22. Chapter 22

Chapter twenty- two

Days Without Them

W hen I open my eyes, I'm really home. Everything looks unchanged, as if barely any time has passed despite my hour-long absence. My face feels hot and flushed, and I realize it's wet with tears. I didn't even notice I was crying all that time.

Walking through my apartment, everything feels surreal, like an illusion. Then I see Corvu's old clothes hanging on the bathroom rail. It wasn't a dream. I grasp his tunic, wondering if they'll remember me in the years to come. Maybe as part of the King's Guard, they'll find happiness? People will learn to trust Tricksters with Corvu, and maybe the ones born in the future won't have to grow up the same way he did.

Moving slowly around my apartment, I reach my bed and drop the satchel by my feet. Patricia's clothes served me well in the woods; I was never too cold or too hot. They were perfect. Collapsing onto the bed, I begin to cry. The pain will fade eventually. I'm sure of it.

I don't get back up again until late the next morning. Despite not feeling hungry, I know I have to eat something. I pick up my traveling clothes and remember something J'san gave me—an envelope with information about his missing sibling. Pulling the envelope out from the pants pocket, I open it to reveal a photograph. It's one of those old-fashioned prints from when people used to carry cameras and develop film, long before mobile phones became ubiquitous. As soon as I see the photograph, I recognize the child in it. Someone that does belong in Skiora.

I need to make a very important call.

It's eight days later when I get a knock on my door. Opening it wide, I smile at the one friend I've had since my days in the orphanage.

"Kai!" I smile. She returns my excitement with a huge, embracing hug.

"Tia, it's been ages. Sorry I took so long, I had to finish my assignment and flights are getting a little chaotic at the moment," she rants, coming into my apartment and dropping her bag on the coffee table. She kicks back and slouches in the same spot on the couch she always sits in when she's here. Kai is a lot shorter than me, but with her sparkly grey eyes and curly red hair, it's no wonder she was adopted so quickly. Like me, she had been left behind at the orphanage with no explanation, no idea why she was abandoned.

"So, what's the news you couldn't tell me over the phone?" she asks. I take a deep breath and sit down next to her.

"I'm going to tell you most of it from the beginning, but you have to promise to keep an open mind and believe everything I tell you." She raises an eyebrow at me but otherwise nods in agreement. "Okay great, I know you don't like long stories so I'll try and keep it short." I take in a deep breath before continuing. "A homeless woman saved me a year ago so I used to bring her sandwiches to thank her, she gave me an amulet which I thought was magical because it zapped me into an alternative world which actually exists alongside ours, it's full of Daemonaria, like Pixies and Clawhops and Snout and Shorgs and Tricksters, there was a lot to learn. I was there for a few weeks but here it was like, a couple days, and no one knew I was even gone. Then I magically pop over here again with the Trickster, who like saved me a bunch of times, found out the homeless woman is his long lost mother, so I take them both back because as it turns out I'm a Witch and the amulet doesn't do anything so I destroyed it and saved a Kingdom from an Orc invasion, then I came back home because I thought I belonged here but as it turns out, I don't at all and never did need to go back." Breathing heavily I wait for her response, although it seems like she doesn't have one. In fact she wasn't reacting at all.

"Okay, hun." She starts, grabbing both my hands, "In case the doctor asks, you need to tell me what you took. I won't be mad." I roll my eyes as dramatically as I can at her response .

"I'm not high." I pull on her hands to get her off the couch, leaving her to wait by my kitchen bench. I go to my bedroom and roll out a large suitcase. In fact, it was the biggest one I could find at the nearby market. "I'm going to live in Skiora. Which means, I don't know if or when you will see me again. But I'll write to you and send you stuff. I'm pretty sure I can do that now. Magic is hard, but not as hard as I thought." I giggle. She really is looking at me like a few screws fell out of my head.

"Say this magical fairy land of wild pixies is real, why would you want to move there and leave New York?" Kai asks.

"Because the people I want to be with are there, the people I want to spend the rest of my life with." Folding her arms she starts to smirk.

"Oh I see, you met a boy." Rushing around the apartment to collect the last few things I planned to take with me, I respond.

