by Riley Walker
“I have always known how to find you, Princess.” He walks around me and settles on the couch.
“What did you find out, Winston?”
He places his elbows on his knees and stares straight at me. “Lord Stephen said that he recommended Sherry, but he has never met her. He informed me that my mother told him to send her here.”
This revelation surprises me, “Why would your mother do that?”
“I don’t know Princess. When I confronted my mother, she was very evasive. She stated that Sherry is a highly skilled chef, and then dismissed me, claiming she had a headache.”
“Why didn’t you demand an answer from her Winston.”
Winston winces at me, looking utterly distraught. “Truthfully? I feel like she is hiding something. I know my mother well, and demanding answers from her will get me nowhere. I have several of my most trustworthy men following her every move. She will either prove me wrong or slip up somewhere. We just have to be patient.”
“That’s easy for you to say. Your loved ones are not dropping like flies.” That’s when the grief finally hits me. I have been keeping it together for Shelby’s sake, but the thought of sitting around, waiting for Armand to make his next move is slowly driving me insane. I burst out into uncontrollable sobs.
Winston stands up from the couch and walks over, lifting me into his arms. He sits down in the oversized chair, placing me in his lap, and holds me for a few moments while I allow myself to let go. I stand up and wipe my face with the back of my hand. “I’m ok now. Thank you, Winston, for everything. I need to go check on Shelby.”
He stands up and grabs my hand. “Princess, Beloved, we need to discuss our betrothal and your other mates.”
Beloved? Why does that word sound so familiar? “ Can we please talk about this another time? I promise we will discuss this later, but we have more important issues to deal with. Besides, Shelby needs me and I need to be with her.”
“As you wish Princess, but I have something for you.” He says this while pulling a dagger, that I hadn’t noticed before, out of his belt. “This may sound insensitive, but I thought you might want the dagger that Armand stabbed you with.”
For a minute I just stand there staring at the weapon that almost took my life. It only takes me a few moments before I grab the dagger from his hand and smile in appreciation. This man just may find his way into my heart after all.
“Thank you, Winston. Hopefully someday I will have the chance to gut him with this.”
I give him a wink and head to my bedroom in search of Shelby.
14
Cockatoo
Shelby and I spend nearly a week comforting each other and waiting on news of the funeral. I hear a knock at the door and I roll over, falling out of bed. I barely had any rest all week between my racing mind, and Shelby weeping all night in her sleep. I have no doubt Colton’s death is triggering her abandonment issues. I stumble over and pull open the door.
Gerald is standing there with an apologetic look. “Francesca, Mary and I are taking Colton back to the Earth Realm now. We will send word with the details of the funeral as soon as we know anything.”
I give him a big hug. “Thank you Gerald. I can never repay you and Mary for all of your kindness.”
“You are welcome, Princess. You were like a daughter to my sister Gretchen. That makes you our niece and we love you dearly. Give Shelby our deepest condolences. I know his death has hit her hard.”
I watch him walk down the stairs and then turn to see Shelby sitting up in bed rubbing her eyes. Her hair is sticking straight up on her head, making her look like a Cockatoo, and I start giggling to myself.
“What? Is there something on my face? Was I drooling? Stop laughing at me Frannie, right now!”
This only makes me laugh harder. I am laughing so hard now I’m doubled over and can’t breathe.
“What’s so funny?” Shelby asks while sitting up in bed, shaking her head. This makes her hair swish back and forth like a mohawk gone wild.
I am trying to calm down so I can answer her, but it’s futile. I can’t get the picture of her turning into a Cockatoo out of my head. I’m imagining her flying around repeating everything Winston says. Winston? Why in the world am I thinking of him right now? I see Shelby getting more and more agitated so I force myself to calm down.
“Oh honey, your hair is a hot mess. You look like a Cockatoo with that blonde hair standing up straight on your head.”
Shelby glares at me and stands up walking toward the bathroom. She turns around with a devilish grin, “I am not a freaking Cockatoo. I am a kickass Emperor Penguin, and you best remember that!”
