Take Me Away

Chapter 11

  I never thought that I would become close with someone younger than I am, but Onora and I are becoming fast friends. She seems so much older and more mature than what I thought at first glance. After our cry session, I wrapped up in a towel while she started brushing through my long hair.

  "What happened to your arms?"

  Oh, I had completely forgotten about the bruises.  I follow her stare to my arm.  "I don't know, I woke up with them yesterday."

  "It happens to all girls before they come here.  It shows that they are ready.  So you've finally come back to us, my daughter?" Queen Vorana breezed back through, holding a pile of clothes in her arms.

  I looked questioningly at Onora.

  "After Moleyn was killed, I refused to speak."

  "It's been what, almost 35 years since I've heard your voice, pet?"

  Huh? 35 years? Onora can't be more than....I don't know....15 or 16?

  "Bless your heart, Aurick. You still don't know, do you?"

  "Know what?"

  "Well, for starters, what we are. You've heard of the Sidhe, or Tuatha de Danaan, yes?"

  "You mean fairies?"

  "Yes. One of our many names."

  "Are you trying to tell me that you're fairies? Mythical creatures with wings who play tricks on people, dance naked under the full moon, and live for thousands of years?"

  "Pretty close. It's not just under the full moon that we dance naked, but whenever we feel like it as well."

  "This has to be a joke, where are the hidden cameras? Onora looks like she's a child. Not thousands of years old."

  The Queen pats her daughter's head affectionately. "She is a child by our standards. Two hundred years is young compared to the thousands that the elders have lived."

  "You look great for your ages! What's your secret??"

  "Maybe we'll tell you once you're part of the family."

  "You were serious about that? Me marrying your son? We don't even know each other."

  Listening to my questions she helped me into a pretty dark blue gown with silver trim. "Believe me, I know how hard it is finding yourself in a new world, being forced into solmething completely foreign to you, having to trust a complete stranger with your life. Once upon a time I went through the same thing that you now are."

  "You did? You were human like I am?"

  "I lived in a little village in eastern Russia. My father was a poor blacksmith, mother did anything she could to keep us fed. The happiest day of my life was when Ranlyn appeared and took me away from that life. If you can truly fall and give yourself to your mate, you'll be granted immortality."

  "What is that supposed to mean?"

  "You'll find out in time.  For now, let's just focus on getting you ready.

              ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  With all that has happened with Aurick, things definitely could not have gone better.  She put up a brief struggle at first but things are looking up.  I think curiosity has gotten the better of her. 

  Mother and Onora whisked her away as soon as she awoke, so I haven't had much time to spend with her. 

  I'm not going to lie, when she ran from me it was thrilling to chase after her.  The way she looked up at me as I pinned her down even now stirs me up inside.  I close my eyes, willing myself to calm down; her skin so soft under my fingertips, the way her breath hitched as she knew she was caught in my grasp.  A!  She'll be the death of me, I already see it.

  It's been an hour since we parted ways.  They should be ready by now right?  Leaving my sleeping quarters I head down to the main dining area.  Father is already there, drink in hand.

  "Son, I hear on the grapevine that you have brought a certain human female here.  I trust she will be coming to the evening meal?"

  "As long as she doesn't escape from mother and Onora she will be.  They're currently helping her get ready.  I'm lucky to have found her."

  Father smiles happily.  "We all are lucky to find our mates.  Some never do, you know?  There are those who wait for centuries to feel the pull, but it never comes.  Royalty aren't the only ones with human mates.  It is less common though."

  The sound of feminine voices grab our attention.  Mother and Onora come in first.  Onora is speaking??  It's been almost four decades since we last heard her voice.  I look over at father and he has tears in his eyes. 

  "Oh, my sweet child..it has been too long since I've heard your beautiful voice."

  Onora runs into father's arms.  "Aurick made me realize that it was okay to be upset.  I don't need to punish myself to grieve for big brother."

  Speaking of Aurick, where is she?  I look back to the doors and there she is, watching the scene before her.  The dress that was chosen for her was stunning.  It was a floor length navy blue gown with silver filigree along the edges.

  Noticing me staring at her, a pretty pink blush crept up into her face.  Keeping my eyes on her, I start walking slowly towards her.  As I approach I can tell she's nervous.  Her eyes keep flitting around the room, almost looking for an escape if she needs it. 

  "You look beautiful."

  "Thank you."

  "Don't be so nervous.  Nothing is going to happen to you.  We're just having dinner.  Think of it as a way to get to know each other."

  "Why though?  What is to stop me from walking out those doors?"

  "Sickness.  If you were to leave and go back to the human world you would get sick and eventually fade from this earth.  Your body called to me when it was ready and I came.  There is a bond between us that can only be broken by death."

  "So I can never see my grandmother again?"

  Frowning, "I'm not a monster.  Of course we can visit her.  Only if you were to stay over for more than a few days would your heath start to decline.  Tomorrow we can visit her, but for tonight you need to eat and get some rest.  Your body is still recovering."