Found: A Sage Hollins Novel

CHAPTER EIGHT

I was a puddle of bliss. She wanted me, she desired me. And I felt truly to my core that it wasn't just the Moon that bound us together. She was meant to be mine. The way she had kissed me...she kissed me! Oh and she teased me, taunted me with remnants of the dream we both shared each night...she would pay for that. Oh  in all the best ways...

"I miss you." I typed the message and couldn't help but smile, I wouldn't be missing her for long. 

She had given me her phone number the night before, as we said our "Goodnights". This gave me hope that she was willing to try. My Queen. 

"Reid, are you up?" the hoarse voice barked from beyond my bedroom door. 

I groaned, in too good of a mood to want it tampered with by my father.

"Yeah." I said reluctantly, not moving as the door opened. 

"Pfft."  he scoffed, "Up? This generation- get your ass out of bed. You have a tux fitting in fifteen minutes. You will not embarrass me at my own wedding." 

Father was a tall looming man, who made it his mission in life to remind me what a failure I was to him. 

"You're still married to Mother." I whispered under my breath.

"Your mother was a peasant b***h, and we are better off without her. We are royalty. My marriage to her was a farce to please the Moon Goddess. That obligation ended the day her reign ended. Now get up and get your lazy ass down to the sitting room for your fitting." his yellow eyes looked at me in disgust.

"I don't think Wren has your best interests at heart, Father." I attempted.

Rage filled him the room sparking with its energy, "Wren will be our new Queen. Show her some respect."

Little did he know, I had already found our new Queen...but I couldn't tell him that. Not yet. Sage was not ready...

"How is that possible, Father? No King has reigned twice in the history of our people." At this point I wasn't doing myself any favors. 

He gritted his perfectly polished teeth, "Well your b***h mother neglected our kingdom an heir until the very last minute. Because of this, we will have to make an exception. If you ever find your true mate, you will be given the opportunity to rule with the next reign."

"But-" I started.

"Shut up. You are in no position to argue with me!" he was booming now. 

This still didn't prepare me for the blow that knocked me backward.

"Don't you ever question your King again." he spat before turning on his heels and exiting my room.

Pain swelled in my cheek where the back of his hand had impacted, and hurt swarmed through my heart. 

                                                                    SAGE 

"I miss you." I read his text with a grin on my face. 

"Whatcha smilin' at baby?" my mother asked from across the table. 

I hadn't told her that I had kissed Reid, or even seen him. I was worried she would be upset. I knew eventually she would find out, but I wanted the opportunity to explore my feelings with him, without her judgement. 

"Nothing, just glad I finally finished my algebra notes. I have a huge test today. I've been so distracted lately, I'm glad I was able to carve out the time to finish." it was a lie, and I would probably fail that test. 

She c****d her head to the side and said, "Ahh, I see. Well good luck on your test today, dear."

"Ya know, Sage. If you're struggling with math, we have plenty of algebraic texts in the library." Dad said absently, while he combed through a poetry book, his other hand guiding his coffee to his mouth. Mom still hadn't spoken with him about the faery situation, she was worried how he'd handle it. Something told me Daddy would be just fine. 

I smiled at him, "I know, Daddy. Thank you." Mom chuckled, squeezing his hand. 

They were the most beautiful couple I had ever seen. I remembered being a child and watching the way they loved each other. With kindness, grace and respect. I found myself hoping I could have all of that with Reid. Then I found myself questioning how I went from fighting the urge to see him, to thinking about our future together, our future children even... The words, "meant-to-be", were all that came to mind. 

"Sage! Sage!" I heard my name being called as I emptied the contents of my bag into my locker. I hadn't been the most present at school in the last month, and I knew that I needed to try to push my "extra curriculars" to the back of my mind, at least while I was at school.

Millie was running down the bustling hallway, pushing her blue-framed glasses up the bridge of her nose. She was probably my only friend in the world, but she made up for it by being incredibly loyal. 

She swatted her auburn ringlet curls away from her face as she stormed up to me coming to a grinding halt as she got closer. 

"Where have you been?! I've been calling and texting you all weekend!" her voice was squeaky and impatient. 

I chuckled, "I'm sorry, I was caught up." 

