘keep your friends close and your enemies closer.’” She shrugged. “Just the thoughts of an old lady. I haven’t an oracle to answer that question.” She stared into my eyes. “You really do have a star. I saw it, in the visions, but I thought it was more like a twinkle. But nope. There it is. Clear as day. No wonder the second Alastar met you he knew never to let you go.”
“So when I was first brought over, it wasn’t about this?”
“No, he never would’ve known who you would be. I believe it had more to do with your mother. I think he made this deal to keep her close. She has an extraordinary gift as well. If you were at the castle, she would be giving him access to her abilities. That’s the problem with people who have power. They never seem to think they have enough.” She shook her head, lips bowed downward.
All the pieces began to line up. Not quite the way I’d like them to, but at least I had answers. “Why does the love have to be consummated for this to happen? What exactly would, um, doing something like that cause?”
She steepled her fingers, brought them to her mouth. She looked up for a moment then said, “Consummated means something is brought to completion. Become complete, and so will your magic. These emotions and magic are interlaced, and there is nothing stronger than the power of true love. Consummated can be interpreted in a variety of ways, but only you can define that moment and I think you already have.”
Her insight shocked me but I kept my expression neutral, neither admitting nor denying the accuracy of her statement.
My friends were anxious to go but Myrna was such a wealth of knowledge, I tried hard to think of any other questions I might have, but came up blank. Instead, I thanked her and she led me back to my friends.
We said our goodbyes and parted. Back onto the path, and whatever future awaited.
* * * *
We walked a while, me holding Grant’s hand, as we trailed behind Lexie and Conor, stalling the inevitable. Separation.
Unspoken words hung between us. Was this it? Would we see each other again? I liked to think so, but fear still plagued me. So many things could go wrong. He could get caught. I could be forced into marriage. Heck, either of us could be killed. We had enough enemies to throw that possibility on the table.
We stayed far enough back to speak a few words in private. Grant tried to reassure me, even cheer me up. The guilt of our earlier conversation weighed on him. He didn’t want to leave anything negative between us. He loved me and what he’d said earlier stemmed from some sort of misguided protectiveness. It still hurt to think he regretted it, even if I understood where it came from.
If we were ever able to be together again, would he even want me? Was I some sort of forbidden desire, in reach but untouchable? I sure hoped not, since I could think of little else but last night.
My stomach fluttered with the memories of Grant’s sweet kisses. His hands, tentative as he touched me, like he wanted more but was unsure how far I wanted things to go. The way he looked at me, like the most beautiful and fragile thing in the world. His tender words had made my heart swell until I was certain it would burst. Last night had been nothing like the one we’d spent in the hotel room on our way to the portal. That one had been about lust and had it not been for Conor’s arrival we may not have stopped. At the time, I didn’t want to, but now I was happy we had. The wrong emotions drove it. And though last night had been filled with passion, it had centered on love. I smiled, remembering when he asked me if it was my first time. He’d seemed more nervous than I did about what my answer meant. For a second, I’d thought he’d stop right then and there, but I’d assured him. I wanted it to be him. It had to be him. Who would’ve known exactly how right I’d been?
“Kylie?” Grant asked, “What are you thinking about?”
My hand radiated tingling sparks of energy right into Grant’s. I was like a live wire and he was the ground. My face warmed.
Grant’s face reddened, and he stared down.
“Are you blushing?” I had spoken out of shock, though it wasn’t nice to point it out.
He looked up, meeting my gaze briefly. “I’ve tried hard not to think about last night. Really Kylie, it’s taking all my effort not to think about it. Knowing you are is gonna be my undoing.”
“Oh.”
He groaned. “Talk about something, anything. Your family. School. I don’t care.”
“When I was fifteen I sprained my ankle tripping over my own pants.”
“What?”
“I don’t know how it happened. I was just walking and somehow my toe got caught in my pajama pants. Next thing I knew, I lay face down on the ground with my ankle throbbing.”
Grant laughed.
“As if that wasn’t bad enough, my mom took me to the hospital. I told her I was fine, but she worried it was broken. She didn’t even let me change. I went in my pajamas.”
Grant’s gaze raked my body.
I thought back to Lexie’s house and the first night I ever really talked to him then the ambrosia night when I changed into a nightgown in front of him. It was safe to assume his mind went somewhere in that directio
n as well. I wasn’t good at this distraction thing.
We approached where the trees parted and the brook ran through our path. “We’re almost to the merrow bridge,” I blurted.
His gaze snapped up. He called out to Conor, pointing ahead. Conor and Lexie slowed, allowing us to catch up.
“How should we do this?” Grant asked Conor.
“Hell if I know. Maybe we’ll get lucky and she won’t be around.”
“That, or we just pissed her off so bad she’ll be there with a few friends.” Lexie snorted.
“I think we’ll be fine.”
My friends stared at me.
I figured if I possessed some super bad-ass faery power, might as well get some good use out of it. Everyone exchanged glances then conceded. We didn’t have other options.
As we approached the rickety bridge, I scanned the area but found no discarded clothes. Hopefully we wouldn’t be dealing with any pissed off merrows.
“Let’s make this quick,” Conor said.
We hurried to the bridge and crossed as fast as it would allow. A splash came from one side, followed by the sight of opalescent scales. I urged Lexie to move faster in front of me, but another splash made me jump. Then there were two more splashes. The water rippled as a tail tapped the surface before vanishing.
“She brought friends,” Grant whispered.
We walked a tight rope over shark-infested waters, or more accurately, merrow infested waters. I wasn’t sure which proved more threatening. The other side of the bridge seemed farther away with every splash. I’d counted at least four merrows. When we made it over, we rushed toward the trees.
“Faery-girl.”
I paused.
“Don’t turn around.” Grant urged me along from behind.
She called again, and against my better judgment, I turned. Though visible, the merrow from earlier kept a safe distance from the bank. A few other heads peeked out of the water. Their long hair floated on the surface and sunlight danced over their shimmering skin. Radiant eyes stared back at me but everything below the cheekbone remained hidden underwater. Their razor-sharp teeth included.
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