by Godiva Glenn
She leaned against the railing and squinted out onto the sparkling sea. The island was a speck in the distance on the horizon. As private as it was, as romantic as it could be, she’d never brought anyone here except friends. Even though she’d dated sir douche for almost two years, they never had the level of intimacy that translated into anything more than an easy weekend getaway. In all, that should have been a sign to end things, but at that point in her life, in the period immediately after her mother’s death, she’d been at her weakest. Despite the constant criticism and his constant mood swings, she’d been ready to settle down forever.
To this day, she couldn’t pinpoint the final straw, the moment that she’d realized she’d made a grievous error, but she recalled the refreshing clarity that came of being free of him. The tabloids still dredged up the story when things got slow, but she and her close circle had agreed to never speak of him. He was a blotted over mistake in her past, and that was all he deserved.
“You look miserable,” a voice said.
Glancing over her shoulder, she found Vevina walking up. Though they’d now been introduced and rode together onto the ferry, she’d been quiet. “Not miserable. Contemplative,” she said dismissively. “Looks like you handle the water much better than Blair.”
Vevina scoffed. “Naiad. And I don’t mean mermaid—that’s a certain branch of blood that I don’t have, hence the lack of gills.” Vevina joined her on the railing. “Very ancient, very rare water spirit magic runs through me.”
“Blair said you were a sprite.”
“That’s my primary presentation. Fae are all mongrels at this point. Mixed magic. Mixed races. I don’t look like my great-great-great grandfather, but I have the ability to bless water.” She looked back at where Blair sat. “And I fixed him, though he’s still in some sort of coma from the pills he took.”
“What do you mean ‘fixed’ him?”
She waved her hand. “The first time around, I hadn’t even considered that stepping on a boat would make him sick. Luckily, I can share the comfort I get from water. He’ll be fine today, tomorrow, whenever.”
“How did you do that? I mean, thank you, but wow,” Alethea squealed, hugging Vevina tightly.
“Whoa. It’s not that big of a deal. I just licked him.”
Alethea froze. “You what?”
“Water magic tends to be fluid related. Back on Prism it doesn’t seem so strange, but given our surroundings, what with your armed guards, your drunk cousin, and your even drunker date-reject, admitting that I put spit on your boyfriend to keep him from being nauseous strikes me as nearly comical.”
Alethea gave Vevina a final squeeze. “I’m of the mind to let it be. If I stopped to think about everything I’ve learned the last few weeks, I’d go mad.” She put her back to the railing and smiled at Blair’s slumped over form. “He’s a fine looking tree.”
“You have no idea, really.”
Alethea studied Vevina for a moment. She seemed to have opened up, and given what she’d just said, Alethea assumed it had nothing to do with her and everything to do with being out on the open water. “I’m glad you joined us for this.”
“I couldn’t pass it up. As eager as I am to get home, I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to see Blair interact with you.”
“That’s a strange way of putting it.”
“Dryads aren’t social creatures. The first few years of our acquaintance was incredibly awkward. Sometimes he still has these weird… slips.” Vevina pursed her lips for a moment. “He’s changed a lot over time. I never would have guessed we’d end up in this situation though.”
“He says he owes you almost everything. That you’re part of how he got his freedom.”
“Not an exaggeration. But looking back, it took me too long to act upon anything. I just saw him as different, but I didn’t think he needed help. Sure, I’m his closest friend, but that friendship wasn’t like a normal friendship. It was… not cold, but a bit distant. Because that’s all he could contribute. Until he got this human form, he didn’t really… well, it’s amazing to see him smile and laugh and make jokes.”
“I can’t imagine him not doing those things,” Alethea said gazing over at him. “He’s full of life and unbelievably sweet.”
“Which is funny, given that he was worried he’d make an ass of himself. He thought he wouldn’t be able to hold conversations or function properly. But he’s intuitive.”
“He really is. And extremely attentive.”
Vevina nodded. “He’s always had that gift, he just didn’t realize it. But that’s how we went from being a weird dryad and crazy sprite to being friends.”
“What do you mean?”
“In Blair’s lifetime, I would think that he’d see another fae maybe a handful of times a year—”
“What? But—”
“I’m getting there,” Vevina promised. “His tree was in a location that was great and horrible at the same time. It was close to Kerren’s manor—Kerren being the Duke and prince—but the land where Blair grew up specifically, that was a blood-soaked field. Fae avoid it. His tree is off the path, tucked away on a rarely used fork. I always walked it because it was quiet, but also because his tree was like no other tree in Prism. It called to me. And for whatever reason, I wasn’t like other sprites who were repelled by the darkness of it.”
“He’s told me about his tree. When he talks about it, his face lights up. From what I’ve heard, it was beautiful. But dark?”
Vevina’s face scrunched as she searched for words. “I don’t know how to explain it. I could feel death in the air whenever I went near. But I ignored that. Most fae can’t or won’t ignore it. So, the few fae that Blair met, were usually of the desperate type.”
“Desperate for what?”
“Solitude. And that generally boiled down to couples looking to make love near a dryad—”
“Yeah, he told me about that.” Alethea cringed.
