Haint Blue (Fairy Tales of a Trailer Park Queen Book 9)

by Kimbra Swain

  “I don’t know his middle name,” I said.

  “Oh, I do! It’s…” she tried to speak, but Levi clamped his hand down on her mouth.

  “My daughter knows and I don’t!”

  “She asked. I told her,” he said. “Winnie, that’s our secret. You can’t tell your Momma.”

  “Don’t make her keep secrets from me!” I protested.

  He laughed releasing her mouth. “Ha! Ha! I know and you don’t!”

  “I’m gonna whip you both!” I said.

  “No!” Winnie exclaimed.

  “Please,” Levi begged.

  “Get out of this bed,” I said shoving him with my feet.

  “Stop kicking me,” he whined.

  “Alright. Everybody out. Let’s go downstairs and get some breakfast,” I ordered.

  Winnie jumped off the bed and ran down the hallway. Her heavy feet pounded the floor until she got to the steps. They slowed for the descent, but not by much.

  “You sure you want me out of the bed?” Levi said.

  “Yes,” I replied.

  “You can’t lie,” he said.

  “There are conditions on the statement,” I said.

  “What conditions?” he asked.

  “Unspoken ones,” I replied.

  “Give me an example,” he pressed.

  “Like, for now,” I said.

  “See! I knew that aura boost was a little bit of hope,” he grinned. “Come on, Little Bird. Those of us menfolk gotta get out of the lady’s bed.” Aydan reached up for him. One thing was for sure. Aydan wanted to be held by whoever was standing up if he had a choice.

  After breakfast, we packed bags for the kids. Winnie wore an angel costume. I wasn’t sure why she picked that one, but she had. At one time it fit her perfectly, but she was growing up. Forming her own opinions of the world. I just hoped that Levi and I could guide her in the right direction. It wasn’t going to be easy with either one of them. I was just thankful that I had help.

  We had one stop on our way to the Food Mart to meet up with everyone. There was a chill in the air along with heavy cloud cover. I hoped it wouldn’t rain. It was bad enough we were going to have to fight, but I hated the rain. Snow, on the other hand, might be nice.

  Levi pulled the truck up into the field where Ford and Wendy’s band of traveling fairies lived. The bright RVs were arranged in a large circle with a couple of them in the middle. The children ran and played. All of them were dressed up for the holiday.

  “I’ll be just a minute,” I said.

  “Sure,” Levi replied.

  Ford had sent word that the gypsies were going to huddle up and protect their own. It was a typical response for them. I had traveled with them in Europe, and I knew all too well that we could only trust our own. I wanted to point out to Ford that I was one of them at one point. That they were a part of this community now. I didn’t expect to persuade him, but I wanted to make my plea.

  “Grace!” Wendy called out to me with a wave.

  “Howdy,” I said. “Is Ford around?”

  “He is, but he said he didn’t want to talk to you if you showed up,” she said.

  “Coward,” I joked.

  “He knew that you could be very persuasive. You should know this wasn’t his decision alone. It was the decision of our whole group,” she said.

  “Ah! I see. There are no hard feelings. I thought I’d just give it a try,” I said.

  “For the record, I’m on your side,” she said.

  “What?”

  “I think we should fight,” she said. “If that hunt gets through you guys, it will run us over. I don’t think we have enough magic to hold it back. Better that we stand in the front than die in the back.”

  “Thank you, Wendy,” I said. It disappointed me that they didn’t want to fight, but I understood it also. However, Wendy was right. If we failed at the front, there would be no stopping the hunt.

  “Blessings and well wishes,” she said.

  “To you and yours, as well,” I responded. “Happy Samhain.”

  Trudging back to the truck, I hoped that the rest of the town didn’t take the position of the gypsies. If they did, we would be doomed.

  The parking lot at the Food Mart was empty except for a few cars in front of Mike’s Magic Vape Shop. We pulled up to the brightly sparkling building. Even without the sun, it was an impressive sight. We unloaded the kids and went inside.

