“Keyn?” she whispered but this time her voice was laced with fear.
He smelled them first, the stink of trolls. Keyn felt Trillian pull his sword free. He heard his mate clashing blades with the enemy. He had to fight whatever this was. Trillian needed him. Her life hung in the balance. She was outnumbered. His mate.
His mate!
Keyn forced himself to his feet. He took big gulps of air and searched the horizon for Trillian. The world was blurring. His knees buckled. There. He saw her, his woman. She fought awkwardly with his heavy sword. Trillian screamed as a blade sliced at her arm.
Keyn reached out but his body would not obey. He fell face-first into the dirt, the scream of his mate the last thing he heard.
Chapter Nine
Keyn gasped. It was a full gulp of fresh air. His eyes popped open. “Trillian.” A raspy sound came from his parched lips. Sunlight hurt his head as it streamed in through the windows and he stared at a familiar face. “King Carrick.” He swallowed hard. “Is Trillian...” Panic filled his soul.
The king held his frown. “She’s alive.” That was his only answer. Carrick, his long-time friend, turned his back with a disgusted expression and walked to the glass walls.
Keyn realized he was back in the palace.
“She is untrained, a precious mate that you refuse to claim, and yet she picked up your sword and risked her life to keep you safe,” he said harshly.
Keyn shuddered. If she hadn’t shown up, those trolls would have ended his miserable life.
Carrick spun on his heels before pacing to the couch to stare down at Keyn. “She was struck several times, deep but not life threatening. A troll managed to push her to the ground where she hit her head. Whisper heard her scream and arrived in time to fight them off. Brielle is healing her now.”
Keyn released a shaky breath as tears filled his eyes. Trillian was alive.
“Are you going to tell me what happened out there? How did you become so compromised?”
Keyn took a moment to calm his racing heart. “I kissed Trillian,” he whispered.
“Oh, Keyn.” Brook moved from the doorway to his side. “You love her?”
“I always have.” He stood. “The moment our lips met, I broke down. Sir, I cannot face my past. I am a burden and, as such, request my leave of this kingdom.”
The queen spoke and she looked less upset, more pissed off. “You’re abandoning her?”
“I am useless around humans!” Keyn yelled.
Brook took a step toward him, fire in her eyes. “We all have a past. Some are more horrifying than others. You can’t be a coward.” She bunched her small fists up. “If Carrick had abandoned me, I would have lost out on so much happiness.” She pressed her hands to her stomach. “If Thame had left Breena...” The end hung in the air. “You have to fight! You are not permanently broken, just torn at the seams.”
The words struck his soul and he had to turn away. When had the human queen become so intuitive?
“You can run away. You can let whatever nightmare plagues you win or you can take a single step toward your mate,” Brook said as Carrick moved beside her. He gave a proud smile and placed a hand on their unborn child. “She’s two doors down on the right.”
Keyn nodded. He left the room, his breaths heavy with indecision. After the short walk, he stood at the door, staring at the knob as if it were a deadly snake or a flaming sword. His heart was so conflicted by the past but still holding onto that one small light that was Trillian. Battle filled that void but it was a temporary fix. Could Trillian be a permanent solution?
The knob turned. The door opened.
****
Trillian stopped mid-step. The hulking fairy that made her want to tear her hair out stood there. Just what she needed. Her head felt like a two-day hangover and now he was scowling at her and looking sexy as a model. “You’re welcome for saving your life. You’re still an asshole. Now get the fuck out of my way,” she blurted, but meant every word.
Keyn’s lips parted.
“No need to speak, just move.” She stepped forward.
Keyn flinched and moved aside. “Trillian,” he called out.
