Glimmer (Faylinn #4) Page 2
“Oh.” I sighed. “Lia just needs a place to crash until she gets back on her feet. I told you that.”
“Yeah. I know, but she’s been living with us for months now. What’s her story? Why doesn’t she have a place to stay?”
Lia and I had talked about this, the cover story we would tell everyone. Because how was I supposed to explain to everyone that she’d transformed into a human from a faery in order to trade places with my best friend’s husband so they could be together? Husband. That was still weird to think about. Even though Calliope and Kai had been married for months, it was probably only a couple weeks in Faylinn time. I still didn’t know how that worked. Their time was all kinds of skewed.
At first, I could say she’d needed a place to crash for a few nights, but we’re way beyond a few nights. “She’s a drifter. Lia doesn’t really have a place she calls home. She likes to move around, not be tied down for long. It’s just taken her a little bit longer than usual to decide where she wants to go.”
“So, she’s like a hippie. That’s hot.”
That really irritated me for some reason. She wasn’t hot. She was a witch. She’d destroyed so many lives. She’d almost gotten my best friend killed. Not to mention, me. I couldn’t forget being kidnapped and left to die in Faylinn. All her spying had nearly cost me everything.
“How much longer will she be sticking around?”
Too long. “I dunno. Hopefully, she’ll get a job and be gone soon. I’m sorry if she’s cramping your style or something.”
“Nah. It’s cool.” Chase shifted in his seat like he was uncomfortable, and then he asked, “You guys have something going on or…?”
“Me and Lia? No. No, no, no. No. It’s not like that. She used to be friends with my best friend, Callie. But, uh, they’ve got some awkward blood now and…” Why was I telling him all of this? “Anyway, we’re just friends. Acquaintances, really.”
“So, would you be cool if I asked her out?”
I snorted. As long as I get a front row seat to her rejecting you. “Yeah. Good luck.” You’ll need it.
…
When I walked into my apartment, I found Lia exactly where I’d expected her to be, sprawled out on the couch with her feet propped up on the ottoman. What I hadn’t expected to see was Calliope beaming right beside her.
“Cameron!”
“Callie!” I flew across the room as she stood, and took her in my arms. She hugged back—a little too tightly. “Cal,” I grunted.
“Oh, right. Sorry,” she whispered and loosened her grip. “I forget. You know I’m still not used to my strength.”
Callie must have rummaged through Lia’s clothes because she was dressed in jeans and a white T-shirt, exactly the way I remembered her before all of this. Her hair was braided on both sides over her ears. It was déjà vu. High school all over again. Her eyes were a little bit bigger and a little bit brighter. Suddenly, I remembered Chase, who was probably observing from the entryway. I turned to see him looking at Calliope with a funny expression. She might’ve looked a little different, but not enough for him to question what she was. At least I hoped not.
She stepped forward with her hand outstretched. “Hi. I’m Calliope.”
He placed his hand in hers and shook. “Chase.” There was a moment where she looked questioningly at their hands before she smiled reminiscently and let go.
“So, you’re Cameron’s roommate?” she asked.
“Yeah…” he said slowly, never taking his eyes off her.
He could’ve been checking her out, or he could’ve been studying her. Either way, I didn’t want him to scrutinize her any longer. This was a huge risk for Callie to take. I wasn’t sure why she’d thought it was a good idea to come here. Not that I was complaining. It was always good to see her, but it would probably be a better idea to talk in private. Away from Chase’s curiosity.
“Cal, let’s go to my room.” That sounded inappropriate. I didn’t want Chase getting the wrong idea. “Lia, you too.” Not much better, Cameron. “Let’s all go chat.”
Callie nodded at Chase. “It was nice meeting you, Chase.” I waited to walk down the hallway until I knew she was right behind me. When the three of us were inside, I closed my bedroom door.
“He’s going to be questioning his sanity for a few hours.” Callie laughed.
“Who are you, and what have you done with my best friend?”
