Azura glanced at me and continued with the story. “Ealdun’s gift was the ability to take power from a source. In the right hands, it’s an amazing gift. In the wrong hands, it’s terrifying. He started out small, taking the energy from trees and crystals. The stronger he became, the more power he wanted. He formed an army of sorts. They had it in mind to take over our side of the land. Ealdun destroyed the forest and took power from animals. He even took energy from other faeries, leaving those poor souls nothing but empty shells. Our land was all but destroyed.”
I was completely caught up in the story. “What happened?”
Azura gave me a sad smile. “An Aurorian faery—a faery like you, my daughter—stopped the madness. A boundary was put in place so the dark and light faeries lived in separate realms. Eventually, a neutral land was created, but that took several generations. There are still vast areas in our realm where plants can’t grow. One we call the Dead Forest. However, with a lot of time and magick, we were able to rebuild the majority of our kingdom.”
“Are they still at war?” my father asked quietly.
“No. A truce was signed when Ealdun passed from this life. But after so many generations, the hatred is still strong. We keep to ourselves.”
“I still don’t understand why they want me so badly.” I crossed my arms and leaned against the wall, trying to look tough but probably failing.
“Fear. Plain and simple. The last Aurorian faery had enough power to put up a boundary between realms. The Aurorian’s magick blocked the most powerful dark faery in existence. People fear what they can’t understand.”
Everything that had happened welled up inside me, and I couldn’t help the outburst that came. “Great. Because of a stupid birthmark my life is ruined!”
I whirled on my heels and ran up the stairs, my footsteps heavy. I rushed into my bedroom, slammed my door, and threw myself down on my bed, crying. Again.
Chapter Nine
There was a tentative knock on my door. “Honey, can I come in?”
“Sure,” I grumbled. I didn’t care if she could hear me through my pillow or not, so I didn’t bother to lift my head.
The door clicked open, and I heard Mom’s soft steps crossing the room. When her weight sank onto the edge of my bed, I finally looked over at her. She held a dark purple box wrapped in a pink bow. I sat up to face her, wiping dried tear streaks from my face.
“I thought you might want this before your party,” she told me, holding the present out like a peace offering.
“Is she gone?” I asked numbly.
My mother nodded, her face drawn.
Even when I wasn’t in a festive mood, I still loved presents, so I reached for the gift and settled the light-weight box on my lap. I tore off the bow and opened the box. Inside was the most beautiful dress I’d ever seen. I drew it out and held in front of me. It was strapless and sea green, short with asymmetrical layers that gave it a wavelike appearance. It reminded me of the ocean.
“Oh my God, Mom! It’s incredible.” I ran into the bathroom to try it on, but stopped short as reality hit me in the face. Staring back at me was a faery. “Oh, hell no!” I spun around so I couldn’t see the mirror anymore, clutching the dress to my chest as I fought to breathe through more tears.
“Rylie! Language,” my mother called from outside the door.
I rolled my eyes. If there was a time to use bad language, this was it. What was I thinking? I couldn’t have a party looking like this. Supposedly nobody else could see me like this, but I could, so I would know. How was I going to be able to act normal with wings? What if I somehow lost the glamour and everybody could see me?
“I can’t have a party, Mom.” Tears welled in my eyes, and I took a deep breath, trying to stop myself from shaking.
She appeared at the bathroom door, giving me a sympathetic smile. “Of course you can, sweetie. Nobody else can see what you see. When I look at you, I see Rylie, the same girl I’ve seen every morning for the last sixteen years.”
“How am I supposed to enjoy myself when my world is crumbling around me?”
“Oh, honey.” She pulled me into the circle of her arms and held me. “This is just a new adventure.”
I didn’t want an adventure. I wanted to be a normal sixteen-year-old. “Why are you so calm about this?” I asked her. “Your daughter is a faery. Not only that, I’m not even your biological daughter.”
She was silent for a minute, her hands drifting lazily over my back, comforting. “I guess I feel that if I don’t freak out, I can handle it better. I need to be here for you.”
