by Claire Fogel
“What’s wrong?”
“The clothes I was wearing yesterday. They’re covered in blood stains I never saw last night.” I looked up at her concerned face. “Can I burn them?”
She came in, closing the door quietly, and walked over to the pile of clothes on the floor. “I’ll be happy to dispose of them for you.” She rolled the clothes into a ball and put them under her arm. “Why don’t you take a nice, long shower and then come on down for a late breakfast. I’m staying home today, and I thought you needed a day off too.”
She walked to the door, then turned to me. “Cara, I just want you to know how proud of you I am. And don’t worry about your face. I have an idea how we can disguise your bruises.” She blew me a kiss and left the room.
Oh yeah. My bruises. I walked into my bathroom with my eyes closed. I was afraid to look in the mirror. I counted to ten and opened my eyes. And closed them again. I’d won my fight with Gaynes, but my face told a different story. One side of my face was red and swollen, and my black eye was every color but black. And this was how I would look for my parents’ wedding the next day. I groaned. But then I remembered how much worse it could have been. I shuddered.
I got into the shower and concentrated on my breathing until I felt the tension drain out of me.
After I’d washed my hair twice—just in case I’d collected any blood in my hair—I was beginning to feel human again. Battered, but human. I put on a clean pair of jeans, heavy socks, and my favorite black t-shirt. I combed my hair out and left it hanging down my back. It was long enough. Maybe I could wrap it around my face.
When I got downstairs, Mom stood at the stove and my father sat at the table with Adam, who looked up anxiously when I walked into the kitchen.
He didn’t say anything for at least a minute, just stared at me. I stared back, getting lost in his cobalt eyes, as usual. My father cleared his throat, one eyebrow raised, and I poured myself a cup of coffee and sat down with them.
Adam finally smiled. “You survived. Congratulations.”
Dad was inspecting my face carefully, his chin resting on one hand.
“I know, I know, I look like I went ten rounds with someone a lot bigger,” I said.
Mom turned to say, “All of that will fade, dear, but you got the best of that monster, and that’s what matters. Tommy O’Donnell called last night after you were asleep to say that Gaynes survived, but barely. He’s in critical condition. Tommy thought you’d want to know that you hadn’t killed the man.” She and my father exchanged glances.
“By the way, all your friends have called this morning. And your bodyguards are camped out in the backyard. You should go out and see them after you’ve eaten.”
And that’s when I realized I wouldn’t need bodyguards anymore. It had been so many months, I’d forgotten what a normal life was like. When I looked over at Adam, I could tell that he had realized it too. Whoa. A normal life without Adam? No. He didn’t have to be my bodyguard. He was a good friend, and that wouldn’t change.
Suddenly relieved, I tried to smile when Mom put a just-baked Quiche on the table.
“For me?” I asked.
Mom laughed. “Well breakfast for you and lunch for the men. You must be starved. You never had dinner last night.”
She cut a large slice for each of us and it was totally quiet at the table while we all enjoyed Mom’s Killer Quiche. I’d named it months ago when Kevin had dug into a slice and muttered “killer” under his breath. I went back for seconds, ignoring Adam’s teasing smile.
After another cup of coffee, I rinsed off my plate and went out the back door to see Ryan and the other bodyguards. When I got to the porch, I stopped short. I couldn’t help smiling. They all stood when I walked outside and I rushed down the porch steps and ran straight to Ryan, whose head was decorated with a large bandage.
Grinning at me, he opened his arms and I ran straight into them.
After a lengthy hug, I asked, “How’s your head?”
“I’ll live, lass. The lump on my head isn’t as big as yours was last spring. I’m sure Kathleen told you that Elves have exceptionally hard heads. I think my head’s probably in better shape than your poor face.” He put his hand on my swollen cheekbone. “I should have been able to prevent that, Cara. I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have anything to apologize for.” I looked over at Jason and Neal, standing a few feet behind Ryan. “I can’t say the same for everyone, I’m afraid.”
