Ignore mistakes. Just a little short one shot.
-o0o-
I remember when I was a child, all of the fairytales seemed like real life possibilities. Like at any moment I would run into my prince and find him among the roses, waiting for me. He would be gallant and beautiful like a renaissance sculpture. I could sing Disney songs to him all I wanted and he would listen without any complaints.
He would love every flaw in sight and those within. His lips would never stop smiling like a picture frozen in time. I put so much on this imaginary man but the stories made it seem like it was feasible. Men have the strength to carry the burden, I reasoned. One of them will find me and whisk me away. His love won't waver through the endless currents of time, nor will his beauty...
My prince turned out to be a queen.
As small as she was, there was no stopping her. She had the strength of a thousand men, and the influence of a thousand more. In the beginning, I was apprehensive. I had only been in one relationship and suddenly I met a woman with an unwavering interest. I had long given up fairytales and soul mate myths.
However, being fae makes everything seem possible.
1988
"So you're fae? What is that? Like a fairy or something," Alice asked, frustrated with her inability to see my future directly. I rolled my eyes at her and laid back on my bed lazily.
"Fae are basically evolved humans, Alice. Much more interesting than vampires that shouldn't exist if I do say so myself. Anyway, I'm a siren."
Alice's face tuned up for a moment before she smiled brightly. "Will you sing for me? Or is your voice a weapon?"
I couldn't stamp down my proud smirk. All my life I had been ecstatic with my birthright. Having the ability to control is amazing, but it does come with problems.
"Yes, it is a weapon. When I was a little girl I could sing all I wanted because I wasn't as strong, but now I can only hum. Unless I want to enthrall everyone within earshot," I said, chuckling under my breath.
"You don't seem sad about that."
I looked up at Alice, surprised at how close she was. "I'm not. I mean, I love to sing. It's an instinct deeper than the need to blink, but everything comes with its pros and cons. Just like your power... What is it like to see so many possibilities?"
Alice's eyes glazed over. I thought she was in a vision at first but she snapped out of it suddenly. "It's like...being stuck in a daydream but you're not in control of your mind. No, it's like being sucked into a dream, sometimes a nightmare. Many times I forget which one is real life. Maybe I'm in a vision right now."
I sat up quickly, grabbing her small hand in my own. I marveled at the differences for a moment. Her pale, ivory skin looked foreign against my much darker complexion. I wondered over the how odd it would be for my mother to come walking in right now. She would enthrall Alice so quick her head would spin.
"I'm real, Alice. Now let's ditch this popsicle stand, I want to go to your house for once," I laughed, pulling her off the bed dramatically. I tried to ignore the soft smile on her lips but it said so much.
"I have to warn you, a couple of my siblings won't be too welcoming." I looked at her surprise and laughed, thinking she was joking. She just stared back with a slight smirk.
"Who wouldn't like me? I'm hot."
Turns out, Rosalie and Edward wouldn't like, but it had nothing to do with my appearance and everything to do with the way I was born. I didn't understand this because I was the most normal person in the entire house. They were the unnatural predators.
"How do we know she won't try to sing us under her control? She could do anything with that power. Not to mention, I can't read her," Edward whispered, thinking I couldn't hear him. I gritted my teeth. I already didn't like him but I tried to put my anger aside for Alice.
"Exactly, Eddie has a point. How did we never know that these fae exist? What if more of her kind come to destroy us? We are on their territory," Rosalie whispered furiously. I couldn't hate her as much. Mostly because she hot. Shallow, I know. Instead I remained silent.
"She can hear you," Jasper said, giving me a crooked smile. I had forgotten he was an empath. His two siblings glared at me and I sighed heavily.
"Look, I'm not anything special. I was just born with the ability to sing much better than most. Seeing as I can't and don't sing anymore, I am not a threat to anyone. Hell, my mother doesn't even sing. All I want is to keep my friendship with Alice. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm getting the fuck out of here," I said, storming out the large house.
I could hear Alice's light footsteps behind me and I rolled my eyes.
"You took that well. Give them a week. They'll come around," she said happily, skipping beside me. I hugged and stared up at the moon, wondering why I couldn't just leave her alone and not deal with this drama.
"I don't care if they hate me. You're my best friend and nothing can change that," I said, nudging her. Alice didn't flinch but her face became solemn. At the time, I really believed she was just meant to be my friend.
I was wrong.
When a siren finds their mate, it takes time to figure it out. My mother described it as a process. First, the instant connection, feeling as if you've known this person for a lifetime. Second, the merging, becoming inseparable and always craving the persons presence. Third, the urge to sing.
