In that moment, we were alone in the world. Nothing existed but the music, Alexander's warm touch, his familiar earthy scent and my bursting heart. I closed my eyes to hold on to the moment, but the clink of dishes being cleared away and the movement of our guests around us soon reminded me of my hostess duties. I turned my attention back to the party.
Matt and Holly were dancing together, Holly with her fingers locked behind his neck.
"You have such beautiful brown eyes," she slurred before resting her head on his chest as if she were asleep. Matt embraced her tightly against him to keep her on her feet. He smiled down at her, then lowered his head as though to whisper something into her ear.
Someone gasped behind me. Matt's girlfriend, Alison, had just entered the room. Matt's head jerked up, his eyes wide with surprise.
"Alison! I didn't know you were coming."
"That's obvious."
ALEXANDER
Tressa fumbled to support Holly as Matt pushed her away from him and ran after his girlfriend.
"Alison, come on! Wait a minute," he yelled as he hurried into the dining room after her. The restaurant patrons stopped what they were doing to stare as Matt chased after her.
"Xander," Tressa called. She was struggling to hold onto Holly, who looked like she was ready to pass out. "I think Pix needs help home."
Leaving Matt to his own devices, I went to help Tressa before she dropped her friend. I put an arm around Holly's waist to steady her.
"Keep the party going. I'll be back before you know it."
"Thanks for this," Tressa said, her eyes adding that she knew it wasn't fun to deal with. She kissed me and turned back to our guests as I guided Holly out of the room.
Holly stumbled along beside me as we headed toward the rear entrance of the restaurant. Tressa's store was next to JR's, and Holly lived in an apartment above the shop. This was the most direct route to Holly's home.
Alison must have run into the ladies' room to get away from Matt; he was leaning against the doorframe of the restroom alcove, waiting for her and looking frustrated. I shook my head; I suspected my friend didn't understand his own feelings. He didn't notice us slipping past him as he took off his glasses to rub his eyes.
"Holly, where's Trayce?" I asked as I helped her up the stairs to her apartment.
"How can I be such a terrible person," she moaned, teary-eyed. "I made a scene at your lovely party."
"Holly, who's taking care of Trayce?" I asked again when we reached the door of her apartment. She fumbled with her keys until I took them from her and unlocked the door.
"You're not mad at me, are you?"
I sighed and pushed the door open. The apartment was empty, so the baby wasn't there. I wanted to call whomever was babysitting to tell them Holly would come for him in the morning.
"I'm not angry, but I need to know who's watching Trayce." She curled up on the sofa, ready to fall asleep. I hoped that Tressa at least could tell me whom to call, because it didn't look like I would get an answer from Holly.
"He's with Sophia. Shamus is watching them… so good with children. He's a weird little guy, isn't he?" She was snoring a second later.
I covered her with a blanket and left her keys on the kitchen table, calling home as I hurried down the stairs. By the time I reached the ground floor, I had finished updating Shamus.
Shouts were coming from the street-side of the building. I stuck my head out to investigate and found Matt and Alison arguing outside.
"I've told you a million times, Holly is just a friend. She's my best friend, so yeah, I spend a lot of time with her," Matt said, yelling and yet straining to hold back his temper.
"That's interesting, because you're not spending any time with me these days. That didn't look like friendship to me. I don't snuggle up to friends like that," Alison said.
"My god, she was drunk! It was nothing," Matt shouted, his restraint finally failing him. Alison shook her head and stepped away from him.
"Ma'am, is this guy bothering you?" I couldn't see who had spoken, but I doubted Matt would react well to the interference in his current mood. I stepped out of the building to intercede and, to my astonishment, saw that the interloper coming to Alison's rescue was none other than the short soldier I had seen at the University, still in fatigues and an olive-green t-shirt. And still wearing gloves. He carried a backpack over one shoulder.
"Back away, asshole. This is between me and her." Matt clenched his hands into fists by his side. The soldier wouldn't stand a chance against Matt, who was at least a foot taller and a good forty pounds heavier.
