Midsummer Night's Fling: Belinda Boring, Kamery Solomon, Lacey Weatherford

by Weatherford, Lacey

  Rage boiled through me, as well as pain. I yelled, kicked, threw things, anything that I could think of to try and release the emotions bottled up inside me. Nothing helped.

  Over the next several weeks, I tried various other means of returning to Emilee. First, I asked other rule-breaking Fae to help me. They didn’t want their records associated with mine. I tried to steal a magic orb from outside the Mother’s home—that was a really bad idea. I even took a sword to the magical barrier, but it yielded the same results as everything else before—nothing.

  I didn't leave my house any more after that, preferring to suffer my heartbreak alone. Weeks passed, and then I stopped keeping track of time. It was too painful. Eventually I stayed in my bed all day. If anyone came by to check on me, I ignored them. The Mother summoned me once, stating that she was concerned about my behavior. I blew her off too.

  If I couldn’t see Emilee, I never wanted to see anyone.

  Finally, I was unable to stand it any longer. I hated who I was becoming, but I couldn’t be who I was before, not without her. I had to find her. I got out of bed and looked at myself in the mirror. My hair was a mess, greasy and unkempt. My facial hair had grown out considerably and my skin was pasty white. I ran my hands through my hair, making it look better than lying in bed had done, and changed my clothes. When I looked in the mirror again, at least I didn’t resemble a homeless man—as much.

  Opening my front door, I peeked around to make sure no one was watching and then left The Glen. I traveled down the magical path to the woods, just to feel closer to her. I sat in the dirt with the sunshine filtering through the trees and wondered what she was doing. Gradually, a crunching sound broke through my consciousness. Looking around, I saw branches moving, and suddenly, my love was there—right in front of me

  She was sobbing, searching, and saying my name over and over again. Her clothes looked rumpled and her face had new and old tear stains streaked down it. Her hair was ratted and oily. I sprang to my feet.

  “Emilee, Emilee, I'm here! Right here!” I pounded on the barrier separating us, yelling as loud as I could, but she couldn't see or hear me. I clawed at the invisible wall, screaming until my throat couldn’t take any more. I half wished I’d never come. Seeing her without being able to hold or talk to her was killing me.

  “Somebody help us!” I screamed out in frustration. “Gods, witches, anyone! I'll do anything you want—just let me be with her again!” I collapsed into the dirt—sobbing—my pain overtaking me. I wondered if immortals could die from a broken heart.

  “My help will cost you greatly,” a soft voice responded behind me. I turned to see a cloaked figure. A witch.

  “I don't care what it costs. Just do it,” I spat in my haste to answer.

  “Hold on, young one. This truly is a large thing you ask for.” The witch removed her cloak, revealing that she was a young woman with beautiful blonde hair and a fit form.

  “Young one? I'm at least twenty times your senior,” I scoffed. The separation had made me a bitter person. It was my way of fighting back; the Mother had hoped I’d shape up and instead I was determined to be as nasty as I could.

  “You're being rude,” she pointed out. “I am not like other witches. I too have been alive a very, very long time. Longer than you.”

  “I've only heard of one witch like that,” I said skeptically. “Baeg, banished goddess and Queen of the Witches.”

  She remained silent.

  Oh, crap.

  In instant humility I bowed low to the earth and asked for forgiveness. Being rude to a goddess and queen could put me in a worse situation than I was now, not that I could imagine anything worse at this moment.

  “It's understandable. Now, about you and Emilee,” she began.

  “How did you know her name?” I asked, surprised.

  “I'm a goddess, Raith.”

  “Oh, right. Sorry.” I could feel hope creeping once again into my system. The old me was resurfacing, but I was afraid to let him out. I didn’t want to lose him and Emilee again.

  She gave me a stern look before continuing.

  “There is a well, The Wishing Well, which my power is connected to. If you will bring a coin to the well and make your wish, I will grant it.”

  “What's the catch?” It sounded too easy on its own.

