Kindred: Book 1 A Realms of the Otherworld Book (15 page)

“Always. Stuck like glue, remember?” He says solemnly.

“So then, as scary as it may sound, I say that tomorrow we make arrangements to leave for Faerie as soon as possible. Can we hold the binding ceremony in the meadow where the Tree of Life is located? That just feels right to me. Are you okay with that?” I ask cautiously as I straddle him cupping his handsome face in my hands.

“Anything for you mo grá, I agree the sooner we arrange the binding ceremony the better. To answer your question about the pull we feel, I think the longer we’re together in the Mortal Realm the more intense the pull will become. Here we have been separated for eighteen years and the bond is now feeling the delay in Mortal Realm time. Most kindred complete the bond in a matter of months or weeks if not sooner once they’ve discovered one another. Eighteen years is unheard of so the bond is riding us both hard. The longer we are together in this realm the more intense the pull will become until neither of us will be able to deny the need to unite as one and complete the bond. Hopefully these intense needs will lessen once we get to Faerie but that may not be the case. I just want to make sure that you’re ready for this step emotionally and not just physically.” He says staring deep into my eyes and I realize I could get lost in the intensity of his stare.

“In a matter of days you have become the center of my universe, I can’t imagine not being near you, sharing my days with you, laughing at the guys antics with you by my side, dealing with any problems that come our way together, sharing my grief with you. You have become my center, you balance me, and without you I will not be whole. I know this now and I thank the gods and goddesses that you have been given to me. Danu may not be happy with the fact that you are mine but she’ll have to get over it because I’m not going on this journey without you.” Realization suddenly dons on me and I say, “Snap. I’ve been so focused on myself that I forgot that you’re a prince and with that comes duties and responsibilities to your kingdom. What about your parents? Do you think they will like me? I’m definitely not ready to help you rule a kingdom. I don’t know the first thing about life at court or Faerie for that matter. Jasmine wasn’t kidding when she said that she had to prepare me to be introduced at court. Alaric what am I going to do?” I’m so agitated right at this moment I climb off of his lap and begin to pace. “Your parents will not approve of me. How could they? I’m no one but an orphan sent to another realm.”

He stops me and pulls my face up to look at him demanding my attention, “First of all they’re going to love you. How could they not? Once my father sees how you use a bow that will be enough. Secondly, you are not a nobody. You are the daughter to Danu, which not only makes you a demigoddess at the very least but a princess and not just any princess. You by lineage are considered a High Princess to all of Faerie. So what if you don’t know about life at court? That’s something that you will learn in time. Don’t worry about all those little things. Besides, my father is nowhere close to relinquishing the crown to me.” He says reassuring me as he pulls me to a stop from my pacing. “My parents were there when I was appointed your Guardian by Danu and The Dagda. They know that you and I are kindred and that we’ll eventually have our binding ceremony. None of this is news to them. At first my mother was not happy that I would be binding to the daughter of Danu. The two of them have never seen eye to eye but she has come to terms with the match even though Danu and her still don’t get along. You are nothing like Danu, she’ll love you.”

“Why don’t they get along? Tell me more about your parents?” I ask with a huge yawn as exhaustion sets in.

“Alright, it’s getting late, let’s get ready for bed and I’ll tell you all about my parents after we lie down and prepare for our nights rest.” He says and urges me toward the bathroom.

“Okay, you’ve got a deal.” I yawn again and go to get ready for bed.

(
Alaric)

Ashlinn is right, the longer we’re together the more intensely the bond is pulling us together. My need to be close to her and protect her is riding me hard, not to mention the need to complete the mating bond. For all of our sakes I hope we can get back to Faerie before I throw caution to the wind like Ashlinn said. Danu would have my head on a silver platter. I turn down the bed and dim the lights as she walks out of the bathroom in this little baby doll nightie with matching boy shorts the color of the midnight sky and I groan as I look into her eyes knowing that I will have to wait a while longer before I can have my way with her. She’s my beautiful petite, elven, demigoddess. She’s my princess. I love the way her golden brown skin appears to glitter even in the dimmest of light and I could get lost in her hair. For me she’s perfection.

