Fairy World M.D., Boxed Set Two (4-6.5)

by Tamara Grantham

Timeline. I’d seen the timeline screwed with before, when Mochazon had crossed worlds. Was it possible that the Wults had arrived in Faythander before us? If so, that would have given the elves time to ambush them, realize they didn’t have the sword, and then come after us instead. The real kicker was that we didn’t even have the real sword and the elves were wasting their time. My apartment had been trashed for nothing.

  “Brent, you have to let me tell Kull about this.”

  “Why?”

  “Because he knows the elves and how they work. He might have an idea how to find out if it’s really them. Plus, he doesn’t trust me, and keeping something like this from him will make him trust me even less.”

  “Fine.” Brent sighed, sounding resigned.

  The sound of footsteps came from the staircase, and Kull emerged. He wore sweats and a plain white tee that stretched across his carved muscles. His damp hair was tied back in a low ponytail. His eyes looked less suspicious as he scanned the room and then focused on the platter of meat. Maybe the smell of food was putting him in a better mood.

  My heart fluttered uncontrollably at the sight of him. He hated me now—or, at least—he didn’t trust me, but that didn’t affect how I felt about him. What was it about this man that made me completely lose my head? Even when he was hands down the nastiest person I’d ever been around?

  Kull propped himself on a barstool and stole a strip of meat. I inhaled the faint scent of soap coming from him, mingled with the characteristic scent of Kull, of sandalwood and dark forests, something that spoke of excitement and adventure, yet quietly seductive.

  “Kull,” Brent said, nodding.

  “Brent.” Kull nodded back. “You’re cooking?”

  “Fajitas.”

  “You’ll like it,” I said. “It’s got meat.”

  “Hmm.” He stole another strip of steak. “Were you discussing something?”

  Brent and I traded glances. I knew he didn’t want me telling Kull about his break-in theory, but at this point, we needed Kull’s input.

  “Brent thinks the break-in seemed odd—like something someone not of this world might have done. I think it was the elves.”

  “Elves?”

  “It makes sense. They’re desperate to find the sword.”

  Brent spoke up. “If they’re looking for the sword, then maybe you should just give it to them. You said it was worthless, right?”

  “It’s not a bad idea,” I said. “Except, they don’t know it’s a fake. The elves believe it’s the real sword, and if they’re chasing after us, then they won’t be traveling to the goblin lands and finding the true one. We’ll have to keep it away from them as long as possible.”

  “But how did they find us here in Earth Kingdom in the first place?” Kull asked.

  “I’m not sure, but I suspect they’ve been tracking us since we left Faythander. It’s unlikely they could have followed us through the portal to the third world. It’s more likely that they waited for us to return. It’s possible they ambushed your sister and the others after they arrived back in Faythander. Once they saw that your sister didn’t have the sword, they would’ve come here. And I also think that portal we came through must have made us arrive later here on Earth than your sister and the others arrived in Faythander.”

  “How much later?”

  “I can’t say for sure. Several hours to a day, most likely.”

  “Do you think the elves are still on this planet?”

  “Since they didn’t get the sword,” I answered, “it seems very likely.”

  “Would they be after us?”

  “Yes, I’m pretty sure they would.”

  “Then we’re in danger?” Kull asked.

  “We should be okay for now. They don’t know we’re here.”

  “But they could track us,” Kull said, holding up yet another piece of stolen meat to emphasize his point. “I’ve known a few elves who were just as good at tracking as any Wult.”

  “But that was on a different planet,” Brent interjected.

  Kull shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. They’ll find us sooner or later.”

  “I agree,” I said.

  “Then we must get back to Faythander as soon as possible. Has your magic recovered yet?” Kull asked.

  I shook my head. “No, it hasn’t.” It hadn’t recovered at all—as in, not even a little bit, but I kept that info to myself.

  “As soon as it does, we must return,” Kull said, reaching for another strip of steak when Brent grabbed the whole platter and pulled it out of his reach.

