Behind them the Fair Folk waited around the edges, watching their every move.
“What’s happening?”
“The faeries will steal one of them away for a year in Faerie. But when they bring them back fifty years will have passed here.”
“Why do they do stuff like this?”
“My kind like games. You need to understand this. Not everything is about dancing, love, and happiness. Not here.”
A knot formed in my stomach. “And Nevin? He’s done stuff like this?”
“Worse.”
How could people so beautiful be so dark? Maybe the curse had been placed for a good reason. And maybe I tempted fate by trying to break it. However, I didn’t see why Grandma would be so agreeable if she thought Nevin was so bad.
“Gareth, fancy seeing you here,” a feminine voice called from behind us.
I spun around on the horse. One of the most beautiful women I’d ever seen stepped out. She had long golden hair that hung to her waist and skin that almost sparkled in the dark. A diadem hung on her forehead, her blue gown laced with sapphires and diamonds.
“Brigid.” A hint of acid crept into his tone.
“Is this the human you’re championing? She’s a pretty little thing. No wonder Nevin has his sights set on her.”
“What do you want? This is my territory.” His grip on me tightened.
“The queen sent me to remind Nevin and you the longer you play around in the human world, the more the kingdom will suffer. It’s only a matter of time before we break the barriers, friend.”
“You will not succeed,” Gareth answered. “Soon we’ll have our forces back.”
“She seems weak. I doubt she has it in her to break the curse. Then Nevin will be doomed and so will the rest of you.” When she glided closer to the horse it gave a high-pitched whinny. She reached up and grabbed my arm, her grip like a vice. “So much fuss over someone who is hardly worth it.”
Fury clutched hold of me like a cyclone forming on the plains. “Then I’m surprised you’d waste your precious time to come all this way to see me.” I jerked my arm from her.
“So the kitten has teeth.” Her smile sent chills charging up my back, but I held her gaze.
“And claws,” I spat at her from my perch.
She opened her mouth to say something else, but Gareth raised his voice and cut her off. “Get out of my woods, Brigid, and tell the queen we will not lose the battle.”
The woman waved a hand and disappeared. I let out a rush of breath I didn’t realize I’d held.
“Well, she was friendly.” A nervous laugh escaped my lips.
“Like I said, not everyone here has your best interest in mind.”
“Why put yourself on the line to show me these things?”
“Because this isn’t your war—and I think you’re a nice girl.”
But there was more to it than that. He kept bringing up the fact I needed to know what I chose.
Over and over, I considered what those choices might be. The most obvious was whether or not to break the curse. And, of course, choosing Nevin.
Of course, I had to figure out how to break the curse, first.
Thoughts continued to storm through me until they were interrupted by the lapping of water and scent of the lake. Gareth rode the horse right onto the beach. Moonlight glimmered on the cresting waves, sloshing and foaming over the rocks.
Sand sprayed up from beneath the horse’s hooves and I smiled. It was like I was on the cover of a romance novel. Gareth pulled on the reins and the horse slowed, then stopped. He swung his leg over then reached up, catching my waist and lowering me to the ground.
“What do you think?” He smiled, guiding me toward the water’s edge.
“It’s awesome.” I kicked off my shoes and held my dress up to let the waves lick my feet. “So this lake is yours, too?”
“Yes.” He looked sad as he stared out over the water. “For now.” When he noticed me watching him, he touched my shoulder. “But enough of that, I brought you here to enjoy yourself not to be burdened.”
“Gareth, I promise things will work out, you’ll see.” With that, I dropped the bottom of my dress and waded farther in. The waves caressed my legs. I didn’t care about the dress any longer; I’d only wear it once.
He paced the shoreline with his eyes focused on me. “Is it warm?”
“Yeah, you should come in.” My dress clung to me.
“No, I think I’ll stay here.”
“Come on. Or are you chicken?” I splashed around up to my waist.
His gaze darkened and grin encompassed his face. “Is that a dare, Salome?”
“Well that depends on whether you want to prove your masculinity or not.” I dove under water, the heavy material weighing me down when I attempted to propel myself farther out. At last I gave up trying to swim, not wanting to drown myself. When I broke the surface and looked back toward the shore, Gareth wasn’t there. But his boots, jacket, and shirt were.
Panic rose in my chest. I thought something happened to him until he emerged beside me, droplets of water cascading down his bare chest and loose hair.
Perfect white teeth shone in the dusk as he smiled. His hands caught my shoulders, tugging me toward him. “What was that about me being a chicken?”
“Did I say chicken?” I laughed. “I meant brave warrior.”
He hefted me up in his arms. “Better hold your breath,” he whispered, then tossed me into the water.
I sank with a splash. When I burst back up again, he swam away.
My dress was heavy, but I didn’t care. For the first time in a long time, I was having fun. Living. I ran in slow motion as I gave chase through the shallows of the lake. Gareth dove under water when I got closer and I plunged under, my fingers brushing his leg.
We bobbed next to one another and I threw my arms around his neck, taking him under with me. His hands curled around my waist, tugging me closer and we splashed to the surface again, where he pressed me against his chest.
