“Baby girl, you need to eat, please?” My face surely shows how I care about her. She picks up the sarnie she made but didn't touch, then takes a bite. She sticks her tongue out after she swallows it. Gods, she's cheeky. I love it. As we all finish our meal Alan suggests sitting outside, so while Everly, Garrot, and Alan leave the house, I start the washing up. I half don’t want to know what he's got to say. What else does he know he isn't telling us? But we need to know. He made it sound like we were all in danger, that Everly was in danger. I’d do anything to protect my consort. My heart. My everything.
Garrot
“So, kids, I guess I’d better start from the beginning then?” Dad clears his throat. “One hundred years ago, my name was Alanio. I was a pauper in Atlantis. That was until I met the most beautiful woman. Her name was Asia. Garrot, she was your mother.”
Holy crap. He told me that my mother was a one-night stand, didn't even get her name, he said. Nine months later, she left me outside his shack door. Son of a....
“I’m sorry, son, but it was best you didn't know until now. She was a handmaiden to Venus, the Goddess of Love. Your mother, Leyland. Together, they secretly saved slaves, helping them escape their tormentors. They continued to do this, with the help of others, for the next fifty years.”
Jesus, how was this something we didn't need to know? They were our mothers, for fuck's sake.
“Dad, this was something we should’ve known; I don't understand why you didn't tell us.” I wasn't angry as such, more disappointed. I would’ve liked to have known who my mother was.
“I swore an oath, son. When your mothers fell pregnant, they panicked. It was getting harder to watch the people of Atlantis being tortured and abused. When they were roughly eight months pregnant, Asia was caught helping a thirteen-year-old girl. They had hidden her in a cave on the south side of the city. Your mother had gone there to tend to her wounds and prepare the girl for life outside of Atlantis. Unfortunately, they were attacked.” Unshed tears shine in his eyes, “Your mother escaped with her life and yours, but the girl died in the fight. Asia couldn't forgive herself and she started to fear that you, Garrot, would be taken and forced to live in slavery. Venus and I tried to convince her all would work out, that between the three of us we could protect you both. The night before both Venus and Asia gave birth, Amphitrite visited your mother. She too was heavily pregnant. The child in her belly was eventually called William. With her, she brought the son of Mother Nature. That's you, Karl.” Alan pauses and smiles gently at Karl. “Your mother was Mother Nature herself. As you know, you're three years older than the boys. Amphitrite said your mother was the one who had the vision with the prophecy.” Karl’s face showed no emotion at all. He didn't even gasp like the rest of us did. Did he already know this?
“Did you know, Karl?” Ever asks as she takes his hand in her tiny one. He blinks and looks into her eyes.
“No. I didn't know,” he replies. Her other hand caresses his cheek as she stares into his eyes. To see them together now, it's only a matter of time before Karl joins us. The look in his eyes is unmistakable. He’s in love with her. Just as Leyland and I are.
“I’m sorry, son. Venus told us nothing about your mother, just that you would be soul brothers with Leyland and Garrot. She went on to tell us there was a prophecy. It centred around you, Everly.” He stares right at her, awe clear to see in his eyes. “She told us that in seventy-seven years, she would birth a child who would save the world from Poseidon’s greed. He wants the land to join the sea. But he isn't powerful enough, so he... I’m sorry Everly... he raped your mother. He needed to have a powerful child so he could steal their powers. He needed you so he could sink the lands, but Amphitrite wouldn't give him what he wanted, so he took it,” he finishes explaining. Everly is quietly crying. Leyland picks her up and sits on the sofa with her in his lap. I move over and hold her from the left, Karl sits on her right and wraps his arms around her too.
“I’m ok, I’m ok,” she says over and over. She isn't, but she's a brave soul and is trying to be calm about all of this. I can't imagine hearing your mother was raped by a madman who had been corrupted by greed and power.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart, but you need to know. Amph fled as soon as she could when she found out she was expecting you. Even with the help of nature, it took longer than anticipated. To avoid Poseidon finding you, she hid you with a human woman away from the sea. Everly, you’re not what you appear to be, child.”
