“When I sensed night was nearing its end, I kissed Anna and told her I had to go, but that I wanted to see her again.”
“Did you enchant her?” Rhiannon asked. “I remember Copper saying that the magic of the Dark Elves can cause a human woman to fall in love with a Drow male.”
“No.” Garran shook his head. “Anna … she was special.” He continued, “She agreed to meet me at that same pond when darkness fell. Every night we met and I can recall every word we spoke, every one of her smiles, her every touch—”
Garran broke off, looking a little uncomfortable, and Rhiannon figured out pretty quick that he felt a little offkilter telling his daughter about having sex with her mother.
“One night when she came to me, brimming with joy, she told me she was with child.” Garran shook his head and smiled. “We were both filled with such happiness.”
He paused and the pleasure in his eyes faded.
“That’s when you told her you’re Drow,” Rhiannon said, the thought coming to her swift and sudden.
The smile on Garran’s lips had turned to one of sadness. “She left, angry with me. She had spirit, that one.”
With a heavy sigh, he continued, “Night after night I returned to the pond, and it was as if my heart had been crushed between two great boulders when Anna didn’t return.”
Rhiannon’s own heart felt heavy and she found herself wanting to reach over to her father, to touch him, to comfort him. Instead she squeezed her hands together in her lap.
“I never gave up.” He raked his hand through his silvery blue hair. “It seemed an eternity passed—until one night I found her there. She looked even more beautiful than before, and for a long moment I could not speak, such a lump crowded my throat.”
Garran’s throat worked as he swallowed, as if that lump was still there. “Anna turned and looked at me, and I saw she held a small bundle.” His gaze met Rhiannon’s and goose bumps rose on her skin. “She was holding you.”
Rhiannon couldn’t say a word as she looked into her father’s liquid silver eyes.
“It was as if she had never left, my love for her was so strong.” Garran shifted in his seat and stared into space. “And you—I could not bear it when she said she was taking you back to the San Francisco Otherworld, that you could only be a child of the light. I knew she was right, but I did not want to let you go.”
Again he looked at Rhiannon. “Your mother did come to me every full moon and would stay a week at best. She would go back to your Otherworld and my heart ached for her until we could see one another again.”
Rhiannon thought she saw Garran’s eyes glisten as if with tears, but that vanished so quickly she had probably imagined it.
His voice was hoarse as he spoke. “One full moon she did not come—and I knew something terrible had happened.”
Rhiannon bit her lower lip and barely held in the sudden desire to throw herself into her father’s arms and hug him. All this time. All this time.
At that moment she couldn’t think of Garran as anything but her father and the man who’d loved her mother.
“I went to our pond again and again, but she never returned.” Garran clenched his fist that was resting on the armrest of the chair. “The Elvin witch came one night instead.”
“The Great Guardian?” Rhiannon asked.
He shook his head. “No. Cassia is her name.”
Rhiannon’s eyes widened and she sat straighter in her chair. Cassia? No. She couldn’t have known all this time and not have told Rhiannon. She couldn’t have.
But Garran continued. “Cassia told me of your mother’s death. How she saved you and your aunt in a tragic accident.” He held one of his fists to his chest as if the ache in his heart was too much to bear.
“I wanted you here with me, to watch you, to see you grow,” Garran went on, pain in his voice, “but the Elvin witch said that was not your path.”
Rhiannon’s scalp began to tingle. Could it have been the Cassia she knew? Could she be that old? And had she made such an important decision in Rhiannon’s life?
“I finally agreed.” He rubbed his hand over his face and she wondered if he was struggling to keep his emotions hidden. “You were meant to be a child of the light, not of the dark. Like your mother wanted for you. And,” he added, “Druid blood runs strong in you from your mother’s side and you needed to train to become D’Anu.”
Garran dropped his hand away from his face and gave a heavy sigh. “Now you know the truth of it.” He studied her as if trying to judge her expression. “I wanted what was best for you. What Anna would have wanted.”
