by E. A. Weston
“No, I never said that, princess. There are some who are unkind and cruel, but for the most part, we are loving and loyal.”
Shaking the box at him, all I can do is glare. “Then what does this say?”
“It is the start of a poem,” he answers, taking the box from my hand, caressing it lovingly. His eyes take on a far-away look as he begins to speak.
* * *
“You are the light that guides me
That shows me the way.
You are the love
That shines through my heart.
You are everything I need
To keep me safe.
You are my moon.”
* * *
I watch Killian as he stares at the box, still lost in thought. My eyes brim with tears and I ask him to read it again. When he stops, I finish the rest of it because I know that poem off by heart.
* * *
“And you are my stars
I take your love.
To hold with my own
To give me strength when I am alone.
You keep me safe
In all that I do.”
* * *
“You are my moon,” Killian says.
“And you are my stars,” I finish, looking at him. Both our eyes are full of tears.
“How do you know this poem, princess?” he asks, brushing tears from my face.
“My mom and dad used to it say to each other all the time.”
Killian wraps his arms around me, holding me close. We sit together for a long time, neither of us saying anything. Running my fingers over the script, my heart feels heavy with lead.
“Can we go home now?” I whisper. Killian kisses my cheek as we stand. Taking my hand, we walk out to his car. I clutch the box to my chest the whole way home as memories assault me; memories of my parents saying that poem to each other.
Lying on the sofa of Killian’s apartment, he walks around me, glancing at me every few minutes. Eventually, he sits beside me, taking my hand in his.
“Reagan, I am sorry,” he begins, shaking his head.
My eyes find his; his beautiful black eyes mirror my pain. Taking the box from me, he puts it on the floor and lifts me into his arms, whispering fairy words to me. His melodic voice soothes me and I recognize the words from earlier. He recites the poem to me as he holds me close.
“I want to take you home,” he whispers when he is done. My heart is too heavy and my brain too foggy to catch his meaning.
Killian soothes me most of the night as I lay awake staring out his window. I run through most of my life and all the people I have met, wondering if any were fairies. Why do my parents have a fairy box and why on earth did they recite a fairy poem to each other almost daily? Killian shifts beside me, rolling his body flush against mine, his arm wrapping around my waist, even in his sleep. I wonder if my meeting Killian has anything to do with my parents? As soon as the thought fades, it bounces back with multiple scenarios. All including the only fairy I know, all ending with the disappearance of my parents.
With my heart pounding, I ease out of bed, sliding one foot to the floor then landing on my ass. Grabbing my clothes, I step into the hallway. How did I not see this? Maybe Killian took my parents … Maybe he is working for whoever has them. Pulling my jeans on quickly, I hop down the hallway to the door, trying to dress myself and slip on shoes at the same time. Picking up my purse and slinging it over my shoulder, I creep out of the apartment and run like hell down the street.
Chapter 20
Making it to Alex’s house, I knock on her window, trying to not wake her parents. I can’t see inside, so I knock again before pulling my phone out of my purse. Just as I am typing her a message, I am tackled from behind, feeling like a brick wall hit me. I go down—hard. Landing with a grunt, I scrape my chin on the gravel and my chest aches as the person grabs my hair forcefully.
“Who the hell are you?” he growls at me.
“It’s me. Reagan,” I choke out, trying to pry his fingers from my hair.
“Holy shit, Reagan, I almost beat your ass!” Letting me go, I roll onto my back and stare up at Alex’s brother. Alex is standing just off to the side, holding a golf club.
“What the fuck are you doing with a golf club?” I moan as she rushes me, landing on her knees beside me.
“Oh crap, Reagan, you scared me!” she whisper-yells at me. Alex and her brother Keith help me up and into the house. Keith hands me some wet paper towels for my chin and heads back to bed.
“What are you doing here?” Alex asks. “It’s past midnight, Reagan.”
