Not Your Average Fairy Tale (Not Your Average Fairy Tale #1) (20 page)

A collective gasp filled the room, followed by furious whispers.

Shenelle still stood in front of me, though my eyes were on Logan. I couldn't read his expression.

Shenelle started speaking again. "Ash, think about what you're doing. If you leave, you'll be hunted down for your ... unique powers. You could be killed! The girl–"

I cut her off. "Kendall. Her name is Kendall!"

"Kendall. Yes." She looked thoughtful. "Think about
her
, Ash. She could be killed as well."

"By you?" I asked, challenging her.

Lady Shenelle let out a theatrical gasp. A few other council members eyed me warily.

"No one's after me. No one even knows who I am, besides you guys. Are you telling me
you'll
come after me?" I laughed. "The people who assured me I'd be safe in this haven are the same ones who'll hunt me down if I leave of my own free will?"

"Ash, you don't understand,” Shenelle said. “You
can't
leave. We can't let you. We don't know the full extent of your powers yet."

"So, you want me to be your guinea pig? Or has Dax already volunteered for the job? Since we share the same blood and all."

"What?" Logan asked.

I turned to him. "Oh, didn't you hear? Dax and I are brothers. The illegitimate sons of a djinn."

"Shenelle?" Logan looked confused. "Is this true?"

I looked at her. Her jaw worked furiously. Most likely she was trying to think of a lie. "You still can't leave," she said. "There is no way you can just walk out that door."

I smiled. Magic flowed to my fingertips. I didn't need a wand anymore. I never had. Shenelle gave it to me to hold me back. To control my power. Or take it. "Wanna bet?" I pulled my wand out and pointed it at her.

She looked unimpressed. "If you attack me, we’ll throw you in prison."

"I'm not going to attack you. I'm just going to show them how you jinxed my wand to drain my power." I turned toward the rest of the council, holding the wand in my hand. A few people shied away.

"You can't prove that," she said.

I ignored her. I held the wand between both hands and snapped it clean in half. A puff of pink sparkles rose out of it, and I met Shenelle's furious eyes. Magic surged through every nerve in my body. I smiled to myself, pleased that the council had witnessed my moment of truth.

"You jinxed his wand?" Logan said, looking at Shenelle.

"Of course not, Logan. This is Ash's pitiful attempt to frame me. He's been trying to get out of being my apprentice since it started."

Master Time stepped forward, his expression solemn. "No one can access the wands but the council. Mr. Summerland didn't jinx his own wand. Only a fairy can do magic like that, and only one as powerful as you."

"B-but ..." she stammered.

"Hand over your wand, Shenelle. It's over," Logan said.

"This is his fault!" She pointed at me, her finger shaking. "He needs to be punished. He broke the rules and fell in love with that ... that human girl."

"I'm pretty sure
you're
in more trouble than I am," I said.

The other council members eyed each other, but no one moved.

Shenelle started flitting back and forth again, talking more to herself than to us. "I knew that girl would be trouble the moment Logan picked her. I should have let Dax get rid of her when he had the chance. Then we wouldn't be in this mess."

"
You
sent Dax after Kendall?" I couldn’t keep my voice steady.

"I knew you were falling for her. She kept distracting you, making you put aside your potential as a fairy godmother. With your fairy and djinn blood, you could have been so powerful. More so than anyone else in this room. I could have helped you, Ash! I could have helped you wield it!"

"You–"

She shot me a glare, silencing me. "Love destroys a person. It makes them weak! When you kissed her at that stupid dance, I knew I was right. I knew I'd have to do something to get her out of the picture before you gave everything up to be with her." She smiled. "And it worked. You listened to my advice. And she made the perfect wish, at the perfect time. She broke your heart."

Heat crept into my face, and I clenched my jaw. She was so going down.

"But you still love her. I don't understand why."

Someone cleared their throat behind me.

Shenelle stopped glaring at me and glanced at the other council members. She looked like she had forgotten they were there. She turned to me again. "I have nothing more to say to you. We're done here. Take him away. He broke the biggest rule of his apprenticeship. He fell in love with his assignment. He'll be expelled. She paused, looking thoughtful. "And after threatening me, imprisoned."

"You're crazy!" I turned toward the rest of the council. "You're really going to let her get away with this? Tampering with my wand? Lying to me about my parents all these years? It sounds like she has some bigger agenda that includes me and Dax."

Logan frowned and addressed Shenelle. "No excuse will get you out of this. You jinxed Ash's wand. You put his assignment in danger, and him in danger as well.”

