The answering knock, followed by a let me in knock-knock-knock, had me unlatching the door. Peering around the sliver I opened it, I eyed my opponent.
When I just stared, the male had the good grace to look abashed, hard as that was, his face mashed to the door, nostrils wiggling awkwardly.
“You’re stuck,” I felt the need to point out.
“I am not stuck,” the dark-furred Tauran said slowly.
I raised a single dark eyebrow, a guilty amber eye meeting mine. When that softly glowing iris started to lighten, flaring with gold, I opened the door wider, forcing him to go along with it. Hooves shuffled, bumping the wood, knees thumping, smacking the door.
“For long,” he corrected.
“Right. Fine.” I gave a short nod, walking alongside the thick piece of wood until it was all the way open. It wasn’t the largest of doorways, meaning I’d have to squeeze past his pronounced derriere to get by him.
Worming my way past, I stopped at the last moment, my hand cracking down on his thick rump with a resounding slap.
Adelric roared, then roared again when, grinning, I gave his happily flicking tail, despite his protests, a good yank. About to take off, tearing out of there, I went back, eyeing his smarting rump. “And this is for the whipping tree thing,” I muttered caustically, giving that rump too hard to even contemplate bouncing a coin off of a good old fashioned spanking.
The shocked noises that left the Minotaur, fading out to grunts as, clenching and unclenching his ass cheeks, he eventually stood there and silently took it, had my cheeks pinkening until I was blushing a thousand shades of red.
By the time my hand was sore and I was done, he was panting, but not in an I’m going to tear into that sassy behind of yours, you bothersome human. It was more like, when I get out of this I’m tearing into that sweet ass, sweetheart, so you’d better run... but that wasn’t going to happen, because there’d be no more hiding the human lover anymore. Not for me.
“Demon- Pixie- Pestilence!” he bellowed, meaty fists punching the door as I smacked a kiss to my hand, slapped it to his cheek, and promptly departed, casually strolling away despite my pounding heart, thudding away wildly like it wanted to jump right out of my chest.
Maidens stared from their doorways worriedly when I began to walk faster, eyeing the raging Tauran like they thought his snarling words of things to come were somehow meant for them. I wasn’t really paying attention. The thought had hit me, insistent, wild. I knew what I needed to do.
It was all for show, a bit of temporary fun that took my mind away from things, but I knew it was very short-lived. I was holding on by a thread and no one really knew it.
Suzaela and Vachel came scuttling down the hall, eyes wide at Adelric’s string of heartfelt imagery. He was very descriptive, emphatic, though I had to point out, whirling around to glare at that glorious bottom of his from the middle of the hall, “I’m not the one shoving my head into doors when I don’t get my way, you goat headed, green-eyed, swamp bottomed... cow! Man cow!”
Vachel, observing our exchange, absorbed by the display, burst out laughing. Man-cow? She mouthed the words, looking to her mother, the high priestess already on her way over. The family matriarch shook her head, motioning for her youngest to hush.
“Left my boots by the waters,” I mumbled, a little unsteady on my feet. My hands were shaking as I made my way past them, running my fingers through my damp locks almost frantically. My skin was back to that itchy feeling as it began to dry. I really just could not catch a break, it felt.
Everything was building, the dam about to burst. I was about to completely and utterly lose it and I knew it. Too much at once, one thing after a blasted ‘nother.
I just wanted, for one moment, to forget everything.
Going to my boots, ignoring the angry bull man bellowing his heart out, I scooped them up, shoving one foot into one and then the other, dropping my dagger inside the left one.
Rushing outside, I ran, ignoring the maidens calling after me about a shawl or covering of some sort. Lifting my hand to flap it about over my head, I mumbled I’d be just a moment, taking that last turn at a dead run. I had to see, needed to know. My mind was a wild, jumbled mass.
When I got to the garden gate, my stomach dropped. Blood on the snow, spatters here and there, and nothing more. That was all there was left in the spot Kvigor should’ve been. Not even my torn shift pieces, used to tie him to the gate, or my blankets, remained. Glancing around, I found no sign of my pair bond peeking out in the blanket of white. Not a single foot print in the snow.