She said when the urge to sing comes, it is almost impossible to stop it. It comes from a place deep within a sirens mind, telling them to call their mate. She said when you finally give in, it is the sweetest song one can imagine. A song dedicated to your mate and only they can hear it. It sounds in their mind until they find you.
This is how I found myself running into the woods on a dark, December night. The snow crunches under my bare feet as I ran fast as the wind. I could feel the song clawing up my throat for days and yet I held it down. The urge overwhelmed me this night. Even beginning to speak threatened the song to come forward.
Finally, I dropped to my knees in the middle of a clearing. I let the song spill forth, only to be surprised by how softly the sound echoed through the forest. My mouth moved of it's own accord, making me feel like a vessel for something bigger than me.
"Come to me, beautiful winter skin, fire burning within, eyes of amber glow, a vision of the snow, come to me, my love. Forever be my love."
I breathed a sigh of relief as the urge subsided finally. I was so exhausted suddenly. Even though the song was not a scream as I thought it would be, the amount of energy I put into keeping the feeling at bay hit me all at once.
I don't know who I expected to come running through the trees. I halfway expected one of the girls I had crushed on in middle school or even that hot werewolf guy I met at one of my uncle's cookouts. What I didn't expect was Alice Cullen to appear in front, seemingly appearing out of thin air.
I stared at her in confusion, wondering over the beautiful smile that lit up her face. She kneeled in front of me, taking my cold face in her hands. To my surprise, the chill I associated with her was gone in favor of warmth. I fell even deeper into confusion as an electric sensation ran through my body.
"You finally know. You don't know how long I've waited on this moment," Alice said quietly, caressing my cheeks. I shivered, not due to cold. She was so close that I cold feel her unneeded breaths on my lips.
"I thought you couldn't see my future."
Alice shook her head slowly. That smile never leaving. "I've only seen you in one vision. That was the first time I ever wanted a vision to never end...It was a vision of this moment. It went something like this."
Lips like the fluffiest of clouds pressed against my own. At first, I was unresponsive. I was so surprised by it. However, the primal instinct to claim my mate overwhelmed me. I grabbed her face, falling into the kiss with everything in me. Not once did it feel wrong or forced. It felt like I was sinking into her and I craved more.
Alice pulled away suddenly, making me frustrated. I just wanted to take her right then and there.
"Let me take you somewhere warm," she whispered, nuzzling my neck like a puppy. I nodded subconsciously, going along with whatever she said. Before I knew it, I was in strong arms with the wind whipping past my face.
That night the moon smiled down upon us as we made love for the very first time. It was like something out of a fantasy novel that I read once, but so much better in first person. I haven't yet forgotten the feeling of her skin against mine from that first time. It only got better, to my utter delight. As did her ability to see my future.
I can't fully explain the feeling of having a mate. As a vampire, it is different for Alice than it is for me. After a siren completely merges with their mate, they gain more power based upon their mate's status. As my own is a vampire, my body began to change drastically.
My senses became stronger and my body became more durable. The most important was the halting of my aging process. This was not unheard of but I didn't know how to feel about it. Knowing that I would live centuries after my parents' death hurt me, especially because they were already up there in age. They didn't see it that way.
"Babygirl, you would have lived longer than us anyway," my father said, smiling at me lovingly. I wanted him to be angry with me but he was so happy for me. They both were.
"Finding a mate is a rare thing, especially at such a young age. You should be happier, sweetheart," my mom cooed, rubbing my hand.
"I am happy but I just...I just don't like the idea of never seeing you two again. What am I going to do without you," I said quietly. Just the thought brought tears to my eyes.
My mother squeezed my hand gently, her smile never leaving. "You will continue to live and be there for your mate no matter what. That is your job now, Kali. We will be fine as long as you are happy."
My father died first but it wasn't old age that got him. It was a dark night and slippery roads that took him away from us. My father was not a siren and therefore his sight was only as good as an elderly man's can be. His death was the beginning of the end for my mother. A siren can only live as long as their mate and that turned out to be her downfall.
The one thing I regret is not being their when my father died. I was at college, doing what college people do with my own mate. I wish I could say that I felt it when they died. I wish I could say that in the back of my mind I knew something was wrong but I can't lie. It was Alice who told me.
1992
"Kali, come here. We need to talk about something," she said, pulling me towards her bed. My face screwed up in confusion but I did as told, expecting something about going shopping for new clothes.
Alice took my hands in hers. The look on her face was so full of sorrow that fear began clawing in my stomach. I didn't dare urge her to speak. I didn't want to rush her into telling me whatever it was because I had a horrible feeling that it would change my life.