"Corvu is not the only reason I'm going to live in Skiora." I chuckle, picking up the bag of non-perishable groceries I had collected to bring with me for my friends to try, not to mention a couple years supply of a contraceptive and feminine hygiene products. "There's also Gecko, he's a great kid. He's actually a Pixie but he doesn't have his wings yet-"

"Tia!" Kai shouts, grabbing my shoulders to keep me in place. "You can't ditch your job, your studies, and your home to live in a country that doesn't exist! These Pixies and Tricksters - they don't exist! "

"Hey!" I drop the bag when I hear two very familiar voices respond in unison. By the window attached to the fire escape stood Corvu and Gecko, who were already inside my apartment. I try to speak but no words come out. Gecko rushes toward me, embracing me around my waist in a huge hug.

"Did you miss us?" He asks. As Corvu begins to walk toward me, my voice slowly starts to return.

"H-how?" Gecko releases me and stands beside Corvu.

"Oh come on." Kai groans, "Don't tell me you hired these clowns to prank me. Am I on a show of some kind? Is that what this is? Are these things even real-" As she pulls on Gecko's ear he yelps and she lets go almost immediately. Now she is stunned into silence.

"How are you both here?" I ask. This time, Corvu responds .

"Well, it took awhile for the word about Witches to circulate, then we had to go find one that was strong enough to send us here."

"It's been a long few months." Gecko sighs, I thought he looked older.

"We had to postpone our time as members of the Kings Guard."

"And I died, twice." Corvu slaps him upside the head.

"Don't tell her that, you didn't die."

"I almost died, twice."

"Don't tell her that, either."

I have to interrupt, "Okay, additional question, why are you here?" I'm completely beside myself. They are flesh and bone standing in front of me in my world.

Gecko answers, "Because even if I have to wear a hat all my life, that's okay because I rather live with you."

I could feel my heart pounding as Corvu adds; "And I just rather not live without you at all." I knew a reunion would be emotional, but I can't believe the effort they would have gone through to get here, not to mention tolerating each other.

"I wish you guys didn't go through all the trouble to come here. I don't want you here." I say, watching their faces react in fear. "I'm packing up. I'm moving, specifically to Skiora." I smile. Both of them react with heightened ears and wide grins.

"This is a little trippy." Kai comments. "You're actually, really, moving to a magical land where no one will be able to find you?" She looks at me with confusion spread across her face.

"I am. I love the country, the Daemonaria, the idea of being on the King's Guard and yes, these two as well." I go to give her a hug, "I've left you all the instructions you need, oh, and you should take a week off work and study, I'll bring you to Skiora – once I've figured some stuff out." She returns my hug with a heavy sigh. Turning to Corvu she looks him up and down.

"Keep her safe. Otherwise no magical portal or time world nonsense is going to keep me from finding you and kicking your ass." I snicker at her comment as Corvu nods, his trademark grin worn proudly.

"I've got a lot to do on my first day back. I hope the King's offer still stands."

"It does." Gecko comments, "We checked before we left." Taking in a deep breath I roll the suitcase over to Gecko and have him hold onto it. A hand on his shoulder and a hand in Corvu's. I nod my final goodbye to Kai. She will receive a letter in the mail shortly with instructions on how we're going to continue communicating with each other. I've worked out all the kinks – I think.

The reunion back at the King's Castle is an interesting one, to say the least. Nearly five months have passed in Skiora, which feels like a long time, and the King is clearly looking for a reason to throw a feast. Sandy is happy to see me; she has kept my room exactly as I left it, despite having only used it for one night.

At the table, seated next to the King, I hand over a book to Alec that I bought at a market about modern technology and how it works – it's just a children's book, and I'll have to teach him how to read it. He is very appreciative and inquisitive.

As the knights carry on with drinking songs, Corvu catches my eye and signals for me to follow him.

Walking me out of the room, we silently travel to one of the many balconies that flow out from the hallway. The hallway itself is only lit by the torches on the pillars, but outside on the balcony, the moon shines with fierce brightness.

"You seem happy." He says.

"I am happy. I know it's been some months for you both, but I've been frantically rushing to pack my things and get gifts for you guys for the last week so that I could move here with you all. I'm sorry it took so long." He shakes his head at me.

"There's no need to apologize. I'm ecstatic just to see you again. But finding out you wanted to move here the entire time we were trying to get to you? That's magical." We lean on the stone balcony together, touching shoulders since there isn't that much room.

