Kindred: Book 1 A Realms of the Otherworld Book (32 page)

“Wow, I think you all have just transformed me from a simple girl from the Mortal Realm to…” I hesitate to continue.

“High Princess Ashlinn Ryllae Elan, demigoddess, daughter to the High Queen and goddess Danu and Alpha to the Panther shifter clans of all the Realm, Rhespen Eroan Pan-tarr.” Jasmine says reverently as she and all six sprites curtsy low on the table before me showing me a respect that I’m not sure that I deserve. I look over to see that Claire has dropped into a curtsey as my mother’s smile beams with pride and Airmed inclines her head to me in recognition of my title.

“Jas. Please, not you too.” I say as I fidget with my necklace and then remember that I’m missing my earrings and can’t remember where I last saw them. I can’t have lost them and I wish with all my might that I could have them here with me. It takes me a moment to realize that something is in my hand that was not there before and I open my hand to find my earrings as my jaw drops open. Danu sees the earrings and she rushes over to inspect them.

“My, these are beautiful, where did you get these? They’re an almost a perfect match for your talisman.” She says not noticing that I can’t seem to form words. As I stare at my hand trying to understand what has just happened. I hear Jasmine and Lexie asking if I’m okay before I can snap out of it. I look up to my mother with wide eyes as I say almost robotically, “They were a gift from my Mom. How did I do that?”

“Do what dear?” Danu askes

“One minute my hand was empty and the next moment after wishing that they were here they appear in my hand.” I say in astonishment.

Danu claps her hands to together and with a huge grin she pulls me into a hug as she says, “You were able to summon. Maybe your majic isn’t as tightly bound as we thought. Later I will explain the concept of summoning but right now we need to get you girls down to the courtyard or we’ll be late. I am so happy for you really I am.” She says as the women sweep us out into the hallway and down the stairs to the main foyer and out into the twilight lit sky. I had no idea that it had gotten so late. I reach out to Alaric thru our bond but he feels a million miles away and I panic just a bit before Airmed says, “We’re meeting everyone else in attendance in the sacred meadow. Come daughter to be let’s make this official. You too, Alexia. Ladies gather around Danu and me.”

“Don’t we need horses to get to the meadow?” I ask.

“Not when you have two goddesses that can trace there in a matter of seconds.” Airmed says as she and Danu smile back at us. Alexia, Jasmine, and I gather close. Jasmine once again settles onto my shoulder with her tiny hands in my hair as Danu reaches out for my hand and Airmed reaches out for Lexie’s hand. One moment we’re standing in the courtyard and the next we’re in the meadow. Lexie and I both spin around in awe that we have just be transported from the Keep to the meadow in mere seconds. Then I hear Lexie gasp as she says, “This place is so beautiful. No wonder you wanted to have the ceremony here I have never felt such a sense of serenity.”

As the sun is now a giant fiery ball sitting on the western horizon the eastern sky begins to darken to a shade of brilliant violet. There are glow balls that begin to light hoovering in the air around the meadow. The wood sprites and water sprites have all gathered around fluttering about. The dryads shyly begin to make their presence known as they separate from their trees. They have an unnatural beauty with hair that is more twig like than hair, their ears are elongated to a point and they are varying shades of browns and greens. There are many different types of animals around the meadow from bunnies, to wombats, what looks like a tiny little white fox with huge ears, and I even see a large tortoise. Then out from the cover of trees I see a white doe step forward toward the pond followed by her white fawn and once again I’m totally entranced by this place. There are a multitude of fireflies in the air as we make our way to the water’s edge. The stepping stones from last time are there leading our way out to the Tree where our kindred are waiting for us. In the distance I see a shape appear out of the water and as I look more closely I realize that I must be seeing a naiad, her form is made of clear water and her hair swirls around her like tentacles as she waves to our entourage as we quietly make our way across the water.

