Forest green eyes with long flowing silver hair stared back at her in the mirror. Her eyes were glowing softly, and she could feel the power coursing through her veins.
"You have your mother's hair and the eyes of the forest," Adam commented.
"What did she look like?" She asked.
Adam closed his eyes and smiled softly. "She had the most beautiful blue eyes I have ever seen; they remind me of the sky and the clear ocean. She had long flowing silver-blonde hair and her laughter paled in comparison to fairies twinkling dust."
"Wow! You must really love her," she said softly.
"I do, Claire."
"What was her name?"
He chuckled sadly. "That's the problem. I know a lot of things in the world, but I don't know her name."
Claire glared at him. "And yet you claim you love her."
"Knowing a person's name doesn't mean you know the person, or you care for the person. Sometimes, fate brings two people together and situations drive them apart."
"So, she doesn't know your name?"
"We didn't get the opportunity to get to that point. We were interrupted."
"How did you know she would have me?"
"One question at a time, I know you have a lot of questions and I'll answer them."
"I do but now, I'm suddenly hungry," she sighed, rubbing a hand on her stomach.
Adam chuckled. "Come, let me make you dinner. It's getting late."
Claire smirked. "Are you going to magically make dinner?"
Adam chuckled. "I can cook, Claire."
Claire nodded and skipped happily downstairs as he entered the kitchen. Somehow, he managed to walk faster without running.
"What do you want to have for dinner, Princess?"
Claire smiled. It felt good to have someone around the house, not that she didn't miss her dead parents, and whatever happens, they will remain her parents.
But Adam was the kind of father she needed now especially since she was no longer human and still had a lot to learn.
"Pancakes and hot chocolate," she replied.
He nodded and began opening the shelves, setting things for the pancakes, and placing a pan of oil on the fire.
Claire just stared at him as he mixed the flour.
"Do you want me to help?"
Adam shrugged. "You can just tell me more about your first kiss."
Claire blushed again. "How did you know it was my first kiss?"
"I'm your father, remember," he smirked.
"Well, he kissed me. I was in panic mode, so I don't know what happened," she lied.
"Oh sweetie, I can see through your lies."
Claire's blush deepened as her phone beeped. She pulled it and saw a text from an unknown number.
Hi, Claire. Care for a video call?
The hospital is boring 🥺
She chuckled at his emoji just as she dialed his number. "Dad, give me a minute."
"Take your time, sweetie," her dad called after her as she raced up the stairs.
Just as she plopped down on her bed the call connected.
"Hey, Liam. It's pretty late so I'll come to visit you tomorrow. How are you holding up?"
She blinked suddenly realizing that Liam wasn't saying anything. He just kept staring at her with wide eyes.
"Liam, is there a problem?"
She saw Liam blink repeatedly on her screen.
"Liam?"
"Y-yes, Claire. Your beauty astounded me," he mumbled.
"Beauty? It's just me, what are you talking about?"
"Your new look is amazing. Did you also change your wardrobe? Please, come see me like this tomorrow else I'll die from a broken heart."
Claire chuckled as she stared at his grinning face. He didn't look like he was in much pain.
"What new look are you talking about, Liam?" She asked again clueless.
"Your dyed hair and your contacts are amazing, Claire. Please don't take it off," Liam replied.
Claire gasped suddenly, understanding what Liam was saying. She had forgotten to wear her bracelet back, and now, Liam has seen her true form.
"Claire? Why aren't you saying anything?" Liam's voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
"Uh...I can't hear you, Liam. The rain is making the signal bad, I'll see you tomorrow, bye!"
"Claire, wait but I can hear you perfectly…"
She hung up the call and raced downstairs, her heart beating erratically in her chest.
"Calm down, Princess," Adam's voice floated in her mind.
She reached the dining table, and the aroma of the pancakes assaulted her senses.
"Pancakes!" She moaned as her teeth sank into one. It tasted heavenly and she moaned again.
"I guess I've found a new way to calm you down," Adam said chuckling.
"Mmh."
"One minute you were freaking out and next you're moaning at the taste of pancakes," he chuckled.
"I'm glad you find my cooking amazing. So, why were you freaking out?"
"Nothing. Liam saw my true form," she mumbled, still munching her pancakes and drinking her chocolate.
"That's not a problem. It's time you live with your true form. They'll just say you got a new look," Adam replied.
She nodded.
Adam watched her for a while wondering if he should tell her what's on his mind but with the way she was smiling happily, he decided not to tell her.
Excusing himself, he went upstairs where he tried to contact his mother. He created the channel and her smiling face appeared.
"Adam," she acknowledged him.
"How's it going back at home?" He asked.
"The shield is weakening, and the veil is getting wider, we need Claire now!"
"That's impossible, mother. She's been framed for murder and she'll be eighteen in three months. Only then will she be able to repair the veil."
"Have you told her all these, Adam?"
"Yes, she's gradually processing and accepting the fact that she's not human."
"What else are you not telling me, Adam?"
