by Jana LaPelle
I grimace at the mention of Poppy and shake my head, knowing that I will need to talk to her at some point, but for the moment I give into Lachlan, “Okay, that sounds good, and I’ll do the same. I don’t know how long I need, and I don’t want to be isolated from any of you. Now that I’m finally ready to face my future, I think that I’m ready to talk about my worries and concerns.”
“I don’t know what you are so worried about. If there was ever a Keeper to handle transporting souls to The Underworld, it’s you. You’re not jaded, you’re fair and just. Always. I don’t know why you think it’s a bad thing, because it’s not, but that’s for you to figure out. I’ll be back with the whole gang in no less than five days’ time. So be prepared.”
Nodding, I say, “Got it.” Swallowing back the lump in my throat, I push on, “Thank you for understanding.”
Mother smiles sadly and pulls me in for another hug and whispers, “I know you’ll figure it out. You’re smart, and it’s about time that you embrace your role. We may have been too easy on you kids. I just didn’t want you to feel rushed into anything. Once you embrace what you know to be your truth, it will set you free, Lillie Joanna.”
With that, one by one they wink out of sight. I’ve gotten my space, my time alone to figure things out, and now the house is utterly silent. For the first time in my life, I’m alone because it is what I have asked for. Cara stands from where she was sitting and walks over to me, whimpering as I stand in the middle of the sitting room that overlooks the large open kitchen, reminding me that I will always have her.
What now? I’m not sure that I’m ready to embrace becoming the Grim Reaper.
3
Time To Stretch My Wings
(Lillie Joanna)
It’s been two days since my family left me on my own and in that time I have binged watched some classic TV shows. The first couple of seasons of Stranger Things were entertaining, but I really fell in love with the Harry Potter movies and make a mental note to acquire the book series to read. I had to search the archives to find some shows from Mama and Aunt Lexie’s era here in The Mortal Realm. As we grew up in Faerie, time moved so much more quickly here. Evidently, something like two hundred and eighty years has passed over time. We’ve grown up popping in here and there. So, the stark contrast is something that we have come to expect from our visits here, that and as a Keeper, for those certain souls that need special handling, I’m here often on business. This place has been like a second or third home to us. Not long ago we realized that the world was slowly experiencing climate change that started as just extreme weather, but slowly the planet in this realm has begun to heat up and drought-like conditions over most of the land surrounding this place drove off the farmers, who have moved much further north. What was once beautiful, lush, and green has now succumbed to drought all around us. The crazy thing is that Lexie, my aunt and the Mother Druid, and her Druids, with the help of Neamhain, a dear friend of our family and goddess, and her witches, were able to cast a protective spell on this place. It’s as if a dome of protection keeps this place green and beautiful with its own ecosystem to keep the plant life and what wildlife remains healthy. A second spell woven over top of the first keeps this place hidden from view from everyone outside this dome of protection.
Sighing, I realize that I’m truly on my own here and watching TV shows from the past is not helping to further me in my journey to self-enlightenment. Time to start making the most of my time and I know exactly who I want to talk to first. My mind made up, I reach over to stroke Cara’s head and say aloud, “We’re going out tonight, Cara. Give me about thirty minutes to get myself together.” Racing upstairs to my room I pull open my walk-in closet. On one side is all matter of clothing and on the other is a collection of weapons. Da made the shelving and the display cases. I make my selections and quickly shower and change.
Some thirty minutes later, I’m standing in front of the mirror taking in my transformation from a frumpy depressed elven young woman to ready for a night out on the town. The black leather strapless bustier showcases the girls, the pendant I chose to wear is an amethyst crystal that lays heavy between my breasts. My matching black leather pants hug my hips and rear to perfection. Gingerly, I pull on a pair of stiletto boot shoes. I’ve chosen to leave my hair down to tumble down my back in curtains of dark chestnut brown wavy locks that reach my waist. Reaching for matching amethyst earrings, I quickly put them on before applying a bit of lip gloss to my full lips, along with a hint of mascara to highlight my brilliant blue eyes. Smiling at my reflection, I reach up to tuck my hair behind my pointy elven ear and then muss the mass of hair around my face, not wanting anyone to guess that I’m not from around here. It’s just easier that way. Pointy ears are a definite give away.
