Realms of the Otherworld Box Set

by Jana LaPelle

  ​I take my pendant off and hold it in front of me and announce, “If this works, I want none other than The Dagda to have access to the cuffs once they have been removed. Iron forged from angel’s fire should not be readily accessible to just anyone.”

  ​“Aye, lass, no wiser words have been spoken. So, ye have solved the mystery at hand?” Dagda asks as he strides into the room.

  ​“Let’s see if this will work. If not, we will have to go back to the proverbial drawing board.” I stand, and everyone follows me from the room. We all quietly make our way down to the basement. Alaric doesn’t even turn in our direction at our intrusion. He is so far withdrawn.

  ​I walk over to my broken kindred and kneel in front of him, taking his hand in my own, and I whisper, “I love you Elf-Man, I hope this works.” He doesn’t even look at me and my heart cracks a little more. I hold my pendant between my fingers and move it toward the irons on his left wrist. I’m amazed as it melds seamlessly with the bands, and then the cuff snaps open to fall to the carpeted floor with a dull thud. I do the same with the irons on his right wrist. Once again, the cuff opens and falls to the ground next to its mate. The only reaction from Alaric is a quick inhalation of breath, as if he can breathe easier now. I look down to notice that while the bracelets were on Alaric they had a different look, they were a polished silver, but now as they lay open on the floor, they look tarnished and have taken on a look of neglect. I’m careful not to touch them with my hands. Dagda is beside me and at some point, he acquired a small wooden box. Quickly, I gather up the offensive cuffs and place them in the box that Dagda holds open, and say, “Do what you must with these. I never want to see them again. Please everyone, let’s give Alaric some time.” I lean over and caress his jaw before gently kissing his cheek and whisper, “I miss you Alaric, come back to me.”

  Chapter 20

  (Ashlinn)

  Twenty-four hours has passed and still Alaric chooses to shut me out. Coming back to The Mortal Realm felt right. Our return is giving Alaric the time he needs to put the whole sordid mess behind him, but he’s not really here, not that I blame him. Watching him with Pip, he had held the imp child with gentle loving care as he died in his arms. That moment nearly broke me, and I had not formed an attachment to him like Alaric had. He continues to be withdrawn since our return a couple of days ago, and I’m worried. I need my kindred back, my Guardian, he is the other half of my soul. I want to kill that bitch for harming my man and taking him away from me. The turn of events that happened later is all her fault, but that is not the most important thing for me to be focusing on right now. Alaric’s not the same male I knew before she took him from me, before his time in The Underworld. His eyes are haunted and even though those horrible cuffs have been removed, and he has been healed of all his physical wounds, I know that he is plagued by the physical and mental abuse that he has suffered while at the mercy of those binding cuffs and The Underworld. I certainly hope that is the last time that we have to travel to that accursed place, although it really was not what I expected it to be. That place is not for the faint of heart.

  It’s safe to say that Alaric is not allowing me in, he has closed off our binding link and I want it open. I need to understand the depth of his torment. I hope to end that tonight. The twins are sleeping and at this point have begun sleeping through the night, thank the gods for that, so we have the entire evening to ourselves. The wards on the property have been reinforced by Lexie and Nemus and their Druid Order, so we are safe here for the time being. This is the perfect place to allow Alaric time to recover from everything that he has been through.

  I spy on him and watch from the back of the house as he just sits there by the brook staring out into the quiet night, at what I don’t know. He’s so distant. My heart is breaking. We might as well be a thousand miles apart. Tarron takes my hand gaining my attention as I stand staring out of the window at my kindred, and he says, “Ashlinn, he needs you, go to him. He’s been through hell, literally, it’s time to break down his walls. We’ve given him space. We’ve given him time to mourn his loss and time to open up…, but he’s becoming more withdrawn. Go to him.”

  ​Nodding, I look up at my favorite Incubus and smile a sad wistful smile, “Wish me luck, Tarron.” Before I head out back to my favorite spot along the brook, I turn back to Tarron and Tolin, “You know what I miss most in The Otherworld? The music of this realm. Can you turn on some music and the speakers out back? A ballad maybe, something slow and romantic, I may have retrieved Alaric from hell, but I have yet to get him back. That ends tonight. I trust you both to choose something appropriate for the setting.”

