What is this? A spirit would not show caution when approaching mortals. A wicked grin crept over his face as comprehension hit him. The sound of steel as Garrick unsheathed his sword settled it in his mind. Tis no ghost I see but a Fae trick! Garrick still lives! Athor’s eyes glittered with excitement. He would have his reckoning in one fell swoop. All he needed was the spear. He crept back to the open portal as soon as Garrick slipped through into the bedchamber.
Natasha was startled at the sound of the door hitting the wall behind her. She spun around, putting her back toward the wardrobe as she faced an enraged Lokai. Garrick seized her from behind as the golden warrior struck the spear from her grasp. It hit the floor, rolling toward the opening to the passages.
Her eyes rolled wildly as she struggled against his steely embrace.
“You have lost, Natasha. There is naught else that you can do to harm my family.” Alred approached her with confidence.
She snarled at him in frustration. “You think not, Alred? Even now your daughter is at the mercy of Athor! He can kill her, you know. She is not pure Fae. Diedre is as mortal as I am.” A wicked grin crossed her lips.
He glanced quickly at Lokai who shook his head to reassure him.
“You are mistaken, witch. Diedre sleeps safely in our chambers. Apparently Athor has betrayed you.”
“Nooooo!” she screeched.
Athor had heard enough. He reached for the spear, furtively, while they were distracted and stole back down the dark corridor taking the first exit he found. Crossing the empty chamber, he opened the door a crack to peak out. The hallway was empty. Good. The Fates were with him. Traveling the length, it did not take him long to find what he was seeking.
Garrick eyed Alred. “What do ye wish to do with her, Sire?”
His eyes saddened. “Put her in the dungeon until it is decided. We must not forget that Athor still runs free. Once he is captured, according to Fae law, they will be tried and executed.”
Lokai stepped forward. “Where is your cohort, witch?”
She laughed maniacally. “Why should I tell you? I die either way.”
He glowered at her. “There are many ways to die, Natasha. Some swift, others...could take days...even weeks. The choice is yours.” He shrugged. “Makes no difference to me. I will find him regardless of your choice.”
She said naught as she glared at him.
Seonaid emerged from the cocoon of her bed when she felt it was safe. Smiling at her husband, she glanced about the room in search of the weapon that could endanger her family. She frowned.
“Where is the spear?”
They all quickly looked in the direction it had fallen. It was not there! They shared a panicked look as they realized where it must be...in Athor’s hands! A scream echoed down the corridor.
Natasha jerked free in their distraction, running toward the sound. Athor must have Diedre in his grasp once again! There was still hope! She skidded to a halt as she reached them.
Athor tightened his grip on Diedre’s throat. Black dots danced before her eyes as she attempted to breathe. There was no strength left to struggle against him. She cried out again as he bit her ear, drawing blood, then flicking it with his tongue.
“You taste good, daughter.” Hot breath fanned her neck causing an involuntary shudder. “I might let you live after I claim the throne. But first,” he glanced at Lokai entering the chamber, “I must rid us of your husband’s existence.”
Natasha glared at him. “I am to be your queen, Athor! You owe me!”
“I owe you naught!” He roared with contempt. “Why would I desire Alred’s cast-offs? You are no more than a thorn in my side...it is time to pluck you out!” He swung his sword with ease then watched her head roll across the floor with indifference.
Athor turned his feral eyes to Lokai as he grasped the spear leaning against the wall. “Now, Son, you will relinquish your throne to me...or watch the same fate befall your wife.”
Lokai was frozen in place. He could not do what his father asked. There would be chaos in both the Fae and Mortal realms if he did. He searched deeply into his powers as king for a solution. There must be an answer to this dilemma!
The grip on her throat tightened as Garrick and Alred attempted to flank him. “Cease your movement or she dies now!” They halted, hoping that Lokai had a plan.
Icy blue eyes locked with aqua counterparts. Do you trust me, Sprite? Her eyes bulged as his thoughts reached out to her. She did not know that it was possible for them to speak thus. Yes, my love...with all my heart.
Then prepare to die. His eyes misted for a moment when he saw her fear. It was risky what he planned to do, for her and the babe, but he had no other choice. The timing had to be impeccable. He could not afford a mistake. Lokai turned an ice-cold glare on his father.
“Too many lives depend upon the bearer of the crown. I cannot relinquish it...even for my queen’s life.” He could not bear to look upon her as he spoke the words.
“You are an even bigger fool than I thought, Lokai! Do you not know that she is mortal? I can easily snap her neck! And what of the child? Your heir? Surely you want him to live.” Panic teased his voice as he questioned his son. Had he miscalculated Lokai’s ruthlessness?
“There will be others.” His passionless tone caused Diedre’s eyes to peer into his stoic expression. He is lying! I know it! Oh bother! Why do I have to be involved in him calling Athor’s bluff? Fear clutched her heart as she recognized that she would die this day.
