Autumn Rain

Abyrne Mostyn has joined us again with a short  romantic offering that suits the season well. Fate is a fickle mynx, and uses  all means in conspiracy against us.

 

 

Autumn Rain

by

Abyrne Mostyn 

 

Only the weeping willow remained unchanged. The other colorful leaves, long since path pavers on the walk, betrayed the lateness of the season. Skylar was down there with the fallen rainbow along the curb feeling cast off and walked on. Shareese had been the cause. Weeks had become months since they had had anything more than an argument between them and still he could not bring himself to believe there was anyone else for him.

Love was like that. Loss was like that too. The difference was perspective and a healthy dose of reality, but he could not bring himself to choke down the bitter pill. She was off somewhere dancing with someone else, without a thought for him. He didn’t think so, he knew so having seen her in the pub window bedecked and bedazzled for the night. It was one more slap to the cheek he had already turned.

Walking around with his eyes on the ground, he missed what was in front of him, then and now. Realities past and future were lost to the drek that balanced on the sewer grate waiting to fall. He wasn’t alone. Megan missed missing the collision with Skylar just as surely as neither looked up to see the oncoming person in their path. Misery, company, cliché.

The mad tangle of limbs, the hasty apologies, and the recognition of a kindred soul were the matter of a moments glance up after the fall. The universe is a conspiracy. Sometimes only to show you what it is that you need to see when you refuse to look.

Silent seconds passed into minutes and more measurable units of time as they grappled with the notion that somehow words weren’t necessary yet to convey the gaping hole they were wearing under their clothes. Like running a wet finger around the rim of a crystal glass the monotone soliloquy of each played between them with the sounds of a concert orchestra to accompany the pain they wore on their faces. Before they realized the leaves no longer crunched beneath their feet, or that the November rain would wash away the somber death knell they had been building, the moment was broken and the tiniest piece of patch snuck from the edge of each hole toward their center with the laughter that followed their awkward ‘Hi’ as they uttered at them at the same time.

The universe is a conspiracy. Walk with your eyes open, stand in the rain, and see the future for what it can be. They did.

 

Check out Abyrne's newet release: 

Through-Oracles-Mist-Vengelys-Series

 

Oral Dilemma: Little Girl Blue

Will Roxanne ever catch a break? Will she ever find happiness or is fate determined to keep her blue?

 This image is not owned by Storytime Trysts all copyrights reserved to artist. 

 

Oral Dilemma: Little Girl Blue

by

Ellie Mack

“Fired? What do you mean fired? What the hell Mike?” I couldn’t believe it. Surely he was joking.

“Sorry, you ain’t waitressing for me anymore.” He was smiling but there was no hint of remorse in his eyes.

I looked at him in shocked disbelief, standing there staring at him for several minutes.

“ Mike, you’re an ass. Always got to be the joker. That’s just wrong man.” It was Johnny D, in that low sexy voice of his. “Roxanne sweetheart, you got some real soul. Since you are currently unemployed I got an opportunity for you.”

I turned to Johnny, then back glaring at Mike. “I’m listening”

“How ‘bout you open for the band next week on vocals. It’s a paid gig.”

I turned slowly to Johnny. “Seriously? What?” He had my full attention now.

Mike cleared his throat. “See, if you are in the band you can’t waitress. We’ve been wanting to do the live band thing again ever since Lorna left us 3 years ago. Me and Locks here knew last night when you sang that you had the sound we were looking for. I can’t afford to pay you to waitress and sing. Not until we start drawing a large crowd. It would be a raise actually. What do you say Rox?”

I was a little bit miffed at how he did it, but I had to admit it was exciting. Tara and I had the funds from mom’s house, and I felt like I could take a chance and have some fun. Plus, I figured if it didn’t work out I could go back to college.

“Sure, I’ll do it.”

