Realms of the Otherworld Box Set

by Jana LaPelle

  ​About that time, I hear horses crashing through the dark forest from behind us as the rest of my Guard rush into the clearing below. Ferg is in the lead. His red hair is unmistakable, and I hear him say to no one in particular, "Damn, we missed all the fun." Surviving this onslaught that The Morrígan has sent our way feels good, really good.

  ​I watch as Ashlinn makes her way toward Tolin and Torin who are still in their berserker form. Normally, it takes some time for the change to take place as the adrenalin wears off. They're not comfortable in this form with her, and they fear Ashlinn's reaction to their little secret. As she approaches, both turn their heads not wanting to see fear in her eyes, or worse yet, disdain. All I feel through our connection is curiosity and love. As she reaches the two, she gently lays a hand on both of their massive arms and says. "Look at me."

  (Ashlinn)

  ​"Why do you look away? What do you think I will do? You are both, my TNT. You are my protectors. I will love you no matter what form you take. Why did you seek to keep this from me? Did you think I would not accept you? Do you think so little of me?" I ask the two brothers. They shake their heads in unison. "Shift back brothers, I want you to answer me," I say still holding each of their hands in my own.

  ​The shift is fast, and Tolin looks uncertain when he says, “My lady, I did not want to frighten you.”

  ​“Tolin. Shame on you. Why would you think that I would ever be frightened of you? You are like a brother to me. Torin as well, I thought you trusted me?” I ask. I can’t help the hurt that leaks through and is heard in my voice. I hear Lexie come up to Torin as I address the brothers.

  ​Lexie is in as much shock as I am as she addresses Torin. Each of us has taken to one of the brothers. Tolin is mine and Torin is Lexie’s. I know that we both feel a brotherly connection there and we’re both upset that this has been sprung on us.

  ​"Tolin, any time you need to shift to your other form. Feel free to do so. As much as I adore this form before me, I also accept your other form as well. Tell me you believe me." I beg of him.

  ​“I believe you, my lady. No one has ever been so accepting of us as you and Alaric and even Alexia.” Tolin says with his head bowed.

  ​ I cannot stand his self-contempt any longer, and I throw myself into his arms. I wrap my arms around him as I say, “Tolin, you are a beautiful male that has so much to give to those around you. Never be afraid to be who you are. Okay? I love that you go all berserker crazy to protect those you care for. Never, ever, change. Okay?”

  ​Slowly Tolin wraps his arms around me to hug me back as I hear him say, “Ash, what am I going to do with you? You don’t know how much this means to me that you accept me, all of me.”

  ​"Of course I accept you," I say as I pull out of the hug to look up at my friend, my brother. "So you're Fomorian, I take it, and this is what Fomorians do? You know you'll have to educate me on your race. I thought you were just an elf. When I saw you transform it kind of threw me for a moment. I really wish you had of given me a heads up." I pause as I look up at his handsome face. "Thank you for bringing the big guns to the fight. Without you two and Garrik we may have had a very different outcome. By the way, you need to go a little easy on Garrik, Tolin." I say in a chastising tone. "He definitely had my back during our little skirmish. Where is he anyway?" I ask looking around.

  ​Garrik appears over the railing of the platform with a big smile on his face. He huffs as he hauls himself over the banister and then says, “That was fun. In all seriousness, it felt really good to be on the right side of things for once.”

  ​Garrik looks none the worse for wear as I say, "Thank you, Garrik, for having my back. Is my father still down there?" I'm worried now that I have a chance to think about everything that happened.

  ​“You are very welcome, from this day forward I am in your service. Your father is fine, my lady, he is speaking with the king of the northern territories and filling him in on what transpired before they arrived.” Garrik replies.

  ​Alaric is at my side, and he wraps his arms around me as he plants a kiss on my temple and says, “You were amazing. I had no idea that you mastered the fire element today.”

