by Bonnie Lamer
“Both of you?” Grandmother says pointedly and I feel a touch of color forming on my cheeks as well. “You did this simply by thinking of where you would rather be?”
I believe it is best to get the focus directed only on Xandra’s new ability. I do not want to sit through questions regarding virginity status. “I have never heard of a Fairy being able to teleport,” I say. “I am assuming it is a rare personal ability.”
Grandmother is silent for a moment as she studies Xandra, who seems to be having trouble sitting still under the scrutiny. Finally, she says, “That is because it is not a Fairy trait. It is Angels who are able to move about that way.”
Sitting up and leaning forward with my elbows on my knees, I ask, “So, her Angel magic is growing?”
“So it would seem,” Grandmother says. She is still looking at Xandra, even though she is speaking to me.
“What does that mean?” Xandra asks.
With a barely noticeable shake of her head, Grandmother says, “I do not know.”
I can count on my fingers how many times Grandmother has said that throughout my life, and most of those instances have been about Xandra. But there is something she is not telling us this time. I can see it in her eyes and the tiny, tight lines around her mouth. Her eyes become cloudy for a moment and then shift back to the brilliant green they usually are.
Frowning, I ask, “Have you had a vision? Is this a bad thing?”
Again, it takes her a moment to answer. “Fallen Angels do not retain the ability to teleport. It is considered an unfair advantage over other magical and non-magical beings.”
Xandra’s forehead wrinkles. “Do you mean I’m not supposed to be able to do this?”
Grandmother’s voice is even as she says, “Whether you are supposed to be able to do it or not, is not for me to say. I am simply stating that it has never occurred in a situation such as this.”
In a situation such as this? Since there has never been a Witch Fairy before, that would make sense, but Grandmother is stalling. Why will she not simply say what she thinks?
Xandra is feeling the same. There is a vein on her temple that I believe is in danger of bursting if Grandmother does not stop being so coy. “Such as this?”
“You are not an Angel living amongst other Angels in their realm. You do not carry your wings with you at all times, which, I have been told, is the Angels’ source of power for teleportation. Yet, you possess a skill that only one such as that should have. I am not sure that this is…” A pause. Grandmother never pauses. Her mental clarity is far too vast. “I would suggest that this is a skill that you do not use unless you are in great need. You do not want to encourage any…” Another pause. Xandra’s vein is throbbing even more. “…unwanted attention.”
I believe I have my own pulsing vein now. “What type of unwanted attention?”
She takes so long to answer, both Xandra and I are sure that she’s decided not to do so. Only I know that faraway look of hers indicates she is again seeing things we cannot. Looking vaguely uncomfortable, Grandmother finally says, “Not all Angels who have fallen from their realm did so by choice. Some were stripped of their wings and forced out. Some learn from their mistakes and live out their time in the realm they are in, hoping that when the time comes, they will be allowed back into the Angel realm and their wings will be returned. Others show no remorse over their actions, and create havoc wherever they go. Their greatest wish is to return to the Angel realm to seek revenge.”
“Why are you telling us this, and what does that have to do with Xandra being able to teleport? Grandmother, you looked like you were having a vision.” Why is she dancing around the issue? Frustrated does not even begin to describe how I feel at the moment.
Another toxic pause. “I believe I am scaring you. That is not my intent.”
Xandra obviously knows when she is stalling as well. “But, there’s something else I should know, right?”
Grandmother sighs. “Perhaps we should discuss this after your trip.”
“No way. I’m not going anywhere if something bad is going to happen.” Nor am I.
Grandmother gives her an impatient look. “I did not say that anything bad is going to happen. I believe you read more into my words than was there.”
I want to pound on her desk. “Grandmother, this is ridiculous. What are you holding back? What have you seen?”
“If you would like information, I suggest you use a more respectful tone,” she replies dryly.
I believe my tongue is going to bleed with the effort it takes to bite back my angry retort. When I am finally able to speak in a somewhat civil tone, I grind out, “Will you please tell us what you are concerned about?”
She sighs. “I am concerned that Xandra’s ability is different than that of the other Angels.”
“And?” Xandra asks for the both of us. After all, she is not one hundred percent Angel. It is not surprising that her powers are different.
Grandmother sighs again. “Did an Angel come to discuss your use of teleportation in a realm other than the Angel realm?” When Xandra shakes her head she continues, “Then, the future has already changed from what I saw.”
“How would they know?” Xandra asks, confusion still reigning on her face.
“Angels can sense each other when they teleport.”
“And you think that they can’t detect me?” Xandra asks.
“Your blood is thinner, possibly not as easy to detect. Or it is the fact that your wings are in the Angel realm, not on your back, and it is wings that the other Angels can detect.”
“Why does that matter?”
Grandmother shrugs. “I am not sure how, but I would be cautious. Again, I suggest you use this new skill of yours only if necessary.”
