“Talk to Toryn. He went through similar experiences. I understand Reance did as well. Maybe worse than Toryn. Better yet, when we all leave, pull Reance aside and ask him. I bet he can give you some insight.”
“I hardly know what to say to him.”
“You’re his little girl,” Scotty pointed out.
“He never held me. Never spoke to me growing up. He came in, saved me, then wisped away in a puff of smoke. He was my savior, not my father.”
“They both have experience they might be able to share. I don’t, hon. If I did, I would. All I have is a shoulder to lean on and an ear to lend.”
“Sometimes that’s exactly what I need. To talk to someone who doesn’t expect me to be Super Woman or a princess.” She glanced over. “I hate that part. Me, a princess. What-the-ever-loving-fuck is that about?”
“I’ll tell you something, but don’t take this the wrong way. You would make a better queen than Saressa any day. You aren’t seeking power. You see other people and their needs. Like last week, when you noticed one of your regulars not coming around, you did some digging, then hired him when you found out he’d lost his job. You also looked up places hiring for the type of work he was doing. That’s like your mother, but on a smaller scale.”
“But Faerie is a whole other world. I’m not sure I belong there.”
“I thought the same thing when I came to Earth. Didn’t take long to adjust. You flow with change, adapt. I know people who don’t. Doubt it matters where you go. You’ll find your place.”
“Maybe.”
From the corner of his eye, he spotted Toryn leaned against the doorframe, a soft smile on his face. “Think I can talk to her now?”
Scotty nodded. “Of course.” He squeezed Isa and placed a kiss at her temple. “Tell him. I bet you find a side of Toryn you’ve never seen.”
She dipped her head in a nod. He stood, and left Isa on the swing.
* * * *
Isa looked up at Toryn. “Hi.”
“May I?” He nodded at the seat next to her.
“Of course.”
“You aren’t mad at me?”
“You didn’t know.” She sighed and looked away. “I keep finding out things aren’t what I thought they were.”
“I don’t know what to tell you, other than I’m here for you.”
“I get that. Thing is, I feel like you expect more from me. Maybe that’s stupid, but that’s how it feels when you look at me like I’m some sort of goddess.”
He laughed, capturing her face. “You are a goddess to me. You seem to have no limits when it comes to power and imagination. Sometimes I forget how new this is for you.”
“You don’t think I’m an idiot?”
“Never. Now, what did Scotty tell you to ask me about?”
“What it was like when you first got visions.”
“Overwhelming. I couldn’t make sense of what was happening, sorting what was coming versus what had happened. Reance’s experience is very different. I’ve seen him go into a trance for days, lost in images. For me, flashes go by so quick it’s hard to know what I’m seeing, let alone what I ought to do.”
“Reance makes it sound like you can’t change outcomes. You have.”
“Sometimes I see multiple conclusions. Like before your awakening, I saw what would happen if Remus managed yours.” He looked away, wiping at his eyes. “I could never let that happen to you.”
“You’re my knight.”
“When you want to talk about the visions, tell me. I didn’t realize you were struggling with them.”
“Not always. Ticked me off to find out they blocked the visions on purpose. Maybe if I grew up with them it would be different.”
“Oh, everything would have been. That’s the problem. If you had grown up with them then you would’ve had knowledge of what you are. As much as I hated keeping secrets, it was for the best.”
She nodded toward the door. “I should probably apologize to Reance for walking out.”
“He understands. He convinced me to let Scotty have a moment with you.”
“Smart man.” Isa laughed, and shook her head. “Maybe one day everything will make sense.”
* * * *
Jayde smiled as Scotty came back. “And you were worried you couldn’t do enough for her.”
“She brought me back from the brink when I had given up. I only offered comfort, and an ear.”
“Which is what she needed,” Reance pointed out. “That’s more than I could give. More than Toryn could in that moment. Sometimes she’ll need a friend who isn’t so close to what she’s going through. A fresh perspective.”
He looked toward the door. “Perhaps.” Turning toward Reance, he asked, “When do you think Aquila will arrive?”
“As long as Kellan can reach her first, I believe Aquila may wind up more ally than foe. She’s been wronged by Saressa.” He looked to Jayde with a kind smile. “Without you, she would have died. She may see reason.”
Jayde sighed. “I’d rather not kill her. I never meant to take so much of her ability.”
“Aquila’s lack of magic has given her other strengths to draw on. She’s more powerful than she believes. Alenathos understands her bond to Saressa. I have a feeling he’ll help her find a way to cope.”
Isa and Toryn rejoined them.
“One more thing, Isa,” Reance added. “Fuerah, Alenathos’ mate, will be there. Saressa did her best to break their bond, but failed.”
“Fuerah?” Isa asked.
Scotty vaguely remembered the one time he met the fire dragon. Mainly her muttered curses as she flew him to safety.
Toryn nodded. “She brought me to you while you were in the citadel. Fire dragon. As old as Alenathos. She has a nasty temper, but a good heart. She’ll aid us. Though be careful with what you tell Alenathos to do while she’s near. She hates Saressa for keeping her mate from her.”
