Her Fae Lovers

Bodach strode forward, his feet pounding the hot pavement. It would have gone quicker if he were alone. He didn’t want to risk the others doing something rash without him, though. He didn’t trust them not to. He felt the ache as much as they did for Puca.

He didn’t want to believe that the other man was dead. He couldn’t accept it. They’d fought together for so long that a world without Puca seemed so empty.

“Bodach, wait.” Lu’s hand on his forearm pulled him from his thoughts.

“For what? We’re almost there.”

“Can you not feel it?” Lu asked, his eyes sparkling in the sunlight.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

“Lu is right, it’s the magic of the queen. Same as in the forest.” Merrow said, looking towards the antique shop and the surrounding lawns for any trace of her.

“What should we do?” Bodach asked. His first impulse was to rush in there and save Lola. Then they could figure out what happened to Puca. To mourn his loss.

“We know the queen wouldn’t let Puca get hurt. She has always had a soft spot for him and the care that he takes with humans.” Lu said, hoping that somehow Puca was still alive.

A meow caught Merrow’s attention, as a cat made its way closer to the group. Rubbing its self against Lu’s legs. Merrow couldn’t help but smile as an idea came to mind, if there was a cat around. There were mice. “Lu, I think this might be a job for you.”

“What did you have in mind?”

Lu’s eyes moved to the cat and he let out a sigh. “I think I know what he’s asking.” Shaking his head.

Lu let out a chuckle as he moved around the outside of the antique shop. He was glad to be of some use, most often he was forgotten during times like these. His footsteps soundless as he looked for a good spot that no one would notice him.

***

Shaking her arms out, Lola let out a small sigh as the door creaked open and Erik walked in. The runes stopped glowing and almost seemed to blend back into the scratched wall. She frowned, hoping that all of her work hadn’t been for nothing.

“Why are you tearing up the wallpaper?” Erik asked as he stepped closer and Lola moved closer to the bars. Being careful not to touch them.

“I’m just nervous. I don’t like being trapped.” Lola said, looking down at her hands. “I need to use the bathroom, too.”

“I’m sorry, my love. Why didn’t you call out for me?” Erik smiled as he pulled his keys out. “You won’t try anything, will you?”

Lola shook her head as she clasped her hands together. Trying to look as innocent as possible as he swung the door open.

“Come with me.” He said, holding out his hand.

Biting her lip, Lola accepted his hand, stepping out of the cage. Letting out a breath as the overwhelming pressure of the magic let up some.

Erik pulled her closer, his hand moving up to her cheek as he traced his fingers over her cheek. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think about how the magics in here would make you feel.”

Swallowing the lump in her throat, Lola looked up at him through lowered lashes. Trying to push past the feeling of fear. “It’s okay, I know you’ve got a lot on your mind.”

Lola felt anxiety welling up in the pit of her stomach as a soft smile spread over his lips. His fingers wrapping around the back of her neck as he stroked the skin beneath her ear.

“I like that your trying to please me.” He leaned in closer, whispering in her ear. “You don’t have to try so hard, my sweetling.”

Lola shuddered at his touch and his words, glad that he couldn’t see the grimace on her face. There was a time not long ago when she would have loved to have heard those words. Now all she could think about was Erik talking to her mother like that. Of the horns that had protruded from his scalp when he lost his control.

“Erik-” she said, unsure of what to say next. Just knowing that she wanted his hands off of her.

“Lola, there is plenty of time for us to get to know each other. Why don’t you rest in my room?” His words were phrased as a question, but Lola knew it wasn’t. She nodded her head, closing her eyes as he let her go while he took a step back.

Lola tried to think of the men that she loved, that they would be safe after this. She just had to get her emotions under control. Trample down the disgust she felt towards the handsome shop owner.

She followed him as he led her out of the room and up the stairs towards his attic apartment.

His fingers moving over the door in a quick flurry of movements. Lola wanted to sob. It reminded her of Bodach, her love.

She longed to tell him that she loved him. That what she was doing was for them, that they would be safe. That Puca would be safe with them.

Erik swung the door open and stepped back, letting her pass in front of him. She stepped into his dark room, holding her breath.

She hated the dark, and Lola had a feeling that she would need to get used to it with him. His hand ghosted across her lower back as he stepped behind her. Other hand going to the light switch, illuminating the space.

“The bathroom is in the corner.” Erik said as he walked further into the room. “Make yourself at home, I’ll fix you a something to drink.”

Looking around the small apartment, Lola was shocked. Downstairs may have held lots of treasures, up here books lined the walls in stacks and stacks. A few casually misplaced stacked on the nightstand by his bed or haphazardly by the arm chair in the corner of the room.

“Erik-”

“I know, it’s a lot to take in. I enjoy reading very much and it’s hard for me to let go of my books.” He said as he lifted a pitcher of water, pouring it into a glass before turning back to look at her.

Lola blushed as he looked at her. She turned towards the bathroom. Her hip bumping a table and she let out a small yelp as she watched a vase hit the floor. The thin blue and gold porcelain smashing into scattered pieces.

Raising her eyes to his, she bit her lip. Wringing her hands together, she looked up at him.