“What?” She continued to chuckle.
“You’re not worried about someone questioning your appearance?” I asked, hushed. “All of the people you passed by on your way here? Everyone in this complex? Nothing?”
She shrugged. “It’s not like he knew what I looked like before. I can hold my own now, and I’m not staying long enough to give anyone the chance to truly question it.”
I sighed, not liking her thought process, but let it slide. “Well, all right. How did you know where to find us?” I tossed my backpack into the corner of my room and settled into the chair at my computer desk.
“Well, when I went to see my mom, she said you’d gone off to Clemson, which I assumed. I asked your dad for your address. I actually didn’t know how to find Lia, but I hoped you would know. Oddly enough, I stumbled upon her when I came through the trees.”
I cut my gaze to Lia, sitting at the end of my bed. “I see how it is. Instead of trying to find a job, you’ve been traipsing through the forest like a wannabe faery. Productive.”
“Don’t mess with me, Cameron Bennett. So help me, you will regret it.”
I chuckled dryly. “I’d love to see what you mean by that. Please. Do share.”
“Okay,” Calliope interrupted. She put a hand on my chest and outstretched her other to ward off Lia. “So, I came to make sure you two hadn’t killed each other yet. Looks like I didn’t come a moment too soon.”
Lia crossed her arms over her chest and pursed her lips. I rolled my eyes and shook my head. Cal should be more worried about Lia murdering me than me murdering Lia.
“Y’all need a break from the real world? We’ve got a celebration going on tonight in Faylinn if you want to come.”
It was good to hear a hint of her Southern accent again. “Will Sarai be there?” I asked.
“If she is, you won’t be getting within twenty feet of her.”
“Aw, c’mon, Callie. I won’t bite,” I teased.
“That’s not what I’m worried about, and you know it.”
“I promise to be good.” I marked an X over my heart and gave my best puppy dog eyes. She couldn’t resist those.
Callie narrowed her eyes and wagged her finger. “Don’t you dare make that girl fall in love with you, Cam. You’ll have to answer to me. I’ve learned a few things as queen, since we last saw each other. I promise you don’t want to answer to me.”
“I can’t make that promise,” I joked, but retracted when Callie sliced me with her stare. “I promise.” I nodded like a good boy. “I need to be back by Sunday. You think that’ll happen?”
“What day is it?”
“Friday.”
She cocked her head and thought for a moment. “Shouldn’t be an issue. I’ll escort you back right after the festivities end. If worse comes to worst, it’ll be Sunday night or maybe early Monday morning. I guess we’ll find out.”
“I can make that work.”
Lia hadn’t said a word. “Are you in Lia?” Calliope asked.
She glanced up at Callie, suspicious. “Are you sure that’s such a good idea?”
“What do you mean?”
“There’s not some bounty on my head? You’re not trying to lure me back to Faylinn to get rid of me?”
“What? No! Of course not.” The shock that flashed across Callie’s face couldn’t be mistaken for anything but hurt. “You think after what you did for Kai that I would dream of hurting you? Maybe you could turn your back on someone you care about without batting an eyelash, but I couldn’t.”
I should be surprised that Callie was s
o forgiving after what Lia did to her, but I wasn’t. Even when we were growing up and got into fights, when it was me who was at fault, she’d be the first to apologize. She might be stubborn, but she was not a grudge holder.
“You’ll be under my protection,” she assured Lia. “No one would even think about hurting you.”
“What’s the occasion?” I asked.
“Well, with everyone attempting to get back to normal after the battle, I thought it would be nice to have all the kingdoms together to celebrate uniting as one.”
“So, Rymidon will be there?” Lia asked. “You sure that’s such a good idea?”
Callie nodded. “Sarai has assured me things are different there. She wants to put the past behind us and move forward.”
Lia hesitated. “And I’ll have your protection from Rymidon as well?”
Callie’s brow furrowed.
“If you recall, I fought on your side in that war. I killed many of my own. They won’t take kindly to a traitor.”
