Hidden Realms

by Dean Murray

  “Did you come straight here?”

  He let out a puff of a breath. “I wish. All five fae races have a similar story to tell. We wandered the expanses of space for a while, hopping from universe to universe in an attempt to find a home.”

  I purposely ignored that he said there was more than one universe. I didn’t want to get distracted. “So how did you end up here?”

  He gazed out the window. I wasn’t sure what exactly he was searching for out there, but he didn’t seem to find it. “We learned of your world and sought refuge right away, but we were not the first to arrive. Those who were already here didn’t want to share this sanctuary. They insisted we leave. We fought to stay. Battles were waged. We won the right to be here, but they still treat us as less.”

  “So there haven’t been any more fae come to Earth since you did?”

  “They arrive all the time.”

  I gasped. “But I thought you said—”

  “We were among the last to claim any power. The rest gladly serve to have a place to be.”

  I squinted at what he had just admitted. “You guys don’t sound any different than humans.”

  He smiled radiantly. “That is my point. We have much in common.”

  “Why don’t you petition God yourself?”

  He lowered his head. “We tried once.”

  Oh. Okay. “And I am supposed to get a different result?”

  “I have to believe you could. We grow weary of this half-life. Even if integration is impossible, just having open relations with humans would help dramatically.”

  I wasn’t sure how much I wanted to delve into his story anymore. I already felt sorry for him. I felt other things too, but I wasn’t going there.

  My stomach grumbled. Fae in the next province probably heard it. I was hungry, but for some reason, it wasn’t as bad as the day before. Had Zach been right? Zach.

  I missed him. I didn’t want to.

  Chapter Twenty Two

  “Forgive me,” said Luke. “I have neglected your needs. Let us break for sustenance.”

  The carriage slowed then rocked to a stop. The thought of fresh air brightened my mood. I took Luke’s hand and ducked to get out. Scents flooded into me. Flowers, trees, dirt, animals. It was too much. The beauty in a spring breeze was the crisp plainness, everything blended together.

  I covered my nose. It wasn’t that the smell was unpleasant; it was just overwhelming.

  “Are you okay?” Luke asked. “We could go back inside to eat.”

  I shook my head, but kept my hand where it was. I had to get used to this place eventually. Hiding from it wasn’t going to help me. I lowered my hand and smiled.

  He led me to a grassy knoll. An absolute feast lay before us. Luke sat down next to me. I didn’t mind so much, and I should have.

  He gathered a few delightful looking pastries and fruit onto a plate and handed it to me. I nibbled on what looked like a grape, unsure what to expect. The fruit burst in my mouth. It was heavenly sweet, sort of like a grape but richer. The flavor lingered on my tongue. I grabbed a few more. The juice danced on my taste buds, revealing hidden subtleties. All the food was divine. I couldn’t decide what my favorite was, but I was leaning toward the fluffy tarts. I finished everything he had given me. I was sated. It felt good for a change.

  Why wasn’t he eating? “Aren’t you hungry?”

  He nodded, plopping an entire pastry into his mouth. “I didn’t want to miss seeing that.”

  Heat flooded up my neck. I had to be crimson. I hoped he couldn’t see my embarrassment. I had probably made a fool out of myself, but I had been caught up in the newness of textures and tastes I could have only previously imagined.

  Luke lay down, placing his hands under his head. I stretched out beside him. This was eerily similar to my first date with Zach. I felt as though I could reach out and shake Orion’s hand.

  Luke spoke softly. “From here, it looks amazing.” His tone hardened with every word. “The cold expanse of space is much different when it is all you have around you.”

  I looked over at him, tempted to touch him, to comfort him. “How long have you lived here?”

  His gaze locked onto the stars. “We were the fourth wave. Have you ever heard of the Tuatha de Dannan?”

  “I remember reading something about them. Didn’t they overthrow the Formorians?”

