by Kimbra Swain
“Are you scolding me?” I asked.
“No, of course not, but I cannot stand when one of our kind preys on the innocent. Whatever her excuse or permission, she could not have fully understood what he was doing to her. Especially his kind. We should be thankful she is still alive,” he said.
“I’m pretty sure you were scolding me,” I said.
He smiled in the darkness. “Goodnight, Grace.”
“Chicken,” I said.
“Yep,” he replied, then stalked to his room.
“Me, too,” I muttered looking up the stairs toward Levi’s door.
I was afraid. Fear of sleeping in a bed and raising my children alone. Fear of a leather jacket hanging in a closet that would never be worn again. Fear of a world that I was only beginning to understand. Fear of losing my bard, because of the tension between us which I doubted was going away anytime soon. Fear of Dylan never returning or if he did return, that he would be so different after his imprisonment that I wouldn’t even know him. The kind of fear that fueled curses.
Astor and I waved at Winnie as she climbed onto the bus for school Monday morning. I sipped the coffee pondering the words in the book about the vale. I took a peek over at my knight who was staring off into the woods with a giant grin.
“What’s got into you?” I asked.
He took a sip of his coffee, then erased the grin. “I don’t know what you are talking about,” he said.
“And that is the first time you’ve ever lied to me,” I said.
He sighed. “You are annoying,” he said. “Levi said you were.”
“What? I’m wonderful. Ignore the bard. He’s biased,” I said.
“Yes, he is,” he said. He took another deep breath, then he decided to tell me the truth. “You were right. I was only infatuated with the idea of what we could have been. It wasn’t love.”
“What brought you to this grand conclusion?” I teased.
“Another woman,” he said.
“The hell you say,” I laughed. “Who is she?”
“I was at the diner last night,” he said.
“Flirting with Betty doesn’t count,” I said.
“No, not Betty. Although she is hilarious. A woman walked in while I was eating, and I admit I almost fell off my chair. She is a goddess. She smiled at me, then sat next to me,” he said as his face reddened with a blush.
“Who was it?” I prodded.
“She gave me her number. The problem is, I want to call her right now, but I can’t,” he said.
“Why not?” I asked.
“She’s busy,” he said.
“Astor, I swear,” I said.
“Ella, beautiful, sweet, glorious Ella,” he said. I died laughing. Ella had settled down since the fall, and she might be the perfect match for Astor. Except that she was his fellow knight’s daughter and he probably had no idea.
Levi chose this moment to join us. I was still laughing when he came out and sat on the step next to me. “I checked on Aydan. He’s still asleep,” Levi said, sipping his coffee. “What’s so funny?”
“Astor is breaking up with me,” I grinned.
“About time,” Levi said.
“Have your fun. I care not,” Astor huffed.
“Who is it?” Levi asked, knowing that another woman had to be involved.
“Ella,” I said.
“Oh, yeah! She’s gorgeous,” Levi said. I nudged him for prodding Astor. “Did you tell him?”
“No, not yet,” I said.
“Tell me what?” Astor asked.
“Have you met Ella’s father?” I asked.
“No, who is he? Should I be afraid? It matters not. I will woo her,” he said.
“Woo!” Levi snorted. “You might want to just try dating her.”
“Courtship should be taken seriously, Bard,” Astor shot at him.
“Easy there, Rusty. I’d hate for you to lose your temper,” Levi said. “Besides, I do have a lot more experience than you when it comes to women.”
“If you two are going to swing dicks, I’m going back inside,” I said.
“Vulgar mouth,” Astor and Levi said at the same time. Many giggles ensued.
“Ha, ha. Laugh at my expense. Glad to be of service,” I said.
“What is it I should know?” Astor asked.
“Ella’s father is Eugene Jenkins, the mayor of Shady Grove,” I said, waiting to see if he knew the reference.
“And?” Astor prodded.
“And he’s Ewain,” I replied.
