by E. A. Weston
“Now, I will move and you will block,” she says, wielding the sword in my direction. The minute she makes contact my sword drops from my hand. Her blow sending shock waves up my arm. Bending down she picks it up handing it back to me “again” she says.
We do the same for a few minutes until my arm aches from the weight but Fayette refuses to give up on me. She helps me by allowing me to feel the vibrations of the sword as it clashes against the other.
“I thought fairies were peaceful,” I ask, jumping back a little at her swing.
“We are.”
“Then why have warriors and learn to fight?”
“I fear you do not know of how we lost our King and Queen,” shaking my head she continues with her story. “The castle was attacked on the morning after the summer solstice, we thought the royal family were all killed. Until Prince Killian returned and with him, he brought hope.”
“Hope for what?” I ask, not knowing what he is meant to do.
“Hope to be free again, to have the Kingdom of Avalon back to the way it used to be under his parents rule.”
Listening to her talk, I forget to block as her sword smashes into my arm, slicing it. Blood flows like a fast moving river, “Reagan!” grabbing my arm, I apply pressure; that much I remember from school CPR class. We rush into a nearby building with Fayette calling out, another fairy appears behind us, his voice loud as he argues with her. Taking me roughly by the arm he runs my other one under the water, all the while talking at Fayette.
“What’s he saying?” I ask, ready to pass out at the sight of all that blood.
“Nothing, be still,” she says, looking over her shoulder as another fairy enters the room. He looks between us, taking note of my arm he moves swiftly around the room gathering supplies. Taking my arm, he rubs some kind of oil on it whispering as he does, then wraps it in a gauze and bandage.
“You will heal,” he bows at me.
“Thanks” I whisper, feeling dizzy as I stand. Fayette wraps her hand around my waist taking me outside and back to my bed. I can feel the tension coming off her and her hands shake.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“I could have killed you,” she says sharply at me, “forgive me” she then begs, taking a seat beside me, looking over her shoulder.
“What are you looking for?”
“The prince” she whispers, hanging her head. “I saw you and him together at the dance, and I know he will be upset if I have caused you any pain.”
“What do you mean saw us?” I ask, biting my lip. Lifting her head she gives me a small smile.
“I saw you kiss.”
“Oh okay, well I guess I could tell you, but you must promise to keep it secret.”
“I promise,” she grins taking my hands in hers.
“Well, we are true mates,” I start but her gasp and look of horror stop me cold.
“It can not be, you are human,” she points out.
“Yeah I know, but…” I start to explain.
Fayette runs out of my house not wanting to hear the rest of my story. Getting up, I go to the door to chase her down but dizziness takes over. Gripping the doorframe I take deep breaths until it eases up. My eyes are zooming in and out so slide down the frame and put my head between my knees.
This is the worst place in the world, or this world, or wherever I am. I have never been so sick in all my life, never, not even a cold in the wintertime. Crawling on my hands and knees I make it back to my bed, shaking from the cold sweat sheening my body. Time passes slowly, the sky growing dark as I watch with hooded eyes. Hearing a knock on my door, I try to move but can’t, it’s too hard so I lay here.
“Reagan?” I hear Samiel calling me.
“Here,” I croak out, licking my dry lips. I can hear him moving inside but he stops on the other side of my bedroom door.
“It is time to eat Reagan.”
“Just water,” I answer. He moves away, coming back seconds later asking permission to enter my room. “Yes,” Once inside he runs to me babbling in fairy as he holds the cup to my lips, taking the water, I drink it down asking for more. I drink about ten cups of water before my thirst is quenched.
“You must rest Reagan,” Samiel shakes his head at me. “I will tell the prince at once.” Reaching out I grab his arm.
“No Samiel, no prince.”
Chapter 4
Killian
* * *
Sitting in this house all day with Avery is tiring me out, my back hurts from bending over the table reading maps. I really am so far away from being the warrior I used to be. Daily training is making me feel old - all my time in the human world has just made me weak. Avery speaks of taking back my home – the castle of Avalon, he tells me that no one knows who is responsible for the attack but there are many who side with this fairy.
Avery brings me some food and tea, his eyes glancing at me.
“You look tired brother.”
“I fear I am not the warrior I used to be. I can’t concentrate on the task at hand.” I tell him as worry etches my brow.
“You are worried for Reagan?”
“Yes and no, I am worried about everything. I don’t know if bringing her here was a good idea, yet I could never let her leave.”
We sit in silence for a while until another fairy arrives with a daily report for Avery. He smiles at me “you should be taking over here brother.”
“No brother please, be my guest,” I laugh, letting him have the report. We both sit back and he asks the fairy, Orin to read the report out loud.
“My prince,” he starts, nodding at me, he talks about the daily training reporting on how everyone is doing. He tells us about the fairies that have signed up for scouting trips to the castle, towards the end he looks nervous his eyes dart between us.
“During training, there was an accident, Fayette, and the human lady were sword playing, and the lady Reagan was hurt.”
“What do you mean hurt?” I ask, not wanting him to know how badly I want to go to her.