He’d really left. Escaped.
Hopes gone, feeling horribly at a loss, I turned, intending to trudge back inside, but then there, a bit caught my eye.
Gold and black, gleaming in the light, I reached for it, half buried in the snow. Small sob stuck in my throat as I lifted the broken chain, less than half its length in my hand, I cradled the bit to my chest. “Kvigor,” I croaked hoarsely, my mouth working as I fought the urge to cry out.
My world was officially crashing down all around me. I’d failed him, failed him so badly I’d never be able to make it right. Now that I’d angered the Trickster, would he be that much more determined to withhold the one thing I wanted more than anything?
Nausea consumed me, until I was dizzy with it. It dawned on me then, just how cold it was outside, my breaths puffing like little smoke clouds in the air.
Hurriedly, I made my way back to the temple’s garden entrance, hiding in the shadows along the alcove, just trying to find a moment for myself, a second to think.
“I can’t do this,” I whispered, squeezing the chain in my hand hard enough to leave marks behind. The bite of pain was grounding, something else to focus on.
I needed to get somewhere, not outside, of course, but obviously farther away from the shouting calf of a male stuck in my door.
My eyes darted around, my chain held tightly to my chest. Closer to the promise of warmth, inside I went, but the urge to run back outside as if to wait for Kvigor was overwhelming.
Suzaela could be heard shouting down the hall, “And you’ll fix that too! Once you’ve gotten your head out of there! My goodness, Adel! What were you thinking?”
Vachel stumbled into the main chamber, her hand over her mouth to keep her cackling a muffled chortle. Her eyes watered, head shaking. She was gone with laugher.
Watching her, I couldn’t help but smile a little, taken in by her good humor.
Shawl flapping with her hand, the high priestess took one look at her daughter, shook her head, tsking, and dismissed her. When that shrewd gaze swept over me, her eyes meeting mine, the scowl marring her features softened and she paused. That unerring gaze slid from me to the hallway where her son was shouting himself hoarse, then the hall that led to the gardens. As her gaze came back to me, I was looking anywhere but there, or her, feeling lightheaded and a little dizzy as if I’d forgotten to breathe.
“You look a fright, Addie,” Vachel commented suddenly, blunt as ever. “You didn’t try any of the mushrooms, did you?”
“What is it with all of you and m-mushrooms?” My voice cracked, growing hoarse. I had to clear my throat several times to try and speak again but eventually gave up.
Before I knew what was happening I was wrapped up in a motherly hug, the shawl she had on slipping off to be draped over my shoulders, and Suzaela was ushering me towards one of the back halls past the kitchen.
“I- I don’t-” Why were my eyes watering?!!
“Shh. It’s alright.” Her arm wrapped tight around my shoulder. She wouldn’t let go. “Come. Just come with me.”
“Mama?” Vachel called after us. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Nothing.” She stopped us to turn to Vachel. “Just...” her hand fluttered around us, “women’s things.”
“Would these women’s things have to do with the screaming I heard last-”
“VACHEL!” her mother practically shouted over her. “Could yo
u go and help Adel remove his horns from the door, please?”
Sensing a subject change was in order, the younger Tauran offered, “Skewered himself good on it, he did.” I could hear the snicker in her voice as she turned, muttering, to stalk off towards the hall.
“I’m assuming this is about Kvigor and you know who?” Suzaela prodded gently, her voice low so as not to be overheard.
Those reluctant, trudging steps stopped suddenly.
“Vachel,” Suzaela called over her shoulder in a sing-song.
The young woman made a noise in her throat. “I don- all the- He just a- gidda- Aw, I’m going!”
Down a curving set of stairs, we went, past a long corridor, two rights and a left, until I was dizzy with twists and turns.
“Ah... If I say yes are you going to lock me up somewhere?” I blurted when she stopped in front of a small wooden door. It was just above my eye level. We’d both have to duck to enter.
“No.” Her smile was quick and reassuring.
“What’s this, then?”
