Dismissed, Sidelle left in a daze. She walked to the outer edge of Summer Fairyland, lost in thought. A Sword of Heaven. We need to get one of those.
The sound of someone clearing their throat came from behind Sidelle. “I beg your pardon, Miss, but are you lost?”
She didn’t bother to turn around. “Nope, but you obviously are,” she snapped.
“You can’t still be mad at me. Come on, Sidelle. It’s been, what? A couple of centuries?”
“We’re fairies,” she said flatly, remembering the Changing of the Seasons Masked Ball three centuries before. It felt as if it had been just yesterday. “Time doesn’t mean anything. A few centuries or a thousand, what does it matter how long it’s been?”
“So you are still mad at me.”
She spun to face him. “What do you want, Finn?”
But seeing him took her back to the Exchange of the Septum. She’d been so eager to hand the Septum to Finn just so she could see him again. Now that he stood before her, her heart ached. He hadn’t changed at all.
“To apologize.”
“A little late for that, don’t you think?” She had waited for him at the Altar of Exchange for so long. For years, despite it being forbidden, they had been secretly seeing each other, and Queen Mab had chosen him to be the Winter Representative for that exchange. Sidelle turned and stalked away from him. “You think an apology is going to make it all right?”
“Probably not, but it would be a start if you were to take me back.”
Sidelle froze mid-step, then she whipped around to face him. “Why would I?” she hissed. “You used me, then you broke my heart!” She advanced, moving like a panther stalking her prey, forcing him to take a step back. “I found out later why you were late, you know. Oh yes, I know you were fraternizing with another fairy when you should have been at the Altar. You made a fool of me!” She jabbed her finger into his chest. “You two-timing jerk!”
His eyes dropped. “I was a fool.”
“No argument here. You still are!” She inhaled deeply then let out a slow breath. “What are you doing here, anyway?”
“Waiting for you. I heard you were back in Fairyland, and I wanted to see you.” He glanced to the side. “Also, Mab sent me.”
“What does she want?” She cocked her hip. “You out of the ice house with her then?”
“I guess so since she wants to know your report, hear how matters are going on Earth. And she wants to know what’s going on with the Ordinary you are watching.”
“Is that all? She sent you because she assumes you can get all the information then go running back to her, right? Like I’d do whatever you wanted.” She waved him away. “Well, that’s not going to happen, Finn. Why doesn’t she wait for Oberon? He’s on his way to see her anyway.”
“Sidelle, it’s not like that. She’s my Queen. I have to do her bidding just like you do Oberon’s. And with you and me? Come on. We both knew the risks. You’re a Summer Fairy and I’m from Winter. When Mab found out about us she went ballistic. I’m grateful I’m still in existence, to be honest. She kept threatening to freeze me.”
Sidelle crossed her arms. “At least Oberon doesn’t manipulate, like Mab does.”
“You should think twice on that, Delle.”
She caught her breath, furious. How dare he use that name. “Don’t—”
“I know. Don’t call you that.”
“Whatever. Just go. Leave me alone.” She attempted to walk away. “I need to get back to Zoe.”
“Then lead the way.”
She froze, suspicious. “What? You’re so not going with me!”
“Oh, yes. I am. Mab wants a full report, and I plan to give her thorough, firsthand knowledge. So lead on. I’m going whether you like it or not.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Zoe
In the morning, Shay was gone. I sat up in bed and stretched, wishing I could go back to sleep. In a way it was a relief he wasn’t there, because I needed to think. The conversation I’d had with Sidelle in Kieran’s kitchen weighed heavily on my mind. The thought of losing him when I turned eighteen was simply unacceptable. I picked up my phone, wanting to text Sidelle, then remembered she had left for Fairyland.
“Morning, Zoe,” Kieran said when I arrived at the end of my driveway. “Tonight you should start learning some fighting techniques from Shay or Vash, okay?” He peered more closely at me. “Hey, are you all right? You look like—”
“I didn’t get much sleep last night—and not for the reason you’re thinking,” I replied. “I’m not sure how my body is going to function today, but I’ll give it a go.”