“Her arm was cut severely and she was taken to her dwelling.” My hands twitch on the armrest of the chair. Avery dismisses Orin and turns to me.
Taking a deep breath, I leave the house. Walking through the woods the long way to her house, arriving I tap on her window seeing two shadows inside. I watch as one of them opens the window, Samiel.
“My prince,” he watches me climb through the window looking dumbfounded. Looking at Reagan, I see her chest rise and fall with each breath as she sleeps.
“Tell me what happened.”
“I came to bring her for dinner but she was ill, sweating and pale. She refused to eat and only drank water.”
“Why didn’t you get me Samiel? What of her injury how is that healing?” lifting her arm I begin to open the bandage.
“I beg your forgiveness Prince Killian, but the lady Reagan asked me not to send for you, she did not wish for you to see her this way.”
Opening the bandage, I see the very large slash on her forearm. The blood is still seeping out a little. I send Samiel to get me fresh bandages as I hold her arm. My fingers trace along the curve of her face and with just that touch I feel my body begin to relax, her lips move but I can’t hear what she says. All I want in this world and the next is lying in bed sick again, this time, I will not let her slip away.
Samiel brings me clean bandages and some healing oil, it takes me a while to remember the enchantment for healing, and I feel so lost. Rubbing the oil along the cut, I whisper the enchantment, wrapping the bandage around her arm I silently ask the Goddess not to take her away again.
“Samiel I will remain tonight, you may leave.” I whisper to him.
I expected more of a fight but he just bowed and left. Settling myself down on the bed I rest my head close to her face so I can listen to her breathing. Taking her hand in mine, I interlink my fingers through hers.
“I love you, Reagan, please don’t leave me this night for I will surely follow you thi
s time.”
Chapter 5
Reagan
* * *
Waking, I find Killian wrapped around me, his arm is draped over my stomach and his leg over mine. His breath gently blows across my face as he sleeps. My heart soars knowing he has been here with me but I am a little scared about what Samiel will think.
Pressing my lips to his, he stirs a bit. I keep my lips moving along his jaw and up to his eyes, pressing soft kisses to each.
“My love,” he whispers, pulling me closer to him.
“You need to sneak out my prince,” I tease, resting my head on his chest.
“Yes, I know I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I redressed your battle wound.” Looking down at my arm I notice a new bandage. “You should have called me Reagan I would have come to you.”
“I didn’t want to disturb you. I know you are busy doing whatever it is you are doing.”
He sighs, rubbing a hand over his face, opening his eyes they meet mine and he looks so tired. Killian tells me of Avery’s idea to take back the castle.
“What castle?”
Reaching over he takes the picture my mom left me and points to the castle in the back.
“This one, this is my home,” he says.
“Seriously, you lived in a real life castle?” he laughs at my excitement, kissing my forehead.
“Yes princess a real castle, that is how I knew where this picture was taken.”
“Then how come we never met? If I was here.”
“I was already in the human world, I do not understand how it is possible.” Sighing, he swings his legs out of bed.
“You look tired Killian.”
“Yes, I am. I am worried about you Reagan. I’m not sure if bringing you here was a good idea.”
Climbing onto his lap, I close my eyes against the wave of dizziness from my fast movement. I don’t need him seeing that.
“I am happy I came Killian, I really am,” Holding up his hand he waves me off.
“How can you be, after everything that has happened to you?”
“I am here with you, I love you, and I don’t want to be without you. You need sleep Killian and a healthy dose of coffee - do you think they have a Starbucks here in Avalon?” I joke with him, laughing he shakes his head.
“No, I’m afraid not princess but I won’t lie. I could use a double shot of espresso.”
He gently kisses me before lifting me by the waist and depositing me back onto the bed, I watch him dress slowly, each muscle flexes as he moves.
“I will see you later princess,” leaning down he leaves me with a chaste kiss.
Doing my best to move through the dizziness I eventually make my way over to the fairies in the house. Walking through the door, I find Nerida sitting at the table chewing on some form of hide, I think it may be fairy jerky.
“Reagan, good morning,” she smiles, holding out a bowl of the dried up leather she is gnawing on.
“Oh no, thanks, I’m good.” Taking a seat opposite her, I reach for the only thing I can seem to digest, the rough sweet bread.
“What are doing here I thought you’d be training?” I ask, nibbling on the course bread.
“I have decided to take a rest day,” she sighs.
“You okay?” her usual happy demeanor seems cloudy today. She just nods then asks if I will walk with her. We make our way around the back of the houses past the place I now call my own and into the tree line. We walk in silence all the while I nibble on the bread, to try to keep my dizzy spells and nausea from returning.
“Do you miss the human realm?”
“Yes, little things like food, coffee, Alex.” Her head turns to me.
“You have a lover there?” she asks, looking puzzled.
“Oh no Alex is my friend, female,” I clarify and she smiles.
“I miss my home too, although I do not have far to travel if I wish to return.”
“I passed through the Fire Island on my way here but I was really out of it to notice, sorry.”