She rushed around him, not interested in a single word he had to say. If the bastard thought she was disgusting, if he got violently ill from kissing her, he could very well avoid her. She marched away from the king and queen who were kissing like a bunch of horny teenagers on the couch. Sunlight blinded her as she opened the outer door. Her side still ached but when she woke moments ago, she was completely healed. Sure, she wanted to know how but the memory of Keyn and that damn fight with those creatures left her with one conclusion: she intended to leave. “Go away,” she directed the words behind her as she stepped out into the day. The sun was just starting to sink into the horizon.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m leaving.” She waved to Breena who sat nearby talking with the golden fairy, Thame. Trillian glanced back at Keyn. “I hate men and I fucking hate fairies!” she yelled, fists bunched, and she turned away to flee the palace.
“Wait. Please.”
“Fuck you,” she stated flatly. Her anger simmered to the surface as Wick flew toward them. He landed and winked at her. She ignored him, walking onward.
“Let me explain.”
“There’s nothing to explain. When a guy kisses you and gets physically sick, I don’t think words are necessary.”
“Is that what you think happened?” He hovered beside her.
“Um, I was there. So yes, I know that’s what happened.”
He landed before her and she stopped short. “Your...our...touch triggered memories from my past. It wasn’t you.”
Well, she hadn’t thought of that. The queen did say they had baggage. What if he was telling the truth? Forget it, didn’t matter. “I’m still leaving. I have a life to get back to.”
She sidestepped him, her stride eating up the path. Trillian was done with the fairy kingdom. Keyn dropped off and she lost sight of him. She made it to the edge of the city and found herself at a tall wall made of rock. So the city was half-sunken into the ground? The dome must protect whoever was on the top side from falling in or even seeing this place. She shook her head. How was she going to get up this? With anger still fueling her adrenaline, she kicked the barrier, winced, and then followed the trail. She’d walk a million miles to get home if she had to. There had to be an opening somewhere.
“Ever wonder how he got that scar?”
She spun, gasped at the intrusion, and ground her teeth when she saw that damn golden fairy. He landed next to her, as she answered, “I don’t care.”
“Yes, you do.” He smirked, so sure of himself.
“Nope.” She kept walking.
“When he was a boy, he fell out of the sky.”
Trillian stopped. “Fell?” She made a diving motion with her hand.
Thame nodded.
Against her better judgment, she listened to her wildly beating heart. “And?”
“Did you know every night he dreams of those events and every morning for the past year he flies to your home? I followed him one morning and found you. He watches you and it’s the only time I have ever seen him smile.”
Her hand covered her gaping mouth. “Why, me?” she asked.
“You’re his mate,” Thame said with gusto.
There was a flutter of wings and Keyn landed, the usual scowl on his face. Thame glanced at him briefly before taking to the sky. That revelation played in her head and made the silence between them awkward.
“I did not mean any insult toward you,” Keyn began, “but it’s not safe to leave.”
“I can’t stay.” When had emotion taken hold of her voice?
“I will try to be less...annoying.”
Trillian snorted. “Yeah, right.”
“Shall I make it a promise?”
She shook her head. “What happened to you, the scar, I mean?”
He frowned but revealed teeth as
if he intended to snarl. “That matters not. I will stay out of your way if you agree to remain here.”
This was his first attempt at not being annoying–epic fail. Trillian turned on her heels.
“You’ve got to be the most stubborn female in the entire species!” Keyn shouted.
Trillian gritted her teeth but managed to ignore him. She spotted a steep winding pathway up the wall of rock that would, hopefully, lead her out of this city.
“If you’re intent on ignoring me, why did you save my life?” Keyn asked as he flew beside her.
Trillian opened her mouth, but hesitated. Eh, the truth was supposed to set everyone free, right? “I thought our...contact made you sick and I might have felt guilty leaving you vulnerable to those things.”
“Sick?” He looked absolutely stumped.
Idiot. “Our kiss. You went down afterward,” Trillian blurted.
He landed on his feet with a thud. “I had a moment of overwhelming desire and that led to a weakness in...”
Trillian lifted a brow. “Do you really believe all this shit you spout?” She took a breath. “Tell me how you got that scar and I’ll stay one more night.” She had that luxury since Cameron wouldn’t be home for another few days.
