I backed against the doorframe, trying not to show how upset I was.
There was nothing to do but wait.
***
A movement in the doorway made me look up. I glanced at Sam and cringed when my eyes met the bright lights of the hospital room. I must have fallen asleep.
"How's he doing?" Sam whispered.
My chair sat next to Logan's bed, and he still looked the same as the night before. He slept quietly, locked in a dreamless sleep.
"He's okay, I think. He just needs to wake up." I paused. "And he's not going to do it unless his true love kisses him."
"Whoever that is," Sam said.
I sighed. "I know." I realized then I hardly knew anything about Logan. I'd been so wrapped up in myself that I'd never asked him about his life.
Misty came into the room carrying a vase of flowers. Her eyes were red and puffy, with makeup smeared underneath them.
"How are you?" she asked.
I shrugged. "Been better."
We were silent for a while.
"What are you going to do now?" Sam asked.
"You already know," I said.
"Still leaving?"
I nodded.
"Is she really worth it?"
Misty hit him, and I chuckled.
"Absolutely," I said.
Misty squeezed my shoulder. "Don't worry about Logan, Ash. We'll find you as soon as he wakes up. Master Time is already going through his files to find any information on his past. We'll keep you updated. He'll be okay."
"Thanks, guys."
It was then that I noticed Misty was missing something.
"Where are your wings?" I asked.
She chuckled. "I didn't want them anymore. I decided to study to be a sandman. Or woman, I guess. I figured since you got all the fun being the first male fairy godmother, I'd try being the first female sandman."
"Awesome," Sam said. He looked at her for a moment too long and she blushed.
"How–" I started.
"Master Time did it. I asked him to get rid of your wings as well. It's just a simple spell, really. He’ll be here any minute."
I sighed with relief. Finally. I would be myself again. My whole self. A part of me felt strange about getting rid of them though, since I knew I was part fairy. I guess they weren't that bad, but I wasn't going to complain when they were gone.
I smiled. Kendall and I could be together now.
That was all that mattered.
Chapter 24
Kendall
"Lines!" I yelled.
The girls smiled, and some straightened their arms, fixing their posture.
It was my third week back as drill mistress, and I couldn't believe I had almost given up dance. I felt complete. Amazing, how good it felt to be a part of the team again.
"Great job, guys!" Our coach congratulated us on our practice and released us for the day.
I walked to my car with Ellie, my arm wrapped around her shoulder. The wind started blowing, whipping my hair around my face. It smelled like rain, but there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.
"Do you smell that?" I asked Ellie.
"Rain?"
I nodded, looking at the sky. "I don't think it's supposed to storm any time soon."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, I watch the weather," I said.
"Weird how there aren't any clouds." She shook her head and walked to the car.
I lagged behind, feeling the cool breeze on my face. The smell of rain reminded me of something, but I couldn’t think what.
"Kendall! Come on!" Ellie stuck her head out the car window to yell at me. The wind blew her hair everywhere and I stifled a laugh. She looked like Medusa.
"Coming!" I ran to meet her.
***
Even though it was almost summertime, my room felt cold. I pulled on a sweatshirt and sat down, smoothing out the wrinkles on my blue bedspread. I could have sworn it used to be pink, but couldn't remember when or why I'd changed it.
Clothes covered the floor as usual, and I suddenly had the desire to clean them up.
I knelt down and threw shirts toward the closet. They were clean, but I was usually too lazy to hang them up. The closet always seemed too far away. So much easier to just throw them on the floor.
Not anymore, I decided. I took a deep breath, grabbed a handful and marched across the room, ready to take on a more organized life.
The clothes fell from my hands when I saw the state of my closet.
I sighed and sat down. It was hopeless.
Something cold touched my leg, and I reached for the culprit, pulling out a silver chain. It was tiny and beautiful. A blue teardrop charm slid down the chain and I studied it, puzzled. I couldn't remember where I'd gotten it.
