by Viola Grace
The pounding of hooves on turf grew closer until the mist swirled and parted. Armed, armoured and angry, Henry was heading directly toward Tamsin.
The golden elf leapt to his feet and managed to get astride his horse in only a few seconds, but it still was almost too late.
With his sword drawn, Henry bore down on the opponent who flickered for several seconds, then appeared in a co-ordinating set of armour that matched his hair. Where Henry's armour was battle worn and chipped, Tamsin was wearing the designer fashion fresh off the runway.
Swords drawn, they collided and circled. Battle-tested armour against untried. Horses’ hooves tore up the turf, dark against light, as they wheeled and spun, scarring the earth in their wake.
Westa admired the poetry of the conflict even as she flinched at every collision. It was noisy. Leather squealed as metal sang and chimed. The horses were blowing and the men hissing and cursing at every contact. It was far from the genteel depiction of legend.
Tamsin was flickering. His armour was appearing and disappearing with the subtlety of a strobe light. With an anticlimactic pop it disappeared permanently and Tamsin panicked. He whirled his horse and galloped off into the mist that was evaporating as rapidly as he was.
"Are you all right?” Henry prodded his horse to her.
She calmed herself by stroking its nose. “Yeah, I am fine. He caught me by surprise is all.” The horse lipped her hand and she giggled. “Not that I am shocked or anything, but where did you get the horse?” It was snuffling at her hair and she squealed.
"Get on, sweet. I will explain it as we ride. We can travel faster on Seerix than on the roads.” He held his hand out to her.
She stepped up on his booted foot, then perched in front of him, sidesaddle.
"You will need to be on more securely than that. Swing your leg over.” He murmured against her neck, “Just like last night."
Hot and shuddery lust ran through her as she took up a position in which her thighs were plastered squarely on top of his. His hands wrapped her torso pulling her tightly against him.
"Let's ride.” They were off.
Tears flowed from her eyes with the rush of wind past them and she resorted to covering them with her hands until Henry noticed and tucked her within folds of the cloak flowing from his shoulders. The rolling gait of the horse beneath her and the warmth surrounding her made her sleepy, and despite the excitement of the charge across the landscape, she found herself dozing.
* * * *
"Wake up Lucky. We are here."
A warmth was filling her. It spread from all around her and was focused on her, like water swirling around a funnel. “Here? Here where?” She kept her head under the cloak until it was peeled away. Blinking into the sun, she realized it had to have been two hours or more since the pond.
"Silverwood."
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Chapter Eight
A tiny town had replaced the camp that lived in Westa's memory. A large mansion acted as a centerpiece for the slow but steady pace that the new town of Silverwood maintained. They were in front of a version of a City Hall, on a horse, with Henry in armour and no one even spared them a second glance aside from a few friendly nods at her guardian.
"Westa! I am so happy that you have decided to return.” Artemis Whynot strode toward them and jarred Lucky from her absorption of the environment.
Westa was going to like it here. “I couldn't help it, Artemis, it called to me. Well, it called to me in the manner that with certain members of various drug organizations knowing where I lived, this is the safer option.” With Henry's help, she dismounted and fell flat on her ass. “Perhaps I should re-evaluate."
Chuckling, Henry dismounted and helped her to her feet. He was again in jeans and a dark blue silk shirt. “That doesn't count as a danger to your life, only your ability to sit down."
Artemis stepped forward. “Henry has kept us apprised of your difficulties. Rest assured that no one here means you any harm.” She reached out and took Westa's hands in hers. “We are delighted that you and Henry have become a couple. It will definitely give our project a jump start."
"Madame, would you please give Westa the tour? I need to put Seerix away and to tidy up the house.” Henry was uncomfortable about something. When Artemis nodded, he took Lucky in his arms for a searing kiss, then bolted before she could call him back.
"I am going to get him for that. Dragging me to a strange place and dumping me to go play with his horse.” Lucky slowly walked beside Artemis to the main building with only small smirks on both their faces.
"I can assure you that he isn't dumping you anywhere. Henry is particular about his home. He wants it to be at his best before he lets you in.” Artemis led their way through marble corridors and explained the purposes of the differing departments. “This is our new home base. We have the members of the Hunt here as well as volunteers from a few human-like races who want to find a human woman who will love them."
"I am still a little fuzzy on the whole mythical races thing. Am I supposed to believe that gnomes, elves and fairies once roamed the earth?” Laughter that was as clear as moonlight spilled out of her guide.
"You are a human who spins magic into tangible luck and you have trouble believing in differing evolutionary forces? You are too cute, Lucky."
The blush that filled her face with heat had to be obvious. Okay it was a bit of the pot calling the kettle black. She had seen elven knights duelling for her hand and she still hadn't gotten a handle on the reality of this fantastic situation.
The rooms and areas of the grand building were divided into training centers to teach the modern world to creatures who had left it long ago, a gym to keep them from going stir crazy and administration offices to help with building, working and placement in differing states and countries. It was a magic re-location center. Their tour ended back at Artemis's office where tea and cakes had been laid out on the desk.
