Remember

Chapter 9

I did open my eyes to starlight sparkles and butterflies of water fluttering around me. The watering hole was transformed into a magical place unlike anything I had ever seen. I turned around and saw Ares, but he too had changed. 

He was Fae. 

I had read many books with them in it, but never in a million did I think they'd be real. His eyes were still very green and his hair a black purple, but this time it was faded on the sides and long on top slicked back. He wore the same tight black shirt, but his muscles were more defined and he had array of tattoos on both arms. The ears were the most noticeable as they were pointy and had pinky size plugs in each ear lobe. He was every girls dream emo bad boy mixed with a mystical creature. 

He started to circle around me. 

"Are you surprised?" He asked with a smile and I could see straight white teeth and fangs. 

I was speechless and couldn't say anything. 

"You don't have to be afraid of me Emma." 

"I'm not afraid of you Ares." 

"Good." 

I looked down at my finger and saw the cut he had made. 

"What was that?" I asked him 

"A blood oath." 

"Oh." 

"We are bound to each other. You must keep this a secret." 

"What happens if I don't." 

"You die." 

"Oh." 

"Sorry...old ancient rules, but I don't think you'd break it." 

"Never." I said 

"I take it you know what I am." He asked 

"You are Fae. The highest form of Faeries." I told him 

"You are very bright aren't you." 

"Why me?" I asked him

"Why did I reveal myself to you?" 

I nodded my head 

"Is it not obvious Emma?" 

I looked down and tried to hide a smile. He came up to me and I had never been so nervous before in my life. He touched my face with his hand and guided me to look at him. He was so gorgeous I wanted to melt into a puddle or cry because I was in big trouble to be very much in love with him. 

We stood there for a long moment getting lost in each others eyes. I wanted him to kiss me. I had wanted him to take me and kiss me long and hard and forever, but he did no such thing. 

"I can't Emma." He said, "I want to, but I just can't." 

"Can you read my mind?" 

"No just your face. I can just see it written all over your face." 

"Why can't you?" 

He let out a heavy sigh and turned away from me. 

"Jenna really isn't my sister." 

"Oh..." and then I thought for a moment, "Oh!" My voice changed 

"My uncle specifically sent me here to try and connect with her as a potential future bride, but I really can't stand her. She is young and immature, even for a half blood Fae she is really more human than you are and your human." 

"You can't choose your own partners?" 

"You can, but...Jenna's family are far and few between as they hold ties to this land and the Fae realm. Her family is well off and my uncle wants to important things between realms and Jenna's father is a very big entrepreneur. They are trying to match us together, but I don't see it happening."

"Have you told your uncle yet?" 

"No, but I am going to." 

"And do you think he will like your answer?" 

"Defiantly not. He is very old school about blood lines and even though Jenna is only half her blood line is very strong and powerful. Not as powerful as mine, but still powerful enough." 

"Does she know?" 

"Yes, but she won't transform and get her powers until she has her first period." 

"Funny..." 

"What is?" 

"I assumed she already had it." 

"Why?" He asked 

"Well her and Casey teased me for being older and not having mine yet." 

"You don't have your period?"

"No, the doctor said it's because I am athletic and that is why." 

He didn't say anything and moved toward a tree stump to sit down. 

"What is wrong?" I asked 

"Nothing. I just also assumed you had yours." 

"Oh well sorry to disappoint you I guess." 

"No you didn't." 

"Ok." 

"Its complicated Emma."

"You just revealed to me your biggest secret and you want to talk about things being complicating." 

Ares let out a big sigh. 

"We are ancient creatures, but a lot of our ways have been either cast our or not used for centuries. We are up and coming as you humans would say. Except for the blood oath those will never go away. When a Fae male finds his mate he is protective of her and she is equally as protective of him, but you are not Fae. You are a human and there are half blood Fae's, but those blood lines are old and carry on deep. My uncle put an end to Fae and humans together it became too much as Fae never grow old and don't die very easily, but humans are fragile and we saw too many humans dying and two many half fae blood lines being carried on that it was causing a riff in our culture. So like I said my uncle put an end to Fae's and humans falling in love and procreating." 

