by Larisa Long
“Gotcha. Had to snack up.” I turn around to take it all in, but there’s really not much to see. “A for effort, but maybe a C minus for execution. Is the pot brownie wearing off?”
Arc narrows his eyes. “Was any of that supposed to make sense?”
Blu twirls. Yes, he actually twirls around like a child. “So, how do we look in our own world?”
The faerie’s still shirtless. Still gorgeous. His pants now look like fancy blue jeans with too much shine.
“The same?”
He frowns and looks at his arms and chest and wings. “Don’t I glitter? I’m supposed to be seductively sparkly.” He runs to the window so the sun peeks at his skin. “I am glittery.” He then eyes me suspiciously. “Why have you turned on me?”
I can’t help but laugh.
Arc rolls his eyes. “Blu, dial down the drama.”
The vampire closes in. “What about me?” He stands too close which freaks me out.
I put my hand on his chest to push him back. His chest is hard as a rock, and he doesn’t budge. “The same.”
He pulls the same frown as Blu did and looks down at his suit. “I thought you’d be amazed at us.”
Arc smirks. “Are you still under the impression you are dreaming?”
I nod as I wander around. I’m standing in a blank room with a ceiling I can’t even see and a spiral staircase that goes nowhere. I frown. “If I’m a Queen, is this supposed to be my castle?”
Arc smiles. “Picture what you’d think a castle would look like.”
I close my eyes and think of a castle. I’m not sure if it’s something I saw in a movie or a magazine. I’m still hoping I’ll wake up in my room. I have tons to do before the party.
“Okay,” Arc says. “You can open your eyes now.”
The former white walls are now old, grey stone. Large red tapestries with a weird black symbol hang down the walls. The pattern matches the rugs which cover a black and red checkerboard tile. Like Alice in Wonderland meets vampire meets gothic? And that spiral symbol?”
“That’s your symbol,” Arc says, as he holds up his hand with a ring that matches.
I look to the others who also show me the same rings.
The most comfortable looking white sofas and chairs are covered in throws with the same matching red and black symbols. The furniture all surrounds a fireplace. There’s an actual crackling fire in the fireplace. There wasn’t even a fireplace before.
Small black tables covered in the same red and black fabric as the sofa throws are littered with platters and jars of gum balls, taffy, brownies, fudge, cakes, cupcakes, suckers, sugar sticks, cookies, cotton candy.
“That was me.” Blu spins towards me and grabs about three of everything. “Faeries have sweet teeth.”
The windows open to the forest and singing birds beyond, and whispy red curtains float in the warm breeze. I look to the witch.
“This is one of those one room castles,” Arc says.
I must have made either a frown face or something because Zash steps closer to me.
“It’s alright,” the reaper says. “We don’t have rooms.”
“Why?”
“We’ve never been allowed to have our own space or stay too long in the reign’s castle,” Risq says bitterly, as he swallows another gulp of the red stuff. “We’re only allowed in to service the King or Queen.”
“Yikes.” I cringe. “That sounds disturbing.”
Arc nods. “Usually.”
Blu and Zash also nod.
I quickly force my mind out of the gutter and into more PG material. “Game nights? Cooking classes? To catch a big spider?”
Blu snorts. “No, Mera. It was exactly what you originally thought.”
I shudder and make probably a thousand weird facial expressions as creepy thoughts haunt me. “I’m sorry.”
Arc narrows his eyes. “I actually believe you. Thank you for that.” He takes my cloak off and drapes it across the sofa.
Risq grunts.
I look at him. “What does that mean?”
“It means it always starts out like this. Then, before long, we’re back to being slaves.” The vampire looks me over. “The power is too enticing. You won’t be any different.”
Blu finishes a candy cane. “Mera is different.”
“I hope she is.” Zash quickly glances at me before finding the fireplace more interesting. “For her sake.”
“Alrighty then. Good talk.” I walk around, but I’m stalling. I clap my hands together. “So, when do I wake up?”
