by Jana LaPelle
As my power recedes, I sense Tarron stalking to the forefront of our group. “Daria, you wretched little witch. You will never more, set foot inside my court. I cannot forgive you this act of betrayal! From this point forward you are banished. The Horde has no place for someone of your insolence.” Tarron’s voice booms across the knoll.
Daria’s face turns several shades of red, bordering on purple, as her rage takes hold, twisting her exotic good looks into a mask of anger, as she sputters, “But I did this for you! So that we could be together, like before she came to us. I told you that she was no good for you, but you were blinded by her. You could not see beyond her. We are meant to be together. She has poisoned you against me!”
“No Daria. You did that all on your own. You knew your place, and it was never to be my queen. You were my consort and nothing more.” As Tarron concludes his smack down on Daria, the Fomorians that stand at her side unsheath their weapons, the sound of metal sliding from leather encasings rings loudly across the ridge.
Alaric and Tarron step in front of me as we prepare to take out the dark queen’s minions. Lexie and I know that we are better suited to participate in this battle from a distance. Jasmine comes up from behind me with a crossbow and quiver full of arrows and says, “You go girl. I’m getting ready to go all Super-ninja-Tinkerbell on Daria’s little friends. See you when it’s all said and done.” With that, she smirks and winks at Lexie and me, and in the blink of an eye, she is sprite sized, wings beating furiously, and heading toward Camoryn. I guess she was able to sort the whole size shifting thing out.
Everyone is so very methodical, as we square off on what is about to become a battlefield. This is not like our other run-ins with the dark queen’s followers. I watch as The Morrígan’s warriors hulk up and take on their berserker forms. They are massive and monstrous in this form and would be intimidating if not for my knowledge of my Guard and Tarron’s appointed Sentries and their abilities. My guys take their stances. We have four berserkers to their twelve, and they spread out amongst my guardians. We are evenly matched in number but not in size. This battle will come down to skill; their brute strength can and will be outmatched.
I look for a vantage point behind our warrior’s line of defense. Ēolieus and Khatar, my light and dark elf defenders, stay behind with Lexie and me to provide cover from afar. They are excellent shots with their recurve bows. Garrik, Dorlan, and TNT go berserker. Ferg refuses to be outdone and stands with the Fomorians in our little battalion. The rest of the males move into formation behind Tarron and Alaric, backing them up before Nym and Alaric shift, the movement is seamless. Their panthers are massive and will allow them the speed they need along with the claws to take down our enemies.
I look to Nemus, and he just shrugs and says, “The charm worked so well for Alaric that I charmed Nym as well.”
“Thank you Nemus, when this is all said and done; I would like you to charm me as well,” I say with a mischievous smile and add, “All the shifters in The Realm will want a little bit of that majic.”
Lexie, Nemus, and the witches begin working together to create an illusion in case any humans wander this way as we are about to engage in a bloody battle. A silent call to attack is recognized on both sides, and the males rush forward. The sight of the twelve Fomorians in their hulking forms rushing toward my Guard is unnerving, they look like giants compared to most of my Guard, with horns and fangs and massive bulging muscles. Just now the elves beside me nimbly hop up to position themselves at the very top of the vehicles beside us, their agility and speed make the movement look graceful and easy. I know that I’m not going to be any help at all until I find a higher vantage point. Summoning the air element to me, I tap into the rush as I realize that it’s now mine to command. It swirls around me, enveloping me as I’m lifted off of the ground. I’m now able to see that Alaric and Nym are closing in on our enemy and they are about to attack their targets in their sleek panther form, I call the fire element to me and launch multiple fireballs at the heads of the males in their path. Swinging my crossbow around from my back I take aim and notice that my fellow archers are shooting off arrows in rapid fire succession, rarely missing their target. Which only seems to slow the enemy giving our guys the chance to take the Fomorians out. I watch as Tarron moves faster than I can track and effortlessly launches himself onto the back of one of the hulking forms, slicing his throat from ear to ear as he takes his head, blood runs in rivers down the torso of the male before dropping to the ground with a lifeless thud. TNT work together like a well-oiled machine and have taken out another, while Ferg’s massive form races into the skirmish launching himself at the Fomorian that is barreling down on him. Ferg’s huge battle axe is in mid swing when it connects with his opponent successfully lopping off his monstrous looking head. The emerald green grasses of the Irish hills are now covered in crimson as blood soaks the ground of the knoll.
