“Do I have something in my teeth?” I said. “Because I’ve never stirred up interest like this before. Ever.”
“No on the teeth.” He grinned. “Let’s find out about the other.”
I opened my mouth to ask him how we’d do that when he turned to a warrior at a table next to us. “Did you have something you would like to ask Princess Nyx?”
“Yes.” The young warrior looked pleased that he’d been asked, which was strangeness beyond strangeness to me. He was one of the younger warriors who’d started training just as I was leaving for the Earth Otherworld. I suppose that’s why he didn’t have any reservations answering Colin.
“What’s your name?” Colin asked. “And your question.”
“Alfric, sir.” He nodded to Colin. “My lady,” he said to me.
“We have heard tales,” he continued, “that you are a great warrior in a different Otherworld. That you bested the same beings who stole and murdered our people.”
My eyes widened. In Drow I said, “Zombies?” That was what this was about?
The male nodded with enthusiasm. “And other heroics. You are known well to us now as a warrior princess.”
A warrior princess? I blinked at him. “I am?”
The young warrior gave an enthusiastic nod. “Yes, the stories say—”
He suddenly sat bolt upright, his gaze no longer curious but now steadfast, like any Drow warrior. The rest of the warriors in the tavern seemed to take the same cue as heads suddenly turned toward the entrance.
TWENTY-FOUR
A larger-than-life presence filled the room, and I turned to see my father walk through the tavern door. He lifted his hands, telling everyone to remain seated, then worked his way over to us.
My mother came in behind him. She must have gone out into the village for something.
As soon as Father seated himself and picked up his mug of ale, the warriors relaxed and went back to their meals and their own mugs of ale. Noise filled the tavern again.
“It is good you have come, Daughter.” Father always sounded gruff, even when we were having a family conversation.
“How long will you be here?” Mother smiled, obviously pleased I was there. She made such a pretty queen. Despite the fact that she was human, the Dark Elves had grown to love her.
“Not long, Mother.” I wondered how much time it would take to get an audience with the Great Guardian. “It depends on a few things.”
“Such as?” Father asked.
I frowned as I thought about what I needed to tell them, and what I needed to ask my father. I glanced at the warriors around me and lowered my voice. “It’s best we talk somewhere private.”
Father studied me for a long moment then nodded. “First we will eat. Then we will talk.”
The barmaid returned and Father told her to prepare a meal for us. The tavern’s cook and owner were bound to make sure it was a kingly feast.
While we waited, Father drilled Colin with questions. “Where are you from?”
“Campton, sir.” Colin looked far from intimidated, unlike many others when they met the king for the first time. Colin had a comfortable presence that I loved.
“Ah.” Father gave a nod. “How is old Durkin?”
“Last I saw King Durkin,” Colin said with a smile, “he was still chasing off knights who want his daughter’s hand in marriage.”
“He must have more of a problem if you are no longer in his realm,” Father said. “Dragons aren’t easy to come by.”
“It is true that my race is becoming much rarer,” Colin said.
Fascinating. I’d had no idea Father would know the king of Colin’s home.
Mother looked from Father to Colin with genuine interest on her face. “How many princesses have you guarded?”
“Over the ages there have been several.” His gaze met mine. “None so beautiful or special as your daughter.”
My cheeks grew warm and my belly flip-flopped because of the way he was looking at me. Colin had a way of making me feel cherished and beautiful, and loved.
Father cleared his throat. Colin turned his attention back to him, answering more of Father’s questions and telling stories that had my gruff king of a father belly laughing.
Sheesh. I’d never expected this. But I loved it. My father genuinely liked Colin, that much was obvious.
The barmaid and servers brought out two hams, three beef roasts, two chickens, and a shank of lamb. Then came the vegetables, bartered from the Light Elves. Carrots, potatoes, cabbage, and corn pudding. The freshly baked bread and rolls smelled like heaven.
