Kindred: Book 1 A Realms of the Otherworld Book (38 page)

I think carefully about my next words, “Mother, all I want is for you and Father to be happy and if being together makes you happy then by all means proceed with this binding. I just don’t want either of you to rush into anything because of what is about to happen with me. There will be time for you two to reconnect.” I pause, “I know not everything is about me and I don’t mean it to sound as if it is. Well, snap, I suck at this. All you need to know is that I’m happy for you both. You look really good together as a couple.”

Danu slows her pace and pulls me to a stop as she smiles at me, “Ashlinn, he makes me happy, so very happy. It very nearly killed me to walk away from him, thinking that he would never forgive me for what I was about to do. Knowing he would never condone it. Then when I realized that day in your quarters that Rhespen was indeed your father, my heart wanted to sing but my head kept telling me that he would never forgive me. Once we had time to talk in private and he had calmed down. He allowed me the time I needed to explain myself. Finally he did forgive me and as he did so a weight that I’ve been carrying around in my chest was lifted. For the first time in a while I’ve been able to breathe, really breathe. I’ve never stopped loving him and I want nothing more than to bind with him and him with me. So in answer to your question we’re doing this for us. By us, I mean all of us. Rhespen and I have talked and we want to be a family, maybe a rather unconventional one, but a family none the less. We want you to know that we love you and will stand as a united front with you, for you. We want to make it up to you for not being there when you were little.” I take in her words and look at the goddess in front of me. I have never seen my Mother look more beautiful.

“Then I’m beyond thrilled that you two are finally going to get your happily ever after. When is the ceremony to be held? Will Alaric and I be able to attend? I’ll have to have another dress. You’ll have to have a dress.” I gush on in excitement. “It was just Mom and me when I was little. I used to daydream of being a part of a big family. So how many brothers and sisters can I expect?” I’m practically bouncing as we come around the corner and run into my Father. He’s grinning from ear to ear as he leans down to kiss my forehead before turning all his attention on his chosen mate.

“So, I see, you shared our good news? What do you think love? We already know that we make beautiful babies together.” He says with a twinkle in his eye.

“Rhespen! Please.” She sputters with a smile.

Clearing my throat I say, “On that note, I think I’ll go see if I can find Alaric. Mother, Father Congratulations.

I’m so happy for you both. It’s my hope that one day we can bring our children up together, to be raised more like brother and sister rather than aunts and uncles and nieces and nephews. It worked out rather well for Lexie and me.” I smile at the thought as my father considers my words before saying, “You may be on to something but seeing as I’ve just found out about you I would rather that you not aspire to giving me grandchildren just yet.”

“Whoa, there pops. I have no plans on birthing you grandchildren any time soon. There’s way too much at stake. An innocent babe would complicate things for Alaric and me. You guys on the other hand do not suffer from such restraints. Just sayin’…” I say with a smirk.

Rhespen concedes with a knowing glint in his eyes. It’s then that everything around me falls away as I see images flashing before my eyes. Images that give me hope for the future, images that show Alaric and me holding our children laughing with Declan and Lexie, and Danu and Rhespen. We’re picnicking by the lake and Danu, Lexie, and I are all holding babes that are slightly different ages and the guys are chasing toddlers, and children of varying ages. It’s a happy occasion as Alaric swings our daughter up in the air making her giggle. As the vision comes to an end I’m smiling as tears are welling up in my eyes.

My parents are now both in front of me with concerned looks on their faces as Danu asks, “What did you see baby girl?” There’s that term of endearment again and I find that I rather like it.

I look at both my parents and smile brightly, “It’s a vision of the future that I’m going to hold on to with all my might so that in my darkest days I will have something to look forward to, something that will shine a bright light in the depths of my soul. It is the most perfect vision of the future that I could have wished for to get me through all the dark times ahead.” I say as the tears of my happiness over our future spill down my face as I reach out to hug both my parents to me, I whisper, “Our children will be beautiful.”

I’m tired and I’m hungry as I make my way to our chambers. It feels like days since I have seen Jasmine and I wonder what she’s up to. I know Lexie is spending time with Declan and I can’t fault her for that. It’s been a long day of failures mixed with some epic successes. I’m weary and want nothing more than to soak in a warm tub. Our rooms are quiet as I enter and I wonder were my kindred could be. I haven’t seen him for several hours. As I make my way through our rooms I see that the fireplace has grown cold from its dormancy over the course of the day. From my lessons earlier I call on the fire element and a spark of light appears in the palm of my hand dancing and flickering waiting for me to give it direction. I can’t help but dance a little dance of excitement that I have finally mastered one of the elements. I direct the fireball to the hearth and before I turn away there’s a moderate fire burning and shedding some light on the room as dusk falls. The wall sconces begin to illuminate and become brighter the darker the room becomes. I sigh heavily as I shrug out of my leathers and weapons. My life has changed so much in the last few weeks it’s difficult to comprehend.

I realize just how grimy I am, dusty and dirty and I want nothing more than to stretch and soak in a hot steamy tub of bath water. I soon have a tub full of water doused with the bath salts that I have come to love and I lower my aching body down to relax in the hot blissful bath. I lay my head back and allow the bath to work its majic as all traces of the day are washed away. I sigh with relief as I lay soaking in this huge tub. Slowly I sink below the surface holding my breath and listen to the world around me through the muffled sound of the water that I’m immersed in. Instead of completely relaxing I find that my agitation is growing. Alaric is always here. Where is he? I reach out thru our bond to see if I can pinpoint where he is. It’s then that I realize that he is not in the Keep. He’s not anywhere close to the Keep. He’s south! I surge up out of the water gasping for air as I clamor out of the tub on a mission.

