Kindred: Book 1 A Realms of the Otherworld Book (14 page)

“Jasmine may be able to explain that a little better than me.” I say looking pointedly at Jas.

She has been listening as she flutters about the water in the pool next to us making tiny little water funnels but comes to sit on a large rock beside us as she says, “What Ashlinn is having trouble explaining is that in Faerie there is a connection that can be found in another when you’ve met your kindred. Here in the Mortal Realm you would call this a soul mate but in Faerie the connection is called a bond or mating bond. Once a person meets their kindred soul, that’s it, there will be no one else for either person. The longer you are in the presence of your kindred the stronger the bond will become and the pull becomes irresistible. Until which point the bond will demand to be completed and a unity between the two takes place to cement the bond, making the two kindred souls one. It is a sacred unity and not everyone will find their kindred soul mate. Those that do are thought to be blessed by Clíodhna the goddess of love and even Danu herself. I have lived for two hundred years and have yet to find my kindred.” She smiles sadly and says with a tone of longing, “The two of you have been blessed to find your kindred soul at the tender age of eighteen.”

I jump in where Jas leaves off, “I believe that Declan and you are kindred souls Lexie. That’s why he’s acting like an overbearing ass. He can’t help wanting to keep you protected. I’m not saying that how he’s acting is right, I’m just saying that there’s a reason for his caveman like behavior.” I say with a smirk.

“So… you’re saying that you think Declan and I are soul mates?” she asks.

“Yep, that’s exactly what I’m saying. I see how you and he are together. It reminds me of Alaric and me. He’s my kindred as well as my guardian. When I need comfort I turn to him but I know it took a lot for him to say that he would begin training me because it goes against his nature in wanting to protect me. He’s beginning to see the bigger picture but I don’t think that Declan is there yet. So you may want to go easy on the poor guy. He came on a mission to help his prince and do his duty. In the interim he found you and you have really thrown the poor guy for loop.” I say watching as the last rays of the sun light up the sky in a brilliant fiery orangey red.

“Wow, I don’t know what to say. So his being a complete jackass back at the shooting range is a byproduct of my being his kindred?” She asks with a smirk.

Jasmine and I laugh and say, “Yes.”

“Oh, he is in so much trouble right now. He could have told me! Why would he keep this from me? Unless he doesn’t want me because I’m only human?” She asks as concern etches across her face.

“Oh, he wants you.” Jasmine says, “He’s just not sure how to proceed. Girl you have that poor guy tied up in knots. He doesn’t know what to do with himself.” She says with a smirk.

“We need to head back, its getting dark.” I say.

Jas is up and flittering about. Her wings take on an orangey sparkle from the sunset. “You were right Ash, I feel at home here. I think I will find a place to nest for the night. See you in the morning?” She asks.

“Take care Jas, see you for breakfast. Sure you don’t want to come back with us?” I ask.

“No, I need to commune with the water I’ll be fine here for the night.” She says as she flitters away across the water.

Alexia and I make it back to the house. Our trek is a quiet one. I can tell that I have given her a lot to think about. As we come up on the tiny bridge I see that the fire pit is lit as are all the tiki torches and there’s a picnic spread out on the ground down by the brook. Declan is sitting in one of the Adirondack chairs and I know that he’s waiting for Lexie. I turn to her and say, “That’s my que to give you two some space. Go easy on him Lex.” I say with a smirk and continue on to the house. There’s a warm glow coming from inside as I walk inside to see Alaric waiting for me.

Chapter 18

(Ashlinn)

Our gathering spot has become the kitchen in the back of the house with the open floor plan overlooking the sitting room. The TV is mounted over the fireplace and once again TNT are scrolling thru the sports channels. Millie is puttering about the over large kitchen and from the aroma that hits me upon entering the house she has a roast in the oven. I know that it will be accompanied by honey glaze carrots, mashed potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, brown gravy, and if I’m lucky garlic roasted asparagus. Yum! I love Millie’s roast beast. “Millie, dinner smells heavenly. What can I do to help?” I ask as I walk over to Alaric.

