The King wore matching threads of white but instead of sparkling, his seemed almost to be flowing instead, as her hair did. Gentle ripples in the fabric were noticed every few moments and when she looked into his eyes, they were the color of the deep blue of the ocean. His own hair was black as night and tied back in an intricate braid that she imagined traced down the lengths of his formidable back. His crown was an exact match of his Queen, only slightly larger to support his larger frame. Where she seemed delicate, he appeared strong and unmovable, even in his lithe form. Truly, the Sidhe were descended of the Gods. Come to think of it, the stark differences were very similar to that between her and Bodhe. She grinned at the thought.
Not to mention her grandmother, wow. She was the prettiest Elf she had ever laid eyes upon, not that she had really met many yet, but surely she was the prettiest anywhere. Her grandmother gathered her up in her arms in a warm embrace at ‘hello’ and whispered to her in the Elven tongue. She made Isabel promise to visit soon so she could show her the kingdom properly, which she agreed to without hesitation, and then she thanked her for killing ‘the soulless beast’ Morkain. Isabel laughed when she whispered how proud she was to see her granddaughter flying off the damn cliffs and bringing true realm justice to him.
God, she wanted to learn as much as she could about both the worlds that were her heritage, and Bodhe stood proudly beside her when he saw how eager she was to do so.
She met Bodhe’s younger brother Edge, who was quiet and sweet…and Enelisa, the youngest of the three who was completely taken over Isabel. She kept bringing her foods to try and wines to taste and there was something about her that was so very calming, even though she didn’t seem to be able to sit still. She kept hugging Isabel and welcoming her home. Bodhe just watched everything with amusement as she was overwhelmed by the curiosities and kindnesses of their people. She could tell he liked that her and Enelisa were getting along well. She guessed that his younger sister was much older than her in terms of years, but development was slower here since time was different, and she seemed to be about twelve in human age.
The doors slammed open from one of the many balconies, and waiting there was a man that looked lost. He was massive, his cheekbones high and his auburn hair in long curls around his face like he’d just come through a storm. The music halted, her grandmother fainted, and her mother sifted in front of her like lightning, shielding her.
White linen adorned his broad shoulders, and a sword hilt encrusted with jewels rose up over them. His eyes matched her own, the gold nearly overrunning the green. His powerful gaze roamed the room until they fell on her mother. Keiren sobbed, tears rolling down her cheeks as the room stilled. Hushed whispers were heard and Isabel felt her hands go completely clammy.
No. How? Another trick?
She watched as her mother then sifted before him and touched his face. Their foreheads touched and a great light formed around their bodies. Gasps were heard around the room and she found herself walking hesitantly toward them both. A fine mist settled behind her eyes, and she gripped Bodhe’s hand hard as she walked their way. The rustling of Queen Lorelei’s guards as they helped her rise was a small sound in the backdrop of her thundering heart. Then he turned.
He looked at her.
And she crumbled inside.
Bodhe caught her before she fell to the floor and held her to his chest protectively, moving them both toward the man that looked exactly like Prince Norgelon. She looked toward Amele in confusion, but she only bowed her head and smiled.
When Isabel looked forward again, she was being brought to a man she’d thought she’d never see in person. Her father. There was no doubt, even if she didn’t understand. If there was such a thing as a male version of her, he was before her. Bodhe pressed a light kiss to her cheek and set her down when they were a few feet from him. Her mother looked like she was about to jump over the moon and though he had a dazed look in his eyes, he held Keiren tightly against his side, her head on his chest.
“A daughter?” he gasped, when she was close to him. “But how? How did I miss so many years?”
His hand moved forward slowly, his hands cupping her face like a gentle breeze. Green eyes misted as her mother stood back…just barely.
“Norgelon, please meet your daughter, Isabel. And her partner, Bodhe. The High Prince of Loveryn,” Keiren absolutely beamed at the introductions. “You know, in case you forgot him.”
