“Oh, I see.” She contemplated this information for a moment as we continued our walk under the moon. “So what did your Mother do to get her wings?” she continued, after she’d absorbed the information I’d presented.
“She is one of the original Fae and was granted her wings as a peace offering from the Gods that took her from her mother. I believe she did something noteworthy as well, but I'm a little rusty on my history,” I joked. “In spite of all the punishments she’s given me, she is a wonderful woman. She can be scary at times, if you’ve rubbed her the wrong way. She’s a good leader. She always puts the safety of her people before anything else.”
We continued on in silence until we came to the doors of the dance hall. I was better at sensing when Emilee was beginning to wake since I was the one in control, and I began to notice the familiar signs of our time together coming to an end.
I gathered her into my arms and gently brushed the tips of my fingers over her cheek, smiling softly as I did so. I leaned in slowly—savoring the scent of her hair—and brushed my lips back and forth over hers lightly. It was a sweet kiss, still fire inducing, but I knew I didn't have enough time to kiss her thoroughly before she would wake. Instead, I simply held her in my arms with her head resting on my shoulder until she faded away completely.
Beautiful strains of music flitted through the air around us the next night. I hadn't created this memory to dance though; for a change of pace, I reached into my past and extracted a night at the opera for us to enjoy. Fae have always loved music and they use it in every ritual, but it was different for me. I liked the story the songs told. They didn’t always have to be about the good, rule-following people—sometimes they were about rebellion and being who you wanted to be. I was rebellious to the ways of my people, but I kept a place inside myself for music, even if I hadn’t enjoyed it as often as I liked. Opera had always been romantic to me, and I hoped Emilee would feel the same.
Emilee and I sat in our own private box, hands clasped and dressed for the occasion. She was so beautiful—she always was—but tonight she looked radiant. It didn’t have anything to do with the deep-red gown she wore or the way her curls were pinned up. She was beautiful as a person, and tonight her inner beauty was complimenting her outer.
I was especially enjoying myself—the opera was one of my favorite forms of art and it had been a long time since I'd been to one. Emilee seemed to be enjoying herself as well, taking in everything as fast as she could, her perfect smile slightly glowing in the lights from the stage.
She leaned slightly towards me, and whispered, “This is beautiful! What are they saying now?” Her eyes never left the stage, her enchantment with the show apparent.
“The hero is declaring his love for the heroine,” I explained.
“How do you know?” she asked in wonder. “Do you speak Italian?”
“Maybe,” I laughed. “I have seen his show before too, you know. And the translation is in the program,” I chuckled.
She looked at me affectionately and then returned her attention to the show. I softly hummed along with the song, switching to the actual words halfway through the melody. I could see Emilee's smile widening as I sang, but she continued watching the stage. I scooted myself closer to her, gripping her hand tighter, until I was whispering the serenade right into her ear.
As the couple on stage shared a kiss, I leaned in and kissed her neck, nipping her skin softly. She gently leaned into me, and I could hear her sigh contently. I moved down to her shoulder and licked the delicious skin there. I untangled our hands and wrapped my arms around her slender waist. She finally turned from the show and granted me the kisses I had been waiting for.
The music flowed around us as we kissed each other for the rest of the night. Each note was a new memory that became etched into my mind. It was hard to keep things chaste, but somehow we managed.
Chapter Seven
We were in her dance hall, and I was trying to decide where to go, what memory to visit that night. Emilee looked sad; she wasn’t saying anything and didn’t seem too interested in where we would be going.
“What’s the matter?” I asked softly. “We don’t have to go anywhere tonight, we cou . . .”
“No, it’s not that,” she broke in. Her head drooped and tears fell to the floor. I gathered her into my arms, remaining silent. She’ll tell me when she’s ready.
“My mom’s funeral was today.” Understanding filled me. The mother-daughter chapters of her life were over. She must feel so alone. There’s no one left for her here. I wish I could stay with her every moment, to see her beautiful face and be there for her.
“What can I do to help you through this?” I didn’t like to see her sad, even if she had a right to be. “Tell me what you need and I’ll do it.” She still didn’t answer so I scoured my brain for something.
“Let’s dance, and you can tell me about your mom.” I held my hand out as I spoke. Slowly, she nodded and we assumed a dancing position.
“She was the most wonderful woman I ever knew,” she said through her tears. “My biggest supporter, my toughest fighter. If I wanted to do something, she was the first person to tell me that I could.”
“She sounds wonderful,” I replied. “Tell me more.”
For the next few hours, Emilee shared all of her favorite memories of her mother with me. As I listened, I wished that I could have met her. There was no doubt in my mind that Emilee’s strength and passion had come from her. The memories brought smiles to Emilee’s face as well, brightening her mood and leaving me with a feeling of satisfaction. We took a short break to catch our breath, and I found myself lost in her features once more. She seemed magical in the way she looked,
“Raith?” she questioned. Stepping closer, she caressed my face. “What are you thinking about?”
