by Kimbra Swain
“You better hold on,” he said. We hit the hill full speed, and I felt the bike drift out from between our legs for a moment. I held on to him out of pure fear. When we hit the ground, my heart pounded out of my chest. He whooped loudly, pumping his fist in the air. “I know. You are going to jerk a knot in my tail, but it was awesome!”
I just laughed. He was getting his one chance to show me what he could do on this death machine. The trail led back to the main road, but he stopped before we got there. He turned off the bike, then turning to me, he took off the helmet. He brushed the tears from my cheek.
“Sorry,” he muttered, even though he didn’t mean it.
“You should be,” I said. “You had your fun.”
“Not really. Unless you tell me you had fun, then I will admit to having fun,” he said.
“You scared me,” I said.
“But did you die?” he asked. I slapped him hard on the arm. He just laughed.
“No, I didn’t,” I said.
“Then you won’t while I’m gone,” he said.
“Oh, don’t think I’m going to be lost without you, Dublin,” I said.
“You will be. Maybe this is just what we need. A little breakup,” he said with a grin.
I laughed at his nonsense because I knew he was just joking around. Maybe it was more truthful than either of us realized. “Either way, I am going to miss you,” I said.
“How about a kiss for the road?” he asked.
“How about Dylan will kill you and never forgive me,” I replied.
“He doesn’t have to know,” he said.
“You aren’t a cheater, Levi,” I said.
“No, but I want to be,” he replied. Another truth that was meant as a joke.
“Go to summer. Find yourself a pretty fairy girl. Just not Riley,” I said.
“I hope I don’t see her,” he muttered. “If I do, it will be to get the book back, and that’s all. I swear it, Grace.”
“Levi, you aren’t bound to me like that. Finley said the binge isn’t what I thought,” I told him.
“Finley should mind his own business,” he grumbled.
“So, it’s true. You aren’t really sleeping with them?” I asked.
“No, just messing around,” he said.
“Messing around could mean a lot of things,” I said.
“No gravy swapping,” he clarified.
My laugh echoed through the forest, and his joined mine. “Just be careful and come home to me,” I said. “Perhaps I would be jealous if some summer fairy girl caught your eye.”
He laid his rough palm on my cheek. “Can I have one wish?” he asked.
“I don’t grant wishes,” I said.
“You can grant this one,” he said.
I sighed. “Okay, what is it?”
“Let me see you,” he said. “The real you.”
I let my glamour fade until I sat before him as Gloriana, daughter of Oberon, queen of the Exiles. He traced one of the silver lines from my tattoo up my arm to my neck. His hand went up into my platinum hair, pushing it behind my ear. He traced over the edge of my ear with his finger feeling the slight tip to them. He grinned, but then pulled my face to his. I tensed, however, I felt him assure me without saying a word that he wouldn’t cross a line. I felt like he already had. He pressed his forehead to mine.
“Levi, that’s enough,” I whimpered. His pull was strong. It was stronger than Malcolm Taggert’s had been. Malcolm was an Unseelie incubus that once tried to ensnare me.
“If you are ever mine, I want you like this. As you should be, not as some glamour hiding your true self. This is the Grace I fell in love with,” he said.
“Let me go,” I muttered.
Gently, he released his hold on me, but I almost tumbled off the bike with the release of power between us. “Sorry. I got carried away,” he said. “There is just one more thing.”
“What is it?” I asked.
“I wrote a book for Dylan. He asked me to do it. It’s sitting on the shelf in your vault. You will know it when you see it. If anything happens to Dylan, you go read that book,” he instructed.
“Why do you think something will happen to him?” I asked.
“He will explain all of that, but before I left, I wanted you to know where to find the book,” he said.
“I’ll just go read it now,” I said.
“No, you won’t. There is a spell on the book. You can’t read it until it’s time for you to read it,” he said.
“This is nonsense,” I said.
“No, it isn’t. Promise me that you will read it,” he said.
“You are coming back to me, and nothing is going to happen to Dylan. He’s risen before, and he will do it again. Can we please stop talking about this?” I begged.
