All's Fair in Love and Lion

by Bethany Averie

  “You’re lonely?” I slide to the floor beside the shards of broken earthenware. Is it possible a fantasy would understand how I feel?

  He crouches beside me, still vague, yet I’m able to make out his face. The features are blurry, however, as in my dreams, I’m able to discern his strong chin, high cheekbones, and sharp lines. In his golden-hazel eyes there’s a gentle expression, which softens his appearance. “I’ve thought I was doomed to live without a companion.” A brief flicker of melancholy crosses his face. “I never imagined the Creator of all things would provide me with one.” He lowers his voice. “Then I saw you.”

  “Maybe I’ve fallen back asleep or am hallucinating.” I want to believe, but how? He’s so much of a dream. There . . . yet, out of reach.

  Monroe slams his fist against the kitchen tiles. The noise makes me jump. “When will you understand? This isn’t a dream and you’re perfectly sane!”

  Anger boils in my veins. Lonely or not, he has no right to come into my home and shout at me. “Don’t yell at me. You’re the one intruding on my property.”

  “You let me in,” he counters. “Why else would I be here?”

  “I don’t have a clue!” I get to my feet and back away.

  “I’m sorry,” he says, his tone barely above a whisper. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

  “What’s happening?”

  “You believed in me enough for me to enter the First Realm . . . your world.”

  “I thought magic was made up.”

  “You’d be surprised, Sasha. There’s a whole other world out there.”

  I bite my lip. “If that’s true, than what do you want with me?” Especially when with his strong features, broad shoulders, height, and looks, he could have anyone.

  “Didn’t I tell you already?”

  Suddenly I feel exposed. What does he see in me?

  “I plan on courting you,” he continues. “Or, if you’d prefer, you could pursue me.”

  The room spins and I grip the counter with both hands. Did I hear him correctly? Court? No one has ever suggested such a thing to me, and here, a man I barely know plans a future . . . with unremarkable me. I don’t stand out. I don’t make a splash. Why does he want me?

  Monroe wraps his arms around me. “Perhaps I was too direct.”

  A masculine, outdoorsy fragrance fills my senses, the scent more heady than my dreams. Oh well, if he’s an illusion, no reason I can’t enjoy myself. Good grief, what am I thinking? I want him gone. No. That’s a lie. I want him, period. The thought catches me off guard. It’s so strong, I bet he knows.

  He steadies me. Apprehensive, I sidestep him.

  “Regardless, we’ll go with whatever you decide. I’ll leave you now.” He inclines his head, brushes past me, and disappears.

  I turn off the coffeemaker and return to my room. Throwing myself across my blue and white comforter, I’m surrounded by a whirlwind of emotions. He can’t be real. But, I want him to be—with all my heart.

  He could be the one. The man I could love who would love me. Someone of my very own. No more loneliness. No more hiding my childhood from Mel, who, despite years of friendship, I can’t tell everything about my life.

  Is it possible with Monroe I wouldn’t feel so awkward and uncertain? Have I found my Prince Charming? He says he’s real, but how is that possible?

  Clutching my blue and white pillow tightly, I send up a silent prayer. Oh please, God, let him be real.

  Chapter 5: Monroe

  Riled up, I can’t stand still. Several weeks have passed since I last saw Sasha. The distance makes my heart ache, the very definition of my own personal hell. However, I want her to trust me. After her reaction to my appearance in her apartment, I know she needs time.

  Through the rift, I can see her puttering around in her apartment. Her ankle-length skirt swishes enticingly. A pale pink sweater caresses her curves. Oh, Creator Lord, you outdid yourself when you made Sasha. Please let me win her. I study the shimmering rift. Should I? The cold feeling returns. Someone stands in the way. I can’t see who, but their presence crackles in the air around me. Whatever waits, I sense disaster following the being. Protect Sasha. It’s been too long since I was with her . . . maybe now’s my chance. I could enter her mind and—

  “Hey there, handsome.”

  Whirling around, I catch sight of the last being I want near me.