15
Coffin Climber
The next day Gerald let’s us know the plans for Colton’s funeral. Tomorrow, Hawkeye will accompany Shelby and me to the Earth Realm. Edrik and Rook agreed we could go if he went with us, and we were not gone more than three hours. Gerald will be picking us up at the portal and with the half hour drive both ways, it doesn't leave us much time. Shelby and I aren’t planning on making ourselves known at the funeral. We just want to be there to say our final goodbye to the best friend we had.
We all arrive at the portal. The three of us that are actually going to the funeral, along with Edrik and Rook. I have no idea why they decided to come with us, other than to annoy Hawkeye. I have to admit, I am enjoying that.
“Chess, stay with Hawkeye the entire time. Never leave his side, not for anything.” Edrik has pulled me to him and we are nose to nose. I just roll my eyes at him while Hawkeye continues to get mad because he doesn’t think they trust him enough to keep us safe. Silly men. If anyone will keep us safe, it’s Hawkeye.
“I promise not to leave his side.” I reach up and kiss Edrik on his lips. “Be good while we are gone and I will see you in a few hours.
I step away and wait for the next man in line to tell me what to do. Rook jerks me to him and grabs my butt tight, grinding into me. “Cara, you know what to do. Don’t walk away from him, don’t talk to anyone, and be back here in three hours or I’m coming to get you.”
I almost want to be late just to see if he would actually come get me. That could be interesting. I give Rook a quick kiss and turn toward the portal. I am stopped by a hard slap on my butt. I turn my head and glare at Rook, who is just standing there with a smug smile on his face.
I hear Edrik chuckle before he turns his attention to Shelby. “So, Shelby, are you ready for your first portal jump?”
“I’ve already done this once, Edrik. I didn’t have a problem then.”
“Little penguin, you were passed out from the shot Hawkeye gave you. You don’t even remember coming through. It doesn’t count.” Rook tells her, shaking his head. He knows exactly what is about to happen.
“Ok guys, we have to go. Let’s do this!” Shelby grabs my hand and we walk through the portal together.
We don’t end up on the other side together though.
I come through standing, Shelby is on her back, her eyes rolling in the back of her head.
“You ok, Shelby?” I can’t help but laugh at her predicament. I remembered my first time. It wasn’t pretty either.
“I’m dying. Why didn’t you tell me this would kill me, Frannie? I hate you so much.” Poor thing can’t do anything but roll around on the ground and moan. I start laughing all over again.
Hawkeye chooses that moment to walk through, stopping to put his hands on his hips. “I told you to wait on me and I would carry you so this wouldn’t happen. You just won’t listen will you?”
Shelby has rolled over on her face so talking isn’t an option at the moment. Instead, she gives him the middle finger. It’s a universal sign in every Realm.
Colton’s parents decided to have only a graveside service. Few words were spoken, but it was perfect for him. He would have hated if people went on and on about him. Colton just wasn’t that kind of person.
Shelby and I opted to stay hidden under the Dogwood trees. We h
ad not met Colton’s family yet. He always went home to visit them. We were supposed to meet them for the first time at the graduation, but I was called back to the Fey realm. Besides, my eyes are a little different, okay, they are creepy in the Earth Realm and I didn’t want to receive anymore attention. After the preacher finishes, friends and family walk by his casket, saying their final goodbyes. I watch as Colton’s family walk up, each one throwing a single rose, then heading toward a waiting limousine.
Once everyone is gone, the three of us step out from behind the trees and make our way to the gravesite. His coffin is simple. Wood with a small cross in the center. There are red and white roses on top of it and scattered around him on the ground. I run my hands over the smooth wood and close my eyes, picturing his smiling face.
I take a moment to remember the first time I met him at the frat party. Somehow I knew that moment, he would somehow be a part of my life. I had no idea he would become one of my very best friends. I step back to give Shelby a moment to say goodbye.
