rogue shifter 07 - cut off

by parness, gayle

  "Of course."

  "But don't leave. We want you to eat a little more."

  "Yes, lor...Garrett."

  Mom, Dad and I egged her on to eat every bite of the small amount on her plate, and by the time Elle arrived, Ballian was looking stronger. She left soon after, thanking us but saying she had work to do.

  Elle beamed at my dad. "Garrett, you are well and with your family." Elle however, was covered in bruises, especially around her wrists and ankles where she'd apparently been tied up. Even Brina looked shocked.

  "You're injured?" Mom had jumped up and run over as soon as Elle walked through the doorway.

  Elle stared at the floor. "It is nothing, lady. If it disturbs you I will leave."

  Mom scowled. "You're not going anywhere until you let me examine you. Then you're eating something." Mom sat Elle down in the chair Ballian had just left and took hold of her hand. "May I check your condition?" After receiving a nod, Mom sent out her mental probes, then quickly healed Elle's injuries, old and new. "Charlie, fix her a plate, please."

  "Sure, Mom." Feeding and healing people were weekly activities at my house in Crescent City, so it felt normal and kind of comforting to be doing it here.

  Elle had tears in her eyes. "Have I hurt you?" Mom asked, concerned.

  "No, Lady Jacqueline, I feel wonderful. You carry a powerful magic. Thank you."

  "Just Jackie. Garrett told me what you did for him. I should be thanking you."

  She smiled in Dad's direction. "He saved my life. Fionna would have fed me to the slaugh."

  Dad smiled back. "While you eat, I'll introduce you to everyone."

  Elle turned to Mom. "Garrett spoke of you and Charles constantly."

  "That must have been boring," she teased my dad.

  "You lead such interesting lives."

  This time I laughed. "Interesting isn't the word I'd choose."

  She turned toward me for the first time and froze, her previously smiling face turning grim. She looked at her feet as if I'd ordered her to do it. "You are Charles." Her voice was so soft I could barely hear it, and my hearing is shifter-good.

  I looked at Dad. "Did I say something wrong?"

  Elle shook her head. "I'm sorry. You look a little bit like...like..."

  "Oh." I sunk back into the chair, my mood totally trashed.

  Dad took her hand. "Elle, look at Jackie." She did. "He really looks more like his mom. And there's not a cruel bone in his body."

  She studied my face more closely this time. "Of course. I see it. I am so sorry. I was the one who was cruel."

  "No biggie," I said, trying to act like I didn't care. Kennet must have hurt her pretty bad.

  Elle was introduced to Aedus and Brina, who greeted her with a coolness I found kinda surprising. Maybe they were just really worried about Caelen. Elle ate as much as she was able to hold in her shrunken stomach while Mom and Dad tried to make conversation.

  "Tell us what happened."

  "Lord Kennet was going to call forth a demon, using my organs in a blood spell. He bound me to a table, but I was saved by two demi-fey who surprised him and released me from my bindings. They helped me get to my rooms, where I was able to dress and clean myself."

  Holy crap. My birth father was going to cut out her freakin' organs. No wonder she couldn't look at me. I turned away to look out the window and slunk farther down into the chair.

  "Demi-fey?" Aedus asked.

  "Aymis. And he must've found a friend to help him." Dad smiled. "He told me he was going to try to release as many of his people as he could."

  "It must have been him. How wonderful." Mom looked so happy.

  At this point I'd completely lost my appetite. I was pretty sure I'd be seeing a lot more reactions like that the longer I hung out at court, which I hoped wasn't gonna be too long.

  Ballian returned and bowed. "Please follow me."

  Elle went back to her quarters, saying she needed to sleep. The rest of us followed Ballian into a large room with a fancy table and chairs and dozens of plates of delicious food.

  We were relieved to see Lord Caelen sitting in a seat to the right of the king. Aedus sat next to him, the rest of us taking seats wherever was convenient.

  "Your highness, I thank you for taking the time to break bread with us." Aedus stood and bowed deeply.

