Kindred: Book 1 A Realms of the Otherworld Book (24 page)

“Shhh. Mo grá. Is breá liom tú.”

“How can that monster be my birth mother? Will I turn out to be like her?” I wonder out loud looking up at my rock as his comforting touch helps me to breathe easier. “What would I do without you? I love you too. Seriously though, she is such a bitch.” I bite out.

“Shhh, Mo grá.”

Alaric holds me close and as I listen to the beat of his heart in sync with mine, he pushes comforting thoughts through our bond and I begin to calm as midafternoon approaches. We’re becoming more in tune with one another and take this time we have together to share stories of our past and simply continue to get to know one another. We laugh together and I cry again over what could have been. A lost relationship between mother and daughter and we both find that we take comfort in each other’s presence. I’m constantly aware of my mate as he is of me and in a moment of clarity I realize that I have forgotten about my promised visit to Garrik and it is well overdue. “Alaric, I need to go apologize to Garrik for not keeping my promised visit.”

“Know that while you were sleeping I sent word to my uncle about our little prisoner and he has assured me that Garrik is well aware that he will not be receiving a visit from you today. His accommodations have been upgraded somewhat so please do not worry. He also wanted you to know that he is aware of whom your father is and that he has been in contact with him. He will arrive shortly. ”

I curl up against Alaric and sigh not sure of what to make of this news but there is one thing that I think to myself and that is that I can trust The Dagda, his words ring with truth and his actions speak loudly of his intentions. My mother definitely has an ulterior motive. Dagda’s presence in our situation helps to ease my fears of whatever it is that my mother has up her sleeve.

“Of course you can trust my uncle.” Alaric says.

“How did you know that was what I was thinking?” I ask.

“Now that our binding has been completed, through our bond we will be able to hear each other’s thoughts. I know that you can already sense this as do I and before long we will be able to converse with one another through our bond. It will definitely come in handy when dealing with Danu.” He says absently.

The early evening starts off much as last night did as we continue to enjoy our time together. He talks to me about his parents and other things that I need to know about, such as, life at court and I listen and ask questions soaking up everything that I can. There’s so much that I need to know. As time passes I find that we are so in tune with one another that we even anticipate the others wants and needs without having to voice them. More and more we’re exercising our inner voice with one another as it begins to cement into place. These are the times I cherish.

I think back on the evening before and how the mating urge had taken hold and blush again at some of my wanton behavior which was bordering on, “I’m a horny cat so sex me up”. I think to myself and I hear Alaric laughing from the outer room. He’s trying to get some work done at his desk in between bouts of my extra horny cat rearing her ugly head before our inner dialog begins.

“What mo grá? Do you tire of me so soon?”
He asks laughing through our bond.

“You know that’s not the case. I totally enjoy having you for my sex slave.”

“Good to know, Áliann. I’ll be sure to try to spice things up a bit. I can’t have you getting bored with my sexual prowess the next time we tango. I believe that will be very soon if your horny cat has anything to say in the matter.”

With a heavy sigh I know he’s right I know the signs now as I feel the tightening and tension building as I clamp my legs together. Evidently, a shifter mating can take a little longer than the kindred binding mating. Soon I can get back to my training. I’m itching to do so. Alaric said that Alexia has begun working with Nemus and Declan and I know that I’m falling behind. I’m a little jealous as I watched her earlier in the courtyard from the terrace working with the guys while I’m confined to our chambers.

“No offense, Elf Man. It’s not your performance in the sheets that has me frustrated.”

“No offense taken. Just think of this as an exercise in patience and endurance.”

There’s an unexpected knock on the door to our rooms. Alaric is in nothing more than his sleep pants that hang low on his hips accenting his abs and that perfect V that dips just below the waist band of his pants. Yep, I could stare at that all day. I’m in my favorite boy shorts paired with a cami. I look at Alaric as my brow quirks as I go to retrieve a silk robe.

“It’s okay. We can’t expect for the world to stop just because we’ve holed ourselves up for the last twenty four hours. Why don’t you get the door?”
I say through our bond.

Alaric opens the door to an unhappy Dagda. He’s with Danu and another man that I do not know. I look at Alaric and he shakes his head letting me know that now is not the time for questions.

Chapter 25

(Alaric)

I instantly tense and move into a defensive stance as I position myself between Ashlinn and our visitors. I feel her bristle at my protective gesture.
“Mo grá, let me assess the situation. My need to protect what is mine is not something I can’t deny.”
She takes the hand that I hold out to her and I immediately calm. Not! I’m not happy that Danu is intruding on our time together, especially after that display in the courtyard earlier today.

“Uncle, I thought we agreed that we were not to be disturbed during this time as I need to tend to my mate.” I say not looking at The Dagda but directing my glare toward Danu.

“And I thought we established that the bond was not to be completed until the binding ceremony, Prince Alaric! I remember telling you both that under no uncertain circumstances was that to happen.” Danu spits out angrily stepping into my personal space. As she approaches a growl rips from my throat in warning. Danu narrows her eyes at me and then looks over my shoulder to Ashlinn. “This can’t be. The witch assured me that the druid would be the father not the shifter. I didn’t believe you Dagda I thought you sought to deceive me.” She says glaring at my uncle.