She c****d an eyebrow at me, "With what? You're never caught up with anything. I thought you died or something."

"I was just...busy." I stammered. 

"Come to think of it, you've been a little off for weeks." she paused, as if deep in thought, "Do you not want to be friends with me anymore?!" 

Millie was a little chaotic, but I loved her for it. What other people thought to be annoying or nerdy, I found to be charming and passionate. 

I giggled, "Oh Mil, of course I want to be friends with you. You're like my sister."

Her expression changed to comfort then reverted back to confusion, "Then why do I feel like you're keeping something from me?"

"Well...if you must know.." I started.

"Tell me! I feel like I've been going crazy!" she did a little hop in her overalls. 

"I met someone." I let out a breath and leaned against my locker, Reid's face coming to mind.

There was a long silence while Millie processed this news. 

"Like a someone someone?!" I could tell she was trying to contain her excitement. 

I gave a light nod, "More than a someone. More like...an everything..." 

Her blue eyes had turned to saucers, "No way, no WAY! Tell me absolutely every detail!"

I choked. I wanted to tell her everything, about Reid, the mate bond, being a faery! But could I? 

"I will...after school. Come over and I'll tell you everything." I wasn't sure how much that would actually be, but I had time to think about it. 

The rest of the day dragged on relentlessly, going class to class, listening to lectures and the mundane drama of other teen girls. It all seemed so pointless now, now that I knew there was a whole other world just outside these doors. I wanted to see it, to travel it. 

Before now all I ever wanted to do was stay in my library, my safe haven. Leaving would mean leaving behind my parents who would never give up the home they'd made together. I would be alone. Everything had changed though...now I had the possibility of a partner to see it all with. To visit Rome, Ireland, Spain...wherever we wanted, we could go. 

"Sage, are you listening?" Millie's voice pulled me out of my daydream.

"Huh?"

"My mom texted me after fourth period. I have some dumb dinner to go to with my aunt and cousin from San Fran. I guess they're in for the weekend. Can I come by tomorrow?" she was stuffing her backpack with the homework that had just been passed back from the desks in front of us. 

The bell indicating the end of the day had finally come and I let out a sigh of relief. The smell of Hunter Wardel's gym socks in his bag behind me were giving me a headache. 

I nodded, "Of course. Let me know what time, maybe we can go to the lake."

"Ooo, that sounds perfect. Let's plan for around eleven?" she stood, "I can't wait to hear all about your boyfriend." 

Boyfriend. What a weird way to think of him...considering our souls were tied together by a Goddess. 

"He's not my...well we haven't given it a label." I stammered. 

"Have you kissed?" she pushed. 

"Well, yeah but-"

"Then he's your boyfriend. Don't ruin this for me, I'm so excited for you!" she did one of her cute little hops and gave me a quick side hug before dashing out of the classroom. 

I gathered my work and began to follow, but Mr. Eckle's, the algebra professor halted me. 

"Ms. Hollins, I need to have a discussion with you." his voice cracked like a boy going through puberty and his breath reeked of day old tuna salad. 

"I would, but I'll miss my bus Mr. E.-" I started. 

"I'm sure your new boyfriend can get you a ride." he said, sarcastically, "But I need to talk to you about your grade."

Everything inside me wanted to shove past him. How was algebra important right now? 

"Mr. E seriously, I have to go-" I tried to step past him but he held his arm out in front of the threshold.

"No, Sage, this cannot wait. Over the last month I have noticed a rapid decline in your participation. You have not turned in a single assignment and your grade is suffering because of it. I know that math has never been your strong suit but your grade right now is simply unacceptable. I don't know if this sudden new relationship you've found yourself in is affecting your academics at all, but it might be worth putting on pause. At least until graduation." I stepped back away from him to avoid being spit on with every, 's' sound he made. 

"Graduation?" 

"Yes. I'm afraid that if you do not get your grade up to at least a C you will not  be able to graduate with your class."

My jaw hit the floor, "Wait what?!"

"I know with a little bit of perseverance and focus you will be able to-" but his words faded out as reality had set back in. 

The last month had been all about Reid, the mate bond, my future...but what would my future be if I didn't at least graduate?! There was only a month left of school. Four weeks. How was I supposed to go from failing miserably to passing in four weeks?