Waiting for Fate (Dual Court Kiss Book 3)

by Samantha Britt

  Sara whirled on Ronan. “What did you just do?”

  “We need to talk,” he repeated for the second time.

  “I don’t want to talk to you right now,” Sara asserted. “I’m tired.”

  Sara moved past Ronan and started walking towards her apartment. She nearly screamed when Ronan appeared directly in front of her.

  Ronan’s hands were raised in surrender. “Don’t panic, Sara.”

  “Wh-what? How did you…just…?” Sara was at a loss for words.

  “Sara… please. Calm down.”

  Sara didn’t know what to think… or where to look.

  She saw Ronan take a step towards her. Instinctively, Sara took a step away.

  Pain flashed across Ronan’s eyes. “Don’t do that, Sara. I would never hurt you.”

  “I know,” she whispered. Despite his recent disappearance, Sara still trusted Ronan would never harm her. She rubbed her arms against the cold. “I just don’t understand what is happening.”

  Ronan gazed at her with sympathy. “Will you give me a chance to explain it to you?”

  Looking into his eyes, Sara knew she couldn’t deny the request. The truth was, her heart craved an explanation for its pain.

  Sara nodded and brushed past Ronan, leading them towards her apartment. She braced herself for what was to come.

  Chapter 14

  “It might be a good idea for you to sit down before I explain,” Ronan offered, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.

  “Thanks, but I prefer standing.” Sara took position behind the kitchen sink. Ronan shrugged and pulled out the bar stool. He sat in front of her and rested his elbows on the counter.

  Silence descended while Ronan tried to come up with something to say. Sara stood motionless and waiting.

  Finally, Ronan released a sigh and began. “As you can probably guess, I’m... different.”

  Sara tilted her head in acknowledgement but did not speak.

  Ronan gave a nervous laugh. “I’m afraid if I finally tell you how different, you are going to run away screaming.”

  “Just say it, Ronan.” Sara could not give him the reassurance he seemed to want following his comment.

  Ronan stared at his hands. “I… am not a man in my twenties. I am actually much older.”

  That was not what she thought he would say. “How much older?”

  “A few centuries.”

  Sara willed her knees not to buckle. “Hmm.”

  “Indeed,” Ronan continued. “As demonstrated this evening, you might also already know that I am not, technically, human.”

  Sara gulped. Um…no. I hadn’t thought of that. “Technically?”

  “Poor choice of words,” he replied. “I am not human. I am Fae.”

  “Fae?”

  “Yes, an immortal being with humanoid build. Our main duty is to monitor the natural world in the Human Realm… to keep it thriving.”

  “Uh huh.” Sara didn’t know what else to say, but it appeared her one or two syllable responses were enough to keep Ronan explaining.

  “There are two main groups of Fae,” Ronan continued, beginning to ramble. “Winter and Summer Fae. I am a member of Winter Court. It really is an interesting society. We have social structures similar to the monarchies which used to populate the countries on Earth. My job is to serve the royal family, I act as sort of a body guard–”

  Ronan stopped speaking when he noticed Sara’s expression. It was full of fright.

  “Sara?” He questioned, concerned he revealed too much at once. “Would you mind saying something so I know you are okay?”

  “This is crazy,” she whispered with wide eyes. “Why are you doing this?”

  Ronan frowned. “Doing what?”

  “Making up this story? I don’t think it’s funny, and I don’t appreciate being made fun of.”

  “I’m not making fun of you,” Ronan assured her. He reached a hand towards Sara’s, but she quickly pulled them back off the shared counter.

  “Tell me the truth.”

  Ronan let out a breath. “I have been telling you the truth.”

  Sara shook her head. “Stop. This isn’t funny.”

  Ronan stood, no longer able to remain still under the tension in the room. “I am not attempting to be funny.”

  Sara met his gaze and watched as he inhaled sharply. Seeing his eyes locked onto her cheeks, Sara touched her face and felt the tears as they rolled down her face. She brushed them away.