  A tall, slender woman materializes beside one of the leather chairs. She straightens her tiger print blouse and runs a hand over her black pant-clad thigh. Black hair frames an angular face. Bright green eyes zero in on me.

  Bile rises in me. “Damn it all, Lily!”

  In reply, her lips pucker into a smirk. “Did you miss me, lover?”

  Anger overpowers me. “Since when are we lovers? If anything, you’re a thorn in my side.”

  She taps long nails against the back of the chair. “Now that’s no way to talk to your future bride.”

  “In what universe? You might’ve forgotten how you used your uncle’s power to put spells on me, however, I haven’t. The only break I’ve had from you was these past months while you were away. Why didn’t you stay with Alveron and leave me alone?”

  She steps toward me. “You didn’t believe me or your parents when we said you and I were a perfect match. What would they say now if they heard you?”

  “I don’t care. Somehow you got past Ayres. How, I don’t know. But, if you don’t go, I’ll be forced to make you leave.”

  Excitement oozes from her. She lives for the chase. “It’s fascinating how you play coy.”

  I fold my arms. “A predator isn’t supposed to be prey.”

  She sighs loudly. “Not quite the homecoming I envisioned. I thought you’d welcome me back with open arms. Perhaps ask me how Uncle Alveron is doing. Why do you avoid me? I could please you.”

  “Let me remind you of my reasons. I don’t appreciate the way you insinuated yourself into every part of my life. My blood boils when I remember how you smacked Minuet around merely because she and I are friends. One kind word when you were three years old and suddenly you thought you owned me.” My hand twitches while I struggle with the desire to hit her. “Of course, let’s not forget how you used that magic rope to kidnap me for days.” I slam my fist against the wall next to her. “Need any other reasons?”

  “I don’t know why you deny your true feelings.”

  I growl. The impulse to strike grows. Curse the manners drilled into me. She doesn’t deserve my forbearance.

  “You obviously need a chance to consider that down deep you actually do want me. We’ll meet again, soon, darling.”

  I lunge. Before I can make contact, she disappears.

  Catching myself before I hit the wall, my chest heaves. I can’t believe she chose now to return. Breathing deeply, I concentrate on the task at hand. The important thing is Sasha. I can’t afford distractions.

  I turn back toward the boundary lines. Disappointed, I realize she’s at the school. Because of Lily’s visit, I missed my chance to enter Sasha’s mind. Does she miss me? Would she welcome my presence in her mind? Maybe I—

  “I say, Monroe!”

  The door bursts open and I come face-to-face with a man-beast jackal in his human form. He’s a bit shorter than me, with sleek black hair, dark eyes, and lightly bronzed skin. Although a friend, he sometimes annoys me. Like now.

  “For the love of the Third Realm, Bast, would you leave me alone? You jackals are a pain in the ass.”

  Bast wears his trademark wide grin. “Should I ask your forgiveness? Not if you’re doing what I think you are. Let me remind you, stalking is only for one’s food.” He clasps his hands behind his back. His slight stature is deceptive. Unconsciously, I rub my jaw remembering the last time we boxed and he caught me with a powerful right hook.

  “Mind your own business.” I pick up a decanter of port.

  His mirth permeates the room. “I didn’t believe you at first when you told me you about S
asha. I never thought a human would preoccupy you so much. Don’t any female Thirdlings move you?”

  I contemplate my glass of wine. “Ever since I dreamt of her the feeling she was the one I’ve waited for grew. Now I have the chance to win her. Why would I look elsewhere?”

  He claps me on the shoulder. “You know I’m your faithful supporter and friend. I want what’s best for you.”

  I set the glass down. “Do you think what’s best for me is some mindless being?”

  “Must you insult everyone in the Third Realm?” He bares his teeth.

  What have I done? “I didn’t mean your Alexia. Besides, she’s yours. I can’t claim her.” I hand him a glass.

  His mouth twitches into a smirk. “Correct.”

  “Furthermore, we can’t all be lucky enough to find one such as her.”

  Predictably, he puffs out his chest. “Indeed, she’s one of a kind.”

  “So, you see my quandary?”

  He settles himself into one of the black leather chairs. “Indeed. Does she please you as Alexia does me?”

