by E. A. Weston
“They are here,” he replies. “It may take a while, though. Many of us have traveled from our hiding places and we don’t trust each other.” He frowns.
“I understand,” I nod.
“But, my prince, these are my sons,” he waves to three other fairies. “They will swear their sword to you too,” he announces. The three of them drop to the ground repeating the pledge. Once they stand, I allow them to go to Avery to enter the camp.
It takes us all night and most of the morning to go through the Warriors, I have found much more of my brothers scattered throughout the hoard. Once they are all inside the barrier, Avery joins me behind my house.
“Well, that is three hundred fairy warriors,” he says.
“Good,” I nod.
“Killian,” he sighs and joins me on the ground. “I’m truly sorry for what I said. I did not mean to doubt you.”
“I know, I doubt myself enough for both of us,” I smile.
“I wish you wouldn’t. You are every bit the fairy warrior you are meant to be. I fear that my love for you had blinded me to your true destiny,” he looks sad.
“What do you mean Avery? Whatever my destiny will be you will be right beside me, we are brothers in battle and in life,” I tell him.
“We are,” he agrees. “Forgive me Killian?”
“Of course but please don’t again. I need you on my side, Avery, for I fear we have a hard battle ahead.”
“I am on your side Killian, fairy prince of Avalon and to you I swear my sword,” he says thoughtfully.
“You have already sworn your sword to me,” I grin at him.
“I know but I am ashamed of how I treated you so I will swear it again, every day if I must.”
“No Avery, you don’t have too and besides. We will leave soon.”
Chapter 36
Reagan
* * *
Brokk and I have been training really hard for the last two days. My sword skills have improved vastly. I’m enjoying seeing him this way again like he was when we first met. I tease him about his looks and he teases me about my humanity. Claudia and Aurelia don’t train with us that often, opting to lie in the sun instead.
“I think I’ll get a burger for dinner,” I say out loud, bringing my sword down against Brokk’s, blocking his blow.
“Yes, that sounds nice,” he replies.
We parry back and forth, neither of us giving up. My wrist hurts from the weight of the sword but I’m not about to let it drop or give up. I also want to know what has been going on with Claudia. Ever since the other day, she has been acting a little off around us. She refused to tell me what was happening but I can’t help notice how, whatever it is, is weighing on her mind. She is not as bubbly as she normally is.
Brokk steps back as I try to stab him in the ribs and then I move to chop at his arm. He has increased his speed a little and I’m finding it not to bad to keep up. We dance around some more until Aurelia complains that we have spent too long out here. Claudia agrees, so Brokk and I stop.
“You are doing quite well,” he says. “I wish we had my arrows, it would be fun to teach you.”
“Yeah, that sounds cool,” I nod as we walk over to the lazy sunbathers. We climb into the car and I drive to the drive through ordering our food. I’ve managed to get Brokk eating all my favorite foods but Aurelia doesn’t want to try much. Back at the house, I groan, sinking my teeth into the juicy burger.
“So good,” I sigh.
“Yes,” Brokk agrees.
“How are you going to survive when we get back to Avalon?” I tease him.
“Quite well,” he answers with a wink.
When my stomach is full, I have a shower, to wash the sweat and dirt off. My back still looks horrible with the bones protruding and no matter how much junk I shove into my mouth, I never seem to gain any weight. I’m actually a little scared, what if I am sick. If I have some disease from Avalon and I, don’t know it?
I dress in soft pajamas and dry my hair with my dryer. My eyes are closed as I dry it and I hum along to the music coming from Killian’s phone. Opening my eyes, I brush out my hair, noting that it has grown a longer. Tying it up into a ponytail, I walk down the stairs quietly. The sound of whispering makes me pause on the last step. I don’t understand their language but I can tell from the tone that they are discussing something important. Brokk is talking as fast as he moves and his hands are animated, I can see happiness in his eyes as he looks at Aurelia.
