by J. B. Miller
Nodding, I explained how things came about to him. I finished with telling him how Robin, Kale, and Daniel convinced me to come and find him. I cringed slightly when I admitted I hadn’t wanted to, at all.
*****
Belenus…
I looked down at my daughter and sighed. I had missed her childhood and it seemed other males had already taken her from me. I glanced at the three and briefly thought about destroying them. I wanted at least another century with her before I found her a suitable partner.
Sadly, it was not my way and Belisama would not approve. I saw the love in my daughter’s eyes and I understood I would have to share her before I had a chance to know her.
“What did your mother call you, child? I was too grief stricken to learn your name when she told me you had passed beyond this world.”
I saw the shock in her eyes when she blinked up at me. “Dia, umm…I mean Dianthe. She named me Dianthe and my adoptive parents kept the name.”
“How appropriate,” I lifted her chin to gaze into her eyes. They were much like mine. Her hair had highlights of my golden power streaked through the dark. In face and form, she was much like her mother but in spirit, she was her father’s daughter.
“Dianthe, my flower, shall we go and meet your males? It is time to see if they are worthy of the daughter of Belenus.”
“Indeed, husband, let us go investigate whether our daughter has chosen well for herself.”
I turned to see my love standing beside me with tears of joy streaming down her face. Flowers bloomed where the water touched the ground.
“Belisama,” my daughter whispered. A smile slightly tilted her lips. “You’re more beautiful than I thought,” she sighed.
“As are you, the daughter of my heart.”
My Beli reached out a finger and tucked a strand of wild hair behind Dianthe’s ear. “I had always held hope that you were still on this plane. We did not feel you leave it but we had no proof. I’m so glad you came back to us.”
Pulling her from my arms, Beli linked her arms with Dianthe and gently tugged her toward the stones. “Let’s go meet our sons-in-law.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Dia…
I was happy, truly and absolutely happy. It felt like a piece of my soul that had been missing for years had been filled. The scary part was I had never known it was missing. I looked up into the faces of my father and his wife as we neared the edge of the stones and wondered how my mother could have feared for my safety. I would have to remember to question my father about that later.
Right now, I looked at my guys and smiled brightly. They didn’t look as ecstatic as I felt. Fear and worry crossed their faces and my smile dimmed slightly.
Bel stopped short of the stones and pulled us to a halt. “Wait here, my daughter, I will drop the shield and let them come to us. The mortals are all around us but inside the circle they cannot perceive us.”
I felt a slight ripple in the air much like when Robin dropped his glamour.
The light that had surrounded the perimeter of the stones gradually faded away until we stood in the natural rays of the evening sunset.
*****
Robin…
I held Kale and Daniel back before they could charge toward the god and goddess who held Dianthe between them. Although they seemed benign enough, one never knew when dealing with deities.
“Caution,” I whispered to my mates. “We will walk slowly and peacefully forward. Make no sudden movements and for fuck's sake, Kale, do not grab for her. Do you understand?”
They were both slightly god-struck so they nodded absently. We walked forward until we were standing before the trio waiting for our arrival. Dianthe was bouncing on her heels. Energy whipped around her in a corona of power. Just being close to her father was causing the maturity of her gifts to accelerate. Thankfully, he seemed protective of her and with any luck, he would be willing to help us.
*****
Dia…
“Robin,” I pulled from my father’s arms and jumped into his.
“Thank you, guys, so much for bringing me.”
Wow, I was super-hyped up. I was bouncing. I kissed Robin then reached for Kale and Daniel for hugs and kisses. All three of my mates welcomed me into their arms before nestling me between them. Robin snuggled me under his chin while Kale and Daniel stood sentinel on either side.
“Athair,” I grinned like a lunatic. “These are my mates: Kale, Robin, and Daniel. Guys, this is my father, Belenus, and my stepmother, Belisama.”
Robin tenderly moved me to his side and bowed before Bel. “My Lord,” he bent at the waist. “Thank you for seeing us. We have come to re-unite you with your daughter and to ask your aid.”
