His Dark Fairy

Chapter 4: Secrets

Avilee’s POV

It’s been almost 48 hours and I am still not okay. I am so hurt. I know Sebastian is a total player, every fairy in the kingdom knows that, but I never expected to find him like that with our wedding day so close. I’m literally just laying here in my bed processing everything over and over. I downright refused to join my mother and the Queen Mother, the other afternoon and they were both furious. Apparently King Magnus is moving the wedding up a few days because of Prince Sebastian’s recent behavior and people beginning to talk. He seems to think his son might keep it in his pants once he’s married him off and stop being such an embarrassment. I seriously doubt it though. The wedding is a week away from today and I realize my 21st  birthday is only a few days later. I feel a wave of sorrow wash over me with the realization that I will never activate my mate bond and find the true love our Divine Mother has selected for me. I wipe a heavy tear from my cheek. I’m grounded for my behavior, and refusal to participate willingly in any wedding “stuff” as my mother refers to it. I haven’t seen Jasmine in 2 days and I need to vent. I also feel my bad mood vanishing as I realize just how curious I am to hear about her lunch with Jackson. I’ve never disobeyed my parents, that is until now. I need to see my best friend, I need to find a way out, and I need to find out if my besty finally made a move on her crush. I take a deep breath and close my eyes concentrating. Inside I am having an epic battle with myself on what to do next. I can’t stay locked up and marry Sebastian, I hate him there’s no way, but I don’t want to hurt my parents. 

Suddenly the sweetest most melodic voice whispers, “Go to Jasmine.” I sit straight up and my eyes fly open. What the h*ll? Am I hearing things I think to myself? 

I am just about to dismiss it all and convince myself that I am just mentally exhausted when I hear the voice again, “ It is very important you must go and see Jasmine.” 

“Who are you?” I send back urgently, but there is no reply, only the sound of an owl whoo whooing in the distance. The moon is almost full because the fall solstice is near one more week, seven days, until the full moon and my dreadful wedding night. Another tear leaks out and I swiftly wipe it away. I stand and look in the mirror. I am a mess. Yet I am not in the mood for a shower. I will have to make myself presentable in case I am seen, but I also feel the need to be stealthy. First I focus on my face. My eyes are puffy and red. I am no healing fairy by any means but I think I can handle this one. I think cool soothing thoughts and imagine the swelling going down. I rub small gentle circles across my eyes until they don’t hurt anymore. I slowly open my eyes and blink a few times before checking the mirror to be sure I look decent. That isn’t so bad I whisper to myself. I take a deep breath and picture my make up with a natural smokey eye, nothing too fancy but enough that I don’t appear to be heartbroken. My hair is a mess. I swirl my hands around my head and picture sleek soft straight black hair. No time for fun colors and I don’t want to draw attention to myself. Damn it’s amazing what a magical makeover can do for the soul. I am already starting to feel better. I head to my closet in search of something stealthy. After a lot of rummaging and several rejected options I finally settle on a tight pair of black yoga pants, nothing fancy but boy do they hug my curves in all the right ways. I try on at least 10 different tops before deciding on a cute long sleeve black t-shirt. I change into a lacy black bra for good measure and because I am feeling pretty and sexy. Then pull the shirt on. It is incredibly soft and warm against my skin made from ridiculously expensive cotton I am sure. The neckline is plunging and my br**sts are fighting to escape. I can’t believe how hot I look when I am up to no good.

I mind link Jasmine, Can you meet me in the gardens in 10? I need to see you.    

She responds quickly, In our spot, anything for you. 

I decide to peek out the door. My parents are in the living room watching the news. They are talking all about the royal wedding, barf. I realize I am going to have to go out the window, but before I quietly close my door to leave I notice how happy they look. My father is gently rubbing my mother’s neck while she sits on the floor below him rubbing his feet. They are so lucky. They love each other so much. I want that so bad. I realize there is a longing for true love deep inside me and I make up my mind I have to find it. With that I gently close my door and turn to fly out my window. 

I make it to the magnolia tree where Jasmine and I first met. This has always been our special place. She’s already there waiting for me. 

“Dang girl, planning a burglary?” She remarks with a laugh. I roll my eyes. This girl always knows how to turn my frown upside down. 

“You know I had to sneak out,” I sigh, “I am super grounded.” Jasmine raises an eyebrow and I start to explain everything, launching into the details and trying not to cry. When I finish telling Jasmine all that happened with Sebastian, my mother, and Shayleigh she wraps me in the biggest bear hug ever. 

“Oh my Goddess,” she exclaims. “Avilee, I had no idea! My mother said you were sick with a cold from all the wedding stress and the cool weather settling in.” She brushes away a tear. I always forget Jasmine is an emote fairy first and a warrior second. Everything I feel is amplified for her so I can only imagine how much sadness she is feeling from me. 

“There’s something else,” I confess to Jasmine. 

“What is it?” She coaxes nervously. 

“I am not going through with it.” I declare my voice thick with determination. “I am not going to marry him. I am not going to marry that awful Prince Sebastian. I am going to find a way to get out of it. A way to escape. I want to find my true love mate. Even if it means running away and I want you to help me.” Jasmine sits quietly for a moment. I can tell she is thinking really hard about something.

 After a few moments she responds, “Avilee, I need you to trust me and to listen to me, can you do that?” I stare at her eyes wide and nod my head in agreement. Jasmine starts to whisper now, “It’s really important you keep this a secret, but in a few days something is going to happen. I can’t tell you what yet because I am not sure I even know. We need to be prepared. I have heard some things though and something is definitely going to happen. If I come to you and tell you we need to leave then I need you to be ready. Pack a small back pack with a week's worth of clothes. Normal clothes, nothing fancy jeans and t-shirts, and an extra pair of running shoes. I am going to do everything I can to make sure you are safe but I can’t say any more about it. It’s not safe.” 

I take a big gulp and then whisper, “Jasmine I will always trust you. You are my only friend, the only fairy who has ever been kind to me. You healed my heart and brought me happiness when I first arrived here. I remember I used to cry under this tree every afternoon when lessons ended, until the day you brought me ginger snaps. I knew then we would be friends forever.” 

Jasmine hugs me tight again, then whispers, “You better get back. The last thing we need is for you to get into more trouble. I nod in silence as we lock eyes and she turns to walk away. I let out a huge sigh. Things just got more complicated. There are so many things I want to ask and to talk to Jasmine about, but I get the feeling it will have to wait and we may not be seeing much of each other over the next few days. I pick a flower off the magnolia tree and bury my nose in it as I head back to the castle.