“Way to go mother. Sleep around much? Were there any other potential baby daddies, or just the two? You know what? I really don’t want to know. If we are going to continue this stimulating conversation please come in as I would prefer not to give everyone in the keep fodder for gossip!” Ashlinn declares stepping back into the room. “An introduction would be nice or do you carry on this type of conversation with just anyone in tow.”

“Daughter, watch your tone with me. I will not have you disrespect me.” Danu says as she sweeps into the room as if she owns the place followed by who I believe to be Ashlinn’s father and then my uncle.

Ashlinn is ready to go head to toe with her mother as she says, “Let’s get one thing straight mother, I will not bend to your will just because you think I should do your bidding no questions asked. We did not enter into this binding lightly. We listened to the counsel of others before our decision was made but in the end my first shift cemented our decision. You could have given me a heads up as to my parentage. Oh, that’s right you were banging all the males in the realm!” She all but yells at Danu in her anger.

“That is enough!” Danu rages as fire erupts in her hands and flames flicker up and down her arms. “Daughter, you will pay me the respect I deserve. I have had nothing but your best interest at heart. You will watch your tone with me or so help me…”

“What will you do?!!” Ashlinn challenges. I can feel her channeling her anger at the situation at hand and my temper snaps.

“Enough!” My uncle and I say at the same time. He can see that I’m about to lose it.

“Danu, it’s time to go. You have seen what you need to see. The rest of this can wait for a more appropriate time.” Dagda says forcefully and Danu douses her flames.

Ashlinn turns her attention the stranger amongst us, “Wait. Please forgive me this little outburst. I’m sorry that things got out of hand. Who are you?” Ashlinn asks of the man that has stood back and quietly observed this whole display. He has an exotic look about him with his dark wavy hair, amber colored eyes, and golden brown skin. He’s striking. As I look at him and then at Ashlinn I begin to see the similarities and hear Ashlinn through our bond as she asks,
“Is that who I think it is?”
I nod as I realize that he is indeed her father.

He steps forward and assesses Ashlinn as his gaze runs over her, a smile begins to appear as recognition sets in and then he says, “Iníon, daughter, my name is Rhespen. Alpha male to the panther clans of the realm, I’m very happy to make your acquaintance. Thank you Dagda for getting word to me.” With a glare in Danu’s direction he says, “You’re keeping her existence a secret from me is inexcusable, Danu.”

For an instance Danu looks somewhat defeated but quickly squares her shoulders and looks back at all of us defiantly. Her gaze locks on Ashlinn and for the first time she seems to truly take notice of her as she moves closer to me. I continue to observe Danu as she looks as if she has become concerned for her daughter.

Ashlinn tunes into my thoughts and says in my mind,
“You don’t honestly think for one minute she is concerned for my wellbeing. Do you?”

I shrug and say, “If everyone will behave themselves and act like adults we can have a quick discussion.”

Rhespen looks back and forth between the two of us and says, “I think that what we have to discuss can wait. My daughter needs to be with her mate. From her scent we should be able to meet again by morning.”

“Wait. You’re smelling me? How embarrassing. Do I smell bad? What do you mean by morning?” She asks in typical Ashlinn style.

“Forgive me, this is all new to you and you have much to learn. It is the mating call even though you have completed the kindred binding the call to be with your mate is still there. Most will take their time with the binding. The pheromones that you are both emitting, tells me that your mating call is not complete.”

“We’ve been cooped up in these chambers for the last twenty four hours, I’m anxious to get back to the issues at hand.” Ashlinn says. I can’t help the smirk that appears as I think of all the things we will be doing together to pass the time tonight. Ashlinn swats at my arm and shakes her head with a smirk on her face.

Rhespen assess Ashlinn and says, “You should increase your food intake it will help during this time as your metabolism begins to increase to accommodate your feline. Might I ask a favor?’ He pauses as if waiting for consent and then continues, “I would like for our cats to get acquainted before I leave would it be possible for us to shift together?” He asks Ashlinn.

Ashlinn agrees and they both shift. His panther is almost twice her size and she submits to her father, her alpha, as the two get acquainted. All the while Dagda and I are watching Danu closely to see her reaction to all of this. She is watching quietly away from the rest of us and I detect a look of longing cross her face. She swallows hard as she watches the two together. Ashlinn lets me know that I should let it go but something makes me wander over to the goddess. Once she takes notice of me her mask slips into place again.

I look at her and then at Ashlinn and Rhespen and back again before I say, “I get it… You like to be in control. There will always be things that are going to be out of your control. That may be harder for you to accept than the rest of us given how powerful you are. We all have to learn to live with that and adapt. If you keep pushing her to follow a future that you envisioned for her, you will never be able to forge a bound with her. You are both headstrong and will full. She is not meek. She’s incredibly strong but also tender hearted. I have watched her sway an enemy in the dungeon with her insight and generosity alone. If you allow her to find her way and are willing to accept her for who she is, you will find that she has an incredibly large heart. There will be plenty of room in it for her to welcome you in.” I pause before continuing as I see that I have her attention, “I’m not sure what you have or had planned for Ashlinn but I think you should seriously rethink that plan because where she goes I go. We share a completed kindred bond and a mate bond. It is intense and binds us together for what will come. She is mine and I’m hers. We’re a package deal.” I say as I watch my mate in her panther form playfully getting to know her father. Looking back at Danu she seems to crumple before me as she takes a seat watching her daughter and ex-lover.