by James Cox
“Oh!” She rose to her feet slowly and went to hug him then paused. Mrs. Lara grabbed his hands instead. “You’re a good boy. I always did like your parents despite … everything.”
Joen suddenly looked very uncomfortable. “You going straight home?”
“Yes, I am.” She wrapped the shirt around her face.
“Be safe and think about visiting the queen to ask for some help.” Joen patted her shoulder and then waited a moment before closing the door. He shuffled back to the rickety chair and wrapped a blanket around himself.
I found my way back to the low, thin bed. He was an odd one, Joen.
The chilled night air lingered in the small home even as the fire continued to crackle.
****
I woke just as the sun started to peak. Joen slumped in that chair as I snuck past him. With the cover of the lingering shadows, I made my way out of his home and through the streets of Fairaine. I kept low, hunched, because a half-naked six-foot man wouldn’t stand out when hunched over. Sarcasm was alive and kicking. Hopefully, I looked bashed by drink rather than trying to hide myself. The waves from the ocean filled the quiet sunrise as I made my way two blocks north to a familiar whorehouse. Their door was always open, but it was the back window I climbed through. I stole a black shirt, a terribly large hat, and boots from the occupant. It took a good twenty minutes before the door opened and the big man himself stepped in. “Bolvark.”
He jerked, pulling out a knife in the blink of an eye. When his gaze found mine his eyes widened and he instantly dropped the weapon. “Darrow?” he whispered. “You’re alive?”
“No.” I rolled my eyes and put on the left boot. The movement pulled at the bite on my side. “I need these clothes.”
He nodded, staying at the door with his beady eyes fixed on me. His bald head was misted with sweat as I straightened.
“I need fifty coins and any information you have on Aralynn.”
“Fifty?” He shoulders deflated. “I don’t think I got—”
I shot my arm out, my fingers squeezing around his neck. The tips of my fingernails shifting to points and pressing into his skin. “What did you say?”
He choked out something and nodded his head.
I let go, waiting as he pulled several coins from his pockets amounting to forty one. That’d have to do. “And the information?”
Bolvark grabbed his neck and rubbed at the skin. “Don’t know much. Heard there was an armed wagon heading west out of the city into Little Fairaine. Some say she’s still in the dungeons. There are Aos Si every fucking where and guards are checking everyone that comes over the bridge. You’re wanted,” he blurted.
“But you haven’t seen me.” I narrowed my eyes. “Right?”
He eagerly shook his head. “Not since the battle. I ain’t seen you at all or heard anything about where you might be.”
“Good.” I flicked him a five coin and then headed toward the window.
He caught the object and stuck it quickly in his pocket. “Hey, Darrow. I’m glad you ain’t dead.”
I snorted. “Come now, Bolvark, you know nothing short of a God can take me down.”
He grinned, revealing straight white teeth.
I stood out a little less now. The hat covered my face and I stole a bunch of flowers from outside a shop not yet open to look even less suspicious. It took mere minutes to sneak back into Joen’s house—he was still in the same spot, by the way. I left the gifts on the bed and eased out. The chill in the air started to fade, leaving behind the promise of a warm day. I fumbled to the window, my side aching more with all the movement. Finally, I slapped the wall and ducked down.
Joen jerked awake. He nearly fell on his face, tangled in the blanket and his lips moved like he was talking. When he pulled back the material it revealed an empty bed. His gaze immediately went to the bunch of flowers followed by the stack of coins. Wide-eyed, he stared around then picked the yellow and red bunch up. A smile lingered on his face.
The sight stirred some things. Both in my head and between my legs. But Joen was an afterthought. A thread best not pulled. My goal was now Aralynn.
Always Aralynn.
Chapter Three
I didn’t think they’d keep her in the castle, memory or not. The rumor was she was struck with a memory potion she intended to use on her daughter. Aralynn was more like me, beaten by the world until we learned to hit back.