The battle continues to unfold. Alaric and Nym pounce on their prey’s back going for the neck while raping their claws over the flesh of their enemy bringing them to their knees at about the same time. As their opponent goes down both males, shift back and engage their swords to inflict a mortal wound, shedding even more of our enemy’s life essence.
In a matter of moments, we have cut their numbers almost in half as I look around the bloodied ground. I notice that the morning has turned ominous with dark storm clouds rolling in, and I seek to check on the safety of my guardians. Lorcan and Declan are working together to take yet another down when I see Camoryn’s running approach. He lowers his head in a true goat-like fashion using his horns to ram the male in the midsection. In my distraction, I missed that Garrik and Lorcan take swords to the abdomen and are dropped to their knees in a matter of seconds. My scream echoes out over the battlefield, and I disregard everything and everyone around me as my fury intensifies. They are my guard, my males to protect. The fireballs that I send to my enemy engulf them, and their agonizing screams echo around me.
My fury is building as I see the injuries that are being inflicted on my Guard and the power within me is no longer something that I can contain. It begs to be unleashed. As my Guard continues to fight the enemy, the need to obliterate them is all encompassing. Something is building within me, like a raging inferno, as I watch the devastation around me. Just like during my awakening I can no longer contain the power that is begging to be freed. I’m engulfed in the air element, and the fire element is consuming me as I rise higher and higher into the sky. I’m losing myself as I give into the need to reign down justice and punishment to those that dare cross me and mine in their dark intent to rule The Realms. To those that follow the dark queen, I can no longer contain the rage that burns within me as my body contorts in on itself, cradling the life that grows within me. I hear Alaric through our bond as he begs for me to reign in my power. His call has come too late as I abruptly straighten, gathering all the power that is thrumming through me before releasing my fury on those that oppose us. I’m suspended with my arms over my chest, before flinging them outward as the power that I have gathered is abruptly released. I hear a deafening sound issue forth as the building energy within me exits my body.
I hang for a moment suspended in midair before my control falters, I begin to fall, plummeting to the ground as all my power recedes and darkness threatens to engulf me. My consciousness is waning, and all I can think to do is call out to my kindred, “Alaric?” as darkness overcomes my vision.
Chapter 20
(Alaric)
I turn to see my kindred unleash her power on those that oppose us. She is a vision encased in black leather with her waist length golden brown hair whipping around her, her eyes are ablaze, and her hands and arms are covered in flames. I sense the explosive power that she is about to unleash at the last moment and try to reach her through our bond, but it’s too late. As the power is released, I brace myself for the wave of energy that sweeps over us. A moment later her call through our bond is desperate, and I realiz
e that she is spent and her control is faltering. I have to get to her. She’s at least fifty feet in the air. They will not survive the fall. I shift and run as fast as I can to get to her before she hits the ground. In mid-leap, I shift back in an effort to gain my footing to catch her at the last minute.
Time seems to slow as I look up to see her lifeless body just in time to catch her unconscious form. I look her over to make sure nothing is amiss, before pulling her into me, placing a kiss on her forehead. I expel the breath that I didn’t know I had been holding. My knees feel weak as the realization sets in that she and the babes are okay and I can breathe easier now. I look around to see that two of ours have taken serious injuries, but the rest of The Morrígan’s warriors have been obliterated. With Ashlinn wrapped safely in my arms, I stride back over the ridge, back the way I had come to get to Garrik and Lorcan. Ferg has Lorcan in his arms. The big burly guy is close to tears as they are trying to staunch the bleeding coming from his friend’s abdomen. We tend to live very long lives, but a mortal wound can kill if not healed before bleeding out. I look over to Garrik and see that Dorlan is trying to do the same, to no avail. Camoryn and Jasmine are walking back our way after having apprehended Daria and are escorting her back to the group.