Father told the warriors in the tavern to share in our dinner. Not one of them declined. I don’t know if it was because he was the king, or because they were hungry.
After such a delicious feast, it was hard to pack in dessert, too, but I managed. Fruit tarts anFrue fed puddings were served and devoured.
When we were finished with dinner, the four of us walked back through the village and across the great hall to Mother and Father’s chambers. In the sitting room, Mother sat in her rocker while Father reclined in an oversized chair. Colin and I sat together on a settee across from both of them.
The room was done in rich purples and blues. Mother had decorated it once she moved in, with elegant Queen Anne furniture bought in from the Earth Otherworld.
I sat up straight on the settee as I spoke to my father. “Rodán is …” I swallowed as I forced the words out. “Vampires got to him, Father.”
Shock registered on Father’s and Mother’s faces.
“Rodán?” Mother held her palm to her chest. “He’s … dead?”
“What happened?” Father said almost in a growl. He had never liked Rodán, but I knew he had respected him.
I wasn’t sure how to say it, so I did the best I could. “He isn’t exactly dead, he’s undead. Or soon to be. Volod bit him and buried him and soon he will rise as one of them. He will become a paranorm Vampire.”
Mother seemed to be holding her breath. Father’s features took on a tight, angry expression.
I raised my hand. “Father, do not tell me I must move back to Otherworld, away from danger, because that’s not going to happen.”
For the first time, he didn’t launch into a tirade about me coming back to Otherworld permanently. I was his princess—it was hard for him to stop being overprotective.
Mother moved to the settee, and Colin got up so that she could sit down beside me. She hugged me and for the hundredth time I wished that I’d inherited from her the ability to cry.
“I know he was special to you, honey.” She stroked my hair, her motions soothing. “I’m so sorry.”
“I am, too.” I straightened and looked at my hands before meeting my mother’s gaze. “I miss him,” I said, my voice hoarse with pain. “I miss him so much. Even worse is that I might have to deal with him as an enemy. I just can’t think of him that way, but I know that deep down, that is reality.”
“Tell me what it is that you have come to talk with me about.” My father’s words brought my attention back to him. “I know you didn’t come from the Earth Otherworld just to inform me of this.” I wasn’t surprised my father knew I had something to ask of him. He wasn’t being callous, just matter-of-fact.
I leaned forward as I explained what had happened so far, all that we knew. Then I discussed what we believed would be happening soon, going into as much detail as possible. Colin interjected whenever I needed him to.
“We need help,” I said after I’d filled Father in. “We don’t have the resources in New York City to battle this threat.”
“What do you want of me, Daughter?” My father probably knew, but was asking anyway.
“I want to know if you can send Drow warriors.” I clasped my hands in my lap. “To help us fight this Vampire threat before they amass an army of paranorm Vampires. We must do this as soon as possible.
“We need skilled warriors,” I continued. “Humans are no match for the paranorm Vam
pires. We lack numbers. A force of Drow warriors I could lead would give us what we need to go after them.
“The warriors cannot handle daylight, but then Vampires also come out only at night.” I leaned forward. “The threat to the entire Earth Otherworld is so strong. I know it is asking a lot, Father, but I don’t know what else to do.”
Father was quiet for a long moment. Because he didn’t immediately say no, I had some hope.
But finally he said, “I am unable to do this for the people of the Earth Otherworld.”
Even though I had expected this, I felt deflated and hurt. “Why not?”
“I will not risk the lives of my warriors in a battle for beings from another Otherworld.” He didn’t raise his voice; he sounded genuinely concerned.
“It is against my policy to have my warriors risk their lives in a fight that is not theirs,” he continued. “I would do it for you, Nyx. You are aware of that. However, I would be doing it for others, not you. It is not our affair.”
“I understand.” I sighed and looked at my hands. “But I thought I’d try.”
Mother stroked my hair, her touch light and welcome. “What will you do now?”