"I had a vision about your mother. And no, I did not see this coming...Your father had an accident yesterday evening. He didn't survive it," Alice rushed out. I didn't have enough time to process before she continued. "Your mother died of a heart attack this morning. I didn't expect this to happen and I was in class all day and I couldn't come to you! I am so sorry-"
"Alice, stop."
Only a few people have been at the brink of drowning and actually survived. At first, you fight the water. It doesn't matter how much stronger it is. You have a brave heart in those moments that you've never had before. After a while, you realize that resistance is futile. No one is coming to save you after all. There are no strong hands or oxygen tanks.
So you hold your breath. For as long as you can. It burns like a million cigarettes being put out on your lungs, but you still hold it until you can't anymore. And when you finally give into the raging waters surrounding you, begging to sink inside, it only hurts for one second before bliss overtakes it. The giving up of the fight as you sink farther down into the water is a relief like no other.
For months after the funeral, I sat at the bottom of the ocean.
"Kalika, I know that you're feeling horrible but you can't let it affect your grades. You need to talk to me. Please," Alice begged, her eyes were filling with venom tears.
Looking at my little mate, I was astounded by how tired she looked. Purple bags sat underneath her blackened eyes. Her body shook to hold me in her arms but I had not let her for so long. If she looked like that, I knew I was so much worse. I couldn't remember the last time I took a shower or made love to my mate. The realization of that awakened the wrath of the siren in me, directed at myself.
I shot up from my spot and grabbed her tightly. "I am so sorry! I'm..just...it hurts so much," I said hoarsely. I hadn't spoken in so long. Alice cling to me like her life depended on it and I wondered if it did. I was a shit mate.
"Just let me help you, please? I can't take watching you fall deeper into yourself," Alice said, kissing my face everywhere. I was hit unawares with a major dose of pent up sexual frustration.
"Okay..okay," I mumbled, touching and kissing every part of her that I could reach.
I almost felt bad for this, but they told me to keep living. My job is to take care of my mate. I had been failing so terribly. When I laid her down on the bed, it wasn't just sex. It was beginning of me coming back to my. I could almost feel her love healing me and my own healing her. I had been drowning for so long but I finally I kicked off the bottom of the ocean. Calm and ready to fight some more.
The hurt never really leaves but it becomes bearable. I would catch myself forgetting over the years and I would break down crying on my mate's chest at night. Especially after college, it was harder not to forget. Then I realized that I don't have to forget. I can remember them in my actions and the way I treat my Alice. I can look back at my parents' love and aspire toward it.
And I did and it worked.
2001
I smiled watching Emmett propose to Rosalie for the fifth time in the nearly ten years since I knew them. Rose smiled so beautifully at her mate and of course she said yes. I expected nothing less. Alice squeezed my hand tightly, giggling as Emmett spun Rosalie in a circle.
"Hey Kali, I want you to sing our wedding! Just don't fuck with our heads," Emmett yelled, carrying Rosalie over his shoulder and up the stairs. I rolled my eyes at his statement but I knew I would.
"I saw this coming but seeing them still so happy to be together is exciting," Alice said, looking up at me. I nodded, kissing her forehead gently.
"Would you keep proposing to me over the years if we ever get married," I asked jokingly, squeezing her thigh. If Alice could blush she would have in that moment and my brows raised in amusement.
"Of course I would and I know that you will...I think I should start us off though."
My heart jumped in my chest as she kneeled down in front of me. My jaw dropped when her entire family walked into the living room, smiling at me so brilliantly. Alice pulled a box from basically nowhere and I covered my mouth with my hands. Tears welled up in my eyes that couldn't stamp down.
"We started from nothing, quite literally. When I first saw you, I knew you were the girl from my vision. A vision that has been replaying since I woke from the change. A vision that has come to pass but has not left my mind.
I fell in love with your smile, with the way you laugh, with the way you do the smallest things that help me in the largest ways. Before you even knew we were meant to be, your actions told me so much. What I want is to never miss any of the little smiles or laughs. I never want to miss a chance to hold you at night or annoy you during shopping trips.
Even if we can't legally get married yet, will you let me love you for the rest of our lives, Kalika Waters?"
By now the tears were falling fast and I wiped them away as best as I could. The entire family smiled at me as I tried to catch my breath enough to speak. Alice just grinned at me, she already knew what I would say.
I grabbed her face gently, staring into those golden eyes. "I love you, Alice Cullen, and I would love nothing more than to be with you for the rest of forever," I said, trying to hold back the sobs.
The family cheered as Alice placed the ring on my hand. It was sterling silver and big, with a genuine onyx on the top. Any other would think it was a man's ring but really Alice knew what I wanted.
