by LK Kelley
He stood up from the toilet when he was able to get his legs back onto dry ground, but everything still continued to spin. He staggered over to the sink wiping his mouth as he went, then put his hands on the cabinet, and looked into the mirror.
YUCK! He looked horrible! He couldn't imagine any woman, let alone his own mate, wanting to be around him at the moment. His mouth tasted like the sewer, his eyes were black and blue with broken veins, and his skin looked drawn and old. OK. So, not as old as he really was, but at the moment? He sure as hell felt like he was that old. He barely made it into the shower, before he threw up, once again. The smell only served to gag him more. It felt like hours before his body was finally finished, but in truth, it was only about fifteen minutes. There wasn't anything left in his stomach, anyway.
He showered – slowly – then, brushed his teeth at least three times, and finally, meandered into the bedroom to grab a pair of clean, black briefs, a black t-shirt, and a pair of black jeans. When he was done, he sat down in the wingback in front of the fireplace, and hung his head. His stomach had settled, at least, but he was too embarrassed to go downstairs and let everyone see his condition. He put his chin on his hand, and reflected on the absolute stupidity of what the three of them had done the night before after the girls took off to shop. Well, honestly? He didn't really remember much of it, but he did remember some of it. After he and Rick had laughed at Stan dancing on the table, everything became blurry. He had no idea how in the hell the girls got them back, but right now, that wasn't a priority. He had to apologize to Gem for his momentary lapse of college party mentality.
As if the very thought of her entered his mind, she appeared in the doorway of their room. Jaxx was too ashamed to even bother glancing at her, but he did hear her as her light footsteps advanced toward him. Gem sat down in the other wingback across from his. She said nothing at all, but finally, Jaxx sighed, and looked at her. Surprise floored him when he saw her grinning like a cat who ate the canary!
“Hello, lover boy!” she grinned.
“What?” he asked in surprise.
Shocked, he watched as she moved her hand to her left breast, and fluttered her eyelids with her mouth partially open.
“Y-you m-mean...y-you don't remember, last night?” she whined. Then, “Oh, Jaxxon! I'm so hurt that you don't remember the amazing kiss at the restaurant! I mean...” she fluttered at him again. “...it was the most amazing kiss in history! And, it wasn't even me!”
His eyes widened in surprise and humiliation, until he saw her mouth turn up into a huge grin, and she began to laugh. The horror on his face was completely hilarious!
“O-oh, Jaxx! Your face...it's s-so...p-priceless!” Gem knew she was pushing him, but then, he had made this way too easy!
Jaxx scooped her in his arms, his stomach forgotten, and threw her on the bed. He splayed his body on top of hers, and then...well...you know what they say about payback being a bitch! But, Gem was ready for him, and he proceeded to “punish” her thoroughly!
An hour later, the two lovers, having showered – twice – finally made it down to the kitchen. Everyone was there, including the kids.
“There you are!” Rick smirked, earning a slap on the arm by Stacy.
“Mind your own business!”
Smiling at the slap her mate just received from Stacy, Taylor told them, “I have breakfast, ready...I mean...brunch!” she chuckled.
Gem rolled her eyes, while Jaxx gave Taylor a pointed look that said she'd better not say one more word. Taylor just giggled, and spooned some food onto plates for the two of them. Both Gem and Jaxx shoveled the food in their mouths as if they hadn't eaten a large dinner the night before!
While Gem helped Stacy clean the kitchen, the others met in the library. The two girls joined them after they were finished, and the kids were up in their rooms playing.
“So. What now?” Stan asked slapping his hands on his thighs, sitting down on the sofa next to Stacy.
“Well, one thing is for sure,” Taylor said, “We are not safe here any more. None of us.”
“Will you guys please stop saying that?” Stan demanded. “We already know it isn’t safe, so why does everyone keep repeating it?”
“Repeating what?” Ric said with a straight face, launching everyone else into laughter.
Gem looked from face to face. This was really all about her. She was the one keeping everyone in danger. Even her own mate! If she left, maybe she could keep them all safe. Jaxx knew what she was thinking.
