Protecting Shaylee (The Fae Guard Book 1) (13 page)

Laila has calmed some of my nerves with her enthusiastic welcome and the tension in my muscles ease. We enter into a white entry way with stunning iridescent marble floors. To the left is an open room with thick, white carpet, just begging for me to squish my toes in, and earth toned furniture, lit softly by the sunshine streaming in through two walls of large picture windows. There are mementos and photographs elegantly displayed around the room, radiating the comfort of home. Nostalgia overtakes me for just a second and I feel a wave of homesickness. Aden’s familiar arms wrap around my shoulders from behind and I can’t help melting into the comfort of his embrace. It’s unsettling that he can see through me so clearly.

I shake off the melancholy mood and follow Laila down a hallway, also littered with pictures. From the similar features, I immediately know that these chronicle the lives of this family. Aden removes one arm but his other whispers down to the small of my back, eliciting a shudder. At the end of the hallway, we enter a large kitchen, resplendent with all the luxuries you could want for baking and cooking. The left and right sides have long islands that divide the space into three rooms, a dining room on the right, and a family room on the left. The space is buzzing with activity. There must be over twenty people helping in the kitchen or lounging around and talking, while several children chase each other around, before collapsing in a laughing heap on the floor. It’s a little overwhelming. What truly grasps my attention, though, is the similar ages of the crowd.

A woman, who very much resembles Laila, breaks away from the group and walks to Aden with her arms wide open. He lets me go to embrace her and leans down to kiss her cheek. I can see the similarities in their looks and age, so I assume that she is another sister.

Aden turns to me with a wide smile on his face, “Mom, this is Shaylee.”

I’m pretty sure my jaw just came unhinged from dropping to the floor so quickly. I’m stunned speechless and I can only imagine how ridiculous I look.
His mom?

His—uh—mother beams at me, grabbing my hands and giving them an affectionate squeeze. “I’m Elysia.” She chuckles at, what I’m sure is, a dumbfounded expression on my face. “Hearing about it and seeing it are two very different things. I can imagine this is a lot to take in,” she says, patting my shoulder sympathetically. I’ve managed to pick my jaw up off the ground, although I am still trying to wrap my head around what I’m seeing. I simply nod. She gives Aden a reproving look, “I’m so happy to finally meet and spend time with you, Shaylee. I’m just sorry my son didn’t give you a little time to adjust before throwing you in the thick of it.”

Kindness and love radiate from her and I find myself reminded of my mom, slowly ebbing away some of my tension and shock. Aden slips his hand around me and settles it on my waist. As much as I loathe admitting it, he chases away the rest of my fears.

“I do have a surprise for you, though.” Elysia motions for us to follow her, and she moves to the family room. We walk behind her, through the aisle created when the group parts for us. A couple sits on a plump, cerulean love seat, looking anxiously in our direction. When I’m better able to observe them, I’m stopped suddenly in my tracks.
It can’t be.
My eyes are glued to the man as he stands and takes a step toward me. I close my eyes tight and prepare to see something different when I open them, but the vision doesn’t change. It’s like I’m staring at my father.

The man peers at me with trepidation and takes a step closer. I’m rooted to my spot and as he nears, I see a small difference in his looks; his lips are thinner and his jaw a little more angular. I consider the woman next to him and see the lips, nose, and face shape of my father. It finally dawns on me, these people are clearly relatives.
My family.
Something in my expression must convey my conclusion, because the man hastens his approach.

“Are you related to my dad?” I question. I want so much to be right.

The woman’s expression brightens at the clear longing in my voice. “We’re your grandparents, Shaylee.”

Once again, I am stunned into silence. But, I recover much quicker this time as joy floods my heart. There is a certain amount of awkwardness as I try to fit two people who look as though they are twenty-five into the box labeled “grandparents.” It’s quickly forgotten when my grandfather, pulls me into a warm hug. He smells like my dad, a woodsy smell like pine trees. I melt into the comfort he offers and fight back the tears that threaten. He releases me and I’m enveloped in the arms of his wife. While I still ache for my mother, the empty space is now partially filled with the familiar comfort of family. After a moment, she releases me and, taking my hand, draws me back to the couch.

