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Keeper: Book 3 A Realms of the Otherworld Book (Realms of the Otherworld Book Series)

Page 6

by Jana LaPelle


  Dawn is on the horizon, and I hold my son up so he can see all the beautiful colors of sunrise. The moment just before the sun peeks over the horizon I feel Alaric come up behind me. He wraps his free arm around me pulling me in close. He has a sleeping Lillie cradled in his left arm. He is so gentle with both of them, to see a male so large and masculine handle the infants with such tender loving care always warms my heart. I lean back into his familiar frame and sigh, I hear him say in a husky voice, “Good morning, beautiful.”

  Those three words are enough to peak my arousal. I stay put as a smile dances across my face, the sun has yet to rise, and I know that Lachlan will be disappointed not to see the sun greet the day. Alaric grips my hip possessively, and with a wicked grin, I look up at him through shuttered eyes, and say, “Good morning, husband.” His grip tightens, and a low growl escapes which makes my panther stir. Unlike before when carrying these two, I can now shift, and I try to do so daily to let her out. She and the twins have connected, we are separate, yet not and she is as much their mother as I am. How we coexist is difficult to explain, we are part of one another but not the same. Hell, there have been so many changes in my life, I hardly recognize myself from the girl I once was anymore. Same goes for Lexie. She is approaching eight months into her pregnancy, and we all thought she would deliver early, but Morgwais is under the impression that she will carry for possibly another month, give or take. I was definitely on her shit list that day. I can’t help but smile as I remember her cursing me. Something about me lucking out with a five-month pregnancy, and then she lit into Declan. It was little consolation that by the time I delivered these two, I was as big as a frickin’ house, literally, and the last two weeks I was confined to bed rest. Not fun. Not fun at all. Sighing, I look up at Alaric.

  “What’s up? You’re all over the place. Can I help?” He pulls me in, I melt into his side, and I see concern etched on his face.

  “I love you Elf-Man, I love that you’re always so in tuned to me even when I make it hard to figure out what I’m having issues with and right now I’m trying to figure out how to keep these two safe, along with Lexie and her unborn child.”

  He hesitates before leading us back to our rooms, taking one last look at the spectacular sunrise. Both babes have fallen asleep. Laying Lillie and Lachlan down we turn to face one another. Taking my hands, he says, “Hear me out, okay? In a few months’ time, I think we should send them to either The Twilight Realm or The Mortal Realm. I’m leaning toward The Mortal Realm. We can tuck them away at your home there or Tarron’s manor in Ireland. It’s so heavily warded that I know they will be safe there.”

  Shaking my head adamantly, I say, “Alaric, no! Absolutely not! Under no circumstance will I allow them to be separated from me, from us in The Mortal Realm. You know what that means!” Just like that, my happiness comes crashing down around me. “Why would you even suggest that?”

  “Ashlinn, it gives them time to grow up. It gives us time to plan our strategy and find a way to keep them safe. I’m sorry, it was just a suggestion. I don’t want that either, but we have to have their best interest at heart.”

  “And how can their growing up without our influence be in their best interest?!” I shoot back in a loud whisper as I look toward Lillie and Lachlan in their cradles.

  “Ash, I know you feel it, as I do. Something is going to happen soon, and I for one want them safe. Millie and Hank will see to it that we are not missed. They will ensure that our time away will be regarded as a necessity.” He says stoically.

  “No! It’s too soon. Alaric, they are barely two and a half months old. I will not abandon them. Please, do not ask this of me,” I demand.

  “Mo grá, I will only ask this as a last resort.”

  Turning to my kindred, I fall into his embrace, knowing he speaks from the heart and I weep, knowing that sooner or later, I will have to give into his request. It makes sense. I just don’t want to accept the possibility.

  Whimpering, “No, I can’t. Not yet. I can’t be parted from them.” Pulling away from him I walk toward the unlit fireplace. Dejectedly, I fall into a heap in the middle of our floor as the realization of what he is asking takes hold. The thought of being away from them is excruciating. I look up at him pleading, “I can’t. I just can’t, It’s too much.” I whisper, barely audible.

