Earth Child (Romance Novels of The Fae Realm)

by Green, Rosemary

  “Good morning Alexa. Shall we go to class?” Cerus took my bag, flung it over his shoulder, turned, grabbed my hand and together we walked toward the Trigonometry classroom.

  “I thought I was never going to see you again.”

  “Well you were right. I am a guardian, and you are a treasure that needs to be protected.”

  “Cerus I’ve made a decision. When school is out I’ll go with you. I’ll join the Fae. That gives us 11 weeks to come up with a plan.”

  “A plan?”

  “Yes, a way to leave, to say goodbye so that everyone that I love will be safe too.”

  “11 weeks” he remarked.

  “11 weeks” I confirmed.

  * * * *

  After a brief conversation where we both apologized for yesterday I discovered that Cerus had enrolled in most of my classes. I had most of my credits necessary to graduate already so I had two periods where I served as a teacher’s aide. Those periods and gym were the only times that Cerus and I would be apart. I was also informed that on the weekends he would start teaching me how to use my powers. Just the fact that I had powers started to make this whole bizarre situation seem more and more real.

  “Alexa, it’s important that we tell no one who you really are. The knowledge is dangerous, to you and to them” Cerus warned.

  “Except Sam” I argued.

  “Even Sam” he countered

  “That will never work. Sam already knows something is going on. He was there yesterday, remember? Besides he’s not stupid either. If I don’t tell him something he’ll seek out the answers on his own.”

  “He won’t find much. At least nothing based on truth.”

  “I trust him. We need to tell him the truth. For him it will be more dangerous if we don’t. He’ll find out what he thinks will be the truth and he’ll do something stupid.”

  “I admit that I’m not excited by the idea, but if you trust him then we’ll tell him.”

  I leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you.”

  The rest of the morning sped by. Stowing my bag in my locker, Cerus and I headed toward the cafeteria. I was hoping to find Sam and get him caught up on everything. It was both exciting and weird to be walking down the halls with Cerus. Student’s eyes followed us everywhere and after we passed any group of girls, furious whispers broke out. After being socially ignored for so long the attention left me kind of uncomfortable.

  Entering the cafeteria I quickly scanned the sea of students looking for Sam’s familiar tall frame. Just as I spotted him, he spotted Cerus behind me. Angry over my actions this morning, Cerus’ presence just fueled his frustration and Sam quickly stood, shook his head and walked away. I felt deflated. There was so much that I needed to tell Sam, and because I was stupid this morning I was paying for it now. All I could do was hope that he would come around. As if sensing my melancholy Cerus pulled me in for a tight hug.

  “It will be okay Alexa” he whispered. I nodded in agreement, but I wasn’t sure if I believed him.

  Chapter 5

  Can the Prom Really Be So Important?

  It took a week for Sam to talk to me again. During that time I had established a slightly different routine along with the first inklings of a plan that wouldn’t cause Richard and Nancy to file a missing person report. Outward Bound had a summer program to help troubled teens. They were looking for new counselors with experience. I started hinting that it would be a great experience, and I that I was thinking of applying. I also left various pamphlets and other information lying strategically around the house. After a few days the parents were talking up the great opportunity that Outward Bound was going to provide me and how it would look good when I needed to get an internship after my freshman year of college.

  Cerus insisted that I quit my job at the FotoHut. I objected at first, I still needed gas money to get around. When he told me that I had access to the Fae treasury and that I was basically a gazillionaire I decided that the time could be better spent with family and friends. Cerus had other ideas. Now instead of spending my Tuesday and Wednesday evenings in boredom, I spent it working on my hand to hand combat. Fighting is hard and I soon learned just how pathetically out of shape I really was. I had always been active, just leisurely active. The strenuous workouts that Cerus put me through that first week left me barely able to walk.

  We had been working for three weeks now. I had dropped 20 pounds and was pleased at the appearance of several new lean and sculpted muscles. I didn’t know if I was ever going to have to use my newly acquired skills, but I have to admit that I liked the results. My lessons on using my Fae powers were coming along nicely as well. I can tune into the energies all around us, communicate with small animals and anything growing in the ground. It’s kind of fun to call to the trees by the side of the house, step out onto their branches and slowly lower myself to the ground. Sam thinks it’s cool too. He’s always asking me to do crazy things.

  “Lex can you make apples blue?”

  “Why would I want to make apples blue? They’re just fine the way they are.”

  “Because it would be funny!”

  “Cerus says that I am meant to work with nature and the earth energies. Making apples blue would be going against that.”

  “Cerus says…I’m really getting tired of your sentences starting out like that.”

  “Hey, no one is forcing you to hang out with me” I smile at him. “Admit it, you’d be bored without me around.”

  “Okay fine I admit it” he smiled back, palms up in a gesture of defeat. “So what are you wearing this weekend?”