I open my mouth to tell her my theory but stop myself, remembering she has no idea about Killian. I can’t just say, hey, my boyfriend is a fairy and I think he is involved in my parent’s disappearance. Instead, I make up a lie about having an argument with Killian and ask if I can stay tonight. Alex watches me for a minute then agrees, bringing a blanket for me.
“You will have to take the sofa. My room is occupied.” She winks at me and puts her finger to her lips. Rolling my eyes, I just laugh at her and settle onto the sofa. No wonder she got her brother to come out—if Ryder was found here, she would be so dead.
I can’t sleep. My mind keeps wandering back to Killian and if he is involved in this whole situation. Ever since I met him, I have had this odd feeling about him—something telling me to stay away from him. I should have listened to myself. Now I am in a mess, and I don’t know if I can trust him or if I should at all.
I wake with a start as someone kicks my foot. “Wake up, sleepy head,” I hear. Cracking my eyes open, I find Keith standing there looking at me.
“Hey.” I give a half smile and sit up, pulling the blanket with me. Keith is kind of quiet and never really says much, except for today.
“You need to leave before my folks wake up,” he says, deadpanned, before turning and leaving the room. Pulling my phone out of my purse, I see that I have fifteen missed calls, five voicemails, and a dozen texts, all from Killian. Sighing, I check the time. Six am. What the hell? Gathering the blanket, I creep out of the sitting room, trying to decide if I should go to Alex or not. Turning the corner, I bump into Ryder, who has his shoes in his hand and is also creeping towards the front door.
We look at each other for a few seconds before giggling. Alex comes up behind us, waving for us to shut up. She opens the door, pushing us outside.
“See you guys in a while,” she whispers. Ryder and I walk down the pathway, still laughing. Once we are a few houses away, Ryder stops to lace up his boots.
“Why were you there last night?” he asks as he stands. Shrugging my shoulders, I frown at him, not really sure what to say. “It’s okay, never mind. You hungry?” he asks, slinging his arm around my shoulders.
“Yeah, actually, I am.” I smile up at him. We walk to the diner and settle into one of the booths at the back. “So you and Alex are serious?” I ask as we wait for our food. Ryder and Alex met through college, and although at first they looked strange together, I can see that they do love each other. Ryder just gives me a cheeky smirk and a wink in answer.
“So you all set for graduation next week?” he asks just as our coffee arrives.
“I forgot all about it, actually. I doubt I’ll go.” Why should I go? I have no one. Ryder pulls a face at me.
“Of course, you have to go, Rea. You can’t let Alex go there alone.”
Out of all my friends, Ryder is the only one allowed to shorten my name. At first, he did it to piss me off, but over the years, it became a pet name. My phone buzzes to life again. Checking it, I see Killian’s name across the screen. I just silence it, throwing the phone back into the bottom of my purse.
“You dump that douche yet?” Ryder growls at me.
“He is not a douche and no I didn’t dump him, I just … never mind.” I sigh. There is no point trying to explain why I left or even making up more lies. I just need time to figure out what the hell is going on. By the time we finish eating, Killian has
called about ten times. We split the bill so now I am down to my last fifty dollars. I need more. Walking to Athena’s, I open the store and fix up the window display before setting out my jewelry to sell. Once that is done, I make my way into the office to pick up last week’s paycheck.
Turning to leave the office, I spot Jake entering the back way.
“Morning,” I call out. His head pops up and he gives me a nod. Things have been weird since the club, but I can’t afford to dwell on that. I make the first move. “I thought I was alone this morning.” I smile at him.
“No, mom is heading out of town so I said I’d swing by and keep you company.” Walking into the office, he throws his jacket onto the chair and settles behind the small desk. “I’ll be in here if you need me,” he says, shuffling some papers in his hand, effectively dismissing me.
“Okay, sure … I’ll get back out there.” Leaving the office, I know this will be a long day. Settling myself into my designs, I don’t feel the day pass. Just after noon, Alex strolls into the store, stopping beside me.
