by Nesa Miller
She held his face in her hands, tracing a thumb over his lips. “I have been your lady since we first met.” She kissed him. “As for the other… Give me time.”
8
Castle Laugharne
Etain knocked on Faux’s door and, not waiting for a response, entered. A small figurine flew past her ear, just missing its target. “You lying bitch!” Another figurine sailed past.
Etain ducked. “What’s your problem?”
Faux stormed up to her, eyes full of fire, tail ready to strike. “I wasn’t serious when I said give him a try.” Etain stepped back. “He is mine. Do you hear me? He gave me his gift. Me!” The deadly tail darted out, intent on piercing her imagined adversary.
“Faux, calm down!” she hollered, diving across the bed to keep the angry demon at a safe distance. “No one is questioning the gift he gave you.”
“Where have you been?” Her eyes flashed. “Is he still in your bed?”
“You know I’m not like that,” she countered. “I was alone last night…all night.”
“So was I, locked in this room with no way out. How is it you just walk in? Where the hell is he?” She charged the bed. “Where was he if he wasn’t with you?” Unable to get to her prey, she picked up another object, prepared to launch.
“Stop throwing things at me,” Etain said. “If you’ll calm down and listen, I’ll tell you where he’s been.” Faux fell silent, murder on her face, arms crossed, foot tapping, and solid object in hand. With a shrug, Etain sat on the side of the bed. “Dar went to great lengths last night to right the wrong done to my family.”
“What great lengths?”
“He avenged their deaths. Suffice it to say, there’s one less demon tormenting this world.”
“He actually found the bastard?” She returned the crystal bobble to its spot on the nightstand. Etain nodded, relieved she had chosen to listen. “How do you know he killed him?”
She walked around the bed and took her by the hand. “Come with me.” She led her to the abomination perched on the chest in her room.
Faux stared at the head and heart. “Ug...ly. Are you sure he got the right one?”
Etain shivered. “I will never forget those red eyes.”
She noticed the bloody footprints. “What’s all this?”
“Leftovers from last night. Don’t worry about it. We need to get back to Laugharne.”
Faux walked around the footprints. “Whose blood is this?”
Etain didn’t hear her questions. For her, the present faded into a vision of two boys.
“Come on, brother. It will be fun. You know you want to.” The taller of the two pulled the other toward a river.
“Stop. You know it is not allowed.”
“If you don’t, I will tell father about the other night.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You know what I’m talking about.” Pulling his brother again, he worked him closer to the water. “The lady you killed. You did things to her that would make the darkest heart proud.” He ran and jumped into the river.
Years pass, and the brothers stand facing the river yet again. Etain recognized them as Dar and Midir. They turned to face each other, both surrounded by bright light, storms brewing in their eyes.
“A test,” she whispered.
Midir released a blast of energy, striking Dar, dropping him to one knee. Dar retaliated with a blast of golden light, knocking Midir unconscious.
“Etain.”
The earth shook.
“Snap out of it.”
Etain did, rubbing her cheek. “Why’d you hit me?”
“It was a slap. You were lost in space, rambling about a test.”
“Seriously, we have to get out of here.”
“You didn’t answer my question. Whose blood is this?”
Disoriented by the vision and angered by Faux’s insistent demands, she blurted, “Dar’s a little banged up from last night.”
“Why? Where is he?”
“He’s in his room, resting.”
Faux headed toward the door. “What did you do to him, Etain? Is that why you’re in such a hurry to leave? Afraid of retaliation?”
“I didn’t do anything.” She followed her to the door. “Besides, he’s coming with us. Someone with experience needs to look him over to make sure I didn’t miss anything.”
The demon girl followed the footprints into Dar’s room, Etain behind her. “Damn, girl. You didn’t miss a thing. Is there any part of him you didn’t bruise?”
“I didn’t do this.” Etain frowned, not happy with the amount of blood seeping through his bandages. With a light touch to his battered body, her voice was soft. “Dar, wake up. I need to change your dressings.”
