I had to rewrite about half of this chapter. Still trying to figure out where I'm going with this, but hope that you're enjoying what I've got so far. If you feel so inclined, I'd be happy to hear suggestions. Thanks so much for favorite-ing, following, and to katnassy for reviewing. Hope you like this next chapter. Oh Dyson, if only you existed in real life. hahaha.
"What!" She sat up straight with shock and whirled around to look Dyson in the eye. "Is that even possible? How do you know?" He knew she was shaken by this life changing news, but Dyson couldn't help but be glad. It meant she would be around for lifetimes to come; he need not fear losing her anymore. And now that she had figured out something was different on her own, he didn't have to hide it any longer.
"I can smell it on you." He said simply.
Her reaction was not what he had expected. In the blink of an eye her hand came up and she slapped him hard across the face. "You knew? All this time, you knew and you didn't tell me? How could you?" She stood up, giving him a glare and made her way to his door. But before she could leave he stopped her with a hand around her waist. "Don't touch me you traitor!" She struggled.
"Kenzi, I'm sorry." He let her go but stood in front of his door to block her exit. He had to explain himself before she left, otherwise she'd be avoiding him for weeks…possibly months. "I didn't understand it at first. Didn't think it was possible that you really could be Fae." He was talking very quietly in the hopes that she would calm down, but she stood with her arms crossed, the toe of her boot tapping a staccato beat on the tile floor. "I was wrong not to tell you immediately. I see that now; at the time I thought it might be best to let you get readjusted to life before more big news was sprung on you. I really am sorry."
Kenzi dropped her bag back to the floor and turned around. He saw the movement for exactly what it was. She had forgiven him, but she wasn't ready to let him know that. He decided to play along just to be safe.
Dyson followed the human-turned-Fae back to the couch were they sat looking at each other. "If I had known," Kenzi said in a hard voice, "I wouldn't have felt like I was going crazy for the last month. I thought I'd been cursed or something for coming back from the dead." At his amused expression she narrowed her eyes at him. "It could happen. How many people are resurrected?"
Dyson adopted a look of reticence. "I'm sorry to have caused you to worry. You're not cursed…I promise." He took the tiny hand that was closest to him in both of his large ones, reminded again at how much bigger he was then this woman. "Kenzi, this is a blessing. You will live as long as the rest of us. We never have to say goodbye again." He didn't even try to keep the pure joy from showing in his face and voice. Slowly a matching smile lit up her face as she realized the truth of his words. "Hells to the yeah!" She whispered. And then they both broke out laughing.
"So what kind of Fae am I? Will I have to pick a side? This explains why my hair has been extra shiny recently doesn't it?" Kenzi was talking a mile a minute, obviously excited by this change in her situation. Dyson couldn't help but laugh.
"I can't tell what type of Fae you are just by smell, Kenz." He smiled at her disappointed expression, "But you are definitely Fae. You said something about fire. Tell me about it."
Kenzi immediately tensed. He could see her embarrassment and feel her nervous energy. Instead of say anything, Dyson decided to wait her out; letting her decide when and how she would explain what had happened. He couldn't imagine what might have happened to cause her such discomfort, but he knew how much Kenzi hated to look or feel weak or out of control.
After a few minutes of hemming and hawing (and absolutely avoiding Dyson's eyes) the young woman finally gave in and spoke. "It's stupid. I don't really know what happened." She began with a shrug. "I was asleep. I felt really hot…like it just kept getting hotter and hotter." She hesitated for another second, then finished by quickly spitting out the words, "When I woke up the fire was in full blaze right there on the comforter. Right on top of me! I freaked out…did some Stop, Drop, and Roll action, and now here I am." She gave a little huff, then finally looking the shifter in the eye, she offered. "Sorry I can't be more helpful, D. Lame I know."
He hugged her small body to his larger one. Fear at what might have happened to her if she hadn't awoken seized him. "It's alright Kenzi. I'm just glad you're ok."
That sat in silence for a moment, until he shook himself. They had to find out what she was, before she hurt herself for real. When he stated as much, Kenzi had fully agreed.
"So how do we figure out what I am? Dragon? How badass would that be?" How typical Kenzi to be completely unconcerned with her own safety. He shook his head at her with a mixture of resigned exasperation and good humor.
"Did you have an ash-like taste in your mouth? Dragon Fae, like Dragons of legend, do actually breath fire."
"Woah!" Kenzi's eyes grew wide. "That is freakin' awesome. Unfortunately, that's a negatory on ashy mouth."
"Don't be too disappointed, you." He couldn't help but chuckle at her. "That rules out Vibria and Naga, which is a good thing. They have some less than savory habits that I'm sure you wouldn't appreciate."
"Do I want to know?"
"Probably not. They also shed their skin like snakes." He couldn't stop himself from rubbing his nose against hers when she wrinkled it up in disgust. Probably best to keep some distance. He didn't want to scare her off and he could see the shock and uncertainty in her eyes at his affectionate gesture.
He rose from his seat next to her, trying not to make it seem like he was trying to get away from her. In reality that was quite the opposite of what he was feeling. Being so close to her, feeling her skin and smelling her breath, had made him want to be even closer. But he knew she wasn't ready for that. Even though he had long ago realized and accepted his feelings for her, she was unaware how things had changed. Between he and Bo, but most importantly how his feelings for her had evolved.