by Jana LaPelle
Danu looks to The Dagda and myself and says in a small voice that trembles, "I have screwed this up so terribly." She takes a deep breath, clasping her hands together before continuing, "I thought that I could make a deal and barter my daughter in exchange for the counter-curse to spare the Tree of Life. Rhespen and I had started seeing one another before I realized that the tree had been cursed. Once it came to my attention that The Morrígan had rallied the Fomorians to back her in her vie for power, I had to come up with a plan. My one thought was simple. If I were to succeed, I would need some inside help. So, while Rhespen and I continued our affair, I began to dig into the Fomorian hierarchy as well as looking into ways to slow the curse placed on the tree. I found that there was an unmated prince named Tarron that was not completely devoted to The Morrígan. So, I struck a deal. I promised him my first-born daughter. He drove a tough bargain. He would only enter into the deal if I signed a blood contract stating that she would be promised to him when she came of age. In return, he would help me overthrow The Morrígan by obtaining the counter-curse to save the tree." At this point, she is weeping, and Ashlinn and Rhespen have both shifted back and are fully clothed. Ashlinn comes to me and sits next to me.
I open our bond and hear her ask, “Is this for real?”
I answer, “Yes, I believe so.”
Danu is weeping pitifully in front of all of us as she confesses what she has done. "I broke off my relationship with Rhespen." She said looking at him sadly before continuing. "I then sought out a witch for counsel and together we conspired that I would sleep with a druid and upon doing so I would become pregnant. I chose a druid from a long line who was strong. I wanted my daughter to have every advantage. The witch assured me that the coupling would bring forth a daughter. I had no idea that Ashlinn had already taken root in my womb as I was quick to go about my plan once breaking off our relationship." Danu stops and addresses Ashlinn's father, "Rhespen, I would never have bartered one of our off-spring without first consulting you. You have to believe me. Please." She is sobbing at this point, and Ashlinn and I are both drawn in by her recount of what has transpired.
"Tarron expects a bride in one months' time." She continues, "I wanted to give Ashlinn time to adjust to this realm before I married her off to the dark prince, so I set her coming of age date several months past her eighteenth birthday. At that time he will evoke the blood contract and once he does your kindred and mate bonds will dissolve. I was trying to protect you, Ashlinn. Because once he evokes the blood contract, you and your kindred will be helpless to surrender to the outcome. All of this transpired prior to your conception, or so I thought. Had I known that you would recognize your kindred practically right after birth, I never would have followed through with the agreement. Please forgive me." Danu pleads.
We all sit in stunned silence as we absorb her words. Danu sits across from us all, weeping into her hands as the rest of us assimilate what she has divulged.
Rhespen is the first to recover. "Well, if Ashlinn were to conceive that could possibly keep the blood contract from going into effect. It is not outside of the realm of possibility since she is both shifter and an elven demigoddess. Shifters typically conceive during heat cycles, but it could happen. There would be too many bonds for the blood contract to overcome."
“What did you just say?” Ashlinn asks.
"Daughter, you, yourself said you have been confined to these quarters for the last twenty-four hours, you do know how you were conceived? Or do I need to explain the way of things?" He asks as he winks at me.
‘So, you’re thinking that the kindred bond, the mating bond, and a bond to our children will break the blood contract overriding everything else?” I ask. Ashlinn is struggling to keep up, as she tries to wrap her mind around what was just said.
Ashlinn looks back and forth between her father and me all the while fingering the charmed wrist cuff that she wears. "No. Absolutely not. That's not a possibility that I'm willing to look into. I just turned eighteen. I'm nowhere close to becoming a mother. Then there's the whole saving of the realms thing to consider. Now there's the blood contract that has been entered into and on top of all that I have weapons training and the histories to learn before I'm prepared to take on The Morrígan. How am I supposed to do all that while becoming a mother? I will not even consider that as an option." She's beginning to freak out on me as I try to soothe her frayed nerves.
