by Sumida,Amy
“That you even think that, much less believe it to be true, makes me love you even more,” Arach drew me into his arms. “You are remarkable, Wife. Thank you for understanding.”
“Thank you for putting up with my other husbands and their children.”
“It will be half your child,” he laid his palm gently on my belly. “And I will love it for that.”
“Arach,” I kissed him. “Sometimes you surprise me in the most beautiful ways.”
“Well, I am a dragon king,” he smirked. “Now let me give you a proper homecoming,” he laid me back in bed, leaned over me, and brushed my hair gently from my face.
“In a second,” I pushed my palm into his chest. “I need to tell you the rest of it.”
His expression went dark, “There's more?”
“Just a little,” I gave him an apologetic smile. “During the Morrigan thing... well I... she almost killed me, Arach.”
“What?” he growled, his eyes beginning to glow.
“Cernunnos saved my life. Do you know who that is?”
“I've heard of him,” Arach frowned. “The horny one?”
“Horned,” I corrected with a chuckle. “Yeah, that's him. So, he really wanted to visit Faerie, and since I needed to come back to this time...”
“One of the others offered to bring him?”
“Trevor is bringing him through,” I nodded. “We've got a few hours before they'll arrive. At least I- Arach?”
His whole body had gone rigid, his eyes wide with panic, and then he began to shake.
“Arach?!” my hands went to his face as he moaned in misery, and fell against my chest.
“A Thaisce,” he whispered brokenly. “Hold onto me. I feel as if you've let go. You're here, but you're not here,” his hand clawed at his chest.
“Arach,” I sighed, and pulled him closer. “It's time. Remember? I warned you of how I had to separate us.”
“I know,” his throat worked violently as he stared up at me with anguished eyes. Tears were coursing down his cheeks, and I inhaled sharply when I saw them. “But nothing could have prepared me for this.”
“Oh, honey,” I kissed him as I started to cry too. “It's okay-”
Terrified screams filtered through the rock wall behind the bed.
“The boys,” I whispered to him with horror. “I had to let them go too.”
“Go to them,” he rolled off me like he was in physical pain, his muscles spasming. “I will follow.”
I rushed off to the nursery, panic urging me along faster. I found Isleen dashing back and forth between the cribs, trying in vain to calm my sons.
“It's me, it's my fault,” I hurried over to Brevyn, since Isleen was already with Rian, and scooped him up. He continued to scream as I laid him on my shoulder, and rushed to Rian. I took him from Isleen, and cooed to my babies as I pressed them into my neck and let my scent reassure them. “Mama's here. I didn't leave, I swear. It's going to stop soon. I promise. I promise. I'm right here.”
Arach's arms came around us, and we sank to the floor together. I sat across his lap as his arms and legs wrapped around me, our sons pressed tight between us. He rocked us all, his cheek pressed to mine as he continued to cry silently, and the babies wailed like they were being murdered.
“I'm so sorry,” I sobbed as I kissed my sons and then my husband. “I'm so sorry. I had no choice. I'm sorry. Forgive me. I'm here. Here with you. It's okay.”
I understood why it affected the children so deeply. They were babies, so they didn't understand. But also, we had a bond like none other. I should have known it would be more painful for them, than even Trevor. But Arach, I hadn't thought he'd be so injured. We'd never had a ceremony to bond us magically. We'd only shared... blood. That was it. Damn, I hadn't thought of that. Blood binds the strongest. I, of all people, should know that.
We stayed wrapped around each other for the entire time it had taken me to lure Kirill's soul home. I knew it had only been a few minutes, but, just as when I'd first experienced it, it seemed an eternity. As I comforted my family, I wondered at the mystery of time, and how the events I'd already experienced were even now replaying. At this exact moment, I was in the God Realm saving Kirill, and the rest of my family was going through this pain without my comfort. It was enough to make me crazy.
