Cadence of Ciar (The Fate Caller Series Book 1)

by Zoe Parker

  Good riddance I say.

  “What did you do?” Penelope screeches.

  Oh, she’s talking to me. “I simply made your fate come a little earlier. Which happens to be Kirby here.”

  There’s a noise and at first, I think it’s a sob, coming from Rime. Concerned I step towards him as he looks up. His emotions bleed into mine, those aren’t tears of sadness in his eyes it’s something else entirely.

  “I’ve never been happier to say goodbye to someone in my life. Take her and get out of our house,” Rime says, going from laughing and smiling to dangerous in two seconds.

  Kirby looks a lot less cocky now and grabbing Penelope’s hand, drags her towards the door. With a last look at Rime she puts her head down and follows but that doesn’t last long. Almost immediately after the front door slams shut behind them I hear the shrill tone of her voice again.

  “I spent my life savings on baby clothes and furniture.” Rime’s voice is barely above a whisper, but I hear it.

  “That was nice of you.” Clapping my hands together I smile at him. “Now are you going to make me more pancakes since she ate all mine?”

  “Is she really gone and this isn’t some strange dream?”

  “Uh, yeah, pancakes.” I point at the stove that isn’t on and the frying pan that’s still hanging above it. “Your fake wife ate them, so you have to replace them.”

  “Keri, I don’t know how to cook.”

  “Are you serious?” He nods. Rolling my eyes, I putter around and first make a pot of coffee and then drag out everything to make choco chip pancakes.

  “You know how to cook?” he asks, surprised.

  “Despite what most people think, we had TV in the forest, lots of them actually One of my fave things to watch were the cooking shows. I kind of obsessed over them a little.” Ruefully I smile, remembering the looks I got during that time in my life.

  “Eventually I became the designated pancake maker. Oh, and cookie baker and cake maker and all around sweet stuff person. I think that’s why I love sweets so much because I like cooking them so much.” While I stir the batter, I continue to chatter on. Happy to have someone in the kitchen while I do something I actually enjoy doing.

  “What’s something you like to do?” I check the pan to make sure it’s hot enough and then drop my first circle of batter on it.

  “I like to play the guitar.” Yes, I remember his guitar music calling me to it.

  “And?” I prompt.

  “You aren’t going to say I told you so or anything like that?”

  Thinking on it, I shrug. “No, why should I? Looks to me like you’re already beating yourself up enough about it and the reasons you were putting up with her kind of top an I told you so.”

  “You saw.”

  “Of course, I did. I was in your brain. I will tell you,” I flip the pancake when I see bubbles, “you need to let that guilt go sometime. Blaming yourself for something you had no control over isn’t a way to live.”

  There was an accident and the orphanage caught on fire. Penelope convinced him her brother was one of the children killed. To this day he thinks it’s his fault because he didn’t properly turn the lights off.

  “If I hadn’t seen inside you, I’d tell you that you had no idea what you’re talking about.” So, he did see it. Well, that saves a lot of explanations when we go to the beach and most of the scars will be out for people to see.

  I refuse to hide them and be ashamed.

  “She had me fooled, I can’t believe I fell for a scam like that.” Apparently, he needs to talk about things, I can feel the turmoil inside him.

  “It happens to everyone, Rime. Now you gotta move forward, not backward. Her life won’t be horrible, just not what she wanted to make you have with her.”

  Which would’ve been miserable for Rime.

  “Who’s trying to kill you?” There’s that subject I was hoping to avoid.

  Might as well be upfront and honest. If he didn’t see it when the bond was formed then I buried it deep enough. But I believe in being upfront.

  “My father is a high priest in the Moon Clan, so someone out there gave my murderous mother a knife and, since that didn’t work they are trying to finish the job.”

  “Are you sure it’s them?”

  “Oh, yeah. They’re protecting most of their group by magic. Speaking of that.” I poke my head out of the kitchen door and yell, “pancakes.”

  “The day we bonded who is that man that Ciar’s friend took?”

  Do what? “What man?”