Stepping off the stairs, I walk into the room to join them. They all look at me but no one tells me what has them so happy. It’s times like this that I wish Killian were here to at least tell me what is going on. I actually have to admit, I miss his voice in my head, as freaky as it was.
“Well?” I ask, bored.
“Well, what?” Aurelia asks. She is trying to be cool and calm but I can feel excitement and dread coming from her.
“Well, what are you all whispering about?” I ask moving around the table to look at each of them.
“We are not whispering,” Claudia says. “I was just mentioning that I believe a portal to be close. I can feel it so we might try to return to Avalon tomorrow night.”
“What!” I explode, standing so fast my chair hits the ground. “You didn’t think I should know this,” I ask.
“Of course, you should,” Aurelia says. Brokk looks a little annoyed then turns to face the window.
“What? Were you planning on leaving me behind?”
My eyes bore into the back of Claudia’s head, willing her to turn around so I can see if she is lying to me or not. “Claudia?” I whisper.
“We are not leaving you behind Reagan,” she sighs before turning to me. I can see in her eyes that she is telling me the truth but there is also something else there. Shaking my head at her, I open my mouth to speak but she cuts me off. “We leave at sunset tomorrow,” she looks at each of us then leaves the room.
“Claudia,” I call after her as I chase her up to the bedroom. “Claudia what’s going on?” I beg. My insides are all messed up, with excitement, fear, and longing.
“Reagan,” she sighs. Her shoulders drop like she is giving up on arguing like she is defeated and won’t fight back.
“Am I not supposed to go back?” I ask, my voice cracking on the last word. It will kill me if I don’t see Killian again but if it’s not meant to be then, I will get over it, someday, maybe.
Claudia turns to look at me, tears pool in her eyes and my heart drops. My own eyes well up because I have to say goodbye again, I just know it. We stare at each other for a long time and once again I am wishing for the mind communication ability. She moves toward me and I her, when we are inches apart she hugs me hard.
“Please don’t leave me here,” I whisper against her shoulder. I hate that I’m begging but I can’t be alone anymore, I don’t want to be alone anymore.
“I’m not leaving you,” she answers. “Ever.”
“Promise?”
“Yes, Reagan. Goddess, I promise that I will stay by your side if you promise me the same,” she chokes.
“You’re not telling me something, are you?”
“I can’t,” she whispers. “Please, when we return promise that you will stay with me, no other.”
“I promise. Does that include Killian?”
“No,” she lets a small laugh escape. “No Reagan, the prince is all yours.”
I feel like a weight has been removed from my shoulders and I sag into her. These last few years have been nothing but people leaving me, except Alex. God what I must have done to her when I left.
“I’ll be back in a while,” I tell Claudia stepping back from her.
“It is late where are you going?” she asks wiping her face.
“I have to get some stuff from Killian’s apartment,” I smile. Turning I pull on my jeans and a sweater, over my pjs.
“Would you like me to come with you?”
“If you want,” I shrug. “Can we trust tho
se two here alone?” I question.
“Yes, they will be okay.”
With a nod from Claudia we walk down to the kitchen, she tells Brokk and Aurelia that we are going to the apartment to get some things and we will be back in a few minutes. Once in the car, I glance over at her.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes,” she sighs.
“Did you have a vision?” I question, swallowing hard.
Without answering Claudia just turns to the window. I can see her reflection in the side mirror and all I see is deep sadness. I don’t know how she knows there will be a portal tomorrow considering Killian couldn’t find one for over a hundred years but then again she is a seer, maybe her fairy magic is different.
Pulling into the garage, I shut off the engine and climb out. On my way to the stairs, I stop to look in some of the boxes here but they don’t have much in them, just papers and crap. Opening the door, I kick off my shoes then turn on the computer.
“Want something to drink?” Claudia asks from the kitchen.