“Hey. Ready to talk?” she asks, crossing her arms over her chest.
“What about?” I work away while I wait for her to speak again.
“About last night, Reagan. What the hell was that?” Her tone is sharp and I know she is in a bad mood. Lifting my head, I look at her.
“I’m sorry. Did I get you into trouble?” Her foot begins to tap on the wooden floor and she huffs while turning her head. Standing, I grab her in a hug. “I’m sorry, Alex. I didn’t mean to. I was upset and you were the first person I thought of.”
“Yeah, I know, but my dad got up for a drink last night and saw you on the couch. He was pissed.” Closing my eyes, I sigh, hugging her close to me.
“I really am sorry. I didn’t mean to get you in a bind.” Pulling back from me, she throws her hands up in defeat.
“It’s done now. Let’s go eat. I’m craving pie.” Linking her arm through mine, she pulls me out of the store and down the street. We walk together in silence. I know when Alex wants pie, she has gotten a hard time at home. It takes us about ten minutes to get to the bakery on campus. We sit on the comfy chairs by the window and order a slice of pie and coffee.
“So are you going to tell me what you and Mr. Handsome were fighting over?” Her smile is genuine as she stirs her coffee. All my thoughts turn to my parents and Killian and how I am going to sort this out.
“No … it was just something stupid and I overreacted,” I tell her, shrugging my shoulders and trying to deflect. Alex smirks at me, then lifts her fork with a piece of pie on it.
“You know I don’t buy that,” she says before filling her mouth.
“I didn’t think you would, but let’s just leave it for now. I have some stuff to think about.”
Bobbing her head, she agrees, dropping that line of questioning. I don’t pry into her life and she stays out of mine. We stay at the bakery for an hour just enjoying the quiet atmosphere. Most of the students have left since classes are over and graduation is next week. The bakery stays open all year, as does the student lounge, for students who live in the area.
“Well, I need to get back. I’m meeting Ryder and going to the movies.” Alex smiles at me.
“Yeah? Good for you guys. I’m just going to work for the rest of the day and get some cash.” I sigh, pulling my bag over my shoulder.
“Are you short?” she asks with concern written across her face.
“Nah, I’m okay for a few days, but I do need to save up a bit.” I laugh at her. “Student loans won’t pay themselves.”
Alex groans at me because she too has loans, but neither of us has any clue what to do with Art degrees. Walking back through campus, a warm breeze blows my hair back off my face. The sun has finally decided to grace us today, and it feels wonderful heating up my skin. Leaving Alex at the door of Athena’s, I hug her goodbye. I don’t want to walk inside and leave the sunshine, but I have to. Pushing the door open, I stroll to my worktable, sighing as I slide into my chair.
“Why?”
My body tenses at that one word. Without turning around, I know it’s him—I’d know that beautiful voice anywhere. How can one word cause so many emotions to erupt within me? I can hear him breathing hard like he is trying to control his temper. His footsteps move towards me but stop back a distance.
“Why, Reagan?”
His words sound so desperate; I have to fight not to turn around and go to him. My heart pounds in my chest as I close my eyes against the sting of tears. I will not cry. I must not let him see what he does to me. How can I trust him when I don’t know him?
“Are you going to ignore me, princess? What have I done to make you so unsure of me?” His voice pleads with me.
We wait in silence for what feels like forever before I finally school my face and turn to him. My breath catches in my throat, betraying my cool demeanor. My eyes rake up his denim clad legs and his white snug-fitting t-shirt to meet his cool black eyes that are marred with pleading. I don’t know what to say to him. I can’t tell him I think he has something to do with my parents going missing. I don’t know why but part of me knows it would crush him.
“Please, Reagan. Talk to me.”
His voice is a whisper as he takes another step towards me. I fidget in my chair as he closes the distance. His height alone is intimidating. I watch him as he hunches down so that we are eye level. Reaching out, he takes my hand gently. With one touch from him, my body relaxes and guilt washes over me.