"Well, I didn't really want to live without you, either." I smile, facing him. Even in the moonlight, I can see the tips of his ears begin to blush. Turning around to lean backward on the balcony, he stands up straight. I feel my heart thumping in my chest. There's every chance I've interpreted everything incorrectly. There's every chance he really does just see me as his friend. But that was a risk I wanted to take. Raising my left hand to the right side of his face he stands completely still. Through his skin I can feel him warming up, unsure what I'm doing exactly. Tracing his jawline I move up toward his earlobe and start the same action I had done a mere week ago, at least to me it was a week ago. With a quick reaction he grabs my wrist and pulls my hand a few inches away from his face.

"Tia, you probably should know that most Elves and Pixies and everything in between have sensitive ears," He couldn't look at me directly while speaking but I refused to look away, ", it's hard to explain but don't go around touching other Elf ears out of curiosity."

"Other Elf ears?" I muse. "You mean, just yours?"

"Well, I mean," He's stuttering, and it's so amusing. "The thing is, it makes our kind react in a certain way, and it's not exactly something you want to trigger without really intending to."

"Right, not trigger on others, so again, you're telling me not to touch other pointy ears, do you mind that I touch yours?"

"I-It's probably a good idea not to do it in front of others."

"Are you being honest with me, Corvu?" I smirk.

"Not completely." He chuckles. "It really just should be between those with a…special connection, like, um-"

"Partners? Lovers? Husbands and wives?" The redness that had been building up on his face is really dominant now.

"Y-you know?" He questions.

"I mean, I think so. I asked Gecko about it after we got back the last time because I thought I might have hurt you somehow, but he said his mother told him it was reserved for special circumstances. Is that incorrect?"

"I mean, t-that's mostly how it is. They're just really sensitive, in a good way." As his grip loosens on my wrist he finally looks directly at me. "So if you know what it means, what does that mean?" I tilt my head to the side and wait. His grip on my wrist has completely loosened, and he slides his palm up my arm till it reaches my neck. I drop my arm and use my hands to brace myself on the balcony as he steps forward, his other hand finding its way around my waist. My heart thumps a thousand times in the moment leading up to his lips touching mine. They're softer than I expected, and warmer. This was a moment we'd both been wanting, and it was one we didn't want to stop. I felt him push his entire body against mine. I don't know if he felt similar, but this whole time waiting for this moment felt like a thirst that couldn't be quenched until now.

"Ew!" We both jump and part at Gecko's voice. "I didn't want to see that!"

My gaze stares around the room we had found our way to. I know the King lives in luxury, but this seems far too gracious a gift for me – to live here, to call this place my home. Still, I'm beyond grateful. Corvu stands by the door, and I feel his gaze watching me as I step deeper into the heart of the room, fingers trailing the rich fabrics of the bed. Everything about this place is beautiful, yet, I find myself focusing on two things.

Corvu and the bed.

I know it's wrong, but more than anything, I want him to stay with me. The quarters seem far too big for me to spend the night in on my own, and I know his company will be more than soothing. "Will you stay with me here tonight?" I ask him. Corvu's look says enough – he doesn't want to be disrespectful in any way, and I'm sure this isn't easy for him. After all, it seems like Tricksters aren't liked in this world so how likely is it a woman would have invited him to bed before? "I promise I'll behave," I add. "I just don't want to be here on my own." Corvu hesitates for a moment, and I wish that I could know what's going through his mind, but at last, he nods his head. I give him a small, thankful smile, before my gaze falls on the bed. It is king sized, but still very close quarters. Even just the thought of being that close—of sleeping besides him has butterflies enter my stomach and my cheeks warm. I want to grab his hand, to lay down beside him now, but I was still in my regular clothes. "I, um ." I turn to meet Corvu's eyes. He is already staring intently at me. "We should go clean up and get ready for bed," I tell him. Hearing my own words, my eyes go round, and the hot sensation of my cheeks only intensifies. "Separately, I mean. Not the sleeping. Obviously, we sleep in the bed together. You're not sleeping anywhere else." A nervous laugh escapes me.

