“I could use a helio-demon to block them,” Silver theorised. “However, she’s very young, blocking them may cause them to come back stronger once she matures.”
Marten shook his head. “Surely there is something else you can do?”
“Have you asked Kate about it?” Silver demanded.
“Kate will not speak of Asha’s future.” Marten frowned “Neither will your father on the rare occasions he sees her.”
Silver, distracted almost completely by the soft hands of the child on her wings, couldn’t bring herself to care.
“Are they always so secretive?” Keenan asked Marten.
“Of course,” Marten replied. “My parents-in-law are bound by the laws of the Council, as you know.”
Keenan’s hand tightened on hers at the mention of the Council and Silver felt his irritation through the bond. It caused her to gently pull her wings back in until they rested against her back and take notice once more. Self-disgust rose as she realised how distracted she’d allowed Asha to make her.
“The only thing I can do for her – if demonic influence is out of the question – is explain the context of her dreams.” Silver informed him, “It’s obvious she has some connection to my soul through Romana. Nothing, short of killing her, will break that connection.”
Marten looked dismayed. “Has Kate told you of the deal she forced us to make?”
Silver shook her head, watching as Asha tried to examine her wings melding back into skin through the slits in the back of her armour.
“She forced Romana to swear that Asha would spend half of her wytch training with the Dark Coven.”
Her head snapped up. “Has she developed any power yet?”
“Not yet, we suspect they won’t emerge till after she matures.” Marten said. “The point is, it would be better for her to meet them all before she forms prejudices, before she becomes afraid of them.”
The trouble was, Silver thought sadly, being scared of the dark wytches was an incredibly healthy attitude. Silver didn’t think this innocent girl would do well in the company of Misty, the centaur wytch queen of blood, or Grandmother Black the spooky wytch queen of souls.
“Who is to be her mentor?” Silver asked.
“Kate told us it was to be you.” Marten’s voice and guarded expression told her how his wife had reacted to that news. He glanced at the brightening sky. “We should be heading back.”
“You never gave me your answer. Do you want my help or not?” Silver snapped as he lifted the child back onto the horse.
He gave her one of those looks which Romana would have described as ambiguous, yet Silver knew was actually uncertainty.
“Yes.” He finally said. “I shall make sure Asha’s rooms are left undisturbed in the hour before dawn. You may come and talk to her then.”
Silver nodded, Marten looked shocked.
“You’re just agreeing? No teasing, no stubborn retorts?”
Silver snorted. “I have no plans to steal away your child in the middle of the night, kingling.”
He smirked and swung up in front of his daughter on the saddle.
“Goodbye, Aunt Silver,” The girl called as they rode away.
Chapter Three
KEENAN’S BARGAIN
Silver sat back into the softness of her favourite armchair in the Dalmorin fortress. Lena and Acis had indeed kept the place ready for her return, her room always made up and her leather armchair kept clean and buffed ready for her use. The smell of saddle soap was relaxing after the stress of the past year. Keenan sprawled across the sofa opposite her, the soft light from the fireplace flickering across his features.
“The girl is smart.” Silver said at last. “She knew from her dreams how to distract me, playing with my wings made it seem as though she wasn’t interested in the conversation.”
“She’s just a child.” Keenan informed her.
“She’s more advanced than you know.” Silver replied. “That child is going to grow into a dangerous woman.”
“You stopped her before she reached your back.” Keenan observed, “Why?”
“Silver hesitated, “It doesn’t matter.”
“Honest and full answers…” Keenan’s eyes mocked her.
Silver repressed the urge to look away. “There are lots of nerve endings there. Her touching my back would have been inappropriate and left me vulnerable.”
Keenan raised a single eyebrow. “They’re painful? I didn’t think you’d bother acknowledging pain.”
“No, it’s not painful.” Silver knew her cheeks were flushing slightly, but that was likely the heat from the fire.
Keenan’s eyes widened only slightly as he grasped her meaning, then his features settled into a smug smile.
“Your wings are magnificent.” He told her, “But my spies tell me they come with a price.”
Silver didn’t ask where his people got their information from. “The wings force me to confront my emotions,” She replied. “It was a piece of fine print I didn’t care about when the Ancient’s bestowed them upon me.”
“They gave them to you? Why?”
“It was a seemingly endless war; my father had died and my mother and brothers were more concerned with the wellbeing of the army than of the people.” Silver sighed. “Our people were starving, I did all I could but my family would do nothing. I snuck out, stealing food to give to the street children, and perhaps this is the reason Kate chose me to give the wings to. I was drifting away, more inclined to war than the charity I had done in the past. So she tasked me with providing for my people. To make me more inclined to fulfil my duty they made the wings beautiful, strong and fast. They also forced me to use them to help those suffering. Whenever my wings come out I am forced to experience all the emotions I have repressed. Pity is amplified, as is sorrow, hate, anger, and guilt. But joy, compassion and altruism are as well.”
“It sounds like emotional rape.” Keenan looked disgusted.
