the whole room was holding their breath. One girl adjacent to me kept making eye contact and not the friendly kind. I smiled hoping that whatever ill will she had might dissipate before she lashed out her anger at me. I couldn’t be the source since I didn’t have the faintest idea who she was. As I glanced around the table hoping for a smile in other directions and found myself eye level with yet another female attitude problem glaring only at me. What did I do?
I waited patiently for the food to come and didn’t wait to start eating. My stomach greeted the grapes and bananas graciously. I kept my mouth steadily full to avoid any conversation, not that he was making any. One of the Fey girls, who looked like Caylie in many ways, sat to my left today. I’d not seen her before. She called my name and I obliged a head turn with a smile once again hoping this was intended to be a cordial conversation and not the evil eye like the two girls before.
“Ma’am, do you mind if I join you at the range? I’ve heard from Mr. Pike that you have superior aim at the arrow targets.”
Ian’s fork dropped with a loud clatter and all I saw was his back walking away when I turned. I just watched him go. And we had just had a recent TALK ! What in the world could I possibly say to the great shock wave of truth that just moved my earth?
Wrong thing to say in front of my man girl, but she couldn’t have known what she was doing. Add this to my five-alarm fire list of the ten worst days of my life. This being somewhere around number three, I think.
I turned back to the girl. “I would love for you to join me. What about tomorrow at dusk?”
“Excellent my lady. I would be most appreciative. My name is Cyly.”
“Grace. It’s nice to meet you.” I stuck my hand out. She watched it curiously before I grabbed her hand and showed her how to shake mine. Honestly! The younger girl giggled. I was starting a human custom in the court. Before too long, the Fey and humans will all be besties! I laughed out loud at myself and she stared wildly. “What?” I couldn’t figure her.
“It’s just, I know who you are ma’am. I’ve known you for eighteen years.”
“Oh, I keep forgetting I’m really not the new kid on the block completely. Only in my mind.” The girl looked so young for remembering my birth.
“Tomorrow then.” Cyly said eagerly.
“Tomorrow.”
I set out to find Ian knowing I had to face this eventually. If Pike would just disappear, it would be way too wonderful. But somehow, the order of things would be off kilter and I recognize this as well as Ian. He just didn’t enjoy it.
Ian wasn’t anywhere. I asked Caymin and Rion where he went and they refused to answer me. Harrumph!
I gave up and made my way to the trampoline. I laid there crying silently to not attract attention. Sure enough, I mentally walked right into a full blown second encounter with Pike. Will this ever end?
No, Grace. I will not give up. You feel it too, you just won’t admit it.
And I won’t. Pike, please. I don’t know what this is, but it’s not what I want or what you think. Just please stop. You’re making me an emotional mess at a time I need to focus on Kin. You’re making Ian a pill to be around. Just please stop.
He stepped a miniscule step closer so I could see him in the shadows of the tree. I will for now because of the situation. I never meant to cause you anguish. I’m sorry. I just want a chance.
I sighed so loudly I made myself cough. When I regained my composure, he was gone. I rolled onto my stomach and dry heaved into the net. I gagged a couple more times and couldn’t seem to keep back the sobs. The shock wave of emotion flooded in.
I didn’t hear him approach but his feet stood at the edge of the trampoline as I guessed just watching. I stopped myself by holding my breath. He smelled
I waited patiently for the food to come and didn’t wait to start eating. My stomach greeted the grapes and bananas graciously. I kept my mouth steadily full to avoid any conversation, not that he was making any. One of the Fey girls, who looked like Caylie in many ways, sat to my left today. I’d not seen her before. She called my name and I obliged a head turn with a smile once again hoping this was intended to be a cordial conversation and not the evil eye like the two girls before.
“Ma’am, do you mind if I join you at the range? I’ve heard from Mr. Pike that you have superior aim at the arrow targets.”
Ian’s fork dropped with a loud clatter and all I saw was his back walking away when I turned. I just watched him go. And we had just had a recent TALK ! What in the world could I possibly say to the great shock wave of truth that just moved my earth?
Wrong thing to say in front of my man girl, but she couldn’t have known what she was doing. Add this to my five-alarm fire list of the ten worst days of my life. This being somewhere around number three, I think.
I turned back to the girl. “I would love for you to join me. What about tomorrow at dusk?”
“Excellent my lady. I would be most appreciative. My name is Cyly.”
“Grace. It’s nice to meet you.” I stuck my hand out. She watched it curiously before I grabbed her hand and showed her how to shake mine. Honestly! The younger girl giggled. I was starting a human custom in the court. Before too long, the Fey and humans will all be besties! I laughed out loud at myself and she stared wildly. “What?” I couldn’t figure her.
“It’s just, I know who you are ma’am. I’ve known you for eighteen years.”
“Oh, I keep forgetting I’m really not the new kid on the block completely. Only in my mind.” The girl looked so young for remembering my birth.
“Tomorrow then.” Cyly said eagerly.
“Tomorrow.”
I set out to find Ian knowing I had to face this eventually. If Pike would just disappear, it would be way too wonderful. But somehow, the order of things would be off kilter and I recognize this as well as Ian. He just didn’t enjoy it.
Ian wasn’t anywhere. I asked Caymin and Rion where he went and they refused to answer me. Harrumph!
I gave up and made my way to the trampoline. I laid there crying silently to not attract attention. Sure enough, I mentally walked right into a full blown second encounter with Pike. Will this ever end?
No, Grace. I will not give up. You feel it too, you just won’t admit it.
And I won’t. Pike, please. I don’t know what this is, but it’s not what I want or what you think. Just please stop. You’re making me an emotional mess at a time I need to focus on Kin. You’re making Ian a pill to be around. Just please stop.
He stepped a miniscule step closer so I could see him in the shadows of the tree. I will for now because of the situation. I never meant to cause you anguish. I’m sorry. I just want a chance.
I sighed so loudly I made myself cough. When I regained my composure, he was gone. I rolled onto my stomach and dry heaved into the net. I gagged a couple more times and couldn’t seem to keep back the sobs. The shock wave of emotion flooded in.
I didn’t hear him approach but his feet stood at the edge of the trampoline as I guessed just watching. I stopped myself by holding my breath. He smelled
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