"Ashlinn, whatever happens, we'll get through this together. Just like I told your mother, we can't control everything and have to be ready to adapt to whatever is thrown our way." I say, pushing my love for her through our bond. "That's not to say that I'm more than a little angry about you being tied to a blood contract of all things. What were you thinking?" I direct my comment to Danu. "Never mind, it is what it is at this point."
"Elf-Man, we'll talk about this later, in private," Ashlinn says. pointedly at me knowing what I'm thinking. Then looking directly at Danu she says, "Bringing a child or children into the mix is not the answer to solving this problem." She pauses, and we all take her meaning before she continues, "The stakes have just gone way up, and the deck is definitely not stacked in our favor. We have to figure out a way around this blood contract without bringing innocent babes into the mix. Rhespen, Alaric I know that you both are confident that our bonds cannot be dissolved but I'm not so sure, and I'll not rest until that has been dealt with. I think all of us will have our own homework to take away from this meeting. First of all, Alaric and I need to know everything we can about our mating bonds. I know that the kindred bond is twofold including the spiritual binding and the physical binding. The mate bond on my shifter side I know little to nothing about. While Alaric and I remain sequestered in our chambers overnight, I want all reading material that you can find on these bonds brought to our rooms. We can study them and determine if there are any weaknesses to the bindings. Secondly, you three will be working with Nemus and any other druids or witches that are loyal to Alaric to see if the blood contract will hold or can it be broken. We need to explore all options. Think outside of the box." Ashlinn pauses and turns toward her father and Danu, "Rhespen, I have never had a real father figure. I'm so very glad to meet you. I'm going to need you to share all your shifter knowledge with us, sooner rather than later. Danu, I have a feeling that we will continue to butt heads, but if we are going to forge a mother-daughter bond, you will need to respect me and my capabilities. You will need to be honest with me, and have faith that I can do what needs to be done to save the tree. Please tell me that there are no more secrets or surprises." She waits to hear what Danu has to say.
Danu takes a deep breath and then sighs heavily, "Daughter, what I have done is unforgivable. In my shortsightedness, I have possibly doomed your future." She hangs her head over her hands as she continues, "It was only my intent to preserve the Tree of Life, and right the balance of things. You have to understand that The Morrígan is on the verge of war. As the tree continues to decline, The Morrígan's strength will continue to grow. I have bought us a little time, but the curse is too strong, and before long the tree will be totally at her mercy. The curse that she somehow managed to cast will help allow her to siphon the tree's majic. At first, it was almost imperceptible. But as she weakens, The Morrígan will gain strength. I only sought to speed up the outcome of the prophecy. I see now how wrong I was to take matters into my own hands. Please forgive me, daughter."
Ashlinn and I look at one another and say together, “There’s a prophecy? We need to know exactly what that prophecy is.” We’re so in tuned to one another that we’re speaking together. While trying to keep our minds on the conversation and not on our building desires that are threatening to overwhelm the both of us.
Rhespen takes pity on us both and says, "Later. Alaric you must tend to my daughter. She and you have been ignoring the calling for too long now. It must be satisfied, or we will be waiting a lot longer than overnight to continue this co
nversation. We will see to it that the reading material that you requested will be delivered within the hour to these outer chambers. Send word to me when you are in a position to talk further. With that, we'll take our leave. Danu, I believe we have much to discuss."
"Uncle, can you have a messenger stationed at the stairs and we will send word when we are ready to speak with Rhespen," I say.
Ashlinn speaks up before everyone leaves us to say, "Danu, we need more info on this Fomorian prince, Tarron. Can you and Dagda work on that together? We also need to review this prophecy. We can reconvene maybe in the morning."
Ashlinn's breathing hitches slightly, and I tighten my hold on her. I feel the pull to her as everything that we discussed in the last hour has begun to sink in. I will not let anyone take my mate from me! Especially him, a growl erupts from me as I say in a low voice. “Out. Everyone. Out.” Suddenly, I'm breathing heavily, and I'm battling an inner beast that is unfamiliar to me, all the while I am clutching Ashlinn to me. I feel her through our bond sending reassuring thoughts as she tries to calm me.