“This...” Pulling a key from one of the links of the chains draped around her neck, she fit it into the lock, opening the small, creaky door to motion me inside.
Eyeing the woman, knowing I trusted her but I wasn’t that stupid, I waited. “Oh, you first.” Standing back, I motioned her forward.
With a knowing smile she ducked and shimmied her way in. A light flickered to life, a smell not unlike burning incense hitting me.
Nose crinkling, I followed.
Small but cozy, with several doors on each wall, leading to places unknown. Pillows were stacked upon the floor, a thick carpet beneath my feet.
“Hungry?” Suzaela asked, closing the door and walking to a small table next to a large wardrobe, the top covered with random items, amongst those a sheaf of papers, some scribbled on, others still blank, an ink pot and pen, a pitcher and mugs, and rather fresh looking loaf of bread.
Cheese and fruit followed that loaf as she unearthed a small tray and filled it, setting it down between us.
“You hide in here,” I murmured, eyes darting about.
“Oh, I don’t just hide in here,” she grinned, walking over to a small, round circle in the wall, one of many, to flip it open. Voices came through loud and clear, Adelric and Vachel bickering in the hall.
“You spy in here!” I said on a laugh.
She let the circle go, allowing it to fall into place with a smile. Walking to a pillow, she plopped down, making herself comfortable. “Found it when I first came to temple. This used to be the priestess before me’s hidden quarters. I didn’t want it found,” she shrugged, “so I...”
“Pretended it never existed,” I finished.
“We won’t be disturbed in here,” she promised, and, eyeing the mug of water I’d poured myself, began lifting the pillows around her left and right. “If I’m thinking this shall go as it might, something a little stronger than water could come in handy.”
“Is it warming?” I said finally, staring into the depths of my mug uncertainly.
Dusting off a small bottle she’d produced from a removable plank in the floor, covered by her mountain of pillows, she uncorked the top with her teeth, spitting it out onto the tray. Taking a huge gulp, she handed it over. “Down to your marrow.”
Taking a gulp for myself, I pulled back with a gagging gasp. “Oh! Oy! Worse than dragon piss!”
Suzaela clapped her hands, cackling. She was more a youth like this, in private, no half a dozen sets of eyes counting on her to set a good example.
“Gah... Is it supposed to make me feel like my bones are melting?” I mumbled, groaning. Toppling to my side, I blew out a breath that ended on a raspberry. My eyes slid shut and I frowned.
“Aye, and loosen that tongue up a bit,” she admitted easily.
“Truth serum?” One eye cracked open to peek at her.
“Of a sort.” She was perfectly poised, calm as you please.
“Are all Taurans right bastards?”
“A worried mama is hardly a bastard. But, if the tail twists to the right just so... ” she gave a shrug, “meh.” Nope. She did not give one fig.
“Is it working on you, too?”
“Yes.” Her eyes were starting to look a little glassy, unfocused.
“Are you aware I’ve tupped both of your sons and have no intention of stopping?” A hiccup. “I mean, ignore that last part. I didn’t not mean it. Ah... I mean- Meant... erm...”
Snorting, her hand going to her face as if hers was as numb as mine, she peeked at me from beneath thick digits. “Oh aye, know exactly what ya be meanin’.”
“Do you descend from cows of the Scots or Celts?” I asked suddenly, wiggling a finger at her, then burst out laughing.
“Descend from the fae. My boys are a direct line of Puck’s.”
At her admission I shot up, staring at her dazedly, stunned. “You mean- You mean- You mean-”
Lifting the plank again to put the bottle back, she rummaged around a bit, pulling an old, weathered tome from its dusty home.
Flipping open to a specific page, she handed it to me. “Sweet,” she said softly, a note of apology in her voice, “I’m not supposed to be telling without permission, but I got the alright from the man upstairs to offer you this in aid, just last night. Came to me in a dream, said you’d be needing this.”
On the page I held, cradling it like it was made of rice paper, was a depiction of the fae king and his queen, and below them was a man with a donkey’s head I assumed to be Puck, lording over his charges, his children, half animal and man, mixes of animal, reptile, and anything in between. Most amongst them were the Tauran, strong, versatile, stubborn as oxen.