I look at Nym and say, “I need you to take Ashlinn for a bit while I take care of Lorcan and Garrik. Please, don’t go too far. I need to know that she is near while I heal them.” Nym nods and I place my kindred in his waiting arms. I smooth her hair back and lean in to cup her cheek and gently kiss her lips and whisper, “Rest, mo grá, I won’t be far.” I notice that her skin has a pallor that I don’t like, but I can sense that all three are okay. Her energy reserves are just low.
The mood is somber as I step away, knowing that Ashlinn is in good hands, I shift my focus. I assess our two fallen comrades. Lorcan seems to be worse off than Garrik, so I focus my attention on him first. I kneel beside my friend as blood continues to bubble up and flow from his wound pooling around us and I swallow hard as I see how much of his life essence he has lost. I look up to Ferg, and with a somber look, I go about my task. I lay my hands on his wound first assessing the damage. It’s like I can see the internal wound in my mind and take note that his heart’s rhythm has begun to slow and I say, “Not today my friend, stay with me.” Then I see my gift beginning to knit the damaged flesh together. As I work, a warmth emanates from my hands as the power of healing departs from me into my friends ravaged, damaged flesh. As the last of the wound knits itself closed, a bright light radiates around the area under my hands, and even the scar begins to fade as does the light when I pull my hands away. Lorcan has slipped into an unconscious state. His blood loss is substantial and will require that he rest for several days in recuperation. Nodding to Ferg, I say, “He’s going to be okay. It will take a few days for him to regain his strength.” I rise and move to Garrik to see to his wounds.
“My Lord, it’s not necessary, do not expend your energy. I will heal in a matter of a couple of days.” Garrik tries to reassure me, his voice weak and raspy as he gasps for breath, but I can see what he does not and merely push his feeble attempts at waving me away, aside.
“Garrik, don’t be obstinate. This wound goes deeper than you realize. Now let me do what I need to do to put you to right. Dorlan, I need you to hold Garrik much like Fergus did with Lorcan. That’s it. Now remove your hands.” As they do so, I repeat my actions from before assessing the wound and then pushing the healing energy into the damaged flesh until it knits itself back together again. Sitting back admiring my handiwork, I can feel how drained I am, but I’m not done yet, Ashlinn and the babes need a little boost. I stand and wipe my bloodied hands on my leather pants. I look around, and I see the devastation all around us. Ashlinn’s display of power took down the remaining Fomorians. They are but a pile of ash. I’m going to have to talk to her about this new ability. The dark rolling storm clouds take that moment to open, and the heavy clouds release a downpour of rain. We all just stand on the ridge and allow the rain to wash the blood and mire away.
Nemus, Lexie, and the witches go about casting a spell to clean up what’s left of the Otherworldly remains away from human eyes. As I look around our ragtag group, my eyes land on Tarron. He and I both know that our little trip has been delayed for at least a day, probably more.
“Alaric, let’s get everyone back in the vehicles and head back to the manor. We’re only minutes away. We’ll spend the night there, giving Ashlinn time to regain her strength and the others some time to recuperate. It will give you and me time to regroup and interrogate Daria. Then we can start out again in the morning or the following day.”
“Agreed.” I reach Nym, and he transfers my mate to my arms, and I settle as she is back with me once more. We all begin to slowly, make our way back to the vehicles. Everyone climbs in, and our cavalcade makes it back the way it came. I settle Ashlinn in my arms all the while I’m sharing my energy with her. Color begins to seep back into her cheeks, and I feel her stir against me. Her mind brushes mine in a feeble attempt to reach me. Through our bond I send her comforting thoughts and love, trying to reassure her that all is well but she still wakes with a start, and I’m startled to see that her eyes are still glowing as she looks up at me with worry and concern. Slowly, her eyes return to normal as she realizes that all is well.
“There you are, love. We just passed the wards and are heading back to the manor to regroup. We’re going to stay here for the night, and we’ll head out again in the morning or even the next day.”