I glanced up at her. “I need to talk with the Great Guardian.”
“What?” Father looked surprised and not very happy.
“There’s no one left who can speak with her.” I forced myself to relax against the back of the settee. “Monique and Rodán are gone forever, and I’m told there are no other liaisons to the GG. I’m the only one with any sort of connection to her. We need help, and maybe the GG can give it.”
Father still didn’t appear to be pleased, but he slowly nodded. “I will inform the Great Guardian that you wish an audience with her.”
“Thank you, Father.” I took a deep breath and let it out. At least he would help me with this hurdle. “How soon do you think that will be?”
The springs on my father’s chair creaked as he got to his feet. The rest of us stood, too. “I will contact her now,” he said. “As far as when she will give you an audience, I do not know.”
“I hope it’s not long.” I was so restless, I felt I needed to talk with her this very minute. “I don’t think the beings in the Earth Otherworld have much more time.”
“It will be when it will be.” Father strode out of the chamber and closed the door behind him.
TWENTY-FIVE
“Wonder how things are going at home,” I said as I walked the last few steps out of the belowground realm of the Dark Elves and into the late-afternoon sunshine of Otherworld. I ran my fingers along my Drow collar as I spoke.
“We’ll be heading back soon.” As the enormous stone covering the entrance shuddered to a close, Colin came up behind me and rested his hands on my bare shoulders. I leaned back against him and felt myself relax just a little. “And we will deal with Volod,” he said.
I nodded and felt the slide of my hair against Colin’s chest before I turned to face him. “The Great Guardian better have some answers.”
Colin’s lips were soft as he brushed them over mine. I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him back.
“Are you stalling?” He smiled as he drew away.
I started to protest then realized he was right. “I guess I am a little intimidated at meeting her in person.”
“It’ll all be fine.” Colin took my hand and squeezed it. “Which way, O beautiful one?”
I raised our joined hands and indicated a path in the forest a little to our left.
“I don’t know how Father arranged this meeting so soon.” I started walking at Colin’s side. “But I’m glad he was able to. We need to be getting back.”
“Your father is a man of amazing stature,” Colin said. “Rodán is the only other person I’ve known to have been in the Great Guardian’s presence.”
“Yes, he is a man of great stature.” I sighed. “I just wish he could join us with some of his men. Just think what an advantage that would be. If Vampires can’t turn Dark Elves, and Elves have superior strength and magic, it could make a real difference.”
“Vampires are one thing.” Colin squeezed my hand. “A Vampire paranorm force of former Trackers is as formidable a force as he would face.” He continued, “Taking nothing away from Dark Elves, who can hold their own against any fighters, but this is a dangerous fight and your father knows it.”
I frowned as I thought about this. “My father is not one to shrink back from a fight.”
“I could see in your father’s eyes that he wants to help.” Twigs and dried leaves crunched beneath Colin’s shoes. “It is not that he is afraid. He just has to think about his own people first.”
“Of course.” I heard the sound of a nightbird as it started to wake. “I have to get past the idea that my father said no to me. It’s something he doesn’t do. But I know it’s unfair for me to put that on him and I understand his position.”
“We’ll find other ways to defeat Volod.” Colin ducked beneath a low-hanging branch. “How far to the meadow your father told us about?”
“Not far.” I stepped over a fallen log, making no sound whatsoever, unlike Colin who stepped on a branch. The large cracking sound echoed through the forest. Birds quieted.
I looked upan="0p at him. “I didn’t realize Dragons were so noisy.”
“You should see me when I shift.”
“I have.” I shook my head. “Let’s just say it’s a good thing we don’t have to rely on you for stealth right now.”
He bumped my shoulder with his intentionally, and I did a little sidestep but didn’t stumble. I laughed and bumped him back and he did stumble a bit.
The forest grew quieter as we neared a meadow. From ahead came the burbling sound of a small stream. The forest smelled so clean, of fresh air, pine, and rich loam.