  “This weekend? Probably just the usual workout clothes. Why? What are you wearing? Is it supposed to rain or something? Maybe if it does I can work on changing the weather. Cerus says that I can manipulate things so that storms are delayed or weakened” I look up at Sam and he’s just staring at me like I have a booger hanging on my nose or food in my teeth. “What?”

  “Prom is Saturday. You told Adam you had a date.”

  “Oh crap. Yeah, I totally lied.”

  “So go with Cerus.”

  “Ha! Cerus in a tuxedo! That would be fun to see. Nah I’ll just do my training as usual. Besides, it’s too late to find a good dress anyway. And I’m not really big on school dances so I’ll be okay.”

  “Lex, prom is a rite of passage. You can’t miss it.”

  “I missed last year just fine.”

  “Junior prom doesn’t count” he frowned at me.

  I sighed. Part of me did want to go, to dress up all frilly and dance the night away. For a moment I allowed myself to become lost in a Cinderella type fantasy, me standing at the top of an elaborate stair case, Cerus waiting at the bottom; people turning to stare at me, stunned and speechless over my transformation from average unremarkable to beautiful goddess. A fantasy was all it would ever be though.

  “Sam, I’ll be fine. You go. Have fun with Bethany, be a dancing machine. How are things going with her anyway?”

  Sam started blushing. “A little faster than I really wanted. She keeps asking me which hotel we’re staying at.”

  “You mean she wants to…”

  “Yeah. I like her, and kissing her is fun, but I don’t know if I love her, and I’m definitely not ready for sex. I’m probably the only red-blooded teenage boy to ever say that.”

  “Tell her. If she really likes you she’ll respect you for it.”

  “Yeah I guess” he mumbled looking down at his shoes. “Lex, don’t give up on prom yet. You really should try to go. No one will care if you don’t have a fancy dress. Just…just don’t lose yourself in all the Fae stuff yet. You’re still here, still human. You should have a human prom.”
/>
  “I’ll think about it.”

  “Cool” he smiles at me, giving me a half hug.

  * * * *

  Saturday arrives quickly. I am slow to wake up not really wanting to leave the softness of my bed. However, my body is so used to the routine that Cerus has put me through that I sit up and start going through the stretches he taught me. The concentrated movements and deep breathing actually help me to wake up and soon I am bumping down the stairs in my workout clothes ready for breakfast and then a quick run with Cerus before we start our training.

  Richard is sitting at the kitchen table, the top of his head visible over the newspaper. Nancy is standing at the stove slowly stirring some scrambled eggs. They are both doing their best not to look at me for too long. Something is up.

  “Good morning dad, mom. What’s wrong?”

  “Why do you think anything is wrong?” Richard counters.

  “Because you too look like a couple of kids who’ve peeked at their Christmas presents.”

  “Just eat your breakfast. Cerus will be here soon and you don’t want to be late” Nancy bustles over with eggs, some cantaloupe and a glass of milk.

  I grunt my disbelief, but pick up my fork and start eating, chewing slowly and watching their every move. It’s almost with a sense of relief that the doorbell rings and Richard hastily folds his newspaper to jump up and answer the door. Nancy follows him and soon returns holding her camera. Okay, now I really know something is up. Placing my fork on the table, I wipe my mouth and make my way into the living room.

  Cerus is standing there, beautiful as always. My breath catches in my throat a little each time I see him. Part of me is still in disbelief that he is a part of my life. In reality it’s only been a few weeks, but it feels like a lot longer to me. Like he was always meant to be a part of it and I’ve just now found him.

  “Hey there, I’m ready when you are” I walk over and give him a brief hug and a quick peck on the cheek. I’d like to kiss him deeply, but I always feel a little weird kissing him in front of my parents.

  “I am ready, but I have something a little different planned for today” he smiles at me, taking my hand and walking me over to the window. Sitting along the curb is a sleek, black limousine.

  Nancy starts doing a weird crying-laugh and furiously snapping pictures. I’m sure the look of confusion on my face is a memory that is really worth keeping.

  “What’s going on?” I ask.

  “Well a few days ago I had an enlightening conversation with Sam. He informed me that today is prom and it is tradition for the man to take the woman to the dance.”

  “The dance isn’t until later tonight.”

  “Yes. Sam also informed me that you didn’t have suitable attire. I am taking you shopping. Then to the salon, and to dinner, and the dance.”

  “What about our workout?” I stutter, still a little taken by surprise.

  “Everyone deserves a break. You especially. Shall we go?”

  I give Richard a hug, then Nancy, then grab my bag and head toward the limo. A uniformed driver appears out of nowhere, opens the door for me with a nod of his head and I slide into the soft buttery leather of the back seat. I’ve never been in a limo before so I take a few moments to take everything in. The entire back area is softly lit by a dim blue glow. There is a bar with fruit and snacks and I see that the alcohol has been replaced with water and soda. A darkened screen divides the back from the driver. Cerus slid into the seat beside me and I practically pounced on him, choking him in a fierce hug.

  “Thank you so much. I don’t know how I will ever repay you.”

  “My sweet Alexa, why ever do you think you have to?”