He frowned. “Anything you’d like to talk about?”
“I need some girl time, and Sidelle’s not here, so I’m sort of trying to work it out on my own. But thanks.” I gave him a small smile. I did want to talk to him, just not about this. It was too awkward.
“It’s about Shay, isn’t it?” he said. “I’m all ears if you ever want to talk, you know, even if it’s about him. Speaking of him, he’s not walking with us today, so we can get going.”
That was odd. He hadn’t mentioned that. “Did he say why?”
“I’m not sure. He didn’t say anything specific, just that he wasn’t walking this morning. Do you want to stop at Coffee Grind?”
“Yes!” I said, suddenly glad to have my best friend beside me. “Chai always cheers me up.”
Vash and Cali were already in the shop, sitting in a corner booth. They waved us over, and after I’d ordered my latte and a slice of cherry pound cake we joined them.
I squeezed into the booth. “Hey, Cali,” I said. “Do you have plans for today after school? I was thinking of going to the Mall of America for a couple of hours to start looking for a prom dress. We could hang out at my house or something after. I need some girl time, you know?”
“Great idea, Zoe. I want to find a gown before all the good ones are gone. I heard someone asked Quinn last night, too, but I’m not sure about Rena.” She bounced in her seat. “If they can’t go, one of us could text them when we get back. I can’t be out too late, so can we go to Macy’s instead?”
I nodded. “Sure. We should talk with the girls at school to see who can go. Can you drive us?”
“Sure, no problem. I’m so excited!”
Kieran and Vash sat quietly beside us, sharing a look of boredom.
When we were done eating and drinking, we headed to school and stopped at my locker. I was reminded I wouldn’t see Sidelle today, and possibly not tomorrow. She had never skipped school before. The halls were quiet and dreary without her. I frowned.
“Since Sidelle is gone,” Kieran said, “do you want Vash, Shay, or me to go to with you this afternoon?”
I slouched. I’d hoped to just hang out with the girls. “Do any of you have to go? I’ll be with a bunch of people at a department store. I swear I’ll just go there then head right back home. I need a few hours of not thinking about everything else going on in my life. I want to be a normal teenager for a while. Is that okay?” My voice came out harsher than I’d intended. “I’m sorry, Kieran. I guess I’m just worried about ... Sidelle.”
Kieran raised one skeptical eyebrow.
“And Shay,” I admitted.
Quinn raced toward us, grinning. “Hey, Zoe! Great news!” She waved at Kieran. “I’m going to prom! Caden asked me last night. The star basketball player wants me as his date!”
“That’s great! Cali and I are going to Macy’s after school today. Want to go with us?”
She nodded. “Count me in! Who’s driving?”
“Cali. Let’s meet at her car after school.”
“Okay, see you later!” Quinn skipped away down the hall.
Kieran stared at me. “Is this all you girls are going to talk about for the next month?”
“Probably. You’d better get used to it, buddy.”
He scowled. “Back to our earlier conversation. I’m sorry, Z, but one of us is going with you t
his afternoon. You decide which and let me know by end of day.”
He left me there, and I glanced longingly at Sidelle’s locker. How was she doing? If only she could get it done quickly and get back in time to go shopping this afternoon.
“Hi.” Vash appeared beside me, his expression a little shy. “Um, I’m your escort this hour.”
“Why?” I asked. “Shay usually walks with me to history. Is he not here yet?”
“I’m not sure. He just texted and asked me to do it. You guys fighting?”
I stepped backward, briefly panicked. “No, not that I know about. Did you see him?”
“I was at Kieran’s locker.” Vash shook his head. “Why do you ask?”
“Nothing. No reason. Okay, let’s go.”
We started walking to the room, and I realized it didn’t matter if he or Shay escorted me. I was sure Shay wasn’t angry—he must have had something important to take care of—and I wanted to ask Vash about Cali. The exciting possibility of her being his mate kept popping up in my mind, even though Sidelle had asked me not to say anything. I almost wished she hadn’t told me in the first place now. Maybe I couldn’t just point blank ask him, but I’m sure Cali would want to know if he liked her.
