Seducer Fey

by Cullyn Royson

  EPILOGUE

  A GF BY ANY OTHER NAME

  THE FULL MOON CAST a cool glow over the page of Cassidy’s journal, as she wrote in the front seat of Ms. Reyes car.

  We flew back from Scotland this morning. Danny and I are spending our layover in Nova Scotia before we fly back to Victoria. It’s about five in the morning. Ms. Reyes picked us up at the airport and took us back to her house. I’m just waiting for Danny to finish cutting roses from her mother’s garden, so we can go to the Tolymie’s house.

  “All set.” Danny climbed into the passenger seat clutching a handful of different-colored roses.

  “Message to Anna-Mom: My study abroad was very rewarding,” Cassidy reported in response to the message her mother had left her. “I learned more than I’ll ever be able to tell you.” She gave Danny a wink as she fastened her seatbelt. “I feel a little bad about waking the Tolymie’s up at this ridiculous hour.” Cassidy commented to Danny as she turned Mrs. Reyes’ car onto the highway.

  “We warned them. Besides, that’s what flowers are for, right?”

  “I suppose,” Cassidy chuckled. “Hey, Danny?”

  “Yes?”

  “Thank you for rescuing me.”

  “You’re welcome,” Danny replied. “I don’t know what I would’ve done without your support.”

  “Then I guess we’ll just keep rescuing each other. That sounds so sickeningly sweet.”

  “But it’s true.” An owl’s cry punctuated Danny’s remark. “So, are you going to lay one on Aydan like you told me last night?”

  “Uh …”

  “Aw,” Danny teased. “Are you too shy?”

  “Actually, I was worried about your feelings,” Cassidy sighed. “I know I don’t need your permission, but I wanted to check in. I don’t want to hurt you and I still feel bad about the whole Taban affair.”

  “Thanks for thinking of me, but I told you I’m alright. You’re my GF, after all.”

  “But I’m not a Genetic Fey or your girlfriend.”

  “Guardian Fey,” Danny explained. “You’re the Guardian Fey to my crazy pixie.”

  “Hm, Guardian Fey, I like it. I’ve always wanted to be a fairy godmother.”

  “So, university applications is our next adventure I guess. Think you can be my fairy godmother for that?” Danny asked.

  “We’re definitely going to need each other for that terrifying quest.”

  Cassidy found the Tolymie’s driveway on the first pass. As they drove up, she saw Stag, in a sequin cheerleading uniform, having a disagreement with Donovan. The giant jock was doing his best imitation of a brick wall at his friend. As Stag moved, the moonlight made the v of sequins on his chest and his chrome shorts shimmer.

  “Well, what’d you know? A silver stag—we must be lucky,” Cassidy remarked. “How do you like them antlers?”

  “I definitely do,” Danny agreed.

  There was a red coupe parked in the Tolymie’s driveway. Cassidy pulled in next to it and turned the key in the ignition. The sky had turned from black to indigo, and a pink glow highlighted the horizon through the trees.

  Dressed in his lacrosse uniform, Donovan held his lacrosse stick across his chest while Stag desperately attempted to push a garment bag into his hands. When Stag heard them approach, he turned, and his entire face lit up. Donovan took this opportunity to give the garment bag back to Stag. Unfortunately, he did it with enough force to knock Stag over before he could catch the cheerleader. Stag bounced back up, gave Donovan a warning look, and trotted up to Cassidy.

  “Good … morning-ish,” Cassidy said.

  “Hey there! I’m going to be on the Olympic Peninsula soon and I do believe I owe you a latte,” he said to Cassidy, then turned to Danny. “And my chinchilla misses you.”

  “Well, hand over your contact information,” Danny commanded. “You’re a Guardian Fey, we have to stick together.”

  “A Guardian—?” Stag started to say, but he correctly interpreted Cassidy’s nod as a signal to accept Danny’s creativity. “Okay.” He tossed his Ogham-Flex to Cassidy. Trying not to giggle as she put in her information, Cassidy passed it to Danny, who threw it back to Stag. She managed to miss her target by about two meters, so Stag let Donovan catch it in his net.

