by Jana LaPelle
Rhespen sighs heavily, as he attempts to explain, "Nym will not take a mate, ever, unless it is from one of your bloodlines. From this point forward his sole duty is to protect you and your children Ashlinn and by extension you too, Alaric. It is a great honor and sacrifice for Nym. He is a warrior prince and will remain steadfast in his duty to you and your line."
“No! Nym, I want you to be happy. To take a mate. You should not forfeit that for me or my line. I have Alaric. We have each other. Nym, this is not what I want for you.” I say adamantly.
“Ashlinn, it is done. I have no regrets. You and your line are now my sole purpose. The mechanics behind how and when this happens is not known. I have faith that this happened for a reason and a purpose. I believe that my mate is tied to your line. In the meantime, I will do everything in my power to see that your line succeeds in its endeavor.” Nym says gravely. “Do not feel sad. I do not. It is my duty and my path, my Lady.”
“Then I hope you will not have to wait long for you to find your mate through my descendants. My daughters or granddaughters could find no more honorable male. You honor us with your sacrifice.” I say gravely trying to understand the depth of the connection between Nym and me and my line.
“Ummm, Ash, let’s not go matching my daughters up just yet. Okay?” Alaric says uncomfortably, and I hear the group laugh.
Knowing that Alaric and I need some time alone, I say to everyone, "Let's all catch up later today. You all need to get to know one another. I think you will find that many of you have lots in common. Lexie, there is a coven of witches here that you and Nemus and the rest of your Druids should visit. Morgwais leads the coven. I hear she was pretty impressed with the charm you cast on my talisman. In fact, they could probably use your help to reverse the damage done to the witch who unknowingly attempted to use dark majic on me to forget you all. We'll catch up with you all this afternoon." I say as I draw Alaric away with me. I've missed my Elf-Man, and I want to enjoy this brief reprieve before our quest begins in earnest.
Chapter 16
(Ashlinn)
I take Alaric’s hand and lead him pass the manor to the back gardens and out to the cliffs of Ireland. I find solace here, and I hope that Alaric will as well. No words are spoken as we turn to one another before the vastness of this world. The roar of the ocean crashing against the rocks below can be heard as Alaric pulls me into his embrace. I wrap my arms around his waist and hold him close. My panther? Well, she is finally content as a purr issues from deep within me signally that all is well with her. The wind whips about us as we stand holding onto the other, the pull to be close to my kindred and never let him go again has settled into my core as I listen to his steady heartbeat, a sound that I have sorely missed. I want to freeze time to freeze this moment as I enjoy just being held in his arms again. I sigh and close my eyes lost to the sensations that have awakened again at being with my mate.
Through our bond I hear, “Never again, I will never again be separated from you. Do you understand? We are one and only together are we whole. That is how this works. You are mine, and I am yours. Forever and always till the end of our days, I will love and cherish you above all others. I need you, to be with you and only you, to shut the world and everything in it out.”
There are no words for how I feel at this moment, only the love I feel for my kindred as I look up into his intense blue eyes. I reach up to cup his ruggedly handsome face in my hands, and a feeling of home washes over me. I’m home, and I’m whole for the first time in two weeks. Alaric allows his vulnerability to shine through as he closes his eyes and leans into my touch. I stroke his jaw and run my fingers over his lips, tracing them as my other hand slides down his neck to feel his steady pulse. I want to memorize everything about him, the sandpaper like texture of his two-day-old beard, the hard set of his jaw, his scent, everything. He looks down at me and leans down to gently kiss my forehead before taking my hand in his and pulling me back toward the manor. I smile and let him take the lead.
