by Jana LaPelle
As we enter our rooms, I say, “Before you leave, I need you.” Without reservation, I shrug out of my leather training vest. The lace up leather leggings, take a few moments to dislodge but soon they are sliding down my hips. All the while Alaric is watching me. His gaze is fixated on my flat abdomen.
For a moment I feel myself panic before he says, “When this is all over, I want a family. I want as many kids as you are willing to give me, Ashlinn. I didn’t realize until this very moment how much I want that with you. ” His expression is so very serious as his confession is voiced.
For the first time, I feel the longing he has to start a family with me. I smile up at my kindred, happy in the fact that this is something that he wants, and my premonition comes back to me, and I say, “It may happen sooner than you think. I know that we have at least two or three babes, the vision was unclear. There were several children with all of us, and we were having a picnic down by the lake.”
“You have seen this?” He asks, looking down at me questioningly.
“Yes, it was the last premonition that I have had in a while. I hold it near and dear to my heart. Now less talking and more stripping.” I say teasingly as I run my hands over his hard pecs and down his well-muscled arms as I pull him toward the bed. I intend to savor our time together and remember every last inch of him as he steps out of his leather pants. Today he went commando, and I smile as I continue to run my hands over him. He is always so responsive to my touch. A shiver races through him as I caress his six pack abs, his body is a work of art. His every movement showcases his finely toned body as his muscles bunch and flex. He’s letting me take the lead, and I push him back toward the bed. In one quick movement picks me up, and my legs go around him as he holds me close, my bare breast pressed tightly to his hard chest. The hard length of him poised at my entrance. I am always so ready for him and now is no different. Alaric sits back on the bed, he pulls me down on top of him, and I go willingly. I lean in to taste his lips as his large hand cups the back of my head pulling me in closer so that he can devour my mouth. A moan escapes me, and I can't wait any longer. I need him to fill the void inside me. In one quick movement I press down on his hard length, and he fills me, a gasp escapes my lips, the sensations that my kindred awakens in me borders on bliss, and we begin to rock together in a slow and deliberate motion allowing our momentum to build. I savor the taste of him on my tongue before I dive down to take his mouth again. The need to be consumed by him is all encompassing. What once began as a slow patient mating dance between us has built to a fever pitch and we are rocking together in our insatiable desire to be closer to one another. I open myself up and allow the love that he feels for me, permeate my entire being, and I flood our link with my love and longing to always be with him. The intensity of our emotions just adds to the need I feel to have Alaric buried so deeply in me that we will never be parted. I’m quivering around him, knowing that I’m about to go over the edge and I can feel him pulse inside of me. Alaric's hands grab my hips, and he pulls me down one last time as he pushes so far up into me that I see stars as we both fall over the edge.
In a tangle of limbs, I'm draped over his chest. Alaric goes to move, and I know that I can never assuage my need for him, so I stop him as I beg, in a breathless whisper, "Just once more."
“Just once more will never be enough, álainn." He says as he kisses each of my cheeks, my forehead, and then gently on my lips. Slowly he rolls me over to lay me on my back as he continues to worship my body, he says, “I love you, Ashlinn. I want to make love to you until the end of our days.”
"I love you too, Elf-Man. I need you, just once more before you leave." I say, cupping his face in my hands as I stare up at him intently. He smiles down at me, those dimples popping out as he begins to move again slowly at first. We never take our eyes off of the others as we make love to one another. It's slow and reverent, and I will cherish this moment. I know that those brilliant blue eyes will be forever locked in my memory.
Chapter 3
(Ashlinn)
The day has become overcast, and I fear that a storm may be on the horizon as I stand in the courtyard. I'm watching my guard saddle up. In the end, Alaric decided to leave three of the Guard behind to oversee the security of the Keep and manage the warriors that have been tasked with guard duty since the Keep went on lock down. Declan will be in charge in Alaric and Dagda's absence, and Fergus and Torin will be his backup. My father is riding out with Alaric, but they're going to part ways once they leave the forest. Each will be escorting his own separate legion of warriors back to Glenndale Loch. I wish I could be here to see them all ride into the valley. It should be a spectacular site.