  “Ronan, you know what my life has been like. I have so much going on. I don’t know what is happening right now, but I don’t need it. I don’t need this.”

  “Sara, I–”

  “No, please don’t. I don’t have it in me to figure out why you are doing this. I don’t have the time.”

  Sara walked around the island towards the door. She turned the knob. “Please, just go.”

  Ronan remained where he stood. She could see his unwillingness to leave.

  “I’m not in the mood, Ronan.” Sara’s tone sounded wary.

  The two engaged in a stare down, neither one knowing what was happening in the other’s mind.

  ***

  Ronan stood facing the young woman, desperately trying to come up with some way to share the truth and be believed.

  He needed Sara to understand what he told her was the truth. Ronan knew his future happiness laid delicately in the beauty’s hands. He needed her to believe him. He didn’t know what to do if she didn’t.

  “Sara, please. This isn’t easy to explain. I didn’t know how to tell you the truth.”

  Sara remained by the door, holding it open for him to leave.

  “Please go.”

  He sighed and ran a hand though his hair. How could he convince her?

  Unable to come up with a better idea, Ronan used his Fae speed and appeared beside the entrance in an instant.

  Sara’s gasp practically shook the apartment. Her eyes were wild as she stared at Ronan.

  “I’m not human,” Ronan repeated.

  “Get out,” Sara whispered, shock evident in her expression.

  Ronan’s chest ached. “Sara. I never meant to cause you pain. Please forgive me. I lo–”

  “NO!” Sara shouted, opening the door wider. “Get out, Ronan. I don’t want to hear anymore.”

  Ronan kicked himself. Did he really almost express his love for the first time during such a horrible situation? What was he thinking? He really needed to work on his timing.

  It seemed Ronan had no choice. He stepped out of the apartment.

  Before Sara could close the door behind him, Ronan lightly stopped the movement with his hand. He met her gaze. The turmoil in their brown depths was painful to see.

  “Please leave,” she pleaded, shooting another arrow into his wounded chest.

  Ronan nodded. “I have not lied to you, Sara. Please believe that. Even if you can’t accept what you’ve learned, please know I am glad you finally know.”

  With that, Ronan turned on his heel and fazed out of the apartment complex, leaving his aching heart on her doormat.

  Chapter 15

  Ten minutes of ringing passed before Sara finally rolled out of bed and answered her phone.

  “Hello?”

  “Sara!” Gwen’s voice replied, relief evident in her greeting. “I’ve called you five times. Why didn’t you pick up?”

  Sara pursed her lips, trying to come up with anything to say but the truth. Her childhood friend would panic if she knew Sara refused to communicate with anyone, or leave her apartment, the past two days.

  “I was in the shower,” Sara lied. What’s up?”

  “I just wanted to check in on you,” Gwen paused, choosing her next words carefully. “I spoke with Ronan.”

  “Oh?” Sara’s heart hammered. Did Ronan tell her friend the same crazy story he tried to pull on her? “What does that have to do with me?”

  “He says you guys had an argument.”

  “I guess you co
uld say that.”

  “He’s miserable, Sara,” Gwen revealed. “What happened?”

  “He didn’t tell you?”

  “No. Kalan and I only know you two argued.” Sara was relieved to hear Ronan didn’t tell her friend the crazy tale. But at the same time, that meant Sara would need to explain. There was no way Gwen would let her get away with not telling her what happened.

  “Are you up for grabbing some coffee?” Gwen offered.

  Sara sighed. She could try to postpone speaking with her friend, but she couldn’t avoid it forever. She might as well get it over with.

  “Sure. Meet in an hour?” Sara needed to wash the two days of moping away.

  “Sounds great. Meet you at Java Casa.”

  Five minutes short of an hour later, Sara sat in the back of Java Casa, waiting for Gwen to arrive. She stared at the local artists’ paintings displayed on the wall. She couldn’t fathom who would spend $300 on a landscape, but she wasn’t a connoisseur of art.

  “Hey girl,” Gwen slid into the seat across from Sara.

  She did her best to don a genuine smile. “Hey, how’s it going?”

