Sorry it took so long to update! New school year just started so have chosen to focus on that. But I must say, that even though progress may be slow and I don't update that regularly I will NOT abandon this story! I have experienced authors not finishing stories I really like, and I promise that will not happen here! :-) Anyway, I hope you enjoy this next chapter!
She ran. She ran despite not being able to catch her breath. Her heart was shattering in her chest as her feet pounded against the asphalt beneath her. The air rasped her throat and tears ran down her cheeks. She couldn't stop them from flowing. Nor could she stop her feet from moving.
After she had run as far as she could, she stopped and braced herself on her knees. She was heaving for air and her pulse was throbbing in her throat. She had to steady herself against the wall next to her. She stood with her back against it as she sank to the ground.
How could she have been so blind? She had never seen the hurt in his eyes until now. She had been torturing him and she had had no idea. All this time…
She had been so inconsiderate, talking about Keenan and not paying attention. Keenan… She mentally shook herself. Even after hurting her best friend her thoughts still drifted back to him.
She was an awful friend. She should be punished. She didn't deserve to feel the happiness she felt with Keenan, not when Seth was so unhappy.
The feeling of a big, wet drop hitting her forehead woke her from her trancelike state. Then another hit her hand and another slipped itself down her neck, making her shiver. She looked up.
As she did, it seemed as if the sky opened up and released all the rain it could contain at once.
She forced herself to stand up and leave. Despite her feeling lousy, she didn't want to risk getting sick. Although that would be the perfect punishment to inflict on herself after how she had treated Seth.
She pulled her jacket up around her neck and shoved her cold and wet hands in her pockets. She walked slowly, in no hurry to get out of the rain. Walking home cold and wet was the least she deserved.
The rain fell down hard and slipped off Keenan's umbrella as he walked. He now regretted that he hadn't taken his car, although he hadn't seen the need for it when he had first left the loft.
The grey sky above him thundered and the wind whipped around him. Being the Summer King, he stayed dry. It seemed as if the rain and wind whirled around him and left him dry and comfortable.
Even though Spring was coming to a close and Summer was approaching, Keenan didn't have enough power to ease the weather. For that kind of power and strength he needed her. When they finally united and became one, he would have unlimited strength. Strength he would use to take care of his court, and his Beloved.
His heartbeat quickened at the thought of her. Her raven hair tickling his face, her hands grabbing fistfuls of his hair in pure and raw lust, the way her jeans hugged her figure. He couldn't get her out of his head, nor did he want to.
She hadn't left his thoughts since the day they went on their road trip. His skin still burned where she had touched him. The burning trails she had left on his flesh seemed to beckon him to her, just making him crave more desire.
That was where he was headed. Just to try to feel that kind of desire again, desire he knew she could inflict on him if she wanted to. That, and he wanted to take her out. He wanted her to see where he belonged, where his kind were.
The thought that it was maybe too early, and that he should give her more time had only briefly crossed his mind. But then the memory of her lunging herself at him reassured him that she was ready. She wanted him, too. It was not something he was just imagining.
He had now reached her neighbourhood. The rain hadn't eased up and he could hear the cold drops hit the rooftops on either side of him. The long road stretched out in front him, completely deserted.
As he neared her house he noticed he was not the only one enduring the harshness of the rain. In the far distance he could see a hunched figure walking slowly through the rain. Its hands were shoved into the pockets of a jacket that was soaking wet. The hood of the jacket had been blown back and wet raven black hair hung in wet strands in front of its face.
Keenan stopped in his tracks.
Aislinn.
God, she was beautiful. He quickened his pace as she walked towards him. She hadn't noticed him approaching. Her gaze was still on the ground. Her face was wet from the cruel rain, blinding him to the fact that she had been crying.
They kept walking towards each other. Keenan's eyes never leaving Aislinn, and Aislinn's stare never leaving her shoes.
When they both reached the driveway to her house, Aislinn looked up. Keenan couldn't help but notice that her eyes seemed to suddenly gleam when she saw him. He appreciated this gesture more than he could ever explain. He imagined he had the exact same look in his eyes.
"Hi," she said, a soft smile playing at the edge of her lips.