My father walks up to my mother and me to say his goodbyes, and he looks me over. I haven't been sleeping well, and I know that there are dark shadows under my eyes and he says, "Ashlinn, you really need to get your rest and make sure you don't skip meals. Promise me, okay?" His expression is grave, and I know he's scolding me. I think he knows that I won't be here when he gets back.
"I promise. Be safe and remember what we discussed, okay? One month." I say as I move to hug him, "I love you, Father. I'm counting on you and Alaric to make it happen." Pulling back I look up at him with a tight smile on my face.
“Ashlinn?” He looks at me questioningly. I just slightly shake my head, indicating that this is not the time.
My mother has been observing our little exchange, and she looks at me shrewdly before turning her attention to Rhespen, and she effectively changes the subject so I can say one final goodbye to Alaric and the Guard. Each of them gives me a brief hug, with the exception of Tolin, who pulls me into a huge bear hug and tells me to save some cake for him. I can't help but laugh. I love the teasing side of his personality.
Alaric reaches for me and pulls me in for a kiss. He means for it to be gentle and loving but I can't help but deepen it. I'm beginning to feel like I'm drowning and he’s my lifeline. For an instant, I can't let go, and I cling to him for a moment longer before I pull away resting my forehead on his chest as I compose myself. I look up to see concern written all over his handsome face.
“Ashlinn, I think maybe I should stay. I can send Declan in my place. I’m sure that the men would understand.” He says.
"Absolutely not. This legion of warriors is expecting to see their prince, their commander at arms. It is your duty to ride out to greet them and escort them back." I say, pulling on my big girl panties and putting on my game face.
“Ash, all of the sudden I have a really bad feeling about tonight.” He says, and a small v forms between his eyebrows as he cups my cheek in his calloused hand.
“Alaric, you know I’m right. This is something that you must do. You are their prince and next in line to the throne. You need to have faith that everything will work out as it is meant to.” I say with as much determination as I can muster. I meet his gaze, and I can't help but let my gaze wander over his form. I had no idea that I would ever find a male so attractive when he’s decked out, head to toe, with swords, daggers, throwing knives, you name it. It looks good on him, and I smile before saying, "I love you, Elf-Man. Don’t take too long to come for me.”
Alaric is silent for a moment before he nods and kisses me one last time before saying, "Remember what I said, mo grá. I will set the world on fire for you. I will never be separated from you for long. I love you. I hope to be back before you wake." With those last words, he kisses my forehead. My kindred then walks over to Tempest to mount up. Alaric signals the elves manning the gate to the Keep, and as the gates swing open, he spurs Tempest to head out and with one last glance over his shoulder to me he rides out of the Keep with his companions. Tolin waves his signature salute wave, and my father nods with his grave expression still on his face. He knows that I'm not taking care of myself the way I should, and he's right. That will have to change no matter what I will face after tonight. As the entourage rides out of sight, I turn without a word to Lexie and my mother to head back i
nside. At this point, I want nothing more than to hide in my rooms until after the sun sets. The weight of what is to come is unbearable.
“Ashlinn, what is going on with you?” Danu asks from behind me grabbing my elbow and turning me toward her before I can even make it to the stairs.
“Do you know how tired I am of everyone asking me that?” I snap. “You of all people should know what is wrong with me!” I demand, officially losing it now that Alaric is gone. I am so practiced now in tempering my link to him that I hold these emotions close to me, not allowing him to sense my inner turmoil. How very close I am to losing it. My mother jerks back as if I’ve slapped her and I’m instantly sorry for the words that have tumbled from my mouth. I shake my head as I say, “I… I didn’t mean it like it sounded. I’m sorry. I’m just under a lot of stress.”
Danu takes a deep breath and says, “I deserved that. This whole situation is my fault. Come on; your father is right you have not been eating like you should. Let's see what Maith has planned for dinner. Maybe she will let us eat in the kitchen with her tonight. The dining room will feel empty with so many gone this evening. Just so you know, I do not plan on leaving your side this evening. I struck that infernal deal, and I will be there to help you, however I may. I'm so sorry that I did this to you and Alaric.” She says to me with a pained expression on her face.