Astor’s face dropped. “I must speak to him before courting his daughter. It would be inappropriate for me to contact her without his permission.”
“Things are a little different these days,” Levi said.
“As well I know, however, that doesn’t mean they should be,” Astor said. “I will go speak to him shortly if you will tell me how to find him. Does he still live with the Lion?”
“He does,” I said.
“I’m more afraid of the Lion than Ewain,” he said. At that, Levi and I both laughed. Chaz could be pretty scary.
“What’cha wanna bet Chaz hits on Astor?” I asked Levi.
“That’s an easy bet. Chaz hits on every man,” Levi said.
“He always was bold,” Astor said.
“You knew him?” I asked.
“Yes, their arrangement while not typical was accepted by all of us. He had his wife, and she allowed him to have the lion. Taliesin wrote the stories as if the lion were an animal, but that was only because Ewain and Charles wanted to remain discrete,” Astor said.
“Charles,” I repeated. “Oh, just wait until I call him Chucky.”
“He will die,” Levi joked.
Inside the house, I could feel Aydan stirring. I would take him with me today to talk to Wendy. He would enjoy the bright colored domains of the wandering fairies. Levi stood up quickly offering me a hand to get up. I took it, feeling that familiar tingle between us.
“Good luck,” I told Astor.
“I thought you might be a bit disappointed,” Astor joked.
“This is not a harem, Astor,” I laughed, then followed Levi inside.
“I got this,” he said taking my cup from me.
“Thank you,” I said.
“No problem,” he replied.
“Levi, thank you for everything,” I said.
“You don’t have to thank me for anything, Grace,” he said.
But I did.
After Aydan finished his cleavage close-up, I dressed him and myself for our ride out to see Wendy. Levi told Astor where to find the mayor’s house. I couldn’t wait to hear how that would go for him. I was happy that he found something to occupy him since he seemed so miserable. Ella would be the perfect uplift to his spirits.
“Can I go?” Levi asked as I gathered up Aydan’s diaper bag.
“Sure. If you want, but we can manage if you want to stay here and enjoy the quiet,” I said.
“No, thanks. It won’t be long after you leave when Bramble and Briar get stirred up. I’m not in the mood to hear it,” he said.
“I guess they are back on speaking terms,” I said.
“I don’t know if they are speaking or not, but they are definitely locking legs,” Levi said.
“Good,” I replied. “I’d hate for anyone else to be sexually frustrated.” I clamped my hand over my mouth before I realized what I had said. “Fairy. I’m a fairy. I can’t help it.”
Levi just laughed at me and shook his head. “I’m aware,” he said.
“Leave me alone, Levi Rearden,” I said, trying to ignore him.
“I haven’t touched you,” he said.
“You know what I mean,” I replied.
“No, I don’t. Why don’t you clarify?” he asked.
“Dublin!”
He laughed, and the laughter spread to Aydan who was sitting up on the floor waiting patiently. Levi picked him up tossing him in the air above his head. Aydan’s laughter filled the room. My hea
rt filled with love for my little bird. The pang of hurt for his missing father was still there, but a baby’s laughter was a magical thing. I didn’t grow wings or anything, but I did feel more alive looking at him.
We sat inside Wendy and Fordele’s RV which as I had suspected was brightly decorated. Aydan’s eyes followed all the sparkling curtains and vibrant draping in the room. On the table, a crystal ball sat with a stack of tarot cards. Wendy’s fortune telling practice hadn’t ceased when they moved to Shady Grove. Fairies were some of the most superstitious beings on earth. They loved a good divination as much as a human.
“I’m aware of the curse on Shady Grove as a whole. We were aware of it when we moved here, but the benefits of being safe from the human world outweighed the possibility of dying here. Of course, we didn’t realize how volatile the situation was,” she explained.
