Cursed: St. Croix Falls #2

by Melody Personette

  ***

  Mia glanced around at the party in full swing in the middle of the woods. Hazel had really gone all out. Twinkly lights were strung in the branches of the trees, vines grew on tree trunks decorating them in swirling, unnatural patterns. Tree stumps sat around a small camp fire and there was a wooden table with food and drinks. “Wow, it’s beautiful,” Mia breathed, taking it all in.

  Rhett came up behind her, wrapping an arm around her waist. “Nymphs sure know how to decorate.”

  “I guess so...”

  Everyone was dressed in varying greens and floral colors. Mia could easily find the nymphs in the crowd. They were all dressed up in gauzy and silken clothes with live flowers and plants on them. Rhett had changed into a hunter green V-neck with a brown vest over it and a pair of brown shorts, giving him a Robin Hood vibe.

  She scanned the crowd of young shifters with their animalistic traits, mer-kids with scales and gills and Sidhe with their unnatural beauty for a particular head of light pink hair. Thankfully she didn’t spot any goblins. Maybe Angie really would have a goblin free night after all. For her sake, Mia hoped so.

  She spotted Angie talking with Hazel in a small cluster of nymphs. She looked so at home with them in her long green chiffon dress with pink flowers growing up from the bottom and decorating the neckline. For the first time since the breakup, Mia saw her friend laugh and smile.

  Rhett suddenly took her hand and pulled her toward where others were dancing. “Dance with me?” he asked, quirking an eyebrow and looking too good to resist.

  Mia grinned and was about to oblige when she thought better of it. She gave his hand a tug. “Actually, let’s go for a walk. I want to talk to you about something. And then we can dance,” she added.

  Rhett shrugged and fell into step beside her. He placed her hand on his arm. Mia hung onto his arm with both of her hands.

  “What is it?” he asked after they were a small distance from the party.

  Mia turned to give him her full attention. “I’m not mad at you anymore. I’ve decided that I’m sick of being mad at people... I just want to live my life and move on. Be the new and improved Mia.”

  Rhett’s lips twitched upward. “Well I like the new and improved Mia. But... I am a little curious as to why you’re saying this to me at a party?”

  Mia shook her head and stopped their slow stride. She stepped toward him. “I wanted it to be somewhere special,” she whispered.

  Before Rhett could ask what she meant, Mia bridged the space between them and pressed her lips to his, silencing his questions. Rhett gladly let her, his hands coming up to cradle her face, but Mia’s slid up his chest and to his arms and then to the back of his neck. She kissed him like she would never see him again. Like it was the end of the world and this was the last time they would ever be together. She let go of everything and let herself get completely lost in him the way she had wanted to from the very beginning but had held herself back from. Rhett kissed her just as passionately, a devouring kind of kiss like he shared her urgency.

  Rhett grinned down at her as they parted, his hand caressing her cheek. “Not that I’m complaining but... what was that about?”

  Mia smiled up at him. She knew it was the right time and she knew she had to say these three words before anything else crazy happened. Mia looped her arms around his neck and kissed him one more time before pulling away, gazing into his eyes and saying, “I love you.”

  Rhett blinked and for a second, she was pretty sure the words hadn’t registered. Then his eyes widened, and his grin spread. “What... what did you say?”

  Mia grinned back, her face on fire in the best way possible. “I love you Rhett Alder. I love you.”

  “You... you said it,” he whispered.

  Mia nodded, her grin widening. She hadn’t realized how liberating, how freeing it would be to say those words. Mia had been holding them in for so long. She felt like she had been holding them in her heart, waiting for the right time for the past ten years. When she got to St. Croix Falls, all they had wanted to do was burst out of her. Now that she had finally let them go, they fluttered away like freed butterflies from their cage. She opened her mouth, deciding that this was the perfect time to tell him the plan Ryker and Joelin and her had, but then she looked at him... He was so happy. His eyes shone, he was smiling from ear to ear. He was content here with her. Mia didn’t want to take that away from him. The thought of losing him, of even potentially putting him in danger threatened to rip her heart strings out of her chest. Mia couldn’t believe she was about to ruin this moment...

