6.4 The Pooka’s Wife
A couple of people I didn’t know were carting our suitcases down the stairs. Simone followed them so that she was standing about in the hallway, and so did Cara and Sammy, who had apparently not actually gone out to the swimming pool yet. The girls ran over to hug me one final time. “What happened to the swim?” I asked. “Simone says it’s time for you to leave on your honeymoon. We didn’t want you to go without wishing you well,” Sammy said, hugging me tightly. Cara moved in next, adding her, “We love you, girl.” Then, surprisingly, Judy, who I hadn’t realized had stuck around, and Simone came rushing over to give us their hugs of farewell. It was a little sad saying goodbye to all of the women I’d grown to appreciate and been befriended by, and of course, I had a lot of gushing thank yous to flood them with. But then, Timothy took my hand, corralled my shoulders, and half pushed, half guided me toward the door. “But our suitcases,” I said, trying to turn about to see if the four cases were still standing where they’d been a moment before. “That will be taken care of my dear. All you have to do is climb into the limo,” Simone told me, smiling that strange smile of hers, the one that never showed any teeth. I tossed kisses and hand waves at the people I was leaving, the ones still standing behind my closest friends. Andrew and Lillea had once again joined the group. “Have a good time, you two,” Andrew shouted, and Lillea added her blessings to the good wishes. “I’ll take you shark diving when you come home,” she called out merrily. The black limo was sitting at the front of the house, ready for us. Grumpy Ricardo was driving. I was glad he wasn’t one of the guards coming with us. Bob, Terry, Ben, and the new guy, Daniel, sat down on the seats opposite us. The limo was that big. No crowding at all. I was introduced to Daniel first thing after we’d all accommodated legs and arms and where everyone was supposed to sit. Throughout that, I felt Bob’s smiles, and also, the new guy’s attentive observations. I was pretty sure he was human, while I already knew that Ben was Fae, and Bobby and Terry were werewolves. I still wanted to dig for more info on that subject. What was it like to change body types? Were the movies about werewolves true? Did the men have to change every full moon? What would happen on the ship if . . . “Relax, darling,” Timothy laughed, letting me know that my emotions were running wild. “Werewolves are no longer forced to change shape at a certain time. They maintain their humanoid shape unless they choose to run in the forest or for some other reason, like defending those they are protecting.” I gasped. Timothy had just mentioned Bob and Terry’s nature in front of the new guy, Daniel. And Ricardo up in the front seat had probably heard. What would those two guys think about this whole conversation?
6.3 The Pooka’s Wife
My buddies had decided to go for a swim, so I couldn’t even complain to them about feeling edgy and nervous. (Not that I would have, I think.) So that just left smug-looking Timothy, who was wearing a grin so wide I wanted to stick an apple in it. Timothy’s expression was that of a mischievous little boy. I think I might have been tempted to throw something at him for the teasing way he was looking at me, but his lips were painting my hand in kisses. And my pleasure centers were oohing and aahing, but I wanted SOMETHING, needed to know what was happening. What was wrong with me? “Have you ever been on a big ship,” Timothy asked, probably at last picking up on my grumpiness. “A ship? What we’re going fishing on our honeymoon? More whale watching? How romantic,” I said sarcastically. Timothy let out a laugh. “No, my darling wife. We are not about to depart on a stinky trawler. We’re going to head across the ocean on a cruise ship, a fancy, expensive one where we can go swimming, dancing, and/or play shuffleboard and ping pong. I hear they have great comedy, magic, and musical shows. We’ll be able to dine in all the restaurants or be catered in our super outside deck balcony with its own private whirlpool. According to the brochure the ship offers art, photography, and even language courses. I bet we can find dance lessons, too. Suddenly everything was all right again. I was such a brat to have underestimated Timothy! I threw my arms around him and kissed him a zillion times! And when I came up for air, I wanted to do it all over again. “You’re the best, the absolute best. That sounds incredible. And Terry and Bob will be on the ship with us?” Timothy frowned. “I would hope you’d rather spend your time with me, but yes, they’ll be coming along, probably poking their noses in our business again . . .” “They didn’t do that in San Diego. They just had fun, like we did. That’s okay, right?” He sighed. “Yes, I want my employees to enjoy their job. Being on a cruise ship ought to check off some of those boxes. Ben will be coming with us, too. And a guard you haven’t met yet who’s called Daniel.” “Won’t it be hard to be on our honeymoon surrounding by all those men?” I pouted. “Our king bed will be extremely private, darling, and I don’t expect to be sharing any of our other activities with them. The men will blend into the background unless needed.” “Like Bob could blend,” I giggled.
