That night, Mia pulled on the dress Cillian had given her and couldn’t help but grin at her reflection in the mirror. She’d tried it on the moment she got home on Wednesday and since her mom had been home, she’d shown it off. The dress’s gauzy material clung to her in all the right places, cascading out at the waist down to her heels. With every movement Mia made, the silver stars and purple of the dress glittered and shown like magic clung to the fabric.
Her mom had freaked until Mia said Cillian had given it to her as a gift. That had won him some major bonus points with her mother.
Angie had come over an hour earlier to do Mia’s hair and makeup, so now her long blond hair curled down her back in a French braid. Angie had hurried to get home and finish up her own hair and makeup. Kai was picking her up and they’d said they’d meet each other at the dance since Rhett was picking Mia up. As if on cue there was a knock at the door and a minute later her mom called for her.
Slipping on a pair of silver flats, she grabbed her purse and rushed down the stairs to find Rhett and her mom standing in the kitchen. Mia froze when she saw Rhett turn around, his eyes widening as he took her in. He looked like a true Fae prince tonight. No more jeans and leather jackets. Tonight, he wore a black button up collared jacket the front decorated with gold leafing, black pants and shiny black boots. His black hair was shiny and styled to perfection.
“Mia,” he murmured, eyes roving over her and making her whole body warm at his attention. “You look… beautiful.”
Her mom giggled, gripping his shoulder and giving Mia a knowing look. “Isn’t he the sweetest? And doesn’t he look so handsome?”
Mia grinned at her mom’s embarrassing behavior but nodded, unable to take her eyes off Rhett. “Yeah, he does,” she said.
A devilish grin lit up his features but before he could say anything her mom gestured for the two of them to get together by the stairs. Mia rolled her eyes but accepted the invitation to get close to Rhett. He wrapped his arm around her waist and Mia leaned into him, unable to stop smiling.
“Oh, you two look so adorable together,” her mom squealed. “Just a few more.”
If it wasn’t for Rhett’s charm, they probably would have stayed there taking pictures all night. He promised her mom he’d have her back by ten, Mia told her she’d text her when they were heading back home and together, they hurried out of the house before her mom could stop them with any more pictures.
“I’m sorry about that,” Mia said once they were in the car.
Rhett smirked. “I think it’s sweet. Your mother cares very much.”
“Yeah, maybe a little too much.”
He laughed and took her hand, pressing a kiss to it. “I was telling the truth back there, though. You look beautiful.”
“Well I was telling the truth too,” Mia said right back, her heart rate picking up in her chest from the way he gazed at her from beneath thick lashes. “You look very handsome tonight.”
“Don’t I always?”
Mia laughed and rolled her eyes as he let go of her hand and reached into the backseat for something. “Modest as ever.”
He just smirked as he pulled out two silver boxes, setting them on his lap. “I have something for you.”
“What is it?”
“A custom from my world. Whether my people acknowledge me as royalty or not, I am by birthright a prince. Any young lady or young gentleman in my land who escorts a prince or princess to a ball gets to wear something special to make sure everyone knows the favor they have won in the eyes of royalty. Now I know this isn’t a ball,” Rhett said, casting her a grin, “but I think it’s important to stand on ceremony. So, this is for you.” He opened the silver box and produced a delicate and beautiful circlet made of brown wire that looked like bark and decorated with pink and green faceted glass pieces in the shape of veined leaves.
Mia shook her head, already raising her hand. She couldn’t go around wearing a tiara as gorgeous as that. “I can’t,” she said.
Rhett smirked. “You absolutely can. You’re dating a prince. It comes with benefits.”
“No, really,” Mia said, trying to push the crown away even as he leaned in to set it on her head.
Rhett wouldn’t take no for an answer, though, and Mia gave up fighting with a sigh. He set it down on her head and grinned. “Perfect fit.”
“I look ridiculous,” Mia said, even though secretly she couldn’t believe she was wearing a tiara. What girl didn’t fantasize of wearing a tiara and pretending being a princess for a night?
