If the inability to manage a graceful walk proved the greatest hardship she had with this body, Daryna would consider herself blessed. Already she knew that her new body wouldn’t live more than a handful of seasons. Less if she was required to do too many great workings of magic. Yet it would serve its purpose. After that, her soul and powers as the Mother’s Avatar would return to her firstborn body and they would become what she’d always been meant to be.
But first, she had much to accomplish.
Clearing a throat that had only known breath for a few heartbeats, she forced her lips and tongue to form words and speak.
“Hello Durnathyne, my hunting shadow.”
“My Sorceress,” came her beloved’s startled reply as he swept down into an elegant bow.
He paused only a moment and then straightened. In three long strides, he was at her side, dipping his muzzle down to her face and curling a wing around her shoulders to act as a ward against the night’s chill. Soon his warm, damp tongue slathered across her shoulder, pragmatically cleaning the sticky sap from her body while also showing her a gargoyle’s affection.
“I have missed you.” He whined so softly that she doubted anyone else heard. Perhaps not even her firstborn body. That young dryad stood unmoving, frozen in shock. When their gargoyle dipped his muzzle down to her neck and lapped gently at her shoulder, Daryna saw a pained expression spike across the other dryad’s face.
But her firstborn body recovered sooner than Daryna thought she would. Good. Adaptability was something they would all need if any of them were going to survive the coming war with the Lady of Battles.
“Welcome to the Mortal Realm, Sorceress. I understand it takes some getting used to.”
She could hear the raw pain behind those words. It slipped the other’s ability to contain and flowed through the soul connection they shared. The young dryad standing across from her thought she’d just been replaced.
Replaced?
What an odd thought.
Daryna shook her head. It was such a strange sensation having two bodies. Three if she counted her hamadryad. At least the hamadryad did not think or sense emotions in the same way the dryad body did. It didn’t feel like a separate personality.
However, the other, her firstborn body, already had a well-developed personality. Daryna dug through her memories for the dryad’s name. Ah, yes, she was called Lillian. Named after a dead girl by the one she called Gran.
Frowning, Daryna looked to Gregory. He should have been the one to name her. They always honored each other with a new name at the beginning of each life. That they hadn’t, bothered her more than she wanted to admit.
At least Lillian had given their beloved a strong name. Gregory of the Livingstone. In her memories there seemed to be something humorous about the name.
That didn’t matter at the moment. Now Daryna was more concerned about Lillian’s strength of body and mind. She would have many disadvantages to overcome, now that her understanding of the universe was limited without her soul and power of the Mother’s Avatar inhabiting her body.
It all seemed truly strange now that Daryna no longer resided inside the hamadryad.
Perhaps Lillian wasn’t the only one limited? They would get through this together.
The Sorceress smiled at Lillian in what she hoped was a reassuring way.
She would explain the nature of her task later. There was something else that drew all her attention now.
Allowing her eyes to travel part way down the other dryad’s length, she paused at her mid-riff. There was already the slightest swelling of life curving the dryad’s belly. A tiny miracle. A child between her firstborn body and that of her beloved gargoyle.
Without a second thought, she called her power to her and examined Lillian to be sure all was well with their little one. At seeing the new life for the first time, her heart beat fast within her chest as excitement rose within Daryna.
So bright. So beautiful was that new soul flickering before her mage-sight that Daryna grinned. A soft laugh escaped her. It was only a hint of the indescribable happiness she felt at knowing she and Durnathyne would finally be able to love and raise a child begotten of their own blood.
While Daryna was momentarily lost in her great delight, Lillian took a couple of steps away. She half turned and then gestured down one of the green, leafy corridors that formed the maze that surrounded the hamadryad tree.
“You must be cold. Come with me. I will show you where you can clean up and find a set of clothing.” Another pained expression crossed Lillian’s face. “Mine should fit you well enough.”
“Yes, I suppose they would.” She looked down at her naked body. As Lillian had noted, it was a twin to hers. Once Daryna washed away the sticky coating of a hamadryad’s afterbirth and clothed her new body, there would be no physical markers to differentiate them. It was likely adding to Lillian’s feelings of disquiet. “I am sorry. I know this must be a shock for you. But once I explain everything, you will understand.”
Across from her, Lillian arched an eyebrow in doubt and muttered something under her breath that sounded like ‘I doubt that.’
Durnathyne huffed softly, tilting his ears in Lillian’s direction. He’d heard the words, too, and held out a beseeching hand. When the dryad didn’t come, he tried again. This time he stretched out the wing not sheltering Daryna toward the other dryad.
Lillian didn’t accept Gregory’s invitation to come closer. Instead, she turned and started away.
“Oh, man,” a young human male whispered. “Burn. Gregory, you’re totally sleeping on the couch tonight.”
Daryna narrowed her eyes and focused on the speaker. After sifting through her new memories, she came to understand this one was Lillian’s human brother. He was...unimportant in the grand plan, so she ignored him and focused her attention on the retreating form of her other-self. “Lillian, our beloved Durnathyne still needs you as much as he did before my birth.”