"Hello," he replied, not being able to suppress his grin. She just brought out the happier side of him. She made him a happier person.
As he now took a closer look at her, he noticed how worn out she looked. Her hair was sticking to her face. Her lips were not their usual alluring red colour, but instead had taken on a blue hue. Her eyes were puffy and her eyelashes clung together, raindrops dripping from them. Her skin was almost a translucent pale, except her cheeks; which were rosy pink from the cold.
"You're not wet," she pointed out, looking generally confused.
"I came prepared," Keenan responded. As he spoke he stepped closer to her, close enough so the umbrella was hovering over them both. It seemed to create a small bubble just for them. The outside world didn't exist. It was only them and the rain.
He noticed Aislinn leaned in closer, soaking up the warmth of his body. She inhaled deeply. His gaze never left her face. It went from looking tired and worn out to regaining some of its colour. That is what the presence of the Summer King is supposed to do to the Summer Queen; to give her strength and warmth.
She opened her eyes and caught him staring at her. She straightened herself and averted her gaze.
"Why are you here?" Her tone wasn't defensive, he noticed. Merely curious.
He wasn't going to lie. "I wanted to see you." She looked up. "And I wanted to take you out," he added with a grin.
She smiled a crooked smile. "Really? Like on a date?"
The word 'date' seemed wrong. It seemed odd to think of going on a 'date' with Aislinn. His romantic side liked to think of their meetings as 'lustful encounters'.
"Yes. Like a date."
He couldn't control his movements as he took another step towards her, their chests now touching.
Aislinn exhaled a ragged breath, shoving her hair out of her face.
"Where would we be going?" she asked, her eyes attempting to pierce his.
He chuckled. "That will remain a surprise."
She pretended to look disappointed, but couldn't hold her composure and smiled one of her dazzling smiles. The kind that showed off her flawless teeth. It made his breath hitch in his throat.
He raised his hand to pull her wet hair carefully behind her ear. She only stood there, letting him touch her. Her gaze never left his and as he was about to pull his hand away, she caught his hand in hers forcefully, keeping it raised between the small space between their bodies.
She never looked away, never glanced down, but held his gaze.
Her hold on him relaxed and she laced her fingers through his. He thought he was dreaming. He couldn't help himself, he had to look. He averted his gaze from her piercing stare and looked down at their hands, her small hand entwined with his and a new wave of desire washed through his soul.
He had never felt so alive before. The adrenaline pumped through his veins, threatening to drive him to the point of no return. The point where he would fall completely and utterly in love with this girl in front of him. And he was not fighting against it. By all means, he was gladly and frivolously skipping down the trail to reach that point.
He jerked his hand toward his chest, making Aislinn trip forward. He caught her with his lips.
Her lips were cold and greeted his with open arms. Her cold breath tickled his tongue and made his very bones shiver.
Her hand knotted itself in his coat and pulled him even closer, trying to close every inch of space between their bodies. His hand was still entwined in hers, the other holding the umbrella in place above their heads, creating a protective canopy where the outside world could not reach them.
He opened his mouth, deepening the kiss and he could hear a small moan escape Aislinn's lips. This made him smile on the inside. She definitely wanted him.
She noticed the sounds she was making and pulled back breathless. She looked up, as if checking to see if she had embarrassed him. If only she knew what she did to him.
He only smiled down at her and let his hand slip out from hers.
"I'll pick you up at nine," he said, his index fingers gently touching the tip of her nose.
She smiled at this loving gesture and could only nod her response.
She stepped back and was about to walk up her driveway, when Keenan gently caught her arm. She looked up at him confused. Without saying anything, he held out his hand holding the umbrella, silently offering her protection.
"It's only a few feet to my house," she said matter-of-factly. "You need it more than I do." She pushed his hand back. "I won't melt," she added playfully.
"I will always protect you," he answered seriously.
She shifted her gaze between his eyes and his hand holding the umbrella. She sighed and accepted his offering, her smile never leaving her lips.
"Always?" she asked teasingly.
"Always," Keenan assured her.