Keyn’s eyes widened. He absently touched the scar on his face and pressed his lips together. There was a short heavy silence before he spoke. “You may not have noticed but I hate humans. You’re all filthy creatures, and when I was a child, your kind did this.”
Filthy creature? With that, Trillian showed him the chipped nail polish on her middle finger and took off down that darkening path.
Chapter Ten
Trillian’s feet felt like falling off. Still she walked over hills, past a pond, and into a collection of trees. This had to lead her home. She saw the remnants of the first battle with those trolls. After sidestepping that mess, it wasn’t long before she came to the main road. She smiled. A five-minute walk would bring her to the driveway and finally home. She shivered slightly. Winter was mild and almost done with but there was still a chill in the night air. Trillian glanced behind her. Nothing. Then she looked up to the sky. Empty. Excellent. She quickened her pace and made it to her front door.
The smile faded.
A certain black-and-red-winged fairy stood in her way. He sat on her crumbling stoop with his wings folded against his back. “Don’t you have a war to fight?”
“I may have been a little...harsh back there.”
Trillian snorted. “That’s putting it mildly.”
He sighed like he was tired and hadn’t slept in days. “I have anger issues toward humans.”
“Because they scarred your face?” She was really trying to understand him though she didn’t know why she even bothered.
Keyn nodded.
“Fine, you’re forgiven for being an ass. Now, please, leave me alone” She trudged around him, found her door unlocked. “I want to forget ever meeting a fairy.” Trillian shut the door quietly.
It felt so good to be home. Regardless of that adventure, Trillian wanted nothing more than to get back to normal. First, she called the bar. She was, in fact, fired. Fabulous. Trillian then called the hospital. It took a few bad elevator songs before an operator directed her to Cameron’s doctor. The man didn’t waste time and Trillian’s hand collapsed over her mouth to keep from crying out. Apparently, Cameron had taken a turn for the worst. Tears sprang to her eyes as she grabbed her car keys. The doctor said Cameron refused to stay there a moment longer and he wanted his sister. Trillian glanced outside. The sun had set but a few rays were still scattered through the sky. Thankfully, that’s all that was out there. There was no fairy in sight. She opened the door and ran to her crappy car. It was time to bring Cameron home too.
****
“You look like crap,” Cameron said from the passenger seat.
He went into a coughing fit that brought out his sunken eyes and cheeks. Her brother looked so pale. Trillian couldn’t bring herself to reply to the lighthearted comment.
“What’s wrong, little sis?” He was gasping when he finished the short question, pulling air into his lungs violently. “I’m going to be fine.”
That simple statement was a lie. They both knew it but it brought her fragile mind to a dark place. A deadly, lonely area she didn’t not want to be. “I’m just tired. The bar fired me.” She tried to be normal.
“What? Why?” He coughed into his hand, a hacking sound that made her cringe.
Trillian pulled the car into their driveway as she thought of a white lie. “They’re not making as much money as they were, needed to trim some workers, and I was on that list.”
“Well. That. Sucks,” he said between breaths.
“Save your strength. It’s chilly today and spring is another few weeks away. Let’s go into the house and I’ll make you some warm soup.”
“Canned?” he asked with a grin.
“Of course.” Trillian smiled. Her cooking skills were legendary.
It was an uphill battle getting Cameron into the house. He leaned on Trillian heavily. By the time they made it in the living room, they were both exhausted and breathing intensely. She helped him onto the couch, distraught at how boney he felt in her arms. Strong, brave, tough Cameron was now all skin and sharp angles. She turned away before he could hear her cry. She entered the kitchen, pulled off her coat, and heard his heavy breaths echoing in the quiet house. Tears slid down her cheeks as she placed an empty pot on the old stove.
“Trillian!” Cameron suddenly shouted. “Trillian!”
