Dianthe's Awakening

by J. B. Miller

  I could not kill the beast, she would be devastated. The girl had taken it on as a pet. Moreover, it was loyal to her. The darkness was coming over the land and a mild panic was trying to set in. What was the likelihood of her surviving the night in the wild wood?

  Calling out to my men, I commanded them to mount up. "Caratâcos, Togodumnus, gather the riders. We hunt," I roared. My steed trotted over to me and I mounted him without bothering with a saddle or reigns. "Dorchadas," I whispered into his ear. "We search for the female you carried here. Can you find her?"

  Fiery breath exhaled from his flaring nostrils and his hoof sparked when he hit it off the ground. "Good, lad," I rubbed his ear before rising in my seat and preparing to sound my horn. The hard edges had just touched my lips when the night was broken by a panicked howl in the distance. "It’s the hound," Brónach quietly said as she rode up next to me. "My lord, he is greatly distressed." Her liquid eyes filled with worry. "Something must be wrong with Dianthe. Should we ride?"

  She sat there patiently but I could tell she did not want to wait until my say so. With a nod and a shout of "We Ride!" I gently kicked Dorchadas into a canter then a gallop. He did not need his sight to traverse the wood. We now knew where we were going. The call of the hound always brought us to our prey.

  In only moments, I saw the hound in the distance. He was deep in the wood and laying beside a still form. My breath caught. No… I thought. She cannot be dead. I refused to allow it. Throwing myself from Dorchadas's back before he had a chance to slow, I hit the ground running.

  The Cú whimpered and lowered his head upon my approach. The beast knew better than to confront me now. Easing down onto the ground next to them, I took in Dianthe's complexion. It was ashen and had the grey clamminess of severe illness. Death would not be far behind. With the utmost care, I lifted her in my arms. Her body hung limply in my grasp and if not for the slight flutter of her pulse, I would worry she had left this world.

  "Brónach," I called. "Find me a healer quickly. She is weak and fading fast." The beat of her heart was as fast as a bird’s and her breathing irregular. I knew not what caused this but I understood what would happen if we did not do something quickly.

  "Already done, my lord. The healer awaits us at your home. Outside the doors," she added. No one was welcome in my refuge. Until Dianthe that was.

  "Make haste then, we have no time to spare." I walked over to Dorchadas and he knelt first onto his fore legs then his back until he was laying down.

  "Thank you, my friend." She was already precious to the Hunt. Once mounted, Dorchadas rose as gently as he could and stepped lightly so as not to jostle his unconscious passenger. In the few minutes it took us to get back to the house, I pondered the situation. Already this female worked her way into our hearts. Without even trying it seemed. All loved her or wanted to be near her. She had a pull that left even me affected and drawn. This was no time for such thoughts. Her welfare was my only concern tonight. She was under my care and that held me responsible for her. Once back at my home I would hand her over to the healer and let him do his work. That is what I told myself anyway.

  *****

  Time slowly passed as I waited for news from the healer. With reluctance, he was allowed into my home to care for Dianthe. The blasted Cú walked right in as if it were his right. If I had not had my hands full with Dianthe, I would have strangled the blasted beast. My lips rose in a snarl at the thought of the animal. It would be some time before I let the grudge of his defection go.

  Now here I sat morosely in front of my fire, waiting for the door upstairs to open. How did I get to this point? Before I could sink any deeper in thought, the sound I had been waiting for interrupted my maudlin. The steps coming down the stairs were heavier than a female would be so I waited to greet the healer.

  The wiry male paused at the bottom of the stairs and clasped his hands behind his back. He bowed quickly before straightening and meeting my gaze. "My lord, the female should pull through," he began.

  "What," I snarled, "do you mean by she should pull through?" The healer took a step back. Stress tightening the corner of his lips.

  "She is very weak, Lord Cernunnos. At the moment, she is mostly human and her body works like any normal mortal. She is severely dehydrated and I would assume she has gone just as long without food," he paused, "I was able to use equipment from the mortal world…"

  "What type of equipment," I cut in. Human machinery would not work here. Iron was deadly to any Fae and I had to think of my huntsmen. "Nothing dangerous, my lord," he assured. "I was able to procure an intravenous fluids machine. It is gravity fed therefore does not need any electrical help. She is not able to drink or eat in her current condition."

