Surely, out of the three Demon Wars, perhaps one would have the Demons on the winning side?
“Go, Flauros!” he spat. “I will be watching, waiting, and if I determine it a necessity, I will arrive to end this farce. But you had better make sure that necessity does not arise. Am I understood?”
Flauros shook his head and, not requiring a second telling, he turned his thoughts to focussing upon Kings Amdusias and Baal. He opened his wings, and when the tips of his black feathers caught alight, from the heat of the room, he let out a paltry scream.
He slowly began to disintegrate, but not before he caught The Conjurer staring knowingly, deep into his eyes. His own opened even wider with fear, and then, he heard the maniacal laugh as the snakelike body wormed its way into a tight coil, then without warning, sprang towards him. Its jaws unhinged, stretched wide open, its mouth in unparalleled proportions, while its massive fangs, ready to strike, dripped venom.
Flauros waited no longer and immediately vanished before he could be attacked. Just the same, the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. On his journey back, he could not shake the sensation, that the presence of his master had somehow shifted with him.
Making a quick decision, while in the process of shifting, instead of going to the cells in the deepest dungeons of Hell, he changed route, returning instead to the Throne Room. He shivered at the very concept of The Conjurer discovering that two of his kings were being held captive in a high-hanging birdcage, locked with Lucias’s enchanted keys, whilst under his magic compulsion. If the master discovered he had become aware of their incarceration and chose to do nothing, then the war in which he was about to become embroiled, wouldn’t be one he would take part in.
No, if The Conjurer found out he had deliberately made plans to keep the kings locked up, there was no doubt Flauros would be joining the many Demons turned to dust, who floated around the Unknown Territory, unable to restore themselves into their previous forms.
Chapter Eighteen
Queen Oonagh and King Finvarra sat at Prince Seere’s table in the great hall of Lenticulaurus Kisimul. Each grandparent bounced one of Valerie and Seere’s daughters on their knee, as Seere watched over them, making sure his girls were safe.
“Will you stop hovering behind me?” the queen grumbled at him. “Ivy loves crawling all over me.”
Finvarra laughed out loud. “I still love that name. It so suits her. She’s but the size of a penny, and look how she clings and climbs. You did well with that name, Daughter.”
Valerie blushed and rolled her eyes. She was still getting used to the king calling her daughter. She wasn’t actually his daughter, and he knew it, but she was the daughter to the queen, and that was good enough for him. Her own dad, Alexander, approved, but always took her to one side whenever she visited and reminded her, “I’m their Granda. You keep telling them that, Valerie. We’ll teach the bloody Fae a lesson, my lass.” And then he would pick Eilidh up and swing her high in his arms, just as he had done when Valerie was the same age, and laugh. “We’ll teach them, Ivy, my precious.”
“Dad,” Valerie would say with a smile, “that’s Eilidh, not Ivy. Ivy’s the one climbing up your leg.”
“No matter to me, lass. They’re both my bonnie babies.” He bent down and whirled Ivy onto his other arm, birling them in a wild spin, their squeals of delight making Valerie laugh.
When they stopped spinning, Eilidh held onto Alexander’s nose while Ivy held onto one of his ears. “At least you’re not calling Eilidh “Holly”. Seere thinks I don’t hear him, but whenever he carries her, he tries to convince her she’s called Holly.”
“Very Christmas-like. Does the boy have a thing for the yuletide?”
“Nah, he just wanted them to be called Holly and Ivy. I just couldn’t, Dad. Every time I think about it, I start singing the words of that flaming Christmas carol.”
“You’ve got bright wee buttons here, Valerie lass, it doesnae matter what their Da calls them. They know their names already.”
Valerie smiled at the memory and turned her attention to the present. The girls would be needing fed soon, and it was always a mini battle trying to get them to feed, but when their grandmama came to visit, they were proper little Angels.
Valerie wanted them to take a nap, before the visitors all arrived. She was organised, with thanks to Baglis and her family, and everything was prepared. She bounced around on the balls of her feet, excited at the prospect of her visitors’ arrival, knowing it would be soon. In point of fact, if she was correct, she could hear the sounds of the Dragon flying through the air.
