Seducer Fey

by Cullyn Royson

  The thick canopy of trees blocked her view of the sky overhead, but the grove turned out not to go very deep. She broke out of the woods, shadowing her eyes against the bright crepuscular rays that shone like a gateway to a glorious world above the clouds. Wishing she could look in all directions at once to admire the rosy skyscape, she lay on a log for a better view. Each cloud in the darkening indigo sky magnified the crimson light of the sun.

  “Hey Cassi, what’re you up to?” Taban approached her from the same trail she had followed. The scarlet light emphasized his cinematic allure. He scratched a place under his mouth, drawing her attention to his full lips. She briefly fantasized about having her first kiss with the current sunset as the backdrop, but promptly shoved the image out of her mind.

  “Just finding a place to watch the sunset.” Cassidy stood dusting herself off. “And my name’s Cassidy, not Cassi.”

  “I was just using a nickname.” With an injured expression, he dropped his chin, and shoved his hands in his pockets. In doing so, he flexed his arms. “I do that to people I like, but I won’t if you don’t want it.”

  “No. No. I’m sorry. Cassi is fine. I didn’t mean to make you feel bad.”

  “Make it up to me by watching the sunset with me.” He plopped down on the log and patted a spot next to him. Obliging, she joined him and felt a rush when his hand coincidentally brushed the bare skin of her arm.

  “I really should go check on Danny pretty soon. She wasn’t feeling well.”

  “Don’t worry about her. She’s with Ea, right?”

  “Yeah,” Cassidy agreed. “But I’m worried about her safety.”

  “Listen to me.” Slipping his fingers into her belt loop, he tugged gently. “Ea wouldn’t do anything even if she threw herself at hir,” he said bitterly, as he rubbed his neck.

  “That’s not what I meant.” She slid closer to Taban, allowing him to put his arm around her.

  “Nice work today on the water.”

  “Thanks, I—”

  “I told the news that you did everything. You should take all the credit. I mean everyone gets a lucky break sometimes. You’ll be happy to know he was completely fine when I visited in the hospital. The doctors said he would’ve been fine anyway, but you still did a very Good Samaritan thing.”

  “Yeah—well, that’s good to know.” Nervously, Cassidy ran her fingers over the thin gold chain around her neck. She could feel the vibration in his chest as he spoke.

  “You did your best though and that’s good.” He coiled his arms around her. “By the way, do you own a bikini? All I saw you in was that wetsuit and the one-piece.”

  “No.”

  “I find you attractive, anyway. Besides, those are, like, only meant for certain body types.”

  Cassidy attempted to furtively wipe her sweaty palms on her jeans. “I eat well and live an active lifestyle, but I feel fat all the time.”

  “It’s better for someone to fall for your personality, like I did.” Taban’s eyes flashed in the fading light.

  Cassidy felt a tingling warmth on her cheek—too delicate for her to tell whether or not he’d kissed her or breathed close to her. Afraid to discover which of the two had occurred, she didn’t dare look at him. Instead she picked at the log, wondering why his flattery made her confidence dive off the deep end.

  “I like the intelligent conversations we have,” he continued.

  “Me too,” she agreed.

  “You want to go into law right? That’s super competitive. I’d be stressed by the brilliant people I’d be competing against.”

  “That’s true, but I’m going to work hard.”

  “Good for you.” Turning her face toward him, he pressed his lips more definitively to a place on her cheek close to the edge of her mouth. “I’m so glad I met you, Cassidy.”

  Did he just insult me? Cassidy mentally screamed. Why’s he kissing me? She gazed into his azure eyes. His fingers caressed the nape of her neck, and then intertwined with her cropped hair.

  “Wait!” She managed to say. “Aren’t you and Eadowen together?”

  “You don’t like me?”

  “I do. I really do,” Cassidy explained. “But I’m not going to come between you and Eadowen.”

  “We’re not a couple. Ea and I can’t be, because I’ve fallen for you.”

  “When?” She lay a hand on his chest to ground herself in reality, which he interpreted as a request for a tighter embrace. “We’ve only known each other for three days?”