I touched the teardrop, feeling the tiniest bit of warmth rush through my fingertip. A memory ignited in my brain, sending a rush of emotions through me.
Ash.
The name hit me so hard it took my breath away.
"Ash," I whispered.
The memories came flooding back. His handsome face. Silver blue eyes. The way he ran his hand through his hair when he was annoyed or upset. The sly grin he always gave me when he won an argument. His lips. Oh, his lips. The way he kissed me. His voice, low and familiar, telling me everything was going to be okay. His beautiful silver wings. And finally, the wishes.
The memory of my last wish hit me like it was yesterday, though I knew it had been a while. Weeks, at least.
I'd wished I'd never met him.
My eyes filled with tears and I blinked them back. It wouldn't do any good to cry about something that could never be. Like me and Ash.
If there was a way we could be together, though, I'd do everything in my power to take that last wish back. I wondered if it hurt him as much as it hurt me.
"I see you found it."
My heart started racing, and I put my hand to my chest. It wasn't possible. He left. I told him to leave.
"I told you it would help you remember me."
I shook my head. Maybe if I woke up from this dream, I'd stop hearing his voice.
"Kendall."
My limbs felt like jelly as I stood. I turned to find myself staring into silver blue eyes. His hair was longer than before, reaching past his ears.
"Ash?" I whispered.
His smile faltered a little at the tremor in my voice. "I didn’t mean to scare you." He shifted his weight and ran a hand through his hair.
"How?" I stammered. "My wish ..." I trailed off as a smile graced his lips.
"I know. The wish." He took a step closer and my heart fluttered.
"I'm sorry, Ash. I'm so sorry I made that wish. It just came out–"
He lifted a hand, cutting me off. "It was my fault." He moved closer until he was right in front of me. "I came here to apologize. For everything."
"You don't need to apologize. I'm the one who–"
"Kendall, would you please let me finish?" He laughed at my expression and touched my cheek with his fingertips. "You’re always blaming yourself for everything. You really need to stop that."
I sighed. "I know."
"Now, where was I?" He paused, glancing at my lips. "When I started this assignment, I was bitter. I didn't want anything to do with you. I didn't care about you, didn't want to know anything about you, wanted you to make your wishes so I could be done with it." He took my hand in his and traced the back of it with his finger. "I realized what an idiot I was when I started to get jealous of Cameron. Who I still don't like, by the way. And not just because you two had a 'thing'."
I laughed.
"You've changed me, Kendall. You've made me realize there are more things in life than being a sandman. Or a fairy." He paused. "I guess what I'm trying to say is this." His eyes searched mine and I swear my heart was going to leap right out of my chest. "I love you." He sighed, and smiled. "I've loved you for quite some time, actually. I've been an idiot trying to talk myself out of it. There's no use. You
're all I care about now. All I'll ever care about."
"Don't," I said, hearing the quiver in my voice.
He reached up. His thumb moved over my bottom lip and I closed my eyes. Warmth rushed through me, and I breathed in the scent of him.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner," he said. I opened my eyes, wanting to remember this moment for the rest of my life. The look on his face, full of love. I'd never had anyone look at me like that before.
"I'm sorry too," I said.
He smiled. "The truth is, I didn't realize how much I loved you until I thought I'd lost you. When you made that wish, I swear you reached in and ripped my heart out. I couldn't eat, couldn't sleep. All I kept thinking about was you. The last words I heard you say. I couldn't handle it."
A tear trailed down my cheek and he reached out to wipe it away. His hand lingered on my face, tracing my scar.
"Don't cry," he whispered. He leaned in, kissing my cheek. His lips moved to my scar, following it down to my chin. He lingered near my lips, but hesitated, not touching them, even though I wished he would. "You're being too quiet," he said. "It's not like you."
I chuckled, trying to hold the flood gates closed. My eyes burned, and I pushed back the tears. "I love you too, Ash." He smiled. "That's all I have to say."
