Rowan's Fate

Ch. 5

Rowan

I wake up to the sound of giggling and the smell of bacon. I slowly rise, kicking the blanket off me and realize I never changed into my pajamas. Fumbling into the kitchen I notice Heta is making the food and Celeste is scrolling through her phone reading off jokes. They don't even notice I'm standing in the room let alone awake. So oblivious to everything around them except each other. It's practically scary thinking if I was a stranger because they would be dead by now.

As I watch them I notice how peaceful the mood is. They are enjoying themselves while I stand in the entryway. I know I need to drag myself up the stairs and get ready to open my shop, The Wishing Well. Originally my grandfather's, The Wishing Well has art and “potions”. I turn to head up the stairs listing off the herbs I need to take with me to work. I figure out I might need a few more of each and decide after getting ready to grab them on my way out.

Once I'm done I hear a knock coming from the front door downstairs. It was like that single knock killed the peaceful happy environment that I was hoping to keep just for awhile. My feet moved on their own and I stood in front of the door in a blink of an eye.

I tense up at the pure silence in the house. My attention turns to Heta and Celeste standing behind me motionless. Celeste's eyes are filled with a tinge of fear and mild curiosity. Heta's gaze is fixated on the door. Her eyes are filled with apprehension while her grip on the knife she was using to cook is deadly.

Before I could speak another knock landed on the door. My body once again moved on its own. As I reached for the doorknob I could feel the tension in the room. Once I got the nerve to open it I peered out to see nothing. No one seemed to be there. The lack of a person caused a chill to course through my body causing the hair on my arms to stand on end. Then something down on the welcome rug caught my attention, a letter. The envelope seemed to have been placed right in the middle of the word welcome. Looking over it the pretty golden embroidery caught my attention and I traced the beautiful rose design on the edges with my finger. However, the odd thing about it was there was no name or return address.

Walking back into the house was a bit unnerving. Heta shut the door behind me as I studied the envelope in my hands. For some reason it felt personal like it was meant for me. The blue rose wax seal in a way proved it. The very thought they chose our family seal to make sure I knew the letter was for me creeped me out but it piqued my interest. So I decided to open the letter.

The letter inside was just as exquisite. Even though the handwriting was atrocious, the pretty designs around the page was a pleasant sight. Now what was on that paper caused my senses to go on high alert. I quickly dashed across the cabin to the back door swinging it open. I glared out into the forest. Biting my lip I grip the letter until it crumples in my grasp and I let out a growl. When I turn around and meet the eyes of Heta I frown. 

“What did the letter say Roe?” Celeste quietly asks while wringing her hands.

I pass the note to Heta who uncrumples it and gasps. When our eyes meet we both glance over at Celeste who is painstakingly quiet. She is waiting for one of us to speak. The very thought this could be real ticks me off. Not one but two Fae are after us. Well not us per say, they are after Celeste and Heta. Without saying a word I start closing curtains and locking doors and stand by the kitchen sink. Clearly I can't go to work today because if I do, who would be here to protect them?

“I know that look on your face, Rowan. Has someone been watching us?” Heta sighs heavily as she stares into my eyes knowing the truth.

Celeste looks between Heta and I. Her face contorts between scared and amused. The fearful look was there for a fleeting moment before pure happiness took over. She snatches the letter out of Heta's hands and squeals, “Oh my goddess! Rowan, I told you they were real!”

Grimacing my anger hit its peak and I lashed out, “Shut the fuck up, Celeste! What the hell is wrong with you? You think this shit is exciting? These monsters, these creatures are after you and Heta and you think it's cause for celebration?” 

“They aren't monsters Rowan, they are Fae and they are our mates just like in the stories!”

As Celeste stares at the letter Heta paces back and forth muttering about how the fae are real. I slam my fist into the frame of the kitchen entryway. They know where we live, Celeste's beliefs are true, and they want to take the only two people I care about left in this forsaken world. Now as to who sent the letter that intrigued me. Who would know of such things besides a Fae and why would they tell me? I looked over to the small kitchen window above the sink and for a brief second I swore I saw a man's figure walking deeper into the forest.