Not Your Average Fairy Tale (Not Your Average Fairy Tale #1) Read online

  "You are so stubborn," he said.

  I didn’t have a response to that.

  He looked at me defiantly, and I saw something in his eyes I’d never seen before. He pulled me away from the wall and into his arms. Before I knew it, his mouth was on mine.

  His lips were soft, but urgent, expressing everything I wished he felt about me. Everything I felt about him. He didn't stop, and I eagerly kissed him back. He pulled me even closer. His hand crept up the back of my neck, getting lost in my hair. His other arm held me in a grip so tight, I couldn't move if I wanted to. Not that I wanted to. Ever.

  I'd never been kissed that way before. Not by anyone. Especially not by Cameron. I felt like I was floating off the ground, and since Ash was a fairy, I probably was. My heart hammered in my chest, and chills coursed through my body. I didn't want the kiss to end.

  He tasted like lime. Smelled like rain. I felt a gentle breeze tousle my hair, but ignored it. All I wanted to do was to drink in the scent, the taste of him.

  What had started as a slight breeze whipped around us, pushing us closer together.

  I opened my eyes, and Ash did the same. The wind was swirling around us now, full of pink and blue napkins that had been sitting on the kitchen counter. It looked like a tornado. His eyes widened, and he pulled away so fast I almost fell on my face.

  "Kendall, I'm sorry." He was breathing hard, his face pale. The napkins twisted and turned, each one floating to the floor. "I didn't mean for that to happen. I ... I have to go."

  I didn't want him to. I took a step closer to him, probably with a crazed, hungry look on my face. "Don't," I whispered. "Please don't leave."

  He looked at me, his expression pained, but after stalling for a second, he vanished.

  I sat down on the kitchen chair and put my fingers to my lips, telling myself what I had known for quite some time, but never acknowledged.

  I was in love with Ash.

  I was in love with a fairy. My fairy.

  The front door opened, and Ellie yelled goodbye to someone outside.

  I still hadn't moved from my spot in the kitchen. I sat, transfixed, gazing at nothing. Actually, I was staring at all the napkins spread around the room, but Ash had occupied my vision a few seconds earlier.

  "Kendall?" Ellie asked, putting a hand on my shoulder. "You okay?"

  "No."

  "What's wrong?"

  "I just kissed a fairy." I didn't look at her. I knew her expression would be confused, so I just sat there like an idiot staring into space. How was I going to explain this one? Ellie, I've been hanging out with my fairy godmother for the past month or so, who, by the way, is a guy. And I just kissed him right here in this kitchen. Oh, and I'm pretty sure I'm in love with him too. Actually, I know I am. Did I mention he has wings? Yep. Real ones that sparkle like stars, and feel as soft as a rose petal.

  I realized Ellie had been talking to me the entire time and snapped out of my conversation with myself.

  "Um ... Kendall, I think you should go lie down." She stared at me, concern written all over her face. She took a step closer and put a hand on my shoulder. “Do you feel okay?"

  My eyes finally focused, and I looked at her. "I need to tell you something," I said slowly. "And, you're probably going to think I'm crazy."

  "If it's about kissing a fairy, I think you've been watching too many movies. And yes, I'll probably think you're crazy."

  I put a hand over my eyes and took a deep breath. "I'm serious, Ellie. You have to believe me."

  "You really are serious," she said, pulling out a kitchen chair. She sat down in front of me, resting an arm on the table. "What's going on?"

  "It's a long story," I said.

  "I'm not going anywhere." She smiled. "And being your sister, not to mention best friend, I deserve to know why you've been so weird the past few weeks."

  "Promise me you won't tell anyone."

  "I promise."

  "Promise you won't freak out."

  She laughed. "I promise, Kendall! Just tell me already!"

  I told her everything.

  Chapter 15

  Ash

  I tried hard to remember why I had kissed Kendall. I couldn't think of a logical explanation to give Sam. Or anyone else. Not that anyone else was going to find out. I was already in enough trouble for turning Dax into a rat. I had a meeting with Shenelle in an hour. Dax would be there. It sounded like tons of fun.