  “Afternoon, my Queen,” Mike greeted me. “Miss Jenkins, Nestor, and the others are down in the vault.”

  “Afternoon and Happy Samhain,” I said.

  “Well, I suppose we will find out how happy it is shortly,” he said.

  “Indeed,” I replied. Winnie was already pulling me down the steps to the vault. She gushed over the jeweled walls and the glittering portal.

  When we stepped inside, we found more than just Ella and Nestor. Tennyson, Jenny, Troy, Amanda, Luther, Betty, and William were all there. In the center of the room, a set of armor glistened under a spotlight. It helped to have a blacksmith in town that knew the old ways. He apparently was a wonderful leatherworker as well.

  Levi stared at the armor. I took Aydan from him so that he could look at it more closely. Each one of the knights wore similar armor, but Levi’s had its own distinctions. The breastplate featured the same artwork as his original tattoo. The Celtic knotwork with the triquetra center. Embedded in the leather were emeralds like the ones on his tattoo. Each piece of leather featured knotwork. The bracers had triquetras in blue with silver snowflakes intertwined with musical notes. In fact, the entire set featured blue and silver.

  “This is amazing,” Levi said. “Thank you to whoever did this.”

  “It was Grace,” Tennyson said.

  “I didn’t make it. I just had it made for you,” I said. “I promised.”

  “You did. I thought you forgot,” he said.

  “Let’s get you in this,” Astor said.

  Jenny and Ella took the kids upstairs. I followed them up. Mike made up some candy corn vape liquids. He had it burning in an incense pot. The kids exchanged candy and admired each other’s costumes.

  “Send him to the bar when he is ready,” I said to Jenny.

  “Sure thing,” she said. “Good luck, Grace.”

  “Thanks,” I said. She reached out and hugged me.

  “You seem different today,” she said.

  “I am different,” I replied. “I’ll tell you about it when this is over.”

  “I look forward to it,” she said.

  I stalked across the empty parking lot. Reaching out with my senses, I felt the people of Shady Grove preparing for war. We would have a turnout. I just hoped it was enough.

  Nestor left Hot Tin open for me. I slipped inside to psyche myself up for what I was about to do. Pulling the velvet box out of my pocket, I sat it on the bar next to a shot glass and a plate. Closing my eyes, I concentrated on my personal armor. It looked very much like Levi’s, but more feminine. Pulling on the magic of the Otherworld, my armor appeared on my body much as it had when I fought the sylph. However, the hunt’s power exceeded that being by one-hundred-fold. It would take more than just fancy armor to beat it.

  After what seemed to be a long wait in the dark, Levi appeared at the door in his armor. Excalibur hung by his side.

  “Grace, what’s going on?” he asked in the darkness of the bar. When the door shut behind him, my tattoo ignited sending the strands of blue hue around my body. The light was powerful enough to light up the room.

  “We need to talk about a last few items before this battle,” I said.

  “You’re blocking me,” he said.

  “I am, but for only a moment. I needed to collect my thoughts,” I explained.

  “Well, let’s get on with it. I don’t think we have much time,” he said. I felt his nerves, his anxiety, but also his resolve. Sometimes fear and resolve were more powerful than confidence and bravery.

  My heart pounded for what I
was about to do, but I felt like in order to protect him, it needed to be done.

  “Two things,” I said.

  “One,” he said.

  “One,” I said handing him the velvet box.

  “What’s this?” he asked as he opened the box. Inside the bright cushion diamond flickered with blue light. “Is this the ring I gave you? Well, that your father gave me to give to you?”

  “Yes,” I said. “There is power in this ring. It was there once before when we pretended to be engaged. It helped you bring me back from the edge. I think that I need to wear it again. I don’t want to go too far.”

  “You won’t, and I don’t need a ring to do that,” he said.

  “It also protects you, Levi. When we walk out of here, those who have chosen to fight with us will be out there. They need to see us as a cohesive unit,” I said.

  “A couple,” he clarified.

  “Yes, because they need to know they aren’t being lead by a…”

  “Bard,” he smiled.