The best way to avoid Aos Si, guards, and anything else looking for me was to think like them. They’d have the bridge covered with both guards and probably some I couldn’t see along the river shore. The castle no doubt had archers and the water around it filled with selkies. Those seal creatures were not as bad as mermen. Thankfully the bity fuckers only came out at night. So, I made my way to Merman Beach as the sun breached. Yes, the opposite direction. I was going to take a swim to the Durnin River and take that down to Little Fairaine. It was brilliant, which made me such a successful bad ass. They’d be looking for me in all the wrong places and I had no doubt they would be searching for me.
Merman Beach was starting to fill already. Humans of all shapes and sizes were stripping their clothes. I saw enough shriveled dicks and sagging tits for a lifetime. I kept my clothes on just so I wouldn’t show up in front of Aralynn naked. I had no idea if she’d remember me. How long did a potion last? How much would she forget? Feelings? Emotions? Guilt plagued me as I walked into the gentle waves. I should have been there for her. If I’d been by her side, we could have destroyed those bastards, Stefen and Alex. I almost beat him once before, I could easily do it now. She would have been on the throne and I’d have been by her side. The water lapped at my chest. The clothes became heavy, but not too unwieldly. The more the sun rose, the warmer the water became. I swam along the shore, keeping low in case anyone was looking. From there it was just an hour or so swim to the mouth of Durnin River. The mouth of it was riddled with rocks and water splashed into the small pond to be swept toward the ocean. I went against the current, inhaling when I could and sputtering water when I had to. The rocks got smaller and smaller as the current softened.
Howls and Hags Forest.
My species’ home.
It was just beyond the edge of the river. The trees thick with leaves and the subtle hint of blood on the wind. I hadn’t been there very long. In fact, I didn’t remember much of my shitty childhood. Well, that was a history best not remembered. I inhaled sharply, taking in that woodsy scent and then eased lower into the water. Being discovered by them would be as bad as being seen by the guards. There wasn’t much to do but stay low and try not to drown. Great advice, no? I ducked under the surface for as long as I could, avoiding tendrils of underwater plants. When I came up for air it was quick and quiet.
It took a few hours to get to the bridge. By then my side was screaming with every movement. I’d lost the leaves long ago and the bites stung viciously. My skin was wrinkled and pale. Gritting my teeth, I took another breath and dove under. This time I went to the river bed where light barely penetrated. Shadows and plants licked at me as I passed. I could hear the muffled sounds of wagons crossing the bridge and voices. When they started to fade and my lungs began burning with need, I kicked at the bottom and surged to the surface. My head broke first. I instantly stared around, searching for peering gazes. Once my mouth was free of that liquid I inhaled greedily. I tried to be as silent as possible and just as swift. The moment the wave of dizziness lifted I began swimming again. Just a little further and I’d come to the mouth of the river. Here, water rushed down from the mountains. The paths split and this was where things would get complicated.
Swimming against the current was difficult.
Using the current to travel without going too far and falling over Death Falls … much more dangerous.
If I wasn’t careful I’d be swept away and I had no idea if I’d survive that plunge. I felt the pull before I could see it. Instantly I was swirled around and forced west. With a gasp, I went under
and swam like a motherfucker to get to the shore. It took more grabbing plants for anchors than I would ever admit. When I did get my greedy hands on land, I sunk my claws in and took time to catch my breath.
“No falling asleep on watch.” A guard chided from across the bank.
Okay, time’s up. I crawled from the river about ten pounds heavier with the wet clothes and then slunk toward the edge of the town. There were a few sparse trees here, but they’d have to do. I climbed a leafy one, dripping like a beached merman with each step. There was a cozy branch high above with enough coverage to keep me hidden. There, I’d wait until the sun dipped down to cover my approach. I glanced at the small quiet town. Somewhere in there was my Aralynn.
****
Little Fairaine was literally a row of buildings squished between the mountains and the river. One after the other, homes and small shops with stone fences. Ivy climbed along the walls, flowers bloomed in every dark corner and everyone had a smile on their face. It made me want to punch them and then take a piss over their heads. I was still up in this fucking tree, freezing my balls off from the cold night and wet clothes. Well, damp now. They no longer stuck to my skin like a clinging lover. I pushed all that uncomfortableness aside.