  “Emilee won't become Fae, you will become human,” she said.

  “And the price?” I asked, fine with becoming human if it meant I would be with Emilee.

  “All of your memories,” she cooed.

  “Excuse me?” I sputtered. “What does that mean?!”

  “You will give me all your memories of being Fae, your time with Emilee, all of it. And I will take all her memories of you.” Baeg smiled wickedly and wrung her hands in excitement.

  I was in shock. “How am I supposed to find her so we can be together if neither of us remembers the other?”

  “I'm not completely evil,” she laughed. “There is a catch to the price as well—neither of you will remember anything until the moment you touch each other’s skin for the first time. In that second, all your memories will be returned.”

  My head was reeling. It seemed like too much to ask, but so welcoming at the same time. I can find her, I know I can. Somewhere in there I'll remember her. I have to!

  “Alright,” I agreed. “I'll do it.” I’ll do anything to have her back.

  Baeg shared a sickly smile, and beckoned for me to follow her.

  We walked for hours, far away from The Glen and anything near it. The farther we walked the more dead and dark the forest became. We must have been on a magical path as well, much like the one that led to my home. I didn’t know where we would end up.

  Oddly enough, I wasn’t nervous. I figured that either I would end up with Emilee, or I would die. Those were my two choices either way.

  We finally entered a clearing as dead as the trees around it. The dirt was black, like it had been burned, and branches reached into the clearing like ghostly hands grabbing for lost souls. There were only two beautiful things there—the magic orbs floating in the air and the well.

  The black, stone Wishing Well was magnificent. The closer I drew to it, the more amazed I became as it towered over my head, twice as tall as I was. We circled it without climbing the narrow, stone staircase that wrapped around it. It was devoid of any life, yet the magic glittered from every crevice. As I gazed upon it, I mused that the water itself must have the same magic quality sparkling from its surface causing the brightest source of light to be the well itself.

  All of the orbs were attracted to Baeg, their Queen, and she held some in her hands, whispering to them lovingly. She’s nuts. Almost as if she’d heard me, she turned and looked at me.

  “Well, young one, do you still want to continue with our deal?” She tossed the magic orb into the air, watching it fly around her.

  “I’m positive,” I answered.

  “You can never reenter Fae, Raith. Do not make this decision lightly,” she warned.

  “I don’t want to come back,” I replied. “I want to be with Emilee.” I didn’t have anything else to say, it was as simple as that. I turned from her and approached the well. I ascended the stone steps until I was standing at the edge of the water. Pulling a coin from my pocket, I looked into the well and wished.

  “Take me to my Emilee!” And with that, I kissed the coin and threw it in.

  Epilogue

  I opened my eyes groggily as an alarm blared in my ear. I hit the snooze button and rolled over, grimacing as sunlight hit my eyes. I was still so tired.

  Why did I sign up for such an early class?

  It had been almost a year since I’d woken in a hospital with no idea who I was or where I came from. They told me I was found lying in the middle of the street, unconscious. Unresponsive, I was taken to the emergency room and admitted to the hospital until I roused. It was like someone had just dumped me out there. All I had was a piece of paper with my name on it.
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br />   “Raith Johnson,” I muttered to myself. It was hard to wake up every morning and wonder if you really were the person everyone kept saying you were. I’d looked everywhere trying to find out something about myself, but there was nothing to be found. It was like I never existed until that day in the street.

  What kind of person must I have been, if no one has even come looking for me?

  When the alarm went off again, my roommate came in and turned it off for me.

  “Dude,” he said. “You’re going to be late for class if you don’t get up now. Why are you so tired? Didn’t you stay in last night?”

  “Yeah man, I did. I have a huge test today in one of my law classes,” I explained. “I was up all night studying.”

  “You’re the only guy I know who forgets who he is but still decides to try and get into law school.” He laughed.

  “Well, I figure I might as well make the best of it. I’m getting another chance at life for some reason.” I still wished I knew who I was, but I meant it. I had another chance for some reason, and I was going to make the best of it.

