The Incandescent | Book 7 | The Fairy arc

Chapter 17 ~ The Sparklitastic Mystery of the Fabric Phantom

Topaz eyes glinted as the Mirage ship door opened, sliding to the side. Casim smiled at the sunshine as it brightened the day and lifted his mood.

But the sunshine was brief, and the return of rain clouds darkened the day. Casim stood inside the doorway as it began to rain heavily. He touched a few raindrops, feeling the cold moisture on his skin. It rains too often on this planet, Casim mused, missing the earlier sunshine.

Butterflies brought him a fresh cup of herbal green tea made with dandelions, bamboo shoots, daisies, and a slice of lemon. Casim thanked the butterflies, allowing them to enjoy some of the tea, before he lifted the cup and drank, feeling the warm liquid soothe him like nectar.

He briefly entertained the sweet recollection of wafer honey cakes from the bakery he usually stopped by on his way to work at the library.

Fairies are quite knowledgeable with tea and desserts, Casim thought, impressed with the selection of cakes and tea. Cakes were no doubt the best dessert, a Monshalowan specialty he would always appreciate. He even tried Ireyna's favorite desserts, including tiramisu and apple roses. Though he liked them, Casim preferred sweeter desserts like cream wafer rolls and flaky pastries, especially the wafer honey cakes.

The butterfly spies were his eyes that kept tabs on the Decuir family and the Vanquesha. The butterflies stayed out of sight, invisible like a mirage, becoming visible within close proximity of the Glittered Inktraitor.

He knew the butterflies wanted to bond and attach themselves to a new master, one more powerful than Casim could ever hope to become. He patiently waited, knowing the immortal fairy's desire to become mortal was the catalyst that would compel her to agree with his intention of opening a portal to another world.

Such a task would require an intense amount of power and energy, power and energy that could potentially weaken an immortal fairy or perhaps allow her to become mortal in the process.

Casim knew that hope would send her his way, towards his perfect scheme. He would use that hope to his advantage, convincing Ireyna that using her power would benefit them both.

In truth, Casim wasn't sure if the endeavor would allow Ireyna to become mortal, but he knew for certain it would ensure the success of his scheme. All he needed was the immortal fairy's cooperation, her willingness for such an endeavor.

Soon, Casim thought confidently as he glanced at the butterfly communicator. He knew Ireyna would eventually call him. He smirked as he finished the rest of his tea, looking forward to the call.

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It was the day off work for Killian and Ireyna, so they decided to enjoy the day together as a family, bringing Killian's children and Erasmo with them to the fairy city, going "anywhere but the library" upon Killian's orders, averse to his family being anywhere near the Glittered Inktraitor. They heeded Killian's orders, walking in a different part of the city.

Incongruously, it was also the Glittered Inktraitor's day off work. It was bright and sunny that day. The Glittered Inktraitor relaxed outside his favorite café, sitting on a fancy white chair with his legs crossed, drinking a dulce latte while wearing dark sunglasses and reading a newspaper.

First stop was the candle store. Killian smelled practically every candle. Erasmo sneezed several times, floating out of the candle store in a sneezing fit.

Mara bought flat-soled boots at a shoe store, relieved that she finally had new shoes. Ireyna wanted her to get a stylish pair of boots, but Mara disagreed, preferring comfort over style. They agreed on comfortable stylish black boots with red glitter and a metallic red sheen.