“Yeah,” he said slipping the helmet back on my head. I wrapped my arms around him, holding on for the last mile of the trip. His words echoed around in my head. As you should be, not as some glamour hiding your true self. At one time, my glamour did hide the obvious fairy queen in me. After a while, I got used to the brunette. Granted, the brown eyes I used to hide my turquoise ones had long gone since my father’s power settled into me. However, I always darkened my skin with the hint of a tan along with the dark hair. I never once considered living as Gloriana, because of the evil cold that lurked within her. I had learned to control that part of me. The brunette was a part of me, too. She was the trailer park queen. She was brash and liked her clothes short and tight. Only she wasn’t as much me as she used to be. It was something to think about, but not because Levi wanted me that way. As far as I was concerned, Dylan and I would be together for a very long time.
When we arrived at the church, Dylan and everyone else was there waiting for us. Several girls were waiting on Levi as he climbed off the bike. “Who are they?” I asked.
“Nobody,” he grumbled.
One of the girls rushed up to him. “Levi, I’m going to miss you so much. Will you please call me when you get home?” she gushed.
“Maybe, Melissa,” he said. The young woman had dark brown hair with purple highlights. She wore a country music t-shirt and cowgirl boots. I made a mental note that they were extremely cute and that it was high time I bought a new pair of boots. I knew her from around town, especially at Hot Tin when Nestor would have a live musician playing. Somewhere along the way she clearly had become infatuated with Levi. I couldn’t blame her or any of the other enamored fangirls.
“No, he’s going to call me, Melissa Marx,” another said pushing her out of the way.
Melissa quickly shoved the other girl back. I cleared my throat, and they both stopped. “Sorry,” Melissa muttered.
“I don’t blame you. He’s hot,” I said. She nodded and giggled.
I looked at Dylan who hid his smile behind his ballcap, but not very well. Several of the women pushed forward to hug Levi when Tabitha pulled up in her car. She stepped out gazing at the spectacle. Levi made eye contact with her. Amid giggles, she pushed through the crowd, grabbed Levi by the arm, then dragged him toward the church. There was a collective sigh of disappointment by the whole group. The women drifted back to their vehicles.
“What was that?” Dylan asked. He obviously was as much amused as I was.
“Fan club. I’m a little disappointed that there wasn’t any hair pulling or wrestling,” I said.
“Who knew Tabitha could break it up like that?” he said.
“Don’t mess with Tab,” I smiled.
“Definitely. You ready for this?” he asked.
“Actually, I think I am. He said his goodbye,” I said.
“He’s coming back,” Dylan added as we walked toward the church.
“I certainly hope so,” I replied.
We stepped into the Grove to find Finley in full armor. Tabitha, Nestor, Mable, Betty, and Luther all gathered to say good-bye. Troy and Amanda were here, and Winnie immediately ran to Mark.
“Grace, he can’t wear this,” Finley protested Levi’s jean
s and button-up shirt. Finley held the lute that my father had given Levi. While he was gone, I intended to find him a new guitar. I knew a few fairy crafters around the world, and I was sure I could have something special made for him.
“What do you expect him to wear?” I asked, flicking my wrist. Levi’s clothes changed to a long purple tunic with purple and gold balloon pants. He looked horrified at the ensemble.
“Grace!” he growled.
“You look ridiculous. Is this what you want, Finley?” I asked, ignoring Levi’s protests.
The gathered crowd laughed. “Grace, stop torturing him,” Dylan said.
I waved my hand replacing the pants with trim breeches and a long ornate tunic tied with a silver and blue belt. He looked down at it, cocking his head sideways. I walked over to him as he admired it. “I like this,” he said.
“My father wore something very similar. I always thought he looked royal in it,” I said, as I ran my hand down over the fine silk and velvet tunic. Within the brocade, small snowflakes blended in with the swirls on the trim and belt. “You are winter. You are mine. Don’t forget that.”