As we enter the main hall, everyone stops to watch our progress, and I feel Alaric bristle beside me. I’m instantly swept off my feet as he pulls me in close. His intent is clear. He means to carry me and assert his claim on me to everyone in attendance. I point toward the stairs that lead to my chambers and lay my head on his shoulder giving in to his need to claim me once more. Whatever my mate needs at this moment is my top priority. If he needs to assert his claim publicly, then so be it. If he needs to have me close to him at all times, that is no sacrifice. If he needs to mark me again as his, then by all means. Everything and everyone falls away, and it’s just the two of us as Alaric climbs the last of the stairs and I direct the way to my chambers. Vaguely I’m aware that Nym, Tolin, and Camoryn are following closely behind. As Alaric enters the outer room and makes to close the door, I see them take up a post outside of our quarters. They each nod silently and turn to their post as the door shuts firmly behind Alaric. He continues his trek into the bedroom suite shutting us away from everyone.
My hand goes around his neck to pull him down for a kiss, it’s now just the two of us, and my need to ignite the passion in our link is barely contained, but I can tell that Alaric is still not ready as he tenderly meets my lips in a kiss of utter devotion and love. He lays me on the bed and quietly, with deliberate intent removes my shoes and clothing. He does the same as he joins me on the bed. No barriers between us as he pulls me into his arms, content to have me in his embrace, bare to him as his hands roam over my naked form. We both take this time to become reacquainted with the other. I become self-conscious as his hand stills over my belly; his thumbs begin to caress me there. The change is now a little more noticeable to me. The slight distention in my lower abdomen, the somewhat noticeable roundness that before now no one had noticed except for me, Alaric leans down and trails kisses across my stomach and asks, “How long have you known? I knew you were keeping something from me. It was driving me crazy not knowing what seemed to have you so concerned. It was after our night at the waterfall, wasn’t it? It’s all becoming perfectly clear, now that the threat is over. So how far along are you?” He looks up at me through his dark, thick lashes with a grin on his face.
I smile down at him and reply, “A month, now that I have spent two weeks here in The Mortal Realm, maybe a little longer. For you, it’s only been hours for me it’s been weeks. I still can’t get over how that works. Anyhow, Father seems to think that this child will be born in approximately six months by his calculation. That means that we really need to get busy and find the Jewels of the Tuatha Dé Danann. I’m not sure how much I will be able to accomplish in four or five months’ time.”
A growl issues forth from deep within Alaric letting me know exactly what he thinks about me going up against The Morrígan. “Mo grá, you will not continue to put yourself in harm’s way now that you’re carrying our child. It didn’t sit right before and now even less.” His voice is deep and growly, and I love how it sounds against my stomach as he makes his way up to my breast that are now a bit larger than before and super sensitive. His large hands cup them and knead them softly, and with just that gentle touch I’m about to come undone. His unshaven chin grazes my stomach before his mouth latches on to one of my taut nipples. He pulls the tip into his mouth and sucks, sending tingling sensations straight to my core. He looks at me intently before trailing kisses up my chest, to my neck, and then latches on to the tip of my ear as his tongue traces its shape. I gasp as a tremor rocks through my body and my legs of their own accord wrap around my beautiful Elf-Man drawing him closer, needing him inside of me.
His body is poised above me, and he’s positioned at my entrance as he stares deep into my soul. “You’re mine, Ashlinn Ryllae Faerondarl and I intend to claim you again.” His mouth descends on me demandingly as he pushes inside of me. I latch onto my kindred as we come together intent on reaffirming our binding as we fall into a rhythm that is uniquely our own. The intensity of being together again after so long apart is
overwhelming and my first climax hits me quickly, leaving me a quivering pile of limbs as Alaric continues to drive into me and my insides begin to coil tightly again and my second release is upon me. Before I can think better of it, I pull my mouth from Alaric’s, and my canines begin to lengthen, almost in unison, we bite down on the other's neck and shoulder intensifying our release as it comes to us at the same moment. I shriek his name from the pure pleasure of the sensations he evokes in me.
I’m panting now as I look up at his handsome smiling face, “I love you, Alaric. I need you, just once more.”