Chapter Nineteen
EVERLY
Not what I appear to be? That's what the woman in the vision Alan gave me said, too. So, she was my mother! What does all this mean? Am I not human? Do I have powers? What is going on here! My breathing is out of control. I’m on the verge of a panic attack. I’m sitting on Leyland’s lap with Garrot's and Karl’s arms around me. I'm not alone, they're here with me, for me. My mother and disgusting father are Gods? What does that make me?
“Everly, you're a...” before Alan can finish his sentence, the ground starts to shake. A loud banging noise comes from the front of the house. We all jump up and dash into the house. Looking out of the window, time stands still as we all stare at the almost naked man standing in the driveway.
“Le, Alan, get Everly upstairs, now. Garrot, fall in,” Karl barks out.
What the fuck?
“Err, why am I going upstairs? Who is that?” No one answers me, but Leyland scoops me up and runs up the stairs two at a time. He takes me into the front spare bedroom. Alan closes the door and props a chair behind it. There’s just a bed and a chair left in here; everything else had woodworm so we threw it away. The floor is bare floorboards and the walls are unfinished plaster. “The fuck is happening, Leyland? Alan? Who is that out there?” I ask them, my head swinging back and forth.
“We don't know, Ever, but he is definitely not human,” Alan replies, his nose against the glass of the window.
Well durr, I could’ve told them that. He was naked, except for a clamshell over his crotch. Yeah, normal humans don't walk around like that. I slip out of Le’s hands and peek out the blinds. Outside, I see Garrot and Karl talking to whoever this guy is. His hair is nearly as long as mine, past his shoulder blades. His skin carries a very light blue tinge to it. Yup, that one is definitely not human.
“Ever, don't open the win...” Leyland warns.
Too late, Leyland, I’m opening this window, buddy. I have to hear what they’re saying. If they don't know who he is, why is everyone so freaked out? I wonder if he knows any of our mums? I stand on my tippy toes and lean my head out of the window. New guy looks up at me. When our eyes lock, a slow smile breaks across his face.
“Everly!” he shouts. Karl and Gar take a step closer to him.
Shit, they don't even have weapons! I hope the new guy isn't here for a fight. How does he know my name?
“I'm here to talk to my sister, if you would be so kind as to move out of my way, cretins,” the new guy spits out.
Yeah, fuck that. Sister? I don't have any siblings. Do I? I spin on my heel so fast, Leyland can't get a hand on me. I speed down the stairs and out of the front door.
“Cretins? How bloody dare you? You... you lanky streak of piss!” I scream at the almost naked guy. When I was looking down on this new guy, he hadn’t looked as tall as he does now. He’s at least seven feet tall. Why is everyone I know bloody cloud dodgers? Garrot and Karl step in front of me before I finish shouting, so I have to lean around them to jab my finger in new guy’s direction. “Don't call my guys cretins, fish boy, or I'll knock your teeth out, you chum eating, clam dick!” Does this shit heap think he can take us on? Let him try!
“Ah, little sister, we have so much in common. Your guys, huh? Hmm, do you mind sharing?” he asks, a lewd look on his face.
What. The. Fuck.
“Little sister? Huh?” I ask, confused. The smile on his face makes me want to punch him in the throat. Leyland moves to stand behind me. His energy wraps around me, comforting
me.
“Let's take this inside, beautiful,” Garrot says calmly. Turning to him, my mouth opens and closes like a fish gasping for air.
“Ok,” is all I manage. I need alcohol, lots of it. It’s five o’clock somewhere, right? We walk back into the house, me at the front, then the guys and Alan surround new guy. Sister? I've got a brother? Oh, this is fucked up.
We stand in my bare dining room. I ripped the stained carpet up a few days ago. I stand at the back of the room, leaning against the wall. Even the walls are bare.
“Start talking, arsehole, or we start tearing your limbs off!” Karl says between clenched teeth. Holy smokes he is angry. It's... sexy.
“Well, gorgeous, our mother sent me. Apparently, lil’ sis here activated several powers, thanks to the two of you.” He jerks his chin towards Gar and Le. “Now, I have the immense honour of teaching her how to use them. You know, tell her what and who she is,” the new guy says.
Oh, balls. What I am? Damn.