  ​I retort, “You would have known if you had of been there when I finished my session with my mother and Dagda!” I’m still a little pissed.

  ​“You’re right. How about I make it up to you? What do you say?” He asks.

  ​Through our link, I can tell that he's feeling frisky. I'm just not there yet as I respond in a hushed tone. "It's not going to be that easy, Elf-Man. You need to be punished for your actions this evening."

  ​Alaric laughs and then asks, “What did you have in mind, álainn?”

  ​I can’t help but laugh at this beautiful male that is all mine as I shake my head and say, "Later, Elf-Man. We still have work to do, and I’m really tired, but I’m amped up at the same time.”

  ​Tolin, Torin, Declan, and Garrik are all speaking amongst themselves as we break apart. I see that Lexie is seated close to us but she has her head in her hands and for a moment I'm worried. Declan turns his attention to her and announces, "This evening has been exhausting for Alexia. I'm taking her back to Glenndale Loch." With that, he sweeps her up and disappears through the trees the way we came. I'm comforted by the fact that she has him to take care of her.

  ​Evidently, there is one prisoner from the battle that we just fought, and an interrogation is going to take place. Suddenly, all I want is to go home. My pull to this place has been appeased, and I know, as I listen to my instincts, that my time here is done. I look around to see the leaders of the Forrest Elves, "Ilthuryn, Talindra; I am no longer needed here. I am so very sorry that my presence here in Faerie has brought this to your doorstep. The Morrígan has made her point here this night. But know this. I fight for Faerie. I fight for all the Realms. I am the Tree's champion, and I will do whatever it takes to save the Realms from the actions of The Morrígan. I will leave you to your discussion of the turn of events from this evening." Dagda and the goddesses were in deep conversation before I interrupted. I know that everyone will be fine from this point forward. I turn my attention to Alaric and say, "Take me home."

  Chapter 37

  (Ashlinn)

  ​Everyone else is busy doing heaven knows what. Jasmine has signaled that she's heading back with the rest of the sprites. I'm suddenly exhausted as the adrenaline of the battle begins to wear off. I pull on an internal strength that I have not utilized before, and that is of my cat. She's comforting in her presence, and I have not really allowed her free reign. Yes, I've let her out here and there, but we have not run free. That ends tonight. As we descend the last of the stairs to the forest floor, I look to my mate, and he grins at me. Knowing what I'm thinking, we both move to shift. I don't want to shred my clothes, so I move to disrobe behind a tree. As soon as I have removed all my clothing and weapons, I fold everything and place them together. I allow the shift to take place and let her free. She's so very happy to be outside in the forest, especially at night. Night is when she is most active. I pick up my belongings in my mouth and walk toward the male that was left to tend to our mounts. I lay everything at his feet as he inclines his head to me acknowledging my request.

  ​I look to see Alaric prowl toward me in his panther form and I'm caught off guard. Oh my freakin goodness, his panther is all lean muscle and so striking. This is the first time that our cats have been allowed out together and it's high time that they get to know one another. She and I are feeling playful tonight, and I know instinctually that if I run, he will chase. And oh, how I want my mate to chase me, so with one last lingering look at his beautiful black form I turn to bolt through the forest heading back toward the Keep. I know that we have taken him off guard, but I can hear that he's close behind us. Through or link I can feel his exhilaration which just pushes me forward. Soon I'm overtaking Declan and Lexie as I zigzag and crash through the undergrowth of the forest before I get back to the path that leads
us back the way we came. She's made for speed and agility, and I allow her to push forward as I take a back seat to her powerful stride. She decides that we have just enough of a lead to hide from Alaric. She looks to the trees seeking a smaller tree with thick lower branches, and she quickly finds what she's looking for as she leaps forward toward a tree to our left, off of the path, as her claws latch onto the thick bark and quickly scales the tree to the first large limb. She stills, waiting for our mate. Alaric has slowed. He's on to our little game as he stealthily makes his way forward, nose in the air trying to scent us. She decides to take our mate down at that moment, as she leaps from our perch to take him to the ground. She lands on his back, she is quick to roll us as she attempts to pin Alaric down but he's larger and stronger, and before long we find that it is us that are pinned to the ground. The thrill of the chase is pulsing through us. We're panting heavily now and lying on our side as we submit to our mate. He stands over us as he leans down to playfully lick our face and we return the gesture. I suddenly need more. So much more as Alaric speaks to me through our link.

