Riftkeepers: Prime

by Carrie Whitethorne

  “For what?” he murmured into her hair.

  “For being here.”

  “I won't let you down again.”

  No-one else was coming. You didn't let me down.

  She checked her phone, one new message.

  It was a photo of the three of them. The children were grinning, Callan looked happy enough but his smile didn't reach his eyes.

  See you next week.

  I Love you.

  “What's wrong?” Dane murmured, tightening his arm around her waist.

  “Nothing, look,” she passed him the phone and he laughed.

  “They're gorgeous, Charlotte. They know you're okay?”

  “Looks like he told them,” she said and felt a weight lift from her. “What are we doing today?”

  He stretched and propped his head on a hand. “Fancy going for a walk?”

  “In pyjamas?” she drawled.

  “No, I've got you some clothes in my room. Got them the other day. Wait…” He hopped off the bed and padded to his room. When he came back he was holding two large bags. “We'll go out for breakfast and walk back.”

  “It's almost one. It's now, officially, lunch time Dane,” she laughed.

  Taking the bags, she went into the bathroom. She found a pair of sheepskin boots, jeans, a long sleeved top and a gilet.

  Fortune, again! How does he know my size?

  Dane was dressed and sat on the edge of her bed, ears rounded, teeth pearly but smooth and eyes dulled to a soft grey.

  “That's better,” he grinned, holding out his hand. “There's a small cafe in the village near here, quick lunch and home. Okay?”

  “He won't find me, will he?” she asked as the fear of him finding her pricked the back of her mind.

  “No. he won't find you.” He squeezed her hand before porting them away.

  The little cafe was tucked away down a narrow, cobbled street. It wasn't busy. The smell of coffee and fresh baking made her stomach growl, she hadn't realised she was so hungry.

  Dane took a table by the window and a young woman came over with a little note pad.

  “Hello, Dane, no Ally today?” she asked.

  “No. She's visiting her family, Jules. This is my cousin, Lottie. Can we have a pot of tea and two cokes please?”

  The woman smiled at her, her eyes roving over the bruises, nodded, and bustled back to the counter at the rear of the room.

  Ferne's always called me Lottie…

  “Cousin? As if that looks close to possible!” she whispered.

  He shrugged and handed her a menu. “What do you fancy?”

  She scanned the menu looking for something she could manage. “Toasted sandwich sounds nice.”

  Jules arrived with their drinks, still staring at Charlotte's battered face.

  “Lottie was in a car accident a few days ago, I've brought her out to cheer her up a bit,” Dane offered. “Can we have two toasted cheese and bacon sandwiches please?” He turned back to her. “They're fading now, they aren't that bad.” He poured the tea.

  “Yes, they are,” she laughed. “Is Ally your girlfriend?”

  “Yeah. We often walk down here for lunch when she has chance to stay,” he said, a smile playing on his lips.

  Whoever she is he really loves her.

  “Everything will be back to normal soon, I'll be out from under your feet and you can get back to her.”

  “Don't say it like that, I'm enjoying having you here,” he said sternly.

  “All right, no need to tell me off,” she laughed.

  Once they'd eaten they walked back to the house. The tiny village was beautiful. Thatched cottages lined the roads, all picture perfect with neatly trimmed hedges and pristine lawns edged by stone walls.

  “Where are we?” she asked.

  “Oxfordshire. I grew up here. I had the house built just outside the village and I come home every few months.”

  “Home from where?”

  “Work. Prague.”

  “The portal to hell is in Prague?” she laughed.

  “Not far from there. Houska Castle. It's a bit, miserable, but I do three months staying there and three months here commuting in.”

  They'd left the village now and were surrounded by fields. The road was narrow with no pavement so they walked on the grass by the hedgerow.

  “It's really lovely here,” she mused, enjoying being outside again.

  Berries hung from the hedges, she could hear a blackbird chirping and rustling around inside. The cold, crisp air soothing her lungs she breathed as deeply as she could. The smell of grass and fallen leaves reminded her why autumn was her favourite season.

