New Outlook

I slowly open my eyes and take in the morning light. Fig's soft little whiskers were softly rubbing against my cheek and I smile at the warmth it brings me. I reach up and gentle stroke his warm little body. He jumps up at my touch and quickly sits up. "Syn, I'm so sorry are you okay?" Fig says with worry. I sit up and scoop him up and bring him to my chest hugging him tightly.

"I'm fine Fig, are you okay?" I feel him nod but he doesn't say anything. I pull him back so I can see his cute little face and say "There's nothing to be sorry for Fig. We were both caught off guard by Ryder and now we have an idea about what we are dealing with." I kiss his head and put him down sliding out of the bed. I look back at him and he's sitting with his head down.

"What's wrong?" I ask beginning to worry. He looks up and he looks like he's about to cry. Can he cry? I step to him and scoop him back up rubbing his tiny back. "Fig, you better not be blaming yourself. You and I are in this together and... I shouldn't have put you and the others I care about in danger by coming back here. I'm not strong enough to protect myself let alone anyone else. As much as it pains me to say this.. I should have stayed and listened to Rune."

I lean back so I can see him and he gives me a look that breaks my heart but he makes an effort to smile and then buries his head in a hug. I smile and say "It's okay Fig, we will get stronger okay?" He nods his little head and I decide that some yummy food will cheer him up so I head to the kitchen.

Fig was in a much better mood after pancakes and I decided to say "We are going back." He only pauses a moment before saying "Okay. It's probably for the best. I think Rune is the only one strong enough to stand against Ryder." I nod and take another sip of my soda trying to savor every drop knowing I won't get any once back in the Fae world.

I walk out to my back yard and take a deep breath. I take in my garden and the weeping willow and think about my life up to this point. I had been running at full speed without really thinking about where I was really going and because of that I almost made a huge mistake. I've been selfish. I sigh and sit on the green fluffy grass letting the bright sun warm my skin.

I needed to put my "human" life on hold and focus on becoming stronger. As much as I would love to act like nothing had changed... the truth was that everything had changed including myself. He was terrifying and I didn't like being completely powerless in front of him. I close my eyes and let it replay in my mind. No, I won't let this happen again. I open my eyes and see Rune watching me with a serious look on his impossibly good looking face.