  "Her condition," I asked. "What is it, in detail if you please?

  He looked nonplussed for a moment but continued, "As I said, she is severely dehydrated. She did regain consciousness for a short while and begged for someone called Robin. The lady is also terrified of eating or drinking. She is delusional at the moment but once the fluids begin to work, that should ease."

  Of course, I thought. How thick could I be? Dianthe was mated to the Puck. He would have told her the rules of Fae. Damn it, did that mean she had not eaten or drank anything in days?

  "Healer, she has been here for nearing three days. If she had not partaken of food or drink in that time would that attest to her condition?" I queried.

  "It's very likely, my lord. The human body can go for days, possibly weeks, without food. Water on the other hand is another story. If she has not drank in say the last two to three days, she would be nearing the verge of death. Especially, if she had been exerting herself or under undue stress.”

  My fists clenched at the thought. I should have taken more care with her. The Hunt and all its people were immortal. While we ate and drank, going a few days without either would not harm us. Still, it was no excuse. I sent a mental call to Brónach. She would confirm whether Dia had drank since arrival. The hound would also need to be spoken to.

  A simple mental call had both in front of me soon after. "Brónach," I began with her, "in the time you were with Dianthe, did she eat or drink?"

  She looked thoughtful for a moment before replying, "No, my lord." She shook her head, "There were several times she was offered but refused. Last night at the evening meal she excused herself claiming exhaustion. She said she wanted to rest. I had no cause to doubt it, my lord. Forgive me if I have failed you. I like Dianthe, never would I wish ill upon her," she bowed deeply.

  "You did well, Brónach. I do not hold you responsible at all. You could not have known how long she had gone without or that she was so weak. You are dismissed." Brónach hesitated before glancing at me cautiously.

  "May I see her, Lord Cernunnos? I understand that you do not care for others in your sanctuary," she trailed off.

  Caught off guard, I paused before answering, "Yes, Brónach, go and visit with her. It may comfort her having you with her." With a quick nod, Brónach disappeared up the stairs.

  "Now for you, Cú." I stared stonily at the hound. "You have betrayed your lord and endangered your mistress. What do you have to say for yourself?" I glared. "If it was not for the female you failed, I would end your miserable existence now."

  Caomhnóir lowered his head to his paws cowering and sent mental images to me. The way the hounds communicated were in a form of telepathy. They could send images and feelings along mental links.

  Caomhnóir sent me images of Dianthe talking to him. How he did not want to lead her into the wood but felt he had no choice. She would have gone without him. At least if he was there he could watch over her. I understood the hound’s reasoning and could not fault it. He was protecting his mistress in the only way he could.

  "I understand, but you are not forgiven. Do you understand?” His eyes rose to my neck and he nodded his great shaggy head. "Go back to your mistress then," I sighed in disgust when he wagged his tail; tongue lolling and he scampered up the
stairs as quickly as he could. The damn girl had turned one of my best hunters into a lap dog.

  Less than three days and this female called Dianthe Mclearey had turned my world upside down. Danu, goddess of us all, only knew what it would be like by the time she left. At the rate things were going, it would be a while before that time came. Someone wanted her badly enough to risk my wrath. She was going nowhere until I had satisfied that wrath.

  Chapter Six

  Dia

  I was lying somewhere soft and comfortable. That was my first thought when I began to swim from the darkness. I was warm and dry, so I wasn’t in the forest. The last thing I remember was Robin. I thought I had seen Robin and he was leaving me. Was he really there or did I imagine it? I tried to open my eyes but they felt as if they were glued shut. Next, I tried to open my mouth to speak. No luck there either, my lips barely parted and the only sound I could make was a grunt.

