The Fairy's Forbidden Mate

Chapter 4 Kelsie’s Place

            Rhea came out to the breakfast table and sat across from Cody. Cody was scarfing a plate of eggs, bacon, sausage, home fries, biscuits, and orange juice. He could really eat.

            “Here sis, I made you a plate too.” Cody grinned as he shoved a mile-high stacked plate over towards her.

            “Umm… I can’t eat all of that. I haven’t gotten my wolf yet or I am sure I could.” Rhea looked up as Uncle Tristan walked in. “Here Tristan, take my plate. I don’t even need half of what is on here.” She giggled as his eyes lit up.

            “Thanks Rhea!” Tristan sat down and began scarfing his food just like Cody.

            Rhea put some eggs and bacon on her plate along with a slice of toast. This was about all she could handle. Now don’t get her wrong. She loved food. She loved to eat. She just couldn’t shovel it in like the rest of them. Her mother could really eat too. Rhea was certain that when she got her wolf, she would also be able to overindulge more.

            Her mother and father sat down next to her. They both had well stacked plates. It has to be an animal shifter thing.

            “What are everyone’s plans for today.” Lilly asked looking up from her food.

            “Uncle Tristan and I are going fishing. You guys want to come?” Cody asked as he stuffed another bite of food in his mouth.

            “That sounds like fun. We’re in.” Tyler winked at Lilly.

            Lilly smiled and shook her head. This would be turning into a competition. Somethings never change. “What about you Rhea?”

            “Kelsie and I are hanging out today.” Rhea stuffed a bite of eggs into her mouth.

            “You girls don’t want to come fishing too?” Lilly asked with a frown. She liked spending time with Rhea. She might be tough on her at times, but she always tried to spend as much fun time as she could with her. Something she missed out on, so she made sure that Rhea didn’t.

            “Not this time. I promise I will go the next time.” Rhea smiled up at her mother who nodded back to her in return.

            “I still don’t like you going off with Kelsie.” Cody grumbled as he stuffed a biscuit in his mouth.

            “Cody… Kelsie is her friend. Cool your overprotective jets.” Lilly grinned at her overprotective son. He was just like his Uncle Tristan.

            “Remind you of someone?” Tyler chuckled and rubbed Lilly’s back.

            “I’m afraid you’ll just have to learn to live with it Rhea. All guardians are like that. Even now, Dylan is still like that with your grandma.” Lilly gave her daughter a knowing sympathetic smile.

            Rhea giggled. “I know mom. We just can’t help it. We are so loveable.” The two girls giggled as they listened to Tristan and Cody snort objectively.

            “We know troublemakers when we see them.” Cody snorted while Rhea rolled her eyes at him.

            Rhea got up, gave her daddy a peck on the cheek and then walked over doing the same with her mom. “Love you. I’ll see you guys when you get back. Don’t miss me too much Cody.” Rhea stuck her tongue out at him and then giggled as she walked out of the room.

___

            “Kelsie!” Rhea yelled waving her arm as she approached the lake.

            “Ready to go for a ride?” Kelsie asked as she walked over to her.

            “I can’t wait!” Rhea answered excitedly. Kelsie transformed into her horse. Her horse was beautiful just like her fathers. All black with a long flowing mane and tail. Rhea climbed up onto her back and squealed as she took off running.

            The dark horse raced along the lake side allowing the freshwater breeze to flow over Rhea. Rhea’s long hair was flowing behind her, she closed her eyes feeling the air on her face. And for a small moment… she felt free. Not contained and locked away. Not the precious princess who needed protect. She was just a girl being a free spirit. It felt… liberating.

            Rhea stayed quiet with her eyes closed just absorbing in the moment. She opened her eyes and then blinked. Where were they? She turned and looked behind her. She could see the pine forest wall behind them… they had left Elysium. “Kelsie?! You know I’m not allowed to leave.” Rhea gasped in shock. If her parents found out she was toast.

            Rhea looked ahead. They were approaching a river. This is where Kelsie stopped, and Rhea hopped off. Kelsie quickly shifted back to her human form.

            “I wanted to show you this place Rhea. It is one of my favorite places to visit.” Kelsie turned and showed her the glistening river.

            The river was beautiful. The white rapids glistened in the sun. The river was fast paced but stunning. On the other side was a towering mountain. At the very top was where the dragons lived. It was breathtaking. She could see what Kelsie liked it.

            “It is lovely Kelsie… but you shouldn’t have taken me out of Elysium. You know how much trouble I will get in if anyone finds out?! I’ll be locked away in the dungeons.” Rhea frowned knowing how angry her parents would get.

            “Sorry… are you mad at me?” Kelsie stuck her bottom lip out and pouted. “Please don’t be mad….”

            “I’m not mad. Thank you for sharing your spot with me Kels.” Rhea did appreciate what she was trying to do. She wanted to cheer her up. “Let’s go back though before I am discovered…” Just as Rhea went to turn around, she heard a child’s muffled cries. She looked out horrified. In the raging river was a child being tossed about mercilessly. She didn’t think… there was no time to think. She ran and dove into the water as the child was being washed by.

            Rhea struggled in the violent water. She used her elemental powers to help propel her to the child just as he was beginning to go under. She grabbed onto him and held on tightly. The water beat her body against the rocks she did her best to use herself as a shield for the child. The current was dangerously strong. She was being carried far downstream. She tried to push herself while controlling the water, but it was hard to do while holding onto the child. The rapids were so strong she was afraid to only hold him with one hand. She was afraid if she did, he would be ripped from her arms and she wouldn’t be able to retrieve him again. She could see Kelsie trying to get to her in the distance the water was so fast and powerful that it was taking her awhile to reach them.