I smiled and took her hand from my cheek, grasping it tightly as I brought it to our sides. “I was thinking about how beautiful you are,” I said truthfully. “You look like you could dance all night and still command any magic you wanted in the morning.”
. . . She could command magic . . . The answer to my internal dilemma hit me like a lightning bolt.
“Emilee!” I exclaimed in excitement. “I can't believe I didn't think of this before!”
She looked at me, confused. “Think of what?”
“You said we would be together forever, right?” I was impatient and wanted to get right to the point, but I knew I should explain my thoughts and feelings first. When she nodded, I continued.
“I didn't know how we were really going to do that. All I could think about was how I'll live forever but you would be forced to leave me because you're a mortal. Just now I realized how we really can be together forever!” The conversation’s sudden change of direction shocked her, but she still seemed to be following what I was saying.
“How, I mean . . . I don't understand,” she frowned slightly. “How do you make a mortal immortal?”
My grin widened as she spoke. It all seemed so clear to me. “There is a way to do it,” I laughed in relief. “Fae are immortal, but they aren't born that way. That's how we're able to grow and mature. When we reach the age of adulthood, our Glen mother works an old magic that makes us immortal. If she would do that to you . . . ,”
“Then we really could be together forever,” she finished. She still seemed unsure of what I was proposing.
“Think about it Emilee,” I pleaded. “There isn't anyone here for you anymore. I know that you're lonely and that you miss your mother. I would take care of you and show you the world for real—we could make new memories together!” I pulled her close and looked into her fearful eyes. “I love you,” I said softly. “I want to be with you for the rest of my very long life.”
She didn’t say anything. She seemed to be thinking over what I’d said. When she still looked uncertain, I felt a panic come over me. She wasn’t agreeing right away like I thought she would. There were no joyous exclamations, no hopping up and down.
A pit formed in my stomach as I leaned in and kissed her softly. “The decision is yours though,” I added somewhat sorrowfully. “I want you to be happy, mortal or not.”
She still didn’t speak—I could see the questions and the doubt in her expression, but the words wouldn’t leave her mouth. She took a deep breath and finally spoke.
“This is a lot to ask me, Raith.” She searched my eyes, a look of caution clouding her features. “Can I think about it for a little while before deciding?”
“Of course you can,” I replied softly, somewhat downhearted. “I never want to push you into something you’re not comfortable with.” But I wanted her to say yes—I wanted her to jump at the opportunity. Her indecision felt like a rejection. My face stung as if it had been slapped.
“Thank you,” she said softly. “Can we just stay here and dance some more tonight?” she added. I nodded my consent.
The rest of the night seemed very long and silent.
Two nights passed. I waited patiently for Emilee to give me her answer—or even ask a question. I waited as patiently as I could, anyway. I felt like I would explode if I didn’t know what she was thinking—soon, so I finally brought it up again.
“Have you thought about . . . what we talked about?” We were dancing in her ballroom since she’d chosen not to go out into the world again. I could feel her resistance to the idea of me controlling her. In fact, she seemed distant ever since I asked her to join me. I worried I had pushed her too far with my request.
“Yes,” she said hesitantly. “I'm confused about how it would happen?” She glanced up at my eyes, the uncertainty still present in hers.
“You would come with me, to The Glen, and the Mother would make you Fae. You’d never have to return again.” She made a face at my answer and I faltered. “Unless you want to, of course. You just can’t stay.” Her facial expression made me regret even asking her to come with me.
I brushed my thumb over her cheek and smiled sadly. “You don't have to do it Emilee. I promise I will still be here—every night—until there are no more nights to share anymore. You don’t need to be immortal for me.” My chest hurt. I would give anything for her, even my own happiness if it came to that. It didn’t make me feel any better though.
“It's not that,” she said apologetically. “I just . . .” She turned and walked away from me, folding her arms and looking at the floor. “I don't know if I can do it.” She turned to look at me with tears in her eyes, and her voice shook as she continued speaking. “I want to be with you forever—I really do—I just have my life here . . . I know my mom is gone, but I have friends here too. There are things I want to do with my life, things that won’t be possible if I go through with this. I want to grow up and have a family—I want to look like a grandma when I am one. I'm so sorry, Raith.” She sobbed then, her face in her hands, and I felt my heart breaking—convinced I was the most selfish being on the planet.
“I shouldn't have asked you to give up so much,” I stated sorrowfully. “I was only thinking about me, not what was best for you.” I reached out for her and she fell into my embrace, sobbing her apologies over and over again.
“You don't have to be sorry,” I said, my voice catching. “I understand. I won't ever leave you—we’ll still be together in your dreams.”
“But we won't ever be able to be together for real now,” she stated soberly, once her tears had ceased. “We will only meet in my dreams.”
I knew that wasn’t true. In my mind, I’d been saving that secret for last, a surprise to end all surprises. I knew I needed to tell her now though, to ease her pain—to ease my pain, too.
“Actually,” I said softly. “I was waiting for your answer before I told you the rest.”
She looked up at me in surprise, questions shining in her puffy eyes. “What do you mean?” I took a deep breath. My previous plans didn’t really matter now. I didn’t think she’d be mad if she knew what I wanted to do.
