Revealed

by Riana Lucas

  “Yes, Ms…”

  “Ah, ah, ah! I told you, call me Anna. Or better yet…” She smiles slyly and then says, “You can call me Mom.”

  My eyes grow large, and I hear Reed make a noise somewhere between a cough and a choke. His mother is no better than my own!

  Reed recovers quicker than I do and swiftly changes the subject. “Okay, so now you know the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” He pauses to offer a charming smile as his mother swats playfully at him. “What’cha think? You believe me?” His eyebrows lift in a challenge, but his mother does not smile. Instead she sighs as she walks over and takes her seat once again.

  “Sadly, I do. Not only do I believe you, but I’ve seen some of that myself.”

  Now she has my full attention again, and before I can stop myself, I blurt out, “How could you possibly remember?”

  She sighs again, and for the first time, I notice the dark circles under her eyes. Her earlier excitement at seeing Reed masked the weariness and tiredness that I see now. Watching her make her way back to her seat sends a pang of guilt through me. I feel bad for taking her son from her and causing her more pain and sadness.

  “Don’t look at me like that,” she demands softly.

  I glance at Reed and then back at Anna, unsure to whom she is talking.

  “Both of you. Don’t look at me as if you feel sorry for me, and definitely don’t sit there looking guilty. None of this is your fault. Either of you.”

  “What, Mom? Now you can read our thoughts, too?” Reed asks jokingly, but I can sense his concern for his mother even if he is trying to make light of the situation.

  “No, but I know you, Reed. And I see the guilt all over your face, Poppy.”

  “I apologize. I did not mean to offend you. I just feel bad about taking Reed away from you.”

  “And if I had told Reed long ago about his true heritage, you wouldn’t have had to take him away. He would have known everything and probably would have chosen to go long ago.” Reed begins to deny her words, but she speaks over him. “Yes, you would have, if only out of curiosity. I would not have blamed you. In fact, I would have encouraged you. But what’s done is done, and we cannot change the past. There is nothing for you to feel bad about, Poppy, and you do not need to apologize. Understood?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” I echo Reed’s earlier reply to his mother.

  “Good. Now that that’s settled, let’s get you two fed. You must be starving!” She exclaims as if we had not just been discussing such a serious matter. I look at Reed in confusion.

  “Oh no you don’t, Mom. We still need to talk.”

  “I know. And we will. Later.”

  She shoots both of us a look that brooks no argument. We both nod our heads obediently and begin to help prepare dinner.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Eating in the human world was a new experience for me. In the past, I would have never tried anything here, and I definitely would not have trusted a human to cook for me. Now, as I move into the kitchen behind Reed and his mother, I grow apprehensive. Anna raised Reed with the knowledge of him being half-Fae, but I am still unsure of the food she fed him. I do not wish to be disrespectful, so I just hope the food is edible.

  Reed, sensing my unease, whispers softly, “Don’t look so worried. You’ll like what she makes. I promise.”

  Returning his smile with a weak one of my own, all I can think is how there is no way a human would prepare anything a Fae would find appetizing. How could they? They do not know what we like.

  Reed’s mother begins to bustle around the kitchen, removing various items from the refrigerator and placing them on the counters. The clanging of metal against metal fills the room, so I turn to watch as she pulls out odd-shaped pots and pans. They are all different sizes and different colors.

  Although we do use pots and pans in Faery Land, they are much more natural and rustic than those in the human world. We use magic to wield them out of natural resources, such as iron and copper. They are not decorated with color, although some Fae who take their cooking more seriously sometimes carve intricate patterns or designs on the outside of the pots.

  We also use basic utensils made of the same resources, and they are mostly only spoons, forks, and knives. The humans use much more than that. Anna rifles through a drawer and some other sort of contraption on the counter that contains many different shaped and sized utensils. Some are made of metal, but most are made of plastic and are odd colors like bright pink and green. I cringe at the thought of these pink and green plastic things making my food.