  “Don’t you feel it too?” He tilted her chin up and, mind in a fog, she touched her mouth to his warm lips. To her surprise and relief, she quickly adapted to that method of showing affection, though she wouldn’t have guessed kisses tasted so salty. Any doubts in the back of her mind drowned under a wave of bliss. Again she envisioned the perfect warm sea, from his song and her dream. “What’re you thinking about right now?” he asked, as the peach-colored moon highlighted his flaxen hair.

  “Uh … moon hair?” A flustered Cassidy replied. “I mean, tonight rise moon pretty. No, um … the moonrise is pretty tonight.” She covered her face with her hands, while Taban laughed at her. “My brain feels like it went through a whirlpool.”

  “Moon, eh? I read a story in a Greek mythology book about the moon goddess and a man she loved,” he commented. “Would you like to hear it?”

  She hung on his every word, but it took her a moment to put together his question. When she understood she opened her mouth, but no words came out so she just bobbed her head.

  “The goddess of the evening star, Selene drove the moon chariot for Artemis, just like Helios drove the sun chariot for Artemis’ twin brother, Apollo. One day in her trek across the sky, she saw a handsome man asleep in the field. There is some debate over whether he was a prince or shepherd, but she was a goddess, so the only thing that mattered was that he was mortal. Her sister, the dawn star, had made the foolish wish of asking Zeus to give her lover immortality. The dawn star’s lover shriveled away into a cricket. The moon goddess was much wiser,” he explained. “She asked Zeus to give her man eternal sleep. Apparently, if you sleep forever you stay eternally young—an interesting concept.” He took her hand. “This is really romantic isn’t it?”

  “Yes—I think.” Cassidy shook the haze from her mind. “I need to get back to Danny,” she said, feeling both redundant and inarticulate.

  “I told you. She’s fine,” Taban rolled his eyes. “Here I am confessing my feelings and all you can talk about is your friend. Do you have a heart?”

  “I’m sorry. I’m sure we can stay out a bit longer.”

  ***

  “Good job getting rid of Savali,” Aydan remarked. He walked into the living room juggling five playing cards in one hand.

  “Did you see Cassidy while you were out?” Eadowen asked.

  “Yeah, she walked off with Taban.”

  “Would you please go get them?” Eadowen replied.

  “Don’t block her,” Aydan said. “If she wants to get it on with your cash-cow-boy-toy, let her.”

  “I agree,” Danny said. “If you’re not in a relationship with him, Cassidy can have whomever she wants.” She couldn’t believe how much more noble her words sounded than her bitter thoughts. The mug tipped in her hands, Eadowen stabilized it. She noticed the handle in her left hand and the cup in her right, no longer attached to each other.

  “Don’t worry about the mug. Under normal circumstances I’d agree with you,” Eadowen explained. “But Taban has a way with people and he isn’t always working for their benefit.”

  “Hypocrite,” Aydan muttered under his breath. “Well, I can’t go because Cassidy will think I followed her. She saw me working on a new trick.” He leaned over the sofa. “Donovan, do you like jogging?”

  “No.”

  “Well, you do now.” Aydan snapped his fingers. “Eadowen seems to think Taban’s up to something. Better bring him back.”

  The silence that followed Aydan’s remark
intimidated Danny more than any glare Donovan could’ve delivered. “I … could go if it’s that important … my cramps feel better now,” she offered.

  “I think it would be better for your friendship with Cassidy if you didn’t interrupt a potential romantic liaison,” Eadowen replied.

  “You’re probably right,” Danny said. You couldn’t pay me to be the youngest sibling in this family, she thought as Donovan stalked out of the room. Clattering and sloshing followed his departure. Danny glimpsed him hauling a sizeable metal bucket full of ice water.

  “I don’t think you’ll need that,” Eadowen called. “He’s not sleeping.” A loud crash followed as Donovan dropped the bucket in the hallway.

  The sharp pain in Danny’s abdomen flared up again. She set the remainder of her mug on the floor and lay down to ease the pain in her stomach, knowing the pain in her chest would not go away. I haven’t cried since I broke my arm when I was thirteen—I’m not going to cry over this, she told herself. Eadowen ran his hand along the edge of the couch next to Danny’s torso. The ripple he created with his motion spread along Danny’s back, easing each vertebrae of her spine. Then he joined Aydan somewhere down the hall.

