Leaning forward, Nalia placed her palm on his cheek. “You will not, young druid. We will be with each other for a very long time. I have seen it. Now, eat and let us discuss the plans for tomorrow.” She sat back and chuckled. “After all, tomorrow you will be kicking some dark hunter ass.”
Tegan giggled and put her hand over her mouth quickly. Easton noticed Beorn raise his brows before he burst out laughing.
“That’s what I have heard humans called battle. Is that wrong?”
“No ma’am. I think it just surprised all of us to hear you say it.” He gave her hand a gentle squeeze before releasing it and going about placing heaps of food on his plate. Taking his first bite of the succulent roast leg of lamb, he closed his eyes and moaned at the sheer pleasure the burst of flavors gave him. Savoring the depth of each of the herbs and spices, he opened his eyes and nodded at Nalia. “Amazing roast. Thank you for cooking it.”
“You are welcome. It is nothing out of the ordinary.”
“Where I was raised, this is something very special.”
Nalia smiled and went back to eating as a blush spread over her face.
They ate in silence for a while. Easton figured they were deep in thought as he was, wondering what tomorrow would bring. Since seeing into Beorn’s mind, he had no doubt tomorrow’s battle would be no small feat. Beorn had advised him it would be a long, ferocious fight, if they could not stop them and safely protect the entrance into the white realm. He feared they might have to seal it up for a few centuries until things settled down, leaving the human race to fend for themselves against the dark realm.
Easton did not like that outcome by any means. It would leave too many decent people to fall prey to them. Somehow, he needed to find a way to protect everyone from the onslaught before it came to that. If only they had more time.
He finished the last of the food on his plate, gulped down the last of his wine, and sighed for what felt like the hundredth time in the last few days. How the hell did all of this happen?
“Are we meeting with the other druids to plan for the attack in the morning?” Easton wiped his mouth with the cloth napkin sitting beside his plate. “Before we go, I would like to ask Nalia to do something before we have to go to battle.”
“What do you wish?” Nalia leaned forward, her hands folded in her lap.
“I would like to marry Tegan. If it is something you do here.” He took Tegan’s hand in his and felt her tremble.
“I think that would be wonderful. And yes, we do that here.” She leaned closer and cocked her finger for him to lean toward her. “Did you ask her yet?”
Easton raised his brows, cleared his throat, and turned to her. “I guess I should have asked you first.” He slid off the chair and onto one knee. “I don’t have a ring to give you, but Tegan, will you marry me?”
A smile spread over her face as she blushed the cutest shade of pink and nodded her head. “Yes, I will marry you.”
Beorn nodded, stood, and headed to his bedroom door. “Hold on a moment.” He returned a few seconds later with a small, black bag that he handed to Easton. “This was the ring I made to give to your mother. It would honor me if you gave it to your bride.”
Easton felt a lump in his throat as his heart fluttered in his chest. He carefully pulled the string loose on the bag and poured a beautiful golden ring into his hand. Picking it up, he saw the intricate floral carvings that embellished the entire surface of the ring. He raised his head and nodded at Beorn. “This is beautiful. I am honored that you have given me this for Tegan.”
He turned to her as she lifted her hand for him to slip the ring on her finger. Tears fell from her eyes as she looked up at Beorn. “It is the most beautiful ring I have ever seen. I will cherish it forever.” She turned back to Easton, taking his face in her hands. “Thank you for loving me.” She leaned down and kissed him softly on his mouth before holding her hand to look at the ring.
Easton stood, taking Tegan’s hand. He smiled, hoping to reassure her before turning to accompany Beorn to the stairway. Once outside, he was assaulted with the sounds of many voices. He realized he’d become used to the quiet of speaking and hearing only a few.