“Do you think about her…the other baby?”
“I haven’t had a lot of time to process, but yes. It makes me sad she died, and I didn’t even get to bury her.”
At least she was honest.
“But, Rylie…” She cupped my face, looking me in the eye. “You are my little girl, even if you aren’t made of my flesh and blood.”
“I’m sorry, Mom.”
“What do you have to be sorry for?”
“That Azura did this to you.”
She stroked my hair. “Don’t you dare be sorry. This isn’t your fault. Besides, if she hadn’t come into our lives I wouldn’t have had the pleasure of raising you. Now, c’mon and get ready for your party.”
Taking a shower was the weirdest experience I had yet. If I left my wings expanded, they were too big to fit in the shower. I had to keep them directly behind my back. I wasn’t sure if I could even get the wings wet, so I had no idea how to wash my hair. Sighing, I turned around, letting the water hit my head, back, and wings. Nobody was around to tell me otherwise, guess I had to learn on my own.
The water beat down on me, drops running down my wings. It was like someone was running a soft feather down my bare back. I closed my eyes, enjoying how it felt. The sensation was like a deep massage combined with Adam’s soft fingertips trailing on my skin. I could get used to this…
I finally dragged myself out of the shower. As soon as I stepped out, my wings expanded showering the mirror and bathroom walls with water.
“Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me!” I whined. Cleaning up would be fun. I grabbed a towel and started wiping down the walls.
When I was finished, I brushed out my hair and pulled the sides back into a clip. I didn’t have to put on makeup, which was weird. Then I slipped on my dress, thankful the back was low enough I didn’t have to worry about my wings.
*
Sierra showed up about an hour earlier than the rest of the invited guests.
“Ry?” She knocked loudly on my door.
Oh, God. How was I going to face her? She’d know something was wrong.
“Rylie?” She sounded impatient. “Let me in.”
I unlocked the door and swung it open, bracing myself for the worst.
Her mouth dropped. “Oh, my! You look absolutely breathtaking! I love that dress!” She walked around me in a circle. “Love the makeup, too! You don’t need me here this early, you’ve transformed yourself. Bravo.”
You have no idea. “Thanks.”
I wanted to get the conversation off my own looks, so I gave Sierra a once-over. As usual, she looked fabulous in a short black miniskirt that showed off her long legs, and an off-the-shoulder red slouch top that emphasized her sleek frame.
“You’re one to talk,” I told her, grinning. “You look hot.”
“Why, thank you.” She giggled, and then pushed her way into the room to sit down on the edge of my bed.
“I can’t believe you didn’t call me last night!” I griped. “Tell me all about your date. I’ve been dying to know how it went.” Not that I had even thought about her date with the crazy twist of events the night before, but just talking about it would hopefully help me feel normal.
Sierra turned beet-red. “It was good. We had fun.”
I rolled my eyes. “Just good?”
“He’s really a gentleman. He opened the doors for me, paid for everything, and kissed
me at the end of the night. I really like him.”
“Ah, a kiss.” I giggled. “Was there tongue?”
“Yeah.” She laughed. “It was great. He’s an incredible kisser, much better than Trent, who practically slobbered on me like a dog.”
“Gross!” We both laughed, and then I asked, “When are you going to see him again?”
“He called me earlier and asked me to dinner next weekend.” Sierra stood up and walked over to my dresser.
“Did you invite him tonight?” I asked curiously.
“Yeah, but I’m not sure he’ll show. He’s shy.” She leaned over my dresser and stared at herself in the mirror.
I wondered if Sierra believed in paranormal things. I think we might have talked about ghosts and vampires before, but not other things. How would she feel knowing her best friend had wings? Could I tell her? I never kept secrets from her.
She looked at me in the mirror. “What’s wrong?”
“Do you ever think there might be something more out there?”
“Something more?” She turned around to face me, her brow furrowed.
“Yeah. Like elves or faeries.”