  “Good! Have you ordered already?”

  Sara nodded. “Yep, just waiting for it to be ready.”

  “Cool. Let me go order and I’ll be right back.” Gwen glided away and Sara noticed the stares her friend received from more than one guy in the café. She shook her head. Gwen always received attention from men but even more so when she let her natural blonde hair show. Poor Kalan must have to beat guys off with a stick.

  “What are you smiling about?” Gwen asked as she returned, shoving her receipt into her overcrowded wallet.

  “Nothing,” Sara lied. “How’s your residency going?” It had been a while since the friends caught up on each other’s lives.

  Gwen let out a tired breath. “Oh, you know, crazy. Exhausting. Rewarding. All of the above.”

  Sara grinned. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it. I know how hard you worked to get where you are.”

  “Thanks, Sara,” Gwen beamed at the praise.

  “How is Kalan handling the changes?”

  The newlywed shrugged. “Honestly, it isn’t much different from medical school. I’m still busy, and Kalan adjusted to that a while ago. Plus, he has his family work. That keeps him pretty busy, too.”

  “What exactly does his family do?” Sara asked. She always wondered but never really asked for details.

  “Well,” Gwen looked down at her hands, lacing her fingers. “Funny you should ask. I kind of wanted to talk to you about something.”

  “And it relates to Kalan’s family?” Sara questioned, not understanding how her friend’s mind went from one topic to the other.

  “It does,” Gwen replied. She paused as the barista approached with both of the girls’ drinks.

  The teenage girl passed out their coffees with polite conversation before turning back to the coffee bar. Once she walked away, Sara prompted Gwen to continue. “So what is it?”

  “I guess I should start from the beginning, when Kalan and I met.”

  Sara chuckled. “I know how you met, remember? I was there.”

  “Of course,” Gwen allowed. “I know that, but I’m talking about something I learned that night –something Ian told me.”

  “Ian?” Sara’s interest was already peaked but bringing up Gwen’s foster brother drew her in further.

  “Yes.”

  “Alright, Gwen. You have me on my toes,” Sara said with an uneasy chuckle. “Just spit it out already.”

  “It’s not easy to say,” Gwen revealed. “You have to promise to hear me out and listen to everything I have to say.

  “I promise.”

  “Good. Right. Where was I? Oh yeah, Ian told me something the night I met Kalan. You see… Kalan approached me at the piano bar because he saw something. He… saw I was different.”

  “Like every other guy,” Sara joked, thinking back on moments ago when Gwen was being checked out.

  “No, not that,” Gwen corrected. “He was able to see me. To see my… true form.”

  Sara froze. This conversation sounded eerily familiar.

  Gwen saw her friend’s expression but pressed on. “Sara, I’m not human. Neither are Kalan or Ian… and neither is Ronan.”

  “Don’t say anything,” Gwen commanded, looking sternly into her friend’s eyes. She could see Sara ready to bolt from the table. “Let me explain.”

  “I had no idea what I was growing up. Ian glamoured both of us to look like normal children and teenagers. It wasn’t until we ran into Kalan that someone could see through the illusion.”

  “Illusion?” Sara muttered. She didn’t know what to make of the situation, but she figured she might as well voice questions to Gwen’s fantastical story.

  “It’s actually called a Glamour. I never knew I had one on me until Kalan saw through it.” Gwen paused, reliving a memory. “Ian had no choice but to tell me everything.”

  Sara saw her friend’s expression darken. “I had no idea. I was in the dark my entire life.”

  “Why?”

  “It’s a long story,” Gwen gave a tentative smile. “You wouldn’t believe it even if I told you.”

  Sara scoffed and raised her hands in mock surrender. “Regardless if I believe it or not, you’ve insisted I have to hear you out. Might as well tell me the whole story.”

  Gwen observed Sara. She could tell her friend was trying to gauge her mindset, but Sara refused to give anything away. The tale both Ronan and Gwen tried to spin was ridiculous. Nothing would make Sara think otherwise. That being said, she couldn’t think of any reason Gwen would have to lie.

