Tainted (22 page)

We drove back to my parents’ house and switched to the bikes after saying goodbye.  I was in a dream driving off into the sunset on the back of my man’s bike holding on to his black Levi’s and leaning into him.  Pike rode beside us dressed the same, as they were more alike than different.  We followed the rode and doubled back into the forest edge leading to our destination.  My fairy tale life.

I arrived at my usual bath, but this morning something seemed off.  I heard more voices.  When I walked into the bathroom attached to my bedroom, there were three more Fey girls just sitting around in chairs that weren’t there before. They stood when I appeared.  “Who are you?” I asked in shock. 

The tallest one with long flat ironed straight dark hair and small bright as the ocean eyes stood, “Prince Ian sent us.  We work in the libraries and have wanted to meet you.  Prince Ian said that you have lost your friends by coming here to live with us.  We would be most honored if you would join our book club.  We meet twice a week at nightfall.”

Well, Ian was picking my friends for me now.  Fitting.  I would not be rude though.  The idea of getting to discuss my favorite books with someone else sounded quite awesome and not be tested on it a week later.   I missed my blogging nights when I didn’t get to see Ian back in high school.  I’d read a book and post a review the same night only to hate myself in the wee morning hours from lack of sleep.

I would be fine with this, for now.  “I would be the one most honored, but please don’t treat me as you do.  Standing when I stand. Bowing.  None of that if I am to join you.” 

One of the girl’s seated again still looked at the tall one in fear.  She was exotic looking with her tiny eyes.    The tall one nodded to her.  “As our queen, we will comply.  But just know that Master Ian will punish us if he catches the dishonor.”

No!  “Uh, no he will not.  Ladies, I assure you will not be harmed.”  My grin was hopefully saying it all.

“I believe it to be done,” tall smiled.  “My name is Sarah.  This is Lorah, my sister, and this is Cyly, whom you already knew.  Tren will be here next time.” 

I nodded my hello to Cyly in appreciation.  Lorah was the beautiful, exotic one.  I loved her timid eyes and short cropped chocolate hair.  Like a china doll.

“It is nice to meet you,” Sarah said for all of them.   I felt almost shy.  I didn’t know them well with the exception of that we all share a love of books. 

“So, what is the last book you read,” I directed my question at the Sarah, the taller sister who seemed comfortable with speaking.  She seemed most secure in herself and somehow eager to be the volunteer speaker.  Perhaps they were just nervous because it was me, this
queen
.  Instead of bathing, I sat in an empty chair and faced them.  I’d never noticed having this many chairs in my bathing room.  In fact, they weren’t here before.  And the door is new too, like the other door I’d requested back when I moved here.   I looked at Danella standing ready in the corner by the door.  I concentrated hard on her not even needing to remove my pendant.  I was getting way better at this magic stuff. 

Did you know about this?

Yes, Queen Grace, I was told to ready the room and ladies. 

And they think they are here to just keep me company.

No ma’am.  They think you are interested in the library.  Ian is more clever and considerate than you give him credit for.

Thank you, Danella.

She nodded.

I turned back to my new book club friends and before I knew it I was doubled over laughing at the whims of Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice and swallowing air at the hilarious comments of how Lucy falls under Count Dracula’s spell so easily. We all devised right then that men will be the downfall of us all.  The conversation turned heated when Lorah giggled and bravely asked me if Ian was as honorable as they always hoped him to be.  I blushed heavily at the accusing tone.  “Yes, Lorah.  He is a very honorable man.  Too honorable.  He even chastely kisses me at my door to leave all daunted with what others will think,” I frowned.  All of us giggled. 

“You are so lucky, my queen.”

Yes, I am.  Ian was fulfilling a need.  He loved me.

Never doubt that, Grace.
Danella offered.

“Please, call me Grace.”

“So no wandering hands or anything?  We did see the show in the garden,” I knew a very limpid Sarah was searching for plain gossip now.

I blushed.  “A girl doesn’t tell all her secrets, but he will have to wait for the surprises on the wedding night.  No sense spoiling it, right?”

“Yeah, but who could resist that smile.  Those eyes.  That body,” Sarah was not shy.

“Well, I best not hear you gals sporting on my man.  Mine, just remember that.”