“You look stunning,” he corrected.
He then opened the second box and pulled out a dark silver circlet made to look like it was woven from silvery vines and iron leaves. Rhett let out a soft, vulnerable breath as he set it upon his head. “I haven’t worn this since the day the door to Faerie shut.”
He glanced at her as if to gauge her reaction. Mia took his hand. “You look… like a true prince in it.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” he said, kissing her hand once more. “Anyways, we should get going. Don’t want to be late.”
Clearing his throat, he started the car, and they headed to the dance.
***
The school parking lot was full. It took Rhett ten minutes to find a parking space near the back, and they had to walk a bit before getting to the school at all. Before they did though Mia tugged him to a stop. Now that she was there, she wasn’t so sure she wanted to go in. She was all dressed up, made to look like some kind of princess in her gown and tiara. Wearing the tiara and going to the dance with Rhett wouldn’t win her any favors amongst the locals. What if it made things worse? What if people didn’t want them there?
“Maybe we shouldn’t go,” Mia said, glancing at him. “People aren’t going to want us there.”
Rhett’s jaw set, and he gave her hand a squeeze, grinning ruefully. “That’s the whole point. I hid from them for so long Mia. Too long. I was made to think that all of this was my fault and that I shouldn’t bother my people with the sight of me, but then you came, and you made me realize that I can’t hide anymore. Whether I like it or not, I am their prince and right now with no king, I am their leader… Tonight is a night to prove that. Hence the crowns.”
Mia bit her lip glancing at the opened doors and couples walking in. “Are you sure?”
“Positive. First rule of being a royal, always act fearless and confident.”
“Even if you’re not?”
Rhett smirked. “Especially if you’re not. Now enough of this. Don’t let them ruin this night for you, for us. Let’s go in there and have fun. We can even find Angie and Kai if you want, though I have a feeling the sight of me would ruin her night.”
Mia laughed. “I doubt that. But fine. Let’s go. You’re right. We deserve to have fun tonight.”
“Yes, we do,” Rhett said ruefully, giving her hand another squeeze and together they walked into the dance full of goblins and Fae who despised them both.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Angie had outdone herself. The gymnasium had been transformed into an enchanted wonderland. Seriously, the only way someone could pull off something like this was with a touch of magic. Vines slithered up the walls of the gym, blooming with different colored flowers. Silver chandeliers hung from the ceiling filling the gym with light. Even the floor was redecorated, blanketed with a thick layer of mossy grass. It felt like stepping into another world. Couples danced in the middle of the room to techno music while others sat around tables and laughed and talked. Despite Mia’s fears, the whole room didn’t come to a halt and gape at them, but anyone they walked past did go out of their way to glare or balk at them.
Mia kept her head held high, refusing to let them make her squirm. She led Rhett through the gym, searching the throng of students until she found a familiar head of gold hair standing side by side with a certain lanky goblin. “I found them,” she exclaimed over the music.
Rhett merely nodded and let go of her hand, foll
owing her at a distance as she rushed through the crowd to embrace her friend. Angie looked like a forest angel with her hair done up with an intricate updo, twigs sticking out of her hair. Who knew someone could make twigs in their hair look so elegant and chic? Kai looked dapper in a modern looking suit and a green flower blooming in the breast pocket of his jacket.
Angie squealed when Mia hugged her. “Oh my goodness you look gorgeous,” she shouted, pulling away from Mia.
Mia grinned. “You do too. You two look good together.”
Kai beamed. “Don’t we, though?”
Angie giggled, looping her arm around his. “I suppose we do. I mean who wouldn’t look good with me on their arm?”
The three of them laughed, but the happy mood died when Rhett reached them and wrapped an arm around Mia’s waste. Kai remained smiling, but Angie gave him a hard look. Her eyes didn’t miss the circlet atop his head. “Haven’t seen that in a while,” she said.
Rhett shrugged nonchalantly though Mia could feel his body tense against her side. “Figured it was time to stop hiding.”