“Alright then” Johnny D smiled. For an older guy he was downright sexy. That smile was devastating. It was decided when we would practice and where. Johnny had a full studio at his house. Mike planned on opening the following Saturday which didn’t give us much time. We met every day at two o’clock. I learned a lot about the guys, we learned about each other’s style and signals. Things just seemed to click as if we’d played together for years.

Of all the silly things Mike bought me an outfit to wear for my first performance. We had a regular party with pizza and drank to celebrate the night before. I wore my leather pants and soft flowing Bohemian style top that Mike selected for me. It wasn’t my usual style but it was nice. After about ten minutes I swore I’d never go back to plain jeans again. Other than a brief moment worrying about my makeup and hair I found myself completely relaxed as if I’d found my true calling in life.

It was difficult to think of it as work really, but in fact we were earning a few bucks. Mike had hired some college students to plaster flyers all over town and on every windshield for our debut. There were maybe forty people there that first night. The crowd steadily increased each week.

We mixed classical blues songs with new originals including several I had written. I was so inspired, I dug out old notebooks that I had songs in. Years of heartache, years of dad never being there, feeling unwanted gave me material to draw on. It was my life and emotions poured into song. I rewrote most of them, but a few were good in their elemental simplicity.

By the month’s end we had standing room only at the club. I’d discovered my own style in clothing, favoring my boots and a leather skirt with a tailored shirt. Chunky jewelry was a luxury I could afford now so I had plenty of it. I knew this ride wasn’t going to last, but I was determined to ride it to the end, budgeting my money with a portion for playing and investing the rest.

Life was good. I was happy, Tara was happy Mike was happy and I prepared myself for the bottom to drop out. It had been five months since this ride began, and I just knew that the end was coming. Knew that for me the ride never lasted.

At the end of the fifth month I had made a decision. I’d get as many songs out of me, out of my system as I could. Maybe it would help me get over whatever it was that plagued me.

It was a grueling night. It had been a long day with aggravation after aggravation, and the evening was just one bit of trouble after another. I walked to the bar between sets rolling my neck to ease the tension. “Make it a double Mark."

“Hello Roxanne. You look amazing. Been a long time.”

I knew that voice. My heart skipped a beat. Could it be?

Just Another After School Special

Read the last installment here!

 

Just Another After School Special

Part Eight

By

Eva Rayne

Friday morning I slipped in the class room door just as Nick was pulling out the attendance sheet out of his bag.

“I'm glad you could join us this morning, Izzie,” Nick said, handing the attendance sheet to a girl in the front row to start passing around. His tone was even, with a touch of reprimand, but the sparkle in his eyes and the secret smile on his lips when he looked back over told me he was still thinking about last night.

“I'm sorry it was a late night,” I was sure by the smile on my face as I slid into my usual seat gave away how I had spent my night and I tried to not make eye contact with Nick and give it all away.

“You gotta love thirsty Thursday around here, don't you?” Nick said with a chuckle and the room filled with a chorus of positive responses. I noticed for the first time how many people had bottles of water or Gatorade.

Nick chuckled, “How about since it is Friday we just go over some of the homework problems then get the hell out of here?”

His suggestion was met with cheers, sighs of relief and even a few whistles, and a few cringes as the volume in the room rose.

“Volunteers to the board, any problems you had questions about from Wednesday's homework,” Nick instructed, pulling a handful of dry erase markers out of his bag and leaving them on the table.

Slowly, a handful of people made their way to the front of the room, notebooks or torn out pieces of paper in their hands. Nick caught my eye as I unzipped my back pack and I smiled before pulling out my notebook. The same notebook that Nick had written his number in just a few weeks ago.

“While they're putting those up there,” Nick started again, “Let's talk Halloween.” Almost everyone in the room stopped talking. Halloween next Thursday night was the main topic on campus.

“I'm not stupid, I know everyone of you is gonna end up going out next week so...” he trailed off.

“So you're going to give us the day off?” a football player asked from the back of the room, looking like Christmas had come early.

“I am,” Nick confirmed, chuckling. “And anyone who dresses up for class on Wednesday will get 5 bonus points.”

