by Nesa Miller
“I should have put my foot down long ago.” Dar removed the crown from his head and held it before him, a flash of energy shattering it to dust. He then faced the remnants of the LOKI clan lining the great hall. “We have all forgotten our roots. What was once a noble clan, honor-bound, has turned into a pack of snarling dogs. The lust for power has long corrupted the blood and spread its disease through the clan.” His eyes slid to the BloodCore imposters. “Our vows to one another have been broken. I am as much at fault by not governing my Council as I should.” Dar took a contemplative breath. Etain interlaced her fingers with his in a silent show of support. He said the words before he could change his mind. “From this day forward, the LOKI clan will be no more.” Etain squeezed his hand.
“But, High Lord,” one called out from amongst the group. “Where will we go? This is the only home some of us know.”
“I know how it feels to lose your home. It is not the end of the world. Merely the end of the clan. There are other clans in need of your varied talents. Gather your things and leave this place. As our family has been destroyed by the lust for power, I will destroy this castle. It will no longer stand and shall not rise again.” A stunned silence filled the room. “I suggest you get moving.”
The Nae’Blis was the first to move. He and his fellow BloodCore ensured the great hall was cleared quickly. Senior members of each caste took on the responsibility of assisting others to gather their belongings, joining the slow progression from the castle. Dar and Etain watched and listened. Quiet whispers could be heard, some harsher than others.
Etain leaned into Dar. “Are you sure?”
“I built this place with my heart and soul.” His gaze lifted, taking in the elaborate walls and ceiling of the great hall. “It was no less than what LOKI deserved. My clan was my life. I thought it would live on forever.”
“I know what these people mean to you, my love.”
“Nothing in life stays the same.” He squeezed her hand. “It was my intention to pass the clan into the hands of a strong Council. However, without my guidance, they have lost their way. It’s best we all move on.”
“But if your heart and soul are here, how will you feel once this place is gone?”
The corner of his mouth twitched. “They have found a new home, a chuisle. The past is the past, aye?”
“Aye.” Her voice was barely audible. “But there are clan members still loyal to you. Remember the BloodCore who stood with you.”
Dar nodded. “Loyal to my face when it suited them. Where was their loyalty during my absence?”
“Speaking from experience, I’d say they’ve probably wondered the same of you.”
He looked at her but made no remark.
With the all-clear given, Dar pulled his wife to him. “Stay close to me.”
The High Lord and High Lady proceeded to the outer courtyard. In his final act as chieftain, he drew on the power of Kaos, infusing it into every fiber of his being. The sun faded to black and the skies darkened. White wings spread and his powerful arms extended at his sides, forcing his muscular chest out. The white light of Kaos set him aglow. The walls cracked, any remaining unbroken windows, shattered, and the ground shook as the power poured from his eyes.
Etain gritted her teeth against the dull roar of the wind and sounds of rendered stone. Many covered their ears. Parents hovered over their children to protect them from flying dust and debris. Husbands, wives, lovers, and friends clung to one another. Some cried, others screamed, still others accepted the travesty in mute resignation. A barrage of pure power reduced the stone and glass to piles of rubble. With the castle destroyed, the ground gave way. The remains of the once proud LOKI clan stared in bewilderment at the place they had called home.
Once the aftershock subsided, the only thing left was a great pit where the castle once stood. The High Lord made a final decree. “LOKI is dead. Any who try to resurrect the clan in this name will answer to me. Remember what you have seen this day and, should you seek a new clan, do not repeat the same mistakes. Leave this place and never return.”
He and Etain waited until they were completely alone before opening a portal to their room at Laugharne. “I hope I did the right thing,” he whispered, tears in his eyes.
Etain stroked his cheek. “They will find their way, my love.”
“It was their home. It was my home with the Alamir.”
“They’ll find new clans. Some may even start their own. You have infused life into a dead people.”
“Perhaps.”
“Besides…” She took his hands in hers, “you have a new home…with me.”