  "Dude! What were you thinking?" Sam asked as I paced our room. He sat in the desk chair, his feet up on the desk.

  "I wasn't," I said, closing my eyes and massaging my temples. I had a headache from all the stress I was causing myself.

  "Does Shenelle know?"

  I squeezed my eyes tighter, hoping the headache would disappear. What good was having magic when I couldn't even make myself feel better?

  "No. I don't think so. All she does is read the notes I give her and check my wand every week." I frowned. "She seemed a little perplexed that Kendall hasn't made her third wish. She won't leave me alone about it. It's driving me crazy.”

  "Uh, you just said perplexed. What's wrong with you?"

  Turning to look at him, my eyes landed on the purple folder sitting on the desk. Kendall’s file. It bothered me that I still had it. I hadn't read it since Kendall's panic attack at her friend's party. I was also so sick of Shenelle asking me if I'd read it. There was no need to read it. I knew Kendall better than that stupid file. “Don’t move,” I said.

  Sam glanced up at me and his green eyes widened.

  I pointed my wand at the file and watched as blue light shot out of it. The folder lit the room for a second before exploding into a million pieces.

  Sam yelled a curse and jumped to his feet. He shook the purple dust out of his hair. A whiff of smoke mixed with flowers reached my nose and I tried not to gag. “Seriously, Ash! You just blew up your assignment’s folder! Shenelle is going to be so pissed!” He opened the window to let some of the smoke out. "You're obviously regretting the kiss. What else would make you go all crazy like that?"

  I plopped down on my bed, wishing I could focus on something other than that. I probably shouldn't have told Sam, but who else could I talk to? "I don't regret it."

  "Was it that awesome, then?"

  I leaned over to find something to throw at him, but my shoes were out of reach and I really didn't want to get my wand out again. "Go away."

  "Oh, come on. I want to know how you feel about her."

  "Could you please stop sounding like a girl? You're freaking me out trying to talk to me about feelings. You've done it twice this week."

  He whistled. "You've got it bad."

  "Sam," I said, warning him off.

  "No, really. I've never seen you so worked up about a girl. And a girl without magic? It's fascinating." He stopped talking and sat down again. "I want to be a fairy now."

  "Believe me. This is not what I signed up for."

  "I know that," he said. "So, how close are you two, then? Besides the whole kiss and everything."

  "Can we please talk about something else?"

  He just sat there, waiting.

  I sighed. "She knows about my nightmares."

  "What?" He looked astonished. "How?"

  "She heard me scream when I was asleep."

  "So, you're that close?" He wiggled his eyebrows at me.

  "Don't even go there, Sam. Of course not. I fell asleep when I showed her my wings."

  Sam jumped to his feet, faster than I'd ever seen him move before. "You showed her your wings? I haven't even seen them, and we share a room!"

  "You want to see the stupid things?" I tore off my shirt and threw it at him. "There. You happy?"

  He smiled. "Pretty."

  "Shut up."

  "I thought they'd be more ... masculine."

  I snorted. "At least they aren't pink.”

  "Yeah, silver's pretty tight." He handed me my shirt and I put it back on, careful to bend my wings down so they hid
underneath. I had promised Kendall I would never tie them down again.

  When I looked up, Sam was shaking his head, a smile on his face.

  "What?"

  "I can't believe you're in love with a human girl."

  "I'm not. I mean, I can't be. I haven't even known her that long."

  "Whatever. You've been acting like you're in some kind of romantic comedy the past few weeks."

  "This isn't funny, and I'm not romantic!"

  "Oh yeah? Then what's this?" He picked a little blue box off the desk, complete with a silver bow on top, and held it out to me.

  I swore.

  "Thought so," he said, smirking.

  I really shouldn't have gotten Kendall a birthday present, but I couldn't help it. "So, you still dating that siren? Melody?" I asked as he set the box down.

  He rolled his eyes at the subject change, but answered me anyway. "Sirens are hard core. Every time she opens her mouth I cover my ears, hoping she doesn't sing me to my death."