She didn't answer, but turned livid eyes on me. She lifted herself off the ground, her wings flapping furiously. Her wand appeared in her hand, but before she could fire a spell, I shut my eyes and released my magic.

A gust of wind blew through the room. I felt it pull at my hair, and opened my eyes, meeting Shenelle's glare. I focused my power on her, holding her in place.

"It's not nice to attack students.” I smiled. "I think
you
should be expelled."

Her body began floating down toward her chair, and her eyes widened.

"What are you doing?" Shenelle asked. Her voice shook, and I heard whispers from around the room. I set her in her chair and focused on the hanging plants sitting near her desk. They came alive, wrapping around her arms, tying her tightly to her chair.

"Being part fairy has its perks," I said, admiring my work. "I'll see you when I see you." I turned to walk away.

"Stop him!" Shenelle screamed.

I looked up, surprised when several fairies burst into the room.

"He's using magic on his superior!" Shenelle cried.

Logan whispered into a fairy’s ear, and she nodded.

They surrounded Shenelle. "Wait! Stop! He's the one you want, not me!" Her face contorted in rage as she fought the bonds holding her to the chair.

"It's over, Shenelle," Logan said. "You have nowhere to go." He gestured toward her wand. "Hand it over."

She yelled a string of profanities that made even
my
ears burn.

"Shenelle," Logan started.

She glared at him and stopped struggling. "No," she said, her voice suddenly calm. "You won't take my wand from me." Her eyes shifted to where I stood, and I flinched at the rage in her gaze.

I jumped as the bonds around her wrists snapped and she flew a few feet off the ground. Her eyes were wild and her hair stood on end like she was buzzing with electricity.

"Give me your wand! It's over!" Logan yelled.

She smiled. "It's only the beginning." She raised her wand and light shot out of it in every direction.

I jumped out of the way just as a flash of light blasted a hole in the wall behind me. A fairy across the room didn't move in time and fell to the ground. She didn't get up.

"Shenelle! Don't make me do this!" Logan yelled. He reached into his robe and pulled out a handful of black sand. My eyes widened as I recognized Sleeping Death.

Shenelle stiffened when she saw it, but didn't back down. She glanced around the room until her eyes found mine.

"You could be great, Ash. More powerful than anyone in this world. Come with me. I know where your father is. Your real father. He can help you control your power."

I stood my ground. "No."

She frowned. "You're just as stubborn as she was." She shook her head. "No matter. You're coming with me either way."

My body tensed as she pointed her wand at me. I stood my ground, bracing for the impact of her spell, but as the light shot out of her wand, someone jumped in front of me.

The light struck Logan in the chest, sending the sand in his hand flying into the air. He fell to the ground as the Sleeping Death covered his body.

It took me a moment to comprehend what had just happened.

Logan saved me.

"Always the hero," Shenelle growled.

"No!" I yelled, kneeling next to him. "Logan?"

His eyes had glazed over, and he was staring at nothing, I checked his pulse, relieved when I felt the faint thump under my fingertips.

"He's alive!" I said. Tears burned behind my eyes, and I blinked them away.

More shouting brought my attention back to Shenelle. I glanced up as several people rushed into the room. I locked eyes with Shenelle, her eyes red with fury.

"This isn't over," she said. "You've chosen the wrong side for now, but you
will
join us. You'll realize your potential and seek us out. I'll see you soon, Ash." And on that happy note, she vanished.

I tried to push away her last words, but I couldn't. I feared it wouldn't be the last time I saw her.

I focused on Logan again as Master Time shuffled over to me, barking orders at everyone in the room. He pushed me out of the way, and I watched several people surround Logan, muttering spells.

I backed against the doorframe, trying not to show how upset I was.

There was nothing to do but wait.

***

A movement in the doorway made me look up. I glanced at Sam and cringed when my eyes met the bright lights of the hospital room. I must have fallen asleep.

"How's he doing?" Sam whispered.

My chair sat next to Logan's bed, and he still looked the same as the night before. He slept quietly, locked in a dreamless sleep.

"He's okay, I think. He just needs to wake up." I paused. "And he's not going to do it unless his true love kisses him."

"Whoever that is," Sam said.

I sighed. "I know." I realized then I hardly knew anything about Logan. I'd been so wrapped up in myself that I'd never asked him about his life.

Misty came into the room carrying a vase of flowers. Her eyes were red and puffy, with makeup smeared underneath them.

"How are you?" she asked.

I shrugged. "Been better."