Not thinking about it I pull her into a hug, “I know you are, and this isn't your fault. I'm just irritable and being a bitch. This is something that was prophesized. It would have come to pass one way or the other.”
“Ashlinn, is it happening tonight?” I hear Lexie ask from behind me.
I sigh, knowing now that the cat is out of the bag. Thank the gods and goddesses that Alaric has left the premises. "It won't be long now. Once the blood contract is evoked, I will need to meet up with Jasmine. She will be waiting for me at the entrance to the forest. I’m just not sure how I will get out of the Keep. It’s on lockdown and Declan will not allow me to pass. Alaric will have given very explicit instruction. Even though he knows that this will happen inevitably, I know he wants to be here.”
“I’ll take you.” My mother says resolutely. “I have a few choice words for the dark prince. Come, girls, let’s get you both fed and ready for this evening's events. I will hear no argument. You will have a filling meal. Rhespen is right; you’re neglecting yourself.” She is so mothering that I squeeze her hand in mine as I fight back the tears. It pisses me off that I'm so emotional. I have been preparing for this night for some time now, and I need to get it together.
As we enter the kitchen, Maith greets us and has anticipated our arrival. She has set a place for the three of us on the island, and I see that she plans to join us. It's a simple but hearty meal of shepherd's pie, along with fresh baked rolls and we settle ourselves for our dinner. "Thank you Maith, this looks wonderful," I say as the aroma of the meal assaults my senses and my stomach growls.
“You’re very welcome dear. There’s plenty here so eat up.” She says with a smile as she continues to putter around the kitchen. She reminds me so much of Millie, and I wonder how they are doing as I take a moment to reminisce about home.
Tackling my evening meal, I turn to Lexie and ask, "How is it going with the witch? I hear she has been cooperating to an extent. Is my role still the same? Am I only to retrieve Tarron's blood?"
“Ash, everything hedges on you being able to acquire, even just, a drop of Tarron's blood but he has to give it to you willingly. Otherwise, nothing we do will nullify the blood contract short of his death." Lexie says grimly.
“Tell me a little more about the mechanics of the blood contract. How exactly does it bind me to him?” I ask while I reach for a second roll, they’re still warm from the oven as I break it open and smooth the now warm butter over the soft texture and watch as it melts into the bread.
Danu answers this time, "At the time the contract was drawn up, it was to be an arranged marriage or binding if you will. So in theory, it should act much the same as a kindred binding, but it is tainted with dark majic. I believe that you will feel drawn to him much the same as to your kindred, but it's not a true binding link. I had hoped that once you and Tarron met, that you both would indeed be drawn to one another and that over a period of time, the blood contract would no longer be the binding link between you. Now that you are bound to Alaric through a true kindred and mate bond the dark majic in the blood contract will have to work that much harder. Once evoked there will be a duality that will plague you. You will suffer a great deal of pain at being pulled away from your true mate while being drawn to Tarron." My mother swallows hard and looks away with a trace of tears in her eyes.
Lexie speaks up, “Ashlinn, I’m going to place a new charm on your pendant to ward off any additional dark majic that you may be subjected to during your time with Tarron and his dark horde. If you don’t mind, can I have your pendant for a moment? Once I place the charm on your pendant, and it’s placed back around your neck no one but you should be able to remove it, and it should protect you." Lexie smiles at me tentatively while waiting for me to remove my pendant.
I reach to unclasp my necklace as she gets up and goes about finding a stone bowl, a candle, some paper and a writing utensil. Once obtaining those objects, she then pulls a four leaf clover and a smooth bloodstone from a side pocket. I’m fascinated at how quickly she has been able to acclimate to her new found Druid abilities. She slides the paper and charcoal pencil my way and says, ‘Write down in four words the four most important things in your life while I continue to set up.”
I hesitate, and I'm not sure how to proceed. Then I ask, “Does what I write have to be viewed before the charm is cast?”
