“Do you think it’s wise for us to be here then?” She threw her arm out, gesturing roughly to their otherworldly surroundings while taking a step away from him.
“Probably not, but it’s safer than testing your abilities in the human realm.”
She sucked on her teeth, her tongue hitting one of the pointed tips as she did so. She gasped, raised her hand to her mouth, and traced her teeth with the pad of her thumb, panic flooding her body. “Evin! My teeth!”
He chuckled. “It seems your eyes aren’t the only thing changing.”
“But…but…how? What do I do? I can’t go back to school with pointed teeth. I’ll be labeled a freak! No one will want to study with me or invite me to parties. People will know something’s wrong,” she ranted, hardly taking a breath between each statement before plowing into the next.
When she finally stopped and glared at him, he knew he could speak. “It’s fine. You’ll be fine. It’s just part of the Fae thing, again, like your eyes. You know what I look like without my glamour and it hasn’t bothered you before.”
“Well, yeah, but that’s you, not me. I’m not—” She tried to pull the words back in, but it was too late—they had already escaped. It was the first time she had voiced any of her feelings about her transition to being part Fae. She normally kept those things for Ianthe, not wanting to add to the guilt she knew he already felt for determining her fate for her.
He opened his mouth to correct her, but then thought better of it. Her words struck a chord, pulling at his deepest fears and insecurities. “They may fade when we leave the realm. Does Ianthe have to glamour hers?” His voice was soft, but his golden eyes lacked their normal sparkle.
“I don’t think so,” she replied, knowing the second she was able to, she would call her bestie and ask.
“Okay, let’s get you home. It’s been a lot.” He reached out for her hand hesitantly, unsure if she would take it.
Knowing it would be best if he took her back instead of expending what little energy she had left, she took a deep breath and placed her hand in his. He lifted her without a word and started moving at the same insane speed she had been earlier. She closed her eyes against the blurring scenery, getting lost in her thoughts. She hadn’t meant to hurt him, but the truth was she didn’t know how she felt about any of this. Was she glad to still be alive? Certainly—but at what cost? Sure, everything was new and exciting now, but what about when she watched her younger brother age and die while she still remained young?
Shivering as they passed through the closest portal, she knew they were back in Colorado. It felt like her senses dulled as they crossed back over, the air not nearly as rich and earthy. She shook her head slightly to clear the disappointment. Strange; that hadn’t happened before. She wondered if it was another side effect of being part Fae considering this was the first time they’d crossed over since they were bound.
He placed her on the ground as they approached a hiking trail, and they walked back to her car hand in hand as if they were just another couple out for a midafternoon hike.
“I think I’ll leave you here,” he said as she reached for her car door.
“Okay.” She was a mix of emotions, but the main ones were disappointment and regret. Usually he was adamant about taking as much time as he could with her when they had days off together, but now it seemed he was in a hurry to leave.
He lifted her chin and pressed a quick kiss to her mouth. Her lips buzzed with feeling, wanting more, but when she went to press them back to his, she only met air. He was gone.
TWO
“YOU’RE SUCH AN idiot,” Evin muttered. He’d been scolding himself all the way back to the Seelie palace.
“While normally I would agree with you, I am curious what you’ve done this time.” Maddock’s laughter echoed in the great hall.
Evin sighed. “I need to see my father. Do you know where he is?”
“Only if you’ll tell me what has your knickers all in a twist.” Maddock smirked.
Evin huffed. “I don’t have time for this, Maddock.”
He rubbed his hands together gleefully, his burnt orange eyes sparkling with mischief. “Oh, is it girl trouble?