  “Yeah, by a bard,” I said.

  “You’re leading them. I’m just window dressing,” he said.

  “That sword is the sword of a king,” I said.

  “Grace,” he started.

  “Nope. Let me finish this,” I said pausing. “I have said and will continue to say that we are solid. I have no doubts about our connection. I trust you more than anyone in this town. This is an outward display of that. It will give them the confidence to follow us both. If you give the order, it will be like it came from me.”

  “Then I should be wearing your ring,” he said.

  “It’s the same difference,” I said. “Plus, as much as I planned ahead, I didn’t plan to get you a ring.”

  “How thoughtless of you,” he said deflecting his fear in humor.

  “Will you let me wear it again?” I asked.

  “They will think we are engaged,” he said.

  “Are we engaged?” I asked lifting an eyebrow to see if he caught what I was saying.

  “No more than the last time,” he said.

  “And yet, it still worked,” I said.

  He huffed. My romantic bard had other plans for giving me a ring one day, but this wasn’t about that, and I needed to make sure we were clear on it.

  “Alright,” he said, handing me the ring. “Do you want me to kneel again?”

  “No, silly,” I said, taking the ring from him. But he held on to it, sliding it onto my finger himself.

  “I think we discussed sexual privileges the last time you took this ring from me,” he said.

  “Yep, the answer is the same now as it was then,” I grinned. He laughed.

  “Can’t blame a guy for trying. Okay, what’s two?” he asked.

  I walked over to the bar, and the blue light illuminated a shot glass with a blue liquid and a small plate with a piece of fruit.

  “I’m already fairy,” he said.

  “Half,” I replied.

  “This works for humans,” he said.

  “I’m the queen, and I say it works for Changelings too,” I replied.

  “Why?” he asked.

  “It is up to you. I’m offering, but please hear my reasoning,” I requested.

  “Go ahead,” he said. Not like he would refuse me.

  “As half-human, you’re more vulnerable to fatal wounds. If you’re a fairy, you will heal faster and the chances of you dying are a lot less,” I said.

  “I’m not going to die, Grace,” he said.

  “I want to make sure of it,” I replied as tears welled up in my eyes. “I will not let them take someone else from me. Not ever again. I don’t care what it takes. I will protect the people that I love!”

  “This will change me,” he said. “I might not be the same man you love.”

  “You will always be my Levi,” I said. “Even if I don’t know your middle name.”

  He laughed and kissed my cheek. “What if I’m like an ogre or something?”

  “You can have the ring back,” I teased.

  “Oh! You’re awful!” he said.

  “I know,” I replied. “Besides ogres and fairies aren’t compatible.”

  “Huh?”

  “Let’s not talk about ogre anatomy,” I said.

  “Maybe later,” he said.

  “Later,” I agreed.

  Levi looked down at the water and fruit, then back at me. I could tell that he was afraid it would change who he was on the inside, but I knew that he was pure of heart. Nothing could ever change that.

  As he reached for the glass, the room filled with light, blinding us both. Levi twisted around pulling the sword out which sang in his hand.

  “Do not fear,” a female voice said. “It is I, Lilith.”

  Her bright light toned down, and we gazed upon her pregnant beauty. Her large belly bulged as she smiled at us.

  “Why are you here?” I asked.

  “Because you’re about to alter his life,” she said. “You have already saddled him with the Great Sword and the responsibilities of a king.”

  “Yes, but this will protect him. Help keep him alive to do these things,” I said.

  “Perhaps your focus should be on those people out there and those below accepting him,” she said. “Not on what you gain from it. Levi, you should make your decision on what you want to do. Don’t do it because Grace is afraid to lose someone else she cares deeply for. Do it because it is something you want to do. Carry that sword because it is something that you feel compelled to do it. I know that she influences you very easily. Do not let her influence you on this point.”

  “I can’t just walk away,” he said.

  “Sure, you can,” she replied.

  “No, a lesser man might, but not me,” he said.