  ​“Follow me. To the waterfalls, it won’t take long. I have a surprise for you. Come on, álainn.”

  ​Together we race back toward the Keep. The night is warm, and the forest sounds are comforting. Soon we break free of the forest and race down to the valley below. The falls are on the other side of the Keep, and for a moment I wonder how we're going to get there as they are across the lake and tucked into the hillside there. These falls are substantial and not at all like what we have back home on our property. As we get to the water's edge, I know that he means to swim, and I follow his lead. I’ll be ravenous tomorrow. As we get to the opposite shore, we follow Alaric’s feline and we make our way up to the falls, it’s been a long night, and the waning moon is descending the night sky. He looks back at me and then dives into the pool and swims toward the falls. Soon he is swallowed up, and I’m left wondering where he is.

  ​“Come on, mo grá, follow me. I have a surprise waiting for you.”

  ​My strength is waning as is the moon, but I throw myself into the pool and begin to swim toward my kindred. My mate. The water is beating down on us as we break through the other side to find a hidden alcove. Through the curtain of water behind me, I see the setting moon in all her glory, and she is distorted by the rushing water of the fall. Alaric has shifted back. He has toweled off and is pulling on some lose sleep pants. I allow the shift to move over me and soon I stand and wade out of the water up to the dry stone ledge as Alaric reaches for my hand pulling me toward him as he wraps me in a warm, dry towel.

  ​I watch as Alaric goes about illuminating multiple light globes in the cavern. Situated toward the back is a stone ledge that has been carved out of the rock which has been very cleverly converted into a bed. Now I’m intrigued. I thought we would be going back to the Keep. Apparently not.

  ​“What is this place, Alaric?” I ask as I look around. It has all the comforts of home and is surprisingly warm and dry.

  ​“Do you like it? I found this place long ago when I was a child. As far as I know, only one other person knows of its existence, and that is Nemus. Years ago, I had him charm the interior to keep the dampness out of the air within the cavern. I swore him to secrecy. I would come here when I needed to get away from things or when I needed to feel the calming effects of the waterfall around me. What do you think?” He asks.

  ​"I love it," I say quietly, as I twirl around to take it all in. "I feel safe here, cocooned away from the world and all that is expected of me, thank you for bringing me here. It's perfect."

  ​He's very serious, as he says, "Ashlinn, I want you to remember this place. If you are ever in trouble and being hunted and I'm not there to protect you, I want you to try to make it here. It will be our secret hideaway. Okay? Tell no one. This is our secret."

  ​“Got it, is there a code word for our secret meeting place?” I ask with a cheeky grin, trying to alleviate some of the seriousness of our conversation. “How about, bedrock? The bed reminds me of something right of the Flintstones cartoon.” I say and smile up at him as I wrap my arms around him.

  ​"Bedrock it is." He grins down at me as his dimples play peek-a-boo for me to see, before picking me up and carrying me to the bed. "I love you, Ash, you were amazing tonight. I'm so proud of how far you have come, but I think we both need some rest. It's been a long night. It'll be dawn soon, and we'll have to head back then." He says as he gently lays my naked form on the bed and moves to cover me with a blanket before crawling in behind me.

  ​The light globes begin to dim as I move to settle into his arms. I ask the one question that has plagued me all night, “How did it go with Tarron?” I feel him tense under me as I say, “That well, huh? It’s okay. I have a feeling that I will have a role to play that directly involves Tarron. I’m just afraid that I may lose myself in the process.”

