“There’s a war in Faerie right now. Alexander has his hands full with that. I’m certain you’ll hear something from him soon,” Sarah says with a reassuring smile.
As soon as he can get away?
“But he’s a faerie,” I protest. “He can stop time if he wants to. He can do all sorts of stuff. Why couldn’t he…” I trail off, sighing. “Myra and I talked about it some the other day. But is it normal for supernaturals to go off the grid? It’s not just Alexander, but my friend Jo, too. They’ve all just sort of…disappeared.”
I’m not sure I should really delve into all of this, but if you can't complain to your friends about the guy you're with, what's the point of having those friends?
"There was a time when Alexander wouldn’t leave my side,” I continue. “I understand there's a war in Faerie and he’s swamped with all of his princely duties, but why can't he take five seconds out of his day to send word? Why send Horace, of all creatures, to the infirmary to check on me? Could he have not come himself? Could he have not sent Jo instead of Horace? It doesn't do well for my morale," I say, pouting as I take another sip of my mimosa.
“It's like I said the other day,” Myra says. “Committing yourself to a supernatural man is tough.” She offers me a crooked smile. “And I think you’re doing just fine without him. You’ve connected with The Black Obsidian Stone…all by yourself. Right?” She eyes me, waiting for an answer.
“Well, yes, I suppose that is true…but you guys were helping me, even if you didn’t realize you were. It wasn’t something I did all by myself.” I pause. “But still…I miss Alexander…silly drama queen that he is.”
“We know. But Myra’s right, though,” Ruby says. “Supernatural men are not for the faint of heart.” She turns to Anne. “Remember that shifter you used to date, Anne?”
“God, shifters are the worst,” Myra groans.
“Yes.” Anne nods. “I would go for weeks without hearing from him.” She glances at Myra. "I'm sure Myra can attest to this as well, but shifters have lots of secretive shifter things they do. And they're not always great communicators either.” She rolls her eyes. “Unless you’re part of their pack, of course.”
"Oh yeah,” Myra says. “I filled Sophia in on pack mentality the other day.”
"So, you've bored her with details of Tristan then," Sarah says, grinning.
Myra's face darkens.
"Yeah, Sarah," Myra says, with a catty grin. “Sort of like you used to bore us to death with Colin, and—“
Myra cuts off as an awkward silence falls over our table. I'd always wondered what had happened between Sarah and Colin and why they broke up. Perhaps now I would finally get my answer.
“It… It just didn't work out." Sarah looks up at me and holds my gaze for a second. “But it’s cool now.”
She fumbles with a packet of sugar before tearing it open and dumping it into her coffee cup.
Our server comes with our food a few minutes later, which helps to ease the tension that hangs over our table. We eat in silence, and I struggle to think of something fun and light-hearted that might break the ice. But everyone just seems gloomy now. Until Sarah’s phone rings.
“I’ve got to take this," says Sarah, frowning down at her phone as she rises from her seat. “Be right back.”
“Wonder what that's about?” Myra whispers.
"It’s probably something to do with her new guy,” Ruby says, grinning and wiggling her eyebrows at us.
"No," Anne says, shaking her head. "No, she's still in the honeymoon stage with David. She's not at a point where his texts make her frown. Not yet anyway.”
She gives me a knowing smirk, thus reinstating the weird sisterhood between us. A weird laugh flutters from my throat in response, but I dismiss it. I’m much more interested in hearing about David than talking about Chris.
“Who’s David?” I ask, hoping I don’t sound too nosy.
“Oh, just some new guy.” Ruby waves her hand. “It’s hard to keep them all straight. Since she and Colin called it quits, she’s been playing the field, so to speak.”
“So to speak,” Myra snorts. “David is just the flavor of the month.”
From the window, I can see Sarah outside, her eyebrows pulled together as she paces back and forth while talking on her phone. Wind whips through her hair. She shivers and wraps herself tighter in her jacket, glancing at our window every few seconds. When she looks up at us for about the third time, I see something in her zen-like blue eyes I’ve never seen before.
Fear.
11
Sarah returns a few minutes later, a gigantic smile plastered across her face. She’s hiding something. I know it.
