Chapter 21

“You have been lying to me, son. I don’t appreciate lies.”

“Mother, please spare me the speech about right and wrong. You know how much it affects me; I just break down and do whatever you say, so spare me the pain this once, please.”

“I don’t appreciate sarcasm either, Prince Taliesin. You are being such a pill.”

“Oh, and you are being the Queen of graciousness and understanding. Please accept my deepest apology, Mother.” Taliesin tugged at the small pendant hanging around his neck. “Your hospitality leaves a bit to be desired. Like the desire to leave when I see fit, not when you choose to let me go.”

“You are staying here as long as I want you to. And I want you to stay here until you forget that chit of a mortal girl that is taking up your mind.” Titania grinned and her pointed teeth showed through her glamour, as she intended.

“Mother, this isn’t funny. I have a life to return to.”

“You have returned to the life you left a century ago. And you are going to marry your fiancé, just as you were supposed to.”

“Mother, I have told you repeatedly, I am already married; truly bound to Cassiopeia Vega Morgan Huntington. She is my one true love and I have committed to her fully.” He held out his left hand with the ring on it. “Test it, I have begged you to for months now. It is a true binding, and her ring has the same magic on it. You taught me well the ways of spells and glamour.” He waved the hand in front of her, but she retreated a step or two.

“You cannot force me to believe something that is so blatently wrong. I am saddened that you have avoided your destiny for so long, but you are now here to pick it up where you left off.”

“No, Mother, no matter what you ask, what you desire, or what you think, I am not here for that. I want you to leave us alone. At best I want you to give your blessing and be part of our lives. At the very least I want your promise of non-interference. We intend to have a family, and I would love you to be part of their lives, but don’t think for a minute I won’t escape and hide us even further away from your prying eyes if you force me to.”

Taliesin pulled at the pendant he wore around his neck. Three beads hung from a leather string, two large blocky crystals of pyrite with drill holes through the center surrounded a large chunk of hematite. Taliesin’s normally golden skin appeared red and inflamed beneath the hematite. He shoved the pendant over the shirt he wore and rubbed the reddened skin.

His beloved mother had placed the pendant on him while he had been sleeping. A charm on the leather kept it in place over his head, when he tried to remove it, his throat constricted as if it were choking him until he stopped. He had the run of the palace and could go anywhere in the Faerie Realm, so long as he did not try to do magic. Without the magic, he could not shift between the mortal realm and his home realm, which was Titania’s plan. No one would touch the pendant or the leather string, everyone could see he wore iron, and he had quickly become a pariah. No one would help him get it off, or leave, and he felt he was running out of time.

“Why do you think I’m lying to you, Mother?”

“You never told me about a child. Did you impregnate this poor mortal wench and then marry her to cover up your hideous mistake? Is that what happened, my poor sweet son?”

“What child?” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Taliesin wished fervently he could call them back. A light of sadistic glee came into Her Royal Majesty’s eyes.

“You mean to tell me she didn’t tell you? Oh that is rich! She probably doesn’t want you to know that she carries your bastard. She rightfully wants to dispose of it as she sees fit. It is their right, you know, to kill the children in their culture. Women can do whatever they want to the unborn. Isn’t that just nauseating?” Titania pressed the back of her hand to her forehead in mock horror. Taliesin rolled his eyes.

“Mother, you took me from her before she could tell me, I’m sure. She wants my children, our children. She must be terrified all alone.”

“Hardly alone, Robin Goodfellow is with her, keeping her warm and safe, I’m sure. You know how much he loves the mortal world; he is sure to keep an eye on the little tyke as he grows up. Besides, you came to me, don’t you remember anything? Poor boy, you are so confused about everything. Here, let me help you.” She reached out a hand cupped full of faerie dust. He ducked in time and the dust floated over his head instead of full in the face. “You really must stop being so childish, Taliesin. You are getting married tomorrow, and then I might let you out of your prison. Only if you are good, though.” She wagged her finger at him and turned to leave the room. “Perhaps your son will not be as ungrateful for your help as mine is. I can only hope you have better luck as a parent than I have obviously had.” She sniffed and trailed out of the room, her scent lingering in the air, spicy and flowery all at once. Taliesin waited until she had left before he let out a pent up scream of frustration.

Chapter 20

Ainsel stayed in the house with Cassie over the next several months. He was actually quite useful, taking down the holiday decorations out of the attic crawl space, putting them up (with a bit of the good old fashioned magic), pruning the apple tree, taking care of the compost pile in the back yard, at first covering the garden with straw and then later as it neared spring planting uncovering the garden and tilling it over with the winter’s compost. He told her stories at night about Taliesin as a child. Puck had already become an adult centuries before Taliesin was born, but he had always kept a childlike outlook (some would argue childish versus childlike) and had always been the Prince’s favorite bosom companion.

Before Cassie had swept into their lives, as he saw it of course no offense meant, they had been roommates living above the Bush and Brier. Ainsel has always been there for Prince Taliesin, and he knew that the Prince would want him to help out with his family when he was away. Cassie thought it was sweet half the time, irritating half the time, and the rest of the time she wondered what his ulterior motives were.

Whenever she could escape for an hour or two, she would go down to the library and do research on the faerie realm. She convinced Shelly, the kind reference librarian, that her research would result in a grand epic novel. Shelly in turn did some extra library transfers, bringing in rare books, or having photographs of ancient or fragile manuscripts sent via email. Cassie learned more than she could have imagined possible about the Gentry, the Fae, the Tuatha de Danan, and all the other names they used for themselves.

The last trip to the library garnered her some new information, not regurgitated or retold, but genuinely new. She had never heard of a Faerie Moon, but it seemed possible. Many cultures named the phases of the moon, especially the full moon. The Blue Moon, one of the most misquoted or mislabeled moons, was the full moon equivalent of the Faerie Moon. The Blue Moon, as properly noted, was not the second full moon in a solar month, instead, it was the third full moon in a season of four full moons. Therefore, the Blue Moon occurred about as often as the second full moon in a solar month, but in different times of the year. The Faerie Moon turned out to be the third new moon in a season of four new moons, after a bit more digging.

Cassie did some astronomical research, and learned that the next Faerie Moon was due in late August, shortly after the due date of their baby. Cassie wondered if she could learn enough from Ainsel by then to breach the veil between the worlds and go to Taliesin. She had read in the literature, what little there was, that the veil could be broached by the light of the faerie moon. She must have misread or miscopied it, because from the rest of her research, a faerie moon was the new moon, when the dark side of the moon faced the earth. The Faerie Moon would shine no light.

“Ainsel,” she said that night after they had eaten dinner and she had cleaned up the dishes, “do you know what a Faerie Moon is?” She watched his expression closely, and saw a flicker in his eyes that barely touched the rest of his features. She wondered if he would lie to her.

“Yes,” he drawled out, and then paused. She kept her eyes on his, and waited until he started speaking again. “Yes, I have heard of a Faerie Moon. What do you know about it?”

“You first.” Cassie sipped her green tea and watched his face flicker again. She waited with a patient and slightly interested look.

Ainsel tried to wait Cassie out, but finally lowered his eyes from their locked embrace. “A Faerie Moon is the third new moon in a season of four new moons.” Cassie nodded, so far the truth. She took another drink of tea, enjoying both the play of the spearmint and lemongrass flavors mixing with the light green tea flavor as well as Ainsel’s obvious discomfort.

He took a sip of his own Earl Grey tea and watched Cassie, seemingly convinced he could wait her out. She had all night, hell, she had until August. He didn’t need to talk to her tonight, but she somehow knew he would. She waited.

“The Faerie Moon can be a gateway, a way into the Faerie Realm.” He seemed reluctant to say anything further. Another sip from his tea; he grimaced. “You knew as much; I can tell from your expression. What do you want from me?”

Cassie didn’t answer; instead she took another sip of her Tazo Zen tea. She did smile and tilted her head, waiting.

“Obviously, you want to know how it works.”

“If I know what it is, why wouldn’t I know how it works?”

“Oh, please, woman, I know what you want.”

“Then give me what I want, you little…” Cassie stopped herself before crossing the line she had so desparately wanted to cross with the ever irritating, ingratiating, frustrating little faerie man practically since she had met him.

Ainsel smiled his wicked grin. He seemed to feel he had won. Cassie pouted and let him think what he wanted. It fit perfectly into her plan.

Cassie unlocked her studio door and stepped inside. The darkness seeped into every corner and when she flicked on the light switch, the darkness scattered. The room smelled dusty, as if it had not been used in several months. The sad truth was that it hadn’t. Cassie sighed and opened up the window to air out the space. The late winter sun peered through the store front windows sadly in need of a good wash, both inside and out.

After several minutes of dusting and airing out the space, Cassie set up a canvas on her easel. She pulled out some acrylic paints and checked the labels. She had checked with her OB GYN and had permission to paint for four to six hours a week. Cassie had worked on sketches and line drawings when the mood struck her. Her portfolio contained several of the most recent drawings which she intended to start painting today. She set the alarm clock for two o’clock that afternoon, giving her a total of three hours.

Her doctor had said that if her skin was completely covered, and she kept the windows open (even though it was the middle of winter and chilly) everything should be fine. She pulled on the latex gloves and rolled down the long sleeve oxford cloth shirt sleeves, buttoning the cuffs over the gloves and the shirt over her rounded belly. The buttons strained a little, but she wouldn’t be in the shirt for long. She primed the canvas and began to translate her drawing into a vision of the gateway she imagined.

By the time the alarm went off, Cassie had the background filled in with the navy mist of the sky and the deep forest green nearly black hills of the earth. A scattering of stars, including her namesake Cassiopeia, filled the misty sky, and a dark moon, seemingly darker than the sky dominated the scene. A circle of stones lay on the earth and a soft glow had started in the center of the stones. Cassie put away the paints and cleaned the paint brushes in a safe solvent. She looked at her painting as she worked, tilting her head for a different angle. So far so good, she thought.

In a few weeks, she had finished the painting and brought it back to the house. She put it up over the fireplace and waited for Ainsel to come home with dinner.

“What is that?” Ainsel asked as he set down the to-go containers from the Bush and Brier. Tonight smelled like rabbit stew, along with fresh French bread rolls, as Cassie unloaded the bags she also found a salad of mixed greens with a heady ranch dressing. A warm peach cobbler lay nestled in the bottom of the bag. Her stomach growled and the baby kicked.

“Ooh, Junior is hungry, too. This looks wonderful, thanks Ainsel.”

“My pleasure. Nice painting.” His eyes kept going toward the finished painting.

“Thanks, it’s the first I’ve finished since we came back from Santa Fe.” Cassie began to serve up dinner out of the various containers. She tossed the compostable boxes into the inside compost bin and pulled out the stoneware and flatware. The stew made onto both plates and a crusty roll on the edge of the plate. Cassie walked them over to the dining room table one at a time, placing Ainsel’s so he could continue to study the painting.

By the end of dinner, Ainsel had barely touched his food. Cassie asked if he would mind and he shook his head. She took his portion of stew and began to eat it herself. He picked at his cobbler and stared at the scene above the fireplace.

“You’ve got it just about right, Cassie,” Ainsel grudgingly admitted after she had cleared off the dishes and brought out their evening tea cups.

“I thought I had; that is why I painted it.” Cassie looked out over her cup watching Ainsel fight a losing battle against his better judgment.

“Ok, you win. I’ll help you get across on the Faerie Moon, but, and this is a big but, I cannot go with you. My life is much dearer to me than yours seems to be to you. Have you considered what will happen to the child?”

Cassie gave him points in her mind, but kept her features as smooth as possible. Acting unruffled by his harsh question, she set down her cup. “Of course I have. My sister is due a few weeks before me. She is already my unborn child’s future guardian. She will raise our child if Taliesin and I do not return.” Cassie swallowed and breathed normally. “Legally, I have already written it into my will and Taliesin did not have a chance to change his before he disappeared. Besides, I don’t even think Taliesin has a last will and testament. Do you?”

“Do I think the Prince has a will, or are you asking me if I myself have a will?”

“Either. Both, really.”

“No, to the best of my knowledge, neither of us has a will. Who would I leave anything to? Besides, I am an illegal alien, why do you think the courts would take time out to work on my estate, such as it is?”

“Have you ever had a child? Or ever fallen in love?” Cassie truly wondered, and leaned forward to hear his answer.

“No, of course not. On either account, no children, no lost loves, nothing so sordid as that. My life is to serve.”

“Before the Prince, what did you do?”

“Before the Prince? That was over two centuries ago, do you think I have a roll of parchment as a memory that I can consult whenever someone is impertinent to ask?” Ainsel turned away from her and stared into the distance.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up anything, or to hurt you. I just was curious. The stories of you from before the Prince, before Taliesin, seemed more carefree and less servile, was all I meant.” She reached out and touched him on the arm to comfort him. He shook off her hand.

“Never you mind. I had a wild youth and have since matured and become a useful member of society.”

“You make it sound like a prison sentence.” Cassie made the remark as an off the cuff statement, but Ainsel’s sudden expression of sharp pain made her pause. “Ainsel, is it a prison sentence? Are you being punished for something?”

“What difference is it to you?” Ainsel pushed away from the table, making the tea slosh in the tea cups. “I am going to take a walk then I have some reading to do. I suggest you get some sleep, you look haggard.”

Cassie raised her hand to her face. “Really? I was feeling quite well, even rested today. I will take your advice. Sleep well, Ainsel.” She picked up the tea cups and walked them into the kitchen to place in the dishwasher. Her mind spun with thoughts and ideas and wonderings. Was his servitude his own idea, or was it punishment for some imagined wrong? Would Titania enslave a fellow sprite to serve her only son? What wouldn’t Titania do?

Cassie walked back through the dining room and toward the stairs. Ainsel had not moved from the spot he stood. He seemed frozen in time or space, like the effects on science fiction shows like Heroes where time were stopped and a facial expression froze as well. Cassie put her hand on the railing and said softly, “I’m sorry.” She began to climb the stairs. Ainsel turned on his heel and strode into the kitchen and out the back door, letting the screen door slam behind him. Cassie cringed at the loud noise and continued up the stairs.

Chapter 19

Taliesin paced back and forth as well as he could in the cramped space. The room looked shabby, an earthen floor, hardly swept, with crates filled with odds and ends and broken furniture piled high. Apparently his chambers had become an off the cuff storage room of all the wrecked and useless items in the palace. No wonder his mother had been pleased when he asked to be shown to his rooms. The front room had sheets of varying shades, generally torn or stained, covering random pieces of furniture, a chair, several sofas, a chaise lounge, all with some defect, a torn pillow, a chewed on leg from someone’s out of control pet of the moment. Taliesin had peeked under the sheets of some, and came to the correct conclusion.

His bed chamber, formerly a luxurious room with a grand bed with high posters and artful drapery around it, the colors changed based on his mood, now had been crammed full of broken odds and ends, crates of exploded pillows, cracked chamber pots, bent ladles. Things from all over the palace. Taliesin shook his head. His mother must have planned this, once she had heard from him months ago, and every time something broke or wore out, instead of having it destroyed magically, she had the staff bury his room with the detritus. Very inventive, and very typical of his vindictive mother.

He also knew what she wanted of him. She wanted him to use his magic, and in doing so, break the law of the land. Once he left, his mother had held a High Court to exile him officially. After being exiled, he could not return to the Realm unless invited. His mother took care of that during their conversation last October by her begging him to return. But she had not lifted her injunction against him. As an official exile, he could not use magic within the Realm, invited or not; if he did he would be a traitor and hung for treason. His mother wouldn’t really hang him, but she would certainly lock him in the dungeons for at least a decade or two, long enough to ruin any chance he had with Cassie.

He had to play by her rules. Especially if he wanted to get her blessing. He located the bed under all the debris, and began to clear it off, stacking the crates to one side or out in the sitting room, and making a path through the junk to the bed. He also opened a pathway to the wardrobe and found some of his old clothes inside. Luckily, they hadn’t been eaten by moths or anything worse in the intervening years. He chose something plain and serviceable, well, as plain as he could find. The royal blue doublet with gold and silver piping seemed over the top for the twenty first century, but in the Faerie Realm, fashion moved much slower, the more obnoxious and over the top it was, the longer it remained fashionable.

When the bell on the wall began to tinkle softly, Taliesin had managed to wash up and change his clothes. Waiting a while to respond to the summons made him feel a bit better, a bit more in the game. He shook off a sudden feeling that he was in over his head and playing against the master.

Dinner as always was a lavish affair, with several courses, including spinach, feta, and pine-nut phyllo tarts; baby greens salad with gorgonzola cheese crumbles; potato, cheddar, and chive soup; spiced brisket with leeks and dried apricots; chicken with prosciutto, rosemary, and white wine; beef tenderloin with red-wine and marrow sauce; and almond cookie cups with sauternes-poached apples and frozen sauternes mousse. Taliesin took mental notes on some of the dishes to take back with him to the Bush and Brier.

Titania sat surrounded by her fawning court at the far end of the dining hall. Oberon came in late with several young and beautiful faeries flitting about him. During the meal, they fed him with their hands, giggling and falling over each other to please him. One even got up from her seat and went to find more wine. When she thought no one was looking, Titania sent dagger filled looks of hatred toward Oberon and his groupies. Taliesin had been seated halfway between them, looking out over the rest of the hall, but within full view of both of his parents.

Chapter 18

Over the next several weeks, Cassie adjusted herself to living alone again. The house seemed to miss Taliesin, she had at least managed most of the time to call him his true name in her mind when she thought of him by now, and the cats were extra loving, sometimes too much so. Boötes came over to her no matter where she was in the house and asked for loving and pettings. Orion managed to stay close when she was seated or in bed. Most of the time she watched old movies, some from the 80’s when she had grown up like The Princess Bride, Ghostbusters, When Harry Met Sally, and Labyrinth and some of the classics like Casablanca, Key Largo, Rear Window, and It’s a Wonderful Life. The last made her cry, but it always had in the past, just now she cried a bit earlier and a bit longer, especially at the happy ending.

She had lunch a few times with Andi, confiding in her that she was expecting, but not yet that Taliesin had left. She could not bear the looks of pity she knew would come from her sensitive sister. She also could not tell her the truth because she still expected him to come through the door and kiss her on the nose, hold her hand, and rub her belly in the night.

Because she wanted to keep the baby healthy, she decided to stop painting with the oils and acrylics. Although most of her paints had notations of non-toxic on the packages, she still didn’t want to risk it. Instead, she began baking. She purchased several different loaf pans in different sizes, from petite to full size, as well as cake pans and even a spring form pan for cheesecakes. Andi gave her a sourdough starter, and Cassie began her domestic goddesshood.

Between loaves of cracked rye bread and pumpkin bread, she called around trying to find Ainsel. He had been working at the Bush and Brier with Taliesin since they had opened the restaurant. But since he left, Ainsel had only managed to work three shifts, and had seemed to have fallen off the planet. Cassie suspected otherwise, but she still tried to find him, going so far as to find the picnic site and looking around for any trace of anything to contact him.

She also began spending a lot of time in the library, looking up history of the faerie lands, of the fae themselves, and of her mother-in-law in particular. She learned a bit, but nothing that she could get her hands around. She looked for a way into the Faerie realm, and found several, but none of them were anywhere near Boulder, Colorado, or in the United States of America at all. Actually, most of the known entrances were in the Enchanted Isles. And Cassie was rapidly approaching the no fly time of her pregnancy, if she followed the rules. She had never been fond of rules.

A week later, Cassie found herself at the airport with a ticket to New York and a connection to Dublin, Ireland. The homeland, Taliesin’s motherland, and the Emerald Isle, she was looking forward to seeing Ireland, and had always wanted to go, but never expected to go by herself, under false pretenses.

She drove up to the outbound parking and found a close up spot. Checking herself in the mirror, she fluffed her hair and took a deep breath. Her departures case and a small carry on accompanied her to the check in, and all the way through security. Her passport had never been stamped and she was both happy and sad that she was going to get her first visa today. After security check in, she made her way through customs and onto the train to the concourse.

She sat quietly on the bench at the far end of the car and watched people get on and off the train. When the train reached her concourse, she did not get off for some reason even she wasn’t entirely sure about. She rode the train to the final terminus and stayed on as it began its return trip. Faces flashed in front of her eyes, and in every single face she saw Brendan, Taliesin, whoever he was, she saw bits of him everywhere, and tears began to fall from her eyes, down her nose and collect on her sweater, making a dark patch on her chest.

After riding the train twice, once up and once down, she finally decided to get off at her concourse and walk to her gate. Her carry on bag had little wheels in the end, which allowed her to pull it after her instead of carrying it. She walked quickly from the train toward the gate. The passengers sat or stood in the waiting area; a few children played with toys or read books on the floor. She found a chair that had plenty of space on either side.

