Forever (7 page)

The moment passed too soon for me, but I
could tell Emilee was excited to see the world humans only dreamed
about—literally.
So much for asking if she’d rather ditch and stay here.

“Are you ready to go?” I offered my arm
as I continued. “I hope you don't mind walking.”

“Not at all,” she replied, taking my arm
and stepping out onto the porch. I closed the door behind her and we began our
walk to the woods.

“You look very beautiful tonight,” I
said, as we strolled down the street, trying to look as normal as two adults
dressed for a ball could.

“Thanks. I thought the dress was very
fairy like, so I got it. I figured it would help match the occasion,” she
laughed.

“You were right. I imagine you'll fit
right in.”
I imagine I’m going to have to beat some guys off you.

As we neared the tree line—escaping any
prying eyes—I hastened our pace. Her eagerness was contagious and I quickly
found myself anticipating our arrival. Emilee laughed at my excitement as I
practically ran through the grass, anxious for her to see my home. We raced through
the trees, laughing and clasping hands until we reached the magical path.

“Are you ready?” I asked, out of breath.
With a nod from her, I uttered the magic word that revealed the road to the
Glen. The trees parted, and the secret trail was revealed, dotted with magic
sparkles. Her face lit up and her breath caught as she saw what would be the
beginning of a wondrous night.

“Let's go!” We stepped into the lights
and into my world.

Chapter Eight

The secret trail led to a courtyard of
sorts, the small center of our town, surrounded by a three-sided brick wall
that held our homes. Each wooden door either led directly to a home, like mine,
or to a passage that led to other homes. Magic kept it from looking or feeling
crowded. Where the fourth wall should have been there were actually wide,
plain, stone steps that led up to the Mother's simple yet pretty home, in the
woods. The magnificent trees appeared to touch the sky, and the beautiful grass
sprawled lazily over and around the surrounding terrain like water seeps into
hidden crevices.

Everything had been decorated for the
evening. More magical lights floated in the air, flowers of every variety were
placed randomly throughout the courtyard. The grand table had been placed in
the center of the yard in preparation for the feast. After the eating was done,
it would be removed to make room for dancing.

“I never want to forget this, it's so
beautiful.” Emilee sighed in wonder.

Just then, a group of both Fae and
humans came into the enclosure, laughing and sipping wine. Emilee looked at me,
questioningly.

“See how the air shimmers more around
some of them? Those are Fae, The Glen recognizes them. It’s kind of a magical
‘welcome home’ so to speak.” I laughed as Emilee studied the group intently.

“What about the humans? Do they know
where they are?”

“They've been enchanted so they won’t
remember anything that happens tonight. They probably don't even realize what's
going on,” I explained.

“What a shame,” she said, as her gaze
returned to them.

I smiled at her, reminding myself to
control my displays of real affection—any sign of actual love between species
would get us in trouble—and took her hand again, leading her to the table. The
other Fae began to bring their guests over as well, while the food began to appear
before us.

“Oh, good,” Emilee giggled. “I was
worried that you were going to eat all of us,” she teased.

“Not for dinner. Dessert,” I teased in
return. “We always save the sweetest for last.”

“I do believe that is the corniest thing
I’ve ever heard you say!” She laughed loudly, causing many heads to turn our
direction, and she blushed furiously while I laughed at her expense.

When everyone was seated, our attention
was turned to the stone staircase as the Mother cleared her throat.

“Oh my goodness!” Emilee breathed.
“She's beautiful! And look at her wings!” She spent a moment examining the
light blue dress Mother was wearing and looking at her pointy ears, as well as
the pale-pink, silky wings. “Wait, why is she not human?”

“Mother's forfeit their right to become
human. They serve as a constant authority figure, no matter what,” I whispered.

“Welcome, my children and guests!”
Mother exclaimed, spreading her arms wide in greeting.

“Tonight we dine, dance, and love.
Tomorrow is a new day, one whose plans we can never foretell. Let us enjoy
ourselves as we celebrate the coming of Midsummer’s Day!” Her speech was
followed by loud cheers and raising of glasses as she came down the steps and
sat at the head of the table. As soon as she finished her first bite of the
meal, the rest of us began ours.