Where would they hide Aralynn?
The town wasn’t that big. They’d probably changed her appearance, too, so none of the locals would recognize her. I sighed and fumbled down the tree trunk. Bark scraped against my cold fingers, scratching at my skin. The moment I was on my feet I stepped into the sun. Warmth.
The sounds of the market waking interrupted the moment.
I lowered my head. The hat was lost somewhere in the river. It seemed like small carts were set up next to the river. Wares and food and fresh bread were being displayed. I kept to the right of it all, hugging the high stone fences. One or two people glanced my way, but I kept my eyes downcast and hunched a bit to look shorter.
“Bread, fresh bread for sale!” someone yelled.
“Duca eggs here. Get your Duca eggs.”
“Get flowers for your flower.”
I snorted then froze. There walking along the stone path was a woman of Aralynn’s height with the same wavy blonde hair. The braid reached the top of her butt. I stared at the slope of her shoulders and the curve of her hips. Then she turned around.
Not her.
I took a deep breath and moved on, hoping my pause didn’t catch anyone’s attention. My stomach chose that moment to growl. I placed a hand on it and tried not to inhale the savory smells in the air. More of the town was waking and emerging from their homes. Soon it’d be too dangerous for me to remain. Eh, I didn’t think finding her would be fucking easy. Then a sound flittered through the morning chaos.
A laugh, light and soft.
It was a rare noise, heard only by a few. “Aralynn.” I whispered her name. My gaze searched the busy road frantically. There it was again, fluttering on the wind to tease me. I searched for blondes. The first one was too rotund, the second too tall, the third… They cut her hair. Aralynn’s gorgeous blonde locks were sheared to her shoulders. She wore a peasant dress of beige and knelt before a four-legged furry creature. She laughed again as it licked her hand.
“Fresh milk, dear?” the lady asked. “I milked this cute beast this morning, I did.”
I swear to Dullahan, Aralynn was the most beautiful being in Otherworld. Even five years older than my thirty she was stunning. Her skin was pale with the lightest dusting of freckles on her cheeks. Her eyes were blue but grey. I’d stared into them enough to know that. Colors like the ocean in a storm, that description also matched her personality. Or, it used to. What if the lack of memories changed her?
Aralynn straightened, handed over some coin and took a jar of creamy milk in her hands. She was in the middle of turning when her gaze caught mine. There was a flash of something in her expression. Recognition? Fear?
I didn’t realize I’d taken a step forward until a passing wagon nearly clipped me. When it rolled on we were both in the same spot staring at each other. I whispered her name.
Aralynn’s gaze moved to my lips and then she frowned like she was confused.
I’d help her remember everything. I’d help her become the strong force of nature she had been. I smiled, a rarity for me.
She blushed and glanced away.
“Don’t go,” I said quietly, unsure if she heard. I went to cross the road, but stopped. From the corner of my sight, two figures ran forward. Guards. She was under guard. I stepped back and leaned against the stone fence. I looked casual, but my muscles were as tight as a merman’s virgin asshole.
“Next time, wait for us,” one of them was saying.
For a single moment, she narrowed her eyes at him and ground her teeth. The old Aralynn’s defiance flashed to the surface. A second later, she meekly nodded and clutched the milk to her breast.
Where was her fire? She would have never let anyone speak to her like that before. My Aralynn would have lashed him with words and then a whip. This demure, shy thing was but a shadow of the woman I knew. I followed them. Two guards, Aralynn, and a carriage that was in decent shape. Honestly, I’m surprised Aneen would give her mother this much comfort. Aralynn hadn’t been the most nurturing parent. They gathered in the ride and set off at a human’s pace, an injured human. Why were they going so slow? Were they deliberately dumb or were they parading Aralynn around on purpose? Dullahan’s dick, was she bait for assassins? Perhaps Aneen and her new kings wanted Aralynn dead without the blood on their hands.
