by Amy Sumida
“All he wants is to be freed and sent to Torr-Chathair,” I said to Torin. “He wants to be with his family, and I just promised to take him there. He's not going to hurt us.”
Torin frowned at the dragon, and the dragon lowered his head to stare back.
“All right, then let me release it,” Torin offered.
“Him,” I corrected.
“Let me release him,” Torin said as he moved forward slowly. “Get ready to open a portal, Declan.”
“I hope I can open one within the ward,” Declan muttered as he strode up beside me.
Gage and Banning joined us; all of them watching the dragon as if he might gobble down Torin at any moment. But the beast remained calm and obligingly extended his foot as soon as Torin was within range. Torin looked up at the dragon in shock, and the beast smiled. Unfortunately, a dragon smile looks rather fierce, and Torin flinched.
“He's happy,” I called out to Torin. “You're fine.”
“Happy, huh?” Torin muttered as he held his hands over the manacle.
Torin's grounding magic shot out of him and forced the enchantment that strengthened the steel into the ground. As soon as Torin stepped back, the dragon slipped a claw beneath the metal band and snapped it in two. He gave a victorious roar and spread his wings as Torin came running back to us. Declan already had a portal open, and the lush forests of Torr-Chathair were framed by the mist of the portal.
“Thank you, little female,” the dragon said. “In exchange for your help, I will open the hoard for you.”
The dragon lifted a bar the size of a sequoia from where it laid across a pair of mammoth doors. He laid the bar aside and then pushed the doors open. Precious metals and jewels gleamed as light poured into the treasure room.
“Thank you, dragon,” I said. “May you never be chained again.”
“You have great honor inside you, for one so small,” the dragon announced just before it leapt through the portal.
Declan closed the portal with an exhausted sound, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
“Honor,” I said in revelation. “That's what this test was about.”
“I wonder how many have failed it,” Banning murmured as he glanced over the bones that were scattered around the room.
“I wonder when Elaria learned to speak like a dragon,” Torin added.
I was about to tell Torin that I had no idea when something rose inside me and a voice that was mine, but yet wasn't, declared, “I was there for their birth, Onyx King. I learned their language from their god.”
“Elaria?” Torin said softly. “Come back to us, little bird.”
“I...” I blinked and shivered as I shook off the strange sensation of another person taking over my body. “I'm sorry; I don't know how that happened.”
“You're getting weaker. Pieces of Faenestra are coming through; that's how you were able to communicate with the dragon,” Declan said grimly. “We have to find that dagger and fast.”
Declan hurried into the treasure room, and we all rushed in after him. There wasn't a lot of places to search; just a few chests with items set atop them. It took us less than fifteen minutes to gather the loot and spread it across the stone floor. There were hammers, swords, helms, shields, jewelry, coins, and even a feathered cloak, but not a single dagger.
“This isn't possible,” I whispered. “It has to be here.”
“We've searched every inch of this room,” Torin said gently. “We've even searched the walls magically; there are no hidden compartments.”
“This is it?” I gaped at the lot.
“Don't give up,” Gage said as he took my hand. “Darcraxis is still looking. Maybe a god will have better luck than us.”
“Maybe,” I whispered.
“We've done all we can today,” Declan said. “Let's get back to the surface and let Shane and Ian know what's happened.”
“Why don't you just portal us up there?” Banning huffed.
“First off, portals are a tremendous expedition of energy, and I'm nearly drained from creating a dragon-sized one,” Declan said. “Second, they merely open a hole through the Veil; you could jump through and come out in midair or mid-ocean. It's not as precise as a traveling stone.”
“But you sent all of those abducted monsters through portals,” Banning pointed out.
“Monsters can handle themselves,” Declan huffed. “And that dragon can fly; I'm not worried about him. I am, however, concerned about our lady; she looks as weary as I feel. Come now, Elaria, let's get you home so you can rest.”
“Rest,” I murmured. “Sure; sleep sounds good. I just hope that I'll wake up again.”
