Aubreigne

by Sandra R Neeley

  Aubreigne smiled sadly, when Amilanu reached for her hand, taking it in his. He looked into her eyes, waiting patiently for her to look back at him. “I am yours, Aubreigne, and yet I don’t even belong to myself,” Amilanu said, the pain he felt at their circumstance clearly evident in his expression. “He would destroy you to remove my want to be rid of him, but I will not allow it. If he begins to awaken, to try to take control, I will take us away from here before he realizes where we are.”

  “But that is no way for us to live our lives,” Aubreigne said.

  “It is all I have for now. He is weaker than he’s been before. I am able to control him better.”

  Aubreigne held Amilanu’s hand tightly, just as he held hers. Finally knowing there was no easy answer, she decided to take comfort whenever she could. She slipped from the sofa and onto the floor beside him.

  Amilanu lifted the edge of the quilt he was wrapped in and Aubreigne lay beside him, allowing him to hold her in his arms. Amilanu sighed deeply as she placed her own arms around him, and they simply lay there, closely together, loving the feel of one another.

  Amilanu pressed his lips to the top of her head. “I cannot even love you properly. This body has been exposed to so many…”

  “Shhh, I don’t want to think about it. I know enough to know I don’t wish to know more. Just hold me,” Aubreigne said.

  “I would hold you forever,” he whispered.

  Chapter 15

  Settled into one another, just being in the moment, both of them startled when a loud knock sounded at Aubreigne’s door.

  Rune, who’d been napping closer to the fireplace, got up and went to the door, emitting a low growl.

  When no one answered the door, a voice called out. “Aubreigne? I gotcha ice, yeah!”

  “That’s Gaston. He’s bringing me more ice for my icebox,” Aubreigne explained.

  “I’ll go in your bedroom,” Amilanu said, not wanting to cause her any trouble, or invite any curiosity that may take what little time he’d found with his mate away from him. He rolled to his knees and used the sofa to try to sit up, then stand, but he ended up losing his balance and flopping back on the sofa.

  “Here, let me help you. Gaston is not one that needs to see you here,” Aubreigne said, stopping halfway to the door and rushing back to Amilanu.

  “Why?” he asked.

  “You battled against him and Murder. Do you not remember?” she asked.

  Amilanu leaned against her and she helped him get to her bedroom. “I wasn’t present for the battle. Perhaps if I saw him I’d know who he was,” Amilanu answered.

  “It doesn’t matter now. Just stay out of sight. This shouldn’t take more than a moment, then he’ll be on his way.” Aubreigne didn’t give him time to answer, she spun on her heel and hurried to the door.

  Gaston pounded on her door, since she’d not answered any of his prior knocking.

  “I’m coming!” she called out. She unlocked the door and pulled it open moments later to a worried looking Gaston. “I’m so sorry, Gaston. I was napping and didn't hear you.”

  His eyes glanced behind her into her home and he saw the quilt and pillow on the floor. Right away he relaxed. “Didn’t mean tah’ wake ya’ no, just started tah’ get worried aftah’ I heard ya’ wolf growlin’ and knew ya’ had tah’ be in ‘dere, too,” Gaston said.

  “It’s okay. It’s time for me to wake up anyway. I see you’ve brought the ice,” she said, stepping back and allowing Gaston to enter her home. As he stepped over her threshold, Ata’halne stepped into her line of vision from where he’d kept himself from her sight to the far side of her doorway. He moved as though he was going to follow Gaston in.

  Aubreigne and Rune both stepped in front of him. “Do not even consider entering my home. Why are you even here?” she demanded, while Rune snarled and snapped his jaws at Ata.

  “I spent the night with Gaston and his family. I’ve helped him bring your ice, Aubreigne. Why do you banish me from your home? I’d never harm you. I only wish to spend time with you.”

  “You are not welcome here. I thought we got that straight last night,” she said.

  “The only thing we cleared up last night is that the dark fey is no more than a slight nuisance! I cannot believe you’d choose time with him over me. We once meant something to each other! Have you forgotten?!” Ata asked.

  “I have. Completely. It meant little to you, and apparently, to me too,” Aubreigne answered coldly.