“Sarai wouldn’t allow anything to happen to you. If it makes you feel any better I will have a detail on you all night to ensure your safety.”
Skeptically, Lia chewed on her lips, then nodded.
Callie clapped her hands together. “Great! Let’s go!”
Chapter Six
LIA
While this wasn’t my first time as a human entering the fae world, being on Faylinn soil as a human never lost its luster. Though, I saw and felt everything through different eyes, it was still as beautiful as I remembered. Being away hadn’t diminished my memories. In fact, reentering heightened everything—every emotion, every memory, every sense. I wasn’t faery, but it felt like the fae blood lay dormant in my veins, begging for release.
As I watched Cameron and Calliope walk side-by-side toward Faylinn, I thought about turning back. They could go on without me. It was unbearable to feel all of this. As wrong as it might have been, my heart ached for Skye more fiercely with every step. And with that, I also felt what could only be described as phantom wings. The way an amputee might feel a leg or arm that was no longer, I felt wings that yearned to soar.
“Lia?” Calliope glanced over her shoulder at me. “What is it?”
Had I stopped? My body knew better. It wanted to turn back. I should’ve listened. They should go on without me. I’d go back to Cameron’s apartment and bask in my loneliness. Could I be anymore of a coward? “I don’t think I can do this.”
“I promised you’d be safe.” Calliope stepped closer. “I won’t break that promise.”
My eyes rested beyond her, watching the sun setting through the trees, illuminating an orange glow between the branches. “It’s not that.”
Her head tilted to the side, questioning.
I cleared my throat. Did I want to be honest with her? It was habit as her former best friend, to pour out my heart, but as an infiltrator who used to keep so many secrets from her, I wanted to keep my thoughts locked away.
“Being here … it’s more difficult than I thought it would be.”
I wasn’t sure what my face revealed, but Calliope’s eyes slanted in understanding. “I can take you back. I only thought you’d want to come, but if it’s too much, I’ll take you back through right now.”
My body split in two, equally wanting to retreat and move forward. Maybe this was exactly what I needed––one last visit for closure on my past life.
Exhaling, I kept walking. “No, it’s fine. Let’s go.”
Once we reached the outskirts of Faylinn, the peak of the vast valley coming into view, Kai greeted us. He was leaning against a wide trunk, his arms and ankles crossed, bow and arrows slung across his chest.
“Took you long enough.”
“Oh, stop.” Calliope sighed. “To you, I couldn’t have been gone for more than two minutes.”
Kai pushed his back off the tree and grabbed her waist, planting a kiss on her mouth. “Two minutes too long.” His quiet words were muffled against her lips, but even my human ears could hear him.
Groaning, I couldn’t help muttering, “Gag me.”
Kai drew back and offered a nod. “Always a pleasure, Lia.”
“Wish I could say the same, Kai.”
His patronizing smirk never left his face. “Still as delightful as ever. Good to know some things haven’t changed. Hi, Cameron.”
Cameron gave Kai a nod. Such a guy.
Maybe this was a bad idea. There was no one I wanted to see. If all I had to look forward to were snide remarks and judgmental stares, there was no reason for me to stay. And the pain only became more excruciating the longer I remained in Faylinn. Why did I agree to come?
“If it makes you feel any better,” Cameron leaned into me, “I’m not any more comfortable than you are.”
“Ha.” I didn’t want to smile at him, but one slipped past my lips before I could rein it in. I nipped it before it could last long.
The evening began as I’d suspected. Most Faylinnians were not pleased to see me in attendance. As we walked into the meadow I was met with a trail of backs turned and sneers. Some words stuck out more than others.
“Traitor.”
“Impostor.”
“Liar.”