“Everything okay?” I ask as she takes her seat and refills her mimosa. For the fourth time.
"Everything's fine,” she says with a shrug, her smile widening as her eyes flick up to meet mine.
“Just keep her away from the Academy.”
“What?” I ask, surprised. I can hear Sarah’s voice, but she isn’t actually talking.
“Let Esmeralda handle it. Just let Esmeralda handle it, and—“
Her thoughts shut off, and she boots me out of her head.
“Everything’s fine,” Sarah says, louder this time.
Except it’s not fine. Something is off.
“Okay,” I say with a casual shrug.
I pick at what’s left of my breakfast before taking another sip of coffee.
"So, Sarah," I say a few moments later. I want to divert her so I can get back into her head. "What's this I hear about a new beau in your life?"
She’s mentioned him in passing before, but I want more details now.
"Oh, Sophia," she says, brightening. “I wasn't sure if it was appropriate for me to tell you about him or not. You and Colin are such good friends, and if he’s pining over me—“
“Jeez, Sarah, not every guy pines over you,” snaps Myra, smacking her hand down to the table. I can sense the fire building inside of her, but I tamp it down before she sends more table linens up in flames. “Get over yourself,” she mutters.
“It’s fine,” I say, raising my voice and frowning at Myra. “Colin’s moved on, too, Sarah. It’s fine.” Myra opens her mouth to say something else. “Shut it.” I point a finger at her. “Before you even start.”
To my surprise, Myra backs down.
“Sorry,” she mutters.
“Good. Don’t…let it happen again.” I can’t help but laugh at how motherly I sound, but Myra only nods. Not one word of protest.
“Don’t look so confused, Sophia,” Anne says, laughing, no doubt delighted that Myra just got scolded. “You’re the boss.”
“Yeah, we’ve gotta listen to you,” Myra says, forcing a smile. “Good thing we like and respect you.”
“Good thing,” I repeat. “Anyway, Sarah, tell me about David.”
“We’ll go shopping. Yes, that’s perfect. That will burn a couple of hours. Maybe I can convince everyone to go for mani/pedis, too.”
“Oh yes. David.” She snaps back to attention. “He's a warlock. He lives here in town.” Her eyes scan the room. “I'm surprised he's not here,” she murmurs. “He comes here a lot.”
“Just have to keep her away. Long enough for this to blow over.”
“Hey, I have an idea! Why don't we go over to Belle’s Boutique after this? Do a little shopping?” Sarah suggests, shifting in her seat but still maintaining her huge, I’m-trying-to-avoid-talking-about-something smile. “We could even go for mani/pedis.”
I narrow my eyes and glance around the table, but either my friends have strong poker faces, or they don’t hear her like I do. Something’s going on, though, and I mean to find out what it is.
“Shopping? That does sound like a lot of fun." I force a yawn. “But, I'm pretty tired. I think it's best if I head back to my room for a little while. Raincheck?”
Sarah’s eyebrows raise with surprise. She’s not used to hearing the word “no” where shopping or man
i/pedis are concerned.
“But…we should go do some shopping or something,” she blurts. “We don't get too many days off like this where we can just…hang out, and…and oh come on! It will be fun.”
“She said she doesn’t want to, Sarah,” Ruby snaps. “Let the girl get some rest.”
“Why don’t you guys go without me?” I ask once we’ve finished brunch and are strolling toward the cute clothing boutique across the street.
Despite the mimosas we enjoyed and the laughs we shared at Edgar’s expense, the mood has grown somber. Perhaps it was all the negative boy talk. Or the big, secretive thing at the Academy that Sarah doesn’t want to tell us about.
“Have fun, talk about boys, and clothes, and… I don't know spells or something.” I nod my head toward the Academy. “But I'm going to head back and get some rest before I pass out.”
The truth is, I’m about to pass out from exhaustion, but I’m more interested in what’s happening at the Academy. Why are they trying to keep me away?
“No.” Sarah lurches forward and grabs my arm. “No, Sophia. Come with us. I’m telling you. It will be fun,” she says, anger mounting in her voice.
“What is wrong with you, Sarah?” I ask, pulling away from her. The other three witches circle around me as if to protect me. “Who was that on the phone, and why does it seem like you’re trying to keep me from going back to the Academy?”
