DreamReaper_Blood of Kaos Series Book II

by Nesa Miller

  His fiery vixen looked at him with questioning eyes as he guided her up his sweat-drenched torso, claiming her lips in a savage takeover. Strong hands strayed to her backside and lifted her, coaxing her long, lovely legs around his waist, their mouths consuming one another. He carried her to the bedroom, lay her on the bed and after a loving gaze, began an assault with tender kisses to the inside of her thighs. The patient warrior blazed a trail across her flat belly to the rise and fall of rose-tipped breasts.

  “Dar...”

  Light, airy kisses tickled along her shoulder to her delicate neck, then to an ear, where his soft breaths made her shiver. “My wife…” He traveled along her jaw to a final takeover of her mouth as she took him into her private domain.

  Linq and Inferno sat back, each with a fresh mug of ale, watching the faeries tidy up the garden. “Not that I’m an expert on how weddings ought to be, but I think me wife did a fine job,” Inferno said, raising his tankard.

  Linq agreed, clinking mugs with Inferno. “She outdid herself. I didn’t see a glitch anywhere.”

  “Ah, me Spirit knows how to throw a party.”

  “The newlyweds looked to be happy, too.”

  “Aye, I believe they are.”

  “I believe there’s one even happier.” Linq lifted his mug.

  Inferno’s laughter filled the back garden. “I did me best to hide it.”

  “Your grin gave nothing away,” Linq said, laughing.

  A weary Spirit and several faeries came out from the kitchen. While the small ladies fluttered toward the large tree to join their kinfolk, Spirit plopped down in a chair across from the men. “What’re you giggling gerties on about?”

  “Enjoying the evening quiet is all, me gorgeous love.”

  “It was a grand day, Spirit,” Linq said.

  “Aw, ta, love.” She sighed. “It was fun, but now it’s done, I’m glad of it.”

  Spirit barely had a moment’s rest before Freeblood appeared at the edge of the garden. He ran up, spouting words too fast to understand. Inferno and Linq jumped to their feet.

  “What’re ya doing here, boy?”

  Breathless, he tried to slow his words. “Where’s Etain?”

  Inferno growled. “She isn’t here.”

  “Where’s Dar?” Freeblood surveyed the garden.

  “What do ya want, boy?”

  “I’m not a boy,” he snapped. “I know they came here. Are those Council people still here?”

  Linq tried his hand. “Son, Dar and Etain aren’t here. You’ll have to speak with us.”

  Freeblood eyed each one as he spoke. “You gonna tell me where they are, or do I have to tear this place apart?”

  Inferno crossed his arms over his chest. “You best change yer tune, boyo. Me wife worked too hard to make this day special and I’ll not have it ruined.”

  Freeblood shot him a confused look. “Ruin what?”

  Spirit stood and stepped from behind Inferno. “You look like something one of the dogs dragged in. Have a seat, and catch your breath. Dar and Etain were married today. You won’t be seeing them for a few days. What is it you need?”

  Her soothing manner and soft words were a balm to his frayed nerves and helped him calm down. He sat in the offered chair. “I don’t know what to do, Spirit. That old recruiter came to the house. He had his thugs with him.”

  Spirit pointed Inferno toward the ale. Reluctantly, he left her side and returned with a full mug, shoving it at the boy. Freeblood took a long drink.

  “Old recruiter?” Linq asked.

  Freeblood nodded as he finished off the ale. “Canker. He tracked me a while back. I thought he’d given up. I was holding my own until Faux jumped into it.”

  Spirit gasped. “Crikey.” She crouched next to Freeblood. “Tell me what happened.”

  He appreciated the concern in her eyes, experiencing an unusual sense of camaraderie with this woman. “She was magnificent. Took on the minions while I handled the big guys. She threw fire blasts, blowing ‘em up left and right. She put up a great fight.” He drew in a deep breath. “It took a lot out of her and she wanted to call Etain. I should’ve listened.” He bowed his head and rubbed his forehead. “I thought I had it under control. I couldn’t kill Canker, but I sent him running.”

  “The girl…,” Inferno quipped, clearly at his wits’ end. “What happened to the girl?”

