Kindred: Book 1 A Realms of the Otherworld Book (20 page)

Alaric garners my attention and asks, “I have to agree with you, your tactic down there with those men was definitely not a tactic that we would have used but you did manage to sway Garrik. Up till that point we had gotten absolutely nowhere with either man. What are your intentions tomorrow?” All the men gather around. Tolin grins widely and winks at me while waiting to hear my response.

“It’s simple, it all depends on them. The belligerent one will end up remaining in the dungeon until we decide on our course of action with him. Garrik will be more complicated. If he has no ties he may defect from The Morrígan’s camp. If that happens we will need to think about how to move forward with him. Then again he may have ties that will not allow him to defect. We’ll have to see how it plays out. I suggest that we separate the two in the morning and speak to each of them separately. Garrik may be more open with us if that’s the case.” I say to the men.

Fergus speaks up in a rather deep gruff voice that totally matches his appearance and I can’t help but smile, “How can you be so sure?” He really is a monster of a man.

“I can’t, but my Mom always told me to trust my instincts and right now they’re telling me that he is unsure of his queen’s intentions. He was open to hear what I had to say and he opened up when his comrade in arms was obviously pissed to hear him speak up. In fact you may want to have them put in separate cells if you haven’t already.” I say looking around.

Alaric nods his head and Torin walks back to the dungeon guards to give the order. It’s then that I realize how late it has become and the sun has started its downward trek to greet the horizon. “Alaric, when were you expecting your uncle? Shouldn’t he be here by now?” I ask.

Alaric grins, “He likes to make an entrance. Let’s go prepare for the evening. He’ll be here soon. I can’t wait for you to meet him and get your take on him. He can be somewhat larger than life.” It’s at that moment that I realize that Alaric’s connection to his uncle may be even stronger than his connection to his father and I’m grateful for his uncle’s guidance.

Chapter 23

(Ashlinn)

As we make it back to our chambers I see a beautiful gown has been left hanging from the front of the wardrobe. It is an almost iridescent bronze color that will perfectly highlight my eyes, hair, and coloring. I can’t wait to try it on but Alaric insists that I lay down and rest before the evening begins. I agree only on the principle that I’m actually tired and the day has drained me.

When I wake from my nap I see that twilight is upon us. I can’t imagine why Alaric would have let me sleep so long and then take note that he is nowhere to be found but I sense that he is near. My concept of time is completely out of whack. After all I just woke earlier in the day from a two day slumber and before that I was stuck in limbo, no wonder I’m having trouble adjusting , my biological clock can’t seem to land on the right time for the Realm that I’m in. I take a moment to wander toward the terrace to view the spectacular colors that dusk brings here in Faerie. The sunsets back home are beautiful but don’t really compare and I find myself falling more and more in love with this Realm. Turning, I make my way to the antechamber of our suite as I feel the pull to him in that direction. I enter the outer room to see him sitting with a distinguished looking elder elf and they are in quiet conversation. From where I’m standing I can tell that this elf exudes self-confidence, even I can tell he’s powerful, but also has a warm welcoming demeanor. If I had to describe him I would say think Sean Connery with a black and silver beard, a widow’s peak head full of black and silver peppered hair, his features have a weathered look about them and he sports a tan as if he’s outdoors more than inside. I can tell that he took note of me from the moment I walked into the room but is allowing me a moment or two to assess him and form my first impression. Alaric’s back is to me, he doesn’t turn to me, his only acknowledgement is to prop his right elbow on the arm of his chair and lifts his hand palm up in a quiet invitation for me to join him. I make my way towards Alaric and take his hand in mine our kindred mate markings clearly visible for our visitor’s inspection.

Alaric looks up at me and smiles and winks, “Álainn, I hope you rested well. The festivities will be under way in the next hour or so. I have arranged for a lady in waiting to see to your needs this evening. In the meantime, I would like to introduce you to my uncle, The Dagda, High King of Faerie. Uncle, I’m happy to introduce you to my kindred, Ashlinn Ryllae Elan, princess and daughter to Danu.