  The drive down to Fayetteville is uneventful. I play with all the buttons like a child, opening and closing the sunroof and windows and playing with the lights. One switch lets the colors change and I settle on a deep green, like the forest. We walk all over the mall, trying store after store and dress after dress. I feel like I’m in an 80’s movie montage stepping in and out of the dressing room in outfits more and more ridiculous before finally deciding on a pale emerald gown. The fabric is gossamer silk, smooth and light and I feel like I’m floating when I wear it. It’s cut in a Grecian style, with one shoulder bare.

  Lunch is nothing special, just Chinese food in the food court, but the company makes it seem magical. There’s also a piano player serenading the guests and a small fountain where little kids are tossing in pennies and making wishes. After lunch Cerus drops me at the salon and promises to pick me up for dinner in a few hours. I am ushered inside and quickly whisked to a room where I don a robe. First I am treated to a massage, then a manicure, and a pedicure. Just having my nails polished and I already feel super girly. Make-up is next and I decide that less is more. I take the same approach with my hair, just pulling it up off the sides of my face and letting it cascade into soft curls down my back. Since I usually wear my hair in a pony tail the change takes some getting used to as curls tickle my back and bare shoulder. When I put on my dress and step out of the changing room I feel like a queen.

  The limo pulls up and Cerus climbs out. I hide a smile as the salon staff ogles him. I was right, James Bond personified. Mysterious and sexy, and every woman in the salon is suddenly envious of me. When he sees me he stops mid-step. His crystalline eyes slowly take it all in; I feel them like a physical touch from the top of my head all the way down to my slippered feet.

  “My Queen” he bowed to me, rising to take my hand. He placed a kiss on my knuckles and directed me to the waiting limo. For the first time, I really did feel like royalty.

  “My Prince” I replied. “Let’s go to dinner.”

  Chapter 6

  The Scent of Spicy Woods and Green Grass

  Dinner went by in a blur. Soon we were driving back home and toward prom. The school gym looked good, for as good as it could being that it was a school gym transformed into ‘A Starry Night’. We had our pictures taken, we danced, we laughed, we drank punch, and for one song Sam and Cerus switched partners. It was fun. The evening started to wind down and the DJ announced the last slow song of the evening. Cerus took my hand and led me to the center of the dance floor.

  “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “For today, for this, for everything. Thank you.”

  “I would do anything for you Alexa. All you have to do is ask me.”

  Content, I sighed and rested my head on Cerus’ shoulder. The twinkling lights bathed the gym in a soft romantic glow. I had that good tired out feeling. Maybe it was because I was so relaxed, or maybe it was because things had been going so well for a while. Either way I wasn’t really prepared for what happened next.

  One by one the strands of lights went out. The music changed from a sweet melody to a discordant wail. My classmates froze in place around me. I stopped dancing and looked around. Even Cerus was stiff, his eyes glazed and staring into empty space. The only light was in the center of the gym. Slowly, carefully, I stepped out of the shadows and into the circle of light. I reached out with my senses. Darkness and wrong washed over me so strongly that I was forced to my knees. I tried to let go of the earth energy, but I was trapped in the offensive strength of whatever was affecting my surroundings. Gasping I struggled to stand as I heard a menacing laugh grow louder and louder as its owner approached.

  “Oh sweet Alexa. Is something wrong?” Jariah laughed, staying to the shadows that shrouded the gym.

  “What did you do to me?”

  “Nothing at all”

  “What is this? It’s filthy!” I choked struggling to look up at him.

  “This is power. True power, the true use of the energies around us. We are not meant to serve it. We are me
ant to use it.”

  I shook my head. No. This was wrong. Immoral and wicked. “Stop” I whispered, “Stop. Stop. Stop! STOP!” I scream, pushing to my feel in a rush of wind that knocks Jariah back a few steps.

  “My, my, but we have been busy. Learn a few tricks?” he laughed at me.

  “More than a few.” Slowly I begin to push the circle of light out, relighting the strands around me. I widen my reach and wrap Cerus in a wreath of pure warm energy and light. He gasps for air as if awakening from a nightmare. The shadows are pushed further into the corner. I advance stalking Jariah, whose face has gone from laughter to annoyance. “Stay away from me. Stay away from my family. If I ever see you again, I will kill you” reaching out my hand I pressed my hand firmly against his throat, squeezing just a little, but putting all the heat and light and goodness of the sun into my fingers.

  His scream was loud; loud and anguished. I grit my teeth and squeezed harder, putting more energy into my touch.

  “No Alexa!” Cerus cried, running to pry my fingers from Jariah’s throat.

  All I could hear was the screaming. The heat was intense. My hand and my mind felt like they were on fire. I wanted to let go, I wanted to let go of all the energy that I had coursing through me, but I didn’t know how. The screaming wouldn’t stop. It echoed in my ears and through the room and all around me, until I realized the noise was coming from me instead of Jariah.

  “Alexa, you must let go. Let go Alexa.”