Beorn’s deep voice carried over the sounds and silenced everyone. “Please, come closer so there is no need for me to shout, and everyone can hear what is being said.” He stood stock still as the druids made their way forward and stood in a tidy semi-circle around Easton and Beorn. “I know none of you know me, and you are going on the words of the Witch Mother. I, Beorn son of Kerloch, grew up as a dark druid who was sent into the human realm to find one of your witches. I fell in love with her and she with me. She was living as a human and married to a man who did not treat her right. When she discovered she was expecting my child, I told her the truth of who I was. For his protection and hers, we agreed for me to return to my realm and leave them alone. I have watched my son and protected him for years now.
“I tell you from my heart, I changed when I met her and again when my son came into the world. Nalia has accepted me, as has my son. I stand before you to ask you to let me help in this battle that we are about to embark on. I promise to fight to the death, if needed, to keep this realm and everyone in it safe.” He glanced at Easton before continuing.
“My son is not really known to you either. He is a strong druid, and his soon-to-be bride is with child. A boy.” He held up his hands as chatter started amongst the others. “Nalia has foreseen that this boy is the new king of this realm. The long awaited king of us all. I will allow nothing to stop his safe birth into the white realm. Easton, son of Beorn, has the heart and spirit to be here, even though he was hidden from everyone for years and grew up thinking he was human. He is strong and wise. He possesses great magical powers. You know Nalia. You know her word is true.”
“How do we know this is not a trap?” asked a tall man with a long white beard. He stepped forward. “It is known druids and witches from the dark realm lie. How do we trust you to speak the truth?”
“Do you need to trust me if you trust your Witch Mother?” Easton watched Beorn tilt his head, waiting patiently for the druid to think about his words.
“I do.” He bowed slightly and stepped back into line.
“I fully understand your hesitation. Imagine mine at asking all of you to help me protect my son and grandson. You have been raised not to trust my kind, to believe we are all evil. I have to trust Nalia that you will fight with all you have when you stand beside me, to protect the future of this realm. It is not easy for me to not worry, but I must trust Nalia. I do so with not only my life but theirs as well.”
“What do you have to say, young druid?” A short, clean-shaven redheaded druid stepped forward.
“I know Beorn is speaking the truth. He has allowed me into his mind. He will give his life, if needed, to protect us. I will fight beside him with all I have as well. I want to live and watch the birth of my son, to watch him grow and become the king of this realm. I ask for you to look into your hearts and trust us both to fight beside you to protect this place.” Easton made eye contact with each man in the front row as he finished his words. As he looked into each one’s eyes, he felt them accepting what he and Beorn said. He felt the connection and knew they would listen to Nalia and make their way into the human realm to prevent the dark hunters from violating this place.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for standing beside us. May the blessings of the God and Witch Mother go with us into battle tomorrow.” Easton smiled as his words were repeated through the crowd.
“Come Father, I want to spend time with Tegan and help make the arrangements for our wedding. I am so happy Nalia has agreed to marry us tonight.” He placed his hand on Beorn’s arm. “I want to thank you again for giving me the ring.”
Beorn clapped him on his back as a deep, rolling laugh bubbled from his chest. “It was my honor to do so. I think it is a wonderful idea for you to marry her now. There will be plenty of people to witness the ev
ent, and it will help settle their minds as well. Let us go talk to Nalia and Tegan.”
Two hours later, they stood outside in the moonlight, surrounded by the witches and druids. The evening breeze carried the scent of flowers through the air. Everyone was dressed in the purest white Easton had ever seen. They stood under the canopy of the big tree, silently waiting for Tegan to appear. Melissa was going to walk her down the path from the door to where Beorn, Nalia, and Easton stood. His heart beat a staccato in his chest just waiting to see her.
Softly, a harp began to play a slow, beautiful melody and his beloved appeared from around the bend of the great tree. Her face beamed and a sweet smile covered her lips. Everyone else vanished from his sight as he took in the beauty of his woman.