“It was… effective.” Silver muttered. “When I was reincarnated, I made the decision to unmerge my wings from my skin more often, in order to build up a resistance. It works to an extent, allowing me to use the wings whenever I like. The sensitivity, I cannot adjust to. It feels similar when I fly.”
“May I?” Keenan asked.
Silver sighed heavily; she’d been expecting this question.
“Let him, mother.” Theria said through their bond. “You promised to try. We will guard you.”
Her vulnerability was the main reason for her opposition to the idea, but his eyes were so compelling that she allowed the wings to unmerge. She turned in the chair so she was kneeling facing away from Keenan and the fire and allowed her wings to sweep downwards to their full length, the feathers glittering in the firelight.
Keenan’s awed gasp was hushed, as were his footsteps as he moved closer to her.
“Will you permit me to touch them?” He asked.
She nodded jerkily.
Silver felt his fingers first on the tips of her primaries; a single stroke downwards had her relaxing. The second stroke had her wings shuddering slightly.
His hands continued stroking and in the corner of her eye Silver saw Theria lying on her back in a very puppyish manner. Some of the bliss she was feeling was clearly travelling down the bond.
She briefly objected when he moved in behind her, stroking the arches of her wings with a care most men would never bother to show a woman like her.
She didn’t realise she’d fallen asleep until she woke, sprawled across his lap, his fingers lazily dancing along her cheekbones.
She darted across the room in an instant, putting as much distance between them as she could. Her wings merged then unmerged with her skin as she calmed down and realised she held a throwing star at the ready.
“Good evening,” Keenan stretched and Silver realised he had also fallen asleep. “Or is it morning?”
Silver glanced at the clock; it was two hours before dawn, time enough for her to sort
her mind out before her meeting with Asha. She swooped out of the mountain on fast wings, pleading with the dark to give her some answers.
*
Of all the people to summon her Kate thought that the one kneeling before her was the most unlikely. Keenan Iceblood knelt holding her talisman in a bloodied fist, his fey eyes looking at her like she was a piece of dirt he couldn’t get off of his shoes.
She hadn’t expected warmth from this man who despised all Ancients. Kate also hadn’t expected him to be clutching Gaillean’s talisman in his other hand.
Sure enough, the father of her child appeared beside her looking just as surprised.
“Why did you summon us?” Kate asked.
“I want to make a deal.” Keenan replied, moving to sit on a fallen tree, Kate checked their location and found them to be a long way into the deep elven forests. Somewhere few were likely to find them.
Gaillean’s eyes narrowed. “What do you want of us?” He demanded, obviously not impressed at being summoned to do a halfling’s bidding.
“Remove the enchantments on Silver’s wings and face.” Keenan ordered. “I’ll do anything you ask, except betray her, in return.”
Gaillean smirked. “You surprise me.” He muttered. “Though not as much as you surprise my daughter, I’d wager.”
“What if we said that you would have to vow to stay away from Silver in return?” Kate asked.
“I’d say that according to her I’m immune from any vows I make in your name or to you.” Keenan grated.
“Peace, halfling.” Gaillean muttered. “That is not what we require of you.”
“Then what is?” The mortal was getting impatient.
Kate walked closer to him, sitting down on the same fallen tree. “I suspect she has told you why she was given the wings?” At his nod, she continued. “Marta told us a request would be made of us soon. She is the strongest seer in all the realms, and at her request I shall tell you this; if we remove the enchantments from her face she will be hunted and killed. Her brother, King Endis, will be free of his desire to capture and keep her; instead he will focus on the simpler task of killing her. He would eventually succeed.”
“Do you truly mean to say that a few elves will kill the wytch queen of demons?” Kate detected a note of disbelief.
“No, as we will not grant your request.” Gaillean retorted.
“Then why even answer my summons?”
“We are prepared to make a different deal,” Kate informed him. “Instead of removing her face’s enchantment, we shall bestow upon you immunity to it. In return you will convince my daughter to send Asha to live with Silver for a year every other year until she has matured into her powers.”
Keenan shook his head. “Romana will never agree to that.”
“Oh she will.” Gaillean assured him. “And you must not mention this deal to her.”
“Even if I could convince Romana without using your name, persuading Silver would be another matter entirely! And have you considered that the little girl you are talking about may not want to leave her mother?”
“This must be,” Kate said gently smiling sadly.
“What about her wings?” Keenan looked crushed. “Do you have some objection to removing the enchantment on those?”
Gaillean gave him a penetrating look. “You want to remove the enchantment which will make it easiest for you to achieve the very thing you want most; the love of the Silver Eyed Wytch?”
“Now I may only be mortal, but those wings just sound like another way for you to control her.” He paused. “And I don’t want her to love me because of some emotional magic. I want her to love me of her own accord.”
“And if that never happens?” Gaillean demanded. “Will you regret asking for the curse’s removal?”
“Nobody deserves to live in chains.” Keenan retorted, “But living in false freedom is worse. Those wings are a façade of freedom, covering yet more ugly chains binding her to the will of others. I don’t need her to love me, but my feelings for her require me to ensure she is happy.”