Angie’s eyes widened, and surprise flickered across her face. But instead of being hostile and making a scene she just nodded. An understanding passed between the two of them, making Mia’s chest swell with hope. Maybe they could make amends after all. It would mean the world to her if all her friends were friends with each other.
The music shifted from techno to softer slow dance music. Angie quickly looked away from Rhett and bounced in place. “Oooh I love this song! Let’s go dance.”
“Sure thing,” Kai said, letting Angie drag him onto the dance floor.
Mia gave Rhett a surprised look. “I think you got through to Angie.”
He smirked. “Was there any doubt? It took years, but I think I’m finally starting to break through her wall of hatred she has for me.”
“She doesn’t hate you,” Mia insisted as he led her onto the dance floor and set his hands on her waist. She wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Maybe,” was all he said.
They swayed back and forth, dancing for a few songs before Mia needed a break. “I’ll get us drinks,” Rhett said.
“Alright.” Mia stepped away from the dancing couples and walked near the entrance to the gymnasium, leaning against the wall to people watch. Angie had been right when she said goblins didn’t mix with others. Either there were goblin couples dancing together or goblin girls and guy groups huddled together. Angie and Kai were only nymph/goblin pair. Actually, now that Mia looked closer, they seemed to be one of the only mixed pair. Merfolk danced with their own. Nymphs danced with other nymphs and Sidhes danced with other Sidhes.
Mia frowned. That didn’t seem right. Just as she started to search for where Rhett had gone off to, someone cleared their throat beside her. Mia barely had time to turn to look at who had snuck up on her, when two beefy hands grabbed hold of her and dragged her out of the gymnasium and into the hall.
Before she could let out a scream, a hand wrapped around her throat, pressing her up against a wall. Mia coughed and choked, eyes widening when she saw three goblins circling her. The big, scary looking kind. They were all dressed in modern suits and tuxes making their fangs and green tinged skin look out of place.
“We don’t appreciate you getting in our business,” the one holding her growled.
Mia shook her head. “I… I don’t know what… you’re talking… about,” she rasped out, grabbing at his hand to try and pull it off. It was no use, though. He was too strong.
The one on his right sneered. “Befriending our cousin? Kailar is too young and impressionable. He’ll be shunned from the family if he keeps up his fraternizing with that nymph, and especially with you.”
Maybe she should have kept her mouth shut, but the fact that Kai’s family would shun him for going out with Angie ticked her off. “Then his family is pretty messed up,” she choked out.
The goblin growled and shoved her harder against the wall, his hand squeezing her throat tighter. Mia gasped, trying to get in as much air as she could. “Says the girl who knows nothing,” he snarled, leaning forward.
Mia scowled. “I… don’t know… what… you’re talking about,” she coughed.
The goblin’s grin was anything but friendly as he shared knowing looks with his friends. “Then we shall enlighten you. You’re friend the nymph, Angelica? She’s been lying to you. So has our cousin and your precious little prince. They’ve been keeping the truth from you this whole time.”
Mia just shook her head. They were delusional.
The one to his left sneered. “You aren’t human, Mia,” he snarled. “You’re one of them. A Seelie Sidhe.”
Yep. Definitely delusional. “You’re lying,” Mia rasped.
The one holding her up barked out a laugh. “Yeah? Think back real hard Amelia. To all your memories. None of them are real. Just go ask your boyfriend.” As if his point had been proven he let go of her neck.
Mia hacked and wretched as she slid to the ground like a rag doll. The three goblins laughed and stepped back. “If I were you,” he said. “I wouldn’t do any of them any favors. They’re a bunch of liars. Have been keeping your true self from you this whole time.”