  My attention is drawn away from the weird utensils and back to Reed when the refrigerator opens. He looks intently at all of the items, none of which I can see, until he seems to make a decision and starts to pull items out. I eye them one by one as he sets them out on the counter beside the pots and pans. Thankfully, I am finally seeing items that make me more comfortable.

  Fruits and vegetables are placed on the hard surface. Wanting to reassure myself that I am indeed seeing what I think I am, I pick up the fresh strawberries, not overly fond of the plastic container they are in. Opening the container, I pluck one of the plump strawberries out. It is firm and bright red with a dark green stem, giving the appearance of a freshly picked strawberry. I bring it closer to my nose to smell the sweetness and am not disappointed.

  “Go ahead, taste it.”

  I look up startled and a bit embarrassed at being caught double-checking the fruit, but Reed just smiles over at me and then nods his encouragement.

  Mouth open, I place the plump strawberry on my lips and take a bite. Reed watches me expectantly, and it deepens my embarrassment, but then the juice of the strawberry touches my tongue and I forget about all of that. The flavor is so strong, sweet, and fresh. It is like eating a fresh berry in Faery Land. I close my eyes to fully enjoy the rest of my delicious fruit.

  When I open them again, Reed has a huge smile on his face. “I told you to trust me. My mom only gets the best fruit and vegetables for me. They look like she got them from a store, but she actually gets them from farms. They’re all organic and freshly picked when she buys them. They’re not exactly like what we get in Faery Land, but pretty close.”

  “I never knew. Are all the foods this good?”

  “No way! The stuff everyone gets from the grocery store doesn’t even come close, but regular humans don’t know the difference. Mom does. She even grows some of this stuff herself in her gardens and on the trees out back.”

  I nod my head, remembering the fruit trees in his backyard where I spent my first night after meeting Reed. Still curious about how she knew how important the freshness of Reed’s food would be as he grew up, I decide to try asking again about her history with the Fae.

  “So…Anna, how did you know where to get all this great, fresh food?”

  She stands at the other counter pulling out seasoning and spices as well as placing the dishes she intends to use in a more organized fashion, so she distractedly answers, “Oh well, I just looked up farms in the nearby area and then contacted them. They all sell their products, just to a small market. They were very eager to have another customer. Some of them will even deliver to me.” Finished with her explanation, she begins to hum while she works.

  I had hoped she would continue on her own without any more prompting, so I let out a small sigh in disappointment. Reed nudges me with his shoulder and nods toward his mom. He knew what I was trying to do and wants me to try again.

  I pick up the plump red tomatoes that Reed put out on the counter and see the other items for a salad sitting next to them. Fresh green cucumbers, bright green leaves of spinach, fat orange carrots, and purple onions lay together. Motioning toward all the items, I silently ask Reed’s permission to help. When I get a quick nod in return, I pick up one of the metal knives, not wanting to use any of the plastic stuff, and set to work chopping vegetables for the salad. I am quiet for just a moment, thinking of a new way to ask my questions
.

  “How did you know Reed would need such fresh food, though?”

  Anna stops humming and looks down at her hands. The only sound in the kitchen is the thump of the knife as it cuts through the tomato and hits the cutting board. I wait patiently, knowing she is gathering her thoughts and deciding what she is going to say. She is not going to tell the whole story — the pain in her eyes says it is a long and hard one to tell. But I hope she tells me something that will give me some clue to what, and maybe even who, she knows in Faery Land.

  A human even knowing about the Fae world is unheard of. For Anna to know so much for so long is just unbelievable. I need to know how she knows all of this and why. None of this was a mistake or an accident. There has to be a very good reason for all of this, and I need to know that reason and who thought it was important for Anna to know of the Fae.

  Anna finally lets out a tired sigh but still does not turn to look at us. Reed and I both stop what we are doing so we can focus on what she has to say.