Blu laughs. “How do we convince you this is not a dream?”
I squish my face up as I think. What would I need? A pony? No. World peace. Undoable. Save the bees. Okay. “Save the bees.”
Arc frowns. “Why would the bees need saving?”
“They are dying back home.”
Zash steps closer to me with his hand over his heart. “Why are they dying?”
I take a deep breath. “Pesticides. Humans. Climate. Humans. Did I mention humans?”
Risq growls. “Always humans.”
I stare at him. “Hey, vampire, can you drink from any other creature?”
Risq thinks for a few seconds. “Not successfully.”
“Then maybe you should be kinder to your food supply. Or maybe see how much blood you can suck out of a stalk of broccoli.”
He cackles in an unsettling way. “You’re going to be fun.”
“Poor bees. I do not want them to suffer.” Zash looks so sad. He closes his eyes and chants something. He opens his eyes. “Done.”
I look around. “Okay. How will I know if—”
Just then millions of bees swarm in through the open windows. I don’t have time to flee or squeal or head for cover. They fly to the corner of the room where tiny jars of honey with bows and various colored ribbons are placed in what quickly becomes an altar. Instantly there are cards, suckers, stickers, posters, pictures, drawings and stuffed animals. Behind everything, a banner with my name is placed.
All hail, Queen Mera. The savior of bees.
In a flash, the bees retreat. I take everything in. I blink about a thousand times. Why won’t I wake up? I pinch myself and slowly turn around. This isn’t a dream. How is this possible?
“If you need pain to convince you this is real,” Risq hisses. “I will oblige.”
Arc glares at him, and Zash steps in front of him blocking me. “You will not hurt her.”
Risq holds his hands up. “It was just an offer. Trust me, Zash, you’ll want to reap her soon enough.”
I grab my heart. It’s an exaggerated gesture, but I am freaking out. “Where am I? What is happening?” This is no longer amusing. “I want to go home. I need to go home.”
“You are home, my Queen.” Arc says.
I back away from them as they appear to be stalking me. Or is it my imagination? I close my eyes and continue to move backwards.
I back into someone and quickly open my eyes.
“It’s me. It’s okay,” Arc whispers, as he entwines our hands and fingers together.
In an instant, Blu is in front of me. His wings caress my face. “Relax.”
I squeeze my eyes shut and think of my room. My parents. Chicago. The Miracle Mile. My birthday party. My friends. College. Even my annoying brother and sister. Wake up, Mera.
I hear sirens and cabs honking. “I’m home.” I quickly open my eyes, but I’m still in the castle.
Blu smiles as he drops his wings. “That wasn’t so hard.” He glances over at Risq.
“Didn’t think you’d do it so fast.” Risq raises his half empty class to Blu.
Arc lets go of my hands. “There, much better.”
“What just happened?”
Blu smiles at me. “I got you to admit you’re home.”
I sigh. “I thought I was back home. I heard what sounded like Chicago. That’s not fair.”
Blu stretches his wings out beside him and bows. “Thank you.”
“Things work di
fferently here, Mera,” Arc admits. “We only needed you to believe for a second.”
Zash looks at me with remorse before quickly looking away. “You said the words. That’s all that was required.”
“What about my parents?”
Arc sighs. “I’m sorry, Mera. Time is different in our world. As time passes here, it is roughly one year in your world.”
I shake my head. “But we’ve only been here what … a few minutes?”
Risq condescendingly laughs.
Zash shakes his head. “In time you can understand, we’ve been here three days.”
“Three years back home?” My pulse skyrockets. I grab my stomach. “That’s impossible. What do they think happened to me?”
Zash and Blu look to Arc.
He takes a deep breath. “I took away their memories of you.”
Arc’s words sink in. “It was like I was never born?”
“Blu,” Arc says. “Help her.”
Blu circles me again with his wings. My tears fall fast. Zash stands in front of me with such pain in his eyes. “I’m so sorry, Mera. If there had been another way.”
