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“Evening, ma’am. I have one cheese pizza, one pineapple and ham, breadsticks and a soda?” he asks as he hands over the receipt. I pay and tip him, but before I can even close the door, Jacob and River are walking up, talking animatedly.
“Perfect timing! I guess you’re finally rubbing off on me,” Jacob says as he shimmies past me and heads for the kitchen. He grabs plates out of the cabinet and starts helping get stuff ready. River’s still in that stage of friendship where she fits in well, but isn’t quite at home with us yet, so she stands off to the side until Jacob rolls his eyes and yanks her playfully over to the counter where he has the piz
za and plates ready. She gives a shy grin and sits down, visibly trying to shake off the rest of the awkwardness.
“How can you eat that sweet crap on your pizza?” I groan and shove the pineapple pizza towards Jacob. He grabs a piece then dramatically bites and chews it with an appreciative groan. I roll my eyes at River and she laughs before taking a slice of cheese pizza. “That’s my girl,” I joke.
“Whatever, you girls eat your boring pizza. I’ve got the good stuff right here,” he says around another mouthful. The amount of food Jacob can eat always astounds me. The dude manages to keep abs while simultaneously downing copious amounts of food at the same time. I guess that’s the product of those gross morning jogs he loves. I’m the opposite. I’m petite and lean, but I get my shape from good old genetics and walking around the city and campus. Which was mainly a necessity. I’m way too uncoordinated to try and play any kind of sports and I avoid exercise outside of going to classes, at all costs.
“It’s not plain, I just don’t eat meat,” River defends, “also, I brought cookies.” At her announcement, Jacob and I perk up. You can’t bring sweets around us and expect us not to get excited. We are literally the people who bake dozens of Christmas cookies and eat them all ourselves.
“I’ll forgive your poor pizza choice for a cookie, that’s for sure,” Jacob announces in a fake snotty tone, his chin pointed up.
“So River, our mysterious new friend, tell us something about you?” Jacob asks. He isn’t afraid to be nosy and I’m honestly kind of surprised he waited this long before delving into her life. Though I can’t complain, I’m secretly dying to know more about her and the fae in general.
“I’m a vegetarian. I do landscaping designs. I’m studying horticulture and graphic design online. Though, it’s more of an adaptive study. Time here moves much quicker than it did in Faerie, so I am technically 67 of your years. Going to college seems so weird. I try to keep in contact with the other fae around here, but we’re all so different I would call us more like a forced family you see on holidays, than actual friends.” She lists off her description like she’s reading from a list she’s rehearsed more than once.
“Hold up! 67?” Jacob shrieks. I jump at his outburst and River just smiles and shakes her head, she’s already getting used to his antics.
“Yes. In Faerie, weeks pass by while years pass in your world. Living here makes our lives a whole lot shorter. Not to mention the food and pollution are making us slowly get sick. We don’t have technology or cars in Faerie, so there are advantages to this world.” Her eyes lose focus while she speaks. It makes me want to know what it was really like in Faerie, before the war of course.
The war was another thing I can’t quite grasp. How bad was it if they ruined their entire realm and had to flee for a new world? Did they lose nearly all of their people? Was it something that built up for years? All the questions I knew I couldn’t just outright ask her. Every fae had kept those stories tight to their chests and I wasn’t going to ruin a new friendship over my insane curiosity.
“Why did you have to leave? I’ve never heard it directly from a fae before. It’s always humans telling tales that aren’t theirs to tell,” I ask, hoping it wouldn’t offend her. She doesn’t look bothered by my question and I let myself relax again.
“Faerie consists of four regions. The courts of Spring, Summer, Winter, and Autumn. However, some fae were greedy and wished for more power or land, corrupting the minds of their citizens. It put a distinct line dividing the land into the dark and light fae. Winter and Autumn are considered to be dark fae, while Spring and Summer are considered light. Though, don’t be confused by the titles, the prejudice from the lighter courts sent the dark fae into their evil stereotypes. It was nothing more than an overblown turf war based on greed and prejudice.” Jacob and I hang onto every word that falls from her lips. It isn’t often that open discussions happen between fae and humans and I was captivated.
“What Court are you from?” Jacob interrupts her, gripping the edge of the counter as he stares at her intensely. Calm down Jacob, don’t scare off our new friend.