  “Right after the arrow thing, while I was sucking on your finger, he grabbed some guy and a big wolf took him.”

  “Well, I kind of feel sorry for the guy, but my guess is the Sluagh have him.” Ciar hadn’t mentioned it but I’m guessing it has to do with the comment about hunting.

  Normally, I would pay more attention but the whole drunk bond thing with Rime dominated that particular moment in my life. I feel the heat of him come up behind me and ignore the goosebumps that celebrate his arrival.

  “I have to ask, how the hell did you end up married—fake married—to a pregnant human Mage.”

  “I wish I can say it’s a funny story.” He’s so close to me I can feel the vibrations of his voice. “It’s incredible how much of you I can feel.”

  “Back to the story.”

  “Right. I am a bit of a collector, I do it for money. Most of the time it’s stolen items but beggars can’t be choosers.”

  “There are always other choices, just saying. Continue.”

  “I went out to celebrate and Penelope was there, she’s a hot piece of—” he coughs to clear his throat, “she’s a hot woman and came on pretty strong. Once I had quite a few drinks in me she looked even better. Sadly enough, I don’t remember the sex at all but I woke up naked next to her and that’s a pretty sure indication of what transpired.”

  “The nudity made you jump to the sex conclusion?” Not that it’s a wrong conclusion but it doesn’t always mean sex.

  “The used condoms in the bathroom trash can made me jump all the way there.” That’s pretty good proof. At least he had enough sense to be protected.

  “How did you end up thinking you were married?”

  “She showed up a few months ago talking about her ‘brother’ that died in the orphanage fire, I fell for that line of shit too. And she also convinced me that I was the father of the baby and that while I was drunk we got married. Gods, she had papers and everything.”

  “That sounds like complete fiction. How much of her hold over you was guilt and how much was magic?”

  “Honestly? I’m not sure. When you destroyed the charm, it cleared a lot of the cobwebs out of my head, making me notice lots of shit I’d overlooked but it didn’t make me want to leave her.”

  Pausing long enough to put the cooked pancakes on a plate for him, I wave the spatula at him to continue.

  “I mean, what if it had been my kid? I was left alone I couldn’t do that to my child.”

  “Do you love her?”

  “Gods no. I think I was starting to love that baby because finding out its not mine… hurts a bit more than I expected.” Looking over my shoulder at him, I see him literally rubbing his chest above his heart.

  I think at that very moment I start to fall a little for this confused but incredibly sweet man.

  Fudge.

  “Here ya go, breakfast.” I slide my own pancakes onto a plate and sit at the island across from him. Slathering them in syrup I moan when I bite into them. Warm and delicious and… why is he staring at me like that?

  “What?” I ask, trying in vain to catch the syrup that dribbles onto my chin.

  Rime surprises me when he leans forward and uses his thumb to clean my chin, he surprises me even more when he pops the thumb in his mouth and then keeps eating.

  “What’s this Mixer that Ciar is talking about?”

  “It’s in front of the Duke of something. The king’s son, I guess? Cia
r wants to establish our Triad relationship.” Gods I can cook, these things taste like heaven.

  “These are really good, what else can you cook this way?”

  “Well, see… if its baking or pancakes—I’ve got it. Regular cooking is beyond me and more than likely I’ll burn it or turn it into something totally different than its supposed to be.”

  “Like transmutation?”

  “No, like lump of smoking black coal.” Laughing his entire face changes and gods does it affect me.

  “We’re going to the beach right after the Mixer tonight. If you’d like to come I suggest you pack, Frosty. Also, you need a suit for tonight—we’ll take care of that now,” Ciar says, breezing into the kitchen a secret smile on his face.

  He can read my thoughts and has heard or seen everything that went on in this kitchen.

  With a quick kiss, he and Rime in tow are gone, leaving only the smell of Ciar’s subtle cologne behind. Sighing, I look at the dishes, might as well get them done.

  “You’ve attracted some interesting characters for your Triad, mistress.” Zag’s presence is welcome, and I smile at him over my shoulder.