She was dressed in a long, gauzy, silk gown of the palest blue that hugged her curves. Her long, dark hair cascaded around her face and a wreath of pink and white flowers circled her head. She held a bouquet of white roses that appeared to be giving off a soft glow. He glanced down and noticed her tiny feet were bare as she stepped softly over the grass, each step bringing her closer to him. His heart was full. She was his forever.
As she walked the last few steps, the harp stopped playing. Melissa smiled and placed a kiss on Tegan’s cheek before she turned and faced Easton. “We are so blessed today. Thank you for loving her.”
Easton beamed at Melissa’s words. He marveled at the fact that all of these folks had just come into his life a short time ago, but he was irreversibly changed for the better because of them.
Beorn stepped forward and placed a kiss on Tegan’s cheek. “I too am very thankful you have come to love my son, and the bond between you is strong. You will be a wonderful wife and mother. Welcome to my family.” He placed her hand in Easton’s and held them together while Nalia blessed them and spoke their vows.
Easton couldn’t take his eyes off of her. She glowed. Her eyes held him captive as they each spoke their words, their love and bond weaving even tighter around them. He never thought his love could grow deeper than it already was, but this was on some level so much deeper, further into his soul than what he had felt before. As Nalia finished the last of the words, Beorn circled their hands with a white ribbon. Everyone bowed their heads as Nalia started chanting, and a white light surrounded them for a moment before dispersing into the night air. The harp began softly playing another haunting melody, one Easton remembered from his childhood. He leaned down and took her beautiful mouth with his.
Chapter Twenty
The morning sun came much too soon as it streamed in through the window of their room. He slid his arm out from underneath Tegan, and she mumbled something in her sleep, pushing her bottom lip out. He placed a soft kiss on her lips and rose from the bed, making his way into the bathroom. He washed his face and brushed his teeth, glancing into the mirror to see a haunted look in his eyes. Running a hand down his face, he felt the icy touch of fear race down his spine. I’m a druid. A druid with powers and an entire realm of magical beings willing to help me. He placed his hands on the sink, dropped his head, and took deep breaths. I can’t let her know I’m so scared.
Opening the bathroom door, he found her standing waiting for him. She walked into his arms and laid her head on his chest. “All will be fine, my love. Nalia has seen the future, and we are together with our son. You will come back to us. Trust in her vision. Trust in yourself.”
He wrapped her into his arms, breathing in the scent of her hair. “I will, my love. I’ve never had to face magical hunters out to kill me before. It’s a bit daunting. I plan on coming back to you, to loving you for many years to come. Now, kiss me before I walk out of here into the unknown.”
He lifted her chin with his fingers and kissed her deeply, lingering for a few moments before breaking away. “I don’t want you to watch us leave. Just knowing you are watching will make it harder for me to step through the portal. I want to know you are safe with Nalia here in this home. Promise me.”
She took a deep breath and sighed loudly. “If it is what you wish, but do not think for one moment I like this, Easton son of Beorn. But I understand why. It would be hard for me to watch you leave as well. Know that I will be safe with our son, waiting here for you.” She stood on her tiptoes and placed another kiss on his lips. “Go with my love and protection.” She walked back into the bathroom, and he heard a sob just as she closed the door.
Great. He strode to the door and tried the handle. Locked! Easton placed his forehead against the door. “Tegan. Please, open the door. How do you expect me to concentrate on fighting dark hunters if I leave while you are crying? Please. I can’t leave you like this.” He heard the lock and stepped back, waiting for her to open the door.
“I am sorry,” she whispered, arms open for him to step into her embrace. “I did not want you to see me cry. I will be fine. I am just worried.” She snuggled close to his chest. “I love you.”
“I love you too. Don’t worry, my love. Nalia saw me returning to you, remember?” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
“I know. I am sorry for being so upset.” Placing her hand on his cheek, she smiled. “I will be waiting for you.”