They both looked down at their feet, guilt written all over their handsome faces.
Suddenly I was lifted off my feet and swung around, finally set down by a laughing Gabriel. Then he took a good look at my face and stopped laughing.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you’d been hurt. You fought the monster and you won! I’ve always said you’re a true warrior, despite your size. You did what a town full of police and Elves couldn’t.”
He bowed and said, “Congratulations. Well done!”
I looked around the yard and saw Gavin standing just outside the tree line, waving at me. I walked through the yard until I reached the edge of the woods where Gavin stood with Conor.
Smiling, Conor wrapped his arms around me gently. “We’re all so proud of you, Cara. You brought down our enemy singlehandedly.”
“No, not singlehandedly. I had help.” I pointed at the sky with a smile.
“Rowenna was there? During daylight hours?”
“It was totally overcast in town yesterday,” I said. “She dove through the clouds just long enough to set his SUV on fire and scare the crap out of him. That gave me a chance to pull out another knife and throw it before he could hit me again.”
Gavin’s voice was soft. “I wanted to kill him, Cara, but I hear you did some real damage, and he’ll never be able to hurt anyone again. Thank you.” He bent down and kissed me on both cheeks.
“Gavin, I thought of you when I threw my knife into his throat. If he hadn’t survived, I wouldn’t have minded.”
He nodded and thanked me again, even though I knew he wanted Gaynes dead.
With one arm around my shoulders, Conor dropped a kiss on my head, smiled and said, “I’ll see you at the wedding tomorrow.” He waved at my dad who stood on our back porch, and walked into the woods with Gavin.
Ryan, Patrick and Gabe were on their way back to camp, all patting me on the back as they walked past me. I walked toward the front of the yard, stopping when I reached Jason and Neal. I didn’t know what to say to them.
My father came down the steps and joined me. Facing the two boys, he said, “I want to talk to both of you.”
Turning to me, he said, “I’d like to speak to them privately.”
“Okay.”
Jason and Neal gave me apologetic looks as I left them.
When I was back on the porch, I looked back and saw my father leading Jason and Neal into the woods. Apparently, the expected lecture would take place back at his camp.
When I got inside, Mom was dressed and looked ready to go out.
“Going out, Mom?”
She smiled. “I promised myself a mani-pedi today. Want to join me?”
I groaned. “Normally, I’d love to, but I don’t really want to go out in public looking like this.
She nodded. “I understand, dear. I also have to pick up my wedding dress. I called ahead, and Mrs. Hanson will be waiting for me at the front of the store.”
I sighed. “Sorry, Mom.”
“Not your fault, sweetheart. I’ll be back in an hour or so.”
She left and I sat down with Adam. My head had started aching, and I got up to get another ice pack out of the freezer.
“Is it painful?” Adam asked.
I nodded. “One side of my face is throbbing.”
He got up and put the hot water kettle on to boil. Turning to look at me, he said, “I think you need this tea more than I do.”
Just as he poured me a cup of his pain-killing tea, there was a knock at the back door. He
got up and let Kathleen in.
She took one look at me, and shook her head sympathetically.
“Have you got anything in your bag of tricks to help this?” I pointed to my face.
“Of course I have, Cara dear. We can’t let you go to your parents’ wedding looking like you’ve been in a brawl. Is that Adam’s tea you’re drinking?”
“Yeah. My face hurts.”
“That tea will definitely help you relax, maybe even put you to sleep. Let’s go up to your room, just in case you doze off. I have some herbal mixtures in my bag that will take care of that swelling, and maybe start healing the bruises around your eye. I can guarantee you’ll look a lot better by Saturday, dear.”
Once I was stretched out on my bed, Kathleen spread a mixture of herbs on my cheek that smelled of peppermint and felt soothing and cool.
“Close your eyes, dear. I have another poultice to pat around your eye.”
Once my eyes were closed, she began patting something else around my eye very gently until everything but my eyelid was covered. It smelled earthy, and slightly like the pine trees I loved. Between the appealing scents and the coolness I felt on my cheek, I relaxed and fell asleep.
