Chapter 4
Ector
I’m going to find this magic well and get my wings back so I can have some kind of happiness in my shitty and miserable life.
It’s been years since I last smiled or laughed, not even being able to recall what my own laugh sounds like. My chest tightens as I think of it.
After my mothers passing, I couldn’t bear to be around anyone happy or even see it, always feeling so guilty, hating myself and this life. I despised having to live with my monster of a so-called father by myself. No longer having a safe person by my side, no one who understood me or saw me.
I didn’t have anyone who could save me from him and his behavior, making me want to kill myself, but he always made sure I stayed alive. He wanted to keep torturing me and seeing me suffer.
But now, there is a possibility for me to get my wings back, which is all I want. I need to keep living because I know that taking my own life would satisfy him too much.
I still have hope for a better life and I won’t give up on those small flames that are burning deep inside of me, keeping me alive.
Walking with my head buried in deep thoughts, an odd shadow appears on the ground, but I instinctively ignore it.
“Hi!”
That voice sounded more familiar than I liked it to. She has the kind of voice you could recognize from miles away, one that speaks not only with its vocals but with its whole heart. It can’t be a coincidence that we are going the same way this far out of Fairy Village.
I turn around, my head tilting downwards. It’s clear that it’s her, her glittering sage eyes staring up at me as she moves closer, her hips swinging from side to side with every step.
Being much shorter than me, her head tilts backward to be able to make eye contact.
“Hi?” I speak nervously, the feeling that only appeared when talking to her. What spell does she cast upon my heart to make it flutter like this in her presence? She’s just a girl, I try to remind myself, but she’s not.
She’s Genevieve Heart.
“I thought the map was in the book, but clearly you ripped it out, so here we are.”
“How did you find your way here?”
“I’ve been looking through that book since Esme passed, so I’ve memorized the first part of the map.”
Clever.
“Okay well, I’m doing this on my own, sweetheart. I’ll let you borrow it when I come back. If I come back.”
“No.”
“What do you mean, no?”
“I need that map as much as you seem to. There is no chance that I will be waiting for your return. I’m going with you.” Her voice is strong, demanding, something about it made me fold. And there it is again, that soft spot.
“You are not going with me, I’m doing this on my own. Fly away with your little wings now, will you.”
“Okay, fly with me then.”
“No, I hate flying.”
God, I miss it so much.
“No one hates flying.” She rolls her eyes before continuing. “Come on now and stop being so grumpy and stubborn!”
“I’m not grumpy.”
“So you’re only stubborn then?”
“Yeah.. wait what? No, I’m not.”
“Apparently, you are.”
“If you want to go with me, then no wings. That’s the deal.”
“What?”
“You heard me, sweetheart.”
Her arms are crossed tight over her full chest. The way she looks at me is filled with hesitation. “Fine.”
Fuck, she’s adorable.
I start following the path where I stopped, hearing her shoes scrape against the ground behind me.
I understand why everyone seems to like her, I’ve watched her from afar sometimes.
The way she smiles, laughs. How gentle she is and the way she moves.
And every time, I’ve felt like the creepy guy in the shadows.
I knew that she would never be interested in me, that I would never be the one chosen by the sunshine girl.
Yet she’s here, demanding that we do this together. She isn’t scared of me.
Her smile is gorgeous, her eyes shine like magical fairy dust, and her hair is so unique, blond and pink.
The way she moves is attractive, everything about her is attractive.
Her wings are flawless, and her dresses are so whimsical, full with fairydust. She is always kind to others and so gentle with everyone, especially the animals.
Fuck, I want her. I think every guy that has ever laid eyes on her wants her.
I regret not knowing about her sister. How could I possibly have missed that? I felt awful after handing her the book as she told me about it. Yet, she still seems so warm to me, even after what I did.
Seeing her radiant aura makes me wish I was like that too, always kind and gentle. But I’m not, I will never be like that. Because I’m so scared of other fairies treating me the same way as my father did, I simply push them away. I can’t let them in, I refuse to be hurt like that ever again.
My father was supposed to be my protector, my supporter, the one who should make sure that I was okay. Instead, he was selfish, he was a beast for fuck’s sake. How can you treat your own son like that? How can you treat anyone like that? It’s a behavior that I will never understand.
“Are you okay?” I hear myself ask. It must be hard for her without Esme around.
Why do I feel the need to be gentle with her when I've never cared before?
“I’m okay.”
“Tsk tsk tsk”
“What now?” She lets out, her tone heavy with irritation.
She’s hurt. She may always be kind, but when you’re sad and hurting, that pain easily surfaces as anger.
I could already understand her like she was an open book, because somewhere in her, I saw myself. Something she doesn’t know.
“Nothing,” I admit. “I’m only trying to be nice for once.”
Something shifts in her eyes, her cheeks turning pink, then she looks away from me and keeps walking.
”That’s the wrong way, sweetheart.” I say after she takes the path straight ahead.
“I know, I was only testing you!” She tries to look angry, her eyebrows furrowed. But the small smile pulling at her lips is what captures every part of my attention.
A laugh escapes my throat. A laugh.
There are three paths ahead of us, and Genevieve is choosing the wrong one again, but this time to the left.
“Genevieve, I think you’re testing me again because that’s also the wrong way.”
She turns, looks back, and stomps toward the right way this time, with me following behind.
“You know, you don’t have to act so smart. It’s easy for you to say what way we should go when you’re literally holding the map.” She says ironically, swinging her arms around her.
“I’m not acting. I can’t help having such a smart head?” The answer comes out sarcastic.
“You’re so annoying!” Her eyes sparkle as she looks back at me, her cheeks rosy.
“I’m not annoying, I haven’t done anything.” I answer with a calm tone.
“You’ve done more than enough.”
“Okay?” I chuckle.
“Aaaah!” She lets out a deep frustrated sound.
“Woah. What is going on?” I question in deep confusion.
“I’m just.. I’m just so frustrated and tired and..”
“And what?”
“I don’t know. I..”
“Hey, sweetheart. It’s okay, you’ve been through a lot lately and I understand that it’s overwhelming for you.” I say while placing a hand on her shoulders.
The sudden touch of her skin against my hand makes me feel unreal. The tingles between my fingertips immediately spread through my body, making me instantly warmer.
As she moves forward and away from me, she turns her head, just enough for me to catch a glimpse of her soft, beautiful face with her long, curly hair falling perfectly around her.
“Thank you.” She says with her soft voice, one of her sweet and gentle smiles placed across her pink lips.