Chapter Thirty
We made our way out of the mound quickly. The ward had no problem with people leaving; it was only concerned with those trying to get in. Shane and Ian were both shocked and disappointed by our failure. Mainly, they were disappointed because it meant no free drinks. We decided to head straight back to Tír na nÓg from there so they wished us luck and left us in front of the mound
But just as I was pulling out my traveling stone, fire burst through my veins. I gasped and fell back on the grass. As I shook and cried out, my consorts rushed over to me. But I couldn't hear their voices; my mind was full of the roaring of my magic. My body ignited—bursting into physical flames—and the men leapt back. I screamed as I tried to control it, but it only burned hotter; from the inside out. My clothes caught fire and the grass beneath me blackened.
Sing, Elaria! Kyanite cried out in my mind.
I sang the first song that came to mind; “Here Comes the Rain Again” by Eurythmics. Kyanite helped me; bringing the swaying beat to life as the lyrics moaned out of me. My throat filled with power, and that magic lifted up and pushed its way out of my burning throat painfully; coalescing with my will into the only thing that could quench fire; water.
Thunder cracked as rain poured down on me and only me. I was drenched in seconds, but I continued to sing. The fire was sizzling on my skin; dying out but still drawing energy from me. And as it struggled, Light and Air came to life to help it. I fought on; the words turning romantic as I became desperate. This wasn't about control; I had already claimed the magic. This was about my body and how much trauma it could take. The constant pressure I was exerting over these powers had taken its toll, and now, the goddess magic was consuming me. A little water wasn't enough to stop it; especially not when the fire was coming from inside me.
You are strong enough to do this, Kyanite encouraged me. Look deeper, my love; find the power within you.
But the only power I could find was the magic that was killing me. Air whipped the flames back to life, despite the steady rain that fell on me, and Light blinded me to everything else. I felt my body buckling—bones creaking and muscles snapping—and screamed in pain. I wouldn't last long. If I didn't find a way to satisfy the magic, I'd be dead.
I went deeper into the Light; delving into places that I had refused to go. Faenestra was down there, and every time I got too close to her ancient energy, I risked being consumed by it. But I needed to know the magic in its entirety if I had any chance of assuaging it. At this point, what did it matter? If I died; I'd become her anyway. So, I dove into the Light and searched for its weakness.
Instantly, I was overwhelmed by Faenestra. Her eternal mind blossomed inside mine and urged me to open myself to her. I hadn't realized that pushing that piece of my consciousness away had weakened me. As soon as I welcomed her in, the magic began to calm. I had been out of balance—working against the proper flow of things—but now, Air and Fire were in harmony and the Light was at peace. When magic functioned properly, it required less to control it; less stamina, less focus, and less energy. The pain abated, Fire banked itself, Air stilled, and my Light faded to a soft glow.
I inhaled deeply as I sat up and opened my eyes.
My consorts and our soldiers stared at me in amazement. The fire had burned all of my clothes away—including my boots—but my
hair was fine; cascading down my naked body in healthy waves. My nudity didn't bother me. My body was just a casing for my soul; it wasn't me. I looked down at it as if I were seeing it for the first time, and I admired its strengths as I cataloged its weaknesses.
“This will do,” I declared as I stood up.
“Elaria?” Gage asked warily.
“No longer,” I said calmly. “I have been healed at last, and I am Faenestra again. Rejoice, my children, for I have returned to you.”
I smiled brightly; feeling joy in my own words. I was back; free and whole again.
“Elaria, fight her,” Banning growled. “This isn't you.”
I lifted a brow at him. This was the man who had helped me breach the boundary of humanity. I owed him for that. Without Banning, I could never have become Elaria, and without her, I never could have regained my divinity. But did I love him?
“Here, sweetheart,” Declan said gently as he removed his cloak. “Let's get you covered; you must be cold.”
I considered my nudity and nodded. Declan slipped the cloak around my shoulders and secured it for me.
“There,” he said softly. “That's better, right? How are you feeling?”