“Our aid?” Belisama asked.
“My Lady,” Robin preformed the same intricate bow from the waist. “Dianthe is coming into her power and she has no control or idea how to manage it. Her natural mother gave us the information on who you were and how to contact you. We came as soon as we could to see if you would be gracious enough to assist in our endeavor.”
“What a dexterous tongue you have on you, child of Oberon,” Belenus said blandly.
“There is no need for Tuatha prose where my daughter is concerned.” He waved his hand negligently at Robin. “I would help her for the joy of it.”
“My Lord,” Robin bowed before standing once more.
Belenus looked over the three males taking them in. “Come stand by my side, Dianthe, and let us judge the character of your mates.”
“What?,” I asked. “They have great characters.” I was ready to defend them if he thought anything differently.
Belisama shook her head and put her hand upon her husband’s arm. “Bel, you are riling our daughter’s temper with your implied slander.”
“I have implied no slander,” he stood straighter. Holding out his hand, he motioned me closer. “I did not mean anything negative, daughter. I want to take a measure of the men you claim, as would any father.”
My brows lowered as I studied him suspiciously but with a slight nudge from Robin I moved to stand with my father and Beli. “Okay, what do you want to do? Would you like character references from me?" I asked.
Laughing, Belenus shook his head, “No, my daughter, simply place your hand in mine and we shall see into the essence of these three. I already have my suspicions, I only need them confirmed.”
All right, I thought. “Are you guys okay with this?” I asked. All three men nodded silently as they stood straight before my athair.
He first nodded to Kale. “Step forward Earth mate of Dianthe.” He took a step and stood stalwartly in front of us. “Kale of the Wolves, it is time to stand before me and prove your worth.”
Streaks of sunshine reached out in light-filled tentacles from us to Kale. They surrounded him and sank deeply into his body. An aura of reds and orange sprang up around him. There were hints of blues and browns swirling amongst it.
“I see,” said Belenus. “You are full of courage and loyalty. Your family and pack is what matters most to you in this world and your life is one of duty and honor. Do not worry about what you cannot change, wolf. Work on that which you can improve. You have a good vision and with my daughter at your side, the packs across the earth will benefit. You are an honest male with love in your heart. I find you worthy.”
His gaze moved on to Robin and my Fae’s glamour fell. “Stand before me, Son of Oberon. I know you well. I will not test you as I did your bond mate. You still have secrets best kept for the moment. I know your heart and as far as my daughter goes, it is pure. Learn from her innocence and grow to encompass it as part of yourself. You will do well Puck.”
He nodded and stepped back leaving Daniel. My father looked at him as our magic reached out to taste at his aura. Belenus frowned while he searched for the soul buried deep within Daniel. “You come to me as a human but you are not. There is something familiar about you but it is latent beneath your human genetics.” Turning t
o Belisama, he held out a hand. “My love, will you join me in bringing forth that which is hidden?”
“Of course, my dear.” She took his hand and joined us.
Rainbows of light flowed out of us and into Daniel. I was terrified in that moment as the cornucopia of color overwhelmed him. His back arched and his face twisted in a silent scream before he crashed to his knees. I tried to reach out and grab him but Belenus and Belisama had too tight a hold on me.
“Patience, daughter,” Bel cautioned. “We are almost done.”
The light ebbed and Daniel knelt in the grass gasping for air.
Belisama looked to her husband and gazed passively at him. “Did you expect this, My Lord?”
“Hmm." He rubbed his chin as he surveyed Daniel. “No, I knew there was something…but a get of Lugh, after all this time?" He shook his head in the negative and reached down to pull Daniel to his feet.
“Let me look at you, boy,” he said gruffly as he dusted bits of grass off my poor mate. “Indeed, I see it now. He is one of Cú Chulainn’s lines. If I do not miss my guess the twin of the boy, he slaughtered."
“What,” I gasped.
