by E. A. Weston
“That was a long time ago,” I smile.
“Yes, it was but it was wonderful. I often thought I would like to stay in this realm for a while but it doesn’t feel the same,” she looks at me.
“I understand, it’s the same for me. Being here in my childhood home is hard. I keep expecting my parents home any minute but I have to remind myself that they are gone. It seems the pain never fully goes away but we find, over time that we learn to live with it.”
“You sound very wise Reagan,” Aurelia smiles at me. “I fear I never thought of your pain while being here, I am only thinking of my own,” she sighs. “Forgive me, Reagan?”
“Don’t worry about it, I’m a big girl now and I can take it,” I grin over at her.
Some of the sadness leaves her eyes but weariness still remains.
“Are you looking forward to seeing Killian again?” I ask.
“Goddess, yes,” she replies. “I have missed him so and I should like to have a talk with him but first I just want to hold my brother again.”
“Me too,” I reply quietly. “And Avery?”
Aurelia hesitates for a few seconds, “I would very much like to hold him too, but I fear I have forgotten what he looks like or how he smells,” she says.
“Yeah, I understand that,” I say snuggling into the jacket more.
“I am afraid Reagan,” she whispers and I turn toward her.
“Of?” I prompt.
“Of Avery, of him seeing me after so long. I do not know if he will feel the same as he once did.”
“I can tell you, Aurelia, when he spoke about you that one time it seemed hard for him and I could see the pain in his eyes. So I’d say he misses you as much as you miss him.”
“Yes but does he still love me?” she asks, blinking away tears.
Climbing off the chair, I kneel down in front of her and take her hands in mine, “I’m positive Aurelia, Avery still loves you I just know it.” I can’t do or say much more because all I am going on is that one encounter with him when we danced but I just know in my gut that I’m right.
After last night my emotions are all screwed up, one minute I’m fine and the next I feel tremendous sadness.
It’s killing me and I want to scream.
Brokk is insisting on keeping up his training so we have all trekked to the woods by Killian’s apartment. I watch as Brokk and Aurelia begin to spar, Claudia is standing by the tree smiling as she looks up at its canopy above. I swear she has lost her mind. Scrubbing my face in agitation, I walk toward the apartment and climb the stairs. Once inside, my shoulders deflate as I sink back against the door. Closing my eyes, I take deep breaths until I feel a little better then, begin to walk through the apartment. In the bedroom I watch out of the window at Brokk and Aurelia, Claudia is still by the tree looking like a loon.
I watch the sparring for another while concentrating on their movements, learning what I can from observing. I hope that when we get back to Avalon, I will be able to help, and not be a hindrance when we start to fight. I have no doubt that every fairy will be involved in this battle and one, most of all will be at the top of my list. I just pray to their Goddess that he will survive and we find each other again.
Chapter 28
Killian
* * *
Orin and I have spent the last two days drawing up plans and ways to gather as many fairies as we can to join our army. Avery is helping to train those that need it while Nerida and Elvia are helping gather supplies for the armory. Fayette is a force behind the female fairies, helping to make body armor to protect them from the wounds they will surely receive if the battle goes against us.
“I have another collection to make, my prince,” Orin says.
“Yes, indeed,” I nod as he leaves my room and heads out to meet with potential fairies. The word is slowly beginning to spread among those in hiding that we can offer shelter and a chance to take back the kingdom. Many that have come are too weak to fight but I cannot turn away my people. Two moons ago three of my fellow warriors entered Tenebrosi, it was hard to see them again after such a long absence but we soon picked up our training and I have to admit my arm is slightly sore.
Each night since our bond broke I see Reagan in my dreams, smiling and laughing. She appears carefree to me, something she never did here only back in the human realm in the forest. It causes me to ache in ways I never thought possible, ways that leave me feeling empty and hurt at the same time. The physical pain of the bond no longer consumes me but I would rather have it than this hollowness. At least, with physical pain, I know that we are connected but with this…I do not feel anything.
“My prince,” Avery says pulling me from my thoughts.
“Yes?”
“Time to eat, I fear that you will starve to death before we set off,” he teases but I see the hint of worry in his eyes.
“I can assure you, Avery, I shall never starve,” I smile.
Avery and I pile our plates then sit under the oak trees, I can’t help but wonder if he likes to sit here as a reminder of when Ari used to train with us back at the castle. We eat in silence and I scan the crowded green. The number of fairies has risen in the last few weeks and it is a little harder to feed all of them when our supplies are limited. Samiel works hard with the female fairies, training them with staffs so they can, at least, protect themselves. I know they are no weak females but we are still male and our first instinct is to protect them but my duty expands beyond that, beyond just this hidden warrior camp. I must protect the whole of Avalon and keep each, and every fairy safe.
“What are you thinking about?” Avery asks.
“Everything,” I sigh.
We do not continue with the conversation but turn silent again as we finish our meals. I catch a glimpse of pink in my peripheral vision, Avery sighs from beside me as Tatiana approaches. Ever since Reagan left camp, she has resumed her perusal of me.
“My prince,” she sings taking a seat beside me.