But my children and Arach were also enough to keep me sane. I had done this to them, the least I could do was hold my mind together for them. My heart broke, and I felt like the most awful mother in the world. Because I knew, deep inside, that I would do it again if I had to. I would do this horrible thing all over again, to save any one of them.
Finally, Arach slumped against me in relief, and the boys fell into an exhausted slumber. Arach eased away, and cradled my face between his palms. His own face was tear-streaked, his eyes swollen from the violence of his grief. I probably didn't look much better. Then Arach exhaled roughly and kissed me. I felt him pull my breath into his lungs, and when he exhaled back into me, it was fire that filled me instead of air. I took it and fanned the flames, sending them back into him to heal his essence.
“Bare your neck to me,” he growled, and I instantly complied.
His teeth sank into my flesh, and I shuddered with the combination of pain and pleasure. He took a deep swallow, his lips working seductively against my throat, until his tongue licked the wound. He pulled back a little, and breathed a tiny flame over my skin, healing the hurt.
I watched him as he shuddered through the link my blood gave him. I knew he needed this, an instant reassurance that we were bound again. I also knew he'd be seeing images of my recent past. Things it would have been far better for him not to see. His eyes shot open in fury.
“She will die,” he announced.
“You'll have to get in line, darling,” I teased him. “There's a whole lot of people who want Morrigan dead.”
“I am more than a person, I'm a dragon.”
“There is that,” I chuckled. “Help me up, Dragon King. I want to put our sons back into their beds.”
His fury banked as he looked down at our sleeping children. Glowing dragon eyes closed as he laid palms to their heads, and when he opened them, they were a calm yellow again. He eased me off his lap and stood, then took Rian from me. Arach laid our little dragon prince down in his diamond bowl, and then came back for Brevyn. I got up while he tucked Brevyn into his wood crib.
“Don't ever cut us off from you again, Vervain,” he said in a low voice.
“I'll do my best, but Arach, if I need to save someone I love, I-”
He held up a hand, “I know and I understand, but give me this moment to think that you will not. Give me the sweet kindness of a lie.”
“Okay,” I whispered. “I won't do it again.”
“My King and Queen?” Isleen peered around the doorway. “Is all well?”
“We are fine now, Isleen,” Arach sighed.
“Good,” she nodded. “While you were occupied with... whatever that was, the High King mirrored.”
“The High King?” Arach scowled. “Concerning?”
“He said not to interrupt you, that it may be nothing,” Isleen didn't look as if it were nothing. “King Fionn mirrored him to report a theft. The Air King has no idea when the theft actually occurred, as he has not gone into the royal treasury in some time. But he went into it today, and discovered that the Air Kingdom's ring is missing.”
“Which ring?” a horrible tremor shook my belly.
“The air royals have a Ring of Remembrance,” Isleen explained, “like yours, my Queen. It has been stolen.”
“That can't be good,” I looked to Arach, and his eyes slid sideways to me, his expression grim.
“Isleen, please prepare a carriage,” he said without removing his stare from my face.
“Actually,” I stopped her before she left. “Make it three.”
“Three?” Arach narrowed his already grim gaze.
“Cernunnos is bringing his green men.”<
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“Oh, sweet Faerie,” Arach sighed, and rolled his eyes toward Isleen. “Make it three carriages, if you please, Isleen.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Trevor and our guests were waiting for us in front of the Great Tree at the End of the Road. My wolf prince was sitting on a rock, watching with a lopsided grin as the green men and their horned god wandered the edges of the meadow, gawking at the faerie flora, and poking things at things which poked them back. It was like Lugh all over again. Except more comical.
Isleen, who had come with us to watch over the sleeping princes (each in their faerie carriage seats- basically big baskets), stared out at the gods with a lifted brow. Dexter, who refused to be left behind this time, pushed his way up to stare out the window with her. Arach simply slid past them both, and climbed out of the carriage. Then he helped me down.
“Welcome to Faerie, gentlemen,” I said as they gathered before us.
“Queen Vervain,” Cernunnos bowed. “And you must be King Arach,” he bowed again. “Thank you for allowing us to visit.”