  “Right? A Puca king and whatever Rime is, ha.”

  “Jack Frost.”

  “Beg pardon?”

  “Rime is Jack Frost, he simply doesn’t know it yet.” Why is it that this dragon likes to deadpan important crap to me?

  “The Jack Frost?”

  “Mm-hm. Only one can exist at a time and he’s that one.” Leaning my soapy hands on the lip of the sink I turn and look at the encyclopedic Dragon, sensing there’s more. “Ciar is a King that is a Puca, not the other way around. He was born a king unlike that sop that sits on the throne now.”

  “King of what?” I know I shouldn’t ask but I can’t help myself.

  “Faerie of course. Ciar is the first-born son of Faerie.” There isn’t a single memory that I can recall of me fainting and as the room spins around me and the world violently tilts and starts to go black, I can’t deny that it’s happening right now. Unable to stop the chain of events, I watch the floor coming up to meet me.

  And they are elfin manners,

  Who stand at prow and helm;

  By the mortal eye unseen, they hie,

  From many an airy realm.

  ~Florence Harrison

  The first thing I hear is Zag’s voice and the second thing I hear is the buzzing of a million bees. What the heck is that noise?

  “That’s your senses returning.”

  “You can read minds?” I blink, and he comes into focus more.

  “No, you spoke out loud.” That explains why my voice sounds so loud. Slowly, I lever myself up on my elbows.

  “I flipping fainted, and that’s a fat load of crap.” I grumble. Fainted? That’s what wussy people do, not me.

  “I did find it rather strange, but I found no sign of poisoning or magical interference. You’re not pregnant either, although a little version of you would be adorable. I think you were genuinely that overwhelmed.”

  “You’re telling me that I,” of course I point at myself because there are so many other ‘i’s in the room, “who can run three miles barefoot, uphill—passed out because I was emotionally overwhelmed?”

  Sitting like the cat I quite often relate him to, he curls his tail around himself and gets a rather smug look on his face. “That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

  Many things have happened to me in my life, I’ve almost died—a few times, but I can’t recall ever passing out before. One good thing that I can see blaringly clear right now, at least I’m not pregnant. Kids are great and all, but I don’t want any at this moment in time, if ever.

  Not that it’s a concern when I’m not on my heat cycle. Shaking myself out of this odd circle of thoughts, I climb shakily to my feet.

  “I really wish they were more upfront about these kinds of things. I’d rather not have another shock that’s bad enough to make me face plant in the kitchen floor.”

  “If it makes you feel any better, the counter tried to catch you on the way down.”

  “Oh look, the Dragon has jokes.” I toss the bowl of left-over pancake batter at him and am completely satisfied when his angry roars fill the kitchen. The little twit is now covered in drippy thick batter.

  Laughing, I scrub a hand down my face and chug a glass of cold water. Feeling a lot better I turn to finish up the dishes and find a cross looking Gertie standing on the counter tapping her foot.

  “What do you think you’re doing?”

  “Uh, dishes?”

  “Are you trying to take my job away? I go away for a few hours to shop and I come back to you cleaning. I’ll not have it.”

  Feeling adequately chastised I turn and glance at the clock. Oh, gods it’s only three hours until that stupid Mixer.

  I’ve got to get ready!

  “You will have several of us on hand to help you prepare yourself. The dark lord wants you to shine.” Rolling my eyes, I head upstairs.

  I’m only half surprised when I find my bedroom full of Fairies. Mostly male, not that it matters—Fairies aren’t cut and dried sexually. It’s one of many things I love about their culture.

  “Now, in the shower you go.” Gertie’s daughter ushers me towards it with a swat at my butt. Smiling, I head in there and after one of the longest, hottest showers in my history, dry off and walk back out into the bedroom wearing the underthings that were waiting for me on the bathroom counter.

  A pale pink silk that is so soft and delicate I’m almost afraid to walk fast in them, afraid that the friction will damage them.