She caught sight of dark red hair out of the corner of her eye. Cassie turned her head to see if it was Ainsel, but it was a woman. Sighing, she pulled out a book and began to read.

Just before the final boarding call, while Cassie was standing impatiently in line waiting to board, her name came over the airport intercom system. “Cassie Huntington, please pick up the white courtesy phone. Cassie Huntington, please pick up the white courtesy phone.” Slightly irritated she left the boarding line and headed toward the nearest white courtesy phone. She picked it up. “This is Cassie Huntington. I am about to board a plane going out of the country. What can I do for you?”

“You can come back to Boulder. Going to Ireland isn’t going to get Taliesin back.”

“Ainsel? Where the hell have you been? How do you…”

“I’ve been around. Just come back to the house.” After a moment he added, “Please. We need to talk.”

Cassie looked down at her thousand dollar plane ticket and saw her gold ring on her left hand. She sighed loudly and agreed. “Ok, I am coming back, but you better have some answers.”

“I have answers, you will not like them, but I do have answers.”

“I willbe there in forty or forty five minutes.”

“See you at your house.”

Cassie drove nearly recklessly back to Boulder from the airport. Thoughts of Brendan and Ainsel and Titania swirled in her mind. Anger and confusion and grief combined into strange colors behind her eyes. For the first time since Taliesin disappeared, she had an incredible desire to paint, something big.

Ainsel stood on the front porch when Cassie pulled up. “Where have you been?” she cried, flinging open the front door from the inside. The cats both swirled around her feet, purring loudly. “Get in here, consider that your invitation, just tell me what I can do. How can I get there?”

Ainsel slunk into the house and went to stand by the fire place. He twitched his hand and a fire lit up over the empty grate. He waited for Cassie to quiet and then answered.

“You can’t get there. If you’ve never been, you cannot get there on your own, not unless you fall into a trap or someone invites you. There are no traps in the United States, mostly only in the Enchanted Isles. However, someone can invite you.” Ainsel let his words hang in the air. He looked at her pointedly, his eyes resting on the newly burgeoning baby bump under her sweater.

“Then invite me,” Cassie growled through gritted teeth. Her hand protectively covered her belly at Ainsel’s pointed stare. “I willworry about the baby.”

“Congratulations on your impending motherhood. May you be a better mother than the Queen,” he said.

“I need to find Taliesin. What do you want me to do to get your invitation?” Cassie doggedly pursued her train of thought.

“Why do you need to find him?” Ainsel asked, deflecting the subject.

“Because he’s my husband, and because he is in danger.”

“You do not know that. The Queen would not hurt her only son.”

“Hurt and danger are two different things. I can’t explain it but I know she’s got something in mind, and I have to stop her.”

“I can’t invite you.”

“Why NOT!” Cassie actually stamped her foot. “You just said you could invite me.”

“No, I said someone could invite you. I am unable to invite you.”

“Tell me why.” Cassie took a deep breath and sat down on the couch. Orion and Boötes curled up on either side of her, both watching Ainsel with interest bordering on intent. She tried to remember the rules Taliesin had given her.

“You cannot tell me why you think Prince Taliesin is in danger, but you expect me to tell you why I cannot help you.”

“It is not cannot but will not, Ainsel. Tell me.”

“It is can not, I am afraid. I have a pre existing reason that is confidential.”

“You sound like a cross between a medical doctor and a lawyer. What can you tell me, Puck?”

“I can tell you you’re in less danger here than if you go to Taliesin. Also, you might want to keep your pregnancy a secret.”

“It’s kind of hard,” Cassie gestured to her stomach. “The baby is getting bigger every day. I’m due in June. How can I keep it a secret?”

“First of all, stay away from any woodland or mists, and let your cats protect you. Put salt around the house especially the doors and windows, keep the fire lit whenever you’re home, and get a strange affinity for wrought iron fixtures, especially external fixtures around the doors and windows, at least one per opening. Stay in the house or at your studio unless with friends or family. Get very close with your sister, who is also pregnant, her aura will confuse the watchers.”

“What watchers? Ainsel, you’re confusing me. I will do what you ask, but why do you care, why won’t you help me?”

“I am helping you, not on my own volition, and let’s leave it at that. You cannot help Prince Taliesin in the Realm, but you can keep yourself safe, which is what he wants more than anything, even his own safety.”

“I want him here with me, with our family.”

“The only way he can be here is to get what he went for from his mother, Her Majesty.”

“And what does he want?”

“He is looking for her blessing, that and her oath to leave you alone, all of you including Prince Taliesin, you, and your progeny.”

“Is that all?” Cassie stroked Orion’s head and considered Ainsel’s words.

“Yes, that is all, and believe me, that is everything.”

“Ainsel, did Prince Taliesin ask you to help me? Did he send you?”

“I have not been back to the Realm since I stole the rings you and the Prince wear.”

"Stole?" She turned the ring on her finger. Right now its temperature seemed normal, warm to the touch, unlike the icy cold band that threatened to slice through her very flesh the first and last time she had met her mother-in-law. Her ring grew slightly warmer and her finger then her hand began to tingle.

Chapter 17

Cassie came out of the doctor’s office with a prescription. Her head still spun from the news. She placed her hand over her stomach and spread out her fingers. She was going to have a baby. They were going to have a baby. She shook her head, smiling widely.

After filling the prescription at her Pharmica on Pearl Street, she drove home, excited to tell Brendan the good news. They hadn’t been expecting to get pregnant so soon, but she knew Brendan would be excited. The audio book she had loaded into her cd player continued telling her the story, even though she wasn’t paying any attention. She heard a snippet, “Maybe not doing magic is the crux of doing magic. You know, not doing magic at the right time, not because you cannot do magic, that’s nothing special, but not doing magic when you can, now that’s powerful.”

Cassie pulled into the garage, clicking the automatic garage door opener. She could hear Boötes crying in the house as the door rattled shut. She unlocked the door into the house and entered the warm kitchen. Boötes met her, rubbing up against her ankles and purring. He jumped up to the breakfast nook table and waved his paw at her. She slung her bag on the back of the chair and scratched his ears. He butted his head against her hand. She smiled and patted him as Orion came sauntering in, looking for his own lovin’s. She crouched down and scratched Orion’s ears as he pressed up against her leg.

She stood back up and walked over to the counter where her daily vitamins waited in a stacked pill dispenser. She fussed with the prescription prenatal vitamins and added them to the rest of the week. The bottle was placed in with the other vitamin bottles, multi, calcium, EFA, etc. Her hand automatically stroked over the marble composite countertop. She loved this kitchen, and Brendan loved cooking in it, thank all that is holy.

She grabbed a water glass out of the cabinet and filled it from the spigot of cool filtered water on the door of the freezer. On the front of the fridge, she saw a yellow sheet of paper from one of the legal tablets with clear black writing stuck to the door with a heavy magnet. She pulled the paper off the fridge and took a sip of the clear cold water. After the first few words, she set the water down on the countertop with a hard crack. She read them again.

My dearest love, Cassiopeia,

I have no idea how to start this, but I know I have to finish it. My mother will not stop until she gets her way. I am going to go settle this. I still do not know how, but for out sake, and the sake of our future family, I need to end this, and I must do it alone. I cannot risk you once I’ve found you. I adore you and I would and will do anything to keep you safe.

There is one thing I must tell you, of the many hundreds of thousands of things I want to spend my life telling you. I tried last night, but I just could not get it out. I want to apologize first; please forgive me.

We had talked about true names on the day we met in Albuquerque. And I have not been able to let you know my own. Brendan is the name I have used for about twenty five or thirty years, and Dorian, Ethan, Aidan, and Jordan in past years. None of them is my true name.

My true name is Taliesin, named for the bard. Mother had a lot of respect for bards, Shakespeare, Taliesin, etc. She hoped that I would be a great storyteller. I have no doubt been a terrible disappointment.

The note had more writing further down, and some on the back. Cassie turned it over in her hands, careful to keep her tears off of the precious paper.

“Rules for Ainsel,” the heading began, and in Brendan’s, rather Taliesin’s beautiful handwriting, it declared the following.

Rules for Ainsel

(Rather for dealing with Ainsel, really)

1. Never make a deal with him, even if it seems extremely advantageous. He’s had a lot more experience in the mortal world than you’d imagine.

2. Always be aware of his presence. Once you know he’s there, your natural wariness will help protect you, as well as your keen mind.

3. Always be aware of his location. He cannot disappear at will, only sneak away.

4. Never ask for his help, he will only help you if it is in his best interest. Better to offer him something in exchange for what you want. Better yet not to need it.

5. Finally, if you can, trick him into binding himself to you by oath. While he can squirm and lie, he cannot break an oath. That is how I slept at night.

Cassie laughed at the last, a strange hiccup bark combination, and a fresh round of tears poured out. She set down the note and blew her nose and generally felt miserable and alone. After she collected herself for a moment, she picked up the note again. A tiny arrow, perfectly rendered, indicated more on the other side of the page. She turned it over.

I know that you know that I love you, but I can not seem to express how very deep and true my love for you is. The rings we wear will always bind us together, no matter how far apart we are. I cannot begin to tell you how very sorry I am that I have to leave, but know this, we will be together soon. May the sun warm your face and may the wind be at your back until we are together once more. You are my light and my love.

Yours always in deepest love and tenderness,

Taliesin

Cassie found herself later on the couch with her feet tucked under her, holding the note gently between her fingertips. The glass of water sat on the coffee table in front of the couch, mostly untouched. Her handkerchief lay damp and limp next to her on the couch, and some used tissues littered the area, haven fallen like snowflakes on the floor, coffee table, and couch cushions. Orion lay curled next to her hip, his soothing purr rumbling loudly in the too quiet house. Boötes was pacing; it looked almost like he was acting as a sentinel, watching over them both as Orion attempted healing. He would occasionally butt his head against her far leg and she would automatically run her hand over his head and down his sleek back, barely feeling his soft, fine fur beneath her fingers.

She saw the remote for the stereo on the coffee table in front of her. Cassie picked it up and hit the random button. The first song that came on happened to be ‘Como Se Dice’ by Cabaret Diosa. Tears welled up in her eyes as she listened to the lyrics.

I wade through the months

Pretend that they’re days

Love connects the stars in dreams

A wise man says

And at night I see the fingers of your hand

But this strange language isn’t one I could command

Cassie wondered how long Brendan would be gone. Would it be hours or days? Could she stand it if it were weeks or months? Her tears fell into Orion’s fur and made little mats. Could she have this baby by herself? Her hand protectively rubbed across her still flat stomach, imagining the life growing inside her. A piece of Brendan would be with her always in their child. She shook her head. Taliesin, his name was Taliesin. In the background the music continued.

Como se dice

Do not wait too long

To come back when you’re gone, no

The wind blows cold

And the fire may die

As the rain falls down

The seasons had managed to change while she wasn’t looking. Well, actually, it was late fall now, winter and the gradual return of the light arrived in just over two weeks. She would be ten weeks along then, and somehow she knew she would be still alone. Her heart ached to think that her child, their child, might never know her father.

Como se dice

Can I belong?

There with you right now

Not here suffering

Longing for the love you bring

Orion snuggled his head in next to her knee, purring loudly. He would be there, not that he could change many diapers, but somehow knowing something would stay the same made her smile slightly. She rubbed her tear stains from his fur and kissed him on the head between the ears. He permitted the familiarity and continued to purr. Connections, right now that was what she needed more than anything. And what better connection for her than her sister, one who lived nearby and had a similar situation, so similar that Cassie wondered why she hadn’t thought of Andi earlier.

The fact was that she had, after Brendan, she wanted to tell Andi first. She unfolded her legs, wincing at the sleepy tingling in her left foot. Stretching, she wandered into the dining room and grabbed the cordless phone hanging off the wall. She was only momentarily disappointed when she got Andi and Eric’s voice mail message. She left a quick message, saying she wanted to get together soon for lunch and that Andi should come up to Boulder to eat at the Bush and Brier.

She decided that the next thing she needed to do was eat, bringing up lunch made Cassie feel hungry, and she realized she hadn’t eaten since breakfast. A quick look at the clock told her it was nearly four in the afternoon. She wondered what if anything Brendan had told the staff at the restaurant, and now would be as good a time as any to find out. She slung her small hand bag over her shoulder and grabbed her keys. “Bye for now, boys, Mommie will be back in just a little bit.” Considering that she would be eating alone for the first time in months, she trotted upstairs and went into the small library to grab a paperback. In moments she was on the front porch locking the door and striding toward the Bush and Brier.

The oddest part of her interaction with Hugh, the redhead second in command at the B & B, wasn’t that Brendan was going to be gone at all. That seemed to be second nature to him; Brendan disappeared at will several times over the last few years. The strange part was that Hugh knew she was expecting. Not even Brendan knew, but this portly, round, balding little man knew she was going to have a baby.

“You look beautiful, Mrs. H. You should, you know, having a baby and all. All pregnant women are beautiful, I should know, my wife’s been pregnant enough, we have such a large and boisterous family, but you know that. Congratulations on your first. May she fulfill her potential and enjoy the love of a good man, when she is old enough and all.”

"Thank you, Hugh," was all Cassie could manage to stammer out after his effervescent congratulations. The fact that he thought the child would be a girl was interesting, both she and Brendan, scratch that, Taliesin, had thought their first would be a little girl. It didn't mean she knew, or even that they could know yet, but as she ate, she found it interesting.

Chapter 16

After Cassie got settled in the little house in Boulder, she and Brendan decided to have a little family get together, with her family of course, his family already having decided the marriage was a farce. Cassie sent out invitations to her brother Caelum, her sister Andromeda, and her mother Sarah. Andromeda’s husband Eric was out of town on business the weekend Cassie chose, so it would be just family at the table.

Orion and Boötes had settled quickly into the new house, enjoying the layers in on both levels. Orion had found a niche in the living room in the bay window seat next to a small pile of pillows. Boötes liked to hide out in the basement; he especially loved being under the pool table, and would bat at anyone who wanted to play on the table.

The weeklong preparations didn’t seem long enough, even with The Bush and Brier doing the catering. Cassie found herself in the basement under the table with Boötes, trying to figure out why she had come downstairs in the first place.

“Hey, kitten, what did Mommie need, do you know?” Boötes just rubbed his head against her and purred loudly.

Andromeda arrived first, and Cassie brought her into the house. “Andi, you are going to love Brendan.” They hugged and Cassie showed Andi around the house.

“It’s so huge inside. This is an amazing house.” She absolutely loved the kitchen; she had a similar kitchen only smaller at her place, and she was quite the cook.

“How’s Eric? I never see him any more.”

“He’s fine; the office has him really busy this time of year.” Andi smiled sheepishly and shrugged. “The wife of a corporate executive’s life is never easy.”

“I am so happy Brendan works just down the street. I canot believe I got so lucky. So how are you? You look stunning, you know.”

“I do? You’re so sweet. Actually, things are really good. I just found out…” Right then, the door bell rang.

“Can you hold that thought? That’ll be Mother.” Cassie headed through the dining room to the front door.

“Sure,” murmured Andi.

“Mother, welcome!” Cassie kissed her mother’s cheek and took her jacket, hanging it in the entrance hall.

“Where is this husband of yours, Cassiopeia?” Her mother peered into the living room where Andromeda stood nervously by the fireplace.

“Ah, yes, Brendan will be here soon, he is bringing the food.”

“You didn’t cook for us, your family?” Sarah Morgan asked aghast. “The least you could have done was try and cook.”

“Mother, I told you, Brendan is a chef, he has a fully stocked professional kitchen at his restaurant down the street. He cooked our dinner, which would have happened if it had been here as well. I do not cook; I just never got the knack. OK?” Cassie dusted off her hands and led her mother to the couch, gesturing her to sit down.

“Well, I didn’t mean to touch on a sore spot; I only asked because I care.” She sniffed and sat delicately on the edge of the couch. She turned and looked over her shoulder at her middle daughter. “Andromeda, you look positively round. What have you been eating while your husband is off in the far corners of the universe?” Sarah Morgan peered at Andromeda and tilted her head, expecting an answer. Just then the door bell rang again.

“That must be Caelum.” Cassie answered the door. Her older brother stood slouching at the door. “Welcome to my home, Cael, come on in.”

“Thanks, Cassie.” He hugged her quickly and slunk out of his coat, hanging it on a hook by the door.

“Look who’s here, everyone.” Cassie ushered her brother into the living room.

“The prodigal son returns.”

“Hello, Mother, lovely to see you.” Caelum gave his mother a hug and kissed her on the cheek. “Andi, love, you look beautiful, as always.” Cael gave Andi a kiss on her cheek and stroked her hair softly.

“Thanks, Cael.” She kissed him back and patted his arm softly.

Cassie looked at her family and smiled. It was nice to have everyone together, even though she knew the calm would not last.

The garage door started up and Cassie excused herself. “I need to go help Brendan with the food.”

“Can I help?” Andi turned from watching her big brother to her little sister. She half stood before Cassie waved her away.

“No, no, we’ve got it. We’ll be right back.”

In a few minutes Brendan and Cassie got the dishes from the car into the kitchen. Brendan snuck in a kiss or two and squeezed her hand before they left the kitchen to meet the family.

“Mom, Caelum, Andromeda, this is Brendan. Brendan, this is my mother Sarah Morgan, my brother Cael, and my sister Andi.” Brendan shook hands all around, kissing the knuckles of both Sarah and Andi.

Dinner went fine, conversation revolved around the excellent food, the weather, and the Rockies’ World Series bid. Brendan brought out five dishes of beautiful Crème Brule, and brought the hand torch to the table to everyone’s delight.

“Andi, Cassie tells me you have a handsome husband, Eric. I am sorry he could not make it. You’ll have to bring him by some night when he gets back from his trip.”

“That would be lovely, I willmake sure to bring him.” Andi blushed at the attention.

“Yes, we’ll all have dinner at The Bush and Brier. Eric will love the restaurant.”

“Oh, yes, Eric loves to eat.”

“Mother, must you? This has been a beautiful evening.” Cassie’s tone wavered between stern and wheedling.

“What did I say?” Sarah Morgan looked offended. “I just meant that Eric enjoys his food. Certainly Brendan enjoys food as well; he has his own restaurant after all. Andromeda looks like she’s been enjoying her food lately as well.”

“Mother, leave Andi alone. She looks beautiful.” Caelum took Andi’s hand and glared at their mother.

“I really do love being the center of the family’s little tiffs, but I didn’t come over for this.” Sarah rose and pushed her chair away.

“Mother, do not leave, we’re not persecuting you, just do not persecute us, ok?” Cassie sighed and stood up as well.

“Sarah, please sit down, we’ll clean up and have some coffee.” Brendan’s soft voice wafted across the table and seemed to sooth Sarah’s ruffled feathers.

“I do not want to cause trouble,” Sarah said as she sank back down into her chair. “I just feel like you kids always gang up on me when we’re all together.”

“I am sorry, Mom,” Andi spoke up first. “You know we love you.”

“Of course, Andromeda, and I love you all.”

“Mom, there’s a reason why I look the way I do.” Everyone turned to Andi, and Cassie suddenly realized what she was going to say.

“Mom, Cael and Cass, I am having a baby.”

Chapter 15

“What do you want?” a shrill waspish voice practically screeched in answer to the knocking. The door creaked open a crack and a pale pointed face poked out of the crack to peer into the fire. A quick shriek and the door slammed in their collective faces. The image jumped back about a foot while the fire wavered a moment and then recovered.

“Come out; come out, Mother, dear.” Brendan tapped his foot impatiently.

“You COULD give some WARNING, oh precious son. At least let me put on a bit of glamour before you see me; I have aged so disgracefully since you left.” Her tone went from demanding to wheedling then to self-pitying, before becoming guilt inducing. Cassie was impressed in spite of herself. Her mother could only generate a maximum of three separate emotional manipulations in two spare sentences. Here were three with overtones of a fourth she could not put her finger on.

Brendan turned to her and smiled. “Mothers,” he mouthed and blew her a kiss.

“I heard that, boy.” The door opened again and the image in the fire followed it into a beautiful room, lavishly decorated in palest green silks and satins, delicate furniture sat tastefully around the large open room, curtains of deep forest green velvet with golden fringe rose from the floor to the high ceiling, tied back with cream colored ropes with long tassels decorated with pearl tear drops. Mirrors around the room reflected back pieces of the room, as well as seemed to peer into other rooms. The flame’s angle finally settled on an armchair in front of the fire. Soon their view appeared to be from the fireplace, thus Titania was peering into her fire as Brendan was peering into his.