“Thank you for saving my wife, when I could not be there for her myself,” the last part was said with a snarky glance at me over his shoulder, but then Arach moved forward to shake Cernunnos' hand. “You are most welcome here.”
“It was my honor to assist your queen,” Cernunnos nodded. “And my deepest shame to have to save her from a member of my own pantheon.”
“Yes, I must see to that later,” Arach said grimly.
“Oh,” Cernunnos shot me a concerned look.
“There's nothing I can do about it,” I shrugged. “I've asked too much of him already.”
“Morrigan has made her decision,” Cernunnos sighed. “She shall have to pay the price, it seems. But, Fire King, I must advise you that she is already paying dearly. Tara is under attack, even as we speak.”
“You'll forgive me if I have no sympathy for your people,” Arach said stiffly. “Vervain has shown me, through blood, what transpired, and I've spoken with Lugh. The Tuatha Dé Dannan are on their own now. The Shining Ones shall not assist them again.”
“I understand,” Cernunnos nodded. “I have tried to keep myself out of their politics for the very fact that I don't agree with them.”
“That's good to hear,” Arach indicated the coaches. “Now, we have transport ready for you. Would you like to see more than this meadow?”
“Thank you, we would,” Cernunnos guided his green men to the coaches as Trevor approached us.
“Arach,” Trevor nodded crisply.
“Trevor,” Arach grimaced. “You've failed me.”
“I had no control over-”
“You failed, Wolf Prince,” Arach hissed. “I am greatly disappointed in you. Our bargain is void.”
“What the hell is this?” I asked, looking from one man to the other.
“We had an understanding,” Arach turned to me. “I would not interfere with your life in the God Realm, as long as Trevor and your other... your others took care of you, protected you. They have failed, and it has almost cost me my wife. Now they must deal with me.”
“It was unavoidable, Arach,” Trevor ground out. “I can't control her, you know that. She makes her own choices. Frankly, I wouldn't have it any other way.”
“This isn't the first time your protection was found lacking,” Arach growled. “You've been given several chances already.”
“Hey,” I turned Arach towards me. “Being a part of my life is not interfering. You are involved in my life, both here and in the God Realm. I always notify you of what's happening in the other realms, and I ask for your counsel. You have a say, Arach. You always will. You shouldn't have gone behind my back like that, and acted like you could barter it away.”
“I thought it would upset you to know I bargained for your protection,” Arach sighed.
“And you didn't have to do that either,” Trevor growled. “She's our wife too, and we'll protect her because we love her, not because you bargained with us.”
“Enough,” I said wearily. “I can't believe you two. Just stop. I need some kind of unity here. I can't have you pitted against each other like this. You'll tear me apart. And now we'll have another child to think about. I need your undivided support. All of you.”
“You have it, Minn Elska,” Trevor said immediately, sliding me into his embrace.
“I will try my best to accept the others, and their failings,” Arach's jaw ground together.
“Do I need to remind you once again that you have the best end of this deal?” I gently disengaged myself from Trevor to glare at Arach. “Trevor was with me first. He's my alpha lover. You came late to the Vervain Party, Dragon. Yet several exceptions have been made for you, including the birth of your twin boys. Still, you continue to throw temper tantrums like a five-year-old. I've had enough. Keep it up, and I'll take the children and go.”
“What?” Arach's eyes blazed. “Don't you ever threaten me like that, Vervain,” his hand snaked around my waist, and yanked me forward. He leaned his face down into mine, and I watched as it shifted into dangerous angles, “I will hunt you through all the realms, and drag you home kicking and screaming if I have to. You will not leave me, and I'll be slain on a spear before you take my sons from me!”
I knew it was his dragon talking, and I also knew it was wrong of me to threaten to leave. It had just popped out of my mouth. So stupid. No filter. I knew better than to use petty tactics like that. It was utterly shameful, and I was instantly upset at myself for going there. To threaten to leave him? Dear Faerie, what had I been thinking? It was damn low of me.