With that, they walked away leaving Mia to catch her breath on the cold hard ground of the school and mull over their words. They were lying… They had to be. Mia would know if she was a Sidhe, wouldn’t she? She didn’t have any of their abilities. She didn’t even look like them. Her hand reached up to her ears instinctively, tracing their shape. Definitely small and round. Not long and pointy. They were just trying to get under her skin… but why lie to her about that? There were plenty of other ways to scare her into staying away from their cousin. Threats. Choking her to death. So why tell her she’s a Sidhe if it wasn’t true…
Once Mia had caught her breath, she scooted up against the wall and searched her memories. They all seemed normal to her. Memories of her and her mom in the city. Going out for ice cream. Celebrating birthdays. Going to school. Getting sick. But the more she dwelled on her memories the littler things stood out to her. How some of the memories were blurry and felt distant to her. Like she couldn’t quite grasp them or grab a hold of them the way she should. All of the ones she couldn’t hold onto were more than ten years ago. How even before having the silven, Mia had seen bits and pieces of the Fae’s true forms.
How familiar Rhett felt, and then there was what her stalker had said when he attacked her. He had been looking for her for a long time and finally caught her. But none of it made any sense. It all had to be a coincidence, right? Mia squeezed her eyes shut, pulling her knees up to her chest and wrapping her arms around them. She wasn’t sure how long she sat there, mulling over her memories and the goblin’s words, but by the time she heard Rhett call her name and then he was suddenly there, touching her knee and asking what was wrong, Mia’s face was wet with tears. Mia lifted her head and when he saw she was crying his jaw clenched. “What happened?” he asked, tenderly wiping one of the tears away. “Did someone hurt you?”
Mia shook her head. “No… Some of Kai’s cousins paid me a visit.”
Rhett let out an inhuman growl. “I’ll kill them. Did they hurt you?”
“No. But they told me things…”
Rhett cocked his head, concern wrinkling his forehead. “What things?”
To say it out loud would make it real. That she was even considering they might be right. “That… That I’m not human. I’m Sidhe. They were lying, right? Trying to get in my head? Only I don’t know why they would say something like that…”
Rhett’s eyes became guarded, and his face remained neutral. He squeezed her knee again. “Mia,” he said an alarmingly calm voice. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
Mia’s heart hammered in her chest. She suddenly didn’t want to hear it. She wished she hadn’t told him. Taking him by surprise, she scrambled to her feet. “No, I don’t want to know,” she said, placing her hands o
ver her ears like a toddler.
Rhett’s expression became fierce, and he bridged the gap between them in two strides. His hands gripped her wrists and forced her hands from her ears. “You need to listen to this. Mia, what I did… it was to protect you. It was the only way. Please, you have to understand, everything was a mess and I didn’t know what else to do,” he pleaded, ducking his head so she had no choice but to look into his desperate eyes. “You were the Seelie who closed us off from Faerie. You were the one who created the spell that barricaded us in here. Everyone was out for your blood. I didn’t know what else to do, so I asked Cillian to give you new life. We sent you and your mother away to protect you. He had enough magic to get the two of you out of town before the barrier shut for good.”
Tears streamed freely down her face now. Mia shook her head, trying to wrench her wrists out of his grip and pull away. His hands were like iron cuffs though, holding her in place and forcing her to listen. “No, you’re lying,” she said.
Rhett shook his head, face paling. “No. I’m not. I swear to you Mia this is the truth. The story I told you at the Falls was true. That portal had been open for years before the war and you lived here in this town with your mother. You’re a halfling, Mia. Your mother is human, but your father is Fae. I met you in this town, and I used to sneak through the portal to see you. You used to sneak into Faerie to see me too. I… I loved you Mia. I loved you so much that I was willing to give up the chance of ever seeing you again, of ever having a future with you so you could live. My people would have killed you if I didn’t send you away.”
Even as Mia shook her head, she felt the truth settle in her heart. All those years of feeling uncomfortable in her own skin, of always running from everything. Hiding from her true self and never understanding why she always felt so different. She finally knew why. Because she was different. Because she really didn’t belong there and because this person, she’d been for the past however many years wasn’t the real her. Then there was the way everyone had treated her since arriving in town. Everyone had hated her. Acted so hostile toward her like she’d personally hurt them in some way. If this was true, then… she could understand why they all held a bitterness toward her. But… “I can’t be the one to have done this…”
Wayward: St. Croix Falls Book 1 Page 19