by E. A. Weston
“Yes,” she laughs. “We are called children and kids too. We would fly sometimes but most fairies don’t bother.” She shrugs. “But the summer before,” she sighs. “The summer before, that summer, Killian’s wings grew bigger. My father was so proud of him but Killian didn’t want anyone to see them.”
“Why?” I ask, wanting any tidbit of information on the younger Killian.
“He was ashamed, he thought that his wings were wrong. He locked himself in his rooms for a long time, refusing to eat with us or even join in any royal business with my father. My father was anxious about him but he said that we must allow Killian time to get used to the splendor of his wings and the gift that they were.”
“What do you mean gift. Don’t all fairies have wings?” I’m confused.
“Yes we do but my brother’s wings are larger and stronger than all other fairies, even my father. I wish he could have seen my father's face after he discovered that his son was destined to be a great warrior. The pride was unmistakable and my mother had a permanent smile on her face. She and my father would often talk and guess what destiny Killian was to take but we now know,” she finishes sadly.
“Sounds like you were really close with your parents,” I smile at her.
“Yes, we were a very close family. My father was kind and generous. Many believed that as a king, you should keep a firm hold on your subjects with restrictions. But my father did not rule that way, he allowed our people to do what they willed once they did not break our laws. He was a most beloved king and my mother was a wonderful queen, she would often sit with ailing fairies as they waited to travel to the land of eternity. She always felt a terrible sadness afterward but she never stopped.
She would smile and give words of love to those waiting to leave. Once gone their family would sit with my mother for a while sharing stories of the fairy’s life. My mother also looked forward to the summer solstice, it was a special time for her. Her family was of the summer court making the sun their symbol of love and strength. I could see the light in her eyes shine brighter as the solstice approached. Fairies would travel from all over the realm to join the celebration, some even returned from the human realm to celebrate for one night.”
“So some fairies live here?” I ask.
“Yes, many fairies do, as I said my father did not hold his people back. They were free to live in our world or yours.” She says.
The wheels in my mind begin to turn. Maybe my parents befriended a fairy and that’s how we got to Avalon. I wonder if they told my mom the story too and maybe that’s how she got that box but didn’t Killian say it was a gift between lovers. I’d be pissed off if I found out my mom was cheating on dad with a fairy. I get that they are seriously hot and would make even the most dedicated lover think about straying but that doesn’t mean you should.
“Killian flew with me,” I blurt out. “We went camping and I got lost after…anyway, he found me and he took me flying with him.”
“He is magnificent. I would tire easily and he would hold onto me,” Aurelia says.
“I miss him,” I tell her. “I didn’t think I could miss anyone more than my parents but I think he is taking the top spot,” I smile.
“Yes, I miss him too. It is hard to believe that all, this time, he has been alive and living here with you.”
“Not all the time,” I say. “We only met last year but it feels like I’ve known him longer, maybe, I don’t know. Perhaps it's just the loneliness talking.”
“I am happy you knew as soon you did. Avery and I denied our connection for a long time. All the years we could have had together but we thought it was just a connection because he was always around,” she smiles.
“But when did you finally know?” I ask.
“It was the summer they were leaving for Tenebrosi. We went to a bonfire with friends. Killian was busy with…” she gives me a guilty look.
“Ugh, please don’t say that bubblegum fairy,” I sigh.
“Okay I won’t say it,” she says. “Well, Avery and I took a walk in the woods, not too far because Killian would have got mad and we talked. It was like some kind of fog lifted and we stood there staring at each other. Avery asked if I felt it too, I know he was a little terrified because Killian was his best friend and he didn’t want to hurt him but we could not deny what we were feeling. He was about to kiss me when my brother crashed through the trees to take me home,” she rolls her eyes like a teenager and I laugh.
“So no first kiss that night?” I smile.
Aurelia looks over at me with a huge smile and reddening cheeks. “Avery visited me later that night. He flew to my window and frightened me but I quickly forgave him. He brought me a single moonflower and asked if I would like him to kiss me.”
I watch as she remembers that night. Her eyes shine with the memory and her smile grows bigger.
“I told him that I wanted him to kiss me for a long time. I secretly hoped that someone like Avery would fall in love with me. My father had many proposals for my marriage but he always said no and I wasn’t sure why. Then Avery kissed me and that was it. The bond grew between us and we both felt it. That night he stayed with me talking and kissing before the sun rose he left. We would meet in secret for a few nights after that only because Avery didn’t want my family to think he was just after a title but I knew he wasn’t, I knew he respected my brother a great deal and asked if we could wait to tell my family.
“I wasn’t happy but I agreed only because he was leaving for training. We carried on our secret love for many years, eventually, he told my father. Apparently my father already had guessed that we were bound for each other. He was just waiting for one of us to tell him. I remember we came to the human realm, my parents, and me. My father took my mother and I to many sights and we spent a few weeks traveling around.
At the time, I thought it was just a fun trip to the human world while Killian was away but my father told me that I looked sad and he wanted to see me smile again. I didn’t realize that my missing Avery had made me so sad. I thought that I was hiding it. When we returned to Avalon, Killian and Avery were home waiting for us. I couldn’t hide it any longer. I missed Avery too much not to hug him close to me, the pain of bond stretching is horrible.”
