BAILE (Where We Come Home)

Chapter 25 Another Realm

"I'm glad things are going so well."

I stroked Sir Walter as I spoke with Riley on the phone. "Yeah, it's nice here."

"I spoke with Mr. O'Neil today, I didn't know you were in the choir."

"I've been in a choir since I could speak." I told him.

"I bet you sing like an angel."

I smiled at his speculation. "Hardly."

"Don't be modest. Why don't you sing for me?"

I pushed Sir Walter off me so I could lie on my stomach. "You don't want to here me sing."

"Of course I do."

Nerves made butterflies flutter in my stomach at the thought of singing for him. "What should I sing?"

"Anything." He answered softly.

I took a deep breath before beginning. "Thought I found a way thought I found a way out." I sang soft and high. "But you never go away, so I guess I gotta stay now. Oh, I hope some day I'll make it out of here, even if it takes all night or a hundred years. Need a place to hide, but I can't find one near. Wanna feel alive, outside I can't fight my fear. Isn't it lovely, all alone, heart made of glass, my mind of stone. Tear me to pieces, skin and bone. Hello, welcome home." I let my voice fade out before waiting for Riley's response.

"Your voice does not compare to any angel." Through the phone he sounded awestruck. "When you come home, we should sing together." Home? I questioned myself.

"You sing?"

"You're not the only one who was in the choir back in the day."

I smiled. "I can't image you in a choir." I found it hard to imagine Riley being so young.

"Yeah well I gave it up in high school." He said dismissively. "Goodnight Isla."

"Riley." I studied the chipped nail polish on my fingers that sparkled under the light of my bedside lamp.

"Yes?"

"I miss you." It had barely been forty-eight hours and I felt so lonely without him. Uisneach was so far away.

"I miss you too."

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight." We both waited a beat before hanging up simultaneously.

I pressed my face into the covers, feeling Sir Walter's warm body thrumming against my head as I drifted away.

I wandered underground, within a tunnel of walls carved from the earth. Roots weaved between the cracks of dirt, waving my way as I passed, attempting to touch my skin. A bright light poured forth ahead as the tunnel gradually opened up to reveal a glittering room cut from rose quartz with a dome ceiling made with trillions of multicoloured butterflies. I looked down from the ceiling to see a huge court consisting of Fae knights and nobles gathered in the room, with hair and skin of all colours and some even with vines for hair or twigs protruding from their skin.

My eyes followed the line to a gorgeous throne cast from roots, flowers and gems. Sitting upon the throne was an unearthly looking Faerie with flowing blue hair that fell to the marble floor, pointed ears and sharp cheekbones. Her eyes were sapphires, a solid blue that made them looked as if they were polished from stone. Her dress and crown were made of honey coloured gems, butterflies and flowers. I couldn't pull my eyes away as she smiled down at her court of devout followers. Her teeth were small and slightly pointed, her lips thin. Her smile subsided as she turned her head to meet my eyes. I froze. Surely she couldn't see me. But what if she could?

Her elongated nails dug into the arms of her throne as she continued to gaze upon me, as if not truly believing she could see me either.

'Cursed Child.' She spoke in a language I had never heard before, but somehow I could understand her words.

I awoke late in the morning. I never woke late.

I rolled out of bed, sending Sir Walter meowing angrily as he landed on all fours on my bedroom floor.

I didn't bother changing, wrapping my dressing gown around myself before heading downstairs.

"Somebody looks like they slept well." My mother remarked.

I mumbled incoherent sounds in response as I fetched myself breakfast.

"I'll help you with your bags, you have to leave in an hour."

"Okay." I yawned, dropping down on my seat with a thump. I wrote in my journal while I ate, about the Seelie Queen and a court full of Faeries.

I crept my way back upstairs after breakfast, taking a hot shower before changing into jeans and a sweater. I packed my bags before meeting Eliza downstairs.

"What did you dream about?" She asked.

"How do you know I was dreaming?"

Eliza shrugged. "You never sleep in, I figured you must have been dreaming something nice."

"Yeah well, I was dreaming something." I handed a bag to my mother to carry to the taxi.

"Anna will be back tomorrow." Eliza reminded me as we climbed into the car.

We bid our parents goodbye as we watched our home fade into the distance.

"I'm sure next week will be a load of fun." I said with sarcasm.

We arrived at school at our usual time. The hallways were cloaked with darkness that seemed darker than outside as we attempted to navigate our way upstairs. Eliza left me behind as I struggled with my bags. I groaned with exasperation as my suitcase clattered all the way down the staircase. I went back down, as I bent down to lift my suitcase a scream was drawn from the back of my throat at the sight of a pair of boots.

A finger was pressed against my lips and Riley stepped into what little light there was so I could see his face.

I looped my arms around his neck and he slipped his arms around my waist as we kissed. I missed him more than I thought I would have as I breathed in his delicious scent.

"How was your trip?"

"Tiring." I replied against his lips.

"Did you sleep?" He asked, softly biting my lip.

"A little."

"Let me help you with your bags." He released one arm to lift my suitcase on his shoulder, carrying it upstairs without breaking a sweat. Stopping at my door he dropped the suitcase at my feet, his left hand still in mine.

"After class tomorrow, can you meet me in my office?"

I nodded. "Sure."

"Get some sleep." He kissed my forehead.

"I will." I squeezed his hand before hauling my bags into my room. I left them by the door, crawling into bed and falling asleep instantly.