And from now on it would be so.
Chapter 18
Elenia
“Look how beautiful these are.” Felicia was leaning toward a bush of large flowers that resembled the most delicate snow-white feathers. “They look fancy, and they smell nice.”
“I think they smell too sweet.” Sibyl frowned.
All this time, I was just trying to suppress the tremors going through my body.
“You smell insanely sweet, Elenia...”
Along with this trembling, memories enveloped me. Memories of his kisses, how he touched me. How I... loved it. Probably, due to all the stress that had befallen me lately. How else would I explain what I felt yesterday, in the arms of that man? I wasn’t scared. On the contrary, I wanted... more.
You idiot.
“Lenny...”
The way he said my name, I felt so tingly.
This is terrible. It’s just... horrible!
The morning turned out to be as nightmarish as the previous evening. At first, I cried silently in the living room, huddled into a ball on the couch and biting the sleeve of my cardigan so as not to start bawling loudly. Then, I went to the bathroom. I wanted to take a shower and calm down, but instead, I ended up crying and sliding down the wall to the floor where I continued to choke on my tears.
When Xanor tried to do what I had actually signed up for, I got worried, nervous, scared. I was even angry.
And yesterday, I just felt bad. Very bad. But at the same time, it felt so good. Very good.
But no momentary pleasure was worth it. I’d be regretting it for the rest of my life.
“Elenia, are you gonna do any work today?” Sibyl’s harsh words interrupted my thoughts, like the creak of old door hinges.
“Sib, calm down,” Felicia said.
But Sibyl already felt that something was wrong with me, and continued.
“We’ve been in this greenhouse for almost an hour, and I have not yet heard a piece of single practical advice from you. What flowers would be suitable for the guest tables? What about the bride and groom? And for Feli’s bouquet? For her bridesmaids? What have you been thinking about all morning?”
About your sister’s fiancé.
With difficulty, I shook myself out of the state in which I had been all morning and turned on the first-class-wedding-planner mode, but I still didn’t dare to look Felicia in the eyes.
“We seem to have agreed that the main flower of this event will be Ersilla. In December, it’ll already change its color from orange to purple. I suggest combining it with white or cream colors. Flitantra would be the best option. It’s very delicate and it has a really nice scent.”
Felicia nodded and smiled. I also tried to smile at her, but all I managed was a painful grimace.
Just like Sibyl, who frowned again and gruffly stated: “But it has a far too sweet, sugary smell. The guests may not like it.”
Will she ever stop talking about sweet smells?!
Why was she here with us anyway? I was always glad to see Oli, but Sibyl only spoiled everything. She could make an already lousy day downright disgusting.
It felt like she knew what happened yesterday...
But luckily she didn’t. Nobody did. I had to forget about it, too. I’d pretend that nothing had happened until I believed it myself.
And in fact, that was true. Nothing had happened.
He was the future ruler of Grassor, the future husband of a beautiful woman, and a family man. And I was a fairy who was unlucky enough to appear on a Dark One’s radar.
Just like Leticia once...
From now on, I could only hope that Garanor was a sane man whose words weren’t empty. And if he said that last night’s events wouldn’t happen again, I should trust him.
The Soavil greenhouse, located in one of the quietest and coziest areas of Kadris, usually made me feel awe. Under its glass domes, the most beautiful and exotic plants from all over the world bloomed, shined, and sparkled in the sun. But there was no sun today. And the flowers didn’t seem so extraordinary.
“In three weeks, a major charity evening will be hosted by my family. It’ll be the first in a series of events that we’ll hold annually across the country. I’ll be pleased to see you there, too, Elenia.”
Fortunately, Sibyl lagged behind us, and Felicia and I left the greenhouse alone. It started raining, so Felicia opened her umbrella, took me under the arm, and we walked along the paved path to the exit. I wished Sibyl would get lost.
