Beyond The Veil

Chapter 14

"You can't be angry with me forever, Emery; we're to be married."

I look at him like he's crazy, "I told you no, Honestly Airell, there are hundreds upon thousands of Fae women here who would gladly take your hand in marriage."

"I don't want them; I want you." Airell was so stern about this; even if I said no, would it matter? I wasn't in control here, and there were people in the background playing puppeteers to my life. Airell was nothing like Micha, maybe once upon a time, I had feelings for Airell, but now I was interested in someone I couldn't even be with. 

"I'm sorry I lied to you, Emery, but what else did you want me to say?" Airell steps in front of me, he takes my hand, "Please let me make it up to you; I won't lie ever again, I promise you."

"Your words are empty to me Airell, I can't trust them," I felt torn if I did eventually agree to marry Airell, It would feel like an empty marriage to me. Of course, I will only be marrying for states, but that happens here and is normal for everyone. 

"Do you know what happened to Odessa and why she went through the Veil?" I asked, wanting to change the subject. Airell's brows furrowed, "No one told me anything, all I hear are whispers, but rumors can't trust those-"

"What do they say?"

"Emery, it's just rumors-"

"Tell me, please," I beg; I needed to know something because her behavior made no sense, "She wasn't just my mentor; she was my friend."

Airell sighs, "Don't take this to heart but, they say she had a son out of wedlock with a demon."

My eyes widened, "What?" I could barely believe that " She never spoke of children, and she was able to cross the Veil whenever she pleased... 

Was all of this because she was trying to find her son? Wait, the picture of the boy Micha had given me was that of her son?

My mind was reeling now; Odessa seemed like the very last person to have an intimate relationship with a demon.

"It's all tall tails, Emery; everyone likes to gossip, unfortunately, Come I have something to show you," he says, leading me back to the Castle. My heart ached for Odessa; she never found her son and died in there trying to reach him.

As Airell takes me into the Castle and the huge library, I stall, taking the torn picture out of my pocket to glance at it. There had to be another piece to this because it looked like someone was standing next to him, maybe Odessa?

"I thought you might like these, " I quickly put the picture away as Airell hands me a stack of books. I read one titled, The Mage of Water; these were Water Elemental books, "Is this your way of telling me I need to practice?"

Airell lightly chuckles, "No, I've seen you flood a whole main floor; I'm pretty sure you've got the summoning part down, but I thought they might come in handy for you."

I meekly smiled; I knew Airelll was trying to be nice and make up for his lies, " Thank you, I appreciate the thought."

"You're coming along very well in your training; you're a good fighter."

"Airell."

"Yes?"

I shake my head, "You can stop complimenting me; I already know you're sorry."

Airell sighs, "Do you understand that I do have feelings for you?"

"Honestly, Airell, I think you want someone or something because of the way it makes you look, I asked you what you liked about me, and all you said was a beauty, and that was enough for you. I get it; it's the way you were raised to think, but I'm different; I want more than that."

"I know your different, Emery; it's what draws me to you. Look, you are right about my upbringing, I am at fault for it, but you make me want to think differently about things, about what I want in a partner."

I couldn't help but stare at Airell, he had been so cold last time we had talked about this, and now it was like I was talking to a different person; how odd. I smiled down at the books he had given me.

"Look, I can't promise you anything, but you can start by earning my trust and maybe pushing the wedding back, " I had hoped that my raging emotions would of cut ties with this man, but apparently, his feelings were stronger than I thought.

"I can do that, but in return, can I see you outside of training?" Airell's eyes held such warmth now; I sighed, knowing I had asked him to do a huge thing, "Alright, can you settle for before training?"

Airell smiles like the sun is shining on him, "Yes, I do that for you."

Looking at Airell now, I don't think he'd be a bad King for Findala; I think I'd like him more than his cold-blooded father. 

"Thank you, I know you haven't promised me anything," Airell says, stepping closer to me; I hug my books tighter as I look up at him; one of the books slips from my grip and falls.

"Oh! I'm sorry, let me get that- Ouch!" I lean down to grab the book and hit heads with Airell, who had the same idea.

We both do a nervous laugh, but something slips from the pages of the book and catches my eye. I reach for the half-torn page, and as I flip it over, I see a child who looks like Airell.

"That looks like one of my childhood photos; I wonder what it's doing in here. Why is it ripped?"

"That's what I'd like to know to...do you mind if I keep it?" I asked, knowing I could have the other part of it in my pocket.

"Uh, sure? I didn't know you wanted a picture like that," He says.

"Well, you look cute as a child, " I said, taking the half-torn picture.

Airell chuckles, " I'll remember to save my baby photos then, " he says playfully.

I smiled at Airell; I knew he wasn't a horrible person; I actually thought he could be a perfect friend. So maybe we could start over and have a friendship again.