Lexie's Choice

Final Scene

PROM WAS PERFECT. Brent and I doubled with Claire and Roddy. The guys had made dinner reservations at a swank restaurant in Portland, so we had some travel time to deal with, but Roddy had splurged for a limo so even the car time was cool.

Our faery-made gowns were worth the trouble. The look on Brent's face when I came down the stairs from Claire's bedroom is permanently engraved in my brain. Awesome doesn't begin to describe the combination of awe, amazement, and pride all wrapped up in thinly disguised lust. I am so asking for a flower faery negligee for our wedding night! But that's years away, so for now, I'll pull out the memory of Brent's expression whenever I need an ego boost.

Claire and I were the hit of the prom. All the girls wanted to know where we'd found our gowns, and what the luscious fabric was. Claire calmly told the truth, they were designer originals made possible by her wealthy grandfather. What did I tell you about faeries and lying? Claire is no exception.

The other guys at the dance were the weird part, they seemed irresistibly drawn to us. Scary, in a very flattering way. But Brent and Roddy were up to the challenge, and after a few minutes the attraction seemed to wear thin. I like to think Roddy cast a protective spell over us. That's certainly more appealing than thinking that all those guys got bored with us so quickly. At any rate, the room returned to normal, and the guys paid proper attention to their own dates. A good thing really. I'd hate for my gown's magic to kill someone else's dream when I was having an absolutely perfect night!

Just before midnight, the weirdest thing happened. Everyone in the room froze, including the musicians. The last note of the song echoed through a suddenly silent room full of statues. Only Claire and Roddy and Brent and I were unaffected.

I moved closer into Brent's arms and glanced around for Claire. She and Roddy walked calmly toward us, hand in hand.

"Don't worry. Everyone's fine. We're in a time distortion. Evidently, someone wants to talk to us."

Brent's arms tightened around me, and I glanced up and caught his gaze. At least we were together for this faery encounter.

Roddy nodded to Brent. "She'll be safe, Brent. Just follow our lead."

Brent nodded and relaxed a bit, but didn't release me. Which was a good thing. I had no desire to leave the security of his embrace.

I looked around, wondering how long this distortion thing could last, when the air in front of us wavered and three faery males shimmered into existence.

Claire curtsied. Roddy bowed. And Brent and I untangled and silently followed suit.

"Your Royal Highness," Claire said, head still bowed. "I didn't expect you to attend my prom."

"Rise and be at ease," King Alberic commanded. Once we were all upright, he stepped forward and kissed Claire's cheek, before turning to nod to Roddy.

When he turned to me, I wanted to sink into the floor.

"I am pleased to see you again, friend of my granddaughter, and you also, young man."

"Thank you, sire." Brent sounded so calm. Like he spoke to faery kings every day. I mumbled something that I hoped would pass as pleasant.

"Sir Geoffrey has commended you to me, Miss Davis. He tells me you are a worthy human."

I glanced up and recognized the other two faeries. King Alberic's emissaries, Cadmar and Jeff.

"I was impressed with Lexie, sir. Her reasoning is sound and her intuition impeccable," Jeff said. "In addition to being dear to our princess, I believe she is a human of worth in her own right."

My face flamed. I'm not used to praise. I mean, I'm a good kid. I work hard, help my parents as much as I can, and get good grades, but I'm nothing special. Except for Claire and Brent. They're the ones who make me shine.

Brent squeezed my hand, and Claire beamed at me.

The Faery King nodded. "Miss Davis, because of the good report of my advisor, and because of your own good judgment in your recent test"—I could feel Brent's puzzled gaze—"I have decided to grant you a boon."

"A-a boon, your highness?" What in the world did that mean?

"Yes. A boon. A gift, if you will."

"What sort of gift, Grandfather?" Claire asked.

"Miss Davis, I believe you desire to attend college?"

"Y-yes, sir. I do." Like that was going to happen. I made good grades, but not good enough to earn a scholarship at the university of my dreams.

"Well. Apply carefully. You will be accepted at any institution you choose."

My jaw dropped.

"Further," he continued, "you will be offered a full scholarship. Your tuition, books, lodging - every expense will be covered."

The room started to spin, and I leaned heavily against Brent. His arm encircled my waist, giving me the support I desperately needed.

"This will be a financially free ride, I think you would say, but you will work for your grades. No magic will convey to your coursework. That must be accomplished completely on your own."

He paused and studied my face, which must have looked like a ghost's, all my blood having retreated to my core to keep my heart functioning.

"Do not abuse this privilege, Miss Davis. Choose wisely and work hard."

"Uh, of course, sir. I-I'm..." Speechless was what I was. Too completely flustered to string words together in meaningful sentences.

Claire rescued me, stepping forward to hug her grandfather. "That is so totally awesome, Grandpa! Lexie's thrilled. She's just too stunned to talk right now. But she'll snap out of it, and I'll give you a full report when she does."

Roddy and Brent chimed in, "Thank you, sire."

"Yes. Thank you. This is too good for words."

Jeff moved to stand beside me as I clung to Brent like a drowning girl clutches a life preserver. Jeff placed a finger under my chin and lifted so that our gazes met. "You are worthy, Lexie. Make of your life what you will. Make your dreams come true."

And then they vanished, and we were once again in the midst of happily gyrating bodies.

Dude. Faeries can be dangerous, but they can also ROCK! They'd certainly made my prom experience totally unforgettable.

I turned in Brent's arms and grinned at him, envisioning a wonderful future where I'd be able to join him at college next year, and we'd live happily ever after. My own personal faery tale...with an amazingly awesome ending.

*~*~*

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This story is now complete. Want to know more about Lexie and her best friend Claire? Read Claire's story in Faery Unexpected - http://www.amazon.com/Faery-Unexpected-Deb-Logan-ebook/dp/B005WUE7Y8/

Ever wondered what it would be like to be a hereditary demon hunter? Get to know Dani in DEMON DAZE - you can read it right here on Wattpad! - https://www.wattpad.com/story/21129283-demon-daze

Visitdeblogan.wordpress.com to learn more about Deb's currently available work.