Lexie and my mother look at me questioningly before Lexie replies, "No. Not if you don't want us to see what you have written. The charm will work the same way regardless. Do either of you mind lighting the candle? I am quickly learning that the fire element is not my affinity element. Even though I seem to have a fiery disposition when it comes to Declan, that elf can set me off with just a few words." She says with a dreamy look to her gaze as she thinks about her kindred.
“You can say that again.” I smile, and with a snap of my fingers, I'm able to pull a spark to me and light the candle.
Lexie grins brightly at me and says, “I’m so freakin jealous of that ability. You have no idea. That’s just so cool.”
Smiling back at Lexie, I take the paper and pencil with me and walk to another counter away from everyone and set about writing my four words.
Alaric.
Babe.
Family.
Balance.
I thought long and hard about the last word but knew it to represent so very much. We all have to have balance. I'm going to need balance. The Realms need balance and will only have balance through the Tree of Life. The other three were easy. I fold my piece of paper into quarters and rejoin the others sliding it across the counter to Lexie. She places my pendant, the four-leaf clover, and the bloodstone in the bowl. She picks up the paper and proceeds to say, "The symbols on your pendant, the four triquetrae, are symbols of protection among other things, the four leaf clover is also a symbol of protection as well as a symbol of luck, the bloodstone holds properties of protection." Then she begins. She holds the paper in one hand and the candle in the other and begins to chant in what I believe to be ancient Irish Gaelic. As she does so, her eyes take on that opaque white look that I'm not sure I will ever get used to. As her chant ends, she lights the paper on fire and drops it into the stone bowl. There is a sudden swoosh as the charm takes hold before the fire goes out with dramatic pop.
I look into the bowl and the only thing left is my pendant. I can’t help but ask, “Where did the bloodstone go?”
Lexie’s eyes begin to return to normal as she says, “They are bound to the charm on your pendant. As are the four most important things I asked you to write down.”
“What do you mean bound? I wrote Alaric’s name
on that piece of paper.” I say in a bit of a panic.
“Ash, it’s okay. I knew you would. Maybe it would be better explained as the essence of what you feel for your kindred and the other three things you wrote down, has been captured and bound to the pendant. It truly has become your talisman in more ways than one.” Lexie says as she takes my hand in hers and gives a little squeeze. “I can’t help but think that there’s something else that is worrying you. Is there anything that you want to talk about?” She asks.
I'm becoming excellent at deflecting as I say, "What do either of you know about the Sword of Light? I know it is one of the Four Jewels that is mentioned in the Prophecy but other than that? You both should know that I visited the Tree of Life a few nights ago. She was very cryptic, but she told me that I needed to find the Sword of Light and fulfill my destiny, something about a new line of guardians that would begin with me."
I had forgotten that Maith was even in the room as she spoke up to say, "My dear child, that can't be right. The Histories tells us that the previous guardians were all male after the Cherubim were called back to the Overworld. As for the Sword of Light, Legend has it that when the last guardian passed from the land of the living to the Overworld, the Sword of Light mysteriously disappeared."
"What do you mean, it disappeared?" I ask. "I really think that I need to find that sword. I've been thinking about our conversation. It would appear, that even if we're able to overthrow The Morrígan and reverse the curse that has been cast, the Tree of Life is convinced it won't be enough to save her."
My mother looks at me and then the others as she says, "All of this happened so very long ago, it's difficult to remember the details. After Adam and Eve had been cast out of the Garden of Eden, the Cherubim were assigned a station as protector or sentinel to God's Garden. That happened before the Overworld, and the Underworld were permanently sealed off to the Mortal and the Otherworld Realms. In those days the Drakon Dragons were appointed as guardians to The Realms, but that was so very long ago. I digress, our Creator decided to move the location of the garden to be, really, in a Realm all her own. Once our Creator felt that The Realms were stable, and everything was working as it should, the portals to The Realms of the afterlife were permanently closed. When that happened, the Cherubim were called home, and a new order of guardians was appointed. The Sword of Light was gifted to the Order of the Guardians as a symbol to enforce our Creators will. If the sword indeed disappeared, then it would have been called home. If it were called home, then we will have to find a way to open the portal to the Overworld. Although I'm not certain, that can be accomplished."
