Kindred: Book 1 A Realms of the Otherworld Book (12 page)

“Well that went well.” I say with a cheeky grin then I look at Alaric and see that he’s become very quiet and is staring down at his hands and I reach out to take his hands in mine. “It’ll be okay, I know that this is hard for you but it’s for the best. If you don’t feel like you can train me then I’m sure that Tolin and Torin won’t mind to step up. I need to do this Alaric, I need to be able to fight my own battles and know that I’m not a liability to you. I would never forgive myself if something happened to you because of me and right now I’m your Achilles heel.” I say softly looking down at his strong hands and then I hear him say.

“You’re right, we begin when we get back and I’ll oversee your and Lexie’s training. Declan, I will speak to you privately before we begin.” Then looking back at me he lowers his forehead to mine and says, “We do this together or not at all, understood?”

I breathe him in and say, “Together.”

Chapter 15

(Ashlinn)

The day flies by in a blur and before I know it the burial services have been concluded. I find that Lexie and I are speaking to our family attorneys and being giving letters that have been entrusted to them for this very occasion. They run through each family will and not surprisingly everything that was in Mom’s name has been transferred to me in the event that Audrey was no longer living and since Lexie was still under the age of eighteen all her family belongings were put in trust to her. Both of us are being left very well off, not that it matters where we are heading. No mention of a guardianship was made due to the fact that within a matter of a few short months Lexie would turn eighteen. Millie and Hank, Jasmine, Alaric, and his men have all been very supportive but I sense that both Lexie and I need to be alone with our letters and our thoughts as we get back to house. Its early afternoon and we ask for some alone time as we cross the tiny bridge that spans the width of the brook. We are going in search of the waterfall on the property. Lexie takes my hand and we walk along quietly for a time. There’s a light breeze in the late August afternoon that causes the branches of the trees to stir as we follow the brook. It gradually becomes wider as we get closer to the small secluded waterfall on the property. The letters feel heavy in my hand as we make our way quietly, contemplating the day’s events. I can sense that Alaric is close by but choose not to call him out on it. I sigh heavily as I sit in the grass by the water and look over to the spot that Lexie has chosen to sit some distance away. Both of us needing to be alone with our thoughts even though we are together in our mourning, I begin to open the letters and then look up to her and ask, “Are you ready?” She sighs and says, “Do I have a choice?”

And in that moment I realize that neither of us have a choice. We need some closure before we can move on. I watch as she bows her head to read the lone letter she has in her hands and slowly begins to open it. I switch my focus to the letters in my hands and begin to open the first of my two letters. I chose to read Mom’s letter first and once I see her familiar script time stands still as I read:

My dearest daughter,

Ashlinn, you should know by now that I love you with all my heart and I hope that you have always felt that you were mine. Biology does not a relationship make. My love for you was never tied to the flesh it was your precious soul that called to me. You were my daughter from the moment I laid eyes on you and you will always be mine no matter what. Please forgive me but I read the letter that you birth mother left for you in your basket all those years ago and therefore I have always known that you were special and that you are meant for greatness. If you are reading this letter then I have passed before giving you the letter from your birth mother, I had hoped that I would be there for you when it came time for you to read it. I caution you on letting everything that you will learn overwhelm you. I raised you to be kind and thoughtful and to be true to yourself. Embrace that steadfast knowledge you carry in your heart in knowing the difference between right and wrong. If you can do that then everything should fall into place.

I love you my dearest Ashlinn and I am so very thankful that you appeared in my life when you did. You and Alexia will need each other in what is to come. Like you, she is not quite what she appears to be. Remember, all things happen for a reason and a purpose, I know that you are strong enough to handle whatever the fates throw your way.

With all my love,

Mom

Sobs rock thru me as I read the last of the letter knowing that the greatest gift that I was given as a child was to be raised by her. My world will never be the same again. I silently cry out to the cosmos not understanding why she has been taken from me. I am so caught up in my sorrow that it takes a few moments to realize that I am being cradled in his arms. I cry uncontrollable into his embrace. “She’s gone,” I sob, “I miss her so much.”

“I know, I’ve got you.” He says quietly just letting me cry. I’m not sure how much time has passed and when I finally look up I see that my tears have soaked the front of his shirt. I hear Lexie a little ways away and look over to see her in Declan’s arms. She, like me, is caught up in the loss of her family.

“She’s lost so much more than me and I have been so unsupportive. What’s wrong with me?” I ask. I take a deep breath and look up into Alaric’s mesmerizing eyes.

“Why do you say that? You lost your mother, your older sister, your brother-n-law, and your nephew. How is her loss any greater than yours?” He asks of me.

“Because, I was closest to Mom and Alexia but not so close to my sister and her husband, my nephew was just younger and I didn’t spend that much time with him. My ties have always been to Mom and Lexie. So yes, she has lost so much more than me.” I say quietly, knowing it to be true. “She’s is so much stronger than me, she always has been. She sees the world from a different perspective than I do and always has.” I think about that for a moment. “In Mom’s letter she said that Lexie was not what she appeared. We need Nemus. Maybe he has some thoughts on this. Mom said that we would need each other in what is to come. I think Lexie will play a key role, I’m just not sure why or how. I need to open the letter from Danu next. I thought I wanted to be alone but will you stay?” I implore of Alaric as I slowly open the next letter.