Fordele had excused himself when we arrived. He had left with another woman who seemed to be a bit younger than Wendy. After he left, Wendy explained that Fordele had the choice of any woman in the band, because he was the King. He had his own harem. It was part of the wandering fairy life. They wandered around the world as well as wandering into other RVs to partake as they wished. They lived a very sexually open lifestyle.
“Do you know about the Evil Eye?” I asked pointing to her amulet.
“I do. I felt it two days prior to you showing up to take Rufus. I have another amulet if you would like to wear it. It’s strong enough to protect your entire household,” she explained.
“I would like it,” I said.
She dug around in a basket next to her seat, then pulled out the brassy Hamsa hand necklace. In the center of the hand, a giant blue eye looked back at me. She curled the necklace into my hand, and I could feel the protective power of it.
“We are having a bonfire for midsummer. If you would like, we could try to ward off the Evil Eye. A celebration of fire would be perfect to cleanse the town,” she suggested.
“I think that is a great idea. I had hoped you would have a suggestion,” I said.
She tapped the crystal ball lightly. “Some things are for show, but some things are for real,” she said suggesting that she already knew I would ask her for help.
“When is the bonfire?” I asked.
“Two nights hence. Invite all of Shady Grove. If the majority of the people are there, then it should work. Will you dance with us?” she asked.
“Dance?” Levi said perking up. Aydan sat in his lap jiggling as Levi lightly bounced him.
“I’ve heard stories that Grace was a beautiful dancer among the travelers,” Wendy said.
“Enough.” Her statement embarrassed me. I had danced with the gypsies, but it was ages ago.
“It’s like riding a bike. In fact, I have some traditional garb you can borrow to wear. If you add your power to the dance, then I would guarantee that it would cleanse the town. Levi can play his guitar,” she said nodding at the tattoo.
“You know that it works?” I asked.
“I can feel its power. Certain musical instruments can be endowed with power. It’s amazing that you were able to trap it in his tattoo, but yes, I know that it works,” she said.
Levi unleashed a chord on the guitar, and the light stringy sound echoed in the small space of the RV. Aydan clapped his hands together in delight.
“The little one approves,” Wendy said.
“He’s easily pleased,” I smiled.
“You are blessed,” Wendy said. It was a stark reminder that no matter the things that were missing in my life, I was truly fortunate to have what I did. It was hard to be thankful amid grief and uncertainty, but I should be for what I still had.
“Yes, I am,” I said watching Aydan giggle. “I’ll inform the council, and we will spread the word. I’ll bring marshmallows.”
“I look forward to it,” Wendy said. “Wear that amulet, Grace. It will protect you and yours.”
“Is it possible to determine who set the evil eye curse into motion?” I asked.
“I could ask the crystal,” she said. “But I get the feeling you don’t believe in its powers.”
“My own experience with these traveling fairies suggests that it was a ruse to get money,” I said. “Not a condemnation either. If played correctly, the customer got their money’s worth in showmanship.”
“My powers are real,” she stated. It was curious, but I didn’t feel anything coming from her. Nothing at all. It didn’t mean she wasn’t powerful. It just meant that her source of power was very different than mine. Something that I couldn’t ascertain.
“It couldn’t hurt,” Levi said.
“There are some things I do not want to know from a source that I doubt,” I said. “Can the questions to the crystal be focused? I do not want to know anything outside of information about the curse.”
“Of course, it answers what you will it to answer,” she said. She moved over to the table next to the crystal.
“Levi will you take Aydan outside?” I asked. I felt him hesitate, but he quickly left the RV. “I promise not to ask anything except the curse.”
“Grace, you ask it whatever you want to ask it,” he said.
Levi’s agreeability was starting to get on my nerves. He should contradict me on something. Anything! Otherwise, the tension between us would continue to grow.
“Alright. Are you ready?” Wendy asked.
“I suppose,” I said still incredulous about the whole thing.
Then, I felt it move.
Power from the air around us sparking electricity filling the room like static. “That’s normal. Just stay calm,” she said in a soothing voice. She held her palms up, and her eyes closed.
