Fairy Unbroken (8 page)

“Canned?” he asked with a grin.

“Of course.” Trillian smiled. Her cooking skills were legendary.

It was an uphill battle getting Cameron into the house. He leaned
on Trillian heavily. By the time they made it in the living room, they were
both exhausted and breathing intensely. She helped him onto the couch,
distraught at how boney he felt in her arms. Strong, brave, tough Cameron was
now all skin and sharp angles. She turned away before he could hear her cry.
She entered the kitchen, pulled off her coat, and heard his heavy breaths
echoing in the quiet house. Tears slid down her cheeks as she placed an empty
pot on the old stove.

“Trillian!” Cameron suddenly shouted. “Trillian!”

Terror seized her heart as she rushed into the other room. Cameron
was even paler, breathing hard from the yelling. He could barely inhale as his
wide eyes glanced out the window.

“What’s wrong? What is it?”

“I think...I think I’m going to die.” His entire body began to
shake. “Shit, Trillian, I see an angel.”

Her eyes widened and she blurted, “Don’t go into the light.”
Trillian ran to her brother, the only family she had, the only man she had ever
loved unconditionally. “Cameron, I need you here.” A tear slid down her cheek.

“But why does he look so angry?”

“He?” She slammed her fists onto the couch and jumped to her feet.
Trillian glanced outside with a growl. That sure as hell was no angel. “Wait.”
Shock registered. “You can see him?” She turned around to stare at Cameron.
“You can see the fairy?”

“Fairy? No, that’s an angel,” Cameron said with a smile and
slumped against the couch.

“No. That is an annoying, stubborn ass...” Trillian trailed off.
Cameron collapsed onto his face. She shifted him so he could breathe better and
saw the rise and fall of his chest become steady.

“He’s very ill.”

Trillian jumped.

Keyn was standing beside her. “Is this your man?”

She rolled her eyes. “You know, for a man that finds me so
repulsive, that sounds like jealousy.” She knelt down. “This is my brother, and
yes, he’s very sick. How did you get in here anyway?”

Keyn didn’t answer her question. “Is this why you wouldn’t stay?”

Trillian nodded. She glanced over her shoulder but Keyn had moved
farther away. “Our doctors can’t find out what’s wrong with him. He’s fading
away.” She bit her lower lip. No more tears, no weakness in front of him.

“There...there may be another way.”

Trillian’s head jerked up. “What do you mean?”

He leaned against the doorframe but still looked tense. “We have a
healer.”

Those were the sweetest, most hopeful and perfect set of words she
had ever heard. Her mouth flopped open and closed as tears sprung to her eyes.
“The healer can cure him?”

“Brielle is quiet powerful. It may be possible.”

Trillian was overwhelmed. Just the possibility of saving Cameron
made her adrenaline shoot through her veins at breakneck speed. She threw
herself at Keyn. It was pure instinct. She pressed their bodies together and
wrapped her arms around his waist.

Keyn stood stiff but didn’t pull away.

“Sorry.” She let him go, wiping away tears. “It’s just...he’s the
only family I have.” Her smile seemed permanent as she glanced back at her
brother. “Please, yes, please, let’s go to see your healer. Is she in the
kingdom? Can we be there tonight?” She had so many questions and would have
kept chatting but Keyn lifted his hand.

He gently caressed her cheek. Another shudder rocked his body and
he quickly pulled away. “I must receive the king’s permission but Carrick will
most likely accept this as your brother can also see us.” Keyn took a step
back. “Stay here, lock up, and I will return shortly.”

Trillian nodded enthusiastically and smiled. Keyn went to the
door. She focused on the small spark of hope as her fairy took off into the
darkening sky.

****

Keyn couldn’t control the trembling but he managed to make his way
home and grab Thame to help. He could barely manage the onslaught of shivers
and sweat brought on by being so close to a human male. It sent his body into a
convulsive state and his mind reeling. They had arrived at the house moments
ago, and Thame scooped up the sick unconscious human and flew off into the sky.
Keyn cleared his throat awkwardly as Trillian watched, her hands clasped in
front of her chest.