  He chuckled, but it sounded false. “Close. The Fir Bolg. The Fomorians defeated the first fae on your planet. The Milesians defeated us. They won the land in our final battle. We were warned to stop the fighting or face eviction. None of us wanted a life with no home, so we divided the land and the power. Not long after that was when the lovely Faine flittered into and out of my life.” He laughed ironically as though trying to hide the open wound in his heart. He picked at a long blade of grass. It jumped onto his palm. As though it were a cat, he stroked it gently. Try as I might, I couldn’t find his kindness odd. “This is the most beautiful land in all of Faeresia.” His teeth gleamed in the dim light. “But don’t let any of my people know I said that.”

  I looked around wishing I could really see the magnificence of the place. A fence-line glowed in the distance. Trees swayed. Florescent veins webbed under softly illuminated bark. The leaves shimmered. I didn’t know how it was possible, but the soft glow emanating from everything concealed more than it revealed.

  Aside from a few oddities, it could have been any moonlit pasture. I had seen plenty of those before my twelfth birthday. After that, I couldn’t bring myself to leave the house if it was dark. I had felt vulnerable for some reason.

  “Did you love her?” I asked softly.

  “Hmm?” he said.

  I looked over at him. He seemed more than distracted. I didn’t like the longing way he was looking at me. “Faine. Did you love her?”

  The blade of grass skittered away, finding its place amongst the others, settling in. Luke seemed lost without it. “I was infatuated. I wasn’t with her long enough to develop true love.”

  “Exactly how long was that?”

  “Five hours.”

  Great. We’d already spent more time than that together. Did he imagine himself in love with me?

  He scooted up next to me, hesitantly reaching out a hand. I lifted mine to his. His emotions flooded into me. The fear had been replaced by a shining hope.

  What was that other thing? The feeling was as intense, but he was suppressing it. I could tell it was costing him.

  His expression turned serious. “I think I’ll take that promise now.”

  “What?” I asked, feigning confusion.

  “Remember. You promised to do something for me.”

  Uh-oh. “What do you want?”

  He caressed my cheek. Heat flooded up my face. I closed my eyes.

  Luke moved closer. I could feel his breath on my skin. I knew it wasn’t possible, but I felt as though I could hear his heart beating.

  He whispered, “Let me have one unguarded moment with you. Let me see you.”

  “I don’t know how to do that,” I said softly.

  I felt him probing the recesses of my mind and heart. I didn’t resist even though it was hard. He explored areas I hadn’t allowed myself into in a long time. How had he bypassed my walls? Were they that flimsy?

  I relived the day Aunt Grace finally admitted my mom was not coming back. The first day I drove my car. My first kiss. The day I broke up with Brody.

  The familiar pain slammed into me. Tears streamed down my face. I had trusted him; he hadn’t deserved it.

  “Not all men are like him, Rayla.” Luke held me to him. “You have to know that.”

  That was the problem. I didn’t. I couldn’t. Even though it had been three years since Brody, I still didn’t know how to trust. Yet in the last few weeks I had trusted nearly completely without reason.

  Luke withdrew. He hadn’t pushed as far as he could have. He hadn’t taken advantage. I was in trouble.

  He brushed my hair
from my forehead. His fingers blazed a trail across my throat.

  I wanted him to kiss me. I wanted to feel more of him. I wanted to know him.

  “We should get going,” he said, lifting me as he stood.

  Disappointment flooded through me. With a flick of his wrist, our picnic disappeared.

  I followed him to the carriage, plain worn out from whatever had just happened, so I asked him for the bed. I needed a break from my feelings. Why wasn’t I stronger than this?

  *****

  I woke up in Luke’s warm embrace. My head rested on his outstretched arm. He still slept. He looked peaceful—almost childlike.

  The curtains were drawn and light poured through the window. I had to squint, but my eyes had adjusted a little.

  Luke’s golden mane shimmered as if it were a small sun. A lock of hair had fallen onto his forehead. I reached out, brushing the softness from his handsome face.

