rogue shifter 06 - torn apart (11 page)

According to Isaiah, most demons could speak Seelie Fae. In fact it had become the common tongue in all dealings with the Unseelie Fae. The Unseelie included many different species with just as many languages and dialects, so business dealings went smoothly because of this compromise. Because none of them were using their
own
language, no group was putting itself above the other. Some of the more powerful groups also spoke English, so whenever possible, Isaiah encouraged them to speak in that language.

He told me I would need to learn Seelie Fae quickly if I was going to be of any real use to him, so I sat with Liam and tried my best, only succeeding in growing more and more frustrated. As each hour passed, I began to wish that I'd inherited my father's ability with languages.

"You'll just have to speak English around me." I whined on the last day of Isaiah's visit.

"A servant would learn the language of her master, not the other way around."

"They'll know that I'm a shifter." I snapped.

"I've decided to glamour your appearance and scent to keep your identity hidden. My staff and visitors will think that you are a werewolf, the wife of an enemy I have defeated. To claim all the possessions of an enemy is not an uncommon circumstance. This way we can say that you are just now learning the language. However, if you do not make progress I will be expected to discipline you.

"Can't you just send the English translation to my mind?"

"You'll need to answer questions posed by others."

"You can send the answers too."

His eyes flattened in annoyance. "You are intelligent. Work harder. There is no excuse for Charles knowing more Fae than you. You have had five years to learn the language."

"While we were working out our agreement did you mention that I had to learn it?"

He shrugged. "Must have slipped my mind."

"Tell them I'm mute." I growled.

He was amused by the idea. "Do you really think you could pull that off? You and your smart mouth?"

I twisted my
smart mouth
around and frowned at him. "Tell the ones who only speak Fae that you've
ordered
me to remain mute. Then tell the ones who speak English that you've temporarily lifted the ban. Meanwhile, I'll keep working on my Seelie Fae lessons." He looked doubtful. "I promise."

Isaiah smiled wickedly. "Clever little demon—that could work, as long as you appear extremely humble in my presence and do everything I ask instantly and without question.

"Yeah, yeah, Your Highness."

"Keep it up. I might have to gag that smart mouth."

"We're in my world at the moment." I pointed out.

He smirked, running a hand through his hair. "I am liking this idea more and more. Forced to remain mute, you might actually learn to listen."

"I do too listen."

"Not as well as you will. Now get back to your lessons." I gave Isaiah a sheet of paper listing my conflicts.

"A kid's party?"

"It's Linn's naming day ceremony. I can't miss that. She was named for me!"

"Fine. I will give you two days from then."

"Uh, did you look at the other dates?"

He looked down at the paper. "A pedicure? I think you are not taking this agreement seriously. That will change quickly." With an angry glint in his eye, he touched behind his ear and disappeared.

Oh great. It had taken me weeks to get an appointment with Maria. She gave the best leg massages.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Charlie wore the tunic that Linn had given him to her party. When she saw him for the first time that day, her entire face lit up and she ran gracefully over to where we were standing.

"My handsome warrior." she said in Fae, then clapped her hands, jumping up and down and giggling. Charlie's face flushed pink but he still managed to smile.

Earlier that day, when I'd told Charlie to get ready to leave in thirty minutes, he'd looked at me with a solemn expression and said, "I'm gonna try it on—the shirt she gave me."

"Great, honey." When he ran off to his room, I looked at Garrett and whispered, "He's tried it on every day since he got it. Sometimes more than once."

"He has excellent taste in females." Garrett teased.

"He's five."

"And half fae."

"Oh come on. You can't tell me that..."

He placed a finger over my lips."Sometimes you're just too easy to tease."

"You're lucky that I'm in a forgiving mood, Mr. Cuvier."

"You can punish me later." He whispered next to my ear.

My face heated up as he laughed and pulled me against him. Charlie returned dressed in his green tunic and asked, "Why is your face pink? Are you hot, Mom?"

"She's very hot, son. Why don't you get her a glass of iced water?"