  ***

  “You’re going home tomorrow and I’m going to miss you so much. I got this for you and I want you to have it.” Setting a dainty rectangular box on her leg, Taban gave her a glowing smile. “Open it—”

  A loud thumping noise cut him off, as Donovan marched out of the trees.

  “Hey Donovan, what’re you doing out here?” Taban asked.

  “Jogging,” Donovan grumbled.

  “Oh my gosh!” Cassidy checked the time on her Ogham. “It’s been twenty minutes. I have to get back.” As she leapt to her feet, her elbow collided with Taban’s mouth. “I’m so sorry, I had a Danny moment.”

  “Don’t worry about it.” Rubbing his mouth, Taban started to walk in the direction of the house, but tripped over his platforms again. Cassidy caught him. “Guess I was too busy staring at you to notice where I was walking,” he said to her. “Donovan, there are some foxgloves for Ea in my car. Be a doll and put them in some water for me. The car’s unlocked.”

  “Oh. I can do that.” Cassidy made her way toward the car, giving no time for either to decline. Donovan wasn’t difficult to read and she could tell he’d had a bad day. As she walked back to the house she saw Taban leaning against a large oak tree facing Donovan.

  “You can continue your jogging,” Taban said, emphasizing the last word with air quotes. “I’ll just wait here for Cassidy to get back.” Stooping, Donovan grabbed Taban by the wrist and behind the knees, hauled him across his shoulders, and started to carry him back to the house. “Hey! Put me down.” Taban struggled. “Where do you behemoth jocks come from?”

  When they reached the house, Donovan dropped Taban in front of Eadowen and made a beeline for the stairs, presumably to his bedroom. Taban and Eadowen had a tense non-verbal conversation with a couple of gestures, but mostly glances. Then Taban muttered, “Donovan had another growth spurt.” Leaving them in the hallway, Cassidy found a wilted Danny in the living room.

  “Hi Danny,” Cassidy said, clutching the foxgloves. “What happened?”

  “What were you doing?” Danny asked with a strange rattle in her voice.

  “I … uh … Taban wanted to watch the sunset with me. And we kissed.” Danny’s dark face paled as Cassidy spoke. “I’m so sorry. I thought you said you wanted time alone. That’s no excuse. I’m so sorry. What’s going on?”

  “I don’t feel like talking to you right now.”

  “I’m so sorry.” Cassidy reached for Danny’s shoulder, but she shrugged her away. “Alright, I’ll leave you alone. Eadowen, may I use your restroom?”

  “Yes, look left just before the dining room,” Eadowen replied, taking the foxgloves from her.

  Cassidy crept into the restroom and took the box from her pocket. The unlabeled gift box was bound shut with a narrow piece of turquoise ribbon. She spent several minutes undoing the ribbon so that she would not have to slice it. Winding it around her hand, she opened the box. A pair of golden teardrop earrings with turquoise inlay sparkled on a display sheet. She clipped the earrings into her ears and admired her reflection in the mirror. The gold and blue-green shimmered on her skin highlighting the bronze undertones of her neck. In the hallway, Taban caught her in a hug. “Goodbye,” he whispered.

  Not wanting anyone to see her watery eyes, Danny tried to find something on the bookshelf to hide her face. Inspecting a printed photograph, she recognized Eadowen sitting under a red and white beach umbrella. A boy next to him displayed a blue-colored tongue, clutching a snow cone of the same color. Danny noticed a tattoo on the boy’s arm, and she realized he was a younger incarnation of Taban without the bleached hair and a darker tan.

  “May I see that?” Cassidy asked timidly. “Weird, he’s not nearly as attractive in this image as he is in real life.”

  “I’ll put that away for you.” Eadowen accepted the photograph from Cassidy. “I suppose we should say goodnight.”

  “Is everything going to be okay with Danny?” Cassidy said.

  “We don’t know,” he said. “You’re both flying back to Victoria tomorrow, correct? We’ll contact you.”

  “How will you contact us?”