I must have slept for at least an hour. Sitting up, I realized my face wasn’t aching at all. I could still hear Kathleen’s voice downstairs, so I went to the top of the stairs and called her. I wasn’t sure how long this stuff was supposed to stay on my face, and I didn’t want to go downstairs with herbs all over my face.
She came upstairs and led me into the bathroom where she proceeded to wash the herbal mixtures off my face gently. Looking in the mirror, I was pleased to see that the swelling on my cheek was almost gone, and the bruising around my eye wasn’t nearly as colorful as it had been.
“That stuff is incredible. My face looks better already.”
Kathleen smiled. “And I’ll leave more of both mixtures for you to apply before you go to bed tonight. Just spread a towel over your pillow. I think you’ll look close to normal in the morning and just as pretty as you always look.”
I hugged her, and we went downstairs where Adam was making a fresh pot of coffee.
He looked up and smiled when we walked into the kitchen. “Much better, love.”
Beaming, Kathleen sat down and had a cup of coffee with us. “Cara will look as beautiful as she always does for her parents’ wedding. I’m glad her father sent for me.”
His dark blue eyes focused on my face, Adam added, “When she got home yesterday with a swollen face and a black eye, she still looked beautiful, Kathleen. Nothing can ever cover that up.”
Kathleen nodded and winked at me while I felt my face get hot. Adam had just paid me a very grown-up compliment and I didn’t know how to respond, so I just said, “Thanks.”
Mom came through the front door smiling, waving her freshly manicured nails at me. She’d chosen a pearl shade and her hands looked lovely.
“Mom, where’s your dress?”
“I hung it up on the coat rack by the front door, dear. Thankfully, the bag it’s wrapped in is opaque, so your father won’t see it until I’m wearing it tomorrow.
“Kathleen, I’m so glad you waited. I was hoping we could have coffee together. And I see you’ve used your magic to repair Cara’s face.” She came closer and ran her manicured fingers over my cheek. “Sweetheart, you look so much better. Kathleen is a magician.” She gave me a hug and sat down with Kathleen.
It was late afternoon and the sun was hidden behind the tall trees in the forest. Adam and I went out on the back porch so Mom and Kathleen could chat. I carried out two cups of coffee for us.
“We won’t be able to do this much longer,” I said. “The weather will soon be too cold.” I sighed.
“Oh, that’s right. You don’t like winter, do you?” Adam asked.
“Nope. Not my favorite season. So many of the trees I love look dead for months. And I can’t draw in the woods because my hands get too cold.” I sighed again.
He laughed. “Don’t rush the season. We’ll still have nice weather for at least another month. You’ll have time to go into the woods with your drawing pad like you used to.”
But I knew it wouldn’t be the same. I’d changed too much. I’d be looking over my shoulder for some time to come.
Mom called for pizza for our dinner so she wouldn’t mess up her beautiful manicure. My father and Adam weren’t complaining. I was sure pizza would soon show up in Elvenwood’s dining hall, if my father had anything to say about it.
After we’d had Kathleen’s relaxing tea and I’d cleaned up the kitchen, Adam said he’d be going back to my father’s camp.
“Thank you very much for letting me camp out in your living room while my arm’s been healing, but I think I should get out of your way now. Tomorrow will be a busy day for the three of you, and I don’t want to be underfoot.” He smiled. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Mom said, “Having you here has been no problem, Adam. I’m glad your arm is healing. Kathleen told me that your arm will need at least a month before you’ll have full use of it again.”
I would miss seeing Adam every day and I think he knew it. “I’ll walk you out.”
He said good night to Mom and Dad and we walked outside.
Adam took my hand. “You won’t need a bodyguard any longer. You’ll be free to go wherever you want, whenever you want, with no interference from me.” He looked a little regretful. “You’ll probably enjoy having a normal life again.”
“As bodyguards go,” I said, “having you and Ryan with me every day has been fun. I’ll miss that.”