Gaillean nodded. “Then it shall be done.” The other Ancient gave Keenan a once over. “You don’t deserve my daughter, but in time perhaps you will come close.”
“The enchantment will lift when she next opens her wings.” Kate informed him. “I’ll warn you, if the terms of our deal are not met by Asha’s first birthday, the enchantments will come back instantly.”
To his credit, instead of commenting on their lack of faith in his honour, Keenan only nodded and then turned and walked back into the forest.
“It will be interesting to see how he fulfils his side of the bargain.” Gaillean commented, coming to sit next to her.
“We are being childish.” Kate replied. “If we just spoke to Romana, she would do as we asked.”
“Then they would not be on speaking terms. Only through Asha can it be proved to Romana that Silver is no threat to her family.” He sighed heavily. “Anyway, none of this really matters. Silver has as much right to the child as Romana does; Asha is born of both their souls making both of them her mothers. Her eyes are evidence enough of this.”
Kate pondered over that. “I wouldn’t say Silver would think of the child in that way.” She refuted, “She just believes that a part of her soul, left in Romana after her death, has been transferred to the child. If anything, I’d say she thought more of that portion of her soul as a parasite living off of the two of them.” She sighed. “I just think it would be so much easier to just tell them.”
“You know we can’t.” Gaillean soothed, putting an arm around her shoulders.
“Because of the need for a modicum of cooperation between the covens.” Kate groaned. “I know, yet I cannot help but feel this is a lot of effort for something Marta claims is necessary.”
“She is our sister and our strongest ally.” Gaillean reprimanded. “We should not doubt her without cause.”
“Perhaps –” Kate cut off. “Did you hear that?”
He nodded. “Keenan was listening.”
“You knew?”
“He deserved to know.” Gaillean said quietly.
Silently Kate agreed.
Chapter Four
DON’T ASK THIS OF ME
“You did what?” Silver’s voice was cutting as she considered the man in front of her.
“I bargained with your father and Kate,” Keenan looked unrepentant. “I’m now immune from the enchantments on your face, and your wings will no longer demand a price from you,”
Silver was gobsmacked. “What did they demand from you in return?” When his look grew darker she demanded again. “What was it Keenan?”
“I am to persuade Romana to allow Asha to live with you for one year, every other year, until she comes of age.” Keenan offered reluctantly.
“No.” Silver refused. “I will not steal my sister’s child. I already spend an hour a day speaking with her.”
“Marten was right.” Keenan argued, “That girl must grow up between both covens. And you wouldn’t be stealing her, considering that the child was born of your soul as much as she was born or Romana’s and Marten’s.” Silver wanted to run, a feeling that intensified when Keenan said. “She’s as much your daughter as she is your sister’s.”
“Never,” she began with her tone cold from fury, “say that to me again.” Her mind refused to accept it. “Asha is Romana and Marten’s child and theirs alone! If I catch you saying anything to the contrary, I’ll cut out your tongue.” If anyone else heard that painful truth, Asha’s future would crumble. She would be looked on with doubt by the nobles and feared by those who met her.
Keenan didn’t flinch. “Will you accept the gift I am trying to give you? If I persuade Romana will you allow Asha to stay here, in your care?”
Silver fumed, hating the way his eyes were drilling right into her. She turned her back on him and took a deep breath.
If Romana gave the child to her, she would care for Asha solely because off t
he oath she had taken. But could she so selfishly accept this freedom in exchange for a little girl’s happiness?
In answer she reached behind her head, under her hair, and untied the mask. Her wings, she let slip out from her back, flared them briefly and then folded them. Silver stalked away to her room without a single glance backwards at the man who had risked everything to gift her with her freedom.
*
Romana sent her daughter running around the palace gardens with a playful smile. Other children played there as well, and Asha – while a little standoffish at first – eventually joined in the games they played. Her birthday was in a week, and the palace was buzzing with anticipation. Though she had requested a quiet birthday for her child, she knew the servants had a feast planned and a cake was being prepared that would be five times larger than Asha herself.
She didn’t hear the thief drop down from the roof of the gazebo where she stood until he coughed lightly. Romana jumped as she realised how close Keenan had gotten without her noticing.
“My sister taught you well.” She acknowledged, feeling awkward around this man whom she had once counted as a friend.
“She is an unrivalled teacher,” He replied with a rare smile. “How have you been?”
Romana sighed. “What do you want Keenan?” She asked. “Or better yet, why don’t you tell me what it is Silver wants?”
He scowled. “I didn’t come here by her request. I came here with my own proposition.”
“Fine, let’s hear it.” Romana was sick of Silver’s influence in her life.
“You know as well as I do, the destiny your daughter has been dealt by the Ancients.” Keenan began. “She is tied to the Dark Coven as she is tied to the Light Coven. But what you may not have considered is what her unique eyes truly mean.” He paused. “Asha was born of three souls; yours, Marten’s … and Silver’s.” He held up a finger to her lips to silence her objection. “She wouldn’t want to be thought of as Asha’s mother, yet she is. You are the only one Asha will ever call mother, yet Silver is as entitled to the word as you are.”
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