  ​Tolin smiles and leans in to kiss my cheek, “We’ve got this, Little Bit. Go work your majic. Bring him back to us.” I nod and hug Tolin close before pulling away to go get my Elf-Man back.

  ​Quickly, I pull on my winter coat, a cashmere toboggan, and matching fingerless mittens and a scarf. The snow is steadily falling. We have gotten several inches of accumulation so far. The temperatures have been hovering right around thirty-one degrees and the snowflakes are large and fluffy and clumped together. I open the back door and step out into a winter wonder land. The news says that we are expecting a snowstorm of epic proportions, whatever that means. Evidently, the weather over the last decade has become unpredictable at best. Alaric does not even turn in my direction at the sound of the door closing behind me and I sigh, God I miss him. For a moment, I just stand there watching my kindred with the snow falling around us. I love being home, and I want more than anything for just one normal night for Alaric and me, as if the thrum of power within will take a back seat for tonight so I can just be me, that for one night the weight of The Realms was not sitting squarely on our shoulders and we could just be us.

  ​I look down to see that the large fluffy snowflakes are forming a damp layer on my jacket and for a moment the hush of the snow is mesmerizing. I stand on the deck transfixed by the serene beauty around me and then my eyes land once again on Alaric’s disconnected form. He has stoked the fire in the fire pit and sits isolated from his family and friends. Slowly, I take one step and then another and before I know it, I’m standing by his side. I look down at where he sits and it’s as if he hardly recognizes my presence. I close my eyes and whisper, “I miss you.”

  ​Alaric inhales a deep breath before glancing up at me, his eyes have that haunted look that I’ve grown to hate. “I don’t deserve you, or the twins,” he rasps out.

  ​Not that again. I’m not sure where that is coming from, and a sigh escapes me. About that time the music kicks in from the speakers located on the back deck and I hear Ed Sheeran’s Perfect. I love this song so much. Thank you, T … Holding my hand out to Alaric, I ask, “Dance with me? Come on Elf-Man. This is where it all began for us, dance with me.” I reach down and grasp his hands in my own and pull him up as the haunting lyrics begin, and the snow falls around us in the dark.

  ​I pull him to me, swaying to the music and for once, since getting him back, he gives in and we are just together as the song wraps itself around us and Alaric pulls me in tight and rests his cheek on the top of my head.

  “Come back to me Elf-Man, I miss you so much.” I plead, looking up at his handsome face.

  “I don’t deserve you, Ash,” He whispers again.

  “Of course you do. Why would you think that? I love you and only you, come back to me, I beg of you.” I swallow hard and my heart aches as my plea escapes my lips.

  The song continues to work its majic on us both as we sway together and for a moment, time seems to stop as the two of us begin to reconnect and the snow falls silently around us.

  “We miss you Alaric, Lillie misses you, Lachlan misses you, come back to us. We’re not a family without you.” Alaric pulls me in close and tight. I melt into his embrace, and I whisper, “I know you’ve been through hell and back again. I know you need time to process everything, but we need you to come back to us.” My eyes are wet with unshed tears.


  I feel him shutter in my arms and he whispers, “I’m not strong enough to be your Guardian.”

  “Of course you are, you’re mine. Together we are a whole. We can shoulder this together.” I whisper, holding him so very close to me as the song comes to an end.

  “I love you Ash.” He pulls me in close and I burrow into him and he whispers, “You’re my angel, Ash, your mine. Mo grá. I’m so sorry.”

  He buries his face in my neck and I shatter into a million pieces as his walls begin to crumble and I’m exposed to all his fears and perceived short comings, and then there is his sorrow over a child that he was helpless to protect. His loss is so profound I nearly buckle under the weight of it. Now I know what he has been holding back from me, all the anguish and horror he suffered while roaming through The Underworld looking for the rift, looking for me. All the while there was a constant companion he couldn’t save, a soul that saved him from certain death, not once but more times than he can count. Then, there is the fear that he should have been able to be more, even while his abilities were bound and that he does not measure up and will not be able to protect his family in the coming war. I cling to him and send him all my love and soothing comforting thoughts while my heart aches for him and his loss.