She walks up to the coffin and starts to climb on top of it. My eyes pop open and Hawkeye runs over to pull her off. “You can’t climb on it, Shelby.” He is trying to reason with her. She won’t hear any of it though. She is fighting him to release her, all the while, wailing at the top of her lungs.
“Shelby. Shelby!” I get in her face to try and calm her down. Once she finally sees me, she takes a deep breath and nods. I look to Hawkeye and he gently sets her down on her feet. As soon as he lets go, she immediately runs back and once again, tries to climb on the coffin. If this weren’t so sad, I would probably be peeing my pants laughing. I know Colton is right now. He always thought she was funny when she was being overdramatic.
Gerald picks us up from the cemetery and within minutes, Shelby cries herself to sleep on Hawkeye’s shoulder. We ask Gerald to stop at the closest liquor store and Hawkeye runs in to purchase the largest bottle of vodka he can get. He comes back with a bottle of cranberry juice as well.
Hawkeye looks over at me. “Princess, I am surprised you did not try to follow Shelby
into the coffin.”
“Oh trust me, I wanted to, but I need to be strong for Shelby right now. I have all of you for support, but I’m all that Shelby has left.”
“Princess, Shelby has all of us too. Somehow that little penguin has captured all our hearts.” Hawkeye’s statement is just what I needed.
Shelby still hasn’t woken by the time we reach the portal, which is probably best. I don’t think she could handle another portal jump. Hawkeye carries her through it and back to the castle.
Edrik meets us at the front steps, a concerned look on his face. “I’ll explain everything later. Just let me get her upstairs and in bed.” Hawkeye follows me to my bedroom and gently lays Shelby down. He can be so sweet when he wants to.
Edrik and Rook are waiting for us when we get back downstairs. “She is mentally exhausted. Between the kidnapping, war, my almost death, and now Colton, I’m surprised she hasn’t had a nervous breakdown. I think we are going to need a girls’ night when she wakes up.”
“Whatever you need, Cara. Tell the little penguin I am sorry, again. I know how hard she is taking his loss. She just lost one of the two people she considers family.” Rook can be so observant. He’s right. Shelby has no one and she thinks of Colton and me as family. He is also wrong. She considers him, Edrik, Hawkeye, and even Winston family now.
16
We Are Family
(Shelby’s POV)
Frannie and I are standing under the Dogwood trees, watching one of our best friends being buried. Frannie is grabbing my hand like a lifeline, while Hawkeye is standing beside me, his hand on my back in a show of support. I look over at the only family I have left and can’t help but smile. The day she fell into my life was my new beginning. I came crashing into our dorm room, not knowing what to expect of my new roommate. I was immediately endeared by her frizzy, golden blond hair, and crystal blue eyes. She was so shy and sweet. She is as short as I am, but we are total opposites in every other way. She’s my cotillion, and I’m her kegger. The day we met I knew we would be best friends and by the end of the first week, I knew we would always be family.
As a foster child I have never had a true family, and Frannie filled that hole for me. The night we met Colton, I was a little jealous of his attraction to Frannie, but she couldn’t have cared less. He was adorable with his gold eyes and shaggy red hair. The three of us became fast friends and were eventually inseparable. I finally understood what a true family is. It’s the people you choose to surround yourself with and will always have your back.
Standing here, under this tree, holding the hand of the only family I have left in this world, suddenly brings me crushing grief. Everyone has left the cemetery and we three are the only ones left. I walk mindlessly to his grave and I decide right then and there, that he can’t go. I know it’s silly, but I need him like I need air. My chest is being crushed and I am becoming dizzy with grief. I have two people in my world that I can’t live without and they are about to bury one of them. When they do, it will be final. He will never tease me again, never eat the last of my pancakes off my plate when I’m not looking, and never again give me one of his famous hugs. I do the only thing I can think of and crawl onto his coffin. If I am up here they can’t lower him down, they can’t cover him with dirt never to be heard from again. I know it’s irrational, but I can’t control myself. As soon as I climb up, the overwhelming grief takes over and I start sobbing uncontrollably. Frannie is in my face yelling at me to get down, but I just can’t. Doesn’t she understand that we need him? It’s not his time to go. Hawkeye picks me up and deposits me on the ground, but I immediately try to attach myself to his coffin once again. It’s no use. Hawkeye grabs me and carries me back to Gerald’s car. I sob myself to sleep in his arms while dreaming of happier days.