"Please pardon my astonishment, but this is incredible. When was all this constructed? I don't remember this as my camp.” She helped herself to a cake as Artemis poured tea.
The funny thing about Artemis was that she literally looked different every time you focussed on her. One minute she was blonde, then brunette and occasionally a redhead. It was the first thing you noticed about her, and the last thing you remembered when you thought of her later.
Today she was dressed in a business skirt that fell to midcalf and clung the entire way up, her white silk blouse looked as freshly pressed as if she had just put it on. Her mouth was its usual stern line, softening frequently with laughter. Her eyes, when she raised her gaze to Westa's, were shattered rainbows. The most peculiar shade that she had ever seen.
"Sugar? If I recall you had quite the sweet tooth."
"Three please.” She took the cup that was handed to her and smiled at the first sip. Nothing like a nice cup of tea after a trying day. She sighed and sat back in the deep leather chair on one side of the large desk, with Artemis on the other. “Now, my dear Miss Whynot, how did all of this come about? Were all the girls at the camp of the same ... uh type?"
"Indeed. All of the young ladies at the camp had the seeds of great magic within them. Each night I called you all forth and gave you base instruction on the art of tapping into your talents."
Westa closed her eyes, “I remember a light. Brilliant lights dancing."
"It was used to distract the magic while I attempted to pass on the direction that elven children receive over a course of years.” She sipped at her own tea. “The magic within each of you is natural to you, natural to the modern world in which it lives. The plan, which Henry has no doubt alluded to on at least one occasion, is to bring magic back to the modern world and to help in flourish here."
Lucky set her cup down. “I had surmised as much from hints in his conversation. But why were we all assigned a guardian? I am assuming that I was not the only one."
"The guardians are not guardians so mu
ch as they carry the compliment to your magic in their very bones. The men are your equals in power and temperament, the opposite to which you attract.” Artemis leaned back and eyed Westa very closely. “You and Henry seem to be getting along very well."
"Matchmaking? That is what this is all about?” Laughter bubbled up as Lucky caught on to the nature of the conversation. “So how do you go about making the matches between old and new magic?"
"We have a specialist here for that. She has a knack for it.” Realizing what she had said, Artemis back-pedalled. “But that is a conversation for another day. Henry should have had plenty of time to tidy up. Let's be off to his home."
* * * *
Henry's home was spectacular. It looked like the stone had grown into place. He was fidgeting on the porch when they walked up and Westa was a little astonished to see him insecure.
Artemis took her by the hand, “I will see you tomorrow and we will discuss the role in all this that we would like to offer you."
"Working with that specialist that you mentioned?"
"Yes. But we will see you tomorrow. Good evening.” She nodded to Westa and waved to Henry, then was sauntering back down the path with the sun setting behind her.
"Hello again, Henry. Did you have time to tidy up? Or go and get your car?” She walked up the steps and stood a few feet in front of him.
"Westa, we rode on my car to get here. Seerix is a shape shifter.” He smiled at her, the scar tugging at his eye. “Would you like to see the stables?” He held his arm out for her to take.
She did. They sauntered to the back of the house and there was the stable. Three horses, or horse-like beings, and a wide open space for them to run in, as well as a comfortable shelter for them to reside in.
One of the black creatures separated itself from the other two and galloped toward them with flaring red eyes. It charged right up to Lucky and came to a complete halt. It suddenly played coy and she gasped. “Seerix?"
He shook his head, then shoved at her playfully.
Henry stepped aside and let her hug his steed. “You know, I have never seen him react this way to anyone. Not even other members of the Hunt."
"Maybe they don't appreciate him the way I do. He is beautiful. In whatever shape he takes.” Her fingers were combing through his mane and she was struck by a thought. “What other shapes can he take?"
Henry stroked the horse's neck. “He has been a horse, a unicorn, a dog, the sporty car, a limousine and a carriage with six horses—no, I don't know how he did that one. He can probably change into a minivan if he wishes. He simply becomes what I need, as do the other steeds of the Hunt."
One of the other two horses was approaching them now and Seerix moved back out of their reach for a moment to intercept it.
"Who is that?"
"Seerlan, Seerix's son. In your terms, he is a single parent."
"How old is he?"
"Barely two hundred. He was born after we went Underhill. His dam was never strong and she died shortly after she birthed him."
There was a conversation taking place amongst the steeds and Seerix kept looking back at her so she knew she was a topic. “Here they come.” She took a deep breath and waited as Seerlan sniffed her from head to toe and back again. Lipping at her hair and snuffling her shirt. When he nudged her as his father had done, she smiled and rubbed his long nose gently. She stroked his ears, his mane, any part of him that she could reach.
"Westa, I think you have just been chosen by a steed of the Wild Hunt."
"So? I think he's lovely."
"He is going to be your steed and bodyguard wherever you go. Until you die.” The unspoken words that it would be much sooner than a steed's normal lifespan fell between them.
"Oh god. Okay, point made. Go away, Seerlan.” She backed up and shooed him. He didn't go.
"You can't undo it, it was his choice. He will never select another rider and will still pass on when you do."
