Elf Blood: Book 14 of The Witch Fairy Series

by Bonnie Lamer

  Dagda scowls at me before saying to the warrior, “Do you need asylum?”

  Surprised, the warrior says, “I cannot leave Addylyn alone with that monster.”

  “I meant, do you need asylum while we decide how to go about saving Addylyn and reuniting her with her daughter?” Dagda clarifies. If the warrior’s eyes get any buggier, I expect him to start chirping like a cricket.

  “You would risk war to help Addylyn?” the warrior asks in complete and utter awe.

  “It’s kind of what we do,” I tell him. “We fix things which are broken in the universe.” That sounded very much like bragging. “Um, what I mean is…”

  Kallen jumps in before he has to go spelunking down my throat to find my foot. “We help those in need,” he says. “From the history of your realm, we know Addylyn has always been a beloved Queen. If she has been wronged, we would like to help repair the situation.”

  Okay, that sounded much better than what I said. Only, has Addylyn truly been wronged? If under Elf law the Queen can be deposed if she bears a child by a, for lack of a better word, lesser husband is she simply suffering the fate her choices led to? She was also planning to murder her King Consort to put someone else in his place. Did the King Consort just plan better than she did? This is a very gray area and I still need more information before jumping right into the fight. “Why didn’t Addylyn have a child with the King Consort?” I ask.

  The warrior’s response is quick. “He is sterile.”

  Oh. Okay. “Other than that, did they get along?”

  “Addylyn despised him from the moment she met him,” the warrior grinds out.

  “Yet, she married him and made him King Consort,” I push.

  “You must not know much about Elf law,” the warrior says with growing annoyance. “The King Consort is appointed by a council of elders and the Queen has no choice but to marry whomever they choose.”

  Well, doesn’t that just suck for the Queen? “Okay, so she got stuck with a guy she hates. Is that why she acquired four more husbands?”

  The warrior is getting angry with me now. “Yet again you show your ignorance…” he begins.

  “You will speak to Princess Xandra with the respect she deserves or I will personally escort you back to your realm to face whatever consequences are meant for you,” Kallen growls in a voice harsh enough to make the warrior wince.

  Hanging his head, the warrior says, “I apologize. My temper is easy to ignite with my Queen gone.” His eyes meet mine again. “A Queen is required to marry not only the counsel’s choice for Consort, but also three sons offered from the families of the nobility in order to keep the ties strong between them and the Queen. I am the only husband she chose for herself.”

  Wow. Glad I’m not an Elf Queen. I send Dagda a look of gratitude for making me a Witch and Fairy Princess and not an Elf one. He has no idea what the look I send him means and stares back at me in confusion. I’ll fill him in later.

  “Can I see her?”

  My heart clenches and my gut response is to say no. But, if he is truly Lielle’s father do we have the right to keep her from him? A glance around the room tells me I am not the only one with these thoughts.

  “You have woven a grand tale,” Dagda hedges. “Perhaps we should gather more proof before handing over the child.”

  “I do not want to take her. I simply want to see her,” the warrior clarifies. “For now, she is safer under your protection than mine.”

  “Before anything happens with the child, we need to decide what to do with your comrades,” Kallen reminds us all.

  Yeah, they are still outside kicking at my magic. It kind of tickles. Other than that, my magic is still holding strong. “What should we do with them?” I ask.

  Dagda grimaces. “This is a damned if we do and damned if we do not situation. If we send them back to their realm, they will return with more warriors. There will be war. If we keep them here, it will not be long before their army comes to rescue them.”

  I have an idea. I tug on Kallen’s arm to get him to follow me into a corner of the ballroom. Once there, I ask quietly, “Is there a spell I can use to alter their memories?” I feel queasy asking this because I don’t believe anyone should brainwash someone else. But, Lielle’s life is on the line. Not to mention the many Fairies and Elves who would be lost to the inevitable war if we don’t do something drastic.

  After Kallen gets over his shock, he says, “It can be done. But, my love, this is a slippery slope.”