The rest of class passed quickly. We couldn't have been in there twenty minutes. Most of the time the conversation focused around Halloween, who was throwing a party and what everyone was dressing up as.

When Nick dismissed the class I hung back a little, copying down a problem from the board. Once the last person left the room he came over, sitting on the desktop next to me.

“We cut it a little close this morning,”he said with a smile, leaning over and kissing me.

“We'll just have to be more careful next time,” I said, unable to keep the cheesy smile off my face.

“You want there to be a next time?” he asked, playfully tugging on a strand of my hair as I zipped my backpack.

“Yeah, I do,” I told him, looking up into his sparkling eyes, “Do you?”

He grabbed my hand, pulling me up and to him, “I do,”

And that was how we spent the next month. We stole kisses after class, secret smiles, movie nights at his apartment. The days leading up to Thanksgiving break flew by.

“Are you gonna miss me?” Nick asked me the last Sunday before break, curled up on his couch.

“Maybe,” I teased, looking up to kiss his cheek.

“Only maybe, huh?” he asked, tickling my sides.

“Stop it!” I cried between giggles, trying to squirm away from him.

After a long moment he stopped, pulling me to him and kissing me instead, “Still only maybe?” he asked, his voice a husky whisper against my ear.

“I guess I'll miss you,” I admitted, kissing him again.

“Good, cause I'm gonna miss you,” he told me, laying down and pulling me down on top of him.

“Then I better give you something good to remember,” I said, a sly smile on my lips as I leaned down, kissing him hard.

Oral Dilemma: Jam

  Roxanne has been buried in grief so long she's lost all confidence in herself. Sometimes when we least expect it, opportunity knocks.   

 Storytime Trysts does not own copyrights to this image. 

Oral Dilemma: Jam

By

Ellie Mack 

Read Part 1 here. 

Read Part 2 here. 

Read Part 3 here.

Read Part 4 here. 

Read part 5 here.  
Read part 6 here.
Read part 7 here.  
Read part 8 here. 
Read part 9 here.
Read part 10 here.  
Read part 11 here.
Read part 12 here 
Read part 13 here
Read part 14 here.
Read part 15 here. 

Read Part 16 here 

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    Sirens blared, loud sirens going off that caused instant stabbing pain inside my head. A chain reaction of explosions that I just knew was killing brain cells. I covered my head with the blanket, praying for it to stop. After a few seconds it did but then restarted a few minutes later. It woke me enough to have to use the bathroom. As I staggered down the hall I realized it wasn’t sirens but rather my phone.

It took a concerted effort to read my phone, finally just hitting replay on my voice messages.

“Roxy this is Mike, I need you to come in at 2. It’s eleven and I haven’t heard back. Are you there?“There was a beep then another message.

“Roxanne, doll. I really need you to get up. You have to be here at 2. Call me! That’s it I’m coming over if you haven’t called me back by noon.”Again there was a beep.

It rang again in my hand “Hello?”

“Good. You’re finally up.”

“Finally? What the heck Mike, I’m not scheduled till seven.” I searched the refrigerator while talking.

“It’s nearly noon, I need you here by 2. Well before that actually. Change of plans doll, stuff happens you know? Tell you what, I’ll be there in half an hour to pick you up.”

It figured that when I had a hangover Carly would skip her shift. “No Mike I can be there.”

“You won’t regret it.”

“ I already do.” I yelled into the phone.

I could hear him laugh on the other end.“I’ll be there in a half an hour.” He hung up on me. I closed the fridge empty handed and went to shower.

At twelve thirty there was pounding on my door. “Ugh. For the love of God Mike stop it!” I screamed as I opened the door.

He stood there grinning like a kid with a new toy. “Wanted to make sure you hadn’t gone back to bed.” He shoved a bag of bagels and a large coffee at me. “You’re gonna like this Roxy.”

I groaned as he followed me to the kitchen. Coffee was little consolation for the explosion in my head.

“Tara around? She can come in with you as well.”

