The Champion

by H. P. Mallory

  My form covered her fully now as she arched ever upwards, her body language begging me to take her. Her naked breasts smooshed against my chest, and our groins ground against each other rhythmically.

  “Oh, Sinjin.” She sounded quite breathless. “I’ve wanted this moment so much… ever since we were interrupted by Bryn.”

  Bryn …

  And just like that, it was all over.

  It imploded upon itself and sealed its own doom.

  The unfortunate mention of Lady Bryn at such a crucial moment rendered my John Thomas immediately flaccid. I cursed under my breath and climbed off Audrey, sitting at the edge of the bed, my forehead in my palm.

  Bloody fuck.

  “What is it? What’s wrong?” Audrey sat up and placed her hot little hand upon my shoulder. I believe she saw my dilemma.

  “I am ruined,” I muttered as I opened my hands and stared down at my palms, as though they held the answer to this most sorry episode.

  “Ruined?” Audrey repeated with a girlish laugh. “Let Audrey make it all better.”

  But, alas, I knew myself too well. That ship had already sailed. My fury returned with a vengeance, and I struck the nearest wall in frustration. A massive crack immediately appeared, and a lump of plaster fell from the ceiling, narrowly missing the dressing table.

  “ Faites Attention , Sinjin!” Audrey cried out in surprise and offense. “What’s wrong with you today?”

  “Nothing,” I replied, my tone scathing.

  “There is something most definitely wrong!” she said as she sat upright and stared at me with wide, pretty eyes. “You are acting very strangely and quite … unpleasantly.”

  “Apologies,” I said testily. I did not like my own behavior, yet I seemed powerless to stop myself.

  “What has caused such a foul mood?” Audrey continued as I eyed the entrance to her room with interest. At that moment, I wanted nothing more than to make my exit. “Sinjin?”

  I turned to face her, but said nothing as she nodded and a knowing expression spread across her face.

  “Bryn,” she said. “Bryn has put you into a foul mood.”

  “What do you mean? How can this have anything to do with Bryn? She’s not even present!”

  “ Mais non . I am afraid Bryn is present everywhere you go, my dear Sinjin.”

  “That is the most ridiculous thing that I have ever heard.”

  “Is it? Why else would your petit mon go ‘floop’ every time we are about to indulge in one another’s bodies?” She held up her pointing finger, then allowed it to go limp in demonstration, much to my chagrin.

  Naturally, I was quite put out. It was never acceptable to have one’s manhood insulted.

  “That is preposterous!” I railed at her, even as the truth of her statement resonated with me, below my pride. “There is nothing between Lady Bryn and me.” Another image of Chevalier and Bryn nailed me full force. “In fact, I have excellent reason to believe she is currently involved with your very own brother.”

  “ Non! She isn’t!”

  “Oh, yes, she is!”

  “I would know if Dureau was having a relationship with Bryn.”

  “Perhaps not.”

  “We are not only brother and sister, but we are Fae, Mr. Sinclair,” she rebutted. “That means Dureau and I share a psychic connection that alerts us to such matters in each other’s lives.”

  “What does that mean?” I asked.

  “It means if Dureau and Bryn were involved, in any way, I would know, as I would have felt it myself.”

  “If they were involved in any way?” I repeated, eyeing her narrowly.

  “Are you worried my brother knows Bryn carnally?” she asked, eyeing me just as narrowly. Her lips turned up into a knowing smile. She did not wait for me to answer, but continued, “Because he doesn’t.”

  I was quite stunned. So, if the father was not Chevalier, then who …?

  Could it really be Odran?

  Goodness, I hoped not.

  Audrey alighted from the bed and adjusted her clothing to cover her womanly parts. She held her hands on her curvaceous hips, an indignant expression on her undeniably fair countenance. Such a pity I could not transfer my affections from the wanton Bryn to her. But alas, that was not the way such matters worked. I did feel my anger with regard to Bryn and Chevalier draining away somewhat, which I suspected could only be a good thing. Yet, I was still quite perplexed and confused about Odran.

