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That doesn’t settle the unease rioting in my stomach, though.
I stop the machine and start walking back to the automatic spout that fills up my water bottle with a motion sensor.
The familiar whirring sound from the stream of water fills the air as I stare at a corner. My eyes unfocus as I enter an odd headspace where no thoughts exist. This usually happens after I get stressed out.
The buzzing of my FaePhone draws me from my strange brain-limbo. I look at the contact card.
Mom, Lucindais calling you
I sigh and pick up the phone.
“Hey mom,” I say casually. My voice is considerably higher than usual.
“Nate, darling, what are you doing right now?”she asks.
I roll my eyes, and bite back saying,Talking to you, obviously. I really don’t like being called Nate. “What’s going on? Is everything okay?”
Her high-pitched voice is slightly too loud for the phone, like she still isn’t used to talking to me this way despite phones existing in our court for nearly a century.“Sweetheart, I asked you a direct question. You’re evading me. Are you evading me?”
I shift my weight and the stream of water automatically stops. A yes or no question had to be answered directly. “No.”
It’s easy to hear her smile even through the phone,“Good, blood of my blood. Now, tell me, are you busy? No evading.”
“No.” I huff lightly and screw the lid on. I hear her breathing. “Gods, mom, just tell me why you called.”
She titters.“Will you be busy in the next two weeks?”
I consider for a moment, trying to think if there are any big parties that will come up between now and then. To my dismay, my mind is totally blank. This is a trap, but I have nothing to protect myself.
“No, I’m not busy in the next two weeks.” My heart is beating faster already.
“One last thing and then I’ll let you go, okay?”she says, and I don’t respond, still wishing she could just get on with it.“Flesh of my flesh, blood of my blood, you owe me for bringing you into this world.”
Yup. Definitely a trap. I let out a long breath, walking to the lockers. The damage is as good as done, so I might as well find out what my torture will be.
“Yes.” I breathe and pinch the bridge of my nose.
She squeals with delight.“Perfect. I’ve sent a messenger with some Iter Dust so that you can spend the Summer Solstice with us.”
I can’t help the groan that escapes my mouth. I completely forgot about the holiday.
It has been two years since I left home the night before solstice, and I haven’t been home since. I suppose that now is as good a time as any to return. “Great, anything you want me to bring from the city?”
“How about you bring all your things so you can move back home and marry a Summer Fae?”
I am in Hell.Tension bunches up my shoulder muscles. “Bye, Mom,”
She starts talking again, but I hang up and walk over to the showers so that I can finish getting ready for the day.
* * *
Adjustingthe collar of my French blue shirt, I check my hair in the mirror one last time before heading into the conference room of a tall skyscraper that Boss has rented to meet with very important shipping clients.
The Winter Fae had apparently recommended me so highly that I received a promotion not long after their last shipment. I am now Boss’ second in command.
It is good work for me. I am a dashing, charming Summer Fae, and schmoozing people is in my blood. Plus, in what should have been an added bonus, I work during the day. No more late night runs. Sadly, it doesn't make me very happy. All it means is that I have no chances of a midnight rendezvous with the Winter Fae.
Boss still won’t tell me her name. He told me that if I ever grew the balls to kill him or trick him out of his own position, he would reveal this apparently top secret information. I had scoffed, but I think he was serious.
