I sat down on an age-worn wooden bench, in the shade of an ancient oak tree. After a few deep breaths, I finally calmed my mind. I started to feel more myself, more rational, but at the same time, I felt a ‘new me’ beginning to emerge. Strong. Confident. Not some callow college girl, but a woman in full. Ready to fight, whatever comes after me.
A twig snapped behind me, and I whipped my head around. “Keegan? I thought I said I didn’t want company.” He had two drinks in his hands, and a grin on his puss. He handed me a glass of wine, and sat without asking permission. So much for respecting my boundaries. But that would be too much to expect from Keegan.
“How are you holding up?”
I wanted to stay mad – but I had to bite my cheek to suppress a smile. “I’m scared. I feel like I’m drowning.” It was the simple truth, and I felt better just saying it, and took a slug of wine.
“If you want me to leave you alone...”
“No.” I reached for his hand. “Stay. Please.”
“Anyone with a brain would be scared, but you’re not alone. I’m here for you. So are the guys.” His green eyes seemed to draw me right inside. “We will help you.”
I knew he was trying. “Thanks.”
“Plus, you have your very own Goddamn Fairy!”
I scoffed at Keegan and sip on my drink.
“Oh, I’ve been in your shoes,” he said. “The whole world full of trouble, bucketing down on you, and feeling that there’s not a soul alive to help you.”
“At least you have a family, and—”
“Wrong. I had no family, but I made one. Had to. I was born into a high fairy family. Real Seelie court royalty, yeah. But they were ashamed, once they took a look at me, nothing but a manky leprechaun. Scarlet they were. Mortified, me being so far beneath their gold plated arses. Up for adoption, that was me.”
“But that’s… horrible.”
“Aach, Fairy folk. Think their shyte smells of roses.” His face darkens for a moment, but his brightness quickly returns. “I was taken in by a good man, Patrick McDonough. Came to the orphanage during Christmas, he did, to drop off gifts for the wee ‘uns. Right off, he recognized me for leprechaun. And it’s no secret every leprechaun has, well, let’s call it a penchant for mischief. Especially when they’re young and wild. He knew if I grew up with nobody to raise me proper, I’d be nothing but trouble, the rest of me life. So, he knew what he was letting himself in for. Did he let it bother him? Not for a second. He adopted me right then.”
“And… Edna? How did you fall in with her?”
“Ah, well. Patrick gave me a great life, but he traveled a lot for work, you see. So I was still alone a little too often.”
“And plenty of trouble, I’ll bet,” I said with a smile.
“I suppose you might say that.” There it was – that twinkle of mischief in his eye. “I was 14 when my powers manifested. That’s often the way. Puberty isn’t only about growing a langer and some baz. All sorts of changes come, once the sap starts to flow. I was with Brann and the twins, playing in these very woods right behind us when I first ported. Wouldn’t it figure, I ported straight into the kitchen! Edna was baking us cookies, and I knocked over the tray when I materialized. I was so scared I didn’t know what to do. I was lucky to have Edna to help guide me through it all. My temper got the best of me, most all the time. But Edna? The very soul of patience. She taught me charms, porting, and simple spells. I learned to control my temper, with Edna’s help. She got me to channel my wildness into the boxing ring, and so I did. Boxing helped calm whatever rage I had in me. I split my time between home with me Da, and here with Edna and the lads. Ah, she was the sainted mother I never had. And Patrick acted father not just to me, but to all the other lads. A strange family dynamic, but it worked.”
And how I wished I had been a part of it…
“Cóis Dara has always been our sanctuary. I think Edna knew this day was coming. I believe she prepared us to be ready for you. To be sure that when you arrived, you wouldn’t be alone.” The way Keegan looked at me made me feel this was true. My life had been a long, hard journey, but this was where I was meant to be. He made me feel strong, despite knowing how fragile I felt.
I couldn’t tell you who made the first move.
The crush of his lips on mine was just happening, a force of nature. Our hands explored, tentative at first, then growing frantically bold.
Now, I’ve never been a shy young flower. I mean, Bulldogs can party. By the time I got through the University of Georgia, (Go Dawgs!) I didn’t even remember what being a virgin was like. That was, until Keegan’s touch unlocked something new, something so deep and blissful. I had never even imagined sex could feel like this. Can you feel color? Touch sound? See pleasure? All I knew was that every nerve, every inch of my body, had flamed to life as never before. Sex is wonderful. Sex with magic? Over the fucking rainbow!
Suddenly, it seemed unbearable to have clothes on, blocking the night air. I started to peel off his shirt. But he stopped me.