“Okay,” Xandra says, but neither Grandmother nor I believe her. I cannot say that I would keep such a promise either. She can teleport! Who would not play with that power? Her response was simply an appeasement for Grandmother’s sake. I applaud her effort.
The back of my mind registers the presence of powerful magic and I rise from my chair. “Dagda is here.”
“I would suggest that you keep this conversation between the three of us,” Grandmother says pointedly. Obviously, she means do not discuss it with Dagda.
“Yeah, that’s probably a good idea,” Xandra agrees. I would like to defend my uncle, but I simply cannot.
Grandmother rises from her chair and walks around the desk. “I am glad we are in agreement.” With a teasing glint in her eye, she says, “But feel free to practice any of your other skills on him. I believe he is overdue for a good soaking in salt water.”
I laugh and kiss her on the cheek. There is the Grandmother I know and love. “I will encourage her in that way myself.”
Xandra smiles and shakes her head. “Aren’t you two supposed to be the voice of reason when it comes to my insane magic?”
Grandmother returns her smile as she walks towards the door. “Sometimes, insanity can be just as powerful a weapon as sanity. If used appropriately. And sparingly.”
Xandra laughs. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
As we leave Grandmother’s office it dawns on me that playing mediator as I just did will serve as practice for the days to come. Xandra and Dagda are sure to butt heads repeatedly during the trip.
Chapter 3
When we enter the kitchen, Alita and Kegan are already waiting for us. I am torn in my feelings towards them accompanying us on this trip. Yes, they will serve as more buffer between Xandra and Dagda, but that also means less private time for Xandra and myself. Though considering how explosive things have become for us in the bedroom, perhaps that is overall not such a bad thing. I cannot believe I just thought that.
Xandra’s parents are also in the kitchen. Fortunately, the superstitions of the Giants have left them unable to join us. One less landmine to dance around over the next couple of weeks. Not that I am opposed to their company. It is simply that their hostility towa
rds Dagda is even greater than Xandra’s as they have had many more years to let their hatred fester. As is apparent by the murderous expressions they are sending his way where he is standing next to Tabitha at the stove.
Tabitha smacks Dagda’s hand with a spatula when he tries to steal a piece of bacon. “You may be King,” she says, “but that will not stop you from losing a hand if you touch this bacon again.” He laughs, but he knows her ‘do not mess with me’ tone as well as I do. He will not be stealing any more bacon.
With a weak stab at humor to break through the tension in the room, Xandra rubs her arms and says, “Brr, it’s pretty cold in here.” I try to laugh but have trouble mustering it. I am afraid of the repercussions if I did. No sense in testing any tempers.
“Xandra, you look well this morning,” Dagda says. “I am looking forward to this opportunity to get to know my daughter better.” He emphasizes the word daughter. I have known my uncle to be ignorant in his views, but I have never thought of him as a stupid Fairy. Until recently. Why would he be antagonizing her and her parents?
“Not your daughter,” Xandra says, as she sits down and pours a glass of fresh-squeezed mango juice. There is a clear warning in her voice that I hope my uncle heeds.
Dagda smiles and is wise enough to drop it. “Are you ready for our trip? I would like to leave as soon as possible.”
“Sure we can’t wait until tomorrow?” Xandra asks, as Tabitha puts a steaming plate of pancakes in front of each of us.
He inclines his head and narrows his eyes in her direction. “I believe that to be a rhetorical question. My business in the south is pressing.”
“Fine,” Xandra grumbles around a mouthful of pancakes.
Dagda cannot help needling her it seems. “I assume speaking with your mouth full is something you only do when around family?” She ignores him. .
“Xandra, you don’t have to go,” her mother grinds out again. For the thousandth time.
“I know,” Xandra says with even more food in her mouth to annoy Dagda. I shake my head and chuckle while I continue to enjoy my pancakes. I am staying out of this conversation as I have each time it has been brought up. It is Xandra’s choice and no one else’s. Not even her mother’s.
“It is good that she is going. Unfortunately, unrest among the Giants is a great concern. Their race is prone to violence, resulting in a threat to their very existence,” Grandmother says. “The goal of this trip is to bring about a truce between the warring tribes.”
“So, once again, you’re sending Xandra into a dangerous situation?” her father accuses.
“She will be perfectly safe with me,” Dagda assures him. No one misses the implication in his voice that he is more capable than Mr. Smith at keeping his daughter safe.
“Right, he’s probably bringing me along as protection for him,” Xandra mutters between bites.
Dagda’s eyes narrow in her direction again. “Do you say everything out loud that passes through your mind?”
She shrugs and nods. “Pretty much. You should probably get used to it if you plan to be around me.”
“Is she right?” Xandra’s mother asks. I begin eating faster. This conversation is about to explode and I do not want to miss out on my fill of pancakes.
Dagda pulls himself away from the counter. “I have no intention of putting my daughter in danger.” Yes, he is a stupid Fairy. I chew faster.