He stirred and tried to rise. “Ouch!” Falling back, he smiled, seeing her face. “Hello, beautiful.” Her eyes shifted across the bed. Turning his head, he encountered watchful black eyes. “Not just one beautiful lady, but two. I am a fortunate man.” They helped him sit up.
“Etain told me what you did,” Faux said, sitting on the side of the bed. “It must’ve been a magnificent battle. I’m glad you won.”
“As am I,” he managed to answer between groans.
Etain motioned for Faux to help her remove the bloodied bandage. Eager to change the subject, she told him of her vision. “Were they real?”
“Aye. You saw a part of my past I wish had never happened.”
“Is that the test you mentioned?” Faux asked her.
Etain wasn’t in the mood to answer questions. “Get your things together, Faux. It’s time to go. I’ll make sure everything else is ready.” Faux gave her a long look, then Dar, before she left the two alone.
With several gasps and groans by the patient, Etain helped him to his feet.
“Where are you going?” he asked, his voice a little too loud. “We agreed to work as one. You know I cannot protect you if you leave.”
“We’re going to Laugharne, you included. You aren’t in any shape to defend anyone at the moment, and I need to make sure you heal right. And, I didn’t agree to anything.”
“And if I choose not to accompany you?”
The arrogant glint in his eye proved to be too much. Etain poked him in the ribs. He groaned, dropping onto the bed. “Point made.”
“Between Inferno and Spirit, we’ll have you fixed in no time.” She went to the chest of drawers and gathered a few of his things.
“Okay, I’m ready.” Faux rushed in and flopped down beside Dar. “So, you’re coming with us, huh?”
He hissed, clenching his jaw. “It appears so.” His attention went back to Etain. “Laugharne. Interesting choice. Tell me. Do you know how to get there from here?”
The realization made her stop. Bloody fucking hell. She turned. “Well, I guess you’re gonna have to show me the way.”
Eyeing the two handfuls sitting side by side on the bed, something her dad used to say came through to Etain. The choices you make in life decide your destiny. You are in control. Never give someone else power over you by casting blame. You always have a choice.
“That should be enough,” she said, bestowing a beautiful smile on her charges. “Help me get him to his feet and we’ll get out of here.”
Sorry, Dad. I didn’t choose to fall in love. I just…did.
“I doubt your friends will be pleased to see me,” Dar said, which degraded into a coughing fit. Etain became more concerned when blood darkened his lips, but he continued to ramble. “I think you punctured one of my lungs. We should have a serious talk about your…patience.”
“My patience didn’t crack your ribs.”
“Hmph,” he responded, returning her insolent look. “Before we leave, I need a few more things.”
After a slow breath, he bent down to pick up the black sword. A sharp pain ripped through his side, sending him head first to the floor. The women tried to catch him, but his size and dead weight proved too much. They fell to the floor in a mass o
f tangled arms and legs. Etain scrambled to disentangle herself, running her hands over his chest and abdomen, checking his bandages. On his stomach, he turned his head, watching her. Satisfied all was well, she caught his roving eye and pushed back the errant strands of hair over his face.
“Thank you,” he said.
“For what?”
“For caring.”
“If I’d known it was going to be a full-time job…” She and Faux helped him up. Etain bent over, reaching for his blade. “Is this what you were after, warrior man?”
Dar grabbed her outstretched hand and yanked her back. “Don’t touch it,” he growled. Seeing her appalled look, he let go. “It’s a powerful weapon, drenched in magic. Just a touch can change a person.”
Etain rubbed her hand as she listened, refusing to look at him. He cupped her chin. “Only I can wield its power and not be affected by its influence. I’m sorry if I hurt you.”
“Like I said…” She pulled free of his touch, “a full-time job.”
“I wish I didn’t have to bring this along, but I may have need of it.” With help from the girls, he strapped it across his back. “I am ready.”
Etain leaned toward Faux. “Get on the other side. We don’t want him to fall again.”