“Sure, there’s not much, though,” I answer. Clicking on the mouse, I open the photo file. I plan to print off as many pictures of Killian and me as I can because I want them with me. I want reminders of what our life here was like, just in case we can never come back. I pick the ones I like most and line them up them to print. Leaving the computer I walk into the bedroom, opening the closet and take a deep inhale.
“I’ll miss this,” I sigh. I find my camping backpack in the corner and begin to gather some clothes. I take two sets of my own and grab two of Killian’s t-shirts, just to have. I can hear the printer as it moves on to the next photograph.
“I found hot chocolate,” Claudia says startling me.
“Jesus,” I pant holding my chest.
“Sorry,” she grimaces.
Taking the drink, we sit on the bed. My eyes travel to the photo on the bedside dresser. “Can you pass me that?” I point to it. Claudia hands it to me and I smile.
“You miss him,” she says.
“Yes. I never thought I’d fall so hard for a guy or fairy. Especially after Levi and the way he just threw me there,” I shrug.
“Idiot,” she snarls at the mention of Levi.
“Yeah but I’m glad because now I have him,” I smile waving the frame.
“Why are you bringing these things?”
“Because, I might not ever be back, I don’t know, so I want some of our stuff with us,” I tell her. She just nods in understanding. When I finish my drink, we walk back to check on the printer. So far I have ten photos done and I have a lot more in the line. Opening the computer, I hover over the email. My heart is aching but I know I won’t feel better until it’s done. So with a deep breath, I click a new page and get ready to tell Alex goodbye, it’s the least she deserves.
By the time I’ve finished writing, my eyes ache from tears and the computer. The printer ‘low ink’ warning has flashed a few times but I push it to the max. Claudia is asleep on the sofa with the spare blanket wrapped around her. Rubbing my tired eyes, I close the screen and turn off the light, making my way to the bedroom. Peeling off my clothes I smile at my ingenuity of wearing my pj’s already and climb into this bed for the last time.
Opening my eyes, I slowly look around the room taking it in with sadness. Am I doing the right thing going back? I miss Killian and I want to be with him, but is Avalon for me? Rolling onto my side, I exhale softly into the pillow.
“No turning back now,” I mumble.
The door opens and Claudia peeks inside. “Morning,” she smiles and I’m glad to see her happy.
“Hey. What time is it?” I ask while yawning.
“Just after seven,” she sits on the bed beside me. “Are you ready to leave?”
“Depends, are you talking about the apartment or this world?”
“Both, I suppose,” she shrugs.
“Well,” I say climbing out of the bed around her. “I have a few things I need to get before we leave but first, you and I are going for pancakes,” I smile.
“Really?” she claps with excitement and I can’t help but smile at her. That is the friend I’ve known and missed.
“Yep, let's go. I’ll come back after to grab all my stuff.”
Leaving the apartment, we drive to the diner and take one of the booths. The last time I was in here with Claudia, it was the day before she left. We order a mountain of pancakes between us and dig in.
“Are you scared?” I ask her.
“Of what?”
“Of going back. When was the last time you were there?” I ask.
“A little, it will not be the same as when I left but that was a very long time ago,” she replies. She shoves too much food into her mouth and I know she just doesn’t want to talk about it. Once we’re both sufficiently stuffed and groaning we grin at each other.
“We should bring some back with us,” Claudia frowns.
“Actually, I have to go do something. Can you take of care of Aurelia and Brokk for a few hours,” I ask.
“Where are you going?” she looks concerned.
“The mall, I need some supplies,” I wink at her and laugh.
I drop her off at the house then speed away. I have a lot of stuff to get today and I need to be ready to go early. I have a nagging feeling that the fairies want to leave me here but I will not let that happen. Stopping off at the drug store, I buy four packets of travel sickness pills, a set of sea-sickness wristbands, and the patches that go behind your ear. The guy at the counter looks at me then laughs.
“Going on a cruise?” he chuckles.
“Yeah,” I smile in return.
“Anywhere nice?” he continues.
“Oh, it’s a surprise,” I smile handing him the cash.
