Adventures in Faerie

Cassie is Fourteen Years Old

Cassie was so happy. I laughed while my cousin Ensley popped around teasing my cousin Fig. They were my Uncle Arion’s children. He died around when I was born and unfortunately didn’t know about them when he died. It was tragically sad, but everyone said he wanted to leave this life and go to the Beyond.

That tidbit had me curious. So, I’d been spying while I was here. My Aunt Megan, Uncle Arion’s mate, came often and considered all my Uncle’s kids to be hers. Even those that were not biologically related to her. I understood that logic because of my Hackura blood, and thankfully my cousins mom’s all love Aunt Megan. She had provided them so much support and loved all my cousins. Lila and Jarrod were her children, but she loved the rest as if they were hers.

She lived in our territory in the earthly realm, but she came here a lot.

Rain asked, “What do you think that means about Uncle Arion being ready to go to the Beyond?”

I honestly didn’t know since he wasn’t that old when he died. By even human standards, let alone the Fae. I sighed, “I just don’t understand why Uncle Arion would refuse mom’s healing. They didn’t know they were the promised siblings then, but he had Aunt Megan. She was pregnant with Lila. Why would he think they were better off without him?”

Rain didn’t have any ideas.

My research had told me that Fairies didn’t often get depressed. I’d been investigating why he would have been but hadn’t found anything. It was growing increasingly frustrating. I was here in Faerie to submerse myself into the Fairies way of life, I just had an ulterior motive. Ok, I had several. One being I wanted to solve some of the mysteries surrounding my family and loved ones.

Aiylee popped in with Exsis her mate. She grinned, “I hope you don’t mind, but I’m having more family members join us.”

Seconds later her siblings, Fenilton, Aristella, Ariest, and Kiara popped in. Lila, Jarrod, Alvaraie, and Beagan joined us too. I squealed, “Hi guys!”

I gave them all hugs then screamed, “Bea!”

We’d grown quite close this trip. She popped over to me.

She grabbed me and popped into the pool. We were at the Sky Pool that Uncle Aiden shut down for us. He always did when I wanted to come here. I kind of wanted to experience it with everyone, but I was enjoying the freedom I had now.

My guard was here and there were more than I normally had in my pack. I did get talk to guys though because they stayed faded back unless they felt someone was a threat. The thing I didn’t understand was their anxiety and constant on edge sense they had to their motivations. I had calmed them down more than once.

I honestly wasn’t going on many dates here because no one caught my interest. I mostly talked to Jason McAlister on the phone or texting. We were dating but not exclusively or even seriously. He wasn’t my mate and felt the same way about that. I was happy that we were on the same page about our relationship. He was hot and I liked him. We had a lot of fun at the dance together. That wasn’t surprising because we always did. He was Alexander’s best friend so we’d been hanging out for as long as I could remember.

Beagan squealed, “Guess who asked me out?”

I tapped my chin feigning ignorance. She groaned, “Cassie!”

I laughed, “Jedisdale.”

She grinned, “Yes!” Aiylee snorted, “Finally!” I asked, “And what about Kisalla?” Beagan was bi-sexual and had recently been dating a woman. She shrugged, “She’s away and I want to play. It’s not like she’s my girlfriend or anything.” I nodded my understanding.

She admitted, “I don’t know what to wear though. I’ve gone through everything I have and all of the options suck. I have no clothes to wear.”

I laughed knowing she had more clothes than anyone I’d met, including Grammy Veronica. That was a feat in and of itself. My Grammy loved clothes .

I conjured my phone and called my mom. She answered, “Hi, Cass. How are you?”

I felt her tremor of fear in the bond before I was shut out. I wished I knew why she was so worried about me being here. I told her without preamble, “Bea has a fashion emergency. She claims she simply has nothing to wear on her date with her long crush.”

Bea smacked my arm. She said, “I’m considering asking him to be there for my first concupiscence. The dress NEEDS to be perfect.”

Rain huffed, “I hardly like the man enough for that.” I actually agreed. I thought it was just a date, but this was Beagan’s choice.

My mom asked, “Who is this man?”

I answered, “Jedisdale. He’s a Fire Fairy.”

In truth, he was very nice and respectful. Rain huffed. I replied, “He is.”

She said, “Something about him has my hackles up about being Bea’s concupiscence partner. It was supposed to be a date. A as in ONE.”

I reiterated, “It’s her choice.”

She grumbled, “I could threaten to bite him.”

I snorted, “We will threaten him if we need to.”