  I was still only half-awake and the fogginess in my brain was taking too long to clear. I needed to find out where I was, and get something liquid in me. Once again, I tried to open my mouth and this time, lick my lips. My tongue felt like it was twice its normal size and my poor mouth was so dry, I could almost believe half the desert had been dropped in it.

  That could explain my eyes; they were gummed shut from all the grit in them. That was feasible, I pondered in my muddled brain. Before I could process anything, a cool wet glass was at my lips. I pried them apart as far as possible and beautiful, cool, sweet liquid fell into my gasping mouth.

  "Careful," a melodious female voice advised. "Small sips, Dianthe. Too much will make you ill. You have been asleep for two days now. Your body is not ready for more than sips." I knew that voice. Right now I couldn’t place it but I was not afraid of it. So I let my instinct rule and drank what I was given.

  When the cup was pulled away, I managed to croak out, "More please." A hand gently lifted my head up to where I was in a more upright position.

  "Remember small sips, if your belly begins to hurt you must stop." Deep down I understood and tried to obey. After a few moments, I sighed and stopped drinking.

  Again, I was carefully laid back. The sounds of movement in the room my only clue as to what was going on. I heard water being poured and then a warm gentle cloth slowly bathing my eyes. "Let the cloth bathe your eyes for a moment. They are sealed shut from residue."

  Crud, I thought. She was being polite. My eyes were sealed shut with crud. I bet I looked like pure crap. I still had no idea what had happened. Where was I and how did I get here? Really, all I wanted was to open my freaking eyes and look around me. I had never been blind before, even for a few moments. It was terrifying. The urge to claw at my face and scrub my eyes overwhelmed me.

  It took all of my strength to lift my arm and grab at the cloth. The wet material felt like it weighed a stone. Determination filled me and I slowly pulled it down scraping it across my face. Man, this was hard. Where had my strength gone? Was I injured, drugged, wounded? By the time I had the washcloth pulled as far as my neck, I was shaking with fatigue.

  It is amazing how much can be said with a single sigh. You would think the weight of the world rested upon her shoulders and she was calling upon the patience of Job with that sigh. "Dianthe, you are a very stubborn female. Here, let me wipe your eyes one last time and see if you can open them."

  That damned cloth was lifted from my neck. It obviously weighed nothing for her. Stupid wet rags. From the sounds of things, she was dipping it into a bowl and ringing it out again. Once again, warm, wet material worked its way over my face. The feel of grittiness was irritating while being cleansed from the corners of my eyes. Finally, my nurse pulled back and told me in a soft voice. "Now, my lady, let's see if you can pry those lids open.

  Pure Irish pride had me opening my eyes. Damn, it was harder than I thought it would be. A small slit at first, then another increment before they opened fully. The only reason I knew they were open? Blinding light shot spears of agony though my brain. I closed those suckers faster than they opened, I can tell you that.

  Slowly, I tried again. Eyes blinking rapidly as tears formed, I managed to see the blurry image in front of me. After a moment, my vision cleared and I could make out the other woman. Brónach sat on the edge of the bed, a shy smile hovering over her lips.

  "Welcome back to the world of the living, Dianthe. There are better ways to get out of the wild wood than dying," she frowned disapprovingly.

  "Brónach," I croaked. Dang, my throat was still so dry. She reached for the water and raised it to my lips. Without thinking, I went to take a sip before it occurred to me not to. "No," I cried out before that precious liquid could pass my lips. "No," I whispered again. Weakly struggling against Brónach, I refused the water.

  "Dia, you must drink," she whispered. "Cernunnos is near, and he is in a foul state. This ridiculous refusal of nourishment is why you are in this state to begin with. If you do not drink, I have to call him. Do you understand?"

  Oh, I understood, but I still turned my head to the side. Robin had told me no food or drink. Not happening, I was going home. Brónach lowered her head and whispered, "Please, Dianthe. Do not be a child about this. He will force the issue."

  Let him try, I thought hatefully. I was getting out of here as soon as I could. The boys would be so worried. What would they tell my mum and dad? I kept my head turned and closed my eyes again. I did not have the energy to argue with her. I needed to plot.