He waved them off. “Ladies, I am touched by your concern, but please afford me my dignity. I would prefer to show up on my feet.”
“There’ll be plenty of time for your dignity once we arrive. For now, we have to be close so I can transport us.” Flashes of blue surrounded the three. “Show me the way.”
Within moments, they stood in the courtyard of Castle Laugharne.
Dar smiled, taking in the view. “Such a lovely place. Reminds me of ho-”
The big man swayed and his eyes rolled back. Faux and Etain missed catching him by mere inches. He landed in the gravel, flat on his back.
“At least he can’t complain about his dignity,” Etain said, hands on her hips. “Let’s get him up to the house.” They grabbed his legs and attempted to drag him to the door.
“Damn, he’s heavy,” Faux complained, tugging with all her might. “Why don’t we shimmer inside?”
“Unannounced? I don’t think so.”
After considerable effort, Etain decided to leave him and, with Faux at her side, approached the steps.
Spirit opened the door just as Etain raised her hand to knock. The two women shared a look of surprise. “What’re you knocking for, lass? This is your home as much as it is-” Etain and Faux stepped apart, giving her a view of the bundle lying in the courtyard. Spirit’s smile faded. “Blimey, he’s not gonna like this. Hold on. I’ll get help.”
After a minute or two, Inferno came storming down the hall, followed by his four-legged sentinels, Felix and Ruby.
Faux side-stepped toward Etain, using her as a shield. “Keep them away from me.”
The hounds bounced past the girls and toward the new intrigue passed out in their territory, sniffing and nuzzling into his hair.
“For fuck’s sake, girl,” Inferno said, giving her a look that would make a lesser woman quake. “Felix! Ruby! Off with ya!”
The two had one last sniff, whining their concern for the man, then ran up to Etain and Faux for a quick hello. With the niceties out of the way, Ruby returned to Dar, licking his face. Felix stayed with Etain, enjoying a good scratch behind the ears.
“Ruby, girl, what’d I say? Off with the two of ya!”
Felix licked Etain’s hand and joined his counterpart, but Ruby had different plans. She sat next to the comatose man. When Inferno yelled again, she huffed and lay over Dar’s chest. Felix barked and nipped at her, receiving a low growl for his efforts. Felix looked at his master, then sat down next to Ruby.
“Bloody fucking hell. If any trouble comes from this...” Inferno left it at that. “Shimmer him to the goddamned lounge and we’ll have a look.”
With Dar on the sofa, Spirit checked his bandages and general physical condition, all under the close scrutiny of his red-haired champion. “Would you mind, Ruby, love? He’s in good hands,” Spirit said, giving the hound a nudge.
Inferno snapped his fingers, a stern expression on his face. Felix padded over to Ruby, gave her a snort, and left the room. She sniffed at Dar, licked Spirit’s face, and followed Felix, stopping at the door for one last glance and a growl directed at Inferno.
“Trouble already and the man’s not even awake,” he said, watching Spirit’s ministrations.
“Inferno…” Etain felt it the perfect opportunity to ask about the relationship between the two men. “Why do you hate him?”
“That’s me own business.”
Spirit looked over her shoulder. “You should tell her, love.” He gave her an annoyed look. “She’d not brought him here unless something’s changed. She needs to know what she's in for.”
Faux settled in, a cocky grin on her face.
“Inferno.” Etain placed a gentle hand on his arm. He tried to avoid eye contact, but she followed his every move until he relented. The look on his face twisted her heart. “What could've possibly happened to make you hate him so?”
He pulled away, crossing his arms over his chest. “I was there the day this one…” He nodded at Dar, “took ya down from that wall.” Etain's eyes widened. “Aye.” He walked to the window, but it was clear he looked on a different landscape. “The clans were on a rampage. There was no Council, and everone was tryin’ to figger it out. There weren’t much in the way of order. The Bok reared its ugly head, taking advantage of the confusion. Me and me clan were on patrol when we happened upon a nasty battle. It was total chaos, and being as that one there is the Lord of Kaos, he was in his element.”