He held her gaze. “I owe you an apology, milady. I know you would not betray me. Why I let that-”
She gave his hands a light squeeze. “I knew you’d find your way back to me. You’re a lot stronger than Midir could ever be.”
“A chuisle…” Her mouth on his stole his words. Releasing her hands, he wrapped her in his arms, holding onto her like a drowning man at sea would cling to a lone piece of driftwood. “I have missed you, sweet lady,” he breathed into her ear. “You are my reason, my life.” Husband and wife reacquainted themselves with the curves and valleys of the other as they removed their armor.
“Thank you for loving me the way you do,” she gasped between breaths.
His tongue tickled along the length of her neck. “I love you naked in my arms, wet and hot for my cock.”
Her eager hand between his legs gave testament to her agreement.
“Tartarus, woman,” he groaned, leaning into her. “As much as I want you now, it must wait. Inferno should know of my return and that we are well.”
“I doubt either of us is on his mind, right now.”
“Doesn’t matter.” He kissed her ear. “I will not tolerate any interruptions. I want to take my time…” His lips whispered along her jaw, “love you slowly...” His lips hovered close to hers, “savor your sweetness.” He claimed her in a soulful kiss.
Breathless and covered in gooseflesh, she held onto him. “Let’s be quick about it then.”
Voices drifted up the stairs as they descended, hand in hand. Etain explained that Inferno had called in the clan because of recent activity of the Bok. Coming to the dining hall, she placed a hand on Dar’s chest. “Just a minute.” She stepped into the doorway.
“Etain, where have you been?”
Dar could tell it was a young man by the sound of his voice. He heard a chair scrape against the stone floor, followed by quick footsteps. The next he saw, a dark-haired young man had her wrapped in a monstrous bear hug, laughing. “I’ve been manic with worry.”
“Put me down, silly. I’m perfectly fine.” He set her down, but a possessive arm slipped around her waist. Dar raised a brow. She gave him a quick glance, then turned her smile on whoever else occupied the room. “Look who I found remodeling the LOKI castle.”
Reaching for Dar’s hand, she pulled him into the light amidst gasps and wide-eyed stares. The room became a clamor of cheers as people rushed to welcome Dar home, coming between Etain and the strange young man, pushing him farther away from the couple.
Swee stepped up, giving Dar a hug. “Welcome back, Dar. I've missed you terribly.” His large hands engulfed her tiny waist, setting her back.
“Swee, thank you.” He laughed. “I've missed you, too.”
Inferno bulldozed his way through the throng, Spirit close behind. Coming up to Dar, an audible intake of breath filled the room as the two men faced one another.
Dar squared his shoulders for the berating that was sure to follow. “Inferno.” He dipped his head to the lady. “Spirit.”
When Inferno engulfed him in a hug, Dar gave Etain a puzzled grin. “Damn, thought we'd lost ya. Welcome back.” Laughter filled the room again. Inferno turned, embracing Etain with the same fervor. “Lass,” he whispered into her ear. “Makes me wonder how ya got from here to there and back again with yer man in tow.” He let her go and turned to Dar again. “Yer su
re yer back to yerself, are ya?”
Dar grinned, placing a fisted hand over his heart. “Damn sure.”
Inferno eyed Etain. “I don’t know how ya did it, but ya done a bloody fine job, bringing him home.” He swiped at a sudden tear. “Ock, damn dust gets me eyes ever’time.” Another round of laughter erupted through the hall. “But,” he added, giving her a stern look. “We’ll talk more later.”
Spirit hugged Dar. “I knew you’d find your way.”
He kissed her cheek. “That had to be what got me through.”
Eyelashes fluttering, her face turned as pink as the gloves he’d worn in the tournament. “Yer havin’ a laugh,” she giggled, motioning at Etain. “It was her stubborn determination and the love you share that did it.”
Dar pulled his wife close. “How could I not come back to this beautiful lady? My love. My life.” He lovingly stroked her hair, drinking her in with his eyes. Her arms went around his neck, giving him a kiss full of unspoken promises.