“I will never, ever be able to express how much...” Her eyes
filled with tears and she blinked rapidly to clear them away. “Thank you.” A
single tear dropped down her cheek and she rushed to wipe it away. “Thank you,
Keyn.”

He nodded, his heart stirring.

“Did you want to walk back?” she asked hesitantly. “I know you
don’t like touching humans.”

He was a little taken aback by her willingness to bend. Did she
feel indebted to him? He wasn’t looking for that. It just felt right to help
the human that meant so much to her. “Walking will be good,” he finally said.
Walking would be a blessing. He still couldn’t get over the aversion to
touching her, a human. He shook but it was hidden by the darkness around them.

They traveled by moonlight, through the woods and over the hills.
A peaceful stroll was rather romantic as long as he didn’t think of Trillian as
a human. Maybe he could get her some fake wings to keep strapped to her back or
something. Would she find that offensive? He frowned, stepped over a big log,
and waited for her to follow.

It took some time but eventually they made it to the big willow
tree and quickly found the path that led to the city. From this height, the
city was laid out before them. The palace had candles in the windows and a few
domed homes were lit. They looked like fireflies freezing to hide from a
predator. Keyn glanced at Trillian constantly, while her eyes roamed over the
landscape. “Will you stay now?”

She stumbled, but caught herself quickly. “Stay here? If the
healer can save Cameron, then yes, I will stay. I’ll do whatever the king
says.”

She seemed ready to cry again and Keyn looked back at the palace.

“He’s my life. You save him and I’ll do anything...” She broke
off, her voice shaky.

“Then let’s see how she’s doing.” Keyn led her toward her brother.

“She?”

“The healer, Brielle.”

****

Trillian stepped into a large room draped in red and gold. She saw
the form spread on the bed, covered in sweat and breathing harshly. Her heart
ached. That was her brother, the man that always made her laugh. He was the
light in her life and now he was the one dwindling away. She once again fought
tears and made her way to his side. The king was here, beside Cameron. His
wings fluttered as she neared them.

“He’s unwell.”

“Yes. The doctors, human healers, can’t figure out what’s wrong
with him.” Trillian went to Cameron’s side and grabbed his hand. His skin was
clammy against hers.

“He saw Keyn. He can see fairies too,” she said, hoping to sway
the king’s decision to let them stay. “If the healer can save him, we’ll stay
here. We’ll follow all your rules.” She would be willing to give up her life,
her very soul, to save Cameron.

“That’s good to hear, but I don’t know if she can...”

“I can heal him.”

The words were magical, an angelic voice with a gift from God.
Trillian turned toward the door and her eyes widened at the sight. Her mouth
hung open as she caught sight of a female fairy. Gorgeous didn’t being to
describe the woman with white wings that truly looked like an angel’s. Her
voice was stolen by Brielle’s words or looks, she wasn’t sure.

“I know what’s wrong with him. It will take time, but I can save
him.”

Trillian’s knees gave out. She landed roughly on the floor and had
to take several breaths to calm herself. Keyn stepped forward. He reached out
and it looked like he was going to help her up, but he hesitated. Trillian
pulled herself onto the bed. “You...you can save my brother?” The words were so
shaky she was surprised anyone understood them.

Brielle gave her a sweet smile and nodded. “Yes. He will live.”

Trillian broke down. She couldn’t hold it in any longer. Tears
streamed down her face and she brought Cameron’s hand to her lips. Her prayers
had been answered. God had come through for them and she promised to never ask
for anything ever again in her life. A hand touched her shoulder and she was
shocked to see it was Keyn’s. His arm was outstretched, the tips of his fingers
on her shoulder. She appreciated the gesture. “What’s...what’s wrong with him?”
she asked. Finally knowing would be another godsend. After so many clueless
doctors, Trillian needed an answer.

Brielle hesitated then she walked toward the bed and said, “You
don’t know what he is?”

“What he is?”