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm not sure but I have a hunch. I think there's someone after her."
"You're being paranoid, Adam but I guess it's your fatherly instincts. No one knows about Claire's powers except the realm, so don't worry about it."
Adam nodded.
"Hasten things up, Adam. We need her here soon."
Adam sighed and ended the connection. He still couldn't get over the feeling that something was wrong, and someone was after Claire.
He must have dozed off because when he opened his eyes, it was already dark outside. He glanced at the clock on his nightstand, and he sighed, it was almost past midnight.
He had dozed off and he hadn't checked up on Claire. He headed downstairs and saw the kitchen was neat and Claire wasn't there.
He went to her room and saw her staring at the wall In her room, a blank look on her face.
"What's on your mind, Princess?" He asked.
She blinked and smiled. "I came to your room earlier, but you were asleep."
"Oh, did you want me to help you with something?"
"Yeah. I was thinking since school is on break till the lockers are fixed, I wanted us to go shopping then I can go to see Liam."
He chuckled. "Sure, Princess. I need to thank him for saving my daughter's life. Now, go to bed and don't worry."
"Thanks, dad."
Adam glanced at her and wiped the stray tear that trickled down his cheeks. She had called him dad and even if she never calls him again, this one means the world to him.
***
"How do I look?"
Adam stifled his laughter as he stared at Claire prancing around in a mismatched top and skirt. The colors were odd, and she wore a hideous hat.
"Adam?" She prompted.
"Yeah, you look…"
"Hideous!"
Adam glared at the strange woman with blonde hair and brown eyes as she assessed Claire.
"You're very pretty my darling and your uncle has no fashion sense. Come let me help you."
Claire couldn't believe that she was shopping with Liam's mom, Mrs. Lilian Hudson. Adam just sat by the counter and stared at her as she changed dresses.
After an intense shopping that lasted for three hours, she finally had enough new clothes to fill her wardrobe and get rid of her old clothes.
It was sad how she had finally decided to change her wardrobe when her parents died.
"Thank you so much for your help, Mrs. Hudson," she smiled.
The blonde woman beamed at her. "I'm not familiar with you child and I know everyone in this town."
"I'm Claire Ryes," she mumbled, lowering her eyes and waiting for the reproachful look.
"Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry for your loss, Claire. You don't join the town in anything, so I don't know you and you're so beautiful. Liam saved you yesterday, right?"
Claire blinked, staring at the woman as she hugged her again, her eyes filled with concern. Someone other than Liam, Scot, and Adam had felt sorry for her loss.
"Thank you so much, ma. This means a lot to me," she sobbed.
"Nonsense, child you didn't kill them it's all a misunderstanding that will clear up soon I'm sure. Call me, Lilian," she beamed patting her cheeks.
"Thanks, Lilian."
"A party will be organized for Liam's homecoming tonight; I need you to come. He'll be discharged this evening."
Claire nodded. "I'll be at the party, Lilian."
"Thanks, sweetie, be sure to wear the emerald gown it brings out your eyes."
Claire waited until Lilian had left the store before she squealed happily.
"Adam, I just got invited to my first party ever!"
Adam chuckled. "New clothes and new looks work miracles."
"Yes, I need to go see Liam now," she giggled.
"I'm coming with you, young lady."
Chuckling at Adam's stern expression, she took all the shopping bags and kept them at the back of the car before he drove them to the town hospital.
It didn't take long for them to find Liam's room and she smiled when she saw him sitting comfortably on the bed looking hale and hearty.
"Claire! You came!!" He exclaimed.
She nodded and was slightly taken aback when he engulfed her into a tight hug. She inhaled his scent and smiled; he was wearing a vanilla deodorant.
The clearing of a throat behind them had them parting and Claire rolled her eyes when she saw it was Adam.
"Liam," he called sternly.
"Hello, sir."
"Thank you for risking your life to save Claire," Adam said.
Liam nodded. "My pleasure, sir."
"What are your intentions with Claire? Why did you save her?" He probed.
Claire groaned silently.
"I like her, Mr. Ryes. I like her, that's why I endangered my life to save her, and I wouldn't mind doing it all again," he replied.
Adam nodded and left the hospital room while Claire smiled softly.
"I'm glad you're better, Liam."
He grinned mischievously. "At least my ill-health got me you."
"That's true. I'm glad we're no longer fighting and I'm sorry you got hurt because of me," Claire sighed.
Liam shrugged. "I'm a big boy, I can take care of myself."
"That's good to know. I'll let you rest now."
"Claire, there's a party in my house tonight so please come."
She nodded. "Your mom already Invited me."
"Please will you be there? I've got something to tell you."
Her heart raced a bit at what he had to tell her. She smiled at him and nodded.
"Of course, I'll be there."
"Thanks, Claire. You have no idea how much this means to me."
Claire smiled at him as her stomach was fluttering with butterflies. She couldn't help but wonder what he had to tell her, and she wished time would speed by quickly so she could find out.