“Or it’s someone absolutely miserable. And that was how we started our friendship. Because a few years back, I did something bad. In time it worked out for the best, but I betrayed the person who I owed everything.” She shook her head and looked away, eyes glistening. “I ended up at Blair’s tree. He came out and he just held me. I didn’t think dryads hugged, but later I learned that I wasn’t the first to find myself there, lost and feeling empty. That’s when I understood how strange he was. He comforted me the best he could. Let me climb his branches and hide in the leaves… and I realize you probably can’t even vaguely comprehend what that meant to me.”
Alethea couldn’t, but it didn’t matter. It was just another piece of evidence that Blair was an incredible soul.
“I hate Earth,” Vevina said firmly. “But I’m going to visit him. He deserves all the happiness in the world and I want to see him get that.” She looked down for a moment and lowered her voice, adding, “You make him happy.”
“He makes me happy, too.”
“For a human, you’re not so bad. You’re a lot like Brook, except she prefers tight clothing and shoes that look like torture devices.”
“That’s Kerren’s wife, right? Blair only told me a little about them. Said you’d be better to ask for the full story.”
Vevina smiled crookedly. “I guess. We have about an hour to kill.”
“Well how about we grab some drinks and you can tell me a real-life fairy-tale romance?”
By the time they’d docked, Pavel and Nikki were pleasantly buzzed, and Alethea was filled to the brim with knowledge of Prism’s royal couple. She could only dream of having the sort of leisure to marry a commoner and get nothing but cheers. But then again, Prism was an absolute monarchy, and she honestly didn’t want that sort of power. The little power she would have as queen would be more than enough to make her happy.
Joseph and Marie escorted them through the crowd and off the ferry. Through dark lenses, Alethea watched the faces stare at her. She smiled but didn’t bother waving. It was a va
cation, not a publicity stunt.
The entire island was off-limits to uninvited guests. The most the paparazzi could do was use a high-powered lens from the ferry when it docked briefly, and that would get them very little. Otherwise they could try passing by with a boat, but that would only grant them a friendly meeting with the patrol that circled the waters.
Blair was still groggy but was doing his best to shake it off now that they were on dry land. He squeezed her hand as they climbed into the SUV that would take them from the port to the estate. There were a few vacation homes scattered around, all owned by members of the extended royal family, but she knew none of them would be occupied. For the time being, it was her own exclusive island.
“I think I left my blue dress here last time,” Nikki said staring out the third seat window. “You know the one. With the tiny bird print that you thought was little dicks?”
Alethea chuckled under her breath. “I wasn’t the only one who thought that. Your mother probably burned it in the bonfire when you weren’t looking.”
“That sounds like a dress I need to see,” said Pavel.
She knew it was unusual to invite him, but she enjoyed talking with him and even if their romantic relationship was an instant flop, he was the entire reason she’d ended up calling Gerri in the first place.
As a friend, Pavel had quickly eased into her life now. It felt like they’d known each other forever, which in reality, they nearly had. It turned out that they were always in the same circles and often at the same events. He was simply hiding in dark corners most of the time.
Friendship came easily once they realized how much they had in common—it wasn’t like Alethea cherished the spotlight. Plus, it made his parents less hard on him since he was being seen with her. Once the pictures of this trip got out, the media would likely either pair him with Nikki or with Vevina— Nikki loved being a part of a scandal and Vevina didn’t care since she’d be long gone.
Besides, even though Pavel was adamant about avoiding the royal spotlight, maybe Nikki was far enough away from it that it would work out.
Though Nikki was technically in line for the crown being that her mother was the King’s sister, she had an older sister and brother, leaving her low on the totem pole of status. And since her mother was a princess but her father was only a duke, she didn’t have her own royal title. Though once I’m queen, she’s definitely getting a duchy.
The lack of title plus distance from the crown meant Nikki was rarely given much attention in the media. And if anyone deserves someone funny and handsome, it’s my favorite cousin. Pavel and Nikki could easily marry without the slightest blip on the paparazzi radar.
Again, Alethea was reminded of how tedious it was to think ahead of her every action and how it affected everyone around her. No wonder her list of friends had dwindled so substantially over the last few years. Some she missed, others she didn’t, but it was funny to consider how so many people assumed that she must have a million friends. Friendship just wasn’t that simple, and definitely not that easy.
The scenery rolled by quickly with Pavel and Nikki’s idle chat filling the vehicle. Vevina was back there with them, but she had once again become quiet. Alethea hoped that she wouldn’t feel alienated, but there wasn’t much to do in the fifteen-minute ride. Once they were at the house, then she’d be able to figure it out.
Luckily the trip seemed to fly by. Marie and Joseph made their way through the house first, opening windows and welcoming the fresh air while doing a standard security check. Alethea knew that someone had swept through the place already, as was also standard, but she didn’t expect any trouble.
“There are eight rooms available to you, and all have attached baths,” Alethea announced, crossing the threshold. Lower to Blair, she added, “We have the master bedroom upstairs. It has a private hot tub.”
“I thought you said this was a house, not a palace,” Vevina commented.
“The palace is much bigger,” Nikki said. “You could fit like five of this house into the palace.”