Lillian halted and then turned back to them. Her lips parted and she inhaled a deep breath. After several heartbeats, she snapped her teeth back together without saying anything. But Daryna caught the other woman’s thoughts.
Ah, while she’d been hurt by their gargoyle’s earlier affection toward Daryna, that wasn’t why Lillian felt apprehensive. No, the young dryad didn’t trust Daryna. That was evident to see in her stiff body language.
In time she would learn that there was nothing to fear.
As her human-raised firstborn body would say, Daryna would move heaven and earth to protect Lillian and Durnathyne.
“His name’s Gregory now,” Lillian said with an unhappy look.
Ah. Lillian wasn’t completely unskilled in magic. She’d managed to pick up on Daryna’s thoughts using the soul link they shared.
Daryna raised several layers of shields between them so that once again her mind was hers alone. Lillian and Gregory weren’t ready to learn all that Daryna had yet to reveal. In time they would, but not yet.
“You are correct. Our beloved is called Gregory in this life, isn’t he? It will take some adjustment, as it always does when we are first reborn, but I will learn and adapt to this life.” And I will always give comfort and guidance to my other half during the coming days which will be both emotionally trying as well as physically dangerous.
And above all else, I will protect my children. Both that tiny, bright soul nestled in my firstborn body’s womb, as well as our full-grown son.
Although, she realized Gryton was likely to be much more temperamental, having been raised by a hate-filled demigoddess.
That was just another one of many injustices Daryna planned to rectify in this life. When she was done, the Battle Goddess would regret ever interfering with the Avatars.
“This way. Before your teeth start chattering,” Lillian snapped, drawing Daryna from her thoughts.
When Lillian turned swiftly on her heels and started back down the path, Gregory stiffened. His concern that he had hurt
his mate’s feelings washed over Daryna a moment later. It was followed by his inability to leave Daryna when she was still so obviously weak.
Ah, yes, if she needed to distract her gargoyle protector from her plans, Lillian would be an excellent distraction.
“It’s all right my love,” Daryna said. “Go to her. She doesn’t understand what’s happened. She thinks I’m her replacement.”
“But that’s ridiculous.”
“No. It’s not. She’s young. And your previous behavior didn’t help any either.”
“I did not mean...” His ears dropped to half-mast, and his muzzle wrinkled as his eyes narrowed unhappily.
“Yes. I know that, but she doesn’t.”
“I cannot leave you here in this state.” Even his tail lashed in agitation and indecision. “But I must go to Lillian.”
“Well, then carry me. But we should hurry. You’re both still wearing those collars. In case you’ve forgotten.”
With a huffing sound that was the equivalent of gargoyle embarrassment, Gregory scooped her up in his arms and broke into long, ground-eating strides. He quickly caught up to his shorter-legged mate. Wrapping her arms around his neck, Daryna rested her cheek on Gregory’s shoulder, enjoying the warmth and scent of her other half.
It was nice to hold her beloved close again. She would allow herself to be weak this once. But after tonight she would have to be strong; this life had already proven to be one of her most difficult. Their enemy had already landed too many blows.
Daryna would have to execute her plans as soon as possible to counteract some of what the Battle Goddess had already put into motion.
Gregory might not condone some of her choices, Daryna knew. He might even hate her for a short time.
But once all was said and done with this life, for either good or ill, she could always ask forgiveness when they were reunited again as one being in the Spirit Realm. Until then, she would do what she must to save them all.
If Gregory and Lillian saw her choices as a betrayal? Then so be it.
Chapter 1
LILLIAN STOMPED DOWN the gravel path headed back toward the stone cottage. She wasn’t running away. Or leaving in a huff.
‘Damn it. Even I don’t believe that’ Lillian thought to herself.
It didn’t matter. She wasn’t going back to apologize. There was only so many times she could forgive fate for tossing unimaginable horror into her life. She’d already used her quota of forgiveness. She wasn’t going to feel sorry for slighting her replacement. And she’d be damned if she was going to stand there and watch Gregory with his beloved Sorceress for one more minute.
Neither one of them would see her cry. Embracing her anger, she marched back toward the cottage. Somewhere behind, she knew her family and the other Fae followed like some curious parade of bystanders and paparazzi.
At least there were no camera lenses in this crowd.
The only ones were the type found in the scopes sitting atop rifles.
The dark glower of the military was never far. At the moment, she had no desire whatsoever to explain this new...development to the officers or the scientists that had been trailing her earlier in the day.
The present lack of scientists was likely due to her little brother and his pet human. Later she’d thank Shadowlight and Corporal Mackenzie for distracting them. Gran had also been acting as an intermediary, but Anna and the gargoyle child had made the greatest sacrifice as far as Lillian was concerned.
Both had agreed to become the scientists’ pincushions, undergoing a myriad of tests. Willingly. Other Fae would always stand guard to ensure that Shadowlight and Anna weren’t harmed in the process.
Those stipulations were part of the treaty Gran had managed to hammer out with the military. Personally, Lillian thought it might have had more to do with Gran’s persuasive magic than common sense among the humans. Though, no one would tell the military that.
For now, there was an uneasy alliance. Lillian had hoped that hammering out the details of the collaboration would be the greatest stress in the immediate days to come. But no. Fate—that vindictive bitch—had other ideas.