I feel resistance and realize someone is holding me back by the belt loop on my jeans. Knowing who the offender is, I turn back to Aden and silently raise an annoyed eyebrow in question. He ignores my pointed look and quietly tells me that he is going to say hello to the rest of his family. Before I can respond, he grabs a front loop and gives it a light tug, pulling me just close enough to brush my lips with a lingering kiss before pivoting and heading toward the kitchen. I watch him walk away and it’s then that I notice the stares of just about everyone, in the room, are on me, but they shift back to their conversations when they see I’ve noticed. The sly smiles however, stay firmly planted on their lips.

That freaking jackass!
He practically branded me in front of all these people,
people I don’t know!
I scowl at Aden’s retreating back, and then roll my eyes in defeat. Whatever . . . I can’t even focus on his antics right now. I make my way to the seat next to my dad’s parents and am once again presented with knowing looks—or look. My grandfather is frowning fiercely in Aden’s direction. His eyes soften when they return to me and he gestures for me to sit.

To my surprise, we fall into conversation easily. Their names are Cerylia and Durin, and I’m told to call them the Cery and Pop. I can’t stifle a laugh at that, and he sheepishly tells me that he overheard it in the human realm and decided he liked it. We are often interrupted by others who stop by to be introduced to me, but I don’t mind. It turns out that many of the visitors are my relatives and are there to welcome me home. I learn that my father was one of eight, and I have many cousins in the area. Cery and Pop lived in another city, several hours away, but have since moved here and I am excited to get to know them. It’s going to take me awhile to get used to most of us looking the same age, with the exception of the children. I expect to find myself overwhelmed at some point, but it never comes. Instead, I feel relief that I am not alone; I am surrounded by family and those who will become great friends.

Despite the many things that are new and unusual, I discover that this world is amazingly similar to the one I was raised in. Everyone has jobs and hobbies, everyday goals that are commonplace in the world. But, a big difference is that there are no separations of class. Everyone is equal and share the same resources. Aden’s parents have a large house to accommodate a large family, and while a family of two could choose a large house too, they often feel more comfortable in a smaller, cozier home. Living with complete honesty means little room for being vain or jealous, although it cannot eradicate it completely. This is not the city of Enoch, lifted up to Heaven for being perfect. The Fae must earn their place by keeping the purity of their soul intact until they are given the opportunity to replace their fallen ancestors in Heaven.

Eventually, we are called for dinner, a buffet having been set up along the counters in the kitchen. When our plates are full, I’m led to a seat where I can continue to get to know people. Every once in a while, I see Aden checking up on me, when he sees that I am not being suffocated and am enjoying myself, a warm smile comes over his face, and he returns to visiting.

Long after the meal is done and put away, the exhaustion from the last couple of days starts to weigh me down. The sun is just beginning to set, though I feel as if it were late into the night, and I wonder at being tired so early in the evening. The crowds have dispersed, and it’s just my grandparents left among a few members of Aden’s family. He has an incredibly large family, with nine brothers and sisters. A yawn escapes me and I look at Cery and Pop apologetically.

“The last few days must be getting to me; I’m not usually tired so early in the evening,” I explain.

Cery laughs, “You must be exhausted from it all, but it’s also later than you think. It’s almost midnight, Shaylee.” I gape at her in astonishment, “Our nights are only about six hours long. You’ll get used to it, but for now, we really should get going. I prefer not to be out at night.”

“Even Rien has parts that have shadows, as well as where there are none during the day, such as here in Mivo (which I learned is the name of our city), we cannot avoid them when the sun goes down,” she expounds upon her comment. She must’ve seen the confusion on my face.

I walk my grandparents to the front door. Aden follows, but hangs back, leaning against the door to the front room. They hold me close for a moment, before Cery pulls back slightly, “We’re so happy you’re here, Lirimaerea.”
Lovely one.
My heart melts.

Pop is studying something beyond my shoulder intently, slight frown on his face, and after a glance back, I realize that he and Aden are having a stare down. Pop breaks the connection and looks back at me.

