Alaric secures a sealed container of water to his hip as he says, “Time to head out.”
I’m nervous and it probably shows as I grab a canteen filled with water and attach it to my belt loop as I ask, “Do the Fomorians know of this portal?”
“I’m not sure, so we need to get a move on.” Alaric says as we step back out into the early morning cover of night. They secure the cabin and lock up and we begin our trek up the mountain through the woods. About forty minutes into our hike we hear a distant engine of a vehicle and we pick up our pace. We’re all panting by the time we make it to our destination. The sun is on the horizon and I can see the night sky is slowing succumbing to the morning rays of dawn. In this moment as I look out over the tree covered mountains as the mist clings to the trees, in the early morning dawn, I take in the beautiful scenery and hope that this is not the last time I see this realm, my home. Time creeps by as we wait for the sun to rise and in the distance I can hear our foes coming for us as they make their way thru the forest not even trying to quiet their approach. I pull Alaric close and say, “Lexie and I can use our crossbows to cover us as you open the portal. Hopefully we can delay their approach.” He nods with a grim look on his face.
“Nemus, I need you to open the portal. I stand at my kindred’s side.” Alaric says as he tosses the small bottle of water to Nemus and takes his stance next to me. The sun continues to creep up on the horizon as Declan takes his stance next to Lexie. Tolin and Torin take up their stance on either side all with weapons drawn and ready. I see Jasmine hovering over Nemus’ shoulder as the first rays of the morning sun light rise and hit the entry way. Nemus opens the container and tosses some of the water into the portal and the opening begins to shimmer, then fully opens.
Alaric bellows, “Everyone in!”
Nemus and Jasmine are first to enter then Tolin and Torin, then Declan and Lexie. I look at Alaric and smile, “I’m going home.”
About that time the Fomorians break thru the trees about fifty yards down the slope and without thinking I take aim with my crossbow as we back our way to the portal. I’m getting my first look at my enemy and I’m shocked to realize they are not at all what I expected, the two men staring back at me are quite handsome, yet determined. I have to shake myself from my thoughts, knowing that our time is short. We continue to back up and I begin to fire off shots meant to slow them down long enough for us to get into the portal. Just as we are about to step through and escape from this world to another an archer breaks through the tree line and takes aim. The next thing I know my left shoulder is impaled making me stagger backward. Alaric roars and quickly releases two throwing knives in their direction taking the archer down while pulling me to him and through the portal just as it begins to close.
For a moment I can’t breathe, I feel like I am being sucked through a vacuum and I start to panic but as quickly as the panic takes root it fades as we emerge on the other side and the glimmering of the dolmen fades as the majic dissipates. The pain in my shoulder takes hold and it feels like it is on fire but I look up at Alaric and smile, “See that wasn’t so bad.” I say. Inwardly I cringe and think this is not going to end well as my vision begins to fade. The last thing I see is his handsome face twisting in concern as cradles me in his comforting embrace and then its lights out.
“Whoa… Stop. Just stop!” I beg as I wake to an excruciating pain in my shoulder. In a panic I look for Alaric and he isn’t there. “Where is my kindred, where is Alaric?!” I shout.
“We thought it best to remove him. He was very… agitated to see your injury.” A female voice says from behind me. “He’s just outside. His guard is having him restrained until we can remove the arrow from your shoulder. Then he will be allowed back in to push the healing majic into your wound.” Her voice was gentle and soothing.
What was that about? I must be in shock because I don’t understand her words. “Well you thought wrong. I want and need him here beside me. Please?” I beg to anyone that will listen. Within moments Alaric is escorted in and I breathe a sigh of relief as the pain in my shoulder continues to shoot through my entire being. Now I’m ready to face my injury as I look at him and give him a wobbly smile. “I’m ready for this now. You aren’t going to freak out, are you?” I ask reaching for his hand with my good arm.
“I did. I won’t lie, seeing you injured…” He’s at a loss for words as I watch him swallow hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “I’m here now and will not leave your side.” Alaric gently takes my right hand in his and cups my check as I focus my gaze upon him. I draw strength from him as I give a quick nod indicating that I’m ready. Someone behind me restrains me and then the arrow is wrenched from my shoulder and I cry out in excruciating pain. Everything happens so fast and just when I think that I’m going to pass out again Alaric moves to my left side and with a grim and determined look on his face he lays his hands on my shoulder. An amazingly warm feeling begins to culminate in the center of my wound and it begins to gently pulse out to the outer edges of my torn and mangled flesh. I gasp as this amazing feeling begins to thrum through my being and I know that it’s Alaric. He’s healing me. Wow, I had no idea he could do that and once again I give into slumber.