Their arrival was always an amazing spectacle, and so she hurried out into the courtyard, together with Seere, plus the king and queen, who were still holding the girls in their arms. They gurgled away to the “oohs” and “ahs” coming from their grandparents.
Oonagh held on tightly as the first Dragon made his entrance. Swooping in, it landed on the ‘runway’, running until it came to a stop. Raising his head, he blew a shot of fire into the air as a signal. The sky became a flurry of colours, flashes of red, then yellows and greens, and it lit up like a giant rainbow, which melted into a colourful river of Dragon, all diving onto the runway. When they were all together, the crunching and popping of retracted muscle and bone echoed in the yard, as their necks shortened, their heads became human, and dragon wings were set into their backs.
A smaller dragon flew in at the tail end of the rest, with a rider on his back. When he landed, the boy jumped from him and ran to Valerie and threw his arms around her.
“You lost your baby tummy, Aunty Val.” He laughed. “Bet it’s gonna be big again soon.”
Seere flashed to her side. “What did he say?”
Valerie shook her head and screwed up her nose at Drewlitius, jerking her eyes in Seere’s direction.
“Aah, I’ve got ya,” the lad said, just as his brother changed his sturdy legs into the shape of a mortal. “He doesn’t know,” whispered Drewlitius into Mikelitius’s ear.
“I’m fairly sure he can hear you ‘whispering’, Drew.”
“Have you something to tell me, Valerie?” asked Seere.
“Yes, my daughter, do you have news you wish to share with us?” the king and queen said together.
Valerie turned a bright pink, and wanted to faint, but knew it would be bad for the babies if she did!
She glanced around the courtyard and became aware of every member of the Dragon Guard staring at her, waiting in anticipation, standing to attention. A hush filled the courtyard, which was suddenly broken by the sound of a child’s laughter.
Valerie watched, delightedly, as a little boy with blond curly hair escaped the clutches of his mother and came running towards her.
Emmaline, General of the Red Dragon, watched on, in horror, unable to move. She was still standing to attention, in rank, having not been released from the order given by her superior officer.
Her beautiful eyes widened and followed the little lad’s every step. Her husband, First Lieutenant Gerrisalys of the Orange Dragon, dared to step out of line, taking note of Seere’s acknowledgement, and ran towards the toddler, who was making a beeline towards Ivy, his little arms wide, readying for embrace. He giggled with every step he took, aware that his father was hot on his trail, but he managed to dodge being captured and reached the safety of Finvarra’s legs, where he threw himself at the king.
Ivy crept from behind her grandpapa and giggled as Finn held her in his strong little arms, kissing her cheek.
Gerrisalys scooped the lad up, but Ivy was holding on to his son, and she got swept up in his arms also. A loud, shocked intake of breath echoed around the courtyard, and Gerrisalys realised he had picked up the little princess, but there wasn’t much he could do, as she was holding on to his son like a leech!
Valerie stepped towards them, and ruffled Finn’s hair. “He got so big, Gerry, but his Mom is watching, so you better get him back to Emma.”
Gerrisalys bowed to Valer
ie, and then to the King and Queen of the Fae, with a pleading look to Valerie. Taking pity on him, she pulled her little munchkin out of his arms. Ivy was furious. Her face turned a deep red, and she let out an angry scream. Little Finn punched his father, trying to escape to get to Ivy and comfort her.
“I think we had better let them be together, or we will have mutiny on our hands before we even begin the meeting. But the girls must have a sleep soon.”
Valerie took a glance towards Emmaline. “Do you want little Finn to play in the nursery?” She waved her to come forward to the royal group.
“He is quite exhausted,” she said when she reached them. “If that’s fine with you, I’m sure he will enjoy the company.”
“Course he will,” put in Drewlitius. “She’s his wife.”
Uncomfortable groans and shuffling of feet could be heard, and Valerie repressed her laughter. “Baglis!” she shouted, but didn’t have to wait any length of time before she made an appearance.
“Yes, m’lady?” Her grin widened when she saw Finn. “So you decided to call on us, little one. You know you have to leave your princess for a few years and learn how to be Dragon first, don’t you?” she said and tickled his tummy.