She seemed surprised by his serious answer, his blue eyes never looking away. He meant it. He would always protect her. The same way she protected him from the harshness of the mortal world, he would always protect her from the cruelness of his.
Aislinn was rummaging around in her closet, trying to find the only pair of high heels she owned. She had contemplated for a long time what she should wear. If only he had given her some clue as to where they were going.
She had settled on dressing up and chose the only dress she owned in her entire wardrobe. It was a simple black, A-line dress which came to her knees. It had a square neck and blended well with her jet black hair.
She left her hair down, letting it cascade down her back. She now sat, kneeling in front of her closet door, looking for the pair of high heels Grams had bought her for Christmas.
She couldn't help but feel nervous. Even though this wasn't technically their 'first date' it was still so… formal. This meant that they were almost dating. She didn't even know if she wanted to date Keenan. But what really worried her was the horrible scenario of him realizing after tonight that he didn't want to date her.
She pushed those cruel thoughts into the far corners of her mind and sighed with relief as she finally located her shoes. She put them on and looked herself over in the mirror. She had never regarded herself as beautiful, but standing there and seeing herself, her cheeks pink with anticipation, her black hair framing her face and her legs looking several miles long beneath the hem of her dress, she admitted to herself that maybe, just maybe, she was a bit pretty.
The sound of a knock on the door downstairs had her heart doing cartwheels. She quickly grabbed her purse and bounded down the stairs, two steps at a time, while trying carefully not to trip.
She stopped just in front of the door, trying to seem effortlessly casual. She tried to steady her breath as she turned the knob. The sight before left her almost breathless.
He was wearing a crisp white shirt which was rolled up at the sleeves. He paired them with smart black trousers and black shoes. His bronze hair fell in soft curls over his forehead and his eyes looked even bluer than the last time she had seen them. He was smiling one of his dazzling smiles and had his hand stretched out toward her.
She had been so caught up with his face that she hadn't noticed he was carrying flowers. Daisies. Just like in her dream.
She accepted them and whispered a gratified 'thank you.'
She was speechless. She had been mentally preparing herself the last couple of hours, and just one look at him and her sane conscious scuttled off and left only the feeling of intoxicated bliss to roam her mind. She stared at her black high heels, trying to form words.
"You look stunning." He said, catching her chin in between his thumb and forefinger. She couldn't help but blush.
"And you look so…" She couldn't find the right words. How was she supposed to sum up how gorgeous he actually was? What words described how he made her feel.
He smiled at her, his eyes encouraging her to continue.
"Handsome," she finished, cursing her lack of imagination.
He grinned. "Would it surprise you if I said you weren't the first person to say so?"
Aislinn appreciated his lightheartedness. It helped her relax. She linked her arm through his and led them down her driveway.
"So where are you and your big head taking us?"
He chuckled. "I want to show you where I usually go out."
She pictured a fancy restaurant with small round tables scattering the oak floor. White table cloths trimmed with fine lace, on which stood two wineglasses of the finest crystal. Waiters who always carried a white towel over their arm and spoke with a French accent. She imagined distant violin music and a private table for two located outside under the starry sky, facing a park where a fountain could be heard trickling in the distance.
It all seemed so 'Keenan.'
"Where's your mind at, beautiful?" Keenan rested his hand on her lower back, sending chills down her spine.
Beautiful.
"Oh, nowhere." She dismissed his question with a wave of her hand. "Just daydreaming."
Whatever she had previously imagined, was not where Keenan usually 'went out'. This was a night club.
The glowing neon sign over the entrance read 'The Crow's Nest" and there stood a tall and muscular man outside, ushering people in.
There was a long queue filled with young people, none of whom she had ever seen before. She didn't recognize a single one of them from school. She noticed that they were all very pretty. The boys had angular faces, the kind girls would kill for and guys don't notice.
The girls all had heart shaped faces and swooping long eyelashes. One girl in particular, who stood at the front of the queue, caught Aislinn's eye. She was tall and lean. Her hair was long and blonde, almost white. She was wearing a short, strapless dress which was the colour of ice blue. It matched her stunning blue eyes perfectly.