  Through our link, I say, “I love you.” Aloud I ask, “Tell me about him?” Alaric stiffens in my grasp and I reach up and grasp his face tenderly in my hands and whisper, “No, don’t shut down on me. Honor Pip. Honor his memory. Tell me about him.”

  “You’re right, Ash,” Alaric grasps my hand, and with a heavy sigh we sit, he pulls me on to his lap and begins his tale. “You would have loved Pipperton, and when I’m done with the story of my time with him, you will understand why.”

  Chapter 21

  (Alaric)

  It’s been almost a week since Ashlinn brought me back to The Mortal Realm. Since the night she came to me in the snow, each day has gotten a little better for me. I still feel hollow when I think of Pip and the image of his broken form haunts me. My nightmares have been relentless but being here with Ash and the twins has helped me deal with my loss. Luc’s parting words have played a large roll in my nightly torment, and I can’t help but wonder what Luc meant when he said that he would take care of the imps. Whatever his meaning, I certainly hope that Paynga is finding some peace, I’m not sure if that is even possible, I can’t even imagine what she must think of me. How she must hate me. I know that she will never forgive me for taken her son from her, how could she. I know that his death is on me, and I can’t seem to let that go. God, how I miss that kid. He filled such a large hole in me after my kindred link was suppressed, that, and I just flat out missed my family and he was there. He became family and as I mourn his loss, I vow that my children will know how brave and selfless Pipperton was, and how a mere child in The Underworld is the reason why I have been returned to them.

  ​ I’m pulled out of my thoughts when I hear Lillie’s little voice, “Da…, da…, Da da.” She grins up at me, drool glistening on her pink lips. She’s rocking on her knees. I can’t help but smile as I swoop down and pick her up, holding her up high in the air, she squeals in delight. My daughter has the ability to salve my very soul. I cradle her close and she reaches for my face with both her chubby little hands. I’m taken off guard when I feel healing energy course through me, seeking out my pain, my torment, and countering it with warmth, and love.

  ​Sighing, I lean in and whisper, “Thank you, daughter.” I gently kiss her forehead, the love I feel coming off of her is beyond anything that I deserve. “I love you Lillie, so much.” She snuggles in, and for a moment everything is right with the world.

  ​Ashlinn walks in with a sleepy Lachlan and smiles at the sight of us. “Hey there, it’s nap time. I’m going to nurse the twins and then meet you and the others downstairs. Dagda should be here any time now. Everyone is gathering together. Evidently, they have some news to share. I’m not sure if that’s good or bad. I’m inclined to lean toward the latter.” She takes a seat in the large comfortable rocker, and I watch as she gets situated before handing a very sleepy Lillie over to her. The sight of my kindred with my children will never get old.

  ​Sighing heavily, I say, “I guess it’s time for me to get back to the real world. Time for me to put everything behind me. Did you know that Lillie has healing majic?” Ashlinn’s look of surprise tells me that this is news to her and I push on quietly, “Right before you walked into the room with Lachlan she got my attention, and when I picked her up and held her close, it was as if she could sense my pain. A warmth washed over me, and in that moment my suffering was lifted. Being here with you and the twins helps make each passing day a little easier.”

  ​“Alaric, we will always be here for you. As you will always be here for us.” Ashlinn smiles up at me and then down at the twins as they nurse. Lillie’s head falls to the side and Ashlinn chuckles, “Here, I think Lillie is done, she’s all but tuckered out, you take her and put her down and I’ll finish up with our hungry little man here.” I take Lillie from her and rock her gently while Ashlinn continues, “You know, Alaric, you don’t have to rush back into the fray of things. You can take your time here. We haven’t even been gone a full twenty-four hours yet from Faerie. I want you to take as much time as you need to grieve. Because once we get back, I have a feeling that all hell is going to break lose.”