“Fuck that, Gem! I can't believe you were even thinking about leaving!” Jaxx said.
She turned to him. Oh, crap! She really needed to learn to protect her thoughts!
“But...” she began.
“No 'buts'! We are your, uh, bodyguards whether or not you want us!” he growled at her.
“Jaxx is right, Gem. You are our responsibility. Where you go, we go,” Stan agreed.
Gem sighed, and leaned back against the chair.
“OK. So. What are we going to do?” she asked the group.
“I have no idea, Gem,” Stan answered. “Everything is so different, now. I don't know what to think. I only know that we can't stay here.”
Taylor nodded in agreement.
“Doesn’t someone have an idea what to do? I can't let the kids remain here, so it's a given that Lola will escort them to the next realm, and...”
Gem interrupted her.
“Hey, wait!” She turned to Jaxx. “You told me that you would tell me what is going on with Lola. So?”
Silence ensued, until a tiny voice answered Gem.
“You're right, Gem. It is time that I told you who and what I am,” a tiny voice spoke behind her. “I am Fae.”
Gem jumped at the voice, and whipped around to see Lola. Her eyes widened as she beheld a tiny little being who stood next to the chair, looking up at her – way up at her! Gem's hand reached to her throat. The tiny being had silver eyes. Her Fae form was exquisite! Her skin was milk white with not a blemish in sight. She was very tiny, and had platinum blonde hair that reached down to her tiny butt. Wings of translucent gold fluttered behind her. Her clothing reminded Gem of Tinkerbell, because they were spring green in color, trimmed in gold, and sandals of gold were on her feet. Above her silver eyes, impossibly long lashes fluttered as she blinked. Looking into her eyes, not only did she know it was Lola, but she looked into the eyes of someone who was very ancient.
Gem slowly sat back down, and bent her head to Lola's figure as close as possible. The two companions stared at each other for a very long time, before either spoke.
“Lola?” There was no way that Gem was not hurt. And, it hurt Lola to know that this confrontation had arrived.
“I'm sorry, Gem,” she murmured with tiny little tears flowing down her cheeks.
“Why?” Gem asked.
“I know this is a surprise to you, but I couldn't tell you about me. I've been under orders for almost ten thousand years,” Lola said. She extended her tiny wings, and fluttered up to the arm of the chair where Gem was sitting once again, and promptly sat down on it.
“OK, Lola. Give. You know more than you are telling, don't you?” Jaxx said.
Lola nodded.
“Well?” Gem was getting impatient.
“OK.” Lola stood and paced up and down the arm of the chair. “The war between the Onaerris and Anaerris wasn't exactly a secret from our realm, but it was among the beings everywhere else as well as other realms.”
Gem eyes widened. “There are other realms? And, just for the record, exactly how many realms are there?”
Lola glared at her. Gem knew that glare. It was the same one Lola always gave when she was frustrated with Gem. Gem backed down – as she always did.
“Sorry.”
Lola tilted her head in that cute little pug way, yet even though she was in Fae form, she was still just so doggone cute! She nodded when she was satisfied that Gem would listen.
“The war brought some Anaerr
is and Onaerris together, as you, now, know. And, that included your parents,” Lola said.
Eyes flew wide. All except for Gem, who was too busy trying to sort things out as Lola spoke.
“You don't mean her parents, Lola,” Taylor said. “You mean Gem's ancestors.”
Lola turned toward Taylor, and slowly shook her head as if for emphasis, while her expression said, “Are all of you really that dumb?” Yep. They are!
“No. I mean her parents.”
It took Gem a couple of minutes, before she realized what Lola was saying.
“Just a minute! That's not possible!” Stan exclaimed, before anyone else could get a word out their mouths.
“No way!” Taylor yelled, jumping to her feet.
“What in the bloody, freakin’ hell are you talking about, Lola? What do you mean 'her parents'! That's feasibly impossible! It's been over ten thousand years!” Jaxx interrupted.
