Bayou Shadow Protector

by Debbie Herbert

  “Ah, I see.” The queen’s face smoothed. “We are pleased to suffer your company because of your noble deed. I believe the lady-in-waiting position is in order.” Her voice sharpened. “Now be seated.”

  She should have asked for the opal tiara.

  April sank back into her chair. A few fairies cast her smirks. Everyone knew that the court position was the absolute worst. A glorified maid job. Some honor. Besides, all she wanted, all she needed, was Chulah.

  She’d settle for nothing less.

  If they weren’t willing to release her, she’d sneak out after they were all sleeping off the effects of the huge dinner and dancing. Her heart lifted with the resolve. She’d done it once before; she could do it again. With any luck, she’d be with Chulah before tomorrow’s eve.

  She nearly choked on the honey confection she’d placed in her mouth as she pictured Chulah. Alone and hurt. A full day in Fairy meant a week in human time. Did he think she’d deserted him?

  Never.

  She’d escape or die trying.

  * * *

  “It’s over. Move on, Chulah.”

  Never. “Leave me alone. I’m doing fine.”

  Tallulah shook her head and sank to the ground in front of him, tucking her long legs underneath her. “What’s your plan? Camp out here forever? April might not ever come back. Be realistic.”

  “She will. And when she comes, I’ll be here.”

  “But you said yourself, the fairy tree always changes. How do you know this spot is where she’ll come—if she comes?”

  It was here he’d gone for his vision quest, and when it was over, April had appeared to him in the dusky dawn, and it was where he’d decided to throw his lot in with her and the Fae. And it was also here where he’d kissed her and because... Well, that was none of Tallulah’s business. “Let me worry about that.”

  “But you’ve been out here a week.”

  “Your point?” He could live in the woods year-round if he wanted.

  “What about your business?”

  “J.B. can handle things at the shop for the time being.”

  She picked up a stick and poked at the fire in front of his tent. They sat together a spell in silence. But Tallulah being Tallulah, that didn’t last long.

  “Everybody’s talking about you, you know. They’re worried you’ve lost your head over a woman who is gone forever.”

  He shrugged and took a sip of water from his canteen.

  “Don’t you have any pride, Chulah?”

  Pride didn’t warm his bed or soothe his soul. Let them think he was crazy. Perhaps they were right, too. Still didn’t matter. April would come back, and when she did he would be here to welcome her home and keep her safe.

  Tallulah gave an exasperated sigh and stood. “Listen, I get it. I’m not the heartless bitch everyone seems to think I’ve become since Bo died. You cared for April. I actually started to warm to her myself. But it’s over.”

  “I could say the same for you. Bo’s dead. Get over it.”

  Tallulah’s face paled.

  “See? Not so easy, is it? Let me ask you something. If there was a chance Bo could return from the After Life, wouldn’t you wait for him—no matter how long it took?”

  “I’d wait forever.” She brushed off the seat of her jeans with a terse motion. “Point made.”

  He nodded and screwed the cap back on the canteen. “Wasn’t trying to hurt you. But as long as we’re being brutally honest—Bo isn’t coming back. He was my friend and a good man. But if Bo were here, he’d tell you to move on with your life.”

  Tallulah nodded and stared into the distance, her face and thoughts as inscrutable as ever. “Is there anything I can bring you? More food? Water? Blankets? Supposed to get pretty chilly tonight.”

  “I’m good. Tell everyone I haven’t fallen off my rocker too bad,” he joked.

  She patted his shoulder, about as demonstrative as her personality permitted. “I hope your April returns. She’s good for you. Draws you out of your shell in a way that I never could.”

  He and Tallulah weren’t suited for each other at all. He could appreciate that in hindsight.

  Tallulah left, leaving him alone with his thoughts. He stared into the fire, lost in memories of April. The first time he’d seen her, standing at the edge of the woods with her long hair blowing like a shimmering halo in the breeze; their first electric kiss; her naked skin brushing against his own; the way she drew out the soft side of Brenda and Joanna; her laughter and musical voice. The way she made him feel—protective, tender, passionate and...loved.

