Chapter 5: A New Look

I woke up the next day feeling weary. Getting ready was a blur and then I found myself at school. I saw Cassie and went to her.

“Can you ditch today?” I asked her.

“Yes.” She said.

That was one of the reasons Cassie was my best friend; she didn’t ask annoying questions, she let you talk when you were ready. I drove us to the beach. It was nice today, not too windy. We sat down at our rock and stared out at the hypnotic water. The sea breeze was light and refreshing; it helped clear my confused mind.

I looked into Cassie’s forest-green eyes and said, “I have a lot to tell you, so please just listen first.”

She looked at me and took in my serious expression and said, “Of course, Ash.”

 

~~~~~

 

        Telling her was easy, and I felt like a weight was lifted off me. I hated lying to her.

“So let me get this straight, you’re a Fae " which is kind of like a fairy just not Tinkerbell sized and can be deadly. You’re also a Fae Princess and Irial is a Fae Prince. And you guys have been ordered by these mysterious Oracles to marry, because you have to unite the Kingdoms.” She said.

“In a nutshell? Yes.” I said.

“This is crazy but I know you won’t lie to me, so what’s up?” She asked.

I sighed then I told her, “I’m just not sure about Irial. I know he’s trying to make me feel like I have a choice, but I really don’t. I mean seriously! I’m only 17; I don’t want to get married. But if I don’t marry him, the world will fall apart around our ears. Also, I’m not entirely sure Irial really wants to be with me. What if he just wants my part of the Kingdom? I feel like my life is going crazy around me. I mean, this random guy comes out of nowhere and disrupts my whole life. But when I’m with him, it’s like I can’t think. My instincts take over. When I’m away from him I can’t breathe. What do I do Cassie?”

She was silent a few moments then said, “I think you should follow your heart but talk to Irial. What is it like between you guys?”

Again I sighed, “I’m not sure how to describe it, but I’ll try. I kind of feel like I have no control around him. I forget who I am. I act all shy and demure, but you know me " I’m not like that. And I seriously want to stop acting like this.”

I sounded very frustrated but that’s how I felt.

“I don’t know how to help you Ash. All I can say is maybe when you get to know him, you’ll stop.” She said.

I began pacing in front of her.

“I just want to be ME around him, not some ninny who has no mind. But he’s so overwhelming. He’s so sexy and strong and not human. It’s seriously intimidating.” I told her.

“Don’t worry Ash. As you get more comfortable with him you will be yourself.” She said.

I stopped pacing then looked at her. I know what I wanted to do.

“I think I won’t bond with him as Trumates. I’ll just marry him because the fate of the world is on my shoulders.”

I could see she was about to talk so I held up my hand, effectively silencing her.

“Hear me out. Eventually we will bond but not this soon. I don’t completely trust his motives. Hopefully after we marry, we will love each other over time. And I’m going to try, no not try, I will control my instincts. He may be my destined betrothed but he will not boss me around.” I said in a strong voice.

Cassie just stared at me.

“What?” I asked. “I won’t stand for it.”

She smiled a wonder-filled smile at me and said, “Good for you Ash. So spill.”

“Spill what?” I asked, confused.

What was she talking about?

“The kisses silly! What are they like?” She asked.

“Oh. Wait, how do you know we’ve been kissing?” I demanded.

She rolled her eyes at me and said, “Because you just admitted it.”

Well, I guess I kind of did. I sat down next to her Indian style. She turned and mirrored me.

“They are wonderful!” I said.

 

~~~~~

 

        Her blue eyes twinkled when she spoke of him.

“Details Ash! I need details.” I said.

She said in her smooth musical voice, “When he kisses me, I forget everything. Even my name. All I do is feel. And I can smell him, he smells like rain to me. I can feel his rough skin and his silky hair in my fingers. Then I get all tingly, like well, like I got shocked and I get butterflies in my stomach.” She said.

I fanned myself and she blushed.

“Wow, that’s hot.” I said.

“I know, but what about you and Damien?” She asked.

Now it was my turn to blush.

“I only kissed him once and it was great! It wasn’t as charged as yours but almost as much. And to me he smells like a forest and a little musky, like something wild.” I said.

“Are you a couple?” She asked.

Little did she know, that innocent question hit a nerve.

 I looked away and said a soft, “No.”

 

~~~~~

 

I could tell I had made her uncomfortable. I reached out and touched her arm. When she looked at me I was shocked to see tears swimming in her eyes.

“Oh Cassie! I’m sorry.” I said and hugged her.

“I just don’t understand Ash, does he not like me?” She whispered into my shoulder.

I stroked her hair, trying to soothe her.

“I’m positive he likes you. You know how men are. You practically have to get a neon sign or them.” I told her.

It honestly hurt me to see Cassie this way; she has always had a massive crush on Damien. What was really torturing me was when she might have a chance with him, Damien won’t act. I needed to talk to him about this.

She didn’t reply, just sniffled. I pushed her away gently to look into her eyes.

“Do you want me to talk to him?” I asked, dead serious.

“No it’s ok, I’ll talk to him.” She said in a watery voice.

“If you say so, but if he breaks your heart I’ll break his face, best friend or not.” I said.

I could tell I made her happy from the bright smile she had on her face.

 

~~~~~