Emilee and I were silent, listening to
the conversations around us, only needing each other’s smiles as we ate. Every
now and then, when I couldn’t keep my emotions in check any longer, I would
reach over and grab her hand, stroking it gently with my thumb. I could tell
she was thoroughly enjoying herself, her eyes wide with excitement as she took
everything in.

The meal ended and the table was
removed. A throne was brought out and placed on the center of the steps for the
Mother, as a band came out and set themselves up to the right side of her on
the rest of the stairs.

The dancing began once Mother was
seated. The physical fire I felt in Emilee’s dreams burned with a new and
increased intensity as I took her in my arms and began the waltz. I couldn't
take my eyes off her; she was so beautiful, out shining any other woman there.
It was all I could do not to rip the recently-dawned dance masks from our faces
and ravage her right there.

“I love you,” I whispered into her ear,
pulling her unceremoniously closer to me.

“I love you, too,” she sighed in utter
contentment, holding onto me tightly. She rested her head on my chest and
closed her eyes. We nearly missed the end of the music, but managed to stop our
dance in time to applaud with the crowd. The Mother’s eye’s momentarily made
contact with mine—a chill travelled up my spine and my breath caught in my
throat. But her smile revealed nothing and I exhaled in relief.

As the next song began, a few couples
left the courtyard and entered into their homes through the doors in the brick
walls.

“Where are they going?” Emilee asked.

“To perform whatever rituals they
brought their mortals here for. In this case, it's
probably . . . uh . . . romantic encounters.” I
coughed out the last part, embarrassed.

“But aren’t they under a spell? Wouldn’t
that be like forcing them to do it?” Horror was growing on her face as she
spoke.

“No! I’m sorry I didn’t explain that
very well. They uh, they’re aware enough to consent to something like that. No
Fae would ever force themselves on someone in that manner.”

“Oh.” It was all she said, a blush
creeping over both of our cheeks as we giggled nervously.

“Raith,” a voice said into my mind,
causing me to jump. “Would you kindly bring your guest and come with me to my
home?” I looked around for the source of the voice and caught the Mother's
eyes. She nodded and rose from her chair, leaving the party.

I started to swear and then thought
better of it.

“What is it?” Emilee questioned.

“Mother just asked us to come meet with
her.” Emilee's eyes widened in surprise, but she nodded her approval. Hardly
anyone noticed as we left the dance and walked up the steps to the Mother's
home. Either they weren’t paying attention, or they didn’t want to interrupt
their own all night dance party. Perhaps they knew, like I did, that we were in
some sort of trouble.

“What do you think she wants?” Emilee
asked, as we traveled through the tall trees. I waved away some twinkling
lights before I answered.

“I'm not sure. I'm a little nervous
though.” I wasn’t exactly lying. I could guess that the Mother had probably
noticed our interactions with each other. I couldn’t help adoring Emilee, and
no doubt everyone noticed, regardless of my intentions to hide it. I gave her a
quick smile and she held my hand tighter, trying to reassure me. My smile
became weak and I tightened my grasp also.

When we reached the Mother's home, she
was standing in the doorway, caressing a twinkling orb. I bowed as we came to a
stop in front of her, Emilee following my lead and curtsying.

“Mother,” I said in greeting.

“What is your friend's name?” she asked,
ignoring my greeting.

“Emilee,” I said shakily as my grip
tightened on my love's hand.

“Emilee, my child,” Mother began,
turning her stare to my companion. “Would I be right in assuming that you are
under no type of influence tonight?”

My heart felt as though it had stopped
beating as I rushed to answer.

“I can ex-,” I tried to answer, only to
be interrupted by the Mother.

“I'm sure she can speak for herself,
Raith.” She stared at Emilee evenly, finally releasing the light she had been
holding.

“Y-yes,” Emilee stammered out, her hands
beginning to shake fearfully. I gripped her even tighter. This was not good, in
any way.

“Now then,” Mother said, stepping out to
us, her hands behind her. “Would one of you kindly explain why that is?” She
looked at me, expressionless.

“How did you know?” I asked quietly,
staring at the ground, avoiding her eyes.

“Magic leaves a trace, Raith. I could
see it on every mortal but her tonight.” She placed a hand on her forehead,
frustration clouding her features. “You have put us all in danger with your
foolish actions, my son. This cannot go unpunished.”