Laughing nervously, Gem said, “Yea. What Jaxx said. I mean...there is no way I can be that old! None whatsoever! That would just really...really...really...! No! I don't believe it!”
The others nodded in agreement with Gem. There was no possible way that Gem was the daughter of Analyse and Jolinaer. It just wasn't possible!
“Yeah? Well, shows me you all are either the dumbest beings I have ever met, or totally clueless!” Lola barked. “You are thinking in terms of linear time. In other realms, even you should know that time doesn't exist in the same manner, or have you forgotten that?”
Jaxx, Taylor, and Stan's eyes widened as they realized that her statement was true.
“So, what? You're saying my mate really is the daughter of my brother?” Jaxx's voice came out n a strangled sound.
“Brother?” Lola said. “You don't have a brother, imbecile! You were created individually. No angel has a brother or sister – Fallen or otherwise!”
Jaxx's eyes narrowed when he “lost it”, and jumped at Lola, catching her between his hands.
“You fucking little bitch!” Jaxx was beyond angry! He was so mad, he did not feel Gem and Taylor tugging at his arms, trying to stop him!
“Stop, Jaxx!” Taylor roared, trying to get through to him.
Lola morphed into her pug form, bit his hand, and he dropped her with a loud “Damnit”! Then, she re-assumed her Fae form, brushing off her tiny dress.
“Rein in your damn mate, Gem! I will not continue if I am attacked, again!” Lola vowed with narrowed eyes.
“Please, Jaxx! I need her to tell us everything,” Gem begged, still holding onto his arm. Taylor had let go, but stood silently by Jaxx just in case he flew off the handle, again.
“OK. If you are finished with your juvenile temper tantrum, Onaerris, I'll continue.” She turned back to Gem. “Your Mom and the Fae world had formed a bond long before you were born. Because of your Mother’s favored status with my Queen. They had become great friends over the ages, and she accepted both your Mother and Father into the Fae realm – despite the fact that Analyse had been turned. She was not foolish to know that Analyse would have died had he not changed her. And, Analyse was unstable in her current form. However, by being in the Fae realm, she would become stable, and be able to give birth to you. Once you were born, Gem, your parents fled the Fae realm to make sure that you stayed safe with us. The threat was truly never contained, but it was diverted from you. You see, the longevity of all Anaerris and Onaerris do not appear before the age of five, and therefore, susceptible to all dangers.”
Gasps were heard around the room at that revelation. Neither Anaerris nor Onaerris knew this. So naturally, they were shocked. Jaxx opened his mouth, and Lola shot him a “don’t mess with me” look. His mouth snapped shut.
“Yes. Well, as I said. Your Mother considered my Queen a great friend. And, she, in turn, offered to help Analyse if ever need be. So, when the unbelievable occurred, she petitioned to come to the Fae realm to protect their precious child, who was to become the greatest, and most powerful being ever to exist. It was obvious to us that the Creator had some great future plan,” Lola told them. “We accepted this.”
Gem was overwhelmed, and was having a lot of difficulty trying to process it all. But, what did Lola mean by “being”? Her mind came to a halt when Lola continued.
“We also knew about the Terraforming crystal given to Jaxxon by his brother – who is not his brother, of course,” she repeated for emphasis. “And, the only way we knew this was because we were told when the two of them crossed the ancient veil into our realm. We really didn't know what was happening outside our realm, so we took care of Jolinaer, Analyse, and you, after you were born. But, Analyse knew that to remain with you was a serious danger, so she and Jolinaer made the conscious decision – and it hurt like hell – to leave you in our care, and then both of them vanished to another place to keep you safe, and to divert all attention away from you.”
Taylor and Stan dropped their mouths, then their accusing gazes shot to Jaxx, who just shrugged.
“What the....” Gem began, only to be cut off by Lola.
“In our realm, time moves differently. Thousands of years may pass in this realm, but only days in mine. It's all in one's perception. We do not see time as you do,” Lola explained.
“Oh,” Gem muttered, not really understanding anything.
“So, what you're saying, Lola, is that Gem...” Stan started.