“I was pretty open with my invitation for him to kill Saressa. I can’t imagine Fuerah taking offense.”
Reance smiled. “She may well appreciate that. Though she doesn’t like the idea that anyone can control her mate.”
Her eyes narrowed as her hands landed on her hips. “If Alenathos asks me to remove the bond, I will gladly do so. It wasn’t my idea in the first place.”
“Isa is doing him a favor by keeping their bond intact. This way Saressa cannot control him,” Toryn pointed out. “Fuerah didn’t seem too upset when she took me to the citadel, and I told her more than Alenathos asked me to.”
Scotty asked, “What about Kellan? Anything we should know about him?”
“Give the boy a chance,” Reance answered. “He wants to do right, but consider his parents. And his doubts about Alenathos are not uncalled for.”
Scotty nodded.
“I must go. Aeryana won’t be in meetings forever.” He moved to Isa and embraced her. “Soon, we’ll talk about all the changes. For now, Toryn can help you more than I can.”
“Thank you, Dad.” She gave him a soft smile.
“We’re going to get out of here too.” Scotty squeezed her shoulder. “Call if you need to talk.”
“I will, but I think Toryn has that covered. Thanks though.”
“Anytime.”
Chapter 36
One question continued to dance through Scotty’s head. Ask now, or ask later? Their history led him to believe that waiting was a fool’s game. His heart leapt into his throat as he pulled Jayde to a stop on the pier.
He took her hands and looked deep into her hazel eyes. “It’s too late for a proper court wedding, but I would do anything to claim you as my bride.”
Her eyes danced with light. “Kiss me and I’m yours.”
Without hesitation he gave her what she wanted, backing her against the rail and pressing a kiss to her lips. She sucked his bottom lip into her mouth and trailed her hands up his shoulders and neck, into his hair.
Panting, she broke the kiss. “Yours.”
“I�
��ll make a vow. No more waiting when it comes to us. Unless you tell me to. Then, and only then, will it slow me from doing what I want with you.” He pulled the pouch from his pocket and opened it.
Jayde’s eyes met his with a gasp. “When did you have time for this?”
“I had it made when we were first together.”
“I love you,” she whispered, bringing his head back down for another kiss. He indulged for a moment. When he leaned back, he pulled the ring out and placed it on her finger.
“It’s beautiful.”
“I’d ordered the ring, and meant to propose the day after Aeremaius interrupted us in the forest. I didn’t want to leave you, but Saressa—”
“No longer holds anything over you. We’re free” She pulled him back for another kiss.
“This is too public. I need to have you home to properly show you my love and desire.”
“I can wait, as long as we leave now.”
* * * *
Something twisted in Aquila’s heart as she watched Endiscott with Jayde. She’d witnessed the way Saressa tormented Endiscott through the years, then nearly destroyed him.
She wondered, for the first time, if Jayde was truly to blame. Saressa had sent her against Alenathos in an effort to obtain more power. She’d failed, and needed to be healed. Jayde was young, just learning to harness her healing ability.
The compulsion to kill Jayde fell away. She floated in the water below the pier, watching the pair in a loving embrace. They both radiated light and happiness, something she’d never known.
“Here on Earth, you don’t have to follow Saressa’s orders,” Alenathos pointed out.
She spun. Fear and anger battled within her as his water serpent shape drew closer.
“You don’t want me dead?” she spat.
“No. Never did. I defended myself. At the time, your death was the only way to stop your advances on my territory. After you went into hiding, I had no reason to seek you out. I could have, but why? You leave me alone, I’ll leave you alone.”
“Are you free of Saressa?”
He nodded. “Simply being in this realm, her orders no longer hold any sway. I went a step further and convinced a Storm Mistress to bind me to her. Saressa can’t control me now.”
“I doubt I have that option.”
“You do. In fact, it would cut Saressa deeply.”
“How?”
“Do you know Saressa had a son with Aeremaius? He’s a Storm Master also. Perhaps you could persuade Kellan to release you from your bond to Saressa.”
“Then what?”
“Well, if you don’t allow him to bind you to himself, you will be susceptible to Saressa. She will punish you for not following her orders.”
“Are you truly free, Alenathos? I heard rumors, but if you are bound to another…”
“Free enough. My new mistress has requested my help twice in the last six months. She’s asked me for two things I gladly gave. Aeremaius and Henroyld both needed to pay for countless crimes. And to give Saressa information about the party.”
“What of my revenge?”
“You know as well as I, your connection to our element was sundered because of Saressa’s ambitions. She set this entire scenario in motion. Not I, not you, not Jayde. Could you reasonably expect a Paineater, one so young she hadn’t been through her awakening, to have any control over what power she took from you? And you knew going in there would be a price to pay for mending your body.”
She nodded, glancing up at Endiscott and Jayde. She’d watched Jayde over the years, seeking to understand her methods. Matured in her ability, the woman purposely drew powers from the worst of people, but oftentimes she avoided any cost. There were still times she had no control, when the wounds were too horrible, or if she’d healed too many too quickly.
“You’re right.” She sighed.
Endiscott and Jayde walked away, out of sight. Another man, shoulders slumped, walked to the spot they’d stood in, and watched them go.