“Tell me about it,” I sigh. “I felt like that too, it hurt a lot when I got to your castle. I felt like I was having a heart attack.”
“Yes,” she agrees. “I…I don’t feel it now, I haven’t for a long time,” she says quietly.
“Same here, I feel empty. I just want to know he is okay,” I whisper. Killian’s smiling face swims before my mind's eye. His strong jaw and amazing eyes, torture me from within. We both sit in silence as the sky begins to lighten. Aurelia looks up noticing too that we have sat out all night.
“Perhaps we should skip training today,” she says.
“Yeah, I think we need some sleep,” I agree.
Climbing off the swing, I stretch my sore back. Taking my cup inside I leave it in the sink before following Aurelia up the stairs. At the top she turns to me, taking my hand in hers.
“Thank you for giving me back my hope Reagan,” she whispers.
All I can do is nod and give her a small smile, we both know we have one crazy journey ahead but hope is something I am willing to bet on.
Chapter 33
So far today has gone by slowly. Making jewelry has passed some time but not enough. I got little sleep this morning, only about four hours. Claudia was singing at the top of her voice while making breakfast. I couldn’t take it so I got up. Don’t get me wrong, her voice is beautiful, but just not a seven in the morning when I’ve been up all night.
Rolling my shoulders I try to ease the ache in my back and push away my tools. The coffee table is too low and the dining table too high. Claudia and Aurelia have been working on getting that stone from her wrist again but I honestly can’t see it happening. I know Aurelia is trying to stay positive about the whole thing but not having your magic or the
ability to disguise yourself must be frustrating.
Brokk has spent the day shaping tree branches into staff’s for us to use. I watch him through the window when something Killian said to me springs to mind. Walking out to him I take a seat on the porch steps.
“Hey Brokk,” I call out to him.
“Yes Reagan,” he replies without looking at me.
I smile at him and how at ease has been lately, “I thought you weren’t allowed to break off tree branches,” I say.
His head lifts up and our eyes meet. The blue of his are brilliant against the sunlight. “That is true,” he replies. “But I did not break these, they were given willingly.”
“Huh?”
He smiles while shaking his head, “yes the tree gave me a branch willingly.”
“How does that work?”
“Well,” he says looking a little perturbed. “I asked the tree and it returned my request.”
“Can you be any more cryptic,” I complain shielding my eyes against the sun.
“Come,” he says holding out his hand. Stepping off the porch I meet him by the back fence of my yard. “Now, give me your hand and close your eyes.” Doing what he says I take a deep breath. Brokk takes my hand then I feel rough bark beneath my palm. Opening my eye, I peek at him.
“No looking, close your eyes,” he says firmly but I catch the smirk. He looks like the day I first met him, cheeky and young.
“What am I supposed to be doing exactly?” I question.
“Feel, the tree. Connect with it,” he says. His hand presses over mine, sealing warmth between us, the tree feels normal and rough under my hand. I don’t feel anything from the tree but I feel foolish standing here like a loon.
“I don’t feel anything,” I whisper.
“Relax and open your heart, it's there,” he says.
Giving in to his crazy ass I block out the sounds of the street beyond. I can feel the rough bark it doesn’t feel as if it will cut me but more like a weathered protection surrounding the tree. The breeze picks up and gently blows at my hair, I can feel the sun now warming my face as the breeze subsides. I’m happy and I like it, I feel secure and content standing here. Within seconds, the feeling passes and I mourn the loss, opening my eyes I turn to Brokk, who has stepped back a few feet. I swore his hand was still on mine. My eyes widen a little as look down at my palm, brushing it with my fingers of my left hand.
“You felt it,” he asks.
“How?” my eyes seek out his looking for answers to this weird but amazing feeling.
I don’t get an answer from him. Instead, I get his amazing smile that lights up his handsome face. “Brokk, you really should smile more,” I tease.
“I do smile but you never notice,” he teases back.
“Because my heart belongs to another,” I sigh wistfully.
“Well then, I must slay this other and take you as my own,” he smiles throwing the newly formed staff at me.
Spinning it with ease I smile at him, “you have to get through me first.”
“So be it,” he winks then attacks.
We spar with staffs for a while. I’m having too much fun talking medieval shit to him to pay attention to the time. He makes me laugh trying to ruin my concentration but not even Samiel in his undressed state could deter me.
“You have lied to me about your skill,” he says.
“No, I haven’t. I’m better with the staff than the sword,” I reply, smashing my staff against his. Bits of wood break off splintering through the air.
“Ah, but you have had a good teacher, yes?”
“Yes, a warrior,” I smirk at him.
“Another I must take out,” he sighs but laughs.
I like this playful side of Brokk, I think all the Starbucks has relaxed him a bit. He no longer argues with Claudia and sometimes they actually have a civilized conversation. It’s not the best relationship between them but it’s an improvement. Brokk steps back holding his hand up in surrender.
“I fear you have won the battle of the staff Reagan, I only hope one day you battle for me,” he winks.