Titania looked like many of the depictions of her all rolled into one. She was beautiful by any definition, her long oval face crowned by an enviable head of fine white gold hair looped up on top of itself in the most absurd fashion, yet on her it looked elegant and graceful. Her eyes slanted upward in a gentle tilt, violet irises peering out between her softly golden lashes. Her creamy smooth skin contrasted nicely with the heavy forest green velvet gown she wore and her hands looked positively tiny, with perfect rings with exquisite gemstones gracing her slender fingers. Perfectly proportioned, she looked like she had never given birth to anything larger than a deep thought.

“To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure, my son? I have been expecting your call for, oh, over one hundred years now. Your fiancé is beside herself, literally, she has split herself by mistake. They’re working on a cure, but I still think you should come back. Two half wives is better than none, yes? Besides, you need to learn to rule, to take over when your father and I die.” Her voice lilted and trilled in an affected accent that gave Cassie the impression that Titania had taken acting courses from either a very good coach, or an exceedingly bad one.

“You will never die, Mother, and I do not want to take over anyway.”

“Ungrateful!” Titania hissed, her voice and face becoming harsh and jagged. A moment passed before she regained her composure and continued. “Be that as it may, you still have responsibilities. I desire grandchildren, you must continue on the royal line.”

“Why can’t any of my brothers or sisters have this responsibility? There are many older and more interested than I, and I would defer to any of them right now.”

“Not one of your brothers or sisters is from the right side of the sheets, my son. Nor are any of them MY children. Your father’s bastards will not rule.”

“Mother, you know as well or better than I that I could be from the wrong sides of the sheets as well. Isn’t it possible that I am actually Shakespeare’s fourth child? Or possibly Goldsmith or Burke? Come now, Mother, let’s be honest with each other.”

“Yes, honesty is the best policy,” she managed to croak out. “You first. Where are you and when are you coming home?”

“I am home, and I am not coming back to you.”

“Ever?” The word slipped out of her mouth before she could think. It betrayed a longing and a sense of loss that Cassie felt acutely. Titania flew into a towering rage, leaping to her feet and hurling a nearby bottle of wine into the fire. Brendan ducked as the bottle flew out of the grate and crashed against the rocks behind him. Cassie jumped again, shivering from both the cold and her fright. Ainsel came to sit beside her and offered her his jacket, which she gratefully accepted.

“Not ever. I have made myself a life here and I intend to live it. Mother, I am sorry that I’ve been such a disappointment. I do love you in my own way, but I cannot bear to watch you and Father fight and bicker and machinate around each other. The court and its goings on is only part of why I left. And I found what I was looking for, so you can forget trying to woo me back with trinkets or prizes.”

Titania seemed to listen to him and Cassie, even at the odd angle, could see her mind working. Suddenly the angle of the fire flickered and Titania was staring straight at her. Cassie instinctively threw her arms up over her face and turned away. Ainsel cowered behind her like a puppy who has been smacked once too often.

“Ah ha! I see what you think you have found, you sniveling coward. You walk away from royalty to consort with mortals, to give your precious love away to one who will die long before even half your life is over. You have no sense of loyalty, to your own people, to your homeland. How dare you come to me and show me this little worm of a girl? Come home now and I will forget this ever happened, but if you continue to defy me, watch out, you will feel my wrath.” Her tone had flattened into a thin bronze blade with a keen edge and a deadly sharp point. Cassie shivered reflexively.

Brendan threw up his hand and jerked the view of the flame back to him. “Mother, you will not insult, harm, or defile my wife. I had intended to hear you out and perhaps return for a visit with you and Father, but now I have no intention of doing that either. How DARE you talk about her or to her that way? This is my life and I choose to live it outside the bounds of your petty little world.”

Titania’s face changed imperceptibly when Brendan said the word ‘wife’. Cassie had pulled down her arms and watched her closely and saw another mask slide on top of the one already in place. A cunning look flashed in her violet eyes and was gone before its import could be measured. Cassie certainly did not like the look and a cold knife of fear sliced into her already unsettled stomach. Brendan, however, did not appear afraid, but angry, as angry as she had ever seen him.

“Your wife? How can you marry another when you have a fiancé at home? How can you even begin to think that whatever paltry human ceremony you witnessed would even bind you to this woman? You are not married; you are still a child playing at house, playing at life. Come back and take up your responsibility; you will never be a man, a full man, without it. Without my blessing, you remain a child, an aging, sad, pathetic little boy longing to join with the grown ups, but destined to always play with broken toys.”

Brendan, white with rage held up his left hand and thrust it toward the flame. The blue and white flames flickered and cast strange shadows, giving the small clearing a preternatural look. His wedding ring, the large gold band Ainsel had stolen from Oberon for him, glittered in the flames’ dancing light. From where Cassie sat, it seemed that fine writing chased across the ring as the flame hit it. She instinctively looked at her ring and saw the same strange reflections in the gold.

Titania fell silent at the sight of the ring. She knew what it was and what it signified. She also knew it was Oberon’s missing ring; she could feel the resonance from her seat by her own fire. Somehow he had circumvented her plans for him; plans she had nursed over the last century waiting for him to get his wild oats sown. How could this have happened? How could Taliesin have gotten away with it without her knowing? Her eyes narrowed. Perhaps he was lying; perhaps he hadn’t truly gotten around her geas, but was pretending to give her the slip yet again. She suddenly brightened. That had to be it.

“Very well, my child,” she fairly purred. “I apologize for my rudeness toward your beautiful bride. I would love to meet her, to give my blessings and be a part of your lives together.”

“Do not be coy, Mother. I know your tricks. You will not meet her or come anywhere near her or me. Leave us alone.”

Titania’s eyes flashed again. “You leave me no choice.”

“You always have a choice. You could bow out gracefully; let me live my own life. You never know; I might come back of my own accord.”

Titania seethed on the other end of the flame image. “You are an ungrateful brat and I cannot for the life of me recall why I thought you were important enough to bother with. Have your own little life. What do I care? I will reign for another thousand years while you weep for centuries over your lost mortal love. Good riddance.” She picked up a bucket sitting next to her armchair and threw its contents into the fire. Water splashed out of the blue and white flames, catching Brendan before he could get entirely out of the way. The flames flickered and then returned to their steady state. The image within had vanished.

“Well, so much for my mother, Titania, Queen of the Faeries.” Brendan took a handful of dirt from the ground and threw it lightly on the fire, mumbling a few words. The blue and white flames flared then died down completely. The branches appeared as if nothing hotter than a warm summer’s day had ever touched them, and Brendan took them out and scattered them on the ground.

Cassie came up to him and took his hand, feeling the warmth of his skin and the odd coolness of his wedding ring. Hers felt like ice on her other hand and she wondered why, but decided not to ask. Later she would wish that she had.

Chapter 14

Cassie had been correct; she already loved the Boulder house, even before she saw it. Brendan puffed with pride at his little home, a two storey gingerbread house just north of Mapleton on 9^th Avenue. He had redone the inside to suit his needs, but he loved the exterior, and maintained it as it was, but in better condition than when he had purchased the house twenty five years ago. He loved living within walking distance to his restaurant, just down the street really, with a brightly colored sign in the front yard and the back yard turned into a tiny parking lot of three spaces and a delivery space. People would walk or park around the block to eat at The Bush and Brier.

His home sat on a double lot, not unusual in this neighborhood from its original planning back in the early 1900s, but it was unusual it hadn’t been converted into a duplex or split into two lots in the construction boom in the late 70’s. He had built a connected garage in part of the back yard and left the rest to a gigantic garden, growing herbs, vegetables, and other edibles, including roots and one very productive, very beautiful apple tree, which miraculously produced three different kinds of apples, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, and Fuji on a rotating basis, one crop of each a year. Must be the excellent soil.

Inside, the kitchen took up most of the first floor. But strangely, when you went into the dining room, it seemed nearly as large as the kitchen. And the living room, on the front of the house, was larger than the kitchen, with two comfy couches, a couple of overstuffed chairs, a large flat screen TV, and a huge fireplace. Brendan was very proud of this arrangement; it had taken quite some magical fliberty jibbiting to get the rooms to share the physical space but each have its own footprint. Cassie appeared to be fascinated, and kept stepping between the rooms as if it were a trick. Brendan laughed and explained the magic.

“It’s just really a layering; each room has its own footprint, as the size of the foundation or smaller. Then they sort of live on top of each other, like tectonic plates, but sharing the space until needed. It’s fun at parties, people can’t figure out why they do not want to really go into the kitchen anymore. Anyway, for two, or a family, it’s perfect.”

Cassie ran her hand over the black marble counter in the kitchen and smiled. “This is lovely, Brendan, you have made a perfectly lovely home.”

“Aww, shucks, ma’am, I just aim to please.” Brendan grinned sheepishly and Cassie slugged him in the arm lightly.

Upstairs it was more of the same. Currently there were three large bedrooms, a master bath, and a secondary bath, but Brendan had been working on encouraging a studio to appear in the side of the house, the one with a southern exposure overlooking the FlatIron Mountains. It wasn’t finished, since he had been working at extreme distance, having started in New Mexico and continuing along their trip home, but it was budding quite nicely. He would surprise her with it for Christmas.

“Darling, there is one more level, the basement.” They went down the first flight of stairs, and Brendan opened a door Cassie had not seen until he took the door knob. Downstairs, a family game room and wet bar extended into the distance. Cassie was entranced. The pool table had deep royal blue felt and was lit from above by an old fashioned hanging table lamp. Cassie clapped her hands and grinned up at Brendan, who smiled back.

“I found some space on Spruce for your studio and gallery. Someone had moved back to Berkley and left the space open, if you want to visit it. It’s smaller than your current space, but it is a start.”

Cassie beamed up at him. “You are perfect, you know? That would be splendid.”

After looking at the very nearly perfect studio and gallery space, which was within walking distance of the house, Cassie turned to Brendan thoughtfully. “I have a question, how will the house like Boötes and Orion? Will they get lost in the layers?”

“The house will adjust. Their auras are small enough, probably each has an aura one quarter to one third a human aura, and the house will accommodate them fine, no matter where they want to be. As a matter of fact, we should not have any problems with having two dogs and seven children, it would do fine until the children grew up and had full size human auras, and then it would probably be ok, as long as we kept up with the spells. I tend to reinforce every night I am here, and they will last without me for fifty to sixty years if not overloaded.”

“Well, they will not have to be without you for that long.”

“Unless we moved.”

“I do not think so, I want to raise our family here and have the grandkids over for Thanksgiving, and see the great grandkids running in the back yard.”

“Good thing I can make the dining room bigger, all those guests at Thanksgiving will be quite a sight.”

“And a children’s table that can grow with the kids. Splendid!”

Cassie grinned and ran her hands up Brendan’s chest to his shoulders. “Shall we get started?”

“What, in the middle of the street?” Brendan looked down at her in mock horror.

“Yes, right here. Take me now, you brute.” They both broke down laughing. They punctuated the rest of the walk with bursts of laughter and general merriment, swinging their clasped hands between them friskily.

When they arrived back at the house, Ainsel was waiting for them on the front porch. He had his hands in his pockets; his posture was atrocious as he stood hunched over in the tall man’s slump, just like a teenage boy who wanted to blend into the rest of his class but had experienced a large growth spurt over the summer. Or perhaps like someone who was trying to make himself look smaller and less dangerous. Cassie still didn’t trust him as far as she could spit.

“Prince, Her Majesty requests an audience.” Ainsel did not meet either Cassie’s or Brendan’s eyes.

“How in Hell did she find me?” Brendan looked pointedly at Ainsel, who shrugged noncommittally. “Ainsel, what happened?”

“I must have left some sort of trace when I went back. You know I do not really want to deal with her either; she’s damn scary when she’s angry, and well, you know she’s been angry since you left.”

Cassie looked from Brendan to Ainsel and back. “When you went back? Why’d you do that?” She knew enough about the story to be concerned about Ainsel’s loyalties.

“The Prince asked me to; he had need of certain, shall we say objects, which I obtained for him at great personal risk. Whether you believe me or no, I have no desire to speak with Her Majesty at this time, nor His Majesty if it comes to that. Stupid girl.”

Brendan cuffed him offhandedly. “Watch it.”

Ainsel scowled and shot a look of pure hatred at Brendan. “Do not hit me,” he whined.

Cassie saw the look, but Brendan missed it, as he had missed it every other time. It worried Cassie; she had looked up some history on Ainsel, faerie tales really and the text of Midsummer Night’s Dream, and he always got even, no matter how long it took or how devious he became. Always.

“Brendan, you should not hit, what will the children think?”

Brendan barely spared Cassie a wry grin before he sank back down into his meditative thinking expression. The three of them stood in the cool October air. Cassie sank to the top step while Brendan continued to think. Mother-in-laws had a bad reputation to begin with, but having the Queen of the Faeries as her mother-in-law, the very thought made her shiver as if a goose walked on her grave.

“Ok, what time did she specify?”

“Last week.”

“Pardon me?”

“She’s impatient. This should not be a surprise.”

“Well, I am going up to the park. I do not want her in my home.”

“Wise move.”

Together they piled into the car and Brendan drove down 9^th Avenue to Canyon Blvd. He turned and wound his way up into the canyon, stopping at a pull off spot. Leading them across the gravelly ground, Brendan went up the path next to the river, and began crossing it. Cassie watched in fascination as he chose rocks to stand on, seeing at last the natural path to the other side. She followed and behind her came Ainsel, clearly unhappy to be here.

Once on the other side, they hiked a bit along a semi worn path. About one hundred feet in, there was a campsite, really a picnic site with a fire grate raised off the ground and a picnic bench. Cassie sat down on the bench and Ainsel slunk over beside her, sitting on the opposite side but facing the same way, facing the fire grate.

Brendan picked up a fallen branch and began to break it into pieces, piling them in the grate. After he had found enough, he reached into his pocket and brought out a handful of fine sparkly sand or grit, Cassie could not decide which. Also, she could not decide where he kept it, since he didn’t usually have anything in his pockets when she snuck her hands in there. More faerie magic, she decided.

He blew on his closed fist and then scattered the faerie dust, for lack of a better term, onto the sticks. A bright blue and white flame roared up from the green sticks and seemed to float above it. The flames rose high enough to show a big flat area, looking incredibly like a flat screen monitor, only with ragged edges. Brendan mumbled a few words and a palace began to appear in the flames. More mumbled words brought the focus finer, the view flying toward the palace then into its halls, swinging up and down corridors, seeming to search for something. When it stopped at an ornate door, a knocking sound startled Cassie and she jumped.

Chapter 13

When they woke, they knew that the vacation was over. Cassie nuzzled her head down close to Brendan’s chest, and sighed.

“We must, you know.”

“Yes, we must.” He kissed her on the forehead and stroked her hair out of her face. “Best for all concerned.”

“Of course.” Cassie dragged herself out of bed and stretched. Brendan watched her lithe body extend her arms up over her head. She looked at him over her shoulder. “Like what you see?”

“Of course.” He slid out of bed and came up to her. “Care for a shower, milady?”

Cassie giggled. “Most assuredly, milord.” She mock curtseyed, which looked a bit odd with her wearing nothing but a smile. Brendan didn’t seem to mind.

Cassie had driven down to Albuquerque from Denver in a little over five hours, breaking most land speed records and avoiding not a few cops. From Santa Fe it usually took her between three and one half to four hours. The only thing that would ever shut her down would be snow in the passes. Before they left, they took Ainsel to the airport. Brendan turned over his ticket for a refund, which Cassie had thought was a long shot but his charm, probably literally she mused, helped him along with the attendant.

Finally, she was behind the wheel with Brendan beside her, their luggage packed into the trunk and her wedding gown hanging in the back in the garment bag. She needed to have it cleaned and vacuum sealed. But that could wait.

“The plan is you’re staying at my place tonight and we’re going up to Boulder tomorrow, right?”

“Yep. I think we’ll probably pick after a week or two. Do not want to rush it,” Brendan teased.

“Ha ha. I am not schlepping between two houses in two different places for a couple of weeks. Nope, can’t do it. I need a studio and a place to snuggle with my husband. We might have it all sorted out in a couple of weeks, but it’s not going to take that long to choose. If worse comes to worse, we live at your place for a year and look for a new place.”

“Is schlepping a technical term? What if you do not like my place?”

“You’ve described it in minute detail. I love it already.”

“Did I mention the mildew and the cobwebs?”

Cassie shivered. “You are impossible, how did I ever end up married to you?” She flashed him a grin and continued driving like the proverbial bat out of Hades.

“Just lucky I guess.”

They relaxed into the rhythm of the road and Cassie flipped on her road trip audio book. She had started it on the way down, but for Brendan’s benefit, she turned back to the beginning. Terry Pratchet had written ‘Equal Rites’ and it was performed by the very talented Celia Imrie, who had a lovely British accent which made the book at times harder and at times easier to understand.

Brendan laughed at the oddest places, but seemed to enjoy the book as much as Cassie had been enjoying it. Occasionally they stopped the book to chat about it or talk about something irrelevant. Slowly, Cassie began to allow herself to believe that all the events of the last week had actually happened, and she was now married to the incredibly handsome, sweet, kind, strong, magical (literally!) man sitting next to her.

After lunch in Pueblo at Chili’s, Brendan took over driving and they made Denver in record time, even passing a speed trap without being caught.

“Did you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Make the cops look the other way? We should have totally had a ticket for at least 95 in a 75.” Cassie had spun around and watched the state trooper pull over another car for speeding. She turned back to the front, staring at Brendan. “What did you do?”

“Nothing, really. What probably happened is that my aura tends to, what, fiddle with electronic equipment.”

“Does that mean my iPod will not work around you? Or the toaster?”

“Actually, no, those items tend to perform better around me, longer battery life and such. Electronic surveillance and radar tends to get freak out.”

“Oh, Homeland Security must love you when you get near an airport or on a plane.”

“Well, ok, I did do a little something just now, but it’s mostly subconscious. When on a plane or in an airport I tend to damp down my aura purposely, it’s just safer.”

“How do you damp it down?”

“I wear a tiny hematite pendant, containing iron, which prevents me from projecting. It also slightly interferes with the mind reading and my other magic, but not too much. If the iron pendant were any larger, or if it were touching my skin, I would lose my magic altogether until it was removed.”

Cassie thought a bit on his words. “First of all, mind reading? Second of all, how does iron not burn you or kill you.”

“Yes, mind reading, a lot of it is body language, but I can peer into the dark recesses of mortal minds. And no, I do not read your mind on purpose. Sometimes you project, especially when you are excited, but I have not delved into your mind. I will always ask you what I want to know and not just take it from you. Well, unless there is an emergency and we cannot communicate verbally, then I might read your mind. Would that be ok?”

Cassie rubbed her temples and shook her head. “Something new every day. I imagine the rest of my life will never be boring, married to you.”

“That is the plan, my love.” He reached over and caressed her knee. She took his hand in hers. “Your second question, why does not it kill me? Well, the iron in the hematite is relatively low, and iron does not kill faeries, but it will burn the skin and leave a scar if attached too long. Faeries avoid it on principle. There is also a possibility, very strong as a matter of fact, that I am not my father’s son, biologically anyway. Mother is a bit generous with her affections as a rule. I might have more than a touch of mortal blood in my veins.”

“Good to know. Avoid hematite jewelry.”

“You can wear it, sweetie, I just will remove it gently and make sweet love to you anyway.”

“Ok, that’s a plan. We can do that anyway. When you get to Denver, get off at 20^th, I live near 17^th and Blake.”

“Oh, by Coors Field. Love me some baseball.”

“Good gracious, I forgot about following the Rocks when I was out of town. They’re on the way to the pennant race. Damn, I willhave to catch up when I get home.”

Brendan squeezed her hand. “You had a bit on your mind, love. The boys will forgive you, I am sure. Who’s your favorite this year?”

“Soon to be Rookie of the Year, Troy Tulowitzki. The man is incredible. An unassisted triple play, his fielding, and that grand slam last week, what’s not to love? He’s going to go far.”

“No doubt. I prefer Kazuo Matsui, Garrett Atkins is pretty good, too. What a wonderful tidbit to learn, you love baseball.”

“Well, truthfully, I love the Rockies. Baseball as a whole isn’t terribly interesting, like I’d watch a game just to watch a game on TV. Now if I was traveling, I’d love to see a game in whatever city I was in, like the Cubbies in Chicago at Wriggly Field.”

“Rockies love is enough, especially when you live very close to the baseball field. Maybe we should keep two houses.”

“I could not afford it. Besides, that snuggling at the end of the day is not optional.”

“True enough. Perhaps we could live in Denver, and I could commute.”

“Baseball whore.”

Brendan laughed.

Boötes and Orion met them at the door; Boötes trying desperately to trip Cassie, as he always did. She grunted and swept him out of the way with her foot. “Out of the way, Boo Boo, come on, Mommie will take care of you in a minute. I am sure Auntie Zelda gave you food, move move move,” she muttered pulling her suitcase behind her. Orion waited, as was his typical response, when Cassie came in. Both cats watched Brendan warily, Boötes much friendlier or at least more in his way.