“I’ve never seen one. Doesn’t mean they don’t exist though.” She turned back to the mirror, obviously more interested in her appearance than what I was struggling with.
I reminded myself that she didn’t know I was struggling with it. “What if…what if you found out something else was out there?”
Before she could answer, my mother’s voice came from the other side of the door. “Can I borrow Sierra for a minute, sweetie? I need help with the cake.”
I sighed and opened the door. “Sure.”
“Your guests will be here soon.”
“I know.” What I didn’t know was how I was going to be able to face them.
Sierra blew me a kiss and hurried out of the room to help my mother.
*
The doorbell started ringing at six o’clock. I paced around my room trying not to look in the mirror. How could I go down there knowing I had pointed ears? And wings?
“Rylie!” Mom called my name impatiently.
I should have been downstairs greeting the first guests as they arrived, but I was a mass of nerves. I opened my bedroom door and called, “Coming.”
A few deep breaths to prepare me, and then I slowly walked down the stairs. I look like a human, I repeated over and over in my head, trying to supplement the image I held firmly in my mind. I can do this.
Adam was at the bottom of the stairs. He looked even more handsome than usual. His hair was still damp from the shower, and he had on a white button-down oxford and khaki pants. I watched as his eyes lit up and his smile grew. He put his hand out and I took it. “You look beautiful.” He pressed a brief kiss to my fingertips, and then teased, “Took you long enough. Making a grand entrance?”
I felt heat rise to my cheeks. “Maybe I was. And, thanks. You don’t look so bad yourself.”
He leaned in and softly kissed me on the lips. His clean, masculine scent surrounded me. “Happy birthday.”
I pulled back and grinned. “Where’s my surprise?”
“Later.” His grin was cocky.
I elbowed him. “I hate when you make me wait.”
Emma and Jack waited behind Adam. I peered around him and smiled at them. “Hey, guys. I’m glad you’re here.”
“Happy birthday, Rylie,” Emma said, taking a few steps towards me. “I love your dress.”
“Thanks.” I hugged her. She looked gorgeous, like always. Her long, curly hair was a wild mess and her makeup gave her eyes a catlike appearance, making her look even more exotic than usual.
The doorbell rang again and my mother continued to cheerfully answer it, letting in more and more of my friends from school. As each one entered, my paranoia increased. I gripped Adam’s hand, trying to keep from shaking. If he noticed, he didn’t mention it.
The party would be down in the game room, which was in the basement. Ages ago, it had been my doll room, where I kept dollhouses and boxes of lovingly tended Barbies. I used to disappear there for hours at a time. As I grew up, it went through several incarnations, and finally landed somewhere between college dorm and video game room. At that moment, I’d have given anything to be that little girl with Barbies again, instead of a winged faery.
Adam parted the metallic curtain of beads that covered the doorway to the basement and said, “Birthday girl first.”
I giggled and took his hand. As we walked down the stairs, we passed by an old, circular mirror that had hung on our wall as long as I could remember. I caught a glimpse of sparkly, colorful wings. My heart started racing, and I couldn’t breathe.
Dropping Adam’s hand, I choked out, “I’ll be right back.”
I rushed to the basement bathroom, where I slammed the door and locked it behind me. Avoiding the mirror, I sat on the toilet, tucking my beautiful dress around my legs, and tried to calm down.
I can’t do this! Why is this happening to me? It’s not fair! Over and over, I screamed these things inside my head.
I don’t know how much time passed as I stared around the tiny room. It was a half-bath with horrible blue floral wallpaper and white tiled floor, but it was safe and familiar. Even the toilet paper holder—shaped like a swan head and completely hideous—made me feel better.
There was a tap at the door.
“One minute,” I yelled as I stood up. Pull yourself together.
Gripping the sides of the sink, I stared at my reflection. I couldn’t imagine ever getting used to seeing myself this way. Everyone was waiting, so I’d just have to deal with it later. I pushed my shoulders back and stood a little straighter. I had to pretend for the evening that I was a normal human girl, and enjoy my birthday. I turned and pushed the door open. To my surprise, Ian was standing outside.
