by Tom Keller
"You're kidding," I said, not expecting the power of prayer to be the answer. Without thinking I rubbed the spot on my arm that Delia had fed from. "Ok, so you just gave her my Fae blood. What's that going to do to her?"
"That remains to be seen," he answered, sliding off the chair. He walked into the bedroom and Siegfried and I followed. "Any change?" he asked, looking up at Diantha.
"Her color is returning," she said, getting up from the bed. "She still shows no other signs, my Lord."
Ok, fine, so everyone's a Lord these days, I thought as Bernd jumped on the bed and put his hands over her chest.
"Ahh, it stirs. I believe your blood is healing her. She must rest," he said, getting off from the bed.
"How long is it going to take?" I asked, bending over her. They were right, there was color returning to her cheeks. I put my hand on her head, it was cool, it had been so hot before.
"Who can say?" he answered. "As I have told you, Demon blades are deadly. In her condition even Fae blood is not always a cure. But as I have said, the Lilin appears to be healing her, and your blood is much stronger than regular Fae. As soon as her Lilin recovers she will heal quickly." Bernd turned to Diantha. "You need not watch her anymore. The most dangerous time is when she first feeds. By now she has accepted his blood."
She nodded and then picked up the beer I had tossed her earlier and handed to me. "Thank you, my Lord," she said, leaning over and kissing my cheek. Then she put her lips to my ear. "But I really do prefer wine."
"I'll get you some," I replied. I couldn't help but laugh, she was good. I couldn't tell if there had been a hint of jealousy in her voice or just displeasure at having to watch over Delia as we talked. Either way she'd been careful not to do, or say, anything rash. She also, very subtly, had made her point.
I went back into the kitchen and pulled a bottle of wine from the hallway rack. I opened it and poured her a glass. Bernd was still with Delia, but she and Siegfried had sat down at the table. Siegfried, I knew, was in awe of Bernd, but Diantha, I wasn't sure if she was afraid of him or if he just made her uncomfortable. I had just given Diantha the glass when I heard a commotion in the backyard. Apparently Lucy was back and she wasn't alone.
Chapter 25
I opened the sliding glass door and looked out into the yard. Charlie and Lucy were there with another Dwarf and what could only be a Faerie. She appeared to be the size of a bird and casting a golden light. I could feel their presence but I couldn't tell much else because they were still in the grass next to the trees and even with her light, they remained mostly in shadow.
Charlie separated and ran up to me broadcasting that they were friends. Of course I didn't have to be a Fae to figure that out but, it never hurt to hear it from him. He was, after all, a watchdog, and as Bernd had confirmed, guardian of my lands.
As she set down onto the patio—I could tell it was a she now—I watched as she grew to normal size. Her wings seemed to shrink back into her body as she stepped closer. She was, of course, totally naked. Instantly I stepped onto the patio and pulled a pool towel from a cabinet, wrapping it around her to cover her.
"Thank you, my Lord. I am Elithia," she said as she wrapped the towel around her shoulders.
Even with that she still revealed way too much. I guess I should be getting used to that by now, but at least it was less distracting with the towel. She was, as was all too common with the Fae, drop dead gorgeous. She stepped through the patio doorway and I turned to see who else was here.
He had to be the oldest looking creature I had ever seen, real or imagined. A Dwarf, like Bernd, but shorter, his face like carved stone, weathered and aged, but like Bernd, his eyes sparkled. Dressed in hues of brown and gray he stepped onto the patio and stopped, watching me for a moment. Lucy appeared at his leg. He looked down at her.
"So this is the one, is it?" he asked the cat. He must have been powerful or at least had different magic because I couldn't hear her response. "Hmm, that remains to be seen," he said and then walked past me thru the doorway into the house.
"What was that about?" I asked, but she didn't reply. Cats, go figure.
Charlie was the last one through the door but I still did a quick scan of the yard just to make sure. Seeing, and sensing, no one else, I closed the patio door and stepped back into the kitchen.
I stifled a laugh. Siegfried was, once again, shocked, or I guess I should say awed, as a second Dwarf now stood before him. As for Diantha, she covered it well, but I caught her look before she had a chance to avert her face. Like I had said, she was good, but it didn't take a Fae to smell the whiff of discomfort about her. I wondered what that was about.
"Motgnir," Bernd said, walking up as I came back in. "We welcome you."