"We are so happy for you two. We love you," Esme said, smiling like the proud mother she is.
"Before you came along, Alice was so lonely. I must thank you sincerely for making her so happy," Carlisle said. To my surprise, he seemed overwhelmed with emotion.
Looking around at the faces, I could see the happiness on their faces. Even the two who were so suspicious of me looked at me with familial love. The tears wouldn't stop.
"Thank you so much. I love y'all," I sobbed, wrapping my arms around Alice tightly.
I had lost my parents. I had lost myself for a long time, but I still had a mate and a family. I wouldn't let anyone take that from me. Not even my own looming depression always lying in wait to suffocate me. In that moment, I was more whole than I've ever been. The smile on my mate's face inspired music inside me for years to come.
Although I don't believe in fairytales any longer and I don't believe in happy endings, Alice is all of those things to me. She is the queen that embodies the prince I once wanted. Her throne is my heart and her scepter is my mind. Though we have problems as any couple does, nothing can break down the deep understanding we have with each other.
No prince could compare.
Present
"And that is our story," I said, relaxing back into the couch. Bella stared at me with a awe filled expression and I just waited patiently,
"What was your ceremony like when you finally got married," she asked shyly.
"It was beautiful and unorthodox. Alice wanted pink flowers and I wanted white roses. We mashed our different preferences together and made it our own. It wasn't so much the wedding that made me happy, but the honeymoon," I said, smirking.
Bella blushed a little bit before she floundered around to ask a different question. Her face scrunched up suddenly and she looked at me in confusion.
"You never told me how you guys met."
The sound of Alice flying down the stairs reached my ears and I smiled. Of course she would want to correct me on things. Back then I was much too distracted to really see the significance of the encounter. Alice sat down beside me, literally bouncing around in her seat with excitement.
"I know you wanted to talk to her about this alone but I kind of have to be here for this part because it's hilarious now," Alice said, laughing a little.
I wrapped my arm around her waist and closed my eyes, remembering the most important interaction of my life.
1988
I could feel eyes on me. It had been happening for over thirty minutes at least. Being in a library, I decided to put it down to my anxiety in quiet places. Turns out it was actually a person.
When I couldn't take anymore of it, I whipped around, trying to find the culprit. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw a small girl with black hair. She was smiling at me like she knew me but I only winced and turned around. It was weird to me. Who stares at people in the library or anywhere and then smiles like that?
"Hi, I'm Alice," a voice said behind me. I jumped in my seat. I hadn't heard anything coming which was very wrong. I turned around and glared at her. "May I ask your name?"
I went to curse her out but I could see that she was obviously a vampire. Her skin was flawless and pale. She had eyes of amber and gold. I had only met one family like this. The Denali Coven. My parents took me to meet them when I was small. She definitely wasn't one of them so I guessed that she was a Cullen.
"Kalika Waters," I said casually, turning back to my book. Hopefully she would take the hint.
To my dismay, she sat down next to me. I waited for the immense anger and irritation to come but it wasn't coming. Being such a solitary person, this surprised me. I sat my book down and stared at her, waiting for her to be creeped out and leave. She did not.
"Did you want something, Alice," I asked, raising a brow in challenge.
Alice giggled quietly, glancing down at my book. "The Art of War by Sun Tzu. Are you planning on beginning an empire?" My lips twitched a little bit.
"No, the book just calms my mind. I'm just always thinking but the words and the quotes, the logic and reason brings me back to the present," I rambled, instantly regretting it.
Alice looked at me intensely but I didn't feel uncomfortable. It was like she was seeing right through me. My mind ran rampant with confusion and intrigue. What does she want and why is she talking to me? I couldn't help being drawn in by those eyes.
"If you ever need somebody, I'm here every day. I'll always be here for you." She grabbed my hand softly, telling me she meant it.
I watched her walk away from me, feeling slighted and very confused. Why would she walk away from me like that? Who does she think she is? I scoffed and dove back into my book, thinking that I don't need anyone to talk to. Especially not a stranger. Hell, I probably won't see her ever again. Plus she's a vampire. Even worse.
I looked up just in time to see her walk past the window, smiling at me with those beautiful white teeth. My smile came without warning or precedent and I was thoroughly shocked. Somehow, I was able to see past my teenage angst for just a moment. When she was gone, I sighed heavily, shaking my head in confusion.
"Well, that was creepy," I whispered. Thinking over the entire encounter and her words. She said she was here for me. She doesn't even know me..."I should ask her why she cares. Yeah. Then I'll run like hell. She probably wants to eat me."
Needless to say, I never ran.