  “Through non-electronic means. I know this is already obvious, but please don’t even speak to each other or others electronically about this.”

  “I understand,” Danny replied, shaking Eadowen’s outstretched hand. “Thank you.”

  ***

  “You’re about to drive into a tree!” Danny shouted, seizing the steering wheel.

  Cassidy swerved the car, narrowly missing a large oak. “Oops, sorry.” She turned onto the main road feeling the transition to smooth pavement. She headed home trying not to think about Taban or her first kiss. Not relevant, Cassidy, not relevant, Cassidy told herself. Why can’t I get him out of my head? He’s insidious.

  “It isn’t like you to be so quiet. I’m sorry for what I did.” Cassidy’s guilt heightened as she observed Danny’s bleakness from the corner of her eye. “Whatever it was that I did.”

  “Doesn’t matter now, so never mind,” Danny mumbled into the window, her breath made a heart shape on the glass as her own ached.

  “Is it about Savali showing up? Are you scared?”

  “Yes, that too.”

  “I like you,” Danny said slowly. She quickly diverted her gaze, so she wouldn’t have to see Cassidy’s reaction.

  “Oh, Danny I’m so sorry.”

  “I know,” Danny muttered. “I’m just insanely jealous of Taban.”

  “I’m really sorry. I just don’t feel that way about you,” Cassidy said, her voice trembling as she empathized with Danny’s pain. “I really like you as a friend. I always have.”

  “I know.”

  “You’re a great person, Danny. I know you’ll find someone who is worthy of you. And I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings.” Cassidy rambled, hoping something she said would help her friend. “We can still be friends right? I know I’m not a Genetic Fey, but I’m going to stay with you whatever happens. I may not be much help, but I’ll give you all I’ve got. This isn’t a token for not returning your feelings. I already committed to support you because I care about your well-being and I swear I will never get distracted by anyone again. I made a mistake.”

  “Sounds like I’m going to need all the support I can get.”

  “Well, all I can give you is mine and you have it,” Cassidy said. “Please don’t cry. I mean unless it’ll make you feel better.”

  “I’m not crying!” Danny shouted.

  “Would you like some music? I’ll play something you like at a low volume.”

  “Something with flute, harp, or bagpipes, but no singing,” Danny offered.

  “Vehicle: Search music archives: purchase any song with harp, flute, bagpipes and no vocal.”

  “Are you sure you meant to
search flute, harp, bagpipes and no vocal,” the Reyes’ car replied.

  “You darn machine, find a melody with all three or I will deconstruct you until you make my fairy happy,” Cassidy yelled. “Ahem. I mean, Vehicle: yes, I intended that search.”

  “Your results are—”

  “Vehicle: Just select highest-rated song,” Cassidy commanded. A sweet melody with long beats started to play from the speaker. “Good car.” Cassidy petted the dashboard, as though it was a puppy. On any other occasion, Danny would’ve laughed. She wished she could enjoy the image.

  They were silent for the rest of the trip to Ms. Reyes’ house. Cassidy’s concern for Danny helped her drive without getting distracted by images of Taban.

  When they reached home, Danny quickly brushed her teeth, shoved her clothes in her suitcase, and got into bed.

  “Good night, Cassidy,” she muttered into her pillow.

  “Good night, Danny,” Cassidy replied and turned off the light. “Sleep well. Everything will be okay. I promise.” Though she’d set her Ogham to sleep mode, Cassidy hadn’t removed it to sleep, so she felt the buzz of a message. Trying not to disturb Danny, she read the messages and typed her responses.

  Message from Rona-Mom: Hi sweetie, have you decided where you want to study abroad this summer? Weren’t you interested in Japan?

  Message to Rona-Mom: I changed my mind I’m going to apply to programs in Scotland and Ireland.

  Message from Daisuke Savali: Dear Ms. Cassidy, Thank you so much for saving me this morning. The doctors told me I might not be alive if it hadn’t been for you getting the water out of my system.

  That’s weird, I could’ve sworn Taban said I barely did anything for Daisuke, Cassidy thought and looked at her Ogham. Speak of the devil.

  Message from Taban: I had an amazing night tonight. I can’t get you out of my head.