“Just one more time will never be enough, mo grá. I want to make love to you until the end of our days.” He kisses me gently and begins to move inside me again. His hard length is hitting that sweet spot over and over again until I’m quivering around him at my impending release, I scream as I go over the edge again knowing that he has yet to follow and our rhythm increases once more. Our need for one another will not abate, and he takes us both over the edge to our own sweet abyss again as we collapse in a tangled heap of sweaty limbs, content for the first time in days.
It’s mid-day, and Alaric has finally fallen asleep. His panther has insisted on marking me repeatedly. I swear I have bite marks on my shoulders, neck, breast, and ass. Alaric’s panther has never been so aggressive in marking me before, and I can blame our time apart. There is even a love bite on my inner thigh. His soft snores are music to my ears, but I find that I’m starving and after the last time I’m not willing to wait until evening to eat. I dress quickly in silk pajama pants and a very snug fitting cotton tank. Wow, this tank did not fit that way two days ago as it stretches tightly across my chest. I wrap a silk robe around me in an effort to maintain my modesty as I make my way toward the outer chambers.
Gingerly, I open the door and peek my head out. Camoryn is the first to notice me as he grins and says, “Wow, for someone who thinks that the dark fae are exhibitionist that was rather impressive. I think everyone in the manor heard that last scream. Is that a bite mark on your neck?” I can feel my face heat as a blush creeps up my face.
Nym shuts him down before he can continue. “Cam, that’s enough. Ashlinn, how may we assist you?”
I smile at Nym and say, “I’m starving.”
“I bet you are, after that marathon round of sex,” Cam replies before Nym can say anything. “Whoa, are your breast…”
Garrik smacks him across the back of the head effectively shutting him up as he continues to stare at the girls. He’s right; the difference is rather noticeable even since this morning, and I have no idea as to why that would be the case as Nym leans in to say, “Ashlinn, it’s perfectly normal.”
“Seriously? How would you even know that Nym?” I question.
He smiles and says, “I’m the oldest of twelve. When I got older, I took note of how my mother’s body changed to handle motherhood. Your body is just preparing for the demand. The noticeable changes with mo máthair took place a little further along, but you are dealing with two very different timelines. Your body may be a little messed up due to that.”
“Whatever the cause, I’m starving, and I’ve not had the first thing to eat today. I really don’t want a repeat of the other night. Could I request that food is sent up? Alaric needs his rest, and I really need something to eat. If I could request anything from the kitchen, it would be lots of meat, on the rare side and then maybe some vegetables on the side and something chocolate. Also, can you send word to The Dagda and Tarron to see what time everyone is planning on gathering this evening? By the goddess, I keep craving rare meat and chocolate.”
Nym smiles and says, “Your wish is my command.”
Nym now has a special place in my heart. No matter what Alaric thinks, I’m going to match him with one of my daughters, if that is even possible. I’m back in my outer chambers when the vision takes hold. I’m taken to a time in the somewhat near future. I’m back at the Keep, and there are two little ones around me, and we’re in the library with toys littering the floor. Lexie is across the room smiling down at the two with a little one on her hip. I’m seated at one of the tables that are littered with books and manuscripts as I puzzle over something, something important. I feel and odd movement in my stomach only to realize that I’m very pregnant and I rub my belly trying to soothe the child I carry. The toddlers, look to be about two and a half and are wreaking havoc on everything in their midst as they race around the room playing tag. The pair finishes their game and comes running toward me throwing their chubby little hands and arms up to be held as they say in unison, “Máthair, Máthair, up.” They’re twins, a boy, and a girl. I reach down and gather them into my arms. As the vision concludes, realization sets in; I’m carrying twins. I just sit there dumbfounded as I try to absorb the vision and come to terms with it. The food that I requested is delivered and all the while I’m still trying to come to terms with the fact that I’m carrying a boy and a girl. The first vision I had of our children, I don’t recall seeing our son, but he could have been out of my line of sight. All I know is that it was a happy occasion, so I’m not inclined to worry about that. No wonder my baby bump has increased in size in the last couple of days. I can’t help but worry about how all this is going to play out.