  “Those fit perfect, I must say. Adelle outdid herself.” Adelle made them for me? Well, that’s flipping awesome. I’m wearing Fairy-made underoos.

  “Now, let’s get that mop of hair beaten into submission.” Mary, Gertie’s oldest daughter, looks at my uncombed wet hair with a frown. “Did you at least condition it?”

  “I did.” Although sometimes I’m in a hurry and forget.

  Two hours later, I’m staring at myself in the mirror and can’t believe it’s me. My makeup is done in a classic but light way with the silver eyeshadow and black eyeliner accentuating the colors of the dress. The final touch is a dark red lipstick that I can’t feel on my lips. My hair is loose and wavy, brushed to a sheen and looking way better than anything I can do to it.

  I look a bit regal and part of me wants to cry because of it… in a good way.

  “All right now, let’s wiggle you into that dress.” Mary waves towards the dress that’s being held up by two levitating Fairies. A bit excited, I practically skip over to them.

  “Arms up.” Following their instructions, I smile when the smooth, soft fabric slides down my body. There’s no shame in loving clothes, yeah? With a few tugs and pulls the dress is fastened around me and I twirl a little to watch the skirt poof out.

  Wow, just wow.

  “Now, we were going to put you in heels but Ciar said no, so Bis made these especially for you.” Mary holds out a pair of delicate flats that still hold the shape of a spiderweb.

  “But I’ll break them?”

  “Pish, a Troll stepping on them won’t break them. On they go, time’s a ticking.” Never in my life have I worn a shoe so soft that it embraced my feet. Apprehensively, I look at them.

  “Are you sure? I’m good at breaking things.”

  The group as a whole, laughs. Well, then.

  “Now, have a look see.” A floor length mirror appears and inside of it stands this beautiful woman who I’ve never seen before. In wonder, I touch the mirror just to be sure it’s real.

  “Is that really me?”

  “Silly girl, of course it is. That beauty is always there, you simply needed a bit of polish to bring it out,” Gertie says from the doorway, and when I turn to look at her, her eyes are a bit moist. “You’ve never done yourself up before?”

  “My idea of doing myself up is a shower, ha.”

  “Good gods, Keri.” Rime�
�s shocked voice pulls me out of my happy floating-on-a-cloud moment. Turning to him at the doorway I raise an eyebrow.

  “Yes?”

  “She’s breathtaking, isn’t she?” Ciar asks, strolling by him into the room. Now it’s my turn to be shocked. Ciar is a spectacular looking man. I mean, on a level that he’s prettier than all the women too. Dressed in his traditional black court clothes with the cravat and the weird half pants and hose—looking manlier than he should in that getup, he’s beyond even that.

  It makes me feel good staring at him. It’s like drinking a tall glass of water after crossing the desert and almost dying in agony. Like jumping off a cliff to land in a bed of feathers and clouds.

  ‘Bit dramatic now aren’t you, monster girl?’

  Laughing, I wink at him, ‘I was wondering when you’d comment.’

  ‘You look just as beautiful covered in dirt, I want you to know that.’

  Lifting the skirt of the dress I run at him and jump. He catches me easily and kisses me until I’m breathless.

  “Why does it feel like you two have conversations no one else can hear?” Rime’s question makes us look at him simultaneously.

  “Does it?” Ciar asks, gently placing me on my feet and stepping back to allow Mary and Gertie to fuss over the wrinkles in the dress.

  Blushing a little, I turn to Rime and pause as my already high hormones climb even higher. Good gods he looks almost as good as Ciar. His suit is so black it makes his white hair and blue eyes stand out in stark contrast.

  It also makes me notice for the first time how tanned his skin is. This thought helps me shake off the still new sexy thoughts about him. How does Jack Frost get a tan? That’s a great question to pose to the know-it-all Dragon. A smile dimples his cheek and my already hot skin burns especially the brand on my upper arm.

  Which I notice is standing out like a beacon and starting to throb.

  “Can we cover this or something?” The dress is strapless and sleeveless, so the brand is very noticeable. And now it’s red and angry and in general unhappy.