17
Cape Cods
I stop by the kitchen to make Shelby and I some sandwiches and grab water for us before heading back upstairs. When I enter my bedroom, I see her sitting up and stretching.
“Frannie, what am I doing in your bedroom?”
I place the tray down and sit on the bed beside her. “You fell asleep in Gerald’s car on the way back. You were exhausted, Shelby. I know you haven’t eaten, so let’s eat and then I have a surprise for you.”
“Wait, I slept through the portal hop thing?”
“You did. It’s probably a good thing after that ass-over-end jump you did earlier today.”
I laugh when she hits me with a pillow. She knows I am right.
“Give me just a minute, Frannie. I need to run over to my room and change into something more comfy.”
While Shelby is gone, I search my closet for my favorite University hoodie and yoga pants. I am just sitting down when Shelby comes back in. She is dressed in matching black yoga pants and a t-shirt that says, I’m Magically Delicious. Only Shelby could pull off wearing these crazy shirts all the time.
After we eat our sandwiches and drink all the water, we are going to need that, I bring out the bottles Hawkeye brought in earlier. I proudly display the huge bottle of vodka, like it’s the best prize she could ever win. Honestly at this point, it probably is.
“Where did you get that, Frannie?” Shelby’s eyes are huge, staring at the questioned bottle in my hands.
“While you were asleep, we stopped at a liquor store, Hawkeye bought this and a bottle of cranberry juice. It seems fitting to send Colton off with a farewell Cape Cod. Remember the first time I had one? It was the first time the three of us went to The Ugly Duck and sang karaoke?”
I pop open the bottles and begin to make our first round of drinks. I hand Shelby hers, we tap our cups and begin to sip on our Cape Cods. I forgot how tasty these were.
“We knew Colton so well, we even knew his laundry schedule. Do you remember when we took all of his clothes out of the frat house laundry room and hid them? He had to go to class in his pajama
s for three days. He never found out that was us. He always thought it was the pledges, but no one would confess.” Shelby laughs so hard at my story, she starts snorting.
“Don’t you dare start snort-a-shifting! It’s too early in the night and I am not in the mood to try and corral a penguin. We’ve got more drinking to do.”
“Whatever. How about the time I finally took him down at MMA class? I took him down like he was a ten year old girl.”
Shelby and I continued drinking and telling funny stories about Colton. They say laughter is the best medicine. I’m taking a huge swallow of my drink when I think of something Colton did that I have never told Shelby, and I spew my Cape Cod everywhere.
“Ugh, what is wrong with you Frannie? You just spit all over me.” Shelby starts wiping the drink off of her shirt and arm.
I’m laughing so hard that it takes me a minute to respond to her. “I never told you about Colton’s drunk sexting.”
Shelby’s eyes go big and she says, “What the hell, Frannie! You don’t keep things like that from me!”
I’m still laughing so hard, but when I see the look on her face I know I better explain fast. “Oh no, Shelby, you don’t understand. It was our sophomore year after a frat party. You were sick or something and couldn’t go. Colton got wasted and when I got back to our dorm room you were sound asleep. Colton kept texting me, thinking I was a girl named Frankie he had been hooking up with all night. I just played along. The next day he tried to talk to her about their texts and she thought he was a crazy pervert. I was too embarrassed to ever admit it was me.”
Shelby just stares at me for a moment before rolling completely off of the bed. I look down at her sprawled across the floor, tears pouring from her eyes. Her laughter fades away, she wipes at her eyes and smiles brightly at me. “Thank you, Frannie. I needed this tonight.”
