Chapter 14: Deals

I don't know if I held my breath out of fear or anticipation. Maybe time stopped, or this was a really weird dream, well considering the reality I was living in now, I guess there wasn't much of chance of the second one. I could feel my heart quicken, and I wasn't sure if the feeling in my stomach was butterflies or nausea, could be both. From there, I reacted on instinct: grasping at the glamour around me, don't ask what feeling it was, I won't tell a soul, I wrapped it around us and forced heat into it. It felt like I'd locked myself in an oven, but it was worth it when Puck jumped back in shock, successfully freeing me.

The effort left me breathless, but I jumped up and ran a few yards away regardless. When I turned to look back at Puck, because I'm that idiot, I saw him still sprawled on the ground, a look of surprise on his face. Then he looked up at me, and yeah I definitely should have looked away then, because the look in his eyes was a hopeless look of confusion and hurt, as if he had no idea why I had done what I just did. I could feel heat rise in my cheeks and I had break the eye contact.

"You burned me," I had never heard him sound so, I don't know how to describe it, maybe he was just saying it out loud for himself. I glanced back at him to see if I'd actually done any damage. Of course not, he was perfectly fine, no redness or anything that looked slightly like a burn. He was just his normal tan, tall, lean-muscled se-no. I cut the thought off, where the heck did it even come from. I could feel blood rush to my checks again and I started taking steps backwards away from him. He was still the guy who had kidnapped me, tricked me, and kept me from getting home. At least Leanansidhe would let me go and have a normal life; who knows how long Oberon would send Robin Goodfellow after me?

"Maybe you shouldn't bite me," I called back at him, because I can't let anything go without having the last say. "Some people see that as aggressive," I added. I stumbled but quickly found my footing again. Turning around, so I could focus on getting back to the house, I only made it a few steps before I stumbled again, and this time I knew it wasn't because the ground was uneven. In front of me the house blurred drastically and I couldn't tell up from down; the last time anything close to this had happened, I had drank too much vodka at a pre-game.

For a second, I think I was falling, it was hard to tell, but I'm pretty sure my legs collapsed beneath me. Somehow I got into a sitting position, my head between my knees and I was breathing hard. Slowly the ground stopped moving and my vision cleared. The nausea ebbed away and I could feel tingling in my fingertips. I still felt weak and lightheaded, and I was vaguely aware of Puck sitting down next to me, gently pulling me over into his lap; but honestly, at that moment I was too distracted to care. I leaned against him, my head on his chest, and his arms wrapped around me. The tingling that had started in my fingertips ran up my arms like a slow, cool burn, and it only reminded me that I had taken one step closer to never leaving this place.

I'm pretty sure we sat like that for only a few minutes, but I guess in this place time isn't a thing. I sat up, still in his arms, which was more comfortable that I liked to admit, and looked up at him, only to see him looking thoughtfully, I think, at me. I could feel his fingers tangle in my hair, and I could feel a warmth that filled my body. Look at me, getting all dramatic, like I'd never been held by a guy before, seriously, my hormones are getting ridiculous. I frowned at the thought; Puck smirked, obviously amused by some idea that I'm sure I didn't want to know.

"I didn't expect you to react the way you did," he stated, as if that resolved everything. Seriously? That's his excuse. I opened my mouth, ready to argue, and then he spoke again, "summer fey tend to live in the moment, not to mention act on impulse, and I'm no exception to that," he finished.

"Is this supposed to be an apology?" I asked, slightly amused. I didn't linger on the fact that I was in fact, part summer fey, and that I also may enjoy living in the moment. Briefly, I thought of running through the house, Puck chasing me, my feelings of confidence, and, dare I say it, enjoyment of the event. I could feel heat rise in my cheeks, so I bit the inside of my cheek to keep it down.

"Of a sort," He answered; I felt his fingers brush the nape of my neck; I didn't think much of it, until I felt his hand wrap around the back of my neck, not intimidating, but there was definitely a threat intended, "I'm still taking you back," he added; there wasn't any amusement in his tone, but I swear his eyes were just daring me to attempt an escape.