  Her legs were starting to complain. “Is it far?”

  “No, we're here.” He stopped at a closed wooden gate. Looking up the driveway beyond she could see the house. It looked brand new, stood in lawned garden, no flower beds, no trees. It looked lonely, empty from here.

  Inside, Dane relaxed into his fae appearance and untied his hair. She pulled off her boots, frowning. “They're wet.”

  “So? Stick them over there. If they're ruined, I'll get you some more,” he shrugged.

  “You won't. I've never worn such expensive clothes in my life! They'll be worn until they drop to bits.”

  He laughed and walked into the kitchen. “Cuppa?”

  “No thanks, I'm drowning in tea! I'm just going to check the phone.” Her legs were aching by the time she reached the top of the stairs.

  This is going to take ages to get sorted.

  Picking up her phone she felt a flutter in her stomach. Two new messages.

  How are you today?

  I want to hear your voice.

  I've been out for something to eat and a walk. I'm getting there. Not long now.

  She put the phone back on the table and sighed.

  Pulling her slippers on she couldn't help feeling a bit sad about leaving Dane.

  He's here on his own and it sounds like his job is miserable. No-one's ever been so kind to me, not even Callan. Don't know why he has been. He can't blame himself for what I went through.

  “All right?” he asked as she padded to the sofa.

  “Yeah, all good.” She lay on the sofa with her head in his lap. “Can I ask you something?”

  “Sounds ominous… anything.”

  “Why have you been killing yourself with guilt? None of that was your fault, you know that.” Looking up at him she searched his eyes for an honest response. They darkened and brimmed with tears.

  Oh shit…

  “Oh, Dane, no… no don't get upset!” She rolled from the sofa and knelt at his feet, grasping his hands. “If you don't want to tell me that's fine. Please don't be upset.” She felt tears welling in her own eyes.

  He coughed and cleared his throat. “No. I'll tell you.” He blew out a shaky breath and squeezed her hands. “Once I'd realised where you were I expected some level of defence in place. There wasn't. I found you in that disgusting room, on that blood-soaked rag on the floor. He'd left you to die. You were completely broken.” He paused, looking past her. “There was so much blood, you were hardly breathing, tears streaming down your face. Your lips were moving but I couldn't make out what you were saying.”

  I was saying goodbye to my babies.

  “You were dying in front of me. Convinced I was too late, I brought you straight back here. I couldn't risk him coming back. The only person I know who could give you a chance was Ally.”

  Hell, she knows I'm staying here?

  “She insisted you stay with me. She did her best to sort your breathing, made sure it wasn't a punctured lung, but she was convinced you were too dehydrated, you'd lost all that blood, the burns to your body…” he choked. Tears had slipped.

  She reached up and cupped his face. “It wasn't that much blood. It was just a burst nose.”

  He shook his head. “There was internal damage from the fire. It was a lot. She gave you a transfusion. I didn't dare try and clean up the worst of what
was left until you were stable. Ally got the antibiotics and left you here with me. She was a wreck. She hasn't been back but I've kept her updated. I was too late, Lottie.”

  There were no words. She searched his damp eyes and kissed him. He wrapped his arms around her back and she held him for a few minutes. “Thank you, “she whispered.

  His arms tightened around her. “Is there anything else you want to know?” He muttered into her shoulder.

  “Who is Ally?” she already knew the answer.

  He pulled back and looked at her. The realization hit him, “You're a pain in the arse!”

  She laughed, “Yep. Well. No wonder she nearly ripped you to shreds at that ball.”

  He smirked at the memory.

  “It wasn't funny, Dane! That must have been so hard for her.” Before he could ask she added, “I'll keep it to myself. Why is it such a secret anyway?”

  “Families,” was all the explanation he offered. He shifted her round onto the sofa beside him. “Shall we finish that series from last night?”

  “I've never watched so much TV in my life. Let me go and put my Pj's on. You get the doughnuts.”