  “It’s ready. What’s left of it, anyway,” Brent muttered.

  Chapter 16

  Kull, Brent, and I sat at the table on the balcony overlooking the lake and ate the fajitas. The conversation stalled as we did. Everyone was too absorbed in the food to bother with conversation. After dinner, we cleaned up, washed dishes, and then crashed on the couch in front of the fireplace. The March evening turned uncharacteristically chilly, so Brent lit a fire in the modern fireplace with the concrete tiled façade.

  As I sat by the fire, I realized I was in the company of a man who didn’t remember me and an ex I regretted dating, but I enjoyed the time nonetheless. Although I realized that at any minute the elves could come after us, kill us, and steal a worthless sword, none of that seemed to matter as I stretched my hands toward the flames.

  Usually, losing my powers bothered me, but right now, I was secretly grateful they were gone. Once I got them back, it meant I had to return to Faythander where the war against Theht continued, and where I was constantly reminded of the doom I was about to bring to the world. Being here almost made me feel normal again.

  Brent and I sat on the couch as Kull rummaged in the refrigerator. He came out of the kitchen with pulled pork barbecue piled high on a plate and a two liter of Dr. Pepper tucked under his arm.

  Alarmed, I turned to Brent. “Brent, you hate Dr. Pepper. Why’s it in the house?” I asked.

  “I use it to marinate the meat. What’s wrong with it?”

  Kull sat between us, placed his platter and plastic bottle on the coffee table, unscrewed the cap, and chugged it.

  “That’s what’s wrong with it.”

  Brent’s eyes widened as he watched Kull continue to gulp the soda. “Is he going to drink it all?”

  “Yeah, probably.”

  “You’re kidding, right?”

  “No. I’m serious.”

  Kull placed the half-empty two-liter on the coffee table and started on the meat. Brent’s eyebrows rose as he watched Kull shovel it in using only his fingers and no utensils. I had to stifle a laugh.

  “Wow,” Brent said as he watched Kull eat. “How can he possibly still be hungry? He ate all the fajitas.”

  “He’s a barbarian,” I answered. “They’re always hungry.”

  Kull ignored us as he ate. It occurred to me that although Kull usually had a healthy appetite, this seemed over the top, even for him. Jeven’s spell must’ve been doing a number on him. I wondered what other side effects he was suffering because of the curse.

  The three of us made small talk until the fire burned down, leaving only a few glowing coals that cast flickering lights throughout the room. Brent left us alone to retreat into his bedroom, and after Kull finished off the last of the soda, he excused himself to go stand out on the balcony. As I sat alone on the couch in Brent’s living room, warmed by the heat of the glowing coals, I watched Kull through the window.

  He stood with his elbows propped on the wooden railing, his hands clasped together, deep in thought as he stared out over the dark water. His face was pensive, unhappy, and I could only imagine what he was thinking. What kind of person was Kull without me? Was it presumptuous to think that I’d changed him? That with me, he was happier?

  I had the urge to go outside and talk to him, maybe see if I could help him sort out his feelings, but resisted. He needed to come to me when he was ready. Forcing him to confront his unwanted feelings had to happen on
his terms or never at all.

  I left Kull alone on the balcony and wandered upstairs to the bathroom. Han was still behind the toilet, curled up in his same spot, and I hoped the elves’ residual spell wasn’t affecting him. As I reached for him, he darted into the bedroom and under the bed.

  Sitting on the edge of the tub, I wasn’t sure what to do for Han. He hated strange places, but right now, we didn’t have a place to call home, and that scared me more than I thought it would.

  After an incredibly long day of fighting Regaymor, nearly dying, crossing through an unstable portal, and dealing with Kull, I decided a hot shower was in order.

  After undressing, I stood in the shower. The only thing I could think about was Kull. He’d looked so sad as he stood out on the balcony, but I had no way of helping him. I knew one thing—I wanted him back. I hated the way he was now. He’d always been arrogant and overbearing, but with Jeven’s curse, those two traits were being taken to new levels, and not in a good way.

