Born Of Nothing

16

8 My excursion to Strabane had gone unnoticed by my mother, which gave me the confidence to plan my next outing. Our only living family was my mother’s sister, Cara, who lived some hours away near Clifden in County Galway. The two didn’t visit each other often but my mom had planned to spend all of Sunday with her sister, giving me the perfect opportunity to slip away. When I mentioned my plan to Becca, she readily agreed and was relieved to have the help. In the four days since I’d met Fenodree, questions about him had consumed my thoughts. He had been relatively quiet and stoic, but all things considered, he had also been surprisingly normal. How could someone who had been through such hardships still function as if none of it had ever happened? Everything about him captivated my curiosity. By the time I arrived at his hotel Sunday morning, I had chewed my nails to the quick, and I started to second guess my decision to come alone. I chided myself to remember that my visit was not about me—this man needed our help, and I wasn’t going to avoid him just because the situation was intimidating. I quietly knocked on the door, and before long, I was gazing again into his impenetrable dark eyes. “Hey, Fen. I’ve come by for a visit, I hope my timing isn’t a problem.” His brows drew together, and he peered around the hallway. “Has Rebecca come with you?” Was he annoyed that I’d come alone? “N-no,” I stammered. “I had the chance to come out, and she was busy … I hope you don’t mind.” His lips thinned, but he shook his head and stepped aside to let me in. “Of course not, come in.” I didn’t buy that for a second. I walked to the chair I’d occupied at my last visit and set down my backpack before curling up in the chair, knees drawn up to my chest. Fen stood stiffly at his post against the wall not far from me, and it became painfully obvious in the silent room that I had not considered how our interaction would go without Becca’s outgoing personality to grease the wheels. “How have you been?” I asked hesitantly. “I have been well,” he replied formally. Well, fabulous. This was off to a delightful start. Just as I started to contemplate grabbing my bag and running from the room, I recalled the items I’d brought with me. “I almost forgot! I brought you some things,” I said with excitement as I lowered my feet to the ground and pulled my backpack onto my lap. “Becca said you could read—I hope it doesn’t offend you that I asked. Anyway, she said you weren’t big on television, so I brought a book you might like. I imagine sitting in this room gets pretty boring, although maybe you’re used to boring.” My spine stiffened, and I turned wide eyes to Fenodree. “I’m sorry, that’s not what I meant. I just meant it must have been boring while you were in exile, being all alone. Not that you, yourself were boring.” Spectacular, Cat. Could you make a bigger fool of yourself? Not likely. Fen’s posture relaxed, and he released a sigh as if in exasperation. “I am not offended, and I appreciate your concern.” My cheeks heated as I bit down on my lip. “Most of what I read is romance books, and I didn’t figure that would interest you. In school we read a book called, The Hobbit. It can be a little heavy at times, but it’s about a group of people that go on a grand adventure. Since you seem to be the rugged, adventurous type, I thought you might like it.” I handed the book to him and waited as he gave a cursory flip through the pages. “Thank you.” His intense eyes met mine, and I squirmed with embarrassment before turning back to my bag. “I also made some muffins yesterday, so I brought a few. They’re banana nut—hopefully you don’t have a nut allergy. But then I guess the Fae don’t have allergies, do they? Maybe you shouldn’t eat them; I’d hate to be the reason you died when you only just got your freedom.” I held the plastic container full of muffins to my chest and sucked my lips into my mouth. “I’m rambling, aren’t I? When I get nervous, I tend to ramble. I’m sorry.” I watched wide-eyed as he slowly prowled over to where I sat. My head tilted back to hold his gaze, and every thought evaporated from my mind in a puff of smoke. “Stop apologizing,” he warned in a silky voice as he lifted the muffins from my hands. “If I wish for you to stop talking, have no doubt that I will tell you. And I am not sure what an allergy is, but I see no reason why I cannot eat what you have prepared. You would likely be horrified to know some of the things I was made to eat in order to survive. I dare say these will not harm me.” His features remained impassive, but I detected a spark of humor in his eyes. I had never encountered someone who was so contradictory in every way. He didn’t just send mixed signals; his signals were in Swahili, and I was without a translator. His body language, what little there was, conflicted with his words; and if I didn’t know better, I’d say his own thoughts were conflicted. One minute I was sure he wanted me gone, and the next he was being conversational, almost pleasant even. He was unapologetically himself, and yet so reserved that it was hard to tell exactly who that was. The only thing about him that was consistent was his inconsistency. A total enigma. Realizing that my chances of figuring him out were slim to none allowed me to further relax in his company. If he was going to be himself without regard to anyone else’s opinion, then I would do the same. I pulled out an orange that I had brought with me and dug my nails into the thick skin. A spray of tangy citrus juice shot out as I bent back the peel. “Well, I was thinking that we really ought to teach you to use the phone,” I suggested as I continued to peel the orange. He glared at the small black device laying on the dresser. “Rebecca has already attempted to instruct me on its use, but I am not interested in learning. I have lived this long without the need to communicate with others in an instant. I feel certain I will continue to survive in the same manner.” “Well, you should at least keep it charged in case you need it,” I suggested, ignoring his rejection of the device.