Treachery

by E. A. Weston

  Killian looks back to me, his eyes soften a little as he steps my way.

  “No Killian,” shaking my head I step away. “Samiel did nothing wrong, he gave me something to smile about today that’s all.”

  Walking away from them, my eyes try hard to focus as I stride back to my room. Grabbing my purse and my new nightdress, I march myself across to one of the empty living quarters. I am used to living in a house full of ghosts, so being here in this place will be no different.

  Dropping my bag onto the bed, I pull off the leather training gear replacing it with my own – real – clothes. Lifting my fairy chain, I stare at it running my finger over the pearl that fits neatly into her hands, wishing Claudia was here. Wishing anyone was here who was allowed to befriend me.

  “Reagan?” Killian calls my name as he opens the door, stepping into the dusty room. “Why are you in here?” he asks looking around.

  “Why do you care?” I retort.

  “Princess, please. Samiel has been relieved of his guard duty and has gone unpunished.” He tells me.

  “What do you mean unpunished? What were you going to do him?” feeling a little pissed I want to defend this fairy.

  “Nothing Reagan, I would have done nothing.” He takes a seat beside me brushing my hair off my shoulder. “I am so afraid of losing you again, seeing you in his arms scared me to death.”

  “Killian, he was only giving me a birthday present” I sigh, looking around the room.

  “Princess,” he gasps making me turn to him, he is staring at me smiling.

  “What?”

  “Today is summer solstice, a day we need to have a double celebration.”

  “Yeah Samiel beat you to it,” I say, standing to pace the room. Killian’s smile leaves his face as he looks at me.

  “Are you falling for him?” he asks worriedly.

  My laughter rings out around the small room, “are you insane? It took me months to fall for you so why the hell would I look for another fairy when the one I want is right here, even if I can’t have him.” My voice loses its laughter and I watch his face.

  “I am sorry we can’t stay together.”

  “Are you?” I ask, feeling a little rejected, I died. I guess and you’d think he’d want to stay beside me after that.

  “Yes, I am Reagan. I have explained that we cannot just live together. It is not how it’s done here. This is not the human world. We cannot live together without being married.”

  “Well, I think we have pretty much done all the things married people do, Killian.” We look at each other for a few minutes in silence.

  “Why are you in here?” he asks.

  “I’m moving in.” Shaking his head lets out a long sigh.

  “Reagan what is going on with you?” he looks tired, his eyes don’t shine and his lips are paler than normal.

  “I want to be alone, if I can’t live with the person I love because of some archaic rule then I’ll live alone.”

  Standing, he leaves the small house without another word. My anger kicks in and I want to scream, so I do. Fuck this place, I thought it was going to be magical and beautiful, a place where Killian and I could be happy. It’s not, though, it’s lonely and strange, and I want a coffee. Lying on the dusty bed, I stare at the ceiling for a long time, my body hurts now that I have time to think about it. Climbing off the bed I go in search of Elvia, maybe she can help with one of her magical baths.

  Opening the door of the house, I find all of the fairies buzzing around. “Hi,” I smile, at Fayette, who is dancing by herself.

  “Reagan you’re back, hurry we must get you ready for tonight,” she sings pulling me into the dance with her.

  “Why what’s tonight?” I joke with her.

  “It is summer solstice and we have Prince Killian home,” she sings, twirling me around with her. Elvia walks into the room wearing a dress of deep green setting her golden hair and eyes off.

  “Wow you look beautiful Elvia,” I smile, at her and she twirls for me. “I came to see if I could borrow you,” I ask, but she frowns at me. “Oh, I wanted a bath and some of the nice fire bush stuff.” I smile feeling a little embarrassed. Elvia smiles, taking my hand she says something to Fayette, and we leave walking over to the bathing house.

  My body gladly sinks into the hot water as Elvia pours the sweet scent into it. I stay for a long time before she pulls me out complaining about being in the water enough already. We walk back to the house to find Fayette and Nerida waiting.

  “We must hurry sunset is almost upon us,” Nerida says.