I watched through the spectrum as the thousands of tiny dust particles of power pulled together to coalesce inside the crystal ball.
“The crystal awaits your question, Grace Ann Bryant, daughter of Oberon, Queen of the Exiles.” Wendy’s monotone voice filled the room.
“Who cast the Evil Eye curse on Shady Grove?” I asked confidently. I thought I better sound authentic. Even if all she was doing was moving power, it didn’t mean it would give me the answers that I sought.
“Look into the glass. Tell me what you see,” she said.
The dark haze in the glass shimmered, and I could make out the flicking of a red cloak. “I see a person in a red cloak, flicking in smoke. She’s running away from me.”
“This is the person who started the curse,” she said. “Look again, can you see her face?”
I watched the haze in the ball shimmer then the cloak flashed around again. This time I could almost see the wearer’s face under the hood. It didn’t matter if I did or not. I knew who wore a red cloak, but it didn’t make sense that Robin would curse the town like this. I was sure she intended to destroy me for whatever reason, but I didn’t think she would take the whole town out. Perhaps it was time I stopped underestimating her. She had found the perfect way to capture Dylan.
“I can’t see her face, but Robin wears a red cloak,” I said.
“Do not assume. The crystal shows you the truth, but sometimes the truth is hidden,” she said.
“What? Like someone who wants me to think it was Robin?” I asked.
“Perhaps. Do you have any other questions for the crystal?” she asked. She hadn’t opened her eyes or lowered her arms for the entire reading.
“Yes, one more question, if I may,” I said.
“Of course,” she said.
“Are Tennyson and Jenny enemies?” I asked.
The ball haze changed to a blood red. The red boiled around in the crystal, then revealed an intimate scene of Jenny curled up next to the tattooed chest and arms of Tennyson. I felt like I was spying on their privacy.
“Don’t become uneasy. Just listen to their conversation,” Wendy said.
Leaning into the crystal, I could hear their voices.
“Do you think she can do it?” Jenny asked Tennyson.
“Arthur placed a
ll his bets on her. I have to believe that she can,” Tennyson said.
“Are you all in?” she asked.
“I swore a blood oath, Gwen,” he said.
“I know, but there are ways around oaths. You know how to manipulate. You’ve been doing it for years,” she said.
“Not this time, my love. It’s all or nothing. I won’t play on the fringe this time,” he said.
“I’m with you all the way,” she said.
“Good. Then we will support her in whatever way that we can. She needs to know as soon as possible what is going on in Winter,” Tennyson said.
Jenny smiled, rolling over to throw her leg over his. “Not yet,” she smiled.
“Maybe not right now,” he smiled back.
As he leaned in to kiss her, I pushed away from the table.
“I don’t want to see anymore,” I said.
“The crystal wouldn’t have let you see more than you needed to see,” Wendy said opening her eyes. She rubbed her arms which she had held aloft for so long.
“I’m sorry. I mean no disrespect, but was that conversation real? Did that happen? Or was it a representation of the answer to my question?” I asked. The emotions of the night before when Tennyson kissed Jenny rolled over me. It made me queasy feeling the sexual need, and knowing how I had looked at Levi.
“Either way, the answer is the same,” Wendy said. “If I may offer some advice…”
“Okay,” I said as I felt the walls of the RV closing in on me.
“Love is always complicated, but it is still love. I loved another before Fordele. I actually met Ford before my last husband died. At first, I felt guilty for the attraction to him, but later on, I realized how stupid it had been of me to gauge my own love to the expectations of the world. Fairies tend to be very open to different types of relationships. You love Dylan, dead or not. You love Levi. It’s the recipient of the love that defines it. Not the conventions of the world.”
“Is that what you tell yourself when Ford is with another woman?” I asked.
“No, it’s what I tell myself when I am with another man,” she smiled.
“I’m not sure I function the same way,” I said.