My heart beat faster as we got closer to the meadow and my belly did a flip. What would it be like to talk with the Great Guardian?
We paused at the edge of the tree line. I caught my breath and wished Father could see the beauty here in daylight. Soft yellow sunshine, patches of purple and pink flowers dipping in the light breeze, and grass as green as a carpet of Drow-mined emeralds.
My boots skimmed over the tops of pale mushrooms at the edge of the darkened forest. Colin came up beside me. “Your world is amazingly beautiful, Nyx. This looks like a place I’d expect to meet the Great Guardian.”
A small footbridge spanned the width of the stream, the water sparkling in the ebbing sunlight. The opposite end seemed to fade away into the forest. It was like looking into the distance, yet it wasn’t that far.
I tipped my head back and looked at lacy clouds strewn across sky growing deeper blue with every passing moment. My skin wasn’t tingling yet, but the night was on its way.
“Nyx.” The sound of a sweet voice had me whirling and facing the bridge again.
A glow filled the meadow. I raised my hand in front of my eyes to block the strength of it.
When the glow faded enough to see, an ethereal being, beyond anything I could imagine, stood a few feet away.
Slender and fine-boned, she was almost as tall as Colin. She had long, delicate fingers that were folded in front of her, against the soft white material of her gown.
I’d never seen such perfect skin, or eyes as crystal blue. Long, glossy hair, pale like jasmine, tumbled over her shoulders to the soft grass at her bare feet.
Colin had a hold on my hand still, and he gently tugged as he bent to one knee. I found myself kneeling before her.
“Rise.” She spoke like a queen, yet sounded young and sweet.
But when I was standing, through the crystal blue of her eyes I saw ancient wisdom that I knew I could never grasp. I could feel the Guardian’s power, vibrant, tangible. Warmth and a tingling sensation traveled throughout my body like I’d never experienced before. As if I were being embraced by someone who I truly loved.
I felt no fear. The warmth and goodness of her filled me.
“Nyx, welcome.” She smiled at me then inclined her head to Coher heiglin. “It is a pleasure to see you, Colin of Campton.”
Colin bowed his head before looking at the Great Guardian again. “I never expected to be permitted to see you. Who am I to see the Guardian? I will forever remember this day.”
She smiled. “Who are you? You are a brave Dragon who cares about others. You have righted your way and you are worthy of such time with me. I see great things for you. So yes, you shall remember this day.”
When she returned her gaze to me, I wondered how I’d ever called her GG instead of the Great Guardian. My face burned at my lack of respect.
“I am pleased with you.” The strength of her statement surprised me, and my cheeks grew even hotter. “You are a brave warrior. Most important, you are a brave warrior who cares for others before herself.”
“Thank you.” I could almost picture how small my words were in her presence. They seemed insignificant.
“What can I do for you?” she said.
“I’m here because neither Rodán nor Monique can be.” I swallowed. “I am told there is no one but me who can speak with you.”
“It saddens me.” The Guardian’s voice grew softer. “That two such as them should be lost to something so evil.”
“How did you know about Rodán?” I asked. “I guess I have heard that you know all, but I wasn’t certain.”
She gave a sad smile that seemed to say, Of course I knew. Instead, she said, “Rodán is a good man. Now he will be tested.”
Hope made me straighten. “Does that mean he’ll be okay? That he’ll come back to us?”
“That is not for you to know.” The Guardian’s face told me nothing as she spoke. “I will only guide you along what I believe is the right path for you.”
“I’m sorry I doubted you.” I don’t even know where the words came from. “I am sorry I didn’t believe in you.”
“Now is when it is important to believe. You have seen me and heard me. Now is the test for you.” She didn’t look at me any differently than she had before. “You are young, and you do not know me like Rodán and your father do. They have trusted me. You will learn this also.”
Vampires Dead Ahead Page 21