Norgelon didn’t take his eyes from her though. “Isabel? I don’t know what’s happened here but we have a lot of catching up to do, you and I. And no, mate, I didn’t forget the High Prince of Loveryn,” he said and paused, scrutinizing her lovingly with his eyes. “I’ve dreamed of you, Daughter. Of battles you’ve fought, of a lot of corn circles you learned to fight in, and of you being trapped in the realm of the Unseelie. Is this all true?”
She nodded slowly, trying to hold back laughter at the crop circles, and not believing what she was seeing.
“You are so beautiful. You look like your mother, thank the Gods,” he said, earning him a playful slap in the chest from her mother. The man looked to her partner. “Bodhe, take care of her, or I’ll kill you.” He said the threat so smooth, it was like butter rolling off his tongue. Isabel wanted to laugh but there was too much going on inside her to do so. Instead, she grabbed the huge mass of man that was her father and hugged him tightly to her. His embrace was firm, then lost, then loving. And as she felt the tears about to spill out everywhere, the soft rustling of skirts on the floor made her pull back.
“Nor? Oh the Gods have been merciful this day. Is that really you?” Queen Lorelei spoke from behind her. She stepped back and watched the man and the Queen of Albequen embrace. “Oh, my boy, it is you! You smell like leather, sunset, and earth. It’s really, really you.”
She was overcome with emotion. How? Why? Isabel looked to Amele who just smiled a ‘cat that ate the canary’ smile. Amele definitely didn’t look surprised. What had she done? Shock nailed her to the spot and her mind couldn’t process anymore questions. She couldn’t believe her father was back. Wasn’t that against the rules?
He released his mother Lorelei, and grabbed Isabel again, twirling her in a hug more suitable for a five year old, but she didn’t care. Never in a million years did she think she would see him. And her mother, God, her partner was back. When a partner died, the grief was almost too much to bear, she’d been told. The Lake of Souls held many a Sidhe that lost their partner so they could reunite again. She understood why some would do that, as she couldn’t imagine being separated from Bodhe now. She laughed as he twirled her around, still not believing he was really here.
“I’m so happy to see you,” she said, through leaking eyes. “I don’t know how this is possible, but I’m so, so happy, Father.”
“I don’t know how this happened either, but I will thank the Gods every day for bringing me home. I woke up next to the ravine where I…fell,” he said with a knowing growl. “Then memories hit me, the dreams I’d had while sleeping told me so much, but I thought they were just dreams until I saw you before me. I’m so proud of you, Isabel. You and I have some training to do soon and about twenty-two years of catching up, as well.” He kissed her cheek again, his own eyes glistening. “Go, this is your day. We have an eternity now to catch up. And I do believe my partner is long overdue a dance. Keiren?”
She put her hand over her mouth as she smiled, watching them glow as bright as her and Bodhe did, as bright as the King and Queen. They stepped up to the thrones and Rystrom and Danua both embraced him. She noticed two more chairs being brought to the raised dais. There was already one next to Queen Danua for Queen Lorelei, but now there were two more for the Prince and Princess of Albequen. Isabel smiled as she watched Lorelei and Danua clasp their hands together. This day couldn’t be more perfect.
“My love,” Bodhe’s whisper came to her ears, snapping her out of her thoughts, “I believe that there’s someone else waiting for you, a bit impatiently,
I might add.” He gestured with his eyes to Amele, who even at the celebration wore her sword and raka, though she did make an attempt and put on a dress. Bodhe chuckled. “Go talk to her, she’s missed you.”
He leaned down and gave her a kiss and patted her playfully on the butt, making her turn scarlet.
“Oh! Paybacks, Prince! Paybacks!” she whispered, as she glided toward her best friend. “Amele!” She hugged her as tightly as she had her long lost family.
“Halfling,” she said as she smiled. “The celebration is beautiful, but compared to you at the moment, it dims,” she looked her over with approval. “And you seem to be getting on well with everyone. Has it been good to spend time with your mother?”