  After getting ready for the day, I headed out the door to school. I fell into a normal school day routine consisting of breakfast to-go, class, study in the campus courtyard, class, lunch from the cafeteria, class, more class, and then study in the campus library. However, my “normal routine” was about to get mixed up.

  “Are you sure you don’t have another copy?” I asked the librarian for the third time.

  “I am absolutely positive, Mr. Johnson,” she said icily.

  I gave a frustrated sigh and ran my fingers through my hair.

  “Do you know of any book stores or anything that would have a copy I could get right now? I really need that book.” I felt bad for being so pushy, so I smiled apologetically. It didn’t seem to do much good.

  “The only other thing I can tell you is to try the public library on the other side of town.” She turned away from me abruptly and I knew that was all the information I was going to get. Thanks a lot—not.

  Grabbing my bag, I hurried out the door and although I’d never been to the public library before, I knew the general location and raced there on my bike. If I hurried, I would make it before they closed.

  Ten minutes later, the old, paint worn doors swung open as I ran inside, down the towering aisles of books, straight to the librarian’s desk. After breathlessly enquiring about my book, I turned around and hurried to the section I needed. I would have to leave to let them lock up in five minutes.

  This was turning into a nightmare fast. If I didn’t get that book I wouldn’t be able to write the assigned paper due in two days. If I didn’t write the paper, I’d fail the class. If I failed the class, goodbye law school.

  My first perusal of the shelf yielded no results. Frustrated, I took a deep breath as I carefully glanced at each book, individually—she said it was not loaned out. The book wasn’t there.

  Flustered, I pulled out my phone and started looking up the nearest bookstore. I really, really needed that book.

  While studying the map on my phone, I began walking to the front doors. I wasn’t paying attention, and bumped right into a cart full of books, as well as the girl pushing it. She, in turn, bumped into the shelf next to us and a shower of books fell from the trolley, as well as the shelf, onto the floor with her.

  “I’m so sorry!” I immediately bent down and offered to help her up, but she refused.

  “It’s okay, I’ve got it,” she replied, getting to her knees. I felt horrible, especially since she was probably ready to go home and now I’d caused her more work.

  “At least let me help you pick up all these books. I’m so sorry. You’re closing and I had to go and make this huge mess for you.” I felt like the world’s biggest heel.

  “It’s alright, really,” she laughed. “You can help pick up if it will make you feel better.” She smiled at me and my heart did a funny flip.

  I can’t get in a relationship now. Remember; focus, law school, second chance.

  I shook my head and began picking up books with her. The pile grew smaller and the echo of the books being set on the trolley rang through the now empty library. When only one book was left, we both reached for it, and our hands touched.

  Memories of dances, kisses, and music came flooding into my mind so quickly that I yanked my hand away as if I’d been shocked. The girl looked at me with tears in her eyes.

  “Raith?”

  And then I kissed my Emilee.

  Faery Kissed

  By Lacey Weatherford

  Dedication

  For the love of my life, James.

  Thanks for all you do.

  Chapter One

  “Don’t tell me you give credence to all those old wives tales, Bran.”

  Fergus shook his head at me in disbelief as he stared down at the Royal Fern Seeds I held in the palm of my hand.

  I shrugged. “I might. My mother and father are very big on all the old customs and lore.” I closed my fist around my prize and slipped them into my pocket, hiding them from Fergus’s view.

  “Well, let me help you put this lore to rest. You picked those seeds at midnight here on Midsummer’s Eve, and I can still plainly see you. You are not invisible. I think this is one legend you can cross off.” He ran a hand through his wild red hair—hair I was positive would never be tamed.

  “You don’t have to believe, Fergus. It’s not a human I want to be invisible for.” I looked around at the revelers in the celebration around us and lowered my voice. “It’s the Fae.”

  Fergus snorted and started to walk away.

  I grabbed him by the arm. “I know you believe in them too. You were scared of them as a child.”