  I sit across from him. “She hasn’t accepted my proposal quite yet.”

  “Oh?”

  I give a shrug. “It’s a matter of the hunt.”

  He chuckles. “Poor human.”

  “Why?”

  “She doesn’t know how determined you are. She might never survive your advances. After all, you’ve got the worst temper in the Third Realm.”

  I frown. “Not funny.”

  “I haven’t been so amused since that idiot monkey-man, Delton, fell out of the tree after disturbing my hunt.”

  “Delton is more of a fool than you. I wish someone would devour him.”

  Bast rolls his eyes. “Right. Ingest Delton and face grave consequences from the Creator for going after unapproved prey. Inspired idea, Monroe.”

  “I didn’t say it should be done. Simply wish it would. I agree, he’s not worth the trouble it would cause.” I wave a hand. “We must put up with Delton, no matter how stupid he is.”

  “You’re in a foul mood today. No one is up to your standards.”

  “I’ve been keeping my distance from Sasha in an effort to give her the opportunity to think over my offer. My patience is strained.”

  “What patience?” At the rumbling in my chest, he stands. “I’ll not push you anymore today.”

  “Brilliant idea.”

  He heads for the door.

  “It’s not fair,” I mutter when Bast disappears around the corner. “I finally find my mate and she doesn’t even believe in my existence.” Tossing back the last bit of wine, I smash the glass against the wall.

  Chapter 6: Sasha

  Vaguely, I make out an outline of a tall figure coming closer. A tingle shoots through me as I recognize him. “Monroe, you’re here.”

  “I see you’ve been waiting for me.”

  Awkwardly I shift my weight. “I . . . I wondered about you.” My feet sink into the warm sand, getting caught between my toes. A salty breeze catches a strand of his hair and blows it across his face. If I were braver, I’d brush it back. Tucking my hands into my pockets, I chastise myself. Why am I so scared?

  He gently puts his finger under my chin and lifts my face toward his. “No reason for embarrassment. It’s an honor.”

  “I’m curious,” I say, attempting to keep my heart calm. “I’m not entirely certain you really exist. But, I’ve decided if I’m going to go insane, I’ll accept it.”

  His eyes flash. “When will you believe you’re not insane?”

  “Could you really appear to me outside of my dreams?”

  “I could try.”

  “Would you be as real as anybody else?”

  “Do you want me with you outside of your mind?”

  “I think so.” I wring my hands together.

  “You must be sure.” His voice rumbles urgently. “If not, nothing will happen.”

  “I . . .” Here’s my chance to belong to someone. I’d literally have the man of my dreams. If he appeared to me fully, then would I believe in him?

  He waits. A breeze ripples through his navy shirt, and ruffles his hair. The sun picks up the gold flecks in his eyes, making them brighter.

  “I don’t know any man like you. I mean, Carl is nice and all, but he’s not you. I’m not making sense.”

  “You want someone like you’ve read about in books and fairy-tales. Someone who sweeps you off your feet.” His hand takes mine and he squeezes it.

  How does he know? “Exactly. Anyway, in thirty years I’ve never met anyone who was right. Maybe I’m expecting too much.” The familiar loneliness sweeps through me. I hold back the tears. The roar of the ocean blots out the sound of my pounding heart. If only I could belong to Monroe, then I wouldn’t be all alone anymore. It would be different with him, right? But, we come from different worlds. Why doesn’t he want someone from his world? Why me?

  “You’re not expecting too much.” He breaks through my thoughts, his voice low. “You’re expecting me.”

  “What!”

  He kisses my palm. “I know because I’ve waited for someone like you for my entire life.”

  No one’s ever said that to me before. “You have?”

  “Sasha,” he says, his strong hands framing my face, “I’ve existed without someone to love in the Third Realm for over thirty years. I always knew the woman meant for me would be different. Love seemed unattainable. Yet, I hoped.” His thumbs stroke my cheeks. “You’re the woman I’ve waited for. I want you to desire me as much as I desire you.”

  “I hardly know you.” My voice wavers. Oh, if I could have you . . .