  Meaning if I do it once, I may be tempted to do it again in the future. Okay, now I’m even queasier. “I know,” I admit. Hopefully, I will feel so awful doing it once I will never be tempted again. “We need to keep Lielle safe.”

  Kallen lets out a deep sigh. “We can pose the question to Dagda and Grandmother.”

  As if on cue, the two of them are walking toward us. When they believe the warrior can no longer hear them, Dagda asks, “What has you conspiring in the corner?” His tone implies he doesn’t like to be excluded. Who does?

  Before I lose my courage, I blurt out, “I want to erase their memories of what happened here.”

  Both Isla and Dagda are wearing the exact expression Kallen did when I first told him. “Xandra,” Isla begins.

  I cut her off. “I know, it’s a slippery slope. Kallen already pointed that out. But, if we want to prevent war and keep Lielle safe, we need to do something drastic.”

  “I suppose it is similar to what the Elves do to others when snaring them with glamour,” Kallen points out. He’s warming up to the idea.

  Dagda runs a worried hand through his hair as he considers it. Glancing back at the warrior, he asks, “What do you suggest we do with him?” Was that a yes?

  “He needs to return with his comrades,” Isla says firmly. “If Xandra erases their memories but they do not return with him, the King Consort will know something is wrong.” She says this but it is obvious she is not happy with this plan.

  Now for the next difficult question. “Do we tell him what we’re going to do?”

  Kallen nods. “It is only fair. He is an ally, not an enemy.”

  “Are the other warriors truly our enemies? After all, they simply came here to look for Lielle, not start a war,” I argue even though I’m not really certain what side of the fence I fall on regarding this issue.

  “We tell him,” Dagda says. “I do not like this entire plan, but I do not see a better option. By getting at least one of their permission, I may be able to sleep better tonight.”

  I’m beginning to regret I suggested this. My guilt meter is so high, I could pick a Giant’s nose with it. “Okay.”

  “If we are going to do this, it should be sooner as opposed to later,” Kallen urges. “The longer they are here, the deeper their memories of what happened here will be.”

  “And long term memories are harder to erase than short term ones,” I guess. It makes sense. “You know, maybe I should check with Tabbris about this. I’m pretty sure this would affect their free will in lots of ways. I’d rather not lose my wings.” They may only be part time wings, but I’d miss them. They help keep me safe when I fall into disastrous situations. Which I do frequently.

  Isla nods. “The time you spend discussing this will not affect their memories. Go.”

  Closing my eyes, I silently call to my wings and imagine myself in Angel time while concentrating on finding Tabbris. When I open my eyes again, I am no longer in the ballroom. I am in a garden rich with the scents of jasmine, honeysuckle and lavender. Tabbris is a few feet away bending toward a flower and breathing in its scent. “Hello, Xandra,” she says.

  “Hello, Tabbris. I’ve come to ask you a question.”

  The Angel who guards freewill always looks like an Indian princess to me. Her long, sleek black hair and mocha skin are enhanced by the bright color sari she is wearing. “Then ask,” she says, giving me her full attention now.

  “If I erase the memory of a few Elf warriors to save the life
of a child and prevent war, how much of an infraction against free will is that?”

  Tabbris smiles. “I do not have a grading scale when it comes to such things.”

  Not at all helpful. “Would I lose my wings?”

  “Xandra, if I answered that question, I would be affecting your free will. This is a decision you must make. Only you can decide if the possible consequences are worth the risk.”

  Was that a no, don’t do it? “So, I shouldn’t erase their memories.”

  Tabbris isn’t smiling anymore. She’s getting annoyed. “Xandra, that is the same question you asked to begin with.”

  Okay, she has a point. I moan in frustration. “Can I at least talk it through?” I ask. Maybe if she listens to what is going on, she will accidently give me a clue as to what I should do. Even though she has had millennia to make herself immune to such things. Hey, I can dream.

  “Of course.”

