Chapter Four
They all stopped their hugging and greets to look at me. I acted nonchalant but beneath the cover, it was a little embarrassing.
“Hi,” I said with a light wave. Ariana told them what happened.
The crowd parted ways for a man who looked to be in his mid-thirties, salt and pepper haired, bushy beard. Tall. About six feet five, muscled. He offered a handshake when he was in close proximity of me. The moment I accepted it, I felt a strange power similar to Ariana’s radiate from him. In fact, the entire group did, though nobody wasn’t as potent as her.
“I’d like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for saving my daughter,” the man said. “My name is Avery Wind.”
“I’m Ned Thomas,” I said. They all suddenly kneeled, including Avery.
“Please kneel,” Avery whispered. “She approaches.”
I did, unknowing to what the fuck was going on. An incredibly beautiful woman who was the spitting image of Ariana, only looked to be slightly older, stepped out. Large translucent butterfly-like wings glistened as she walked toward us. My mouth hung agape. That woman…she’s a fairy? That explained the iron rods the warlocks carried. Fairies are incredibly weak to iron.
The queen radiated the same mystery energy as everyone else only several HUNDRED times more potent. That could only mean she was the queen. Fairy queens are like minor deities and even their chosen kings must respect them.
“Rise,” the queen said to me. I stood, unaffected by her glamor, my eyes seeing the real, raw, beauty. She gave me a once-over and nodded. “Ned Thomas, mystic. I’m Queen Tianna Wind of the Wind Clan. I thank you for bringing our daughter home safely. She means the world to us.”
“Geeze, Mom, you’re embarrassing,” Ariana said as she joined us. She briefly shimmered revealing her wings.
Tianna smiled, the same magazine model smile. “Come. Let us go inside. The least we can do is explain everything to our mystic hero here. Everyone, rise.”
We followed the queen side. I was vaguely aware of how much Ariana’s arm brushed against mine as we walked, stopping in the giant front room. This place was insanely luxurious. Decked with classic paintings, expensive furniture, butlers, golden fountain of …light, yards ahead. The floors shined of so much gold that I felt like I’d go fucking blind for being continuously exposed to so much shine.
Tianna turned to us, Avery by her side, and smiled warmly. Her eyes were directly on me. Those grey, no silvery eyes looked as if they could see the inside of my soul. Warm but uncomfortable. “As you can see, we’re all fairies. Fay. Whatever your preferred term.”
“You’re not the sparking kind, right?” I wanted to joke but held my dead humor to myself. Vampire jokes can only hit home in the right place. The queen continued. “Our clan has left the realm of the fay in order to carry out new lives and embrace a new age. Of course we have another reason but I’m sure you understand clan secrets better than anyone.” She nodded to herself. “Ned, the warlocks you killed were of a human organization called Black Hole. They kidnap supernatural beings for unethical experimentation. You may not act like it’s a big deal but rescuing my direct successor, the Wind Clan’s princess is a milestone. We owe you a huge debt.”
I wanted nothing from these people. Fairies can be a tricky bunch. Sure, they can make you an overnight millionaire but most can find a way to make you owe them just as much. Maybe even more. A fairy could own your soul if you’re not careful. They’re not demons but cross them, even if unintentionally and you’re fucked. So you get my skepticism here when the queen of them wants to “owe” me a debt.
“None of that is necessary,” I said. “I couldn’t just stand by and let what I thought were rapist have their way with your daughter.”
They all looked shocked.
“You can’t be serious,” a dark-skinned boy who looked to be seventeen or eighteen, said. Black hair with a faded cut, and sharp green-eyes. “Our queen is offering you a wish and you’re denying it? Are you some kind of stupid, many would kill for that?”
I started to tell him to fuck off but Tianna spoke, her heavenly voice booming with authority.
“Foster, please stay silent. And do not speak harshly of he who saved your princess.”
“Forgive me,” he said, head lowered.
The queen turned her attention back to me. “I’d like you to reconsider. You selflessly risked your life to save a complete stranger. Surely there’s something you desire. The good vibe beating from you is quite an intoxicating radiation but there is something else. A blackness. Maybe we can offer –”
“No,” I said. “The blackness is just my humanity. Every human has something, maybe a hole in their heart. I may be a mystic but I’m no different. I rescued your daughter because I saw it to be the right thing. I want no payment for it.”
Tianna nodded. “Very well. Would you mind staying for dinner?”
As if on que, my stomach rumbled, loudly. Everyone looked at me. I grinned.
“I suppose anything is better than ramen,” I said.
“Is that what you eat every day?” Ariana asked.
“Maybe.”
Moments later, I found myself sitting at a long table with the fairies, feasting like a freaking king. I couldn’t name all the foods –but after like my fifth plate, I was satisfied. The helpings of Asian foods, turkeys, pies, meats –you name it. They had it. Everyone seemed to be output by my appetite. But hey, free food is free, right? Fucking right it is. A man with at least half a brain wouldn’t turn down a good meal unless it was either poisoned or shitty temptation that could lead to a trap.
“Let’s take him to the entertainment room,” Foster said, grin on his face. Before I could ask about it, Ariana, who was seated by me, grabbed my arm.
“No,” she said, plea in her voice. “You can’t.”
“Why?” another fairy said, raising a glass of wine. “This is a hero’s feast. I’m sure he’d enjoy some naked dancers.”
All of the male fairies laughed. I saw a few grimaces from the female fairies. Some of them looked at me, twinkles in their eyes, smirks on some of their faces. Sexual smirks. I turned my gaze away from them. Fucking fay. A one-night stand with one of them could cost a man his humanity. And believe me when I say it’s tempting. Some of them released pheromones and glamor at me. Fortunately, my mental shields were impenetrable. But they didn’t need to bother with such petty magic. They were so hot that I nearly cursed Natural Selection. Again.
“He’s not going,” Ariana said, ice in her voice.
“You don’t own him,” a female fairy suddenly spoke out. A few others agreed. Some disagreed, siding with Ariana. Those particular fairies seemed to really hate the entertainment room. It felt like they were waiting for the perfect excuse, the word that would piss them off enough to burn it all down.
“Enough,” Avery boomed. “Stop the bickering.”
Butlers and maids took up all of the dinnerware. I turned to Ariana.
“Are you okay?”
She looked at me with those silvery eyes and nodded. “Sorry.”
“No, it’s fine. I’ve got class in the morning.”
“University student, right?” one of the females said. “what’s your major?”
Before I could answer, Ariana stood up. All eyes turned to her.
“There’s something I wish to announce.”
She led us back to the front lobby, nearly skipping in her steps, as if she was excited about something. A fairy thing I assumed. Or maybe a fairy princess thing. Fuck if I knew. Her eyes seemed to glow.
“Alright, speak your mind,” Avery said after we settled.
Her gaze latched directly onto me before she spoke. And she said the most shocking thing, enough to make us all flinch. I nearly lost my breath.
“I want Ned to be my life mate.”
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