He put his hand over mine. “I won’t make a fool of you, at least not on purpose,” he said.
Finley patted him on the back. “Matthew is opening the portal. Let’s get going,” Finley said. “Love ya, Glory.” Finley kissed me on the cheek, as Levi continued to hold my hand to his chest. Dylan walked up beside me.
“You were right,” Levi said to Dylan.
“Of course, I was,” Dylan replied.
“About what?” I asked.
“Tell ya later,” Dylan grinned.
As if Dylan wasn’t even standing there, Levi said, “I love you. I’ll be back.” He leaned in kissing me gently on the cheek. Dylan grunted.
“Levi!” I scolded him quietly. He winked at me, then followed Finley into the portal.
I watched it close behind them, and fear slapped me in the face. My hand found Dylan’s which squeezed as I grabbed it. “He will be back,” he whispered.
“I hope so,” I said. “Why didn’t you punch his face just now?”
“He and I came to an understanding while you slept after the meeting. There is a line, and he won’t cross it,” Dylan said.
“You sure about that?” I asked, knowing about our little motorcycle ride in the woods.
Dylan continued to smile. “If he tried, then good for him. He needed to get it out of his system, but here you are with me as you should be. He’s gone off on an adventure that he needs to have. And I will live my life knowing that there is someone in this world that will love and protect my family should something ever happen to me.”
“Don’t start that,” I protested. “You can’t leave me.”
“I don’t plan on it,” he said with a weak smile.
“Tell me. What’s going on?” I asked.
He kissed me on the forehead. “Not here,” he said, looking around to our friends and family that had arrived to send Finley and Levi off.
“Okay,” I said. We spent time with the people we cared about the most. Nestor, Mable, Tabitha, Betty, Luther, Troy, and Amanda stood talking about their experiences with the summer realm and rumors about the beautiful Queen Rhiannon. Winnie and Mark played in the field between the oaks, laughing at the butterflies floating around their heads. For a moment, everything was almost perfect in Shady Grove. I had to remind myself that this was actually the Otherworld. A small piece carved out for Matthew the druid. From my understanding, it was given to him by Rhiannon herself. His new wife, Robin stood in a long red cloak staring at me. Our last meeting hadn’t been pleasant, but I hoped that somewhere along the way she and I could make amends. She seemed like a very strong woman. I admired that in her. However, I also knew with fairies that not everything was as it seemed.
Troy waited for my response to his question. He looked as though he was preparing himself to bound out of my reach. I looked at Dylan who said, “It’s up to you.”
“If you think you can control her, then let them out of the motel. As long as you or Amanda are with them, I don’t mind. As far as that goes, I think the boy can go wherever he wants. I wish that he would allow me to speak to him,” I said.
“Stephanie has made it very clear that you are to stay away from Devin,” Amanda said.
“Whatever. When is the wedding?” I asked changing the subject.
Amanda smiled at Troy waiting for him to answer. We sat around a table inside Hot Tin. Winnie was running up and down the stairs to Nestor’s apartment with Mark. They were making a ton of racket as most kids do. I enjoyed hearing them play and pretend. I had observed Winnie pretending to be a wolf on several occasions. I knew now it was because her “bestest” friend, Mark, was a wolf. We were at a loss on how to explain that one.
“Saturday,” Troy said.
“What!” I said. “In like three days?”
“Yes, it will be a small ceremony at the church. We, of course, want you guys to be there. I’d like Winnie to be the flower girl,” Amanda said.
“Of course, she will love it,” I replied.
“A sweet little dress is all she needs. Nothing fancy,” she said.
“She has a ton of clothes. Every time her Daddy goes to town, he comes back with something new,” I said, nudging Dylan.
“Spoiled rotten,” Amanda teased.
“Both of them,” I replied.
“Would you stand up with me, Dylan?” Troy asked.
“I’d be honored,” Dylan replied. “I have a sweet little dress I can wear, too.”
“It’s a wonder Levi didn’t kiss you goodbye. I know it’s been a while for you,” I said.