Rhiannon closed her eyes for a moment and clenched her hands into fists. She really didn’t know how she felt right now. Years of hurt and anger had been balled up inside of her so tightly she wanted to explode. But what her father said changed everything.
And she didn’t know what to do about it.
Rhiannon opened her eyes and looked at Garran. He leaned forward in his chair. “I want to know more of you, my daughter.”
There was that word again. Daughter. Did she have half-brothers and half-sisters running around? “Do you have any other children?”
“No,” Garran said. “After Anna … I have never taken a wife. There has been no other woman who has truly touched my heart.” He glanced toward the door and back to her. “Are you bonded to Keir D’Danann?”
Heat rose within Rhiannon and she shook her head. “No. We, ah, just have a kind of relationship.” Hell, what kind of relationship did they have?
Garran gave a knowing smile. “Again, tell me of yourself.”
She shrugged. “I don’t know what to say.” She looked around at the monochrome room that she liked despite herself. “This is nice, but I like color,” she said. “Lots and lots of bright colors. I play video games, I love to shop, and I’ve devoted my life to being a D’Anu witch. I run the Coven’s café/metaphysical store.” She frowned and her mood blackened. “When we’re not fighting demons, that is.”
He studied her intently and a hard expression came over his face. “Now tell me of this Aunt Aga.”
Rhiannon sucked in a deep breath and told him about her childhood—minus the part about the Shadows. She shared how cruel her mother’s sister had been and how she had turned Rhiannon out when she was eighteen with nothing. Not a cent to her name.
The only thing Aga had done that was not hurtful or hateful was have Rhiannon trained as a D’Anu witch. Rhiannon had put everything she had into becoming a more powerful witch than her aunt. Aga was furious when she saw just how powerful Rhiannon had become.
Garran looked angrier and angrier as she spoke. When she stopped he banged his fist on the arm of the chair. “If I had known, I would have taken you from her, light be damned.”
That statement gave Rhiannon some pause. It warmed her insides that her father had reacted so passionately, but at the same time, would it have been the right thing for her—to grow up as one of the Drow?
It came crashing down on her. Her father was king of the Dark Elves. He was Drow.
She raised her chin. “I have a power. A power that no witch should have. Dark magic.”
Garran didn’t look surprised and some of the anger in his expression faded. “What is it?”
It was harder to say to her father than she’d expected. Aunt Aga had been the only person in the world who knew—until recently—and Rhiannon had hidden it ever since.
“Shadows,” she finally said. Her father cocked an eyebrow. “When I was little they would slip out of me and play. But my aunt caught me with them once. She yelled at me. Told me it was black magic and the reason my parents sent me away.”
Rhiannon’s throat felt thick as she spoke. “The Shadows attacked her, hurt her. I screamed at them to stop and they came back inside me.” Her chest ached and she felt the Shadows stir within. “I never let them out again … until recently. And even then it wasn’t intentionally.”
Garran leaned forward, and braced hi
s forearms on the granite table, his features harsh. “Your aunt lied. You were not sent away because of any powers. I have told you the story of how you came to live with your aunt.” His jaw clenched. “And if she were before me today, I might let the Shadows have her.”
Rhiannon straightened in her seat, her heart pounding. “So the Shadows are bad. They’re evil—like the Dark Elves.”
Her father’s expression was no less harsh when he answered her. “Drow are not evil. At times we might have dealings with those that are, but we are not evil beings.”
“What’s the difference?” Rhiannon shot back, feeling heat flush her face. “If you work with evil then that makes you just as bad as they are.”
Garran clenched his fists on the table. “Drow are neutral beings, like the D’Danann.”
“Only the D’Danann do not ever side with evil,” Rhiannon said, her tone rising. “But the Dark Elves do.”
Garran’s chest rose and fell as he took a deep breath. “We choose to aid whatever side might benefit our people.”
Her chair scraped against the floor as Rhiannon forced it back and stood. “Even if that side is evil. You don’t care about anyone but yourselves.”