Isabel sighed. “Yes, but there are so many things I still want to know. And my father? How?”
“Ah, Norgelon. Sometimes mistakes are made, Isabel, and the Gods may correct them if they see fit. Which they must have. You’ll learn everything you need to from your mom, don’t worry. There’s nothing but time for you now.”
“You’re right, Amele. But don’t you mean there’s nothing but time for us?” She looked at her quizzically.
Amele looked out over the gold and white city and her face flashed dark for a second. “Yes, of course that’s what I meant,” she corrected herself. “You know though, I miss my Ben and Jerry’s already. I think I’ll be heading back there soon for more.” She laughed, somewhat nervously.
Something was definitely going on with her, but Isabel knew better than to pry.
“So, um, if the Gods can overturn death, is there a chance that my adopted parents could be brought back?”
Amele looked at her sadly and touched her arm with a gentle squeeze. “They can’t bring them back, Bel, I’m sorry. Mortal laws are governed by different powers than our dimensions. In all my long life, I’ve never even seen the Elemental Gods allow this because of the destruction to the natural order it can cause, and our Gods haven’t been present in a very long time, but I’ve never heard of them doing an overturn either. In any case, no. Where your mortal family is, is a beautiful place though, and we’ll talk about that another day. They’re happy, and would want you to be, as well. You know that.”
Isabel nodded and wiped a tear from her eye. She had to at least ask.
“Today is for you, Isabel, and your partner is blinding me right now. Go dance with him and smile, will you?”
Isabel looked at the handsome being that was indeed blindingly bright as he watched her. “Yes, I think I will,” she said, heat rising just looking at her partner. “Thanks for everything, Amele. I owe you my life, a few times, at least.”
She scoffed, “You have yourself to thank for that, Bel. I never would’ve taken you for a murder-suicide type but damn, watching you go over that cliff with him? I’m not sure whose look was more priceless. His, mine, your grandmother’s, or Bodhe’s,” she said as she cracked up.
“I wish I could’ve seen that, but I was too busy praying that someone would catch me before I hit the ground. Anyway, thank you for not letting me get crushed…and all that.”
“Anytime, Isabel. I’ll always be your guardian, even when there is no immediate threat. Now, run along, he’s getting his panties in a wad,” she said, gesturing to Bodhe with her eyes.
Isabel laughed. “Commando, Amele…”
“Okay, I so don’t need to know that about my nephew, Bel. Go!”
She giggled and started to glide back toward Bodhe.
“Isabel!”
Abruptly she spun around to her friend who grabbed her and held her tight. “I love you, Halfling. Don’t you ever forget that.”
Almost crushed with the weight of the Amele’s words, she let out a heavy breath when she was released. “Amele, are you okay?”
Through misted eyes she responded, “Of course I am. It’s just, well…no,” she shook her head. “No, this is your day. You just look so beautiful is all and I’m getting soft in my old age.”
Raising an eyebrow, she asked again, “You’re sure everything’s okay?”
“Of course it is. Remember, I’m the rebel Queen, and I can kick some serious immortal ass. I’ll see you soon, Halfling,” she winked at her and gently pushed her toward Bodhe, even as her heart was laden with sadness for reasons she didn’t understand. Why did Amele’s hug feel like a goodbye? She shook off the paranoia and went to her partner. Everything was fine now. No, not fine, beautiful and perfect.
The rest of the night was spent dancing and drinking and by the time they were able to slip from the crowd she was pleasantly filled with spring wine and looking forward to the coming night. The coming nights and days and all of time, actually. She hadn’t noticed Bodhe’s concern even though she asked him a few times why he was so anxious. He said that he would tell her soon, but that tonight was for them. She also hadn’t noticed that Amele had slipped away or the concerned looks on the faces of the King and Queen of Loveryn. Delia and her daughters slipped in too, and rushed away to the city after bowing quickly to Bodhe when Isabel wasn’t looking. If she had noticed these things, the night could’ve ended much differently. But, she was in that ignorant bliss that she’d wanted and all she noticed was the beautiful man in front of her. She looked at her partner and traced his lips with her finger.