I listened intently as he continued, "But now things are different because of you and I can't help it. I can't help not being around you, but what scares me the most Emma is you haven't started your period and once you do I will be come primal more than I already am. I'll want to do things to you and I am afraid I'll hurt you." 

I went over by him, "Ares." now it was my turn to have him look up at me. 

I knelt down and kissed his cheek.

"We will cross that bridge when it is time. For now I think since I am already here and have my swim suit on we should take advantage of this beautiful night and go for a night swim." 

I let out my hand and he took it. I could feel him through me as we walked down to the water He took of his shirt and jeans showing very tight boxers briefs and I took off my clothes and folded them gently on a rock. I could feel him watching me as I was only in my bathing suit which was a black and white tripped bikini, I wasn't shy around him anymore. I was pretty fit for a teenager due to being in sports and always walking or riding my bike around town. Even my breast were starting to show and they were perky which made me concerned about what he said because I knew it would only be a matter of time before my period was to show up, but I didn't want to think about it right now. All I wanted was to embrace my time with him especially if I was to be grounded for now until eternity. I just wanted to be with him and only him. 

Like last time the water was warm and very inviting. We swam and played under the night stars. After wards as I dried myself off with a towel and Ares came toward me with his shirtless body which made his tattoos more visible I saw how they almost covered his back and his chest. 

"Are you intimidated by the tattoos?" He asked me as I was caught staring at them 

"Maybe a little. What do they mean?" 

"War, family, and royalty." 

"Royalty?" 

"My Uncle is a king Emma which makes me a...."

"A prince?" 

"Yeah, but I'm not exactly excited about it." 

"Why not?" 

"Because being a Fae prince is not easy and I am the next in line because my uncle never married or had children of his own. It is a lot of responsibility and I'm just not sure I want that."

"You said the Fae realm was up and coming with some moderation maybe things won't be so barbaric." 

"You know a lot about my kind." He glared 

"I read a lot. I am assuming they're are humans that still go to the realm." 

"Only those who are able to with their blood lines. My uncle won't allow humans to enter. He says they cause too much drama I suppose." 

"I can agree to that." I laughed 

I put my clothes back on after I felt I was dried off enough. He grabbed me gently and turned me to face him. 

"Want to go to the shack?" He asked me 

"Sure." 

"Hold on tight." 

I hugged him tight and could smell is scent of high end cologne and his own pheromones. I was unsure of what to expect and with a quick heart beat I could taste the magic and we had vanished and warped to the shack, but it was different. It wasn't run down like before. No instead it was a full functioning condo almost with a kitchenette, a medium size leather couch with a flat screen mounted on the wall, and a giant bed. His decor was that of dark art and artifacts. The only thing that didn't change was the giant wall that was open and I assumed magic kept creatures from the woods from coming in. 

"You live here don't you?" I asked 

"Yes and I am only at Jenna's parents house when they have guest." 

"And you can change your appearance and the appearance of your home by magic?" 

"I am a very powerful Fae prince Emma." 

I walked around admiring the art on the wall as they were very extreme pieces of images of demons and darkness. It was an expression of who he was. 

"Did you paint these?" I asked 

He smiled, "No, but I collect them. These are all my favorite and I take them everywhere with me." 

He watched me as I continued to survey them. I turned around. 

"Would you like something to drink?" 

"Water is fine." I said 

"Are you ok?" 

"It is a lot to take in I suppose especially for someone as young as me. I guess most girls my age are going to the mall and hanging out with friends having little crushes on guys." 

"You have a crush on me." He said 

I gave him a look and he smiled to tease me. 

"I feel dumb thinking it couldn't be possible. No girl falls in love at 15, but it could be possible could it?" 

"Time in the Fae realm is different. Hard to explain, but it's like a different demention. We can live for hundreds of years and never find our true love our true mate. Its an anciet thing that still holds true. We are like wolves and we mate for life." 

"So is that what you think I am. Your mate?" 

"Yes, but I won't know until you start your period." 

"Got it." 