  Elvia begins to pull my robe off as Fayette pulls a dress over my head. She secures it with a gold circular choker and adds another just under my chest giving my breasts a nice lift. Nerida is pulling my hair in every which way but in the end, she just sighs and leaves it down, placing another chain around my head with something cold lying on my forehead. After they have finished, they all squeal in delight turning me to see the mirror.

  At first I don’t recognize myself, my skin looks clean and clear, like porcelain and they put me an almost see through blue dress. It is so weightless I feel naked and the chain around my head has a blue stone dangling in front. I look amazing.

  “Wow you really do know magic,” I smile at them.

  “Come, we must hurry if want to see the prince,” Nerida says excitedly.

  We all leave the house, walking towards the training ground, where a massive fire sits unlit in the middle of the grounds. I can smell food all around, making the air that much sweeter. Fayette grips my hand and leans in close.

  “Do you think the prince will dance with me?” she asks and I laugh.

  “I don’t know why?”

  “Well, in the past he would only dance with his sister the princess or Tatiana.” She pulls a face. My heart sinks a little as we stop in the crowd waiting for Killian to arrive. I spot four chairs up on a dais. Walking up towards it Fayette pulls me to a stop.

  “No that is for the royal family we do not sit there,” She says.

  “It’s okay Fayette you can stay if you like, I just want to see better,” I explain but she stays with me, as I get closer. I spot Tatiana on the other side wearing a yellow dress, her pink hair, and wings standing out against the color. The fairies all wait as the door to Avery’s house opens and he steps outside followed by Killian and two others. My jaw drops at the sight of him, he is wearing black pants and a blue top almost like my dress. His hair is cut short and I want to cry, his wings are fully extended but his eyes are sad.

  “Wow,” I tell him, making his head snap up searching for me. I duck behind Fayette to mess with him but his eyes search anyway.

  “You have seen me, now I should have the pleasure of seeing you.”

  “Nope, you will have to wait.”

  He smirks, as he stops in front of the chairs and his eyes look over all the fairies standing here. His words ring out as he speaks, sending shivers up my spine.

  “I welcome you all to celebrate the beginning of summer with me. It is with a mixture of pride and grief that I light the fire tonight. Goddess, bless the King, Queen, and Princess of Avalon.”

  The fairies murmur back to him as he takes the torch held by Avery but before he steps to the fire, he speaks again.

  “Many of you know, that when I came back to Avalon, I brought a human girl with me. She is celebrating her name day today with us, and I would like to have her beside me.”

  My heart thumps as I press into Fayette’s back and she quickly calls out telling him, I am over here. Pushing me out from behind her back she nudges me forward, Killian stares at me as I walk.

  “Wow,” his voice whispers.

  As I approach, he takes my hand and we walk to the fire together setting it ablaze. The fairies cheer and music begins.

  “You are beautiful princess,” he tells me, gripping my hand tighter as we make it back up to the chairs.

  “Thank you, so are you,” I smile back at him. Our eyes stay locked on on
e another for a long time as we sit down, his hand still in mine.

  “I have a gift for you.” Reaching into his pocket he produces a blue stone. Taking it, I frown at him.

  “You just bought this at the store.”

  Wondering why the hell he is giving it to me when I sold it to him. Winking at me he takes it back holding it close to his mouth he whispers to it. I watch him, feeling foolish because really, what is trying to do here.

  “Now, when you go to bed tonight hold it your ear and listen.” Handing it back to me I scratch my head.

  “Oh okay,” I answer and he laughs shaking his head.

  “So suspicious princess.” Reaching over he touches the stone dangling from my head. “Beautiful,” he whispers again. We are so engrossed in each other we don’t notice the line of fairies standing below us.

  “Reagan will you dance with me?” turning, I see Avery smiling holding out his hand, placing my hand into it I stand, Killian quickly touches my back.

  “I’m next princess,” He warns as Tatiana approaches him. Avery and I dance around the fire twirling and spinning, he throws me up into the air, catching me as I land.