  "We are family, so I ask that in private you, Brina and Charles refer to me as Grandsire. I intend to get to know you, and too much formality will hinder my plan. Jacqueline, you and your mate may call me Fin, but only in these more intimate circumstances."

  "Thank you, Fin." Mom nodded.

  "Caelen, please summon those whom we discussed should join us." Lady Silvus, Lady Erin, Liam, Kellie, Grady, Philly and Linn arrived a heartbeat later. They bowed in obeisance, then took seats wherever they could find an empty one. There was one next to mine and naturally Linn grabbed it before anyone else could. Before she sat, she threw her arms around me and kissed me firmly on the mouth.

  "Charles, I was so worried. The demon didn't harm you did he?" She sat, her expression genuinely concerned. She'd probably never get it through her head that Isaiah's training had been what saved my life.

  My face was hot, so I knew that I was blushing from the kiss. I took a long swig of honey wine and tried to ignore everyone's knowing smiles. "Isaiah treats me great." I stole a glance at my newly scarred hand, then grabbed a turkey leg, biting into the delicious meat with enthusiasm. I was starved as usual.

  Linn missed nothing. "What's that?" She pointed at my hand. Fortunately, I'd thought to add a touch of glamour to make the scar look like a cool tattoo.

  "A gift from a friend." Thinking about what Kennet had done to my dad and probably done to those women he called mongrels, I'd decided that I'd think of the scar and the experience that caused it as the safety switch on my inherited mental powers. One I'd only disable if the circumstances were so messed up I couldn't do anything else.

  Fin was observing the proceedings, enjoying everything like someone who'd been lost on a deserted island for a hundred years. He was acting pretty normal at the moment, considering there was a good chance he was bi-polar or something. The crazy evil twin who'd first appeared in the throne room had left the building but could reappear any second. How old was this king, anyway? At least a couple thousand years older than Caelen, which meant he was around when the pyramids were going up, maybe even before that. Whoa. He must be around Naberia's age, since he said he'd fought against her a few times.

  Linn kept hugging me and touching me on the arm and shoulder. Since I was doing my best to listen to the conversations going on at the table, I found her constant attention really distracting. I sent to her, "Linn. Cool it. Please. Can we act like friends? That's what we are."

  "But we won't be just friends forever." She seemed so certain. It was like she'd had her life planned out from the start, where I was confused as shit and dying to go out and discover who I was. I wanted to have a chance to experience as much as I could, to travel, to taste what life had to offer before I was forced by fate to lead an army in a war that could destroy the people I loved, maybe even the whole crazy planet.

  Ignoring my request, she took my hand in hers and held it in her lap. This had to stop. I didn't want to hurt her, but I sent, "It may never go farther than friendship."

  She grew silent, fiddling with the food on her plate. Finally she raised her head, meeting my gaze with her beautiful lavender eyes. "My mother waited for my father for a thousand years. I will wait for you."

  Like her mom, Linn was the model of physical perfection in a fae female, with her waves of dark hair and exotic beauty. But she was more than that, too. When she finally met that perfect guy, he'd feel like the luckiest dude on the planet. It was just never going to be me.

  "You're smart and fun and perfect, Linn. You should go out and discover what you really want in life."

  "I follow my heart, Charles. I always have."

  "You want a hero. I'm not that
. I'll never be like your dad."

  She scowled. "Whether you cloak yourself in glory or run away in fear, in either case, I will be here to comfort you or to celebrate with you. You may be surprised to know that I am training as a warrior and will also stand beside you on the battlefield, wielding my magic and my sword as best I can to protect my people.

  She looked away, staring out the window at the dark vines that had already begun to recede. As more demi-fey were released and healed, the gardens outside the window would grow vibrant once more. "If you choose another to bind with, I will welcome her into my home with grace, happy for your joy."

  She was incredible in so many ways, I almost wished that I could force myself to feel more. We'd been friends our entire lives and it just about killed me to make her sad. I hated myself for what I said next, but she deserved my honesty. "Don't wait for me. Open your heart to someone else."

  She lifted her chin, her confidence rising to the top like cream. "There will be others, but they will never capture my heart as you have. There is only one Robin Hood." She glanced at me with a shy half-smile, only instead of bringing a smile to my lips, it just about broke my heart.