“That’s Kellan, Saressa’s son. Convince him you want freedom. You’ll have to swear you won’t harm Jayde.”
A smile pulled at her lips. “I can see how this will hurt Saressa.” She looked to see his reaction, but Alenathos was gone.
With a sigh, she shifted to steam and reappeared as a woman dressed in blue silk. Walking barefoot along the wooden pier, she sauntered up to Kellan.
Glancing over, the young man’s brow arched. “Dragon, what are you doing here?”
“Kellan, son of Saressa?” she asked.
His eyes narrowed. “Who are you?”
“One of your mother’s many possessions.”
“Good luck. She values no one. Not me. Not even the man she claims to love.”
“Oh, she loves Endiscott. And she would do anything to get him back.”
“He’s bound to Jayde. I won’t allow my mother to tear them apart.”
Her brow pinched. “Though you love her.”
He nodded. “Aye, I do, contrary to my mother’s plan. But I’ve seen what happens when you force someone to return love.”
“If you were to bind me to you, how would you use me?”
He shook his head. “Don’t need a pet.”
She smiled. “Or a minion?”
“Why? I don’t plan to rule Faerie, Earth, or anything else for that matter.”
“You could keep me out of your mother’s hands. If she steps onto Earth, I’ll be forced to kill Jayde. You can prevent that simply by binding me to you.”
“You no longer want revenge?”
“Not against a child who only did what I asked. I’d prefer revenge against the woman who forced me to turn against my own kind.”
“While she’s undoubtedly evil, I’m not sure I can order you to kill my mother.”
“There are plenty of people who want her dead. It’s enough she can’t use me. That you would be the one to control me. Even if you never raise a hand to your mother, she still loses another of her allies.”
He nodded. “She has caused too much trouble for too many. Even me.” He laughed softly. “I would never have fallen in love with Jayde had she not sent me to kill her.”
“Then do as Isa has done for Alenathos. Bind me to you, even if you never call on me. Though if you need help, simply say my name. I’ll aid you any way I can, bearing in mind I lost most of my abilities.”
“You gained others. I wouldn’t look at it as a setback.” He pulled a necklace from his pocket. “Clearly, Reance knew what he was talking about when he gave me this. You ready?”
She nodded, linking her hands with his as he cupped the clear, flat pendant.
Chapter 37
Saressa stood on her balcony, frustrated tears running down her face. She wanted to scream, to cry out, but Damha lurked in the shadows, waiting for a sign of weakness.
In her most recent vision, Endiscott was happy, smiling, everything she never achieved. It shredded her heart to pieces. Part of her wanted to turn away and let him go, but the darker side of her soul wanted to torture him, rip away every shred of dignity and humanity. Break down the man she loved and in his place create the creature she craved.
Without Endiscott, she had nothing to brighten her days. For over a hundred years, she’d waited for him to come to his senses and crawl back to her. He was never going to. She’d gone too far in their last days together and she hadn’t realized it until too late.
“Don’t give up,” Damha whispered, as he closed the distance.
With a thought, she erected a barrier of ice. “Don’t come near me. We’re done.”
“Never done, Saressa. You are angry your fragile bond is broken, leaving you open to another. That won’t last.”
“You know nothing.”
“I know you’re a scared little girl who’s tired of being told she’s not worthy. Your bond to Endiscott kept you from a real man. One who could take the reins and steer your course.”
“You’re no man. You’re a monster.”<
br />
Tapping on the ice urged her to turn, but she stared out over the swampy lands surrounding her castle, refusing to give him any satisfaction.
“As are you. You may have a beautiful face, and a lovely body, but your mind is as dark as the bottomless pits of the abyss. You only deny my advance now that you realize we were meant to be together but you fear I may have the upper hand. You think your nymph kept you free, but in reality, your fear kept you from seeking a proper mate.”
Love kept me from seeking my true mate. Endiscott holds my heart, even now.
“Does he?” Damha murmured. She’d forgotten how easily Damha read minds. He continued, “Doesn’t matter. You don’t hold his. You hold mine. I’m the same as you. Accept it. A nymph is no match for the queen of realms. He’s not even an effective tool.”
“You would want to rule beside me.”
“Not exactly. You rule the light fae. I want to bring the dark fae together. Show them we can be accepted, the same as light fae. Together we can unite all the people under our rule.”
The words her mother once spoke came back to her. The people of Faerie were never meant to be united as one. They are too vast and varied to merge into one mindset.
The light fae could be unified. The dark—well, the dark was full of creatures as hideous as Damha.
“That will never happen,” Saressa said, before flowing into steam, melting the ice to burn Damha. His pained cry gave her a sense of satisfaction before she floated far away from him and the castle of water. Maybe staying in the Flame Castle was the best course of action. Damha despised the heat.
* * * *
Scotty followed Jayde into her house. He was drawn in by the warmth of the colors and potted plants throughout. “I didn’t know what to expect,” he admitted.
She grinned up at him. “Never stopped thinking about you. Part of me wondered if we could ever mend things if you were free.”
Changing Destiny Page 20