“I’ll still be around whenever you need me, you know. I won’t be much good in the carpentry shop for a while. Why don’t you sing a song for your dragon friend before you go back inside. Without her help, you might not be with us now.”
He reached down and brushed my hair off my face. “I’ll see you tomorrow, love.”
As he walked through the backyard, I began to sing Rowenna’s song, and within minutes, I felt her magic swirling around me. It comforted me.
We all went to bed early that night. No one wanted to be tired on Mom and Dad’s big day. Mom helped me apply Kathleen’s herbal remedies to my face before I went to bed. I was hoping to look more like a maid of honor than a prizefighter by morning. But I tossed and turned all night, constantly waking to imagined noises from outside the house.
I woke up to sun shining through my bedroom windows and real noises coming from the backyard. Looking out my window, I saw men carrying tables, chairs, and numerous boxes into the yard, with Amy directing the operation. She was all over the yard, waving her arms and giving instructions. All she needed was a bullhorn.
Sticking my head out of the window, I called to her and waved. She looked up at me and suddenly covered her face with her hands. That was when I realized my face was still covered with Kathleen’s herbs. I ran to the bathroom to wash my face. When everything had been rinsed off, I was delighted to see that my face looked almost normal, with just a little bruising around my eye. From a distance, no one would know that I’d been punched in the face.
I ran back to the window and called to Amy again. This time she looked up and smiled, giving me thumbs up. I grinned, grateful that Amy had everything under control.
After showering and blowing my long hair dry, I threw on my bathrobe and went downstairs, hoping for breakfast. Mom and Dad were already at the table, sharing a huge stack of pancakes.
I hugged them both and asked if they’d be willing to share. Mom laughed. “Why do you think I made so many?” I poured myself a cup of coffee and sat down, helping myself to pancakes.
“I didn’t think you’d be cooking this morning,” I told her.
“Well, we have to eat, sweetheart. And you haven’t yet learned to cook.”
I groaned. “Sorry, Mom.”
She smiled. “It’s fine. We’ll get to it eventually, dear. I see Amy’s outside, getting the party organized. She must have been u
p at the crack of dawn. Bless that girl.”
“I think she made the wedding cake last night.”
Mom rolled her eyes. “She’s a wonder.”
“What time will we be leaving for City Hall?”
“Our wedding is scheduled for Noon. We’ll leave here about fifteen minutes early.”
“Am I driving?”
She laughed. “No, dear. We’ll be traveling in style. I figure, we’re only doing this once, so I ordered a limo.”
I looked at my father, who was sitting next to Mom, watching her and smiling. “I told your mother she could have whatever she wanted. She took me at my word.” Chuckling, he said, “Getting married in the Elven world is much simpler.”
Mom and I helped each other get ready. She used her curling iron on my long hair and arranged it in what she called “Veronica Lake” style, parted on one side with the other side wavy and hanging half over one side of my face. She explained that Veronica Lake was an old-time actress who wore her hair that way in a movie and started a new trend back in the 1940’s. It was actually a very sexy look, covering part of the eye that had been so bruised. All I needed was a little of Amy’s concealer and you couldn’t see any of the damage to my face.
I helped Mom with her hair. She’d pulled it up, off her face, with curls escaping everywhere, and I fastened little pearl clips in her curls. I’d hardly ever seen her wear much makeup, but today she darkened her reddish eyebrows slightly, added gray-blue shadow and mascara, a touch of peach blush, and peach-toned lipstick. When she turned to me, I said, “Wow.” I’d always considered my mother pretty, but today she was drop-dead gorgeous.
“Dad will be speechless. You look incredible.”
She giggled. “As long as he can say, ‘I do,’ we’re fine.”
We were waiting until the last minute to put on our dresses. Mom and I both got dressed in her room so that Dad could use my room. Naturally, she insisted on putting a little makeup on me too. Pink blush for my pale face, a little pink lip gloss, and I was done.
For a girl who’d looked like she’d been mugged two days ago, I thought I looked pretty good.