We were silent for a while.

"What are you going to do now?" Sam asked.

"You already know," I said.

"Still leaving?"

I nodded.

"Is she really worth it?"

Misty hit him, and I chuckled.

"Absolutely," I said.

Misty squeezed my shoulder. "Don't worry about Logan, Ash. We'll find you as soon as he wakes up. Master Time is already going through his files to find any information on his past. We'll keep you updated. He'll be okay."

"Thanks, guys."

It was then that I noticed Misty was missing something.

"Where are your wings?" I asked.

She chuckled. "I didn't want them anymore. I decided to study to be a sandman. Or woman, I guess. I figured since you got all the fun being the first male fairy godmother, I'd try being the first female sandman."

"Awesome," Sam said. He looked at her for a moment too long and she blushed.

"How–" I started.

"Master Time did it. I asked him to get rid of your wings as well. It's just a simple spell, really. He’ll be here any minute."

I sighed with relief. Finally. I would be myself again. My whole self. A part of me felt strange about getting rid of them though, since I knew I was part fairy. I guess they weren't that bad, but I wasn't going to complain when they were gone.

I smiled. Kendall and I could be together now.

That was all that mattered.

Kendall

"Lines!" I yelled.

The girls smiled, and some straightened their arms, fixing their posture.

It was my third week back as drill mistress, and I couldn't believe I had almost given up dance. I felt complete. Amazing, how good it felt to be a part of the team again.

"Great job, guys!" Our coach congratulated us on our practice and released us for the day.

I walked to my car with Ellie, my arm wrapped around her shoulder. The wind started blowing, whipping my hair around my face. It smelled like rain, but there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.

"Do you smell that?" I asked Ellie.

"Rain?"

I nodded, looking at the sky. "I don't think it's supposed to storm any time soon."

She raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, I watch the weather," I said.

"Weird how there aren't any clouds." She shook her head and walked to the car.

I lagged behind, feeling the cool breeze on my face. The smell of rain reminded me of something, but I couldn’t think what.

"Kendall! Come on!" Ellie stuck her head out the car window to yell at me. The wind blew her hair everywhere and I stifled a laugh. She looked like Medusa.

"Coming!" I ran to meet her.

***

Even though it was almost summertime, my room felt cold. I pulled on a sweatshirt and sat down, smoothing out the wrinkles on my blue bedspread. I could have sworn it used to be pink, but couldn't remember when or why I'd changed it.

Clothes covered the floor as usual, and I suddenly had the desire to clean them up.

I knelt down and threw shirts toward the closet. They were clean, but I was usually too lazy to hang them up. The closet always seemed too far away. So much easier to just throw them on the floor.

Not anymore, I decided. I took a deep breath, grabbed a handful and marched across the room, ready to take on a more organized life.

The clothes fell from my hands when I saw the state of my closet.

I sighed and sat down. It was hopeless.

Something cold touched my leg, and I reached for the culprit, pulling out a silver chain. It was tiny and beautiful. A blue teardrop charm slid down the chain and I studied it, puzzled. I couldn't remember where I'd gotten it.

I touched the teardrop, feeling the tiniest bit of warmth rush through my fingertip. A memory ignited in my brain, sending a rush of emotions through me.

Ash.

The name hit me so hard it took my breath away.

"Ash," I whispered.

The memories came flooding back. His handsome face. Silver blue eyes. The way he ran his hand through his hair when he was annoyed or upset. The sly grin he always gave me when he won an argument. His lips. Oh, his lips. The way he kissed me. His voice, low and familiar, telling me everything was going to be okay. His beautiful silver wings. And finally, the wishes.

The memory of my last wish hit me like it was yesterday, though I knew it had been a while. Weeks, at least.

I'd wished I'd never met him.

My eyes filled with tears and I blinked them back. It wouldn't do any good to cry about something that could never be. Like me and Ash.

If there was a way we could be together, though, I'd do everything in my power to take that last wish back. I wondered if it hurt him as much as it hurt me.

"I see you found it."

My heart started racing, and I put my hand to my chest. It wasn't possible. He left. I told him to leave.

"I told you it would help you remember me."

I shook my head. Maybe if I woke up from this dream, I'd stop hearing his voice.

"Kendall."

My limbs felt like jelly as I stood. I turned to find myself staring into silver blue eyes. His hair was longer than before, reaching past his ears.

"Ash?" I whispered.

His smile faltered a little at the tremor in my voice. "I didn’t mean to scare you." He shifted his weight and ran a hand through his hair.