“And Lorcan and Garrik? How are they? Their… their injuries looked deadly…”
“Ashlinn, it’s okay. I was able to heal them, and with some rest, they will be as good as new.”
The vehicles come to a stop in front of the manor, and we all climb out. I still have Ashlinn in my arms, refusing to let her go as she looks up at me and asks, “You caught me, didn’t you? I don’t remember anything after a certain point. The last thing I remember, I was about fifty feet in the air, and my control was failing. After that, the next thing I remember is waking up in your arms. How did you get to me so quickly?”
“I will always catch you Ashlinn. Always. Don’t be so surprised. I will accomplish the impossible to make sure you and our little family are safe.”
“I would do the same for you; that’s why we make such a good team.” She smiles at me as she looks around and back up to me again. “You know Elf-Man, if you insist on carrying me everywhere we go, I’m going to become as big as a house.” Her eyes twinkle with mischief as she begins to relax. “Then you’ll need a crane to pick me up.”
Chuckling, I lean in to kiss her inviting lips and whisper against them, “I don’t care, as long as you and the little ones are safe. In fact, I can’t wait to see your belly grow with these two little ones. I will love every single inch of you because you honor me by blessing me with children. I distinctly remember telling you that I want as many children as you are willing to give me. I would keep you barefoot and pregnant from this point forward if I could.”
Ashlinn’s laughter is infectious, and I realize that we are more than halfway to our chambers. We have been so wrapped up in one another neither of us were aware of our surroundings. She looks up at me smiling and says, “Elf-Man, I do believe that you are going to be an over achiever in that objective.” Looking around she asks, “Why are we back at our chambers?”
“You’re switching subjects, what did you mean by that comment?”
“Somethings are better left unsaid.” She says with a mysterious smile. “Alaric, I feel perfectly fine, you can put me down now. I want to go with you to interrogate that bitch. She could have ruined everything today. She has no idea what the larger picture is; she’s just pissed that I beat her ass, embarrassing her. That and Tarron has pulled away from her. Daria’s motives are purely driven by jealousy and a thirst for power, but her vision is short sighted. Her end goal is to become Tarron’s queen. I need to know what she told The Morríga
n and what she was promised in return for that information.”
I sigh as I place her on the couch in the outer room of our chambers. I turn to see that Nym and Tolin have followed us as well as Camoryn and Jaz. “Come on in everyone, the more, the merrier.” Anticipating Ashlinn’s need for sustenance, I ask, “Maybe we can have an early lunch before we head down to interrogate Daria. It will do Ashlinn some good. Her energy stores are low even after I have bolstered her. Protein will help.” I turn with a smile for my kindred and say, “We can see if there’s some chocolate cake and a large pitcher of cold milk.”
Ashlinn squeals when she hears my last request, and she jumps up into my arms, wrapping her legs around me and smothering me with kisses all over my face. I laugh at her enthusiasm and hold her close savoring the feel of her, knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that I would lay down my life to make sure that she is kept out of harm’s way. Her happiness and well-being are my utmost concern. I whisper in her pointy little ear, “By the gods, I love you, Ash.”
Chapter 21
(Ashlinn)
Alaric’s words are chalked full of emotion as they are whispered into my ear and would bring me to my knees if I were on my feet. I cling to him as I whisper in his ear alone, “Elf-Man, there are no words to describe what I feel for you. You have blessed me with children that I didn’t even know that I wanted at this point in in my life. We are yours, now and forever more. Now, where is that chocolate cake you promise? I’m famished. You know what happens when my blood sugar drops too low. I get cranky.” My smile belies my words as I lean in to capture his lips with mine. I really don’t care that we have an audience. It makes no difference as I lay claim to my kindred. I pull back and cup his handsome face in my hands, “By the goddess, I love you too Alaric. I love you more than I can express.” Tears are in my eyes as I continue, “You are my everything. Without you, I’m not sure that I could survive another day, so you have to promise me that you will always be with me, be with us. We can do anything if we’re together.”