  Without Kull, part of me was missing. A hole had opened in my heart that only he could fill. I’d never been the same without him, and I imagined he must be experiencing a similar feeling, even though he didn’t recognize it.

  The water ran hot down my back and over my breasts, and I couldn’t push away the feelings of how badly I wanted Kull. I wanted to feel his hands on my body, the warmth of his lips as he kissed me. The feeling welled up inside me, making me long for him. It was an ache only he could satisfy.

  The hot water turned lukewarm, forcing me out of the shower before I was ready. I toweled off and briefly glanced in the mirror. Reminded of the enchantment I’d felt in my mirror back home, I didn’t linger long.

  After changing into my blue-and-white striped silk pajamas, I stood at my bedside and pulled the sheets back when a knock came at my door. My heart fluttered as I imagined Kull waiting outside. I crossed the room and opened it a crack.

  He stood in the hallway.

  My heart skipped a beat as I stared at him, tall and imposing, yet when my eyes met his, I saw vulnerability.

  “Do you need something?” I asked after finding my voice. Silvery moonlight seeped through the window behind him, making him look almost ghostly. His eyes and hair were both a shade of quicksilver, as if I could see Jeven’s spell working through him.

  I missed him so badly. Remembering the feel of his hand in mine and the way he caressed my cheek when he got close made my heart ache. A hard knot formed in my throat as he stood away from me, too far to touch.

  “Olive, may I ask you a question?” Kull asked quietly.

  “Sure, go ahead.”

  “I haven’t…” He started, then glanced away. “I haven’t felt like myself since we arrived on this world. Sometimes, I’ll feel certain things—emotions—I suppose, but then they disappear almost as quickly as I feel them. Do you think it could be the spell? Assuming it really exists?”

  I stepped outside my room and closed the door behind me. “What sort of feelings?”

  He cleared his throat. “Feelings for you. It happens at random times. When you called me a barbarian earlier.” He smiled. “While I watched you on the deck as the sun was setting behind you.”

  He was watching me?

  “But then the feelings get snuffed out so quickly,” he continued, “I’m not sure they really existed.”

  “When did this start happening?”

  “Only recently. After we arrived here.”

  “Has it been happening more frequently?”

  He thought for a moment. “Yes, I suppose it has.”

  “Does anything seem to trigger the feelings or make them last for more than a second?”

  “No. As I said, they’re strange, fleeting emotions, and not terribly pleasant when they disappear, almost as if they’re being torn away from me.”

  Pursing my lips, I studied him. He held my gaze. “It’s the curse,” I said. “It’s keeping you from remembering your feelings for me.”

  “But how is that possible? I have no memories of you. Not a single one. How could I feel those things for a person I’ve never met?”

  “Because you have met me.”

  “No, the first time I ever saw you was when we arrived here. There must be some other explanation.”

  I took a hesitant step closer to him. I didn’t want to push my luck, but if he was starting to remember the feelings he once had for me, maybe there was some chance the curse could be lifted.

  “Do those emotions you described feel real to you?” I asked.

  “Yes, they seem to be.”

  “Do you feel them now?”

  He hesitated. “I… I can’t say for sure.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because being around you makes it difficult for me to focus. I can’t think clearly, and… I don’t know.” He shook his head and closed his eyes.

  I took another step, then I gently took one of his hands in mine. He let me touch him for a total of two seconds before he pulled away.

  “Why did you do that?” he asked.

  “An experiment. Did you feel anything when I touched you?”

  He swallowed. I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen him so nervous. “I might have.”

  “Kull, this is good news. It means that the curse may have removed all your memories of me, but it isn’t powerful enough to take away all your emotions. You’re remembering how you feel about me.”

  “That’s not true. I don’t believe you,” he said without much conviction.

  “Okay, let’s say you’re right and I’m wrong. Let’s assume all these weird emotions you keep having are just a fluke. If you’re right, then if I were to say, kiss you, then you wouldn’t feel anything for me, correct? Because in your opinion, we’ve never met, so you wouldn’t feel anything.”