"I'm staying here," I spoke as I mentally accepted that dare. I was vaguely aware of the audacity of this situation. Here I was, still sitting in his lap, arms around me, one hand placed threateningly on the back of my neck, face mere inches from mine, me claiming that he can't just drag me off wherever he wants, and yet, I had to push certain, unwelcome (inappropriate), thoughts to the back of my mind. Seriously? I felt like one of those idiot women in the adult romance novels who always end up with the protective, possessive, alpha-male types and they think they have it all. This is how you end up in controlling relationships, Emily. I repeated that mote several time over, forcing myself to believe it, "and you can't do anything about it," I added; I swear he gave me a look that screamed 'challenge accepted' and I commented, "besides, I made a deal, and it's now my obligation to fulfill that before I go anywhere." I slightly regretted the words as soon as they left my lips, when Puck's face became an unreadable mask; but, his hand slipped down from my neck to rest on my lower back, and I'm pretty sure the danger had passed.

"What deal did you make?" He asked; his tone was empty. Clearly, I was in more trouble now than I had been before.

"Does it really matter to you?" I chided; crossing my arms and looking away, which was pretty awkward to do regarding the situation I was currently in.

"Yes, I'm worried you've somehow managed to entangle yourself in some devious plot that Leanansidhe has obviously planned," He paused; and then pulled me back against himself, his arms like iron, ha, around me. I could feel him rest his chin on the top of my head as he continued, "and judging by your reaction, my assumption is correct."

I froze for a second, checking my body language and facial expressions, anything that could have revealed my thoughts was under control, so how did he- I felt the emotions in the air as soon as the thought entered my mind. Of course; I'm such an idiot. There were hints of concern and worry in the air, but there was also fear, which was undoubtedly mine. What was I so afraid of? Puck? Not likely, I doubt he'd actually do anything to hurt me, but the deal I made? Yeah, that could be it. Even more, I had agreed to help kill someone; an accomplice to murder. How was I supposed to tell him that?

What happened next was quicker than I could even imagine. Shock rose into the air, followed by panic. My emotions betraying me, but then there was that darker feeling that raised its head. Only for a second, but I could feel it wrapped around me, heavy, but not, I struggled to find the right word. Terrifying? It certainly wasn't terrifying; not even scary, in fact it was almost safe. The word didn't fit, but it was the closest I could find to describe it. I'm not an English major, and my limited vocabulary is just one of the reasons why not. As quickly as the emotion appeared it was locked back up, invisible to me.

"I'll find a way to get you out of it," He murmured; I felt the side of his face rest against the top of my head.

"You don't need to get me out of it," I sighed, "I agreed to it, because Leanansidhe will let me return to the mortal world once it's over with, and I have her protection after. I'm staying here," I repeated for emphasis.

"Then I'm staying here too," He stated, the finality in his words obvious.

"You think Leanansidhe is going to let you stay here if you plan to kidnap me?" I questioned; I didn't even need to look up at him to know that he had that stupid grin on his face.

"Leanansidhe and I are old friends, well sometimes, she wouldn't force me to leave, especially when I can stay and help this little plot move along. The faster it's over with, the faster I can get you back home, and the less time Oberon spends pondering if he should turn me into a bird or a fox for the rest of the century."

I rolled my eyes at the comment, before pushing against his arms to get up; of course, they didn't budge. I sighed in exasperation, "I'm fine now, let go," I struggled against him again for another half second.

"Are you sure?" He asked; for a quick second I wasn't sure if he was referring to if I was okay or if I really wanted him to let go. Of course the answers were yes, and yes, what else would they be? Again, I had to cut my thoughts off, because the answer to the second question I wasn't so certain on.

"I was wondering when you'd show up, Goodfellow," I froze at the voice overhead. Leanansidhe gracefully walked over from the French doors that led out into the garden. The corners of her mouth upturned and I wasn't sure if it was because of amusement or some hidden knowledge. I guess I was about to find out which.

Carefully I pulled away from Puck and slid out of his lap, he let me go easily enough. Both of us rose to our feet, and judging by the exchange in looks between Leanansidhe and Puck, I was definitely missing some critical information.

"I heard Emily made a deal with you," Puck started, a glint of humor in his eyes, and my body relaxed. Let them bicker or whatever, I'll just try and make myself invisible in this situation. "I'm staying here with her. I wouldn't want her to fall into any other traps," he added.