“No, it's not like that,” I interjected.
I began to panic. I was pretty sure that this punishment wouldn’t be anything
like my previous punishments. “She won't, I lo-”

“I want to become Fae!” Emilee's
interruption stopped me dead in my tracks. My head snapped up and I looked at
her incredulously.

“No, she doesn't,” I said after a moment.
“It was all me, I wan-”

“Yes, I do.” Her expression was hard and
decided.

“Emilee, you don't have to do this, not
for me,” I pleaded.

“It's not for you, it's for me. I want
to stay here.”

The Mother looked at us carefully,
studying us. Suddenly, she reached out and jabbed me hard in the chest. I felt
a stinging and my breath was knocked away as I fell to one knee.

“What did you do to him?” Emilee
shrieked, falling to the ground beside me.

“I have taken away his ability to travel
into the mortal realm.” Neither myself nor Emilee were able to speak for a
moment. I prayed I heard her wrong. Nothing was happening the way it was
supposed to this night—surely I had heard her wrong.

“What?” I whispered, when I found my
voice.

“Without an enchantment she can tell
others what she has seen and where we are. You have been in trouble countless
times before due to your antics in the human world. You have exposed us all. I
will not reward you by letting you keep her here forever, no matter how
convenient it might be for me. You know there is no way to make her forget the
things you have told her or what she has seen tonight! Not without calling upon
a witch for aide, and I am not willing to pay the price she will ask!

“I have tried many times to excuse your
actions, blaming them on your youth and high spirit, but this I can't excuse.”

“I didn’t think that I’d done anything
wrong, Mother! I’ve never done anything that would hurt us—the other things
were just pranks!”

“Exactly, Raith. You did not think.
Maybe if I start punishing you more severely, you will abide by our laws in the
future.”

I cried out in desperation, tears
beginning to trail down my cheeks.

“I love her! Please, please, don't do
this to me, I can't . . . I can't live without her.” I had
gathered Emilee into my arms, both of us now crying and on our knees, begging
as one.

“Please,” Emilee whispered through her
tears. “Please.”

I could hardly see. All I could feel was
panic and pain—and Emilee, crying in my arms. Her tears were falling onto my
arms and I clutched her tighter.

The Mother looked down at us, harshly. I
blinked through my tears, trying to read the expression on her face. Was it
sorrow? Or loathing? I couldn’t tell.

“I suggest you enjoy your night
together,” she said. “It will be your last.”

“I won’t let her go!” I spat out
vehemently. “I’ll do anything I can—I’ll fight every second you try to keep me
from her!”

When the Mother looked at me again,
sorrow was plainly displayed on her face.

“I’m sorry, Raith. But you’ve done this
to yourself.”

I took Emilee to my house, knowing we
wouldn't be missed and we didn't have much time left.

“I'm so sorry . . . I
didn't know . . . I can't . . .” I sobbed as I
gathered her into my arms, holding her firmly against me.

“Raith.” She sobbed my name—her broken
voice muffled in my shirt as she held onto me.

We cried until there were no more tears
left. I felt numb. I thought I would have years left with her, that I would be
with her every Midsummer’s Eve. My life as I knew it was over.

I wished that it was over for real. I
had nothing left to live for without Emilee.

I loved her so much. I wanted to take
care of her and give her everything she’d ever wanted. I wanted to go with her
and never return to The Glen. I wanted so many things, and every single one of
them had been taken away in a mere moment. I needed a distraction from the pain
and I settled on Emilee.

I ran my fingers through her hair over
and over again, while we stood in each other’s arms, our breath still hitching.
I knew that we only had a few hours left together, but I didn't even know how
to say what I wanted to tell her; I didn't know how to convey my feelings in a
way that she would never forget.

So I kissed her, like I'd never kissed
her before.

I started out slow, kissing the top of
her head and moving my hands to her arms. Gently, I stroked her shoulders and
then down to her elbows as she raised her head to look at me. I stopped for a
moment, just to look at her.

Caressing first her cheeks and then her
neck, I leaned in and kissed her lips softly. Closing my eyes from the hurt, I
leaned in and kissed her again, increasing the pressure ever so slightly. I
could feel the need growing inside me, the desire to give her everything and be
with her in every way possible.