            Rhea felt herself being funneled in the water. The river shot up in the air, cradling her and the child. She felt the water lower her onto the shore. She sighed in relief the moment she touched the solid ground. She looked at the child that was laying down in front of her. He looked okay, but had fallen unconscious.

            “What the hell Rhea!?!” A voice growled and pulled his arms around her.

            Rhea tilted her head back and was met with the angry eyes of Lee. She leaned into his arms, panting as she tried to catch her breath. So that is how she got out of the water. A few moment later Kelsie was in front of her.

            “I’m sorry Rhea! I couldn’t get to you. I was trying. Are you okay?” Kelsie was crying.

            “I’m okay Kelsie. Thanks to Lee.” Rhea sighed as she felt the arms tighten around her.

            “What the hell is going on? Why aren’t you in Elysium? And what the hell were you doing in the river?!” Lee’s voice was dark and angry. As he spoke a small rumble sound was heard in the air.

            “I only left for a minute. I was going right back and then I heard a child yelling for help. I had to help him… The water was stronger than I thought.” Rhea had never heard Lee angry. And this was a level above angry. To be perfectly honest… he was scaring her.

            “There is no reason for you to leave Elysium! No reason! We just talked about this last night, Rhea! Damnit. And then you go and jump into the river to help a child you don’t even know. I am….geez Rhea!” Lee’s eyes were dark and were sizzling as he looked down at Rhea. “Why would you jump into the water?! You could have just used your skills and pushed the kid to shore.”

            Rhea blushed in embarrassment and scrunched her nose up. “I could have huh?” She wasn’t thinking. Had she thought about it she could have fully used her water elemental powers instead of jumping into the water.

            Kelsie busted out laughing. The embarrassed look on her face even brought a small smirk to Lee’s lips. He wrapped his arms around her and sighed. “You scared me Rhea.” He finally admitted quietly.

            “I’m sorry… I scared me too.” She gave him a cheesy smile. She was embarrassed over her actions.

            Lee took in a breath calming himself down. He pulled Rhea up to her feet and looked her over. She had some bruising and some small scraps on her body making him frown. “Why are you out of Elysium’s borders?” He asked more calmly.

            “That’s my fault. I wanted to show her the rapids. Please don’t be mad at her. This was all my fault.” Kelsie didn’t want Rhea getting yelled at because of something she did. “What are we going to do about the whelp?”

            “He’s a dragon whelp?” Rhea asked with wide eyes.

            “Yes, he belongs up there. I don’t know how he ended up all the way down here though.” Lee looked up to the top of the mountain.

            “I guess we are taking him back then.” Rhea sighed as she stared up over the mountain side. It was not going to be an easy trip.

            “We? Nope. I’ll meet you at the top but I am not climbing that death mountain.” Kelsie folded her arms and shook her head.

            Kelpies… they were so selfish.

            “Lee, you’ll come with me, won’t you?” Rhea asked looking up at the deity.

            Lee smiled at her and reached his hand out, brushing her face. “I wish I could. I really want you to just go straight home, but I know you won’t.” He gave her a crooked smiled and then continued. “My presence might draw unwanted guests. I will be keeping an eye on you though… You know if you go back home someone there can bring the child back, right?” Lee felt conflicted. He wanted to stay by her side since she wasn’t in her protected barrier, but he was afraid that his presence would bring demon attention. Especially now because they have been very active. A couple demons wouldn’t be a problem for him, but there was an army gathering. He didn’t want to risk drawing them closer to Rhea.

            “Well, I still have a chance of not getting caught if I deliver him myself. I have to risk it. I’d rather risk climbing this mountain then facing my parents.” Rhea gave a nervous chuckle while both Kelsie and Lee nodded in understanding.

            “I’ll be with you Rhea. Call out for me and I will be there instantly.” Lee let out a puff of air as he looked at her seriously.

            “Even if I don’t call out for you, you’ll be there the moment I need you. You always are.” Rhea met with his eyes. Her heart trumpeting loudly as she gawked at the handsome face in front of her.

            Lee chuckled and patted her head. “I try princess.” He leaned in and kissed her forehead and then he vanished.

            Kelsie grinned at Rhea and gave her a couple eye raises. “Still crushing on your deity?”

            “Kelsie! Shush.” Rhea made an eye gesture to her head. He was probably watching over her right now. She didn’t need him hearing about how she drools over his looks. He might never come back. Kelsie smiled and nodded.

“Kelsie help me hoist him onto my back.” Rhea looked back to see her friends disgusted face.

            “Eww… you want me to touch it?! We have no idea where it has been.” Kelsie stuck her tongue out in utter disgust.

            “Kelsie! It is a child. You don’t want to see me struggling do you? Now give me a hand!” Rhea shook her head. Kelpies… so high and mighty. They were too good for everything.  The child was maybe seven or eight years old? He was just a little kid.

            Kelsie helped the boy onto Rhea’s back. She kept groaning and protesting. “Eww ewww eww. YUCK! I’m going to be sick it’s breath hit my skin. This is repulsive. There he’s on.” Kelsie shuddered and shook off. She raised her hands and shook them violently.  “I smell… Eeewww… I need to wash off! See you at the top Rhea. There is a small pond up there that I’ll be waiting for you at.” Kelsie turned and jumped into the river vanishing the moment she did.

            Rhea looked up the steep mountainside. This was going to be tough.