  “I don’t remember much from the beginning. I know now that my memories were changed or taken completely away, so I’m not even going to bother telling you what it was replaced with. It’s not real or relevant.” She glances at us, but looks back down at her hands, running her fingers smoothly around the edge of a glass bowl, probably needing something to do with her hands. “I will tell you the most important and most relevant memory I have. One that I know, without a doubt, was real. It was waking up one morning and finding myself in labor with Reed. I was staying in a small cabin in the middle of the woods, far from any hospital or doctors’ offices. It was terrifying, but there was a woman there helping me. She was a healing Fae, and she was wonderful. With her help, the pain was bearable, and I gave birth to a healthy baby boy. The birth itself is pretty much a blur now. Everything happened so fast, and I was in a lot of pain. But I remember when it was done very vividly. I had this beautiful baby boy wrapped up in my arms. The healing Fae instructed me at the beginning, telling me about Reed and what he would need as he grew since he was half-Fae.” She sighs again, this time louder, and straightens her shoulders.

  I watched her as she told the story and could tell she was not being completely honest with us. There are parts of this story she is leaving out. Whatever her reasons are, I know she is not going to reveal any more right now, but her next words prove my thoughts. “And that is how I knew how to raise Reed and make sure he got the proper food and was surrounded by the things he needed to thrive and grow strong.”

  Reed tries for more. “Wait. That’s it? You aren’t going to tell me more? Like who my father was? If he even knows about me? How you knew that I was half-Fae? Anything?”

  She ignores him completely and asks instead, “Are you two finished cutting the vegetables for the salad? If so, why don’t you start on dessert? We’re having strawberry shortcake.”

  Reed opens his mouth to protest or ask another question, but I shake my head. I do not want to push her or make her sad. It will be hard enough to get it all out on her own.

  Reed sighs but agrees. “Um, yeah, we’re done with those. We’ll get started on the dessert. What are we having for dinner anyway?”

  “It’s a surprise.” She gives Reed a wink and a sly smile.

  Reed leans closer to me and whispers in my ear so his mother cannot hear. “She thinks she’s slick, but she’s not. Every time she tells me that, it means she’s making my favorite.”

  “Which is?” I whisper back just as quietly.

  “It’s a surprise,” he whispers back and gives me the same look his mother gave him.

  I laugh as I playfully smack him on the arm, which causes him to laugh as well. Anna smiles as Reed and I get back to work, side by side.

  ****

  Anna finally shoos Reed and me out of the kitchen so she can prepare our “surprise" dinner. I like the feeling of being here with them. Surprisingly, I do not feel out of place or like a Faery in the human world. Instead, I feel like part of their family, like I belong here. It is nice to know there are two places in this world where I can feel at home.

  Although it feels like a lifetime ago, I remember the feelings of living at the Unseelie Court and when I lived with Damien. The constant fear and need to watch my back were the only feelings I ever had there. It was cold at night as I lay in my bed listening for someone trying to sneak in to kill me in my sleep.

  Growing up, I thought that was normal and everywhere else was the same way. Now, after living at the Seelie Court with my friends and my mother, and after being here just a short time with Reed and his mom, I see that was not true. It reconfirms the fact that the Unseelie Court is evil, as is everyone in it. It also reconfirms that the king and Damien were two of the most horrible, evil creatures in these worlds. The king deserved the death he received, and Damien will deserve his.

  “Easy there, tiger, you’re going to hurt someone with that.” Reed’s words confuse me until I look down and see that I am holding one of my daggers in my hand. I sheath it, not wanting to alarm his mother if she were to walk out and see it. I am not embarrassed at where my thoughts led me this time. I want Damien’s blood so badly I can almost taste it. My fists clench at the image of his death dancing through my head once more.