"Lyle! What a surprise to see you here," I said with a forced cheerfulness meant to break the tension. "This is just a lover's spat. No need to get involved."
Lyle stepped back, still scrutinizing Matt through narrowed eyes. Matt, not willing to back down, squared off with the smaller man. Alison shook her head in disgust at both of them.
"You know what? I'm going home. I've had enough for one night." She turned to walk away.
"Pocono Peak filed a complaint against Pine Ridge. Was that you?" Matt called after her, his voice harsh with anger and accusation. She turned back toward us with an expression of disbelief.
"You should know by now that I wouldn't do something like that. But what is going on out there? You're obviously hiding something from me. Is your old friend Holly involved?" she asked bitterly. Matt glanced over at me and took a deep breath to get a grip on his temper.
"Allison, I'm sorry. I don't know what I was thinking. Nothing's going on out at Pine Ridge, other than family arriving for the wedding." Allison shook her head again, biting her lip.
"Okay. Like I said, I'm done for tonight. We'll talk another time." She walked away from him without a good-bye, climbing into a sedan parked halfway down the block.
My attention had homed in on Lyle as they argued. How had he come to be here tonight, after being at the university the day before? Was he following me? If he were a fae, my suspicions would be justified. As it was, it felt more like paranoia.
"Lyle, how do you happen to be in Findale?" I asked.
"Yeah, isn't that something, meeting up again like this?" He smiled congenially, acknowledging the weird coincidence. "My girlfriend lives here. I told her I'd pick her up at school yesterday, but she forgot and got a ride home from a friend."
His story was plausible; Marywood University was within easy commuting distance from Findale. Many of the students were locals.
"I don't know about you guys, but I need a drink," Matt said as Alison zoomed out of sight. "Let's go back to the party."
CHAPTER EIGHT
TRESSA
By the time we left JR's, my jaw hurt from smiling so much at all our well-wishers. A light, fresh-smelling spring rain fell as we walked to Alexander's truck. The cold mist on my face and the cool night air felt refreshing after hours in the crowded bar drinking, dancing and talking.
We held hands as we strolled the two blocks to where he had parked. We shared a satisfied smile; the last of the pre-wedding parties was over.
I sang softly as Alexander drove, a song the band had played earlier that had stuck in my head. I snuggled into my seat, hugely content to be where I was, sharing an idle moment with my Anam Cara.
"What an odd little man your friend Lyle is," I said as I mentally replayed the evening. He had an unusual aura: dark, but not too dark, and swirling with bits of gold. Despite his peculiar disposition, he seemed at peace with himself. "If I didn't know he was human, I might have taken him to be a Brounie because of his size."
"He's more an acquaintance than a friend, but I agree that he's peculiar."
"He played the wallflower all night. Not even the twins could charm him onto the dance floor."
"I think he's self-conscious about the gloves," Alexander said as we drove out of town. "I noticed that he kept them out of sight as much as possible."
"Sure, and his hands must be injured or scarred."
"Scarred, pro
bably. They look like they work okay." He looked sideways at me. "Don't even think about trying to heal the man."
I chuckled and shook my head. He'd read my mind; my thoughts had gone immediately to how to help the soldier. Alexander reached for me and I took his hand into mine, kissing the scar that scrolled around his palm and ran up his arm. "Unfortunately, I'm not very good at removing scars."
We drove up the long driveway that lead to the Manor House. It was past midnight but the lights on the entire first floor were on, a beacon of light in the dark night. Shamus bustled out the door in a brown plaid dressing gown and slippers as we pulled up. The gel that had held his hair slicked back all day was failing him now; stray wisps stuck out everywhere.
"It's about time you got here," he said. He crossed his arms over his chest and glared down at us. "There's a sick child who has been waiting for you for hours."
"Sophia's ill? Why didn't you call?" Alexander asked as he took two steps at a time up to the porch.