I look back to see Lexie is following me quietly. I can see that she is in total awe of this place. However, Airmed and Danu are nowhere to be seen. Turning back to traverse the rest of the way to the Tree I see that the two have appeared under the canopy to stand with Clíodhna and The Dagda. Alaric stands to the left with Āemarick and Rhespen along with Tolin, Lorcan, and Ēolieus. Declan stand to the right with Torin, Nemus, and Fergus. As we get closer to the small island I quickly make a decision and communicate with Alaric thru our bond and see him nod his head as he talks quietly with both my father and his. The sun has lowered to more than half way set as Lexie and I reach our kindred. Alaric clears his throat to get Clíodhna’s attention and says, “Ashlinn and I are here to publicly acknowledge our binding so if you don’t mind we would like to go first so that we may stand in support of Declan and Alexia’s binding this evening.”

“Then it shall be so, Prince Alaric.” She says with a smile to both couples then turning her attention to us. “For those in attendance this evening to witness the public acknowledgement of the kindred binding between Prince Alaric Rhys Faerondarl and High Princess Ashlinn Ryllae Elan who gives their blessing?” Both my parents and Alaric’s parents say in unison, “We do.” Clíodhna continues looking directly at the both of us, “It’s really very simple. Do you both promise to accept each other as the other half to your soul? Do you accept that you are not complete without the other? Do you promise to always love one another through good times and bad? Do you promise to honor, cherish, and protect one another always?” She asks. At some point Alaric and I had turned to one another and our hands raise as they did during our spiritual binding my left to his right we entwined our fingers and looking into one another’s eyes we both say, “I do, we do.” Clíodhna continues, “Then by the power vested in me by my Creator, I bless this kindred binding, spiritual and of the body. I bless this shifter mate bond. May your bond be your strength, may it bring you comfort in times of need, may it help you through the dark times ahead and may it never be broken!” With those words the binding marks flare to life the tingling in my hand and wrist radiates down my arm straight to my heart. Alaric and I both gasp as we feel the intensity of the blessing that we have just been given flare to life. Thru the bond I can feel the surprise and satisfaction that the ceremony has finally been complete from my mate but most importantly I can feel an interlocking of strength being added to the binding bond that had not been there before. The Dagda, Danu, and Airmed all three step forward to offer their blessings and then Alaric and I walk hand in hand to the Tree of Life and we kneel before her still holding hands we place our other hands on the Tree forming a circle and as a couple we offer our thanks and gratitude for what she has granted us and we promise to make things right. In one blinding moment we receive an image of her pain and what is to come if we cannot right this wrong and restore balance. It terrifies me but before I can pull back the image switches to what will come if balance is restored and the blessings that we can look forward to as well as the rest of the Realms. I pray that between our binding and Declan and Lexie’s that we can buy her more time. We stand and make our way back to the rest of our family. Danu gives me a questioning look but I shake my head and indicate for Clíodhna to continue. There are only a few moments of daylight left before the sun sinks below the horizon.

Declan and Lexie are smiling at one another and my heart swells as I realize that Lexie who has lost so much has also gained a kindred mating bond and for the time being I am happy for us both. Clíodhna begins, “Who in attendance will give their blessing of the union between Sir Declan Eldar Revven and Lady Alexia Lilith Rhyder?” Alaric and I say in unison, “We do.” Clíodhna continues, “Declan and Alexia please face each other. Alexia raise your left hand to Declan’s right hand. Do you both promise to accept each other as the other half to your soul? Do you accept that you are not complete without the other? Do you promise to always love one another through good times and bad? Do you promise to honor, cherish, and protect one another always?” Alexia and Declan reply, “I do, we do.” Clíodhna continues, “Then by the power vested in me by my Creator, I bless this kindred binding, spiritual and of the body. May your bond be your strength, may it bring you comfort in times of need, may it help you through the dark times ahead and may it never be broken!” We hear Alexia gasp as the bond begins to click into place. Her knees begin to buckle and Declan wraps his arm around Lexie holding her petite frame upright. Once again The Dagda, Danu, and Airmed step forward to offer their blessing. Lexie has recovered her legs and she and Declan move forward to the Tree, it is an intimate moment that no one wants to intrude upon.