All the girls giggled together.  “And besides, who says I resist it!”  I wiggled my eyebrows up and down Groucho Marx style.

More giggles.

I eyed the chair Lorah sat in deciding it was my favorite.  It was all velvety green with leaves woven into the fabric at the top.  A quick glance told me the other chairs all matched.  And since I’d not seen them anywhere in the court before, I assumed they were new.  I wondered if my man head over to the local furniture store and shelled out a green light special.

“We will surely be punished for talking of the future king this way,” shy Lorah said.

“Not if this is all between us and you call me Grace when we are alone or in the company of Danella.  I can’t have friends call me a queen.”

They giggled so I joined in shooting my eyes to Cyly, “You good with all this?”

She nodded nervously and looked at both doors no doubt waiting for Ian to come crashing in and bust us.

“Cyly, he’s not going to come bursting through that door and do anything.  He’s never been in this part of the room before.  Relax.”

She nodded, but didn’t ease up.  It was a tiny mishap, but he'd been in the room once.  He followed me in with my armor disguise recently, but no one
should
know about that.  Maybe Pike.

I switched gears while the girls chatted. 
Danella.

She didn’t turn my way, but stood still beside me where I sat.  I was sort of getting used to that now.  Protesting got me nowhere.   Protection duty, they said.  Okay!  I knew Al mentioned the glow of our skin and I’d even witnessed it on occasion when we were alone.  Ian was insistent so...

Do you see my skin glow?  Ever!

No my lady.  Should I?

Not even when Ian is near? Or really near me?

No.  Is this a concern?

I panicked. 
Oh, no.  Not at all.  But if you should ever notice it, will you tell me.

Yes, my lady.

The ladies all left soon afterward and I bathed. I was looking forward to the book we chose.  “Emma” by Jane Austen.    Ode to girl power.

Ian was at my door.  I was slightly miffed that he was arranging my friends, but happy I’d asked Danella how he went about it.  They were genuinely interested in my opinion and Ian was just thinking of what I wanted.

I’d also asked her about Ian’s bedroom.  I wanted to know why it looked so...human.  She giggled and let me in on the secret to the floor plan.  G.R.A.C.E. was written all over it.  Ian had designed the room the day after he’d bought a certain ring he had hidden on him at all times. Danella said he’d adopted the never leave home without it (the ring) theory. 

Danella asked me if I remembered the weekend in sophomore year that she’d gone on a cruise.  I totally remembered because it was the only weekend my mother was insane with piled up laundry.

She said that was the weekend that Ian had her work overtime dressing the room the way I would like it.  He chose the colors and the art.  She created the ambiance.  Now I wanted another look at the art.  I was rather intrigued to find out what he’d picked and I wanted to analyze the whys.  I had only two questions left for her before I left her clutches.  When did he pick the art?  The same day as the ring?  And why did he create a room that he didn’t know I would for sure see?

The first words on the way to dinner were not cordial greetings of any kind.  “Consider your anger and wait before you speak and I shall forget the small detail of you hiding the fact that Kin stood in front of my future wife for twenty minutes without me knowing.  My anger at myself alone trumps yours.  It only confirms my fears that you can be so easily taken from me.”

Why does the dumb Kin have to be faster and stronger
? 
I hate seeing Ian like this.  “You need not worry so much.  I have more powers than you give me credit.  I did get away from him, did I not?”

“At what cost?”  His eyes were sad like he knew I had to bargain.  Maybe he really did know how Kin works and I was the last to know.

He was right of course.  So, to change the subject I pulled out my devil Grace and snaked my hands around his neck to pull in close.  Instead of kissing him I whispered, “Why do the ladies of this court think to ask me if you have honorable intentions towards me before marriage?”

He pulled my head back to see me and said, not whispered, “What did they say?”

“Now Ian, you will not punish anyone who you value to become my friends for any reason.  There are some things a girl just shares with a girl.  But I am curious why they would ask.  Were you dishonorable in the past?”  I had to know.

“Grace, I told you before.  I’ve never known anyone like you or wanted to.”

“But why would they ask?”

“I have no idea.  I’ve never tried to give a wrong impression.”