"Shouldn't there have been a ceremony, a flash of light, something?"
"No. Your magic reached out to him and his to you. They bound together and you didn't even notice."
She felt like crying. Her magic was out of control, her life was out of control and now this gorgeous creature was bound to her and would die far before its time. What happened to being Lucky?
"Come inside, Westa. You need some rest.” He took her by the hand and tugged her away from Seerlan.
She stumbled along with him until they entered through the kitchen door, then she had to gasp. Better Homes and Gardens needed to come to Henry's house immediately, before her presence sullied its perfection. The kitchen was spacious, well lit and lined with oak and granite. It led into an open concept living and dining room that could have come from the pages of Architectural Digest. It was stunning. She forgot her depressing revelation for a moment and simply drank in the grace and beauty of her surroundings. “Wow. Did you do all this?"
He reached out to fiddle with a rose bouquet on an end table. “Yes, but it isn't quite right yet. A few more months and it will be perfect."
"Where will I be staying?"
That surprised him. “Here, with me of course."
"Then this place will be far from perfect in a few months. While I have luck in life, my housekeeping skills suck."
"Well, mine don't and I have awareness of your habits that you haven't dreamed of.” His eyebrows waggled in a lascivious manner, trying to jolly her out of her mood.
"I think I need that nap now.” The sun was setting and it had been a trying few days after all.
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Chapter Nine
Breakfast in bed was a shock, especially when she didn't remember falling asleep. One minute she was in the dining room, the next the dawn was creeping through the window and she was stretching with a feeling of refreshment.
Black silk fitted snugly to Henry's body as he came toward her carrying the tray heaped with toast, jam, bacon and orange juice. The robe he was wearing suited him, but she found herself wishing that his hair was longer. The shorter hair just didn't suit him.
"I have brought you something to brace you for the day ahead. Artemis isn't the easiest person to deal with."
"She wants me to use my luck for matchmaking. What could be difficult in that?"
"This town was also designed to help you gain control of your powers. It is an intersection of lay lines that will recharge you in minutes, after expending enough energy to make you want to sleep for days."
She prepped some toast with an overly generous scoopful of jam. “Cool. So that is what I felt when we arrived."
He looked delighted. “You felt something? Excellent.” He took her toast from her and began to munch with glee.
She noted he seemed quite pleased about something this morning. Disgruntled with her loss of toast, she picked up another piece, scooped out a second healthy portion of jam and plopped on the toast. It was when she was spreading it that she noticed the object in her jam. The small object. The small ring shaped object perched near a corner of her toast just peeking out from the glop of jam. Then she noted the elf on one knee in front of her.
"Westa Lucidine, will you marry me?"
She dropped her toast into her lap. On the way down, the glop of jam hit her breast, then slid down her side and spread jelly toward her hip.
His long clever fingers retrieved the ring from the jam and, maintaining eye contact, he slowly licked it off. “Well? Will you marry me?"
She thought of all the sarcastic responses she could muster, then looked into her heart. She wanted him, he made her laugh, he was willing and able to protect her from obvious hurts and he had a fantastic house. Why not? “Yes. I will. I don't quite know why yet, but I will.” She smiled and he pushed the slightly sticky ring onto her left hand. They locked gazes for a moment, then began to giggle as they reached for each other.
His robe fell away under her eager hands and they were soon wrestling for the top position on the bed
. She won by virtue of kneeling astride his chest and holding onto the headboard for dear life. His arms were pinned behind her knees and she was laughing with triumph until his tongue lapped out at the jam trail on her upper thigh. She began to vibrate with sensual tension. “That is cheating."
"Did I ever tell you that I love strawberries?” He took advantage of her suddenly limp muscles and flipped her to her back.
With his tongue teasing at the trail of jam, she was helpless. Something about his touch rendered her boneless. If he had held her or used any kind of restraint, she would have fought him, even for the sake of fun. But he simply touched her gently, softly, teasing her and she was holding her breath for what would come next.
As he teased her, she wove her fingers through his hair for a change and held him to her. Not steering or controlling him, but letting him know of her enjoyment through the restless motions of her fingers. Her orgasm came upon her without warning, arching her back and releasing a torrent of moisture from her channel and a howl from her throat.
This time there was no slow claiming of her body, but a hard thrust that sheathed him halfway and a second that drove him to the hilt. Now she was fighting as his thrusts were keeping her body throbbing and twisting in her orgasm. The sensory overload continued, driving her higher and higher until the next plateau was reached and she blacked out.
She came to with tears on her face and a concerned elf still within her. “How long was I out?"
"Only a moment.” He leaned in for a kiss.
She obliged him, the soft exchange of contact a confirmation of the engagement that they had just celebrated. “I think you may have to slow it down next time, Henry. I am a little out of practice.” She wrapped both her arms and legs around him and gave him a hug to let him know that she was unharmed.
"Well, I am willing to devote plenty of time to the project if you are willing."
"I am willing, but I think I have to go see Artemis today."
He sighed heavily and rested his forehead on her shoulder. “You are correct. All right. Off for a shower, then I will walk you to her offices."