But Trevor didn't know all that. Arach was torn away from me, and tossed to the ground by an angry werewolf, who was suddenly intent on ripping the dragon king a new one. Literally.
Growls filled the clearing, and the green men jumped back against the carriages with Cernunnos, to watch the horrifying sight of my husbands brawling like a couple of supernatural thugs. Cernunnos started to go forward to split them up. But my hand shot out to hold him back as I continued to keep my eyes on the dangerous display. There was only one person who could stop this madness, and I was doubting even my ability.
Arach was half-shifted, claws and teeth giving back as good as he got. Blood sprayed in wide arcs as the men went tumbling. Grunts and growls filled the air along with the snapping sound of sharp teeth. It was dirty, back alley fighting; head butts, slashes, and punches to the gut. Trevor backhanded Arach into the trunk of the Great Tree, but Arach just tumbled up, smoothly returning to punch Trevor beneath his furry jaw. My wolf went flying. I winced, and cried out for them to stop. But they weren't listening to me. They were lost to their beasts.
It was so scary to watch, that Dexter hid in the carriage. After the events of last night, I guess Dex knew not to show his face when he heard Arach making sounds like that. But Isleen left our children under Dexter's watchful eye to come and stand beside me, just at the edge of their battle. When I saw her, I began to hope that there might be one other person capable of stopping this. Isleen stamped her foot, and planted her fists on her hips like June Cleaver.
“Cease this buffoonery this instant!” Isleen shouted. She even sounded like June.
Shock of all shocks, Arach ignored her completely. He never ignored her angry Isleen voice. So I guess it would be up to me after all.
I eased toward them and tried again, “Stop it! Trevor! Arach! Enough!” The last word lifted something inside me, and when I slashed my hands down towards them, light shot from my fingertips, and hit each man squarely in the chest. They were thrown back from each other, and pinned to the ground with blindingly white light. Sparkling light, actually. Rather like the new stripe I had in my hair.
I inhaled sharply, as did Isleen and the men behind me, and pulled my hands back. The light instantly flickered out, and my husbands stared up at me with open mouths, both of them still sprawled on the ground.
“Fire Queen,” Cernunnos was on his knees when I turned
to face him, and his green men were completely prostrate behind him. “You wield the Star. You're her.”
I looked from my fingers, to my prone men, to Cernunnos, and back again.
“You know what this is?” I asked Cernunnos.
“You don't?” his bright green eyes widened. “My lady, you hold life itself in your hands. You are connected to the Void, the Source, the Great Nine Magics... all of it. You never had need of my assistance. You are far stronger than I will ever be.”
“I don't know how to use it,” I whispered to him. I felt my husbands come up to stand behind me, and each of them laid a supportive hand on my shoulders.
“You don't use it,” Cernunnos smiled gently. Even on his knees, he was taller than I. “You direct it. You give it a will and a way to touch the world with intelligence, and it will give you everything you desire.”
“I don't even know what that means,” I shook my head at him. “A will and a way? It sounds like self-help crap.”
“Queen Vervain,” he took my hands. “All you have to do is believe in the star, open yourself up to its power, and guide it with your will. You did so just now. You wanted your husbands to stop fighting, but you didn't want to hurt them. So the star separated them without causing them harm. You see?”
“I thought the star was mainly about uniting my magic?” I blinked up at him as he stood. “I thought the power was in the joining of three; my three races, magics, and beasts.”
“It unifies with the Great Magic of Control,” Cernunnos closed his eyes, and seemed to listen to something the rest of us couldn't hear. “Yes, Control, that's what you've accessed in the past. Today, just now, you've tapped into Love, and used it to save your husbands. But, Queen Star, there are seven more magics at your disposal. Then there are the elements, and the power of creation from the Void. So much to learn. How I envy you the adventure of it. My sweet Lady, you have phenomenal cosmic powers.”
“And itty bitty living space,” I said automatically.