I gave Garrett a playful shove, then answered Charlie. "I'm fine, sweety. Let's go."

The ceremony was lovely as all fae ceremonies were, filled with music and singing that uplifted your spirits and tickled you ears with gentle caresses. It was a little more serious than I'd expected, but I found out why afterward. Apparently when a fae child reached the age of five, they were tested. If they were considered ready to move forward, they began their training. Otherwise, they were held back.

According to Liam, the child should be able to communicate well in the Fae language, show intelligence, good coordination, strength appropriate to their size and most importantly, an interest in learning. It seemed that Charlie and Linn were in the same boat when it came to school.

Linn was dressed in purple, in deference to her fae heritage, and blue, a sign of her allegiance to Lord Caelen's line. Trimmed in gold, the combination was lovely, and combined with her perfect smiling face she looked magazine-cover-worthy.

Half the Cascade Sidhe were in attendance. Linn's birth was considered crucial to their future, so she and her parents were looked upon with great respect and love. Grady was there with Liam and Kellaine, as well as Liam's human mother, Lady Erin, Kellaine's parents and her brother, Farrell. Charlie stood next to Grady, probably feeling more comfortable near another kid.

When the ceremony ended and Linn was released to greet her guests, she ignored the older Fae and immediately ran to Charlie. She took hold of my son's hand and led him to her parents, who were greeting the elders. "You must greet my parents and the elders formally in the Fae language today. Everyone is watching. We will do it together and I will assist you."

Garrett and I glanced around curiously, taking notice of Charlie's slightly worried, yet still determined expression. The fae in the immediate area were inching closer, watching the two children marching hand in hand toward the group of ancient fae gathered near Linn's parents. We decided to move toward the front of the group, wanting to be on hand in case the little guy needed our support.

Linn spoke in Fae and then in English for our benefit, addressing her parents first, the ritual seeming to have a definite order.

"Father, I greet you with great love and respect." She nodded deeply with her hand on her heart. Aedus smiled, replying in Fae and then bending down to kiss her sweetly on the forehead.

She sent to Charlie in English,
"You must speak first in English, your native language and then in Fae, Say Lord Aedus, I greet you with respect and then nod like I did."

"Lord Aedus?"
Charlie only knew him as Liam's brother, and Linn's Dad.

"My father is the son of Lord Caelen and the only full blood nephew of the Queen."

Charlie, wide-eyed and tense, still managed to speak clearly in his young voice. His Fae wasn't perfect but it was close enough to garner quite a few smiles.

Aedus extended his hand in the traditional American greeting and Charlie shook it with a grateful smile. "You are learning quickly, Charles, but then you have an excellent teacher." Linn looked proud enough to burst a seam.

My son surprised them all by replying in fae, "Linn is a good friend, Lord Aedus." The two children made the rounds to Philladre and all the elders then the elders' mates and families. It was taking a while and Charlie was starting to tire. The group of spectators followed along, leaving us behind, so we moved even farther away to have a little privacy.

I sent to Garrett.
"Is this some kind of pre-mating ritual?"
I must have looked horrified because he snaked his arm around my waist to pull me closer.

"You worry too much. Charlie will choose his own lifemate just as we have."

I leaned against him and sighed.
"I hope he finds someone who makes him as happy as you make me."

"He's five."
He wrapped his arms around my body then spun me to face him, burying his nose in my hair.

"You stole my line."
I laughed, as he squeezed me a little tighter.

I sensed right away that something was up
,
so I waited for him to speak again.
"I'll miss you, angel."

"Three days isn't so long."

”It'll feel like three months. And I won't know if you're safe."

"I'll be safe. I might not be happy, but I'll be safe. He won't hurt me, he'll protect me because he needs me and because he'll honor the agreement. I'll be home again so fast you won't even have a chance to miss me."

"I miss you now."
His breath whispered against my hair
.

I stroked his face, the familiar lines warming my heart
. "Silly adorable male."

