I shook my head and plucked the tonic out of his hand. It was warm just from sitting in his palm. “That’s actually why Mama and I make these.” I held the tonic up, loving the way it glowed in the sun. “We use the money to free slave Fae. Also, our tonics are less expensive than Fae Nectar. I’ve never touched the stuff, but Mama’s hoping she can encourage humans to finally leave it alone. She hopes that someday, human and Fae can live together peacefully.” I grinned at him. “Doesn’t that sound wonderful?”
“It sounds like a dream,” Aedan said softly.
I shoved a lock of hair behind my ear, wishing it would stay in place for once. “A dream I’m going to make a reality someday. Will you help me?”
He blinked in surprise. “What?”
“I figure if everyone works at it, it’s bound to happen.” A breeze drifted by, swaying the flowers around us. I closed my eyes, savoring the feel against my skin. When it was gone, I smiled at Aedan. “Don’t you think?”
He nodded slowly. “Maybe. But there’s a lot of people in the world.”
“Yes, there are.” I agreed. “But if I could change the people in my little corner of the world, that would be enough for me.”
A grin spread across Aedan’s face. “You’re an interesting human, aren’t you, Kyna?”
My breath caught in my lungs, just looking at his smile. He really was breathtaking. A blush burned my cheeks — I’d never thought that about any man before.
I looked away. “I’m not that interesting,” I mumbled back. “I’m just normal.” At least I thought so. But my family seemed to think I was different. There always seemed to be a line between them and me, one I couldn’t seem to cross. I loved them and we got along great, but it always felt like I was on the outside, looking in.
He gave a small laugh and shook his head. “No, I don’t think you’re just normal.” He looked out at the cattle. “Where is your father? Do humans really inherit so young?”
I sighed. Great, even a Fae that I just met thought I was different. “He’s gone. Suddenly passed away two years ago. His arm went numb and he fell over. Couldn’t breathe. No matter what tonic Mama used, it didn’t help.” I sighed again, this time in sadness as I remembered the way he lay there, face pale under the tanned skin and sunken cheeks. It was like it wasn’t even Papa, he looked so different. Just thinking about it still brought tears to my eyes.
I picked a small rock out of the soil and tossed it over the fence that surrounded the garden. “It was hard. We make these tonics to help people. But when we needed to help Papa the most, they were useless.”
Aedan nodded slowly. “Not every human ailment can be cured.”
“But every Fae’s can?” I looked at him, interested.
He shrugged and adjusted the cloak that hung off his shoulders. “Old age can’t be cured. And there are some battle wounds inflicted that never heal. But Fae don’t get sick, not like humans. Unless the forest around us is sick and our Nectar gets contaminated, we will always be healthy.”
I shook my head, trying to imagine a life without a common cold. My eyes wandered over the Fae Silk that cascaded over his broad shoulders. “Aren’t you hot?” I asked, and motioned up at the sun. “It’s the middle of summer and you’re under that cloak.”
He bobbed his head. “I’m always and never hot. I am a Sun Fae.” He pressed the back of his hand against my arm. His skin was warmer than mine, not enough to feel uncomfortable, but something else, like a little tingle, zipped from his touch and up to my chest.
My heart jumped and squeezed tightly. I looked at his strong, masculine hand, at his tan skin against mine. My cheeks were hotter than his fingers now. I bit my lips and snuck a peek up at Aeden.
He was watching me, his golden eyes deep and focused.
For a second, it was like time stopped.
His eyes darkened to warm honey. Slowly, his other hand lifted up towards my face.
“Kyna, are you—”
My heart shot into my throat and I nearly fell to my backside. Aden’s hands retracted as if I was made of lightning, his brows pulled together. As one, we turned toward the sound.
Heath walked around the corner of the house. He paused at the sight of Aedan then came up to the garden. He smiled, adjusting to the sight of a Sun Fae a lot faster than I did. “Hello, I’m Heath. Are you the one who helped my sister yesterday?”