“I think she’s in class” Then I looked at the clock. “Oh, well she should be back any minute.

“Good, good!” Mike was agitated. I hadn’t seen him this excited since, well I hadn’t ever.

I listened to him ramble on about getting the band together, I envisioned a group of middle aged men like in that movie “Wild Hogs”. I couldn’t help but smile. There was a gleam in Mike’s eye that I hadn’t seen before. “What’s going on Mike?” I tore off a hunk of bagel and chewed.

“New thing! Well, a renewed thing. Gonna make some changes.”

“When did you decide all this?” I chewed another bite.

“Last night. Thought about it for a while, been wanting to do it but last night made up my mind. It’s time.”

Just as I finished my bagel, Tara came in. She was surprised to see him, but quickly agreed to go in with us. She changed clothes, then grabbed the bagel to eat on the way. There was only two times before that Mike had picked me up. The first was to get my official waitress uniform, he paid for the outfit and told me what was acceptable and not acceptable. He didn’t want any of the girls working for him to dress inappropriately. He saw a bit of his daughter in all of us. The second time my car was in the shop and it was pouring down rain.

When we arrived at the club Carly was working. This made me wonder what was up even more as I figured I was covering her shift.

“I thought you said Carly couldn’t make her shift?” I looked at Mike suspiciously.

“Never said that doll, you just assumed.” I could have sworn his eyes just twinkled. I really hated mind games but there was a certain fascination in watching Mike like up like a Christmas bulb.

I worked in the back room stocking the shelves occasionally catching a glimpse of Mike with an energy and excitement that I’d not seen before. I moved to the kitchen, cleaning the shelves and work surface. I heard several voices with Mike along with a great deal of clattering noise.

“Roxanne, come out here.”

I wiped my hands on my apron and grabbed a tray. Four distinguished gentlemen sat around the largest table with Mike. I took their orders then returned with their drinks.”

Once the food was served, I went back to the kitchen helping Mark with food preparations. I chopped vegetables,acting as his sou chef. Tara came in and took over what I was doing grinning like a fool. She told me to clean up and go check with Mike.

I wondered what was going on that I didn’t know about. It seemed everyone kept looking at me strangely. Were they talking about how poorly I did on the karaoke thing last night? That thought only made me more self conscious and wondering what was up.

Pushing through the double doors, I saw that the guys were no longer at the table but setting up instruments on the stage. I busied myself bussing the table, certain that it was what Mike wanted, to make sure we made a good impression on his friends. It was really good to see him in good spirits. It was apparent that he was excited for his friends to be there. As I cleaned, I listened to them warm up. The bass player resembled Bruce Willis with the cool confidence of a seasoned performer. The keyboardist began running his fingers over the keys as if he was caressing his lover. His long elegant fingers moved in fluid motions as his long jet black hair fell forward over his eyes as he played. Soon they were moving into familiar riffs of songs that I recognized. I couldn’t help but hum along. It was a secret passion that few people knew I had, a very selfish indulgence.

When they began playing through “Careless Love”, I couldn’t help but hear the soulful sounds of Ray Charles, singing softly under my breath. The guys sounded fantastic together. They sounded better than some bands I’d heard in clubs.

“Love, oh love, oh careless love. Whoa Love, oh love, ohhh careless love. I’ll tell you what careless love can do.”

“Roxy” Mike motioned me over to the band. I blushed, worrying that maybe I got a little loud in my humming and singing. I tucked my cloth in my apron walking sheepishly towards the stage. “Meet the guys. This is Chubs” He introduced the man on drums. He was far from chubby, in fact he looked gaunt and haggard. I shook his hand.

“This is Johnny D on keys” He reached his hand to shake mine, a smooth low sultry voice like Lou Rawls.

“Nice to meet you.” He grinned as he squeezed my hand. “You’re right Mike, she’s a looker.”

I blushed. Wasn’t expecting any compliments, and I knew I certainly wasn’t a “ looker”.

“Sandman on lead.” I shook his hand, he nodded to me not saying a word.