“So,” I started. “You and Cali?”
He raised one dark eyebrow, immediately suspicious. “Yes, Cali and me. What about us?”
I couldn’t stop now. “Do you like her?” I grinned. “I mean, really like her? Come on. You can tell me if you do.”
He didn’t change his expression even a bit. “Yes, I like her. And you’re going to tell her that, aren’t you?”
“Maybe,” I teased. “What will you give me to keep my mouth shut?”
“How about a swift kick in the butt if you do tell her,” Vash replied, his handsome smile returning.
I punched his chest and hit solid muscle. “Oh, Vash. I like you. Just be nice to her or I’ll kick you in the butt.”
“No problem.”
When we arrived at class, Shay was already sitting at his desk. He met my eyes, and looked apologetic. I sat next to him, and Vash settled in on my other side, paying no attention to either of us.
“Don’t say anything.” Shay held up his hand. “First, let me tell you, I’m sorry. After I left this morning, my dad visited, and we talked. That’s why I didn’t walk with you and Kieran this morning. I needed a little more time with him. I texted Vash to walk with you because I wasn’t ready to face you.”
Not ready to face me? Why hadn’t Shay told Kieran he was with his dad? Or had Kieran known about it and just didn’t want to tell me? My imagination ran wild.
“What I learned is that I shouldn’t doubt either you or your feelings. It’s just hard, you know? This whole relationship thing is new to me, and it sort of scares me. What you and I have is ... intense.” He reached for my hand. “My dad told me that soul mates are rare to find, and even more outside our Order. But if we are soul mates, we need to cherish what we have. Not everyone has a chance to find theirs.” He squeezed my hand.
Knowing he felt the same way as I did about what we had was amazingly comforting. It had seemed too good to be true for me, too, but I felt better, knowing he felt that way. And now that his father had encouraged him ...
“Shay,” I whispered, leaning over my chair to kiss him on the lips in front of everyone in the class. I heard some whooping in the background, but in my mind it was just Shay and me. We didn’t separate until I heard someone clearing her throat.
“Ah, I’m glad some of you are so passionate about history. Ms. Jabril, Mr. Curator, and the rest of the class, let’s get started.”
I guess I should have felt embarrassed, but I didn’t. I leaned over toward Shay’s desk again, wanting to get his attention. He looked at me, a goofy grin on his face, and I mouthed “I love you.” His smile warmed to the one I’d come to know so well, and just like that, all was right between us again.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t going to last. When class ended, I told him my after-school plans, his eyes flashed, and he grabbed my shoulders, forcing me to face him.
“Absolutely not!” he yelled. “You cannot go by yourself. You could if Sidelle went, but since she’s not here, you can’t go alone.” He shook his head, his expression intense. “Please don’t take this the wrong way. I’m looking out for you. It would make me feel a whole lot better knowing one of us is with you.”
I put my hands on my hips. He wasn’t about to tell me what to do any more than Kieran was. No way. “Don’t take this the wrong way, Shay, but I’m going. I’m telling you what I told Kieran this morning: I’ll be with a bunch of people at a department store. I’ll go there then directly home, I promise. I just want a few hours where I don’t have to think about what else is going on in my life. I want to be with normal girls and be a normal teenager,” I fired back, eyes narrowed. “And I’d appreciate it if you didn’t yell at me.”
Kieran walked up and shook his head. “It’s not worth arguing with her. You might as well admit defeat now. She always wins.”
The car ride to Macy’s was less than twenty minutes, a straight drive on I-94 into downtown. We found a parking spot right away in the attached ramp then walked the skyway to the entrance. We made a B-line to the formal dresses on the third floor then spread out like a fan, combing the aisles and racks.
