Mistfall

by Olivia Martinez

  We found them under the cover of a Weeping Willow, in a lovers’ embrace. Not wanting to interrupt such an intimate moment, we quietly tried to escape their notice. John stepped on a stick though and gave us away.

  The couple, surprised at being intruded upon broke away quickly. Fiona’s face flushed crimson. Hailz, rather than being embarrassed was cross. Her eyes shot daggers at us. Hailz swore, at me in particular. “Can’t I get away from you for two bloody minutes?”

  I fumbled over my words as I tried to apologize. “Sorry. We uh, well we just came to find you, um not like this and…um, well here.” I stuck out my hand to Hailz and revealed my gift.

  Hailz, Fiona, and John recognized what I was holding (I had told John and Melissa realizing I needed a safety net for Hailz, in case something happened to me.). All of their jaws dropped in unison.

  “What in Hades do you think you’re doing?” Hailz shrieked.

  I smiled at her surprise since she was never caught unaware. “It’s your wedding present.”

  “Oh Mags,” Fiona gushed as she rushed over to hug me. “Rarely does one return the object to a bound jinn.” Tears formed in the corner of her eyes as she continued on, overjoyed by my gift. “I cannot thank you enough for your gift and generosity of spirit.”

  “No need,” I said still enveloped in Fiona’s arms. I was beginning to think she would never let go. “Hailz has gone above and beyond to help me get here. The least I could do is release her so we can return to our adversarial selves.”

  Fiona, still teary-eyed let me go. I guess I did good, judging by her reaction, I thought. John, proud of me, put his arm around my waist and pulled me into my second hug of the last two minutes. Thankfully he didn’t hang onto me as long as Fiona did. Once he was done, Hailz took the opportunity to show her appreciation by slapping me, hard, across the face.

  The feeling of tiny little pin pricks made themselves known and I brought my hand to my cheek. I was taken aback by her reaction. “What the hell Hailz?”

  Hailz grabbed the front of my dress, yanking me forward. I was so close that I could feel her warm breath on my face. I’ve seen the look she has on her face before. It was the look that Hailz had when she killed someone out of anger. Her jaw was tense, eyes narrowed, and a little vein pulsated on her forehead.

  “Put that away and leave me alone for the rest of the night,” she demanded while tempering her murderous rage.

  When dealing with Hailz, one has to throw civility out the window. “Listen here handbag,” I seethed, referring to her serpentine form. “I’m going home tomorrow. What could I possibly still need you for? Take your damn compass and I’ll leave you alone until it’s time to kill you.”

  Hailz dropped her hands from my fancy dress as her anger abated. “You can really be a fucking moron sometimes,” she told me. “It’s not over until you side with the Master or Abel kills you.”

  It was now my mouth that dropped open. “No,” I gasped.

  She didn’t reply, only looked at me as if I was stupid.

  “No Hailz. I didn’t want to do this in the first place.” I paced back and forth as my heart pounded so loudly I thought everyone could hear it. “You didn’t give me any choice in the matter,” I accused her adding, “It was only supposed to be temporary!”

  No matter how much I begged, Hailz refused to take back the compass. As Fiona took her turn arguing with Hailz, I took solace in John’s arms. I felt horrible. Hailz had bound herself to me knowing it was to be long term. She had willingly become subservient to me and wouldn’t let me give her freedom to her. There was nothing I could do but remain her master.

  Fiona dragged Hailz away so she could continue the argument in private.

  “It’s not your fault and there’s nothing you can do if Hailz is unwilling,” John pointed out in an effort to comfort me.

  I looked up at him. “There has to be a way,” I insisted. “I can’t, I won’t enslave another being, regardless of their willingness.”

  John outlined my jaw with his thumb and then held my face in his hand. I relished in the feeling of his touch, the heat from his hand warming my very soul. “I know you wouldn’t Violet, that’s one of the many reasons I love you.”

  “That doesn’t make what I’ve done any less terrible,” I uttered.

  “We’ll figure it out,” John promised.