  “I did,” she said instead, the words feeling both sweet and bitter on her tongue. “I love you and I mean it, Rhett. I really do. I was so angry with you after I found out what you had done. And for a while it was real anger, but then I realized... I realized that I was using my anger as a wall. An excuse to not feel what I wanted to feel, to not say what I wanted to say. Well I’m done. I’m done being mad at you. I’m done holding grudges. I’m ready to move on and stop living in the past.” Mia shook her head. “I don’t need to have all my memories back, and I don’t need to know how we fell in love the first time. All that matters to me is now. How we fell in love in the here and now.”

  Rhett’s eyes smoldered, and it seemed he didn’t have anything better to say so he kissed her, and his kiss conveyed everything he had wanted to say. He loved her, and he would love her forever. In that moment as they sat down on the swing bench and kissed, and Mia let Rhett hold her. They were present with one another, hope sparked in her chest because she knew no matter what happened she would always find her way back to him. They were magnets and Mia would always be drawn to Rhett and vice versa.

  But before Mia could allow herself to bask in the moment, she had to potentially ruin the moment all together. She had to tell him about the plan for tonight. “I... have one more thing I need to say,” she said hesitantly. Mia scooted back a little. She needed some space for what she was going to tell him.

  Rhett’s eyebrows drew together. “What is it?”

  “Ryker... asked me about opening the door and we decided, together, that we should open it while everyone’s busy. I don’t need an audience, and we don’t need people mobbing the portal, you know?”

  Rhett nodded. “Yeah, I get that.”

  “So... we decided the party was the perfect distraction. We’re doing it tonight, and I want you to be there. I want you to go through with me,” she said all in a rush.

  The lazy smile on his lips disappeared. Mia knew for sure she had just ruined their moment. He slid his arm free from her shoulders and ran a hand through his hair. Mia pressed her lips together, wishing she could read his mind. “What... do you think?”

  Rhett glanced at her. “You want to do this?”

  Mia nodded. “I’ve made up my mind. I’m going to do it either way.”

  He nodded slowly. “Well...” he said slowly after a moment. “If this is what you want and you’re not just doing this because Ryker threatened you or something...”

  “I’m not,” Mia insisted.

  “Then... I guess I don’t really have any way to stop you. So, I’ll be there. As if I would let you walk into Faerie without me.”

  Mia let out a breath of relief and her lips turned up in a hesitant smile. “Really?”

  “Of course. Mia, I’m not going to stop you from doing something you want – need – to do. Besides... I’d like the portal to open. I miss home. So, if you’re up for it then so am I.”

  Mia’s heart felt like it might burst for love and gratitude and happiness and a million other things for him. She didn’t know how else to express how she felt besides wrapping her arms around him. “Thank you,” she whispered. “You have no idea how much I was dreading telling you. I didn’t want to ruin the moment.”

  They parted and Rhett kissed her cheek. “You could never ruin the moment. This... this is perfect right here, right now.”

  Mia kissed him then. She had never been s
o happy in her whole life. She felt complete now.

  “But if we are going to Faerie,” Rhett said once they’d parted. “I say we spend some time together before things get crazy. What do you think?”

  “Sure, whatever you want to do. I’m just relieved you’re going.”

  “Of course, I am. I’m offended you thought I wouldn’t.” Rhett stepped back and held out his hand. “I say we celebrate. Will you dance with me Mia Avery?”

  Mia grinned and took his hand. She gave a clumsy curtsey. “Of course I will Rhett Alder.’

  Hand in hand they walked back to the party. Mia’s heart felt like it might explode with happiness as he twirled her around on the dance floor. Nothing else mattered, and for a moment she forgot about everything. Rhett made her feel like she was the only person in the world, and nothing could ever touch her.

  They danced and danced until they stumbled out of the throng of nymphs and Fae to get a drink. Mia was laughing at something Rhett said when she caught sight of something green in her peripheral vision. She turned her head to find Kai making his way over to where Angie was laughing with one of her nymph friends. Rhett didn’t seem to have noticed yet. He continued to say something Mia didn’t pay attention to.