Aislinn couldn't help but notice the stunning girl looked at Keenan and gave him a small nod. Keenan nodded back. Aislinn didn't dare ask how he knew her, in case she was one of the previous girls he had tried to woo.
Keenan started to make his way towards the front entrance, dismissing the queue entirely.
Aislinn tugged his shirt slightly as he led her forward.
"Shouldn't we wait in line?" she asked, nervously eyeing some of the guys in the crowd who looked particularly tough.
"I have a special pass," he said simply.
The bouncer looked at Keenan before opening the red rope barrier and gesturing them to head on in.
Aislinn couldn't take her eyes off the queue. To her surprise, none of them seemed to mind. They only looked at Keenan with slight admiration, and a few of them stared at her.
None of them tried to start a fight or complained about them jumping the queue. It was as if it was his right.
She could smell the club atmosphere before they entered.
Standing in the doorway she could smell the drinks in the bar, the smell of bodies dancing, the slight hint of the smoke machines creating an enchanting atmosphere.
As they entered, Aislinn could feel the dense and humid heat pierce her skin and the blinding lights against her closed eyelids. The music blasted from the speakers and all around her bodies where jumping and grinding to the rhythm of the bass.
Keenan led her past the dance floor and over to the bar where he ordered two drinks for them.
It may have all only been her imagination, but she could almost sense they were all staring at her. As if every once in a while they all tried to sneak a peek at her. It made her slightly uncomfortable.
Keenan didn't seem to notice. He was chatting to the bartender, who had short pixie hair that was dyed bright blue. She smiled alluringly at Keenan as she handed him their drinks. He didn't return the smile. He simply turned to Aislinn and handed her her drink.
"What do you think?" he shouted loudly, trying to converse despite the loud music.
What did she think?
"It's very…" She looked around, searching for the right words.
"Busy." She said, taking a sip of her drink.
He chuckled. "Busy, indeed…"
His stood, leaning against the bar, gazing out at the crowd in front of them. He looked at them with almost a look of protectiveness. As if they were all his responsibility. Aislinn felt a sense of awe. This was him showing her the people he cared about the most, and she was immensely grateful for it.
He put his drink on the counter. "Care to dance?" He asked, his hand outstretched toward her, offering her a few moments of utter bliss.
She took his hand without a second thought or need for contemplation. He led her out on the dance floor and took her hand. The song quickly changed from pumping dance music to a song with tango-like rhythm; the kind of music that is meant for only two.
He spun her out and in again, making her head spin. She had never danced like this before and was unsure of how to move. After stumbling and tripping over her own feet, she just let go and let him lead.
She swayed like a feather in his embrace, dipping when his hand on her back held her close. Her hand managed to snake its way into the nape of his neck, clutching the bronze locks there. She could feel his breath on her tongue as he drew her close, before letting her spin outwards with a grace she had never imagined she could ever possess.
The dance floor seemed to notice their dance and slowly the dance floor cleared and formed a circle around them, watching them as their Summer King and his beloved swayed together.
Aislinn didn't notice this change in her surroundings. She was bewitched. His eyes seemed like clear, inviting and bottomless oceans that offered to swallow her whole, if she was willing to pay the price. That price being her heart; her love. A price that she in that moment, would have gladly paid. In that moment, she would have sacrificed her own soul at the Devil's dispense, just to be able to call herself 'his' for a few moments. She would have given anything to stay like this with him forever, in the protective and sensual embrace of his arms.
The song was coming to an end and Keenan dipped her one last time, lowering his face to hover just inches from hers. His hand was under her knee, hitching her leg up on his waist. Her hand was still in his hair while the other was clutching his shirt, in a desperate attempt to stay this close to him a little longer.
The music faded out and the crowd applauded. Keenan's eyes never left hers. His lips were drawn up into a playful grin, tempting her to caress them with her own.
He bent down and she could feel his breath tickle her neck as he whispered in her ear.
"You never told me you could dance like that."
Aislinn could feel goose bumps creep their way up her arms as she answered, her voice shaking.
"I never knew I could dance like that."
Her breath caught in her throat as she could feel him trail small kisses along her jaw line.
He lifted her back up again, although he still held her close. He grabbed her hand and whispered alluring words as he drifted past her, pulling her with him.