“Brendan, Boötes and Orion. Boys, this is your new daddy.”

“How lovely to meet you both. Mommie told you all about me, didn’t she?” The cats warmed to him and Orion deigned to let his ears be scratched by Brendan.

Cassie gave Brendan the grand tour of the loft. The twelve hundred square foot loft had two distinct sections, the front where Cassie’s studio and gallery was, and a separate living area, behind a wall and a heavy deadbolt. The living area consisted generally of one large room, with a small straight shot kitchen to one side and a large bathroom along the same wall. The double bed sat in the far corner with a rice paper divider for changing behind. A couch and chair huddled around a small color TV set. They had entered from the alley door, where Cassie’s parking spot was.

She unlocked the door into the studio and gallery and ushered Brendan into her inner sanctum that she shared with the world. Boötes followed them in, even after Cassie tried to shoo him back into the living area. Orion also followed, once he saw that Boötes had survived his foray. Brendan looked at the paintings on the walls, some in oil, some in acrylic, and some in watercolors. Cassie watched him with interest; she was always interested in how new people experienced her art. Brendan seemed truly involved, tilting his head at times and moving back or forward to get another perspective.

The cats ignored the art, as usual, but they did explore the nooks and crannies they had not been in to see for some time. The length of time was directly related to Boötes’ little adventure the last time she let them up here. One minute, he slept peacefully in the front window, and the next, he disappeared out the front door when a small group of passers by dropped in to see her artwork. Cassie didn’t immediately miss him, what with the people looking around. When they left, she glanced around. Orion slept where Boötes had been, and Boo Boo was nowhere to be seen.

She looked around the gallery, the apartment, and out in the alley. Cassie even locked up the gallery and went outside, calling his name. He eventually returned after two or so hours, mewing at the front door to be let back in. Both boys had been banished to the apartment ever since. Cassie often told them, especially Boötes that they were indoor cats, house cats, not closet cats, or gallery cats, but house cats. It never helped. Boötes managed at least four or five times a year to get out and worry her for the hours, and once – days, he was missing.

She thought of the tale as she watched Boötes closely, even knowing the main door open to the street was locked. He was still sneaky.

Boötes rubbed insistently at Brendan’s feet until he picked him up and cradled him in his arms. “You’re a love monster, aren’t you, Boötes?” He looked up at Cassie watching him in amazement. “What? Is this Orion? I am pretty sure you called him Boötes.”

“Nope, you got that right; it’s just that most people do not scoop him up. I am surprised he let you. But then again, it is a good surprise. Gives me some relief.”

“You are fond of constellation names, aren’t you?”

“It’s sort of in the family. My brother is Caelum and my sister is Andromeda. Our mom is a freak; have I mentioned that?”

“I think it’s cute. Might as well be creative. I think we will have many creative names for our children. So far I think I like Oriana or Aquila for a girl and Draco or Phoenix for a boy.”

Cassie actually groaned. “No more constellation names. Do not your people have some sort of naming history? Could not we name them, I do not know, Dana for a girl and oh, Dagda for a boy?”

“Very nice, pulled those out of the aether didn’t you now? God or Goddess names are immensely hard to live up to, but very good names none the less. Perhaps Nemain for a boy and Brigid for a girl. Thankfully we have a bit of time before we have to decide. ”

“At least nine months from last night.”

Neither of them knew how true Cassie's off hand comment would turn out to be.

With nothing much else planned for the day, the newlyweds stayed at the Padre’s insistence. The small group of parishioners stayed to celebrate with tea and tiny sandwiches. Everyone commented on how beautiful the bride looked and how handsome the groom. Everyone also whispered about the best man, who looked all day as if he’d eaten something rotten, half pucker half grimace.

“Is Ainsel all right? He seems to be irritated. Well, more than usual.”

“He’s fine, just enjoy the party.” Brendan kissed Cassie on the nose and they held hands as the parishioners smiled and swirled around them, eating cucumber sandwiches and tiny ginger cookies.

That evening, after all the day’s excitement had worn a bit thin, Cassie and Brendan found themselves back in their hotel room, alone at last. Brendan leaned down and kissed Cassie’s nose then tilted her chin up and placed his lips softly on hers. As always, the joining of their lips sent shivers down Cassie’s spine as well as sparkles behind her eyelids. For a moment she was nervous, tonight, after all they had been through, would be their first night of intimacy, well, physical intimacy. Her nerves and fears melted at Brendan’s soft touch in the small of her back and she pressed up closer to him, wishing she and he could melt into each other.

After a brief fumbling with buttons, Cassie’s beautiful gown pooled around her feet. She stepped out of it and Brendan whistled at the sight of her nearly nude body. Cassie grinned and reached down to pick up the gown. It was her only wedding dress, after all, and she wanted their daughter or daughters to wear it at their wedding. Brendan helped her hang it on the padded satin hanger. They reached for each other and spent the rest of their waking moments exploring each other’s bodies, eventually consummating their marriage in spectacular style.

“Well, I hope you’ll be happy and get just what you deserve.”

“I’ll take that as a positive remark and let it go at that. Let’s go.” Brendan strode out of the house first, Ainsel following mouthing words to himself.

Brendan and Ainsel walked up the aisle of the tiny chapel and stood as indicated by the padre. The moment arrived, and a recording of the Bridal March began. Together, they turned and looked down the aisle.

The chapel held about one hundred total parishioners; today about ten or fifteen people had showed up for the ceremony in their Sunday best. Candles lit the interior, as well as the sunlight streaming through the stained glass windows in the adobe. Brendan clasped his hands together and rocked back and forth on the balls of his feet. Suddenly he saw her.

Cassie entered the chapel with a handful of ivory roses. Their heady scent enveloped her and spread before her, scenting the nearby air. Her hair was swept up in a twist with curls and tendrils artfully hanging down her neck and over her ears. Her shoulders held up the barest of straps connecting her stunning gown of ivory satin and lace. The sheath of satin lay beneath a bodice of close fitting lace which flared out into an asymmetric overskirt and a short train. Brendan couldn’t keep his eyes off of her, and his mouth curled into a crooked smile involuntarily. The whole of his world shrunk into her glittering eyes and hesitant smile.

At some point, the Padre spoke, and Cassie answered. Next question, Brendan answered. There was more music, softly playing in the background, and then Ainsel pressed a ring into his hand. The warm gold, heated in Ainsel’s pocket or hand, felt real and right. He closed his eyes for a moment and wished upon it happiness and joy, connection and communication, and most of all love, deep and abiding, never wavering, growing warmer and stronger year by year. He wove a quick spell over the ring and brought it to his lips to kiss it.

Cassie held out her hand, and Brendan placed the ring on her finger, repeating the words the Padre intoned. Solemn words for such a joyful event. Nonetheless, he followed the formula and held out his own hand for Cassie to place the other gold band on his hand. He felt a twinge of guilt for having stolen the ring from his father, but a moment later the feeling washed away in the upwelling of love he felt for Cassie. Nothing was too good for her, and he would do his best to see she got all the best of everything.

Cassie breathed a sigh of relief when the Padre said, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.” She looked at Brendan who was right next to her and a galaxy away, all at the same time. Smiling she leaned into his kiss, and as always felt the tingling starting where their lips met and flowing through the rest of her body. Today it had multiple colors, gold and purple with blue and red flecks, like tiny fireworks bursting inside her and behind her eyes.

The ceremony was beautiful, and it had been all she could have wanted, except for having her mother there to see it. She pushed that thought aside and pressed closer to Brendan, his warmth and solidity giving her a foundation to lean on. Ainsel scowled, but then that was his usual expression, nothing new.

Chapter 12

Padre Martinez, not a direct descendant of Father Martinez from the Hacienda de Martinez in Taos, but related nonetheless, greeted them at the church. His warm smile welcomed them back.

“My dear, I have someone to help you with dressing, there is a room down these stairs and to the right.” He gently squeezed her hand. Cassie thanked him and waved good-bye to Brendan then slipped down the stairs.

“Gentlemen, this way.” the Padre led them back out of the chapel and over to a small adobe cottage to the back of the grounds. “You can change here, and make your preparations. There are prayer books and,” he opened a cabinet revealing a mini bar, “shots of courage. Only one is necessary, please have no more than two. I want you to be able to stand.” He pointed to an unmarked bottle with a proud smile. “This is my own agave tequila. Medicinal purposes only, as it is very strong.”

Brendan looked at the bottle with polite interest and nodded. “You must work hard for that, the life cycle for a blue agave plant is long indeed.”

“Ah, yes, I have worked hard. I also inherited my plant stock from the last Padre.”

“Very good.” Brendan looked around the rest of the room. It appeared to be the Padre’s very own sitting room, with icons and crucifixes tastefully displayed about the room. The furniture was worn, but well cared for and the floorboards were swept clean. The Padre’s housekeeper must be helping Cassie dress. His heart skipped and he smiled. The thought of her always made him feel that way, somehow complete and connected to everything all at once.

“When you’re ready, just walk back and come into the chapel. We will have a few parishioners in the pews, there are some of my flock that will not miss a wedding, no matter who the bride and groom. Something about more weddings than funerals, I suppose.” The Padre left them and Brendan began to change into his tuxedo. He had opted for a grey tuxedo with a lavender cummerbund and bow tie. Without looking, he knew it would compliment Cassie’s ivory confection. He had seen it in her mind’s eye, but still played along in trying to catch a glimpse.

Ainsel watched Brendan change his clothes and rolled his eyes. “Must you do everything the hard way?” He flicked his wrist and he was suddenly wearing a matching grey tuxedo with lavender cummerbund and bow tie. “Don’t even have to choke on the tie this way,” he grinned.

“Yes, I must do everything the hard way. I let you get away with it, but only to prevent you sulking.” Brendan smiled and Ainsel returned his smile woodenly.

“Well, whatever. It is easier.”

“You’re going to sulk anyway. I should have made you wear the tie at least.”

Ainsel stuck his tongue out at Brendan and went to the liquor cabinet. He reached for the agave tequila and Brendan stepped forward. “You don’t need a ‘shot of courage’; it’s not your wedding, my friend.”

“But the nice man was so proud of it; I bet it’s wonderful.”

“I wouldn’t count on it. Agave is notoriously hard to grow, and we’re only at 7000 feet; it prefers 8000, which doesn’t seem like a lot, but it’s a picky plant. Just leave it alone, please.”

“Oh, all right, I’ll be good. But only just this once.”

“I’ll hold you to that. Come on, it’s time for my wedding.”

“I still think this is a wretched idea. It is forever, you know, for always and ever and ever? And you’re binding her with the rings, which I stole from your parents, who should know their son is making the biggest mistake of his entire life. What are you thinking?”

“That I love her. And always and forever is better served when there is love involved at the outset, not a love that is to grow. My parents know that.”

“Yes, they were deeply in love when they married, and are now stuck with each other for eternity. And then some. Give it some time; go back to Boulder, live with the wench, and see how it goes.”

Brendan cuffed Ainsel lightly on the head. “Watch it,” he growled.

“Woman, person, Cassie, whatever,” Ainsel replied, rubbing the back of his head.

“I’m not backing out, and I’m not waiting. I’ve waited for over a century; I think I know what I’m about.”

The next morning dawned bright and clear; the sky filled with cottony puffs of clouds against the almost too blue sky. Cassie got up early, unusual for her, and pulled her titan locks back in a pony tail, preparing for a run.

She had canceled her morning runs (well mid morning most days) on vacation since she had to wake up very extremely early. She had intended to take late afternoon runs, but with Autumn coming on like gangbusters, sheer exhaustion from being on the chase crew, and Brendan, she just never got around to it. This morning, the sun was just up over the horizon, giving a golden glow to everything. Her feet struck the pavement and her legs pumped, groaning from lack of use, but warming quickly nonetheless. Soon she hit her stride, wandering through neighborhoods and commercial areas in a quick even pace. As usual, the heavy use of her muscles freed her mind, draining away any cobwebs, doubts, or insecurity. She felt good and she liked that feeling.

When she arrived back at the hotel room, she pulled off her running shoes and began to undress for her shower. Brendan still lay curled up in bed, his green blue eyes watching her with interest. “No peeking!” Cassie giggled and hopped into the shower, letting its hot sting soothe her worked muscles.

She left her hair swirled up in a towel as she got dressed for the day. Nothing in her vacation wardrobe was fancy except for the wedding gown in the garment bag in the back of the closet. She smiled at the thought.

“Breakfast time,” she chirruped.

“My, aren’t we perky?”

“Yes, it’s my wedding day; I’m allowed you know.”

“Of course you are.” Brendan came up behind Cassie and wrapped his arms around her from behind, kissing her just beneath the ear. “You smell wonderful.”

“It’s that high class, expensive hotel soap. Makes you smell divine.”

“Mmmmm,” was his only response.

I did not love her, and for some reason that mattered a great deal to me, and very little to everyone else involved.”

Cassie listened closely, nodding as he spoke. “So what did you do?”

“I left. I decided not to marry and not to get trapped in a loveless marriage. My parents, although they do love each other, did not ever present a warm, loving, compassionate example for me. I walked out and determined never to come back. This did not sit well with my mother, although my father sent me Ainsel to be my companion.” Brendan shrugged. “History is fascinating, but let’s talk about the future, Cassie. How many kids shall we have?”

Cassie barked a laugh then smothered further giggles with her hands. “You’re not serious.”

“Dead serious, my love. I want a large, happy, boisterous family. How about you?”

“Well, I always thought two or three would be nice, but not a ‘large’ family,” Cassie replied. She thought for a moment and grinned. “Caught you! You are not getting away with it. Tell me about Ainsel.”

Brendan had the grace to look sheepish, which mollified Cassie somewhat. “Sorry, old habits die hard. It’s the bait and switch, get them interested in something, dangle something tantalizing, and end up tangentially discussing the shiny bits and ignoring the crux of the matter. Second nature.” Brendan gestured over the waitress and ordered three desserts, all different.

“That should keep us satisfied for a bit. Ok, Ainsel. Well, do you know what Ainsel means?”

“No, do tell.”

“Ainsel means ‘ownself’. There’s a faerie tale where a young child is up late into the night against the wishes of his mother or grandmother or aunt, depends on the version. Anyway, the young child is playing merrily by itself by the fire, when a pookah comes out of the fire and begins to play with it. The pookah, a type of faerie, introduces himself as Ainsel. They continue to play, and Ainsel somehow injures the child and disappears. The child cries to its mother, grandmother or aunt, and when asked what happened and who hurt it, answers ‘My Ainsel’, or my ownself, getting the child in more trouble, earning a cuffing upside the head and straight to bed. Lovely tail, yes no?”

“Terribly entertaining. You should have been a storyteller; you have the gift.”

“Don’t be cold, Cassie, it’s unbecoming in a lady. Regardless of my ability to tell a story, that is the story in a nutshell. There are other similar or vastly different tales, all surrounding one mischievous, dangerous, fun-loving pookah faerie. You know him best from Shakespeare, who thought he was quite hilarious, and knew him to be dangerous. He goes by Robin Goodfellow, or Hobgoblin, often referred to as a brownie, kobold, or sprite, you probably know him simply as Puck.”

Cassie looked at Brendan and shook her head. “You’ve got to be kidding. Your long time companion, best friend, and humble servant all rolled into one is the single most famous trickster ever? How on earth do you trust him? Wouldn’t he just run back to Titania and tell her where you are when you sleep? Do you sleep with one eye open?”

“Well, I have a few tricks up my own sleeve, and let’s leave it at that.” Brendan pushed back from the table. “I’m going to go get the little trickster and we can have dessert.”

After all the excitement, and knowing tomorrow would be a big day, Cassie lay down and fell nearly instantly into a deep resting sleep. Brendan curled beside her and they passed the night time hours together as they had each night since they met.

Chapter 11

Cassie opened the door and let Ainsel in. Something tickled in the back of her mind, but she couldn’t quite bring it to the front of her mind. She shook her head and shut the door behind him.

“Let’s go, I’m starving,” said Ainsel right off. “I’ve had a busy day.” This last was said with a hint of something else that Cassie couldn’t make sense of. She decided not to try making sense anymore today.

“Glad to hear it, idle hands are the devil’s tools,” Brendan answered. “Let’s go out and get something tasty to eat, yes?”

“Done. Get in the car, we’ll be right out.” A flicker of irritation or perhaps anger slid across Ainsel’s features but he caught the keys Brendan tossed him. Cassie blinked and looked again, but his features were standard for him, a semi-worried look with a wrinkled brow.

After an excellent dinner at the Blue Corn Café, Cassie leaned back in her chair. The men had been discussing something esoteric, involved no doubt in politics or the stock market, neither of which greatly interested Cassie. She contemplated the dessert menu with half a mind, wanting something sweet, but not caring one way or the other if she really got it. Brendan eyed it, too, catching her eye and pointing to the flan. She shook her head and pointed to the chocolate cake thing.

Cassie excused herself and headed toward the ladies’ room. She did her business and washed her hands, splashing some of the water on her face. She shook her head gently to clean out the cobwebs that seemed to have gathered in the nooks of her mind. After a moment, she felt better and realized that the men hadn’t been talking about politics or stock market all night, but about the politics of the Realm. She was furious; Ainsel was obviously playing some trick, leading her to believe she heard other than what she actually heard. And Brendan was going along!

She dried her hands perfunctorily with some paper towels and charged back out to the table, eyes blazing. Brendan had his back to the restrooms, but Ainsel saw her coming. He stood up, bowing slightly to Brendan, and wisely left the dining room.

“Brendan,” Cassie said through gritted teeth, “who is Ainsel, and why doesn’t he like me much?”

“What do you mean? I mean, I understand the who question, we’ll get to that in a moment, but why do you think he doesn’t like you?” Brendan had stood when she reached the table, like out of one of those old black and white movies she loved. She tried to ignore it and threw herself into her chair.

“I’ve been catching some pretty shifty looks from him. That, and he fogged my mind all night at dinner. It was like you were talking ‘men talk’ and I just ignored it like a good wifey should. You were probably plotting how to stay away from your mother, or something, and I have every right to know what’s going on. You can’t leave me in the dark like this, Brendan, damn it.”

Brendan let her wind down, and took her hands in his. “Cassie, I honestly don’t think he did it on purpose, well, rather he did it with intent, but not to purposely keep you in the dark. Ok, this isn’t going well.” He took a breath and continued. “When you were in the rest room, I told him everything we went through today. Which is why he took off so abruptly when he saw you in your righteous anger. He knows about you, and it’s time you learned a little about him.”

“I don’t want to, can’t you send him away or something?” Cassie pouted for effect, then turned back to Brendan. His sea green eyes watched her passively, holding back judgment and radiating love and comfort. Cassie sighed. “Ok, tell me about him, I need to know.”
Brendan smiled and launched into his tale. “Ok, you know who I am,” he said circumspectly, “and it only follows that my companion would be someone else from that place, someone who knows of my position and would be willing, if begrudgingly, to help me in my quest.”

“What exactly is your quest? I realize you’re speaking Greek for a reason, and I follow just fine, but that wasn’t ever covered.”

“Generally not to get caught, specifically to find you.” Cassie was taken aback.

“Me?” she said in a tiny voice.

“You,” replied Brendan. He ran a hand through his sandy blonde hair. He continued in a lowered voice. “At the age of twenty one, in faerie years, roughly translated to one hundred ten of your years, the Prince of the Fae, Guardian of the Realm, Twinkle in Her Majesty’s eye, I should have married a faerie princess, daughter of one of the noble families, not really a princess, but nonetheless, she had the title bestowed for the occasion. I did not love her

The little vixen came over toward the wardrobe and Ainsel held his breath, his sharp mind racing. She passed by the cracked open doors and bent over to pick up the elegant clothing she had recently removed from the King. Ainsel admired her rear view until she stood up arms full of silks. She dumped them onto the chair near the bed and dusted her hands off as if she had been working terribly hard. By the time she had closed the massive oak door behind her, Ainsel had crept out of the wardrobe and over toward the bed. As the door clicked he reached up and eased his hand over the blanket. He peered over the bed, guided by another tiny glint, and gently laid hold of the ring. Taking a deep breath, he eased it down the length of the finger and into his waiting grasp.

Oberon took that moment to roll over, flailing the blanket about his legs and nearly smacking Ainsel right in the mouth. He ducked back behind the bed, breathing heavily. Oberon continued to snore lightly, the blanket now tangled about his waist and his right foot hung out over the edge of the bed in the open air. Ainsel resisted the urge to tickle the dangling foot and checked the treasure in his fist. He tucked it next to the other ring in his leather pouch at his waist and took his leave. As he left the room, Oberon snorted loudly then settled back into snoring.