“Ha! Maybe, if you’re a good fairy boy,” I laugh.
“Boy,” he scoffs. “I know we had that conversation many moons ago.”
With a grin, I nod and drop my staff to the ground. My hand stings but I feel great. Brokk collects both staffs setting them against the railing.
“You really are excellent with the staff,” he says seriously.
“Thanks, I practiced a lot with Samiel.”
“Samiel, not Killian?” he questions.
“No,” I shake my head. “Killian was busy with Avery, training, and I had Samiel as my guard then I had the ladies, they helped too.”
“Well, either way, you have some skill,” he says.
“Some?” I scoff, whacking him on the arm. We both laugh at our messing around and it feels really good to have fun again even if it is an unconventional kind.
Claudia joins us outside in the evening sun she smiles at us but she seems a little off. I’m not sure if the magic of the seer’s stone is taking a lot out of her because she doesn’t even talk about it, she just sits for hours whispering in fairy trying to unlock it from Aurelia’s wrist.
“Everything okay?”
“Yes,” she replies taking a seat beside me. I watch as she fingers the necklace I made her while she stares off in the distance. Brokk leaves quietly with a gentle pat to my shoulder.
“Are you sure?” I ask her.
“Yes,” she nods. “I have to go out for a while but I should be back by morning,” she announces.
“Out where?” I ask.
“I must leave now. I’ll see you later,” she says standing up but I grab her hand.
“Claudia what the hell is going on? You’ve been acting weird for a few days now. I thought you were my best friend,” I frown up at her.
“I am,” she sighs. “But I have a job to do also, I have other fairies that need my attention right now,” she whispers. Letting her hand go I nod in understanding even though I don’t know what other fairies she is talking about. After a few minutes, I hear the front door close and the house is silent.
Chapter 34
Claudia
* * *
I have to leave, to get out of this house. Walking down the stairs, I watch as Brokk and Reagan train in the back garden. Her speed has improved and her eyes, Goddess I wish she could see what we see. Taking a seat beside I her on the porch I finger the necklace she made for me. I remember when we first met and decided to make our own jewelry line, those days were simple and carefree.
“Everything okay?” Reagan asks.
“Yes,” I respond but it’s not. How can it be? I can feel the hour approaching us and deep in my heart there lies a sense of sadness that I cannot rid myself of.
I have to leave.
With a poor excuse and quick exit, I manage to walk away from Reagan. I catch the hurt in her eyes and that tears at me even more. I make my way through the streets of Faircrest with speed. I want so badly to fly to get away faster but I can’t. I can’t expose myself to the humans I’ve spent far too many years as one of them. Crossing the old train tracks, I hurry toward the apartment.
I can feel the footprint of magic all around the area as I step onto the grass. The trees whisper their joy at my return but I cannot stay with them tonight. Carefully, I slip into the thicket and hide among the trees. Their gentle breeze eases some of my discomfort but not enough. With a quick glance at my surroundings, I work the magic allowed me to access my home.
“Goddess, grant me entry, to the realm of my birth.”
The in front of me shimmers and ripples. Taking a deep breath, I slip through the portal into Avalon. The wind whips my hair all around, as I run to the entrance of the cave. The sea below me crashes against the small trio of these Marsh Islands at the southern most tip of the realm. Sliding through the gap in the rock I can take a deep breath. My skin tingles, as the magic of my ancestor
s, surrounds me.
The smooth walls and polished floors greet me like an old friend. Except that now, the hidden seer’s tower is empty. There are no friends left to greet me on my return, no family, no Dalti. The thoughts of his death at the hands of Connor makes me angry, makes every fiber of my being ignite with a rage that I fear I cannot hold back. Dalti, my true mate. My love. I promised to return to him and he promised to wait, why did he leave the tower?
Walking down the gilded stairs, I am saddened to know that I am the last living seer. There were so many of us, hidden away on these islands. Always careful, always reclusive, and always alone, except a few.
Like me.
Shaking the memories from my head, I continue my journey to the chamber of records. It is as tall as it is wide and yet there is no one here to record deaths or births, or the bonding’s of our land. Moving through the room, I keep walking until I at last reach the chamber of replenishment. I remember when I first arrived at the Marsh Islands I was terrified to leave my family behind and begged not to be sent away.
I shouldn’t have been so scared, I met Dalti two summers later, and our connection was instant. We knew we were meant to be together and we didn’t want to wait. With a heavy sigh, I enter the room as more memories assault me. The beautiful white stone walls exude peace and tranquility, but I find it hard to relax. The dream, Goddess the dream. It will not leave me, it will not change, and I will not let it happen.
Sliding down onto one of the large chairs I allow the magic of the room to replenish my own magic and my soul. Closing my eyes, I pray that I will not dream right now for I don’t think I can take it again.
“It will not happen,” I whisper out to the room. “It cannot happen.”
Tears leak from my eyes as I try to fight the memory of the dream. The blood, the screams, it’s all so vivid, and so horrifying.
“You cannot stop destiny,” her voice comes from behind me.
Wiping my tears I jump out of the chair, “Goddess,” I bow to her.