I heard Heath’s words, but my mind was still spinning in circles. It was hard to breathe over my pounding heart. What had just happened? I could still feel the warmth of Aeden’s touch on my arm. It sent a regretful ache inside that I missed the chance to feel his fingers on my face too. Goodness, what was I thinking?
Aedan slowly stood up, eyes assessing Heath. Apparently, he decided that Heath wasn’t a problem because his hands didn’t light on fire, but his expression wasn’t as soft as it had been a minute ago. “I don’t know about helping, but we met yesterday, yes.”
“Ah.” Heath nodded. “Well, thank you for your kindness.” He smiled at Aedan and looked at me. “Kyna, Aunt Nora is looking for you.”
The sound of her name shriveled the warmth I was feelings. I let the air out of my lungs slowly, shoulders curving. No matter what the subject was, this was a talk I didn’t want to have.
Still, I pressed a smile on my face and nodded. “Okay.”
Aedan turned. “I’ll take my leave, then.”
“Ah, Aedan?” I reached out a hand, fingers not quite touching him. “Are you going … to come see me again?” Heat scorched my cheeks. I pressed my lips together and bit them, shocked at the words that just came out of my mouth. I wanted to look away, but couldn’t seem to take my eyes off his back as I waited, hardly able to breathe.
He looked over his shoulder at me for a second before he nodded to the side. With that, he jumped lithely over the fence. His wings unfurled from his cloak and he took flight, soaring into the air and back to the forest.
“Wow,” Heath muttered. “Somehow, it’s different from Marabell, even though they’re both Fae. That Sun Fae — Aedan? — almost seems more human.” Heath peeked at me from the corner of his eyes. “But not human enough, right?”
I blinked at Heath, blushing all the more. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Heath sighed and shook his head. “Never mind. Anyway, Aunt Nora wants to talk to you and Mama.” He pointed his thumb over his shoulder to our house.
I put my hands on my hips and leaned toward him. “Why did she have you fetch me?” As the soon-to-be inheritor of the ranch, he had better things to do than be Aunt’s gofer. Then again, it’s because Heath was inheriting and not one of her children that Aunt tried to undermine him.
He shrugged. “I wasn’t busy. She said there was a new Fae in your garden and didn’t want to come over herself. I can see why.” He looked to the forest where Aedan disappeared to. “I’d hate to be his enemy. No wonder Mama always said the Sun Fae are dangerous.”
“He’s a prince.” I bumped my elbow into Heath’s ribs.
My brother’s eyes widened. “A prince? You were sitting on the dirt with a prince? Kyna, you didn’t do anything — stupid, did you?”
“Stupid?” I demanded. “Can you not read the mood, dummy? We were having a wonderful talk before you came and ruined it. Besides, he’s a Fae. They like plants, remember?”
Heath shrugged and nodded. “Yeah, yeah.” He ran his hands through his blond hair and let out a breath. “Sorry, I just … I’m nervous about all of this. The wedding. Taking over the ranch. Then there’s that odd attack yesterday. I just don’t know what to do. How to protect you and Mama. What if the Red Caps come here? I don’t know how to handle something like that.”
I put a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll be here, and Mama too, to help you. Everything will work out fine. Just keep doing what Papa taught you and the ranch will be just fine.”
He swallowed and nodded.
My smile turned mischievous and I elbowed him in the ribs agai
n. “As for the wedding, well, I’ll help with what I can. But there’s no way I’m going to get in the middle of a newly married couple. I’m not ready for that yet.”
His ears turned red. “Kyna! What are — Is that any way for a girl to talk?”
I laughed.
“Now get, you!” He put a hand on my back and pushed me forward. “Don’t make Aunt Nora wait too long. It’s not worth it and you know that.”
I moaned. “Right, right.” I walked forward and tossed a pouty look over my shoulder. “I’ll just leave you here, thinking about your pretty bride.” His blush almost made up for my ruined mood.
*****
Aunt Nora was a pain in my backside any day of the week and today was no different. She used to be pretty, but the frown lines from her continual scowl made her age faster than she should have. Her pale hair was pulled into a tight bun and her blue dress was getting too tight for her. She sat at our kitchen table, hands clasped together while Mama bustled around the kitchen, prepping potatoes for dinner. The two women pretended the other wasn’t there until I walked in.