Daughter,

Shortly you will awaken to your true form to embrace your destiny. It was my hopes of hiding you away on Earth that would keep you out of the clutches of the Fomorians. By doing so allowed you time to reach your eighteenth year to the time of your awakening, at which point your Guardian, Prince Alaric, will arrive to keep you safe on the journey ahead as you travel back to your homeland of Faerie. Take care to avoid the Fomorians as they seek to end your very existence. Hopefully, the glamour placed on you will hold till well after your 18th birthday as long as the pendant is always on your person it will keep the awakening at bay until the enchantment is meant to unravel. Be sure to keep the pendant safe and with you at all times. Please know that I have done everything in my power to hide you and keep you safe, I love you and look forward to meeting the young women that you will become, I hope that in time you will be able to forge a bond with me. I will miss you terribly but will do what I must to keep you safe.

Your Mother Danu.

“Wow, so Mom knew this whole time and she kept me any way. Even knowing that I could be the reason that the Fomorians could appear on her doorstep, if my presence was ever detected, I wonder if she even knew what the Fomorians even are. I think I need to talk to Millie and Hank, what do you think?” I ask.

“Sounds like a plan.” He says pulling me close. I look around the area and take in the tranquil setting and listen to the sound of the water falling in the pool surrounded by trees with the afternoon light filtering in from above. Then my gaze falls on Lexie and Declan and I watch as they sit close to one another talking quietly. Each leaning in toward the other, shoulders brushing and heads bent together. I lean closer into Alaric. His presence soothes my aching soul. He is the balm I need to heal the fissures and cracks in my heart from losing my Mom and I allow myself these few moments to let this feeling of home wash over me. I take his large hand in mine and pull it up to my lips to kiss his knuckles and look up at him and say, “Thank you for knowing what I would need, you always seem to know exactly that.” Shifting my gaze I say, “I believe that you’re right, Declan seems to have the same effect on Lexie.” I say with a smile and then tease, “Boy, you two are in so much trouble with the two of us. Are you up to the challenge? I mean, this morning was nothing, just wait.” I say teasingly.

Giving me a lopsided smile, he replies by pulling me on to his lap and says, “It may be the two of you who are in trouble here. I think we can give as good as we get.” With that he lowers his mouth to mine and proceeds to give me a kiss that curls my toes. The spark that ignites between us is nothing short of explosive. I pull back breaking the contact and whisper, “Later, without an audience.” I inhale deeply and gather my wits about me.

“Lexie, Declan, we’re heading back. There’s lots to do and to discuss. You coming or do you need some more time?” I ask.

“We’ll head back with you. It’s time to start putting some of this behind us and start moving on to tackle what’s coming. It turns out that there are four realms that may need our help. Who knew?” She says cheekily,

“We also need to start in on our training and education of the other realms, so your right there’s lots to do.” She says as I watch Declan stiffen next to her.

“Declan? Thank you for being there for Alexia, I really appreciate the attention you have given her. I just want you to know that it’s not gone unnoticed. I appreciate how protective you are of her because she’s worth protecting.” I say watching his reaction.

He shifts closer to Lexie and places his hand on the small of her back, “Yes, she’s worth protecting. I would give my life in order to keep her safe.” He says as Lexie jerks her gaze toward him. And there you have it.

“Well let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. I kind of like your brooding presence.” I say with a smirk pulling Alaric with me. I turn so that we can make our way towards the house and say over my shoulder, “So who wants to wager that they can beat either me or Lexie in target practice? Alaric how good are you with a bow? Declan? I think today we can allow the men to go first, what do you think Lexie?”

“Absolutely, men first, it’ll be our treat.” She says jokingly even though both the guys appear to be on edge.

As the house comes into view through the trees I realize that I’m famished. “Who’s ready for a late lunch? I’m starved.” About that time my stomach grumbles loudly, laughing I say, “Let’s get something to eat and then we’ll have an afternoon at the practice range.” With that we head into the kitchen to see what we can find.

Chapter 16

(Alaric)

After a late lunch we make our way out to the practice range that’s located between Ashlinn and Alexia’s houses. All the while Jasmine is fluttering about murmuring to herself and anyone else that is listening that its time for the girls to kick some Neanderthal ass. Surprisingly we find a large weapon’s shed with a variety of bows and arrows ranging from recurve, to compound, to crossbows. All of which are more sophisticated than what we have in Faerie. The guys and I pick our bows of choice after the girls pick up their bows. It’s immediately obvious that they’re very familiar with their weapons of choice and that maybe this is even a hobby for them.

I make my way out to the first target. There are four targets that are set up on the range. Declan takes his stance next to me and then Tolin and Torin. “So what are the rules?” I ask with a smirk, directing my question to Ashlinn.

“Okay, big boy, each of you will have three chances to hit the bull’s eye, at your own pace. Once completed Lexie and I will have 3 tries to best you. Any questions?” She asks. It’s at that moment that I begin to feel like I have just stepped into a trap. I shift on my feet uneasily as I look at their smug faces. Okay then, game on.