Ainsel made his way back to the Mortal Realm and then back to Santa Fe, New Mexico. All in all, it was a reasonable use of a couple of hours, but it made him extremely hungry. When he sensed Prince Taliesin had returned with the woman, he wanted to eat, a lot, both in quantity and quality. To that end, he knocked on the adjoining suite door, thinking how tacky it was to have a door linking two rooms, just like in the other ‘hotel’. He rolled his eyes in exasperation, waiting impatiently for the Prince to answer his door.

Chapter 10

Ainsel had gotten to the hotel about an hour before Cassie and Brendan had arrived back. He had waited until he saw Brendan and then Cassie go into the little chapel before coming to his base of operations. The Prince was certainly acting strangely with this mortal, considering that he had had plenty of dalliances in his one hundred twenty five years in the mortal realm. If Ainsel took the time to calculate, it might come out to at least one per human year, if not more! Why was this one different?

First of all, instead of her following the Prince around, Prince Taliesin followed her around like a puppy dog. He made Ainsel change all their plans around so they could first stay in Albuquerque at the sub-par inn, ineptly named the Best something or other, and then come to another unenlightened motel without even hallways and a full service bar. The doors opened into the parking lot, for the love of the Queen! Luckily, he could find a liquor store to start his own private bar, but it was hardly any fun drinking without the Prince or foolish mortals to trick.

But the final straw had been to have Ainsel sneak back into the Realm where the Queen was searching for his sorry hide, and steal (STEAL!) the gold ring his father had at one point given his mother to show his undying love for the Queen. Not that the Queen needed any reminding, the bonds betwixt Oberon and Titania were inextricably combined, whether either wanted it that way or no. Titania chafed under Oberon’s love, as any hot blooded mortal would chafe under a wool blanket in the high summer. Queen Titania, in a pique of love and overwhelming irritation, gave Oberon a matching ring, which he still wore. Stupid rings. Taliesin wanted that one, too, if he could manage.

Ainsel, a properly subservient servant, and still bound by Prince Taliesin’s century old oaths, had crossed to the Realm, found his lady Queen’s jewelry box and rummaged through it. When he did not find the gold ring Prince Taliesin wanted, he stomped his foot and began opening drawers and looking in cupboards, taking apart the lavish room bit by bit, careful to always replace everything where he found it. Last thing he needed was to be oath bound and have to face the Queen, who would flay him alive for not reporting for the last ten decades.

He finally found the cursed ring in the bottom of a chest shoved far back in the corner and covered with glamour to hide it. It was covered by a piece of black sack cloth, wrapped tightly and shoved in a clay pot which had been stuck in a sack which was tied with a scrap of string and covered with a dank smelling old pillow. After digging through the elaborate set up, Ainsel tucked the ring into his pouch and set off to Oberon’s room, at the other end of the palace. Stupid rings.

Another eternity later, Ainsel dusted himself off and looked around. Oberon’s room was similarly ransacked, and he found many interesting bits and baubles, he even collected one or two for his personal collection, and tucked the knowledge of the rest away for blackmail later. Or maybe just a good night in his cups, giving Oberon what for because he could. Ainsel snickered softly and made to leave when the latch on the door rattled. He darted into the open wardrobe just before the door swung full open and Oberon came striding in, followed by a young faerie maiden no doubt serving the Faerie Court this season. He left one of the wardrobe doors open a crack and peered out into his limited view of the bed and part of the room.

Oberon appeared drunk, which was fairly normal given his semi-tragic existence as the courtesan of the Queen of the Faeries. Ainsel suppressed another snicker at the thought. Oberon’s long flowing coat clung to his slender frame, the tiny pearls embroidered in the fabric catching the light and giving a diffuse glow to His Majesty. The rich cream silk flowed down his body like his platinum blonde hair, as his newest paramour undid the tiny pearl buttons and pushed each piece of clothing off of him. Before long, Oberon was entirely nude, yet his young maiden still wore her elaborate dress complete with all the requisite lingerie, which Ainsel had been hoping to see.

Oberon lay down on the top of his coverlet, a rich navy blue with exquisite needlework giving it a heavenly texture, both to the touch and to the eye, where his fine spun hair spread out like a dandelion in seed. Such a common simile for the King of the Faeries, but what he was going to do in mere moments also was common, and Ainsel did not feel bad in the least for his lack of imagination on comparisons at the moment. Honestly, at the moment, he was quite bored and extremely itchy from something hanging in the closet, probably with tiny emeralds or rubies stitched into it. Stupid fashion.

As soon as His Majesty, Oberon, King of the Faeries closed his eyes, he began to snore. How disappointing! The maiden, who had been teasing him by unbuttoning three buttons and buttoning back up two on her bodice, ceased her sex play, buttoning all her buttons back up to her buxom busom, and began rummaging around in the drawers, not quite as careful as Ainsel had recently been. If he wasn’t on a mission, he would have let her have what for. You never showed your hand; it was incredibly bad form to leave proof or even suspicion that you had been doing something that you shouldn’t. What sort of uncouth, uneducated, country bumpkins had infiltrated into the palace in his absence? It was unconscionable!

After finding something that made her happy, or at least satisfied, the maiden returned to the bed and covered Oberon up with the blanket folded at the end of the bed. He murmured and turned on his side, flinging one arm outside the covers. Ainsel caught a glint of shine from the hand and grinned. Maybe this would work out to his benefit after all.

Cassie knew that already, but it was always nice to confirm.

When they slipped into the car, garment bag in hand, Cassie’s stomach grumbled unhappily. She took a quick glance at her watch and realized it had been hours since she last ate, and that had been a sugary pastry confection, not a true meal. “Ok, next stop, dinner.”

“Next stop, the El Rey for a quick change and to pick up Ainsel. Then dinner. Ever been to the Blue Corn Café?” Brendan navigated the empty streets with ease. Everyone had left the Plaza district for home or hotel. This time of year was still quite busy for the tourist season, since the weather stayed warm and dry for the most part until mid November.

“Actually, yes, it’s quite good. Give me a chance to get some more water glasses for the house. Oh.” Cassie halted her speech and took a deep breath. “Where are we going to live?”

“Wherever you want to live, my love. It makes very little difference to me. I have lived in many, many places, and they all have their charms.”

“Well, Orion and Bootes will be fine wherever I am, it will just take a bit of adjustment to new surroundings. And as long as you have some southern exposure for the plants, everything will be fine. To tell you the truth, I’ve always wanted to live and work in Boulder, I just could never afford it.”

“That is never a problem with the Prince of the Fae, my love. Faerie gold is my specialty.” Brendan glanced at Cassie and chuckled at her astounded look. “I’m kidding, sweets, just kidding. When you’ve been around as long as I have, you have investments and caches and other things that just make it easy to make and hold on to money. I don’t truly give off gold that returns to my pocket at the end of the day. That’s for leprechauns, dirty rotten scoundrels that they are.”

Cassie looked introspective, then piped up. “Just exactly how long is ‘as long as I have’ really?” She did some calculations in her head, if Titania, his mother, knew Shakespeare four hundred some odd years ago, he could be… her thoughts stalled.

They had pulled up to a red light. Brendan turned to face Cassie and watched her mind work through the math. “How old do I look?”

“That’s not fair, you look like you’re in your late twenties or early thirties. My age.”

“Well, faeries mature slowly, and for our purposes, I am in my late twenties or early thirties. How does thirty three years old sound? Is that a good age? How old are you, anyway?”

“I’m twenty seven, but you are not getting away with changing the subject. And thirty three sounds fine, just fine.” Cassie’s forehead creased with an irritated frown.

“I’m not changing the subject. You know about dog years, where every one year to a human is seven years to a dog?”

“That’s only true for the first three or four years of a dog’s life. After that, it’s more like four dog years to one human year. They slow down. What does this have to do with…”

“Well, think of Faerie years in the opposite way. Say 10 years to a human is 1 year to a Faerie, in round figures. Except for the first twenty years, it’s more like five years human to one year Faerie.”

Cassie struggled with the math. She was not in accounting or anything, she did well enough when selling her paintings and paying her bills, but damn, this was confusing. Nearly as bad as translating Canadian Dollars into U. S. Dollars, not like she accepted Canadian dollars after that one fiasco. She decided to talk it out, since she had no paper and pencil in front of her.

“So, after one hundred human years, you matured to a twenty year old level? Or you were four years old after twenty years? I think the first makes more sense.”

“Yes, your first computation is what I meant. Except for measures in recipes and money, I’m not terribly good at math. And fractions drive me crazy. Eighths of teaspoons are just a size to me, not really a fraction, they all have compartments in my head. And I never go to sales, it’s too damn complicated, and I just prefer to pay full price rather than aggravate myself with the math. Or buy it no matter what the price is, usually.” Brendan laughed.

“Let me make this easier on you. I was born some time after Shakespeare wrote A Midsummer’s Night Dream. And just before your American Revolution. Not that politics outside the Realm are much noticed by the Fae, I just happen to love history and learned as much as I could while wandering around your beautiful country.”

“So, you’re over two hundred years old?”

“In a manner of speaking, yes. But time flows differently for my kind, well, our kind since you have some of the Blood, too. Not only for our kind, but in the Faerie realm as well. It sounds more complicated than it really is.”

“I feel like I’ve tumbled down the rabbit hole. This is so strange,” Cassie mumbled to herself. They drove in silence for the next several minutes, as Brendan took a few extra turns, allowing Cassie time to think. After they passed the El Rey for the second time, he finally spoke.

“Sweetheart? Was this too much all at once?”

Cassie tilted her head, her auburn hair spilling across her shoulder. “It is a lot to absorb,” she finally admitted. “That doesn’t mean I’m not showing up at the church tomorrow, or that I don’t want to spend the rest of my life getting to know you.” She paused. “I..” she began, then stopped. “Nevermind, I don’t want to know right now. I’ll figure it out later.”

Brendan patted her knee and finished his circuit of the block. When they reached their room, he gathered both garment bags, his had already been inside the car, since he had some extra time while she was trying on gowns, and opened their door with the flimsy key card.

They took a few minutes to shake off the dust of the day. Brendan tried to get a peek at the wedding dress, but Cassie threw her hairbrush at him. Narrowly ducking out of the way, Brendan laughed and took Cassie into his arms. He kissed her on her nose. “I can wait, my love. Well, truly, I can’t wait, but I will wait to see my beautiful bride in her stunning dress.”

“You better; we have enough trouble, what with your mother and our little secret. I hardly think we need any additional luck added to the mix, especially bad luck.”

“Good luck would be nice. But I’ve already used my allotment of luck in this life. I met you.” Cassie’s heart melted, again, at his words. She was going to have to get a less meltable heart if they were going to get anything done.

Chapter 9

After forty five minutes in the Lily of the West, Cassie left with a gown in a long opaque garment bag on a satin covered padded hanger. She called a cab from inside the store and it was waiting for her when she stepped into the late afternoon sunlight.

She gave the cab instructions take her to San Miguel’s chapel. When they arrived ten minutes later, she asked the driver to wait while she stepped inside for a minute to look for Brendan.

Entering the darkened interior of the ancient chapel, Cassie felt a warmth seep into her tired feet and calmness entered her soul. Generally, she avoided organized religion as a whole, and the sacred spaces of said organized religion. But today, she felt almost at home in the small chapel. The heels of her shoes made loud clicking sounds as she strode down the aisle between the rough hewn wooden pews.

After a moment, an older priest, dressed in black slacks and a black short sleeved button down shirt with the clerical collar in front of his Adam’s apple. “Miss Morgan?”

“Yes, Padre. Is Brendan still here?” Cassie smiled warmly at the priest, which brightened when he nodded.

“We were having a bit of pre-marital counseling. Would you be available for an individual session and one with Brendan?”

Cassie thought for a moment and then nodded. “I need to get my wedding gown and send off my cab driver. I’ll be right back.”

After about an hour, and two separate meetings, Cassie and Brendan left the chapel, Brendan carrying the wedding gown in it’s requisite garment bag, the proud owners of a wedding time slot at 3:30 pm Sunday afternoon. Cassie truly couldn’t wait.

Padre Martinez had seen many quick marriages, some even faster than Brendan and Cassie’s six days, if that seemed possible. His easy way with the interviews and pre-marital counseling gave both the couple and the padre comfort in the fact that their intentions were pure.

Chapter 8

Cassie raised her eyebrows and suppressed a nervous giggle. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Brendan was looking at her intently, his eyes glowing slightly. Glowing? Cassie blinked and took another deep breath.

“Titania, as in Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream? Is your mother?” Cassie’s voice rose on the last word, higher than usual even for a question. A few things were beginning to click for her.

“And never, since the middle summer's spring,

Met we on hill, in dale, forest or mead,

By paved fountain or by rushy brook,

Or in the beached margent of the sea,

To dance our ringlets to the whistling wind,” Brendan quoted.

“Huh?”

“That’s on of her lines in the play. She always loved Shakespeare’s writing, the only reason she allowed him to publish and live. She actually played Titania on opening night, in heavy make up, but nonetheless.” Brendan shrugged. “You think I’m crazy.”

Cassie shook her head, not in disagreement but in disbelief. The crumbs of the tart she recently had eaten lay scattered on her plate and she pushed them around with her bent fork. “No, not crazy,” she finally said. She stopped, at a loss of what else to say.

Brendan nodded and reached for her free hand, the one not pushing crumbs into tiny mountains before destroying them with a sharp jerk of the fork. Cassie let him take her hand and wondered at how she felt the same way right now as she had the first time he took her hand. Her emotions hadn’t caught up with her mind, even though her mind still hadn’t decided what she really meant.

“Time.”

“Pardon me?” Brandon looked up into Cassie’s face. She looked down at her hands, realizing he still held her one hand, she pulled it away.

“I need time.” Cassie pushed away from the table, the wooden chair protesting against the slate floor tiles. She stood and reflexively brushed her shirt and upper thighs to remove any stray crumbs. She looked briefly at Brendan then turned on her heel and walked out of the shop.

She spent the next hour wandering in and out of all the little and big shops along the edges of the plaza. Her mind still swirled with thoughts that were half thoughts, half images. She had always believed in magic, in the way little girls believed in unicorns and true love, without any proof, or any real reason to question her belief. Now, she had seen the energy in the labyrinth, felt it tingling up her feet and into her legs. She knew for sure Brendan was telling the truth about the magic, but she couldn’t believe the rest.

Cassie found herself in the center of the plaza on one of the criss crossing paths in front of an empty bench. She sank down on to the hard wooden slats and leaned against the heavy wrought iron end piece, her head in her hand.

“Ok, Cassiopeia Vega Morgan, you know that magic can happen, you have seen it, and even before today, you probably just didn’t recognize it. What is so different from that to being in love…” her voice cracked on the word love. “Being in love with the Prince of the Faery Realm?” She watched the people walk past, a middle aged man with an intricate silken shirt screened or woven with elephants, a southwestern cowboy with feathers on his denim jacket and a battered black cowboy hat with a silver and turquoise hat band, a young woman in her mid twenties jogging in shorts and a tank top with bright pink shoes and a large dog with retriever and possibly poodle in its pedigree.

Prince Brendan. His Royal Highness Brendan Huntington. Her Royal Highness Cassiopeia Huntington. Her Royal Highness? Would that make her a faery princess? “Princess, Princess, I’m a faery princess.” Cassie began to giggle. “Well, I am in love with the Prince of the Gentry, when we marry, I will be a Faery Princess. Oh lord, I’m going to do it.” Cassie chuckled nervously and looked around. The world didn’t look much different, only everything was different, she was in love, and everything looked brighter.

Cassie stood up and again brushed imaginary dust or crumbs off of her shirt and jeans. “Ok, next, find a gown, then a chapel, then deal with the mother-in-law.” She suddenly laughed, a laugh that rang up from her belly up through her head, releasing all the tension and nervous energy right out into the air. She laughed again and garnered some strange looks from passer by, but for the first time all day, she didn’t care one whit.

She tramped across the plaza and asked the first shop keeper to see a phone book. “What are you looking for, missie?”

“A bridal shop, I need to buy a wedding gown and I don’t live around here.”

“I could tell that,” he said with a warm smile. “Lily of the West is about three blocks away on Palace Ave. Here, I can draw you a map.” He drew a meticulous map, with street names and everything. “My cousin Mary got her dress there, a right pretty thing she looked when she walked down the aisle. Where are you getting married?”

“We don’t know yet, we’ve been looking for a chapel or church. We want to do it tomorrow because vacation is over on Monday.” She grinned brightly. “It’s sort of a spur of the moment thing.”

“The best kind, if you ask me. My wife and I got married after two months of knowing each other and have been married for twenty seven years. Have you tried San Miguel’s? It’s just south of the plaza on Old Santa Fe Trail. They usually have small weddings; it’s a small place, and the priest, Padre Martinez, is willing to do an impromptu wedding if nothing is planned.”

“Wonderful! I’ll head for the bridal shop and send him to the chapel. You’ve been so sweet!”

“My pleasure, miss. You get yourself married; enjoy the rest of your vacation.”

“Thank you very much!” Cassie waved and left the shop, following the map. She pulled out her cell phone and started to page thru for her recently called numbers for Brendan’s number. She flipped through all thirty five numbers before she realized she had not been apart from him for any length of time in the last five days. His number could have been two four six eight twelve for all she knew. Disappointed, she flipped shut her cell phone.

Just as she put it in her pocket, it began to ring. Not her normal ring which was a clip from Ally McBeal when she’s talking to her painter, played by Jon Bon Jovi where you could hear his sexy talking voice, but some strange, otherworldly noise, halfway between a hiss and a jingling of a Christmas bell. It was incredibly strange, but it was certainly her phone because it was vibrating as well. She had a strong feeling it was Brendan.

“Hello?” Cassie breathed into the phone, not quite knowing why she tried to be quiet.

“Cassie? I found you. I hope you don’t mind, but I left my cell phone in my other world and I had to sort of improvise.”

“You can DO that?” She pulled the phone away from her ear and looked at the caller ID. It said ‘Brendan, of course,” where either a number or a saved number’s name would show up. She smiled and put the phone back up to her ear.

“Where are you, Brendan?

“I’m in the Plaza; I just saw you walking out in the north east corner. Where are you going?”

“To buy a wedding gown.” The silence grew until Cassie decided to end it. “We’re getting married tomorrow, I want a wedding gown. And a wedding ring, Mister Huntington.”

“Of course you do. What, the engagement ring isn’t enough?” He chuckled on the other end, wherever or whatever that was.

“No, I want gold, a big gold band to remind me always that I’m married so I don’t stray. I’m such a slattern, you know, I’ll need reminding.”

“Ok, I’ll remind you. Every day, every moment.” He fell silent again. “Cassie, I love you. There is more I have to tell you.”

“We have the rest of our lives for that, sweetheart. I love you.” She walked down the rest of the block, her phone cradled against her ear. She could hear him breathing, from wherever he was, and knew he was walking as well.

“Are you coming after me? Don’t do that, it is bad luck for you to see the wedding gown before the wedding. You go get us a chapel. The nice shop keeper at the corner of the Plaza suggested going to see a Padre Martinez at San Miguel’s Chapel – south of the plaza on Old Santa Fe Trail. He’s willing to do impromptu weddings. Go get us a chapel, my love.”

“Alright, but only because you consented to marry me. And a ring is on the list as well. One for me, as well.”

“I will get you that.”

“No, I want our rings to match.” After a moment, Brendan added, “Don’t you?”

“Yes, I suppose that’s good. Yes, do that. I’ve just come up to my bridal shop, so I’m going to let you go.”

“Good luck.”

“I’m excited.”

“Me, too. Bye!” The connection ended and Cassie flipped her phone shut. For a moment she looked into the store front of Lily of the West, and saw several beautiful different gowns. She looked down at the cell phone in her hand and shook her head, certain she was forgetting something that she just couldn’t remember. She opened the door and walked into every little girl’s dream.

Chapter 7

Brendan saw Cassie step off of the path and he dropped everything he was holding, leaping forward across the several feet between himself and the entrance to the labyrinth. He knew that he had set the labyrinth off, his presence made the normally quiescent paving stones rear up with all their innate magic, and when Cassie stepped off the path, she was in terrible danger.

The veil between the magical realm and the mortal realm was usually quite strong, but in places where small magic was performed on a regular basis, like the labyrinth, the veil became worn, magic from both sides thinned the barrier. With the recent activation of this site, he knew the stones would be hungry; he could feel its hunger licking toward him.

In two strides, he crossed the space between where he stood and the opening. One quick breath later, he dove into the labyrinth, his nerves lit on fire by the ravenous stones. Sharp stinging sensations ran up and down his spine, thousands of tiny pinpricks over and over again. Holding his breath he crossed the few feet to Cassie, swung her up in his arms, pivoted on his heel, and tried to step forward. He looked down at his feet and saw he stood right next to one of the stones in the path.