  Ata was glaring at the wolf. “What is wrong with that creature? All he does is snarl and snap.”

  “No, sometimes he bites as well. Would you like to tempt him?” she answered.

  “Aubreigne, my patience grows thin. You will grow old alone if you do not change your opinions quickly!” Ata threatened.

  “Alone, or in your company…” she said, pretending to think about it, “I think I’ll take alone. Go. Get off my property! Stay off my property!”

  “I am with Gaston!” Ata’halne said haughtily.

  “Don’t be pullin’ me into ‘dis, too, now!” Gaston said, busily chipping away at the block of ice he’d brought with him. He’d intentionally brought a larger one than he needed, knowing that it would melt some on his walk to Aubreigne’s. But this one was still a bit too large.

  “Aubreigne, if I’d a’known he wasn’t welcome, I’d not have allowed him tah’ come wit’ meh’,” Gaston said.

  Aubreigne scowled at Ata’halne. “I’m closing this door now. If you aren’t off my property in two minutes, I’ll tell Rune to eat you.” She slammed her front door, and turned, walking toward Gaston. She wasn’t aware that the door had bounced off its jamb, and left a small opening that Ata’halne could perfectly well see through.

  “Gaston, thank you so much for delivering the ice,” Aubreigne said, doing her best to ignore the strain that was clearly painted all over her face.

  “I’m sorreh’, Aubreigne. I had no idea…” Gaston started.

  “It’s not your fault. He just refuses to take no for an answer.”

  “Mehbeh, he realleh’ loves you,” Gaston said.

  “He’s a much different man than the one I helped. Then he was humble and grateful. But even then it didn’t last long. And even if he was still grateful, I’m not interested. He left me years ago because he thought he had a better chance at a future back home, with a promise to return if it didn’t work out. I knew then, though he’d made the choice, it was the best one for me. I will not be someone’s second choice.”

  “I understand ‘dat. Listen, I’m’a go, so if he’s still hangin’ around I’ll take him wit’ me. I put what was left of ya’ old ice in a bowl in ya’ icebox. Hope you don’t mind. I just grabbed a bowl from ‘da counter top ‘dere. If you need anyt’ing at all you let me know. I’ll bring ya’ another ice block in about a week. If ya’ need it sooner, ya’ let me know.”

  “I will. Thank you, Gaston.”

  “Ya’ welcome, Aubreigne. Ya’ take care, now,” Gaston said, hugging her before walking toward the door. “And keep ‘dis wolf close. He’s real protective.”

  “I do. At all times,” Aubreigne said, following Gaston to the front door.

  “I hear ‘dere’s some supplies missing again lateleh’. Ya’ be on ‘de lookout for ‘dat Dark One. He might be around again,” Gaston said, being the good male that he was he simply wanted to warn a single woman living alone that there could be more danger than she might be expecting.

  “Oh, I’m aware. I’m always careful,” Aubreigne answered.

  “Ya’ know what he looks like, don’t cha? He ain't scary. He’s a pretteh’ man, yeah,” Gaston said.

  “I remember. We had several run-ins. I’ll be careful,” Aubreigne said, trying to hurry Gaston to the door and out of her home so she could check on Amilanu.

  Gaston grasped the door handle and swung it open. Since Gaston pulled the front door open to walk outside instead of Aubreigne, she didn’t notice that the door wasn’t closed all
the way. What she did notice was Ata’halne standing a few feet from her home, glaring at her. His face was practically unrecognizable as he stood there fuming with outrage over whatever slight he’d imagined this time. Aubreigne had no way to know it was over Amilanu. Ata’halne had thought he’d glimpsed a naked man standing just behind the corner of the wall that led to Aubreigne’s bedroom where it led into the living room. He’d been standing there watching as Aubreigne had shouted at him. Then she’d slammed the door after disrespecting him and ordering him away, and it was then that Ata’halne had stood as close to the slightly opened door as he could, straining to see through the crack in the door, to confirm that he’d definitely seen a naked man sheltering in her home. A home that should be his. Ata’halne had heard the conversation between Aubreigne and Gaston and quickly moved a few feet away from her door when he heard them approach.

