Link didn’t argue, but he cast me a look that told me he didn’t much care for being bossed. He and I started packing up my clothes quietly.
“Servants handle that, Rosie. You don’t move your things. Link can do it.”
“Link’s my friend, and an Untouchable. He’s no one’s servant.”
Kerdik tweaked my nose. “Everyone is your servant, because I say so. You’re their princess, but you’re my queen. Never forget that. Let him do his job; I need to speak with you in private.”
When Link stomped out with two armloads of my clothes, I sank heavily onto the bed, pulling my knees to my chest as I sat on the edge of the mattress. “I sincerely hope you didn’t just get all my clothes dunked in the mud or something. You’re going to piss people off, being a jag like that.” I folded my hands over my shins. “You’re a little tightly wound today. You want to talk about what’s making you be such a tool?”
Kerdik paced next to my bed, his brows pushed together in thought. “The last time I left for a long while, you were found starved and naked at the bottom of a well. No matter how powerful I am, it seems Morgan will always find a way to snatch at the people I love. If not Morgan, then Cailleach will do the job.” He sat down on the edge of the bed. “Do you know much about Link’s land?”
“Not really. Sluagh’s come from there, so I’m guessing it’s not a place I’d want to live.”
“Cailleach is their me, to put it simply. The people of Éireland fear and obey the immortal sisters – Cailleach and Brìghde – as Avalon does me, only they’re a little more beloved than I am.”
“I don’t see how that’s possible. You’re such a snuggly bunny,” I teased.
“Ha. You aren’t the first to think so.” His hint was left in the air between us. I kept my body as motionless as possible, sensing there was more. I waited for him to open up, worried what might happen if he kept himself a secret forever, but worried more at what darkness might come spilling out when he finally opened his mouth.
2
The Birds, the Bees and the Dragon
Kerdik stared at one of the posts on my bed, admiring the errant angel wings that had been carved into the honey-colored wood. “Do you know of Cailleach Bheur?”
“I can’t say I do. Why don’t you tell me about him or her.” I shifted and leaned back on my pillows, settling in for what I hoped would be a good bedtime story. Walter crawled onto my chest, grumbling that my breasts weren’t the right consistency for a nest. I ran my fingers over his fur to soothe his crabbiness as I waited for Kerdik to open up.
“Cailleach Bheur has just as much power as I do, only it’s focused in different areas. Where I can do a lot with the water and earth elements, she does a lot with weather. They call her the Winter Queen, which is quite the fitting title. She sees to half the year in Éireland, killing off the insects and diseases during the winter, which keeps Éireland thriving. Spring is controlled by her dear sister, Brìghde.”
“That’s sweet that they work together, keeping tight as a family.”
Kerdik shot me a look, letting me know “sweet” wasn’t the right word. “Long ago, maybe a handful of years before you were born, I traveled to Éireland to see if I could acquire a few of their abilities. I can affect the weather with my moods, sure, but I can’t do it on purpose. I didn’t know if that skill could be taught.”
“And now you’re the most awesome gangsta of all?” I smiled over at him, stroking Walter’s tail.
“Not hardly. As it turns out, the gift can’t be taught. The sisters are fairly stingy on sharing their talents.” His tone turned guilty. “However, that wasn’t the only purpose of my visit. I may or may not have spent a little alone time with Brìghde.”
I smirked at him, glad he was spilling his guts. “Sly dog.” Then I stiffened. “Wait, but what about your curse? If you sleep with a woman, she turns into a dragon. Is that what happened to Brìghde? She’s some immortal, weather-controlling springtime dragon? Because… yikes.”
He straightened the cuffs on his pressed white shirt, and smoothed his palm down his charcoal three-button vest, as if that would make his sexual history go away. “Not entirely. I was impulsive back then. Much to Cailleach’s dismay, I seduced her sister, who’s always been fairly impetuous. Brìghde was married back then, and our little affair sort of ended their union.”
I let out a low whistle. “Jeez. You take the immortal bit out of that, and you’ve got your own talk show fodder.”