  Freeblood’s head snapped up. “After they left, I went inside to get a drink. She wasn’t in the living room. I checked the whole house before going to my room and found her there, unconscious on the floor.” Panic seeped into his voice. “She won’t wake up. I thought she just needed to rest, so I put her in bed and let her sleep. I kept checking on her all day yesterday, hoping she’d open her eyes. She won’t wake up, Spirit.”

  “I’ll come. See what’s going on with her.” Spirit patted him on the arm and looked at her husband. “Love, please get me satchel of herbs. I must see her for meself.”

  “Yer not going anywhere with this cur.”

  She pushed up and went to him, keeping her voice low. “There’s no one else, unless you want to disturb Etain and-”

  “No,” Inferno said, cutting her off. “Their time is too short already. We’ll both go.”

  Spirit shook her head. “You have to stay here. The children will be back in the morning and I might not be back in time.”

  “I won’t have ya going alone with him.”

  Linq cleared his throat. “Um, Inferno? I’d be happy to go in your place.”

  He glared at the elf, Spirit, then Freeblood. “I’m not a happy chap.” In one step, he was on the boy and hauled him up by the collar. “If anything happens to me wife, ya won’t need to worry ‘bout that damn recruiter.” The threat was loud and clear. Inferno pushed him back into the chair and turned to his wife. “Ya shouldn’t be going. Ya had a full day and I know yer tired.”

  She smiled, placing a hand on his cheek. “If she can be moved, we’ll bring her here.”

  “Do what ya can, but don’t bring the lass here. I’ll not have recruiters nosing around, especially with the kiddies comin’ home. Be safe and come home as soon as you can.” He kissed her deeply and held her close.

  Aeval and Bwca twittered up with Spirit’s case. “We overheard your conversation, love,” Bwca said. “I hope you don’t mind.”

  “Ta, ladies. You’re stars in my book.” Spirit accepted the case, then turned to Inferno. “We’ll be fine, love. Be back soon.” She spoke a traveling spell and they were gone.

  “Ya best be,” Inferno muttered to himself, “or we’ll be one less Alamir.” He shrugged. “Maybe two.” Inferno walked toward the back door, yelling as he went. “Wolfe, Elfin, where are ya, lads? Time to check the perimeter. Gotta make sure no recruiters come sniffin’ round.”

  At Sólskin, Spirit, Linq, and Freeblood made their way upstairs where they found Faux, unconscious on the bed. Spirit performed a cursory examination. “She wasn’t healed enough to be fighting. She’s bleeding inside.”

  “Can you help her?” Linq asked.

  “I’m afraid not. She needs stitchin’ up. Only a real doctor can do that.”

  “What about me, my blood?” Freeblood asked. “I was hurt pretty bad and Etain’s blood put me back together. Maybe mine will do the same for Faux.”

  “You also had a doctor.” She looked at him. “I wouldn’t let Etain or Dar give her blood. I wanted her to heal on her own to make her stronger. As much as I hate to do it, I see no other way. Are you up for it?”

  “Yes,” he said, rolling up his sleeve.

  Without warning, Spirit grabbed his arm and slid a blade across his forearm. He barely flinched, watching as she brought the welling blood to the girl’s lips, chanting strange words.

  “What do we do now?” he asked.

  “We wait.”

  Having done all she could, Spirit slipped away to Etain’s former bedroom for a well-deserved sleep. Linq stretched out on a sofa in the downstairs den.
Freeblood, refusing to leave Faux’s side, sat next to the bed, her hand in his.

  The next morning, Spirit found the boy, back hunched and head on the edge of the mattress. She laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Freeblood, lad. Wake up. Has there been any change?”

  He lifted his head. “Nothing yet.”

  She touched Faux’s forehead and checked her pulse. “She survived the night. That’s a good sign.”

  “I need her to open her eyes.”

  “Give her a little more time. Why don’t you get a bite to eat and a shower? I’ll sit here with her till you come back.”

  “Not until she wakes.” He suddenly yawned, stretching his arms wide.