I struggle to open my eyes. They feel heavy and for a moment I panic thinking I may be back in limbo but I quickly realize that’s not the case as I begin to become aware of my surroundings. Eyes still closed I inhale and allow my other senses to work for me. I hear voices in the distance. Sounds of men laughing, swords clashing, and the sounds of horses, there are sounds of insects that remind me of cicadas and rushing water like a waterfall. There must be trees very close because I can hear the breeze rustle their leaves and branches just as I can feel that breeze gently wash over me. It smells of sunshine, water, and woods, all earthy with a hint of lavender and sage. I’m lying on a comfortable bed wrapped in Alaric’s arms as I hear his soft steady breaths and take in the scent of him that is uniquely Alaric. I remember the events of the night before leading up to my taking that arrow in the shoulder and abruptly open my eyes to take in my surroundings as I simultaneously snuggle closer to Alaric. I take stock of my shoulder and realize that it is completely healed with no residual pain. Now that I’m fully awake I realize that the pull of the bond between my kindred and I has, if anything, intensified to the point that I would love nothing better than to crawl into him and take up residency there. I’m so absorbed in my thoughts and need to be closer to him that I don’t realize that he’s awake. I turn my face up to those intense blue eyes as he takes me in; we’re both caught in the moment, an intensity that I’ve never experienced. I can’t breathe as I become lost in his gaze and feel like I’m falling into him and him into me. My heart stutters for a moment and then suddenly starts beating a wild rhythm so fast I feel it about to leap from my chest as my breath hitches. Then we both still as I feel that our hearts have begun beating in sync with one another. It’s as if we have become one and I’m astonished by how my feelings have intensified and realize that I’m feeling Alaric’s emotions as he’s feeling mine and it’s beautiful and overwhelming. We can’t pull our gaze from the other as this spiritual binding continues to cement into place. We pull each other closer physically as we stare into the others eyes as calm settles over us both. We are now on our knees facing one another other as this binding continues to work it’s majic on us. It’s amazing and I know that at this moment we are being blessed by a true binding of heart and soul. It’s spiritual and beautiful. I feel the need to lift my left hand and allow myself to follow through. I do so without questioning as Alaric lifts his right hand and we hold them together palm to palm. We break our gaze to look at our hands as energy surrounds them binding them together. In awe, I watch as an intricate interlocking Celtic knot begins to form around my ring finger like a tattoo encircling it and then a similar design etches itself around my wrist. The design is not quite complete but is delicate and appealing none the less. Slowly we look at Alaric’s hand and wrist and his de
sign is more boldly outlined and identical to mine. We both let out a breath we didn’t realize we were holding at the same moment.
“What was that?” I whisper as I notice the pull to Alaric is still there but the constant need to be as close to him as possible has been tempered by this binding and I exhale resting my cheek on his chest and just listen to his heart as it beats in time to mine, I smile as I realize this, as he wraps me in his strong arms.
“That shouldn’t have happened until the binding ceremony. Danu’s going to be pissed. Typically the binding ceremony binds kindred in spirit and to complete the binding we have to complete the mating after the ceremony. Usually this only happens with the blessing of Clíodhna, the goddess of love, during the ceremony. He looks at our hands, still pressed palms together and we interlace our fingers holding hands and look at the markings. “These are mate markings letting everyone know that we are bound but they will not be complete until we have consummated the binding.”
“Ooooh. So everyone will know that we are now partially bound? What will people think? Wait, you know what? I really don’t care what people think, including Danu. I don’t know about you but I’m more at ease than I have been in a while. I feel connected to you in a way that assures me of your and my wellbeing. I don’t feel as if I’m constantly trying to crawl out of my skin to be closer to you. You know what I mean? I can’t explain it but it feels different, like the urgency is gone, replaced by the knowing that the bond will be complete soon.”
He grins at me. His dimples popping out on that handsome face of his and says, “Yes the bond will be completed soon. Sooner than you probably realize, you’ve been sleeping for two days. In that time I have been busy making arrangements. I hope you don’t mind. Our binding ceremony is set to be at sunset two weeks from now in the meadow of the Tree of Life, just like you requested.” I throw my arms around him and give him a huge smacking kiss on the cheek. “After you took that arrow I realized that I didn’t want to wait any longer than necessary to complete the mating bond.”
“I love you. Have I told you how amazing you are? Wait I’ve been sleeping for two days? Why didn’t you wake me? I’ve not even seen any of Faerie yet. I need to thank those that helped me once we came thru the dolmen. Are they here? Where is here?” I ramble on.
“First of all, yes, I am amazing.” He says with cocky smile. “Secondly, you were exhausted even before the injury to your shoulder so Nemus but an enchantment on you to allow you to sleep until you were well rested. You didn’t even stir as we rode Tempest to our final destination. The enchantment was meant to allow you to wake only once you had received the rest you needed. Third, you can see anything you want now that you’re awake. I’ll personally give you the official tour. Fourth, you can thank the Aos Sí after the ceremony. Last but not least you are at Glenndale Loch Keep. Welcome to my humble home. This is your home now.” He says as he gestures to the room and more.
