She began to pace and grunt. “Sure, I’ll just call him up on my cell phone and ask him to alter the entire past! Hey, Nikolai, what do you say you set free the Unseelie Queen and her kids? Can you do that without affecting all of history?”
Rain began to pelt outside. “Well of course I can, little queen. But why would I, is a better question...”
She sighed and looked over at the God standing there. He was dripping wet from his little storm and had his massive arms folded over his chest. They both bowed respectively, even though she had a growl in her throat. Amele looked to him with as much humility as she could muster when she rose up again.
“Please, grant me this one more thing, My Lord, and name your price beyond. We wish that the innocent be released is all. Delia and her two daughters should be returned to Loveryn, as they were before Baylor made his greedy choice. We didn’t know that she wasn’t part of it and beg of you to assist in rescuing them from that scorched hell.”
He stood as still as a statue for a few moments, looking at them both.
“My Lord, when I was rescuing Isabel, were it not for the help of Delia I may not have found her in time. We could’ve both died there. They planned on using Isabel somehow to barter for their positions back in the other realms, but even through all of the centuries of living that way she has not lost heart completely. Please. if there is anything that you can do to help...”
Nikolai raised his hand and silenced him.
“What could I want now that I have already secured you for three months, Ameieloreya? What will you offer me now?”
Her eyes began to glow amber. “How about six months, instead?”
His laughter echoed throughout the great hall. “No, that won’t do at all. I may not want you around that long.”
Her cheeks flamed for the first time in her life and her stomach clenched as she spoke through gritted teeth. “Then name your price, for it’s right that those three return home, exactly as they were when they left it.”
He looked out at the skies and then turned back to face them. “Actually, there is something that I want. And it will require about a year of your life, instead. I’m going to give you four lives for it, instead of three, which should please you.”
“What?” She murmured, confused.
“Norgelon will return as well, it is only fair. But you will give me what I want, female. Is that understood?”
She looked at him shocked. Prince Norgelon? Isabel’s father? Is there anything she could refuse him to bring him back? She watched as Bodhe stared angrily at the Elemental God.
“I can’t say no to whatever you propose now, and you know that. So, what, My Lord, could require a year of my life? Shall you chain me up with the Dragons again and let the women take from my flesh for what I did to their males?”
Lightning cracked in the sky, thunder shook the earth, and the Elementals eyes flashed black again. If his power didn’t turn her on so much, she supposed she would be scared quite shitless. He took a deep breath and the storm receded somewhat.
“No, you will never go back to the Dragons.”
“After my time is served, I shall go wherever I please, Water God.” She scowled at him.
He looked at her sternly. “I want a child.”
The gasps from her and Bodhe echoed in the room.
“My Lord, with all due respect,” Bodhe began.
“Prince,” he commanded, “this is not your bargain. Though, I must thank you for it. I have wanted this for some time, actually.”
What the hell kind of joke was this? A God wanted a child? To what end? Was it even possible for her to conceive with him? He had an Other for these things. Why did he need her?
“Is it even possible without me dying?”
“Amele, don’t do this! If this is the only way then we have to leave them there. And Isabel’s father…I would give almost anything for her to be able to know him, but not sacrifice you! A thousand times no. I’ll not let you whore yourself out to an Elemental just to save them. You’re Queen for the Gods sake!”
“Which is why it is possible,” Nikolai spoke softly. “The Sidhe royal line are direct descendants of the Other Gods, so it would not kill her to birth my child,” he paused, looking directly at Amele. “These are my terms. Do you accept?”
She looked over at Bodhe who was screaming at her to not do it in her mind.
“Bodhe, take good care of Isabel and please tell her that I’ll return to her as soon as I can,” she took one look at the Elemental and glared. “I too, have one condition. When the child is born I am free to leave you and return home…unharmed, and unaltered.”
“Agreed.” Lightning struck the earth outside and thunder split the stone they were standing on. It was done.
“Amele!”
“Bodhe, don’t worry. It’s a small price to pay for all of this good that will come. You’ve kept your word, and I’ve broken no laws more so than I already had. Tell your father that the stay is going to be slightly more extended than I’d originally planned.”
“Delia will return here as I take you, with her two daughters that were born before Baylor the unwise became greedy. It will not affect history because I will take them from the moment after Delia showed you the way to Isabel. And of course, I will return to them their appearance so as to not scare the children of the Sidhe. Norgelon will awaken from a cursed slumber from the last twenty-three years and will know nothing. Is that satisfactory?”
She looked at the beautiful, tricky God, and nodded. “We have a deal.”
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Lerei nish dei
“ISABEL, YOU HAVE no idea how happy I am to finally see you in person!” Keiren hugged her tightly.
“You too,” she said shyly, taking in the beauty that was before her. Curly long tresses like hers only blonde, shaped the face of an angel with fiery green eyes. She was taller than her, not a surprise, but she was so similar in many ways. She inhaled the scent of lavender and smiled…no wonder it had always been her favorite flower. Isabel’s eyes pricked with tears, to finally be home. It had been devastating to lose the only family she had years ago, and now to have her biological mother in her life; it was so wonderful. It would take a while to get used to, but she knew she would love her with all her soul.