Athor roared with fury! With one twist of his wrist...her neck snapped and she slid to his feet. He lunged at Lokai with the spear just as he side-stepped, causing only a glancing blow to his bicep. Blood seeped through his sleeve as he rushed to Diedre’s side, his heart in his throat. He wrapped his hands about her neck, instantly fusing the bones. A moment later, he was in the palace gardens. Plucking a grape-like fruit from a tree, he squeezed the juices between her parted lips. Gently massaging her throat, it seemed like an eternity before he heard her inhale sharply. Her long, dark lashes fluttered a moment before she opened her eyes.
Lokai grinned widely...Diedre frowned then hit him as hard as she could across his square jaw.
Alright. I owed her that one. “Hold still, Sprite, while I check the babe.” She halted her pummeling of his broad chest while he placed his hands over her swollen stomach...the bairn kicked him. “All is well.”
“You see, husband! Even your bairn is angry with you! How dare you risk our lives so flippantly!” Her fist smacked his chest once again as tears began to flow down her cheeks.
Lokai wrapped her in his warm embrace, kissing the top of her blonde head repeatedly in his relief. “I could think of no other solution, wife. Would you have Athor be king? I am sorry that it had to be this way...truly. I cannot fathom a life without you in it...I could not live without my only...”
She sniffled. “Your only what, Lokai? Is it so painful to speak the words...even to soothe my temper?” His entire countenance softened as he hugged her fiercely.
“Do you not know that I have cared for you since the first day we met, Sprite? I have no room in my heart for more...it spills out like a river. I am awash in it.” Cupping her delicate cheek, he brought their lips together to meet in a deliciously tender union.
Bitter disappointment engulfed her as she clung to her husband. Why could he not love her?
* * *
Alred’s sword clashed with the Spear of Destiny. The shaft shattered as it fell innocuously to the floor. Athor howled his displeasure, drawing his sword for the next strike. It was a foolish move. Only the spear could kill his rival. In his blind rage reason left him. He struck out at Alred again and again...to no avail. He lost his footing in Natasha’s blood and fell to his back.
“Yield Athor! Meet your fate like a true royal!” The former king stood over his prone body, sword at the ready. His breathing was steady as he stared regally at his cousin. How had it come to this? Was Athor defective in some way? Sadde
ned, he shook his head. Flawed or not, he had to end this...for his family’s sake.
Athor flew up at him thrusting with the spearhead that lay within his grasp. Garrick’s sword flew through the air embedding itself in his heart as the spear sank into Alred’s ribs.
“Da!” Seonaid cried out in panic. She ran to his side as he sank to his knees, blood seeping between his fingers. Turning to her husband, she cried, “We need Lokai! Can ye reach him?”
Touching the torque he wore, Garrick called for his help. “Aye, wife, I have reached out to him.”
Within moments, Lokai and Diedre appeared before them. He went to work on healing the wound without hesitation as the sisters clung to each other. Lokai’s body trembled with the exertion he put forth to restore Alred. A white light shot from his fingertips. It was not working!
“Diedre...Seonaid...we must combine our power! I have merely slowed the bleeding. It is not enough.” The women hurriedly dropped to their knees, placing their hands on his to join their strengths. There was no change.
Just then, Hagar’s voice sounded in Garrick’s thoughts.
“Ye must join them, boy. Ye have the healing touch!”
Using pure instinct, Garrick knelt down and clasped their hands with his own. A white light began to pulsate as it strengthened...closing the open wound and leaving a small reddened scar in its place. Lokai released a pent up breath of relief. Never had he had this much difficulty healing before. It must be because of the spear! The Christ’s blood was embedded in the metal! That must be the reason. His ethereal blue eyes met Garrick’s as realization struck him. The mortals God was real!
Warm hands wrapped around his bicep as Diedre steadied herself. With all that had occurred the last hour, she was drained of strength. “Thank you, husband, for saving my father.” With a peck on the cheek, she swooned, welcoming the darkness.
He caught her close to him before she fell. Noting the gathering crowd of castle servants and guards, he glanced Garrick’s direction. What these people must think! Before them stood their dead laird, a headless woman, a dead man and a wounded man who is hale now...not counting the magical healing, or his and Diedre’s sudden appearance. There was total silence as they stood there in shock staring at the scene.
Making a decision, the golden warrior grunted to himself, standing with Diedre in his arms. “Gather your children, Seonaid. We go to the palace for a respite while this mess is cleaned up.”
The people gave them a wide berth as they passed through on their way to the nursery. There must be thirty people to deal with! And as far as Garrick’s being alive...I will have to wipe all of their memories of that particular piece of information. Not impossible but monumental in assuring that all were included. He sighed. Reaching their destination, Lokai turned to the crowd that followed. Murmuring a few chosen words, he completed the task then whisked them away to the Fae realm.