“We don’t live far from the training center. You could come and live with us, if you’d like. There is plenty of room, so you would have your own space without feeling as though we are crowding you.” Their offer is incredibly sweet, but as much as Aden pisses me off, I feel safest with him. I’m about to tell them this when I feel the heat of Aden’s body behind me, and I’m yanked back against his chest. His hands fall heavily on my shoulders, holding me in place.

“She’ll stay at the training center.” His tone brokers no argument.

“For the love of—Aden, would you let me make my own damn decisions?” I shout.

His fingers tighten on my shoulders, a warning to keep my mouth shut.
Are you kidding me?
Pop’s face seems to reflect the irritation that, I’m sure, is obvious on mine. He looks ready to challenge Aden, and I decide to let him hand Aden his ass. He opens his mouth but before he can get a word out, Aden mutters, “Saliysuli.”
Forever.
I’m still trying to figure out how I can understand the words from his language. But, even if I knew why, it wouldn’t clear up his cryptic message to my grandparents.

At the word, their eyes widen slightly, bouncing back and forth between Aden and me, like a spectator at a tennis match. Cery’s face takes on a happy glow, and I am even more confused. She places her hand on Pop’s arm, and a look of resignation crosses his features. He sighs and without meeting my gaze, leans in to kiss my cheek, “We’ll see you soon, Lirimaerea.” Then he turns, walking through the yard, but not before throwing a warning glance back at Aden. I feel Aden nod and find myself wondering what the hell that was all about. For the last few days, I’ve felt like all the world knows a secret that I’m not privy to, and somehow, I’m at the center of it. At the moment, my head is spinning with all that I’ve dealt with, and I am too drained to try and figure it all out.

Cery gives Aden’s cheek a pat and then places a soft kiss on mine. “He’s perfect for you,” she whispers in my ear, then dashes off to the car. I watch her leave and give a little wave as they drive off. I feel a feather light kiss on the shell of my ear and Aden’s arms slide down from my shoulders to hug me close. My tired body gives in to the comfort of his embrace until I remember his ridiculous caveman act and indignation replaces the fatigue.

I pinch the skin on his arms, deliberately yanking on his arm hair. To my satisfaction, he gives a little yelp and lets me go.

“What the fuck, Aden?” I snap. “This Neanderthal bullshit isn’t going to fly with me, so you can cut that crap out right now!” My voice has risen to a shriek and I know I look like a raving lunatic, but I’ve pretty much ceased to care. Then I look into his eyes and realize they have darkened to a deep green, the way they look when he’s got dirty things on his mind.
He’s turned on by this? Oh, that’s right. Dirty mouth equals horny Aden.

I know I’m not getting anywhere, so I stomp past him, into the house, and see his mom standing just behind him. Flames engulf my face, and I want to murder Aden repeatedly for making me embarrass myself in front of her. But, she is laughing, and then gives me a wink. “Don’t let him get away with it, honey. Our men can get way too big for their britches,” she whispers conspiratorially. I grin at her as she walks back to the kitchen, still chortling.

I give Aden the silent treatment on the way back to our apartments. I’m too damn weary to deal with anything else today. The sun has almost completely disappeared from the sky and the horizon is painted in brilliant shades of color, more than I’ve ever seen on any rainbow. The colors are muted by the night, but somehow, they still contain vibrancy in their pigment. It entrances me and I barely notice when Aden parks the car, until he holds my door open, reaching in to help me out. I grasp his hand and allow him to guide me from the car, then inside, through the building to the doors of our apartments.

Aden leans his back against the wall and grasps my waist, bringing me close until I’m standing within the V of his legs, cradled to his chest. I give in for the moment and snuggle into his heat. He kisses the top of my head, then my forehead, each of my eyes, my nose, and finally, brushes a sweet kiss across my lips. Tucking me back into his chest, he sets his chin on my head and exhales a sigh. “I’ll try to rein it in.” My eyes fly up to his and although I know the words coming from his mouth are sincere, I see it blatantly in his eyes and all my irritation recedes.

His eyes probe mine, and I see the desire lurking in their depths as well. “Despite your stubborn resistance to admitting it out loud, we both know you’re mine. Body, heart, and soul, we belong together. You’re also mine to protect, Shaylee, and I can’t do that if I’m not there. I need you with me like I need air to breathe, baby.”