  “Dane?” she shouted down the stairs a few minutes later.

  “What's wrong?” he asked, appearing behind her.

  “Will you stop doing that? I'm always jumping out of my skin!” Standing with her hand on her chest, she huffed. “I need a shop.”

  He gave a her a puzzled look. “We just got back…”

  “Yes, well, I need to go out again. Or you can go. I need sanitary items.” she said and widened her eyes.

  “Oh. I'll go,” he said. He didn't seem too bothered.

  “The green ones. Thank you,” she said as he disappeared.

  She stood on the landing counting her fingers.

  “Stupid, stupid, stupid!”

  “Green ones,” Dane called from the bottom of the stairs as the packet sailed over the banister.

  “That was quick. Thank you.”

  Ten minutes later she was clean, in Pj's and curled up with tea and doughnuts on the sofa.

  “Why are you stupid?” he asked.

  “Two weeks late. Doesn't matter now. Was probably the hell of being locked up pushed it back.”

  Why am I having this conversation with him?

  “Ah. You okay?” He asked, genuine concern in his voice.

  “I've lived with this most months since I was young,” she laughed. “I'm fine, thanks though. It's the cramps that usually get me but I seem to be dodging that particular bullet today.”

  “Sounds great,” he said rolling his eyes. He ducked to avoid the cushion she'd thrown at him.

  She wasn't aware she'd been so tired when she woke up with her face stuck to the leather of the sofa.

  “Nice!” Dane mocked as she dragged herself into a sitting position.

  “How long have I been asleep?” she groaned, scratching her head. It was dark outside.

  “Not long, an hour and a half. You missed the last episode. You hungry?”

  “Starving! Shall I throw a meal together? It's got to be my turn?”

  “Nah, I'll just order a pizza,” he shrugged. “Will you be okay while I go to pick it up?”

  “The speed you move at? Yes,” she laughed.

  It's just like having a big brother.

  After pizza and more TV, she went to bed. “You stay up. I'm fine, honestly. I'll send Callan a message and be asleep soon. I'm tired.”

  I'm really going to miss him. I suppose if I make him visit me he'll see a bit more of Alayna.

  What's that about? What could their families have against them being together? Her family are okay with me. At least he's Fae.

  Chapter 26

  “It really isn't funny, Dane, it's embarrassing! Please stop laughing at me.” She was rolled in the duvet, head under the pillow, with Dane in fits of laughter.

  “It is. Twitchy. That was the last one so you don't have to endure it again. Come on, let's have a look.” He stuck a hand into the duvet and pulled her down the bed by her foot. “This one's back to normal, anyway,” he said, dropping it.

  She rolled off the bed, dragging the duvet with her into the bathroom and closed the door. She could still hear him snorting to himself.

  Dick!

  She dropped the bedding and looked in the mirror. No more dark tracks! He'd cleared every one. She couldn't stay angry at him, not after seeing herself! She quickly dressed and called him in.

  “Perfect,” he said, checking her neck and wrists. “Just need to decide when you want to go home now,” he grinned.

  “Really?” Throwing her arms around his neck she hugged him tightly. He smiled and set her down.

  “It needs some planning. Are we telling everyone you've been here? Do you want the kids around when you arrive? There'll be a lot of questions you can't really answer in front of them…”

  “Oh…” Suddenly she didn't want to go too soon.

  “There's no rush. There's the shadow-fire thing too. But that's…” he trailed off.

  What? Oh, what now?

  “That's?” she pressed.

  “Come and sit down.” He was never serious like this.

  She sat on the edge of the bed, watching him closely. He sat beside her and took her hand.

  “They won't be too happy about the shadow-fire. It doesn't adhere to the laws of nature, so, they fear it.” She opened her mouth to speak but he cut her off, “I know! I know you aren't going to turn around and destroy everything you touch with it. We have to show them it's safe.”

  “I didn't ask for this, Dane. Shit!” She got up and walked to the door then changed her mind and walked back to him. “Who're 'they'?”

