Free Kelpie (Come Love a Fey) by Kaye Draper

and sat back.  “Did you
have a bad dream?”
    I
shook my head and stood, brushing leaves and dirt off my backside.  “Not bad,
just…odd.”  I looked at him apologetically.  “I’m sorry.  My dreams are always
so vivid.  When I wake up, sometimes it takes me a minute to snap out of it.”
    He
looked at me thoughtfully.  “Do you dream often?”
    I
nodded.  “Almost every night.  And most of my dreams-even the scary ones- are
about water.”
    Leith
frowned.  “How could dreams about the water ever be frightening?”
    “Well…”
 I cleared my throat, embarrassed.  “There is a recurring one where there are
bodies in the water- cold, dead things that come up out of the muck and walk to
shore.”  I shuddered in memory.  
    “Hmm…
that would be frightening indeed.”  His mouth quirked up at one corner and I
remembered that was exactly what he claimed to have done.  He stood, turning to
look at the stream.  “I’ve put my mark on this place.  No one came this
morning, but they will know I was here.  I’ll keep looking.”
    I
frowned at him, wondering just what he meant by his “mark.”  Then I saw where he
was looking.  The creek seemed fuller.  Even the plants around it looked healthier,
lush and green.  I shook my head.  I can see better, now that there’s more
light- that’s all it is, I told myself firmly.
    There
was a swirling near the edge of the stream and I stepped closer to look. 
Little schools of tiny minnows swam by, and crawfish crawled across the bottom.
 Water bugs skated across the quieter water at the edges of the stream, their
delicate legs barely denting the glassy surface.  It was teaming with life.
    I
glanced at up at Leith to find him gazing off into the distance.  His eyes, usually
a deep blue, were lighter- a clear, crystal color like a summer sky.  He turned
his gaze to me and I looked away, caught staring. 
    “You
will be late for work,” he said quietly.  I pulled my gaze back to him.  His
lip twitched and I narrowed my eyes at him.  He was laughing at me.
    I
pulled my cell out of my pocket and glanced at the time.  “Crap!”  It was past
seven already. 
    When
we got back to my apartment, I got ready for work in record time.  I emerged
from my room hopping on one foot as I pulled my heels on while I walked.  Leith
was leaning against the kitchen counter waiting for me.  He handed me my purse
and a little plate with a bagel on it.  He had even toasted it and topped it
with cream cheese and fruit.  I stared at him, wondering what weird thing he
would do to spoil it.
    “For
helping me this morning…I know it was an inconvenience to you.”  He sounded
embarrassed.
    I
shrugged and took the plate.  “It’s no big deal.  But thanks for the
breakfast.”  I glanced at him again and spoke without thinking.  “Hey, your
eyes are dark again.” 
    He
gifted me with a slow, knowing smile that made me think of the dream I had had
in the woods.  “You still don’t believe me when I tell you I’m not human?”
    I
rolled my eyes and hid my discomfort behind a frown.  “Of course not!  There is
no such thing as a fairy.  And kelpies are just legends made up by people in
the dark ages.”   His eyes just look lighter in the natural light, that’s all .
    He
nodded.  “Have a good day at your work.”  His expression was one of strained
patience.  It pissed me off.  He was stark raving mad, and he thought I was the crazy one.
    “Leave
the fish in the tank.  And if you’re gonna open all the windows, turn off the
air first!”  I slammed the door behind me, muttering under my breath about
crazy people.  Mrs. Larcen and Pepper walked by, the look on the old lady’s
face saying just what she thought of young people. I gave her a frosty smile
and headed to work.
    I
got there early, probably thanks to my irritation-induced lead foot.  Bethany
piped up and I absently returned her greeting as I passed her desk.  “Um…