“Please tell me why,” he begs again. My emotions are so close to the surface, I can’t speak. I want to tell him why I ran. I want to know if he knew my parents, but I know if I open my mouth, I will crack … and I do not want to crack right now.
He gives my hand a squeeze and whispers to me. “You don’t have to say it out loud.” My heart leaps again, remembering he can hear my thoughts. With a deep breath, I close my eyes and spill my fears to him. I tell him why I ran, what I am afraid of, and why part of me doesn’t trust him. Once I am done, I open my eyes to find him staring at me. His face is so sad.
“I swear on all that I am—I would never hurt you, Reagan. I did not know your parents and I most certainly did not cause them to leave you alone. It pains me that you have been alone, but knowing that I am able to take care of you now brings me joy. You are mine forever, princess, and I am yours. Please believe me.”
I want to believe him, but I still have doubts. Closing his eyes, he sighs deeply.
“I understand, Reagan. I understand you don’t know me too well, but trust that I have waited for you all my life. I cannot let you slip away. I have so much to give you if you would please allow me to have all of you.”
He keeps my hand in his, rubbing his thumb back and forth across my wrist. “I will answer all your questions. I have nothing to hide from you. Can we go home first?” he asks, standing and pulling me to my feet.
“Okay,” I whisper, allowing him to lead me out of the store to his car. Killian drives fast, arriving back to his place in about five minutes. Jumping out of the car, he is opening my door before I have time to release my seatbelt. It must be nice to have fairy speed. Taking my hand again, we walk up the stairs and into his apartment.
“I’m not going to run again,” I whisper, removing my hand from his. I know he must think I am strange, but I have been on my own for a while now and it’s hard to have someone around. Killian follows me to the kitchen, watching me as I sit on a stool and rest my elbows on the countertop. He brings me a soda then takes a seat beside me. “I need to open that box,” I blurt out.
“Yes, I have been trying to all night,” he admits, giving me a smile.
Moving from the stool, he collects the wooden box from the coffee table and places it on the counter between us.
“I have tried,” he says again, pushing the top of the box in every direction. “I believe it is a memory box. My mother and sister had one. It is something a female gets as a gift from her lover.”
/>
“What! What do mean from her lover? My mom did not have a secret fairy lover.”
I scoff, wanting to smack him. Killian laughs at me.
“A lover, fiancée, future husband,” he explains, taking my hand again. “When a fairy falls in love with another, he usually presents her with a gift. Most of the time he will give her a memory box to hold all her treasures. Once their engagement is announced, he then must present her with three gifts: himself, a ring, and home to live in. If she accepts him, then he will present a ring and formally ask her to marry him. Once she accepts, they will have an engagement celebration, and upon marrying, he will take her to their new home and begin their life together.”
“It’s kind of what we do here,” I tell him and he smiles at me.
“Yes, but fairies never part once they have mated and bonded. Each gift has a magical enchantment. Only the couple can remove it unless they make another enchantment which allows their children to open it.” He gently pushes the box towards me, watching my face morph into disbelief.
“I don’t understand why would my parents have this if it is a fairy tradition.” I am baffled. Killian shrugs at me, taking my hand in his.
“I don’t know either, princess, but we have to find a way to open it. It may be your only chance at finding them.”
Groaning, I rest my head against his shoulder. I have no idea what the hell to do now. Killian runs his hand down my hair as we sit together, trying to figure out what to do. Lifting up, I reach for the box and run my fingers over the carvings on the box.
“Will you say the poem again?” I ask turning to him. Smiling, he begins but I cut him off. “No, in Fairy” I smile again.
Killian takes my hands. Standing, he pulls me close to his chest, wrapping his arms around my waist. He sways me from side to side as he recites the poem from the box. Closing my eyes, I enjoy the melodic sound of his voice and the feeling of his strong arms around me.