We stood close, laughing. His fingers were gentle as he pushed strands of my hair from my face. As if on cue, music sounded from down the beach. Not the music box notes or wind chimes I’d heard with Nevin and Colton. This was like the ringing of tiny bells. The lake swelled with each note of the melody.
“Gareth?” My voice cracked as I panicked. What was wrong with me?
“Relax, Salome. It’s not what you think. Music can be used by us to sway humans.” But you have to believe I’d never do that to you, he thought to me.
I looked into his eyes. And I believed him. His music was different. It was shiny and sweet like the sound of laughter and angel voices wrapped into song. I felt excited and happy—like I could take on the world. This was something new. Something wonderful. It made me feel clear, where Nevin and Colton’s had made me feel fuzzy.
I realized then that the other two had been charming me, as was the nature of faeries. I should have been enraged, but I think that I had suspected it all along. Between all of the books that I had read in Grandma’s room, and the unnatural pull I felt toward each of them when we were together, I had known that something was amiss. But I had never felt that way about Gareth, the attraction was not as instantaneous as it had been with Nevin, but it was much more genuine. Gareth had not used glamour on me, he had only been himself and I had fallen for him anyways.
“Shh…just take in the moment.” He guided my head to his chest. And we swayed to the music, water surging all around us. Just him and me. The perfect night. We stood like that, long into the night, until the bright pastels of the sunrise streaked against the sky. Prom was over.
Summer
Dim vales— and shadowy floods—
And cloudy-looking woods,
Whose forms we can’t discover
For the tears that drip all over—
Huge moons there wax and wane—
Again—again—again—
Every moment of the night—
&nbs
p; Forever changing places—
And they put out the star-light
With the breath from their pale faces.
—Edgar Allen Poe
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
The summer heat was stifling, not that I was complaining. It was a hell of a lot better than snow, ice, and frigid temps. But the non-stop scorching took its toll.
“I can’t believe you and Dad have been married for fifty years.” Mom smiled. “And you’re still in love.”
Grandma laughed. “That depends on the day.”
I sat on the couch next to them, tracing my finger over the embossed couple in fifties clothes. “So is it okay if I invite Kadie, Zac, and Gareth?”
Grandma handed me the invitations and a pen, and I filled the envelopes out. I wondered if Gareth was parked down the road again. Since prom, I hadn’t seen him much. But I had found him keeping an eye on my house on several occasions. Each time he’d glamored himself up a different vehicle to humor me, I was sure.
I threw on a pair of clean shorts and a light blue tank-top, then slid into some flip-flops. The sun beat down as I made my way outside and down the driveway. I peered down the road, spotting Gareth sitting in a yellow mustang. I hurried down the shoulder until I stood outside his car.
“Hey.” I smiled. “I haven’t seen you much lately.”
“Things have been kind of busy on the other side. I’m just hoping we can hold out until winter.” He sounded tired. “But if this keeps up, I’m not sure what will happen.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
“Just keep studying the curse.”
With a faint smile, I shifted nervously. “Listen, I wondered if you might want to come to my grandparents’ fiftieth anniversary party with me. There are going to be, like, a lot of old people there and dancing and stuff.” I handed him the white envelope.
He slid his fingers between the paper flaps and ripped it open. Invitation in hand he read through it, setting it on his dashboard when he was done. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Oh, um, okay.” Disappointment laced my words. “You probably would’ve been bored anyway.”
I scuffed the ground with my feet, staring at the bees flying around the dandelions on the side of the road. Man, I was stupid. Just because we’d gone to prom together didn’t mean he wanted to hang out with me all the time. But why did his rejection bother me so much?
Gareth opened his car door and got out. He leaned against his hood and patted the spot next to him. “It’s not that I don’t want to go with you. With the summer solstice coming up, the veil between the worlds will be thinner, which means more possibilities for attacks. I’ve got to be on my toes or I won’t be able to keep you safe.”
“We’re still friends though, right?” I held my breath while I waited for him to answer.
He wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “Yes. Always.”
I smiled in relief. “I suppose I’ll let you get back to guarding or whatever it is you’re doing.”
He caught my elbow before I could scramble away. “I tell you what. I’ll make an appearance, just so you’re not stuck dancing with a bunch of wrinkled-up prunes.”
“You’re the best.” Before he could react, I gave him a hug. “See you on the twenty-first. Oh and, by the way, it’s a forties-fifties theme, so dress up.”
He groaned. “You know, I do a lot of crazy shit for you.”
“Yep, and you like it.” With one last wave, I hurried back to the house.
Mom and I carried the punch bowls and plates outside to the tables. Paper lanterns glowed against the evening landscape. Big band music blared from the deck. Grandma and Grandpa danced on the parquet floor they’d had installed for the party, their friends joining them.
“I think we’re going to need more ice for the cooler.” Mom wiped her brow with the back of her hand.
“I’ll get it. Why don’t you go dance with Daryl?” I gestured to her date, who sat by himself at a picnic table. He was good looking for an older guy, shaggy brown hair, nice build. Best part, he treated her well.