  We didn't speak for the rest of the meal, although I noticed Aedus watching me, his gaze sending shivers down my spine. Oh boy.

  CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

  I was fiddling with my food, unable to concentrate on the simple act of eating. Garrett's scent and presence filled my world once more, only we weren't able to relax and enjoy our reunion. Although Fionna and Kennet had been taken away somewhere by Finvarra, we couldn't let down our guard. They could pop back in at any time.

  We held hands under the table, talking mind-to-mind, yet keeping everything generic until we knew more about the old king's powers. We didn't want him listening in, but we had to assume that he could and would if he felt it was necessary. Although what a ten thousand year old fae, give or take a few millennia, thought was necessary was just one more question in a list that just kept growing and growing.

  "Are you feeling strong again?" His left hand had been bandaged by Brina and there was no sign of blood seeping through the clean outfit he'd been given. I touched his face, wanting to explore every familiar dip and crease and bump.

  He took hold of my hand and kissed my palm, never taking his eyes from mine. "Yes. Fae blood is second only to one other variety." He gave me a sly grin and suddenly all the knots brought on by worry released their hold. I could breathe normally again, because my oxygen level had shot up the minute he'd kissed me. Garrett was my air, my magic. Half my heart.

  "Do you think the crazy king will let us leave soon?" I asked. I wanted to heal his wounds, soothe his mind, and be comforted by him in return.

  "Jackie..." He looked horrified. What if Fin overheard our mind speak?

  I glanced at the head of the table and sure enough, Fin was looking at me. "Sorry. It's been a tough week." I sent.

  "My greatest flaw is an insatiable curiosity, but I should not have intruded." He continued at the same time to speak to Caelen, who sat on his right and looked a little paler than usual. I guess getting scolded by your ancient, all-powerful Dad could really suck.

  I sent to Liam, "You think your dad'll be digging holes?"

  "Alas, no. That was a punishment our father devised specifically for us." Liam must have sent my question to Aedus, because suddenly his older brother was choking on a piece of bread.

  "May I have everyone's attention?" Fin's words stopped all the talking and eating instantly. Wow. I'd like to see him try that at a meal with werewolves and shifters. I always had to scream or make my eyes go all spooky orange or something. And even then they'd still be sneaking food.

  When he was satisfied that we were listening, he said, "I shall be ruling Faerie alongside my son, Caelen, until after the war has ended and we deem the supernatural and human world to be safe from the demonic threat. When I return to my queen, Caelen will rule here at court for an appropriate number of centuries." Fin's stern expression left no room for quibbling. Lord Caelen had to fae-male up, and take the crown from his dad, keeping it firmly on his head until Aedus could take over.

  That thought had me glancing around the room. Where was Zerian?

  The king turned back toward the rest of us with a smile. "Because Caelen and his ladies will now be living here at court, Aedus will be taking over his father's position as an Elder of the Cascade Sidhe. Stand, Grandson."

  All eyes turned toward Aedus. Philly, Linn and Lady Silvus beamed at him as he slowly stood, not looking quite as confident as he had a few minutes before. I noticed that Liam seemed to be enjoying his brother's discomfort enormously.

  Aedus bowed gracefully with his hand over his heart, then said, "Grandsire, I am young in relation to the other elders. Perhaps my father could appoint..."

  "Are you not up to the task?" Fin asked.

  Aedus straightened his shoulders, looking more like the male I knew. "I have sat by my father's side as he and the elders governed Cascade for over thirteen hundred human years. I am more than capable of taking on the position."

  "But?" Fin had pushed the chair back and was sitting with one leg swung over the arm in a playful pose. It occurred to me that none of his children seemed to have inherited his mischievous side, although Lady Dinestri could be a real hoot at parties after a glass or two of honey wine.

  Aedus answered. "I will fight in the war against Naberia, lord. I will fight beside my people." He wasn't asking for permission.

  "It is traditional that in a sidhe colony such as Cascade, the elders do not partake in the battles, but instead offer advice and support to the generals."