  “I’ve overcome my fears.” He stood up taller. “Like you, I’m on the brink of manhood now with almost twenty summers to my name. You would do better to quit talking about such crazy things and go find your beautiful Ceridwen before some other young man swoops in to carry her off.”

  Laughter came from behind me, and I turned to find Ceridwen eavesdropping on our conversation.

  “No one will ever steal me from Bran, Fergus. Who could beat him? He’s the tallest, brawniest, and the handsomest man around. Not to mention he’s kind-hearted as well. No, I think I should be afraid to have him stolen away from me.” She smiled, reaching up to touched the edge of my jawline with her fingertips.

  “He’s also the craziest,” Fergus muttered, and I elbowed him in the ribs.

  “That will never happen, my love,” I assured Ceridwen—reaching with one arm to pull her in closer so I could kiss her ripe plum lips. I tangled my other hand in her long, honey colored tresses, enjoying the way she felt against me.

  Fergus cleared his throat, and the two of us broke apart, staring over at him.

  “Before you get anymore wrapped up in your wildly handsome, dark-haired lover, Ceridwen, you might wish to know he’s a little touched in the head. He intends to become invisible by using his magic seeds while he goes off hunting Fae tonight.” He lifted a finger and made a swirling motion around his ear. “I think someone has been dipping a little too heavily in the honey mead.”

  She laughed. “I like that he’s not afraid to believe in things he can’t see. I wish I could go with him, but I need to get back to help my mother and sister with the food now.”

  Ceridwen gave me a quick peck once more, and I grabbed her before she could run off again, deepening the kiss even farther.

  She smiled against my lips, and flattened her palms against my chest as she tried to push away from me. “You are going to cause quite the spectacle if you keep carrying on this way, Bran.”

  “I don’t care.” I captured her lips and kissed her breathless. “Come into the woods with me,” I whispered when I pulled away.

  “I can’t. I promised my mother. But you go have some fun with Fergus.”

  Fergus grunted. “You won’t catch me out in the woods. That’s all I need is to have some Fae
capture me and end up walking around like some faery-kissed fool.” He strode off toward the group gathered around the bonfire.

  “I thought you didn’t believe!” I called after him with a grin, and he waved me off with an irritated gesture, continuing on his way.

  “Since you can’t come with me, shall I stay to help you with the food?” I asked, turning my attention back to Ceridwen.

  She laughed again. “My mother would be appalled to have a man helping out in her kitchen! No, go enjoy your little jaunt in the forest. I know how much you love nights like this.”

  I stared up into the sky, looking at the giant orb lighting the sky. “You’re right. There’s nothing better than drinking honey mead with a pretty lass under the Honey Moon. I enjoyed the weddings tonight. Maybe next year it will be our turn.” I raised my eyebrow in a suggestive nature.

  She blushed, refusing to give in to my teasing. “Go on now!” She gave me a playful shove.

  “I won’t be too long, I promise.”

  She turned away with a wave and headed back toward the festivities.

  I traipsed quickly from the hilltop where the great bonfires were lit and made my way to the valley floor. The light of the giant moon that filled the sky softened as I entered the heavily treed forest, its milky glow filtering through the leaves and branches, casting silvery puddles here and there amongst the shadows.

  I tried to tread silently, but couldn’t help the occasional crunch of a twig or two beneath my booted feet, though they were made from the softest, supple leather. Even so, the night remained alive with other sounds—a running rabbit I startled from its hiding place, the crickets singing their midnight song, and the whispering rustle of leaves as a soft breeze floated through the air.

  The particular clearing I was searching for was in another small valley just over the hill ahead, and I reached into my pocket to retrieve my seeds, grasping them tightly in my fist before I continued. I chuckled to myself. It really was childish believing that seeds of any kind could make one invisible. I didn’t blame Fergus for his doubt, but whatever the reason, I felt the need to have these with me. I didn’t know why they were important, they just were.