“Hey, we’re going to go dance if you want to come along,” Kadie said, holding Zac’s hand.
“Nah, I’ll wait a little while.” I emptied the ice into the coolers.
“Worried about shaking the poodle off your skirt?” she teased.
I spun around and the skirt billowed out around me. “More like getting blisters.” I nodded toward my saddle shoes, which killed my feet.
Her red and white flowered dress swished back and forth as she rushed off. It looked like something my grandma would’ve worn to her graduation.
After the next song, Grandma made her way toward me. “Honey, why aren’t you dancing? There are lots of men to choose from.”
Right, if I wanted some old fart holding me too close. “I’ll dance soon.”
She gave me a wistful glance. “The first night of summer is always magical. Anything can happen if you know where to look.” She nodded toward the dock. The pond water glittered as the yard lanterns reflected off it.
Grandma ambled away and as I wove my way through the partygoers toward the dock, several shadows caught my eye. They hung on the outskirts of the wood line as if watching the festivities.
“Salome.” One of the shadowy figures stepped forward, taking on a form. Nevin. My breath caught in my throat, hardly believing it possible.
“Nevin—but how?” I clenched my skirt in my hands.
“It’ll only last for a few minutes—but your grandma is right. The first day of summer is magical. It allows me to take form.”
Within seconds he stood before me. My fingers traced his face.
“I’ve missed not being able to talk to you. Kadie and Gareth are probably sick of me by now.”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t able to save you when you jumped into the pond.…” He swallowed. “Have you figured anything else out about the curse?”
“Just that you were cursed to winter. I’m trying to figure out how to break it.”
He frowned, icy blue eyes staring beyond me. “I have faith in you. But let’s not dwell on curses, not tonight. I’ve only got a few moments and I want to spend them with you.”
Music carried on the breeze and he pressed my head against his chest, swaying back and forth with him. “Did you send Gareth to watch after me?”
“Yes. I had no choice. You needed to be kept safe.”
“Thanks, I mean he’s been a great friend. He takes care of me.”
“That better be all he’s doing.” He sounded jealous.
“It is,” I added a little too quickly. “He and I are b—”
“Don’t mention the bonding, Salome.” Gareth’s voice burst into my mind. “Not everyone has your best interest in mind. The element of surprise is our best weapon right now.”
Nevin looked like he was waiting for me to finish my thought and I smiled. “Gareth and I are both avid chocolate eaters. He sometimes lets me get free cookies from Perky Joe’s.”
Although Nevin seemed suspicious, he let it go as he twirled me around. Over his shoulder, I caught sight of Gareth near the gazebo dressed like a greaser from the fifties. He seemed to emit the bad boy vibe like it was a style.
“Promise me you’ll keep working to figure out the curse, Salome? I can’t handle too many more winters. I want to be with you and not disappear every time you need me,” Nevin said. He ran his hands through my hair and I sighed. I don’t know what had happened to us, but he didn’t feel genuine anymore. In fact, my relationship with Gareth made me wonder if he ever had been.
“I promise.”
A sudden rush of anger swirled in my mind. I stopped dancing. It took me a moment to realize it hadn’t come from me, but Gareth. But he wasn’t standing by the gazebo any longer.
When the song ended, Nevin slipped away. His form became wispy and transparent. Like a ghost, he turned into smoky tendrils and disappeared. My chest tightened like someone had gripped hold and squeezed th
e life out of me.
Grandma gave me a sympathetic glance and blew me a kiss. I pretended to catch it in my hand and touch it to my face. But Gareth’s burst of anger consumed my mind. I searched for him amongst the dancers and people sitting at the tables. I couldn’t find him anywhere.
“Gareth? Where are you?”
He didn’t answer.
I rushed through the house, out the front door, and into the front yard.
“Gareth, please answer.”
“I’m here.”
I turned to see him leaning against his motorcycle in the driveway. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m tired of the lies and the deceit. Of Nevin asking you to put yourself on the line for him when he doesn’t know what is necessary to break the curse.”
“I’m doing it because I want to. No one is forcing me.”
He frowned, grabbing my shoulders and giving them a shake. “But it could harm you. Have you ever considered that?”
“Yes,” I whispered. “But you said it yourself. If the curse isn’t broken your whole kingdom will fall. Yourself included.”
“Did you ever consider maybe it’s our time to fade away into myth? That this is how things are supposed to happen!” He was angry, I knew he was thinking logically, but he was still scaring me. The thought of him fading away forever hurt me more than I could ever have suspected.
“Why do you care so much about what happens to me?”
“Because. You’re the first human I’ve ever wanted to get to know. The first person I didn’t use for my own benefit. You make me see my faults, but also see my goodness. No one has ever done that for me before.”
“You’re on the verge of going soft.” I hugged him. “Just trust me, okay? I know what I’m doing.” Or at least I hoped I did.
“No matter what happens, promise me you won’t quit fighting.” Gareth stepped back.
“You have my word.”
He glanced around the driveway then back at me. “Do you want to get out of here for a while?”
“With you?”
He chuckled. “Yeah, that was the plan.”
The Winter People Page 26
