Betrothed (22 page)

Leif’s words reached right into my heart. It was difficult to comprehend that somewhere, in some alternate world, there was a whole other life I was supposed to have lived, a whole different set of people I should have fallen in love with. But it was also a strange reality that if King Telophy hadn’t seen fit to punish my parents, the family and friends I had grown to love in this world would be unknown to me. They would be nothing but numbers in a sea of humanity. Suddenly I couldn’t hate Leif’s father quite so much.

‘I feel like I should be sorry for the events that sent our daughter to us,’ my mother murmured after a few moments. ‘In a way, I suppose I am. But would I change anything? I don’t know.’

Leif’s response was instant. ‘I will be forever in your debt for the way you have cared for my betrothed so well. You have nothing to feel sorry for. You have no power to change anything that has happened so it serves no purpose to consider whether you would if you could. You love your daughter—of course you cannot imagine her not being part of your world.’

Mum managed a weak smile but drank the rest of her tea in silence. Then she went to her room for a lie down. Silently, Leif told me he was staying in the apartment beneath ours after confusing the owners and that he was going to go there now so I could talk to my father. He made an excuse to leave and I went to the living room with Dad.

‘Will Mum be all right?’ I asked him.

‘She’ll be fine, love.’

‘What about you?’

Dad patted the armrest of his recliner. ‘Come and sit with me a minute.’

I went and sat beside him. He put his arm around me and I tumbled into his side.

He said, ‘I should be stunned by all of this. And of course, in a way I am. But . . . I can’t deny that I’ve always known there was something different about you.’

I looked at him. ‘Really?’

‘Of course, Amy, I’m your dad. And it’s not just because you’ve struggled so much with your health. There’s more to it than that. Ashleigh’s always been my princess—when I recall her as a little girl, I think of her clomping around the place in your mother’s heels and jewels, making her presence known—solid and strong.
But you were different, so fragile and ethereal, forever gazing out a window, lost in a dream. You’ve always been my fairy.’

‘I remember you telling me so,’ I said, warm at the recollection. ‘You used to say I was made from light and dreams—something like that.’

‘I used to tell you that you were my fairy, made from light and air—part light, part air, mixed together with love and created in mine and your mother’s dreams because we wished so hard for you.’

I smiled. ‘When I was sick and you told me that, it always made me feel better.’

‘How could I know how close to the truth I was?’ He squeezed me tight. ‘It’s never made any difference you know—you not being my blood. No father could love his daughter more than I love you.’

‘I know.’

‘None of this stuff will make any difference either—might just take us a little while to get used to, that’s all.’

I put my arms around my father’s neck and pressed my forehead to his temple. ‘I wonder if my Fae parents knew when they brought me to Earth that I would find my way to the best mum and dad in the world.’

My father squeezed me close. There were tears shining in his eyes.

Later I sat on the balcony with Leif, admiring his long legs propped on the balcony before him.

‘How come you’ve decided to stay?’ I asked him. ‘Yesterday you said it wasn’t safe.’

He watched me for a moment, then picked up my hand and laced his fingers with mine. ‘This morning I would have been here
earlier. I was too early in fact, and afraid you might be sleeping still, so I stopped for a while at the beach. While I was enjoying the sun, I had a feeling of not being alone. I turned towards the hills just in time to notice something glittering in the distance. I can’t be sure, but I think it might have been a pair of Fae wings. I flew there directly, but whatever it was had disappeared. If I’m right and someone was following me, it could only have been a king to move so swiftly. I have decided I will stay. That way I can protect you directly and eliminate the risk of being followed again.’

‘Would it have been your father?’

Leif shook his head. ‘My father would not leave Telophy just to follow me. He would have someone do it for him.’

‘Who then?’

‘I don’t know—he is close to several of my grandfathers . . . I just wish I could be sure,’ he murmured, frowning.

‘Don’t your grandfathers have their own kingdoms to look after?’

‘Many are retired.’

‘Well, at least we can be together now.’

He smiled and squeezed my hand. ‘You are brave, Marla.’

‘Why wouldn’t I be? I have you to protect me.’ I lay my head on his shoulder. ‘What happened next?’ I asked after a while.

‘Hmm?’ He was distracted, weaving his fingers into my hair, watching the long blond strands slide through the spaces between them.

‘What happened after you chased whoever it was away?’ I repeated with a smile, loving the attention.

He laughed softly. ‘You give me a lot of credit.’

‘Well, you did.’

‘When I was certain I was alone, I came and made an arrangement with the people in the unit beneath yours. They believe me to be a cousin come to visit.’

‘I wondered why you were so late today. I thought you weren’t coming.’

‘I’m sorry you were worried.’

‘It’s not your fault.’ I lifted his big hand and brought it to my lips, felt that divine essence come into me. I went to heaven for a little while.

‘I can’t bear that I’ve put you in this position,’ he said when I came back.

‘It’s not you—it’s that awful father of yours.’

‘But if I was followed, it
is
my fault. I should have stayed away.’

‘Don’t say that. I thought I was crazy before you came. Anyway, you can protect me now, can’t you?’

‘My father could send his entire guard and they would not get through me.’ He let go of my hand and wrapped his arms around me, pulled me tight against his chest.

‘I wouldn’t like to have to peel your arms away.’ I laughed. He loosened his grip—a little.

‘So what now, Leif?’

‘We wait. You go to school and do all of your usual things—I stay near enough to hear you if you need me. I don’t think he will be able to find you though. If I was followed, it was only to the beach.’

‘Won’t your father want to know where you are?’

‘Of course, but I have no intention of communicating with him.’

‘So you’re stuck here with me?’

He smiled. ‘That sounds quite nice actually—but it won’t be for long, I have arranged to present our case to a royal assembly.’

‘A what?’