"Come with me."
She followed him in a trance-like state, a blush creeping up her cheeks as she noticed that the entire club was staring at them. They went out a back door and the night air cooled her hot cheeks. Small strands of hair were sticking to the back of her neck and she could feel a thin layer of sheen sweat across the exposed part of her chest. She sucked in a deep breath as Keenan continued to lead her by the hand to their next destination.
They walked for a few minutes, before they were about to turn a corner. Keenan suddenly whipped around and darted behind her. She was about to turn to face him and ask what was wrong when he covered her eyes with both his hands.
His muscular stomach was pressed against her back and she could smell the sweet scent radiating from his skin. It seemed to smell of lilies… and sunshine… if that was even possible.
"Keenan, what are-"
"It's a surprise," he whispered, kissing her gently at the nape of her neck before he continued to lead her forward.
They walked very slowly, Aislinn had her hands extended in front of her, feeling for any wall that might pop up out of nowhere and threaten to flatten her face. Keenan walked steadily behind her, one of his hands now covering both her eyes while the other rested on her waist.
She could see small pieces of the streets ahead of them through his fingertips, and however tempted she was to peak, she let him have his way and kept her eyes squeezed tight.
She soon felt the ground beneath her change and her heels sank into the soft ground below her.
Keenan removed his hands, but Aislinn still kept her eyes shut.
He moved his warm hands to rest on her shoulders. It was almost as if her whole skin, flesh and bones suddenly warmed to his touch. It was almost as if he made her glow from the inside. She sighed in pleasure at the feeling his touch brought her.
"Open your eyes, Aislinn."
Before her was the most beautiful park she had ever seen. It baffled her that she had never come across it before. It stretched out for what seemed like miles and disappeared into a dense blackness, Aislinn assumed to be a woods. Scattered around the park where several old fashioned street lamps which cast a golden hue on their surroundings. There was a huge lake which reflected the moon above them perfectly. She could see the dark shapes of trees in the water's reflection. Despite it being dark and late in the evening, she wasn't cold. If it was because of Keenan's comforting warmth or something else, she did not know, but the whole atmosphere in this park seemed… warmer somehow. As if this were the place where Summer never died. Where Summer lived on and on, while outside this park Winter terrorized the world.
Keenan turned to stand in front of her and took both her hands. He started walking backwards and pulled her gently with him. Aislinn gladly followed. She took one step and her heel sank all the way into the soft grass. She discarded her shoes and followed the faery barefoot across the lush grass.
They walked hand in hand and headed for the lake. They walked in silence, but Aislinn was too busy staring at the beautiful surroundings to notice. Keenan just looked at his beloved, how entranced she seemed by it all. One day this would all be hers.
As they neared the edge of the lake, Aislinn noticed a blanket lying on the ground. On it was a picnic basket, a bottle of wine, two wineglasses and a few candles, casting a romantic glow.
Keenan led her to the blanket and gestured for her to sit.
He popped the cork of the wine bottle and poured them both a glass. Aislinn accepted hers with a smile and gazed out at the lake.
"It's so beautiful here." She said wistfully, not being able to take her eyes off the dazzling image before her.
"It is, isn't it?" Keenan said, never taking his eyes off Aislinn.
"How did you even come across it?" Aislinn asked. "I have never seen this place before."
She spotted a lone daisy growing in the grass and held it between her fingers. Keenan reached over and took the flower from her hand.
"Some places stay hidden, unless you know where to look."
He tucked the flower gently behind her ear, letting his hand linger on her skin.
Aislinn had to clear her throat before she could speak.
"Do you come here often?"
Keenan lowered his hand and took another sip of his wine.
"Yes, I suppose I do. One can see this park from my house. I always find myself looking out here. I suppose I feel a kind of responsibility to keep it safe and growing."
At the mention that his house was close by, Aislinn couldn't help but crane her head to try to see any houses nearby, but to no avail.
Keenan lay down on his back, resting one of his hands behind his head while the other lay next to him, beckoning her to hold it.
Aislinn mirrored his actions and rested one of her hands on her stomach while the other lay by her side, her ankles crossed and being tickled by the soft grass beneath them.