She lifted a brow. “Your auras are similar but do not match. He
has more DNA from your mother.”

It took Trillian a moment to understand. She stood quickly to face
the fairy woman. “Are you saying...?”

“Your mother was a fairy.”

Trillian fell back to the bed.

“You are only a half-blooded fairy but he is nearly full fairy. He
is sick because he was supposed to be a complete fairy at birth. His wings
should have developed days after he was in this world. It happens occasionally,
usually caused by your human drugs. The fairy wings did not develop, and as a
result, his body was compromised.”

“He’s...he’s going to have wings.” The world was suddenly blurry
and she grabbed Keyn’s hand to steady herself.

“It is a possibility, though he may be too damaged for them to
form. It will take much time for his body to sync and the healing to occur.”

Trillian gasped. “He’s going to kill me.” She smiled. “He’s going
to live and then yell at me mercilessly for giving him girly wings,” she
blurted out, laughing. Trillian couldn’t wait to see his green eyes and hear
his deep voice. She blew out a harsh breath. “I can’t thank you, all of you,
enough.” She smiled, her cheeks hurting and her head aching from the whirl of
emotions.

The world was suddenly brighter.

Cameron was going to live.

Chapter Eleven

Her brother was going to have wings. Trillian wondered what color
they would be. She glanced over to the still-unconscious Cameron. A small part
of her hoped they were pink or purple, something girly, so she could tease him.
Trillian grinned. She looked out the window to see the sun beginning to rise.
Sleep was elusive and she was content to sit here and watch her brother.

Why was it that he got wings? If they were both part fairy, why
didn’t she have any? Trillian stood and found her way out the door. She
stumbled along, listening before opening the doors, looking for a mirror. In a
world full of gorgeous people, there sure as hell weren’t many mirrors. At
least one of the fairies had to be vain.

“Where do you wander to?”

She jerked, frowned, and glanced back to see Keyn stepping from
the shadows. Trillian rolled her eyes. “I’m looking for a mirror.”

His mouth parted but no words came forth.

“You know, reflective glass so you can see your image,” she
quipped and then instantly felt bad. “Sorry.” She forgot sarcasm was off the
table now.

“It was humorous,” Keyn acknowledged. “There is a mirror in the
queen’s room but she currently occupies it.”

Figures. “Okay.” She stepped forward and Keyn visibly shivered.
Her good mood faltered. Did he have no ability to even come close to her? She
had to walk here instead of fly, for fuck’s sake. “I’ll leave you alone,” she
mumbled and hugged the wall to pass him.

As Trillian walked back to Cameron’s room, she came to a decision.
There was no point in dealing with that mate business. All she had to do was
ignore him, stay out of Keyn’s way, and they could all settle here without a
fuss. Maybe her ire would cool off. Why the hell did she get stuck with a fairy
that hated humans? A hand landed on her shoulder and she spun around so quickly
she lost her footing.

Keyn grabbed her elbows, steadying her before jerking his hands
back to his side. “You are angry with me?”

“No.” She shook her head quickly. He could push her down and kick
dirt in her face and she’d have no ill feelings toward him. Keyn had saved her
brother. That was the ultimate gift.

He eyed her for a moment then nodded. “Stay in the room. It’s
safer.”

“Sure,” she said through gritted teeth. Hell, she was heading that
way anyway. Trillian turned back to her original direction and quickly
disappeared into Cameron’s room. She closed the door, locked it, and leaned
heavily on the sturdy wood. In the span of a few days, her world was shaken and
shoved upside down.

This called for a drink.

Too bad this place didn’t have minibars in the rooms. Trillian
walked to the balcony doors and threw them wide. The morning sun’s rays were
flooding the land with light. A cool breeze caressed her skin and she walked
into the daylight. The brown grass was beginning to lighten; it was shifting to
shades of green. The sunflowers with frayed edges were standing a little
taller. Spring was almost here. She was giddy at the thought. Trillian longed
to walk the city and discover its wonders with Cameron. Just like they used to do
as kids.