In the blink of an eye, Rhespen is in front of me, "Although I cannot wait to meet your panther, son. It is not yet time for him to emerge. I am your alpha. Submit."
I’m struggling to do as I’m told. Ashlinn is trying to calm me, “Alaric, listen to Rhespen. It’s not yet time. Please for me. I have done this to you. I’m so sorry. I had no idea this would be your fate, to become a shifter. Please listen to Rhespen’s counsel. We have much to do in the next couple of hours. Just you and me. Please submit to our alpha.”
“Why should I not let him out? He’s pushing forward with a need that I’m almost helpless to control.” I say aloud as I begin to tremble in my attempt to keep him at bay.
The Dagda moves forward, "My dear boy. I know how upsetting all of this has been, but we have time to come up with a plan, a contingency plan, and a contingency plan to our contingency plan. Listen to Rhespen, his counsel is wise. Let him be your and Ashlinn's mentor in the ways of shifters. I will coordinate everything else while you and Ashlinn are otherwise indisposed. Son, enjoy this time together. Have faith in what is to come. We will work it all out. Together. On that note, we are all out of here to leave you to it."
Rhespen puts his hand on my shoulder and says, "Not yet, but soon. Soon you will have your first shift, and I will be there to help you as will your mate. It may not be an easy shift as you were not born to be a shifter, but we will be here for you. You need to be more settled into your mate bond with Ashlinn before your first shift." He explains, and I begin to relax.
With that, everyone leaves. I notice that we have been detained for over an hour and a half. I pull my mate to me and say, "About time everyone left us to it." My need to be with just my kindred, my mate is all consuming, and I give in to that need.
(Ashlinn)
I know now that I have much to learn. Evidently, with our mating, I have condemned Alaric to become a panther shifter. I had no idea. Although, the thought really appeals to me as I feel my soul mate come up behind me to take me in his arms. I melt into his embrace knowing that tomorrow will bring a whole new set of problems. Tonight I will cherish what is right in front of me. I turn into his arms and reach up for his kiss. I find that he is quickly devouring my mouth as if we can't quench the thirst that is ours. Earlier yesterday I would have been abashed at my wanton behavior, but at this moment I can't wait to satisfy my need. And I need my mate. Only Alaric will satisfy me. I'm quickly lost to his touch and his kisses as we make our way to the bed. It's only been twenty-four hours since we entered into our mating but in that time I have discovered that I know him intimately.
I finally realize that I will never get over my need for him. He's in my blood. The need to be with Alaric will always be overwhelming, and I cherish the thought. I would have it no other way. Alaric quickly takes control as we tumble onto the bed lost in each other. Before long, we are moving to a rhythm that is all our own, and for a moment I wonder if maybe we should throw caution to the wind and start a family. My intuition tells me that there will be hell to pay for our binding. Heaven knows I should not even consider bringing a child into this world of uncertainties and upheaval. So, for now, I will wear the wrist cuff, pregnancy is not an option. Alaric and I must face our future together head on.
Chapter 26
(Ashlinn)
We are up bright and early the next morning preparing for the day ahead. We were able to get through some of the information that was left for us about our bindings but did not uncover anything that we didn't already know. I'm dressed today in a pair of skinny jeans and a tank top as I'm determined to begin my training today, and Alaric is in his brown leathers. I'll have to have Claire set me up with clothing fit to spar in after I apologize for my behavior the other night.
“Mo grá, slow down, we have time," Alaric says.
"We have a lot to accomplish moving forward, but first I'm famished. Feed me, Elf-Man." I say through our bond.
"Then let's get you to breakfast." He wraps his arm around my waist securing me to his side as we walk into the dining room. Jasmine is the first to notice our arrival and squeals in delight making all heads turn in our direction. This morning there's a full house, and I can't help but blush as all eyes turn to us with knowing grins on their faces. Tolin and Torin are about to comment when Alaric raises his hand and says, "Save it." At that, the entire Guard breaks out in laughter, and I can't help but smile a little bashfully. Things are a little different now that everyone knows the binding is complete. Before I can ponder on that too long, my stomach decides to growl rather loudly, announcing to everyone in attendance how hungry I am. Ever since my first shift, I can't seem to get enough to eat. Not that I have really been focused on eating in the last day or so.