“I’m not to show anyone else, but you’re welcome to come and have a read anytime you like. It’s written in the old language, not sure if you can-”
“I can read it,” I got out on a choked laugh, my throat clogging uncomfortably as the tears suddenly fell, “this is my language.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you before. I was pushing it admitting I believed you.”
“You’re just another pawn, too,” I shook my head, “not your fault.” I was beginning to understand that one, first hand.
“We’re all meant to play a part,” she said gently. “I don’t know if I’d say pawn is the right word.”
“Okay, bishop or rook,” I joked, my tone flat, dry, “if you understand the chess reference.” Sniffling, I accepted the bit of linen she lifted towards me in offering. Glancing up at her, eyes bright and bloodshot, I opened my mouth and blurted everything out. Everything from start to finish, in one ugly, long, stuttering, stumbling, rambling rant. By the time I’d finished, what felt like hours had passed. Was it day, night? What year was it?! No matter, my soul felt lighter, and that was what mattered. “What am I to do?” I mumbled, scrubbing at my face. “I’m lost- I don’t- Everything is just so confusing! And I feel like I’ve messed it all up, but I don’t even know how! It was all so screwed up already to begin with!”
“Everything will unfold in its time.” She took the chain still clutched in my hand, sliding it around my wrist. Taking a small bit from her k’h se, she fashioned a tie from it, knotting the chain like a bracelet. “It’s not for us to say.”
A grunt left me. For all of her elder wisdom and bits and bobs here and there, that wasn’t particularly helpful. Closing the book, I stood and went to hand it back to her.
“I trust you, as he does.” Her hands curled around mine over the old relic. “You will be careful to keep it out of view of others?”
I nodded but had to ask, “Are you sure?” Cradling the book to my chest, I stared down at it. I wanted to read it from cover to cover, pore over it for clues, anything that might help me.
The high priestess gave my shoulder a pat. “Only a handful remain that understand the old scripts.”
“Thank you.” I hugged the worn spine tighter.
“Only wish I could be doing more.”
<
br /> Belly pleasantly full, the tray she’d set out emptied but for a crumb or two, skin itchy and tight, I wanted to go to the bathing chamber, rinse myself off, and crawl into bed. All cried out, no solution(s) to my predicament forthcoming, and just sleep until I couldn’t sleep anymore.
When I admitted as much she motioned to a door to my right. “Follow this one, it circles back to the bathing chamber, or if you follow it further, back to the rooms. And if you ask Lashi, she’ll fetch you a hot coal or two for the bucket.”
“Again, thank you.” With a wan smile I turned and gave her a hug. “For, you know. For everything.” She responded in kind by hugging me back.
“I do have to ask,” she murmured, pulling back to unlock the door, “did you really paddle Adel’s bottom?” The corners of her mouth tipped up, eyes twinkling with mirth as my cheeks reddened. The skin around her eyes crinkled until it looked like it was smiling.
Clearing my throat, recalling the incident, I couldn’t help but laugh. “I’d have blistered him soundly if he wasn’t full of so much hair.”
Her cackle rang out as the door swung out and she had me rush through to close it behind her. Following me down the hall, she chortled, sighing. “I’d have paid a case of baidle berry wine to see that.”
“Dragon piss.” Cringing, I shuddered.
The high priestess, bidding me a good rest, giggle-snorted her way back towards the rooms.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
That tome, it just... itching, tiredness be damned, it needed reading. Walking right past the bathing chambers, I ended up finding myself circling back to the rooms, making use of an unoccupied one, locking myself in to crack open that book. The small stub of a candle left behind by the last to make use of this room was sufficient enough light, using a fairy light in the hall to get it going. The room was a bit musty from being closed up but I didn’t care.
Much of what I already knew or had already suspected was in the book came to light. It was a bit at the end about the fae matings that grabbed me. Rarely, did a fae bind themselves to a mortal, if only in dire circumstances would one even consider it. The act involved a spell like incantation and sharing of blood.
By the Horns Page 45