His lips met mine then, and he pulled me close. "I've missed you so much," he said between kisses.
After what seemed like ages, I pulled away, searching his face. "Are you really here?" I asked.
"Yes."
"Am I the only one who can see you?"
He shook his head. "No."
"Really?"
"You can show me off to whoever you want," he said.
I laughed and shoved him playfully in the shoulder.
"What? You know you want to."
"You're right," I said. "I'm actually excited to show you to Ellie."
"I know. She's been dying to meet me."
"If she remembers."
"She will. Your last wish is broken, since, well, you remember me and all. I hope that's okay."
"Of course it is," I said, pulling him close. "I still can't believe you're here."
"Me neither."
"Wait. Are you going to get in trouble?"
He laughed. "I'm already in quite the mess, but it's all taken care of. I'm living here now. Well, not here, but since I'll be eighteen in a few weeks, and have some money from my parents, I'm going to find a place close to you. I'm done with the Academy. I'm not going back."
"You can do that?"
"I just did."
"Oh." I wasn't sure what to say. "What about everything you've worked for?"
He shrugged. "I can try something new. Maybe go to a real human college. Learn botany or something."
"Botany?" I grinned.
"Well, I am part fairy. Makes sense."
"I guess." I tried to smile, but part of me felt awful at his giving up his dream for me. "Ash ... why? Why me?"
He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and slid his hands on either side of my face. "You saved me, Kendall. I've been selfish and haven't cared about anyone in so long, I forgot what it was like." He smiled. "I need you in my life. We go well together. We're both broken, stubborn, sarcastic, funny. And you're pretty hot. A bonus for me."
I laughed as a tear slid down my cheek.
He wiped it away with his thumb. "We both have scars," he said as he traced my cheek. "But we'll heal together."
I started at that and frowned. "You didn't rip your wings off or something, did you?"
He chuckled. "No. I don't have them anymore, though."
"What? Why?"
"Instead of talking about the past, why don't we work on the future?" he said, winking.
And he brought his lips to mine.
Chapter 25
Ash
I held Kendall's hand as we descended the stairs and couldn't wipe the goofy grin off my face. I was with the girl I loved, and she loved me too.
"Kendall?"
Ellie's voice rang through the house, and Kendall turned to give me a sly smile. She led me into the family room, where Ellie was lying on the couch reading a book.
"Would you mind helping me with something, El?" Kendall asked.
Ellie put her book on the table, not looking up. "Sure," she said. She lifted her head and her eyes met mine. They widened, and her mouth dropped open.
"Is this ...?"
Kendall nodded.
Ellie jumped up and squealed. "Ash! I finally get to meet you!" She ran over, and I was sure she was going to hug me, but she stopped about a foot away and stared. "Wow. You weren't kidding," she said.
"Ellie ..." Kendall said, her cheeks flaming.
"Nope, she wasn't," I said.
They both laughed.
"I'm Ash. Nice to finally meet you for real," I said. I held out a hand and she took it.
"I've heard a lot about you. You'd better treat my sister right. She's my best friend and I don't ever want to see her hurt."
"You've got it." I grabbed Kendall's hand and gave it a squeeze.
"Can you still do magic?" Kendall asked.
I raised an eyebrow. "Of course."
"Show me something!" Ellie said. She bounced from foot to foot, and I understood why she liked to dance. She never stopped moving.
I lifted a hand, feeling the magic flow, stronger since I'd broken my wand. I released a small amount and smiled. "Go look at Kendall's room," I said.
"What did you do?" Kendall said, hitting my shoulder.
Ellie took off up the stairs, and I heard her laugh. "Holy crap! Kendall's room is clean! He really is magic!"
I got a glare from Kendall, and slid my arm around her shoulder. She leaned into me, and I relaxed. It was good to be near her again.
"Show off," she muttered.
"Always."
Epilogue
Shenelle paced the alley, staying away from the street so she couldn’t be seen.
Placing her hands on the stone wall, she closed her eyes, replaying the scene in her office over and over.