“Do you not know your history, Dianthe?”
Affronted, I put my hands on hips. “Of course I do, Cú Chulainn was the son of Lugh, a Celtic god and a mortal woman. He got his name from slaying the hound of Cullan and swore himself to be Cullan’s hound thus the name,” I huffed. “The child he killed was the son of his mentor’s sister, Aífe. But she only bore him one child,” I finished haughtily.
“Well done, daughter, it’s good to hear you know your past. You would be wrong though, Aífe had twin boys. Only one became curious enough to go in search of his father. His mother hid the second boy after the death of the first and the line carried on until now. It would have stayed dormant if not for you, sweeting. Your powers bring out latent ones in your mates.”
Holding out a hand, Belenus called forth a spear. “This is Lugh’s spear. It has been called many names but it roughly translates to “slaughterer”. Its wielder has never been defeated in battle. Daniel MacLugh, I present to you the spear of your ancestor.”
He held the thing out and Daniel clasped it in his hand. A clap of thunder rolled across the sky and Daniel’s eyes flashed with lightning. “Welcome, godling, to the family,” my father told him.
“What does MacLugh mean,” I asked Robin later.
“The son of Lugh in most scots and Irish dialect,” he shrugged.
The evening had become even more bizarre after Belenus had given Daniel the spear. Not long after, a gangly pup appeared and ran between our legs before settling at Daniel’s feet.
My father laughed at the sight. “Well, it seems Failinis has chosen to come back and serve a new master.”
“Who?” Kale asked.
“He is the invincible battle hound of Lugh. Why does it worry me that we have a hound and spear, that is unbeatable in battle?”
“Because, my daughter, once your existence is known every power hungry being in existence will be after you.”
I laughed. “Who would want to come after me,” I scoffed. Sometimes I just did not know when to keep my mouth shut.
I started to stand and stretch. We had been setting in the stones for hours talking about the years we had been separated. Belisama had left to get food and drink for us and Robin strummed a guitar gently beside Kale. Daniel was absently stroking Failinis and I was about to suggest that we all head back to the house when the heavens split open.
We all looked up to stare at the sky. A Hollywood blockbuster would not be able to recreate what we saw. The rent formed in the very air and darkness poured out streaked with lightning. A chilling horn broke the silence and the baying of dogs filled the night.
“What is that,” I called over the noise.
I glanced back to my father who had stilled beside me, then across to Robin who had dropped the guitar. “Dear deities,” he whispered, “it’s the Hunt.”
“The what?” I looked back to the sky. A multitude of horses and riders galloped through the gaping hole in the heavens. Hounds were baying at their hooves as they milled restlessly waiting for a command.
“It’s the Hunt,” Robin screamed.
“Protect Dianthe.” He ran to me as my father shoved me into his arms. Kale and Daniel stood to each side of us at the ready.
“Fold her out of here, Puck,” Kale snarled.
“I can’t, wolf. I’ve tried. You cannot run once the Wild Hunt has found you.”
“The Wild Hunt, are you serious?” I cried out above the noise.
“Yes, Dianthe, someone has summoned the Hunt. If I had to guess their quarry, I would say it’s you," my father gravely answered.
“What do they want with me?!” I shouted above the chaos.
“Your gifts, my love, they want the power you are able to give.”
“I’m not willing to give anything to anyone.”
My father turned back to me, sadness in his eyes. “It’s not what you’re willing to give, sweeting, but what they are able to take. Are you boys ready to protect our girl with your blood and lives?”
An affirmative roar was his answer, that accursed horn sounded, and the horde of the Hunt descended upon us. I looked around me frantically searching for the faces of my mates in the melee.
As the horsemen approached, Kale transformed into a giant black wolf and stood, fur bristling ready for battle. Robin put me behind him as he pulled a sword of glittering silver from the air.
“Daniel, are you ready?” he shouted.
“Yeah,” Daniel yelled in return. He twirled the spear in his hands expertly before looking down at Failinis. “How about you, boy, ready for a fight?”
