Peeling back the film, I stick the spoon inside and hand it to him. He takes a tentative bite.
His face brightens as he makes a satisfied sound. “What flavor is this?”
“Butterscotch.”
“It’s really good.”
“Right?” I smile before digging into my own.
We sit together among the sounds of nature while we eat our snack. Birds chirp happily as they bask in the warm clearing. A few rabbits come out to nibble on the strawberries and dandelions, and I hear the buzzing of a few insects.
Kirian’s scraping up the last bit of pudding when I muster up the courage to ask, “Will you come back again?”
“Of course. I need to find out what happens next.” He reaches for the book, but his hand lands on mine instead. He doesn’t move it, and a thrill runs through me. “Thank you, Quinn.”
Suddenly, dozens of tiny butterflies float up from the ground. They flutter around me before landing on my shoulders, my head, my arms. One even pauses at my nose, seeming to give me the lightest kiss.
I giggle.
Somehow, I know Kirian’s not thanking me for the flowers. Maybe his people don’t treat him as an equal because of his disability, but I couldn’t care less. I think… I think it’s safe to say we’re friends now.
“Anytime.” I flip my hand and squeeze his fingers. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”
He sends me a grin. “See you next year.”
Quinn
15 Years Old
Tears trickle down my cheeks as I stomp through the woods. I wipe them away, but new hot tracks take their place. I’ve spent the last hour trying to get my emotions under control, but I can’t wait any longer. As it is, Kirian might already be gone. Not getting to see him at all would make this day ten times shittier.
My spirits lift when I hear a twig snap to my left.
“Why are you crying?” The voice is deep, familiar, and soothing.
I sniffle. “I’m not.”
“Liar.” He steps closer. “You’re sad. I can feel it. Besides, the grasshoppers already told me you’re upset, so you might as well let me know what it’s about.”
“Can we just… not?” I really don’t want to replay the devastating events. Plus, if Kirian finds out what happened, he’ll be pissed off, too. Then we’ll both be in a bad mood. So I change the subject. “I brought a book.”
I hold up the hardback, but when I see the title and cover, I sheepishly set it on a nearby tree stump. I was in such a hurry to leave the house, I’d grabbed a random book off the shelf, but it’s one of my mom’s racy romance novels.
I’m not making that mistake again. Been there, done that. A few months ago during the summer, I didn’t feel like running to the library, so I borrowed something from my mom’s collection. It was—uh—educational for both Kirian and me.
“I don’t feel like reading.” Thoughtfully tapping his chin, Kirian circles me. “I’d rather talk.”
I shake my head.
When he wants something, he’s relentless. I guess that’s what makes him worthy of leading an entire kingdom.
He’s only a foot away from me now, and I can feel the warmth radiating from his large body. I’m used to his size now, even if standing next to him does make me feel like a little shrimp.
Within the first week of knowing each other, Kirian’s childhood slipped away right before my eyes. In a matter of days, he became a strong formidable man, while I stayed the same awkward girl I’d always been.
I’ll never forget the first time I saw him with a full beard. It made him look so much older. More rugged.
Today, his face is covered in short stubble. His muscles are bulky and defined, and his hair is almost waist-length. The long strands are formed into dreadlocks and decorated with shiny black beads.
Adult Kirian is breathtaking. No surprise there. Apparently, the fae stop aging at their physical peak, which is about twenty-five years. Kirian grew to a towering six and a half feet. I’m just under 5’ 6”, so he’s an entire foot taller than me.
Putting his arms out, he goes to hug me.
I dart away. “Don’t.”
His lips turn down. “Since when do you hate hugs?”
“Since… now. Starting today.” That’s a big fat lie. I want nothing more than to melt into him, but then he’d know how ugly I am.
He pauses, listening to a sound I can’t hear. “The grasshoppers tell me you’re full of shit.”
I almost smile.
Kirian’s become a fan of human swear words.
Apparently, that first day when he said the word ‘strike,’ the shock I felt wasn’t a coincidence. Thousands of years ago in his world, a fae wizard put a spell on the profanity. Since then, whenever someone says it out loud, it causes a rise of static electricity, leading to an unpleasant spark for anyone nearby.
Luckily, ‘strike’ is easily interchangeable with the F-word. Like a good friend, I’ve taught Kirian all about the versatile use of ‘fuck.’ However, sometimes when he’s really pissed, he reverts back to the fae way of saying it and I end up getting shocked.
“Well, if you won’t tell me what’s going on, then I guess I won’t tell you my news.” Kirian paces in front of me, his boots rustling the fall leaves with every measured step. “Don’t you want to know what it is?”
I roll my eyes. Sensing the silent movement, he smirks.
“Is it good news?” I ask hopefully. “I’d love to hear something happy.”
“Ah, ah. Only if we make a deal.”
Tricky fae. He knows I can’t resist. Not when it comes to information about him. By now, he knows my mannerisms, my habits, and my weakness when it comes to secrets.
“You’re this close to caving.” Pinching his fingers together, he