"How?" I stammered. "My wish ..." I trailed off as a smile graced his lips.

"I know.
The
wish." He took a step closer and my heart fluttered.

"I'm sorry, Ash. I'm so sorry I made that wish. It just came out–"

He lifted a hand, cutting me off. "It was my fault." He moved closer until he was right in front of me. "I came here to apologize. For everything."

"You don't need to apologize. I'm the one who–"

"Kendall, would you please let me finish?" He laughed at my expression and touched my cheek with his fingertips. "You’re always blaming yourself for everything. You really need to stop that."

I sighed. "I know."

"Now, where was I?" He paused, glancing at my lips. "When I started this assignment, I was bitter. I didn't want anything to do with you. I didn't care about you, didn't want to know anything about you, wanted you to make your wishes so I could be done with it." He took my hand in his and traced the back of it with his finger. "I realized what an idiot I was when I started to get jealous of Cameron. Who I still don't like, by the way. And not just because you two had a 'thing'."

I laughed.

"You've changed me, Kendall. You've made me realize there are more things in life than being a sandman. Or a fairy." He paused. "I guess what I'm trying to say is this." His eyes searched mine and I swear my heart was going to leap right out of my chest. "I love you." He sighed, and smiled. "I've loved you for quite some time, actually. I've been an idiot trying to talk myself out of it. There's no use. You're all I care about now. All I'll ever care about."

"Don't," I said, hearing the quiver in my voice.

He reached up. His thumb moved over my bottom lip and I closed my eyes. Warmth rushed through me, and I breathed in the scent of him.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner," he said. I opened my eyes, wanting to remember this moment for the rest of my life. The look on his face, full of love. I'd never had anyone look at me like that before.

"I'm sorry too," I said.

He smiled. "The truth is, I didn't realize how much I loved you until I thought I'd lost you. When you made that wish, I swear you reached in and ripped my heart out. I couldn't eat, couldn't sleep. All I kept thinking about was you. The last words I heard you say. I couldn't handle it."

A tear trailed down my cheek and he reached out to wipe it away. His hand lingered on my face, tracing my scar.

"Don't cry," he whispered. He leaned in, kissing my cheek. His lips moved to my scar, following it down to my chin. He lingered near my lips, but hesitated, not touching them, even though I wished he would. "You're being too quiet," he said. "It's not like you."

I chuckled, trying to hold the flood gates closed. My eyes burned, and I pushed back the tears. "I love you too, Ash." He smiled. "That's all I have to say."

His lips met mine then, and he pulled me close. "I've missed you so much," he said between kisses.

After what seemed like ages, I pulled away, searching his face. "Are you really here?" I asked.

"Yes."

"Am I the only one who can see you?"

He shook his head. "No."

"Really?"

"You can show me off to whoever you want," he said.

I laughed and shoved him playfully in the shoulder.

"What? You know you want to."

"You're right," I said. "I'm actually excited to show you to Ellie."

"I know. She's been dying to meet me."

"If she remembers."

"She will. Your last wish is broken, since, well, you remember me and all. I hope that's okay."

"Of course it is," I said, pulling him close. "I still can't believe you're here."

"Me neither."

"Wait. Are you going to get in trouble?"

He laughed. "I'm already in quite the mess, but it's all taken care of. I'm living here now. Well, not here, but since I'll be eighteen in a few weeks, and have some money from my parents, I'm going to find a place close to you. I'm done with the Academy. I'm not going back."

"You can do that?"

"I just did."

"Oh." I wasn't sure what to say. "What about everything you've worked for?"

He shrugged. "I can try something new. Maybe go to a real human college. Learn botany or something."

"Botany?" I grinned.

"Well, I
am
part fairy. Makes sense."

"I guess." I tried to smile, but part of me felt awful at his giving up his dream for me. "Ash ... why? Why me?"

He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and slid his hands on either side of my face. "You saved me, Kendall. I've been selfish and haven't cared about anyone in so long, I forgot what it was like." He smiled. "I need you in my life. We go well together. We're both broken, stubborn, sarcastic, funny. And you're pretty hot. A bonus for me."

I laughed as a tear slid down my cheek.

He wiped it away with his thumb. "We both have scars," he said as he traced my cheek. "But we'll heal together."

I started at that and frowned. "You didn't rip your wings off or something, did you?"

He chuckled. "No. I don't have them anymore, though."

"What? Why?"

"Instead of talking about the past, why don't we work on the future?" he said, winking.

And he brought his lips to mine.