“Would you mind, Baglis?” Valerie said apologetically. “Could you take them all to the nursery?”
“Our little dragons as well?” she asked, running her eyes over the twins, Drewlitius and Mikelitius.
“Do you want to go to the nursery, boys? There are a few new items there that I’m sure you might have fun with.”
“You don’t need us here, Aunty Val?” asked Mikelitius.
“Your father will tell you of all we discuss, so go and have some fun. Be children for a day,” she insisted.
The boys didn’t wait for Baglis. They whooped with joy and ran towards the Castle Keep, stopping abruptly at the door, remembering they hadn’t asked their father. They slowly turned around. Sebastian, Major General of the Blue Guard, waited with their mother, Lesley the Witch Healer, alongside Prince Seere and Valerie, with knowing smiles on their faces.
“Just go,” Sebastian said and shook his head resignedly.
“Are you sure you don’t mind taking them, Baglis?” asked Lesley.
“I have my own boys for back up if I need any help,” Baglis reassured them all. “You all have more important things to discuss, without the little people interrupting.”
Baglis stretched over to the queen to take Eilidh, but the queen wasn’t quite ready to give up her granddaughter. “You could surely leave her with me,” she grumbled. “See how comfortable she is, snuggled into her grandmama?”
“Mother, give Eilidh to Baglis. She’ll not be so sweet when she needs a feed.”
Oonagh reluctantly handed over the baby. “Will you help them to the nursery?” she asked Gerrisalys.
“No need, Son,” Baglis said quickly. “Come get the wee ones, Hamiel,” she shouted, and a tall, handsome man appeared at her side.
“Which one have I to carry?” Hamiel playfully moaned, but was secretly delighted when Ivy let out a squeal and stretched her arms up for him to lift her, and Finn jumped up and down with excitement, only to be thrown onto Hamiel’s wide shoulders.
“Yes.” Baglis laughed. “Take Ivy and the wee chap.” She turned again to Valerie.“I will keep them safe while you meet with your visitors, and no doubt my other two boys, Harashel and Hamied, will pop their head in at some point.” She leaned over to Valerie and whispered in her ear, “They can’t let Hamiel have all the fun.”
When the troop of children had at last entered the Keep, Seere asked if Valerie wanted to inspect the Guard. She declined, saying they had more visitors still to come and would rather they adjourned to the Great Hall to wait for everyone.
“I think we should settle and wait for all to join us.”
“We have a discussion to finish, you and I, before the day is over, Valerie. Don’t think I have forgotten that little slip-up the Mistdreaming dragon said to you.”
Valerie took her husband’s hand and, on tiptoes, kissed his cheek. “We will, my love, I promise.” Glancing over her shoulder, she beckoned for the Dragon Guard to follow, then, stretching over, she slipped her other hand under Oonagh’s arm. “Come, Mother, we have much to discuss. Let us not delay.”
Oonagh held onto Finvarra, and turning her head to the side she jerked it upwards. All in the courtyard vanished, reappearing in the Great Hall, where the Fae Guard stood waiting.
Finvarra raised the Spear of Lugh and shouted for quiet.
His sons, Biorna and Finn, stood to either side of him. Oonagh sat with Serapiel, the Captain of the First Guard of the Fae. Legions of blond, blue-eyed, muscular Fae men, members of the Guard, stood chatting to one another in the room, which had been magicked into a place capable of holding thousands, yet still appeared to anyone venturing into the room, unexpected, to be the Great Room, with just a very large table and twelve chairs.
Valerie recognised Alandriel, and Sariel. She had danced with them at her wedding to Seere. Both were members of the elite squad of Fae Army.
“Hi, Cuz,” a whisper floated through the air. “Who’s still to come?” asked Lauren as her body became whole, her millions of mistdreaming stars bouncing along the wooden floor.
Valerie pulled her into a warm embrace, then glanced down at her enlarged stomach. “How long to go?” she asked.
“A couple of months, I’m not lucky enough to have a quick Angelic or Fae pregnancy, just a mortal one for me, but I’m ready to take part in anything that will be put into action.”
