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He levels me with a serious look. “Sorry, my queen. I didn’t realize you were here working. You’re a queen, why are you doing servants' work?” Allwyn’s voice is soft, but I can’t help but snort.
“Allwyn, I’m the supposed queen of a dead land. I don’t have a servant, and I certainly don’t have a castle. Even if I did, it wouldn’t change anything. I’ve taken care of myself for a long time, and I will continue to do so. I’ll never be afraid to get my hands dirty. Doesn’t that make me a better queen, that I understand what needs to be done?” I calmly explain, trying to appeal to what he knows. A look of respect flashes across his face and he nods.
“May I help?” He’s more relaxed now, and apparently he’s getting more comfortable around me. It gives his voice a nice husky quality. Unable to find words, I just nod and he picks up a dish towel. We fall into a system of me washing and him drying, setting them aside to be put away. We make quick work of the mess and I give him a shy smile before we make our way back to the living room. It’s almost like something unspoken passes between us, a tentative friendship that he wasn’t open to before this.
The first thing I notice when we walk back into the living room is Andras sneaking glances at Jacob. I internally squeal before sitting down at Jacob’s feet. He’s probably not ready yet, but damn they’d be adorable.
“Thanks, Queenie," Jacob whispers and pats my head. I turn and give him a smile, before settling in to watch the movie. The simple moments like this are what’s keeping me grounded and I soak in every moment I can.
Chapter 8
The house is empty when I wake up again. I know Jacob’s in class, a fact I’m trying hard not to think about, and everyone else probably went back to their normal lives. First things first, I send my professors an email with another sick excuse, it just says that I have a bad case of the flu. Though honestly I am not sure what to do about my classes, I can’t exactly walk in like nothing happened. My hair’s a different color and I look like a completely different person. They wouldn’t recognize me.
The hardest part is that I also had to quit Deb’s which means that I won’t have an apartment much longer. My job was paying for it, and now I’ll have to find a new job as one of the fae. That will be the biggest challenge yet, no one gives us a chance. But I can’t hide here forever.
After a few pity party moments, I decide that enough is enough and I’m ready to go figure my life out, which requires ge
tting ready and leaving this apartment. Time to face the world, sparkly fae or not.
As I step outside into the sunlight, I’m more than a little relieved that it just looks like I use a shimmery lotion or something, no dramatic sparkles, my skin just looks luminous. It isn’t so off the wall that I have to wear a grim reaper cloak so I won’t be noticed. Thank god for that.
I’m not used to people staring at me constantly, but today they are. The townies openly gawk and yell vile names at me. The change from life before to now is drastic, but it’s more the fact that this is all the fae have known of us that makes me sick.
Keeping my head held high, I walk down the block and almost make it in front of Deb’s diner when I see the group of the same militia that I accidently used my powers on. They’re pacing up and down the sidewalk. Now there’s no way for me to get past them on my own, even with my pepper spray.
Turning toward campus, I head that way instead. I’ll eventually have to clear out my apartment, but I’ll need help with that… and a car.
Each step closer to the university has the tugging in my stomach increasing. It’s almost to the point I can’t stand it anymore. The odd part about it is that when I face the forest surrounding the ivy covered buildings, it gets worse. When i get to the edge of the trees, I stop for a second and gaze in, but nothing seems out of the ordinary.
River: Allwyn wants to guard you and is panicking because you aren’t home. Where are you?
Me: Campus, at the edge of the forest. My stomach is acting up again and it feels worse here. I think it’s trying to tell me something.
River: Don’t do anything or move. Allwyn is coming.
Me: Tell him to avoid the mob in front of Deb’s.
Knowing Allwyn will flip if I go in alone, I pace at the edge of the forest and try to make my stomach ease up with sheer force of will. It almost feels like the pull Allwyn and the others described to us when they got here. I’d forgotten about it in all the craziness. I’m so deep in thought and discomfort that I don’t hear Allwyn approach.
“It’s not safe to go out alone now, my Queen.” His voice is low, but it doesn’t matter. I’m so on edge that when he startles me, I jump and almost punch him in the jaw.
“I’m so sorry, Allwyn," I give him a sheepish smile. “I guess I’m a bit on edge and I didn’t hear you.”
“I guess I don't need to worry about your safety.” He laughs at me, despite my attempt to punch him. Men are so odd sometimes. The sound of his laugh is mesmerizing and I can’t seem to look away from the softening of his features and the husky laugh that he’s indulging in. My cheeks flame when I realize I’m openly checking him out.
“So, you’re here to babysit me?” I ask as I turn to face the trees. At this point I can’t ignore the tug anymore.
“I’m merely trying to be your guard. It’s what I do," his voice is back to being stoic. I already miss the light tone he uses when he’s not being so serious.
“And I’m not trying to be rude, it just feels like I’ve lost my independence," I explain quietly, pausing just on the edge of the tree line.
“That’s understandable. It’ll be alright,” he says with a robotic head pat. Clearly comforting people isn’t his strong suit, but I appreciate his effort.
With one last deep breath, I head into the forest. I’m not sure which way to go, but as soon as I follow the path I feel the tug in my stomach become weaker. That startles me enough to pause and I turn in a circle to see if anything else jumps out. As I face deeper into the woods, I feel it’s strength again. Of course my internal compass couldn’t possibly lead us through a path, instead it sends me through thick tree branches and waist high plants.
“May I ask what you’re doing?” Allwyn gives me an incredulous look as I spin again, then take off into the thick of the forest.
“I need to follow the pull," I say over my shoulder as I fight my way through the snagging branches and vines. Now that I’m here, it’s so strong it consumes me.