Terror seized her heart as she rushed into the other room. Cameron was even paler, breathing hard from the yelling. He could barely inhale as his wide eyes glanced out the window.
“What’s wrong? What is it?”
“I think...I think I’m going to die.” His entire body began to shake. “Shit, Trillian, I see an angel.”
Her eyes widened and she blurted, “Don’t go into the light.” Trillian ran to her brother, the only family she had, the only man she had ever loved unconditionally. “Cameron, I need you here.” A tear slid down her cheek.
“But why does he look so angry?”
“He?” She slammed her fists onto the couch and jumped to her feet. Trillian glanced outside with a growl. That sure as hell was no angel. “Wait.” Shock registered. “You can see him?” She turned around to stare at Cameron. “You can see the fairy?”
“Fairy? No, that’s an angel,” Cameron said with a smile and slumped against the couch.
“No. That is an annoying, stubborn ass...” Trillian trailed off. Cameron collapsed onto his face. She shifted him so he could breathe better and saw the rise and fall of his chest become steady.
“He’s very ill.”
Trillian jumped.
Keyn was standing beside her. “Is this your man?”
She rolled her eyes. “You know, for a man that finds me so repulsive, that sounds like jealousy.” She knelt down. “This is my brother, and yes, he’s very sick. How did you get in here anyway?”
Keyn didn’t answer her question. “Is this why you wouldn’t stay?”
Trillian nodded. She glanced over her shoulder but Keyn had moved farther away. “Our doctors can’t find out what’s wrong with him. He’s fading away.” She bit her lower lip. No more tears, no weakness in front of him.
“There...there may be another way.”
Trillian’s head jerked up. “What do you mean?”
He leaned against the doorframe but still looked tense. “We have a healer.”
Those were the sweetest, most hopeful and perfect set of words she had ever heard. Her mouth flopped open and closed as tears sprung to her eyes. “The healer can cure him?”
“Brielle is quiet powerful. It may be possible.”
Trillian was overwhelmed. Just the possibility of saving Cameron made her adrenaline shoot through her veins at breakneck speed. She threw herself at Keyn. It was pure instinct. She pressed their bodies together and
wrapped her arms around his waist.
Keyn stood stiff but didn’t pull away.
“Sorry.” She let him go, wiping away tears. “It’s just...he’s the only family I have.” Her smile seemed permanent as she glanced back at her brother. “Please, yes, please, let’s go to see your healer. Is she in the kingdom? Can we be there tonight?” She had so many questions and would have kept chatting but Keyn lifted his hand.
He gently caressed her cheek. Another shudder rocked his body and he quickly pulled away. “I must receive the king’s permission but Carrick will most likely accept this as your brother can also see us.” Keyn took a step back. “Stay here, lock up, and I will return shortly.”
Trillian nodded enthusiastically and smiled. Keyn went to the door. She focused on the small spark of hope as her fairy took off into the darkening sky.
****
Keyn couldn’t control the trembling but he managed to make his way home and grab Thame to help. He could barely manage the onslaught of shivers and sweat brought on by being so close to a human male. It sent his body into a convulsive state and his mind reeling. They had arrived at the house moments ago, and Thame scooped up the sick unconscious human and flew off into the sky. Keyn cleared his throat awkwardly as Trillian watched, her hands clasped in front of her chest.
“I will never, ever be able to express how much...” Her eyes filled with tears and she blinked rapidly to clear them away. “Thank you.” A single tear dropped down her cheek and she rushed to wipe it away. “Thank you, Keyn.”
He nodded, his heart stirring.
“Did you want to walk back?” she asked hesitantly. “I know you don’t like touching humans.”
He was a little taken aback by her willingness to bend. Did she feel indebted to him? He wasn’t looking for that. It just felt right to help the human that meant so much to her. “Walking will be good,” he finally said. Walking would be a blessing. He still couldn’t get over the aversion to touching her, a human. He shook but it was hidden by the darkness around them.
Fairy Unbroken Page 5