“I was born after the division of the courts. I’m a Light Fae technically, from the Court of Summer. When the war started, it wiped out villages and cities like they were nothing. Magic is a powerful thing, especially when combined together on the unsuspecting. Eventually, the last royals standing were the Prince of Winter and the Princess of Spring. They were said to be lovers and wanted unity of the dark and light Fae, to stop the war before it corrupted the land. They disappeared not long after and hope was lost. Nobody ever found them and they were presumed dead.
Not even a week after they disappeared the land rejected the survivors. I happened to hide well enough when my village was slaughtered. I was among the only survivors.” She has a few tears falling now as she relives the darkest part of her life and we both reach for her hands to offer whatever comfort we can. What can you really say to someone that lost their family, friends, and home in an instant?
“Wait, your land rejected you?” I ask, both to change the subject and because it sounds so odd.
“Faerie isn’t like Earth. We are more connected to our land and it’s riddled with old magic. Think of it as a living thing. Nature turned on us, the animals turned hostile, the water was tainted, and the edible plants turned poisonous or withered away completely. Those of us who survived the war fled through the portals. I believe some stayed behind, but the chances of survival are incredibly low. If they did stay, I doubt they’re sane.” She finishes her story and takes a few deep breaths. I had a hard time losing my grandmother, although we weren’t super close. I can’t imagine how she feels reliving the dark and haunting memories. My chest aches for her loss and we both just scoot closer, offering her silent companionship as she works through her emotions. After a few minutes she gives us a shaky smile. “Thanks guys.”
“You don’t have to thank us. We’re friends.” Her smile only grows at my words and Jacob seizes the opportunity to lighten the mood.
“Okay, we need to fix the vibe. Dance party?” Jacob asks as he plugs his phone into my sound system, all of us shaking off the somber mood that hung in the air now. We jump up and dance as soon as the first notes blare from the speakers. River just sits back and laughs at us, but Jacob being Jacob, isn’t okay with anyone sitting on the sidelines when we have fun.
He beckons her forward with one finger as he wiggles his butt, and when that doesn’t work he twerks slowly toward her until she gives in and joins us. By the time a few songs end we are winded, but enjoying ourselves. A smiling Jacob is my favorite, he’s like the sun when he’s happy, lighting up the entire room and everyone in it until even River was able to shake off the conversation.
Note to self, Faerie history is dark.
“Bella, I need you to handle the register,” Jacob calls as he tries to fix the coffee machine that’s sputtering out hot liquid in front of him. Today had been one of those crazy days at work where nothing goes right and every asshole in the world comes in. We've already lost two mugs, had a group of kids upend half of our coffee bar, and mopped the floors three times.
Stepping up to the counter, I take the next few orders until we hit a glorious lull in customers. Just as I pour myself a cup of liquid gold, a man stumbles into the coffee shop, looking panicked and afraid. It’s not the same man as last time, but he’s clearly in distress. Dropping my cup on the counter, I ran over and helped him over to a barstool. He’s winded and I notice right away that he’s fae. I frown as I step up to the window, prepared to lock the door if someone is coming for him. At first all seems quiet, then I spot a group of men running down the sidewalk, looking down alleys and through the shop windows. Without hesitation, I rush back to the man and usher him to the back of the shop and pull the curtain closed. Thankfully, it effectively blocks him from view.
“Are you alright? Do you need medical attention? Did they hurt you?” I ask as I crouch down in front of him, offering him the coffee I didn’t get a chance to drink.
He takes the hot drink before answering, inhaling a calming breath as he tentatively sniffs the coffee. “No, I’m alright. I made it here before they could get me,” his voice shaking almost as much as his body is. The poor guy is terrified.
“Why are they after you?” I ask quietly, having to hold in my rage because I think I know the answer already.
“I was talking to a human woman. She simply asked me a question and I answered her, it was no big deal. Then a group of guys saw us and yelled that they were going to kill me for talking to their woman. I ran here, because River told me it was a place I could go if I needed help.” Relief floods me at the mention of River and I’m glad she’s out there telling them it’s a safe space. I give him an attempt at a warm smile, still trying to hide my fury.
“Excuse me while I go make sure they’re gone. Just try and calm down, I’ll send Jacob back with another coffee for you in a few. He’s good people. You did the right thing, we’ll protect you. Don’t let my size fool you,” I joke, giving him a playful wink before I stand up. He gives me a weak smile that doesn’t reach his eyes as I turn and hurry up front.