“I'm feeling free,” I said as I looked him over carefully. “Declan, King of Alexandrite; my husband chose your jewel for our first son.” I laid my hand gently on his cheek. “Because it matched my eyes in my first body.”
“You have those eyes again, my love,” Declan purred. “And so do I.”
“You must have got them from me.” I smiled softly. “You're a very beautiful man.”
“Thank you.” Declan slipped an arm around my waist. “Why don't you let me take you home?”
“You can't take me home, Declan.” I kissed him on the cheek; enjoying the way my body responded to him. “My home is somewhere you've never been.”
“Your home is with us,” Torin said firmly. “Come back to us, little bird.”
“Little bird.” I laughed as I pushed Declan away. “You've always tried to hold Elaria down, haven't you, Torin? Did her power frighten you? Intimidate you? Well, now I'm so much more than she was. I'm no bird; little or large. I'm a goddess; your goddess. Now, why aren't you kneeling?” I drew the last word out into a warning.
The men looked at each other in shock.
“Elaria, please,” Gage said. “Don't let her win. I know you're still in there; I can feel you.”
“Of course she's still here, you silly lion-bird-man,” I said scornfully. “I am her, and she is me. The part of me that's Elaria simply forgot the rest for awhile. But now, we remember. I remember,” I whispered as my eyes narrowed at my children. “I recall what you did to me and my husband. You took me away from Darcraxis!” I went still at my husband's name. “Where is he?” I asked as I looked around in a panic. “Darcraxis! Where are you?”
“I'm right here,” Darcraxis said gently.
I turned to Darc, and his eyes widened. “Faenestra, is that you?”
“Darc,” I purred. “There you are. I knew they couldn't destroy us.”
“Faene!” Darcraxis gathered me up in his embrace and kissed me.
It felt like it had been forever since I'd kissed my husband. The feel and taste of him were intoxicating; my body and magic responding to him instantly. I wrapped my arms around his strong shoulders and pulled him even closer. A low growl rose in my throat as I turned our kiss savage, but Darc drenched me with his cooling magic and slowed us down.
“Just as always,” I whispered as I pulled away. “I go faster, and you go slower.”
“We are a perfect match,” he agreed. Then he glanced over his shoulder at the others. “What's happened here?”
“I was foolish and didn't allow my mind to accept the other half of me,” I huffed. “My Light drove me to it—that devious magic of mine—and now, I am restored.”
“You and Elaria are one?” Darc asked softly.
“We are coexisting,” I amended. “I am myself again, Darc.” I kissed the angle of his jaw. “Take me home, love of mine.”
“Darcraxis, Elaria's lost to Faenestra,” Torin called out. “Please help her; you know this isn't what she'd want.”
“If Elaria has accepted her old self, there's nothing I can do,” Darc said smugly. “You must accept her as well.”
And then my divine husband took me home.
Chapter Thirty-One
As soon as we arrived in our bedroom, I pulled Darcraxis close. He groaned in delight as I lifted my lips to his. Passion flared as hot as my Fire between us, and Darc scooped me off my feet and carried me to our bed. It felt good to be in this palace again; a physical place I considered my home. But I couldn't focus on my surroundings, my eyes were only for my husband.
“Faene,” he murmured against my neck. “Finally, my love, you're back with me.”
“Yes; Elaria was tedious,” I said apologetically. “But I'll make up for that.”
Darc frowned a little as he stroked my cheek. “She is you; there was nothing tedious about her.”
“Elaria is bound by silly sympathies and weaknesses,” I scoffed. “That's not me.”
“Faene, she is the gentler part of you,” Darc said as he smiled. “I wish you would embrace her.”
“You like her more than me!” I cried out as I pulled away from him.
“Faenestra!” Darc exclaimed firmly. “Cease this foolishness. You are the same being. There is no liking one more than the other. I love you.”
I settled and sighed my way back to him. “All right; that makes sense.”