  “So, you admit it?” Audrey pressed.

  “Admit what?”

  She cocked her head to the side as she studied me. “Is it Bryn who prevents you from performing when you are with me?”

  “I cannot deny it,” I responded, though I was not pleased to do so.

  Audrey took several steps forward until her face was inches from mine. The fury that had been mine moments before had transferred to Audrey, as reflected in her red cheeks.

  “Then what the hell are you doing here?” the lady practically hissed into my face.

  “You invited me.” Yes, it was a stupid response, I was well aware. And unfortunate too, as my words had the effect of inflaming Audrey even further.

  “I’ll tell you what you were doing here, shall I?”

  I nodded mutely, finding her anger surprisingly intimidating. I did wonder if she could still turn into an alligator at will. This was a very small room in which to be confined with such a large reptile. Thankfully, Audrey remained in human form, but, in any case, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned!

  “You were using me, that’s what you were doing!”

  I shook my head, preparing to deny the allegation, but, alas, I could not get a word in edgeways.

  “Not just for your own sexual pleasure, but to get revenge on Dureau and Bryn!”

  “That is quite unfair, Audrey!”

  I would have further argued my innocence, but I was rendered mute. Audrey let out an impressive howl of rage and commenced throwing my clothes at me.

  “Get out!” She yelled. “Out!”

  I arose from the bed just in time to see my boxer underpants land on my head.

  “Out, out!”

  She flung open the door and bundled me and my clothing out into the corridor, whereupon said door was slammed in my face with such force, the chandelier overhead rattled in quite an alarming fashion.

  I stood, blinking for a half a minute or more, listening to the commotion that was still going on inside Audrey’s bed chamber. She appeared to be throwing items and muttering in an agitated manner. I assumed that I was being thoroughly cursed in the French language. I had always known that the frogs were a fiery lot but, mon Dieu ! Turned out I did not know the half of it.

  There appeared to be nothing else for it.

  Thus, I reinstated my clothing and headed home.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Bryn

  I was now on my second attempt to visit Mathilda.

  It seemed urgent at this stage, and in order to avoid Dureau, I chose the dead of night. Furthermore, I didn’t want anyone else to know the secret I carried in my belly. That is, if I was, in fact, pregnant.

  Yes, I was en route to Mathilda to inquire whether she could help me with… that. Maybe she would tell me that Sinjin had gotten it wrong and I wasn’t going to be a mother, so I wouldn’t have to worry about what being a mother entailed. Instead, I could just go back to my warrior life and things would be much simpler.

  Speaking of the vampire, there was a real danger that I could bump into him at this ungodly hour, seeing as how he was a “creature of the night.”

  So, I walked carefully, keeping to the shadows, as silent as could be.

  I could only hope Mathilda was still awake. I knew she kept odd hours, as she’d told me she hardly slept at all. As I came closer to her cottage, I noticed a few lights glowing from within the small space.

  Yes! I was in luck. I could see her as I approached the cottage, framed in the light of her kitchen window. She was fiddling around
with mysterious looking ingredients, just as I imagined she would be.

  I rapped gently on the glass, mindful not to wake anyone else, namely Dureau. Mathilda turned around in surprise, then beamed as she recognized me. I smiled back at her. Mathilda had a way of making me feel so welcome. She was like the kindly grandmother I’d never had.

  She opened the door for me, and I entered the warm and cosy interior of the kitchen. Bunches of dried herbs hung from low wooden beams, jostling for position beside copper pots and cans. An old fashioned black, iron cauldron bubbled comfortingly on the Aga, beneath which was curled her black cat, Pyewacket. The cat started purring loudly as I came closer. The room was all clutter and disorder, but I could bet that Mathilda was able to put her hand on anything you asked for in an instant.

  “What brings you out on such a cold, blustery night?” she asked.

  “I couldn’t sleep.”

  “Thus, you decided to visit me?” she asked with a knowing smile.