  “There you are,” a male voice interrupted my pity party. Apparently John and I weren’t as clever as we thought we were. Rory had known where we were the whole time. I was surprised at Rory’s decision to give me some room to breathe. I think Melissa may have said something to him. She really is the best friend a person could ask for.

  Speaking of which, Melissa had joined Rory in finding us. “Hey Rory, Melissa,” I said.

  “What’s going on?” she asked, noticing my sullen expression.

  I couldn’t say anything in front of Rory about the situation between Hailz and me. I opted for the truth but skipped around the details. “Hailz didn’t like my wedding present. She and I got into an argument over it and then everything went south from there.”

  “That stinks,” she commiserated with me. “I swear, it’s like a tug of war between the two of you. No matter what, Hailz is always pulling in the opposite direction of you.”

  Rory, oblivious to the conversation, said nothing. His sole focus was geared to Melissa’s ample breasts. I rolled my eyes but said nothing. That’s as close as he’s probably gotten in a long time.

  John still held me in his arms. He gave me a quick squeeze and suggested we head back. When we returned, the party was in full swing, but still PG-rated. The rip roaring raunchy randiness wouldn’t start until after midnight.

  We returned to our table. Two women from the Witch’s Council were seated with us. They introduced themselves as Astrid and Edith Grall. They were middle aged women who time hadn’t been kind to. Astrid looked as if she had been beautiful once, remnants of her beauty apparent in her wrinkle free skin. Edith, on the other hand, I think was born with the sour expression she wore on her face.

  When it was my turn to be introduced I was greeted with evil stares from the two Witches. They were polite as could be with everyone else at the table. The Grall sisters only seemed to have a problem with me. Abel may no longer be here, but his influence was apparent in these two women.

  I made the best of the situation. Being seated between John and Melissa, I was safe from the evil eye of the Witches. Rory, on the other side of Melissa, seemed to relax and enjoy himself. I think it may have had something to do with Melissa.

  A new glass was set in front of me and I took a hearty gulp, hoping to steady my nerves. The only thing it did for my nerves was set them off kilter even more as I realized I had just downed half a glass of fairy wine.

  I spoke in a low voice, not wanting eavesdroppers to listen in. “I accidentally took a big drink of the wine,” I informed John. “Am I going to be okay?”

  He cupped my chin in his hand and chuckled softly. “You should be just fine, just switch to something else.”

  Oh thank the Goddess, I sighed in relief. Waking up a week later with no memory of what I did wasn’t sounding like my idea of fun.

  “Just in case, I won’t leave your sight,” John added, patting my hand.

  I took a moment to take him in. A five o’ clock shadow was making its appearance on his face. Even dressed like a foppish French gentleman from the 1700’s, the stubble looked good on him. I loved how he always smelled like nature, the scent of fresh mown grass radiating from his every pore.

  Melissa cleared her throat, gaining our attention. “Mags, are you going to sit there all night and stare at John all doe eyed or do you want to come and dance with me?”

  Rather than face another embarrassing situation, I left with Melissa before John had the chance to tease me. We left John at the table, with Rory as entertainment.

  I mentioned Rory’s attentiveness towards Melissa to her as we made our way to the dance floor.


  “Rory’s nice enough, but I think I’d break him,” she mentioned. “Does that make me sound superficial?”

  “A little,” I responded, “but who isn’t. Besides, you haven’t seen him at his best yet.”

  She raised her eyebrow at me, knowing I was up to something, but unable to put her finger on it. “What do you mean, at his best?”

  “Stick around him long enough and you’ll find out,” I warned, laughing at my little joke. I wondered what she would think of Rory if she saw him transform. After all, Melissa did like a beast of a man.

  There were two circles of dancers, one inside of the other. They were getting ready to begin when we joined them. Melissa and I found ourselves between a Dwarf and a Fae. The Dwarf acknowledged us and nothing more. The Fae was kind enough to explain the dance to us.

  Each circle danced in opposite directions until the music stops. Then, you and the person opposite you on the inside circle dance round and round until the music stops once again. Whichever circle you are in when the music ends is the circle you begin the whole process with again. The dance is meant to give each dancer as many partners as possible.

