They Do Exist

They Do Exist (15)

“I think I like this one” I told Alana, pointing to a nice soft yellow one.

“Oh please.  When meeting the queen, you want to make a statement, not blend into the flowery little background.  You’ll be wearing this red one.”

I looked to where she was pointing. It was strapless and tight around the middle.

“Uhm.  Do you think that will be appropriate to wear around a queen?  Much less Gabe’s mom?” I hesitated.

“Oh so now you want to impress Gabe’s mom? You trying to get in good with Gabe?” She raised an eyebrow suspiciously.

My face went slightly pink.  “What no!”

“I’m kidddinnnggg. Chill.” She laughed.

“Alright, let me ask you this,” she grabbed the dress and held it out in front of me.  “Would your grandmother like it?”

I looked at the dress.  “She’d love it.”

Alana smiled.  “That’s what I thought.”

Some hair straightening and some three inch, matching red heels later, and I’m off to see the queen.

Did I mention I was nervous? Cause I freaking am!

Alana walked me down to the grand dining room.  The closer we got to where the queen was waiting, the more it smelled like honeysuckle and summer nights.  It was so strong outside the doors you could have gotten drunk off of it.

“Goodluck.” Alana winked at me and then took off, leaving me alone.

Which I didn’t like at all. It was my biggest fear, despite the fact I had to suffer through it at home all the time.

I gulped and looked at the guard.  He smiled at me and opened the door.

The smell of flowers hit me like a brick wall and the light from the room blinded me.  When my eyes adjusted I was blown away.

The queen was like the goddess of sunlight. The master of green thumbs.  The chair she was sitting in was covered in vines with flowers brilliantly blooming out of it.

Her rich brown hair was tied into a bun, flowers sticking out of it as well.  Her skin was soft and glowing despite the fact it was kissed with age. Her smile was warming and bright and she pointed to a seat close to her.  I felt a little at ease that she didn’t make me sit on the chair opposite her at the far end of the long wooden table.

“Please, sit.”

I hesitantly walked over awkwardly to the chair.  I wasn’t bad at wearing heels, but I wasn’t used to them either.

I sat down with my hands in my lap.

“I want to first apologize that I didn’t make Abby’s funeral.  I really wanted to go, but as you can tell with her murder, I’ve had my hands full here.”

I nodded.  Murder. Ugh, I hated that word.  It’s so brutal sounding.

“Do you have any clue as to why someone would want to murder her?” I gulped.

She looked at me with pitiful eyes.  “We have a lead, but no proof.”

“Lead?”

Before she could answer a butler walked up and asked what we would like to eat.  He listed out the specials for the night, and after the queen and I made our decisions, he left.

“Roman, he’s the leader of the sky nymphs, or what you humans like to call fairies.  They’re the only elves with wings.”

I furrowed my brows together.  “I thought fairies were good, at least in books that’s what we’re led to believe in the human world.”