  It couldn’t be over. He refused to believe she was gone for good.

  A dash of red fur sped close by. Once again, a fox appeared, a signal of an impending spirit message. His mouth went dry. These messages weren’t always good news. The ancestor spirits might bring a number of messages—a blessing, a warning, a bit of guidance or a pronouncement of bad news.

  The fire’s flames danced and crackled. He stared, mesmerized, allowing himself to sink deep into a plane that existed between now and the past, between the physical and the spiritual, between man and nature. Here was the place he discovered messages from the spirits.

  The rolling beat of a drum vibrated in his gut. The unique pattern that meant his father approached.

  “You have suffered,” his father began, cutting to the heart of the matter. “Listen to me now. Really listen and believe. You are not responsible for my death. No one is.”

  Chulah opened his mouth to object, then slammed it shut. This was his father, his elder. A man who spoke truth while alive, and in death became a wise spirit who counseled with honesty. He wouldn’t lie, not even to soothe his son’s feelings. Too bad he’d been so stubborn—or immature—to realize this years ago.

  No one is. Meaning April wasn’t responsible either. His heart squeezed, remembering that he hadn’t truly forgiven her before she returned to the Fae realm. Or maybe he had, but a twisted pride had kept him from acknowledging that truth.

  Chulah nodded. “I believe you, Father.”

  Dad’s voice grew sterner. “And it’s time I spoke to you about our family. Years ago, I forced a deathbed promise that you take care of Joanna and your brothers and sister.”

  Oh, hell, he hadn’t bailed Chris out of jail this last time. He couldn’t bear to be lectured from beyond the grave. “Sorry. I’ll post bail next time Johnnie or Chris get in trouble. I’ve tried to do my best, but sometimes I fall short and—”

  “I hereby release you from that vow.”

  “—then I get angry...” He faltered to a halt. “You do?”

  “Your brothers chose their own path, forsaking their shadow-hunter call and getting into trouble with the law. They dishonor the family name.”

  “They’re young.” Chulah couldn’t believe he was defending them, not after what they put him through. But, after all, they were blood.

  “No excuse,” his father said shortly. “Let them suffer the consequences and become men.”

  Chulah nodded. He’d said much the same to Joanna after the last bail request.

  “And as far as Joanna...” His father sighed. “She’s a good woman. A strong woman. But you have to be equally strong and set boundaries. Live your own life.” A smile ghosted his old features. “She’ll adapt and grow even stronger.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “But more than old hurts, you suffer for love. You pine the woman-fairy creature.”

  Chulah’s spine stiffened, awaiting a blow. “Her name is April. April Meadows.”

  “The time will soon come when you have to make a decision. To stay here with your family and your ancestors and the land they have honored forever, or to leave our way of life for another. Choose wisely.”

  To ask his father which was the wisest choice would be futile. He’d remind him that decisions were for the living. Not for the dead.

  The drums faded, receding into the bayou forest. He was alone once more.

  Chul
ah puzzled his father’s words about April, unable to decide if the upcoming choice was good or bad news. Good, in that there was hope for a life with April, but disconcerting at the price it would cost.

  Could he leave Bayou La Siryna and all his friends and family?

  Everything he’d heard about the Fae realm didn’t leave him with a favorable impression. Fairies like Steven with his bigotry and hypocrisy. Or their queen. The sly, selfish ways of the Council. Fairies like Grady who killed and mutilated their own kind.

  Leaving home meant living with all of that. Forever.

  Footsteps alerted him to the presence of two people. One set of footfalls was heavy and labored, the other light and almost as faint as a shadow hunter. Was now the time to decide? Chulah stood, arms crossed, awaiting the people to arrive from the path.

  Annie’s familiar, kind figure emerged, holding the arm of a large, dark woman wearing a purple turban, a red wool coat and a turquoise scarf. A peacock among the brown autumn landscape. So this must be Annie’s grandmother, the infamous Tia Henrietta, known throughout Bayou La Siryna and beyond as a wise and powerful hoodoo practitioner.