  Spirit wrinkled her nose. “For the sake of us all, take a shower. If she wakes, the smell of you will surely knock her out again. I’ll be here.” He shot her a narrow-eyed look over his shoulder, but a whiff of an armpit told him she spoke the truth. “Go on. Once you’re done, I’ll whip up breakfast and bring a tray.”

  Reluctantly, Freeblood released the sleeping girl’s hand. “I won’t be long.” He grabbed a backpack from the side of the bed and dragged himself to the bathroom as Spirit slipped into the chair.

  Standing at the mirror, Freeblood dragged his hands through his wild mane, staring into the bloodshot eyes peering back at him. “Damn, man. Maybe she did wake up but passed out at the sight of you.”

  Once he washed the stink away, Freeblood turned the water on cold to ensure he was wide awake. A screech and a jump later, he was out of the shower, dried, dressed in fresh jeans and shirt, and was back at Faux’s side. Her eyes fluttered open just as he sat down.

  “She’s waking up,” he said, taking her hand.

  Faux had to squint from the brightness of the room. Spirit rushed over to the window, closing the drapes against the morning sun. Faux licked her lips. “What’s she doing here?”

  Freeblood squeezed her hand. “Saving you from yourself.”

  Spirit returned, checking her pulse. “We nearly lost you, lass.”

  “Huh?” She looked at Freeblood. “What’s going on?”

  He sat on the side of the bed, needing to be close. “You put up a good fight, but I should’ve listened to you.”

  “About what?”

  “The blooding seems to have worked,” Spirit said. “I’ll leave you two alone for a spell.”

  Faux waited until the mage left the room, then tried to sit up. “Ooooo...”

  “No, you don’t.” Freeblood held her down. “I was in the same situation as you not too long ago, but you won’t get up as quickly as I did.”

  “What the hell are you talking about?” A sour expression on her face, she asked, “I didn’t do something stupid like save an Alamir, did I?”

  He chuckled. “Well, yes, you did. You saved this stupid Alamir.”

  She closed her eyes. “You’re too cool to be Alamir.”

  This time, he laughed, happy she was alive. “If it helps, I took care of what we started. Canker and Darkwing were the only ones to get away.”

  “Fantastic,” she said, more interested in trying to sit up. “I could use some help here.”

  Freeblood leaned her against him as he propped pillows against the headboard. “Darkwing was clipped in the process.” He eased her back into the cushions.

  “Great.”

  “While in the air.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Now you're just bragging.”

  “Well, I have other news that will interest you.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Etain. Dar. Wedding bells.”

  Faux attempted a laugh, but a sharp pain cut it short. “Oh, damn.” She drew in a slow breath until the pain subsided. “Now, that is funny.”

  “Are you okay with it?”

  “Sure. Why not?” She patted the spot next to her on the bed.

  Freeblood carefully slipped in behind her and leaned her against his chest. “What about the baby?”

  “I’m over it. Let Etain raise it. I have better things to do than be tied down by a screaming kid.”

  “Wow. I, uh… I thought you were excited about being a mother.”

  “I don’t know what got into me. You’re a lot more fun than settling down.” She shifted in his arms. “Do you think it will last?”

  He shrugged. “They have a physical attraction and share a hobby of trying to keep us apart. It might work.”

  Happy in each other’s arms, Dar rested his head against Etain’s. “When this heaven we’ve been allowed to share is over, my love, I will go to the Council and give up my title.”

  “Are you sure you want to do that?”

  The determination in his eyes affirmed his resolve. “Aye. It’s time I stepped down. Not to say I agree with their methods, but some of what the Council had to say was not far from the truth. My heart no longer belongs to LOKI. It is yours, a chuisle, forever and a day.”

  “If you’re certain, then okay. I’m with you no matter which way you go. But, please, don’t do it on my account.”

  “A replacement needs to be found to fill Swee’s position to keep the Council balanced, but once that’s done, I will walk away.”

  Etain snuggled into him and yawned. “Do you intend to leave Savage in charge?”

  He chuckled and kissed the top of her head. “Her strength of will is matched only by her strong-minded ways, but she reveres the clan and will ensure it remains strong.”

  “If I were you, I’d make sure Swee’s replacement is as bullheaded and outspoken as Savage.”