The playful pup began to grow matching the massive expanse of Kale. His fangs and claws sharpened to lethal talons and acid-like saliva hissed as it hit the ground. That was all I was able to take in before we were fighting for our lives. What seemed like thousands of huntsmen swarmed us.
Kale ripped into one after another, tearing riders from their mounts. Daniel wielded his spear as if it had been with him for years and Failinis fought valiantly at his side. Robin and my father flanked me, taking down every rider that came our way.
My powers rose and crested in me of their own volition. Iridescent light reached out from my core touching each of my mates and their own gifts began expanding before my eyes. My wolf began to grow to enormous size. He neared the magnitude of the horses the Hunt rode. Claws and fangs that were deadly before became like daggers. I stood frozen for a moment taking in the enormity of Kale. A battle cry tore my gaze from him and I saw Daniel with his hound. Godly luminance shone blindingly from him as he fought ferociously. The gentle giant I had come to love was now a vengeful god. With trepidation, I turned to my Robin. I was almost afraid to see what it had done to him. Physically, he had not changed. The determined glint in his eye was the same as always. However, the waves of energy coming off him nearly knocked me to the ground. He looked at me quickly with love shining in his eyes before he turned back to the fight. Suddenly, Robin's magic encompassed me. It was not like it had been before. Wild and free it soared over and though me touching every part of my soul. His voice whispered in my mind. "Dianthe, I love you and no matter what happens I will not let you go." A horn sounded again and my focus went back to the battle at hand.
The fighting lasted what seemed like hours but could not have been more than minutes. There were just too many of them.
Daniel and Kale had steadily been maneuvered farther away from us as they fought the horsemen and hounds. I stood between Robin and my father helpless to do more than watch them fight for our lives. Repeatedly, the sounds of metal striking metal grated on my already frayed nerves. I saw Daniel run his spear through a horseman's stomach before violently ripping it out and slashing the bladed edge across a vulnerable throat. Kale lunged forward felling hounds and horse alike. I tried to ignore the screams as claws shredded flesh and spilled intes
tines. Then I saw the sword blow come that felled my father. I could only relate it to slow motion. He blocked one blow but another came from his left sliding up under his guard. It slipped between his ribs like a knife cutting through butter. Sounds ceased as I watched his face smooth in shock before his knees gave way. Sound and motion came back and I screamed.
“Athair!”
I tried to run to him but Robin held me back. “No, Dianthe, he’s immortal, he’ll be all right.”
“No, Athair,” I tried to use my power to pull him to me but it wouldn’t work.
A steed rose up before us, black as the pits of Hell. Fire breathed from its flaring nostrils and danced along its sparking hooves. It crashed heavily onto the ground in front of us and snorted hot breath into my face.
Robin tightened his grip on my arm as he pulled me tighter against him.
“No...” he whispered so softly I barely heard him. “Cernunnos, you lead the hunt?”
I marvelled at the creature upon the steed. He was enormous. I had no idea of his height but it was tall. He had golden hair flying wildly about his face. A day’s growth covered his chiselled chin and his doe color eyes pierced me to my soul. He was a gloriously handsome man. The most impressive thing about him though was the antlers that grew from his head. It was as if a giant stag had morphed with a man. I could not see the base of the horns as his hair blew and hid it under layers of golden silk. His beauty and ferocity of him stunned me but Robin had enough sense to pull me back.
“Dia, run,” he whispered so very softly in my ear.
It was the first time I had ever heard him call me that and it scared me more than anything before. I turned to escape but there was nowhere to go. The god Cernunnos raised his horn once more and blew it thrice. The Hunt stilled around us. He looked down at me with emotionless eyes.
“If you come with me willingly, I will let them live.”
I looked back to where the men who I had given my heart to bled and stood ready to die for me. Could I do any less for them? Whoever wanted me, wanted me alive. If I went with him, at least we had a chance.