  Aedus' gaze grew more intense. "I am familiar with the customs of my people."

  Fin flattened his mouth. "They are my people, young fae. My people. You are also one of mine." There was a hard edge to his tone.

  "I bow to your will in all but this, Your Highness." Aedus nodded again, this time the gesture was more shallow.

  Holy Crap, this was bad. Lady Silvus looked like she was going to pass right out. The king's expression sharpened, making him look a lot more like the scarier side of the family. I leaned forward, but both Charlie and Garrett attacked my mind with a resounding, "NO!" Humbled, I inched back into my seat. Maybe they were right. This wasn't really my battle. Garrett's good hand clutched the back of my tunic pulling me toward him then snaking an arm around my waist to hold me securely in place. I was pretty much locked down.

  "Was there something you wished to say, little mother?" Fin was looking in my direction, gold sparkling in his night-dark eyes.

  Double crap. "No, I don't believe so, Your Highness." I tried to keep my voice on an even keel.

  To my surprise, Liam stood. "May I speak on behalf of my brother, lord?"

  Finvarra relaxed slightly and smiled at my friend. "Of course."

  "Aedus can be stubborn and arrogant—," Aedus' eyebrows shot up, "—but he is the finest warrior our sidhe has produced. It would be a waste of talent to put him in front of a map instead of an army. There are many seelie as capable of planning strategy, but few more capable of killing our enemies."

  "Are you volunteering to take his place in the war room while your brother fights on the field?" Liam's violet eyes grew to the size of saucers. Fortunately he knew a thing or two about diplomacy. "If that is your will, Grandsire. However, I would prefer to fight beside Charles and Aedus."

  When Charlie sprang to his feet I almost cried out. His shields were so strong I couldn't get past them to send a private message. "Grandsire, may I speak?"

  Fin was enjoying the show. "Yes, Charles. Please do so."

  "It was foretold by Sinlae that Aedus and Liam are with me when I go before Naberia. She saw them on my left along with the sisters, Brina and Keara." He sent Brina a huge grin, but her response was more sultry. I frowned. What was up with that?

  "You were a witness to this great event?" Fin teased, his mood having swung back to playful.

  Charli
e looked down at the table. "No, lord...um, Grandsire." Then back up. "But a lot of the people here were."

  The old/new king surveyed the three males standing in dissent before him. Well, maybe not dissent, but at least presenting a unified front in support of Aedus. Sensing that Charlie had matured by leaps and bounds during his short stay in the DR, a shiver of pride crept up my spine. The look on Garrett's face mirrored my own.

  "Even though you agree to serve as an elder at all other occasions, someone must take your place in the war room, Aedus. Do you have a suggestion as to who that might be?"

  "I will take on that duty," Kellaine said, standing and meeting Fin's gaze with a challenging expression. "I am warrior-trained and have been blooded in the last two conflicts against demon clans. I have trained with Aedus and the sisters and have done much research involving the unseelie and demonic species that might be set against our people. Because I am a cousin of many of our top warriors and also your descendent, lord, communication between us, which is vital during wartime, will be quick and clear."

  Caelen spoke, probably anxious to have Aedus on the field during the battles. "She has a keen mind and would be a good choice, Father."

  "You are Jorrenn's child?" Fin asked, and Kellie nodded. "You have the same lovely eyes as your mother and also, it appears, the same fighting spirit. Have you a sibling?"

  "Farrell is my younger brother."

  "Ah, the mysterious Farrell." He laughed. "I look forward to meeting him."

  "He is the typical fae male." Kellaine pouted.

  "But you are not the typical female?"

  She smiled with confidence. "No, Grandsire."

  "We will speak tomorrow, Lady Kellaine." She bowed and sat. Liam draped an arm over her shoulder and kissed her cheek.

  "Your Highness." Garret spoke up, standing. "Might I ask about your plans?"

  "I have plans for Faerie that will require help from all who would offer it."

  "Forgive me, I should have been more specific. Are you going to turn Kennet over to the Lord of the Hunt? The Cascade Elders had found him guilty and were about to..."