I wanted to find the perfect dress, since I would be wearing it for Shay. I perused the rainbow of dresses, but didn’t see any that caught my eye. Every so often, I heard one of my girls squeal with excitement on finding “The Dress,” and I scanned the aisles hoping to find at least one dress to try on.
At one point I held up a dress I thought had potential, then I froze, noticing a subtle movement near the mannequin to my left. I didn’t see any of my friends, and I couldn’t even spot the sales clerk who had been helping us. After two incidents with demons, it didn’t take much to make me feel on edge, which I supposed was a good thing. Better safe than sorry. In a rare moment of clarity, I wondered if maybe I should have taken Kieran’s and Shay’s advice more seriously. Demons would come after me in public.
Yes, they would, if they were desperate. And clearly, they were.
I took a few tentative steps closer, staring hard at the spot where I’d seen the movement. I saw the shape again, and I could make out it was a guy. Males didn’t belong in this part of the store—unless they had a thing for formal gowns.
This guy was big. Tall and bulky and wearing a faded, brown leather jacket.
Wait a minute.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Zoe
“Vash?”
His familiar face appeared from behind a frothy pink gown. He blushed like crazy, his eyes darting everywhere but at me.
I tried not to laugh. “What are you doing here?”
“Nothing.”
“Are you following me?”
“No.”
I stepped up to him and folded my arms across my chest. “Please don’t lie to me. Were you following me?”
This time he stared straight at me. “No.”
“Then why are you here in the same store as me? Did Kieran and Shay send you?”
“No.”
“Is that all you have to say? One-word answers?”
The side of his mouth curled up. “Maybe.”
“Not funny. You scared me half to death! I thought you were a demon. I was—Wait. You didn’t follow me?”
“No. I already told you that. But you should’ve taken one of us with you, you know. You need to take this seriously, Zoe. Your safety is priority number one.”
“I am taking this seriously. OK, I wasn’t, but I am now. I just wanted a few hours to be a normal teenager. I know. Don’t look at me like that. I get it. I’ll be careful.” I sighed then narrowed my eyes at him, trying to look intimidating. “But you did follow someone?”
“Maybe.”
I grinned. “Aha! You followed Cali, didn’t you?”
“I needed to make s
ure she was safe.” He craned his neck, looking for her.
“So Kieran and Shay didn’t tell you to follow me?”
“No, they didn’t.” He smiled. “I volunteered. They told me your plans during lunch today.”
“Those two are in so much trouble!” I muttered, whipping out my phone to text them both.
Me: Seems my canine stalker showed up at Macy’s just now
A second later Kieran texted, then Shay.
Kieran: Yeah?
Shay: What a coincidence
I snorted and responded.
Me: No. Say hi to the stalker. He’s reading this 2
Kieran: Hi Vash
Shay: Vash
I huffed again, but my anger was vanishing with each letter I typed.
Me: U2 are in so much trouble when I see you next!
I locked my phone, and Vash ducked behind a rack of evening gowns. I glanced over my shoulder just as Cali flitted out of the dressing room in a black strapless dress. Quinn hovered around her, fluffing the hem, while Vash eyed Cali with longing eyes.
“She’d better not find out you’re here. I don’t think she’d want you to see the one she picks out.”
Vash’s phone dinged. He pulled it out, quickly read a text, then tucked his phone back into his jeans. “It’s just Kieran and Shay.” His eyes softened. “Please don’t tell Cali I saw the dress. I don’t want to ruin this for her.”
I smiled. “I won’t tell her. Just be careful. You need to pick something larger to hide behind. A mannequin is not going to cut it. You stick out.”
He looked sheepish. “Thanks, Zoe.”
I looked back toward my friends and saw Cali scurry back into the dressing room.
“Are you going to hang around here?” I asked.
He nodded then dug out his phone and read another text.
This seemed like a good opportunity. “Can I ask you something? If it’s too personal, you don’t have to answer.”
“Shoot.”
“How would you know if Cali was your mate? I mean, can you make her your mate or—”
Enlighten Series- The Complete 3 Book Collection Page 20