Easton tilted her chin and crushed his mouth to hers. His hand splayed across her lower back, pulling her tightly against him. He wanted this kiss to last forever, especially not knowing when he would kiss her again. When he finally broke the kiss, they were both breathless. He placed one more kiss on her forehead, turned, and walked out the door.
Beorn, Melissa, and Nalia stood by the steps waiting for him. Nalia stepped forward, giving him a hug. “I will stay with Tegan. This must be hard for her.”
“It’s hard for both of us. She isn’t very excited about staying behind.” He hugged her close. “Keep them safe,” he whispered.
“I will.” Nalia stepped back and nodded.
Melissa nodded. “I will take care of them too. You focus on doing what you need to do, and we will take care of this end.”
“Thank you,” Easton whispered before he stepped next to Beorn. “I’m ready whenever you are.” He took one last look at Melissa and Nalia.
“Let us go. The others are waiting for us by the portal.” Beorn turned and strode to the steps with Easton on his heels.
When they made their way into the lower room, he was surprised at the number of druids waiting for them. It looked like most of the druids they’d spoken with had decided to join the battle. It filled Easton’s heart with hope that the outcome would be good, and the people of this realm would live in peace and happiness.
Beorn walked to the back of the room and raised his hands. “Fellow druids. My heart is full that so many of you have showed up today. The unknown waits for us on the other side of the portal. I promise to stand beside you and fight for the human realm as well as this one. Know today that we fight together as brothers.”
Easton watched as cheers ran through the crowd. These magical creatures had more in common with the humans than they realized. He nodded and raised his hand in the air, joining the chant to protect the realm at all costs. Tegan, are you okay?
I miss you already. Please come home swiftly.
I will do my best. I love you. Stay strong.
I love you too.
Leaving her and their unborn son was the hardest thing he had ever done. He took a deep breath and waited for Beorn to lead them into the unknown. What would it feel like to be back in his old world now that he knew of this one?
Beorn raised his hands and the chanting stopped. “It is almost time. I hope most of you have at least visited the human realm for a short time. It is different and we will need to be careful to not call attention to ourselves. I know we discussed things last night, I hope you all paid attention. I do not want to lose anyone to foolishness.”
A young druid stepped forward, looking uncomfortable in the jeans and t-shirt he was wearing. “I am worried about interacting with the humans. If someone notices, what do we say?” He tugged at the t-
shirt.
“I pray we will not have any interactions with anyone in my world. But you look just like any other human. Have you not spent time in my world?”
“No.” He shrugged, his cheeks actually turning red.
Easton glanced over at his father. “Is there a chance we are going to? I thought we were going to try to contain this to a desolate area?”
“We are, if we can. Your home has much land that surrounds it, but we might have to go into the human areas if any of the hunters are threatening them.” Beorn crossed is arms, planting his feet as if ready for a fight.
Easton nodded before facing the young druid. “Trust me, most humans don’t interact with strangers. So if we have to venture out, just nod and keep walking. Most humans don’t like to make conversation with strangers,” Easton replied. He felt all eyes on him.
He chuckled. “I’m not one to make small talk with strangers. When I was at work, I had to. Most of us are like that.” Easton glanced at their faces, some had their brows raised, and some of them were shaking their heads. “Humans have secrets and fears. Ones they do not want to speak about most of the time. If I was walking in public, I just didn’t make eye contact or speak to anyone.”
“That is a strange thing to do, is it not?” asked an older druid with white hair and bright blue eyes as he stepped forward.
“No, it is what most humans do. We learn to keep to ourselves.” He walked over to the druid and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I guess most humans are self-involved and don’t want to bother with others. You’ll do fine. Remember when we get there, you will be in my home with the other witches and druids who have been protecting it since Tegan and I came to you. They can help with any issues that come up concerning human interaction too.” Easton tried to give him a reassuring smile, but figured he fell short by the look on the druid’s face. “Thanks for joining us.” Raising a brow, he realized he didn’t even know the man’s name.
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