“It’s quite large, though. For a house.” Blair said in awe. “The outside gave me a clue but… the inside…”
Alethea exchanged a glance with Pavel. This was a small vacation home compared to some, and she happened to know that he lived in something grander, as did Nikki—though she still lived with her parents. In no way was she trying to show off or make Blair and Vevina uncomfortable, but there wasn’t much else to say.
“Anyhow, how about we pick our rooms and then I’ll make mojitos?” Pavel announced.
“Then a tour,” Nikki said. “Because this place is fabulous. There’s like three bars and a theater downstairs.”
“There’s a downstairs?” Vevina asked looking around.
“And there’s a heated pool,” Nikki added.
“Alright then. Rooms, drinks, tour. Sounds good?” Alethea asked.
Everyone agreed to that then Nikki led Vevina and Pavel away. Turning to Blair, Alethea couldn’t hide her smile. “Ready to see our romantic suite?”
“I’d carry you there but I’m still feeling like I’m dreaming,” he said, fighting off a yawn.
“Maybe we should make coffee. I’ve got a full day planned.” She took his hand and pulled him up the stairs to their bedroom. “And by planned, I mean I plan on relaxing here, there, and everywhere.”
“Fine by me. Though I don’t think I’ve earned relaxing. I haven’t done much since I left Prism.”
“You’ll find there’s not that much to do.”
“I need a job.”
She opened the door at the end of the hall and stepped in. It was far too soon to consider it, but if he stayed with her, he wouldn’t need a job. Sure, he could work. But very few royals did. Instead, he’d be expected to do what every member of the family did. Help the king and help the people. Lots of charity work, lots of posing for pictures, lots of meeting with important people.
“I’m sure you’ll find something.”
They placed their bags on the floor and Blair looked around. The master suite had a small receiving room, massive bedroom with a netted canopy bed she adored, luxury bath, and of course, the hot tub. She pointed it out past the glass sliding doors. “I know it sounds crazy at this time of year, but at night it gets cooler. Not winter cool, but enough that we can lower the water temperature and really unwind.”
He stood behind her with his hands on her waist. Leaning down, he placed gentle kisses on the side of her neck, leading up to right below her ear. “I’ll help you unwind as much as you want.”
“After.” She turned around and rubbed her hands over his muscled chest. “After I take my time with you.”
“Lovebirds!” Nikki called from downstairs. “Mojitos!”
“And now I know that there’s no way our little princess is as boozy as the tabloids say because there’s no way she’s drinking that much,” Pavel said, finishing his story.
Blair grinned and massaged Alethea’s knee. “It surprises me how much they get wrong.”
“Eh. They want to get it wrong. Makes for a juicier story to sell. They once used a picture of her sneezing to top off a story about her going on a wild rant,” Pavel mused.
“I remember that,” Alethea groaned. “Some lie about me threatening my caddy. I’ve played golf less than a dozen in my life. If my caddy did something wrong, how would I even know?”
“I’m not familiar with these terms,” Blair admitted.
“It’s a sport rich people play, though I don’t personally find it entertaining,” Pavel said. “You hit a tiny white ball with a metal stick. It’s all very… involved.”
Alethea chuckled. He was missing something, but he suspected it didn’t matter. When he was uncertain of something that had even the slightest importance, Alethea would explain it. Anything else he tucked away in his mind as something to look into later.
He sipped the drink Pavel had made him and tried to look as if he enjoyed it. He’d never had a mixed drink b
efore, and he had expected it to be more pleasant. Humans drank this all the time, so why wouldn’t it be?
At least he was awake now. And hungry. They’d had to bring everything they’d planned to eat, and currently, Vevina and Nikki were looking through the collective supplies to see what would be best for lunch today. He hadn’t even considered bringing food. Being unprepared was becoming familiar territory to him, and he didn’t like that.
“Blair?”
He looked to Alethea. “Hmm?”
“Pavel just asked if it’s possible to just visit Prism.”
“Visit like this? On a vacation?”
Pavel nodded.
“I’m not sure, to be honest. I don’t believe humans ever have, but that wouldn’t mean it’s not allowed or impossible. Though… to my knowledge, Prism doesn’t have guest accommodations like Earth. There aren’t hotels and such.”
“Disappointing.”
“Vevina works with the Prince, and his wife Brook is an ambassador between worlds. I’m sure she would be able to figure that out.”
“I just wouldn’t mind a magical companion for myself,” Pavel said smiling crookedly and stirring the crushed mint at the bottom of his glass. “Speaking of. Where are those ladies with our food? Is it that hard to make a sandwich?”
Alethea rolled her eyes. “Pretty sure Nikki doesn’t know how to make that. She’s had a cook cutting the edges off her bread since she was born.”
The sound of a throat clearing made Blair and Alethea turn to find Nikki holding a large bowl and Vevina holding a serving plate of sandwiches.
“I can make a sandwich. I know what bread is,” Nikki teased.
“She’s lying,” Vevina said completely deadpan. “I saw her flipping through a cookbook to see if the meat and cheese had a particular order.”
Nikki elbowed Vevina and laughed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
They set everything down on the nearby table.