  ​He gathers me close as he kisses the top of my head before he says, "I'm scared I'm going to lose you to him, mo grá. His court is not like what you have seen here so far. It is dark and smothering in the dark majic that surrounds it. He has surrounded himself with dark fae and his fellow Fomorians that have chosen not to follow The Morrígan. There is so much you need to learn, and we're running out of time to figure a way out of this accursed blood contract. I want to run from this place and hide you away from him and his quest for revenge and power."

  ​As I listen to Alaric's darkest fears for our future, something clicks, and I pull away from him to look down on his handsome face in the dim light with the sound of the waterfall all around us as I say, "Blood is the key. Why I haven't thought of it before I don't know. When will the witch arrive? She should be able to confirm my thoughts. The two parties that enter into a blood contract willingly give their blood to seal the deal. The only way to nullify the blood contract is for both parties to willingly give their blood to the party affected to void it. Danu has already willingly given her blood to me. Her blood courses through my veins. I will have to convince Tarron to, somehow, willingly give me his blood to void the contract. I know that it can't be that easy, but the most difficult ingredient to obtain will be Tarron's blood."

  ​He stares back up at me thoughtfully. “And just how are you going to do that, mo grá? You know that he stopped putting his trust in people a long time ago.” His concern is etched on his face and in his graveled voice.

  ​I know that he's not going to like what I have to say, so I lay my head back down on his chest and hold him tight as I blurt it out. "Once the terms of the blood contract goes into play, I will have no choice but to go to him. Once I'm in his court, I will have to gain his trust." Alaric stills beneath me, and I could swear that he has stopped breathing as I wait for his response.

  ​“No, Ashlinn. You weren’t there. You didn’t see what I saw earlier tonight. Tarron has declared himself the champion for all dark fae and the misfits of the Realm. From what I saw tonight they are flocking to him in droves. I can’t in good conscience condone you going there.” He says seriously.

  ​“Alaric, neither of us will have a choice in the matter. Don’t you see? This will come to pass. As much as neither of us wants it to, it will come to be. I have seen it. I would rather that we plan for what we’re going to do moving forward when the time comes. I really don’t want to have to wing it on my own not knowing what the plan is, cut off from everyone I love. Don’t you see that this is the best course of action?” I wait as he contemplates my words.

  ​He sighs heavily as he finally comes around. “Okay Ash, tomorrow we will begin our strategizing. You’re right. I’m just being pig headed in my attempt to keep you from this fate instead of preparing you so you can come back to me.” His turmoil swirls heavily between us through our bond.

  ​I whisper, “I can do this as long as I know that you will be waiting for me in the end.”

  ​“I will always wait for you, but don’t take too long to come back to me, or I swear I will tea
r this Realm apart and set it on fire to get to you.” He declares.

  ​“Promise?” I ask with a tiny smile.

  ​"My love for you is like a blazing inferno within me that cannot be contained. The longer that we're apart, the harder it will be for me to keep from spontaneously combusting. I mean it Ashlinn, heaven help him or anyone else that intentionally keeps you away from me. I will not be separated from you for long. That is my solemn vow to you." He says to me with quiet intent.

  ​I rise up on my elbow and look down at him as I say, “I promise you that I will be strong in my resolve to get back to you and I will do whatever it takes to be back by your side. I will not lose my faith in all that is good and right while faced with the unthinkable. I belong to you, always and forever and nothing will keep me away from you for long.” Leaning down I lay a gentle kiss on my handsome Elf-Man, sealing my promise to him.

  ​What’s left of the evening we spend in each other’s arms swept away in this majical secret place that belongs to just the two of us. We revel in our bond to one another and reaffirm our need to be together. I love this male with all of my being, and I strengthen my resolve in a silent promise as we fall asleep in one another’s arms after we’re spent.