  “I said to go!” Aubreigne said firmly on seeing him still outside her home, as the ends of her hair began to flit randomly in the air that was starting to swirl in response to her heightened emotions.

  “I’m waiting for Gaston!” Ata yelled at her.

  Aubreigne smiled calmly and started to move past Gaston who was already outside, and out into her yard to handle this once and for all, but a muffled voice said something behind her. Aubreigne looked over her shoulder for a moment, then back at Ata’halne. “You’re lucky this day. Do not return to my land, or make any attempt to speak to me. Ever!” she said, then slammed the door and locked it.

  Gaston stood on Aubreigne’s stoop. “You still around?” Gaston asked, when Aubreigne finally went back inside.

  “I didn’t want to just walk away and leave you here alone,” Ata answered, doing his best to keep the anger from his voice.

  Gaston raised one eyebrow. “Seems to me, the ladeh’ asked you to go. Ya’ should have tol’ me ‘dat ya’ll had words alreadeh’. It puts me in a bad spot bringing ya’ here,” Gaston said.

  “That was not my intention,” Ata’halne said haughtily. “I was simply accompanying a friend, hoping for another chance to speak with Aubreigne.”

  “And why’d ya’ hang around when she said to leave?” Gaston asked.

  “For you. Common courtesy,” Ata answered. “To escort you home.”

  Gaston laughed. “I think mehbeh ya’ forget what I am. I’m a gator shifter. I don’t need nobody escortin’ me to anywhere.”

  “I’m aware. I was simply being thoughtful,” Ata answered.

  “Alright, ‘dats fine. Let’s get on our way and leave Aubreigne in peace. She don’t want ya’ here,” Gaston said. “And ya’ ain't coming back here wit’ me no more.”

  Ata’halne followed Gaston away from Aubreigne’s property, but couldn’t stop himself from glancing back over his shoulder several times. The bitch had refused him. She’d taken up with another man, and worst of all she’d disrespected him in front of both Gaston and whoever the man was she’d chosen over him. She obviously didn’t realize what she was giving up in rejecting him. He came to a stop and stood stock still, staring at her home. He was going to make her beg for his attentions. He was going to force her to see him for the man he was. It wouldn’t be long and he’d have her on her knees sorry she’d ever rejected him. All he had to do was come up with a plan.

  “Ya’ comin’, or do I have tah’ carreh ya’ away?” Gaston asked from further up the path.

  “I’m coming,” Ata answered. Then he thought of the most important thing in the world to Aubreigne — her daughter. “I’ve got some friends to visit, some things to plan.”

  “Well, come along ‘den. Leave Aubreigne to her own designs.”

