Finding Her Wings Read online

  I gulp. I hadn’t seen Ren approach us. I look at the Queen of the fairies and nod to her. “Yes, Ren.” When the Queen speaks, we do not question what she says.

  “Ma’am?” Orrin says bowing his head deferentially. “Where will we stay now? The dorms with the other initiates?”

  “No, I think it best that once you have gone through the ceremony, you not return to the dorms.” She tapped her finger on her perfectly painted lips, thinking the situation through. “Aislin, I know that your house is small, but could you house the boys for tonight? Tomorrow we can have all the Fairies gather to make a larger home.”

  “Of course, Ren.” I think furiously of my house. When Nip visits he seems to suck all the space up. Now she’s asking me to have three boys in my house. Where will they sleep? Maybe if they slept on the floor of the living space, they would fit. My bed would be big enough for one of them . . . The thought sends a flush to my cheeks. No, my bed will be off limits. “Are there any sleeping blankets or pillows we could have?”

  “Yes, I will have Fairy Nanny send some over, as well as some extra food. Now, why don’t you four head to the cove? I think the next while will be interesting for you.” She smiles and the look in her eyes gives me the idea that she knows more of what’s going on than she lets on.

  “Okay, guys. Let’s head out.” I start to walk towards the platform that leads to my swing.

  “Lin? Where are you going?” Puck asked.

  I turn and looked at him. I was nearly at the end of my patience for the night. “Maybe you didn’t notice that I am not just talentless, but also wingless. What do you want me to do? Jump off the branch and pray that my wings suddenly sprout from my back? Yeah tried that one a few times over the past twenty-four years. All I got for my trouble were a few broken bones.” I turn back and head to my swing. “Oh, and Puck? My friends call me Lin. We aren’t friends.” I whisper “yet” quietly enough that none of the boys hear me.

  Once I reach the swing, I look over at the boys. “One of you want to lower me down?” I see Orrin and Warren look to each other, their adam’s apples bobbing. Crap, did I just say that? I can see the gears in their heads moving.

  Orrin swaggers over to me and pulls the swing away from me. “Oh, sweetie, there is no need for you to take that way down. We’re here and can take you there.” I roll my eyes at the obvious line he’s attempting to reel me in with.

  “How many times did it take practicing that before you didn’t laugh saying it?” I ask him.

  He just looked at me and laughed. “Puck, Warren? Do you know how to do a lift carry?”

  They nodded. I lunged for the swing that Orrin had pulled out of my hands.

  “No, no way! I’m not letting you three attempt to carry me down this tree. I’m not a little petite fairy. No way. I’ve used my swing for years and I’ll continue to use it for years to come.”

  Orrin just laughs and holds the swing further out of my reach. At that moment I can see him as a little boy, smooshing the ants into paste and laughing as they try to run from his foot.

  “Trust us. We can carry you.”

  “No! Orrin, maybe if there were 3 or 4 guys the size of you. But Puck and Warren? They would fall to the ground like a weighted stone.”

  Orrin slowly hands me the swing and turns from me. “Aislin, that was harsh.” I turn and see Puck and Warren flying away, dejection in every stroke of their wings.

  “Guys! Come back! I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way.” Warren just waves his hand and continues down the trunk of the tree. I slide to the platform. “Crap, crap, crap!”

  Orrin sits down next to me and gently touches his hand to my leg. “We might be new to this no talent stuff, but we do have some skills. Maybe instead of being so independent, you should lean on us.”

  I nod my head, not looking at him, not wanting him to see the tears pooling in my eyes. As much as I love Bray and Nip helping me and being my friends, I have always been the odd man, errr girl, out, having to rely on myself more than anything.

  “Hey!” He lifts my face. “It’s ok. We can make it better.” He pulls me to a stand. “How about I help you down, then we try to figure out this mess?” I nod to him and settle myself on the swing.

  Chapter 3

  AS SOON AS MY FEET touch the ground, I jump off the board and start running towards the two fairymen.