“Brìghde didn’t turn into a dragon because that all happened before I was cursed.” He looked down, his gaze hard and his mouth in a tight line. “Cailleach was furious that I’d broken her sister’s heart. She made it so that anyone I coupled with would turn into a dragon. Brìghde’s the last woman I laid with who didn’t.”
I didn’t know what to say to that. “I’m so sorry. Seems like a rough retaliation, and entirely one-sided. I mean Brìghde cheated willingly, right? Cailleach aimed her fire in the wrong direction.”
“Exactly. I wasn’t at fault.”
When a cloudy red wave started to pollute the pure green of Kerdik’s skin, I recoiled. “You’re lying! I can see your lies, remember? You were totally at fault, and you know it.”
“Wonderful. This is so inconvenient,” he grumbled, and then sighed. “I may have put it in Brìghde’s head that I would be around if she left her husband, but I had no intention of doing so.” Kerdik kept his head down. “I went to see Brìghde again when I fell in love with Tara, a few years later. I apologized and begged her to get Cailleach to take back the curse. She said that if I gave her some of my magic, she would. So I gave her the ability to add more heat to her springtime, giving them summer – a concoction I’d meddled with over the years. My fire ability has always been stronger than hers. It added to her springtime, and makes for a pleasant summer in Éireland.” He bit down on his lower lip and closed his eyes for a brief moment. I could tell he was in the throes of hating himself.
I moved Walter off my chest and sat up, scooting across the bed so I could sit next to Kerdik. My feet dangled over the edge of the bed, and I looped my arm through his, so he didn’t have to feel so alone. “Then what happened?”
“She took my gift, and told me my curse was lifted. Only it wasn’t. I made love to Tara, and she mutated in the middle of our coupling, turning my sweet girlfriend into a monster even she couldn’t live with. Brìghde got Tara killed.” He shook his head at himself. “I shouldn’t have trusted her forgiveness. That was my foolish mistake. I got Tara killed.”
Kerdik’s fist clenched, so I worked my fingers around his knuckles to gently pry them open, lest the whole castle start shaking with his poorly bottled rage. “Tell me about Tara. What was she like?”
“She wasn’t afraid of me,” he stated simply, as if that was all it took for him to fall in love. “She looked at my skin as if I was a masterpiece, not a leper. She was good to me.” His face moved from rhapsodical to sour. “She was good to me, and I turned her into a monster.”
“It’s not that simple. You tried to make things right with Brìghde. You thought the curse was broken.”
Kerdik made a noncommittal grunt, but that was all he would concede on the matter. “I won’t make that mistake again. I won’t have sex with anyone else until I’m certain my curse is completely lifted.”
I wanted to point out that we’d finally managed to kiss without pyrotechnics, but realized that wasn’t exactly proof the curse was completely gone. Kerdik was protecting me, and I respected that.
Kerdik swallowed hard, and then continued, looking off to the side. “The Hemlock that was used to put Urien into his slumber? It was pure, unadulterated by time or crosspollination of crops. To be that potent while still non-volatile, the Hemlock would have to be a first-generation plant. The only way I can think that would be possible is for Morgan to have gone to Brìghde, begging her to grow her a new plant. Brìghde can do that, just as I can. I know I didn’t produce any Hemlock for Morgan to st
umble across; it had to have been her.”
“You think Brìghde has it in for my dad because you love him?”
Kerdik nodded. “It’s what I’m afraid of, yes. Immortals hold grudges long after they should’ve been forgotten. Our fury is one of the few things that stays constant, as the rest of the world mutates with time around us.”
I closed my eyes to fend off my frustration. “Great. How long have you known about this?”
“I still don’t know. I only suspect. I’m only telling you because I worry about your safety. If she hears of my love for you, and sees that I’m not going to lose control and turn you into a dragon, I’m afraid she’ll take matters into her own hands. She’ll come after you, Rosie. That’s why I need you to stay in the house while I’m gone.”
“You didn’t give me much choice,” I replied with a small smile. “You locked me inside the castle, goof.”
“And as much as you despise me for it, I won’t risk your safety. You’re their princess, but you’re my queen. Brìghde is cunning. She’ll do anything to destroy what I love, since she can’t destroy me. Immortals don’t go for the gut; they go for the heart.” He laced his fingers through mine and squeezed as he glanced at me out of the corner of his eye. “And you, my darling, are my heart.”