At his introduction The Dagda stands. It’s not until then that I realize how truly large a man he is. He’s larger than life and appears to even dwarf Alaric. This god could easily be close to seven feet tall and I feel my jaw drop open as I stare up at him with wide eyes. Alaric chuckles beside me and reaches over to help me shut my mouth.

This massive man before me looks down at me with a twinkle in his eyes and broad grin on his face as he reaches out his large hand to take mine in his. He bows down to place a gentlemanly kiss on my knuckles. “It’s my pleasure, ceann beag, to finally meet you. You were just a wee babe the last time I saw you and you have grown into a beautiful wee lass. You may call me uncle or, if you are uncomfortable with that, you may call me Dagda as I hope we will become good friends.”

I try to shake myself out of the stupor I appear to be in and gather my senses, “It’s very nice to meet you,” I pause before saying, “Dagda. For now, I will call you Dagda, if that’s okay with you?”

“Relax, mo grá, he’s just my uncle. He’s family. I left word that I wanted to speak with him privately once he arrived. He has only been here a few minutes. I thought we would bring him up to speed on recent events. Do you mind if I tell him about this morning and our meeting with Clíodhna?” Alaric asks.

I let out a very unlady like snort, “Maybe we should begin with my first meeting with Danu. I’ll let you tell that one as I have a tendency to express my thoughts on that meeting in rather colorful metaphors.” I say sarcastically. At that the god before me bellows out a huge belly laugh and smacks Alaric on the back nearly knocking him over in his enthusiasm.

“My dear boy, I like her! She’s a spitfire. Come, let’s sit and you can tell me all about how Danu managed to upset her daughter on their very first meeting. I bet it will have something to do with her rather domineering demeanor. I might add,” he says looking pointedly at me, “there were two reasons that Danu sent you to the human realm. First is the very obvious reason that she needed to hide you away until you were grown. The second reason, not so obvious. She has always felt that the humans were weak and by sending you to the Mortal Realm she would ensure that she could bend you to her will because, in theory, if her belief of the humans were true you would be weak of mind and would not think to stand up to her. She couldn’t have been more wrong.” He says as he winks at me mischievously.

I can’t help but laugh as he looks so smug in his assessment of the situation. Alaric then recounts our meeting with Danu, how the spiritual binding took place, and finally our meeting with Clíodhna and her ominous words about needing to complete the binding before Danu arrives and then asks for his counsel. Twilight is quickly becoming night and the room begins to darken. As if by majic the sconces on the walls begin to light up these beautiful globes of pale light that continue to brighten as the room continues to darken. I look around in wonder and then my gaze lands back on the god before me and I squeeze Alaric’s hand.

The Dagda ponders all of this for a moment and then looks at the both of us with a shrewd look as he becomes serious. “Before I offer my counsel, I need to know if either of you have any reservations on completing the binding. I would understand lass if this were all moving too fast. What I’m trying to say is, if you feel you need more time to adjust to everything please speak freely.”

I look at my kindred and smile and push my love for him thru the spiritual bond we share. “Alaric is my mine. He is mine to love, mine to cherish, and mine to find fault with. He is my mate, my kindred. He is my equal, my other half. Without him I am not whole, I will always want and need him by my side. By human standards it would feel as if I were rushing into this marriage and my friends and classmates would wonder if I were pregnant. In my world, young women go on to acquire an education before thinking about marriage. I now know that I was never human to begin with and putting all that aside I know that Alaric is my forever. I don’t need to wait for an official public ceremony to claim him.” I say in all seriousness as I look over at my handsome elf man who looks back at me with a fiercely possessive look in his eyes.