  “I’m gonna miss you,” Danny said, jumping to put her arms around Donovan’s neck.

  Dropping his lacrosse stick and athletic bag, Donovan caught her under her legs and lifted her up to perch on his arm. “Squirrel,” he squeezed her affectionately.

  Danny hopped down and he gingerly wrapped his arms around Cassidy’s shoulders. She hugged him around the waist.

  “Bye Donovan.” Cassidy took a white rose from Danny’s hand and hesitantly offered it to him. Donovan’s the only one who I’m not sure will appreciate this, but I want to give him one in case he does, she thought. Donovan accepted it and looked confused. “Uh … thanks?”

  “How nice of you, Cassidy,” Stag filled in helpfully. “That will look great in the suit he’s supposed to be wearing for team pictures today.”

  Reminded that she had a handful of flowers, Danny presented Stag with a pink rose.

  “Oh, pretty. Thank you so much. You know I …” Stag seemed like he wanted to continue chatting with them, but Donovan had other ideas. He scooped Stag up and unceremoniously carried him over one shoulder toward the red coupe parked next to the Reyes’ car. Stag clung to the hanger of the lacrosse players suit.

  “We’re late,” Donovan muttered.

  Propping himself up on Donovan’s shoulder, Stage checked his Ogham-Flex. “You’re right,” he sighed. “See y’all later!” He waved. “Donovan, don’t think that means you’re getting out of wearing the suit. The coach will have your head if you show up without it, since you never wore it to away meets.”

  “Games?” Donovan corrected.

  “Yes, those.”

  Donovan set Stag in the passenger seat. A few moments later, the coupe made a quick turn and sped down the driveway.

  “Edana, Cassidy—come on in,” Eadowen beckoned them from the doorway. “You were absolutely brilliant to have figured out the journal.” He accepted a yellow rose from Cassidy. “Thank you.” She hugged him, sneaking a whiff of his infamous cologne to discover Danny hadn’t exaggerated its seductive draw.

  “Your bloodstone ring is gone?” Cassidy observed under her breath.

  “It never fit me anyway,” Eadowen replied with his usual unassuming smile. Yet, this time, Cassidy found it slightly unnerving. As she observed him slouched over the yellow rose, she decided that on the off chance he was Eamon’s child he had not inherited the Each Uisge genes, or at least not enough of them to be a threat.

  “Aydan is outside in the back,” Eadowen said. “I’m sure he’ll want to say goodbye.” Cassidy headed toward the door with a meaningful glance at Danny. As she walked back down the hall, she noticed a missing panel in the wall underneath the table holding the foxglove vase. She recalled Aydan mentioning the daughter’s addition to the journal had been hidden where Taban wouldn’t find it.

  As soon as Cassidy was out of sight Eadowen straightened his broad shoulders. Danny sniffed the air detecting a buttery aroma. “You have breakfast for us,” she said to Eadowen, who laughed and nodded.

  “Where’re you all going now?” Danny led the way to the kitchen.

  “We don’t know yet, but we need to disappear for a while.” He started to put fresh croissants in a cloth bag. “We’re certainly going to demolish this old house … probably burn it too.”

  “That’s too bad.”

  “Yeah it is,” he agreed pensively. “I’ll send you a physical letter at our new address. We should continue minimal correspondences that way.”

  ***

  Cassidy slipped her ten of diamonds into her décolletage. The indigo sky showed shades of violet through the canopy of trees. Cassidy found Aydan in his fairy circle, his hair bound messily by a twig, and wearing the same tunic she’d seen him wearing when they me
t. She watched his bare feet on the mossy ground as he spun in circles, maneuvering a whip to make cards appear out of the air. Give me courage Danny, she thought.

  “Greetings,” Aydan said, coiling the whip, as she approached.

  “Hey magic man,” she said, stepping into the fairy circle. Before she could stop herself, she grabbed the strings of his tunic and pulled him toward her. “If you give me a kiss I’ll give you good luck.” He stood on his toes, wrapped his arms around her shoulders, and gave her a long peck. When they released each other, he tucked a loose piece of his hair behind his ear and cleared his throat. Surrounded by a circle of mushrooms, they both shifted awkwardly.