That perked her up. My mom hummed, “Yes, I’ve met him. He came with his dad for the partials and helped train. He was…” She trailed off. Ran snorted, “Mom agrees.”

I wished I could feel in the bond. She cautiously said, “He was very respectful. Which is good for his fucking health since he’s going out with my niece. Where are they going?”

I stared at Bea because I didn’t know the answer. Rain cackled in my head, “She can’t hear what mom said. You’ve charmed your phone.”

I smacked my own head, “Right.”

Out loud I said, “Mom wants to know where you are going?”

She squealed, “Uncle Aiden’s new restaurant outside the eternal Fire temple. I haven’t been yet. I AM SO EXCITED.”

My mom said, “Tell her I’ll conjure her choices to your room. She can get ready with you or take them to her room.”

I relayed the message to my cousin. “Mom said that she’ll conjure them to my mom.”

Beagan quickly said, “You need something too.”

She shot me a shy smile. I asked, “Huh?”

She coyly said without looking me in the eyes, “Surely I mentioned he’s bringing a friend and I said I’d bring my fiery redheaded cousin as his date.” I gasped, “BEA!”

My mom casually asked, “What’s your date’s name, Cass?”

I was completely blocked out from her in the bond still so I wasn’t sure how truly casual that question was. I admitted, “I don’t know.”

I asked my cousin, “What is his name?”

She grinned, “Paerigle.” I groaned, “That’s an odd name.” Rain huffed, “The things we do for family.”

She laughed admitting, “I call him Pringle. I do so love that Aunt Haley has those around your house. I do not think he cares for the nickname, but he says nothing because I am a Duchess.”

Only the children of the ruler of Faerie were called Princesses and Princes. That was true in the Hackura realm too.

Mom said, “I know him too. Take your guard, Cass. Make sure they know what’s going on. Well, don’t fucking tell them until you are ready to go.”

I asked, “Why?”

She snorted, “They will report to your Uncle Bjourn immediately. It’s going to be a whole damn sequence of events. I’ll handle it.”

I knew she would.

I cooed, “I love you, mom. Thanks so much.”

She replied, “I will always do anything for you. I love you, Cass. I’m so glad you’re having a good time.”

I giggled, “I really am.”

She whispered, “I’m so glad. I’ll start some Fairy hijinks around here to distract the two other damn realms you are related to.” I snickered, “Go cause your chaos mom.” I hung up.

Beagan nudged me, “How excited are you?”

I admitted, “Pretty. You did this because my last few dates fell through.”

She grinned, “Of course I did. You were sad they didn’t live up to the insanely high standard of our family. Uncle Eric is so protective. I have to be evasive and execute my own dates at the last minute. He’ll have a dossier on both our dates within five minutes of finding out, but we will already be on the date. So, he will wait.”

I snorted, “Probably in my room.” Beagan conceded, “Probably.”

She looked away and her sorrow called out. I reached for her hand, “Bea.”

She wiped a tear away, “I don’t want to be jealous, but he’s the best dad. I want one. You know? My mom hasn’t met her mate yet and I’m officially an adult anyway. My concupiscence will start soon, and my father figures are my Uncle’s.”

Her eyes begged for me to understand, “They are amazing, and you know that.”

I nodded because I did. My dad and Uncle Aiden were the best. She whispered, “I just want what you and my other cousins have.”

I squeezed her hand, “You know my dad sees you as his.”

She nodded, “I do but I don’t live in the same realm. Uncle Aiden, Aunt Lucinda, and all our mom’s barely let us out of Faerie. ”

I pointed out, “You came to the Hackura realm with us.”

She giggled, “That was such fun. If Jedisdale turns down my concupiscence partner request I’m asking a Hackura.”

I admitted, “I’m surprised you didn’t.”

She huffed, “The one I was thinking of asking is on a mission.”

I nudged her, “Well, if your Fairy says no, I’ll call my Uncle. I’m sure he’d get whoever it was a phone and bring him in.”

She giggled, “He would, wouldn’t he?”

I cackled, “Especially after he finds out this double date situation is because of it.”

She winked, “Whoever could have thought of that?”

I sobered and conjured us both drinks. She’d shared her sorrow with me and needed to drink. I sipped my cocktail. I asked her, “Do you think Jedisdale will turn you down?”

She shrugged, “I’ve heard people say things about me.”

I questioned, “What things?”

Rain began to growl in my head. Beagan replied, “If he turns me down maybe you can help me look into it.” I agreed, “Of course I will.” She squealed, “Goodie! You are ever so stealthy.”

