by Jana LaPelle
Chapter 17
(Ashlinn)
Yesterday is a total blur. To be honest, this whole trip has been a bit of a nightmare with just a few amazing highlights, I think as I wake in a large comfortable bed with Alaric’s heavy arm wrapped around me, holding me close. I snuggle into his hold and close my eyes in an attempt to go back to sleep. Then the thought of my children crosses my mind, and I know that sleep will forever evade me until I get back to them. Alaric tightens his hold, and I know that he’s awake now. Smiling against his chest, I pepper his rock hard pecs with feather light kisses which have the ability to elicit a husky groan from deep within him. It doesn’t take much to arouse my Elf-Man, and I continue my perusal of his beautifully sculpted chest. Licking and teasing and sucking before swirling my tongue around one of his taut nipples. Alaric’s large hand grabs my ass and pulls me closer to him, his arousal evident against my bare belly. Suddenly, I’m on my back looking up into his intense hooded eyes. I love the look of him with sleep-mussed hair and dark, heavy-lidded eyes. His long dark lashes are every girl’s envy.
Slowly, he leans down and takes my lips, and my heart quickens its pace in anticipation as one of his hands cups my tender breast. One flick of his thumb over my sensitive taut nub is enough to incite a quivering down below and my body bucks in its need to be closer to him. In one quick motion he enters me, and my walls clamp down on him pulling him further into me. I hear a moan of intense pleasure escape each of us and I breathe out in a whisper, “Alaric…” my voice is breathy and full of need.
We begin moving together, and my need for him intensifies, I can never get enough of my Alaric. My body arches up into his and Alaric wraps one of his well-muscled arms around me pulling me closer still as our rhythm increases. My hands wander over his back to splay over his buttocks pressing down as I arch into him, needing him buried more deeply within me. Alaric stills and for one exquisitely intense moment we teeter on the edge of a beautiful oblivion, and with one last thrust I come apart, and we ride the wave of pleasure that rocks through us both.
Breathing heavily I cling to Alaric as I savor this stolen moment, breathing him in I release a pent-up sigh, knowing that we need to get ready for the day to come. This morning we speak with Lugh, and hopefully, by tonight, we will be back at the Keep with Lillie and Lachlan. Opening my eyes, I see Alaric staring intently down at me, his thoughts are chaotic, and I cock my head assessing him and ask, “What are you thinking?” My lips curl up into a half smile as I clasp his perfectly sculpted body to mine tracing the lean lines of his back.
The strongest man I know and love looks hesitant as he closes his eyes and looks away, rolling off of me before saying, “I was thinking that I have been truly blessed to have been granted such an amazing gift as you. I was thinking that after having known you and having you in my life, there is no way that I can live a single moment without you. Absolutely, nothing compares to being in your arms, to being loved by you, you are so strong and giving and perfect in every way for me. You bore not one but two beautiful children, and hopefully, they will not be the last. I want a brood of babes with you. You and the twins are my world, and I will do whatever I must to protect you all,” he pauses before looking at me with pained eyes, “I could have lost you, Ash.”
“But you didn’t, and I get the feeling that we’re going to be together for a very long time. Like literally thousands of years. Are you ready for that Elf-Man?” My question is teasing, but he’s still so intense, and now my concern grows as I snuggle into his hard, muscular frame. I cup his cheek and ask, “What has you so rattled, Alaric? Talk to me.”
“It’s nothing.” He shrugs.
“Bullshit. What has you so upset?”
“Language,” He admonishes with a quirk of his lips before saying, “I have this insanely bad feeling about something that has yet to happen.”
Knowing how that feels, I don’t poke fun or try to make light of his gut feelings, instead, I try to reassure him, “Alaric, whatever it is, whatever happens, we do this together. Stronger together, remember?”
