Her Fae Lovers

Lola pondered Merrow’s words as they pulled up to the beach house. The sun was fading beyond the waves of the water. Painting the waves of the ocean in hues of orange and purples.

Lola turned off of the keys and this time Merrow was out of the jeep before she’d undone her seat belt. This time he was half-jogging towards the cozy-looking beach house.

Sighing, she pulled the keys from the ignition and slid out of the jeep. Closing the door behind her, she walked over to the passenger and nudged it closed before she headed up to the porch where Merrow stood staring at the door.

“Are you going to knock?” Lola asked as she touched his forearm, pulling him from his thoughts.

“What if she is mad at me still?”

“Won’t know until you knock.” Lola said, her voice low and soothing. “You guys are family though, I’m sure she’s forgiven you.”

“Aye, in some ways it’s easier not to know.”

“It is, but it’s family.” Lola said linking her fingers with his, trying to lend him some of her strength. “I’d offer to knock, but this feels like something you might need to do.”

“Aye.” Merrow breathed out as he brought his hand up, his knuckles tapping on the sun-washed purple door.

After a brief moment, the door swung open and a much younger Annwn stood looking up at them. Her soft white blonde hair pulled back into a braid, showing off her delicate features. Her earlobes held simple pearl earrings, and Lola was shocked by how much she looked like Merrow.

“Halò, a bhràthair.”

“Aye, Piuthar beannachdan.” Merrow said, and Lola could see the shine of his eyes from unshed tears as he tried to keep his emotions in check.

“Lola,” Annwn greeted as she stepped to the side, letting them come into her home.

“You, you look-”

“I told you, we can appear how we want.” Merrow said as he stepped in, pulling Lola with him. He dropped her hand, stepping closer to Annwn and pulling her into a hug that pulled her feet off the floor.

“Merrow,” she giggled, her bangles clashing together as she held onto him. “I’ve missed you so.”

“And I you,”

Lola pushed the door closed. Trying to give Merrow a moment with his sister as they spoke softly to one another in a language that she couldn’t understand. Looking about the room, she saw a shelf filled with small carvings made out of driftwood. Stepping closer, Lola studied the small carved pieces. They were small figurines of people no more than three to four inches tall.

“Do you like them?” Hyster asked softly and Lola jumped, spinning around to look at him.

“I do, they’re very… Detailed.” Lola said, looking from Hyster to the small carved figurines. One of a fisherman caught her attention. She leaned in closer, studying the way his clothing almost looking like it had moved in the breeze.

“She makes them.” He whispered, and Lola couldn’t help but wonder at the sadness in his voice.

“Why were you crying?” She asked as she looked over at the handsome, tanned man.

“It’s my own fault.”

“What is?” Lola asked, turning to look at him.

“Lola, you shouldn’t meddle in thing you don’t understand.” Annwn warned. Lola jumped and spun to look at the no longer old woman.

“I’m sorry, I was just-”

“Interfering where you shouldn’t be?” Annwn asked, crossing her arms over her small breasts.

“Piuthar ghaolach.” Merrow sighed, moving to stand closer to Lola. “Lola is still learning our ways. She’s just showing concern for another.”

“Concern will get her killed. The unseelie has taken an interest in her.”

Merrow let out a snarling sound that made the hairs on the back of Lola’s neck stand on end. Slowly, she looked at him. Lola wanted to let back a shriek at the sight of her lover.

His normal sea-green eyes seemed luminescent, his teeth were like sharp points. It reminded her of an angler fish. Luring its prey closer with that bright light in the darkness, those sharp teeth ready to take a bite out of someone.

“Merrow.” Lola whispered, her eyes wide as she brought her hand to her mouth.

“No one will hurt you,” He said, closing his eyes, and Lola could see the struggle as he tried to rein his emotions under control.

“That fire is good, you’ll need it. Just don’t be too rash and fall into any traps.” Annwn said, patting her brother’s arm as she moved to sit on the couch. The soft breeze from the open windows ruffling the loose tendrils of her hair as she pushed back a strand of hair behind her ear.

“What do you mean? Fall into any traps?” Lola asked.

“Sit, Hyster will make us some tea. Or I guess coffee would be better.” Annwn said, motioning Lola and Merrow towards the love seat.Text © 2024 NôvelDrama.Org.

“Yes host.” Hyster said as he turned away from Lola and moved into the compact kitchen.

Lola sat down on the edge of the love seat, her fingers gripping the cushion beneath her. Muscles stiff, like she was ready to run away if she should need to.

“Oh relax, Merrow is only showing his true side because he’s worried for you. He falls more towards the Unseelie side of things so he knows what they’re like and the danger that you are in.”

“What do you mean?” Lola asked as Merrow sat down beside her.

“What she means is that we will fight dirty to keep that which we believe is ours.” Merrow said, prying her hand from the cushion and taking it into both of his.

“I don’t belong to anyone.” Lola said, pulling her hand away. “I’m my own person, yes I like you. But belonging to you?”

“You may not know it, Lola. You are ours. I knew it the moment that you unlocked the box and I laid eyes on you. You were meant to be ours. Just like we were meant to be yours.” Merrow said softly and Lola felt the butterflies in her stomach.

It was too soon for her to be feeling this way. Yes, she had admitted to herself that she was falling for the four men. Hearing it out loud, though, that she belonged to them caused the modern women in her to bristle up.

The other side of her, the hopeless romantic, swooned. Wanting very much to belong to the fae men. To bask in their affection, to see what being with all of them would bring. How it would make her feel.

“You two can sort that out later,” Annwn said, her lips curling up into a slight smile. “We have much to discuss and the night is young.”