Clutching Cassie tightly, he pushed himself sideways until he was standing on the open path. He looked down again and realized that instead of landing on the exit path, he had landed on the path nearest the center. They would have to walk the path completely to get back out.

By now the onlookers were watching their little adventure play by play. Brendan couldn’t see most of them much more than the faint heat signature they gave off through the pulsing orange light. Surrounding them was the bright reddish pink of Cassie’s aura mixed with a subtle lemon yellow from him, giving off the combined orange light. He set Cassie down and held onto her hand.

“Listen to me carefully, we have to go back to the center, then back out along the path.”

“Why? I’ve walked the path and strode straight out when I didn’t have time to complete the return walk. You’re acting a bit strange.” She dutifully followed him back to the center, through a quick acknowledgement of the four directions, and back along the twists and turns of the labyrinth, not seeing the orange glow surrounding them.

“I will explain, but we have to get out of here first. Just know, I love you.” Brendan felt the energy change, like a change in the wind. He pulled Cassie along and stepped up his pace. “Sorry we can’t make any stops, we just need to get out.”

Cassie clasped his hand tighter as they began moving faster. Once or twice she skidded as he made a turn too sharply. She began to feel a tingle in the soles of her feet. “Brendan, what’s that tingling?”

“Energy, magic, whatever you want to call it. I set it off, turned it back on or whatever by my presence.”

“Magic? Are you serious? You set it off?”

“Yes. Look, I know I sound crazy, but you’ve got to trust me. You trust me, don’t you?”

Cassie squeezed his hand again. “Of course I do. I may be crazy for doing it, but I trust you.”

“Good.” He turned around and kissed her impulsively. “Let’s get out of here.”

After a few more tense moments, during which Brendan felt another change in the energy, from a ruffling breeze to a sharp cold wind, they stepped out of the labyrinth. He hurried off of the stones onto the normal concrete of the courtyard, pulling Cassie behind him. A handful of bystanders stopped watching them after they exited the labyrinth.

Cassie gathered up their packages and reached for his hand. “So are you going to tell me what’s going on?”

Brendan looked back at the labyrinth. The pearlescent rays of light arching upward toward the sky still pulsed in his sight. However, all color had drained from the swirling light. As he watched, a flicker of deep purple shot through the light and swirled into it, turning everything a lavender blue and then eventually dissipating.

“Sure, but let’s get out of here first.” Brendan shot one last glance at the energy filled stones and strode across the rest of the courtyard, with Cassie trailing behind him, linked by their hands. Brendan didn’t stop until they were nearly a block away outside a little French café connected to the La Fonda hotel. “Lunch?” he asked.

“Try early dinner, we had lunch hours ago.” Cassie laughed.

“Well, they have wonderful pastries here; we could just have a mid afternoon snack. Preferably something with chocolate.” Together they entered the little shop and found themselves a small table by the large fireplace which was cold this time of day. Before too long, the fire would be roaring and giving off its friendly heat nearly every day at this time, but in the early Autumn days, its warmth was unneeded and unwelcome as yet. They ordered two desserts, one with berries and custard for Cassie and a seven layer chocolate cake with whipped cream for Brendan.

“So, do I get an explanation, or do I just chalk it up to your boyish good looks and need to play pranks?”

“I don’t do pranks, that’s Ainsel’s business. I am the hero in this story, madam, and I’d appreciate if you showed the proper respect.” He took a huge bite of the chocolate cake and began chewing exaggeratedly, making Cassie laugh again.

“Oh, great hero, thank you so much for rescuing me from the evil concrete. What service can I perform that will be sufficient to show my undying gratitude?” She laid it on thick, enjoying her custard dessert as well as the word play.

“Ok, ok, I give. Truly though, today was not a day to choose to step off the path. Here’s a brief explanation, I’ll tell you more later. First, I posit the existence of another plane of existence, another world so to speak. A world where magic works, and indeed is infused in everything, living or inanimate, a rock, a tree, certainly a person. Will you accept this proposition?”

“Of course, everyone knows that. It’s just a matter of what you believe magic is and does. Some people believe that energy work is magic, and I think I could definitely suspend any grain of disbelief for this discussion.” Cassie laid down her fork across her empty plate and crossed her hands on the table in front of her, ready to listen.

“Great. Ok, then, the magical realm or plane or world exists in concert with the non-magical world, the real world so to speak or the mortal realm. Sort of overlapping it. Between the worlds, there is a veil, protecting each from the other. Originally, it protected the mortal realm from the magical realm, when magic was strong and mortals needed the protection. Now it serves the other way as well, protecting the magical realm from encroachment and exploitation from this realm.” Brendan leaned back and took a deep breath. His eyes seemed far away and scenes from his home realm flashed across his mind’s eye.

“In some places,” he continued, “one realm or the other has taken over. Primeval forests are generally the pale of the magical realm whereas massive industrial complexes belong to the mortal one.”

Cassie nodded, seeming to be very interested, in a scholarly way. Brendan hoped to convince her he was telling the truth without telling too much of it. Ainsel’s secret would have to be revealed, at least some of it, before his was ever touched.

“Ok, so there are certain places where magic is performed in this realm, which makes the veil in those places thinner, and easier to breach. The labyrinth is one such place. The thoughts and concentration of those walking the path are a form of magic, as is the final acknowledgement of the directions or archangels or whatever people think when they reach the center. The magic from this side rubs against the veil just like the magic from the other side, and it wears thin over years and decades and centuries. When this happens, strong spirits from either side can cross the veil at that point.”

“Was that what I felt toward the end? It suddenly got very cold and windy, but the trees and grasses outside the labyrinth weren’t moving in any wind I could see. It felt like I might be pushed over from that wind.”

“You felt it, too? I thought you were just unsteady because I was pulling so hard.” Brendan looked intently into Cassie’s eyes and saw a spark of something he must have missed before. No wonder he felt drawn to her so strongly, she was a descendant of one of his people and had the gift. “Cassie, you have to believe me,” he took her hand in his, “you have an ancestor that came from the magical realm, which is why you could feel the labyrinth flare up.”

Cassie laughed, then noticed that Brendan was dead serious. “Sorry,” she murmured. She thought for a moment, then said, “There was my grandfather’s father. He would tell me stories, my grandfather that is, about how his father could do these amazing things, dowse for water, catch a fish with his bare hands, blow out all the candles in a room by just entering it, strange things that I took to be tall tales.”

Brendan listened and nodded. “He had some of the Blood, at the very least, and passed it down to you.” He bit his lip and looked into Cassie’s eyes. “I’m so sorry to have mixed you up in this. I never meant to fall in love.”

Cassie’s eyes became wet and she took his hands in hers. “You can’t help who you love. I love you, too.” She pressed softly on his hands.

Brendan shook his head. “It’s not that. I believe it was my mother trying to find me at the labyrinth.”

“Your mother?” Cassie blinked. “Who is your mother? Is she very powerful? Is she angry?”

Brendan let out a held in breath. Time to tell his secret. “My mother is Titania, Queen of the Faeries. And yes, she is angry.”

Cassie turned out to be correct; the cathedral was not available for a last minute wedding. In fact, they had weddings planned nearly a year in advance. “Who has that kind of time?” she mused as they wandered out to the courtyard. “Ooh! They have a labyrinth in the courtyard. I want to walk it. Come walk it with me!” Cassie tugged on Brendan’s hand and he reluctantly walked over to the large space lined on two sides with trees and open on the other two to the rest of the courtyard. A whimsical statue of St. Francis dancing with birds on his shoulders and fingers stood at the west end of the labyrinth, almost inviting a frolicsome walk into the void. Brendan shivered.

“I don’t think so, not today, Cassie.” Brendan extricated his hand from hers and smiled sheepishly. “I get dizzy in labyrinths, all those turns.” He shrugged as if to say what can you do?

“Aww, come on, it’ll be fun. You know you want to.”

Brendan shook his head emphatically and took a deep breath. “You go ahead if you want to, we have some time. I’ll just watch.” Brendan suppressed a second shiver and took the bags of souvenirs from Cassie. He looked toward the labyrinth and couldn’t suppress a third shiver. To his sight, the labyrinth was not just a flat group of stones set into the mystical shape. Instead, it rose into the sky, with swirling opalescent light, breaking only where the path lay, which he could see only through the translucent veil.

Right now it was quiescent, since there were no mortals within its hungry grasp. Brendan knew if he stepped into that maelstrom, he would never return, and he was finally beginning to enjoy himself after three centuries in the mortal realm. He was not willing to give that up for a frolic on the stones, not by a long shot. It took nearly every ounce of strength he had to allow Cassie to walk blithely into the open maw of the ring of power. He stood about five feet from the entrance, having the entire labyrinth in view, or as much as he could see behind the towering walls of shimmering light.

“Be careful,” Brendan admonished, unable to help himself. “I love you.”

“I know; I love you, too. And I promise not to trip.” Cassie reached up on tip toe and kissed Brendan’s cheek. She turned and walked straight into the dark opening of the labyrinth. Brendan steeled himself for a long vigil.

The first side of the path wove on the northern side of the courtyard, going through the dark and frosty cold of winter, touching at times both the cool freshness of Spring to the East, and the crisp warmth of Autumn to the West. It took Cassie several minutes to complete that side before she entered the Southern realm, of fire and brightness, shared again by the East and West. She walked through the cycle of the year, in its many guises, and the cycle of life, with it’s many twists and turns, forward and backward motion, and that sense of not knowing which way was which.

Brendan strained to see her making the turns, the bright walls of light shifting colors as she passed. As she came closer, the walls nearby turned a bright reddish pink, and as she walked away, a deep royal blue followed. Over half the labyrinth walls were now royal blue, a soothing color, and the reddish pink kept moving slowly through the turns. It was almost easier to watch the color than Cassie, but he keep his eyes trained on her. He knew in his mind she was in no danger, but he couldn’t be with her and that frightened him. She was stronger than he could imagine, even if she didn’t know the danger lurking around every corner. It didn’t help his swirling thoughts that he was part of that danger, that every moment they spent together he was putting her in harm’s way.

Suddenly the reddish pink faded from his sight. He blinked and stared ahead, seeing that she had reached the center. She must know something about the olde magic; Cassie was thanking each direction and pausing for a moment to meditate on them. The entire labyrinth glowed the deep royal blue; the light swirling and shifting in satisfaction. Cassie smiled and waved to him and he waved back. She then stepped off the path and Brendan’s head exploded.

Chapter 6

Cassie tried once more to talk to her mother, but her mother either wasn’t home or wasn’t answering the telephone. Cassie also tried both her brother and her sister. She managed to get a hold of her brother, but he was drunk and Cassie suddenly didn’t feel like telling her family anymore. Let them find out at Thanksgiving, like all normal families.

After three more early mornings, up before the chickens, Cassie and Brendan waved good-bye to Captain Bob and his colorful crew (and lovely sweetheart, Carol). Everyone wished them good luck and Captain Bob took Cassie aside for a few minutes to talk before they left for Santa Fe.

“Now, Cassie, I know we don’t know each other that long, but working together like this, you get to know a person better than you think. I know you trust me, and I hope you respect my opinions, as well as my directives.”

“Yes, Captain Bob, of course I do.”

“Good girl. I’m just slightly worried about you, meeting and falling in love in a week is not as uncommon as it seems, but getting married within a week is pretty fast. Are you sure this is what you want? Divorce, even an amicable one, is not cheap or easy, and it leaves scars on you that no one can see.” Captain Bob laid his hand on her shoulder. “I care about you, Cassie, and I wouldn’t want you to get hurt. Brendan is a real nice man, seems that way at any rate. Tell me he’s the one and I’ll be thrilled. I just couldn’t let you leave without saying something.”

“He’s the one, Captain. Trust me, I never expected to come to the Balloon Festival and fall in love. I expected to get up early, work hard, and have a good time. This was on the top of my unexpected list. But I know he’s the one and we’ll be good together.” Cassie paused for a moment. “He’s my missing piece,” she concluded.

Captain Bob nodded. “Carol’s mine, I understand you. Best of luck and send me pictures of your babies. Hell, bring them here and we’ll fly them around.”

Cassie laughed. “Maybe in a couple of years, but not right away. I do still have some brain cells left that work.”

“Babies can fly as young as 2 weeks…” Captain Bob winked.

“Not my babies, they’ll be flyers, just when they’re old enough to stand and possibly understand.”

“Ah, you’re no fun!” Captain Bob grinned and gave Cassie a big hug. “You take care of yourself and your missing piece. They don’t come along but once in a lifetime, twice if you’re very lucky.”

“I will. You, too.” Cassie kissed his stubbly cheek before turning back to her missing piece.

Cassie thanked her lucky stars that Ainsel decided to stay behind in Albuquerque while she and Brendan drove into Santa Fe and got settled. She was not as thrilled when Brendan ordered two adjoining rooms at the El Ray and said Ainsel was expected for dinner. For some reason, she just couldn’t get past something about him, she couldn’t really put her finger on it, but Ainsel bothered her on a fundamental level.

Be that as it may, Cassie was thrilled to be searching for a church or a chapel that would perform a wedding on a day’s notice. They had decided that Sunday afternoon, after services, would be a perfect time to get married, and when they returned to the Denver / Boulder metro area, they wouldn’t have to ‘live in sin’ for any time at all. Technically, they weren’t living in sin now, more like vacationing in sin, which sounded like a tag line for a Las Vegas holiday. Although, come to think of it, all they had ever done was sleep, truly sleep as in with dreams, next to each other. Not even the night of the proposal did they ‘enjoy each other’s company’ in any more than the most platonic way (well, there were those very not platonic kisses).

“Darling? I have a strange question for you.” Cassie’s curiosity got the better of her.

“Yes, my love, what do you desire to know?” Brendan squeezed her hand and kissed her on the nose, where all the freckles gathered for a party.

“We’ve never, um, you know. Why not?” Cassie tilted her head up to look into his eyes. They were walking toward the Plaza, there were a few churches and chapels near by and of course the Cathedral, although Cassie didn’t hold out hope for the enormous edifice being available on such short notice.

Brendan steered them to an open bench and sat down, pulling Cassie with him. “Hrm… let me see. Why not? Well, I think we’re moving quite quickly enough, thank you very much. Truthfully, there has never been enough time and enough energy together in the same room for both of us. It’s been a grueling week, and I didn’t want our first time to be rushed or draining. Besides, I’m not that kind of man.” This last was said with a priggish, affected air and they both broke down in laughter.

After a few minutes enjoying people watching on the bench, they got up and wandered toward the cathedral.

Brendan knocked and entered through the adjoining suite door and Cassie quickly wiped away her tears.

“It’s late, sweetheart.” His words echoed her mother’s but from him she felt only caring and concern and not the empty hollow feeling she had when speaking to her mother.

“I know. Time for bed.” Cassie smiled wanly and went to her small bathroom / closet / dressing area to slip out of her clothes. She pulled on the long sleeved flannel nightie (ooh sexy!) and folded her clothes neatly, adding her purple hoodie and a white tank top to the pile to wear in the morning.

Brendan watched her and she saw him catch glints from her ring. She smiled and wriggled her fingers at him. He grinned back and held out his arms to her. She allowed herself to be enfolded in his warmth and strength.

After a few stolen kisses and sweet moments, Cassie fell into a deep sleep. Brendan lay watching her through the night.

Chapter 5

The rest of the Balloon Festival went by in a blur. Captain Bob flew once a day or more if weather permitted. The afternoon flights were less frequent, as the winds blew up during the day.

Brendan and Cassie spent every moment together, getting to know one another better. Ainsel joined them for dinner, but mostly stayed out of their way. He seemed happy to be left alone and busied himself without them.

Wednesday night, Ainsel was no where to be found. Brendan left Cassie in the room sleeping after the aborted afternoon flight. When Cassie woke up at the door opening, it was getting dark outside. Brendan came in, the light from the flood lights outside the room silhouetting him.

“What’s up, love?”

“Nothing much, you still sleepy?”

“Just waking up. What have you got behind you?”

“Just some roses, for my sweet.” Brendan held a dozen long stem roses, pink, white, yellow, and red. Cassie sucked in her breath in surprise.

“They’re beautiful! Oh, Brendan, you are just amazing!”

“That’s me. Come on, I’ve got us reservations for dinner.”

“Reservations? Yikes, I look a fright! I need to take a shower and curl my hair and…”

“And just stand up, you’re beautiful exactly the way you are right now.”

“Now I know you’re a figment of my imagination. I thought so for a while now, but now I’m certain.” Cassie laughed and went to look at herself in the tiny bathroom. After a minimum of primping, she joined him and they took off for a night on the town.

After cocktails in the bar, they were seated in a cozy nook by the window. Brendan ordered appetizers and they sampled the cuisine. By the time the entrées arrived, Cassie and Brendan had inched closer in the large round booth. Dessert brought laughter and long silent looks. By the time the check came, both of them were eager to get some fresh air. They took a long walk around several blocks then slipped into Brendan’s car to drive back to the hotel.

Brendan drive further than it seemed necessary, and before she knew it, they were in a posh neighborhood passing a country club sign. Intrigued, she kept silent. As a child she had always held her breath when her mother turned down a certain street to a certain place, believing if she didn’t ask, they would go to whichever fun or exciting place was in the offing, but if she did ask then they would just go home and she would have to clean her room. Her brother and sister thought she was crazy after she told them in high school when she had the car and would drive them around. Deep down, she still believed it.

After a few moments, Brendan came to a circular drive, with a broad sweep of large houses planted close to each other both along the rim and in the center of the loop. He parked by a bike path and got out of the car, walking over to open Cassie’s door. He took her hand and led her down the path, between two of the gigantic houses and out toward twin lakes.

The sun hovered around the horizon, making long rays that bounced off the larger lake’s surface, making sparkles as the light wind chopped the water. For all of the close by civilization, it was quiet by the lakes and Brendan walked her to the southernmost tip of the western lake, where the trees rustled in the breeze and the roar of the city faded. Strangely, a chorus of “Kiss the Girl” from Disney’s Little Mermaid skittered through Cassie’s mind, before she sunk deeply into the moment.

They stopped walking and Brendan let go of her hand. She turned from looking at the sparkles on the lake to his face, etched in the late sun’s rays, his skin golden and his eyes shining. He knelt down on one knee and took Cassie’s hand in one of his. The other hand went into his pocket and drew out a small jewelry box. Cassie held her breath.

“Cassiopeia Morgan, you are the light of my life. I have been waiting for you longer than you can know and I will forever be yours. My one true love, will you consent to be my wife and partner for all the days of our lives?” He flipped open the box and turned the open side to her. An exquisite diamond ring, set in yellow gold, lay in the box. It was simple, a round solitaire, about three quarters of a carat, with more sparkle and flare than she had ever seen. It was exactly what she wanted, what she had dreamed of as a young woman, and it came with the most amazing man she had ever met.

She let out her held breath and took another. “Yes.” A tingle went through her as she said it, starting at the top of her head and suffusing her entire body to her fingertips and her toes.

Brendan beamed up at her as he took the ring from the box and slid it on her third finger of her left hand. It fit beautifully, as if it were made for her and her alone. He stood up, brushing the imaginary dust from his knee and took her into his arms. For another eternal instant, their lips met and they became one heartbeat in the wide universe.

Before she knew it, they were in the car and driving back to the hotel. her mind was swirling with ideas for the wedding, who would make her wedding cake, what kind of dress she would wear, what kind of music she would have at the reception, what colors the bridesmaids and the groomsmen would wear, who would stand up for her. She felt Brendan’s hand searching for hers and instinctively reached out for it. As soon as they clasped hands, her mind stilled and she breathed a contented sigh. If they ran away to Vegas to get married, that would be fine, too. She just wanted to be Mrs. Brendan Huntington, wife and mother, and all the other things she already was, like artist and teacher and tea cup collector. Her mind started up again, where would they live? Did he have a place in Boulder? Could she move her studio up to Boulder and afford it? She did make good money from people from Boulder coming down and purchasing her work, but it was so expensive to rent or own space up there in the People’s Republic.

Brendan squeezed her hand and her thoughts stilled again. “Penny for your thoughts?”

“They’re worth at least a nickel, inflation you know.”

“Ok, nickel for your thoughts? Doesn’t sound right, now does it?”

“Not really. Just thinking about being married, where and when we’ll do the deed, and where we’ll live and work when it’s over.”

“Ahh, practical things. Bless you for thinking of them, I am not a terribly practical man. I would buy more dishes before I would put them in the dishwasher on my own.”

“That’s going to get expensive. But think of all the lovely patterns we can use.”

Brendan laughed and Cassie joined him. It felt right to be next to him, right to be marrying him. She couldn’t wait.