An alarm started ringing in my head. The Solt charity receptions were pretentious events for members of the high society. But that didn’t worry me. I could handle them. What worried me was if I’d handle seeing Garanor.
“I’m grateful for your invitation, but I don’t think I belong there.”
“Nonsense!” Felicia dismissed my words. “Besides, Xanor will be there. And it’d be better if he spent this evening with you, instead of some random girl. I think you’re a positive influence, Elenia. He’s not a bad guy, and he gets even better with you.”
“But I’m a fairy.”
“So?” Felicia shrugged. “Unlike Garanor, I don’t believe in all this nonsense that the Dark Ones can’t be with the Light Ones. And I don’t think Xanor believes that either.”
But Garanor does... That was the only thought that lingered in my mind, even when we changed the subject and returned to discussing the wedding decorations. I couldn’t erase her words from my mind.
In the evening, an aerocar came to pick me up. Fortunately, it wasn’t being driven by the one in whose presence the sensible Elenia turned into an absolute idiot.
I finally managed to get rid of the incomprehensible gloom that had been plaguing my mind since yesterday, and I opened the door for Xanor. I was collected, serious, and ready for battle.
Ready for anything.
To spite Garanor.
What am I thinking?!
I was ready for a date with Xanor.
“Hi, Lenny.” He looked handsome, as usual.
“Hi, come in. I’m almost ready. Let me just find my purse, say goodbye to Lita, and...”
“Is the nanny here, too?” he asked, leaning against the wall.
“Of course. I can’t leave my daughter alone.”
“Let the nanny go home for the evening,” he suddenly said. I raised my eyebrow, and he patiently explained: “I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I wanted to invite you two on a date.”
“Me and the nanny?” I asked quietly.
Xanor rolled his eyes.
“Lenny, come on, don’t be ridiculous.”
“I’m just trying to figure out where you want to take us. Lita usually goes to bed at nine...”
“And the Fantastic Worlds of Velasco work till nine, too. But we’ll leave earlier, and you can put her in the crib at nine.”
The Fantastic Worlds of Velasco was one of the best amusement parks not only in Grassor but in the whole world. Named after its founder, Aldo Velasco, it was located outside the city, but it could be reached in about thirty minutes using the upper highway.
Lita had never been there, and neither had I. However, she was still very small, and ninety-nine percent of the attractions were definitely not for her. But if I had to choose between an evening in the company of Xanor, away from my daughter, and an evening with my daughter and Xanor, then, of course, I’d choose option B.
“Come in!” I smiled, feeling how my mood had improved. The weather was pleasant, perfect for a walk. “Would you like some coffee? I’ll get Lita ready quickly.”
He didn’t want coffee, and he kept waiting in the hallway while Dina and I got Lita dressed.
“That’s it, we’re ready,” I said cheerfully as we headed out.
Lifting his eyes from his phone, Xanor put it in his jeans’ pocket, exchanged a few words with Dina, and said hi to the little thing, as he liked to call Lita. She seemed to have already forgotten the big gray-eyed man and was all shy.
“She obviousl
y doesn’t take after her mother,” Xanor joked.
“You just don’t know her very well.” I smiled back. “Neither of us. She’ll remember you quickly.”
“But I hope to get to know you better, Elenia. Both of you,” he added as we walked to the elevator.
I didn’t have time to answer, as he continued talking.
“That’s the purpose of this date. Lenny, how do you feel about unhealthy carnival food? I’m starving.”
***
I didn’t know how he did it, but we got to the park in twenty minutes. Lita relaxed very quickly and started babbling, speaking in a language only she understood.
“And how do you decipher this?” Xanor laughed.
“You don’t.” I smiled. “But she likes to be listened to and answered. Isn’t that right, honey?”
Lita, in response, began to speak even louder, smiled, and even clapped her hands. She was clearly very pleased with this spontaneous outing.
“You’re a complete mystery, little thing,” Xanor said to Lita, casting a glance at her from the rearview mirror.