"Here you go." He handed me a water bottle, "Want to watch a movie?" He asked 

"Sure, but no scary ones please." 

"Really?" He laughed 

"Yes I am a big baby when it comes to scary movies." 

"Explains all the stuffed animals." 

"Hey!" I pushed him a little. 

He laughed again and walked over to his couch and clicked on the tv. I sat down on the opposite side of him and out of nowhere the softest blanket covered us up. 

"Impressive." 

"I try." He smiled, "Alright no scary movies. How about drama or action." 

"It doesn't matter." 

We scanned until we both came across one that we really liked about a murder mystery. No matter how much I wanted to crawl up and have him wrap his arms around me I didn't move. I'd catch myself looking at him in his Fae form and was mesmerized by how enchanting and beautiful he was. He would turn and catch me, but I'd turn away back to the movie. I knew I was going to be in deep s**t when I got home, but I never received a text message or a frantic call. I thought maybe my parents were waiting until I returned to catch me sneaking back in to make it even more dramatic for them. I knew it was late because I was starting to get sleepy and I was never one to stay up late. A reason why I hated sleepovers. I tried my best to stay awake and had laid my head down on the arm rest cuddled up in the giant blanket mer feet away from him. I was tempted to go to his bed, but I thought that would be an invitation for other things and I wasn't ready for them. My eyes grew heavy and eventually I was fast asleep and prayed to a power above that I didn't snore. 

I woke up in my own room, in my own bed, and I was wearing my night time clothes. How this was possible was beyond me. I remembered last night. I remembered him and who he was and is. I remember because how could I forget about the most amazing and magical night of my life. I got up and walked out to the kitchen and my mom was making a cup of coffee preparing for work. 

"Casey has practically moved in with Jenna." She said sounding frustrated. 

"Good place for her." I said 

"Not funny. Jake is beyond pissed because he thinks she should come home and be some what of a family member." 

"Well I would say I agree, but I actually am enjoying the peace and quiet." 

My mom sipped on her coffee and I was daydreaming about Ares. 

"I like him." She said 

"Who?" I snapped out of my trance 

"Ares." 

"Me too." 

"Your going to be 16 soon." 

"And a senior." 

"I know." 

"What is wrong mom?" 

"I wasn't much older then you were when I got pregnant." 

"Well you don't have to worry about it because nothing is going to happen. I promise you. Ares is not that kind of guy." 

"I hope not, but just be careful and I also want you to know that you can come to me for anything." 

"I know mom. I appreciate it. See there are perks too having a young mom." 

"I guess. Well I'm off to work and I'll be working late same with Jake." 

"Ok mom. I'll be fine. Surprised you aren't dragging me off to Jenna's house." 

She sighed, "I'm trying to learn to let go and realize you are maturing and old enough to be home alone." She enunciated the home alone as in do not have Ares here without an adult. 

"Also it wasn't you I was worried about it was Casey, but she is already there so." My mom grabbed her purse and her car keys

"I'll be fine mom have a good day at work." 

"Bye honey." She gave me a kiss on the cheek and walked out the door. I heard her car drive away and I was left alone. 

I had gotten ready and rode my bike to Ares's condo. It was hidden deep in the woods. From the outside it look run down and disintegrated, but inside it was alive. 

I walked in putting my backpack down. He was on the couch playing Call of Duty. 

"Hi," 

"Hey," 

"Thank you." I said 

He smiled, "Your welcome. You think I'd let you get ground. Pffft no way." 

I shrugged, "I was preparing for it." I smiled as I sat down. He handed me a controller and I entered the gaming experience with him. 

"Jake is mad at Casey because she refuses to come home." 

"Oh yeah Scarlett has practically adopted her." 

Scarlett was Jenna's mom and she was very sweet and welcoming. 

"They went school shopping." He mentioned as he continued to play the game

"I know. Casey told me after she was trying to give me s**t about us." 

"Have you gone school shopping?" 

"I will eventually." 

I had forgotten that the start of Junior year was right around the corner. I would be spending less time with Ares and more time with my student body. 

"Want to go tomorrow?" 

I sighed, "I hate shopping." 

"Why?"

