Chapter 8 – Alex
Chapter Eight
ALEX
There’s a spring in my step. The sun is shining, and it’s time for Operation Convince Sera She’s Completely Wrong About Us.
Rae sent word through Kian that she got Sera to agree to the trip, which is a win.
I only hope she actually meant it because the dish fiasco yesterday definitely set us back.
While she didn’t actually say it, I know she thinks our kiss was a mistake, but I intend to prove to her it wasn’t.
I make my way into the sitting room, where I’ve arranged an indoor picnic for us.
The space is filled with early winter blooms that give off a slightly sweet aroma, and a colorful woven blanket is spread before the giant windows.
There are large cushions to sit on or recline against, and tea is steeping in its pot.
The spread of pastries and sandwiches make my mouth water.
This is either the most pathetic or the most romantic idea I’ve ever had. I suppose I’ll find out soon enough. Rae agreed to get Sera here, so all I need to do is wait. I spot the stack of ancient tomes I left on the desk and sit down to study to help pass the time.
Languages have always come easily to me, but I was hoping to get some assistance from Sera.
She is, after all, the only person in the realm who can help me with my fae language pronunciation.
If there is an answer to her fae curse in this realm, I imagine it might well be written in her mother tongue.
It’s a wonder these books even still exist. Based on all my research, the realms haven’t been freely traveled in centuries.
“What in the—?”
I look up from my book and smile. “Surprise!”
Sera gapes at the spread and turns to Rae. “Did you do this?”
Rae shakes her head. “This is all Alex. Enjoy!” Before Sera can protest, Rae gives her a little shove and closes the door behind her.
I jump up and make my way to Sera, holding out a hand. “Fancy an indoor picnic?”
Sera’s cheeks are tinged pink as she once again takes everything in before looking at me. “I—uh . . . I have work to do.”
“Nonsense, Rae assured me you’re free.”
Sera takes a breath, her body so still, it reminds me just how inhuman she actually is. How did I miss it?
She finally gives a reluctant nod. “Fine.”
“Wonderful!” I exclaim, only slightly disappointed when she ignores my hand and walks toward the blanket. The sun warms the room despite the chill outside, and she sinks to the floor, taking a seat.
I grab the tray and kneel, placing it between us. “Tea?”
She nods, and I pour us both a cup. Perhaps I should have had a little something stronger prepared. Her silence is unnerving.
“Alex, about everything that’s happened this week—” Sera starts. I suck in a breath and hand her the cup. She grips it so tightly, I fear it might shatter.
“Yes?”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been so rude yesterday, and I definitely should not have kissed you like that the day before.”
Of course. Here we go. I try not to show my disappointment, even though I fully expected this. “I clearly didn’t mind,” I say, keeping my voice light while holding out a plate of pastries. “Want one?”
Sera sets down her cup and picks up a chocolate pastry, tearing a tiny piece off before putting it in her mouth. Her violet eyes close for just a moment, and she smiles ever so slightly. “Thank you,” she murmurs, meeting my gaze. “This was entirely unnecessary, but I appreciate the gesture.”
“It’s nothing.” I brush it off. “Who couldn’t use a little joy amidst the chaos?”
This puts a bigger smile on her face, and my heart skips a beat. There it is. That smile could bring any man to his knees.
“Was it not good for you?” I blurt out.
“Excuse me?” She frowns before eating another bite of pastry.
“The kiss,” I say. “Was it not good for you?”
“Oh.” She flushes beet red. There’s melted chocolate right next to her lush lips, and I’m so very tempted to kiss or lick it off. “The kiss was fine.”
“Fine?” I gasp in mock offense. “Sera, we practically burned down the palace. I’d say that was more than fine.”
Her eyes widen, and she whispers, “I didn’t mean to.”
My mouth falls open. “Wait, that was you?” I raise my brows. She is still full of surprises.
Sera gives me a hesitant smile and shrugs. “It’s a fae thing.”
“Fae burn down buildings while kissing?”
She swears under her breath, fingers curling into the blanket we’re sitting on. “I come from a line of fire wielders, but my powers are diminished here. It’s been almost impossible for me to access them.”
“But you did while kissing me.” I grin, cocking my head. “I knew my nickname fit you.”
“Don’t let it get to your head. I’m sure it had nothing to do with you.”
She’s lying. I don’t know why, but I sense this is something I need to stop pressing. For now.
“Alex?”
“Yes, Spitfire?”
She rolls her eyes but then surprises me when she puts a delicate hand on my arm. “Please don’t tell anyone. I don’t want to lose my position here. I don’t want Rae and Kian to think I’m unstable because of the curse.”
“Do you think you’re endangering people by being here?”
She shakes her head.
“I won’t tell.”
“Thank you.”
She relaxes a little, and I lean in closer, raising my thumb to the side of her mouth. “You’ve got some . . .” When she doesn’t pull away, I wipe the chocolate off. “There. All better.”
Her throat bobs, and I’m so very tempted to close the distance between us and kiss her again. It’s as if my entire being has been sucked into her orbit and she’s all I can see.
Before I can make a move, Sera pushes me away. “As I said yesterday, this could never work between us. We’re too different. Don’t get me started again on the disparity in our station or the simple fact that I’m immortal and outlive all humans.”
Her words stab into me like a dull blade, each one punctuated with more pain. I reach for her. “Sera. Spitfire . . .” When she refuses to look at me, I move closer and gently grab her chin. “Did something happen?”
Tears well up in her eyes. “I won’t lose someone else to old age while I remain the same.”
She’s not telling me the whole truth. I can feel it in my bones, or perhaps it’s just my blood.
“You have to know I could not care less about your station.” I cup her cheek in my hand, brushing a tear away.
“And if you think for one moment I care if I get old and wrinkly while you stay young? No. I just want you. Is that selfish of me? Yes, but even if it’s only for fifty years, that’s fifty years I get to spend with you, and I would hope you could forgive me for wanting to share my brief life with someone who makes me feel the way you do.
Is it so wrong of me to want that? Want you? ”
“Gods, Alex, you don’t even know what you’re talking about,” she says. “You don’t know me.”
“I want to know you, Sera, but you’re sure doing your damnedest to push me away,” I say, letting go and putting distance between us.
“There is no happily ever after for us,” Sera says, avoiding my gaze and rising from the floor to make her way to the door. “The kiss was a mistake. It will never happen again.”
The door clicks shut, and I can’t move. Sera just walked out with the shredded remains of my heart.
It doesn’t make sense. She’s right. I don’t know everything about her, she’s lied to me more than I care to admit, but she feels like she was meant to be mine.
The joy I tasted only moments ago is gone, replaced with despair.
In no uncertain terms, she told me I will never have a chance.
Perhaps I should actually listen to her this time.
The truth in her words cut deep. This was more than our typical banter. She meant it.