“And this sad case over here is my brother Matt, but we call him Locks.” He shyly extended his hand nodding.

“Guys this is Roxanne Winters, the doll with the voice.” I blushed smiling. “Join us in a little jam session Rox. We have the words printed off for you if you need them.” He handed me a bundle of pages stapled together. “Sing for us doll.”

They started on Kris Kristofferson’s song “Help Me Make IT Through the night.” A smooth transition slipping into “ Aint No Sunshine”. I couldn’t believe they were playing my favorites and letting me sing with them. After that Sandman kicked into some awesome riffs leading into “Damn Your Eyes.”

I loved that song, poured myself into it not caring what anyone thought, just feeling it all the way to the end never looking at the lyrics.

“ You ain’t jokin’ Mike, she got it.” It was Johnny D. “Can we do that one she sung?”

Locks fingers were magic on the strings. The soulful mourning that poured forth was better than Santana, similar to Bonamasso. I started in on Baddest Blues. I saw Tara lean against the bar, just listening, her ankles crossed elbows propped on the bar, tears flowing. There were a few people that had come in for the afternoon that seemed to enjoy the jam.

The last song the guys did was “Rock Me Baby.” I imagined the divine Etta James singing as I belted it out, putting a little extra passion into the song. It was a sensuous song after all, the sultry wails with a touch of raunch, made the lyrics “rock me baby, like I ain’t got no backbone” really hit home with me, pouring my heart into it.

When we finished, the place was packed and the applause was deafening.

Mike turned around grinning like a fiend, happy with his friends in the band. He looked out over the audience, basking in the applause and said: “Roxanne Winters, you’re fired.”

Bad Moon Rising

Bad Moon Rising

By

Eva Rayne

I couldn't help but cry out as Korbin ran the alcohol covered gauze over the bleeding gash on my side.

“Fucking wolf,” I swore, taking a swig of the whiskey Liam had left on the night stand.

“I'm sorry, Rikky,” Korbin apologized as he cleaned the last of the blood from my side. By the amount of blood on the rags and gauze on the bed the cut between my ribs was deeper than I had originally thought. “This is going to need stitches, hold this here while I grab the other first aid kit out of the other room.”

I held the fresh piece of gauze against my side with one hand while taking another shot of the whiskey with the other. The alcohol was starting to take the edge off the stinging pain when Korbin came back in from the room Aaron and Liam were sharing next door.

“Where did the guys go?” I asked through gritted teeth as Korbin sat on the edge of the bed carefully peeling the blood soaked gauze away and letting out a low whistle.

“They said they were gonna go to the bar up the street and get something to eat,” he rummaged through our make shift first aid kit and pulled out the curved needle and a spool of black embroidery thread.

“Yeah, and drink off a shitty hunt,” I grumbled.

“Yeah, that too,” Korbin chuckled as I took another long swig of the Jack Daniels. “Here, let me see that,” he held his hand out for the bottle and I reluctantly handed it over.

I immediately regretted it as he poured a large amount over my wound. “God fucking damn it Korbin!” I swore, biting my fist to keep from screaming.

“I'm sorry Rikky, I had to though, it had to be cleaned somehow,” he explained, wiping away the excess whiskey and blood.

“Warn a girl next time, will you?” I bit my lip until I could taste blood, trying to keep my tears in check.

“Only if you promise there isn't going to be a next time,” he tossed back, handing me the bottle and putting my hand over a clean rag against my side to keep it in place as he threaded the needle. “I mean come on, Rikky. Pissing off a werewolf on the fucking full moon? What in hell's name were you thinking?” His voice was full of anger, but it was the large amount of concern there as well that surprised me.

“Bitch had it coming,” I muttered, remembering how she had looked at him earlier that day, how she kept making excuses to touch him. I pressed the rag a little harder against my side, focusing on the pain and not his fingers against my hip as he turned me slightly so he could get a better look at my savaged skin.