"Sophia," Sarah says, her eyes darting around our circle. "I'd just…prefer you weren’t there right now. That’s all.”
“Why?” Myra asks. “What’s going on, Sarah?”
Sarah stomps her foot. “It’s just…oh, I don’t know why she had to call me. I’m terrible with this stuff.” She puts her hands on her hips and blows out a loud, defeated sigh. “There’s some shit going down at the Academy,” she snaps. “And it’s best if you’re not there until it’s over, Sophia.” She presses her lips together and scowls at us. “There. Are you all happy now?”
Happy isn’t quite the word I’d use, but she’s provided some pretty valuable information. I turn and bolt down the sidewalk. Pain shoots through my legs as I blow past Edgar and Main Street. I stop to catch my breath for a moment when I reach the Academy before I race up the stairs and throw open the heavy door.
Esmeralda stands near the entrance along with Fiona and a few other important-looking school officials. She’s in a heated conversation with a tall, stunning woman who turns to stare at me, her deep, green eyes boring through me as I stumble through the door. It isn’t the entrance I was hoping for.
Despite her beauty, I’m getting a serious Unseelie-vibe. A slow, mischievous smile pulls at the corners of her mouth as she tosses her long, flaming-red hair over her shoulder. She sashays toward me, extending a delicate white hand. Her fingers point downward as if she expects me to kiss her hand rather than shake it.
Who the hell is this woman?
"You must be Sophia," she drawls, her low, seductive voice nothing more than a purr.
"Yes." I frown at her, unease prickling up my spine. "And you are?”
Her smile widens as if she can't wait to introduce herself.
“Oh, do forgive me. I don’t usually handle my own introductions, you see.” She raises her other hand to her lips to hide her wicked smile. My gaze drifts to the cuff dangling from her dainty wrist. It’s just like the one I wear. “I’m Summer, Wife of the Fae Prince Auberon. Princess of the Autumn Court.”
I recognize the irony here. Normally, I would find amusement in something like this. Her name is Summer, yet she hails from the Autumn Court…Unseelie royalty. But I am in a state of shock right now. I’m way too pissed off to find the humor in anything.
Alexander is already lightbound…to an Unseelie Princess.
This is what Matthew had been referring to that made Esmeralda so nervous. He knew. Hell, everyone probably knows. Everybody except me, of course.
I stand in the lavish entrance to the Academy, my feet rooted to the polished marble floors. I don't know what to do. So, I stand there, my mouth hanging open like an idiot while my heart shatters into a million pieces.
I should've known that someone as magnificent as Alexander Faust would already be bound to someone else—that he had someone to return home to after I saved his ass. I should’ve known there was a catch. There is always a catch. I was stupid to think, even for a minute, that I would ever be enough for a Fae Prince.
Liri and Mora tried to tell me as much during my evaluation—that someone or something sabotaged the lightbinding ceremony between Alexander and me. Had they known the truth? Were they hinting at it that day? And if so, why not just fess up and let me be on my way? Why walk on eggshells at this point? I did what I needed to do. I fulfilled my end of the bargain, and besides a broken heart, I made it through unscathed.
“You look surprised,” Summer says, her grin growing more malicious by the second. “Did Auberon…oh, I mean Alexander not tell you about me?” Her lips tighten into a pout, and she covers her mouth again, showing off the cuff around her wrist.
Is this really happening? Am I about to fight an Unseelie Princess over…a man? I thought the Fae had more important things to worry about than matters of the heart. At least, that’s what Horace has always told me.
“No,” I say, my voice a ragged whisper. “Funny…he never said a word about you.”
I wish I had some sort of witty comeback. I wish I had some sharp-tongued response all ready to go, but this came out of left field. And after a couple of days in the infirmary, I don’t have much fight left in me.
I am such a fool. A ridiculous human fool.
“Let it go, Summer,” Esmeralda whispers. “He was never yours to begin with. You know that. So, I will ask you one final time to leave before we remove you…by force. We will not hesitate to use force. You are not welcome at this Academy.”