  “Ash…” Reaching down he pulls me up gathering me in his arms and says, “We hide them away while we are on missions or when the danger is great. I didn’t mean until we have finished this, I would never ask that of you. What I’m asking is hard enough. We can pop in periodically and see them. We don’t have to wait for the rising and setting sun anymore. We can get to them at a moment’s notice, remember? Mo grá, you above all others know that we will see a happy ending to these difficult times.”

  Nodding my head, I agree, “Yes, you’re right, I see them as toddlers, and we are all happy together. I’m sorry. I have trouble thinking straight where they are concerned. I know that I need to be strong for them but having them has changed everything.”

  “Yes. It has. Ashlinn, I’m merely suggesting that we have a contingency plan in place. There will come a time when we have to go out in the field to explore a lead together. We need to be united on our course of action. We don’t need to argue over what to do with the twins, and I certainly want them safe when we are away from them.”

  “I know that you’re right. When the time comes, we’ll send Nym with the twins. He has become attached to Lillie, she is not his kindred, but in time I believe that her line will sire his mate. Who else do you trust with our children’s lives?”

  “Garrik and Khatar don’t ask me why. I just do.”

  “Agreed, so now the question is where do we send them? The Mortal Realm or The Twilight Realm?”

  “Well, in The Twilight Realm we know they will be safe because no one can get there without our consent or one of us ferrying them there, but what about learning and experiencing all The Realms? That’s important, right?”

  Smiling I nod and say, “Yes. So, how about, we split their time between realms? It will have to be carefully coordinated, but I think we could make it work. What do you say?”

  As I reflect on how this will work, an unwanted vision takes hold, the first one I’ve had for many months. I sense my body freeze as the world around me falls away, and I’m taken to a dark, ominous place. The comfort of our rooms is replaced with dread, and I feel my flesh, goose pebble as the vision slams into my mind with a voracity that sucks the breath right out of me.

  Looking around I see that I’m in a cold, dank, dimly lit, chamber large enough to house close to thirty people or more. The Morrígna are here as are a coven of… necromancers? What the hell are necromancers doing here? My attention is drawn to The Morrígan. She’s beautiful with her alabaster skin, midnight black hair, and violet eyes. She is tall and slender and is wearing skin tight, slick black leather pants, and matching corset with her breast barely contained, her black hooded cape is lined in a crimson red and is draped over her shoulders and drags the ground behind her. Daria was right in her description of the crown she wears, it looks like polished black onyx and the pointed tips seem to rise impossibly tall above her forehead. Looking around the room her violet eyes begin to shade to solid black as she announces in a compelling voice, echoing within the chamber to everyone in attendance, “It is time to begin! Tonight… We gain a lost hero! Tonight, we take back what has been taken from us! Tonight… We raise Cú Chulainn… from The Underworld!”

  I gasp in horror at what I have just heard, but the vision does not stop there. The necromancers, in their nondescript gray hooded robes, form a circle around an indentation in the stone floor and begin to chant in a language I don’t recognize, and suddenly a brazier ignites without warning, and I inhale sharply when I can clearly see the others in attendance. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are Nimue’s sisters, the resemblance is uncanny. There are children in attendance as well. The chanting begins
to crescendo, and the sound is guttural and crude. One by one Nimue’s sisters walk forward in a single file line. The life in their eyes has been extinguished, long before making the trek here, their children cry out in fear and back away only after trying to pull their mothers back, but in the end they cower in the corner of the room and watch in horror as their mothers stand over the center of the chamber and willingly slice their wrist, allowing their life force to drain out of their bodies. Clearly, the females are under her thrall. The Morrígan’s curse has left them an empty shell of who they once used to be. As their life force drains from their bodies, they are held up, by large hulking warriors that are loyal to The Morrígan, over the sunken stone until every last drop of blood has left their bodies and then they are carelessly tossed aside into a heap of tangled lifeless corpses. I look down to see that every last drop of crimson blood has found a channel and is draining downward into what I can only guess is the tomb of Cú Chulainn. The witches chant intensifies to a deafening cry as the last adult member of Nimue’s sisterhood willingly, under the phantom queen’s will, takes their life to serve their mistress, knowing that if they do not obey they are as good as dead anyway. The Morrígna join in of their own accord, and their chanting somehow empowers the necromancers, and their voices echo around the chamber. Their power mingles with those that strive to raise a long-dead demigod.

