Pixie Cream & Enchanted Lies

Chapter 12: Lennon's P.O.V.

Yeah, I followed Emrys to his apartment. So what? He's my mate. It would have hurt him to be too far from me.

Apparently, the distance between mates for Fae is a lot shorter than the rest of us. Honestly, Emrys should have been able to come home and been fine. I knew he was starting to feel that uncomfortable itch creeping up his body though. I knew it because I could feel it too.

Which was why I bolted out of the bar and followed Emrys down the street.

Yeah, that's why, Reika said sarcastically.

Okay, I might have been a little jealous too. I admitted angrily. It's not my fault. It's the bond's fault.

Reika only snickered in response.

Honestly, I wanted to rip that Stella bi.tches throat out the moment she said my mate's name. I knew that it was just the bond though. So I controlled myself. Sort of. If she had come back here with Emrys, I might have actually killed her.

So, when I saw Emrys hail a cab for Stella, and put her in it... I was... relieved. I even heard him tell her that they were never getting back together. I don't particularly like the fact that my mate has a past, one that apparently doesn't want to part from him, but it doesn't matter anyway.

Either we're stuck together, or...

Or nothing. Reika growled lowly.

"Kinda weird you don't live with your fiancé, Em," I teased Emrys, ignoring Reika.

Emrys is still on the floor, on his butt, staring up at me. He's clearly just had the shock of his lifetime. It's kind of funny to see someone so flustered like this. Especially when he's a supernatural himself.

"What the hell are you doing here? Did you follow me?" Emrys finally asked.

"Yes I did," I replied as I crouched down to smile in his face. "We aren't finished, Emrys."

Then I leaned in closer. Emrys leaned back slightly, frowning hard. I tried not to laugh at the way that I clearly flustered him.

At least I know I affect my mate a little.

"We were talking about some important stuff before your... fiancé interrupted us," I said.

"You mean you were making up a lot of stuff," Emrys grumbled.

"You know that I wasn't." I replied. "You saw me use my magic, and you even freaked out when you found out that I know what you are. Why are you suddenly lying?"

Emrys scowled at me before he pushed himself off the floor. Once he was on his feet, I stood up as well. Which turned out to be a bit of a shock for me.

Whoa, he's tall.

I kept my distance when I followed Emrys home. I barely spared a glance at him when Stella entered the bar. I didn't want to see them be all lovey-dovey. I knew that Emrys was tall, but... Being this close to him now... Inches away...

Damn, Emrys towers over me. I know I'm only 5'4, but how tall is he? Eight foot?

"What are you? A giant?" I blurted.

Sh.it! Don't blush, don't blush, don't blush.

"Giant's exist?" He asked seriously.

I fought not to laugh, but some of it slipped out anyway. Emrys rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed. I just couldn't help myself.

"Uh, yeah, but not in this world." I told him.

"This world?" He asked.

I had to crane my neck to look up into his eyes. I wish I hadn't though. It's bad enough that I feel surrounded by him due to his scent and height. Now I'm looking into those... colorful eyes... Are they swirling right now?

Suddenly, Emrys's scent changed. It was warm caramel and cedar before. Now it's like... like... melted dark chocolate, silky and smooth. There were hints of jasmine too, and even though they were only hints, it seemed to completely consume me. It made my mouth water and my fingers tingle.

Emrys's eyes held me in a trance. It was taking everything in me not to jump him. I held my breath in the hopes that his scent would stop consuming me, but it was futile.

I'm trapped.

Emrys's eyes were glowing too. They still appeared to be swirling as well. The gold and purple swirled together within the blue. His eyes were glued to me, almost like he knew what he was doing. Maybe he does know.

Neither of us moved though. I was surprised Reika wasn't fighting with everything she had to take over right now. I probably wouldn't have been able to stop her. Emrys is just staring at me though... Like... like...

Like he's waiting for the right moment to attack.

Goddess, what the hell!? This is so intense, too intense. I feel like I'm suffocating. I'd heard that the bond was intense from literally everyone, but this... Is this what they meant?

How did people manage to reject their mates? How did Kasyn manage to stay away from Lydia before? How do mated couples even manage to do anything with their lives? Does this spark die down over time? Is it always this intense, but gets easier to ignore?

What do I have to do to make this... stop?

Before I knew what I was doing, I reached my hand out to Emrys. I wasn't sure what my plan was, or what I was reaching for exactly, but it didn't matter anyway. The moment that I reached out was the moment Emrys came to his senses. He turned around and took a step away from me, never seeing my hand reach out towards him.

Just like that, the spell the bond had us under was gone. I wasn't trapped anymore. Emrys's scent turned back to warm caramel and cedar. Although I was detecting a strange citrusy undertone.

"I don't know what you're doing to me, but I think it's time you left." Emrys finally said, turning to me.

I took a deep breath as Reika whined.

"Look, I know this is difficult for you Emrys, but please, if you just let me explain-"

"I don't want your explanations," Emrys bit out.

I glared at him as I balled my hands into fists.

"Get out," he added with the same tone.

A low growl tumbled from my lips. I closed my eyes and tried to calm myself. I can't beat Emrys up. Not because he's my mate, but because he's the damn Fae prince. And I don't think his mother would appreciate it if he showed up with a busted up face.

Of course, my mate would be a pain in the a.ss.

"Emrys," I said, looking at him again. "I am not going anywhere without you. People have been worried about you. They deserve to know that you're okay, and you deserve to know who you are. You have a family, a kingdom of people, a throne to take. You are too important of a person for me to just... leave here."

He is also our mate. That is most important. Reika reminded me.

One thing at a time. I replied.

"I'm not going with you, Lennon. I'm not leaving here." Emrys stated sternly, but his voice was no longer cold. "I have a life here, people here, family here. I don't need a family who was never there for me before. Who never looked for me. As for a kingdom... Trust me, love, I'm not king material."

I furrowed my brow, genuinely confused.

"You don't want to... know them? Know who you are?" I asked, confused. "You seemed so... happy when you found out that I was like you..."

"I thought that I wasn't alone in the world. I didn't think you had sought me out and were trying to take me... to wherever." He replied. "I thought... that it was possibly by chance. Maybe someone could teach me about whatever I am. How to control all of this. Not... claim I'm some prince with some family."

So... it's the throne that scares him?

"Okay, wait, what if... What if I do help you? What if I help you control your powers the best I can? Will you come with me then?" I rushed out.

Emrys raised a brow at me.

"The best you can?" He asked.

"Well, we're not exactly... the same. You're Fae. I'm... not," I said, clearing my throat in what I hoped sounded natural.

"So... you aren't like me?" He asked.

"N-no, but I can still help. There just might be a lot you can do that I don't understand. I mean, you're the Fae prince. You're supposed to have a lot more power than anyone realizes." I told him.

Emrys seemed to think about it for a moment.

"I don't know if I want to go with you," he admitted.

"Maybe after some time... you will," I offered.

If the bond does what it's supposed to... Emrys should... maybe fall in love with me... Possibly. I don't know. For all I know, he'll find out what I am and that'll be that.

"Okay, fine," Emrys finally said. "One month."

"One month?" I asked.

"Yes. I have some time off in a month, so... if I really do change my mind, I'll be able to leave without worry." He told me.

One month is a long time... Reika commented.

Queen Annag has waited longer. I replied.

"Fine," I agreed. "One month."

But you are coming with me whether you like it or not, Fae Prince.