“She’ll be doing nothing unless I’m beside her.” Forcas had entered the room as a white mist, which crept along the floor until it reached Lauren. When he arrived at her side, his mist transformed into his solid form.
“Neat trick,” Valerie said, indicating the remnants of mist floating around his ankles.
“Hmm,” he grumbled. “Just one of the special gifts, Omniel decided would be to my benefit when he made me mortal.”
“I bet it comes in useful sometimes.” Valerie sniggered.
“How fare thee, Brother?” Seere grabbed Forcas’s right elbow and forearm, and held it in a manly gesture. But the warmth and love was clear for all to witness.
“I fare well, my brother.” Forcas’s voice trembled, emotion having taken grip of his heart.
“I see you have been busy.” Seere pointed to Lauren’s extended belly.
“No more so, I believe, than you, but you play the catch-up game, as always, with me.”
Seere turned to Valerie. “Does everyone know you’re having another child, except me?”
“Now, now, now, Seere.” Lauren pushed her way between Valerie and her husband. “We don’t have time for this, and apart from that, I want to speak with my cousin before you all begin your strategies of war with each other.” She pulled Valerie away from the protesting Seere and walked to the far end of the table, where she sat down with her.
“Thanks for that,” Valerie said gratefully.
“Is there a reason you haven’t told them about the babies?”
“I want to be involved in this war, Lauren. Seere was a maniac when I was pregnant with the girls. I can’t imagine he’ll be any better this time round. They’re still so little, I can’t believe it happened again.”
“Eh, don’t even go on that road, Valerie. It takes two to make those little buns you’re cooking!”
“I know! But he’s just so…”
Lauren swept her eyelashes downward, and peeped at Forcas through them.
“They’re so hot in bed,” Mairi whispered from behind them.
Delighted to see her cousins again, she grabbed them both, and they huddled together, bouncing and squealing, as they had done since small children, to the bewilderment of the collection of armies, whose hardened faces softened as they gazed upon the happy trio.
Appoloin flew in, his wings shimmering in the magic cloak that shielded the room. He scanned the room for Ma
iri, and when he found her, felt immediate relief. He turned his attentions to the rest of those in the room and was pleasantly surprised when the armies became visible.
He walked to Seere and Forcas, a wide smile on his face, and stretched his arm out. First grabbing Seere, then Forcas by the elbow, holding onto the forearm, he asked, “How fare you, my brothers?”
“We fare well, my friend,” Forcas said warmly.
“Yes, we fare well,” Seere echoed and glanced across at Valerie. “We fare very well indeed.”
“Are we all here?” asked Mairi, when Appoloin, Seere, and Forcas joined her and her cousins at the table.
“Not quite,” the king said, “but here they come.” He patted Mairi’s hand and looked kindly at her as she watched the Three Queens of Fae enter, Áine, Rhiannon, and Aoibhell, bringing with them their armies.
“You didn’t think yer auld dad wouldn’t come, did you, Valerie?”
“And yours—not as old as his brother—as well, Mairi?”
Alexander and Graeme sparkled into the room on their mistdreaming stars.
The three Mistdreamers squealed again and hurled themselves into their waiting arms. Lauren waddled over, grateful to be hugged by her uncles, yet saddened her father was no longer of this world.
Baglis was next to walk in, and Valerie wondered who would be taking care of her girls, then remembered the sons of Baglis, and relaxed. She was followed by Lesley, and two more women.
“The witches are here,” the king said, pointing to those who had just entered. “But we have not had the entrance, as of yet.”
Mairi was about to ask what he meant, when the tinkling of bells could be heard. The jangling, jingling bells changed into a beautiful melody, and silence fell upon the room as all remained hushed, looking to the sky.
A dazzling, iridescent light exploded, and all but the Mistdreamers covered their eyes.
They hovered high above them, floating together in a circle. Their brilliant white robes shimmered, and they held their massive wings stretched high above them, quivering in a soft breeze that smelled of jasmine, and now filled the room.
The Park Family: Mairi: Retribution Page 30