so why'd you have to rain on my parade?

       

I'm shaking my head. I'm locking the gates.

Samantha was well aware of that bout of jealousy that fluttered within her partner as she discussed Aiden and her past with them, though she didn't react at all. Instead, she merely squeezed his hand slightly and continued her explanation of just how different she had felt the two species were. How jealous Samantha had been of Aiden and his bond with the pack! They'd been a family of sorts, ferociously loyal, while she'd been more or less alone the instant her relationship with Aiden had dissolved. Samantha's gaze flitted upward as he spoke of what it was like to be fae by blood. How she'd experienced that before, that slight feeling that she was somehow less fae because she hadn't been born into the life. Still, Samantha didn't show that in her features, instead focused entirely on him. "I wish, often, that I could have had that experience. To be born fae. I thought the opposite when I was turned - that I wish it hadn't happened at all. But I wouldn't change it now, not for anything." She was grateful, then, that her own child would be born into this life, to grow up with the family that loved him or her and be able to know exactly what they were.

Samantha was unaware, however, of that small tic to the silvery scar across the front of her throat. How self-conscious she had been of that scar in the past, and now it remained only a physical proof of the human she once was. "I don't regret it," She admitted as she discussed how much she had come into herself as a fae. That nervousness washed over her then, the girl finding herself apologizing for rambling. It was such a human habit, to apologize, and yet she hadn't broken herself of every human quirk. Samantha's aqua eyes flicked to him, a small growing on her features as he spoke. "I was thinking more, 'what is your favorite color, Sam?' as a way of getting to know each other, not 'Kit, let me tell you about how I died'." There was a teasing tone to her voice, a laugh escaping her lips at her own joke. "But I'm glad you want to know about the dark parts. I have a few of them, I'm afraid."

Samantha was hardly given time to dwell on that, however, before their conversation shifted back to their child and the powers it might inherit. She was just about to ask about Kit's own powers when the conversation shifted to that of a winged fae. Samantha couldn't help her absentminded musings, nor did she consider exactly how her words had effected the fae across from her. Sam stood, sliding into the chair beside him in a desire to be closer to him. She was well aware of the way her skin tingled like jolts of electricity as she moved closer to him, their touches and words entirely chaste for now - though Samantha suspected that they wouldn't be for long. In fact, Samantha was very close to suggesting they head somewhere a bit more private when Kit brought the conversation back to the winged fae once more. It was only the mention of that name that caused Samantha to pull back.

It could have been a coincidence, Samantha told herself. But then again, how many winged fae men named Troy were their in the world? It wasn't as if every fae had that ability, it was just as rare as any other gift. At the very least, she could show him the picture and if it wasn't him, then no big deal. She scrolled quickly through pictures before she found the one she wanted, holding it out gently to the man beside her. She could feel that relief, shock, and awe hit her companion all at once, that smile that presented itself on his lips. How Samantha wanted to ignore the topic at hand and throw herself into his arms! But somehow she resisted, her own smile growing at the happiness that so clearly radiated off of him. Even without her empathic abilities, it was clear that he was positively full of joy. "I do," Samantha said, putting her phone back in her bag and turning to face Kit once more. "I met him when I first came here, to Sacrosanct."

At the mention of if they were still in contact, Samantha held up her hand, rocking it back and forth in a 'so-so' gesture. "I haven't seen him in about a year, since right around the time we first met, actually. But I do have his number, and I know he lives with his-" Samantha trailed off, wondering if she should be the one to mention Troy's lifestyle to him. It would bring him joy, surely? "His wife and daughter, in town. I could certainly track him down for you." Samantha glanced up at him, biting her lip slightly at the knowledge that he knew so little about her time in Sacrosanct before her. "I um, I suppose this would be the time to tell you that I used to be Queen of a monarchy here. Troy was a part of it. He may not be in my monarchy anymore, but I'd be willing to bet that he's still loyal to me."

this is why we can't have nice things

       

Samantha Cassidy