“That's right, honey, what you are,” he adds as if reading my mind.
His long hair swishes as he talks. He's very expressive with his hands. The guys all stare at him like he’s lost his mind, and any minute now, he’ll run around flapping his arms like a bird, making ambulance noises. Maybe even shit in his hands and start clapping.
“Spill it, fish boy, now,” Garrot spits out.
Hoo boy, these guys are fuming.
“Calm down, lover boy, I’m getting there. Everly, sister of mine. May I step forward and offer you my allegiance?” He asks.
What now?
“Um...” I look around at my men. Yes, that includes you, Karl. I hitch an eyebrow up at him.
“One step, no closer. Understand, creature?” Leyland warns him. He seems the calmest all of us, but I know if this new guy so much as pulls one wrong move, he’ll be on him like white on rice. Lanky fish boy steps one foot forward, turns his head to face Karl, grinning, then takes another. Karl closes the distance between them in one stride and grabs him by the throat.
“Did we not say one step? I will eviscerate you if you so much as lay a finger on her. Do you understand?” Karl growls into the new guy's face. Strangely, new guy has a look of pleasure on his face.
“Babycakes, I just wanted you to touch me,” he says, laughing. Karl’s face turns bright red and he must squeeze new guy’s throat a lot harder because his face starts to turn white.
“Karl, just let him speak. Get this over with, yeah?” I say as I walk over to them and put my hand on Karl’s arm. He lets go and the new guy sucks in a huge breath. Karl, Leyland, and Garrot surround me.
“As you wish, Everly,” Karl says. Oh, that was sexy, the way he said that in a low husky voice.
“Uh oh, sis, you've got these guys wrapped around your tiny finger. We do have so much in common. Makes me wish I had brought my boy toys. We all could’ve had a lot of fun, you know,” naked man utters while looking around the room.
Ew. He's apparently my brother.
“Stop flirting with them and get to telling the fucking story, before I stab you in the heart, you giant shit; I'm done with this. No more games or I will kill you myself,” I say it with as much dominance and surety as I can. I must do a good job of it, because all eyes in the room are on me. Gar lets out a wolf whistle, Karl looks like he's turned on, and Le actually does a little bow with his head.
“I am sorry, sister; I mean no offence. Please forgive my foolishness. Truly.” The new guy seems deadly serious.
The. Fuck? That was a change of attitude pretty fucking quick.
He dips his head and bends on one knee. Is this a thing now? Everyone getting on one knee in front of me? I kind of like it. “I, William, Emperor of the Leviathan Clan, do pledge my utter allegiance to you, Everly, The Queen of the Seas. Please accept me as your faithful servant.” He bows his head, chin to chest, then stretches out his hand, palm up.
I stare dumbly at the man thing at my feet. I can barely form a single thought. The word “Queen” replays over and over inside my head.
Leyland
“Queen of the Seas...” As soon as the new person says those words, Alan falls to the floor on his knees, his head bowed low to the ground.
My arm automatically reaches out to catch him, even though he’s too far away to reach. Everly stands there, staring at the wrist the man offers up to her. Waiting for her... To do what, I don't know. “Alan, what’s happening?” He lifts his head slightly to look at me, says nothing, then sets his eyes on the floor again.
“Karl, what's happening, man? This is freaking me out,” Garrot says, sounding as nervous as I feel. Something about this is off. The oath seems genuine enough, but surely something is wrong?
“If Everly was the Queen of the Seas, she would know! Or we would know? There would’ve been some sort of sign, wouldn't there?” I find myself thinking out loud. Karl reaches up and touches Everly’s face. She blinks and looks at him.
“I... I have to mark him. I think? I don't know. I saw this in a dream, the night I slept with Leland for the first time. I didn't say anything because, well, it just seemed so ludicrous that it couldn't possibly mean anything, right?” My heart hurts at the tone of her voice, so confused. So conflicted. I touch her face, a light, gentle touch meant to comfort her, to let her know we are here for her.