“Fae become human one night out of the year—I was going to take you to the Mother on that night. I didn't tell you before because, well, I thought you would want to change. I was hoping to surprise you with it.”
“You're going to become human,” she said, shocked. “When, how?”
“On Midsummer’s Night. It's been a tradition since the beginning of Fae, I'm not exactly sure how—it just happens. As for the why, that's when we perform our rituals, the ones involving humans anyway. We have a masquerade ball in the Glen, humans are placed under our influence, and we have fun. Midsummer’s Night is very magical, one of the times that witches have been known to mix with our kind.” I smiled softly, sadly. I was still stuck on her answer. I didn’t want to spend the rest of forever alone, without her.
“What type of rituals do you perform?” she asked cautiously. This was all supposed to happen differently—I didn’t want her to find out like this.
“It depends on the Fae,” I said hesitantly. “Some use love spells, others heal injuries. Some are just looking for an enchanted fling, to put it gently.”
“And you wanted to take me to this?” She looked hurt. Suddenly, I understood her feelings.
“No! I mean, yes, I wanted to take you, but I wasn't going to put you under any kind of enchantment! You would be free to make your own choices—I would never take that away from you. I wouldn't force you to change so I could keep you.” My heart hurt at the thought of her not trusting me. I didn't know how much more of a beating it could take tonight.
“Oh.” She closed her eyes, a look of stress passing over her face.
“We could still go,” I said hesitantly. “Just for fun—so you could see it. And we could finally be together for real,” I added. “We can be together once a year, every year if you want.” I hadn’t even considered that as a possibility before, thinking that she would want to come with me and nothing else, but I was being selfish again, and needed a “yes” to something.
She opened her eyes and slowly brightened at that possibility. She studied my face for a while. Finally, she answered. “No enchantment?”
“I promise,” I replied, releasing the breath I had been holding in anticipation.
“Okay,” she smiled. “I'll go.”
It was finally time.
The sun set and I was human once again, my features changed from their normal Fae appearance. I looked just like I did in Emilee’s dreams, but it was odd to be awake and look like this. I knew it would be odd to see the other Fae looking human as well. A sense of euphoria I had never experienced during previous years began to form inside me.
Before I left The Glen I had dressed for the occasion in a suit much like the ones I'd worn in Emilee's dreams. It was a simple tux, black and white, with the tie missing and the top button open. I preferred a more relaxed look, knowing I wanted to be comfortable so I could enjoy my night.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped from the tree line and headed toward the town. Emilee had given me directions to her house through a mental picture so that I wouldn't get lost. My heart pounded harder with each step I took, the excitement building to a magnificent frenzy as I imagined what it would be like to really touch her for the first time. It was all I could do to walk and not run through the town like an idiot.
Finally, I reached her door—a smile on my face—and I knocked without hesitation.
The door opened almost instantly and my breath caught as I looked at my love with my own eyes for the first time. She was wearing a beautiful dress of green and white, one shoulder bare, and white roses cascading over the other shoulder and accenting her waist. In her small hand she grasped a rod connected to a dainty mask of green and white. Her hair was curled and pinned up with flowers that matched her gown perfectly. The shy smile on her face made my world catch on fire.
“Hi,” I said softly.
“Hello,” she giggled. An awkward silence filled the air. It was broken when we both started laughing at the same time.
“This is so weird!” Her eyes sparkled w
ith excitement as she stood in the doorway, the skirt on her dress rustling slightly as she shuffled her feet.
“It kinda is,” I agreed. “But I'm glad we're doing it.” I grinned widely at her and stepped forward, reaching for her hand. When our skin touched I felt a fire more intense than any I'd felt in her dreams. I almost forgot how intense the flames felt—I was so accustomed to their heat—but they were nothing compared to the inferno her real touch created. I pushed the dance at The Glen to the back of my mind. I would not be rushed tonight.
I drew her closer, my fingers stroking her neck as I brushed her lips with my own. I imagined that I could hear the sizzle our skin created. Emilee released my hand and wrapped her arms around me, causing tingles to run down my spine while she sweetly returned my kisses. Every movement made me want more. I didn’t even care if we made it to the party anymore. I was perfectly happy where I was.
The moment passed too soon for me, but I could tell Emilee was excited to see the world humans only dreamed about—literally. So much for asking if she’d rather ditch and stay here.
“Are you ready to go?” I offered my arm as I continued. “I hope you don't mind walking.”
“Not at all,” she replied, taking my arm and stepping out onto the porch. I closed the door behind her and we began our walk to the woods.
“You look very beautiful tonight,” I said, as we strolled down the street, trying to look as normal as two adults dressed for a ball could.
“Thanks. I thought the dress was very fairy like, so I got it. I figured it would help match the occasion,” she laughed.
“You were right. I imagine you'll fit right in.” I imagine I’m going to have to beat some guys off you.
Midsummer Night's Fling: Belinda Boring, Kamery Solomon, Lacey Weatherford Page 15
