Aliandra: nymph: Book 1 The Nymph chronicles

by Jacqueline Marshall

  "That is right but nymphs have a little trick up their sleeves. We can heal anyone who has sworn an oath to serve us. So when Riv wakes and swears an oath of fealty to me then I will heal him. Easy! He will be ready to start work tomorrow; just catch me before I hit the ground, if you please" smiled Ali.

  Brand's soft smile was almost tender as he looked at Ali.

  Chapter 29

  Riv rustled his mostly denuded wings after pacing the floor continuously and turned to Brand as they looked at the unconscious form of Ali on the couch. "What are we supposed to do now? Do we sit around and wait for her to wake? Am I going grey or is this supposed to happen with nymph healing? I am not used to being without structure, orders and purpose. It feels wrong."

  "Get used to it, Riv. You serve Ali now. She is pretty good with handing out orders. You should have heard her with Hades. By the end of it I didn't know whether to laugh or cry" said Brand. "Maybe introduce yourself to the elf female and start learning your new job so you can take over."

  Riv was full of purpose as he headed to the front desk. "I am Rivier, sworn to serve Aliandra. I am to be the new secretary. Show me the tasks that are required of me" he ordered.

  "I am Amirael. It is the wish of Aliandra I show you your duties and the office set up" she returned. Amirael and Rivier continued to speak very formally to each other as they made their way around the office.

  Hephaestus listened in as they worked and wished Ali was awake to hear them, she would have chuckled with him. Hephaestus approached Brand "Your friend is now safe, well and in our custody. What is your plan now, Brand?"

  "I will speak to my mother as I agreed" he said. "I will invite her to my house tonight to say her piece. First, I will make sure Aliandra recovers from all her efforts today and see her to her home safely. Everything else seems irrelevant."

  "Ali seems to be making it a habit of working her way into people's hearts. Even those who seem to have forgotten long ago that they had one. You are only beginning to get to know her but I can tell you there is not a speck of deception in her. Everything she has promised, she has delivered on. I have nothing but good things to say about her; Ali is unrepentantly Ali. She knows who she is and take it or leave it, she does not much care. She is a formidable young woman who isn't afraid to demand respect. You will not bend her or break her to your will, Brand. If you have feelings for her you will have to accept her and accede to her demands. She measures and weighs every demand she makes so you will have to learn to trust her and not try to dominate as is your wont. Ali is such a joyful, generous and unpretentious soul. I count myself fortunate that she is my friend and I have benefited greatly from it; privately and professionally." Hephaestus sighed deeply "You are both the most stubborn people of my extensive acquaintance but I hope that does not hinder your growing regard for each other."

  "I think Ali beats me in the stubborn stakes" countered Brand.

  "Yes, but not by much" retorted Hephaestus. "I think we ought to celebrate with bottle of something good. What say you, Brand?"

  "A fine idea Hephaestus. Champagne or beer?" asked Brand.

  "Let us not be stingy in our hour of glory; how about both" said Hephaestus as he waved his hand and the table filled with bottles of beer, glasses and champagne. "Let us see if we cannot get Riv and Amirael to loosen up a bit. They must have finished by now. Call them over, Brand" he chuckled gleefully.

  Ali woke to singing. She opened an eye and spotted a hazy angel. Crap! I'm dead. How did that happen? The last thing I remember is healing Riv. Oh, it is Riv. Yay! I am not dead! Ali looked around and saw it was Riv and Amirael singing with their arms around each other. Hephaestus looked the worse for wear and was passed out on an office chair. Brand was watching her and nursing his beer.

  Ali sat up carefully. "I missed the party?" she asked sleepily.

  "Take it easy Ali-cat. Did you want champagne or beer?" he asked.

  "A glass of champagne would be nice" she answered.

  Brand poured her a cold glass of champagne and set it before her. "Are we celebrating Riv's recovery?" Ali asked.

  "We are on the point of celebrating everything by now. It started with Riv's recovery but the joy from that seems to have spilled over into everything life has to offer. Hephaestus, Riv and Amirael will likely have epic hangovers tomorrow" he smiled.

  "That is why we have the epic coffee machine to kick-start the day" said Ali.

  "I will arrange to speak to my mother tonight at my house. I was waiting for you to wake so I could see you home safely" said Brand.

  "That is nice of you, Brand" said Ali.

  "Ali, I have a confession to make." Ali nodded cautiously. "I had Riv investigate you and we came up empty. No mortal knows you in Eureka and no tribal people would talk about you" he said.

  "Good, it worked. Some friends wiped the minds of all mortals in Eureka to protect the identity of my mortal family" she replied.

  "Including your family?" he asked seriously.

  "Yes, of course. I asked them to. I was devastated for a long while and I mourned but I know they are safe now. It needed to be done." she responded. "As for the tribal people, they too are family. They tend to be very protective over me."

  "The fortress where you keened is destroyed. What happened?" asked Brand.

  "I am not sure how much of anything I am supposed to tell you right now. I will have to get some advice before I can answer that" she replied.