  ​I lay my sleeping daughter in her crib, and gently cover her, running my finger down her silky soft cheek before turning back to Ash, “I think you’re right. I think that The Morrígan may be on the move with her newly acquired demigod. That may be why Dagda is on his way here. Cú Chulainn has had time to acclimate to his current situation, which means that they will be looking for the last, and possibly the most important of the treasures of the Tuatha Dé Danann. The Spear of Lugh. Dagda has his cauldron, we have the Sword of Light, and the Stone of Fál. As soon as The Morrígna get their greedy hands on the Spear of Lugh they will be ready to go to war. We can’t let that spear fall into their hands.”

  ​Ashlinn stands to lay Lachlan down by his sister and we both watch as the two snuggle into the other. Their fox companions whine at our feet and we each reach down to pick them up and settle them in the crib with the kids. Ash turns to me and sighs, “We still have time. A whole week in fact.” Her concerned eyes look back at me.

  ​She reaches up to cup my face in her hands before standing on tip toes to kiss me. I lean into her touch and meet her halfway, wrapping my arms around her, pulling her form to me. The kiss is gentle and reaffirming as our lips glide over each other. The moment she opens to me we all but melt into one another. Our mouths slowly exploring, our tongues tentatively dancing, tracing, and licking. Slowly, the heat between us grows and my hands find her hips and I pull her to me, cupping her cheeks, pressing her close to my arousal. I can feel her heat, scent her need, and our kiss grows more demanding. For the first time in forever, I feel as though I’m home.

  ​“Hey, you two, Dagda just got here,” Lexie calls up the steps to us from the first floor.

  ​Groaning, I break the kiss and murmur, “Later, you belong to me.” I kiss her forehead before tucking her into my chest, holding her close, “By the gods, Ash, I’ve missed you.” I kiss the top of her head and just breathe, knowing that we are back together. Back where we belong.

  ​“I’ve missed you too, Elf-Man.” The two of us just stand there for a moment wrapped in each other’s arms before she sighs and looks up at me with her beautiful amber eyes and says, “Come on, let’s not keep the Dagda waiting. I have a feeling this is going to be important.”

  ​We make our way downstairs to the back of the house. There’s a fire burning in the fireplace and Millie and Hank are puttering around the kitchen. The smell of homemade bread baking in the oven permeates the house. Flour covers the island. The two are wearing aprons and look to have been in a war with the white powder as they bicker amicably with one another and go about cleaning up their mes
s.

  ​Beside me Ashlinn asks, “Millie, are we having hot browns tonight?” Through our bond I can sense that her excitement is building.

  ​“Yes, dear. It seems like ages since I’ve fixed this for you and Lexie. The bread will be out of the oven shortly and will have to cool for a bit, but I anticipate having dinner ready in a couple of hours.”

  ​“Oh Millie, thank you. I know that I don’t say it enough, but I appreciate your skills in the kitchen.”

  ​Ashlinn is practically bouncing beside me and for the first time in a long time I chuckle at my kindred and her love of food. It feels like things are getting back to normal and I’m beginning to feel like my old self. My curiosity gets the better of me and I ask, “What’s a hot brown? It has to be something exceptionally good to have Ashlinn so excited.”

  ​Millie smiles as she continues her clean up, drying her hands on her apron, “Well, you see, the hot brown is a Kentucky favorite and is what they call comfort food. It’s an open-faced sandwich. Each plate will have two slices of homemade bread, a layer of sliced turkey, sliced ham, sliced home grown tomatoes from Faerie and this will all be covered in a creamy white sauce topped with a couple of slices of cheddar cheese and bacon. The plates are put under the broiler just long enough to melt the cheese and crisp the bacon and voila the hot brown is born.”

  ​“And it’s yummy! There’s nothing better on a cold wintery day than a good old Kentucky hot brown. Millie makes the best. Better than Ramsey’s in Lexington, and theirs are really good.”

  ​Smiling, I look down at Ash, and say, “Then, I can’t wait.”

  ​She stills beside me and looks at me curiously before grinning, “It’s good to have you back Elf-Man.” She whispers.

  ​“It’s good to be back, I don’t know what Lillie did, but it feels as if a weight has been lifted. I still miss Pip, and I grieve his loss, but it has become more bearable. Now let’s find out what news Dagda has for us. I thought for sure everyone would be back here.”