Addressing the both of us the Dagda says, “Well said, ceann beag. Well said. So my counsel is simple. Danu has always had her own agenda. I was there when you were appointed as Ashlinn’s Guardian. She was seriously upset that you and Ashlinn recognized the kindred bond. Never in all of the histories has a kindred bond been recognized in one so young but it was obvious to all in attendance what had happened. Danu covered her reaction very quickly but those of us who know her well saw how upset she was by the turn of events that evening. Her reaction tells me that she already had a plan in place for Ashlinn’s future that did not include you Alaric being her kindred. You were merely appointed to be her protector and nothing more. You see, in her eyes, he was dispensable. She abhors not being in control and rarely will admit defeat. That’s where she and I differ. In actuality we are nothing at all alike. When she arrives, she will do everything in her power to separate the two of you. I have no doubt of this. In order to keep that from happening, I agree with Clíodhna. You must complete the binding tonight. There’s a small gathering of close friends, family, and comrades in arms this evening. I will announce to those in attendance that I offer my official blessing on the union. There will be dancing and drinking and while everyone is enjoying the festivities, the two of you will sneak away. In the morning, I will announce to all in attendance that the union between body and spirit was has been blessed by none other than Clíodhna and that the public ceremony will take place as planned. Starting in the morning while you are outside of your private chambers, after you complete the binding tonight, I want you both to wear training gloves that will hide the completed mating marks. No one can know of your mating status until we are able to determine what Danu’s plans are for you Ashlinn. Are you both okay with this plan and my counsel?”

Alaric and I look at one another and nod in agreement. I can feel him thru our bond and our combined emotions are close to overwhelming. In unison we say, “So be it.”

“Then I will leave the two of you to get ready for the evenings events. Ashlinn, my dear, welcome to the family. I will enjoy getting to know you. It is with a heavy heart that I say this. I would never want to intentionally drive a wedge between you and Danu. That being said, she can be very one track minded and for a while now she has had a plan as to how events will play out. She can be a bit of a control freak, as some would say. I have not one doubt in my mind that you and Alaric together will be what saves the realms from certain destruction but know this; Danu sees this going down very differently. She will do what she can to make sure things play out according to her plans. She means well, but in her misguided attempts to save the realms she did not anticipate that you, my dear Ashlinn, would be strong enough to save the realms on your own without her interference. Alaric, I foresee Ashlinn coming into her abilities soon. It will hinge on the binding being completed hence you will be stronger together than apart.” He says with a smile as he gets up to leave. Turning back he says with a bit of sadness in his eyes, “You are a lucky elf to have found your kindred, nephew. Cherish her.”

“Uncle, thank you for your counsel and for the record, I cherish her above all others, we will see you shortly.”

As the door closes behind him I ask, “What does ceann beag mean?”

“Little one.” He says with a smirk, knowing my reaction.

“So the whole time he was nicknaming me “little one” and wee lass?” I ask. I stomp my feet and say, “I am not that little. Am I?” I ask pointedly glaring up at Alaric.

“Mo grá, you should know better than to ask me that question. I happen to like you just the way you are.” My kindred says as he pulls me towards him.

“So we’re doing this tonight?” I ask.

“Ash, if you have any reservations I need to know. We can find another way to stave off your mother.” He says looking concerned.

I smile up at him, “It’s not that exactly. I love you, of that I have no doubt. I’m just a little nervous. I thought I would have more time to prepare.” I look up at him with at pout, “I kind of wanted to knock your socks off with some really sexy little number. I guess I’m going to have to rely on just my womanly wiles.” I say waggling my eyebrows with a smirk.

At that he gathers me up and dips me backward almost to the floor and begins to trail sweet, hot kisses from the base of my ear down the column of throat and says in a husky voice, “Álainn, you are my sexy little number. You could be dressed in a burlap bag and make it look like the most elegant gown.” He says as he continues his trek from one side of my neck to the other all the way back up to my other ear as he brushes his nose against the tip of my ear and my body begins to quiver as he whispers, “That’s just a preview of what I have in store for you later tonight, mo grá.”