Chapter Ten
Chapter
Ten
Colbie
Ichat with them both a little longer, but they have to get ready for their night out, so after dumping my bag in the spare bedroom I always use, I wave goodbye and walk down the street.
I’m going to check out the little shops along the boardwalk before walking along the beach to my favorite cove.
It has this amazing rock I can sit on and look out at the ocean as I contemplate life.
I take a blanket and the book I was reading last night.
I am doing everything in my power to pretend the marks under my cuffs aren’t there, but it isn’t working.
It’s constantly in the back of my mind, like a specter haunting my every thought.
How am I going to get out of this? I wonder if the fae or the witches can help me.
Would one of them have a spell strong enough to override a goddess’s magic?
Probably not. I’d most likely need help from another goddess, but the idea of appealing to one of the others is terrifying.
I fiddle with a cuff as I make my way through the little shops on the boardwalk.
There are clothing and bookshops, a new age shop with crystals and self-help books, and my personal childhood favorite, the candy store.
I stand at the window and watch as the man pours molten hot candy onto a table before adding flavor and color, then it gets pulled on machines, changing its color, before it eventually gets rolled, cut, and wrapped in colorful paper wrappers.
I head in to get a sample of the fresh taffy. It’s coconut and delicious, but instead, I buy a huge bag of mixed taffy. There isn’t a flavor I don’t love, and it’s too hard to pick, so mixed is the perfect solution.
I pop a piece into my mouth and keep walking.
I consider grabbing something more substantial to eat, but I’m not all that hungry.
Instead, I buy a frozen cola slushie and walk down the steps onto the beach.
It’s afternoon, and the wind has kicked up even more, chasing away any possible beachgoers.
There’s only me with the gulls and sand whipping across the shore.
The waves crash against the shoreline, and the sound goes a long way in drowning out all my thoughts.
I kick off my sandals and place them in the bag with the taffy, my book, and phone.
I wrap a towel around my neck, and I start moving.
There is something so calming about just putting one foot in front of the other, not worrying about where you are or where you have to be. It’s freeing.
I’m thankful for my sunglasses, because they protect my eyes from the blowing sand. Most people would think I’m crazy enjoying the beach like this, but it’s my favorite way.
The sound of a dog barking hits my ears, and I look up.
Farther down the beach, I see three dogs racing around, chasing a ball thrown by someone.
I can’t make out if it’s a male or female because they are too far away.
It doesn’t bother me though, and I’m sure by the time I get to them, they will have had enough and left.
I look out at the ocean, and I see clouds starting to build up, growing darker.
The storm is still a while off, so I have time to finish my walk before I have to head home.
I love watching storms from my grandparents’ enclosed porch.
I wrap myself in a blanket, and Granny brings me tea and cookies while I count the flashes of lightning and the claps of thunder.
My mind returns to my problems, and I grimace.
Ugh, I came for a walk to forget all my issues.
I wonder if there has ever been an occasion where another human who was selected didn’t want the job.
Maybe I’ll do a computer search or head to the library and look through some history books.
I feel a tear trickle down my face, and I quickly wipe it away, but more join it.
Fuck, what am I going to do? My stomach rolls, and my heart pounds.
I can’t be the shifter queen. I have to get out of this.
A dog barks again, and I look up. The woman and the dogs must have turned and started walking in my direction, because they are a lot closer now.
In fact, all three of them ignore the last throw of the ball and come barreling toward me.
I chuckle as the three little poodles surround my legs, wagging their tails furiously and pawing at me for cuddles.
I crouch down and scratch their ears. They are adorable.
I always wanted a pet, but my mother would never let me have one because she didn’t want fur all over her fabric.
I tried to argue that poodles don’t shed, but she still wouldn’t let me have one, and now as an adult, my hours are so unsociable it wouldn’t be fair for any creature I decided to bring home.
“Oh my goodness, aren’t you adorable and sandy… So sandy,” I say to the three dogs.