We continue to walk along the tree line in silence. I take the time to notice the beauty of the Tenebrosi camp. The trees are large, with a canopy of vibrant green leaves; although it is cold here, the sun peeks through every now and then. The grass is the same as it was in the ruins, green and soft as velvet.
“Sit.” Nerida pulls me out of my observation, placing her hand on my back urging me to take a seat on a fallen tree.
“Now watch” she smiles.
I watch as she whispers some words and flames sit in her palms. Gasping, I cover my mouth staring at her in amazement. Smiling, she claps her hands together and they disappear. Her eyes seem brighter as she continues with her display, making fire dance through the air. She takes my hand, whispering to it and a flame erupts.
“Nerida! How?” laughing, she waves my hand all around but the flame never touches my skin.
“I will teach you some magic Reagan,” she declares, resting her hands on her hips. Finally, someone who wants to teach me stuff, eagerly I nod and sit up straighter as if I were in school. She tells me the words to say and I do. I repeat them as she has spoken, okay well my fairy is nonexistent, but I am trying. We spend most of the morning attempting to get a flame in my hand. I managed a few sparks but nothing more.
“You must believe in your heart Reagan,” She points her finger against my chest, “come let us eat before we exhaust ourselves.”
All the way back, I say the words sending sparks up in the air. Nerida laughs at me but I am not one to give up. I keep trying as she eats and watches me. Finally, I do give up, trying one last time I sigh. As soon as I reach for the bread a blue flame springs from my hand.
“Reagan!” Nerida cries clapping her hands, “but I do not know why it is blue, maybe your human blood.” She shrugs.
“Oh man this is amazing,” I whisper, transfixed by the flame in my hand. It’s small but it’s there. “I have to show Killian.” I announce, standing up from the chair and rushing out of the door. Walking across the grounds, I can’t help the huge grin on my face. I spot Killian and Avery sitting under a tree so I skirt around them trying to sneak up on Killian.
Moving closer, I hear their conversation. I wonder why Killian hasn’t felt me here yet being only a few feet from him.
“I agree brother her safety is important but you have a whole realm to keep safe not one human.” Avery says. Killian sighs and nods his head in agreement.
“I know brother but she is my true mate I don’t want her to leave my side ever. I fear I cannot be a great leader if I have to look over my shoulder to see if she is okay.”
Avery looks at Killian for a few minutes before speaking again.
“I am still unsure about this Killian, how can a human girl be your true mate? It is not possible, it has never been heard of.”
Killian closes his eyes, resting his head against the tree trunk. “I know Avery, she has to be. There is no other explanation for it. When she is away from me, I ache and when she is near I feel my blood rush through my veins like molten lava. She is my whole world.” He sighs.
“I fear that may get you killed Killian, a love so powerful can only lead to destruction,” Avery says, “You can send her away for a few days if you wish it,” He continues, causing Killian to open his eyes and look at him.
“Why would I do that?”
“You need rest brother, you train and counsel all day then you spend all night with her, you do not look like the summer fairy you are,” Avery smiles.
“I fear you are right, what would the queen say if she could see me now?” Killian smiles.
“You need rest and more sun,” Avery deadpans and they both laugh.
Turning, I begin to back away, the news of my little fire trick forgotten as their words sink in. Send me away? Where to, with whom? Walking back to the house I sit back down with Nerida.
“So does the prince approve of your fire magic?” she asks, her eyes sparkling as she speaks.
“I didn
’t find him” I lie, taking more bread. Nerida shakes her head at me.
“You must eat more than that,” she points to the lump I have in my hand.
“I can’t, everything makes me feel sick except this” I frown, grabbing some water too. “Okay I will see you later I need to lay down.”
Leaving the house, I walk back around to my own. Sitting at the table, I finish the bread and water then go to bed, since being here all I want to do is sleep. My body aches like never before and I feel as if I were run over by a train.
Would Killian send me away? I don’t know, I can only hope he is not thinking about it. With a pounding head, I close my eyes.
“Princess you sleep too much,” I hear a whisper in my ear. Stirring, I open my eye finding Killian perched on the side of my bed watching me.
“Hi.”
“Hi yourself how are you feeling?” he asks, running his fingers across my temple.
“Okay, a little off,” I shrug, sitting up with my back against the wall. Killian looks nervous, like he wants to say something but changes his mind.
“I missed you today, why didn’t you come to see me?” his voice is soft as he speaks. Shrugging my shoulders, I look away, not wanting him to see the lie written across my face.
“What day is it back home?” I blurt.
“Sometime in September,” he answers, taking my hand in his without meeting my eye. Wow September already, I wonder if Alex has gotten over my disappearing act.
“So how would you feel about taking off for a few days, go camping or something?” he asks, still not looking at me.
“If you want, sounds like fun,” I answer, thinking that he and I will get so much needed time alone, but the conversation from earlier I overheard comes back and my body tenses.
“No, I can’t go, princess, I was thinking of sending Samiel with you.”
Finally, he looks at me and I can see how tired he is. I want to argue but I don’t, I just nod and smile a fake smile.