  "Sam, Melody isn't the murdering type. She's pretty cool, actually." I kept him talking, grateful the conversation was now on him.

  "I know. All those stories give me the willies, though," he said, shivering.

  "You should take her to The Reef. Best restaurant on campus," I said.

  "Can’t. She's scared of dryads. And she doesn't like to leave her little pool. She gets homesick." He frowned.

  And I thought I had problems.

  Chapter 16

  Kendall

  I sat in the hospital room, trying to remember how I’d ended up here. My body felt heavy. Weak. I tried to lift my arm, and stopped when I felt a tug.

  I was hooked up to an IV. I glanced up to see several bags of liquid slowly dripping into the tube that ran into my arm. A machine beeped somewhere to my right, and I felt something in my nose. I reached up and yanked the oxygen out, probably setting off alarms at the nurse’s station.

  I waited, but no one came in.

  The room was plain. A few outdated pictures hung on the wall, with fake plants taking up space on two small tables across the room. Purple curtains lined the window, and the drab brown couch would have looked at home in my grandmother’s living room.

  My mom came in, her eyes red and puffy.

  That's when I remembered. "Where's Dad?" I asked.

  "How are you feeling?" Her light hair was coming out of its ponytail, and she had blood on her blue scrubs. I couldn't look away from it.

  An image filled my mind. My dad and I driving to the game. Headlights coming straight at us, me yanking the wheel.

  "Where's Dad?" I asked again. "Is he alright?"

  I tried sitting up, but my mom pushed me back down on the bed.

  "Honey," she faltered, and tears started sliding down her cheeks.

  "Please. Please don't say it," I said. She reached out to stroke my hair, and I pushed her hand away. My whole body protested, but I sat up and kicked my legs over the edge of the bed.

  "Kendall. You have to understand something–"

  "No!" I yelled. "Tell me where Dad is! Where is he?"

  "Honey–" She reached for me again.

  "Don't touch me!"

  "Kendall, please," she said. "Listen to me."

  I stopped struggling and waited.

  Grief etched every inch of her face. "He's gone, honey. Dad's gone."

  "No." I shook my head.

  "I'm so sorry, sweetie," she said. Tears slid down her cheeks. She made no attempt to wipe them away.

  I stared at the too-white walls in my too-sterile room. The smell of the hospital overwhelmed me, and images of the crash played over and over again in my mind.

  My head started swimming. I leaned over and threw up on the floor.

  "Kendall?" I heard her stand and start to walk around the bed to get to me.

  "Stay away from me!"

  "Kendall–"

  "He can't be gone," I sobbed. "He can't!"

  "Kendall, it's going to be okay.”

  "No! It's not going to be okay! Dad's gone!" My eyes widened. "And it's all my fault," I whispered.

  I started hyperventilating. My sobs became too much. I couldn't breathe. My lungs wouldn't work. It felt like someone was sitting on my chest, squeezing all the air out.

  "Take a deep breath, you're having an anxiety attack."

  "I ... can't ..." I slid down the side of the bed and ended up on the floor.

  My mom disappeared into the hall. I heard her say something, but couldn't make it out. Nurses ran in, holding my arms and trying to lift me back to the bed.

  "Don't touch me! Leave me alone!" I kicked and screamed, fighting anyone who tried to touch me. They finally got me back on the bed and held me down as another nurse came in, took a needle out, and shot something into the I.V.

  "This will help calm you down," the nurse said.

  "No!" My veins burned, my vision blurred, and I saw only darkness.

  A laugh, deep and hollow, echoed through my mind. I saw a face with golden eyes, watching me.

  "Sweet dreams," a voice said.

  I jumped, and sat up in bed. I looked around my room. Not a hospital room. I let out the breath I was holding.

  I hadn't had a nightmare in ages.

  My face was wet, and I wiped my tears away.

  Strange. Every detail about the night my dad died had been in the dream. It had all seemed so real.

  At least I hadn't woken up to a scary voice talking in my head. I shivered.