Garran pushed himself to his feet. His chair fell and slammed against the granite floor, the sound echoing through the chamber.
Immediately Keir strode into the room, followed by two guards.
Garran studied her for a long moment, as if trying to read her. “You did not come to meet me,” he finally stated.
“No.” The word came too fast and abrupt, and an expression of hurt flashed across his features. Immediately a warrior’s mask replaced the look.
Rhiannon hardened her own expression and narrowed her eyes. “I didn’t want to come. I was told I had to.” Her voice was filled with accusation as she said, “I need to help the D’Danann and D’Anu fight the Fomorii and other creatures you helped set free. Our city in our Otherworld will soon be overrun with them.”
Garran turned his back to her and walked to the dais. He climbed up and sat in his throne. He had a casual way of sitting in it, his long legs stretched out as he leaned on his right elbow and stroked his chin with his fingers. He looked deep in thought, as if contemplating her request.
She held her breath, waiting for his answer.
“No.” The word came out of his mouth as sharp as her own had.
Rhiannon fought back the tide of tears. She was too overwhelmed. And to be told no once again—goddess, it was too much.
She turned her back to Garran, pushed her way past Keir and the Drow warriors. She headed toward the stairs that led up and into the sunlight.
Chapter 30
It was late afternoon when Rhiannon and Keir made their way back from Golden Gate Park. She wasn’t sure what time it was, but when they reached Enchantments, it was open.
The pain in her head had instantly returned when they arrived back from Otherworld, but it seemed as if the Shadows had weakened the goddess’s hold on her during the fight at the penthouse because it wasn’t quite as bad. But it still hurt like hell.
How can I go from thinking the Shadows are evil to believing they were helping me? she thought as Keir reached for the store’s door handle.
Warding bells tinkled as he opened the door, then stepped back to let her in. She saw the college students busy helping customers in the front and in the café. Rhiannon tried to smile at the employees, but had a hard time as she made her way to the kitchen.
When Keir pushed open the swinging door to the kitchen and she walked through, she was surprised to see all of her Coven sisters gathered together seated at the table, as well as the Faerie. Galia perched on Mackenzie’s shoulder.
After everyone said hello, Cassia pointed toward an empty chair for Rhiannon to sit in. “I thought you would be arriving any time,” Cassia said. “I called everyone together so that we can discuss what happened in Otherworld.”
Rhiannon took the chair and tensed as everyone turned to her. Keir moved behind her, rested his hands on her shoulders, and squeezed, and it gave her some comfort.
She didn’t want to look anyone in the face but she forced herself to meet her Coven sister’s eyes as she looked from one to another.
Rhiannon cleared her throat. “When we went to Otherworld the first time, when we were trying to get the Chieftains to give us more help, we met with the Great Guardian.” She took a deep breath. “The Guardian told me about my—my birth parents.”
Silver gave her an encouraging look that said, “Go on. We’re here for you.”
Rhiannon swallowed, her stomach suddenly feeling queasy. “I found out that I’m half D’Anu … and half-Elvin.”
Copper drew Rhiannon’s attention when she said, “Really? A full half?” She grinned. “That’s too cool.”
“I’m half Drow,” Rhiannon said, looking at Copper. “I’m King Garran’s daughter.”
A stunned silence filled the room. Even Galia looked at her with wide eyes.
“You’re what?” Hannah finally said, her voice incredulous. “You’re the daughter of that traitor?”
Rhiannon clenched her fists and glared at Hannah. Before she could fire back a response, Copper said, “Garran was doing what he thought was right for his people.”
“And look who we ended up with.” Hannah folded her arms across her chest. “Ceithlenn. Bitch of the Underworld.”
Rhiannon winced and gritted her teeth at the pain caused by hearing the goddess’s name.
“I was there.” Copper’s jaw was tense. “Don’t you think I know that? But I also know that Garran started to help us once he figured out what was happening.”
Hannah scowled “A little too late, don’t you think?”