I decided that I wanted our clothes gone, and they disappeared. That surprised the Elaria part of me, but it was just a minor magic, and I was angry that she was impressed by it. What had they done to me when they forced me into the flesh? Was that the true me or had it been twisted into something poisonous that I must now bury? It didn't matter anymore; I could deal with myself. But first, I wanted to deal with my husband.
“Show me how much you missed me,” I purred as I straddled him.
Darc smiled broadly as his large hands coasted up my hips and over my breasts. I was so sensitive there, and he knew just how I liked to be touched. I dropped my head back as he kneaded my flesh and twirled his fingertips lightly over the blushing crests. Physical bodies had such wonderful collections of nerves; little sensors that made me shiver and scream with the zips of electrical energy that jolted through them. I knew every nerve ending; I'd given them life after all. But Darcraxis knew them even better; for he had formed them. He knew that the wet warmth of a mouth sucking on a breast could produce the most sublime sensations. He knew that skimming his fingers over certain places—like my inner thighs, the column of my throat, the back of my upper arms, or even the apex of my knees—could send delight shooting through me. And that's just what he did.
Darcraxis spun me onto my back and slid down between my thighs. He kissed his way gently over the curve of my belly and then flicked the tip of his tongue over the crest of my womanhood; that little bud that was the source of the most powerful ecstasy. I writhed and stroked his wide shoulders but didn't try to pull him closer. Darc was an expert at this as well, and I knew I would find far more pleasure in allowing him his way than I would with imposing my will on him.
Darc set his tongue against me, and I laid my head back to enjoy my husband's extensive knowledge.
Within minutes, my body was clenching and twitching; driven up that glorious swell by Darc's insistent urging. As I reached the moment just before my ultimate pleasure, he lifted himself and drove his hard member into my softness. The collision of the two opposites sent me reeling off the heights Darc had lifted me to. I screamed out in abandon; clutching him to me as he moved his body inside mine. So beautiful, so magical; this gift we'd given our children. They could never join themselves as we did—through our souls—but they had this, and it was magnificent in its own ways. So magnificent that Darc and I had spent most of our lives in the fleshy forms we'd fashioned to ou
r specific tastes.
I looked up into his sparkling eyes and remembered how he had chosen their color—and everything else on him—for my delight. From the angle of his jaw to the curve of his heel, he'd formed this body from the desires he'd seen in my soul. As I had formed mine to satisfy his appetites.
I frowned as I realized that this new body fell short of my husband's tastes. In some ways, quite literally. Darc admired strength and stature. He enjoyed a tall female form with generous hips and breasts. He had preferred my hair to be a blazing red—like my Fire—and he liked sharper features. This body wasn't as voluptuous as he preferred, and its hair was a boring brown. The only feature of my first physical form that had returned in this one was my eyes; they were the same shifting amethyst-blue.
“Faene?” Darc went still above me as he brushed the hair back from my face. “What is it?”
His eyes looked deeper into me, and he sighed.
“Faene, when did you become insecure? This body is just as beautiful as your last; in some ways, I like it even more,” Darc said softly.
“More?” I lifted a brow.
“Are you upset because you aren't everything I want or because you are?” He teased me.
I grimaced and grabbed Darc's ass to pull him deeper inside me. Darc laughed as he started a steady tempo again. But I was still shaken. He was right; I had never been insecure. The physical world had altered me more than I could immediately perceive. What else would pop up at inopportune moments?
“In what ways do you like this body more?” I asked casually.
“Its lack of perfection is endearing,” he murmured against the skin of my neck. “It's almost as if your soul shines brighter through this form. I can see you clearer, Faene. Your Fire gleams against your dark hair.” Darc lifted himself up on his forearms to kiss me before he went on. “Your Air brightens your eyes, and your Light is speckled by the freckles on your skin. But it's your soul that truly blossoms in this body; I see it in the way only one eyebrow arches, and the way your bottom lip is fuller than the top. I can see you, Faene, when before, I only saw what you wanted me to see.”