  “Killian tells me you are his true mate,” Avery says, as we dance around.

  “Yes, we believe so.”

  “Forgive me but how is this possible? I have never heard of a human and fairy being true mates.”

  “I don’t know Avery maybe it's new,” I smile, “how about you?” I ask, changing the subject. “Have you found your true mate?”

  His step falters a little as he looks at me “yes a long time ago,” he answers spinning me once more straight into Killian’s waiting arms.

  “Hello,” he says, wrapping his arms around my waist.

  “Hello to you too.” His smile widens as he takes in my dress and hair.

  “You look so beautiful, all you need are your blue wings,” he teases.

  “Oh I should have brought them, then we could be together,” I whisper, pulling him closer so I can press my chest against his. He groans from deep within his chest, sliding his hand up my back into my hair.

  “I want to kiss you, princess,” he whispers.

  Chancing a glance, I see everyone is busy dancing or eating so I press my lips to his quickly.

  “That will have to do,” I sigh, wanting more myself, leaning his forehead against mine he sighs too.

  “I can get down on my knee right now Reagan.”

  “I see you cut your hair,” I change the subject. He nods smiling at me.

  “I will ask you one day, be prepared princess because I will not take no for an answer.” He laughs, spinning me around. I catch Fayette watching us.

  “Hey, can you do me a favor?”

  “Anything you want princess.”

  “Will you dance with Fayette?” I ask, making him pull back away from me.

  “Trying to get rid of me so soon?” he teases.

  “No, never, but she is in love with you,” I smile at him making him laugh.

  “Only because I love you, princess.”

  Waving Fayette over, I introduce them, her hand, shakes when he takes it. Leaving them, I walk over to the food looking for the green one Killian gave me. Finding it I take a piece. Samiel is also eating, so I walk over to him.

  “Wanna dance?” I ask, nudging him with my elbow, his eyes widen as he backs away a little.

  “No thank you.” He bows as he retreats from me.

  “We need to talk mister.”

  “Oh my love, I fear I am in trouble.”

  Killian’s voice has a playful tone to it but little does he know. Walking back towards the chairs another fairy asks me to dance so I do. We spin around and laugh as I bump into a few people, my head is fuzzy and I feel drunk but I haven’t touched any alcohol.

  “What’s your name?” I ask as we stop dancing.

  “Orin my lady.” Taking my hand, he kisses my knuckles and winks at me, his red eyes glowing like embers in a fire. He walks me back to where Killian and Avery sit watching. Killian looks relaxed as I approach but sits up straighter when he sees Orin on my arm.

  “Reagan?” Killian says, taking me from Orin and sitting me on the chair. “You okay?” he asks, resting his hand on my knee.

  “Careful someone might see,” my words slur a little. Killian arches an eyebrow at me.

  “Have you been drinking the wine?” he asks.

  Shaking my head no, I tell him I only ate the green fruit that he liked. He and Avery laugh at me. Pouting, I cross my arms over my chest.

  “Don’t pout Reagan, you know I can’t resist it,” he teases. Taking my hands he pulls me up, “time for bed princess.” My eyes widen and a smile grows on my face, “no Reagan.”

  “Fine, goodnight, I don’t love you anyway.”

  I sulk walking back to my little dusty house. I can hear him laughing behind me. Walking inside I stop, noticing furniture in the room and a new bed, which I immediately jump onto. Lying down, the world spins. Remembering the stone, I take it out and put it to my ear, nothing happens so for some reason I shake it and listen again.

  “Open the window,” I hear Killian’s whisper from the stone. Holding it in my hand I stare at it, a tap on the window makes me crawl over to it, opening it Killian climbs inside.

  “You’re the fairy prince of this place and you have to sneak in my window?” grabbing me down onto the bed he smiles at me.

  “It’s more fun that way,” he says, as his lips descend onto mine.

  Chapter 3

  Lying in Killian’s arms again gives me an inner peace I never expected. His fingers travel up and down my arm causing goose bumps.