  His eyelids fluttered open. His gaze was bright, the clear color startling. He gave me his cosmic smile.

  I felt a return expression spread across my lips. He was so beautiful, and it wasn’t merely a mask.

  To my surprise, he hugged me. I let my body mold to his.

  “Thank you,” he said softly into my hair.

  I felt tears spring to my eyes. I didn’t know why. It wasn’t from the light even though I wanted it to be.

  “For what?”

  “Not pulling away.”

  I cringed. I hadn’t realized what I was doing. How could I have feelings for two men at once? I didn’t know how it was possible, but I couldn’t deny it any longer. This sucked.

  Luke stiffened. “What is wrong?”

  I’m a sorry sap. “Nothing.”

  “It’s fine if you do not wish to tell me.” He made me look into his concerned eyes. “Are you unwell?”

  Good question. I was fine—all except for the conflicting emotions that were eating away at my soul. I felt as though I was betraying everyone I loved by having feelings for Luke.

  A horn sounded. More followed in the distance until I could barely hear the low call. I scooted toward the window.

  Luke tugged on my arm. “It is unwise for you to try that now. I want you to be as strong as possible when you face Tabitha.”

  Was she the white eyed creature Lily had mentioned? I hoped not. “Who is she?”

  He rubbed his stubbly jaw. “The closest thing we have to a real Queen. She holds no elemental power, but she is a seer. She was here before the first fae settled your world. She was alone. The last of her kind. No one knows where she came from.”

  She sounded terrifying. I didn’t want to see her. I wanted to go to the out of the way attic room I had fought to get and sink into my comfortable bed. Why hadn’t Grace warned me about this life? I had no idea if I would have believed her. Maybe I would have ended up here anyway, but maybe not.

  Thinking about her brought unwanted fears to my mind. I hoped she was safe. I hoped they all were. I didn’t want to do anything that would put them in further danger. I had already revealed their secret hiding place.

  “Do you have a mirror?” I asked. If I was going to stare down the Queen of the fae, I wanted to at least look decent.

  Luke laughed. He brushed his fingers through my hair. “You have never looked more beautiful.”

  Uh-huh. I was really going to buy that. “I would like to see for myself, if you don’t mind.”

  He got a funny look on his face as if he were contemplating refusing my request. Was it that bad?

  “Luke!”

  “Okay, fine, but I don’t think it is a good idea yet.”

  I held out my hand. “Just give me one.”

  A gilded mirror materialized in front of me. I gasped. The woman staring at me looked like my mother only with darker hair. I pinched my cheek. So did she. I made a face. She mimicked my movements. I had my mom’s gray eyes, but I had never seen them sparkle like this.

  What was going on? I looked around the mirror. Empty space greeted me. I moved to the reflection again. “What happened to me?” I hissed.

  Luke shrugged. “Your body is adjusting to your new surroundings.”

  I grimaced, feeling my face. “I look older.”

  He laughed. “You are nearly to your full maturity.”

  “Huh?”

  The mirror vanished. He placed his hand on my shoulder. “I told you it wasn’t a good idea. I think you look fantastic.”

  I turned and frowned at him, punching his shoulder. “You would.”

  He cocked a brow. “I will hardly be the only one.”

  My hands flew to my curvier hips. “And just what exactly was wrong with the way I was?”

  He blocked my second blow, capturing my hand and brought it to his lips, placing gentle kisses on my knuckles. His cerulean gaze penetrated through me. “Absolutely nothing. You are merely getting ready for the change.”

  I’d done enough of that already. Thank you very much. I yanked my hand away and slid against the wall, folding my arms protectively across my stomach.

  Luke sat next to me. He reached for my hand again, but I shrugged him away.

  Grunting, he pulled my chin around. “Rayla, we don’t have time for this. I must know what you have decided.”

  I gaped at him. “Nothing. That’s what I’ve decided. I don’t even know what my options are.”