  “You guys, wait! I’m sorry.” They stop and flutter to the ground, but don’t turn to look at me. I can hear Orrin coming up behind me. “Warren, Puck. I didn’t mean that how you took it. I haven’t been carried anywhere in years. Once it became obvious that I wasn’t going to be a normal fairy, either in size or wings, they stopped carrying me. I haven’t flown in fourteen years.”

  Puck turns slightly towards me, “I get it, but everyone underestimates us, too.”

  “I’m sorry. Can we start over?”

  Warren turns around and looks at me, “Sure we can. Now where is your house? I’m hungry.”

  “You’re always hungry. How you are so skinny, I have no clue.” Puck looks at his friend in disgust. Warren pushes his glasses up on his nose and shrugs.

  “Hopefully, Ren sends the food and supplies soon. But I think I have some food in the pantry. Let’s go.” I step around Warren and Puck to lead the guys to my house. Though it isn’t a far walk from the Fairy tree, it’s enough that the guys choose to fly instead of walk.

  The walk is awkward, and I find myself biting my lip. I tend to be snarky when it comes to my appearance and lack of talent. But I have no clue what to say to these guys. They’re a few years younger than me, so I didn’t see them when I lived in the dormitories. My memories of that time are not great. I had Braylin and Juniper to hang with, but the rest of the initiates ignored me, or worse, made fun of me.

  I hear Puck clearing his throat. “Aislin, what will happen since we have no talent? Our classes never prepared us for this possibility.”

  “I don’t know,” I say. “Ren seemed to think that together we would figure it out.”

  I stop as we reach the turn to my house. “Guys, my house is . . . small. I hope you like the area it’s set in.” We turn the corner at the large Armarillia Cape that Juniper had set a swing on for me. The path leads down to my house and then further to the pond. I bite my nail wondering what they think of my space, it feels like it’s a reflection of me.

  “It’s... nice. I guess it’s a good thing initiates live at the base of the tree, so we are used to living on the ground,” Orrin says. I can feel his disdain for my home, and again, the image of him crushing ants comes to mind.

  “Well, you’re free to go find your own place to stay!” I push past him and stalk down to my house, letting them find their own way. It isn’t my fault that I can’t live in the tree, and I actually like my space. No one looking over my shoulder. No noise to bother me. I can do what I want. A hand on my shoulder has me jumping, and I spin with my arm out, palm sideways and hit Puck in the neck.

  “Ouch! Aislin, what the heck?”

  “Puck, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. You scared me.” I drop my hand. God, what a screw up. Can I not do one thing right?

  He rubs his neck, a look of annoyance on his face. “At least, I have a little extra to prevent you totally killing me.”

  “I’m sorry.” I hate being around people. If I could, I would stay in my little house, only leaving to forage in the forest for the treasures no one else sees.

  “I just wanted to say I think this is perfect. It suits you.” He smiles shyly at me, and I feel a part of me melting.

  I smile at him. “Want to see the inside?” At this point, the other two have caught up to us. I ignore Orrin and look at Warren. I can see he is curious, his eyes searching the area.

  “Aislin, they did find a perfect spot for you.” I am tempted to tell them to call me Lin, but then I think of Orrin’s response to my house, and I push the thought away. I open the door and step into the house. A small rounded fireplace is in the front corner n
ext to the front window. A couch and chair are placed to divide the open space.

  I point to the stairs, “My room is up there.” We walk further into the main room. Behind the couch is a small dining table and a kitchen area. My work desk is on the wall with the stairs.

  “It’s cute.” Puck says. He sits in the chair and looks around the room.

  Warren walks around the room, stopping at my desk. ”What are you working on here?”

  “Braylin told me that they are having issues with the glisch this year. I am trying to figure out how to keep them out, but let the fairies and birds in.”

  “That sounds interesting. Maybe later I could look at your ideas?” Warren asked, insecurity evident in his voice.

  I shrug, “I guess.” I haven’t ever thought of letting someone see my ideas. I really had only helped Nip and Bray before. I look over to where Orrin is standing at the door. He’s looking around the room, and I can see that it isn’t up to his standards. Well, he can go find his own place. Let him fight it out with Ren about where he stays. I ignore him and go to the kitchen. I pull some plates and cups out from under the counter. Warren comes over and silently takes them from me and starts to set the table.