“...was in our realm in our time,” Lola finished Stan's sentence. You see, I was assigned, specifically, to be Gem's protector. At first, I was extremely angry at my Queen assigning me – a scribe – to babysit a child! And, a non-Fae one at that!” She looked at Gem’s disappointed face, and her eyes softened. “When I saw your face, it broke into a smile to end all smiles, and was the sweetest that I had ever seen! In that instant, I knew my destiny was to watch over you. So, my Queen told me that she had made a decision that, when it was time, I would take you to the human realm, and find a kind couple to adopt you. I transformed myself into a pug, and with a little Fae magic, I convinced your Earth parents to adopt both of us. The Elwood's were the nicest couple, and I fell in love with them. They loved you so much, as if you were their own. How could I not feel the same? And, strangely enough, they actually loved me, too! So, I watched out for not just you, but them as well. After all, they were raising the Jewel of Anaerris.”
Silence fell over the room as light tears ran down Gem's cheeks.
“Now that you know the truth, I will take Shirley and Marcus into the realm of the Fae. My Queen is waiting for them. And, there they will stay, no matter how much time passes here, until this is over. I have already told them.”
“How did you contact them?” Stacy asked.
“That is a secret of my people. I have been in contact with my Queen for all these years. Anyway, Rick and Taylor, she has promised me to keep them safe. and to teach them what they will need to know. Nothing will happen to them there.”
“OK,” Taylor murmured, tears in her eyes at having to leave her children in the care of another realm. “Rick, will you get them?”
“On my way.” He stopped, and looked back at Taylor, grinning like the Cheshire Cat. “And, you, my dear, get to tell them what's going on!”
Taylor just groaned.
Rick continued up the stairs, before Taylor could answer. It seemed only minutes before the two children stood next to Lola who was, again, in pug form.
Taylor knelt, and began to explain things to her children.
“OK, you two. You will be going with Lola, right?” Two tiny little heads nodded in silence, tears in their eyes. Rick, too, knelt down, and took Taylor's, hand while she continued. “Lola is going to take you to a safe place.”
“Why?” they both asked.
“It's a really long story, kiddoes,” Rick answered, “so, you will just have to trust us.”
“Some friends in another realm will be taking care of you, and keeping you safe.” Taylor waved her hand demanding silence as Marcus opened his mouth to ask an
other question. “I know. Questions. But, this time, you'll have to trust us. Your welfare is at stake, and there are some, here, who would use you. Where you are going is called the 'Fae' realm.” Both children perked up at her words. They had been told about it, but they always thought it was something their Mom and Dad had made up out of thin air. “Yep. It's a real place. You both behave, OK? Lola will watch after you, and you both will see some amazing things that no one has ever seen – and will never see. You'll meet the Queen of the Fae, and you will see Lola in her true form. You are going to love it there, because it's beautiful!” Taylor said hugging both of them. “And, very, very few have ever been lucky to see it! You, my two little darlings, will be among those very few, now.”
“And, we will come for you just as soon as possible...as soon as it's safe to bring you back,” Rick added.
“OK, Mom,” Marcus said.
“OK, Daddy,” Shirley echoed.
After one last huge hug by all the adults in the room, Lola snorted, then trotted ahead of the children leading them to the realm of the Fae. Marcus and Shirley turned for one last glimpse of the people they loved, then all three disappeared in a brilliant, blinding white light. They were gone.
All six adults just stared at the place where the children left.
“Wow! That was...,” Stacy breathed.
“Yeah. What you said,” Stan agreed, because he had never seen the opening to the Fae world before, and he was awestruck.
Jaxx then asked, “Now what?”
All of them looked at each other in silence. They really didn't know what they needed to do. Finally, Gem spoke.
“I know what I need to do,” she stated. Their eyes bore into hers waiting for her to finish. “I am the Jewel of Anaerris, right? I am protector of the Anaerris book, right?”
“Yes,” Jaxx said pulling her tightly to him. “So?”
“I have to retrieve it, Jaxx! I don't know why, but I need to retrieve it, now. It's almost too late!”