  “Hmmm,” he contemplated, twirling a lock of her hair. “One person does come to mind, but I don’t believe I will pursue the matter.”

  She sat up and faced him. “Dar, I understand your decision to step down, but I also know what the clan and those people mean to you. If you know of someone who can keep her in check, you owe it to the Council and the clan.”

  “Perhaps,” he mused, “but I seriously doubt she would be willing to accept the position.”

  “She?” Etain leaned back, frowning. “You know another woman as ornery as Savage?”

  “Oh, aye. Definitely every bit as much, if not more.”

  “Then you must talk to her, Dar.” She was adamant. “For the sake of the clan, you have to convince her to join LOKI. Surely, if she is a friend of yours, she will accept.”

  “I would if I thought she would listen.”

  “Why wouldn’t she? Unless she’s involved with another clan…” Dar could see the wheels turning. “But you have to try.”

  “Well…” He rubbed his chin. “As far as I know, she’s not with a clan.” She opened her mouth to speak, but he did not give her the chance. “That’s really not the issue. The real issue is her husband.” He sensed a shift in temperament, knowing her opinion of a chauvinistic point of view.

  “Her husband? What does he have to do with it?” She crossed her arms over her luscious breasts.

  Oh, how he loved the indignant flush of color in her cheeks, the fight in her eyes. He could almost feel the electric charge crackling beneath the surface, ready to lash out.

  “Don’t you think he would have a say in the matter?”

  “Why? As you said, marriage is not a prison. She has every right to join any clan she chooses, and he should respect her freedom to do so.” The flush spread farther down, tinging her skin pink.

  “Even if newlyweds?” It was all he could do to keep a straight face.

  “It’s the perfect time to set him straight. Let him know that her wishes and wants are just as important as his.”

  “And what if his wishes and wants…” He pulled her close, nuzzling into her neck, feathering her skin with kisses, making her shiver, “are like this?”

  “Well… Then she, uh… Bloody hell. What were we talking about?”

  “Nothing important,” he whispered into her ear. “It’s been a long day. Shall we get some sleep?”

  She kissed him, long and deep, and snuggled into him again. “I am ex
hausted,” she murmured. “Luckily for you.”

  Dar relaxed into the quiet moment, feeling at peace with the world. “How does that make me lucky?”

  She let out a huge yawn. “I’m too tired to pay you back for comparing me to Savage.”

  “You must be mistaken, a chuisle. You are far and away in a league of your own.”

  “Something you should always remember…”

  He chuckled to himself. Such beautiful peace as this he had not felt in an extremely long time. To have found this incredible woman who so easily became a vital part of his life, his heart, his soul… How did that happen? Whether it had been by chance or by design was not important. His arms tightened around his sleeping wife. When?

  Memories flooded in, vivid as the day they happened. The first time he met the raggedy girl, she was held fast to a brick wall by his own sword. His brother, Midir, evil incarnate, had thrown the beast of a blade. She had looked so young, so vulnerable, and still carried the taint of human frailty. Tartarus. She was only a babe, brand new to the Alamir.

  How? He was lost the moment he pushed back the tarnished silver hair and touched her face. Despite the smudges of dirt, her beauty was evident, but it wasn’t the fairness of her looks that ensnared his heart. The jolt that ran through him when she fell into his waiting arms had staggered him. The vibrations of her song had swept him into its whirling vortex, piercing straight to his core. That was the moment he knew he would sacrifice everything to have her in his life, to keep her safe.

  “A chuisle,” he whispered into her hair.

  Dar felt the heaviness of sleep tug at his eyelids. Before he slipped under its spell, Linq’s words came back to haunt him.

  The next time, your ladylove may not be so lucky.

  Jerking awake, he eased out of the bed, making sure not to disturb his sleeping wife, and walked out to the garden. He looked up at the early morning stars and decided his best course of action would be to avoid sleep until he found a way to stop the dreams.

  The weary warrior focused on the variations of plants in the garden, reciting the common name in his language and its Latin counterpart to keep his mind alert. Just as the skies lightened, he returned to his wife’s side.