“Wow, that’s a nice surprise,” he smiles. “Have fun.”
“I will,” taking the change I leave the store then continue my mission. The mall is already crowded and it just opened. I forgot how hectic Saturday at the mall, can be. Maneuvering my way around a trio of teenage girls, I run up the escalator to the camping store. Inside I get a new small backpack, a knife, and reluctantly a new flint. I hope that somehow my belongings are still at Hunters Lake because the flint my dad gave me was in that bag.
Walking around the store I browse the shelves and racks, wondering if I’ll need winter gear. I don’t know what the weather is like in Avalon. Do they have seasons like here? I know at Tenebrosi there was snow high up on the mountains but I never asked if it snowed at the camp itself. I reach out and take an aluminum flask of the shelf pondering if I need it or not. Dropping it into my basket, I decide it’s better to be safe than sorry. Moving along, I stop by the survival section. They have MRE’s and emergency food supplies on display. Picking up a box of ten MRE’s I add them to my other stuff. At the checkout, my fingers brush over the compasses along the cash register and I throw one onto my pile.
Leaving the mall I check my watch, it’s already one o’clock, how did I waste so much time here? Climbing into the car I drive to the grocery store. This is my main destination today. I don’t want to be so sick that I can’t function and I’ll need food. In the cracker aisle, I take two boxes of snack size saltines and some peanut butter. I get some of the powder sachets of energy drinks, they’re not something I normally drink, but I don’t want to risk anything. I also snag some of the Gatorade chews too. My basket is getting full so with one quick trip down the candy aisle, I get some M&M’s because I know Killian likes them.
Oh! My mind races and I run to the coffee aisle knowing that they also have the single sachets of coffee. I grab four boxes then I force myself out of the store. In the apartment, I gather all the photographs into a Ziploc bag then seal them again into another. I carefully pack the snacks into my small bag, with one set of clothes. I don’t want it to be too heavy because I’m pretty sure I’ll be running like the wind when we arrive.
Before leaving the apartment, I close all the doors and turn off the wate
r and gas. “Goodbye apartment, I hope we meet again soon,” I sigh closing the door and locking all the deadbolts. Back at my house, the three fairies are sitting around relaxing. When I walk inside with my bags, they stare as if I was carrying a bag of gold.
“What are you doing?” Claudia asks, her curiosity making her follow me.
“Getting ready for tonight,” I reply.
She looks into the bags then frowns, “Reagan, I believe we have food in Avalon.”
I can hear the teasing in her tone and I smile, “I know they do but when I arrived with Killian, I was so sick that I almost didn’t make it. So this time, I’ll be prepared.”
“Didn’t make what?” Aurelia asks, now standing beside Claudia. Both of them are looking into the bags.
“Being in Avalon,” I wave dismissively. “They tied me to a boat and set fire to me,” I snort. Two sharp gasps has me looking around to see both of them pale and with big round eyes.
“You were set to pyre?” Claudia whispers.
“Yeah, idiots thought I was dead or something,” I explain, opening all the packets of travel medicine.
Aurelia just gaps at me for a long time and Claudia is looking at me with pride of some kind. Rolling my eyes, I check the time again and put all the medicine into one container.
“What are you doing?” Brokk asks sliding up beside me.
“Getting ready to face Avalon again,” I grin.
“Ah, I fear you are more prepared than I,” he smiles.
“Yeah, well. I’m not eating that gross fish, just the smell of it makes me gag,” I shiver. “And I don’t know the fruit Killian gave me that made me feel better so I’m bringing human medicine,” I wave my bottle at him. “Oh, first aid kit,” I remember and rush to the secret spot dad kept our emergency supplies. Reaching inside I pull out the small kit then transfer everything into another Ziploc, just to keep things light.
Brokk watches me with amusement as I run around the house adding things to both bags. I can’t believe that none of them want to bring anything for survival. I may be going overboard but hell if I’m going to be left behind in some old ruin. With one last look inside both bags, I close them up.