  “This is the deal. The Elf Queen sent a baby to me to protect because her King Consort wants her dead but I’m not certain if that is because he wants to get rid of an heir to the throne or if he believes a stupid prophecy about the child causing devastation and sorrow. So, by keeping her safe and alive, we are either being protective of the innocent or signing the death warrant of the Elf race. There’s no way for us to know which. The child’s father wants us to keep the child with us but who knows for how long. I’m worried it may be forever and I’m not really ready to be a mom yet and Kallen’s good with the baby but he’s not ready to be a dad, either. If we keep her and I don’t erase the Elf warrior’s memories, there will be war. If I don’t and we keep them prisoner or send them home, there will be war. I don’t know what to do.”

  As I spoke, Tabbris’ expression softened. “Xandra, I do wish I could help. But I cannot guide you in this. You are clever and intelligent, I have faith you will make the correct decision. You understand the value of having a choice. Never forget how important that is.”

  That was an odd response. I open my mouth to say something about Angels and cryptic words, but it is lost when her meaning hits me like a baseball bat between the eyes. A grin forms on my face. “Thank you,” I say.

  Tabbris inclines her head. “I have done nothing to deserve your thanks.”

  We both know that’s a lie.

  9 CHAPTER

  I snap back from Angel time and am met by several pairs of green eyes staring at me expectantly. “What did Tabbris have to say?” Kallen asks, his tone not hopeful. He knows the Angels are not likely to give real answers to questions. Often, their response are so cryptic, they needn’t have bothered to say anything at all.

  “In a roundabout way, she suggested I try to get all of their permission before using a memory spell.”

  Dagda cocks his head to the side. “Do you honestly believe those warriors outside will agree to such a thing?”

  I shrug. “Maybe with the right incentive.”

  Isla’s brows rise. “You intend to threaten them? Would that not still affect their free will?”

  “Not threaten them,” I say over my shoulder as I begin walking toward the door. “I’m going to give them options.”

  “Xandra, perhaps we should discuss this further,” Kallen urges as he catches up to me.

  I shake my head. “I have an idea. If I’m wrong, we can discuss other options.”

  He narrows his eyes at me. “Act now, discuss later?”

  “Aw, the wanker does know you,” Taz smirks. At least, he would be smirking if Tasmanian devils could actually smirk.

  “I thought you were keeping an eye on the other warriors.”

  “Felix can handle those wankers. I wasn’t so sure about your capabilities.”

  I glare down at him. “Gee, thanks.”

  “Anytime.” Least. Helpful. Familiar. Ever.

  Outside, the warriors have exhausted themselves. They are no longer banging against and stabbing at my magic. They are shouting some intense profanities at me. Good thing that’s easily remedied. I take all of their voices away. “Now that I can speak without having to shout over you,” I snark, “I have a proposition for you.” Good thing their voices are gone. Turns out some hand gestures are universal, though.

  “Enough,” Kallen growls. “You know you are in no position to fight.” A couple of the more stubborn Elves direct their gestures toward him now.

  I decide I just have to tell them what I’m thinking and they’ll choose to listen or not. “I have come to give you a choice. You see, I suspect you were all once loyal to Addylyn.” This gets their attention. “Perhaps you even want to remain loyal to her if you can do it without the King Consort finding out.”

  Out of the corner of my eye, I can see a smile forming on Kallen’s face as he figures out my plan. “Are you ready to have your voices returned so we can have a frank discussion?” After a few seconds, they nod and I return their voices.

  “I will not lie to the King Consort nor the new Queen,” the warrior who was outspoken earlier says. “It would be high treason.”

  “I don’t want you to commit treason. I am suggesting something else.”

  The warriors shoot glances back and forth, testing where the others stand. When no one speaks out against my words, the outspoken warrior says, “We are listening.”