The starry sky seemed to unveil itself to them in that instant, sparkling brighter than anything she had ever seen before. It was as if someone had taken a million sequins and thrown them across dark satin and pinned it over their heads. She was able to make out some of the constellations and imagined the images looking down on them, watching in awe as two lovers lay down before them, offering their souls to the night sky.
"It's all so magical," Aislinn whispered, spotting the Big Dipper in the distance.
"Do you believe in that sort of thing?" Keenan asked.
His question surprised her and she craned her face to the side to face him. He was still staring at the sky above them, a little crease between his eyebrows and his mouth drawn in a tense line.
"What do you mean?" she asked, begging him to look at her.
He sighed. "I mean, do you believe in magic? Like, water sprites, a pot of gold at the end of every rainbow, magical creatures…"
He turned to face her. It seemed as if his eyes were pleading with her to understand. To understand what, she did not know.
"…faeries…" He trailed off, never taking his eyes off her.
She didn't understand why he was asking her these questions.
"You're asking me if I believe in faeries?" she asked.
He simply nodded. He turned to lie on his side, their faces now only inches apart. Aislinn stayed where she was.
Did she believe in those sorts of things? She had never thought about it. It was like how some people never contemplated the fact if they believed in God or not, they just knew. Aislinn didn't know. When she was younger she had believed in the Tooth Fairy and such, but that magic quickly shattered when she had found all her teeth in Grams' jewelry box when she was ten.
Distant memories of Grams crying, murmuring things about her mother… and faeries. How faeries had been the reason she died.
A flashback of Grams warning her not to go outside after it got dark. Aislinn had asked her why. Grams had simply said dangerous and magical things awaken after dark, unsafe things.
Keenan's ocean blue eyes pressed her to answer, but what could she answer? Without sounding like a lunatic. Then again, he was the lunatic for asking. She answered in the only way she knew possible.
"I don't know. Although, sometimes, I guess I like to believe things like that exist. It's nice to imagine that magical things exist in our world, things we don't usually get to see. It's nice to think there's something beyond our everyday lives."
He seemed pleased with this answer and seemed to sigh with relief, as if he was holding his breath waiting for her answer.
He reached down and took her hand in his, pulling it up to his lips. He kissed her knuckles gently, smiling a wistful smile. Aislinn turned to lie on her side, her hair splayed out on the blanket underneath them.
The moonlight made Keenan's hair glow with a silver undertone and his tanned skin was paler than usual. Shadows were cast across his stunning features, and Aislinn couldn't stop herself from reaching out before it was too late.
She raised her hand and stroked his soft cheek gently, causing him to smile one of his dazzling smiles. She ran her fingers delicately through his hair and slid her hand down his neck to rest holding the collar of his shirt.
Keenan mirrored her actions and pushed her bangs out of her eyes, letting his hand cup her cheek as he spoke the words that would seal her soul to him forever. The words that would make it impossible for her to ever part with him.
"You make me see the magic in the world," he said. His voice was so confident, stripped of any hesitation. He meant what he said. He meant every word.
All the pent up feelings of love and desire came gushing out at once and hit her, hard.
She tugged the collar of his shirt and pulled his lips to hers.
She tried to convey all the feelings of certainty and adoration she felt towards this beautiful boy into that kiss. Their kiss quickly went from tender to passionate and raw.
Keenan let go of her hand and snaked his arm around her waist, pulling her even closer. Chest to chest, heart to heart they lay on the blanket entwined. Aislinn opened her mouth, begging for him to do the same. When he did, she almost wanted to swallow him whole. To devour him and to let herself be devoured. Keenan rolled over so he was resting on top of her. He braced his hands on either side of her face, caging her in.
She pulled him even closer, never wanting to let go. When this had happened in the orchard she had been so unsure. She had wondered if whether she was willing to let him in. If she was willing to let herself just be immensely and foolishly happy. And the answer was yes. Yes; she wanted all those things, but she wanted them with him. Him and no one else.
And with this certainty of never wanting to part with him, she kissed him even more lovingly than she would ever have thought possible, under the protective and privacy of the starry sky.