“What does your heart tell you to do, my love?” I ask. She frowns down at the man and then takes his hand. Silver light pours slowly from her hand and swirls around the man. She bends, planting a kiss to his inner wrist. He finally moves. Then his whole body goes stiff as he lets out a quiet cry. As Everly pulls her lips away, we all see the mark she's left on his wrist. It’s a beautiful mark, soft pink, earth brown, bright blue and silver all intertwined. The outline is a black circle with a graceful trident in the middle. The man called William stands and takes a deep bow.
“Thank you, my Queen, I vow to honour and serve you with valour and integrity,” he pledges.
That's some speech.
“My lady, allow me to tell you who you are?” Everly nods just as Karl speaks up.
“Front room will be better. Now that we know you’re no danger to our girl, we can at least be comfortable.” Everly looks at Karl and he steps forward to take hold of her hand, leading her into the living room. Alan stands and hesitates in the doorway as we all follow behind them.
“Son, I think I should leave now,” Alan says to Garrot once we’re all in the room. “I've told you a lot, but I know William here can tell you the rest. I have to try and contact Amph, see if...” He can't finish because William interrupts.
“No need, Sir. She has been notified, hence my presence. You needn't stay. I know everything these four want and need to know,” William explains. With that, Alan says his goodbyes, leaving quickly.
“Everly, sit down, babe, you look a little pale,” Garrot mumbles as he takes Everly’s other hand, pulling her to him and planting a sound kiss on her head. William looks on, his bottom lip between his teeth. Ok, this guy is as mad as a Hatter.
“I’m so tired, Gar.” She does look spent. Her eyes dropping and her movements sluggish.
“Must we do this now, guys? I think maybe our girl needs to rest,” I interject. It's getting close to teatime; the day has gone by so quickly.
“No, it’s ok. I need to hear what he has to say,” Everly says quietly to us all.
My brave, brave girl. She lets go of Garrot and walks to stand toe to toe with William. We each stiffen and step forward.
“Tell me, are you here to hurt any of us? Is there any malice in your intentions at all? Speak!”
Wow, powerful.
“Bloody hell!” Garrot says
“Fuck me!” Karl barks out at the same time.
"I mean absolutely no harm; this I swear with my life," he says, looking deep into Everly’s eyes, not even blinking.
“Ahem, shall we sit?” I ask, and everyone sits on the huge settee. William stands before us. I get back up and sit on t
he floor facing Ever. I want to touch her, let her know I’m here for her. Always.
“Everly, your father plans on killing you. He wants to bleed your power dry. Of which you have much. Our mother infused your fetus with many gifts, which includes the ability to see and use another's inner light. Ah, I see you already know that. How was it? I hear its orgasmic.” He's looking at her, watching her every expression. “It matters nought. Anyway...” He sends her a wink. “I'm sure you can see my inner light, but don't be fooled, black doesn't always mean evil, my lady.”
“I do see it. You know, Will, it's not as black as you think, I see some cyan in there. A lover perhaps?” she fires back at him.
“Oh, sister, I never let my lovers in. You must be mistaken,” he says the last part in a quiet voice, frowning at the floor.
Huh, interesting.
“You can also control the seas. But mother says that part of you hasn't been unlocked yet...” He flicks his gaze to Karl then quickly back to Everly. “By now you know inner lights not only can kill, but they can also heal, am I right?” We all turn to Everly.
“Yes. We healed Garrot from Selkie poison,” she answers.
“Ah, sister, more powerful than even I imagined. I thought mother was exaggerating. Clearly not,” he replies, seeming impressed. The room is quiet for several moments, all of us in deep thought. It was Everly who healed Garrot, with our help. A short while ago we all thought Everly was just mortal. A strong mortal, yes, but purely human. Now, we learn she’s the Queen of the Seas. It’s mind-boggling.
“See, sister, you not only control the sea, but the creatures within it. I myself am a leviathan, a sea dragon. My clan is yours to command. As will all the clans of the sea be yours. You are our Queen. Well, at least those Poseidon hasn't fooled into believing he is the rightful King of the Seas. You say you were attacked by selkie? They wouldn't have happened to be carrying silver tridents, would they?” Our shocked faces say it all. “Hmm, yes, just as I thought. He has searched this piece of land for you for the last twenty-three years, sister. I'm sure if mother and I felt some of your powers awaken, then so did he.”
The Everly Davis chronicles Page 14