I felt the pull on my scalp as he knotted his fingers in my hair and kissed me with an urgency he seldom showed in public. Suddenly, the beautiful sounds and scents of Faerie were forgotten, blotted out by the taste of my mate's mouth and the scent and feel of his body pressed against my own. Only Garrett's kind of attention could make Faerie take a back seat.

We came up for air, surprised to see Charlie and Linn looking up at us, Linn with a big grin, him with a frown.

"Can you do that later? We have to finish and I want to eat." Charlie was pouting now.

"Definitely." I nodded, my face heating up as usual. The whole freakin' sidhe had probably seen us kissing.

Linn stepped up and said, "Mr. Cuvier, I greet you with great respect." She nodded and then said the same thing in Fae. Garrett nodded back gracefully, trying to keep from laughing at her solemn expression and Charlie's impatient one.

When she came to me, she said, "Mrs. Cuvier, you are the female warrior who honors me with her name and with her presence at my small ceremony. I greet you with great respect." She repeated it in Fae and it sounded even lovelier.

I crouched down and asked, "May I hug you, Linn?" She seemed to think about it for a moment, then nodded her head. I opened my arms and she walked into them, suddenly flinging her small hands around my neck. I held her close for a few moments then released her. "Happy Naming Day. You look more like a princess every time I see you."

"Thank you, Mrs. Cuvier." She beamed at me.

"Jackie."

"Jackie."

"Charlie has a present for you. The next time you come over to play, he'll give it to you." She giggled, obviously delighted. In Faerie it wasn't customary to give a child presents on their naming day. Gifts were given as a reward for stellar behavior and accomplishments or sometimes on the spur of the moment out of love.

Charlie and Linn indulged in a mental discussion about whether he should greet us, while Garrett and I eavesdropped.

"I don't need to say hi again. I came here with them."

"They are your father and mother. You must show them the same respect I have shown mine."

"Okay, but then we can eat, right?"

After he'd finished and we'd both given him a let's—not—embarrass—our—son—by—getting—mushy kiss on the forehead, they ran off toward the buffet accompanied by a more sedate Grady. The food was delicious, spread out in a wide array of fruits, cheeses, breads, meats, fish, and some extremely delicious honey wine, my favorite. We sat with Lord Caelen, Lady Silvus, Lady Erin, Philladre's parents and all of their assorted children and grandchildren. They'd set aside three seats and had insisted that we join them.

Charlie, a huge fan of roasted meat, fresh baked bread and cheese, was digging into his food with maybe a little too much gusto. Linn had a shocked expression while Grady laughed out loud. Charlie looked up. "I said I was starving, didn't I? I don't lie."

Caelen said, "A growing warrior needs to eat when he's hungry, Linn. Your father could eat a portion large enough to fill three Fae."

"He stole my food all the time," Liam teased his brother. "That's why I never grew." He held onto his deadpan expression for as long as he could before they all broke out laughing. Liam was 5' 9", inheriting his human mother's genes, and Aedus was 6' 6" like his father.

"My friend Jay eats my leftovers, so I hafta eat fast. He's a bear." Charlie explained.

Linn got up from her seat and pulled a chair next to Charlie's, making Grady frown and scoot over. "I will teach you the words for everything you are eating." The two boys looked excited at the prospect, so the rest of the meal she, Charlie and Grady spoke only in Fae.

Caelen took that opportunity to send to me, and because I'd dropped my shields during the ceremony, my mind offered no resistance. "
When will Isaiah call you to his realm
?"

I tried to hide how irritated I was that he'd barged into my head without permission
."Any day
,
beginning two days from today between noon and one o'clock.
He waited for me to tell him more, his expression grim.
"I'm not going to apologize for my decision. Charlie needs to learn."

"It will not surprise you to hear that I strongly disagree with your decision to go. However, since these excursions are now unavoidable, I urge you not to waste the opportunity they present."

I hesitated for a long time before responding. "
I'll gather information about the demons who intend to hurt my family, friends or allies, but I won't betray Isaiah."