  “Oh, I plan to. She’ll be running after me before I ever set foot here again,” Ata’halne said, his voice full of contempt. He was already devising a plan to get Deaumanique away from her husband. As far as he could tell, neither had left their home since their wedding day, they were still in their honeymoon phase. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t happen upon them. Find a way to snatch her from under him. “Yes, I have much to plan.”

  ~~~

  “Do not go out there. If you do, I’m liable to kill him, then all will know I’m here,” Amilanu said from his place partially blocked from view at the corner of the wall between the bedrooms and the living room.

  Aubreigne thought about his words and realized she didn’t want him found out yet. She slammed the door and locked it, then turned to face him. Her skin was noticeably red, and the tips of her long, black hair were still flitting about as though there was a breeze inside the house. When she raised her eyes to Amilanu he could clearly see the deep orange and red tinged flames in the centers of her dark irises.

  “I didn’t know,” he said, smiling softly while leaning on the wall.

  “Didn’t know what?” she asked.

  He lifted his chin in her direction. “You.”

  Amilanu tried to take a step toward the living room, but he was so weak from no food and dehydration despite Aubreigne’s best efforts to try to get him to drink.

  Aubreigne wanted to run and hide since he’d acted like her being part Demon had changed anything about who she’d been only thirty minutes earlier, but she didn’t want him to fall. So, she lowered her eyes, intentionally not meeting his gaze as she went to him and helped him to the sofa. After she got him settled, she tried to pull away and go directly to the kitchen, but he’d caught her hand up with his.

  “Wait, what’s wrong?” Amilanu asked. “The male is gone. Rune did his job, and I didn’t have to kill him.”

  “You couldn’t have anyway in this condition,” she said, pulling her hand free from his. “Besides, I didn’t need you to kill him. I could have quite easily handled it myself,” she said, her voice defensive and cold.

  “I see now that you most likely could have,” Amilanu answered, puzzled that she was pulling away from him.

  “I’ll get you some food and water so that you can regain some strength. I’m sure you don’t wish to be here any longer than necessary,” Aubreigne said, her heart hurting even more than she’d thought possible at the idea that he’d reject her due to her lineage.

  “Thank you. But I’m more concerned about why you won’t look at me. Why are you pulling away from me?”

  “I’m aware that you see me differently. Not everyone can accept the fact that I’m who I am without holding prejudice against me,” Aubreigne explained, still standing in front of him, but far enough away that he couldn’t touch her.

  “I want nothing more than to be near you,” Amilanu said. “I’ve already explained it all. Why do you think I no longer wish to be near you?” he asked, genuinely puzzled.

  Aubreigne was confused now. She raised her gaze to meet his. “Because I’m a Demon!” she said.

  Amilanu smiled at her.

  “I can’t help that. My mother was a Siren, and my father a Demon. But I’m just me. It doesn’t change who I was thirty minutes ago. I do my best to be fair and kind to all I meet. The only time I even remember that side of me is when I’m angry!” she said defensively.

  “Aubreigne. Nephesh. You are perfect as you are. I simply meant that I hadn’t even noticed. I care not what your father or mother were, or are. I simply care that you are well and happy. To be quite honest, I do not even care how you treat others. I only care that you are mine, and I am yours, and that you are as pleased about it as I am,” Amilanu said sincerely.

  Aubreigne looked at Amilanu, obviously dumbfounded that she’d misread him. “Truly?” she asked.

  “Truly. I will allow myself the selfishness to not care about any others but you. I believe I’ve earned that bit of self indulgence,” he said, holding an arm out to her.

  Aubreigne nodded and went to him, sitting beside him as he curled his arm around her protectively.

  “Why would you think I’d care about the blood that flows through your veins?” he asked, pressing his lips to her head again.

  “Because most do. I’ve come to expect it. And since
you’ve been trapped among them for so long…”

  “Did you see me, not The Dark One, but me? You did, didn’t you? Even before you understood, you saw me, you sensed that there was more, and you willingly took me in and cared for me. Even after you knew who I was, who I become when he strengthens, you still sit here, allowing me to hold you, to speak sweet words of love to you, and you do not shun me. Why would you think I would shun you?”

  Aubreigne shrugged. “I sometimes doubt myself,” she answered truthfully. “After years of hiding my nature, I just assume all will see me as evil. I don’t even use my full voice when speaking to men. I’m afraid they’ll accuse me of trying to spell them with my song.”

  “You’re speaking to me with your full voice. I am not falling under a spell,” he observed.

  Aubreigne’s face registered surprise as she gaped at him. “You’re right!” she said. “When he’s here, he can’t bear my voice. And my song forces him to comply!”

  “Good, then you have a defense against him until I’m able to win this battle.”

  “Why is it that I’m not under the spell of your voice?” Amilanu asked.

  “Because you’re my mate. My mate will be immune to my voice.”

  “And those that just left?” he asked.

  “Gaston is mated so he would not be as susceptible to the effects of my voice. Ata’halne… I don’t know. He’s never been affected by my voice. It’s why I assumed he was my mate when I knew him before.”

  “I have seen those with more than one mate. It is not unheard of, but it matters not. I beg you, do not accept him,” Amilanu said, worry in his voice.

  “I will not. No matter what happens, I will never accept him. That time has passed.”

  “Thank you,” Amilanu said, holding Aubreigne close to him. “I vow to win this battle. You will not be forever without me, but there will come a time that I will be gone. But know that I had no choice.”

  “Stay here, we can fight him together,” Aubreigne said.

  Amilanu shook his head. “When I feel him trying to emerge, I must leave quickly. Take him far from you and any reminder of you. I will not chance your safety. But, if I’m able, I will always return. And eventually, I am determined to win my freedom.”