“Tatiana,” I nod in greeting.
“I must return to the armory,” Avery says, leaving me alone.
“How are you?” she asks.
My heart sinks to my stomach and I move my food to the ground between us, half of it still unfinished.
“I am well Tatiana,” I reply.
“Good,” she smiles moving my food and getting closer to me.
“Well, I must return to work,” I tell her, about to get up but her hand on my arm stops me.
“Killian, please, do not run from me,” she says sadly.
I feel bad for trying to do just that, “I’m not,” I lie.
Her frown tells me that she knows anyway, “please,” she says. “I know that you long for the human but she is gone Killian and you need someone with you when you take back the kingdom,” she says.
“Do I?”
“Of course, you do!” she gasps. “I fear that many fairies will bring you trouble if you are alone ruling Avalon. It has never been done before.”
“I do not fear such things Tatiana, I am sure many fairies will be happy to have my bloodline back in charge,” I tell her, losing my patience.
“You used to be a lot nicer Killian and many fairies have noticed this. They whisper and I listen. How can they follow you when you are unfriendly?”
“Unfriendly?” I question, allowing my eyes to travel beyond Tatiana. I can see some of the fairies watching us. Some glancing back and forth, and some just plainly ignoring us. I’m pretty sure that I am friendly although these last few weeks without Reagan has been weighing on my mind terribly not to mention the worry I have, knowing that I will most likely be the cause of many of these fairies to lose their lives.
“Excuse me,” I mumble as I begin to leave but she is right beside me, keeping pace as I return to my dwelling. “Tatiana, I must return to work now,” I smile before closing the door behind me.
“I will see you tonight,” she says through the wood.
In my sitting room, Avery glanc
es up from his seat when I enter.
“Did you eat?” he asks like my mother used to.
With a sigh, I drop into the chair refusing to answer.
“That is what I feared,” he says.
“Stop trying to fatten me up Avery. I have been surviving on human food for over a hundred years, it will take some time to get used to our food again.”
“Indeed,” he grunts. “I think we should discuss when you plan to take back the castle.”
“I have not decided that yet, I am waiting to see how many more fairies Orin can bring to us. We need more that are capable of fighting, not that I have anything against females fighting but I would prefer if they didn’t have to.”
“Yes, I feel the same way,” he answers.
Leaving my house, we practice with our fellow warriors. Once again, I am aching after hours of sword practice with very few breaks but my arm is stronger than before and I can feel within myself the fluid movements I was once taught. By nightfall, Orin returns looking grim. His eyes are dull and from the way he is walking I can tell the news is not good.
“My prince,” he bows in front of me.
“What’s happened?” I ask.
“I fear we have lost two of our scouts, my prince.”
“How?” I ask, feeling anger swell inside of me.
“They were captured by a hunting party close to the castle about two days ago,” he tells me.
“Do we know who captured them?”
“No, just that two were ambushed from the trees while Durin managed to stay hidden among some bushes.”
My eyes scan the camp again and I wonder just how many of these fairies will be able to help fight and just how many will survive. “Do we know anything about these captors?”
“Yes, my prince. They wear all black and cover their faces too while out of the castle. It is unknown if they are Tenebrosi but I suspect that some of them are, considering the training and abilities they possess.”
“Thank you, Orin,” I sigh, turning to leave.
My head aches and my shoulders sag with the weight of worry. I’m not sure how my father did it. How he ruled a land and kept it peaceful. I have never known Avalon to be anything but. However, now, all I see from fairies is fear and sadness that they cannot live the way we are supposed to. Yes, they smile and act carefree but behind the color in their eyes I can see the pain, I can feel it from them and that makes me angry all over again.
I need to come up with a plan soon, a plan that will minimize the amount of deaths and allow me to take back my home but no matter what, lives will be lost and I will be responsible for them. This time, I will fight like I should have done all that time ago, I just hope my mother and father can offer me strength from the other world and I pray the Goddess gives me the ability to conquer my enemy.
Chapter 29
Reagan
* * *
After a while, I make my way back down to the green with bottles of water for everyone. It was the only thing I left in Killian’s fridge. Passing them out I frown at Claudia, who looks murderous.
“What’s happened?” I ask sitting on the grass beside her.
“Some fairy insists on testing my patience,” she snaps quietly.
I glance across her toward Brokk and find him in a similar mood. Aurelia looks caught in the middle of everything and I feel a bit sorry for her. The afternoon sun has slid behind the trees making it chilly in this hidden green. I can feel the goosebumps rise on my skin even through the jacket.
“Who wants to fight me?” I ask, jumping up from my position. All three of them look at me doubtfully. “Seriously?” I ask.
“I will,” Aurelia smiles.
We walk away from the two moody fairies and gather the staffs. I test the weight of it in my hand like Samiel had taught me. Aurelia does the same and we smile at each other. We face each other and I take up my stance, slightly bent knees, and feet, shoulder width apart. Aurelia swings at me and I jump back, my nerves are a little high but I take a deep breath and swing back.
