Kiara walked into the Grand Lux Café at the Venetian Hotel
and Casino, a ‘not-a-care-in-the-world’ air about her. Two guards accompanied
her, but kept enough distance so she could move freely through the restaurant. After
exchanging a few words with the hostess, she points me out and when her gaze
meets mine, she smiles in acknowledgement. There were a few stops to exchange
pleasantries with patrons. Kiara indulged everyone’s request for photos with a
smile. The only hint of discomfort I saw in the woman was when someone got a
little too close for comfort, which I found amusing considering the rumors
about the fae and the wolves and their preference for touch.
“Miss Emerson?” Kiara's voice was soft. Not at all what I
expected from a woman who was known for being a bit rough around the edges.
I stood and held out my hand to her. “Hi Miss O'Conaill,
thanks for agreeing to this interview.”
“My pleasure, but please call me Kiara.” The silence
stretched out making me uncomfortable, until I realized she was waiting for my
first name.
“Zoey.”
“Zoey Emerson, it is an honor.” The tone reminded me that
this woman was familiar with the game of court politics and presenting a
certain face to reporters.
I leaned back in my chair, trying to set a more casual feel
to the interview. I didn't want the stuffy court version of her life. Her
tri-colored eyes were truly a sight to behold. A perfect combination of indigo,
jade, and gold that I'd never seen before and would likely never see again.
I struggled to bring my mind back to the reason behind this
meeting and indicated the empty seat across from me. “Please have a seat. Would
you like a drink?”
She smiled when the waitress headed over and with her coffee
ordered, she took a moment to glance out over the people as they walked past
the café. “I’ll still never understand the appeal of an outdoor café setting
inside of a casino. The casino moguls think of everything don’t they?”
"I haven't seem them create a casino that would capture
the fae and their history."
"Probably never will. Our sordid history is our own and
not something fit for a tourist attraction." Kiara smiled. “Of course, a
fight to the death between two fae warriors would likely make an entertaining
show. The promise of violence seems to do that for humans. Well I am sure that
you have a busy day ahead of you Zoey, shall we get to it?”
With a nod, I pulled out the tape recorder. “You don’t mind
do you?”
“Be my guest.” She leaned back, and pulled her legs up
underneath her. “Surely they will be the same questions I am always asked. Feel
free to start whenever you are ready.”
Hearing the challenge in her words, I thought a moment. “Are
you a clothes in the hamper or on the floor kind of girl?”
“That wasn’t what you were going to ask me.”
Holding back the urge to blink, I smiled. “It is what I
asked.”
“Now I see how you wheedled the interview out of Reese.” She
glanced over her shoulder to where a pink-haired beauty stood, stone faced and
alert. There was admiration in Kiara's eyes now. “Typically the clothes go in
the hamper, but it would honestly depend on the day and how anxious I am to get
out of my clothes. My mother was firm on certain things when I was growing up,
and now that I live on my own, they’ve kind of stuck.”
“Okay, I have to ask the typical questions. What was it like
being raised amongst the fae?”
“Well Zoe, for the most part, it was hell on earth. Every
day I woke, wondering if I would live to crawl back in my bed. But, it’s just a
part of who we are. It’s in our blood.”
“There's more to it though isn't there? The fights you
endure stem from your differences from the fae. Is that why you fight so hard?
Do you have something to prove?”
“Not to the fae, but to myself. It took me a long time to
come to that realization.”
“So you were born into this life of royal duty and prejudice?”
“Yes. My mother did the best she could to keep me safe.
However, I was a stubborn child and I wanted to honor the culture my mother
loved so well. And yes I wanted to prove myself. Wanted to fit in.”
“They never did accept you?”
She looked a little sad. “No. In the long run, though I
guess its my own fault. You know what they say, you have to accept yourself
before others can.”
“How long ago did you lose your mother?”
“It was about two years ago.” The somber tone that had
settled over her indicated a change of subject was in order.
“What do you do for fun when you’re here in Vegas with no
other obligations?”
She quirked an eyebrow. “Why? Are you planning to move here?”
“Hardly. Just trying to see what you do to unwind.”
“Well, I’ve had the privilege of going up in one of the
Thunderbirds. That was something else, but that was a few years ago.”
There was a glint in her eyes, one I’d seen several times
before. “You’re an adrenaline junkie.”
“Perhaps a little. Not very many things that can get my
blood pumping and I don't think there is anything wrong with that.”
“Oooh. What else gets your blood pumping?”
She laughed and her eyes sparkled. “Trying to get a little
dirt for that paper of yours?
"Can't blame a girl for trying." I took a sip of
my tea and waited to see if she would answer.
"Wolves. They get my blood pumping."
"That is a little vague don't you think?"
"Yes. Let's just say that I have a serious love hate
relationship with the wolves. It's leaning a little more to the side of love
these days though. The right people will have a way of doing that to you. Turn
your life upside down, test everything you thought you knew, and still accept
you just the way you are."
"You're in love with a wolf?" I couldn’t believe
what I was hearing. “After all that you've been through, did you ever think
this is where it would all come full circle?”
“Not in a million years. I guess I'm more like my mother
than I ever thought possible. Plus, it's damn exhausting spending so much
energy hating something that lives with in you.”
“So very true. Thanks Kiara, it has been fun.”
She stood and shook my hand. “It was a pleasure Zoey.”