‘Every year, each kingdom brings its issues before an assembly of kings. The next is not due for a few months yet, so with the help of King Aren, I have organised a special assembly. It will take place about three weeks from now.’

I felt myself pale at the thought. ‘I don’t have to be there, do I?’

‘It might bode well for you if you could bear it.’

‘I don’t think I could.’

‘It is nothing to fear, Marla. I will be putting your case before the chosen kings, the injustice of it. If over half vote in our favour, the remainder will not stand against them, and you will be free to make Faera your home.’

‘How do you know the rest won’t cause problems?’

‘We have a law of majority rule in Faera. If it is broken, it can result in war, and that we cannot afford.’

‘So if the majority vote is against me, the rest will agree also?’

‘This is true, but I have already contacted many of my grandfathers and secured their commitment in our favour.’

‘Won’t your father do the same?’

‘He might.’

‘Does he know my identity?’

‘If he does not, then soon he will.’

‘What happens if we lose?’

‘I think it unlikely.’

‘But if we did? What would your father do to me?’

In a quiet voice, Leif said, ‘I don’t think he would hurt you, Marla, but he
would
exclude you from Faera.’

‘I couldn’t be with you?’ The thought was sickening. It
might
have been all right if I hadn’t actually met him.

‘I would stay here with you.’

‘As if you could! You’re going to be a king one day. Besides, you’re immortal and I will get old and die.’ I could feel tears pricking at my eyes.

‘If the worst happened, I would need only get you to Faera for your eighteenth birthday.’

‘But what if you can’t, Leif?’

‘I will.’

‘But what if you
can’t
?’

‘I would stay with you regardless. I would give up my immortality for you if I could.’

‘But you can’t, and I’ll get old and you’ll stay young. You won’t want me.’ Tears trailed down my cheeks. He held my face in his hands and wiped them away with his thumbs.

‘I will always want you, Marla.’ He was kissing me, my eyes, my temples, but I couldn’t be persuaded.

‘But the connection will be broken if I don’t become immortal. You told me so yourself!’

‘Now that I have met you, I know from deep within my heart that nothing could ever change what I feel for you. Whatever happens, we will be together.’

‘I wish I could believe it.’

‘Believe it—there is nothing that could keep me from you. Not my father, nor the Fae assembly, nor a million mortal wrinkles. I promise you from my soul.’ His whole face was fierce with determination.

‘It’s so unfair,’ I cried.

‘I will be yours always,’ he told me, his expression soft again. And then his lips caught mine and I became lost in a cloud of comfort that quickly morphed into passion. He sure knew how to distract me.

‘Geez, there’s a time and a place,’ I heard Ashleigh yell from inside.

Leif broke away from me, laughing. I scowled, annoyed at the interruption.

‘Do you feel better now?’

‘I would if you kissed me some more.’ I looked up to him and ran my fingers slowly through his gorgeous hair. His eyes narrowed as he watched me blink a few times. Then one corner
of his mouth lifted into a smile so enticing that my heart skipped a beat.

His smile widened as he felt my reaction. Then he stood, took his shirt off and let it fall to the ground. Oh, he was breathtaking—every single one of his hard muscles a masterpiece. I couldn’t stop the long sigh. He laughed softly, then lifted me into his arms and flew with me to a deserted little patch of the Royal National Park, where he made me feel better with his warm kisses and caresses until the afternoon sun had disappeared.

I worried as I walked to school with Ashleigh the next day. I’d started thinking about facing Jason as I got ready and it had been on my mind ever since. I knew he’d be angry about things not working out the way he wanted and I was dreading the day ahead because of it. All I wanted to do was go and get Leif from unit four and fly off somewhere. Leif, though, was probably sitting down enjoying a nice breakfast and some good pampering. I frowned at the thought. I’d spent the previous evening at the Marshes’ place and in my opinion, Janet Marsh paid Leif too much attention. I might not have minded so much if she was older and plainer. But I didn’t want to think about that and when I pushed the thought away my mind returned to Jason.

‘How do you think Jason’s going to be today?’ I asked Ashleigh as we strolled along. It was cool this morning and I pulled my jacket tight around my body.

‘So that’s what you’ve been so silent about?’ She had the look of someone who’d just figured out the last word in the crossword puzzle.

‘I can’t stop thinking about his reaction on Saturday. He was so . . . cold.’

‘What did you expect? He comes over thinking you’re going to be glad to see him and then . . . well, we both know what happened then.’

‘It’s not like we were serious or anything. We went on one date and hung around at school a bit.’

‘Yeah, well, it’s not like Jason’s used to rejection either.’

‘True.’

‘Do you want me to check it out for you?’ Ashleigh offered.

‘What?’

‘Jason, stupid, do you want me to find out what’s on his mind?’

‘No!’ I was horrified at the thought of it. ‘Definitely no—stay away from him!’

‘Why? Do you want all the guys for yourself?’ Ashleigh said with a smirk.

I looked at her and frowned. ‘And you called me stupid.’

‘Well, it’s not like you haven’t got Leif and Jack both wrapped around your finger.’

‘As if! They’re the last two guys to be wrapped around anyone’s finger!’

‘Oh, whatever,’ she said, rolling her eyes.

‘Promise me you’ll stay away from Jason,’ I tried again, anxious to get a commitment from her.

‘But he’s so cute,’ she whined. And I could see that commitment slipping away.

‘Please, Ashleigh.’

‘Well, I can’t
promise
.’

I knew it was lost. ‘Well, don’t you dare mention Leif.’

‘I never would,’ she said, offended.

There was no point arguing with her. Ashleigh had made up her mind to seek Jason out and there would be no changing it. Maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea. I felt uncomfortable about the whole Jason thing and at least if she spoke to him I might find out what he was thinking.