  “Yes, that’s right.”

  “Then let’s try it.”

  He eyed me with a shrewd gaze. “You want to kiss me?”

  “It’s purely for scientific reasons, law of deduction and all that.”

  He snorted. “How do I know you’re not just some temptress trying to seduce me?”

  I shrugged. “Maybe I am, but if you’re right and I’m wrong, then you won’t feel anything for me. There’s only one way to find out.”

  He laughed. “You’ve got to be joking. I’ve never kissed a woman for such a lousy excuse.” Pausing, he added, “Okay, maybe once. But I’d had too much mead that night. I hope you realize I can see through your excuses. Kiss someone to prove I’ve never met them? You must think me daft.”

  “No, I think you’re smart. I also think you like a challenge. Kiss me and see if you feel anything. If you feel nothing, then you’ll know I’m wrong. You’ll know there couldn’t possibly be any curse because you’ll feel nothing for me.”

  He inhaled deeply, his chest rising and falling. “This is ridiculous. And it would prove nothing.”

  “Then what have you got to lose?”

  He straightened. “How do I know this isn’t some ploy to place yet another curse on me?”

  “I guess you’ll have to trust me.”

  His eyes narrowed and he took a step toward me, although I didn’t like the dark look he gave me. Reaching out, he grabbed my face between his hands, but it wasn’t the soft, caressing touch I was used to. As he studied me, I could feel his eyes boring into mine, trying to work out my secrets.

  “There is something different about you—something I’ve never seen in anyone else. When will you tell me what you’re hiding?”

  “I’m not hiding anything.”

  “That’s not true,” he said, still cupping my face as my heart thudded with apprehension. “There’s something I don’t understand.”

  Cautiously, I placed my hands atop his. I knew with the curse Kull could act erratically—he could possibly hurt me if he thought I was a threat, but if there was any chance I could help restore his memories, I had to take it.

  “Tell me what you don’t understand,” I said quietly.


  “I don’t understand why you’ve captured me—”

  “I haven’t.”

  “And I don’t understand why I feel this way.”

  He pulled me closer to him, so close I could feel the warmth of his breath on my cheeks. “Who are you?” he whispered.

  I didn’t answer. I couldn’t even if I tried, my heart was pounding so fast. Fear and anticipation raced through my blood.

  He leaned closer, his face stopping inches from mine.

  Kiss me. You’ll know I’m telling the truth, I wanted to say, but I kept my mouth shut. He had to do this on his own. I couldn’t force him.

  His lips brushed mine, hesitantly, barely grazing me, but he didn’t move away. Slowly, he deepened the kiss. When his tongue met mine, a wildfire ignited inside me, heat and passion flaring so strongly I wasn’t sure I could control it. His hands moved from my face and pulled me to him. He’d never kissed me this way before, with a feverish intensity that stole my breath.

  My chest tightened. I felt as if my heart would burst.

  He pulled away, his eyes burning with passion and unsated lust, a look that spoke of danger and excitement.

  “Don’t stop,” I whispered, knowing better. A man with that look in his eyes was like wildfire. He couldn’t be controlled, and I knew better than to goad him, but I couldn’t stop myself. He was here and he was mine. For once, I would finally have him.

  Kull kissed me again, then he picked me up, holding me against him. I wrapped my legs around his waist. Lightning shot through my body, all the way down to my toes. I couldn’t get enough of him. The feeling was so insistent that pushing him away was impossible.

  At any moment, I expected Theht’s presence to react and tear me away from him, but it never happened.

  He carried me down the hall and into his bedroom where he placed me on his bed. Trailing kisses down my neck, and then my collarbone, Kull pinned me to the mattress. I ran my hands over his back, feeling the familiar curve of his deltoids under my fingertips, yet it all felt wrong.

  I should have never started this. What was I thinking? Our first time couldn’t be like this, when he wasn’t himself, when he’d lose all his memories as soon as we crossed into Faythander.