  As the volume of the chamber continues to increase, I cover my ears and begin to whimper wanting to be anywhere but here, but then I realize that there are innocent children here and my focus turns to them. They have all but been forgotten. They huddle close to one another. Their eyes are large and brimming with tears, and their muffled cries echo in my ears.

  As quickly as the vision appears it also dissipates, and my strength fails me. I’m caught up in Alaric’s arms, and he holds me close. “Are they always that intense?” He whispers.

  “Sometimes… yes,” I look at him questioningly, “Did you see what I saw? How is that possible?”

  “I have no idea, but it was the first time that you had a vision where I have been holding you. That could explain it. So? Do you have any idea as to when that will take place?”

  “No. That’s what totally sucks. There is nothing that even indicates the time of day or even what season. From here on out I will have to trust my instincts and sense of urgency. Did you see the children? Oh, my… I think I’m going to wretch.”

  “Ashlinn, we’ll figure it out. Okay? Just breathe.”

  “That was horrific.” I pant as I recover.

  “Yes, it was. I have a feeling that we will need to leave out soon if we are going to try to prevent this from happening. Why don’t we take a few minutes to pull ourselves together and then head down for breakfast? Afterward, we can call a meeting. Everyone will need to know about this.” He says as he takes my hand and pulls me toward the bathroom and I willingly go, knowing that our brief reprieve is about to come to a screeching halt.

  Chapter 7

  (Ashlinn)

  As we enter the kitchen, we see Maith and Millie and several others are busy preparing breakfast. This is Maith’s domain, and you can tell that everyone in here respects her place and direction. By extension, Millie has found her place here and is directing and helping as the meal comes together. Everyone works together seamlessly, and I smile when the cousins look up to see us walking into the room, each of us carrying one of the twins. The two hurry over and deftly pluck the infants out of our arms. Lillie and Lachlan are wide awake and begin to smile and coo, batting their tiny arms and fist in the air trying to gain the she-elves attention. These two are going to be so totally spoiled rotten. They are rarely left to entertain themselves in their cradle and have gotten used to being carried about by any in the Keep, even the males turn to mush when in their presence.

  Over their shoulders I see streusel topped blueberry muffins come out of the oven, as well as quite the number of quiche, several breakfast casseroles, and there are several heaping platters of bacon, lean cuts of ham, and sausage. My mouth has begun to water, and my stomach starts its morning grumbling. Smiling I look up at Millie and Maith and say, “Good morning. You two have been busy, everything smells so good, I can’t wait to dig in.”

  Millie returns my smile with one of her own that lights up her entire face, “I had them make your favorite, poppet. Although, I’m trying a new recipe as well, you will have to tell me what you think, it’s a lemon cranberry streusel topped muffin. I take it the babes each have a full belly?”

  Laughing, I say, “Not for long. That was at least an hour ago, so I need to refuel. By the time we finish breakfast, they will be hungry again.”

  “Then, by all means, let’s get you fed,” Millie declares as we hear a commotion behind us.

  “Declan, I know you mean well, but please stop fussing over me. The only thing you are accomplishing is making me irritable.” Lexie says, making her entrance into the kitchen. “If you want to help me, you can fill my plate. I’m starving this morning. I’ve not been really hungry in days, but this morning I think that I could eat a horse. How on earth Ash was able to carry twins I have no idea, this one has been playing the drums all night, and my kidneys need a break.”

