“Not a word.” Lu squeaked out as he looked up at the towering forms of Bodach and Merrow.
“My coileach is bigger than you.” Bodach said. His hand coming up to his mouth to hold in his laughter. Lu glared up at Merrow, waiting for the other man to say anything about his current size.
“He is a wee-thing, but hurry on. Be safe.” He said, motioning the other man towards the building. “Let us in when you’re in.”
Rolling his eyes, Lu turned away from the others. It would have been more dramatic if he weren’t so small. He was roughly about six inches tall. Already he’d walked around the building searching for an opening that he could fit through. When he’d found it, he couldn’t help but let out a groan.
Knowing that he wasn’t going to hear the end
Bodach moved through the antique shop, searching for any signs of Lola. He could hear Lu and Merrow doing the same. Their movements didn’t cover up the footsteps he could hear above them. He wondered if it was Lola and what she could be doing here.He was more in tune with his primal side when it came to her. He paused, hearing the whispers of voices as Merrow moved closer to him.“She’s here.” Bodach whispered.Merrow nodded his head, looking up. Lu came out of the kitchen, her purse clutched in his hands.“Aye.”A loud crash pulled their attention upwards. It was quiet after that, and Bodach felt anxiety well up in the pit of his stomach. He moved towards the stairs, Lu and Merrow on his heals as they tried to keep their steps quiet.
FOUR YEARS LATERPushing her hair out of her eyes, Lola let out a huff as Lu rounded the corner. A bright green-eyed toddler clinging to his back. Her copper curls bouncing in the slight breeze as he bounced her around the yard."There’s your mum.”“Mummy,” the girl shouted, she pointed over her father’s shoulder, “Auntie Queen is here.”“Lu, be careful with her.” Lola chided with a small smile as Lu galloped her around the yard. She turned her head, looking over at the Queen.“Your majesty.” She said, dipping her head.“Lola, how many times have I asked you to call me Callie?”“It still feels strange.”“We’re family. You’re sister and I are ruling the courts together.”
“The Seelie and Unseelie Courts sentence you four to confinement for your crimes until the blood has forgotten the atrocities you have committed against them.”The tall blonde woman spoke, her voice ringing loudly through the clearing as her autumn brown eyes passed over the four beings who had wronged a member of her court.“No, it’s not far.”The red-haired man shouted, his copper-colored curls bouncing around him, his words slurring as his cheeks flushed, glassy jade eyes scanning the Queen and King as he fell to his knees ready to plead with them.“Shut up Lu, before she chooses a different punishment, do you want to be trapped within the trees?”The unearthly beautiful sea-green eyed man said through clenched teeth, it fisted his hands at his sides as he shook with barely concealed anger.He looked over at the woman swollen with child, no not woman. She was far too beautiful to be just a mere mortal. He pushed his white-blon
Lola walked around the antique shop. It was filled with all kinds of hidden treasures that she couldn’t wait to discover. She picked up a broach that was made from human hair, a piece of mourning jewelry.Sitting it down, she couldn’t help but think that the light brown and copper strands must have a sad backstory. She loved little shops like this. Each item seemed to tell her a story as she studied a figurine of two lovers strolling side by side their hands clasped, before moving on. She glanced up at the tinkling sound of bells and looked towards the door, her eyebrows scrunched together.That was strange no one had come in. Shrugging her shoulders, she turned back to all the pretties. Maybe it had been the wind?She loved everything about this particular antique shop, the cozy feeling the shop had come from it being set up inside an older Victorian style home. The soft scent of jasmine tea filled the air from the small kitchen at the rear of the house. She paused, her emerald eyes t
“I don’t know how much help I would be,” Lola said as she picked up one of the cookies and took a bite. “I just need someone to run errands for me occasionally, when I can’t get away from the shop. I’ve always felt that I could I trust you.” Erik said with a hopeful smile.Lola thought over his offer as she nibbled on the cookie. It would help her to get to know Erik better and see if she and the handsome shopkeeper had anything other than a love of antiques in common. It would also get her a little extra income, which sadly these days she needed the money. Lola worked at the local plant nursery and the cold months always meant she wasn’t needed at the business and her paychecks were starting to reflect that. “When would I start?” She asked as she sat the cookie on the edge of the saucer, picking up the teacup to take a sip of the lightly sweetened tea. “Tomorrow, if it doesn’t interfere with your other job.” Erik sat his teacup and saucer down with a smile. He pulled out a cream
“Is she dead?” The deep, rolling brogue was unfamiliar to her. Lola was afraid that someone had broken into her apartment and after possibly going insane, she was about to be murdered.“No, I think she’s coming to.” A lighter, but still very masculine voice said from somewhere near her right side.“Go halainn,” another voice said from further in the room.“She is, but you shall not lay with her.” A grumbling voice said from somewhere near the couch.“I do as I please, and if she wants to, I wouldn’t be opposed. It’s been a long time, she’s pretty enough even if her hair is a strange color.” The voice that had said the strange words said, his voice coming nearer as he moved closer.Lola opened her eyes slowly. She was lying on the floor with two men standing above her. No, that wasn’t right. They may look like men, but something about them screamed other to her. She closed her eyes, willing them to be gone when she opened them.They were not. She let out a shriek and tried to crab walk
“Ask away.” Puca said as he tucked his hands into his trouser pockets.“You said someone trapped you in that box?” Lola asked as she pointed towards the small oak box that was obviously too small to hold four very well-built men inside of it. Men, who were currently standing in her living room, okay so she was using the term men loosely, very loosely. These men were obviously not human like she was. She could feel the other-world difference floating about them, could almost see it swirling around their auras. Lola couldn’t put her finger on it as she looked at them, but she had the feeling like she should know who they were.“We were imprisoned inside of it. Yes.” Puca answered her as he bit his lower lip, looking at her. His golden eyes studying her closely. He could feel the pull of magic faintly coming from her.“Why?” She asked with a frown.“That’s a long story-” Bodach started to say as he looked down sheepishly.“He stole a fairy’s child and switched it with a Changeling.” Me
Lola winced at the pain stabbing through her shoulder as she picked up the wooden tray. She sat it back down quickly. Rolling her shoulders before lifting it again.“You’re still hurt?” Bodach asked as he caught the grimace marring her pretty features. He glared over at Merrow before stepping closer to her.“It’s fine, I’ll ice it later.” She said turning to take the tray into the living room and to get away from the tension she felt between the two men.“Let me,” Bodach said, stepping forward to take the tray from her hands. Lola released it as he pulled the tray closer to his broad chest.“Thank you,” Lola said, looking up at him. She had never seen a person with crimson eyes before and she bit her lip, studying him. His eyes were larger than a normal person’s, his features almost delicate with a slightly squared jawline. “It’s my pleasure,” he said, his lips tilting in a smirk as he caught her admiring glance. Something tightened low in her stomach, a blush rising in her cheeks at