“Il weiren meyth, Bodhe. I finally feel like everything is exactly how it should be.”
“I think that’s my queue to tell you what the inscription on your sword reads. It says: For my twin soul, may she always be safe from harm and kept warmed by the fires in my heart.”
He smiled down at her and tucked her hair behind her ears, kissing the pointed tips softly.
Tomorrow she would learn about Amele’s deal with the blue devil. Tonight, she would be happy and safe in his arms.
~The End
**BONUS-PLEASE READ**
If you would like a pdf printable copy of the actual Prophesy and the resulting Curse agreed upon by Keiren and the Air Elemental Goddess, Isura, please leave an honest review on Amazon, or where you purchased this work. It would be awesome if you could leave a review on Goodreads as well, but it’s not necessary. ALSO, I removed A LOT of erotic content from this work and would like to offer you the cut scenes, AKA: A Secret Book of Love. Please email [email protected] and let my PA’s know where you left a review, and we’ll send you the Secret Book of Love and the Prophesy/Curse.
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Please take a moment to read Chapter 1 of Book 2 in the Immortal Realms series, included after the Glossary. Thank you for joining me in the re-telling of Immortal Dreams, originally published in 2008. I had such immense pleasure re-writing this tale a decade after its birth, and I hope that you enjoyed this world as much as I do.
Much Love,
Jen Sage
xoxo
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
Chapter 1-Immortal Bound-Fulfillment
BASTARD.
HE COULD’VE given her more time.
She watched Isabel from the corner of the room, dancing with her prince and completely unaware of the storm looming on the horizon. Well, not that it was really a storm, but rather the Water Elemental God, Nikolai, making a grand entrance to come take her away to fulfill her binding. The dark clouds and rain that slammed to the earth in the distance was his greeting to her—it was his warning too. She recalled those deep blue eyes flashing black as she asked if he would punish her by sending her back to the Dragon realm where she was most certainly not welcome any longer. There were a horde of angry females that would love to get their talons into her flesh.
No, he clearly didn’t want her there. But why? Not that it really mattered. She was to be bound to him until a child was born. Her, a mother! As if she could even imagine such a thing. At least she wouldn’t have to stick around to be motherly. That wasn’t part of the cursed deal.
She looked at Isabel again, laughing and finally free of all the lies that
burdened her newly immortal heart. Damn, how she wished she could tell her goodbye. But not on this day, no fucking way would she ruin this day for her. As she stared at the dark haired girl being twirled around the room in the arms of her nephew, she realized that she really was her best friend.
Watching over her had become fun. Something that she had long lived without. Well, except for kicking the Dragon Queens’ ass from one side of their realm to the other, she hadn’t really had any fun since then. Of course, the escape was nice. Such a sweet prince to set her free just so she could have five hundred years of pent up sexual frustration let loose on the entire kingdom. Though none truly protested, did they? Poor Rystrom had tried so many times to get them to release her, but they refused. And when she did get free, well, he’d been playing the diplomat ever since, cleaning up her mess. As usual.
Amele snorted a laugh at the memories of how many ways her brother had to clean up her messes over the many thousands of years they’d been alive. The Dragon King was an ally again from what she heard, but she had no idea what he’d had to do to make that peace treaty. Well, it was time for her to clean up her own mess now and make some amends for all her wrongs. At least she’d made a difference this time—innocent lives had returned. Delia and her daughters, and Norgelon. Surely that would atone for some of her debauchery over the years? And really, how bad could it be to stay with the beautiful God she’d lusted over for centuries?
She grinned to herself as a crack of thunder was heard overhead. The electricity of Nikolai was getting stronger—licking her skin—and she knew that at any moment she would see this hall for the last time until the child was born.
Immortal Dreams (Immortal Realms Book 1) Page 35