  Melissa and I had a blast in the dancing circles. I can’t remember who all I danced with, but even the queen’s consort and I shared a twirl.

  One of the women in the inner circle began to scream, breaking up the frivolity and drawing everyone’s attention. I tried to push through some of the onlookers to get a better look, but Rory pulled me away.

  “What happened?” he asked while on the lookout for the source of the threat.

  John had found Melissa and brought her to where Rory and I were standing.

  “I don’t know,” I replied, just as baffled as anyone else. “I was dancing and all of the sudden a woman started freaking out.” I looked at Melissa. “Did you see anything?” I asked her.

  “No. I didn’t see anything either,” she replied.

  John was in his familiar warrior stance, alert to everything and scanning the area for dangers. As long as I’ve known him, he’s always been prepared like a finely trained soldier. As long as I’ve known him, he’s always seemed ready to go into battle. I wonder where he trained or why he did it. I made a mental note to ask him about that.

  “I doubt she’s screaming bloody murder for no reason,” John remarked while putting his body between the group and I.

  The queen’s consort made his way through the mass of people and was walking past us when he overheard John and stopped short. He dismissed our concerns with a wave of his bejeweled hand. “It is nothing to worry about. I’ve simply won a bet.”

  Rory bowed in deference. “But my lord, she’s screaming,” he pointed out.

  Melissa, John, and I were not used to Fae customs and hastily made the same courtesies as Rory had.

  The consort, gleeful of his victory, was all too happy to tell us his story. “The woman was frightened, that’s all. I told Aurora this morning that something would try to nest in one of these ghastly wigs we’re all wearing.”

  Melissa’s hands shot up to her mouth in shock. “Oh my goodness!”

  The consort looked Melissa over with a rakish eye. Finding her countenance pleasing he continued. “Yes, quite shocking indeed,” he told as he kissed her hand. Melissa giggled, like a little schoolgirl, at the pleasantry. Rory bristled as the exchange took place. I had no doubt a green eyed monster was, well, going to replace his monstrous self. I wonder if Aurora knows her lover is a cad.

  The consort, remembering his manners, continued with his tale, this time addressing all of us. “It seems a group of hummingbirds have decided that Baroness Carrick’s wig was a fine place to make their new home.”

  We all broke into laughter at that. Even the consort couldn’t hide his joviality at the ridiculous scene. We drew the ire of the other guests. I guess some of them took the woman’s predicament more seriously than we and thought us impolite.

  I didn’t want to find Pixies playing hide and go seek in my beehive of a nightmare. Wasting no time, I got rid of my wig and Melissa’s, relegating them to wherever things go when they magically disappear. Other women, not having to be the first to do so, followed suit and removed their hairpieces.

  “What did you win, my lord?” Rory asked of the consort.

  His wandering eye had led him to Melissa’s bust line again which led to his distraction. “Win?” The consort took a moment as he tried to figure out what it was that Rory asked. His eyes lit up when he realized what he had been asked. “Oh yes, the bet. I won a village,” he said nonchalantly and walked away, being summoned by Aurora. The queen had noticed his appreciation for Melissa.

  “A village?” Melissa asked in disbelief.

  “Is something wrong?” Rory inquired back, confused by her reaction.

  She took her time and chose her words carefully, not wanting to offend Rory. “How do you feel, being won and lost in a bet at the whim of a noble?”

  Rory’s lips curved upward and his eyes twinkled in amusement. “I appreciate your concern. If I was anything other than Fae you would have a valid point.”

  “It isn’t problematic?” John asked as we still mulled around.

  “No, it’s not,” Rory replied and explained why. “Though village leaders change, their treatment of us is always humane and just. We don’t rule and treat each other like your leaders do.”

  Melissa was placated by his answer. She couldn’t stand injustice and her heart always bled for those she felt were oppressed. The Fae way, socially evolved light years beyond the rest of ours, seemed alien and strange to the rest of us. Maybe one day we’ll be lucky enough to follow in their shoes.