The pull is magnetic and being in the same room with him it’s impossible to keep my distance. As I sidle up next to him at the granite covered island he looks down at me and reaches up to tuck a wisp of hair behind my pointed ear. As he does so his finger gently runs across the point of my ear sending a shiver down my spine. I blink, my eyes going wide as I stare up at him and whisper, “Oh my stars.” His handsome face cracks into a mischievous grin, it’s then that I know he did that on purpose and I swat his bicep and murmur, “You did that on purpose! What is up with my ears? They’re so sensitive.”

“I’ll tell you later, álainn.” He says breaking in to his native tongue as he whispers into my ear sending yet another set of tremors thru my body.

I have completely forgotten where I am until I hear, “Umhmm.” I look around to see Millie smiling at the both of us and shaking her head. Thanks to my kindred I’ve just been caught being naughty in the kitchen and swat him again for good measure.

“I believe that you were asking how you could help. If you two could set the table we should be ready in the next fifteen minutes. Alexia and Declan will not be joining us as I packed them a very nice picnic basket. About time he decided to man up and talk to her about what’s going on between them. I thought she was going to take his head off this morning.” Millie says with a huff.

I snort, “You should have seen her at the shooting range? She nearly shot him between the eyes. You guys should have been there. She was all sass and anger. I think she’s been holding out on us, hiding her fiery redheaded disposition.” I then recount to Millie and Hank what happened earlier today as Alaric helps me go about setting the table. I look around and notice that Nemus is unaccounted for, “Hey, where’s our resident sorcerer? He will be joining us tonight, right? I have some questions for him.”

“I’m here Princess.” Nemus says, always so serious, as he enters the room.

“Nemus, you know I don’t like being called princess. Ashlinn will do just fine.” I huff.

While the roast is resting we all go about companionably moving all the dishes to the table. Before long Hank goes about carving the roast, I look over to see Tolin and Torin sneaking rolls and swat them both with the towel in my hands. “Save some for the rest of us.” I scold.

“Millie, I know our schedule the last two days has been crazy but I promise tomorrow we’ll be back on track. No more late dinners, it’s almost nine, so no cleanup for you. We’ll all chip in and cleanup after we eat. Thank you for fixing this amazing meal! You know it’s one of my favorites. I’m famished and I’m ready to dig in before twiddle dee and twiddle dumb over here eat it all.” We all settle in for a hearty and delicious meal and as I look around I realize just how blessed I am. Everyone is talking amongst themselves, laughing and joking around, but most of all it just feels right. Dinner is over before I know it and we set about cleaning off the table while Tolin and Torin continue to eat and I catch myself staring at them trying to figure out how two guys can eat so much.

Torin looks up and catches me staring. Through a mouthful of roast he asks, “What? Is there food on my face?” He looks so serious with eyes wide waiting for me to answer.

I can’t help but laugh, “No. There’s no food on you face. I just can’t fathom where you put it all. One plate and I’m done but you two may actually be on your fourth helping.” I say in an astonished tone.

“I don’t keep track.” He says and Tolin chimes in with grunt. “You should see Fergus put away the food. I know that he can best us on any giving day.”

“Who’s Fergus?” I ask as the rest of us continue to clear the table and clean up.

“He’s one of us. Alaric left three of us behind. Fergus, Lorcan, and Ēolieus were to gather entail to keep us in the know for when we get back. Ferg is the biggest of all of us and is known for his brute strength. He’s kind of a huge guy and on the eating front puts the two of us to shame. Just be glad that he’s not here. He would’ve eaten the whole roast on his own.”

As everything is put away and the dishwasher is started we sit back at the table. TNT excuse themselves to go check the “perimeter” and we dim the lights like last night. I have so many questions I’m not sure where to begin but the one thing that has been eating away at me all day are the words in my Mom’s letter. “Nemus, I noticed you watching Alexia today after Declan and Alaric left. Do you mind sharing your thoughts?” I ask. “In Mom’s letter to me she said that Lexie is not what she appears to be. Do you have any idea what that cryptic message might mean?”