  “Uh. Consider it a compliment,” Cassidy said, at last.

  “My first kiss—best compliment I’ve ever received.” He looked at her with his bold, dark eyes and they both started to laugh.

  “Well, I am the biggest fan …” Cassidy slid the twig out of his hair and watched the cascade of ebony fall over his shoulders. “… of Aydan Tolymie, though Harlan Eldin is pretty cool too.”

  He ducked in a graceful bow and accepted the red rose from her. Holding the rose between his teeth he posed extravagantly with one hand on his hip. Then he stuck out his tongue sabotaging the image. She laughed. The sun began to warm Cassidy’s skin, through the trees. Towering clouds on the eastern horizon glowed bright orange.

  “Wait. That was your first kiss?”

  “Yeah, can’t go spreading my genetic material around, not to mention I can’t exactly tell people what I am. And the whole pain-at-the-drop-of-a-hat, doesn’t help either.”

  “May I have another?”

  The spirited lip lock that followed made her knees weak, but didn’t have the same tidal force as the canoodling she’d experienced with an Each Uisge. She realized she appreciated both sensations, and hoped she could forget the former.

  “Don’t forget this.” He flicked a ten of diamonds into her hand.

  “Hm, I thought I’d put it somewhere you couldn’t get to,” Cassidy laughed. She turned the card over in her hand. The diamonds no longer shone silver; instead a message illuminated by the rising sun read: Go see Knots of Avernus concert. She rolled her eyes. “I don’t want to see them.” She flipped the card over. On the back the message read: I know you want to.

  ***

  Danny rested her hands on the counter. The morning light warmed her face and illuminated the red tones in her dark-brown hair. “I’m happy for her,” she said, watching Cassidy laugh with Aydan in the distance. “It’s nice to know there are people like them in the world.” She felt Eadowen’s gaze and turned. His dull demeanor had melted away, revealing a passionate intensity he made no effort to mask. “What?” she asked.

  “I’m just admiring you.”

  “Thanks, Cassidy bought the top for me,” Danny explained.

  “I was referring to what you said, but the top is nice too.” He rested his chin on his hand, his hazel eyes copper in the sunlight. “I hope you’ll be open to the idea of a romantic relationship someday.”

  “Of course I will. It’ll happen when it happens.” Edana couldn’t help but smile as she recalled Chay’s blushing face. “But I’m not ready yet.”

  “You seem wistful,” he commented.

  “Oh. I was just thinking about someone cute that I met.” The corners of his mouth turned down. “Did I say something wrong?” Danny added hastily.

  Eadowen glanced at the floor. “You said nothing wrong.” When he looked up again he wore the most benevolent expression Danny had ever encountered. “I just want you to be content.”

  “I have plenty of other dreams and goals to chase,” Danny said. “Don’t worry about me.” She embraced him heartily, but he only grazed her shoulder with one hand.

  “This is for you.” He slipped a tiny vial into her hand, the scent of which, she immediately recognized as hawthorn and thistle. “So you’ll remember me next time.”

  “I won’t forget.” Danny picked up the bag of croissants. “I wish I had something to give you.”

  “Unfortuately for me, you don’t owe me anything,” Eadowen said. Danny tilted her head to the side to encourage him to elaborate, but he only added, “Goodbye, Edana.”

  “See you around.” Danny ran out into the morning light to join Aydan and Cassidy. She saluted Aydan, who reciprocated the motion.

  “Those croissants smell delicious.” Cassidy reached for the bag, but Danny dashed past her waving the bag tauntingly. “Come back here you little fey!” Cassidy chased after her best friend.

  Danny threw a genetically modified blue rose to Cassidy and slipped the remaining violet rose in her own ponytail. “Catch me!” She called.

  Cassidy chased after her.