Back in her room, Cassie turned on the light. Brendan had gone to his room, the adjoining suite amazingly enough, to freshen up. Ainsel still was no where to be found, which to tell the truth was perfectly ok with Cassie. He gave her a case of the willies.

Cassie dug out her cell phone and dialed a number with a 303 area code. The phone rang four times before her mother answered.

“Hello? Cassie?”

“Yes, Mom, it’s me.”

“How are you doing? How are the balloons treating you?”

“Pretty good, 3:55 am is killing me. I can’t wait for Saturday and Santa Fe.”

“You’re up pretty late then, it’s nearly eleven. You should get some sleep.”

“Yes, Mom. I will. I just wanted to tell you…” Cassie tried to form the words I’m getting married or I met this wonderful man or Can I borrow your wedding dress but her mouth went dry.

“Tell me what, sweetheart?”

Cassie took a deep breath and licked her lips. “I just wanted to tell you…” I’m getting married! “I…”

“Come on, spit it out. You need to get some sleep.”

“I know, Mom. I love you.” Cassie took a deep breath to continue but her mother broke in.

“I love you, too, sweetheart. Now get some sleep. I’ll talk to you on Saturday. Good night!” Cassie was suddenly holding a silent phone. The one thing with cell phones was when you got hung up on, it wasn’t quite as traumatic because it was only silence and not the humiliating dial tone droning in your ear.

Cassie made herself say it to the dead line. “Mom, I’m getting married. I want you to be there but I don’t know where there is yet. You’ll love him; he’s wonderful, just like Dad, but different. Oh, I’m so excited.” A tear spilled out of one of her eyes, splashing on the laminate hotel desk top.

Cassie pulled away reluctantly and took his hand. “Let’s go.”

Together they showed up at room 121 just before 3 pm. Carol answered the door and invited them in.

“Pleased to have you join us, Brendan. Did you enjoy your flight?”

“Very much, thank you. I intend to fly again at the next possible opportunity.” Brendan bowed slightly to Carol. Both women smiled at this courtly behaviour. Captain Bob came over and clapped his hand on Brendan’s shoulder.

“Good man. Would you like to crew for me this afternoon?”

“Yes, Captain, I would like that very much. You run a very tight ship. I appreciate your confidence in me.”

“You’re welcome as long as you’re in town if you like. Cassie is with us until Saturday noon where she has decided to get some rest in Santa Fe or Taos, before she heads back to her mountain home.” Captain Bob winked at Cassie. She had had more winks today than in the last six years!

“Well, then, I’ll be here till Saturday noon, it appears.” Brendan smiled down at Cassie who flushed to a warm pink.

“Ok, enough small talk, let’s go flying!”

Captain Bob led the crew out to the truck. Carol joined them sitting with Cassie and Brendan in the truck bed.

“So what do you do for a living, Brendan?” Carol inquired. Cassie turned to look at Brendan, thinking back to that morning. She remembered telling him what she did, but then Ainsel came over and interrupted. She was suddenly incredibly interested in his answer.

“I’m an executive chef at the Bush and Brier.”

“Ooh, a man who can cook. Be still my heart.” Carol laughed and Cassie joined her.

“Definitely, I love a man who can cook,” Cassie added.

“Where is the Bush and Brier? Is it local?”

“Definitely local. But not to this locale.” Brendan grinned. “It’s actually a very small restaurant in Boulder Colorado.”

Cassie gasped. “You’re from Boulder? Not really! Where is your restaurant? I’d love to come by and have dinner. Boulder, wow.”

“We’re looking to move to 29^th Street. Currently we’re on Mapleton and 9^th in a little two story converted house.”

“That’s so wild! How long have you been in Boulder?”

“Four years, I think.”

“To think you were that close all the time.”

“So close, and yet so far.” Brendan nuzzled Cassie. “I’ll always keep a table open for you, my love.”

Grub consisted of a wide variety of food, including freshly grilled cheese burgers and turkey cream cheese croissant sandwiches with red peppers, chips, more champagne, tortillas with beans and cheese, and rotisserie chicken right off the bone. Cassie and Brendan had lunch, cheese burgers and chips with a champagne chaser. Carol had glass champagne flutes out of a plastic crate with foam packing. Very classy.

“How are you feeling?” Cassie asked, remembering how she felt after her first flight last year. And how she felt right now, a gentle exhaustion.

“Very tired, but I’ll be fine. How about you?” Brendan had finished his food and used his hands to massage Cassie’s shoulders. She leaned back into his touch and sighed.

“Very tired myself. Food helps, but I will need a nap when we get back to the hotel.” She yawned.

“A nap sounds good.” Brendan bent down, brushing away the strands of hair that had come loose from her braid to kiss Cassie’s cheek.

Captain Bob came back with the truck and he and Jonny set to the remaining grub. Carol told Captain Bob about her morning’s flight, her basket tipped over, too, but since it was a smaller basket, that was a more common occurrence. She was surprised at the story of Cherokee Woman landing and falling over after a gust of wind caught the envelope and collapsed it. It wasn’t impossible, after all, but with Captain Bob’s larger and heavier basket, tipping was low on the probability scale.

After all the grub was packed up and the trash deposited in one of the 55 gallon barrels serving as rubbish bins, the various crews split off and headed back to their respective hotels. Most would end up at the Best Western in Rio Rancho. Cassie and Brendan climbed back into the truck bed and snuggled together the entire ride back. Captain Bob stopped for gas for fan one and they were back at the hotel before they knew it.

Captain Bob said all crew was due back at 3:00 pm for the afternoon ride. He had a 3:30 pilot meeting on festival grounds. They got to the hotel just before 1:00 pm, plenty of time for a nap. Cassie hugged Captain Bob and said she’d be back. “Bring your friend, I can always use another pair of hands.”

“Will do. See you in a bit.” Cassie took Brendan’s hand and they walked across the courtyard to her room.

A flicker of fear came over her when she dug out her room key card. She had met Brandon probably seven hours ago and now she was inviting him into her room. Somehow, she had forgotten all of her innate wariness when it came to men, or strangers in general. She somehow knew Brendan would never hurt her, but she had no idea where she got that idea. She found the key card, but continued to rummage to give herself a moment to think.

“Cassie, is everything ok?” Brendan laid his hand on her shoulder, skin touching skin. The tingling warmth filled her along with a sense of well being and calm. Of course she trusted him; he was different from anyone she had ever met. And he would take care of her, for the rest of their lives. Again, another irrational belief, but Cassie couldn’t shake it even if she wanted to. She grasped the key card and let them into the blessed darkness.

The alarm blared its annoying call for the second time that day. Cassie groaned and rolled out of bed. Her hair was still damp from the shower she had taken before lying down. Brendan sat up and stretched his arms. Cassie knocked the alarm clock over trying to turn it off, and then found the off button; silence fell over the room. She shook out her hair and finger combed it, considering another braid.

He came up behind her and laid his hands on her shoulders. Stroking down softly, he kissed the top of her head in a mass of damp hair smelling faintly of lavender. “Sleep well, my love?” he murmured into her hair.

“Wonderfully, thank you.” She turned toward him and put her arms around his neck. Their lips came together in a tender, lingering kiss. “Too bad we don’t have time for any ‘extra curricular activities’.” Cassie blushed at the words having just come out of her mouth. How absolutely brazen of her!

“Plenty of time for that later, my dear. We have the rest of our lives for that.” He kissed her mouth again, filling her with the now familiar warmth.

Chapter 4

Jonny pulled up into a field just outside the airport. An empty police car with its red and blue lights on was parked nearby. Cherokee Woman lay on her side, and the passengers were milling around. Captain Bob was checking out the basket. Cassie got out of the truck with everyone and quickly scanned the passengers faces and found Brendan’s smile directed at her. She quickly walked over to him.

For a moment they just smiled into each other’s eyes. Cassie cleared her throat. “How was your flight?”

“Great, it was beautiful up there.” Brendan glanced upward into the sky. “Landing was a bit rough, but it was worth it.” He returned his gaze to Cassie’s face.

“Well, I should probably go help.” Cassie waved and went back to the trailer for the Velcro belts to bind the envelope back together.

After another twenty minutes or so, the envelope was deflated from all the excess air and bound together every eight to ten feet with Cassie’s belts. Everyone helped, including Brendan. Jon and Captain Bob rolled out the square metal cart into the soft dirt and down a short hill to the top of the balloon envelope.

Working together, the envelope was packed away. Captain Bob had Cassie and Linda break down the cage on top of the basket on its side. After everything else was back in the trailer, Captain Bob, Jon, Mark, and Brendan flipped the basket back upright and rotated it 180 degrees. Once up, Captain Bob took inventory of the scrapes and broken wicker.

“Not too bad, nothing stopping this afternoon’s flight,” he mused mostly to himself. “Ok, gentlemen, let’s get this basket back into the trailer and get us some champagne.” Together they lifted the eight hundred pound basket and balanced it on the twin ramps. “Ok, now everyone get behind and push. Do not get between the ramps and the trailer, because if you do you’ll be chopped off at the knees. Jon, get up here and help me steer.”

After a few moments, the basket was safely backed in the trailer and the ramps had been folded and stowed away as well. Someone had taken out the quickly folded tarp and refolded it into a smallish blue square, which now rested on top of the ramps to the left of the basket. Jon shut and locked the trailer and handed the keys to Captain Bob.

Cassie began to climb into the back of the extended cab then she noticed Brendan in the pickup bed. She climbed up and took Brendan’s proffered hand to step over the side. She sat down next to him and he put his arm protectively around her shoulders and pulled her close. Smiling to herself, she leaned into his chest and hoped the ride would never end.

Soon enough, the rig was back at the festival grounds and Cassie had to contemplate disentangling herself from Brendan’s sheltering embrace. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the last few moments sharing his warmth. By the time the truck came to a stop, Cassie had come to a decision. How she would implement it was something altogether different. The truck doors opened and passengers and crew poured out. Brendan withdrew his arm from Cassie’s shoulders, standing up in the truck bed.

She stood up and began climbing down. Cassie’s feet touched the ground just as Brendan’s did beside her. “Cassie?” he asked, “Can I talk to you for a moment?”

“Sure, Brendan,” Cassie replied and followed him a little ways away from the rig. When they were out of earshot, Brendan took Cassie’s hand in his own.

“Cassiopeia, you have the most beautiful smile I have ever seen, and I have never been so at ease with a woman in such a short time. Perhaps it is the adrenaline from the balloon ride, but I am completely smitten with you and if I don’t kiss you in the next breath, I do believe I will die.”

Cassie’s jaw dropped then she shut her eyes and pulled Brendan’s face down toward her own. Their lips met and the warmth she felt earlier from his touch was doubled and doubled again, filling her with tingling sunshine. After an eternal instant, they parted.

“I certainly couldn’t have you die, if I could prevent it.”

“That’s wonderful to know, because I feel the same way about you, my love.” Instead of sounding forced or strange, Brendan’s last words felt completely right, and as if he had said them a thousand times before.

“Will you stay after the toast? I want to spend some time with you.”

“Of course, I am at your disposal. Where are you staying?”

“The Best Western in Rio Rancho, where most of the pilots stay. And you?”

“It looks like the Best Western in Rio Rancho.”

“But there are no openings, due to the balloon festival. I was lucky to keep my own after getting into town late.”

“I wouldn’t worry, Ainsel is excellent at getting what he wants, and he’ll want to get us a room.”

“He’s a bit strange, isn’t he?” Cassie twined her fingers with his and leaned her head against his shoulder, enjoying his warmth. Brendan did not answer her question but stroked her hair with his free hand. She tilted her head up toward him and he reached down to kiss her once again.

“We should get back; everyone seems to be ready for the toast.” Hand in hand, the new lovers walked back toward the group. When they got back, Cassie noticed a very pointed look pass between Ainsel and Brendan. She was getting not to like him very much.

Captain Bob gave a speech about the history of ballooning, the first basket shaped like a donut with a Weber grill attached with the same strings that attached the envelope to the basket. Champagne and Pilot made there way into the story, told very much tongue in cheek, but with the passion for the past, present and future of ballooning shining through. Cassie held Brendan’s hand and sipped her champagne out of a plastic flute.

Captain Bob artfully dismissed the rest of the passengers and sent the crew over to Carol’s truck to get some grub while he went to fill the propane tanks. Brendan spoke quietly to Ainsel about the hotel and he disappeared with the other passengers. Brendan, however, stayed close to Cassie, either holding her hand or touching her casually. She felt as if they had known each other for years and had always had this ease and this warmth between them. Captain Bob offered him a ride back to the hotel once he picked up on their budding romance.

Captain Bob climbed into the balloon basket, making his preflight checks. Cassie ran down to the far end of the tarp and started to fold the huge blue fabric up. Linda trotted to the other far corner and helped Cassie wrangle the tarp. Brendan came over to help. Cassie shooed him away. “It’s time to go flying for you, get over there!” She smiled brightly as he turned away. The other passengers started to climb into the basket, using the foot holds which punctured the front of the basket.

Jon held the tether while the passengers got in. Brendan arrived and climbed into the basket, sharing the section with Ainsel and another adult passenger. Mark and David, Carol’s crew chief, dragged off the fans, Mark taking fan two into the trailer, and David taking the loaner fan back to Carol’s truck. Once the fan was in Carol’s blue truck, David jumped behind the wheel and took off after Hi Fly.

Cherokee Woman lifted off the ground and the crowd watching cheered. The rest of the crew cheered as well and Cassie waved. Brendan waved back and smiled. The crowd parted and the balloon sailed over the green grass and into the morning sky.

Once the tarp was folded in some semblance of order and packed into the trailer, everyone climbed into the truck, either the extended cab or the back of the pickup bed with the post-flight champagne cooler. Cassie sat in the back of the cab next to Linda and Mark. Jon wore a small two way radio around his neck. He drove the giant pickup with Marlee next to him.

After following the balloon to the south for a little over twenty minutes, the radio crackled to life. “Jonny, this is Captain Bob. We’re sailing fine to the south. We’re looking to land somewhere north of the highway. Over.”

“Hear you loud and clear, boss. See you there.”

Cassie watched the landscape fly by out the window. She was not familiar with Albuquerque, so the buildings and commercial areas were fascinating. Parts of the city looked like the southwest, like Santa Fe or Taos, and others looked like they could have just been taken straight out of Denver or Dallas, glass and metal, very modern, or brick and concrete. Another half an hour passed, as they followed Cherokee Woman south.

Other balloons drifted by overhead, and they passed more than one chase crew. Cassie waved when she recognized a balloon festival pass. She got lots of return waves. The sky was filled with beautiful balloons of all colors; yellows, pinks, every shade of blue, white, red, some silver and gold. Flowers filled the sky, blooming over the dragon’s breath.

Cassie snapped some pictures with her Olympus Stylus 750, a pocket digital camera. It didn’t have much in the way of optical zoom, but the pictures came out clearly and beautifully. Nor did it have a view finder, but the screen was large enough for viewing if the sun wasn’t too bright.

The radio crackled to life. “Jonny, I’ve found a field, we’re right near the municipal airport, and you’ll have to get clearance.”

“Aye, aye, Captain. We’re on our way.”

“Come again? Couldn’t hear you over the burners.”

“We’re on our way.”

“Good. We’ll be down in five or six minutes.”

“See you then.” Jonny turned off of the highway and went toward the municipal airport.

By the time Jonny got through with security, the balloon had landed, the cops had arrived, and Cherokee Woman sustained quite a beating.

Chapter 3

Cassie and Captain Bob ran around the trailer at break neck speed and circled to find a bit of a commotion. One of the neighboring balloons had taken off, having inflated faster than Cherokee Woman, and one of the passengers was having a difficult time being airborne. The balloon was only a few feet off the ground but the teenage girl had screamed in terror and was struggling with the other passengers to jump out of the balloon. Captain Bob and Jon ran over to the crew chief of the other balloon and together they pulled the basket back to the earth where the frantic young woman clambered out and collapsed on the ground, shaking.

Cassie went over to the terrified girl and crouched down beside her. Her parents were still inside the basket, conferring with the pilot on their options.

“Sweetheart, what’s your name?” Cassie laid a gentle hand on her back and stroked her soothingly, like a frightened animal.

“Lisa.” She hiccupped the name and drew a shuddering breath.

“That’s it, just breathe Lisa. You’re ok. Do you want to get back in the basket?”

“NO!” Lisa’s body tensed and she shook harder.

“Ok, ok, you don’t have to.” Cassie’s calming tone and touch seemed to help Lisa. “Do you want your mom or your dad?”

Lisa shook her head. “No, no, they should go, I just can’t do it.” She sat up and turned to her parents. Her mother was starting to climb out of the basket. “Mom, Dad, you go. I just can’t go.”

They turned to the pilot who nodded and set off the burner. Captain Bob, Jon, and the other crew chief let go of the tether and the balloon began to lift off again.

“Great, now we’re out three hundred some bucks. My daughter is a fucking wimp.”

Cassie shot to her feet. “That is TOTALLY inappropriate! Fear is nothing to be ashamed of!” Everyone turned to her with looks of surprise and shock. The balloon drifted further away and rose into the air as the pilot continued to hit the burner. The father glared at Cassie until the balloon spun on its axis, turning him away from her.

She crouched down with Lisa again and helped her to her feet. “Come on, sweetheart. You can go with the balloon’s chase crew. They’ll take you to where your parents come down.”

“Thank you,” Lisa impulsively hugged Cassie. “I don’t even know your name.”

“I’m Cassie, Cassie Morgan.”

“Lisa Peterson.”

“Take care of yourself, Lisa.” Cassie walked her over to the other crew chief. “George, this is Lisa. Please take her with you to the landing.”

“Sure thing, Cassie. Come with me, Lisa.” George put his hand out and Lisa took it. She looked over her shoulder as they walked off and waved at Cassie.

“Cassie, is everything okay?” Captain Bob came over to her and put his arm around her shoulders.

“I could not believe that guy said that about his own daughter. Other than that, I’m fine.”

“Said what? I didn’t hear him say anything. I was actually looking at them and his lips didn’t move either. Are you sure it was the dad?”

“Yes, I’m sure. He said they were out three hundred some bucks and his daughter was a wimp.” Cassie hissed this last bit through gritted teeth. “Asshole,” she said, echoing Jon’s earlier remark.

“I didn’t hear that. But I could be mistaken. He did look angry as the balloon took off. Really, no one should be angry in the air, it’s just not right.” He squeezed her close. “Seriously, though, you’re ok?”

“Right as rain.” Cassie smiled at him and turned toward Cherokee Woman as she continued to fill. Brendan and Ainsel were still at the opening holding the fabric up. Captain Bob and Jon stood ready to tip the basket right side up.

“Good job. When they tilt the basket up, let the balloon opening go.” Everyone managed the maneuver with ease and the Cherokee Woman set upright and filled out completely. Brendan smiled at Cassie and gave her a high five. When their skin touched, Cassie felt another warm tingling flow down her arm. She shivered unconsciously.

Brendan leaned over to Ainsel and smacked him lightly upside the head. “Knock off the jokes, Ainsel. they’re not funny.” Cassie cocked her head and looked at the two of them. Ainsel looked slightly sheepish, mostly as if he had been caught, and Brendan looked stern. Both looks were transient; Brendan’s excitement and Ainsel’s aloof indifference came back nearly before their other expressions registered.

Cassie pointed to the orange fabric. “Brendan, pick up the top edge like this,” she demonstrated holding the fabric up as if it were a mouth, “We’re inflating the balloon.” Damn! Why did she keep opening her mouth at all? She sounded like a royal idiot. Brendan picked up his side and held it up; at first as high as he could, then when he noticed she was shorter and had a smaller reach, he matched her reach so the hole looked symmetrical. Cassie smiled behind her stretched out arm. Cool morning air was blowing toward them into the envelope, which was slowly filling, rippling like the wind ruffled surface of a lake.

Captain Bob tried to get the fan running again, then checked the gas. “Linda, do we have any gas in the gas can?”

Linda! That was her name.

“No, Captain, we used the last of it yesterday on fan two.” Linda ducked into the trailer to make sure. “Just checked, no gas left in the can.”

Captain Bob nodded tersely. “Jonny!” he bellowed, “Be right back. Keep everything on track.”

“Aye, Aye, Captain.” Jon was attaching a tether to the basket side, which was currently the top side, the open compartments facing the envelope Cassie and Brendan held open.

“So, what do you do when you are not on a balloon chase crew, Cassie?” Brendan shouted over the loud blowers.

“I paint. I have a small open studio in downtown Denver. I do some digital and traditional black & white photography on the side, more of a hobby really, but it is fun.” Cassie rolled her shoulders to relieve the strain from holding her arms up for long stretches. Before she could ask Brendan the same question, you know for politeness sake, his titian friend came over and took the balloon fabric from her fingers.