“You're gonna get yourself killed one of these days,” he snapped, his fingers digging into my skin momentarily causing me to gasp. “Sorry, here come lay on your side so I can sew you up.”

I moved over to the bed without saying anything, slightly taken aback by his sudden mood shift. I stretched out on my side as Korbin stood up, the soft comforter felt good against my sore, feverish skin.

“I'm sorry, Erika,” Korbin said softly, pulling the now red rag away from my side and sitting next to me. “You just really scared me back there, and this could have been so much worse,” he explained as he punctured my skin to make the first stitch.

I pressed a hand against my mouth trying to hold in a strangled cry. “I know, it was stupid. I mean, telling a cornered werewolf to bite me? Yeah, not my smartest move ever,” I tried chuckling to cover my heavy breathing.

“You're lucky she didn't bite you, that all you got was a side full of claws.” Korbin's fingers were gently against my torn ribs and his stitches were slow and careful as he tried not to tug excessively on my skin.

“I know,” I admitted through gritted teeth, trying not to think about what was going on with my side.

The next several minutes went by in a long, almost stressful silence. I tried to ignore the tears that were building up, and then running down my cheeks. Finally, I could fell Korbin knotting the thread and cutting it with the pocket knife he pulled out of my back pocket.

I watched Korbin run the needle through a lighter flame to clean it after cleaning the blood off on his jeans. I didn't move as he finished packing up the first aid kit and threw away all of the blood stained cloth. When he sat back down, Korbin carefully taped a clean piece of gauze that he had left out over his careful stitches.

Once he finished he left his hand resting softly on my hip just above my jeans. “Erika, come here,” he said softly.

I sat up slowly, rolling my shoulder, trying to stretch the stiff muscles and wincing slightly as my blood stained bra pulled away from my skin. Korbin held out his hand, offering my two white Tylenol. “Here, this will take the edge off.”

“Thank you,” I said quietly, swallowing them with a shot of whiskey before leaving it on the night stand and leaning into Korbin. Korbin wrapped his arm around my waist and I sighed, resting my head on his shoulder, exhaustion washing over me like a wave.

“I'm sorry about earlier,” Korbin said into my hair after a minute. “You scared the shit out of me this afternoon, you know,” his hold on my waist tightened.

“I know, I was stupid,” I said studying the carpet.

“You were, and I swear to God, you ever go into a situation like that again and I'll start locking your ass in a hotel room while we go on hunts,” he threatened, his voice a low growl.

“But it wasn't just that,” he took a deep breath, “Seeing you fly across the room like that, crumpled on the floor and not moving. With all that blood, I thought you were dead.” I felt him shudder and I snuggled closer to him.

“I'm okay, a little beat up and sore, but I'll live,” I reassured him, resting my hand lightly on his and he intertwined our fingers, his other arm still wrapped securely around me.

“I don't even know what to say Erika, I didn't think twice about shooting that girl, I just had to make sure you were still alive, to know that you were okay. I don't think I was convinced that you were going to be alright until we got back here and you started demanding booze.” I chuckled and he finally relaxed enough to let out a little laugh of his own.

“I promise I'll be more careful,” I whispered, looking up at him.

“You better be,” he let go of my hand and brought his hand up to my face, gently cupping my cheek, carefully wiping away tear streaked eyeliner with the pad of his thumb.

Before I could say anything else Korbin leaned down and kissed me gently. It was soft, the complete opposite of the way our lives together had been up until this point – hard and fast and dark. Instead, this kiss was soft and sweet, full of the promise of more, and of happier times.

When he pulled away, his fingers running through my hair, I noticed a sparkle in his eyes that I had never seen before. “Korbin,” I whispered, resting my hand lightly on his chest.

“Yes, Rikky?” his voice was a husky whisper as he rested his forehead against mine.

“Hi,” I slid my hand up his chest, resting on the back of his neck, pulling him back in, finding his lips with mine. Korbin's hands were warm against my bare sides, leaving tingling sparks over my skin as he pulled me in closer.