  “Levi, you’re still young. Grace has been on this earth for hundreds of years,” she said.

  “Thanks for pointing out how old I am,” I said.

  “This isn’t about you,” Lilith said.

  I threw my hands up, moving away from them both. Was I being selfish asking Levi to do all of these things? I didn’t want him to die. I couldn’t take it. It was self-preservation. It was selfish. I turned back around.

  “She’s right,” I said.

  “What?” he said turning to me. “What do you mean?”

  “It is selfish of me. I should have asked you if you wanted the sword instead of manipulating my way. I should have asked you to join this fight as a leader. And I do want you to take the drink and fruit so I don’t lose you too,” I said. “I’m sorry. You do what you want to do, Levi. Not what I want.”

  “If you haven’t noticed, I chose to do all of this stuff around town without you,” he said.

  “For me,” I said.

  “So damn arrogant,” he exclaimed. “Maybe for once, after seeing the evil that is your Uncle, I thought I should come back here and act like an adult. Take on responsibilities. Not just taking care of you and the kids, but being a help to our friends here. I did that for me!”

  Lilith smiled as if she enjoyed him berating me. I wasn’t a victim. For all my years, I was learning that even though I didn’t grow up in my father’s house that I was still a spoiled brat. I squeezed my eyes shut trying to block it out. We had the battle to fight, and this wasn’t helping. His forehead touched mine, and his hands slid around my neck.

  “I’m sorry,” I muttered.

  “I love your arrogant self,” he said.

  “I’m going to be better,” I said.

  “You already are,” he whispered.

  “It’s interesting,” Lilith said spoiling the private moment.

  “Look, Josey,” I said.

  “Grace,” Levi warned. I clamped my mouth shut.

  “Levi, what was your mother’s maiden name?” she asked.

  “O’Sheen,” he said.

  “O’Sheen!” I exclaimed. “As in the Irish O’Sheens?”

  He shrugged, “I guess.”

  I backed away from him,
then looked to her. “No,” I said.

  “Yep,” she said.

  “Who are they?” he asked.

  “Google it,” I snapped.

  “Little late for that,” he said.

  “The O’Sheens descend from Oisín,” I said.

  “Ireland’s bard,” he said.

  “Exactly!” I said.

  “He comes by it naturally,” she smiled.

  “Then what did my father give him?” I asked.

  “An accelerated course,” she said. “Essentially, he gave Levi a helpin’ of bard with a songbook on the side.”

  “He knew,” I said.

  “Yep,” she said quite satisfied with herself.

  “What?” Levi asked.

  “Oisín was the son of Fionn Mac Cuhaill and Sadhbh who was the daughter of Bodb Dearg!” I said.

  “Your genealogy is impressive, Grace,” she said.

  “Thanks,” I muttered. It was something we were made to learn under my father’s orders.

  “Piece it together for me,” he said.

  “Bodb Dearg was the heir to the Dagda,” I said.

  “THE Dagda?” Levi asked.

  “Yes,” I said. “You have royal blood. Royal fairy blood. Plus, Oisín was a deer like my father.”

  “He was?”

  “Yes, his mother was changed into a deer, and he was born of her that way, but was able to change. He was a warrior and a poet,” I explained.

  “So, if I drink the water and eat the fruit, I’ll more than likely be a stag,” he said.

  “Maybe,” Lilith said. “Oh, I need to get going. I want to get a good seat for the fight.”

  “Are you hormonal? Pregnant women get hormonal and do weird things,” I said.

  “Probably,” she smiled. “Y’all have fun.”

  Just like that, she was gone.

  Levi didn’t hesitate. He walked over to the water and fruit, shooting the water down and swallowing the fruit. He sank to a knee, grasping his throat.

  “Shit! By the Queen of Winter and the King of Summer, I call upon thee, fairy child, rise!” I said almost forgetting my part in the change. He stood up nonchalant and winked at me. “Motherfucker,” I said.

  “Not yet, but are you volunteering?” he smiled.

  “Feel different?” I asked, ignoring the innuendo.