Turning to Cara, I ask, “Are you ready? Come on girl. Let’s get out of here. It’s time for me to get some answers to some very important questions.”
We trace to Uncle Tarron’s bar and whatever else he has going on here. He landed on Tarron’s Tavern, but it really is so much more. Walking up to the goblin at the front door, I ask, “Can you tell my uncle that, LJ is here?”
The goblin is wearing a handsome façade and he looks at me with an expression that says, “I’ve heard it all before.”
I smile and say, “My uncle is Tarron… You know … The Horde King. Tell him that,” and I sigh as I give my full name, “Lillie Joanna Faerondarl is here to see him.”
His eyes go wide, he bows and says, “Please, my lady, step inside. We’ll notify our king shortly. Begging your pardon, my lady.”
“No worries. I’ll wait inside. Just so you know, I prefer LJ,” and then mumble under my breath, “even if no one wants to adopt calling me that.”
The goblin is immediately on the phone, which is more like an earpiece and an implant in his forehand. Before I know it, I’m being ushered into a lift and it quickly traverses several floors before opening to reveal a room that is covered in wood surfaces. Deep, dark timbers that gleam from the high polish. Tarron is behind the bar at the far back of the large spacious room and looks up to see me as I exit the lift. His smile is contagious as he saunters his way toward me weaving through the high tops that litter the room. My smile falters as I’m distracted by a particularly enticing scent. Quickly, I scan the area and see a large handsome male staring back at me before turning and retreating down a dimly lit hall labeled restrooms. It’s early yet and there really are not that many people here, mostly males watching the latest sports sensation on a large 3D television.
Tarron reaches me and hauls me into a fatherly like embrace. He whispers, “Little flower, what are you doing here? Just when did you start dressing like that? By the gods, child, you should but on a jacket, or a scarf, or something to cover up. Are you trying to be noticed?”
I give him a saucy wink, and reply, “What? You don’t like my ensemble?” Spinning around with a cheeky grin, “And no, I’m not trying to be noticed, not particularly, but … I need your help and I thought it would be better if I attempted to fit in. You know, dress like a grown-up.”
Tarron laughs, a hearty laugh and says, “Well, LJ is it now? Your Da would have a coronary for sure if he saw you in that ensemble. You have managed to attract every eye in the room. Male and female alike. I’m honored that you would come to me for help. How can I assist you?”
I hesitate before asking, “Tell me about the dark fae, tell me about your dark tendencies.”
“Ahhh …, come with me little one, you and your companion. I will tell you all you need to know over some very well aged faerie wine.”
I laugh and say, “I would love to try some faerie wine, but not too much. I hear that it is very potent. Come on girl, let’s go make ourselves comfortable.” Again, I’m distracted by the same male scent that permeates my entire being and I look around. For the first time ever, I can feel my eyes shift to panther as we try to home in on our mate. The thought startles me and I pull my gaze back away from the room. I f
ind that I’m looking out over the twinkling lights of the city. Shaking my head, I try dispelling the thought and follow my uncle to the back of the bar, firmly dismissing my initial instincts. Cara whines by my side and I admonish her quietly as I track Tarron’s progress. I’m not sure what has gotten into her.
Tarron pulls me into a somewhat secluded alcove and leaves to get our wine and some glasses. For a moment, I’m left to my own devices and I faintly scent it again. My mate, my kindred. Turning in my seat, I glance around my surroundings and still, I can’t see him. Whoever he is. It really is for the best. That’s one distraction that I cannot afford right now.
Tarron arrives at that moment drawing my attention with a beautiful bottle of wine. The glass decanter has been hand-blown, the glass itself is streaked with multiple colors, the neck of the bottle is narrow and tall, and the base is short and round, about ten inches in diameter. The cork has been removed and he pours a generous portion in my empty wine glass. I admire the pale liquid that swirls in my glass and it all but glitters in its potency. Looking back over at Tarron, I say, “This will sit me on my ass, you know that, right?”