“No, no, child, there will be none of that today. You have served your people well in this great challenge. We could not have asked for better,” she said, radiating love and pride. Isabel couldn’t help but smile to her.
“There’s someone else coming to the ceremony that you will be happy to finally meet, as well. I know she’s been thinking of nothing else since she knew that you were her only son’s child. Queen Lorelei is en route now to the kingdom, wishing to embrace you as I have.” She paused and took Isabel’s hands in hers. “I hope that one day you’ll understand why I did everything that I did. Even though it may not have seemed that you were safe, the alternative if I hadn’t done what I had, would’ve been far worse.”
Isabel just nodded, unsure of what to say. She really couldn’t wait to hear the stories from her mother, but she would have to. “I saw her on the cliffs. If looks could kill, I’d never have had to jump off the cliff. I can’t wait to meet her,” she responded softly. Her mother beamed at her.
“That was her, dear, and she can’t wait to meet you finally.” Isabel watched her mother tear up a little, and knew she’d just made her think about Norgelon. God, how hard this all must be for her. She wished more than anything that her mother hadn’t known that loss. She looked at Bodhe and he wrapped her hand in his, giving it a squeeze. She could feel him as intensely as he could her now, ever since she’d woken up from the cliffs. They weren’t kidding that her immortality would remove all doubts. He was stressed now with all the ceremony details, and she nearly laughed at her own heart beating with a near panic attack from his doing the same.
Everyone had been fussing about her since sunrise, between the measurements taken so that the gown she
hadn’t even seen yet would fit, making sure the food was to her liking, that the wine was perfectly aged. As if she would know good wine. Ha! Spring wine for breakfast? Yum! Except, never again with the Unseelie, thank you. She shivered at the thought.
It seemed that the entire kingdom was introducing themselves to her, and though she couldn’t speak the language yet, she understood them, which was still fascinating. Bodhe ushered her around the palace, showing her the great hall and the many rooms and the largest library that she’d ever seen. If she’d had her way they would’ve remained there all day as enthralled as she was with all the books. He’d practically had to drag her out with promises that she could return any time after today...as much as her heart desired.
After the greetings and the tour, Bodhe snuck her back to their room to make love to her again, and again. He said that it was good luck, though she didn’t think she needed any more of that. And she certainly didn’t need to be coerced into licking every inch of his solid body. She honestly couldn’t wait for this day to be over so she could spend the night, and the morning doing exactly that.
Reluctantly she got bathed and dressed for the ceremony, and the Manues—who were the servants of the Royal House—and her mother were fussing equally over her. She learned that the Manues took great pride in serving the royal family and that it was one of the most honored positions amongst the people here. Starched white linens and perfect manners; they all smiled at her as she was getting ready.
The dress that was presented to her by her mother made her jaw hit the floor. It looked like it was made of a million diamonds, all catching the fire of the sun at the same time. It came down in an elegant, not too low ‘v’ in the front and well, there wasn’t much of a back at all. Beaded, raised slippers that matched were brought in too, that cocooned her feet perfectly in dazzling beauty and gave her a few extra inches of height without being uncomfortable. Her hair was combed to silky, fiery perfection and then a box was brought in that was a present from the King and Queen.
She looked from her mother to the Manues and they all just smiled. “Well, don’t just sit there, child,” her mother chided, “open it!”
Lifting the cover off carefully of the square box she saw a Samuril like the one that Bodhe had made for her, only this one had diamonds that circled the entire thing, with one rather large one that dipped down in the center.
“Breathe, darling, it’s okay.” Keiren grinned
Isabel inhaled sharply, afraid to touch the thing in case she broke it. “I really don’t know what to say. This is…well it’s… wow.”
They all started laughing, and Keiren took it from her hands, placing it gently on her head. Tears welled up in her mother’s eyes as she took a step back.
“You look beautiful, my Princess. Go to the mirror, and see for yourself.”
She walked slowly toward the bathroom and looked at her reflection. Covering her mouth as she gasped, she couldn’t believe the woman that stood before her. This was as good as seeing herself as a warrior for the first time.
Looking back from the mirror imbedded in the stone wall was an auburn haired beauty. Sunset curls cascaded freely down her back and her beautiful, pointed ears crested from it. Her left ear had been pierced this morning with two rings at the top, signifying her as royalty and partnered. Eyes stared back at her that were bright green with golden flecks and her thin frame was surrounded by sparkling folds of fabric that clung to her curves perfectly. The real kicker however, was the samuril. It was stunning. The way the light hit it made it seem like it was on fire and she watched as her eyes flashed pure gold. She never really thought of herself as a princess, even though she had been told that she was over and over again recently. But now, as she looked in the mirror, she fully accepted the fate that had been foretold.
“It’s time, Isabel,” her mother said softly.
Her hands were shaking as she reached up to touch the stone that fell from the center on the samuril and she felt a warmth surge through her.