  “Give us a chance. You’ll get to know me.”

  “I guess. Could you tell me about yourself?” That might give me a chance to regain my composure.

  “My name is Monroe Dubay. I own several lands in the Third Realm. My family is of the Lion Lineage . . . meaning . . .” He clears his throat. “If I choose, I can turn myself into a lion—but only in the Third Realm. I can’t do that anywhere else. We’re one of the royal families of the Third Realm, which automatically makes me one of the nine Council members who govern the realm. I don’t see my younger brother, Rowin, and his family very often.” A twinge of regret flickers in his eyes. “I have a friend, Bast, who’s a man-beast jackal, and has a wife named Alexia.”

  “Sounds like a fairy-tale.” A longing fills me. What I’d give to be a part of that happily-ever-after.

  He visibly relaxes. “Where do you suppose they came from? The Third Realm helps writers, especially those of fairy-tales, come up with ideas. Most humans can’t grasp the concept of the Third Realm so they attribute everything to imagination.”

  “What makes you think I can?”

  “Something I’ve sensed from you suggests a capacity to understand things unfathomable to others.”

  “It’s a lovely story.” I poke my toe into the sand. I want to believe, with all my heart. Yet, the teacher side of me argues it goes against everything I’ve studied about literature and stories.

  “I assure you, it’s all true.”

  “Perhaps. Except, I’m a rational being,” I insist. Who am I’m trying to convince? Me, or him?

  “Yet, you secretly love the stories. It’s how I’m able to appear to you.”

  “I always did hope.” The instructor inside me screams for me to stop talking nonsense. Somehow, I can’t seem to stop myself. “I’ve wished for a great love. You know, like in Cinderella or Snow White. Despite everything, I’ve never shaken the hope I’d meet someone special.” Special, but I know fairy-tale princes are only found in stories. The unspoken words play in my mind. A hole forms around my toe, and the sand sprinkles over my foot. I let the grains fall between my toes. “There’ve been men who liked me. However, in the end, I wasn’t what they wanted. I thought I gave up the Prince Charming fantasy when I was a teenager, after the accident.”

  “What happened?” he asks.

  I drag i
n a breath. “I was at my best friend Melody’s house for a sleepover. A drunk driver hit my parents, then ran into a pole. They were rushed to the emergency room, but the doctors couldn’t do anything for them. The driver was arrested.” My blood boils and tears threaten. I won’t cry. “It’s unjust! Even now I wonder if it was just a bad dream. My dad’s sister and her family moved in for a while until I went away to college.” The tears spill over. “Why did the drunk driver survive when my parents didn’t?”

  I swipe the tears from my cheeks, embarrassed that after all these years the whole event still affects me so deeply. The waves from the ocean crash against the shore, soothing me. Slowly I regain my self-control. “Anyway, I became a high school English teacher. I have friends, although, I mostly keep to myself. I don’t date much. I like books, and music, and a nice cup of tea, and warm, fluffy robes.” I laugh, feeling silly. “I’m babbling.”

  “Babble away. It’s very human and I appreciate your human side. Which is unusual since I find other humans trivial.”

  “Interesting.” I sit down on a log. “Tell me more.”

  He takes the space next to me. “What would you like to know?”

  “What attracts you to me?”

  “Simple. You’re beautiful, smart, and sweet. Also, you have a passion inside. It’s intriguing.” His eyes sparkle. “I know you aren’t attracted to me. I hope in time that changes.”

  “What makes you think I’m not?” I cover my face with my hands, blushing.

  He pulls my hands from my face. “You are?”

  My emotions a jumble, I nod.

  “Then, what attracts you to me?”

  “I’d rather not.”

  “Please.”

  The earnestness in his expression melts my defenses. I can feel my cheeks flame. “You’re . . . nice to look at.”

  “You wound me.” I hear the amusement in his voice. “Just nice to look at?”

  I twist around, my back facing him. “Fine. You’re sexy.”

  He chuckles. “Please continue.”

  “Do I have to?” Nerves jump around in my stomach.

  “Yes, I want to know what else.”