I knew this was the part where I normally would’ve kissed his cheek, but I was trying to avoid stepping out on Bastien, now that we were actually together. Though a cheek kiss could be innocent with anyone else, everything was dangerous with Kerdik. Instead I leaned my head on his shoulder, and cuddled into him when his arm found its way around my hips. “I feel like I should be freaking out that a vengeful immortal might have beef with me, but honestly, what’s one more crazy log to throw on the fire? Promise you’ll be careful while you’re gone, trying to draw the Sluagh away?”
“See? Only you would worry about my safety when I warn you about danger that might be headed your way. That’s only one of the many reasons I adore you.” He kissed the top of my head as he held me on the side of the bed. “Sluaghs are no real threat to me. More annoyingly slippery than anything else. I’ll deal with this last one, and come straight home to you, so you can fawn over me, as if I was mortal and had been in real danger.”
When my father cleared his throat from the doorway, I looked up to find his expression tight and displeased. “Is there a reason you’re making yourself at home on my daughter’s bed?” he accused Kerdik.
“Kerdik’s my friend,” I declared, setting the record straight for all of us – including myself. “Hey, Dad. How goes working solo tonight?”
“It’s lonely, but I’d rather you’re safe up here. Kerdik’s right about the westward-facing rooms. We haven’t had Sluaghs in Avalon before, so I didn’t even think of that. I’m a little rusty on my knowledge of Éireland’s magic, I admit. But one rule that’s held true through the years is that the bad creatures must be cast out, so that’s what we’ve set in our minds to do, once we come across this Sluagh again.”
Kerdik stood and faced his friend. “I’m taking off to try and lure the Sluagh from the castle using a lock of Rosie’s hair and a chasse charm.”
“Thank you. When you come back, you can use one of the many other rooms in my home to stay in. You’ll meet with Rosie in one of the receiving rooms, as is proper.”
I raised my eyebrow at my dad. “Sounds like you’ve had a long day. You’re extra crabby. You want to talk about it?”
My dad’s shoulders fell slightly, his barreled chest deflating. “It has been long. I didn’t expect to be without Lane still. There are things about Avalon now that I’m expected to fix, but can’t seem to. They trust a woman on the throne more than a man who’s been out of touch for far too long. I’m afraid I’m still catching up.”
“I’ll leave you to your father,” Kerdik said quietly, casting me a smirk at being treated like the bad boy coming to call on the virgin for nothing but naughty reasons. He made to kiss my lips, but I turned my chin, offering my cheek instead. He brushed his lips to my heated skin and whispered, “Always teasing me, leaving me wanting more. Of all the Fae I’ve met, you hold the most power over me.”
I blushed at the deep compliment. “Stop being charming,” I said with a bashful smirk.
My dad cleared his throat, and Kerdik gave him a slight bow. He didn’t have to show deference, but chose to all the same. Dad was none too pleased. “You’ll show yourself out.”
Kerdik touched the yellow roses in the stone vase that he’d grown for me. They’d never wilted in all the time they’d sat there. “Make sure these get moved to your new room. They’ve got a warding charm on them. It makes you harder for Brìghde to find, if she goes looking.”
“You knew she was gunning for me way back then?”
“No, and I still don’t know that now. It’s a precaution. The flowers will help ward off the Sluagh, as well. Nothing to ruffle your pretty little feathers about.”
My dad’s eyes widened. “Why would Brìghde have anything to do with Avalon? Why would she be after Rosie? Why would she even know my daughter’s name?” Then the truth dawned on Urien, tightening his features further. “Of all the women in the kingdom you can treat yourself to, my daughter is not on that list. Brìghde will leave Rosie alone, because you’ll turn your affections elsewhere.”
Kerdik bristled. “What do you know of my affections?”
“I know they’re dangerous. I know they nearly tore apart my castle when you last fancied a woman. I know I won’t risk my daughter to them. Love means protecting what’s yours. If Rosie truly belongs in your heart, then you should protect her to the point of turning away if doing so would lead malady from the doorstep.”
