Looking us over, Dahlia's eyes lingered on where Jolie's arm was hooked through mine. "Hello."

"Hi," Jolie answered softly.

Dahlia studied her with barely concealed distaste. She was making Jolie uncomfortable, and that was making me angry.

I opened my mouth, but before I could say anything, Tate spoke up, "Why don't the three of us go to the kitchen? I was just about to make a pot of tea." Turning us that way, he looked back at Dahlia, "You have somewhere else to be, don't you?"

I sensed that she was irritated at being treated that way, but thankfully she took the hint and went back upstairs.

As soon as we were in the kitchen, Jolie looked at me and whispered, "I don't think she likes me."

Tate chuckled, "Don't worry about that. She doesn't like me either. She obviously has terrible taste," he winked at her, and she smiled.

That was all it took to lighten her mood. When Tate looked at me, I mouthed thank you, and he shrugged.

I pulled a chair out at the table for Jolie while Tate moved around the kitchen, "I'm having ginger tea. Does that sound good?"

Jolie nodded, but I shook my head, "It sounds good to me, but Jolie doesn't like hot tea."

She looked surprised, "Oh no, that's OK. I'm not going to be picky."

"You're not. I want you to have something you like." I went to the refrigerator and took out the bottle of cold coffee I'd bought for her that morning. "They didn't have cinnamon, so I got caramel. I hope that's alright?"

She blushed, "That was really thoughtful. Thank you."

"You're welcome; it was no problem."

I sat next to her, and she leaned over to kiss my cheek before opening her drink. It was a quick kiss, but I was glad I had taken the time to go to the store. I had no idea it would mean so much to her. I relaxed my arm on the back of her chair as she leaned into my side.

When Tate sat across from us, I saw him take note of our closeness, but he didn't comment on it. "So Jolie, why haven't you been back to hike with me? I've seen Clara a few times now."

"I planned on it, but things kept coming up. I want to go; I had fun." She looked at me, "Maybe you can go with us. We could all go next weekend."

Tate smiled, "Ash has never gone on one of my hikes."

Her eyebrows pulled down, "Really? I would have thought it would be right up your alley with how much you love being outside."

"I avoid crowds when I can, but I'd like to go with you," I rubbed her shoulder, and she grinned up at me.

Tate shook his head, "I see, so you'll go to spend time with her, but not me," he looked at me with mock disappointment.

I laughed, "I had no reason to go before; I've seen all of your tricks."

Jolie smiled, "I didn't get to see any! I heard you had a bird land in your hand once, and you fed it. Is that true?"

He nodded, "Yes, I've done that many times on hikes, that's why I carry the birdseed. People seem to enjoy it."

"Of course they do, it's so cool! Clara called you a hot male Snow White," she grinned.

Tate looked pleased, "I heard hot; I'll take it," he winked at her again, making her giggle. If I didn't know better, I might have been jealous.

After about an hour of talking, Jolie had to leave, "I need to go get dinner started."

Tate stood and walked to the door with us, "I'm glad you came by. I guess I'll get to see you this weekend for a hike?"

"I'll be there! I can't wait to tell Clara that you two are friends. She's going to love it." She gave Tate a little wave as we stepped out on the porch without him.

At her car, I wrapped her in a hug, "Was it terrible?"

She beamed, "No, it wasn't. Tate and Fawn are great." She looked down, and I could feel her mood change, "I really don't think Dahlia likes me, though."

"I'm sorry for the way she acted. I don't know why she was so rude."

"It's alright. It's not your fault. Besides, two out of three isn't bad," she was smiling up at me, but her feelings were hurt.

"Actually, if you're keeping count, I'd say two out of two." I kissed the top of her head. "I like Fawn; I respect her, and Tate's like my brother. Dahlia's nothing to me. Besides, the only opinion that matters is mine, and I think you're amazing."

Wrapping her arms around my neck, she grinned, "That's sweet."

I leaned down to kiss her, and Fawn called out, "Hello," from across the lawn.

I'd heard her coming and hoped she would go in the back door to give us some privacy, but of course not. She was walking toward us with an innocent grin on her face, "So, what are you guys up to?"

Jolie quickly pulled away and looked down as her cheeks flamed red. I gave Fawn an annoyed look, "I was just saying goodbye to Jolie."

"Oh, OK. Well, it was nice meeting you," she waved and snickered as she walked toward the house. Jolie nodded and waved back.