“Enough of that,” Inferno huffed, good-heartedly. “We've just sat down to eat, and no matter from where ya came, Dar, me belly’s hollerin’ to be fed.”
Dar flashed his boyish grin. “I have done many things in my life, Inferno, but never let it be said that I stood between a man and his dinner.” With a light-hearted air, the crowd returned to their seats, each making sure to welcome back Dar. Two more places were set and everyone settled in for a delightful meal. Elfin and Wolfe, their usual jovial selves, told the tale of the Blade Masters Gathering, giving detailed accounts of Dar's mishap with the fallen warrior maiden, ending with his disqualification.
“All great stories at my expense, my friends, but as much as I've enjoyed this warm welcome…” Dar lifted his mug to Inferno and Spirit, then the rest of the table, “I still consider myself a newlywed and have missed my beautiful wife most excruciatingly.” He smiled at the woman by his side. “I would like to remedy that great malady as soon as possible.”
Inferno was happy to oblige, giving him one bit of advice. “Break the damn shower in that room, laddie, and I'll have yer head on a stake.”
Dar’s laugh filled the room. “I make no promises, milord.”
“Faux,” a deep voice whispered in her ear. Fast asleep, she rolled onto her back. “Faaauuux.”
“What?” she mumbled, eyes closed.
“Do you remember me?” The voice was soft, hypnotic.
“Dathmet.” A wicked smile lifted the corners of her mouth. “How could I forget you?” Her blood thrilled at the thought of the blood-skinned demon. “Your hair is like fire. So sexy.”
His sensuous laugh gave her a delicious shiver. “You are pure sex, mon petit. That tail is, well…quite talented. Did you enjoy yourself at the club?”
A growl came from deep in her throat as she arched her back and rolled onto her side. “Mmm… It was just what I needed.”
“Do you remember what I need?”
Her brows knitted together in thought. “Oh, I remember now. Yes…” She drew out the word with an evil glint in her mind's eye. “You want the source of the protection spell, but I don’t understand why. They’re just Alamir. They aren’t worth your time.”
“That is none of your concern, little demon.” His exhaled breath lifted tendrils of her hair. “Freeblood cannot be deterred from going directly to Laugharne.”
Her lips turned down into a frown. “But we’re having fun here. I don’t want to go.”
“It’s what I want. We will make them pay for what they’ve done to you.”
“But not Freeblood, right? He’s cool.”
“Freeblood must not know of our plans,” his tone was sharp. “Dar can read his thoughts.”
“He can read mine, too. After all, we have a link that's stronger than the blood.”
The fire-haired apparition laughed. “Don't worry about that. Placing a veil between you and that Krymerian will be child’s play. Much easier than what I had to conjure with his precious bitch. He'll never know a thing.” He leaned over her and ran a possessive hand down her body. “Now, tell me one more time, sweet Faux.”
Her eyes opened, staring into his red gaze. “Get to the castle, locate the source of the spell, and destroy it.” She stroked his blood-red cheek. “Now, tell me what I get in return.”
“Power…and your Freeblood.”
24
Evil Threatens
Luxuriating in a warm bath the next morning, Dar's first question involved the stranger who had greeted his wife with too much familiarity last night. She smiled at him from across the mounds of bubbles. “That was my brother, Robert. I wanted to introduce you but he disappeared and the evening went so fast.”
“Your brother? He’s not what I imagined.” At her quizzical gaze, he asked, “How does it feel to have him back?”
“We haven't had much time to talk, but having him here makes me feel whole…and weird, but in a good way.” She laughed and pursed her lips, blowing at a mound of bubbles. “It’s hard to believe he’s real. On the other hand…” She paused. “He’s different, almost scary.”
“Alatariel tells me he was raised by Midir.”
“Mmm, aye.” She poked a toe out of the cloud of suds, running it along his cheek and down his neck. “Maybe that’s why he scares me.”
He caught her foot in one hand. “Midir was not what I would consider father material.”
