See Me

The next few seconds was like something from a horror flick—one made personally for me. A stronger burn blew across my skin. Ten feet away from McKale a tiny shimmer of black cracked the air and Khalistah, AKA Freaky Fae Girl, climbed out like a mystical flower blooming from the air. My entire body stilled with fear. McKale peered over his shoulder, back toward the village, looking for me or any witnesses, I realized. But when she glided toward him, platinum hair dragging the grass behind her, gown flowing like a storybook cover, his concern seemed to drift away and he was lost to everything but her.

She was breathtaking, yes, and I loathed her to the core of my being. The FFG linked her frail arm through the crook of his strong one, causing him to seize up and breathe heavier. She smiled and motioned toward the forest. The two of them walked into the trees, not fifteen feet away from me. I was too horrified to move. They spoke openly, and I could hear them from where I sat.

“I was hoping you would pass through tonight, McKale of the Chaun. Are you heading to your tree on the hill? Shall I escort you there?”

“Eh, no. Just… an evening stroll but I should head back soon. ‘Tis been a long day. We can speak here for a moment if it suits you.”

“The view here suits me fine.” Her silky voice turned my stomach. When she reached up and ran her tiny hand along the side of his face, I heard him inhale. She tilted her head to the side and gazed up at him. He leaned into her hand with a slight moan from his chest.

I clamped my teeth together, feeling way more than pissed. I was livid on several accounts. First, the fact that she had to sneak over to “slum” it with the guy her people had chosen for me. Second, the fact that he was so affected by her charms. And third, the cruelty of chance that I’d have to sit here and watch it.

She removed her hand from his face and he shuddered before standing tall again, blinking as if waking from a dream. He shot a glance toward the field then back at the Fae girl.

“Khalistah,” McKale said in a soft voice. “We… we ca

“Why ever not? Because of your betrothed?” Her last word snaked out like a whip. “You’ve never before seemed bothered by our differences. Have you grown to care for her so quickly?”

“She is kind.” He turned his face away from her when he said it, but she took his far cheek and slowly turned it back to face herself, jolting him. He seemed to melt closer to her.

“Do not forget the one who has been kind to you all your life.”

She ran her thumb across his lips and it took all my will-power not to stand and yell—to force her hands off him. My mother’s words about the wrath of a Fae rang through me.

“Aye, ye have been good to me,” McKale whispered, and his hands slipped around her waist. “But my… my clan…” His hands began to roam up and down her sides and he closed the gap between them. The corner of FFG’s lips turned up. McKale’s face lowered to her cheek and he brushed his lips across her jaw. He moaned, forgetting what he’d been saying. She continued the conversation while his lips played across her magical skin.

“We can make this work, McKale of the Chaun.”

“Aye,” he murmured.

“We will find a way to ensure your clan’s survival. Do not give yourself to the human yet. She could never dream of understanding you as I do. She—”

Another zap of magic buzzed through the air. Khalistah broke from McKale and looked toward the portal. It appeared as empty air to me.

“The Gatekeeper sends warning. I must return. Until then, please accept this token.”

She pulled something shiny from her bodice—a golden talisman on a chain. McKale stared at her offering, dazed, making no move to take it.

“My love?” she said, her words stabbing my gut.

“Wait, I…” He blinked rapidly. “It is too much.”

Don’t take it! I silently begged.

She grasped his wrist and dropped the gift into his hand, curling his fingers around it. He closed his eyes.

“To remember me when we are not together.”

He nodded once, almost imperceptibly, and then she ghosted into the field, disappearing into nothingness.

McKale leaned back against a tree, appearing dazed for a minute, and then he walked to the edge of the woods and peered again at the village. Looking for me? When he didn’t see anything, he opened his hand and stared down at the gift he’d accepted. He sat hard on the ground, leaning his head back on a tree and shutting his eyes. I couldn’t move, and it hurt to watch as he let his head roll forward. He propped his elbows on his knees and scrubbed his hands up and down his face, letting out a sound of frustration.

I wanted to go to him. But when I got there I wasn’t sure if I’d want to comfort him or kick him in the head. I couldn’t get the tender images from my mind.

I didn’t want to hang out in the dark forest all night. Who knew how long he’d sit there waiting for me. I wasn’t in the mood anymore after witnessing that sultry-eyed encounter. All I wanted now was to be alone. I stood up, tall and straight, holding the ball against my stomach with both hands draped over it. Then I walked out of the trees into the field.

“Robyn?” McKale called out, sounding unsure and confused. “Bloody ‘ell.” I heard him shuffle to his feet, and I walked even faster.

“Robyn wait!”

I did not want to look back. But I did.

He was standing stiff, appearing stricken as he realized I must’ve seen the whole thing. He started to make his way to me, but I shook my head.

“Don’t.” My voice was thick. “Please, McKale. I can’t talk right now.”

He stopped abruptly, as if I’d kicked him in the stomach. Facing forward again, I jogged the rest of the way back to my room.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

THANKFULLY CASSIDY WAS NOT in the room when I came storming in. I didn’t want to talk. I was afraid I might cry, and that, above all, irritated the hell out of me. It was hard to see the positive in this situation. Even if he did like me, they had a history and she obviously had her mind set on him. All she had to do was touch him and he forgot me and everything else.

This dangerous little game was not a fair match. More like David and Goliath, only in this case Goliath was a small girl with big magic that could definitely kick my butt. Did I have anything in my faintly-magical human arsenal to use as a pebble and slingshot against her?

The only thing that came to mind was the fact that I could give him babies and she couldn’t, but I would never use that. I wanted him to want me, as a person, not just my Leprechaun-growing hotel.

I lit the gas lamp. Then I tore open the lid to McKale’s bin and shoved the soccer ball inside, slamming the lid shut again. Do not forget the one who has been kind to you all your life. Well, I’d dedicated my whole life to him too, and I hadn’t even known him! I kicked the bin of proof. I was the person her people had hand-picked to bind with him. Why was she interfering?

I changed into pajamas and threw my clothes as hard as I could around the room. It was immature, but it felt good.

By the time I climbed into bed and settled down, I was ready to talk to Cassidy, but she still hadn’t come back. I waited for her, ru

Geez, where was Cassidy?

I shut off the lamp. Darkness fit the mood. I must have waited for my sister a very long time because I fell asleep. I was startled awake by a shuffle and thump, followed by a loud whisper of, “Shitballs!” I sat up and fumbled for the gas lamp, finding and lighting it.