  Her eyes narrowed as she watched Kai stop in front of the two nymphs. The one Angie was talking to went quiet and hurried to leave. Even from far away Mia could see the anguish on her face when she turned to Kai. Angie said something, folding her arms. Kai’s arms splayed out like he was asking her something.

  Angie glanced around and her eyes snagged on Mia’s. Mia gave her a small, encouraging nod. She hoped Kai was there to tell her the truth. Angie seemed to consider it for a moment and then nodded to Kai. They walked away from the party, between the trees for some privacy.

  Mia smiled. She hoped they made up. They deserved each other.

  “Rhett Alder?”

  They both turned around to find a Sidhe standing in front of them. He was beautiful with sharp cheekbones, long golden hair that went down his back and aqua blue eyes. Rhett’s eyes widened when he saw him, and his lips split into a grin. “Cade? Long time no see.”

  Cade smirked, giving Rhett a once over and then Mia as well. “It has been a while, hasn’t it? Only took Mia to return for you to stop being a hermit.”

  Rhett snorted and slid his arm from Mia, enveloping Cade in a hug. Mia’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. She had never seen Rhett embrace someone like that... Actually, besides her, she had never seen him treat anyone nicely. Mia had assumed the whole town hated him. Cade laughed and thumped him on the back as they parted. “Where have you been?”

  Rhett shrugged. “You know... here and there. Hiding...”

  “But no longer I see. I heard about you wearing your crown to the dance at the end of school,” Cade said, quirking an eyebrow.

  “I did. I was sick of hiding... It’s time I start acting like a prince again.”

  Cade’s smile widened. “I couldn’t agree more. Lilac’s not going to be happy about that.”

  “Well I’ve never particularly cared what Lilac thought, now have I?”

  “No, no you haven’t and that’s why I like you so much.”

  Rhett laughed and then seemed to remember Mia was still there. He stepped back and slid an arm around her shoulders. “Oh, Cade, this is Mia... who you already know. Mia this is Cade. An old friend of mine. I honestly had no idea where you got off to. I haven’t seen you at school.”

  Mia held her hand out to shake his, but Cade took her hand and placed a gentle kiss on her knuckles. He grinned up at her slyly still bent over her hand. “It’s a pleasure. I’m glad to see you two found each other once more.”

  “Um, yeah... me too. It’s nice to meet you,” Mia said, taking her hand back.

  Cade straightened and turned to Rhett. “As for where I’ve been, I’m an immortal being, and high school is a waste of time. It’s frivolous and stupid.”

  Rhett grinned. “That I agree with. I only started going so I could be with Mia more.”

  “Ah, how romantic,” Cade teased with a wink at Mia.

  Mia grinned. He seemed like a nice guy. There was something a bit slippery about his gaze though... like he couldn’t quite be trusted. But maybe that was what Rhett liked about him. He seemed the unpredictable sort.

  “Anyways, I heard there was a curse on the loose? Mind telling me what that’s all about?”

  Rhett’s smile slipped and he nodded. “Yeah... maybe we can go somewhere and talk? We have a lot to talk about.”

  “Yes we do. Ten years’ worth. I’m a little offended you didn’t come find me,” Cade said, shooting him a fake-glare.

  “I, uh, didn’t want any company...”

  “So in other words you were busy having a pity party for yourself,” Cade said, shooting Mia another teasing grin.

  Rhett smirked as he let go of Mia. “Something like that. Do you mind if we go talk? I figured you would want to go see Angie...”

  Mia nodded, waving them away. “What? Yeah of course! Come find me when you’re done.”

  “Will do,” Rhett said, pecking her on the cheek.

  Cade shot her a sloppy salute and another wink. “See ya around Mia. It was a pleasure meeting you again.”