Rhespen clears his throat and says, "Daughter you must eat. Come. Fill your plate. You need lots of protein, and then we'll talk, you too Alaric."
At that Alaric and I say almost in unison, "Good morning everyone." Surprising one another and then we set about filling our plates with eggs, bacon, sausage, and biscuits and gravy. I see pancakes and my mouth begins to water, but I have no room left on my plate, so I go to sit down. I realize that Alaric is still filling his plate. I never noticed him to be a big eater before, so I'm a little surprised. My plate is almost overflowing, and once again I'm a little embarrassed. TNT are snickering across the table.
“My, my, Ash do you think you have enough food on your plate? Let me know if you need help eating all that.” Tolin says with a twinkle in his eyes.
Before I can say anything, Jasmine pipes up, "Leave her alone boys. We all know that shifters have a fast metabolism. This is all new for her, so don't embarrass her." She's fluttering about in front of the elf men of the guard pointing her tiny finger at each of them as if daring them to disobey her.
"Thanks, Jaz," I say as another much louder rumble issues forth from my stomach making those around me chuckle. Jasmine pipes up again and says, "Well, feed your inner beast, Ash she's obviously hungry. What have you been doing for the last day? Oh yeah, that's right, someone's been busy…"
"Oh my gods, Jasmine, please shush," I say quickly, as I feel my flush radiating off my face. I quickly take her advice, and before Alaric even sits down, I find that I'm devouring the food on my plate. I'm about half way through all the yummy goodness when Alaric takes his seat beside me, and I notice he has three plates of food and think that is a bit unusual as I continue to scarf down my breakfast. The table has become quiet as I look up to see all eyes on me. Everyone has varying looks of astonishment on their faces. Danu seems a little mortified. On the other hand, Dagda can barely contain his mirth as Rhespen gets up to grab another plate. "What?" I ask.
Lexie is the first to speak up, “Ash, that was just… different. Don’t be offended but I think your mouth may have just become a vacuum for food. You didn’t even come up for air.” The look on her face t
ells me she’s worried that she has hurt my feelings. While others at the table are snickering and I realize I have just devoured a heaping plate of food and still want more.
“Hey Ferg, I think that maybe Ashlinn here is going to be able to surpass even you in the eating department if she keeps up at that rate.” I hear Tolin say.
Ferg retorts, “I seriously doubt that she can hold her own with the likes of me.” And the banter continues around us as we make our way through our meal.
Through our bond, Alaric says, "Eat. I got you an extra plate under the plate with the pancakes. I know you wanted them. You were practically drooling over them, so eat.”
He doesn't have to tell me twice as I push my previous plate away and dig into the heaping plate of pancakes leaving about half for my mate. I douse them in syrup and dig in. I catch myself moaning over how amazing they taste. I hear Alaric chuckling beside me as he leans in to whisper in my ear. "And I thought that you only made that sound for me."
I blush furiously but smirk as I whisper back, "Maybe we should have some maple syrup brought up to our chambers?" At that Alaric sucks in a breath and gets choked. Laughing, I reach over to whack him on the back before I finish off the plate of pancakes. My empty plates somehow manage to disappear without my notice, and another heaping plate of food appears before me. I look up to see that Rhespen has seated himself again to my right with a new plate for himself and one for me. “Father, I can’t possibly eat another bite at this moment.”
"Daughter, it is not uncommon to have a ferocious appetite after your first shift. From here on out, you will have to, not only, eat at breakfast, lunch, and dinner but in between meals as well. That goes for you as well Alaric. It will take a lot more protein and carbohydrates to satisfy your feline. Do not be embarrassed at the large quantity of food it will take to satisfy your hunger. Over the course of the last day and a half, I doubt that you have eaten nearly enough, so you're now playing catch up. You have probably even lost weight since your first shift."