“Come on álainn, time for a bed time story.”

She smiles at me and asks, “What was that you called me? You used the term earlier tonight, if I recall”

“Beautiful, it’s Irish Gaelic.”

“What is handsome?” She asks.

“Dathúil.” She wrinkles her nose apparently not liking the sound the word makes and says, “Okay, will you work with me on language as well? I’m like a fish out of water.”

“Anything for you, mo grá.”

“What was that?” She asks again with a laugh.

“My love.” I say, watching for her reaction.

“I like that one,” She says smiling, “Okay lover boy, let’s get to the part where you bring me up to speed on your parents.” She says with a cheeky grin and then let’s out a huge yawn.

“I will tell you as much as I can but you need sleep too.” I say as we settle down but before we can get too comfortable I hear the front door down stairs thrown open and someone is running up the stairs. Before I can move there’s a pounding at the door.

“A, we have trouble!” It’s Tolin. I look to Ash and say, “Get dressed quickly and pack. Travel light. Okay?”

I jump out of bed and rush to the door, yanking it open, “Report!”

“Fomorians. They have not found us yet but it’s just a matter of time. The wards hold for now.” Tolin reports.

“Torin is getting Declan up to speed?” I ask. “We all meet down stairs in ten minutes. Be prepared to roll out.” I say.

“Jasmine is at the falls we have to get word to her!” Ashlinn is standing just behind me still in her provocative nightie.

“Get dressed woman!” I say as I see her behind me.

Tolin just grins, “Nice nightie Ash.” He says wiggling his eyebrows.

“Oh for heaven’s sake, you act like you’ve never seen a woman in her night clothes before. Get word to Jasmine, Now! Meet us downstairs in ten.” She says in an authoritative tone.

“Yes my lady!” Tolin turns and runs back down the hallway

“Wow, you handled that well. Let’s gather some of our things together and get dressed. We need to be out of here in no less than thirty minutes.” I say.

“Alaric, this is my home. I want this place to remain safe and secure. How do we make that happen?”

“Nemus is working on it, trust me. Get dressed, we need to hurry.”

In the distance we hear a loud banging sound echoing in the distance. “They’ve found the perimeter that we set up. Nemus’ protection holds for now but we need to go!” Turning I see she is dressed in all black, slim fitting jeans, tight fitting tank, and black combat boots, her hair is pulled back into a high pony tail and I see that she’s armed with a glock as she adjust the shoulder harness. She looks up to see me staring. “What? Mom taught me to always be prepared and yes my aim is just as accurate with a hand gun as it is with the bow. I wish I could take some of my bows with me, especially my favorite crossbow. But I guess I’ll have to make do.” I watch as she checks her magazine and adds several more clips to her harness. “You ready?”

I’m beginning to wonder whose protecting who as we race down the stairs. Bags and gear in hand. Everyone is gathered in the kitchen and we make our way to the vehicle as soon as possible. “We need to head out! We’re heading back to Faerie now. Our time here is up!”

“Wait! What will happen to the house, the property? This is our home! We want to be able to come back to one.” Ashlinn cries.

“Once we leave there will be no need for the Fomorians to continue their assault. It’s you they want and they’ll follow us. Nemus, the wards will they hold once we are gone?” I ask.

“Yes my lord. The wards are strong.” Nemus says.

“Then we’re off, if we time it just right we should be able to pass thru the portal at sunrise if not we’ll be stuck here for another day. Let’s move out!”

Ashlinn and Alexia rush toward Millie and Hank and the four are caught up in hug as I hear Millie say in a solemn voice, “My dears, I wish you safe travel. May the road rise up to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your faces, and until we meet again may the gods and goddesses keep you safe.” The girls pull away and rush back towards the vehicle. Ashlinn says over her shoulder, “Take care of our home and yourselves we’ll see you again, soon.” With that we all climb inside the Hummer and head back to the dolmen in this realm that we came through before. We leave Millie, Hank, Talila, and a few others behind to see to the houses and the land but once we’re gone there shouldn’t be an issue with the Fomorians. I just hope we can get to the dolmen portal before sunrise. I’m worried about Ashlinn. This is the second night in a row without a good night’s rest since her awakening. It’s all going to catch up with her. I hope that we’re safely back in Faerie when that happens. I’ll gladly let her sleep a week if that’s what she needs as long as she’s safe.