  “So, here’s the deal. We can either let you go so you can tell the King Consort the child is here and there will be war between the realms. A war led by a leader who does not have your trust and faith after dethroning your Queen.” I hold a hand up to stop the comments regarding Addylyn’s crimes. “I know, she was in the wrong. The King Consort may even be justified in his actions. That does not mean he deserves your loyalty?” I let that sink in a moment before continuing. “The other option is I can erase your short term memories and you will not remember you discovered the baby’s whereabouts.”

  “You want to crawl around in our minds? Why would we agree to such a thing?” one of the warrior scoffs.

  I snort. “Yeah, because you don’t do that to others with your glamour.” The Elf’s face turns red and he presses his lips together to keep from saying something he shouldn’t.

  “Can you be certain only the memories of our time here will be affected?”

  “Of course,” I lie. I have no idea how memory spells work.

  Kallen’s lifted eyebrow as he looks down at me proves he knows my ignorance well. Fortunately, he confirms I am right, though. “A spell can be wrought to only remove specific memories. After all, the King Consort knows you came here. It would seem odd to him if you do not recall being here at all. A small memory will be added to your real ones indicating you found nothing unusual here.”

  Good idea. “So, what do you guys think?”

  “Can we have a moment to discuss this amongst ourselves? You are in a roundabout way still asking us to commit treason,” one of the warriors points out.

  “Absolutely. I will even set you free while you discuss it,” I say magnanimously.

  “Has anyone ever compared your stupidity to a rock?” Taz asks sardonically. “Because if they did, the rock would be infinitely smarter.”

  “I have faith in them,” I mutter out of the side of my mouth while I pull my magic back.

  The warriors begin to walk down the driveway. Maybe Taz is right. I pull magic to lasso them back despite the fact that the Fairy troops are standing ready to repel them. I let it go again when they stop and form a huddle. Kallen, and now Dagda, Isla and Lielle’s father, and I cannot hear them but their conversation is definitely heated. I hope they realize they have to be in complete agreement for this to happen. I took enough away from my conversation with Tabbris to get that doing anything against their wills would not be favorable in regards to keeping my wings.

  After several long minutes, the group returns. Their weapons aren’t drawn so I take that as a good sign. They stop about ten feet away from us. “We have made our decision. Despite the unlawful actions of our Queen, an innocent child should not suffer for h
er crimes.”

  Hmm. “I thought you guys believed in the prophecy.”

  Looks of discomfort abound. Finally, one of them says, “It is strange such a prophecy was not known until recently. It was supposedly found in an obscure book in the archives in the palace.”

  My mouth drops open. “The King Consort made it up?”

  Faces that were uncomfortable before become miserable. “We cannot say if this is true or not." The outspoken warrior meets my eye and holds my stare. “There is something odd about the child. She is powerful. More powerful than any I have ever known. We are willing right now to doubt the truth behind the prophecy, but understand, if it is true we will return for the child even if it means war.”

  “That is fair,” Dagda says and I glance at him in horror. He ignores me. Oh, he and I are going to be talking about this. Well, I’ll talk. He’ll be too busy flying through a wall to do much talking.

  “Then we agree to your terms provided only certain memories are erased.” I hope Kallen’s right about that.

  “Then we should begin,” Kallen says. “The longer we wait, the more difficult it will become.”

  “Xandra, let us consult the grimoire,” Isla says tightly. Uh oh, someone’s not happy about this plan.

  I reluctantly follow her into the house and wait in the kitchen for her to return with the ancient grimoire she has. She returns with the dusty, heavy tome and drops it loudly on the counter. She begins to turn the pages rather roughly for a book which is so old. “Um, I take it you do not agree with this plan?”

  Her eyes meet mine and I’m surprised to find fear there instead of anger. “I am worried for you,” she says in an even voice. “Once you would have shunned a suggestion of dark magic.”

  I feel my face pale so much my brain begins to suffocate from lack of oxygen. “This is a dark magic spell?”

  Isla nods wearily. “Yes. Anytime you do something to alter the core of another being it is dark magic.”

  “Oh,” is all I can say in response. I add, “Is it still dark magic if they consent to it?”