  "As you wish," she sighed. Rising gracefully, Brónach quietly slipped out of the room. Once alone, I looked around me. Huh, they put me back in the room I was in before. Not the cell I was expecting. "Oh well," I whispered to myself. "Stone walls do not a prison make, nor iron bars a cage," but before I could finish my quote a very irate Lord of the Hunt stood before me.

  Cernunnos watched me with a deeply thoughtful expression. Mighty arms crossed over his chest and his antlers nearly touching the ceiling they were so big today. Did they grow depending on his mood? I wasn’t touching that one, I thought. Then his deep sensual voice broke through my musings.

  "Minds innocent and quiet take that for a hermitage. If I have freedom in my love and in my soul am free. Angels alone which soar above, enjoy such liberty," he finished softly. "Do you feel so trapped, Dianthe? Would you rather parish and let your soul be free? I understand this is a prison to you, but it is not a permanent one. You cannot starve yourself, would your Puck want you wasting away?"

  He came closer to the bed and settled in the chair next to it. His eyes so deeply brown they nearly swallowed you in their depths. His hand reached out, lifted mine from the cover, and turned it palm up. It looked so delicate in his grasp. My normal golden tint wasn’t there. Instead, my skin looked pallid. The veins in my wrist stood out harshly against the paleness.

  "Not even a week have you been in my care and you are fading. I do not want to lose you due to neglect. Dianthe, you will eat and drink. Do you understand?"

  I opened my mouth to reply but my throat was so dry I could only croak in reply. Seeing the dilemma, his brows lowered.

  "I am taking the decision out of your hands," he growled. He moved to sit on the bed and cupped my face in his hands. "You have indebted yourself unto me and I now claim that debt. Dianthe Mclearey, daughter of Belenus, mate to the Puck," Cernunnos intoned. Sound seemed to echo around us and the world narrowed down to just him and me. Energy rose in shimmering waves and all the fine hairs stood up on my body. My eyes widened as Cernunnos's pupils grew to encompass the brown. The darkness there turned into a swirling vortex sucking me into his power.

  "To repay your debt I bind you into oath. For as long as you are tied to me, you will obey this edict," his voice deepened impossibly more before continuing. The sound vibrated through my body. His magic and power took hold and I felt my very soul being wrapped with his essence.

  "Never shall you harm yourself in any way. Be it refusing food or drink. You will do whatever is needed to keep yourself w
hole and healthy. This is my will and it shall be done." Lightning ran like snakes down his arms and into me. I tried to scream, my mouth opened but no sound emerged. Back arching while power overloaded my senses, I still felt the tendrils of Cernunnos wrapping around my heart, mind, and soul. Even when Robin married us, it didn't touch this deep. The binding became a part of me and linked us together. Finally, the sensation of invasion eased and settled to a mild hum in the background of my mind. It didn’t hurt but I knew it was there.

  Cernunnos eased me back against the headboard and helped me prop myself up. Lifting the cup that sat beside the bed, he held it to my lips. "Drink, Dianthe, the healer left this behind. He said it would help replenish you and get you back on your feet faster." Hesitantly, I took a sip. The thought to refuse was there but I couldn’t gather the will to turn my head. I needed to drink and I had to do what was necessary to do it. Even if it meant breaking the rules Robin had told me to obey over all else.

  "Was that so hard, Dia," Cernunnos almost purred in satisfaction. I wasn’t sure of the ramifications of eating and drinking Fae food but I was going to find out.

  "What will it do to me," I whispered. I desperately needed to understand what I had done. Cernunnos's arrogant features softened and he touched my cheek. A tear I did not even know I had in me rolled down my cheek.

  "You will be fine," Cernunnos said as he caught the tear on one elegant finger. "I understand why you denied yourself nourishment. A normal mortal would be trapped here if they did it." The single drop glistened on his fingertip as he held it to the light. "Do not worry, my lady; you are not a normal mortal. The food will tie you to Fae but it will not hold you. However, the bond of debt between us will hold you to me," he finished before bringing the tear to his mouth. I watched in fascination as his tongue slipped from between his lips to taste the salty drop.