Aiylee popped over and conjured herself a drink. She asked, “What mischief are we up to?”

Beagan answered, “I was telling her about our date.”

I laughed, “Aiylee and Exsis are coming?”

Aiylee grinned, “You know it.”

I knew Aiylee had no idea Beagan thought she was going to get turned down for her concupiscence partner. If she did, we’d be going full Fairy hijinks plan. I ignored the bad feeling that we were going to have to. I didn’t care what supernatural anyone was, they didn’t get to hurt a member of my family.

Ensley popped over. She asked, “What are we doing?”

Beagan told her, “Aunt Haley is solving my dress crisis.”

Ensley laughed, “Of course she is. I told you to ask her. She always has the best outfits for all occasions.”

I asked, “Are you coming to?”

Ensley grinned mischievously, “Who me?”

I snickered, “So you are.”

She winked, “Maybe Alvaraie and I dropped Uncle Aiden’s name to get a reservation at the same time. One could call it spying.” Alvaraie popped over chiming in, “Or they could call it caring. Because we love you guys.”

Aiylee snickered, “As if Exsis isn’t going to be enough of a chaperone.”

I nodded, “That’s true. Why did you invite Exisis Bea?”

She grinned, “Because it will be such fun and keep Uncle Eric from losing his head all together. One must know how far to push him.”

I gasped, “Oh my god!” They all stared at me.

I pointed at Beagan, “You’ve been hanging out with Dylan Frost!”

She grinned, “He does seem to know where the lines are best to test Uncle Eric. I do love him so and he’s so protective. I want to skirt the rules, but not make him too mad.”

I grabbed her hand and squeezed.

I linked my dad, “You should call Bea. She needs you.”

He didn’t even answer he just called her. She answered giggled, “Uncle Eric, were your ears burning?”

Her phone was charmed so I couldn’t hear him. She told him, “I miss you too. Are you coming here soon? I know it’s to see Cass…”

She trailed off and blushed. She whispered, “I know you’d come to see me too. I just miss you and Aunt Haley. Really? Tomorrow will be great! See you then.” She hung up.

My dad linked, “Is she ok? Something felt off with her.”

I said, “I’ll have more details later for you.”

He growled, “If I need to rip someone apart, I’ll do it.”

I knew that. Beagan said, “He’s ready to tear whoever upset me apart.” Aiylee asked, “Who did? I’ll charm their ass.” Ensley was quiet, which told me she probably knew. Rain growled, “I can rip people apart too.” I agreed, “You can.”

Beagan evaded, “I just wish my dad was here too. Your dad is great and so is Uncle Eric. I just miss having my dad here.”

She groaned, “Which I know sounds so ungrateful because I have them both…”

I interrupted, “It’s not ungrateful to want your dad too.”

She wiped away a few tears.

Figert and Fenilton popped over. Figert asked, “Bea? What’s wrong?”

I answered, “She’s just missing your dad, Fig.”

He winced and hugged Beagan tightly. He whispered in Fealish, “Za nedm Yim yuz (I miss him too).”

My heart hurt for them but I wasn’t sad I couldn’t fully understand their situation. I flinched away from thinking about my dad not being around. It was literally abhorrent to me.

Ensley stood and tackled Fenilton off the float we were on. Beagan giggled and Figert took her over the side next. I did a flip off of it and Aiylee followed. We enjoyed the rest of the day at the pool. Aiylee came over, “It’s officially girl time now! Later boys!”

She popped us away .

All my girl cousins followed. Aiylee squealed looking at my bed, “THESE DRESSES!”

I said, “Bea gets to choose hers first.”

Ensley cackled, “We all get them!”

Alvaraie squealed, “Aunt Haley is THE BEST!” I sent my mom as my love as my cousins salivated over the dresses.

Kiara asked, “Bea, can I have this one?”

Beagan laughed, “Of course. It’s not even my size.”

It was definitely a Kiara choice option from my mom. Aiylee put me in front of a dress section full of yellow dresses. I teased, “I guess this is my area.”

Ensley laughed, “You guess?” I rolled my eyes, “Shut up!” I ended up choosing a yellow dress with cutouts on top, sleeves that flared out with a flowy bottom. I snapped it on.

Aiylee yelled, “You look hot!”

She snapped my hair done and conjured me a mirror. I nodded letting her know I love it. I touched the C earrings she’d conjured for me and flashed back to the time I’d been considering changing my name.