  “Well, that’s not the only reason,” I answered.

  “Of course, Bryn, my dear. Whatever it is, you know my door is always open to you.”

  I relaxed and breathed in deeply, so grateful for Mathilda. “I’m not interrupting anything? You seem to be in the middle of making a potion …”

  “Ach, no. I was just about to make myself a cup of cocoa. Would you like to join me?”

  I almost laughed out loud. It was somehow the last thing I expected the most magical of the magical to say.

  “I would love a cocoa,” I responded, after scanning my mental list of all the foods and drinks that were supposedly forbidden to consume while pregnant. Not that I could remember any of them. Shrimp, maybe? Pretty sure cocoa wasn’t on the list, anyway.

  That is, if I was actually pregnant.

  The verdict was still out.

  Drinks prepared, we sat opposite one another across the jumbled kitchen island. I surprised myself by feeling suddenly shy. I didn’t know how to start the conversation. This was new territory for me.

  “Um. So how are you and Mercedes getting on in your efforts to locate Luce?”

  Mathilda’s expression became sadder. “Not very well, I’m afraid. That man has himself very well protected. We’ve yet to find a way to penetrate his defenses. He’s a wily old fox, I’ll give him that.”

  I shrugged. “I think that might be an insult to foxes.”

  Her features brightened once more. “It might well be.” She fell quiet then, as if giving me the space to talk.

  I still wasn’t ready.

  “How is it having Dureau living with you?”

  “He’s a dear boy. It’s not a bother having him around. In fact, he’s quite handy when I have to reach the higher shelves.” She smiled her beautiful smile. Yes, she was tiny in stature, although it wouldn’t surprise me to learn that the powerful Fae woman could levitate.

  She became quiet again, and the silence grew all around us, until it almost seemed like another presence in the room.

  Eventually, she spoke. “Bryn, my dear girl. Why don’t you tell me why you really came here this evening?”

  I glanced across at her. Her eyes were so full of kindness that I finally managed to gather up my courage.

  “I think I might be pregnant.”

  Her eyes widened and she gripped my arm excitedly. Her hand felt surprisingly strong. I sensed that she was about to offer her congratulations, but something stopped her. Maybe it was my expression.

  “And are you happy about the possibility?” she inquired.

  “I don’t know,” I answered as I took a deep breath and shook my head. “I’m more confused than anything. I don’t even know if I really am pregnant, I mean, as far as I knew, I wasn’t even capable of having a baby.”

  “Have you told Sinjin yet?”

  I felt profoundly grateful that Mathilda had no doubt as to whom the prospective father could be. What a shame he was the only one who refused to acknowledge as much.

  “Sinjin was the one who told me.”

  “And what makes him so certain you’re pregnant?” Mathilda asked. “Presuming he is certain?”

  “Yeah, he’s pretty convinced.”

  “Why?”

  I hesitated and felt my cheeks redden.

  “Um. Well... He tasted it in my blood.”

  I was highly embarrassed at this admission. But Mathilda simply nodded thoughtfully, no judgement in her expression.

  “Well, I must admit, Sinjin is probably right.”

  I’d been afraid she was going to say as much. “Why do you say that?”

  “There are few more experienced than him. There’s not a lot he hasn’t seen in nigh on six hundred years walking this Earth. And you know how acute the senses of a vampire are. So, chances are …”

  “But … when …” I cleared my throat, not sure how to discuss this next part. “Um, you know what happened to me when I was captured and taken to Luce’s camp, right?”

  “I do, my dear. Unfortunately.” The look she gave me was so full of compassion, it almost made me cry.

  “Well, I didn’t get pregnant then. And Sinjin insists that it’s impossible for a vampire to father a child, so… that only leaves… God.”

  Mathilda laughed and then shook her head as she rested her small, pointed chin in her hand. Her large, faded yet glistening green eyes stared off into the middle distance.