As deep purple morphs to midnight blue skies, the stars begin to pop out to be seen and they are amazing. I have to admit that I’ve never seen anything like the stars in the skies of Faerie. The moon is enormous half again as big as the moon of the Mortal Realm. It’s a full moon and the night sky is lit under its silvery rays lending us the light we need to make our way back to the shore but we’re taking a different route than before leading us to the waterfalls that feed the lake. Nemus is leading the way so I figure that he has a plan for the incantation for Lexie. As we approach I see that there is a moon bow. Back home I’ve seen this phenomenon but never to the brilliance that I’m witnessing at this moment. I look over to my mate and smile, “Have I told you how beautiful your home is?”

He replies, “It’s your home too, Álainn. You’re just discovering its beauty for the first time.”

Nemus clears his throat and focuses his gaze on Alexia as several other robe clad figures emerge from the shadows, hoods drawn up over their heads hiding their features in shadows. “Alexia Lilith Revven, are you ready?” Nemus asks.

Lexie replies, “I am.”

“Please step forward into the circle.” Nemus instructs.

Lexie looks nervously toward Declan and he nods his ascent. She steps forward as the moon has risen to its apex and shines down on Lexie as the Druids begin to chant. Lexie begins to shake and Alaric and the guys move to restrain Declan as Lexie drops to her knees in obvious pain clutching her head. Then suddenly she throws her head and arms back head lifted towards the heavens and joins the chant of the Druids before us. Her eyes are a solid opaque white and I panic for a moment, I’m so scared that something has gone horribly wrong when Danu steps forward and whispers, “She is Druid. Mother to all Druids incarnate.” I swing my head around to see all the Druids here kneel down to her as she continues to chant in a language not known to me. She stands and begins to spin within the circle as her chanting begins to crescendo before collapsing seeming to be spent. I rush to her only to be beaten out by Declan who gently picks her up and pulls her close.

I step back to find Alaric there.
“She’s good mo grá. Declan will take care of her.”

I reply,
“I know, it’s just hard to let someone else take over the job that has been mine for my entire life.”
Before I have time to think I hear Nemus call out to me directing me to stand within the center of the circle. I look up to Alaric and he nods. I know that this must be done. I move forward as does Danu and Alaric. Inside the ring I look up to see the full moon shining down on me and for a moment it is just me and the moon and then I hear the Druids begin to chant and my mother joins in. I feel a tightening in my chest and my legs feel weak and wobbly. The pressure in my chest is overwhelming as I bend to its will. Suddenly there is a pop and I feel as if the top has been popped off of the center of my being. I feel a flood of energy that is overwhelming and I feel close to collapse as Alaric gathers me up in his arms. I would spend an eternity in his arms if only I could. As beautiful as the evening has been, my dread is back and it has multiplied to the point that I can barely breathe.

Chapter 30

(Ashlinn)

As we all trace back to the Keep with the assistance of Dagda, Danu, Airmed, and Clíodhna we arrive in the courtyard which has been transformed into a beautifully lit outdoor reception area under the amazing moon lite sky. There’s music playing and the atmosphere is festive. It looks as if the celebration has already gotten underway. The tables have all been set as kitchen staff bustles about at Maith’s direction. When she sees us she waves us over to let us know that the dinner will be served in the next few minutes. For once I have no appetite as I feel like the other shoe is about to drop. Alaric pulls me into his arms and whispers, “What is it Ash? What has you on edge? I felt the change in you as soon as the druids completed their rite. This should be a happy occasion, mo grá.” He says as he gently kisses my forehead. I lean into him and take comfort in him.