Corvu steps closer, his lips lifting up at the side where a glint of his fang shows once more. "You are remarkable to look at when you're anxious, do you know that?" He whispers, reaching toward me to tuck my hair back behind my ear. I close my eyes and melt into his hot touch. It soothes me. "We aren't going to do anything you aren't comfortable with," He tells me, surprising me with his ability to soothe me even further. His words, always right in their timing it would seem, seem like velvet in the way they kiss the air and I find myself staring up at him again. His gaze is steady on mine and I'm very aware of his hand which remains by the curve of my cheek. "I don't want to push you. You might not be able to handle it." I chuckle at his playful words and, though it eases the tension between us, I find myself wishing he would push it. His touch feels nice against my cheek, and I want him to touch me even more. I wonder what it may feel like, to have those fingers explore my body. "You can go first," he says, slowly moving his fingers away from my face and gesturing towards the bathroom. The spot misses his touch instantly. I know it is bad, but I find myself clenching my thighs together at the thought of more of him—I find myself curious of those things he thinks I couldn't handle. I bite on my lip as my thoughts continue to wander.

"Okay," I force out the words, though they don't sound very certain. "I'll go first." Corvu stares at me as I leave the room. I only turn toward him when I near the bathroom door, but I could feel his eyes on my skin. I decide to leave the door ajar as I undress. I know he's a gentleman – he's been nothing less than this far, but I hope he could see the movement and flickers of revealing skin before I settle into the steaming bath, which must have been prepared some time ago since the fiery embers are almost out. The water is hot and almost burning my skin, momentarily feeling like that may wash away my sinful thoughts, but it doesn't.

Not really.

The bath is too big and too lonely. I find myself wondering what might happen if he was in here with me. If he had of joined me. Would he help wash me off? Would he kiss down my back? Allow his hands to explore my body? Would I get to feel his bare body against mine? Would he kiss my lips and press his body against mine? I don't know, but I long to know.

After I'm done in the bathroom, I wrap myself up in a silk, violet robe that was neatly folded on one of the counters, clearly for my convenience, and I exit the bathroom. Corvu is seated on the bed and stands at my entrance, his dark gaze washing over me and drinking me in in a way that makes me feel tingly. His eyes seem to wander to the area of my chest a lot. If I was more confident, I might've dropped the robe, but instead I just say, "Your turn," as I offer him a seemingly innocent smile. As he leaves to clean up himself, I wait for him on the bed, feeling the way the delicate fabric clings to my skin. As Corvu returns, I notice that he's wearing pants and nothing else, his dark hair still wet. "Are you ready for bed?" I ask him.

"Definitely," he replies. The candlelight's in the room seem to dim a little, and I move underneath the covers. Covru gets into bed beside me, and I can feel the weight shift on the mattress as he moves closer. Silence surrounds us momentarily before I speak up.

"Will you spoon me?" I ask. A chuckle escapes his lips. It seems like somewhat of an inside joke now.

"Of course." I smile and wriggle back into him, and his arm wraps around me and I feel his warmth as my back meets his chest. Every groove of our bodies is perfectly meshed together, and I smile cheekily as I wriggle my backside a little against him.

"Don't," he warns, "I'm trying my very best to behave."

"And what if I don't want you to behave?"

There's a small silence before I feel his lips at my shoulder, lightly kissing my skin. I even feel the sharp edge of his fang graze against my skin. "Then I might start doing this," he whispers.

Goosebumps roll over my skin and my body instinctively arches back into his. "Would you give me goodnight kisses, then?" I wonder.

"Depends where you want them," He murmurs against my skin.

"Hm." I hum for a moment before I grab his hand and guide it toward my lips. "Here?" He follows my lead and grants me with a kiss. It soft and fleeting, yet still my body reacts with adrenaline as it shoots signals to one singular place. "And here," I whisper, moving his hand to my neck. His lips shift down my cheek without a moment of hesitation. I can feel his hot breath tickling there and I shiver in response as his lips meet my neck. He trails soft kisses against my skin and I gather the courage to drag his hand down to my breast. "And here," I prompt him. He exhales slowly, seemingly caught off guard, but allowing his hand to linger there for a moment longer, before his mouth lowers right above my breast.

"A little insatiable, aren't you?" He murmurs, "I thought you promised you'd behave." Still, his lips dip lower, leaving a small trail of kisses around my nipple as his sharp fangs drag along. He's teasing me with them now, I'm certain of it .

"I am behaving," I correct him, because what I want to do is far more than this. My entire body shakes in Corvu's embrace, trembling and pulsating for him, as I struggle to catch my breath. The world around us momentarily becomes blurry, but it is a soft kiss that he plants on my lips that brings me back.

"You're impossible to resist, Tia," He whispers against my lips, ", but I'm begging you, go to sleep, before I do something unsavory."