Nemus considers my words and steeples his hands in front of him. In a calm but serious voice he says, “I suspect she may be from druid descent. I have suspected it since meeting her. It can be determined with a simple incantation. I will be able to determine if my suspicions are true and if that is the case then we should be able to unlock her majic. It will be difficult at first because the bloodline is weak and she has lived her entire life in the Mortal Realm but I think with some training she will be able to weld her majic. She will have to become my apprentice in the arts, if that is what she desires. The two of you will have to train under me in developing your elemental majic. As a druid she should have an affinity to one or possibly more elements and will be trained to master that element. You on the other hand, will be trained in all elemental majic welding.”

As surprising as his announcement is I can tell he is still holding something back. “Wow. I hadn’t considered that.” Alaric’s hand is on my thigh and is proving to be a distraction. “Before we continue, I think Alexia needs to be here. She needs to hear this as much as I do. For tonight, I think that she and Declan will need some time to work through everything so how about we start fresh tomorrow? We also need to be aware that Declan will lose his shit when this bomb is dropped on him. We’ll have the whole day ahead of us and we will tackle it one thing at a time.” Suddenly, I’m drained and realize just how long the day has been and how emotionally exhausting it has been. I lean into Alaric and he takes control.

“The girls begin training tomorrow after a good night’s sleep we’ll reconvene here tomorrow at eight am. Ashlinn is tired and needs some rest. Everyone have a good night and we’ll see you all in the morning.” And with that he whisks me away to my room, correction our room. As we step in I lean against him and sigh, I’m so exhausted. Last night I got little to no sleep thanks to Danu and I’m still really drained from my awakening. The longer that I’m in my kindred’s arms the more awake I feel and then I realize something.

“Have you been giving me energy all day?” I ask.

Alaric looks at me not sure what to say, then decides that truth is his best option and says hesitantly, “Yes, maybe I have.” Looking at me quizzically, waiting for my reaction.

“I should be pissed at you right now but I’m not. Thank you. I had no idea you were pushing energy my way until just now. Will I be able to do the same for you? And what is up with the ears, seriously?” I ask.

He chuckles and says, “They are an erogenous zone for us. I was unable to resist. They’re adorable. But I think that they may be hypersensitive, not at all what I was expecting.”

“I thought that I was going to pool on the floor right there in the kitchen in front of everyone. Why would they be hypersensitive? I noticed yesterday how touchy they were.” I say as Alaric gently reaches out to stroke my ear. My response is immediate and my knees buckle. He pulls me in to his massive torso and cradles me in his arms. The bond kicks in and the pulse thrums between us, the pull to him intensifies and I find that I’m wrapped around him in seconds. Our lips crash together and I feel as though I’m on fire. Oh. My. God. His touch is electrifying. My body begins to hum as he continues to caress me and the flame of desire is stoked. My hands are tangled in his hair and I am wrapped around him like a twizzler stick. Our tongues continue their mating dance and Alaric hauls me up into his embrace so that I can wrap my legs around him. I am quickly losing control of my need as Alaric pulls out of out of our kiss. I find that I am whimpering, “No. Please.” I beg.

“Ash, we need to stop.” He says breathlessly, the voice of reason. “Come on. You know I’m right. We should wait until we get to Faerie. As soon as we get back to Glenndale Lock I’ll arrange for our binding ceremony, if you’re ready for that?” He carries me over to the big overstuffed chair in the corner of the room by the window and he sits down with me still in his arms settling me on his lap. “So, what do you think?”

“I think that we should leave for Faerie in the morning?” I say with a cheeky grin. “But seriously, how soon are you talking? I’m not sure how much longer I can handle this pull. The longer we are together the stronger it becomes. I know we agreed to take things slowly. But is this normal? Do all kindred feel the pull so strongly? Right now I just want to throw caution to the wind and complete the bond.” I reach up to caress his jaw and then with a wicked smirk I bite my lower lip as I focus on his ear and gently run my finger over the point of his ear. His eyes close and a shutter runs thru him as I straddle his lap and run my hands over his pecs and up to cradle his face in my hands. He looks at me with shuttered blue eyes and the moment becomes very intimate as his hands have settled on my hips tugging me forward. We lean into one another our foreheads resting against the others before our lips meet in a gentle kiss, a promise of what is to come, our future together. “Promise that we’ll always be together. Now that we’ve found one another I can’t imagine being without you.”