We stayed like that for several minutes, holding each other close. When we finally separated, I clutched Korbin's t-shirt, my vision swimming. Korbin steadied me, carefully moving me into his lap as I swayed.

“Erika? Are you okay?” The concern in his voice touched me in a way I hadn't expected as he carefully brushed my hair behind my ear.

“I'm okay, just a little dizzy,” I admitted, resting my head on his shoulder, cuddling into him and trying to avoid the pain in my side.

“Is your side okay? Are you bleeding again?” I smiled at his concern.

“I'm okay, I promise,” I assured him, running my fingers around the bandage to prove that they would come back blood free. Only they didn't.

“You were saying?” Korbin asked, raising an eyebrow. Confused I looked down.

“It's my bra,” I said after a short investigation, “The stitches are fine, it's my clothes that are still bloody.”

“Come here,” he said, helping me to my feet. “Do you want a shirt?” he asked, gesturing to his duffel bag that had been tossed in the corner when we had come back from putting down the wolf.

“Yes, please,” I said with a small smile. I couldn't help but smile as Korbin crossed the room, rummaging through his bag to find something for me to wear.

“Do you need help?” Korbin asked as I reached around to try and unhook my bra without pulling at my stitches.

“Thank you,” I said turning around, giving him access to the clasp. His fingers were warm against my skin, leaving a tingling trail down my arms as he slowly slid the straps off my shoulders.

When I heard the fabric land in the small pile of torn dirty clothes I turned around, looking up at Korbin through my thick eyelashes. I couldn't help but notice as his gaze flickered over my body before he helped me into his large t-shirt which fell down to mid thigh.

“You should probably rest,” he said finally, breaking the easy silence that filled the room as he held my hips, my hands resting on his chest.

“Whatever you say, doctor,” I joked, standing on tip toe in order to brush a light kiss against his lips. “Will you stay with me?” I asked, suddenly worried that he would leave and meet up with the guys at the bar.

“Whatever you want, Rikky,” he promised, pulling me a little closer and kissing my forehead. “Lay down, I'll get the light.” With a smile he let me go.

Yawning I took the few steps back over to the large hotel bed as I unbuttoned my blood splattered jeans, kicking them off before climbing into bed.

Once I was curled up under the blanket Korbin flipped the light off, joining me in bed under the blanket. The second he was laying down I snuggled up next to him, laying on my good side, resting my head on his chest as he wrapped his arms securely around me.

“Thank you for taking care of me tonight,” I whispered, loving the feeling of his fingers drawing absentminded circles on my hip.

“Of course, Erika. I'm just glad you're okay,” he kissed the top of my head lightly. “Go to sleep, hun.”

I nodded against him, whispering, “Good night, Korbin.”

The Fairy Prince

I hope you all enjoy this quick flash fiction. It is more fantasy then most of my pieces. However, I enjoyed the chance to step into an Enchanted Forest, and tell the folklore of the fairy prince, Avery. This is completely a YA piece. ©Misty Harvey 2013

 

The Fairy Prince

By 

Misty Harvey

Moonbeams bathed the woods in light. Tiny yellow specks danced around tree trunks. Forest animals chattered as they prepared for their winter slumber.

 Brilliant colored leaves flittered down from the canopy. Soft crunching of them could be heard whenever an animal skittered about. Gentle tapping joined the chorus as rain started to fall.

Genavive loved this time of year. The forest so awake with hurried activity entertained her for hours. She would sit on a fallen tree deep in the forest. Sometimes she would read, but mostly she’d just watch.

Her grandmother used to tell her stories of this forest. She called it The Enchanted Forest, stating there was always a magic about it. That as the seasons changed from one to the next a fairy prince could be found overseeing these changes.

As much as she loved these tales, taking special heart to the mystical aspects, she knew they were only that. Just grand tales meant to entertain Genavive for hours, still that didn’t stop her from making trips into the forest each season change.

Not once had she run into a fairy prince in all the years, but she had learned an appreciation for nature’s beauty. On that aspect she supposed the fairy tales had given her so much more than simple entertainment. It had given her a lust for life unmatched by any other.