"Nay, not Sophia," the old Brounie scoffed at him, "a Sidhe child. His mother came to my mistress for help."
"You should have called me," I said, following him into the parlor where our visitors were waiting. I pulled my cell phone from my bag—three missed calls.
A woman with deep purple hair, dressed in a long gown of the traditional Sidhe style, sat on the edge of the sofa. A toddler lay with his head in her lap. The boy appeared listless, wheezing with each breath. The youthful vibrancy I associated with the aura of a child was missing.
"Shamus, would you bring me honeysuckle and pinkberry tea for the lad?" I asked, keeping my voice level. The boy was in a bad way, but I didn't want to scare the mother. Shamus scurried off before I had even finished speaking.
"My Lady," the mother said. She moved to get up to greet me, but I gestured to her to stay seated. "Please help him. He won't last much longer like this. You saved a dying child in Faery; I know you can bring him back." Her eyes pleaded with me as much as her voice.
I sat on the edge of the sofa beside the child and began my examination. As I went through this process, I spoke gently to his mother.
"What shall I call you?"
"I'm Fallyn, and this is Brody."
"Is this your first time in the Human World?" I asked as I noted the swollen gland at the back of Brody's neck and the orange rash on his chest—the same symptoms that had inflicted Kyla.
"Yes. My husband used to speak well of it; he visited many times. I thought it would be safe to come see the wedding."
"You're a widow?" I asked, and she nodded as I pushed a bit of my essence into the child. His breathing became easier for a breath or two, but the wheezing quickly returned. "I'm sorry to hear that."
"Tressa, what about Trayce and Sophia? Do we need to get them out of the house?" Alexander asked. I had forgotten him in my concern for the boy. I believed we were dealing with an allergic reaction, rather than an illness, however I couldn't be sure.
"Good idea," I said. "I don't think it's contagious, but you should take them down to the guesthouse. Shamus can send one of the Brounies to help Matt with them."
A thought came to me then; an allergic reaction to the environment would explain why my essence had only briefly helped Brody. When I healed an illness or an injury, it left the body. However, an allergy would continue to react to whatever had caused it. I needed something with consistent healing powers.
"Alexander, could you find an aquamarine stone for me?" He nodded and left, promising to be back soon.
Just then, Shamus entered the parlor with a tray. He had anticipated what I might need and he had brought a soft rag and the used teabags on the tray along with the tea.
"Brody, a leanbh, sit up next to your mam." He didn't respond. He remained still and listless, his fluttering chest the only sign of life as he struggled to draw in air. You didn't need to see his aura to know he was fading away. Fallyn, wide-eyed with panic, looked to me to save him.
I lifted Brody and rested him against his mother. It was essential for him to drink the tea; I needed to get his airways open to have any hope of keeping him alive. I handed a cup to Fallyn.
"Get him to drink this," I said. "Force it down if you must. It will help him breathe easier."
She opened Brody's mouth and poured in some tea. Most of it rolled down his chin; he choked on the rest. I massaged his throat as Fallyn tried again, letting my essence ease the constriction there. He swallowed several mouthfuls and fluttered his eyes.
"His color is coming back," Shamus said. I could hear the relief in his voice, but when I glanced his way he pulled his face into his usual scowl. He refilled the teacup, which Brody was able to hold himself this time as he drank the soothing liquid. "Best not break that cup, lad."
I tried to stifle the laugh that was bursting from my chest and ended up coughing instead. Only Shamus would worry about broken china at a time like this. I covered up the awkward moment by reaching for the used teabags. I opened Brody's shirt and found the same type of rash that Kyla had the night before. I hadn't had time to research it, but I broke the teabags open and spread them over his chest anyway. If it aggravated the rash, I would deal with that later. We had to get him breathing right.
"Big mess," Brody chided me.
"Aye, and Mr. Shamus here will likely be mad at me when I'm done," I said with a wink. Brody stole a glance at the old Brounie.
