Page 4 of Whispers of the Water

Completely aggravated at my lack of control, I realized I was letting my emotions get the better of me. The water seemed to respond to my strong emotions, so I closed my eyes and willed my mind to be still. I let go of my heartache, my frustration, and my annoyance with my lack of skill. I focused on breathing and the water until I felt the trickling stream calm alongside me. It pulsed as if in sync with my heart, and as I felt our energies beat in tandem, I pictured the water ceasing its descent and releasing its hold on me. Deafening silence suddenly filled the room, and my eyes slowly fluttered open. The sink no longer spewed or overflowed, and water dripped from my hands, creating a puddle beneath them.

Letting out a proud sigh, I slumped against the wall. I smiled to myself, excited that I’d managed to control the stream of water all on my own. It felt like a small victory in understanding my new self.

If only I could understand Rune, too.

Chapter Two

I RETURNED FROM the bathroom to find Rune back in his seat, looking sickly as he stared at the floor. He didn’t even look up at me when I took my place next to him. Guilt weighed down his shoulders and brow, and oddly enough, I was glad. Maybe that guilt would knock some sense into him since my words hadn’t. He was about to put us both through hell. He said we could stay friends, but how did he expect us to not fall harder when we had to portray lovers in front of his family?

He was practically setting us up to fail.

And if I were being honest, I hoped we would. I hoped this backfired on him. I wanted the pretending to get to his head. I wanted it to show him that being friends wasn’t what either of us wanted, and hopefully, the desire to be together would outweigh his reservations.

It was probably foolish of me to hope for that outcome. He’d made his intentions clear, and if I didn’t accept them, I was bound to get hurt. So why did I bother hoping for something more?

Deep down, I knew why.

It was because of the way my heart sang when I caught him staring my way when he thought I wasn’t looking. It was because of the gentle way he would reach for my hand, making my entire body light with sparks like an exposed wire. It was because of those rare, fleeting moments when he would let his built-up wall crumble, allowing me a peek inside at the caring man hidden there.

It was because I loved him. More than I had ever loved anyone.

The jet descended and slowed as it drove across the small runway. Akira yawned and shifted in his seat. “Thank God we’ve landed. My butt is numb. I feel sorry for you flightless creatures. Flying myself is way better than being in a plane.”

I laughed softly, but it didn’t quite sound right to my ears. My nerves exploded in a swarm of frantic jitters that danced across my skin. The moment was finally here. I was going to meet Rune’s family, including his nightmare of a mother. Part of me desperately wanted to impress her due to that gut reaction everyone experienced when meeting their partner’s parents, but the other half wanted to give her the middle finger. She was a monster who emotionally abused her son, Newt, all because he had a disability. And I wouldn’t be surprised if that was the least of her crimes. She wasn’t worth impressing, but I still needed to do my part to win her over. Failing to do so would only give her ammunition to force Rune into marriage with another, as well as put his brothers at risk.

It wasn’t just the idea of meeting Rune’s family that had my stomach twisted in knots, though. It was the risk to my life that suddenly had me panicking. Even before I’d realized I was Water Fae, there had been a risk that Myra could take out her anger on me for tricking them. As human, I knew my friends would have had my back and made sure nothing happened to me should worse come to worst.

Things had changed, though. My human self was dead, and filling that space was a Water Fae. My ability to control my powers was pretty much nonexistent, which meant I was going to have to be extremely careful. If anyone discovered I was Water Fae—their enemy—I wasn’t so sure they’d have my back like when they’d thought I was human. Instead, they may have my head.

I had at least one person here who would protect me at all costs if needed. It was a secret from everyone on this plane that Dallas, my best friend and guard, had traveled here as well for my safety. I wasn’t sure where she was currently, but I knew she’d be close by and ready to intervene if necessary.

“We should probably get into Fae form now,” Rune said to the group.

“Now?” I asked. A fresh wave of nerves spiraled inside me.

“Good idea,” Avana said. She looked at me as she explained, “We’re driving straight to Myra’s home where we’ll all be expected to arrive in Fae form, as it’s natural for us to be that way when around other Fae in private settings. This plane has more room for me to work with than if I were to try to put the illusion on in a car while both you and Rune are sitting.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Rune glanced at me and added, “This town is mainly human just like yours. We’ll be in the limo with tinted windows the entire ride to my mother’s house, so no one should see us as we drive through town.”

Bassel stood, and he stretched his long arms and legs. “Well, let’s get this show on the road.”

As he lowered his arms back to his sides, he began his transformation. His fingernails sharpened into claws as his teeth elongated into fangs. Yellow striped fur inched its way across the tops of his hands and up his arms. Two pointy striped ears sprung out from beneath his long black hair, and he adjusted the secret hole in his pants for his long tail. His Liger Fae form was just as fascinating to look at now as it had been the first time I saw him this way.

Marlow followed suit. His eyes became glassy, and his arms broke out in gold and brown patches of moist skin. His Salamander Fae form was always eerie at first, but I quickly became used to seeing it.

“Alright, Bria,” Avana chimed, clapping her hands animatedly. “Let’s get you transformed for the big day.”

Rune stood with me in the aisle, and together, we faced Avana. The Chameleon Fae and her ability to change a person’s outward appearance were the key to ensuring I looked the part during this trip.

Next to me, Rune straightened. A small orange flame erupted from his hand and slowly circled up his body. My breath hitched in my throat as I watched in awe. As the flickering flame passed over him, a fluffy, white-tipped black tail slipped through the back of his pants. His fingers turned into deadly claws, while his canines elongated into sharp fangs. Two pointy ears stood erect on top of his head as the flame disappeared above him. The ears were white like his hair at the base, but they gradually turned black the higher they went.

He glanced sideways at me, and my chest tightened. It was the first time we’d really looked at each other since he’d rejected me. I knew I should look away, but my eyes were locked onto his with steadfast confidence. I wanted him to see. I needed him to see the hurt written there but also the love. I loved him, even this Fox Fae side. He was stunning in this form, and I wanted him to understand that nothing would change how I felt.

Not even our differences.

Or his denial.

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