Chapter Five

Castle Soniva, Summer Court Capital, Faerie

Fawn

Something was very wrong. You don’t feel pain like this in dreams. I knew that I was back and forth between consciousness. I’d hear Fallon yelling and growling and other fae talking in the room, but the pain would take me back under. I was aware enough at times to realize that I was probably dying. My body would shake uncontrollably, and I’d feel like I was going to freeze, but then minutes later, I felt like flames themselves. I know that I vomited profusely and that it was Fallon that rolled me over a basin so I wouldn’t choke on it. Then I’d slip into blissful unconsciousness again until I woke to do it all over again.

Fawn

Two days later

“Come on, faeling, you have to drink it,” Fallon whispered urgently.

I tried to make my mouth move to decline, but liquid poured in my mouth, and he shut my mouth and held my nose until I swallowed.

“Ehh, just let me die.” It came out so sluggishly, so I figured he couldn’t understand me. I was wrong.

“Fuck no! Don’t you even think about it!” he said sharply. “I mean it, Faeling, I have not looked for you for almost nine hundred years for you to die on me!”

He kissed my forehead softly, “You’re strong, little one, and I’ll make it worth it if you stay with me. I promise you that.”

I knew that he had been caring for me through it all. He had bathed me and warmed me with his body heat through the chills, us naked and him wrapped around me. He had pulled the covers off my body and placed cold, wet towels on me when the fire came. I wasn’t embarrassed at all. Thankful was the only thing I thought about it. I was too sick to care. I felt myself falling unconscious again.

Fawn

The next day

It’s bad again. The vomiting is back. I don’t know how much longer I can do this. I’m so weak, but Fallon is there still. He holds me over the basin and washes my face each time. Then he tucks me back in bed and holds me.

Fawn

The next day

Convulsions and more fire.  I can hear Fallon yelling at people. I feel bad for him, his voice has a weirdness that makes my heart hurt, and I wish I could make it better. Then I fall into the blissful emptiness again.

Fawn

That same night

He’s talking to me again. I hear it sometimes or parts of it. It’s always soft, and he holds me close and kisses my head or a cheek he plays softly with my hair. I'm always his, little Faeling, he always calls me that and something about it makes me want to live. I want to be his little Faeling.

Fallon

The next day

She’s not getting better. The healers are surprised she's still alive. It's against my own laws to start bonding to a mere faeling, they become extremely jealous and violent. Their emotions are heightened with the change and there's just no telling what they'll do. 

I don't care though. I'm going to start the bond and to hell with anyone that says anything about it. Cassia takes me out of my thoughts.  

“Fallon, I know it’s hard, but you’ve got to let her go, sweetheart. It’s better that than for her to become a shade. Let one of your men take away her pain. She suffers. ” Cassia spoke softly and brushed her fingers across my back.

“Don’t ever touch me again, Cassia,” I say softly but deadly. “I have a mate now.”

She drew in a sharp, hurt breath “Fallon, you shouldn’t take this out on me. I didn’t do anything to her. It’s not my fault that she’s dying… It’s the workings of fate, darling. It just wasn’t meant to be.”

I glare at her, “She’s not dead yet. So don’t get so happy about it, and I meant what I said.”

“I would never be happy about something that causes you pain. But, Fallon, you know I love you. I’d rather give you up than to see you like this.”

“Good, give me up then!” I reply then I leave the dinner table to get back to Fawn.

Fawn

That night

He’s talking to me again and touching my face. I love the sound of his voice and his soft caresses. It’s so soothing. He kisses my cheek, and a little moan moves through my throat.

“I have to talk to you about something dove. I hope you can hear me.” He pauses, and I wish I could answer him, but when I try, nothing works.

“I can try something. I can start our mate bond. It’s kind of like your mortal weddings but a lot more intense, for lack of another way to put it. I don’t want to do it without your consent. I’d hate if you came to hate me for taking that. It will also make your transition extreme. It’ll be exceedingly difficult on you.”

“Fallon! Fallon! There you are, listen, darling, can we talk about what happened at dinner?”, Some Woman interrupted.

“What the Fuck are you doing here!” Fallon shouted. “Get out of here, Cassia, and don’t ever come in this room again. I said what I had to say earlier.”

“You don’t mean it; you’re just under a lot of stress.” The woman said sweetly, and I know you’ve denied it, but you care for me, and I’ll be there when you’re ready. I want you to know that.”

“GET OUT NOW!” Fallon shouts.

There’s a long silence. He doesn’t speak for a while, and I’m thinking about that woman. I don’t like her. I instantly hate her. I don’t want her anywhere near Fallon.  

“She’s nobody to worry about, little one.” He says softly and kisses my head.

How did he know what I’m thinking? That was weird.  I know I’m dying, though, and I know that woman is waiting around on that. 

“Are you going to hate me if I do this?” he whispered softly.

I tried so hard to make my mouth work, but it wouldn’t do anything. Then I felt a warming sensation on my lower back, and my mind moved into my body for a moment. Strange, I concentrated again, and it did it again. So quickly before it subsided, I said, “Nope, sokay dooit.”

Fallon

Present

I couldn’t believe it. I stared at her. She had even opened her gorgeous eyes for a moment. “Faeling, can you open your eyes again or say anything?”

Her lids flickered like she was trying but couldn’t. “It’s okay; I know you’re tired. I’m going to take care of that."