Summer’s lower lip juts out. “It’s time that the little human learns the truth. It’s only fair. I mean no harm.” She continues to pout as she toys with the ends of her hair.
“We will remove you,” Fiona repeats as two beefy-looking warlocks with glowing, green-tinted eyes move to stand on either side of her. “We’ve done it before, Summer, and we won’t hesitate to—”
The heavy doors to the Academy fly open, and my friends appear, surrounded by a haze of very powerful magic. They circle around me, sensing my distress and the pain squeezing my heart. They mean to protect me.
“Whoa,” whispers Myra. “You weren't kidding, Sarah. Unseelie bitch at twelve o’clock. She’s a mean one, too.”
“Oh, good. The Four,” Summer brightens. “I’ve always wanted to play with elemental magic. This visit is turning out to be much more eventful than I imagined.”
Her eyes blaze as flaming red balls of magic spring up out of her outstretched palms. My friends shift, tightening their circle around me. Their expressions are fierce, and while Nevermoor’s witches may be friendly to the Fae-folk, they won’t hesitate to protect their own when needed. They will go to battle if needed.
Somewhere, deep inside of me, a furious magical energy thrums. Anger builds and bubbles up through my core. Beside me, Anne gasps and quietly whimpers in pain. Myra, Ruby, and Sarah suck in sharp breaths, their faces twisted as they brace themselves.
I’m harnessing their energy, and it’s hurting them.
“I told him to talk to you,” Summer says as she passes the glowing red orbs back and forth between her palms. “I begged him to tell you the truth. It’s not fair to you. Not after you were willing to bind yourself to him…not after you sacrificed so much of yourself to bring him back to us.” She flutters her eyelashes at me. “But you’ve done your part. It’s over now. You can return to your sweet little human life and leave the Fae to attend to their own business.”
The blood drains from my face. I gape at Esmeralda. Her betrayal hurts almost as much as Alexander’s.
“Sophia, do not listen to her. It’s not…this isn’t what you think. “
Esmeralda holds up her hands, her face pale. “Summer is…misguided.” She wets her lips with the tip of her tongue. “It’s true. We hoped to settle this without involving you. There is so much at stake. This is a very delicate situation. We wanted to—“
“Wanted to what, Esmeralda? Protect me?” I throw air-quotes around ‘protect’. “Well, that’s all fine and dandy. Except I’m sick of being the last to know everything around here,” I roar. “I am a Summoner. I can harness the power of the earth’s elements at one time. And I don’t even need any special…baubles to do it. I may be human, but I am not naïve in all of this anymore.”
The lights overhead flicker, and a cold burst of air whooshes through the room, knocking everyone backward, including Summer.
Anne sucks in a sharp breath but maintains her composure as her dark hair whips around her face. I'm pretty sure I’ve pulled enough elemental magic inside of me to level this entire town if I wanted to. Summer’s magic flickers a few times before fizzling. Her face tightens with concentration as she attempts to re-summon it. But I refuse to let that happen. And right now, my magic has the upper hand.
“You’re a distraction to him, you know,” Summer whispers, her arms dropping at her sides. “The King and Queen are in hiding. The entire realm is falling apart. Because you’re holding him back. You must renounce whatever claim you think you have to Auberon, or your little dalliance will destroy us all.”
Renounce? Claim?
“Okay…this is ridiculous,” I shake my head. “Alexander,” I hiss. My body vibrates with rage with every passing second he ignores my call. “I want…to talk…to you, Alexander.” Still nothing. “Get your ass in here, you sorry piece of shit.”
“Oh, damn,” Myra drawls. “Alexander’s about to get his ass kicked.”
“Can I help?” Ruby snorts.
“Call him here all you want, little girl. It doesn’t change the truth,” Summer says, her lip curling into a snarl as she tries to hide behind a mask of fake politeness. “You restored my husband to his rightful place in the Seelie Court, and he is back where he belongs. We are grateful to you for everything, but…you’re done here. Thank you again for your service. We will handsomely reward you, I assure you.” She taps her chin with her finger. “Tell me, how do you feel about fruit baskets?” she muses. “We can send you one that is sure to delight. Faerie has the most beautiful orchards.”
Faebound Rhapsody Page 14