They stopped to get fish and a jar of ale. Aralynn remained in the carriage with her hands demurely in her lap. She stared at the people around her, just watching. A tall, bald man waved to her and she immediately lowered her head.
It was killing me to see her like this. She always met everyone’s gaze. She looked down upon the most wealthy and those who believed themselves powerful. She feared nothing and challenged everything. At least … she had.
They returned to the carriage and the loud crank ticked as they began forward. The trail led to the very last house in the row. The cruel irony of this was not lost on me. Aralynn resided in full view of Dullahan’s Isle. The same land she was swept to when a storm destroyed her honeymoon ship with the king. She never told me what happened there, but it resulted in her daughter Aneen’s existence. I had no doubt it was the stuff of nightmares and I knew a thing or two about those. And they put her as close as they could to that place. Cruel fuckers!
The house was two levels with red ivy climbing along the east wall. The stone gate was opened, revealing two more guards. Aralynn glanced at them and I swear to Dullahan there was a familiar spark of hate in her eyes. All too quickly she disappeared into the house. I sighed and fell back against the stone.
I found Aralynn.
I found my queen.
Chapter Four
The moons rose in the dark sky so bright that it dulled the stars. I couldn’t count the number of times Aralynn and I sat beneath such a sight to plan for the future. From the assassination attempt on Aneen to help reveal her powers to the battle plans for the war we lost. Each time I got to know a little more about the queen with a mysterious history and a dark mind that rivaled my own. Dullahan’s dick, I missed that grin when she got a devious idea in her head.
My stomach gave another hearty growl and I shuffled further from the ledge. I broke into the home next door once the sun went down. It was surprisingly unoccupied, which made me think this was planned. Any good assassin would find cover as they scoped the place out. The idiots would just barge right in. I’d been watching the house all day. Aralynn had reappeared to pick some herbs from the garden. She frowned the entire time. I’d never ever seen her cook.
Once the sun set, I could see into the windows and made my way to the top of the house. The thatched roof was thin and creaked under my hearty weight. I found a good spot near the fireplace flue and settled down in the shadows.
Movement upstairs.
> I eased forward, catching sight of Aralynn as she entered a small room on the second floor. It was a bathing room. The drapes of the window so meager I could almost see through them.
Her silhouette bent a moment and light flared to life. Aralynn stood and began removing her dress.
I couldn’t see anything but her outline. It was maddening. I leaned forward, urged by my thickening cock and the heavy beats of my heart. Since I first met her I wondered about what lay beneath her extravagant gowns. She always wore them from chin and to ankles. Every peek of skin was a treat. Now, I crouched down and peered at her like some wicked schoolboy.
The dress fell down her body and she gathered her hair in her hands. She brushed her fingers through the locks, almost wistfully. Over and over again.
I locked my lips, eyes wide as she shifted from the window. Damn it. I moved to my belly and crawled to the edge of the house. There. She was sitting in a tub rubbing at her body. I could make out her form, but not the beauty of her curves. With a frustrated growl I slunk back to the shadows. If she knew I was looking she’d probably have my balls hacked off. There was no greater offense than pissing off queen Aralynn. I remained where I was, hungry and horny. Never, ever a good combination for a werewolf.
There was a soft thud.
I perked up. That sounded like a body falling to the ground. I glanced at the darkened front of the house. The gates were still closed. The guard that had been there a moment ago was gone. I listened closely, picking up the sounds of footsteps, grunting, another thud. This time the shadow by the back door shifted and fell.
Assassins.
And they were already in the house. I grabbed a loose stone from the flue and threw it at Aralynn’s window to warn her then ran toward the edge of the building and leapt. My back met the stone wall and I used that to roll forward and land on all fours. The body near the door was one of the guards, throat slit. I surged forward, hoping Aralynn was inspecting the noise and not completely vulnerable in the bathing tub. Would she remember the fighting moves I taught her? She had insisted in learning and each moment spent close to her tested my willpower. I ran through the open door, sniffing the air to detect five humans in the house and the sweet scent of Aralynn. Why would they only have a few guards if she was the bait?