Epilogue
Trepidation swept through Garrick as he stared out at the azure sky. The time has come to discuss their future. He feared her reaction when he asks her to become immortal like him. The blame was not hers if she refused. Who would wish to outlive their children...their grandchildren? Seonaid’s arm wrapped about his waist as she sensed his melancholy.
“What troubles ye, husband?”
He gave her a light squeeze as he embraced her. His throat tightened struggling to say the words.
“Ye ken that when Lokai saved my life he made me immortal?” She nodded. He gazed deeply into her green eyes. “I do nae wish it...without ye. Twould be hell on earth trying ta live without ye.”
Studying his handsome face, her heart swelled in her bosom. She loved him more than life. There was no way that she could survive alone.
“Then do nae.” Her voice was but a whisper.
“Ye will drink the nectar?” Garrick was astonished that she loved him that much. No one ever had before.
“Aye, mo cridhe...I will join ye in eternity. How could ye think that I would nae? Ye are my husband and my lover. There is naught that I would nae do for ye.”
Garrick gave out a whoop as he swept her in a circle with joy. Planting a hungry kiss on her lips, he led her to the bed.
* * *
Once again her golden warrior had held his tongue as he stroked her with his swollen shaft. Diedre was growing frustrated at his reticence. It is only three little words! Why can he not speak them to me? Now he lies there sated of his lust while I am still unfulfilled for want of three words. I should leave him! She smiled at her foolish musings.No one in their right mind would leave such a prize. Oh bother! One way or another...she would receive what she craved. With a snap of her fingers she was dressed and gone.
Lokai reached across the bed’s expanse in search of his wife the next morn grasping empty air. His eyes shot open in alarm. Where is she? It is too early to be up and about...especially for her! His eyes narrowed suspiciously. Perhaps she has reverted back to meddling in mortals’ lives again. Dressing quickly, he went off on a search of the palace. No one was about. On the verge of panic, he returned to their chambers...scanning the room for some sign of where she might be.
That is when he saw it. There on the floor next to her side of the bed. Just a slip of parchment...not much larger than his hand. He pounced upon it, pouring over its contents like a starving man.
Husband, I have decided to return home until you have learned how to free your tongue. I have pledged my love for you but you refuse to reciprocate in kind. This is intolerable! By my reckoning, you owe me proof of your love...without the bedding.Until then I shall reside alone. All my love, Diedre.
Anger flashed in his eyes...then he grinned. She was right. He did owe her knowledge of what lay in his heart’s deepest core. Well, if a reckoning is what his wife wants...then a reckoning she will receive!
* * *
Where was Lokai? Had she misjudged his feelings for her? She had been on the isle for a sennight now without a word from him. Perhaps she had pushed him too far. It would not be the first time.
Diedre stood in her small garden morose with her thoughts. Mayhap he does not truly love me? A tear escaped down her cheek. The sound of cannon brought her head up swiftly. Looking toward the bay, her face lit up in joy. A fleet of five hundred ships approached on the wind! Each one manned by the Royal Guard of the Fae Realm decked out with a myriad of flowers. Standing on the prow of the lead ship was the King of the Fae in all his golden armor...his gilded hair ruffled in the wind. He made a gesture with his arm as he signaled the cannon to be fired. The noise was deafening as five hundred cannon fired at once causing a downpour of rose petals of every color in the rainbow to rain over the isle.
Diedre clapped her hands with glee as she bounced around in the fragrant onslaught laughing with joy. Lokai appeared before her, searching her face. She opened her mouth to speak but he held up his hand to silence her.
Tenderly he caressed her velvet cheek. “It seems that I have been remiss in expressing my love for my queen. I am here to correct that oversight.” He cleared his throat. “You have demanded a “reckoning” of what I owe you, Sprite.” His arm swept out in an arc to encompass all that he had done. “What you see is only a small portion of what I owe. I make you this vow, that from this day forward I will tell you of my love daily...and every eve...I will show you. I cannot bear the thought of you leaving me...not even for a moment. I have come to claim my queen and will never release you!” He stood regally before her and held out his hand. “Is your “reckoning” satisfied, wife?”
Tears of joy flowed freely down her cheeks as she ignored his hand and leapt into his arms, peppering his face with kisses. Leaning back to gaze deeply into the eyes of her husband...her king, she replied, “Oh yes, Lokai, you have surpassed my estimate for certain!”
Then they kissed.
The End
I hope you enjoyed “Lokai’s Curse” and tell your friends. Please visit my website to see other stories that I have written at:
http://www.coulterhighlanddreams.com
http://www.highlanderinoz.weebly.com/
http://about.me/jleecoulter
Other books:
Blessing The Highlander
Tarnished Honor
Highland Christmas
Portals Of Time
Also available in print.
Lokai's Curse Page 13