  "Are you in any danger?" asked Brand.

  "No immediate danger" replied Ali. "This god realm does have plenty of inherent dangers that affect every immortal. I have people who I love and trust that are very protective of me. Donovan is my boyfriend and he is capable of protecting me better than most."

  Brand bit off an angry retort.

  "There is no point stewing over it, Brand. I have a boyfriend and you have a harem. If I can deal with those facts then so can you. Donny is a good man and very good to me. If you choose to make trouble, like I suspect, then no doubt I will find a different boyfriend. At this point, you are not an acceptable proposition. You are a major fixer-upper. Did you want a list of your deficiencies or are you aware of them already?" asked Ali.

  "Provide the list" he said with clenched teeth.

  "The list is interchangeable. First, you need to leave the underworld. Second, disperse your harem and marry them off to men who will love and protect them. Third, one wife only. Ever! Fourth, learn your job as the dimensional god and step up to your responsibilities. Fifth, start being kind to people and they will learn to be kind back. Sixth, learn to trust again. Seventh, Love is all or nothing. Commit everything and hold nothing back or don't bother at all. Last, I am too young to worry about or deal with all your issues. I was happy to help you out with Riv but you need to sort yourself out and straighten up before you approach me any time soon. I do not want to spend my time battling with you every step of the way, I have better things to do and issues of my own to handle. I ask you not to pursue me, it isn't the right time."

  "When will be the right time?" asked Brand cautiously.

  "If you make no changes, never. It depends on you and if you prepare for commitment and respect my wishes. When I am ready to take a leap of faith you have to be there to catch me and hold me tight" she answered. "It will not take forever Brand so you have to get busy or someone else will be there for me. You have lived in limbo long enough and it is time to transform yourself into a man I can respect."

  "You do not respect me?" asked Brand.

  Ali threw up her hands in frustration and skulled her drink. "Do you only hear the last sentence of anything I say. Did you zone out for the rest? Why did I just waste my breathe? I refuse to argue with you! Take us home please. Can you send Hephaestus to his home too?"

  Hephaestus disappeared. Brand call Riv and Amirael over. Ali called Rom. They reappeared in front of Ali's cottage. Gramma opened the door.

  "Is everything alright?" asked Gramma.

  "Yes, fine. We are comin
g in but Brand is going to get ready to visit with his mother tonight. I will explain when we get in and sit down. Thankyou for seeing us home, Brand. Is there any tea ready?" asked Ali as she stepped in the door.

  "Of course, I will make another pot." said Gramma as she collected herself from her surprise.

  "Riv and Amirael take a seat in the lounge and I will set up the tea. Goodbye Brand" she said as she shut the door. "Gramma, kitchen."

  They entered the kitchen and Ali explained about Riv. Ali asked if he was now trustworthy since he swore his fealty to her and she healed him. Gramma said she would test him out. Gramma closed her eyes for a few minutes while Ali waited. "He is doubly bound to you because of the oath and the healing, it should be safe" she said. Gramma waved her hand for tea to appear in the lounge and they made their way through to see Riv and Amirael kissing. Ali coughed and they broke apart.

  "Amirael, Riv is found to be trustworthy. He will stay with us in the attic house and may be updated on any relevant information. Riv, for my safety it is necessary that I have a number of secrets and you are obligated to keep my secrets" Ali said.

  "I am sworn to you. I am yours to command" he said firmly.

  "You are not to inform any immortal, especially Brand, of any of my secrets, agreed?"

  "Agreed."

  "Your time outside of office hours is yours to do with as you please. You are free to conduct your personal life in any way that makes you happy as long as you do no harm. If you wish to commence a relationship with Amirael, that is your private business and you have my blessing. The attic house it is large and you may choose whether you wish to have a private room in the staff quarters or if you both choose to be in a relationship you may move into a room in the main house that is set up for a couple. Do so whenever you feel you are ready. However, if you are used to promiscuity then that is not acceptable in my house because the women involved will be hurt by your actions. I ask you to consider what is in the best interests of the household. Amirael, I will leave it to you to show Riv around when time permits. Would you care for some tea?"

  "I will pour, Ali" said Amirael.

  "The first of our secrets sits with us, Riv, Gramma is actually Gaia, Brand's mother. She is also the lady who raised and educated me whom I refer to as my grandma." Gramma nodded. "As a result of being with such a powerful goddess, this cottage is not what it appears to be, as you will soon see. Apparently I am not what I appear to be either but I don't know what that is yet, except that I am a nymph and a goddess" sighed Ali. "I dress down for my work to not attract male attention. It is better for business. I think that covers the basics. Any questions?"

  "May I assist you with your combat, strategy and military training?" asked Riv.

  "Yes, the basement is set up for physical training and sparring. The attic has a forest if you wish to set up obstacle courses. You are welcome to teach me any of your competencies. I a gifted with speed, so if I work slowly to get the correct stances and positions I can perform those actions at high speed later. While my life is not in immediate danger there will be a time in the near future when I will have to defend my life. I also have to refuse to swear an oath of fealty to Zeus at my debut, so he won't like that. Gaia has been building me up since childhood in preparation. It is in my favor that I appear to be weak to those who would be my enemies in order to catch them under-prepared."