I’m deep in thought as Alaric comes up behind me and I lean back into him before I say, “You should be sleeping. You’ve only been asleep for a couple of hours. But since you are up, are you hungry? I was starving. These two are making me ravenous.” I say with a smug little grin as I dig into the mound of roast beef and mashed potatoes. My appetite is beyond ferocious as I watch for Alaric’s reaction. I’m greeted with stunned silence before a huge grin lights up his entire face. He’s beaming with pride and wonder. I love him even more than I thought possible as he quickly wraps his mind around the fact that we are going to be parents very soon to not one babe but two.
The rest of the afternoon passes much the same as I bring Alaric up to speed on my conversation with The Tree of Life and we throw around ideas as to what all that means and what our future may hold. We talk about my time here, apart from him, and his time, pacing in front of the dormant portal. Our need to put everything behind us is great, and there are times that I cry and times where his anger and rage are on the surface. In the end, we are just content to be back where we belong, and that’s together.
Alaric is constantly by my side with his arms wrapped around me even if we are only conversing. His touches linger, and if I think about it, we are constantly finding ourselves caressing each other in our need to just touch. He anticipates my hunger and brings me food; he wraps throws around me if he thinks I’m cold and stokes the fire. His hands are frequently on my belly as his need to reaffirm that all is right. I can sense his panther is pushing him into this overprotective behavior and he really cannot help himself, so I indulge him while we are in our chambers. He even insisted on carrying me from one room to the other, but now we have to prepare to meet up with everyone else.
After we shower, I disappear into the closet to choose something to wear. Tonight is a casual affair, and I attempt to slide into my skinny jeans. The ones that I wore earlier in the day and I find that they will not zip all the way up and forget trying to button them shut. The change is subtle, but the jeans are out. My only other option is my leathers, and I pull them on and lace up the front. It’s almost as if my body was waiting for Alaric to be with me before visibly beginning to change. Conscious of not wanting to sport too much cleavage I pull on a snug fitting long sleeve shirt with a scoop neckline and then my matching leather corset style vest adjusting the lacing. Soon I will be popping out of everything. I allow myself a moment to caress my belly and send my love to the two little ones I carry. I then pull my hair up in my signature high ponytail. I sigh as I see the love bites on either side of my neck, not sure how that will be received by the group but knowing that it will sooth Alaric to see them tonight while in Tarron’s company. The changes that my body has begun to display will be
visible to everyone in attendance this evening if they care to take notice, and I’m feeling extremely self-conscious as I exit the dressing room closet.
Alaric is staring out into the dark stormy night. His emotions are just as turbulent as the storm outside. I know that if it were up to him, we would be heading back to Glenndale Loch Keep in the morning so he could get me as far away from Tarron as possible. He feels out of control and vulnerable here especially with what is to come. Walking up to him, I wrap my arms around his waist from behind and lay my face against his back and say, “Do you want to do this tomorrow? I think everyone would understand.”
He turns in my arms to face me before saying, “I just want to keep you and our children safe. Hiding away from our destiny is not going to accomplish that goal. These two little ones are along for the ride for a reason. I’m just not sure what that reason is right now. I still feel the need to beat Tarron into a bloody pulp, but I will rise above it. I must. I just wish that he had of been able to turn to me instead of turning from me. Why do you think he connected with you the way he did?”
“As I understand it, I’m part dark fae. You and I together represent both the light and the dark fae. I hope you are okay with that; I really had no idea about the division between the light and the dark fae until recently. Before binding with me, you were solely light fae. All I know is that I was meant to be here. Everyone says that I was born with a light and pure heart and that my light shines through but how can that be if I’m part shifter, part dark fae? How was it that Garrik connected with me? I don’t have the answer to those questions.”
“Then we will figure it out together. I have never been happier, Ashlinn, in representing both the light and dark fae.” Alaric pulls back and takes in my outfit, “Άlainn, what…?
“I would watch what you’re about to say Alaric.” I glare up at him.