With every glower and hushed whisper, I couldn’t help but wonder when someone was going to stab me in the back or shoot an arrow through my heart. But I wasn’t allowed to feel wounded. How could I? This wasn’t the human world, and I hadn’t merely done something petty like spread a rumor or talk behind my best friend’s back. I hadn’t cheated on my boyfriend or stolen a boy from another. I’d been the fuel behind a war that had killed nearly half of their kingdom. I deserved every hurtful remark.
They were all true.
Before I could prepare myself for the inevitable tension, I watched Sarai approach us with her Keepers in tow. Making myself as invisible as possible, I crept behind Cameron.
“I’m not a human shield,” he muttered over his shoulder.
“Today you are.”
Chapter Seven
SARAI
“Sarai.” Calliope smiled. I pulled her in for a tight embrace. Hers was the brightest face I had seen in quite some time.
“Thank you, Calliope. A night away is exactly what our kingdom needs. It is exactly what I need.”
“I think a night of levity is what all our kingdoms need.” She squeezed me before letting go. “I’ve missed you. Even though you said you’d be here, I was worried Rymidon wouldn’t come.”
I nodded my understanding. “I will be honest with you. There was some apprehension. A lot of them stayed behind, but I assured them that all you want is peace, as we all do. None of them wanted to hurt anyone while under Adair’s Supremacy.”
“I know.” Calliope offered a sympathetic smile as she rubbed her hand against my arm. “And my kingdom knows that, as well. I promise you, tonight will be the beginning of putting the past behind us and uniting the seven kingdoms once again.”
A throat cleared, and my eyes turned to Cameron standing a few feet from Calliope. How had I missed him? It was difficult to decide what would be appropriate. I wanted to hug him, but a root was most likely best. “Hello, Cameron.”
He bowed his head, but not in a way that was normally done. His head knocked back, his chin lifting as he tossed a wave up in the air. My cheeks grew warm. He met my outreached hand, wrapping his fingers around my wrist in a root, leading me to believe Calliope must have taught him the proper way to greet the fae.
“Sarai, it’s really good to see you.” The tips of his fingers brushed back and forth against the inside of my wrist, tingling my skin. “You’re as beautiful as ever.”
The smile on my face widened, though I attempted to remain as composed as a Royal should. He was still as charming as before. “And you. It is good to see you, that is. Though, you look great, too.” Oh, dear, Sarai. Keep your mouth closed.
Cameron jumped, releasing my wrist. “Ouch!” His eyes darted to Calliope beside him.
“Yeah.” Cameron scowled at her. “They feel a lot more like a pinch than a bite.”
“And Marcus of Oraelia makes his usual silent appearance,” Kai commented, his eyes fixated across the meadow.
I looked over in search of who Kai was speaking about. If it were not for my father keeping me separated from civilization, I might know more about the Royals from the other kingdoms.
A tall, statuesque man with cropped black hair and talon-like earrings pierced through his earlobes hovered on the edge of the gathering. His dark skin was a striking contrast against his forest green eyes and ornate crown of bone.
“Prince Marcus saved my life in the battle.” Calliope’s voice was small—grateful, yet subdued. Did she think about Sakari, as I did, every time the war was mentioned?
“He did?” Kai seemed surprised. Was that something Prince Marcus wasn’t known to do?
Calliope nodded, thoughtful. “I didn’t see my attacker behind me. Prince Marcus took care of her with one arrow. He also led one of the companies to bring back the dead and wounded. We’ve never spoken. I’ve never been able to get much information about him, but what little I know has impressed me.”
Kai slipped his hand around Calliope’s, a minor gesture, one he most likely did without thought. An image flashed before my eyes: Sakari standing beside Calliope, holding her hand as he peered lovingly at her. While they were not meant to be, I couldn’t help but think of what life could’ve been like had Sakari lived.
Kai buried his face into her light curls and spoke softly. “I’ll have to thank him for being one of many to keep you alive out there.” With a soft kiss to her temple, he pulled back.
“He lost someone dear to him in the battle,” Lia quietly said. I’d hardly noticed her until now. She was doing an exceptional job of taking cover behind Cameron.