Copper stood and her cast clunked on the floor as she faced Hannah. “He. Saved. My. Life.”
Hannah stared at Copper for a few moments longer, then turned her attention to Rhiannon. “What does Daddy being the king of the Dark Elves have to do with this whole conversation?”
Rhiannon thought about letting Hannah have it, but Cassia caught her eye. Rhiannon clenched and unclenched her fists on the table. “On this second trip, I met him and asked him to become our ally.”
Silver reached across the table and rested her hand on top of Rhiannon’s. “And?”
“I basically told him he could shove it, as far as being my father.” She looked around at her Coven sisters. “And in return he said no to helping us.”
Hannah flung her hands up. “Well, isn’t that just perfect.”
Rhiannon got to her feet, drawing her hand away from Silver’s. “First you carry on about my father being a traitor and now you act like I should’ve played nice. Why don’t you get yourself together?”
“If your father is the king of a bunch of warriors who could be on our side because he’s related to you, then yes, you should have played nice.” Hannah stood, too, and placed her hands on her hips. “Better having him on our side than against us.”
“Oh, for Anu’s sake.” Silver touched Hannah’s arm. “Let’s sit down and discuss this, all right?”
Copper shook her head and grinned. “I can’t believe the same Garran who came on to me is your father.”
“TMI,” Rhiannon said, unable to believe her father had the hots for one of her closest friends. “I don’t need to know that about my father.”
Hannah’s features returned to their normal sophisticated calmness as she seated herself across from where Rhiannon was now standing. Hannah turned her attention to Cassia. “We need to send a more neutral contingent to the Drow.”
Before Rhiannon could come back with anything, Cassia said, “That will have to wait for now.” Her gaze returned to Rhiannon’s. “There’s more you need to tell your sisters.”
Rhiannon sat back in her chair and resisted squirming in her seat.
Sydney nodded. “She’s right. It’s time you told us what happened in the penthouse. That black fog that came from you and helped us to fight off Ceithl
enn.”
“Black fog?” Copper said, Silver echoing her. Galia’s wings beat slower as she braced her hands to either side of her on Mackenzie’s shoulder and leaned forward.
“You all didn’t see it because it happened when we were in the hallway,” Sydney said to her Coven sisters. “It was like they burst out of Rhiannon’s chest and went after Ceithlenn. If it wasn’t for that foggy stuff, I’m not sure all of us would have made it.”
Rhiannon’s heart and head hurt more now that she had to tell everyone. “They’re Shadows,” she whispered.
“Shadows?” Silver studied Rhiannon. “Tell us everything.”
The Shadows wanted to come out—Rhiannon felt it chest deep—it was like the Shadows wanted to socialize or something.
Slowly she began her story about the power, how she had first come upon it and how she’d hidden it because she knew it was bad.
“That’s why I never told any of you,” she said quietly. “I was afraid you’d reject me.”
“Oh, honey.” Silver got up to go around the table. Keir backed up as Silver put her arm around Rhiannon and squeezed. “You’re our Coven sister, and our friend. We would never reject you.”
“We want to hear more,” Mackenzie said from across the table, looking particularly interested as she rested her elbow on the table and her chin in her palm.
Rhiannon told them about the fight in the penthouse with Ceithlenn. She moved on to how she had confronted her Drow father about the “ability,” and how that confirmed in her mind that they were evil.
“But they’re not,” Copper stated emphatically. “Not only did they help us fight Ceithlenn, but they’re a part of you and you are not evil. So don’t even go there.”
Galia still had an undecided expression on her face, but to Rhiannon’s surprise everyone else seemed to accept it with no problem. They talked a little more about how—according to the Great Guardian—the Shadows would likely help battle the demons and Ceithlenn if Rhiannon freed them.
Rhiannon’s friends and Coven sisters were emphatic in the fact that they felt Rhiannon should allow the Shadows out. If the Great Guardian told her the Shadows would help, Silver remarked, then they would help.
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