Phantom and Rook by Aelina Isaacs

Author:Aelina Isaacs [Aelina Isaacs]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aelina Isaacs
Published: 2023-07-10T00:00:00+00:00

I Exist

Thatch

I stand before a yellow house with white shutters.

Arlo isn’t here, and everyone’s staring at me.

I inhale, hold in the crisp autumn evening, then exhale and take the first step off the paved driveway.

Leave crunch under foot and shedim children squeal from a double seated swing as Lindsey pushes them high into the air. Kitt leaves her side, sprinting over to me. She slings an arm over my shoulder, rubbing her horn against my cheek. “Hey, Quentin said he invited you, I’m glad you came. Come say hi to the Misfits.”

I smile at her, unsure what to do with my arms. I had changed into ‘real’ clothes and freshened up before I came, trading my sweats and hoodie for a jeans, long sleeve and suspender combination. I changed my footwear also, those leather shoes were awful. I settle for burying my hands in my pockets.

“Yes, well, can’t pass up free food, right?” I say, wincing. “I mean, that’s not the only reason I came, I, well–”

“You’re adorable when you’re flustered.” Kitt laughs, bringing us to a stop before a picnic table occupied by Quentin, Gowan, an unfamiliar fae, Caspian and Tobias. Lindsey and the swing isn’t too far away, the children seem to be very interested in me and scream to be set down.

I wave awkwardly to everyone, receiving smiles, hellos and waves in return. Caspian nods at me wordlessly, but I’ll take that over glaring. “Good evening, thanks for having me.”

“Hi, Thatch. I like your suspenders.” Quentin says, smiling nervously.

“And I like your bowtie.” I gesture to his glittering silver bowtie.

He beams. “Thanks.”

I swallow heavily and take a casual look around. “Where’s Arlo?”

“Oh, he’s on his way now.” Kitt waves in the air, an amused gleam in her eyes.

I nod, then address Tobias and Caspian. “Is there anything I can help with?”

Caspian shrugs, rolling away to meet a distressed Lindsey with overflowing armfuls of kids. Tobias smiles at me. “Sure, the grill is almost done, but there are a few things inside we can bring out.”

“Great.” I say, despite the pit growing in my stomach.

Time to get this over with.

Tobias leads me inside the yellow house which immediately feels like a home the moment you walk in. Cinnamon, apples and something faint that I can’t put my finger on fills my nostrils, warming my lungs. The soft trickle of water and a kid’s show playing somewhere in the house greets me, along with a litter of toys along the halls I follow Tobias through.

“Right in here is the kitchen, we just have a few things to bring out. Mostly pie, that goes pretty quickly around here.” Tobias says, gesturing around us as we step into a modest, farmhouse style kitchen. All milky white cupboards and soft blue trim, along with ceramic crocks and cast iron hangers that hold an endless supply of ladles, spoons, spatulas and measuring sets. A set of double windows situated over a flower box are open, releasing the scent of baked goods into the night.

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