Aunt looked up and Mama turned around, wiping her hands on a towel.
“Finally,” Aunt muttered and stood up.
“Now, Nora,” Mama said and walked over to me. “You can tell me what this is all about.”
Aunt Nora cleared her throat and held her chin high. “There has been a marriage proposal for Kyna. On your behalf, I accepted.”
Chapter 6
“What?” Mama and I gasped.
Aunt jumped like a spooked cat. She cleared her throat and lifted her nose in the air.
“A marriage proposal?” I gasped. Was she serious? I wasn’t ready for that. Didn’t want it in the slightest.
“What right do you have to do such a thing? Last I checked, I’m still the acting head of the house. A decision like that is mine to make.” Mama’s voice was low as she glared at my aunt. “Who is the man?”
“Pearse McReilly.” Aunt folded her arms. “He’s an established man, a merchant, with lots of money. It would be a good investment for the family. You took so long getting back yesterday that I decided to accept his proposal in your stead.”
Pearse McReilly. Where had I heard that name before? Like lightning, the face of the creepy, looming man in the garden flashed through my mind. “No!”
“Absolutely not!” Mama’s voice echoed in the house.
Aunt blinked and I stared, surprised. Mama hardly ever yelled like that. The last time I could remember her raising her voice was when Papa died and she kept pleading for him to wake up. Every time Aunt started her antics — bossed around our family or tried to enforce her will — Mama had handled the situation calmly and smoothly as she put Aunt back in her place. Not this time. This time, Mama visibly shook with anger.
“How dare you try to force such a thing?” Mama thrust a finger at Aunt. Her head was held high and her shoulders were squared. Even in her common clothes, she held the air of royalty. “You go back to Mr. McReilly and tell him no. And give him back his money.”
Aunt Nora stepped back, stricken by the authority that emitted from Mama. “What money?” she stammered.
“Don’t think I don’t know. He approached me first, trying to trade money for Kyna just yesterday at the market.” Mama shook her head with disgust.
I gasped. “He did what?”
Mama’s chin lowered and she turned that look of disgust on Aunt Nora. “Or were you going to keep it for yourself? What makes you think you can sell off my daughter?”
Aunt Nora flushed scarlet with anger. “As a member of this family, I have the right to join in these decisions.” Her voice shook as she tried to take control of the conversation. “Didn't I set up Heath's marriage? He and that girl, Eden, are happy. Why shouldn't I do the same for Kyna?”
I scoffed. “Never mind that they were already in love and planning to get married by the time you heard about it. Do you really think the cakes you sent over to Halstein Farm influenced her papa?”
“Kyna, do not talk to me that way!” Aunt Nora yelled.
“Nora, do not talk to my daughter that way, either,” Mama added, her voice brimming with anger. “Helpful as your efforts might have been at that time, you do not have the right to choose a marriage partner for Kyna. My son’s arrangement is more than enough to help the ranch. My daughter will not have an arranged marriage. She can choose who she wants.”
I looked at Mama, surprised. “Truly?”
All my cousins had arranged marriages. Even Heath’s marriage was ‘arranged,’ though he and his fiancée had come to their parents to ask for permission first. It was something I’d never thought about, never wanted to think about, because I didn’t want to get married. I didn’t want to rule over a household and chase children around. Maybe someday, but there was too much I wanted to do first. There were too many Fae I wanted to meet, too many places I wanted to see. I couldn’t do that if I was tied down to a house, especially with a man who carries a Far Darrig.
Aunt gave a dismissive, angry sound. “That is not for you to decide alone, Maira. Kyna turns seventeen in a week, it’s time to start talking about marriage. Almost too late for it. It is the responsibility for all children to have a marriage that improves the ranch in some way. Your daughter is no different. You were no different.” Her lips curled. “Or are you saying you regret your marriage to Seamus? The poor man. Are you saying you weren’t happy with him?”