He was truly dumbfounded by my asking.  He had such a handsome face and shock written all over it.  “I have the feeling then that the ladies of this court have long awaited for your affections to be shifted in their direction dear sir, and I’ve simply stolen you from their clutches.  We all, meaning the female side of the spectrum, want the hot guy to saunter up to us, kiss us passionately, and take us away in a sweep so that the crowd sighs at our passing.”

Stuttering at first, then all suave,“That is quite the passionate speech, my love.  I will have to make good on this request.”  A wry grin forced his lips to separate, the prior agony completely gone.

“No, Ian.  That isn’t what I meant.  And besides, they were all alight with the display in the garden.”  I stuttered out with fear of what he might really do.

He laughed.  I knew that laugh though.  It wasn’t finished.

We walked to dinner.  I saw my new friends at the end of the table and smiled at them after leaning in to kiss Ian on the cheek knowing the conversation we had concerning Elizabeth and Jane and Kitty and the suitors that fought for their affections.  They nodded when I eyed them and I sat knowing they were holding in their giggles.

“Did you enjoy that display, my love?”

“Tremendously, Mr. Wickham.”  The girls didn’t stop their over exaggerated girl laughter.  He raised an eyebrow as he sat himself.   “A woman never tells.”

“If I recall, he isn’t the man I would care to be compared to.”

Astonished that he would know in the first place I blurted out before thinking, “You read
my
book?”

“
Your
book is a classic.  I was brought up with some human literature you know.  Perhaps just not the kind I would have chosen.  I prefer less drama.”

Narrowing my eyes, “This comes from he who admits to sitting on my balcony with my copy of Romeo and Juliet.”

“Only to understand you all the better.”

I huffed.  He was trying to have the last word against me.  Unfortunately, he was good at it.

He shook his head and continued to whisper closely so others wouldn’t hear, “I’ve not seen you this playful since…back at school.”

“Frankly, Ian I don’t want to be a kept woman nor a hidden in the shadows kind of queen.”

He was shocked.  What’s new?  “What do you want?”

That’s a loaded question.  “Ian, I’m not your mother.” 

He stared at me.  No show of anything in his face.  He turned to his food and ate in silence for the first few minutes.  I didn’t plan on being the next to speak but the guard came in and Ian said to him without a prompt, “No more than three minutes and completely surrounded.  That's all they get.”  The guard then turned and requested my attention.   I ignored him wanting to put one more item on the table.

“Your room was made in high school before I came here.”

He continued to eat and didn’t look up.  “I’ll tell you later.  You have a court visit.”

I rotated in my seat and looked up at the guard behind me clearing his throat to get my attention.  “What is it?”  I sounded aggravated but it was solely intended towards my own frustration.

“My queen.  Someone requests your presence.”

My interest peaked. I rose, looked at Ian knowing he would go with me, and waited.

“Let me know if you need my assistance.”  He eyed my guards in a hint.

Whoa!  He listened.  He was letting me be in charge of me. 
Double whoa!

I smiled and kissed him fully on the mouth knocking him back a little.  He was blushing when I looked back. 

***

I made sure Ian saw me wave at Rion and Caymin to come with me.  That was something I knew he wouldn’t compromise on and I didn’t want too. 

Outside Kin’s two cooks waited. 
COOKS! 
Why? Ian allowed it or he didn't see avoiding it or something.

“My lady, we were sent to bring you this token of our master’s affections.  A note is attached.  If you have no need of us, or anything to convey, we will be on our way.  We are shielded by glamour, but for only so long.”  They looked side to side and every direction.  They were nervous.  The glamour explained the reason my guards were not on alert but Ian said the place was surrounded. 

I opened the note not answering their request.  Kin had seemed leery of me being alone with any of the Nyms, even his cooks.  I had a hard time thinking he wasn’t close but I didn’t catch his scent and the burn in my hands was no longer there to use.  I looked around for him anyway before looking down to read. 

Dear Grace,

    I couldn’t help but overhear a certain request for the heavily missed hamburger and French fries of the famous Burger Giant.  I wanted to see that you indulge in one of the few things I miss terribly from my human life.  I share your love of the double stacked perfection.  Please accept it with my greatest affection,

King of the Lair

P.S.—

This can’t be the same guy I grew up with.  I thanked the two cooks and sent them on their way with the only message I could think of to send.  They were relieved.  I simply told them to ask, “What has made you so thoughtful all of the sudden?”