  Tia huffed and puffed like a dragon about to blow down a tree. “Chulah Rivers,” she boomed in a deep, loud voice. “I was given a message to help you.”

  He frowned. “From who? I don’t need any help.”

  “Where I get all my messages. From the Other Side.” She grinned, revealing a golden front tooth. “Hear ya need safe passage to another world.”

  “Maybe,” he conceded. “It’s not a done deal.”

  Tia Henrietta chuckled. A full-throated raspy sound that carried far. Annie helped her settle on a nearby tree stump, where she collapsed with a sigh as loud as the breeze. “Honey, you just keep right on believing that.” Tia faced Annie. “He a lot like Tombi, ain’t he?”

  Annie gave him a gentle smile. “That’s a compliment. She loves my husband.”

  Humph. Chulah wasn’t sure what to make of the mysterious Tia Henrietta.

  Tia stilled and lifted her nose in the air, studying the lay of the land. “Some spirit been here a short while ago. You know what I mean?”

  “My father.” The woman had the Sight. He’d give her that.

  She nodded. “A wise soul. You listen to him good, ya hear?” She waved an arm at the blankets below her feet. “Y’all sit down a spell and let’s get to work. My old bones cain’t take this chill fer too long.”

  Annie darted a slight, apologetic shrug his way. “I’ll take a little hike. Leave y’all some privacy.”

  “Don’t you be gone too long,” Tia warned. “I needs to get back inside my warm home.”

  Annie set off at a brisk pace. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Chulah sat down, regarding her wearily. “What, exactly, was the message you received this morning?”

  “That you be wanting to go to Fairy with yer true love.”

  Disconcerting that she acted as if she knew his mind better than he did.

  “Not yer mind—yer heart,” she corrected.

  “I’d rather you didn’t read my mind,” he said, shifting his legs on the blankets.

  “It ain’t always a picnic for me either.” She reached a plump hand in a coat pocket. “Now. I brought yer a little somethin’ for the journey.”

  He didn’t bother to correct her again. This was not a done deal. No matter how many times Tia Henrietta claimed it was.

  She pulled out a purple drawstring bag and tossed it at him. He caught it one-handed and lifted it to his nose. Smelled like a sachet of dried flowers. “What’s this for?” He loosened the string and emptied the contents in his hand. A hodgepodge of weird.

  “Iron nails to repel any fairy who means you harm. A bit of chain for you to pull between your hands should you need a hasty retreat outta there.” Tia held up an identical piece of chain in her own hand. “I’ll feel this pull immediately if you are held against your will. But yer best bet is to soften up the ole fairy queen. Flatter her and give her a present.”

  “Like what?”

  “With that mojo bag there. It has a little bit of things she’ll love. A doll’s silver comb, a couple of shiny marbles, a chip of teal sea glass, a bluebird feather and a book of matches. All of it’s sprinkled with lavender, rose and foxglove petals. Just make sure to remove the chain and nails first.”

  “Matches?” he asked, puzzled.

  “It’ll be a hit,” she assured him. “Strike one of them babies up and they’ll be a-oohing and a-aahing all over ya.”

  He tucked the bag in his jeans pocket. “Anything else I need to know? That is if I decide to go.”

  Tia’s good-natured smile slipped. “Don’t be a fool. I even gave ya a way out with the chain. Think long and hard what yer life will be like without her.”

  “Thank you,” he said stiffly.

  She laughed and slapped her hands on her thighs. “Just callin’ it like I sees it, honey child. Yer choice.” Tia threw her head back. “Annie? Let’s get goin’.”

  Annie immediately appeared and went to her side, holding her elbow out for Tia to grab on to as she rose slowly.

  Chulah stood as well. “How much longer until April comes?”

  “Cain’t says I know that. The spirits can be mighty tight-lipped when it comes to names and dates and such.”

  Of course they were. Dad was the same way. Chulah stifled a sigh and extended his hand. Tia drew him into a hearty embrace. “You take care now, ya hear?”

  “Tombi and I will come around to see you tonight,” Annie said, leading her grandmother back to the path. “J.B. says to tell you everything’s fine at the shop. Not to worry.”