  THE END

  GLOSSARY OF SEXUALITY

  & GENDER TERMS

  Gender: Is a social construct that manifests as roles or expectations of how a person should act based on the gender they are labeled.3

  Sex (Assigned Gender): Is the label a person is assigned at birth based the person’s physical body.3

  Cisgender: A person who identifies with the gender they were assigned at birth based on their genitalia.1 For example, Aydan has male genitalia and identifies as a man.

  Gender Queer: A person who does not identify with the gender they were assigned at birth.1 For example, Eadowen has male genitalia and identifies as gender neutral not as a man.

  Gender Neutral Pronouns: Pronouns used by someone who identifies as neither a man nor a woman. The pronouns used in this book are xie (the equivalent of he or she) and hir (the equivalent of him, her, his, and hers).

  Pansexual: A person who has the potential to be attracted to anyone regardless of gender identity or assignment.2

  Polysexual/Bisexual: A person who is attracted to some genders, but not all.

  Queer: An umbrella term for a sexuality other than heterosexual, however, in this book it is primarily used to refer to people who are only attracted to people with the same gender assignment.1

  Questioning: A person who is deciding on their sexuality or gender identity.2

  SOURCES:

  1. “LGBTcenter,” last modified 2013, http://lgbtcenter.ucdavis.edu/lgbt-education/lgbtqia-glossary. Date accessed: June 20, 2013.

  2. “University Montana Glossary,” last updated 2013, http://www.umt.edu/umallies/glossary.php. Date accessed: June 24, 2013.

  3. “World Health Organization,” last modified 2013, http://www.who.int/gender/whatisgender/en/. Date accessed: June 24, 2013.

  FURTHER READING

  BOOKS:

  Cotterell, Arthur, and Rachel Storm. The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Mythology. Ed. Emma Gray. N.p.: Anness Publishing Limited, 1999. Print.

  Frazer, Sir James, and Theodor H. Gaster. The New Golden Bough Abridged. New York: S. G. Phillips Inc., 1959. Print.

  MacKaillop, James. Oxford Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. New York: Oxford University Press Inc, 1998. Print.

  Nozedar, Adele. The Illustrated Guide to Signs & Symbols Sourcebook. New York: Harper Collins, 2010. Print.

  VIDEO:

  Great Courses: Exploring The Roots Of Religion .Narr. John H. Hale. The Teaching Company , 2009. 3 Discs. DVD-ROM.

  Little People of Flores. Nova, 2005. Web. 24 June 2013. .

  ARTICLES:

  Borrell, Brendan. “Faroe Islands Aim to Sequence Genes of Entire Country.ˮ Discover. Discover Magazine, 12 June 2013. Web. 24 June 2013. .

  Grammer K, Fink B, Neave N. Human pheromones and sexual attraction. European Journal Of Obstetrics, Gynecology, And Reproductive Biology [serial online]. February 1, 2005;118(2):135-142. Available from: MEDLINE, Ipswich, MA. Accessed: 20 April 2013. From: EPSCOhost

  Pallett, Pamela M., Stephen Link, and Kang Lee. “New ‘golden’ ratios for facial beauty.” Vision Research 50 (2009): 149-54. Web. 20 Apr.
2013.

  BONUS STORIES

  CASSIDY & DANNY’S

  SUMMER CAMP ADVENTURE

  SET THREE YEARS BEFORE

  CASSIDY MEETS THE TOLYMIES

  “BYE, SWEETIE,” Rona Adisa, Cassidy’s mother said. She and Annabelle Adisa wrapped Cassidy up in a big family hug. Squished between her two mothers, Fourteen-year-old Cassidy wanted nothing more than to break free. She squirmed out of her mothers’ grasp hoping the arriving students had not seen her with her parents. In the heat of the August sun, the University of Victoria swarmed with high school students lined up for martial art camp room keys. Experts on martial arts from Krav Maga to Aikido had flown in from all over the world to teach courses and lecture on their given specialty.

  “I can’t believe our little baby is going away to summer camp.” Rona affectionately stroked Cassidy’s long cornrows, which she promptly tucked behind her shoulder out of reach of her mother.

  “Remember all those fun camps we went to as a family when you were younger?” Annabelle, Cassidy’s normally more stoic mother, sounded wistful.