Page 48 of Threads of Fate

“I know. It’s just–I have only known my mom as my only family and now I have grandparents and aunts and uncles. Who are royal. I don’t know how to handle that. Wait, you’ll be there, right?” I grab his hand and give his hand a squeeze. “Please, Kreed.”

“Of course. Besides, I don't want to leave you.” He says while rubbing the back of his neck. “Nor would I throw you into something where you’re not comfortable.”

“Thank you, Kreed. You are really a great man– I mean fae. You have put up with a lot from me in the last week. Stuff you shouldn't have had to.” I look down at our hands, noticing the veins and scars that run along his hands. I ran my fingers along the palm of his hand, feeling the calluses on his palms. “I also blamed you for Noah. I should never have done that. It was Noah’s own insecurities. Nothing to do with you.” I look back up at him. Realizing I do have some romantic feelings for him. Whether that is because of the tether or how he has handled me and my attitude this last week. I think it may be a mixture though. He really did stick with me and he also has done what he could to make me happy. Even by bringing me to his home to get away from it all. He has shown me more kindness and care than anyone other than Noah and my mom have.

I let go of his hand and reached around his neck to pull him down closer to me. If I don’t do this, he won't. I know he’s giving me my space and time to come to terms with everything, but I really want to know what it’s like to kiss him.

Kreed puts his hands on my back, right below my shoulder blades. His eyes bounce between mine, dipping down to my lips. I give him a soft smile and close the distance. His lips are gentle on mine but I want more. I want to know what he’s capable of. I run my tongue along his bottom lip and he takes the hint, opening up for me. Kreed tightens his hold on me and he stands up straight, taking me with him. I wrap my arms around his neck and bury my fingers into his hair, ruining his top knot. He moves one hand to my ass and lifts me up higher and I wrap my legs around him. I pull him closer and run my tongue along his, fusing us together. A moan crawls up my throat and it spurs Kreed on. He walks forward and pushes me up against a pillar. His hands roam my sides, sliding under my shirt. I whimper when Kreed pulls back. We’re both breathing heavily as we stare at each other.

Kreed rests his forehead on mine. “We should get ready S’rella.”

I nod, opening my eyes. “Yeah.” I say breathlessly. I don’t think I want to meet my grandparents right now. I want to get to know his lips more intimately. Or the rest of his body. Gods, I don’t even think that is the tether talking. Kreed sets me on my feet and I let out a sigh of disappointment and I hear his deep chuckle. I stare up at him and his flushed neck and big smile. Gods, he really is handsome. I clear my throat and try clearing my head of all the lusty thoughts. “Yeah, I should find something more becoming of a princess. Yes?”

“I think you can wear whatever you would like. Like I said they don't judge. I, however, am not going to wear my house clothes to dinner.” He grabs my hand and we head back inside. My head is still in the clouds thinking of how his mouth felt against mine. When we get back through the door I get my head back on right. I look down at my jeans and bare feet.

“Hold on. I gotta grab my shoes.” I run outside and pick up my boots. I take a moment to take in the scenery. I notice small shadowy spots in the distance, the only problem is there is nothing to create the shadows. “Hey Kreed.” I say, but it comes out more as a question. I keep my eyes on the shadows. They aren’t moving. I feel Kreed stop next to me. “Do you see those shadows?” I point out into the distance. “There’s nothing to create the shadow. Is that normal around here?” Kreed steps forward and takes in the landscape. He steps forward again and I follow. I look up at Kreed and see him squinting, looking everywhere and not focusing on where I’m pointing.

“You don't see it do you?” He shakes his head and looks down at me.

“I don't but I'll have some soldiers go out there and check it out. Maybe we will go with them so you can point out what you're seeing. For now let's get ready and head to Furdens and Li-ana’s. I'll speak to them about it while we're there.” I nod and turn back towards the glass doors. Before I walk in the house I turn around and look back at the shadows, making sure I didn’t imagine them. They remind me of heat mirages but I can see the shadow dome pushing up from the horizon and it doesn't have that wave effect that a heat mirage does, the movement is just in the space of the dome. It doesn’t fade into the sky. I sigh and turn around, walking into the house. I sit on one of the armchairs to pull my socks and boots on.