6.2 The Pooka’s Wife
Chapter Four Timothy It is strange how I feel different. I administered the bite to Penelope, yet, something inside me seems to have been initiated. How strange that is. Why should my soul feel so different? I feel rarified, more solid, and tranquil. I was honored that Penelope willingly married me. I thought such an event might never occur. Not only were the odds against me finding my fates’ arranged mate, but to have my fated one agree to the relationship . . . to find her a willing partner to my strange lifestyle. . . I feel complete and suddenly energized for our future. And now, thanks to the Queen’s words, I know that children will surely follow. I dare not admit this to Penelope: I disliked the Queen enchanting her with fertility, and yet, my soul sings. A family. Children. Perhaps that is the cause of my body’s difference? It is what I’ve always hoped for. Penelope It was true, as I’d told my friends, I had no idea where we were going on our honeymoon, but I was ready to go, no matter where it was. Although I wasn’t antisocial, I was definitely anti-parties, and with the arrival of a Faerie Queen and her court plus all the invitees, half of whom had names that had slipped from my mind into the mists of oblivion, I was ready to find some tranquility, not a usual desire for a brand new bride, but there was nothing usual about the last few hours. There would be nothing usual about the life I had pledged myself. Carlo would be taking over while we were gone. He’d cook for the house’s staff, which seemed as numerous as Timothy had once told me they were. Many of them I still had not met, like the housekeeper, Donna Miglas, and her assistant, Francine. How was that possible? I’d once asked, but Timothy said that most of the staff worked only at night. Then there was the head gardener, Francisco, and his assistant, Margot, and a pool keeper, named Tony. Timothy assured me that Francisco and Tony both worked during the day, but I’d never seen them either. Wasn’t that kind of weird? How could I be part of Timothy’s household if I had no contact with any of the house’s caretakers? “Leave that for another day,” Timothy had told me when I asked again. “For now, just concentrate on being ready for our honeymoon,” he said, eying me a look in his eyes that made me blush. “And how do I do that when I don’t know how to be ready? I have no idea where we’re going.” Okay, I sounded peeved, but I was — kind of. I knew Simone had packed for me, so that was under control, but now that the party was almost over and everyone was departing, except Cara and Sammy who wouldn’t be leaving until the morning, I felt itchy with impatience, exasperation, and, frankly, fatigue.
6.1 The Pooka’s Wife
Timothy smiled, caught a stray strand of hair and brushed it back. “Ben Stevens, too. Now that he’s outed as Fae to you, there’s no need for him to camouflage his presence. Apparently the Queen has designated him our keeper.” I nodded. Can he alert us to any Fae presence? Another smile. Clever girl. He will do so if it is does not interfere with his obeisance to Queen Maragana. He, as all her court, will follow her dictates first. Terry and Bob left, and other people drifted over to congratulate us. All humans, I think. It seemed that the party was simmering down. No signal given. No end of the party announcement. But the hour had come for its final dissolution. I stood up when Cara returned to the table to remind me that I had one last duty. The three of us, Timothy, Cara, and myself, moved back to the entryway, and the remaining guests all gathered around. Only, I had no idea where my bridal bouquet had ended up. I glanced about, a little worried that I wouldn’t be able to perform the last act of a wedding ceremony. But, no worries. Simone came striding over, my bouquet in her hands. She handed it to me. My eyes looked about for which direction to send my toss. I could clearly see that Sammy, Cara, Simone, and Judy were in the front row, but Judy, of course, was not eligible since she was already married. But then my eyes widened. The Queen had suddenly returned, looking smug and yet, hopeful? She had moved to stand in between my friends. What was she doing here? I couldn’t let my mind process that. No time. I turned around, closed my eyes, and tossed. When I twisted back to see which female had caught the lucky bouquet, I was somehow not surprised to see it in the arms of Moragana. Cara and Sammy were looking dumbfounded, both having hoped to be the winner. Simone was laughing. Judy looked puzzled. But Moragana appeared radiant. “Which one of you men want to make this lucky catch prove true?” the Queen shouted out cheerfully. Although there was no doubt that Moragana was the most beautiful of women, all the males backed away as if the Queen had suddenly turned into a rattlesnake. Some of the males returned to the bar outside. Others slipped out the entry door on their way home, wherever that might be. The Queen only laughed in full throttle, a chilling sound, as assuredly loud as Cara and Lillea. “Merry be,” the Queen called out, then strode across the entry floor, heading back into the living room. We didn’t see her again after that. Presumably, she took the wedding bouquet of crimson roses back to Faerie. I hoped it would serve her well, although I wondered why a beauteous Queen would need such a charm to earn herself a mate.