Gathering me up into his arms he rolls me over so that I’m lying on my back, our limbs tangled together, his brilliant blue eyes roaming over my face as if trying to memorize my every feature before leaning down to take my lips in a gentle loving kiss. Pulling away with a teasing, and less serious look, he rolls to the edge of the bed and stands, holding his hand out to me and pulls me to my feet. My hands have a mind of their own as they continue to roam over his beautiful form. Catching one of my hands in his own, he pulls me after him and says over his shoulder, “Come on, mo grá, we have a little more time before we need to be ready to meet with Lugh. I say we make the most of the time we have.” In one quick motion, he has me in his arms and carries me into the bathing chambers as they were called last night when we were shown to our rooms.
(Alaric)
Our future remains uncertain with all the predictions and things that have yet to come to pass, and I know that I will do everything in my power to keep her and the twins safe. After waking yesterday and fighting off the remnants of the púca’s venomous bites I’ve had this nagging feeling that has increased overnight that there is something in our future that will put one or both of us at risk. I can’t shake the feeling, and it’s unsettling.
Standing behind Ashlinn, I watch as she finishes getting ready for the day, her hair is down today, and I find that I can’t help but play with it and run my fingers through her long, caramel, silken tresses, it’s one of my favorite things to do. Leaning down I pull her back to hold her close to me for a few more moments before we join the rest of our traveling companions. I nuzzle my face into the crook of her neck and breathe her in. The sigh that escapes me is completely involuntary. Ashlinn turns and wraps her arms around me and holds me close, I know this is painful for her. I’ve known for a while now. She has not been able to nurse the twins in two days. Through our bond, I say, “No matter what happens here with Lugh, we go back today. You need to get back to the twins. They need you, and you need them, and I need to know that you are all happy and safe.”
“The sooner, the better, Alaric, I’m not sure how much longer I can stand this.” She pulls back out of our embrace and says aloud, “I had no idea how painful not nursing the twins would become. The girls are swollen and feel like rock hard boulders. I never thought that I would crave having the twins attached to me in that way, but I miss the hell out of it. I’m ready to talk to Lugh and get back to Lillie and Lachlan as soon as possible.”
“I’m just as ready to get back to them as you are álainn.”
We exit our chambers with all our gear in the hopes that we will be heading back to the Keep directly after our meeting with the sky god and we head down the hallway back to the main floor. This place is massive but has a hollow feeling like a deserted house or domain, a place that could use a little TLC due to some neglect. I can tell at one time it was pristine and I know that it would not take much for this fortress to shine again. We run into most of the rest of our crew in the main foyer, with the exception of Jasmine and Camoryn but we can hear them scuttling down the hall above us. Camoryn is chastising Jasmine, “I knew this was going to be a mistake Jaz, their wild animals, they need to be back in the desert. They don’t understand how to behave as an indoor pet because they’re not pets!” Cam’s hooves are clomping and echoing down the hall like he’s chasing after the pups and then we hear him slide and thump unceremoniously to a halt at the head of the stairs.
About that time the miniature foxes come tumbling down the steps, too small to navigate them without falling. Jasmine rushes after them in her sprite form, her wings fluttering furiously after them trying to keep up. The two little pups land in a tangled heap and without missing a beat they hop up from where they lay sprawled on the floor at the base of the steps and rush toward Ashlinn and me. Jasmine is not far behind, and Camoryn is now halfway down the stairs. About the time the little foxes get to us, Ashlinn kneels down, and both of th
e tiny pups launch themselves at her, knocking her off balance. Ashlinn lands on her rear with the two wiggling pups in her arms lapping at her face.
Giggling ensues as my kindred attempts to stand. The two furry little creatures are adorable with their tails wagging and their pink tongues hanging out of their mouths as they try to shower Ashlinn with furry kisses. Looking up to Jasmine, laughing at the squirming pups, she says, “I see you have resorted to your fun size today. Jaz, what on earth has gotten into these two? They were perfect little angels yesterday.”
“Fun size? What is fun size? Ash, I have no idea as to your meaning.” Jasmine grumbles as she straightens her shirt and morphs into her faerie size, her irritation palpable.