  I thought of the guy’s face in the dream. His golden eyes. I'd never seen him before, yet he seemed familiar.

  Glancing at the clock told me I had two more hours to sleep. My brain was wired, and I knew I wouldn't be able to relax. I got up and got ready for the day.

  I wondered what Ash was doing. I wanted to tell him about the dream. He’d mentioned he knew a lot about dreams, since he was studying to be a sandman, so maybe he could help me figure out what mine meant. The more I thought about it though, the more I realized it hadn't really been a dream.

  It was a memory.

  Chapter 17

  Ash

  Lady Shenelle glared at me from across the desk. Her hair was blue this time, and cut short. I considered making a snide remark about her looking like a Smurf, but thought better of it. I knew how much trouble I was in. I didn't need to make it worse.

  I glanced at Dax, who sat a few feet away, a smug look on his pale face. He was normal again, and I silently cursed myself for not making the spell last a little longer.

  "So, let me get this straight," Shenelle said. She took off her glasses and set them on the desk.

  I was so screwed. When Shenelle took her glasses off, she meant business.

  She clasped her hands in front of her, looking way too calm. "Dax threatened you and to get him back, you turned him into a rat. Correct?"

  Before I could open my mouth, Dax answered. "I was joking around, and he attacked me. I didn't even get a chance to defend myself," he said.

  I tried to keep my expression neutral, even though I wanted to laugh. Turning Dax into a rat was honestly one of the coolest things I'd ever done. Not to mention hilarious.

  "Ash?" Lady Shenelle waited for me to say something.

  "Everything he said is true. Except the joking around part."

  She groaned. "Ash, this is serious. You used magic on another person without his consent. You could be expelled."

  "Great," I mumbled. My eyes wandered to the floor.

  "You mean he might not be?" Dax asked.

  "If you’d kept your mouth shut, none of this would have happened," I said, glancing at him.

  He stood, his voice rising with every word. "I know the rules. No one ever seems to care when he does something wrong! I'm sick of it!"

  "In other words, you're jealous," I said.

  He started toward me. "You son of a–"

  "Enough!" Shenelle pointed towards the door. "Dax, leave us."

  "Are you kidding me? He's the one that–"r />
  "Now!"

  Dax glanced at me. "Fine." He turned and stomped out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

  "Well?"

  I met Shenelle's eyes. "What?" I asked.

  "What do you mean what? Are you going to plead your case, or do I have to take this to the council?"

  No way was I going to tell her about Dax threatening Kendall. She'd figure out I had some sort of attachment to her and cut me off completely. At least this way I'd just be on probation until I had my hearing with the council. That was usually how they did things when rules were broken.

  "Ash," Shenelle said.

  I shook my head.

  Dax was right. I'd never really gotten in trouble before. There was no way I was going to lose my chance to see Kendall, though.

  I sat up a little straighter and looked her in the eye. "I guess you take it to the council. I'm not sorry, and Dax deserved it."

  "You're sure?"

  I squared my jaw. "Yes."

  She studied me, and I swear the corner of her mouth twitched. "Fine." She picked up a paper and started writing on it. "Ash Summerland, you are now on probation for the remainder of your apprenticeship. You must report to me if you wish to leave campus for your assignment, and may only stay out for an hour at the most. You must also report to me when you return. I'll know if you stay out any longer."

  "Yes, ma'am." It's not like I was staying with Kendall longer than an hour anyway, lately. Even though I wanted to spend every second of every day with her.

  "So, did you use your wand? When this happened?"

  I frowned, trying to remember. I hadn't used my wand, but I wasn't about to tell her that. Shenelle's interest in my magic was starting to make me nervous. I'd rather keep some things to myself. "Of course. Why?"

  She shrugged. "No reason."

  "Anything else?"

  "Yes. You will meet with the council tonight. I'll call you in an hour or so. Be ready to plead your case to them."

  I nodded.

  "You're dismissed."

  "Thanks."

  "Oh, and Ash?"

  I looked at her.

  "This is your first and last warning. Don't do this again."

  Chapter 18