We kept Brody's breathing steady by having him sip the tea until Alexander returned with an aquamarine in its natural state: unpolished and not yet shaped.
"Matt found this for me in his to-do pile. He put a hole through it and strung it on a piece of leather cord."
I took the rough pendent from him and rolled the stone between my palms. Aquamarine is a stone of the breath, the respiratory tract and the lungs. I didn't use it often; the few times I'd attempted to use it in the past, it hadn't been very effective. In the stress of the moment, it was the best solution I could think of. As I handled it I sang an incantation, hoping an infusion of my essence would make the token more effective this time. I hung the pendent around Brody's neck.
"I believe he's allergic to something, but I'm not sure what," I said, speaking to Fallyn. "It's likely to be something here in the Human World. It would be best to take him home, however he's too frail to travel right now. Keep the stone on him; it should help. And keep giving him the tea. Don't wait for him to have trouble breathing again. You can stay here for tonight, and we'll get the rest figured out in the morning."
"Thank you, My Lady. I knew you could save him."
The certainty in her voice troubled me. I couldn't heal all things, and the incident she had mentioned earlier, the baby that was miraculously healed at the castle in The Otherworld… that hadn't been me. It had been Sophia.
ALEXANDER
Tressa stirred, awakening me from a deep sleep. She tried not to disturb me, but I sensed the restlessness inside her.
"What's wrong?" I mumbled as I rolled to face her, resting my arm across her stomach. A glance at the clock told me it was three in the morning.
"I didn't mean to wake you. Go back to sleep."
As tempting as the idea sounded, I knew sleeping wasn't an option. Something was on her mind, and experience had taught me that sleep would be impossible with her anxiety echoing through me. I took a deep breath and sat up, arranging a pillow against the headboard and leaning against it.
"I'm awake. Tell me what's bothering you." She sat and I held out my arm so she could curl up under it. Her beautiful copper waves fell over her shoulder onto my chest.
"Did you hear earlier when Fallyn mentioned a dying baby miraculously recovering in Faery?" she asked.
"Yeah. What was that about?"
"Do you remember the morning we went through the castle looking for Sophia? We eventually found her in with the babies, down the corridor from the music class."
"I remember." It was the Sidhe tradition that the entire community helped raise the children. On one hand, th
ey showered all children with love. On the other, it meant you might not know at any given moment who was watching your child.
"That nursery was an infirmary for infants not expected to live. A hospice for babies, you could say. The kids that are sent there are beyond my, or anyone else's, ability to heal them. It's true that a baby boy was restored to health that morning, but not by me. Sophia did it."
"Oh, come on," I said, anxiety building in my chest. I pulled my arm out from behind her to turned to look at her face, not altogether sure she was serious. "That's not possible. Why would you think it was her?"
"I saw her, and I asked her about it later. It was definitely her."
"How can that be? She just a little girl. My little girl." She took my hand into both of hers, her touch easing the anxiety that had gripped me after her story.
"I've been thinking. We know she has abilities that you and other humans don't. She flits on the wind and can hear the dragons speak. She saw past fae glamour on her own, and she has other Sidhe characteristics. She's charming; she has a gift for dancing. She even bonded with her own Pixie."
All these things were true, although I had done my best not to list them outright as she had just done. Not thinking about it made it easier to ignore the truth: there was something unusual about Sophia. I preferred to think of her as just my baby girl. It made things less complicated, less scary.
"Xander, what can you tell me about Sophia's mother?"
"What?" The surprising question jerked me from my thoughts.
"Sophia is your little girl, however she is also her mother's," Tressa said, keeping her voice low as if to soften the impact of her words. "I didn't want to consider that she might be a Sidhe. I never wanted to think that the two of you were soul mates."
"Tressa, please don't question—"
"My love, you are my Anam Cara and I'm yours. I don't doubt that. Some people are blessed with two in a lifetime, though it is rare. If she was a Sidhe, you would have to have been soul mates for her to be able to have Sophia."
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