Camoryn has joined the melee and pipes in, waggling his eyebrows, “Jaz comes in a couple of different sizes, but her best fun size is-“
“Shhh, Cam, stop. Not everyone needs to know the details of our bedroom escapades.” Jasmine intervenes, her cheeks glowing a rosy hue, “Ash, to answer your question, I have no idea as to what has gotten into these two, they were perfectly fine yesterday and all night last night.”
About that time one of the pups takes a flying leap towards me, and I catch her instinctually. My very first thought is of Lillie, but that can’t be right. Shaking my head, I look at Ash, and she has the very same puzzled look on her face that I do. The fox that she holds has snuggled into her neck just as Lachlan does.
Ashlinn cocks her head and narrows her eyes while watching the little pup in my arms burrow into my hold before saying, “What we’re thinking isn’t possible. We’re just really missing them. That’s all. They’re asleep. Right?” I can feel her panic grow as it attempts to overwhelm her and she voices what I dare not, “These two little fox pups can’t be our two little ones. They should be safe at home happily dreaming under the sleeping charm.” She looks up at me and mumbles, “Dreaming… but they’re too young… even if it were possible, how in the world could they occupy another’s body?”
I hold the little fox up in front of me and look into her eyes, and she squirms trying to get closer to me once more, and I can’t believe that I’m going to say what I’m about to say but here goes, “Lillie, is that you in there?” The little white fox wags her tail and yips. The fox in Ashlinn’s hold continues to snuggle into her neck, and I can see the very instant that Ashlinn accepts the unbelievable. Her eyes grow large before she closes her eyes and snuggles the little pup in her arms and kisses the top of his head. About that time, I watch as her milk lets down soaking her front.
Her first words are, “Well snap. I’m going to need to change. Then we need to figure out what the heck is going on here. I know that it stands to reason that the twins would inherit the ability to dream-walk but they’re just infants.”
Behind us I hear a male clear his throat, garnering our attention, “I believe that I may be able to help solve the mystery of your dream-walking, wandering offspring.” Pausing, he takes us in and bows in a flourish, “Let me introduce myself, I’m Lugh mac Cein, and I am your host. Please… Everyone, let’s gather for breakfast. I’m sure everyone is hungry, and we have much to discuss. I feel certain that you will want to be on your way as soon as possible. It would appear that your children have missed you. Come… Fenwick has the terrace sat for breakfast.” Turning he walks down the large hallway toward a well-lit room at the end of the enormous hall. We all look at one another before hurrying after our host, Ashlinn and I take up the front with everyone else falling in behind us.
Lugh is not at all what I expected. He’s tall, just as tall as Dagda and his shoulders are broad. He looks like a warrior through and through. His hair is a dark blond and appears to be tipped in red and is cropped close. His beard is neatly trimmed and by most standards he is very handsome. He doesn’t wear his age as I thought he would. I guess I was expecting someone that looked haggard and old not someone in their prime. He doesn’t look much older than his mid-thirties.
We enter an enormous room with floor to ceiling windows. The room has a fantastic panoramic view of the pink lake below, and unlike when we first arrived there is not a cloud in the sky. The view really is something, and Lugh proceeds to walk toward the outdoor terrace before Ashlinn speaks up, “Excuse me, do you have a bathroom that I can slip into to change my top? I won’t be but a moment. Please do not wait for me to get started.”
“But of course, my lady, Fenwick, can you show you to the nearest bathing chamber? The rest of us can get acquainted while we wait for her return.” Ashlinn follows the brownie that we met last night out of the room, and Lugh turns to the rest of us, “Please make yourselves at home, you are welcome here for as long as you would like to stay. Your bags can be placed in the closet on the back wall. The door is open, just there.” He points behind us before continuing, “I’ll understand if you want to keep your weapons on you. It’s my understanding that the púca and the will-o’-the-wisp took quite the liking to our little goddess of life. They have always been an unruly bunch but until two days ago have been quite harmless, if not mischievous. I’m sure that you will be speaking with The Horde King in regards to their transgression against you both.”
Nodding, I turn to Tolin and shrugging off my bag, I ask, “Tolin, could you see to my bag?”