Keiren grinned. “Yes dear, it too, holds magic. But there’s no time for that now. We must go meet your partner, and the rest of the realm. They’re waiting for us, waiting for you, now.”
She nodded, taking one last look at the stranger in front of her and followed her mother to the great hall where Bodhe would be. They floated through the halls effortlessly and she felt a little more secure in her flight since Bodhe insisted that she do so all day to practice. At least she wouldn’t need to worry about tripping! She smiled at the ridiculous thought to herself.
“How are you feeling? Are you okay?”
“I’m better than okay. I’m really, really happy.” She stopped in the corridor and looked at her mother before they entered the large wooden and gold leafed doors that would take them into the great hall.
“If there had been any other way, would you have kept me?” Isabel asked.
Tears welled up in Keiren’s eyes again. “Of course I would have,” she stepped back, taking a moment to think of her words. “You see, when your father died I had a vision of all Morkain had done, and then saw him scheming to take the throne of Albequen, but then he learned of you. He hunted you down and…” her eyes went dark and far away for a moment. “So that’s why I had to leave and cloak us both in magic. But my magic wasn’t strong enough to last until you were older so I called Isura, the Elemental God of the Air. In return for her protection, she put me in a sleep and created the curse. It was her way of having a game. I still don’t understand why she tortured me with having Morkain being one of your suitors, but I had to agree. The alternative was far worse. Plus, I knew you would choose the right one. And I got to add the caveat of having Amele watch over you.” Keiren wrapped her arms around her and held her for a moment. “I love you more than life, Isabel, and I promise you that I will make up for this time that we’ve lost.”
Tears welled in her own eyes now and threatened to spill. How had her mother gone through all of that right after the death of her father? She would never, ever doubt that she was loved again.
“Oh no, sweetie, you will not be crying sad tears today! Today is a happy day for you and I will not see it ruined. Now, there is a very special male waiting for you behind these doors, are you ready to drive him absolutely mad when he takes one look at you?”
Isabel laughed and forced back the tears. “Yes…Mother, yes I am. Thank you so much, for everything.” Isabel reached for her mother and held her tightly, the damn tears threatening to spill anyway.
Keiren stepped forward after she released her and the doors opened to the great hall. The entire kingdom was there and across the room Bodhe stood patiently waiting by the King and Queen, a white and gold robe flowing to the floor around him. His Samuril sparkled like hers, but with just a single large center stone that was encased in silver. She felt his hungry stare and saw the beastly smile that came to his lips. Glowing brightly at the first sight of him, she was almost embarrassed until everyone in the room bowed to her. When they rose, the sound of clapping rang deafeningly throughout the large hall.
Bodhe took less than a second to be in front of her, his hands taking her face in his own and kissing her deeply. Another roar erupted from the crowd as they turned into a glowing, golden sphere together.
“You take my breath away, Princess, and as gorgeous as you look in that dress, all I can think of is how badly I want to rip it off with my teeth,” he grinned mischievously at her.
“My naughty, insatiable Prince. You’ll not be ripping this one off of me. You’ll take your time and peel it slowly from my flesh that burns for you even now. Then, and only then, will you ravage me and sate the desire that is currently pooling between my legs,” she grinned at him, equally mischievously, and took his hand as he growled at her.
“I can see that I’ll have to keep this robe on for the remainder of the evening or all of Loveryn will see the effect you have on me. Paybacks, dear,” he said as he grinned.
She was laughing as they walked over
to Queen Danua and King Rystrom; bowing as she had seen the others do and hoping that it wasn’t too clumsy. “Thank you for the beautiful gift, Your Majesties. It’s the second most beautiful one I have ever seen.”
They smiled graciously at her, but raised their brows just enough to seem curious.
“Well, the one that Bodhe made for me is my favorite, of course. I do hope you’ll forgive me for that. But this one is extraordinary.”
The King and Queen grinned. “Well, this one you may save for special occasions if you wish. And yes, a gift from your beloved partner in any form would always hold sway over any other, no matter its beauty or price tag.” The queen looked down at a simple ring carved from the same stone that the box she found beneath her house was made of. It had another red stone in the center of it, not unlike the one that she and Bodhe wore around their necks. “Of course we understand the sentiment.” She smiled to the King and took his hand gently.
He smiled back and Isabel was stunned as they began to glow, very brightly. They must’ve been together forever…and they still they glowed like that? She felt a warmth trickle through her…it was a complete happiness unlike anything she’d ever known.
Isabel took a moment to notice the stark difference in the two before her. The white, flowing hair of Queen Danua matched Bodhe's perfectly; long and loose and fluttering about her as if even the smallest shift in the wind could make it flow around her like a wave. Her samuril was made completely of the Toriel that was treasured here, but intricate detail was carved into hers and it was raised just above her hairline into a crown. A dress of white and silver material that glittered hung loosely all around her slender and graceful frame. Her eyes adorned the color of an emerald in the sunlight, embedded with golden hints much like her own did, and light radiated from them both, as if the light from the room came from within their beings entirely.
Immortal Dreams (Immortal Realms Book 1) Page 34