  “All of them. Taran, the Council. Callan's about the only one I don't think we'll need to convince. And Ally of course.” His face was set with concern.

  “Alayna? Okay, but how do I tell Callan?” she squeaked.

  “Just be honest, you can't go wrong with the truth. You really have no idea how far he'd go for you. He'd do anything to keep you safe. I'll be with you when you do. And when you face the council,” he winced.

  “The council? Oh, my god, they'll, they're…”

  “It's okay. A day at a time. We'll get you home, spend some time with Zander and Enya. Once you're well enough we'll sort it.” He reached for her hand but she pulled away and walked into the bathroom.

  He followed with her phone, “Ring him. Tell him you're going home. Tell him whatever day it is you want to go. Now if you like.”

  She sighed, “Fine. Tomorrow morning.”

  She took the phone and went back to the bed. Dane left the room.

  “Callan?”

  “Charlotte? Are you okay? Are you ready to come home? Where are you?”

  “I'm fine, I'll be back in the morning. I've missed you so much,” she choked on the words. “Are they there? Can I speak to them?”

  “They're up at the palace. They've spent a lot of time with Ma and Alayna. Do you want me to go up and call you back?”

  “No, no it's fine. Callan I've missed you all so much, I've wanted to speak to you but I couldn't. I'm so sorry…”

  “Don't cry, you're safe. That's all that matters. We've been searching for you for weeks! Where have you been?”

  She couldn't speak through the tears.

  “Okay, Charlotte it's okay. We can talk about it when you're ready. I just want you home.”

  “I need to go,” she sniffed. “I'll be home in the morning. The house, not the palace. I just want some time with you and the kids. I love you so much Callan.”

  “I love you. I'll stay here. If you need me for anything before then I'll be here to answer the phone.”

  She ended the call, unable to say any more.

  Dane didn't disturb her as she sat and cried on the bed.

  I'm going home! Dane fixed me and I'm going home! I owe him my life.

  “Dane?” She murmured his name so quietly she wasn't sure he'd hear her.r />
  “I'm here.” He stayed by the door.

  “Thank you. I…” she choked back a sob, “I owe you so much. Thank you.”

  He didn't speak as he crossed the room and pulled her onto his lap. He let her cry for what felt like hours. When she was done, he pushed the tangled mess of hair from her face and smiled. “You're going home, Lottie. Cheer up!”

  “Yeah. No idea how I'm going to handle the fallout though,” she sniffed.

  “It'll all be okay. I promise it'll work itself out.”

  She pulled away to see that perfect smile. “Okay, I'm okay.” Taking steadying breath, she got up.

  “That's better,” he grinned. “What shall we do then? Our last full day just you and me!”

  Her eyes brimmed with tears again.

  “Oh for…” he sighed as he jumped up, took her in his arms and they disappeared.

  “What are we doing here? I'm still wearing slippers and you still look like… well you.”

  They were stood in the middle of a stone circle. The area, obscured by trees to the north, open fields to the south, was silent. Dane stood with his hands in his pockets, his dark hair flopped over, covering one side of his face, smiling as she gazed at the scene.

  If anyone sees him they'll…

  “Seventy-seven,” he told her as she looked around at the weather worn stones set in a circle around them. “They're the Kings Men. My family were responsible for their protection. Back in the days of mental witches and warlocks roving the country, trying to tap the earth for power,” he said in a sarcastic tone.

  “It's amazing,” She said as she walked around running her hand over them, one by one.

  “I thought we could come out here and play for an hour. It'll be a few days before you'll get chance after today.” His eyes were full of mischief.

  She looked around again, nervously and said, “Someone will see.”

  “No, they won't. It's bloody freezing today, there's no-one here. I'll go first,” he said rubbing his hands together. A thin ribbon of shadow clung to his wrist. He walked over and flicked it toward her. She watched, smiling, as it changed shape, forming into a tiny butterfly. “That's pretty, I didn't know you could do pretty.”