I grab a towel and race from the bathroom trailing water after me. I grab a fresh pair of chocolate brown leather leggings, one of my favorite stretch camis and a matching leather vest. I begin pulling on clothes over my still damp skin as I race back to the bathroom to towel dry and brush out my wet hair. There’s no time to dry it properly. It’s long and lays heavy down my back so I pull the mass of it up into a high pony tail. Pulling on the snug fitting vest and long matching boots I grab my crossbow and holster, strapping it around my waist and lower right thigh. The throwing knives that I have grown to love are moved to the many concealed pockets in my vest and are readily accessible. I’m attaching my daggers around my waist as I fly down the stairs as fast as I can. Alaric has gone to confront Tarron and I plan on being there for him. As I fly out the main door into the courtyard I’m met by a wall of lean muscle, TNT.

“Where do you think you’re going Princess?” Tolin asks in a serious tone.

“I’m going to back up my kindred!” I say indignantly.

“I don’t think so. We have strict orders to keep you here until Alaric gets back.” He replies sternly.

“Look Tolin. I know that you have your orders but I’m going whether you like it or not. I can and will shift and run on foot if I need to but I will be there for Alaric. I would prefer that it not come down to that but I’ll do what I must. Now let me pass!” I growl as my feline claws to the surface.

“By the goddess, Ash, please don’t make this any harder than it has to be. If all goes well A should be back shortly.” Tolin looks regretful that he’s the one to hold me back.

“Who went with him and how long has he been gone. I swear. I’m going to string the lot of you up and whip you soundly for keeping this from me!” I rant.

“Ash, he’s only been gone maybe a couple of hours, not even. Settle down, He’ll be fine The Dagda and his father are with him. Your parents agreed to stay behind. Declan, and the rest of the guard are with A. He knows what he’s doing.” Tolin says a bit chagrined.

“Whatever! All I know is that I have a bad feeling and I need to follow it. So you guys can just hang out here or we can go after Alaric. It’s your call.” I say as Jasmine arrives zipping through the court yard out of breath and panting.

“Ash, something’s wrong! The Forrest Elves are in trouble. Normally, Alaric would handle the issue but he’s nowhere to be found.” She says as she gets to me.

“Jas, I don’t have time to deal with the Forrest Elves, Alaric may need me.” I snap out before I have time to listen to my new found ability. Then it kicks in kind of like a homing beacon. Yes. I’m concerned about Alaric going to meet Tarron and yes he should have told me. Can he handle himself? Absolutely. Am I pissed that he did this without discussing it with me? A resounding, yes! But as I focus myself, my worry is for the forest. Jasmine is right there’s something wrong.

Suddenly changing gears I demand, “Jasmine is right, something is not right with the forest. Now that I stop to think about it, I can sense it. Guys you have to take me to the Forrest Elves…” Turning to Jasmine I ask, “What’s going on Jas? What are we walking into?”

“Ash, the trees are failing. The dryads are doing everything in their power but it’s like something I’ve never seen before. The best way I can describe it is as a shadow monster. Whatever it touches withers and dies, it’s leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. I’m not sure how we can stop this thing. It entered the forest not long ago and is heading straight for the Forrest Elves. We can’t let it reach them Ash, they live in the trees.” She says in an agitated tone.

“Take me to them, now!” I demand, rounding on the guys.

“Ashlinn, I cannot! I’m under strict orders to keep you with in the Keep! Stand down! Alaric will lose his shit if you’re allowed outside of these grounds when he’s not here.” Tolin retorts.

“Then he should have been here!” I retort in exasperation. “Mother!”

Danu is standing before us before I have a chance to blink. Well, at least now, I know it works. “I need to get to the Forrest Elves. Something is amiss and Tolin and Torin are obeying orders from Alaric and will not allow me to leave. We need to help them. Can you please get me there?”

“I’ll agree to this on one condition your father, Tolin, and Torin will accompany us as well. I’m sure that we can keep you out of harm’s way as we assess the situation.” My mother says confidently.

“I disagree! You know she is to remain here! I’m sorry but I will follow the directive of my Prince in this matter.” Tolin stands firm.

Torin interjects, “With all due respect my queen, I agree with my brother. If what Jasmine has reported is true then taking Ashlinn to the Forrest Elves will be putting her in direct danger.”

Danu narrows her eyes as she looks between the two brothers and back to me as she asks, “What’s happening in the forest Ashlinn?”

I look at Jasmine and she nods as she recounts her story to my mother. I interject, “We’re wasting time. The Forrest Elves need us. This shadow monster sounds like bad news and my internal radar is going haywire. So when do we leave?”

Danu looks at me through narrowed eyes as she takes in Jasmine’s words, “The Morrígan! She’s raised a Shadow Demon from the Underworld! Damn her. Only light and light majic can conquer a Shadow Demon. It thrives on the life force of plants, animals, and any other living thing in its path. It will only attack at night. Warriors you might as well put away your weapons, they will be of no use against this creature spawn from the depths of Hell. Ashlinn Ryllae, I need you to go get Alexia and her Druids. Jasmine, can you gather as many of your kind as possible? I will go get your father. We meet back here in the courtyard in fifteen minutes. We must send this Shadow Demon back to the Underworld before it accomplishes its mission to find and destroy Ashlinn.

Chapter 35