When I’m done I get up and wander around the living area. It’s strange there isn’t a single family picture or painting. Although, it may be strange to them that humans plaster their lives all over our homes. I run my hands along the backs of the couches and I head towards the door to the parlor. It opens just as I get there and Kreed stands in the doorway looking like every fae male I have ever read about. Leather pants, boots that crawl up his shins. A loose cotton shirt with a loose leather tie hangs from neck to chest. He fixed his topknot.

Oh. Fuck.

“Fuck, you’re pretty.” I blurt out. I widen my eyes in embarrassment and slap a hand to my forehead while Kreed barks a laugh.

“Thank you S’rella. I wasn’t even trying. I grabbed Naomi too. I hope you don’t mind.” He says holding the urn up. I shake my head, looking down at myself to straighten my shirt. “You, however,” Kreed runs his nose along my chin when he gets to my ear he whispers, “are stunning.” Kreed grabs my hand and pulls me through the parlor before I can even think about what he just did.

Maybe, he’s coming out of his shell because he doesn’t have two other men to compete with or it’s because I gave him the green light.

Kreed helps me up the carriage steps and follows behind me. He taps the carriage and says ‘Faylor Manor’. Then we start gliding into motion. I stare out into the distance taking in all the scenery. There are so many colorful trees; blues, teals and greens. The rolling dark green hills and snowy mountains in the background. Bright blue skies and the sounds of chirping birds. It’s picturesque, is what it is. The bugs though… are enormous, I’m glad I have not seen a spider yet or an ant. I hope they don't exist here. “Is it spring here? Or do you have seasons like we do on Earth?” I ask.

“Right now it is like your spring. But it never gets truly hot here like the states. It does get incredibly cold though, after Samhain though. It snows and there are strong winds. One year the winds knocked over a lot of the trees around our house. It was a pain in the ass to clean it all up.” My head snaps back to him when he says ‘our’ house and I smile softly at the thought. “Well, there are strong winds all year long but when it gets cold it makes the winds feel worse.”

We spend the rest of the carriage ride comparing Earth to Bathaile so that I have a general idea of what this world is like. Even their animals are mostly the same. The only differences seem to be the colors and horns on animals that don’t on earth.

“Are there creepy, eight legged bugs around here?” I ask with hope that there is not.

“Spiders? Yes and I hope you never run into one.” He grimaces. That’s enough to make me never want to cross one.

“How about snakes? I bet they are so pretty.” I say. I have always loved snakes. The way they are fierce but look like nothing more than an overgrown noodle.

“Yes…” Kreed eyes me warily.

“Can I have one?”

“Not while I’m alive.” I huff and fall back in my seat like a scolded toddler.

“Fun sucker.”

We pull up to a large gate with guards standing watch. They nod at Kreed and let us through without so much as us slowing down. We pull around a giant fountain in the front surrounded by flowers and trees. I look over to the house, it’s not much bigger than Kreeds. Much like his, this house has trees, bushes and flowers everywhere. It doesn’t look manicured. Everything is wild and free. The birds sing happily from the trees and what can only a lavender squirrel jump from tree to tree.

“Why is everything here so colorful? It’s absolutely wild. A purple squirrel and the rabbit with antlers earlier?” I can’t get over it. It’s amazing. It’s new.

“This is a whole other world S’rella. It could be evolution or it could be the gods or magic. Or maybe a combination of all of them.” Kreed says, stepping down from the carriage. He turns around and holds a hand out. Ever the gentleman, I take his hand and make my way down the steps. I smooth out my clothes and run my fingers through my hair. I look up towards the pathway and all the breath leaves me. I choke on a sob and try to swallow the painful lump in my throat.

“Mom?” I whisper. I look back at Kreed and he has what looks like guilt in his eyes.

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