“Yeah, it’s a nightmare to get the sand out of their coats, but they love it.” I look up as the woman approaches me, and my mouth drops open. She’s gorgeous. Her beautiful blonde hair whips around her face in the wind, her hazel eyes sparkle with joy, and her lush lips are turned up in a grin.
“Sorry about them. They are man whores who will do anything to get a pretty girl’s attention.
” One of the dogs yips at her, and she chuckles.
I stand as she picks up the ball and throws it again.
The three dogs take off after it, and we watch them as they tackle each other, trying to get to the ball first.
“They look like a handful,” I murmur to her, and she grins at me.
“They are the loves of my life, but yes, they can be a lot to handle. Luckily I’m good at juggling. Are you okay? I couldn’t help but notice you looked a little sad,” the woman says as she turns her attention back to me.
“Ah, yeah, I just got some unexpected and unwanted news this morning, and I’m trying to figure out what to do about it,” I reply, surprised by my honesty. What the hell, Colbie? Why are you telling a stranger about your problems?
She frowns at me, and her eyes slide to the cuffs on my wrists. I wonder if she thinks I’m trying to hide cutting scars or something. It really is slightly unusual to be wearing these on the beach.
“Those are fae wedding cuffs. Are you being forced into something you don’t want?” she asks, and I consider denying it, but instead, I shrug.
“Kind of.” I’m never going to see the woman again, so there’s no real need to lie to her.
She purses her lips and sits down, patting the sand next to her.
“You know, I’ve always been of the opinion that we are never given more than we can handle.
” I consider whether I should just keep walking, but there’s something about this woman that makes me feel comfortable.
Maybe I can talk about my problems without actually telling her the whole truth.
I sit next to her as her dogs come racing back.
The red one has the ball, and he drops it at her feet before lying down and putting his head on his paws, his tongue hanging out as he pants.
The black and white poodles do the same.
The white one places his head on the red one’s back, and the black one rests his head on the woman’s feet.
She reaches out and runs her hand through his fur.
“But what if I don’t want to do what I’m being forced to?
What if I’m no good at it?” I’ve always had these insecurities, even growing up.
Huh, I guess I have a lot more issues than I thought—abandonment and inadequacy.
I’m sure it comes from Dad leaving and my mom’s attitude toward me.
Add in the recently remembered friends abandoning me, and it’s no wonder I became withdrawn and doubted myself.
She looks out at the ocean. “So is the problem that you are being forced to do something you don’t want to do, or are you worried you are going to fail at what you are being asked to do?”
I think about it for a moment and shake my head. “I don’t see how I can do something I have no understanding of. That’s the problem. I’m being asked to do something I don’t know anything about, and what if I fail? What if I do so badly that it has far-reaching consequences?”
The woman turns to look at me, her hazel eyes serious.
“It’s okay to ask for help, you know. I’m sure you aren’t expected to do whatever it is on your own.
You need a support system, someone who will have your back no matter what.
” She reaches out to stroke a hand over each of her dogs.
“Kind of like my guys. I know no matter what happens, they will be right by my side.” The black one licks the back of her hand before all three of them tackle her, almost like they planned it.
She bursts into laughter as she falls backward, and they lick her.
I can’t help but smile. I think our situations are different though, and I’m not sure a dog will help me rule a kingdom. I shake my head. “I just think there is someone else out there more suitable for the job.”
She sighs and stands up, brushing the sand off her pants. The wind has died down, and the sea has settled, but a rumble of thunder can be heard on the horizon as the clouds darken even further.
“Colbie, take another few days and think it over. I have no doubt that once you stop doubting yourself, you are going to do amazing things. Come on, boys.” She picks up the ball and tosses it down the beach. The dogs chase after it, and they suddenly disappear like they walked into thin air.
My mouth drops open in shock, and I scramble to my feet, looking from where the dogs disappeared to the woman who laughs.
The woman I just realized I never gave my name to turns and winks at me. “I have all the faith in the world for you. You just need to believe in it and trust that I have put all the support you need in place.”