Troy and Amanda laughed. I heard Nestor snickering behind the bar even though his back was turned. Dylan kissed my temple. “With those lips, he could give you a run for your money,” he played back.
“I knew it!” I said. “You okay with him gone? You gonna make it?” I rubbed his shoulders, pretending to be concerned.
“I’ll muddle through somehow,” he said.
“Nestor, can I reserve the bar for Saturday?” I asked.
“Sure,” Nestor said.
“Great! Let me throw you a post-wedding party,” I said. “The hanky-panky can wait a little while.”
They blushed. “That’s very nice, but you don’t have to, Grace,” Amanda said.
“If I’m butting into your plans, you just let me know. But we could use a good shindig,” I said.
“Sounds great,” Troy said.
I was excited to attend a wedding. It had been a very long time. However, it was a keen reminder that I had set a date for my wedding in the fall. I chose it because it was the day that Dylan and I had first been together. It seemed appropriate. Now it just seemed ridiculously far away.
“We will take Stephanie and Devin to the diner. I’ll give Betty a heads-up. Then maybe out to the park or something,” Troy said.
“Call me if you need anything,” Dylan said.
“We got it. Mark! Come on, buddy,” Troy called out to the child.
“Oh, Dad! Can’t I stay and play with Winnie?” he asked.
“Let him stay. We are going back to the trailer. He can meet the brownies,” I said.
“You sure?” Amanda asked.
“Yeah, it will be fine,” I said. “If they get out of hand, Dylan can handle it.”
“You volunteered for this, not me,” Dylan protested.
“Whatever. It’s fine,” I assured Troy.
“Okay. You can stay. Behave yourself!” Troy instructed the boy who jumped up and down with Winnie. They were so excited to be able to play more and meet Bramble and Briar.
“Yes, sir!” Mark said enthusiastically.
The kids continued to play as I finished off my coffee. I gathered the cups for Nestor who insisted on washing them. When I looked at Dylan, he stared at me.
“What?” I asked.
“Just thinking,” he said. I pulled my chair closer to him and sat down
.
“About?”
“How much I love you,” he said.
“Enough to get married the moment Levi and Finley return?” I asked.
“What?” he said surprised.
“I don’t want to wait anymore. I don’t know if you were kidding or not before we tried the protection spell, but I’m not. We should have done it before they left,” I said. Nestor stopped washing dishes to listen in on the conversation. Dylan rubbed his forehead. It worried me. He kept getting this look, and I didn’t know what to attribute it to. I’d never seen him worry like this. “Tell me what is wrong. Now is the time.”
He looked to Nestor who did not respond to him. Nestor’s facial expression did not change. Dylan was on his own. “I’m not hiding something from you to hurt you,” he said.
“I’m not hurt. I’m just worried because you get this look, whatever it is. And it drives me nuts,” I said.
“Come on kids, let’s go upstairs and get some snacks,” Nestor said corralling Winnie and Mark.
“I don’t want to do this here,” he mumbled.
I touched his arm, and suddenly we sat on our own couch in the trailer. He blinked a couple of times, taking in the transport. “Wow, that was smooth. I never felt it,” he said.
“Dylan,” I prompted.
“Yeah, I know,” he sighed leaning back on the couch. He shifted so I could lean on him, but still make eye contact. “I don’t even know how to start this conversation, but I’m going to give it a try.”
“Want me to stay quiet while you tell it?” I offered. A small smile escaped from his otherwise rotten demeanor.
“Yes, please. I am well aware that it will be a great burden to you,” he said. I poked him in the ribs. He cleared his throat preparing himself for whatever it was he had to tell me. “My mother’s people believed in being able to transcend this plane of existence. They did it by various methods, but most of the time it involved some sort of hallucinogen like peyote, morning glory, even cannabis. It was probably used much like the wormwood in your absinthe. Being able to move into that other realm involves giving control of your body to the universe by partaking in the mind-altering drug. Alcohol does the same thing for me. When I drink, I dream. My dreams are about the future,” he explained.