I returned to the note to see where I left off.

P.S.  unfold the napkin             

When I turned to see where the guards were, his scent met up with me.   Knowing any gesture given by Kin would mean mischief, I held it to me. He was here. 

Not wanting to give my knowing away I scooted closer to the guards and opened the styrofoam box to see the napkin in one of the little divider areas.  I carefully opened it. Inside was a charm.  A miniature version of the painting I loved.  My own Robert Frost.  My fingers grazed the back.  It had writing on it.  “In hopes that you chose the one less traveled by.”

Oh my freaking!
  He was a sly one and, so, thoughtful, too quick, too easy to fall for his ways.  I looked up into the woods knowing he was there.  I smiled at the gesture and his persistence.  I would leave him with his own advice in a way.  Loudly enough I said to the air, “and that has made all the difference.”

***

When I returned to the table, Ian was still there gripping the edge of the table like he would leap up and attack anything that went bump in the night.  I didn’t want to sneak up on
that
Ian at the moment, so I decided I better not hide what had happened.  I had already placed the charm on my bracelet where the locket and leaf charms lived so it was obsolete at the second.  I’d combined the others just yesterday.

I sat down placing the box of food in front of me not hesitating to dig in.  He couldn’t stay silent for long. 

“So, who was it?” he muttered.  He would not have sent me if he didn’t know.

“Kin's personal cooks.”  That was so not good to admit but better than the alternative.

He looked at the box anger flashing in his eyes.  “Don’t you think you ought to have it checked?”

“Probably, but I doubt that’s Kin’s aim.  He has other agenda’s at hand.”  Ian didn’t trust Kin or the Nyms.  I was in t.r.o.u.b.l.e.

“And you know what that is completely?”

“Yes, the same agenda you and Pike have Ian.  But you knew this.  Why make me spell it out again?”

His chair screeched backward and he was gone. 

I looked down at the most appealing burger and sighed, then pulled the note into my hand and left my delectable meal to go find Ian.  He wasn’t far.  I found him in the garden with his head in his hands.

I sat down beside him and showed him the note under his eyes.  I didn’t know if he read it or not so I sat it on his knee.  I certainly didn’t want it.

“Grace, why are you hiding things from me?”

“I’m not.  I’m telling a pissed off Ian that the devil himself just came to visit me.  I could ask you the same question.”  I challenged but quickly added to save his reply, “I only smelled him.  Just his cooks came to talk.”

“I’ve told you I won’t hide things from you.  You only need to ask,” he said with a grim face. 

“Ian, there are some things a person doesn’t know to ask.  If I have no recollection of any of your past I can’t readily come up with questions.  You offer no insight into much of anything unless I am forced to draw it out of you and you anger so easily when the favor is returned.  I have no reason to hide anything from you if I know you will not combust with bad reactions so it angers me to find out that you keep so much from me.” 

“What have I kept from you?” He ran his fingers through his hair.

“Why do I have to be the one to tell your own tales Ian?  I find out from Kin that the three of you used to be best buds.  Hunting together.  Hanging out.  I find out from Kin that I’m the reason the three of you are so hateful to each other.  I’m not unintelligent Ian so I know that there are some things one can assume but without a few extra added details in the equation, you left me in the dark.  And for your information, he, KIN, was thoughtful enough to bring me something just because.  Maybe he does have an agenda, but so do you.  And at the moment, you are content to keep me locked up for fear of losing me.  Yes, I believe Kin is masterminding to take me away from you.  Yes, I believe you think you have a right to be distressed that it might happen.  Yes, Pike has less than your best interest at heart.  And yes, I love you Ian with every ounce of my being and can guarantee that all of the agendas mentioned remain thus so.  So stop doing what you’ve always done and be with me.  Help me.  Love me.  I am not your mother who was content to lounge around and watch you do her bidding.  I am the same Grace who never sat down, never let you tell me what to do, and never once sat content and watched the world go by.  I am a big girl.  I can make my own messes and have Danella clean them up.  But you…you should be right beside me.”  I took a long breath.  I was wrong, of course.  Ian had given me the brush, replaced it even.  There was a ring I have yet to see.  Countless roses.  My clothes.  Thoughtful described Ian on a daily basis.