The staffs clash sending vibrations up my arms and into my skull. We swing and jump, dancing around. Aurelia is pretty unassuming with her small stature deceiving against the inner strength she possesses. We keep circling and swinging, neither one of us giving up, everything Samiel instilled in me on that beach comes to the forefront of my mind. I can picture him in my minds eye, each blow he delivered, and each laugh after I landed on my ass.
“You have been trained well,” Aurelia says breathing heavily.
“Yeah,” I pant. “Samiel is good.”
“Who is Samiel?” she questions. “I thought my brother would have helped you.”
“No, he didn’t. He and Avery trained together,” I reply, remembering all those times I was sent away. Not paying attention allows Aurelia to land a firm blow to my shoulder. The pain ricochets up to my head and I rock on my feet. Spots appear before my eyes and blink furiously to clear my vision.
“Oh,” Aurelia gasps. Her small hands grip my upper arms, steadying my swaying body. “Goddess, are you okay?”
“Yeah, great,” I whisper. “Give me a sec.”
Claudia and Brokk are beside us in a heartbeat. Claudia takes my arm helping me to lie down on the grass.
“I’m fine, I just didn’t expect it,” I tell her.
“I know you are,” she smiles but checks my head anyway.
Once my vision returns to normal, I sit up and look around. Three fairies stare at me with worried expressions. With my eyebrow raised, I glance at each of them wondering what they are staring at.
“You guys okay?” I ask standing.
“Yes, but are you?” Claudia asks, peering into my eyes.
“Yeah,” I reply. Pushing her out of my face, I complain, “get back.”
“Regan?” Aurelia says.
“What?”
“How do you feel?” she asks with a smile.
“Fine but that was some hit, you’re stronger than you look,” I smile back.
“Yes, she is,” Claudia scowls. I don’t get why she is acting so weird she never behaved like this before, even masquerading as a teenager. “Come, we should get home.”
“Yeah, what time is it anyway?” I ask looking up at the dark sky with a frown. “How long have we been here?”
“Too long,” Brokk sighs.
I look at him and note the tiredness around his blue eyes, his skin seems a shade paler too now that I am looking at him a little closer than before. We walk back to Killian’s apartment where I parked his car, climbing inside everyone remains quiet. My head still hurts a little but I don’t get it, Aurelia whacked my shoulder.
“I have a headache,” I announce, deciding in that second I should stop at the drug store for some Advil. Claudia jumps out of the car with me, her glamor already on, but I still see her as a fairy now. Inside, the bright lights hurt my eyes making my head pound more. I grab the large bottle of painkillers and watch Claudia mess with the sunglasses.
“You do know it’s winter right?” I tease as walk by her.
“Yes but do you,” she snorts, grabbing a pair of ugly ass glasses.
She drops them on the counter with my pills and I end up paying for them for her. Outside she begins to pull the price tag off, throwing it in the trash before handing me the glasses.
“No thanks,” I push her hand away.
“Put them on Reagan,” she uses her ‘adult’ voice, commanding, as she holds them out to me.
“Jeez calm down miss bossy pants,” I smile taking her gift and putting them on my face. They actually make things look better to my surprise. “Thanks,” I smile over the roof of the car at her.
“Drive,” she barks with a hint of teasing in her voice.
Once home I feel exhausted and flop onto the sofa as the others mill about, talking about food and showers. Claudia is like a mother hen, showing Aurelia where the towels are and extra blankets. I know it should be me but I just can’t move right now and the pain in my
head is growing into a migraine. Before I can summon the will to move, Claudia appears holding a glass of water and my Advil.
“Thanks,” I sigh taking them from her. “I wish I had your speed, imagine how fast I could shower and get into bed,” I sigh.
“Yes,” she answers looking at me.
Swallowing my pills she helps me up to my room where I collapse onto the bed. Claudia fusses in the bathroom before returning and standing over me.
“Stop,” I mumble into my pillow. “You’re being freaky.”
“Are you getting into that bed or just slobbering on it?” she asks with hands on hips.
“God, what is wrong with you?” I moan, lifting my feet up onto the bed.
“You can’t sleep half on the bed and half on the floor,” she replies.
“I’m on the bed now, relax.”
She climbs into the spare bed that is otherwise known as her bed and watches me. Her face shows no emotion but her sparkly eyes shine like little mini flashlights, it’s a bit spooky.
“Hey Claudia,” I half call out.
“Yes?”
“How old are you?” I ask.
With a frown, she dips her head slightly, “old by your standards.”
“Really? Well, you still look about twelve,” I tell her with a grin.
She smirks at my teasing before answering, “add a few zero’s.”
“What? Like one hundred and twenty?” I ask.
“No,” she sighs. “One thousand two hundred.”
“Get the hell!” I choke on my disbelief. “No way, I don’t believe you.”
“Why?”
“Eh, because have you looked in a mirror lately?” I ask.
“Of course, I have,” she answers but fixes her hair anyway. Rolling my eyes, I laugh at her.
“I mean you don’t look it.”
“I know what you mean Reagan, I am very aware of human culture,” she says.
I catch the hint of teasing from her. “I missed you, Claudia,” I whisper.