Showing considerable and uncharacteristic restraint, Xandra says, “Mom, it’s okay. He had the trip planned before he even knew we were going to stay in this realm.”
Dagda leans back against the counter again. “You must remember, Xandra is a princess and she needs to start acting like one.” Xandra’s response is to snort. Her mother just glares at him.
“Xandra’s not a princess,” Zach says, bouncing into the kitchen, heading straight for Tabitha. She lets him steal a piece of bacon without getting whacked with a spatula. “She’s just plain old Xandra.”
Xandra laughs and musses his hair, her affection for him clear. “Thanks, buddy, way to make me feel special.”
“Xandra will not be assuming any duties in this realm,” her mother says finally. I believe she needed a moment to tone down her words as not to scare her youngest child.
My last bite of pancake swallowed, I stand up. Before anyone can say another word, I say, “Uncle, there are a couple of bags that will need to be loaded into the carriage. Perhaps you can show me the best place for them.” Clearly there is more on his mind he would like to say, but Dagda nods and walks ahead of me out the back door. He is getting smarter by the moment.
Outside, I stop and turn to him. “Why do you press her so? Her control and restraint are both fleeting. Patience would be more prudent.”
To my surprise, he chuckles at my reproof. “As always, dear nephew, your counsel is wise. How ironic that it is so often you with the level head when I am supposed to be the voice of reason for the realm.” He looks thoughtful for a moment. “I believe it is due mostly to the fact that she is so much like me. It can be difficult to see yourself so clearly in another, even your own child. Perhaps I continue to hope that she will surprise me and be the better Fairy by not reacting in the same way I would have at her age.”
I know my eyes widen in surprise. I was not expecting such an honest and soul searching response. Nor such misguided logic. “She is trying, Uncle,” is all I can manage to say.
He remains thoughtful. “Indeed. As important as that is, it is a pity that she has been forced to mature so quickly. I was allowed to throw tantrums very late into life.”
Even more honesty. My turn to chuckle. “I believe it best to remain mum on that subject.” I believe it best not to mention that it is he who is responsible for Xandra’s need to mature more quickly than he did.
He raises a brow in my direction and gives a slight shake of the head. “Your wisdom greatly surpasses your years. Come, let us see if the carriage is ready.” He walks off in the direction of the garage. I know we will find everything in order. Dagda’s staff know how intolerant the King is of being made to wait.
After a cursory check on the carriage and stowing our bags inside, I head back to the house to say my good byes. I am surprised to find that Xandra has already made it outside with Kegan and Alita. “We are ready to depart,” I announce to those left in the kitchen.
“Please keep her safe from that man,” Xandra’s mother says. There is a slight tremor in her voice that surprises me.
I give her a wry smile. “The need for safety is most likely on my uncle’s part, not Xandra’s.”
“Good,” her father mumbles. He is definitely the source of Xandra’s frequent comments under her breath.
“Remember what we discussed,” Grandmother says walking towards me and I nod. She gives me a kiss on the cheek. “Do your best to keep things calm.”
“The boy is not a miracle worker,” Tabitha says gruffly. “I will be surprised if they make it five minutes before some sort of crisis occurs. That uncle of yours just does not know when to keep his mouth closed when he is around Xandra. Stupid, idiotic Fairy.”
I laugh thinking back to my discussion with him just moments ago. “No, it seems he does not.”
Xandra’s father floats over to me and holds out his deathly cold hand. I do my best to pretend to shake it without getting frostbitten fingers. “I know you will do your best,” he says, letting his hand drop back to his side. “I do not envy you. You seem to get caught in the middle a lot.”
True, but the rewards are worth it. I keep that to myself though. “It is not so bad.”
He laughs. “You just keep telling yourself that. Maybe someday it will be true.”
Never one for long goodbyes, Tabitha says gruffly, “Go on now, you get before they send a search party in after you. I have work to do and the sooner you all go, the sooner I can finish.”
“Alright,” I say, giving her a kiss on the cheek. “We will see you all soon.”
When I walk out th
e back door, I find Xandra and Alita talking. They must be discussing something unpleasant considering the looks on their faces. I come up behind Xandra and wrap my arms around her. She leans back against me, her sexy body pressed against mine, and memories of what we were doing earlier in our room come rushing back. “What has you two looking so serious?” I ask, trying hard to focus on something other than getting Xandra naked.
“Nothing, Alita just has some crazy ideas about reality,” Xandra replies. Alita sticks her tongue out at her but then laughs.
I suspect I am better off not knowing what they were discussing. Leaning down, I kiss Xandra’s cheek. “We are all set. Your clothes are inside, waiting to be taken to our rooms.”
Alita blushes a little bit. “Thank you again for loaning your clothing to me.” Xandra loaned her non-magical clothes to Alita to save her the embarrassment of having someone else dress her.