  “Yeah... see ya...” Mia trailed off. She watched them walk off, watching Cade the whole time. There was something about him... She couldn’t quite put her finger on it. They disappeared into the trees and Mia snapped herself out of her trance. Mia scanned the party and found Angie with some of her nymph friends. They were talking and she was actually smiling. Mia smiled glad to see her friend happy. Rhett was off with Cade and Angie seemed happy, so Mia turned to go for a short walk. The noise of the party was getting to be a little too much for her. She glanced over her shoulder and when she turned back around, she gasped, stumbling to a stop and coming face to face with Lilac. Tonight was full of surprises apparently.

  Mia’s lips twisted, and she took a step back. “What do you want?” she snapped.

  Lilac sneered. She was dressed to perfection today, the picture of put togetherness. Her purple hair fell in curls around her face and down her back. She wasn’t in usual party attire. Lilac was in a pair of black skinny jeans and black thigh-high boots. She wore a dark maroon fitted tunic with ruffled bell sleeves. Her lips and eyelids were painted a dark, sinful purple. “I want a lot of things,” she said, her voice full of venom. “I want the respect I deserve, I want you gone, and I want the gate open. Which is exactly what you’re going to do for me. Right now.”

  Mia snorted, her eyebrows raising. Lilac must have lost her last marble if she thought Mia was going to open the door for her. “Why would I do anything you want?” Mia asked, arms folded.

  Lilac scowled and nodded over Mia’s shoulder. “Because they’ll cause a scene if you don’t.”

  Mia glanced over her shoulder and all bravado drained away from her. Three goblins stood a few feet away, staring threateningly at her. Mia turned back around, her smug smile gone. “Why are you doing this? I thought you didn’t want the door open?”

  “Look, it’s a long story, but I do want that door open,” Lilac said, arms folded.

  Mia stared at her. “Uhh... no, you don’t. You’re making no sense Lilac. You’ve seemed pretty against the whole allowing everyone to go back to Faerie thing since the moment I stepped into town. And now suddenly you’re all about going back to Faerie? What is wrong with you?”

  Lilac shook her head, reaching out and grabbing Mia’s arm, her grip digging into her skin. Mia ground her teeth. “My eyes have been opened. I found someone who can help me get what I want in Faerie, and he promised me that as long as I bring you to him, he’ll give me what I most desire.”

  “Who? What are you talking about?” Mia asked, wrenching her arm from her grip.

  Lilac’s eyes narrowed. “Your father.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Mia’s jaw dropped. So many questions filled her head it was hard to pick one to
ask first. How... when... why? She decided to settle on the first one. “How... how did you even talk to him? He’s in Faerie?”

  “I met someone,” Lilac said rather cagily. “Don’t ask me how, because I have no idea how they did it, but they managed to open a temporary gap between this world and Faerie allowing me to talk to him. And he’s very eager to meet you, Mia.”

  “I’m not going anywhere with you,” Mia said, reeling back. Who had the power to open a bridge between this world and Faerie? And who would be dumb enough to help Lilac or to trust her father?

  Lilac smirked. “It’s cute that you think you have a choice. Come with us now or we’ll make you and you know we can.”

  Mia scowled and held her hands up, showing off her magic. Lilac didn’t look the least bit fazed, though. “Or I can have some of my goblin friends deal with Angie... they aren’t very fond of her anyways.”

  Mia’s magic faded from her hands when she glanced over at the party and found a few goblins hanging out near her friend. Lilac was right about one thing: the goblins hated Angie. They’d gladly take out their anger on her. She didn’t have a choice but to go along with them. Besides... Ryker and Joelin were waiting for her there, they could take Lilac and the goblins together.

  “Fine,” Mia said evenly, holding up her hands. “I’ll do what you want.”

  Lilac grinned triumphantly. “Good. Let’s not waste any time then.”

  She reached out to grab Mia’s arm, but Mia pulled away and walked on her own. They headed to the Falls.

  It always came back to the Falls... Mia trudged through the woods until she heard the rushing water. She expected to find Ryker and Joelin waiting for her, but when they stomped into the clearing they weren’t there. Either they were late, or they’d heard them coming.

  The goblins stood off to the side, arms folded as they glared at Mia while Lilac gave her a small shove in the back. “Do it. Now. Open the door, or my friends will destroy Angie, and you know they’ll be happy to do it too.”