“Take a break, you look like you need it.” His face was still serious and looked almost angry, but his tone was soft. When his fingers brushed hers, a warm tingling surge shot up her arm and loosened her tight shoulders nearly immediately. She rolled them again and felt suddenly better, more awake and eager for the rest of the morning’s adventure.

“Thanks! I didn’t get your name.”

“My pleasure. My name is…”

“Ainsel, could you hold your end up a bit higher?” Brendan stretched his arms up opening the hole wider.

“Thanks, Ainsel. Wow, what a beautiful morning!” The colors around Cassie had suddenly become brighter and she could see further than she recalled being able to see earlier. Maybe it was because the sun was up now, suffusing the field with its slowly warming rays. She spun around then trotted over to the trailer to do… something.

She missed the pointed stare Brendan gave Ainsel and whatever was said in front of the loud blower.

Captain Bob came up with a bright yellow fan, moving fan one out of the way and installing the replacement. Jon called to her and she took fan one back to the trailer, pulling it all the way back to the hitch that fastened it inside. Most of the other items just sat where they landed, like the basket and the envelope’s cart, which was now back in the trailer as well. The fans both had seat belts of their own because they had gas inside. And the basket and cart both weighed over 800 pounds each when fully loaded, so they weren’t liable to shift in transit, even with 70 gallons of liquid propane aboard.

Cassie stretched her shoulders again and smiled at how wonderful she felt. This was shaping up to be one of the best vacations she ever had. Jon came into the trailer for a moment and slid right up next to her. “You think that blondie is hot, don’t you?” His wicked grin shone down on her from his 6 foot frame as his body leaned in close to her. Oddly, she didn’t feel trapped, even though she was in the corner behind the cart and next to the fan. That, and there was a side door right next to her hip.

Last year, before Jon’s wife got to the festival, he and Cassie had spent two very pleasant, very dirty evenings together. At the time, Cassie hadn’t known that Jon and his wife were still on speaking terms, as he said he was in the middle of a divorce. Now that she knew he was either lying or they had made up, it was an entirely different. Although she had always been told that “Possession is nine tenths of the law”, she felt that the woman who wore the ring was in possession, not her.

“Yes, he’s very hot. Do you want to have a three way?” My god! what had gotten into her dirty little mind? She truly should keep her mouth shut for the rest of the day!

“Not my style, Cass, I’m a jealous guy.” He inched closer and reached out to touch her.

“Your wife’s pretty jealous, too, from what I’ve seen.” Cassie ducked under his reach and pushed open the side door. “Gotta go check on the passengers.” She leapt lightly to the ground and shut the door behind her before he could follow. She decided to walk the long way around, and took off toward the blue extended cab pickup. By the time she got to the balloon, Jon was back to directing the crew and ignored her when she came up. Captain Bob glanced between them and shook his head.

Cassie moved back toward Brendan and stood beside him, checking out his form. “Looking good.” She gave him the thumbs up and a big smile.

“You, too.” Brendan smiled and Cassie blushed.

Asshole. She spun around and looked behind her to see who had spoken. Jon was standing nearby, glowering. Maybe he muttered it, because no one else seemed to have heard him. Right now the blowers were so loud, she would only have heard it if he shouted it. She shook her head and let it go. She looked around at all the beauty surrounding her, the balloons rippling with the air, nudging each other playfully as they filled and began to rise, the smiles and wonder in people’s faces, and the clear cerulean blue sky, brightening each moment as the sun rose higher over the horizon. She could not imagine a more beautiful morning anywhere on the whole planet and she was thrilled to be part of it, right here, with all those surrounding her.

“Earth to Cassie, come in Cassie.” Captain Bob tapped her on the shoulder and motioned to her to follow him. She fell in behind him and thought she heard him mutter, “Damn fine looking woman.” She crinkled her forehead in confusion at his remark. Maybe he meant the balloon, Cherokee Woman. She let it go and followed Captain Bob to the back side of the trailer where it was quieter.

“Cassie, are you going to be alright today? You’ve been really spacey this morning and I need you all here. The safety of my passengers, my balloon and myself are in your hands.”

“Yes, sir. I am and will be fine. I understand how important safety is to this venture. I will not be spacey any more.”

“Good girl. Listen, I know about you and Jonny, and I’m sorry he got you messed up in his crap. I’ve talked to him, but he doesn’t listen to me. I really appreciate you coming down and am looking forward to a great festival with you on my crew. If he gives you any trouble, just let me know and I’ll kick his ass.” Captain Bob tipped up the brim of Cassie’s cap and looked into her aquamarine eyes. “You sure you’re ok?”

“Positive. I’ll tell you the truth, once you take off with that blonde passenger of yours I think that things will be a lot clearer. He is just too pretty to be true.” Cassie smiled encouragingly at Captain Bob. “Thank you for looking out for me, Bob, I appreciate it. And I can handle Jonny; he’s a lot like the jocks in high school, all hands. I know how to keep him at bay.”

“That’s my girl. Thank you for putting my mind to rest. I’ll take that blonde out of your way, just remember he’s up with me so you want us all to come down safely.”

“Yes, sir!” They laughed. Just then, they heard a scream from the other side of the trailer.

Chapter 2

In moments, the envelope was out of the trailer and the cart was at the far end of the tarp, disgorging its cargo one Velcro belted section at a time. Cassie unbound each piece and collected the belts while Mark and Linda (or Glenda) followed behind her to spread out the balloon silk into a shape resembling the final inverted tear drop shape. After unbinding the envelope, Cassie organized the belts for later when they repacked.

Captain Bob explained to one of the passengers that they were welcome to help. “But don’t step on the balloon. It costs $800.00 per square foot and more time than you want to consider repairing it. I can step on it since I’m the one who pays for any repairs.”

Jon had climbed on the basket again to double check the bindings, and gestured her over when Cassie looked over at him. “Cassie, get the bundle of tethers for me, it’s inside the trailer.” He winked at her and she nodded at him, trotting around to the back side of the white trailer. There was the object of her affection, standing there looking into the dark recess of the trailer. He watched her as she stepped into the back and made her way to the front where the bindings were.

“Hi, my name is Brendan.” His voice was smooth and low, a warm creamy cup of coffee with a hit of sweetness. Cassie got chills when he spoke.

“Hi, Brandon, I’m Cassie.” She could not believe she had just slaughtered his name. Of all the stupid…

“Actually, it’s Brendan, but you can call me Brandon, or Dan, or Hey You. Just don’t call me late…”

“For dinner.” they said at the same time. Brendan smiled and Cassie tittered nervously. “Pleased to meet you, Cassie. Is that short for anything?”

“Actually, yes, it’s short for Cassiopeia.” The words were out of her mouth before she could think. She could not believe her tongue this morning; what could she possibly be thinking? Cassie hardly ever admitted her true name. Her mother had been both an astronomy buff and a great lover of Greek Mythology. Most people thought Cassie was short for Cassandra, which was also Greek and much more common. Her name’s derivation was slightly embarrassing; everyone who knew astronomy associated her with the constellation Cassiopeia, the giant W gracing the evening sky most of the year.

“Truly? That is a beautiful name, full of the sparkle of the stars. What a long and lovely history your name has.” Brendan’s eyes twinkled and he flashed a both charming and disarming grin at her. She thought he was teasing her for a moment, but his eyes were intent and she shook off the feeling. “Thank you for your sharing. True names are very precious.”

Cassie laughed a short sharp bark of laughter, caught off guard by his solemn remark. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t laughing at you. I just don’t think of it as my true name. I couldn’t tell you what my true name is; I don’t even know it myself.”

Brendan shook his head and took the bundle of tether ropes in his arms. “One of the greatest gifts of man is the naming of things. Even if the named does not feel connection to the name, the act and intention of naming has great power. Your family chose this name and it is powerful. You are right not to share it with everyone.”

Cassie had no answer for his remarks so she wisely kept her tongue for once. She followed him out of the trailer and back toward Jon. She began taking single strands out of the neatly stacked bundle in Brendan’s arms and handing it to Jon while he connected them to the basket’s frame.

“Thanks for lending a hand, man. My name’s Jon.”

“My pleasure, Jon. I am Brendan.”

“Great. If you like, once we get these attached to the envelope, you can help by holding open the mouth so the blowers can inflate it.”

“I’d love to help.”

“Is this your first flight?”

“Yes, today’s going to be my first balloon flight.”

“Wonderful, it’s a great day for it. I almost wish I was going up today.”

“Me, too,” piped in Cassie. “It is so peaceful in the sky.” She looked up and sighed.

“Come back to us here on Earth, Cassie. Why don’t you help our friend Brendan with the balloon mouth?” Jon turned his back to Brendan and winked again at her.

“Sure think, Chief.” Cassie grinned and led Brendan across the few feet to the orange fire resistant fabric making up the mouth of the Cherokee Woman. Captain Bob strode over and helped Jon get the basket on its side. He checked the connections on the burners and double checked the straps connecting the envelope to the basket.

When he finished, he smiled and came over to explain the blowers, ready to be turned on to inflate the balloon. “Stand either in front or behind the blowers. If anything breaks, it will come out in this direction,” he indicated the same plane as the fan’s powerful blades, “and you do not want to be there when it does. Safety first!” He started the first fan, then crossed to the other fan, which started loudly but then puttered out.

The profusion of colors and patterns brightened the chilly air. The closest balloons were all standard hot air rigs, large light bulb shaped sheaths of balloon silk in pink, yellow, teal, navy, red, orange, white, maroon and a hundred other shades all rippling on the ground, filling with blown air. You didn’t realize just how big the balloons really were until you stood on the ground when they were inflating. Captain Bob’s envelope was 90 feet tall, that’s nine storeys tall! The tarp Mark and Jon were busy laying out which would protect the envelope from the dewy morning grass was 100 feet on a side, a giant blue patch on the green blades. Cassie trotted over to take a side and pull out the folds to lay the tarp flat.

While everyone was working on getting the balloon ready, Linda (or Glenda), Mark’s wife, had been assigned to gather the passengers. Last year Cassie remembered standing in her winter jacket in the pre-dawn chill waiting excitedly to be taken to the balloon. There were six paying passengers on her flight and two youngsters, one eleven and one thirteen years old. It was certainly a snug fit. She briefly wondered who would be on the flight today.

Yesterday Captain Bob had to cancel due to safety reasons. Two of the passengers were recovering from structural surgeries, one had a knee replaced and the other had a restructured pelvis. The weather was a bit brisk and Captain Bob knew it would be a rough landing, really rough, given the wind and the atmospheric conditions. Although you signed away your life when you got on a balloon, that didn’t stop people from suing when things went wrong. Captain Bob was all about safety, having served in the military as a medic and become a nurse on the GI bill. He couldn’t in good conscious take off with such fragile passengers and had canceled the entire flight.

Once the tarp was unfurled and in position, Cassie stretched upward, holding her back and leaning over toward her heels. When she straightened, she saw the popsicle stick with the balloon shaped marker with number 37 attached to it bouncing along up the grass toward them. It looked like a goodly assortment of tall and short, male and female. A tall dirty blonde caught her eye, and she thought he might be cute, but couldn’t really tell from here. He was talking to a shorter, but still fairly tall, red head that seemed to be completely disinterested in the balloons, not looking to either side as he walked. Maybe he was a lawyer, and his blonde client was going up today, but the lawyer thought he shouldn’t for whatever reason. Ballooning was relatively safe, but things could go wrong, what with liquid propane, the burners, and no seat belts. Everything had risk, including getting out of bed in the morning. Might as well live while you were alive instead of hiding behind the negative Nancys. Yet people were paid to worry, and if you had the dough, might as well have someone else worry for you.

Cassie shook her head to come back to the present and went to help Jon pull out the rolling basket with the envelope safely folded inside. As they wrestled the 900 pound basket out of the trailer and down the twin ramps onto the grass, Captain Bob greeted their passengers and introduced them around. “I’m Captain Bob, your fearless pilot. Actually, I’m more like your safety pilot, we are going to have an excellent flight today, the weather is a balloonists dream. This is my crew, that’s Jonny,” Captain Bob pointed over and Jonny raised his arm to wave. Cassie held tight to the basket but he was quick and back to business right away.

“Helping him out on the envelope wrangling is Cassie.” She maneuvered the basket the final few inches down the ramp then turned and waved with a big smile. When she saw the blonde up close, her breath hitched. He was more than cute, he was the most amazingly beautiful man she had ever seen. Beautiful was the right word, too, because his features were as chiseled as a Michelangelo and nearly as perfect. Brilliant green eyes flecked with bright gold danced above his aquiline nose and broad generous mouth. His chin was just a tad jutting and his jaw line made her knees weak. He wore his wavy dirty blonde hair slightly long, coming over his ears and shirt collar, and his shoulders were broad and looked like they could hold the world there quite nicely. Just as she was processing the rest of him, Jon tapped the basket and she felt it through her gloved hand.

“C’mon, Cassie, enough time to ogle the passengers in a bit. Push with me.” He grinned at her slight embarrassment at having been caught out staring. It really had only been a moment, but in that moment, something had shifted for her and she could only wish upon the last fading star that the tall blonde man might return her feelings.

As she reached the door of the hotel room, it opened inward and a slight blonde figure with a black baseball cap stepped down onto the sidewalk. The door started to swing shut behind her, but she caught it with her foot. “Morning, Cassie! Good day for it.” Carol smiled and let Cassie walk past her into the large hotel room.

“Feels like. How are the winds?” Cassie smiled back and held the door for a moment.

“Good, good. I’m looking forward to my flight. We all should go far with northerly winds.”

Cassie nodded and tucked the information away into her ballooning knowledge file. She had fallen completely in love with ballooning after her first flight, not that she could afford her own rig, but she knew she wanted to be a part of the ballooning world. Crewing for Captain Bob was the next best thing.

In the hotel room, a flurry of activity was occurring, each step occurred with precision. “Cassie, love, go get us some breakfast, if you would. Get six boxes and see if Carol wants any for her crew.” Captain Bob brushed past her and patted her on the arm. “Good day for it.”

“Aye, aye, Captain. See you in a minute or two.”

Cassie ran into Carol on the way back with her own armful of breakfast boxes, each filled with a juice box, a wrapped donut, a piece of fruit and a napkin. She snacked on a hardboiled egg for energy and gathered her own stack of breakfast and headed back toward the rest of the bustle. Jon was driving the truck with the balloon rig in the trailer around the hotel closer to the door for final loading. He waved at her but she just nodded, her hands full.

Captain Bob and Arlene grabbed their breakfast box from her arms when she got to the room. She was left with breakfast for the crew, including her own breakfast and Jon’s. Stacking them by the door, she grabbed the other handle of the champagne cooler and helped Arlene tote it out to the truck. Jon grabbed the cooler from her and swung it up into the bed of the pickup, with a grin.

“Thanks, Jonny. Breakfast by the door.” She smiled back and headed back toward the room. She thought it was really too bad that Jon was already married. Oh, well, weren’t all the good ones taken? The other two volunteers, a married couple Mark and Linda or Glenda, Cassie hadn’t figured out which, pulled the rest of the things out of the room and loaded them into the truck bed. She grabbed the rest of the breakfasts and handed them out at the truck as everyone piled in.

The sun was still beneath the horizon as they drove into Albuquerque and the Balloon Festival. A large pink pass rested on the windshield under the rear view mirror. When they came to the park, Captain Bob said, “Check out this guy, he always dances as he directs the traffic.” They pulled forward and the traffic director grinned and pranced on his sneaker covered feet in the early morning dust. His flags pointed them toward the field.

“Good morning to you!” Captain Bob called out the window, waving his free hand. They drove out to the marker with their number designator and stopped the truck.

“Passengers will be ready about 6:30 to pick up at the main tent. Have some breakfast, and stretch your legs for a bit, we’ll be ready to start in 15 minutes.” Cassie and the other volunteers clambered out of the pickup and stretched. Although the trip was only about 10 minutes from the hotel, there were enough people in the cab to make it a snug fit. Cassie camped out on the pickup bumper, with the trailer hitch between her feet. She checked her hair to make sure the braid was holding.

After everyone had breakfast, Cassie made a dump run with all the boxes and random detritus from breakfast. By the time she got back, the trailer was open and Jon and Mark had the rails up and the basket was on the way out into the cool morning air. It was a large wicker basket, five feet on a side, with three compartments, two for passengers and the last for Captain Bob and the six tanks of liquid propane.

The basket was set on the grass. The frame came out next, the square of metal tubing with the braces covered in thin soft leather strips. “Cassie, come over here, I need you to hold this,” Jon called over to her. She stood by the basket and held up half the frame, arms wide, as Jon climbed on the basket, putting the other half up against the first. Soon the frame was together, and Captain Bob got out the burners and handed them one at a time to Jon who attached them securely. The basket went over on its side for a few final adjustments.

When Cassie looked around, she noticed that the sun had finally broken over the horizon and they were surrounded by people wandering around and looking at the different balloons. Their nearest neighbors had their envelopes out and some were even filling with air.

Chapter 1

It was early, really early. No normal person, except maybe farmers, were up at this hour. Well, farmers and balloonists. Cassie rubbed the sleep from her eyes and shook her head to loosen her thoughts, still frozen from sleep. Her long auburn hair rippled around her shoulders and she pulled her fingers through it to detangle the nightly knots.

The alarm continued to blare across the room and Cassie glared at it. she unwound her crossed legs and made her way to the desk on the far wall of her hotel room, tapping the off button of the travel alarm clock. Tipping up the small square clock, she groaned at the time, 3:55 am. “Good thing I’m on vacation and all.” She laughed and thought about the real reason she was up before the chickens; she was on the balloon chase crew for the Cherokee Woman, an eight passenger balloon, and this was day two of the Albuquerque International Balloon Festival. Sunday morning.

The sludge in her brain started to break apart as the hot water trickled over her in the shower. Staying in the Best Western in Rio Rancho had it’s perks, she was close to a lot of the pilots, many of which were very cute, most of which were very taken, they were close to the Festival grounds, and the hotel provided box breakfasts starting at 4:00 am. However, hot showers were at a premium this early in the morning. Cassie quickly washed herself and decided to wash her hair this afternoon after the first flight. “Easier that way, plus warmer.” She laughed again, no one was there to listen to her random thoughts, not even her two cats who were probably at home in Colorado, sleeping.

Cassie slipped into the clothes she laid out the night before: heavy denim jeans, heavy socks, good athletic shoes, mock turtleneck, pull over sweater, and a heavy fleece jacket. Once dressed, she ran a brush through her unruly locks and tamed them with a thick French braid, which she covered with an official Albuquerque International Balloon Festival cap. There was a good rendition of the Cherokee Woman on the cap, she looked like feathers were coming down the sides from the top, vertical stripes broken by parallelograms.

Last year, she had hardly had a chance to see the envelope of the Cherokee Woman in whole. She saw pieces of it as the envelope inflated with the help of the big blowers. She also saw the inside from the basket, but flying in a balloon is a different experience than watching one take off. Plus, their landing wasn’t so smooth, and the envelope collapsed before they were even out of the basket. No one was hurt; it was a hell of a ride. It was what convinced her to come back on her vacation to work for Captain Bob, the pilot who took her and her mother up last year.

Dressed and mostly awake, Cassie grabbed her small purse and checked for the room key card. Pleased to find it, she left the room and stepped into the cool pre-dawn darkness. She yawned suddenly, shaking her head and stomping her foot, then stretched her arms over her head. “Time to get breakfast!” she said to no one in particular. She thought better of it and decided to go check in with Captain Bob and her crew chief, Jon. She hiked from her room, behind a beige brick middle wing of the hotel that sat in the middle of the courtyard to the far wing, room 121.

The light in the room was on, the curtains drawn. Six people stayed in this large room, two pilots, who were a couple, and the crew chiefs and their wives. Bob and Carol each had a balloon, Bob actually had two balloons but only ran one in the festival of course, David crewed for Carol and his wife, what was her name? Arnell? No Arlene. Arlene crewed for Carol along with two volunteers. Carol’s balloon, Hi Fly, had a two person basket, so only one passenger. Captain Bob’s crew consisted of his chief, and younger brother, Jon, Jon’s wife Marlee who had a very heavy southern accent which most people mistook for a lack of intelligence, and generally four to six volunteers unless Captain Bob could get more.

Captain Bob inspired loyalty, for good reason. He was an incredibly safe pilot, took great care of his crew and his passengers, and had such a great personality. He was very funny, patient, and everyone wanted to be his friend. He also gave free rides to his crew near the end of the festival, and at $330 a flight (during the festival only, usually $200), it was worth the elbow grease and aching backs to fly again. Many folks came to volunteer the next year after they flew for the first time with Captain Bob. Cassie was one of them.