Free Queen of the Fae: Book Two in the Fae Unbound Series (Fae Unbound Teen Young Adult Fantasy Series) by Jill Nojack

stopped talking, and Thomas looked at him expectantly.
    "Go. You can talk now," said James.
    "I meant no disrespect, James. You're my only mate. I just wanted to share my joy with you. I've never had a friend, at least, not one that I remember. I guess I don't know how to be a friend. I'm sorry."
    "Being sorry is a start, if you mean it and aren't just saying what you think you should say. Paying attention to what I just said is critical. Do you understand that you're in danger from the fae if you continue the course you're on? And that you endanger everyone around you?"
    "I don't understand that, no. The fae respect Myrddin because of his great mastery of magic, and he was only partially fae. Why can't they grow to respect me, too, and allow me to join them?"
    "Thomas, you're not even half-fae. When the realms split, your magic existed as a wisp—a lost, soul-less thing that the fae abhorred. They would have destroyed them all if they could. Humans who have magic through rejoining with a wisp are on the fae most-hated list. And although most of the other fae accept them, elves hate all mixed blood humans. But even the accepting fae don't feel the same about the wisp-joined. None of the fae want anything to do with them. And now you've turned me into one of them."
    "But you're Myrddin. They won't turn against you."
    "They will if they learn how I got my magic. You better hope they don't, because Myrddin and I are all that stand between you and death. And again, Thomas, you need to hear me...if you continue along this path, you risk everything, including the respect the fae have for Myrddin. I've extended you my protection. If you continue to behave in ways the fae wouldn't accept, they'll start to question my judgment. If they decide I've extended my protection unwisely, they'll come for you, and they may also come for me. That's not an outcome I can get behind, so are you listening? If you can't agree to look for interests outside of this single-minded obsession with impressing the fae, I'll leave you here when I go home. You'll be on your own, then, without Myrddin's protection."
    "No, James, I don't want that. I can try, if you show me how. But I can't give up the magic."
    "I haven't asked you to. I just want you to realize that you need to be human as well as fae—have interests, make friends, read a book or watch a movie once in a while. Playing a fracking video game! I understand now that I did this wrong when I started in training your abilities right away. That was Myrddin, the teacher side of me, kicking in. I should have started with just helping you to be a guy. Because I, James, am really good at just being a guy."
    "Well, then I guess I could use some lessons in being a guy. How do I start?"
    James held a hand up, palm out, "A high five would be a good first step."

CHAPTER NINE
You Make Me Feel Brand New

    Lizbet was feeling down when she first woke up, but she broke into a wide grin when the phone on her nightstand vibrated, signaling the arrival of a text from James.
    "we r @ heathrow. flt out soon. cle-hopkns @ 9:30 pm"
    She quickly texted back.
    "do u want 2 b picked up"
    "can u?"
    "chking w/ tanj"
    Lizbet fired off a text to Tanji asking if she would be available to pick James up that evening and got the response she was hoping for. 
    "we cn get u - send flt #"
    She realized she hadn't asked her mother if it would be okay to go. She ran down to the kitchen, fearing she would take off flying as she went down the stairs. She was so light, so happy, even though she felt like she had barely slept.
    She grabbed her mother, who was making a stack of pancakes for breakfast, and gave her a big hug. "James is coming home tonight! Can I go with Tanji to pick him up? Say yes, say yes, say yes!"
    Lizbet's mother smiled, "It's been a while since I've seen you this happy, kiddo. So, okay, I'm saying yes."
    "Woohoo!"
    "But...and this is a big 'but', you've only just turned 16 and James is 19. And, let's not forget a