  "May I provide you with personal protection?" asked Riv.

  "I am keen to maintain a low profile, so nothing obvious. It will be normal that you and I will walk to and from work together with Rom. If I am invited out somewhere I will try to ensure one of my trusted friends is present. At the debut I will be on my own so we must prepare for that. I will give you some privacy to talk now. Amirael, I will go up to my bedroom now have chef prepare dinner for tonight and advise him of the numbers please. I will see you at dinner." Ali left and signaled Gramma to follow.

  "Gramma, I need some metal ingots to make the suits of armor. I already have my tools and forge stored. If you send them to my bedroom I will transfer them. I would like a big jug of ambrosia too" Gramma waved her hand and delivered the ingots and ambrosia and Ali gave her a hug and headed upstairs.

  Chapter 30

  Once the designs, ingots and ambrosia were loaded Ali closed the window, climbed onto her bed and slept. Once she woke Ali drank a few glasses of ambrosia and was surprised when the jug remained full. Clever grandma! I get to go to the ancient planet and drink ambrosia while I am there. That will help keep me going. Ali opened the portal and unloaded all the gear and set up in the same place as before. Ali stripped off and stored her clothes then went swimming. The next four months she relaxed, drank ambrosia, swam and pushed her healing energies into the earth until she felt ready to work.

  Ali took her time making the suits of armor and weaponry to ensure the standards of the contract were met to guarantee Riv's safety. When the final results satisfied her and she stored the armor and weapons into their gems another twenty months had passed. Ali then took another two weeks to wind down in her ancient paradise before she returned to the main reality plane. When she returned, Ali sent a note to make an appointment with Aphrodite's salon to arrange the purchase of a full set of grooming applications for her projects. The note response appeared minutes later confirming her appointment in two days.

  Ali relaxed on her bed sipping ambrosia and enjoyed the ocean breezes as they brushed soothingly over her skin. As the sun began to set she made her way to the attic house with Rom at her side. Ali invited Gramma, Amirael and Riv to join her for an early dinner in her luxurious dining room. Her chef made a special effort for the occasion of her first dinner party and served up many delicious courses.

  "Riv, I have a dimensional window that I have used to work, study and relax. I do not wish to take up your time on this reality plane for the training regime you mentioned. Since you are an angel and immortal, you will not age in the other dimension. What say you to teaching me what you can in the other dimension? What may be an infinite time in the window will be a split second in this reality plane. So, whenever we return Amirael would be waiting for you exactly as she is now. If you are reluctant to leave her then I understand."

  "We have spoken and have decided to take it slowly. I am at your command." said Riv.

  "The sooner, the better then. We shall put our heads together after dinner and make a list of the things we will need for the training. Gramma can you put all the extra supplies in the basement training centre and we will leave tomorrow morning once everything is stored in the main window." Gramma nodded.. After dinner Gramma, Ali and Rom wandered through the attic forest. "Gramma, may I start the list with sets of clothing appropriate for training and sparring for Riv and myself?"

  "How many, Ali?" asked Gramma

  "If you store two hundred sets each and we take twenty initially and quickly return to stock up as we require then the clothing will be stored on this plane and not age. We will not need medical supplies as I can heal Riv and myself sufficiently. How are you feeling about meeting Brand tonight?" asked Ali.

  "Fear and trepidation down to my toes. It means so much to me that you could arrange this" said Gramma.

  "I know you love him" said Ali. "He does not yet know of the previous incarnations or our prior marriages. I have told him he needs to make changes if he wants me and that I am too young to deal with him and everything else I have to do. You are welcome to discuss anything Brand asks in regards to me in any incarnation" said Ali as a note appeared in front of Gramma.

  "It is from Brand asking to meet in 30 minutes. I will reply immediately and we will finish our walk" said Gramma as she waved her hand and a note appeared and quickly vanished. They walked through the forest until Gramma said it was time to go. She transformed to her elder form wearing a formal black dress, kissed Ali on the cheek and disappeared.

  A short rap on the door brought Brand to his feet. He opened the door to an elderly woman with a regal bearing. "Hello, mother. Pleas
e come in and make yourself comfortable" said Brand.

  "Thankyou for seeing me, Brand" said Gaia as she entered and made her way to the couch.

  Three hours later the pair were still in deep discussion. Brand needed a few strong drinks to curb the shock of what his mother had told him since it had effectively transformed his entire perception of himself and his sense of reality once he got over his skepticism. The more Brand thought of his current situation the more distressed he became at the man he had become in the underworld. When Gaia eventually left Brand reassessed his options and he fixed his sights on Ali.

  Ali had returned to make lists in her cottage bedroom when she heard the pounding on the door and raced to answer it. Brand was standing there; tall, powerful and incensed. "You are mine!" he snarled viciously.

  "I see you spoke to your mother. Come in and sit" she said. "I need a coffee for this discussion. Do you want one?"