“Now you know how we feel,” Risq spits out without a hint of remorse or pity.
“Risq, calm yourself,” Arc says. “Show some compassion for her.”
Risq grunts again.
Zash wipes my tears away. “It’s going to be okay. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
“Nor will I,” Blu whispers.
I calm as Blu whispers to me and as I look into Zash’s eyes. I don’t know what they are doing to me, but I’m not freaked out anymore. I nod. “I’m okay. Thank you.”
Zash steps back as Blu releases me.
“You should have just let me bite her,” Risq says, while gobbling down the rest of his drink.
I glare at him. “You were much nicer back home.”
“You are home, Queen,” he smirks. “Or did you forget already you don’t have a home anymore? Or a family? Or anyone that cares about you?”
Zash glares at Risq. “I’m warning you.”
Risq laughs. “Warned by a reaper. I’m terrified.”
“What’s going to happen? What do you want from me?”
Blu grabs another dozen sugar sticks from a jar which are immediately refilled. “I thought we already said that, didn’t we?” He glances at the others. “We did say she had to fall in love with us, didn’t we? Sometimes I forget depending upon my sugar levels.”
Risq smirks. “This one is slower than the others.”
“Dude, why are your panties suddenly in a bunch?”
In an instant Risq is standing in front of me. Arc pulls him back while Zash positions himself between us.
Risq looks Zash over with amusement. “And what are you going to do to me, reaper?”
Zash looks at Risq with such intensity. “I said you will not hurt her.”
Risq laughs. “You should see his eyes, Queen. You wouldn’t think he was your champion if you did.” He has another glass of red stuff in his hand. “Maybe I’ll just do to her like I did to the others.” The way he glares at me at the same time he gulps his glass down makes me wonder if the others are in his glass of red goo.
“They are, Queen. All of them.” Risq’s glare turns furious as Arc drags him away. “They are delicious. As you will be.”
Blu claps as he eats an entire tray of brownies in one swallow. “The vampire will definitely not be her favorite. By my tally, I believe Zash and I are her favorites.”
Risq growls and escapes Arc. He pushes Zash away and throws me against the wall. My head is fuzzy, and I think my ribs have broken.
His strong hands tighten around my neck. “When I’m done with you, I’ll go back to your pathetic world and rip apart anyone you’ve ever cared about.”
Arc pulls him off and throws Risq across the room. “Enough.” He nods at both Zash and Blu. Zash puts his arm out towards Risq, and the vampire is instantly immobilized.
Blu gently drapes his wings around me. He’s warm and safe and smells of spun sugar, and I wish I can stay with him forever.
Chapter 3
I don’t open my eyes, but I can tell I’m on the sofa. “Did I fall asleep in front of the tv again, dad? Mom, what time is it? Tell me I haven’t missed my party.”
“What party?”
I know that voice. I slowly open my eyes. The faerie is sitting next to me on the sofa with his feet propped against the coffee table. He’s eating a giant chocolate cupcake.
“I didn’t think you’d ever wake up.” Blu licks the frosting from his fingers before devouring another cupcake.
I notice my hair is tangled. I try to run my fingers through it, but glitter appears. “What’s this?”
Blu shrugs. “I heard someone say something about mouth to mouth.”
I realize that’s why I taste sugar and strawberries. “You kissed me?” I wipe my mouth off.
Blu nods. “You’re welcome.”
Zash has his back to the window watching me.
“Where’s the vampire?”
Arc motions to a chair furthest away from me.
Risq’s glare finds me again. “Welcome back, my Queen.” His words are like acid spikes as they slowly disable my stomach.
“What happened?”
Arc grabs my wrist and feels my pulse. “Someone got carried away.” He looks to Risq. “Someone won’t be doing that again.”
Risq shrugs but doesn’t take his glare from me.
I feel my head. “Did I pass out?”
“You’ve been asleep forever,” Blu says, sucking on a milkshake.
“It was only four minutes,” Arc admits.