  He hadn’t even thought about the motorcycle shop, his pride and joy that he’d built up from nothing a few years ago.

  Chulah restlessly gathered more branches to feed the fire. April would come tonight. He was sure of it.

  Every hair on his scalp suddenly tingled and he slowly turned.

  April stood at the edge of the woods, long hair blowing, as miraculously as she’d appeared the day he’d first met her. She’d come into his life and turned everything upside down and sideways.

  She ran to him, a joyous smile lighting her face. He held out his arms and she jumped into them. Chulah ran his fingers up and down her back, marveling at the solid weight of her. “How did you manage to escape?”

  “Easy, actually. They’re so certain they’ve flattered me by allowing me to be in their pure fairy presence that they have no clue I still wanted to leave.” She showered him with kisses.

  He could hardly believe his luck. “Does this mean you’re back for good? They won’t come and take you away again?”

  Shadows ghosted across her pale face. “They might.”

  “I won’t let them,” he vowed, tightening his hold. “You’re mine.”

  She cocked her head and arched a brow. “Am I?”

  For an answer, Chulah kissed her. A long, deep, claiming kiss that left them both breathless and hungry for more. He walked a few steps backward, her legs still wrapped around his waist.

  “Where are we going?” she mumbled against his lips.

  “Inside my tent.”

  She threw her head back and laughed, rubbing her hips against his erection. “I can’t wait either.”

  It was all the invitation he needed. Chulah hastily set her feet on the ground and tugged her hand, guiding her inside. Even though she’d been untethered, April filled his tent with her unique scent and glowing presence. This dark prison where he’d camped out for a week was transformed to a cozy den.

  “I’ve missed you.” Understatement of his life.

  April lightly stroked her fingers down his face. “All I could think about was getting back to you.”

  He lay down and closed his eyes, savoring her touch. April lay beside him, her lips pressed against his again, fervent and demanding. He clasped her chin in his hand. “Wait. There’s a few things that need to be said.” And he needed to get them off his chest b
efore passion swept away all reason. “First. You had nothing to do with my father’s death. He had heart problems and wouldn’t have survived no matter how soon help arrived. I’ve done nothing but punish us both by insisting otherwise. Can you forgive me?”

  Tears rimmed her long lashes. “I forgive you.”

  Tenderly, he ran his fingers through her hair. “And second, living without you has been hell this last week. I wasn’t entirely sure you’d ever come back, or if you were hurt, or in some kind of trouble. Not knowing churned my gut, drove me nearly crazy.”

  “I love you, too,” she whispered.

  Was that what this was? Chulah closed his eyes, surrendered to the obvious. It was a novel experience, a total surrender of his heart’s control. He opened his eyes and touched a finger to her plump, swollen lips. “You once said you weren’t anybody’s savior. But you were wrong. You’re my savior. My sunshine that lights the hidden shadows.”

  “Chulah,” she breathed.

  He sat up, shrugged out of his jacket, his shirt, his jeans. He needed to feel her naked skin against his, needed to show her how much he loved and cherished her.

  Her deep blue eyes darkened and she hastily shed her own clothes. Reclining against the blankets, she held out her arms to him. He sank into her soft, silky body, caressing her curves. This time was different. The passion was there, always would be, but tenderness and love were there as well.

  He sucked the hardened peaks of her breasts, while his hand cupped her womanly mound.

  “I want you now,” she moaned. “Please.”

  He wanted the same. Chulah entered her, his erection tight inside her core. Nothing existed but this dance of love as they sated each other’s need. Afterward, he held April close, a profound sense of contentment that soothed his battered heart.

  All was well with the world again.

  April yawned. Her head rested in the crook where arm met shoulder. “It may have been a week since you last saw me, but for me it’s only been one night in Fairy. I’m exhausted.”

  “Sleep. I’ll keep you safe.”

  Her eyes closed, and he watched the steady rise and fall of her chest in slumber. Chulah drew a blanket over her naked body so the cold wouldn’t awaken her. Just a little nap, and then they would return to his cabin. He didn’t want to risk being in the woods at dark. They could come again, steal April away forever.