"And have the both of you run away at the first opportunity you get," Leanansidhe started, I had to bite my tongue to keep from shouting 'I told you so' to his face, "I was rather impressed by her ability to find the loop holes in the deal, but then I have a feeling she learned that lesson from someone else already." Her eyes narrowed, and I could feel the venom in the air as she spoke, "You're not welcome here, Goodfellow. Not until Emily has completed her favor me."

To my surprise, I saw Puck's eyes widen, but he still had that stupid look on his face that said he knew otherwise. I was really beginning to hate that look. Then he took the few steps over to me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders, drawing me closer to him. He looked once at me, before his gaze returned to Leanansidhe.

"Well you would be correct in saying that Emily has already learned her lesson about making deals," I felt his arm tighten as he held me closer, panic ran through my mind, of course how could I have forgotten. "In fact, she owes me a favor as well, and I think I'll call it in now." The amusement in Leanansidhe's eyes vanished.

"Um that really didn't count, it was sarcasm," weakly, I tried to clarify, the situation was still tense, "besides, I'm stuck here until I finish up with Leanansidhe, so I can't really do anything for you now." I tried to explain.

"Sorry sweetheart, it still counts," Puck replied; now looking down at me, I could see the glee and mischief in his eyes, "and while there might not be anything you can do for me, there's totally something that you can allow me to do for you," I had to take a second to figure out what he was trying to say.

"What do you want?" I asked cautiously.

"A lot of things, but for now, I want you to allow me to be your personal bodyguard. Not that I'm sort of am already, but I want you to officially recognize it. That being said, I obviously have to stay with Emily, or well, she has to stay with me."

I looked up at him in silence, and then turned to Leanansidhe who had her arms crossed and the bitchiest look on her face I could possibly imagine. Looking back up at Puck I asked, "Are you sure there's nothing else you want?"

"What I want and what I need are two different things, but this will keep me here, regardless of Leanansidhe's wishes," he finished; I sighed trying to find a way out of this. I didn't see one, and well, at least he did make the place more interesting.

"Fine," I stated and crossed my arms and then turned to Leanansidhe, trying to give her my best I'm-so-sorry-about-this,-if-I-could-kill-him-I'd-have-done-it-by-now look. "I guess I need to ask you to let Puck stay with me, because well I have to honor a favor that I owe him. Even if my thank you wasn't literal." I muttered the last part under my breathe.

Leanansidhe rubbed her fingers against her forehead; her agitation was nothing less than a beacon to what she thought of this whole situation. "Fine, but he has to stay with you, and he can't take you back to Oberon until my deal with you is complete. That is of course, if desire to go back at all." Strangely, I felt defeated, I was literally now stuck with Puck until who knows when, and when considering my ever waning humanity, that could be a very long time.

I have one last question for you, Goodfellow. There was a nastiness in her words that I had a feeling was about to complicate everything so much more. "Do you always have a thing for Oberon's daughters?" I really had no idea what that was supposed to mean until she continued, "I mean, it feels like yesterday you were pining after Meghan, who for goodness sakes, chose a prince of the wintercourt over you."

Slowly things clicked into place. Meghan was supposedly my half-sister, on my father's side. She must have been brought to the Nevernever too, and apparently, Puck had been-. There was nothing to hide my shock at the realization. Of course, it's not like I actually had any feelings towards him, just a few thoughts that I kept shoved in the back of my head and only considered, well, never. I never considered THAT as a possibility. But seriously, that changed everything if what Leanansidhe was saying was true, and it has to be.

I pulled out of Puck's arm, my body feeling numb from shock and I looked up at him in confusion. I wasn't sure if the look on his face was his own shock that Leanansidhe would say that or shame, or maybe he was just upset he'd been found out apparently. But seriously, if Meghan and I are sisters, and well, we are, then that's a little messed up.

"I'll leave the two of you to figure everything out, it seems like there's some filling in the blanks to be done. Emily, please keep practicing your charm speak, I think our plans just got moved up quite a bit," She sent one last chilling look at Puck before walking back into the mansion.

I turned to Puck and before he could even get a word out I cut him off, "If you're going to say you can explain, I don't want to hear it. I'm not in the mood for any explaining," I finished and turned towards the house, vaguely aware of Puck watching me as I went.

Sorry it took me so long to get this chapter up! Classes have been crazy lately and I got a little stuck at one part where to go next. But anyways please, review, I'll get the next chapter up hopefully soon!