  Smiling I turn to see her waddle into the room. For the first time, I think to myself, that she looks like she is about ready to pop as she arches her spine, with her hands on her hips, trying to ease the ache in her lower back. I can’t help but wonder if Morgwais has it right? I’m not sure that she will last another month. She’s so beautiful with all that fiery red hair framing her face and tumbling down her back, her intense green eyes glittering in frustration and aggravation. I take pity on Declan and draw her attention to me, “Come on little momma, let’s get you something to eat. Breakfast is ready.” I pull her to my side putting my arm around her guiding her toward the dining room and say, “I have never seen you look more beautiful than you do this morning. I believe that motherhood suits you.”

  “How can you say that? Much less believe it? I look like a beached whale, and I can’t even walk without waddling. Forget being graceful, and I’m now wearing slip-on shoes because I can’t reach past my belly to pull on my boots. How did you do it with twins? Am I as big as you were? Please tell me that I’m not because you were huge before you delivered the twins.” Her insecurity rings clear in her question.

  Laughing, I hug her to me and impart, “Lex, you are nowhere near the size I was. How could you be? It’s funny you know, you have always been one step behind me in experiencing life, even in motherhood. After this, we do everything together. Come on now, let us take care of you.” I quickly get her seated and comfortable while Declan fills her plate with all of her favorites. I go grab one of Millie’s lemon cranberry muffins and place it on a small plate beside her meal and whisper, “Millie wants us to try her new recipe. I bet it’s fabulous.”

  “Thank you, Ash, you always know what to do to take care of me.” I hear her say as my attention is drawn to the door when I hear Camoryn’s hooves clomping down the flagstone laid hallway. Jasmine is ushered into the room before the satyr. I rarely see her as I did when we first met, she has taken to staying in her faerie form which I’m sure is for Camoryn’s benefit. They are still completely besotted with one another. It’s been close to five months since their binding ceremony, and they still can’t keep their hand off the other.

  Alaric has plated a spread for the both of us. Who am I kidding? I can eat all of that on my own. I take my seat and take my first bite of breakfast and moan as the flavors of the quiche burst over my taste buds. “Millie, Maith, this is so good! Thank you. Please be sure to express our gratitude to the kitchen staff.” After that first bite, I’m completely absorbed in filling my empty stomach until I hear Alaric clear his throat beside me.

  Everyone is in attendance but today will be different, we need to let everyone know of my vision. Alaric speaks up, “Everyone, we need to meet in the library after breakfast. We have some information to share.”r />
  Thinking of my vision my stomach turns and I quietly excuse myself to another room to see to Lillie and Lachlan who have begun to fuss as it’s time for their next feeding. Millie and Maith follow me and help me get situated in the large overstuffed chair that I choose for their feeding. It is becoming one of my favorite chairs in what I’m calling my private nursing parlor. The two linger as I get the twins settled. Once again Lillie needs no encouragement, and I can’t help the smile that lights up my face as I see that both are thriving and completely engrossed in feeding, both with their eyes closed.

  Millie, gains my attention, “So, what is this meeting about? I could tell as soon as it was brought up that you became tense. Tell me, Ash, what’s going on.”

  Sighing, I say, “Have a seat, both of you. I had a vision this morning, and it was not good. There may be some things changing and soon. Millie, you and Hank may have to take the twins to either The Twilight Realm or The Mortal Realm, we’re not sure which. Not yet anyway. Something atrocious is going to happen, and if my internal radar has anything to say about it, it won’t be long now. Maybe within the next month or so, I really want Lexie past delivering her child before all of this goes down, and I need to figure a way to make that happen.”

  Millie smiles and says, “That’s simple if she goes to The Mortal Realm that will give her time to deliver her babe and recover. Morgwais said she had about another month, that’s four weeks. Only two days will pass here in The Otherworld. That’s your answer. You both go home for a while. It’s time. A lot of time has elapsed in The Mortal Realm since you left for The Otherworld. Close to eight years or so has passed. Are you ready to go home?”

  Looking up at my surrogate mother, I say, “I think you may be on to something. I believe you’re right, it’s time we go home. For a time, Alaric and Jasmine can pop back and forth and bring us news allowing Lexie time to deliver and the twins time to grow. It’s a solid plan. All I need to do is convince Alaric and Declan. Wish me luck.”

 

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