He laughs, “Yeah, I know, but … I think you may need it to help loosen your tongue.”
Sighing, I agree, I take a healthy swallow and allow the faerie majic of their wine to wash over me. Looking up at my uncle, I ask, “Tell me about the dark fae tendencies. I need to know. Everything.”
Tarron looks at me, assessing, “But you are a daughter of light.”
“I can’t explain it, but I need to grasp an understanding of both. Light and dark.”
“Why, LJ,” he asks, concern written upon his face.
“Because … I feel drawn to both places.” I finally admit.
“Interesting. Does your mother know?”
Hanging my head, I share, “She knows that I’m conflicted.” Taking another healthy swallow of the sparkling crisp white wine, I feel myself begin to relax.
“Well then, little flower, you should know that I’m always conflicted. Always drawn to the dark side of things, but your mother has had the power to anchor me. Somehow. Which has proven to be essential for me, and really for all of the Horde. Until I met your mother, I was in a very dark place. Things could have turned out very differently for me and the dark fae, if not for her.”
Sighing, I mutter, “How can I ever hope to fill her shoes, uncle Tarron?”
Tarron takes my hand and squeezes it gently, “LJ, you are not meant to fill your mother’s shoes. Why would you think that? The Realms already has one Ashlinn, why would we need another? You just need to find your own path. Your life is yours to lead how you see fit. You can either rise to greatness as Ashlinn did or you can choose to live your life in a rather mundane way. Somehow, though, I don’t see the latter fitting your personality. If you are intent on exploring not only the light but the dark as well, I would be happy to be your guide, although, I fear that I will want to protect you from some of the more immoral and unpleasantness that can come from giving in to some of our baser tendencies.”
Nodding, I say, “So maybe I’ll need another guide, someone who may not feel the need to shelter me. All I know is that I’m being driven to understand the difference between dark intent and dark nature if that makes any sense at all. It’s important.” Sighing, I take another sip of the flavorful drink and feel myself totally relaxing. My lips begin to tingle and are even feeling a bit numb. A little bit of this goes a long way, but by the goddess, it’s so tasty. Looking around the bar, I say, “I like what you’ve done with the place.” That’s when I feel my face flush, heat blossoming in my cheeks, and my head begins to spin. Damn. This shit is strong.
“Yeah, well, don’t tell your parents that you’ve been here. Your father will go ballistic. Alaric thinks I run a den of iniquities, and he’s never even been here.”
Sighing, I sit back and shake my head, “Da could do well to loosen up a bit if you ask me. That, and he’s too damn well overprotective. I’m an adult and have been for some time. When will he just let it go?” I notice that my speech patterns are a bit off.
“You’ll always be his sweet baby girl. Don’t be so hard on him, Lillie.”
Begrudgingly, I take him in. Tarron is an amazing male specimen, I can appreciate that, even if he is like an uncle to me. Then my head begins to swim a little more. In this light, it looks as though he’s sporting a halo, of all things. That can’t be right. His dirty blond hair is just a bit overly long and always looks windswept, yet perfectly styled. For as long as I’ve known him his skin has appeared to be sun-kissed, the stubble along his jawline just increases his sex appeal, but it’s those sea-green eyes that are so captivating. Sighing, I acknowledge his last statement, “I know you’re right, and I know that I’m not the only daughter in all the realms that has ever struggled to be seen as an adult by her parents, but it can be exhausting at times. I get it. I’ll find someone else to help me navigate the dark in the realms. It’s The Underworld I want to know more about. Maybe I’ll ask Pip. Pimpleton,” I snort, “I mean Pipperton. Pip the imp.” I snicker at my slip up and take one last sip of my wine and announce with a slur, “I need … to get back.” Standing, I can feel the faerie wine suddenly taking hold. Swaying on my feet, I swear, “Seriously, Uncle Tarron, faerie wine? You know I’m a lightweight. I hardly drink at all. I’m going to regret this in the morning. You are … a very bad influence. I should have listened to my Da. I gotta go.”