I take a look around me to see that I’m in a huge room situated on a massive bed with a dark wood headboard and footboard the bed is covered in a heavy silky soft midnight blue bedspread covering. There is a couch and two sitting chairs centered and arranged around an enormous fireplace to the left of me in warm beige with navy, teal, and turquoise accent pillows. To the right there’s a large open window and the breeze coming through the opening has the sheer drapes billowing out towards the bed that we’re on. Alaric slides off of the bed and comes around to my side helping me down as the bed sits rather high off of the beautiful mahogany floors all four walls are smooth stone and I notice that there are columns of the same dark wood in all four corners of the room that lead up to the ceiling. As the columns meet the ceiling I see that the ceiling rises slightly in a point like a pyramid and the column wood accents continue to the point in the ceiling to meet. As I move towards the foot of the bed facing the front of the room I see that there are terrace doors further down the wall from the window that are open to the bright morning sunlight. A beautiful round table stands in the middle of that end of the room with a large bouquet of lavender, sage, and golden rod. I wander towards the flowers knowing that they are what I had smelled when I first woke. I spin around and smile, the room is huge and beautiful. I see that there are not one but two very large wardrobes on the only remaining wall in the room. Alaric walks over to a door in the corner of the room closest to the terrace and shows me into a massive adjoining bathroom with double sinks, granite counter tops, flagstone tiled walk in shower, a huge sunken tub, and closet toilet.
“So what do you think? I had the entire suite remodeled to prepare for your coming to Faerie. Is it to your liking?” His uncertainty is evident in our connection and I love how his face at this moment looks so boyish and uncertain.
I grasp his hands in mine and say, “It’s perfect. Thank you, I love it.”
“Why don’t you get cleaned up and I’ll have breakfast brought up to the terrace or we can join the others downstairs, whichever you prefer.”
“I won’t be but about fifteen to twenty minutes how about we go downstairs and meet up with everyone else. Then you can give me the grand tour.” I turn and realize that I’m in unfamiliar night clothes, “Oh my, how did I get in this? Wait. Don’t answer that. What am I going to wear?” I ask.
“This wardrobe is yours. I took the liberty of filling it with clothing from this realm with some minor alterations so that you would hopefully feel more comfortable. Most women here wear long gowns, dresses, skirts, or riding gear. I’ve hired a seamstress that has been to the Mortal Realm and she has fashioned some clothes for you. For today, you can wear the riding gear as I’ll be taking you out on Tempest so you can get the lay of the land that surrounds the keep. I’ll be just through this door in the outer chamber waiting for you álainn.”
“I’ll be quick, mo grá.” I call back to him, trying out the term of endearment.
Chapter 21
(Ashlinn)
I shower and quickly dress in form fitting riding pants that are a smooth black, donning black and tan riding boots and a billowing crisp white linen blouse. I decided to braid my hair. There is so much of it now that I don’t want it in the way today. I braid a massive braid down my back. The first thing I look for but don’t find is my crossbow and gun. As I exit the bedroom suite to the outer chambers I see Alaric at a desk reviewing some paperwork. “Have you seen my crossbow?” I ask.
“Yes it’s in the weapons room just to your right.” He says not looking up. “You won’t need it where we’re going but you are welcome to take it.”
“Are you sure? I hesitated before, that was my mistake. I won’t make the same mistake again.” I say resolutely. “Lexie and I really need to begin training.”
“I know. You’re both so strong but kind, determined but gracious; you will never take a life unless there is no other alternative. But you should know that I will not hesitate to take a life that threatens you.” He says as he stands to escort me out of the room.
I nod and then we’re walking through the hallways of this massive structure. Our rooms have wooden flooring but the halls have smooth flagstone flooring and stone walls. Our footsteps echo as we make our way thru the keep. It’s homey despite the apparent coldness of the stone walls and floors and I think to myself that my Mom would’ve liked it here. We make our way down to get breakfast and I hear some familiar voices before we even enter the room. TNT are entertaining everyone as they bicker back and forth over who is the bigger lady’s man. Lexie and Jasmine are laughing at their antics while Declan and Nemus are deep in conversation. I smile as I take in my new family. No matter where I am I’ll always be home if they are with me. Alaric takes my hand as we walk in the dining room together.
“It’s about time. We were beginning to think you were officially sleeping beauty.” Lexie says as she stands to gives me a quick hug. “How are you feeling?”
“Refreshed, I didn’t realize how tired I was before. Good morning guys.” I say to everyone in the room and spy a buffet
of food. My stomach growls loudly enough for everyone in the room to hear. All heads turn to look at me with wide eyes before we all start laughing. I take a few minutes to feel my plate with an assortment of fruit, a blueberry muffin, some scrambled eggs, bacon, and sausage. I stick to what I know and I grab a large glass of juice and go to sit joining everyone at the table.
We quickly eat and take our leave of the others as Alaric walks me out to the stables to meet Tempest. I take one look at this massive creature and fall in love with him instantly. He’s black and white and huge. Alaric explains to me that they have been together since Tempest was a colt and he has sired several strong resilient males since. He is breath taking and intimidating. Alaric saddles him and prepares this massive creature for our day as I look on warily. I have ridden before but never a horse as large as this. Tempest is by far the largest horse I have ever seen. He rivals the Clydesdales that I’m more familiar with in the Mortal Realm. Although he appears to be fierce I soon realize that he is as gentle as a lamb where I’m concerned. Tempest nuzzles my hand looking for affection and I find that I’m soon cradling his massive head in my embrace. Those crystal blue eyes of his can see into my soul and I cannot resist his charming character.
Kindred: Book 1 A Realms of the Otherworld Book Page 12