  Crisis averted, the wedding reception was back in full swing sans party hair. We, along with the others joined back in the merriment as we ate, drank, and danced well into the night.

  19. They Have Meds for That

  Hours later, our feet were sore from dancing, our minds were slightly fogged over by the alcohol, and we were getting tired. Deciding to call it a wrap, the four of us went back to the hotel. To our luck, the mass orgy was only beginning. The few participants who decided to get a jump in on the action were partially hidden by bushes. I, in particular, was glad I didn’t get accosted with an eyeful of fornicating Fae.

  Our rooms were next to each other on the second floor. My room was sandwiched between Rory and John, with Melissa on the end next to Rory. Across the hallway sat an unfamiliar Fae.

  Rory acknowledged the stranger and introduced us. “Magdalene, this is Finn. He will be your night guard.”

  Fantastic, another warden. “Nice to meet you,” I said, withholding my disdain for yet another babysitter.

  Finn scowled at me in return. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he had a problem with me. As it was, I didn’t even know the guy. I was clueless to his surly attitude.

  Rory noticed his co-worker’s craptastic attitude, but said nothing to him, pulling me to the side instead. “Don’t mind Finn. He’s just upset that he couldn’t partake in the festivities tonight.”

  The Sandman had been singing his song to me for the last hour. I wasn’t in the mood for someone I didn’t even know to give me any gruff. I raised an eyebrow and put my hand on my hip in full sass mode. “Well, I didn’t mean to get in the way of him getting a piece of ass tonight,” I replied sarcastically.”

  Finn’s brow furrowed from the tension his buddy and I were causing. Extreme hate was radiating of Finn which put me at unease. I seemed to be the only one that noticed it though. Melissa was leaning against her door, wanting the night to end and John seemed uninterested in Rory’s and my conversation. Any other time I would have been up for a good verbal sparring with the less than charming Finn, but I relinquished the standoff, not wanting to keep the others up because of my stubbornness.

  I looked from Finn to Rory. “He doesn’t have to guard me Rory, I offered, my voice low enough so the frowny-faced Fae wouldn’t overhear me. “I promise I won’t leave my room tonight.” It
was a double-ended deal. The mean Fae could leave and I would keep my word and remain in my room for Rory’s sake.

  Rory paused and ran his hand through his hair. I don’t think he’s ever been put in a situation like this before. It took him a moment to choose his words. “That’s a fine offer Magdalene and I’m sure Finn appreciates your generosity. However, considering the Elven intrusion, I will not take any more risks as far as you are concerned.”

  I’ll admit his diplomacy was impressive. Maybe there was more to Rory than meets the eye, aside from the enormous steroid addled monster he turned into. I’m going to call him the Incredible Hulk next time he changes, I thought absentmindedly.

  “Rory?” Melissa chimed. “What are the plans for our departure tomorrow?”

  Though he was exasperated with me (the feeling was mutual), when answering Melissa he stood up straight and smiled at her as if she were his queen. “Once the three of you are awake and fed, you will be sent through the portal and back into the Wildwood.”

  “Great,” she said yawning before covering her mouth with her hand. She hadn’t noticed Rory’s subtle flirtations. “Goodnight everyone, I’m going to bed.”

  Rory gave Melissa his heartiest goodnight and the two of them retired to their rooms, leaving John and I alone, with Finn. I wanted to give John a proper goodnight kiss, but I didn’t want Finn and his still venomous glare as an audience.

  I leaned into John so I could whisper in his ear. “I’d kiss you goodnight, but I feel a bit uncomfortable with Nanny McFae over there.”

  He chuckled while pulling me into a hug with one arm. Brushing my hair back behind one ear, he lowered his face and whispered, “Not to worry, I will get that kiss from you shortly. Just wait up for me please.”

  His warm breath tickled my ear and I shivered in response. The fine hairs of my body stood up across my body like soldiers at attention.

  I looked up at those beautiful green eyes, puzzled as how he’d manage that feat with the Sour Plum Fairy sitting right outside the doors. “But how?” I said, loud enough that Finn took a sudden interest in the conversation.