  I pull out the bowls of nuts and fruit that I had collected. “I think Ren will provide something more substantial for you guys.” I’ve never really had to feed guys before. Bray and Nip come over now and then, but they bring something with them to add to the meal.

  Puck sets his hand on my shoulder. “This will be fine. Do you have a pitcher? I can go for water.”

  “Oh yes!” I spin around, and hit Puck with my hair. “I’m sorry, Puck!” My cheeks heat in embarrassment. The house feels too small with these 3 guys in it. I reach down to get a pitcher and turn to see Puck looking away. Crap, crap, crap. I forgot that I didn’t have my normal leggings on but the shift all initiates wear. My skirt is too short to bend down like that. I bet he saw London and France and all that was between them. I shove the pitcher at him. “The pump is out back.” I run up to my bed.

  I bury my face in the pillow and scream. I can’t do this. What was Ren thinking having these guys stay with me? What does she think will come of putting us in a small space together. I curl up and look out the window. I can see the pond and the sun glittering on the water, the sight soothes me. Maybe I will make that boat that I’ve wanted. I can hear the guys below, the quiet whispers, the clanking of dishes. My eyes drift shut.

  Chapter 4

  “AISLIN?” A TENTATIVE hand on my bare calf has me jolting awake. I rub the sleep out of my eyes and look over to see Warren standing next to my bed. I hope I don’t have drool all over my face.

  “What time is it?” I’m not awake at all.

  “Half past morning. You slept through the night. No one wanted to wake you last night. You seemed . . . a little upset.”

  Heat flushes my cheeks as I remember what had me hiding in my room the night before. Then I realize that Warren is in my room . . . his hand on my leg . . . and my dress is hitched up to my waist. I quickly push the dress down as the warmth of Warren’s hand leaves. These boys have seen more of me in one day than anyone has seen in more than twenty years.

  “Uh,” Warren starts and then clears his throat. “I’ll be downstairs. Ren sent over food, and Puck has breakfast almost ready. Plus, Ren sent some coffee of the gods.”

  I jump out of bed. “She never shares that!” I run to the shelf that my leggings and tunics are on. I quickly grab a bright coral top and black leggings. “Shoo, shoo! Let me change.” I hear a chuckle, and his steps going down the stairs. I rip off the stupid white shift, not caring that it won’t be able to be worn next year. I throw the clothes on and take a quick stop at the mirror to brush my hair. A quick swipe of berry wax over my lips, and I’m ready.

  I slowly walk down the stairs. How am I supposed to interact with these guys? Here I abandoned them last night, not even making sure that they had blankets.

  “Hey, Sleeping Beauty,” Puck says as he places a cup of coffee on the table next to a plate with berries and fruit piled high. “I didn’t know how hungry you would be, so . . .” he trails off looking at the plate of food.

  “It looks great, especially the coffee. Warren said Ren sent some of her coffee?”

  “She did. She said that we could mix one bean with two beans of the regular, but no more.” Puck pauses. “She tends to not give those out. Why are we special?”

  I sit down at the table and bury my nose in the heavenly scent coming from the cup. “Ahh!” I couldn’t stop the moan of appreciation, one sip had me feeling more awake and alive than I had in days. I looked around the room as if seeing it for the first time. A pile of blankets and pillows sit neatly folded on the couch. Orrin is nowhere to be seen. The table only has a place setting for me.

  “Aren’t you guys eating?” I ask in confusion, “and where is Orrin?”

  Puck laughed. “We’ve already eaten, and Orrin decided to go back to the dormitories. I’m not sure why.”

  “Oh!” That A-hat is going to ruin all the peace that I have in my house. He obviously doesn’t think that this house, or the rest of us, are up to his standards.