  “Hmmm,” she said. “You do have powerful magic running through your veins. Maybe your body found a way to protect itself during your time in the camp.”

  “Maybe.” I’d considered this myself.

  “And as for Sinjin …” Mathilda appeared thoughtful.

  “He doesn’t believe the baby is his. He thinks it’s Dureau’s or… Odran’s.”

  I couldn’t say much against Odran because Mathilda adored him—probably owing to the fact that, as they both were Fae, he was her king.

  “Oh, my poor pet.” She took my hands in hers, her expression so sympathetic that this time I did start to cry. I just couldn’t stop myself. With anyone else, I would have been acutely embarrassed by such a sign of weakness, but Mathilda made me feel so safe and accepted. I could forget I was a warrior with the responsibility of protecting everyone else. She allowed me to show my vulnerable side.

  A few minutes later, my tears dried up and my cocoa mug was empty.

  “Mathilda, I still don’t know if I’m pregnant. And the reason I came here tonight… I was hoping… is there any way you could tell me if I am? I mean, some sort of spell that could say whether or not I’m pregnant?”

  “I do happen to know of such a thing.”

  “Really!” This was great news. I leaned forward in anticipation. “What is it?”

  “It’s called a pregnancy test.” Mathilda smiled broadly at me, her eyes twinkling.

  “You mean …”

  “I mean a common pregnancy test that you might find at the store. Take yourself down to the chemist in the village first thing in the morning, my dear. It’s as simple as peeing on a stick! And then you’ll have at least one of your questions answered.”

  “Oh,” I said, not meaning to sound disappointed, but there it was.

  It seemed Mathilda gave good practical as well as magical advice.

  8:55 the next morning saw me pacing impatiently up and down the sidewalk, outside the village pharmacy. I’d been there for nearly an hour already, hoping they’d open at eight. But no such chance in a sleepy little village like this one.

  I’d never been here, to this drugstore, before. Never had a reason. I was surrounded by so many magical healers in Kinloch Kirk, and I was no slouch in the healing department myself. But this situation was different. Night and day different.

  A vehicle came around the corner and pulled up alongside the building. A woman got out of the car and approached the door of the pharmacy, unlocking and opening it. The moment of truth was almost upon me. Now, I just had to walk inside.

  So why couldn’t I?

&
nbsp; My feet seemed to be rooted to the spot, and my heart was pounding, my breathing coming fast.

  Pull yourself together, Bryn! What’s gotten into you? I thought to myself, trying to rouse my courage. Don’t tell me you’re afraid of a little plastic stick!

  It turned out I was.

  I just couldn’t do it. I turned around and started walking back down the street.

  The consequences were too big. Me being pregnant would change, well, just about everything. Part of me didn’t want to know. A big part.

  But there was another part of me that did want to know—that had to know.

  I stopped walking.

  What to do?

  I glanced back at the pharmacy door and knew I wouldn’t go in.

  Maybe I just needed moral support? Maybe this was something I couldn’t do by myself? Well, luckily for me, I happened to know just the woman for the job.

  I hadn’t been planning to tell my sister, Jolie, about my possible pregnancy until I was completely sure that I was, in fact, pregnant. But, seeing as how I hadn’t managed to get any closer than ten feet to the pharmacy door, I obviously needed help.

  Queen of the Underworld she might be, but Jolie was also my sister. She could be as wise and level-headed and practical as they came, but she was also caring and compassionate. And she was my only family, not to mention a first-time mother herself.

  Knowing my sister, she’d be beside herself with excitement at my potential news. I wasn’t sure if I was ready to deal with her emotion as well as my own. But the fact was, I needed support. And who better to give it than a kind, loving sister—and, as she had now become, my best friend?

  I saw Jolie before she saw me. She was sitting in the family room of Kinloch Kirk, playing with her daughter, the princess. She and Emma were enjoying what looked like a blissful morning, seated on the carpet, surrounded by brightly colored toys. My sister was busily making googling sounds at her daughter and sounded as well as looked completely insane.