“I thought we’d have to send in a search party.” Blu grabs his heart. “I would have been sad.”
I roll my eyes. “You’re all a riot.”
Arc glances back at Zash.
Zash nods. “She’s healed.”
I feel my side. “I thought my ribs were broken.”
Arc nods. “Oh, they were. Ribs, spleen, fractured skull. Internal injuries. They were mortal wounds.”
“Not my fault she’s fragile,” Risq hisses.
Blu sighs. “Yes, but my temperamental vampire, I think that’s the record for breaking a new reign.”
Arc starts pacing. “And that cannot happen again.”
“It won’t happen again,” Zash says, looking directly at Risq.
Risq’s grin seeps through me. “We’ll see.”
Zash doesn’t take his glare from the vampire. “I’ll reap you myself if you ever try to hurt her again.”
“What is this?” A gruff voice filters through the room. A man in his early thirties appears in front of us with weird darkish hair that sticks up. He’s wearing what looks like a purple velvet onesie under a too small orange cloak. I think his ego should have arrived thirty minutes before he did. And then maybe he should have stayed home.
The four immortals immediately stand up. Zash quickly glances at me with a worried expression before all four bow.
The man struts around the room and glares at the surroundings. He curls his lip total Elvis style but looks more like a demented chihuahua hybrid. “Such an interesting decor.” He snorts. “Why does the new Queen allow her slaves to lounge in her castle at all hours? Does she require that much servicing?”
The immortals fall to their knees and bow their heads.
The odd man smirks. “So much better when they’re on their knees.” His beady eyes find me. “I’m King Pole. You’ll do very well, won’t you?”
I raise my eyebrows.
He looks me up and down and licks his lips.
I cringe and hope I won’t be sick. I do not like him at all.
Arc suppresses a laugh.
The King huffs as he stares at the four. “Why are you still here. Be gone lowly creatures!”
The four rise and start to leave.
I jump up. “Where are you going?”
They stop. Risq is the first to glance at me.
“We’ve been ordered away, my Queen.”
“You can’t leave.” Definitely not alone with this thing that oozes creep.
The man licks his lips again and blows me a kiss. Zash, you can still read my thoughts, right?
The reaper nods slowly.
Tell me dickhead isn’t someone I have to marry or date or anything.
He squeezes his lips together trying to suppress a grin and shakes his head.
“I need to be alone with this new reign.” King Pole adjusts his pants.
“Ew.” I step back. “So not happening. Not ever. I took self-defense in school, asshole. You even think of touching me, and I’ll squish you in places you didn’t know existed.”
Blu giggles.
The King’s mouth gapes wide as he stares at me. Luckily, he’s speechless because his voice sounds like a broken car alarm.
Blu continues his giggling.
The King glares at Blu and then looks down at the necklaces I forgot I wore. “Which one belongs to the faerie?”
I grab the necklaces together without thinking. The four immortals moan. Blu’s wings quiver and shake. I quickly let the necklaces go. “Sorry.”
The King grins. He steps close to Blu and licks his face.
“Ew.” I immediately want to snap the man’s neck. “What the hell is your diagnosis?”
Then he steps to Risq and bends his neck at a very painful angle before digging in one of his fingernails enough to make the vampire bleed.
I cringe. “Stop.” I walk towards the King. “Leave.”
He winks at me.
“Did I stutter?” I point to the door. “Out!”
He gasps. “I thought we were role playing.”
“Do you normally role play such a creepy asshole?”
He looks me up and down with disgust. “Ungrateful little girl. I will enjoy breaking you.”
I point towards the door. “Good luck with that.” I wait until the stain has left before I turn around to face the four. I cross my arms over my chest.
The four moan again, and I realize I’ve hit their necklaces. Again. Awkward. “Sorry.”
Blu shakes and breathes heavily. “That was mostly mine. Never apologize for that.”
I immediately clasp my hands behind me. Less chance of accidental necklace turn ons.
The four immortals remain standing with their heads bowed.