  “If you were any other Elemental on the planet, we wouldn’t be having this discussion. We would be doing other things by now.”

  The hungry look he shot me told me exactly where we would be and what we would be doing. Unwanted heat crept into my face. I grabbed a fistful of silk and pretended to be mesmerized.

  His tone had taken on a sultry cadence, his breath tickling the side of my neck. “You will have to claim what you want.”

  I slid the slippery sheets through my fingers, not looking at him. “This whole thing is stupid. I’m not old enough to handle this crap.”

  Luke straddled my legs. His face was inches from mine. “You can handle more than you think. You have done amazingly well without any guidance at all. I am truly astounded by you.” He reached out and cupped my cheek. “Don’t you realize how special you are?”

  I shook my head. “It’s not like I have much to compare myself to.”

  His tone was solid. “Never do that.”

  I looked away from him. He turned my gaze to his.

  “You have no idea the power you hold. Stop thinking as a simple human girl would. You are no longer that person. You are a queen. Act like one.”

  I went rigid. How could I be a queen of anything?

  The thunder of beating hooves startled me. Luke cursed under his breath. The bed was gone in an instant. I hit the floor and shook my head at him.

  He gave me a quick sheepish expression, pulling me up and flush with his body. “I may never get to do this again. No matter what happens, you have to understand that what I feel for you is real.”

  He crushed his lips to mine. His kiss seared through me as though he were trying to brand me his. I couldn’t make myself push him away. When the carriage rolled to a stop, he jerked back from me and wiped his mouth. I was still reeling from emotions I should not have felt.

  Zach poked his head through the window. His expression went cold as it fell on Luke. “It took you long enough. Taylor’s been here for six hours.”

  Luke shrugged. “Rayla was hungry.” His tone held a meaning I didn’t want to grasp.

  Zach ripped the door open and held a hand out to me. “Are you okay? You seem a little flushed.”

  I took a deep breath, trying to clear my mind. I had to think or someone was bound to do it for me. “I’m fine. I just woke up.” Taking a deep breath, I placed my hand in his and stepped out onto the glowing street, not believing the scene that greeted me.

  I scuffed my shoe against the radiant cobbles. Were they really solid gold? Zach handed me some shades. I gratefully accepted. I didn’t want any of the fae to see the wonder in m
y eyes. I tried to act blasé about the place, but I was finding it rather difficult.

  The streets were lined with shining blooms in every color of the rainbow and a few more my mind had trouble processing. A breeze brought a multitude of scents I didn’t recognize with it. All pleasant. I breathed in deeper.

  “Careful,” said Zach. “Not too much at once.”

  It was a little late for that. My head was already spinning. I looked back at Luke. He smiled warmly.

  He’d accomplished what he set out to do. Darn him.

  Jett strode up to me. His grin couldn’t have gotten any larger. “Welcome to Lombarda, my lady. We have been anxiously expecting you. You may ride the rest of the way with me.”

  Oh, what an honor that would be. “No thanks.”

  Jett frowned. “I am the only one of my brothers that has not been given ample time to get to know you. You would not deny me your company.”

  “Uh, Yeah. I would.” I shoved past him. “I don’t like you.”

  Luke and Zach busted up in laughter. I glared at both of them.

  Jett caught up to me, snagging my elbow with a locked grip. “It is my right.”

  I leaned angrily toward Jett. “I don’t give a flying fig what you think or want. It’s not happening.” I yanked my arm away from him, steeling my gaze to his. “Ever.”

  Zach stepped between us. “Who would you like to ride with?”

  I did a double take. He was giving me a choice? “I…” I hadn’t noticed the horses because I had been too focused on their riders.

  Bottomless obsidian eyes penetrated through me. The pegasus reared back. His wings spread wide. He pawed at the ground, snorting. I trembled before the hellish beast, not sure what to do.

  Zach folded me in his embrace before he whispered, “He likes you.”

  That thing couldn’t stand me. I could feel it radiating from him in sharp waves. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you.