  But the story has to be a lie. Sara couldn’t let herself think otherwise. It would make her crazy.

  “Alright,” Gwen nodded. “I will start from the beginning.”

  Sara leaned back and listened as her friend spun a fantastical tale.

  Gwen mentioned Ian first. She revealed her foster brother was much older than any of the girls originally believed. The statement was eerily similar to Ronan’s words about himself.

  Thinking about him caused an uncomfortable pit to settle in Sara’s stomach.

  Gwen talked about the illusion Ian kept over them to not keep them hidden from those who might be able to see they weren’t human, and also to make Ian look different ages as they grew up in Ms. Longe’s house.

  Sara was surprised to learn Ms. Longe had no clue of the “truth” about Ian and Gwen.

  The blonde hesitated in her explanation and asked, “Any questions so far?”

  Sara shook her head, not sure she could speak even if she wanted to.

  “Right,” Gwen continued. “So, that catches us up to the night Kalan saw me. His family line is more powerful than most Fae, so he was able to see through the Glamour and recognize me as Fae.”

  When Sara didn’t say anything. Gwen pressed on. “I don’t know how much Ronan managed to share, but there are two main types of Fae.”

  Gwen went on to describe the physical characteristics of Fae in the Summer and Winter Courts, as well as the distinction between the noble lineages and the common families. She painted a world of intrigue as she described the two environments in the Fae Realm.

  Winter Court seemed the epitome of a winter wonderland with the colors and culture Gwen described.

  Summer Court was described more in line with the peaks of spring in the normal world. Sara felt she could feel the warm summer air on her cheeks as Gwen described the environment.

  Sara smirked, thinking her friend might have missed her calling as a writer.

  Gwen noticed the change in her expression. “What are you thinking?” She asked, her eyes revealing both hope and worry.

  Sara shrugged as she contemplated how to best convey what she thought. “It all sounds… magical.”

  Gwen nodded. “It is magical.”

  “But how do you expect me to take this? To believe this story out of nowhere? It’s crazy
.”

  “I know,” Gwen agreed. “I couldn’t believe it at first, either.”

  “I love you, Gwen,” Sara reached for her purse on the chair beside her. “But… I don’t know why you are doing this. I don’t want any part in this twisted game.”

  She stood and turned away from her childhood friend. “I’ll see you later.”

  “Wait,” Gwen said from the table, now behind Sara. “Please look at me.”

  Sara sighed, not wanting to oblige.

  “Please, Sara. Look at me before you go.”

  Sara turned and physically recoiled.

  “What the hell?”

  Sara’s eyes grew wide. Where Gwen was sitting, there now sat an exact replica of Sara. She felt like she was looking into a mirror.

  Frantically, Sara began searching for Gwen. Her eyes darted across the room, but she was nowhere to be seen. She turned her eyes back to the individual in the chair and started stepping backwards.

  “Sara, stop,” Gwen’s voice came out of the woman sitting down. “It’s me.”

  “Gwen?” Sara choked out, not believing her ears. “Wha– what is going on?”

  “It’s a Glamour,” the clone explained, once again using Gwen’s voice. “I won’t be able to hold it for long. I haven’t had much practice using this ability.”

  Sara’s jaw dropped as she saw the image of herself slowly transform back to Gwen’s features.

  Gwen gave her a searching look. “You okay?”

  “Why did you do that?”

  “You weren’t going to believe me unless I showed you proof.”

  “I still don’t believe you,” Sara reported with stubbornness. “This is too crazy.”

  Gwen’s eyes grew hard. “Why would I lie to you, Sara? When have I ever lied to you?”

  “Apparently you have been lying for more than three years!”

  Gwen didn’t miss the implication Sara’s accusation held. “Then you believe it?”

  Feeling weary, Sara walked back to the table and sat down again. “Kind of hard not to after that little show.”

  Sara paused, glancing around the café. “What if someone saw you?”

  Gwen waved her worry away. “I personalized the Glamour where only you could see it. Hence, I couldn’t hold it for long.”