  “Can I have Samiel back?”

  Killian kisses my head and sighs, “anything you want princess.”

  “Why did you not tell me you are the only living member of the royal family?” turning, I rest my chin on his chest to see his face.

  “I wanted too but I wanted to see if you really were mine.”

  “Ah in case I was royal gold digger?” I wink, scratching my nails across his chest. His quiet laughter shakes his chest and my head, “no you are too independent for that princess.”

  “So if I marry you will I become princes?”

  “No, when you marry me you will become my wife.” He taps my nose smiling at me.

  “Okay, I believe you,” I tease, sliding up higher to kiss him. “I wish you could come live here with me.”

  “I know you do but I promise I will sneak in your window as often as I can,” his lips brush off my neck sending ripples of pleasure down my spine.

  “Why do I feel like this?” I whisper.

  “Like what?” he looks confused.

  “Like I can’t get enough of you, I feel like half of me is missing when we are apart, it’s so intense it makes me angry.” The feeling inside me is pulsing like a heart beat, dying to get out and break free.

  “I don’t know why you feel that way, but I will tell you I like the sound of it.”

  He murmurs against my neck. The sky outside the window is beginning to lighten. He kisses a trail back to my lips sealing them with his own.

  “I must leave princess, I fear I may be seen if I don’t.” Nodding, I watch him dress as I whisper into the stone.

  “You never told me about the stone,” I say, handing it to him.

  “It is a whisper stone, I enchanted it to receive messages.” He smiles at me, “usually it is for secret lovers who cannot be together.”

  Stepping closer, I place it into his hand and kiss him goodbye.

  “I will see you on the training field,” I tell him, opening the window with a smile. As soon as he is gone I climb back onto my bed and allow the ache of his absence to consume me. I have no idea why this is happening to me, I have always been an easy- going person and never wanted to be crowded, but each time he leaves I feel like I crumble into a pile of ashes.

  I wait for a little while before I dress in the soft leather training gear, tying my hair up
in a knot I make my way to the field. I don’t feel Killian near which disappoints me. Looking around, I see blue hair ducking up and down so I make my way over.

  “Fayette,” I smile at her.

  “Hello Reagan,” she smiles at me as I watch her jump around.

  “Can you help me today?” I ask, feeling a little out of it already.

  “Of course, we will start with exercises to loosen you up then we can continue with grappling, hand-to-hand and some swordplay.” She grins at me as she lays out our plan for today.

  Having no idea about fighting, I just nod my head and follow her lead. She runs me through some stretches and defensive moves, blocks, and how to stand without losing my balance. Then she pounces, sending me on my ass in about two seconds flat.

  “You must be ready at all times,” She scolds, pulling me up off the soft grass.

  We stand to face each other and begin again; my hands move fast to keep up with her. I have no idea where my speed is coming from but I am really happy I have it. We punch and block as we circle each other, her fists coming at me fast, lifting my arm I block the punch but feel the pain of the blow.

  As the sun moves across the sky, we end our first lesson for the morning. Taking a seat beneath an oak tree, we drink our water.

  “You are a fast learner Reagan,” Fayette smiles as she watches me. Her face bright and happy while I am sure mine is beet red and sweating. “Now, how are you with a sword?” she asks.

  “What?” I cough, “I never seen a sword before.”

  She looks puzzled as she stands. “Then we must introduce you.”

  Holding out her hand she pulls me up and we make our way into one of the buildings. Looking around I am a little nervous, there are weapons of all kinds in here, swords, bow and arrows, staffs and other odd looking contraptions. Fayette grabs two of the biggest swords I have ever seen “perfect!” she says, leading me back outside.

  “Take this,” she throws it at me and I jump out of the way. Her laughter sounding as I bend down to pick it up. “Hold it like so,” she tells me, as she stands with one leg behind her and her hand out front.

  It reminds me of how someone stands if they were fencing. Picking up the sword I groan at the weight of it. How can she hold it so easily when it weighs a ton? Following her lead, I stand how she showed me and wait.