“Not even in an Addams Family way.” She tried to wriggle free of his hold.
His other hand trailed along her shapely leg. “Addams family? I’m not familiar with this name. Are they significant?”
She wriggled again, but he held her fast. “That tickles!” She laughed and splashed him with her other foot. “No, never mind. It was a random reference to another time.”
Laughing, he reached for her, splashing water over the edge of the tub. Amidst screams and giggles, he caught her around the waist, pulling her on top of him. “Speaking of another time… When I returned from Nunnehi, I couldn’t find you. My first thought was that you had left me for good and had found a way to completely block me. Then I remembered the threats made by the High Council. I was certain they had taken you to punish me.”
She touched his cheek. “I don’t know why you couldn’t feel me, but I wouldn’t leave without a word. I couldn’t do that to you.” After a soft kiss, she leaned back. “Come to think of it, I didn't know you’d come back until I spoke with Wolfe and Elfin. Do you feel me now?” At his raised eyebrow, she chuckled. “My blood.”
He remained pensive. “Aye, its burn is a welcome heat. It has been that way since you found me at LOKI. Whatever blocked you from me is gone.” He brushed back a stray silver lock. “How about you? How is it with my blood?”
She sighed deeply and touched her head to his. “I didn’t realize how much I missed it until now. No wonder I felt so strange those days away from you.”
“Tell me about your adventure to find your brother.”
She turned and leaned back against his chest, making herself comfortable. Recounting the days spent in Deudraeth, she detailed their near capture at the apothecary and quick escape. “When we got to Inferno’s, it was mayhem. Ambassadors, chieftains, all different sorts of Alamir had come for a discussion of the Bok.”
“Was anything decided?” he asked, enjoying the slippery feel of her wet skin.
She shrugged, soaping a bath sponge. “Not that I know of.”
“Perhaps I should meet with Inferno today to discuss the defense of the castle, just to be sure everyone is safe.” As he absently fondled a breast, his warrior mind rummaged through strategies. Names of those he knew he could count on in the event of a skirmish ran through his head. A sudden twisting of his thumb scattered his thoughts.
“Ow! What was that for?”
She twisted around, facing him. “Where are you?”
“I'm here with you.”
“Your body is, but your mind’s running around this bloody castle.”
“Sorry
, a chuisle,” he said, giving her a sheepish grin.
An urgent knocking accompanied by a muffled voice interrupted their conversation. Dar left the tub, wrapped a towel around his hips, and strode out of the bathroom. He flung open the door. “What the hell is it?”
Elfin staggered back. “Sorry, Dar. I know, uh, well… Sorry to intrude, but...”
“Spit it out, man. What's so damn important?”
“Inferno sent me up. Something's comin’ and it’s not good.”
“What do you mean?” Dar lowered his voice and joined him in the hallway, closing the door.
“It's Ms. Spirit. She says evil’s coming this way. Inferno wants everyone downstairs. They're thinking it's the Bok.”
Dar placed a hand on his shoulder, which helped settle the young man. “Take a breath. Tell Inferno we’ll be down soon.” Elfin nodded and turned to leave. “Elfin, do you know if any of the other chieftains are still in town?”
“I don't know, but I'll ask Inferno.” With that, he ran downstairs.
Dar found Etain already dried and dressed, lacing up her boots. “What if it is the Bok? From what I saw of them, this clan isn't big enough to handle what may be coming.”
“I won’t let anything happen to them, a chuisle,” he said, resolved to keep the promise at any cost. Dar quickly dressed as Etain strapped on Nim'Na'Sharr.
“Fortunately, you won’t have to do it alone.”
“Let’s see what we’re up against first. It could be they have no intentions of coming here.”
She helped him into the scabbard bearing his twin scimitars. After a quick kiss, they headed downstairs to join the others.
Dar and Etain found Inferno, Linq, and several UWS clan members in the courtyard, staring intently at a makeshift table. Inferno waved them over. “Sorry to interrupt-”