  Closing my eyes, I can see it now... Damien on his knees before me. He is begging for his life, vowing allegiance to me and the Seelie queen. He will do whatever I ask of him, if only I will spare his life. Not only is he sorry for the way he treated me, but also for the death of Rho. He is sorry for imprisoning my friends and for all the deaths he caused when he stormed the Seelie Court. I just look at him without speaking, because he is not worthy of my words. I sheathe my own daggers and retrieve his sword from the ground beside him. I stare him in the eyes as I cleanly and forcefully slice through his throat.

  “Wow. I am really glad all that hatred is not focused on me. If looks alone could kill, we’d all be dead.”

  I roll my eyes at Reed, a bit put out that he disturbed such wonderful thoughts, but I know I will see it again, in real life and hopefully soon. “Very funny.” I make my way over to the couch to sit, suddenly very tired. The day has not been hard physically, but mentally and emotionally, it has been a roller coaster. And I know it has only just begun.

  “What are you going to do, Reed?” I have dreaded asking this question from the moment I realized how much Reed and his mother needed each other. The thought of losing him is terrifying, but the thought of taking him away again is worse. I could never leave his wonderful mother alone again.

  Reed’s brow creases in confusion. “What are you talking about?”

  “Are you going to come back to Faery Land with me, or are you going to stay here with your mother?”

  “I didn’t think I had a choice. I thought I had to go back.”

  I shrug, not meeting his eyes. “Well, I am giving you the choice. You can stay if that is what you wish.”

  “What do you want?”

  I look up at Reed, not understanding why he would even ask that. “What I want is of no importance. It is your choice to make. Not mine.” I shake my head again in confusion.

  “Do you even care?” Reed’s voice has taken on an edge that I only heard a time or two before. Earlier today, when we were leaving the Seelie Court, he spoke to me the same way. I thought it was because of the anxiety he must have felt about seeing his mother again, but now I am not sure. He seems angry with me.

  “Why do you sound angry, and why would you ask that? Of course I care, but that does not matter.”

  Reed’s voice raises again as he gets up from his seat and begins to pace in front of me. His arms gesture wildly, and his words come out in a rush. “Of course it matters, Poppy! Or maybe it doesn’t. I don’t know. I thought there was something between us. But then you’ve been acting strange, like you’re embarrassed to be seen with me. So I don’t know.” His voice is angry, but I can hear the sadness and confusion as well.

  I feel my own anger gro
wing. “What are you talking about? I have never been embarrassed to be seen with you. I am proud to call you my friend.”

  “Friend?” He snorts as he mumbles the word. “Okay, we’ll go with that for now. If you’re not embarrassed, then why do you pull away from me every time someone sees us close?”

  “I just did not want them to get the wrong impression! I did not think you would like rumors circulating through the entire Court that were not true!” I rise from my seat and yell back at him, not caring if his mother hears now.

  “Well maybe I want those rumors circulating! Maybe I want everyone to think we’re more than friends!” He yells back even louder.

  Caught completely off guard by his words, I stare at him, blinking my eyes repeatedly, much like an owl. I take a few steps back and sit slowly back down on the couch. “Oh,” is the only sound I can manage, and it is barely even a whisper.

  “Okay, kids, time to eat!” There is a loud clap just as Reed’s mother walks into the room with a bright, fake smile on her face. I can tell she heard our argument and stepped in on purpose. I am so thankful for the interruption, I could hug her.

  Instead, I rise from my seat, and without meeting anyone’s eyes, I stiffly walk past Reed into the dining room.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Dinner in the Shultz house was a complete disaster.

  After instructed where to go, I make my way to the quaint and cozy dining room just off to the side of the kitchen. The table is set very nicely by Reed’s mother. There are bright dishes filled with food that smell so good my nose twitches, and my stomach begins to growl. She put beautiful woven placemats down for each of us, with proper Fae place settings on each. The dishes are old, delicate porcelain with intricate patterns, and probably saved for special occasions. Beside them are wine glasses that match the crystal pitcher in the center of the table which I am sure holds sugar water.