He was smart. That much was clear. Not to mention powerful. More so than he probably even knew. She smiled. He wouldn't be able to control it. He'd have to seek her out sooner or later.
"I thought I'd find you here." A deep voice resonated against the cold stone walls. A figure crept from the shadows, his presence alone making Shenelle shiver.
"Linkin," she breathed.
Darkness filled the alley. Tendrils of it crept closer to Shenelle, not stopping when they reached her. They wrapped around her wrists like rope, and she watched in fascination as they pulled her toward the figure standing in the midst of it all.
An older, taller version of Ash waited for her. His golden eyes gleamed, sending chills down Shenelle's spine. He reached for her hands, lifting each one to his lips.
"It's been too long," he said.
"Yes."
Tingles ran through her body as he pulled her close, his lips brushing her own. He brushed a few strands of hair from her face and studied her a moment before speaking.
"Am I too late?" he asked.
Shenelle nodded. "He wouldn't come."
Linkin swore, but didn't take his eyes off her. "We need his magic, Shenelle. It's the only way–" He shook his head. "No matter. He'll find us sooner or later. He won't be able to control his power for much longer."
"I know."
"I would have arrived sooner, but my human had more 'important' things to do." He glared into the darkness and Shenelle heard the sound of chains dragging across the ground.
A man came into focus. His hair was gray, his bearded face sullen. His eyes were clouded, and Shenelle noticed his wrists and ankles were bound with golden shackles.
"He's still alive?"
Linkin nodded. "He's been my 'master' for thirteen years, and still hasn't managed to use up any wishes. My doing, of course."
"Extraordinary," she whispered. "I never thought I'd see the day when a djinn
controlled a human."
He lifted a hand, placing it on her cheek. "This is only the beginning, my love."
She shivered at his touch. His presence stirred emotions she hadn't felt in years. He hadn't aged a bit. The way he carried himself, calm and confident, nearly had Shenelle in a stupor. Oh, how she loved him. It was stupid of her. She knew all too well what love did to a person, but she couldn't help it.
A thought crossed her mind and she bit her lip nervously. "Please tell me he found you," she said. "I tried to give him information on your whereabouts, but we didn't have a lot of time. The council was after him and I had to–"
Linkin smiled and motioned behind him. "Don't worry. He's as clever as his mother."
A cloaked figure stepped forward and when he pulled his hood off to reveal his face, Shenelle relaxed. "Dax. You're safe."
Dax grinned at her. "Hello, Mother."
Acknowledgments
There are so many people I need to thank, since this book would be nothing without them.
I'd be nowhere without my critique partner, Katie Dodge. You've helped me so much in my writing journey so far. I'm indebted to you and hope I can return the favor someday. Also, my very first beta reader, Megan Park, who caught a character with two different last names when no one else did. Sam is very grateful. Also, for Kasie West for the wonderful feedback and support. I'd also like to thank my crit partners, betas and friends, Abby Fowers, Ruth Josse, Melanie Fowler, Michelle Merrill, Jolene Perry, Renee Collins, Jenn Johansson, and Candice Kennington for all of your love and support the past year. It's been rough, but you helped me make it through it! Also, to my friends and my blog readers, old and new. You guys keep me going, even on the worst days. Thank you.
Last, but not least, I'd like to thank my husband David, and my sweet kids who have been with me through my entire journey. I love you all more than you'll ever know. A big thanks to my husband's awesome family for encouraging me. Especially to Talea and Marci for reading my book when it was just a crappy draft. To my parents, Robert and Cheri Wardleigh, for their love and never ending support. I'd never be who I am today without you. A big thank you to Chakell and Braeden for being the best siblings a girl could ask for and for listening to all of my crazy story ideas and not hurting me. And a very special thanks to my sister, Chaleese Leishman. This book would be nothing without you. Thank you for believing in it and reading every single draft a zillion times. And for naming most of my characters. Love you.
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