An angry flush seared Mama’s cheeks and neck. “Of course, I was happy with him. He was a good man, very kind and easy to love.”
“And that was an arranged marriage,” Aunt Nora said, acting like she won. A heavy atmosphere settled over the room as the women glared at each other, unspoken words flying back and forth.
That’s right. Mama and Papa did have an arranged marriage. Their relationship had been so harmonious, it was easy to think they’d married for love. So, Mama had been in this position too. Had she even known Papa before they married? What if she’d never wanted to marry him at all?
“What benefit would Mr. McReilly bring to the ranch?” I almost didn’t want to ask the question, but my curiosity won out.
“Other than lining your pockets?” Mama added.
Aunt flushed angrily. She cleared her throat and gave me a too-wide smile. “Mr. McReilly is a wealthy merchant.”
“Of Fae,” Mama cut in. “Mr. McReilly deals with Fae. Not cattle. He’s a slaver,” she spat the word like it was the vilest thing in the world, “who simply wants to take advantage of Kyna’s relationship with Fae.”
I gasped. He gave me the creeps, but I didn’t know he was that bad. “A slaver was allowed on our property?” I demanded. With a slaver around, all the Fae who visited our garden would be in danger. “You were okay with ... marrying me to him?” I gaped at my aunt.
“Such a union will never take place. Ever,” Mama assured me. She looked at Aunt Nora and jerked her head to the door. “Go give him back his money and tell him to never talk to any of my family again.” There was no please, simply an order.
Aunt sputtered and waved her hand. “I can’t do that. Think of the shame our family would face if we broke an agreement like that?”
“Think of the shame your own kin, your own husband, would feel every time they look at you, knowing you tried to sell your own niece to a slaver,” Mama seethed, eyes narrowing. For a moment, she looked as dangerous as Aedan when he fought the Red Caps.
Something close to fear crossed Aunt’s features. As if she realized she crossed a line and might actually take the fall for it. With a huff, she turned on her heels and flounced out the front door, slamming it as she went.
Marabell flew out from her little room hanging in the corner of the common room and grabbed a lock of my hair, hugging it. “To think she wanted to sell my Kyna to a—a slaver!” She gasped, teary eyed and shivering. She was probably thinking about the slaver I rescued her from when I was eight. With a wail, she threw her arms around my cheeks a
nd pressed her tiny face into mine.
I carefully tapped her back with my finger. “I knew that Aunt was, well, off kilter. But I never thought she’d do anything like that.”
In a matter of minutes, my happy little world seemed to be shifting. The idea of marriage loomed over my head, even though Mama had said it would be my choice. The choice just added extra pressure on me — something else that made me different from the rest of my kin. As if I needed to be more different.
But the very rock of my life, the foundation that my wonderful parents made for me, seemed to be shifting and cracking, making me start to question every memory in my life and wonder what really happened.
Why had Mama never told me about the Sun Fae? What other secrets had she kept from me?
Mama let out a huff of air, still trying to cool her temper. “Let’s hope this is the last we have to hear about Mr. McReilly.”
*****
The next couple days were full of getting ready for Heath’s wedding and prepping plants — drying, boiling, and grinding — for more tonics. Aunt Nora avoid us. Every time she saw one of us coming, she’d turn and walk the other way or strike up an overly animated conversation with whoever was closest to her so she could pretend she didn’t see us. I personally considered it an improvement to our relationship.
I found myself stopping and watching the forest more and more as the days went by, hoping to see the gleam of light off Aedan’s wings. I never did. It wasn’t like I expected him to come back the next day, or the day after. But still, I found myself watching for him.
The night before Heath’s wedding, Mama and I stood in the kitchen, finishing up the flower displays for the ceremony.
Heath sat on one of the kitchen chairs, jumped to his feet, walked around the table to straighten a plate displayed on the shelf. I raised an eyebrow—the plate had been fine as it was. Heath flushed and walked to his room, then hissed out a breath and walked back to the kitchen to stand behind his chair, rocking it back and forth on its legs.
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