“Was he for or against you?”
He turned his head, looking her in the eye. “I don't know, lass. It weren't easy to tell.”
“It must've been really bad.”
He nodded. “There are no words.”
“But that’s not all, is it? I know you better than to think you'd pass judgment so easily.”
Silence permeated the room. Inferno stiffened, the struggle to find the right words evident on his face. His gaze returned to the window.
Faux exploded out of her seat. “Then what the hell is it? Stop with all the dramatics and spill.” Etain and Spirit looked daggers in her direction. Inferno turned.
“Ya’d do well t'keep yer mouth shut, girlie,” he fired at her. “This is none of yer concern.”
“Is that so?” She strutted toward Inferno, tail whipping left to right. “I may have come into this soap opera during the second season, but I’m part of the main cast now. I have as much to lose here as anyone.”
Etain noted the flickering flames at his fingertips, warning signs of the Alamir chieftain losing his temper. “Inferno, she is a part of all this.”
“Hmph, not that I would know. Don’t see or hear from ya for months, then ya show up with this one.” He turned a caustic eye on Faux. “Ya disappear again, then come back with…with…”
Spirit moved to her husband’s side, placing a hand on his chest. “Be still, love. We're family here.” Accosted by his glare of disbelief, she stepped back.
“That monster is not family,” he shouted, his body shaking, pointing a finger in Dar’s direction. “And this one here…” He was back to Faux. “Who the hell knows how this one fits in.”
Laugharne had been Etain’s safe zone, a place she had found love, support, and acceptance. His judgment, suspicion, and accusations pushed her beyond her endurance. Electrical charges exploded around her, shattering every piece of glass in the room. Faux fell to the floor. Inferno pushed Spirit into a corner, shielding her with his body. A rumble resounded throughout the room. Faux shuffled away on hands and knees, tail between her legs. Spirit and Inferno leaned into each other to stay on their feet.
In a voice that would give demons in hell reason to quake, she decreed, “Dar was Lord and Master long before your great-grandparents were even conceived, and
he will be here long after your great-grandchildren are dust in their graves.” She turned her glowing eyes on Faux. “Faux is my sister by the blood of Kaos. She and Dar are as much my family as you.”
Light as bright as the sun filled the room. Faux raised an arm, shielding her eyes. Inferno and Spirit ducked their heads into each other.
Just as the scorching heat threatened to engulf the room, it disappeared. Cautious, the three opened their eyes and took a quick inventory, ensuring they weren’t injured. Finding no damage, they dared to look in Etain’s direction. Instead of the blonde beauty, they saw a span of black wings arced around a solar firebrand, beaming bright. Eventually, the light dissipated.
Inferno and Spirit stood frozen in each other’s arms. Faux, keeping her eye on the winged being, crawled to a chair and pulled herself up. Her movement snapped Inferno from his fascination. Looking in her direction, he spied the empty sofa.
“Ya bleedin’ bastard! Get away from her.” He released his wife and marched toward the creature. Spirit screamed for him to stop. Faux shot out of her chair, headed for Inferno.
Dar turned, his eyes red, Etain safe within his protective wings. “She is not hurt.” His attention returned to his beloved, stroking her face, whispering reassurances to abate the demon blood raging in her veins. “Tá mé anseo, mo ghrá. Calma do chroí. A bheith fós (I am here, my love. Calm your heart. Be still).”
Faux stopped, her tail stiff, and released a disgusted gasp.
Inferno stopped. “Yer havin’ a laugh. Are those words of love comin’ from yer vile mouth?” He paced a wide circle around the two, shimmering from the heat he held just below the surface, glowering at the demon. “What the bloody hell have ya done to our lass? I knew ya weren’t right. I could feel it in me bones. A full-fledged demon, ya are.”
He threw a fireball, hitting his target just below the ribs. Dar roared in pain and retaliated with a winged slap, sending the chieftain flying across the room.