Hidden from view, at the far edge of our colony, beneath the cover of the low-hanging oak trees that hug the ground like massive arms and create a wonderfully private nook, I devour yet another of the human romance novels I find myself obsessed with lately. If I’m caught, I’ll be in trouble, though that’s nothing new for me.
Aeris, the adventurous. Aeris, the rule-breaker. Aeris, the rebel.
That’s me. Though, I don’t ever actually intend to break the rules.
It just sort of… happens.
What can I say? I’m curious.
There’s a great, big world outside of our own and I want to explore it all.
Is that really so bad?
I don’t think it is.
The leaves on the branches above me whip wildly as I continue to read and get to a particularly erotic scene of the book. Glancing up from the page, I realize the fingers of my left hand are waving back and forth through the tendrils of my long, dark hair. Chuckling to myself, I mutter aloud, “Careful, Aeris. You’ll give yourself away. No need to invite another lecture.”
A husky laugh behind me has me whirling around so quickly my breath catches within my throat. The wind above me instantly stills as my book falls from my hand, landing atop the lush green grass beside me.
“Why not? Being lectured does seem to be one of your favorite pastimes.” My shoulders relax as my brother’s dark head appears from the other side of the tree. Smirking, he drops down alongside me and nods toward my book. His nose wrinkles at the shirtless chest accentuated by perfectly defined muscles on the cover. “What’s this one about? Did he get into a battle with a peg-legged pirate and lose his shirt? Why are humans so obsessed with physique?”
The look on his face as he sarcastically asks has me laughing aloud. Glancing at his bare chest, my brow arches. “Younever clotheyourchest.” His eyes narrow at my quip, causing me to chuckle again before answering his question. “No. Not this one, Cy. He’s a rancher who falls in love with his foreman’s daughter when she comes back from college. And Itoolike a trim man.” I tap the prominently defined abdominal muscles of the man on the cover with my fingertips.
Cyrus’s lips twist before he catches himself. He grimaces. “I am Fae.” He gestures around at our colony. “We are vastly different from…humans. We are in tune with the elements. Our connection is heightened by not having the hindrance of heavy clothing. Humans are…notlike us.” His voice hardens. “They are selfish and opportunistic. They will take and take with no regard for the harm they cause. Clothing is necessary for them. It is not for us. So, ranchers should own shirts.”
Angling my head, I regard him closely, noticing the tightness of his jaw. My eyes lower, seeing the clenching of his fists.
He’s right.
Humans are not like us. But that is why they are so fascinating.
They have no connection with the elements.
They are simply… human.
Yet, something deep within me wants to know all I can about them.
Slapping his shoulder in hopes of lightening his suddenly tense demeanor, I chuckle and reach for my fallen book. Holding it up as my eyes once again travel over the attractive human with rippling muscles on the cover, I trace his image. “This rancher is imaginary. Much likeweare as far as humans are aware.” Leaning over, I bump his shoulder with mine and grin. “And I quite like him without a shirt. Some humans should always wear clothing.Notthis one, though.” I wink.
Shaking his head, he rolls his bright green eyes at me, causing me to grin. He leans back against the trunk of the tree, his shoulder and hip touching mine, and looks off into the distance.
I do the same, and sigh, as I take in the abundant beauty of the lushness of our home. The oak, river birch, and cypress trees are stately and full of thick branches covered with varying shades of green leaves. The crepe myrtles are nearly bursting with delicate blooms of pink, fuchsia, lilac, white, and vibrant red. The ground is covered with every wildflower one could possibly imagine. A bayou of crystal-clear water runs directly through the center of the colony, the sound babbling and filling the air as it flows over the smooth rocks beneath it. Wildlife frolic about with the knowledge they are welcome and safe.
Homes and various structures are spread throughout the land, though they seamlessly blend with nature. The stately castle in the very center is so beautiful and majestic, it still catches my breath every single day. Our colony is lovely, and though I’ve gazed upon it daily since birth, I never tire of it. It’s home.
It is home. And I know the importance of staying within the wards… of keeping our existence safe from the humans and their world.
But I want to see everything. I want to experience it.
The yearning never ceases.
Which is why I sneak out so often to observe the humans and their world without actually interacting with them.
Glamor is a gift from the universe to the Fae. So, when I’m soaring above their domain, my wings spread wide, being caressed by the wind, I’m invisible to them. Even on the rare occasion I swoop down and walk amongst the humans, they have no idea I’m there. They cannot see me.
As far as they’re aware, I do not exist.
We do not exist.