I stumble backward. At the same moment, the most amazing male scent envelopes me, just before strong, masculine arms wrap tightly around me from behind. I all but fall into this stranger’s embrace as darkness threatens to engulf me. Cara leaps into my arms. Latching onto her I trace without thinking. My only thought is I need to get home before I do something horribly juvenile, like passing out in The Horde King’s bar, after only one glass of faerie wine. The arms around me feel nice, and he smells yummy too.
From a distance through my trace trail, I hear my uncle cry out, “No, LJ.” But it’s too late and darkness swallows me whole.
4
Faerie Wine Connoisseur Extraordinaire
(Lillie Joanna)
Iwake to a pounding headache. The likes of which I have never experienced in all my twenty years. Dear God, in heaven, please let the tap-dancing behind my eyes stop. Groaning, I roll over to pull a pillow over my head to block out the ultra-bright light of the morning sun and it’s at that moment that I realize that I’m still fully clothed. How the heck did I get here? The last thing I remember clearly is standing to leave. Cara is lying beside me, and she eyes me curiously, her head tilting to the left and then the right. Her fluffy tail wagging, a mischievous smile on her face. Just then I smell the heavenly scent of bacon, and is that French toast with a hint of cinnamon?
Oh, for all the pixie dust in Faerie, please let this headache go away. I moan as I wallow in my overindulgence from the night before. Deciding I need to get comfortable, I slide out of bed, or more accurately I stumble to my feet to shimmy out of my black leather ensemble and pull on some black cropped leggings and a simple white cami. For a moment, I catch the glimpse of a heady, delicious scent that seems vaguely familiar, and then, like a fart in the wind, it’s gone. Deciding that it’s past time to brush my hairy teeth, I pad quietly into the bathroom and brush vigorously before washing all the makeup off my face. Not able to stall any longer, I decide it’s time to take the walk of shame down to see my brother and whoever else he may have dragged along to see me. Although, it’s several days too early for their visit. Looking in the mirror, I grimace. I look like death warmed over, my skin has taken on a pasty look that does nothing for my sparkling complexion, not to mention the dark circles under my eyes. Thank you Tarron, and your grand idea to feed me faerie wine. Never again. I pull my unruly dark wavy hair up into a messy bun and I’m done. This will have to do. For now. I’ll take a shower after I feed my god-awful hangover.
One freakin’ glass. Gah.
D
amn. My head is still pounding as I silently make my way down to the kitchen on bare feet. Pausing in the entryway to the kitchen, I swallow thickly when I see a stranger standing with his bare back to me flipping French toast on the stove. My blood runs cold and I trace back upstairs for a dagger, then back again before my sluggish brain comes back online and I summon the fire element to me. It springs to life in my upturned palm, flickering and dancing, waiting to do my bidding.
The stranger chuckles and calls over his sexy as sin back, “That’s a nifty trick you have there. Would you mind telling me how you do that? Not the summoning of fire, I’ve got that down, the other thing.”
“Who the hell are you? How did you get here?” I demand. All the while his delicious scent wafts around me and my inner panther purrs. Oh, hell no, I scold her silently, but she takes no heed as she wallows in her arousal. Our arousal.
Turning around to address me, I’m able to get my first good look at the stranger that has made himself at home in my kitchen. Be still my wildly beating heart. Come on LJ, get a grip. My eyes travel down the broad expanse of his mocha cream torso of their own volition. By all that’s naughty, I want to run my hands over all that beautiful breadth of golden-brown skin. His jeans sit low on his slim hips revealing his incredibly sculpted abs and I realize a little too late that I’m all but salivating over the intruder in my house, but to my credit, he is one fine male specimen. Finally, getting my act together, I chance a look up to his face and he has a wicked smirk on his deliciously full lips. My mouth goes dry as I imagine nibbling on his bottom lip and wonder what he would taste like. Swallowing hard, the tip of my tongue darts out to lick my upper lip as I pull my head out of the gutter. When my eyes finally make it up to his own, I’m utterly speechless. Those twinkling moss green eyes are such a stark contrast to his rich brown complexion and dark black hair, which is shaved close to the sides but left long on top, the dark curling mass swept back off his forehead.