“Oh, hey, sorry. I was having a slight panic attack over… So I ran to the bathroom to compose myself,” I started blabbering.
“No problem. Happy birthday, by the way.” He paused, and then a shy smile touched his lips. “I hope you don’t mind I showed up—Sierra invited me.” He shoved his hands in his pockets and shifted back and forth.
“Of course I don’t mind. I’m happy you were able to make it. I better get back to the party. They are probably wondering where I ran off to. I’ll see you in there.”
I willed myself to remain calm. My mother had spent a lot of time on my party, and I didn’t want to ruin it for her or anyone else. I smiled when I saw the huge banner that read: Happy Sweet Sixteen, Rylie!
The basement was filled with black and pink. Balloons, glitter hearts, and streamers hung from the ceiling. Kids were throwing confetti around so that it coated the concrete floor. It felt a little immature to me, but I would never tell my mother that.
The first person I saw was Sierra. I grabbed her arm and whispered in her ear, “I just saw Ian. He actually showed up. He must really be into you.”
Her face lit up. “Really? I can’t believe it. I didn’t know if he would bother.” She smoothed down the front of her skirt and looked towards the door. It was so cute to see Sierra into someone again. I was happy for her.
“There’s the birthday girl.” Adam encircled my waist with his arm. “Where did you go?”
“To the bathroom. You know crowds make me nervous.” I turned and kissed him softly on the lips. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
He looked at me like I was crazy. Then he said jokingly, “Like you’d let me be anywhere else.”
I wished the two of us could just disappear. Adam was the one who kept me together. This whole stupid faery thing…what if it shattered us? What if it was too much for him to handle? We could run away together, but that would put him in danger if there were any truth to this madness.
“You look so serious. What are you thinking about?”
“How lucky I am to have you. I don’t ever want to lose you.” I laid my hand on his arm and looked up, meeting his eyes.
He snickered. “Are you getting all mushy on me?”
“It appears so.” I blinked my eyes a few times, forcing the tears back. I couldn’t stop myself from asking, “If I wanted you to go away with me, would you?”
His smile faded. “Is there something going on I should know about?”
Yeah. I’m a freaking faery. Ugh! I couldn’t tell him that and yet I couldn’t lie. “Just thinking.” I laughed, feigning indifference as I avoided his eyes. “Sometimes I think it would be fun to pack it up and go somewhere new.”
“I don’t think your parents would approve, and all your friends would miss you,” Adam pointed out.
“I know. You’re right. I just like to daydream sometimes.”
“Nothing wrong with that. We’ll be out of high school before you know it, and we can go wherever you want.” He played with a strand of my hair, and I shuddered as his hand moved over my shoulder and brushed my wings. He was oblivious to their existence.
Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Jack and Emma were playing air hockey, Kevin and Griffin were playing pool, and a bunch of people were surrounding the snack table. The scene just looked so normal, like any other teen party. None of these people had any idea a magickal creature was in their midst.
Me.
“I should mingle,” I told Adam, hoping he’d forget my crazy suggestion to run away. I had a feeling I was raising red flags with him, and should stop being an idiot.
“Sure, I’ll go talk to the guys. Come get me when you need a break from being a social butterfly.” He winked and strolled off in the direction of his teammates.
Before I had a chance to move forward, Stacey from choir cornered me. Her dark brown eyes sized me up. “There you are. The guest of honor is not supposed to keep herself holed away from everyone. You look amazing! I love the dress.”
“Thanks. My mom got it for my birthday. You know I’m not good with being social.”
Stacey laced her arm through mine. “I’ll help you. Let’s go say hello to the rest of the girls from choir, and then we’ll make the rounds to the rest of the guests.” As we started walking, she commented, “The decorations are fabulous and the music amazing. I’m impressed.”
Faery Realms: Ten Magical Titles: Multi-Author Bundle of Novels & Novellas Page 36