Clapping me on the back, he leans in to run his large thumb over the fox’s little head, causing her to stir and her ears to twitch. Shaking his head he says, “Not a problem, hand it over, A. You two are going to have your hands full if this really is your daughter hitchhiking in this pup.”
“I have a feeling that this is just the beginning. Thanks, T.” Turning back to Lugh, I see that he is closely watching our interaction with what looks to be a wistful longing on his features. Clearing my throat, I say, “Thank you Lugh for your gracious accommodations, your hospitality is most appreciated.”
As everyone makes their way back to us, Ashlinn enters the room with the little fox that we think is Lachlan and with Fenwick by her side. She’s smiling broadly and practically bouncing before she exclaims, “Do you know that Fenwick here is a brownie? I’ve never met a brownie. Isn’t he just awesome, he’s so different from anyone I’ve ever met, I mean look at his hair it’s like a lion’s mane.”
Camoryn chuckles, “I believe that you were just as excited to meet your first satyr, just sayin’, I’m no longer feeling the love, Ash.”
“Cam, you don’t need to feel the love from me. That’s what Jasmine’s for, making sure you get your lovin’ every night.” Ashlinn’s comeback has the whole group chuckling.
Lugh’s laughter takes me by surprise before he says, “My, my, how I have missed this kind of comradery. Come little one, we have much to discuss, but first, I’m glad you like Fenwick. Some find his looks a little off-putting, but he has been my devoted companion for longer than I care to remember. He has been here with me through my darkest hours. I’m not sure what I would have done without him. Fenwick, as soon as our guest are seated please join us at the table for your morning meal. No scurrying off to the kitchen this morning. Ashlinn, just so you know, brownies love honey. You will be his new best friend if you gift him honey, but only in small quantities.”
Fenwick inclines his head, “Yes Master Lugh, as you wish.” Fenwick makes his way over to what looks like a buffet table to uncover a breakfast spread.
Lugh gathers a large cushioned chair and takes it out to the terrace and places it close to the head of the table and indicates for us to come closer, “While they are sleeping you should put them down and enjoy your meal. We can cover the two if you like with this throw. The air is just a tad cool out here on the terrace, but they should be fine. Come along. We have much to talk about.”
It takes us just a few moments to fill up our plates and as we seat ourselves next to the sky god. Everyone is quiet as we enjoy our breakfast, thankful for something other than jerky and dried fruit and vegetables. I take Ashlinn’s hand in mine and engage our host, “Lugh, you said that you could shed some light
on our twins and their dream-walking. You should know that they are not even four months old and before we came here to find you we had Morgwais and Lexie cast a sleeping charm on them. So how is it that they are able to dream-walk and come to occupy the bodies of two fox pups? As panther shifters, I would have thought that they would be adversely opposed to latching onto the pups.”
“Like you said, they are young, and their opinions have not yet been influenced, but I sense that they are old souls, just like you Ashlinn. As for their hitchhiking and latching onto the fox pups, that’s easy. Since they are sleeping and not endanger of waking until your return. their dreams have allowed them to dream-walk for an unnaturally long time to find the two most important souls in this realm to them. In order to stay and not bounce back, they followed their instincts and latched on to the pups. It probably took them a bit to figure out how to push the fox’s consciousness back so they could take over the pups actions but I’m guessing they finally figured it out overnight and that is why the big change this morning. They will be forever bonded to their fox, it looks like you just gained two more members to your family.”
“Wow, I had no idea that I could do that when dream-walking. Having my majic bound for so long, my children will probably have the way of things long before me. I feel like I’m so far behind on the learning curve.” Ashlinn sighs but I sense her pride in the twins.
Lugh puts down his eating utensils with an air of finality, “So let’s address the proverbial elephant in the room. You are here to ask me about my son and his final resting place and about Sleg and where it can be found. I’ve already had one visitor this week asking about Cú Chulainn’s burial place and not to be rude but what business is it of yours?” Lugh asks point blank.