Kerdik’s fists clenched. It was clear that he saw my father as an equal he had to reason with, instead of someone he could dominate with a snap of his fingers. “Don’t tell me what to do, Urien! You had Morgan for years. You have no idea what I go through, being alone as I am. You’ll not take away the one woman who doesn’t turn her back on me.”
I frowned, not liking where this was heading. Lane rarely laid down any type of law with me. I wasn’t so sure how much I was liking having birth parents, if this was how things were going to turn. “Guys, can we just cool it for now? Aren’t there bigger things going on?”
It was as if I hadn’t spoken. “If you love Rosie as you claim you do, then lead Brìghde away from her. You cannot carry on with my daughter anymore. You’ve indulged yourself enough.” My dad turned to me, his nostrils flared. “And Rosie, you’ve carried on enough, as well. Kerdik isn’t a lost puppy in need of guidance. He’s a man, and your heart cannot weather the storm he’ll bring down upon it.”
I covered my face with my hands. “Oh, jeez. This is so out of hand. I’m with Bastien, Dad. Kerdik and I had a small thing, but we’re friends now. Everyone needs to keep their noses out of my business, because I’m doing nothing wrong.”
“I’m sure Bastien would be thrilled to know Kerdik is sitting on your bed, holding you and kissing you.”
I pointed at Urien, calling him out on his BS. “Sarcasm isn’t doing you any favors here, Pops. You two are best friends. Fight over something less ridiculous, like normal men.”
“You’re with Bastien, yet you’re wearing another man’s ring on your finger! Take that thing off, Rosie. You know this isn’t right.”
“Don’t you dare take off my ring, Rosie,” Kerdik warned with too much gravity for a simple piece of jewelry.
“That’s it! Get out! Both of you are being obnoxious. I’ll wear a pretty ring because my friend gave it to me when I didn’t have many friends in Avalon. It’s my first piece of real jewelry, and I don’t think I should feel guilty about that.” I massaged my temples, ignoring Kerdik’s triumphant grin. “And Kerdik, if there’s something magically funky about this ring, out with it. I mean it. I was thrown into a well over this thing, and accidentally killed a man with it. Tell me what I’m dealing with here.”
Kerdik’s snark melte
d into a dark cloud. “I don’t have to explain myself to you.”
“You do if you want me to keep this thing on my finger.”
My dad crossed his arms over his chest and leaned in the doorframe. “Yes, Kerdik. Tell Rosalie all about the gift you’ve given her.”
Kerdik’s fists clenched, and the castle started to tremble. I shouted for him to calm down, but if you can believe it, that didn’t work. “I don’t have to explain myself to mortals!” he raged, his eyes lined with a wildness that made him look like a madman. Then he grabbed onto the front of my flannel and jerked me to him. “Remember that I love you. No matter what you hear about me, I would sacrifice whole kingdoms to keep you by my side.”
Then Kerdik kissed me, mashing his lips to mine despite my protest, and right in front of my father. My imitation of a fight was weak, as were my knees at the passion of Kerdik taking what was so clearly partially his. He released me as Urien came barreling toward him, and vanished into thin air before my dad could attack.
The castle stopped trembling, but I could not.
3
A Luxury Stay at Hotel Avalon
After my things were all moved to a frill-less south-facing stone room with no windows, and my dad had exhausted himself with a lecture I only partially listened to, I flopped down on my cot next to my pile of blankets with Walter. My raccoon was the only one with a foul mood to rival mine. “I get it, Dad. Don’t kiss a boy just because he’s nice to you. Don’t take candy from strangers. Don’t hop into bed with almighty warlocks. I’ve had kind of a long day. Could we revisit this another time? I’m sure you’ve got more important things to do than the whole overprotective parent bit.”
Urien stared at me with a hard gaze that tried to peel back the layers I’d built up over the years. They’d come from not having a dad to answer to, but now all of a sudden, here he was. “Kerdik will only bring trouble for you. It’s his nature. He doesn’t know any different.”
Untouchable Girl_A Fantasy Adventure Page 2