The rain pattered down faster setting a chill into the air. Genavive pulled her cloak tighter around herself. The green velvet hood kept her head free of the rain. It wouldn’t be much longer and she’d have to start her journey home.

Her long fingers reached for the gas lamp on the mossy ground. They froze as her eyes caught a movement to the right of her. The gaze of her bright green eyes trying to discern what had drawn her attention.

Moonbeams appeared to gather in a great mass between two oak trees. The bright light caused Genavive to turn away. It had only taken moments to die down. Yet when she looked back, surprise rang through her.

There between the two oaks stood a man. His skin the color of morning frost. Long snow white hair danced around his waist, and the pale blue of his eyes held her captive in their gaze. Exposed hard muscles glittered in the night. They led into a loin cloth created of large leaves, before falling away to long legs. The man stood barefoot among the forest, regardless of the coming winter.

“Why do you sit in the rain, young one?” His voice like hot cocoa on a cold winter’s day warmed her insides.

“To catch a glimpse of you.” Genavive’s voice sounded small even to her own ears.

The smile that crossed his lips lit up his entire face. It only lasted a few precious moments, but it was breathtaking. A glow remained just beneath the surface of his skin.

“Who are you?” came his next question.

“Genavive. My grandmother has told me many stories about you, but I never believed them.” She stood to meet the fairy prince as he approached.

“I see much of my darling Agnes in you.” His gaze drifted over Genavive, watching the gentle shiver that followed.

“Is it true that you two spent a lot of time together?”

“Indeed. I loved Agnes more than everything. I offered her a place in my home, and in my heart. Yet, she gave up immortality in favor of your grandfather. Why she’d choose to die is beyond me,” the fairy prince spoke.

“It isn’t a choice of death, but rather of family.” Genavive giggled shyly.

“Ah, yes. The human need to procreate.” He watched her closely.

“Yes, that is it.” She smiled at him.

“I doubt I will ever understand it. Alas, that is the past. My name is Avery. Welcome to my home.” His muscles rippled as he opened his arms wide.

“Thank you.” Genavive’s smile came instantly to her lips.

“Come with me, Genavive. Let me show you around.” Avery held his hand out to her.

“It would be my pleasure.”

Her hand fit into his perfectly. The heat from Avery’s skin warmed her. No longer did the chill of the night soak through her clothes.

They spent hours wandering in the forest. He would stop them to point out tiny details that would go over looked otherwise. Conversation flowed easily between them. They shared their love for nature, creating a bond between them.

Still their time in the forest couldn’t last forever. Their footsteps came to a halt at the edge of trees, and for the first time they grew silent. Neither of them moved as they stood on the brink of society.

Genavive’s heart sank. She’d spent her whole life trying to catch a glimpse of Avery. Now she’d succeeded, she didn’t want to leave his presence.

“When will I see you again?” Genavive turned to Avery.

“You can find me here at the birth of the first spring flower.” He gave her a smile.

“I do not want to go.” Tears wavered in Genavive’s eyes.

“You must, your family will worry if you do not return, but we will meet again.” Avery swept a falling tear from her face.

He closed his palm, reopening it once again. Where her tear had been sat a beautiful gem. The opaque gem carried her tear drop shape. Avery placed it within her hand.

“When the moon shines bright, and you feel alone, just look into the gem and I will bring you home.” Avery leaned down, brushing a gentle kiss across her lips. His feet crunched in the leaves as he walked back into the forest.

Genavive watched him until she could no longer make out his figure. She clung to the gem tightly while walking home that night, but she visited Avery often.

“It is said that when the forest came back to life that spring that the two wed in the clearing where they had first met,” the old woman spoke to the gathering of girls. She held up a tear drop shaped gem for them to see. The light shining through it. If they all looked hard enough they could see the fairy couple standing within it. The story about the fairy prince finding his princess gave each girl there a giddy sense of happily ever after.