She answered him, and then, out of the generosity of her little soul, she held out her doll to him.
“Thank you, little thing, but Uncle Xanor doesn’t play with dolls.” He turned to her for a moment.
Oh, isn’t that right...
I kept my comment to myself. Today, Xanor was being a textbook example of a great boyfriend. I didn’t want to spoil the moment. However, I still didn’t believe in his unexpected transformation.
We arrived at dusk, but the amusement park was still crowded. There were so many lights! So much light, noise, squeals, and laughter. Even though it was the beginning of the working week. I was even afraid to imagine what it looked like on the weekends... Or in the summer?!
We didn’t wait in line. We just bypassed it, because there were no queues for the Dark Ones. And the Dark Ones like the Horoses probably didn’t even know what that word meant.
I put on my sunglasses and threw my hair over my shoulders. There were no journalists here, but there were a lot of people with phones. What if some fan of Xanor’s decided to take a picture of us, and post it on social networks? Better safe than sorry.
“Sunglasses?” Xanor asked.
“My eyes begin to water when there are so many lights around,” I answered and waved my hand in the direction of a kiosk painted in bright colors. “Let’s go get food!”
“You’re reading my mind, Elenia.” Xanor immediately forgot about the glasses and rushed toward the junk food.
I lagged a little behind because I was walking with Lita, while the stroller was floating next to me. She categorically refused to sit in it.
Lita stared at everything around her with her eyes wide open. She gazed at the Ferris Wheel with transparent capsule booths, illuminated by lights. She squeaked at the sight of a children’s carousel and other children. She was especially interested in a red-haired boy with a huge holographic ball, scattering multicolored reflections along the path.
“Balloon! Wants!” she stated uncompromisingly.
“Well, who would’ve thought.” I smiled in response. Squatting down in front of my daughter, I said: “We’ll have a quick meal now, and then we’ll go choose the most beautiful balloon for you, okay?”
Lita nodded obediently. She wasn’t a child, but an angel.
Sitting at a table away from everyone, we took the food out of the paper bags. Lita had already had dinner at home, which didn’t stop her from reaching for my food. I fed her grilled vegetables, small pieces at a time.
We chatted while we ate. I asked Xanor about the friends he introduced me to yesterday. He asked how Jaime was doing.
“No idea. I don’t think I’ll be seeing him again soon.”
Moreover, I was forbidden from doing that.
“Forgive him. He was an idiot yesterday... He got jealous, got drunk...” Xanor unexpectedly stood up for Jamie.
He looked so relaxed and so serene that, for once, he didn’t seem like a predator on the prowl. Silly comparison, I must admit, but I even liked this Xanor. And I liked his attempts to ignore Lita’s pleading look when she saw him drinking soda.
“I might forgive him, but he won’t forgive me... I think he figured out that I shamelessly used him.”
“He’ll forgive you.” Xanor shrugged indifferently.
That was more like him.
We continued talking. It was so easygoing, so casual. We were even joking and laughing until some kind of a short circuit happened in my brain, and I suddenly said: “I just remembered something... A thing my ex-colleagues mentioned... You and Felicia... They said that you were supposed to be together, but then something happened, and she began dating Garanor...”
What was I doing? Why would I bring this up? This was none of my business! What was I hoping to find out?!
The evening started so well... But I just have a talent for ruining good things!
Strangely, Xanor was in no hurry to frown. It seemed that my intrusion into his personal life didn’t bother him at all. He was calm and collected.
“Yeah, Feli and I were supposed to be together. Our parents wanted this, but Garanor decided otherwise,” he said seriously, but his eyes were smiling.
Is this funny to him?
“Didn’t that hurt you?”
“It sure did. I was furious. At first. I don’t like it when something is taken from me, especially by my brother... And then I realized that I wasn’t ready to marry, especially not Felicia. She’s a sweet girl, but we’ve never had any feelings for each other. And we don’t even have much to talk about when we’re alone.”