"I hate asking my parents for money. I mean I have money saved up from working I would just rather save that for when I need a car." 

"What do you want to go to college for?" He asked 

"What do your parents do exactly?" 

"Well my mom is medical assistant, but she is smart enough she could be a doctor if she really wanted to and Jake works two jobs. He works at the chain food store and couple nights a week he delivers pizza." I laughed, "Casey was so pissed because one of her classmates teased her about our dad delivering pizza, but he does it for us." 

"You seem proud of your parents." 

"I am. My mom was very young when she got pregnant with me and didn't have any family around and my dad has never been around-she says he sends money, but I think she just tells me that so I don't worry. Jake is older by 5yrs and Casey's mom died of cancer when she was two. They met each other through mutual friends when Casey was 8 and I was 9." 

"Sad story leads too happy ending." 

"Yeah it does. Most of the time." 

We had finished the game. 

"So what about you. Any siblings? What about your parents?" 

"My mom died when I was young after giving birth to my brother and sister and my father is my uncles general, but its my uncle who acts more like a father sometimes." 

"Twins?" 

"Very rare in the Fae world. They are both wicked and charming all at the same time, but I love them dearly." 

"Do you miss them?" I asked 

"I do, but I enjoy the peace and quiet. They can get into sibling brawls like no other. I just stand by and watch them destroy each other and everything around them." 

"Free entertainment." I laughed 

"Yeah, my father keeps threatening to send them both to the Academy, but some how they weasel their way out of going." 

"What is the Academy?" 

"I a reform school for Fae royalty and lords." 

"Did you go?" 

"No. I did my studies at home with the best of the best teachers and my father and my uncle so they can teach me how to be a leader, but I did spend a lot of time training." 

"For what?" 

"War." 

"War!" 

"We have wars just like humans do too. Ours are a little more barbaric, but not as barbaric as my ancestors." 

"So you've been in battle." 

"Many times." 

"Wait...are you really 18?" 

"What do you think?" He asked

"I think you are a really good liar." 

"I think you are really good at catching my lies. No I am not 18." 

I thought for a moment. 

"So how old are you exactly?" 

"I'm afraid I'll scare you away if I tell you." 

"Try me." I said as a challenge 

"Ok fine I will. I am ancient, but I won't give you an exact number." 

I glared at him "Why not?" 

"Because I don't want you to be scared off and think I am some creep preying on you." 

"But you look 18 at best." 

"Fae age differently than humans do." 

"So how old is the oldest living Fae?"

"I'm not sure a week to us is a day to you humans, but I think the oldest was probably a thousand years." 

"A thousand!" 

"Yeah I know crazy right." 

"To have a lot of life to live. You can do a lot of things." 

"Yes you can. I've been to human school countless of times even college." 

"Well what do you think?" I asked him 

"I think the school system is a joke and that the Fae are ahead of their time in that department." 

"Maybe that is why you guys can do magic and we can't." 

"I suppose." 

It was a quiet for a minute. 

"I wish I could take you to my home. You'd love it." 

"Doesn't seem fair does it." 

"What?" He asked 

"You can come here, but I can't go there." 

"No it doesn't. It happened a long time ago. A war between 2 kings and a witch." 

"A witch?" 

"Yeah they are again rare, but are out there. She was said to be the most powerful witch of them all." 

"What happened to her?" 

He seemed to be thinking hard about something. 

"Ares?" I asked 

He looked at me, "Another story for another time." 

The rest of the day was gone talking and learning more and more about each other. 

I rode my bike home and made myself something to eat. I heard the door open and Casey walked in. 

"Well-well-well look what the cat dragged in." I snickered 

"Shut up Emma." As she stormed off to her room and I could have sworn I got a whiff of alcohol as she passed by and I had a feeling that her and Jenna we clearly up to no good during her stay. I laughed to myself that they probably got caught and she'd be forever grounded. I had work the next morning and went to bed early that night. I had a dream about Ares. I wasn't sure if it was something he had planted or if my subconscious was doing it all on her own, but to me it didn't matter because I was with Ares in his home and for some reason I felt as if I was home too.