Chapter 19

(Ashlinn)

Everything is happening so quickly, “Can we swing by the practice range? I want to pick up my cross bow.” I ask to no one in particular.

“Already done, they’re packed in the storage compartment along with some of our other weapons; we’re ready to head out.” Declan replies. Lexie is sitting in the front with Declan dressed in a similar out fit to mine and yes she is packing some heat as well. It looks as if the two of them have definitely worked things out. Jasmine looks like our unofficial bobble head on the dashboard of the vehicle I think and snicker to myself. I am once again stuck in the middle of Alaric and Nemus and then TNT are in the back. The guys appear to be on high alert as we barrel down the drive to the main road. Declan slows as we take the turn, tires screeching, onto the main road heading southwest back toward Tennessee. We’re confined to highway 80 until we can get to the main interstate. Thank God we’re traveling at night so there will be limited traffic because at the rate of speed Declan is going we could hit trouble.

From the back I hear, “We have company!” I turn to see two black range rovers approaching from behind at a high rate of speed. I swallow hard because things have just gotten real. These guys are really after me and I’m trying to think of how we can possibly get ahead of them.

Alaric shifts in his seat beside me and says, “Declan, we need to lose these guys! They’re gaining on us.”

“Do any of you carry hand guns?” I ask.

“What? No. We prefer our blades and other weapons, more hand to hand combat.” Alaric looks at me curiously. “What are you thinking?”

“Do you think the Fomorians would be carrying hand guns?”

“I’ve never encountered a Fomorian that carries weapons from this realm. What are you planning on doing?” Alaric asks.

“I’m going to attempt to shoot their tires out but I don’t have the height that I need to do it. I’ll need your help. If we open the moon roof and you stand up you can hoist me up giving me the additional height that I’ll need to take aim and fire at the guys behind us. We’ll have to do this quickly. You’ll have to hold me like earlier so that I can stabilize myself, I can wrap my legs around you and aim over your shoulder. It would mean having your back to what’s going on behind you so you’ll have to trust me. Can you do that?” I ask.

He looks deep into my eyes seriously considering my plan and nods, “Okay, let’s do this. Declan open the moon roof. You ready? Tell me what you need me to do.” He says solemnly.

I crawl onto his lap straddling him as the moon roof begins to open. “I need you to stand up holding me and then once you are upright hoist me up a little further so that I have a clear shot over your left shoulder. That should give me the support I need to make the shot. Declan keep it steady.” I say. “Ready?” He nods and I smile and lean in for a scorching kiss. “Let’s do this.”

I hear from the back seat, “This is crazy we’re supposed to be protecting her not the other way around.” Alaric holds me close as he begins to stand at the same time I wrap my legs around his waist as he continues to rise. I pull my weapon from its holster and release the safety. Alaric is standing upright now and hoists me up a little higher giving me good look at the vehicle behind me. Things seem to slow down as I assess my surroundings. The moon is full and the night is clear as the vehicles behind us are closing the distance between us. My hair is whipping behind me. I have a clear shot and take it. My hand gun kicks back as the shot rings out through the night. Alaric drops us both down into the seat, I’m still facing backward as I’m still straddling Alaric looking out the back window to see that my aim is true. The black range rover swerves right then left and then loses control. The vehicle in the rear has thrown on their brakes skidding to a stop as the vehicle directly behind us begins to roll. I pull my hair back in the vehicle as Declan closes the moon roof. I continue to watch as we put distance between us and the Fomorians. Soon I can no longer see their headlights on the dark road behind us. It remains quiet in the cab of the vehicle as we all digest what just took place.