Again, tears threatened to come. Lillian rubbed them savagely away while putting a slightly heavier stomp in each step.
She was nearly back to the stone cottage when Gregory caught up with her. She side-eyed him. Of course he was carrying his Sorceress in his arms.
Seeing his easy, natural love for her still twisted like a knife in Lillian’s heart. Swinging her eyes forward again she locked them on her target. The back-patio door.
“Lillian, please.” Gregory’s voice reached across the distance, his tones the familiar velvet darkness she’d come to crave. “I am sorry.”
Well, I’m damned sorry too. Sorry I wasn’t good enough and had to be replaced.
She didn’t say it aloud, but by the way his ears wilted back into his mane, she was pretty confident it had shot across their mental link like an arrow from a bow.
Continuing into the stone cottage, she stalked through the kitchen and on into the living room. Behind her, Gregory followed with his Sorceress held in his arms. After that Lillian kept her gaze focused forward as she made her way up the stairs and then down the short hall to her master bedroom.
It was so freaking tempting to simply slam the door in Gregory’s face, but she wouldn’t be that petty. This entire.... situation...seemed to have come as a surprise to him as well.
Once inside her suite, she went straight to her closet and pulled together a few items for Daryna to wear.
“Take her into the bathroom and show her how to use the shower.” Lillian didn’t turn from her task. She wasn’t ready to see Gregory with her replacement in his arms again. In time she would come to terms with this new nastiness fate had tossed in her path. Lillian drew in a deep breath and silently acknowledged that it would likely take more than a few days. A lot more.
“I do not need help,” Daryna said in Lillian’s own voice. “I have your memories as well as my own. I know the way of things in this world.”
Well, good for you.
Then something else occurred to Lillian. Daryna would have all her memories, not just the small things like how to work a shower or drive a car. Everything.
Daryna would have memories of the few times Lillian and Gregory had been intimate.
She’d be able to experience them like she’d been there.
Lillian glanced at Daryna. If she thought to do more than relive those memories...she’d...she’d...rip the hair from her head and gouge out—
Gregory interrupted Lillian’s line of thought. “Daryna, you have much to tell us. You might as well start now while I help you clean up.”
“Yes. But it will have to wait. Lillian isn’t adjusting well to my sudden appearance in your lives.” Pity now marked Daryna’s words. “Gregory, she needs you.”
Now feeling far too exposed, Lillian steeled her spine and plastered a mask of calm onto her face as she continued to gather a few things for Daryna. “I’m fine. Really. Gregory, of course you need to help Daryna adjust. She can hardly even walk on her own yet. You attend to your Sorceress while I see if I can round up something for her to eat.
Gregory shifted from foot to foot, and his tail flicked with agitation. He was clearly unhappy or profoundly uncomfortable with the situation. It might have been comical if it wasn’t happening to her.
“As Daryna pointed out to me earlier, we are still wearing Commander Gryton’s tattoo collars. We can’t part for long.”
Crap, he was right. Damn it.
“No worries. I imagine if I stick my head out the door there’ll be a dozen people within shouting distance. I’ll get whoever answers to bring us something. I’ll be back before the collar has so much as a chance to twitch.”
Gregory still seemed reluctant. Maybe she wasn’t quite as forgettable or as replaceable as she thought.
Lillian sighed, already tired of the situation. “Go help Daryna.”
&
nbsp; To end any resistance on his part, she walked out into the hall. It was worse than she’d expected. The hallway was lined with people.
Good God.
She wanted to flee back into her bedroom, but she had a task, so asked for some broth or other light foods. Then she waited with her arms crossed over her chest and locked her gaze on a window at the end of the hall. The window was open, and the night breeze carried the scent of evening blooming flowers.
She fisted her hands and fought against the foolish urge to shift into her gargoyle form and escape out the window. Whatever pain the collars might inflict couldn’t be any harsher than seeing Gregory doting over Daryna.
When Gran returned a short time later with a tray of food, Lillian thanked her and then returned to her room. The lock slid into place with a soft click. She didn’t need to turn around. Her ears told her Gregory and Daryna were in the shower. Her eyes slid back to the chair where she had left the change of clothes for the Sorceress. They were still there.
Of course the gargoyle would have forgotten them.
Stomping over to the chair, she scooped them up and then started for the bathroom. The door was ajar, so she took that as permission to enter. Modesty didn’t really have a foothold in her mind. The Sorceress wore an exact copy of Lillian’s own body. And she’d seen Gregory enough times to be comfortable with him. But once inside the scene still caused a small twist of pain in her heart.
Even though she’d expected it, Gregory stood in the large shower with Daryna supported in his arms. He was helping her scrub the sticky tree sap from her skin. The only reason Lillian didn’t turn and flee was because he was all business.
The least she could do was match his brisk, businesslike manner. Continuing into the room, she placed the clothing down on the vanity, and then pulled out a few items that Gregory tended to overlook. Like conditioner. She handed the bottle to Daryna who took it with a slight nod.
The Complete Gargoyle and Sorceress Boxset (Books 1-9) Page 79