  The guys sit at the table with me, an uncomfortable silence filling the room. Part of me wants to think we have a common bond. That we are all anomalies. I imagine that they had their own issues to deal with growing up in the dormitories with all the picture perfect fairies. Their slender bodies, flawless skin, and perfect eyesight. I look to Puck and know that his short, stocky frame would be a perfect target. Next to him is Warren, his tall stick-like frame and glasses slipping down his nose endear him to me, but I can hear all those fairies in my head, taunting. I look down at my plate, blinking the tears away.

  “Thanks for breakfast, you guys.” I push the plate away from me. “So, now what?” I look to them.

  “Beats me,” Warren says, pushing his glasses up. I notice that he does this when he’s unsure or nervous. Maybe I’m not the only one that needs reassurance. “I planned to be in my talent classes today. But that’s obviously not happening.” Bitterness laces his voice.

  “You know, being talentless isn’t a death sentence,” I say. I remember the first year that I failed to find a talent. I didn’t have anyone to help me. I went back to the dormitories and cried myself to sleep. The next day, I had nothing to do. I had finished all my classes, and no one knew what to do with me. Ren decided that I could teach the sprite classes. That was an utter failure. I think three sprites left sobbing. Then, Ren thought I could help in the kitchen, that lasted an afternoon until I set the place on fire. Ren gave up after that and decided to let me find my own way.

  Fairy Nanny was the one to instigate me having my own place. I kept on taking long walks and dragging my finds back to the dormitories. I wasn’t the neatest with them, piling them in the halls and in my room. I shake myself from my thoughts. Daydreaming was one of my faults, that and my brain was like a hummingbird flitting from flower to flower, never resting on one thing for any length of time.

  “I think we need to figure out where you guys are going to stay. I doubt that my floor was that comfortable.”

  Warren stands and takes my plate to the kitchen area. He rubs his shoulders, “You could say that again.”

  “Come on, I’ll show you the back area, and we can see what we can create.” I stand and walk to the back door. “Fairy Nanny had them make me a small work area out here. She insisted that I have a place for all my finds that wasn’t in the house”

  Chapter 5

  I OPEN THE BACK DOOR and step into my organized chaos. On one side of the house is a small three-sided shed. A long work bench runs the length of it. Next to the far end is a stone fireplace. Scattered all around are my various treasures I’ve found.

  “This is great,” Warren says as he walks towards the stack of springs. “Where did you find these? The young ones would find these fun if we were to put them in the ground with a seat on the top.”

&nb
sp; “Warren, that’s a great idea! I found them on the coast near the mainland and had to bring them home, but had no idea what to do with them.” It’s nice to have someone who is interested in my treasures and has ideas similar to mine.

  “Aislin?”

  I turn to where Puck stands, looking out over the back area. The hill has a gentle slope with a few small Armarillia Capes and ferns growing in clumps here and there. “Yes?”

  “What about this space up here for homes? We could build a large house at the top, similar to those the other fairies have as their headquarters and then small individual houses like yours around the hillside. Then this area down here could be a work space.”

  I pause before replying to him. If I’m honest with myself, I’m jealous that he thought it up and angry that he is just assuming that my quiet hill will be where we build. The Talentless hill. I swallow the snarky reply and look where he is suggesting we build. It is a good idea, and I’d still have my privacy.

  “Sorry, I shouldn’t have assumed–”

  “No, Puck. I’m sorry.” I interrupt him. “I was thinking about what you said. It’s a great idea, and I’m just jealous that I didn’t think of it.”

  I look at Puck and see him weighing my words, trying to decide if they’re my true thoughts. How many times had he been put down to think that his thoughts weren’t worthy of consideration? I reach out and touch his shoulder. “Seriously, it’s a great idea.”

  Puck stands taller, a small grin on his face. “Really? I don’t want you to think we’re pushing in on your space.”

  “Well, you are pushing in on my space,” I bump my hip into his side playfully, “but, I think we can make it work.”

  “Should we wait for Orrin to give his input?” Warren asks.

  I scowl at the thought. “No. If he thinks this place is beneath him then he can figure his own place out or live with what we decide.” I turn back to the house. “I’ll be back in a minute.”