"Geez, that was embarrassing," she was using her hands to cover her cheeks, and I used them to pull her close again.

"Why are you embarrassed?"

She bugged her eyes out at me like I should've already known, "I was kind of all over you!"

I snickered, "No, you weren't. I had my arms around you too. There's nothing wrong with that. I'm not embarrassed."

"Of course not, you're a guy."

I shrugged, and she reached up on her tiptoes to give me a quick peck on the cheek, "I'm really going now before anyone else comes out here. I don't think I want to know what Tate would have to say," she laughed, and I opened her car door for her.

"I'll see you in the morning."

"OK, bye," she was smiling as she backed the car up and drove away.

As soon as I entered the house, I felt tension and anger. Dahlia had come downstairs to be antagonistic. She was already complaining to Fawn. Tate was leaning on the counter, watching her, and he wasn't happy.

"This is supposed to be our home here! Our safe place away from the humans." Dahlia looked at me, angrily, "Why would you bring one here?"

"Wait," Fawn held her hand up before I could answer. "This is my home. I allow you to stay here, I want you to feel safe, but your hostility is out of place. Ash brought a friend over, one human, and he asked me first. I think she seems nice; I'm not sure what all the fuss is about."

Dahlia was outraged, "Who cares if she's nice? She's human, she has no business here, and he has no business forming relationships with them. Queen Crystal could need him back at any time."

Fawn spoke calmly, but I could tell she was done being yelled at, "What he does is none of your concern. If he has to leave, we'll say he moved; that's it. You're making much too big a deal of this, and in the process, your ill-mannered behavior is upsetting everyone. I think you should go cool off."

Dahlia looked like she'd been slapped. She turned to leave the room but stopped in front of me with a sneer, "You need to keep that human away from me."

I leaned toward her, "You need to be more respectful of Fawn and my girlfriend." At the word girlfriend, Fawn let out a small gasp, and Dahlia looked disgusted. "If you see Jolie again, it would behoove you to be friendly or stay away. If you so much as hurt her feelings again, I will make you regret it."

She huffed at me but didn't say anything before stomping away.

Tate came to lean on the counter next to me, patting me on the back, "That went even worse than I expected."

Fawn spoke softly, "I don't understand. I didn't know it was serious. I thought she was just a friend."

"She's much more than a friend. I've never been happier, and I hope you can be happy for me."

Fawn looked sad, "I want to be, but Dahlia isn't wrong; Queen Crystal wouldn't like this. You won't be allowed to stay, and humans aren't allowed through the mist anymore. What future could the two of you have? She can't be worth all that you're risking."

I glanced at Tate, and he looked down. He was anxious for me too. He knew I cared about her, and he'd support me, but he'd said the same things. He'd even asked if Jolie was worth it.

I tried to hold my anger down, but I was done. "Neither of you have any idea what she's worth to me."

Tate shook his head, "Don't be angry; we get it, you like her."

"No! You don't get it. Do you know what it's like having a gift you have almost no control over? What it's like to feel everyone's emotions constantly? You don't, because you can walk through a crowd without a second thought.

Do you know what it's like for me at home? At court, everyone has an ulterior motive. Feeling those duplicitous emotions continually is exhausting."

Tate looked at me, "I didn't know that's why you avoid crowds."

"There's no way to change it; that isn't the point. The point is, that's my life; it's all I know. Can you imagine being here in a high school, filled with teenage hormones?"

I shook my head, "The negative feelings are almost always stronger than the good. It's like being hit with wave after wave of jealousy, vanity, frustration, and anxiety. It's overwhelming.

"Then there's Jolie. She's full of caring and hope. She's funny and grateful. Even her negative emotions are usually rooted in love. She's a calm place in the middle of the waves, and I want to drown in her beautiful spirit. No one has ever made me feel the way she does. She's everything. Every second I spend with her only makes me love her more."

Fawn whispered, "You love her?"

"I do. I don't think she's realized it yet, but she loves me too; I can feel it. I'll do whatever I have to to be with her. She's worth everything."

Fawn nodded and looked a little dazed, "OK, I think it's best if you avoid Dahlia for now; let things calm down. I'm going to rest." She stopped before passing me to pat my face, "I do want you to be happy," she gave me a small smile and left the room.

Tate took a deep breath, "I wish you'd told me how much you're dealing with, but I understand. This changes nothing between us; you have my support, always. Just tell me what you need."

"Thank you, brother," I hugged him before he left the room, and I went outside to calm down.