“So, Felicia is also glad that things turned out the way they did?” I continued to pry, although I didn’t understand why I was doing this.
More precisely, I understood, but I refused to admit it. This damn curiosity...
Xanor chuckled softly and patted Lita on the cheek.
“Her family was happy about the prospect of becoming closely related to the future ruler. And if her family is happy, then Felicia is happy, too.”
“But she also wants this wedding.”
He just shrugged vaguely.
“Feli is a devoted daughter. If they told her to marry me, she’d do it. It’s the same for Garanor. Even if they chose that dude who sells ice-cream and cotton candy as her husband, she would’ve agreed and looked happy.”
“And what about her feelings?”
“If Felicia doesn’t mind, then why would anyone else care about them?” Xanor grinned. “Feli thinks she and Garanor are a great couple. The right one. And that suits her perfectly. Both of them, actually. But with that bastard, she’ll be miserable.”
“Xanor!”
I wanted to cover Lita’s ears. She was now at that age at which children were absorbing new words like sponges. Imagine if she called someone a bastard!
“Sorry.” Xanor remembered, and after finishing his soda, he added: “I say that with love.”
“Obviously...” I shook my head reproachfully. “Well, I think they’re a good couple. And, in my opinion, they get along well.”
He wiped his fingers with a napkin.
“They get along well because Feli agrees to everything. I just don’t know how long will that be enough... Garanor doesn’t even suspect that compromises are a thing in relationships. Maybe if he loved her, he’d eventually learn to listen not only to himself but to her, too. But he didn’t care about her, just like he didn’t care about anyone else. That’s why I said that she’d be unhappy with him. It’d be the same with me because I don’t need Felicia.”
Apparently, the expression on my face said enough. Xanor threw his hands up.
“Sorry, I didn’t want to burst your bubble. You’re probably used to organizing weddings for people who truly love each other, but this one is just a continuous demonstration of unhealthy humility.”
“I’ve witnessed a lot of things, but...”
But now I was left speech
less. I kept thinking about this whole situation. If Lita weren’t here, I’d drink something stronger than soda.
“You got something here, Lenny.” Xanor touched my face, ran his thumb along the corner of my lips, slowly, slowly, and then pulled away.
And I looked away, catching something in his eyes.
Damn it Elenia! I had already realized that it was dangerous for me to think and analyze. It was better not to notice anything at all.
“Balloon?” Lita interrupted the lingering silence.
Xanor rose from the bench and picked her up in his arms.
“Which one do you like, little thing? How about several balloons, what do you say?”
Lita froze in his hands, either from delight at the prospect of acquiring several holographic balloons at once, or from embarrassment. And I quickly collected the remains of our dinner in paper bags and threw everything in the trash.
He put her on his shoulders and we went to get balloons.
Chapter 19
Elenia
The next few days flew by, and the weekend was already here. I spent it with Xanor... and with Lita.
Another trip out of town, only this time not to the amusement park, but to the mountains. On Saturday, we dined in a small restaurant on the shore of a lake so blue that the water in it, even now, in the middle of autumn, seemed crystal clear. It reflected the sky with huge fluffy clouds and the smiling face of my little darling as she squatted to pick up a pebble and throw it into the water.
We spent the night in a small cozy hotel. Lita and I were in one room, Xanor in another. To be honest, I didn’t understand what was happening, but Xanor didn’t behave like a womanizer.
He was considerate, caring, and kept his distance. Nothing prevented him from spending this night with me, but, on Saturday, he just wished me good night, and just for a moment, his lips touched mine. This kiss, fleeting, gentle and so light, barely perceptible, for some reason reminded me of something else. Something not light and not gentle, and not at all fleeting, after which I couldn’t recover for a long time. And even now, as soon as I remembered the other Horos, my whole body immediately got covered with goosebumps.
A Deal with the Dark Fae: Enemies-to-Lovers Standalone (Cruel Intentions Book 1) Page 16