The other Dwarf nodded and removed the pack from his shoulders, placing it next to him on the floor. Lucy immediately walked over to it and sat down.
I was a little surprised to see Charlie, who was actually taller than Motgnir, walk over and nudge him in the chest. He seemed to already know him and when the Dwarf reached up and petted him, I knew that, once again, I didn’t have the complete picture. Hell, I'd gotten Charlie as a pup and he seemed to know more Fae than I did. Bernd must have noticed my confusion.
"Do not be surprised," he said. "You are not the only descendent of highborn. Artemis herself received her hunting dogs from Pan. This one is of a noble line.
Ok, so now he tells me that Charlie is descended from Fae breeders. Who knew?
"You are sure of this?" Motgnir asked Bernd.
"Indeed, Maria's spell hid him from us but he has acknowledged his lineage," Bernd answered.
"These are the witnesses?" he asked, pointing to Siegfried and Diantha.
Bernd nodded in agreement.
He turned to them. "You have heard his declaration?"
"Yes, Fader," Siegfried replied as he stood up. Diantha just bowed her head.
"Then we will begin." Motgnir said as he picked up his pack. Then he turned to me. "Your claim is recognized," he said as he motioned to Elithia who immediately walked into the bedroom.
"What's going on?" I asked.
"Elithia is a healer, she will see to your charge," he replied. He walked over to Bernd and then the two of them relocated to the living room, I assume, to talk.
I left Siegfried and Diantha still seated at the table and went into the bedroom to see what was going on. As I stepped into the doorway I saw the Faerie leaning over, her back toward me, her hands clasping Delia's face. She turned and looked up at me as I stepped into the room and removed them, stepping back. Seeing that she was still only wearing the towel I had given her I pulled open the closet and removed an old robe and handed it to her.
"Is it your blood she has been given?" she asked as she put it on and then sat back down.
"Yes," I replied, nodding my head. "How is she?"
"See for yourself"
I could now see that Delia's eyes were opening.
"What happened? Where am I?" she asked, groggily. She started to sit up but couldn't quite make it.
"Sorry, dizzy, what's wrong with me?"
Elithia placed her hand on Delia's arm. "You have received the blood of a Fae Lord. It has quickened your healing. No Lilin has received such a gift in millennia, it is very potent and its affect can be overwhelming. Care must be taken. Rest a while and the feeling will pass."
Delia pushed her head up. "A Fae Lord? What kind of a trick is this?"
"There is no trick," Elithia said, placing a pillow under her head. "Please rest now."
Delia threw her head back and laughed. "A Fae Lord's blood would be a death sentence, if any still lived. And you, are we not enemies? Why does a Fae healer tend to me, does not her oath forbid it?" she asked with a mocking tone.
Elithia looked up at me and then returned her gaze to Delia. "It is not my place to question the will of my Lord. Is it not enough to know that you were injured in battle with his enemies and have been healed at his direction?"
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br /> "I have never known the Fae to be so compassionate," she answered, curtly.
So I guess saving someone from Mages and Demons doesn't count much these days, I thought to myself. It was going to be tough to erase the sins of the past. I decided to go back into the kitchen and ask Siegfried about her clothes.
He stood up and headed out to his SUV to retrieve them as I sat down next to Diantha.
"Are you alright?" I asked. "You don't seem too thrilled with the company."
She stifled a grin. "I do not trust the dwarves," she said. "And you should be not either." She glanced over at the two and placed a finger to her lips.
I peered over at Bernd and Motgnir, now speaking in hushed voices in the other room.
"We can discuss it later," I said, "but for now I'm kinda committed."
"As you say, my Lord, but take care," she replied, a look of concern on her face.
I thought about saying more but Siegfried returned with the clothes he had secured for Delia. He held the bag out to me and I squeezed Diantha's hand before taking it and returning to the bedroom.
This time, Delia was sitting up and talking loudly. Elithia looked frustrated. "...I don't care! Do you realize the position I've been put in? ...and Fae blood? Just who is this Fae Lord?"
Elithia looked up as I entered the room. "Perhaps it would be better to hear it from him," she answered as she stepped away from the bed.
Delia turned to see who she was talking about. "You!" she cried out. "Bjartr was right. I would have healed fine on my own! What game are you playing?"
"I'll take it from here," I said to Elithia. "Oh, look upstairs in the middle bedroom, you should find some of my daughter's clothes there, they might be more comfortable than just a robe."
She bowed her head and left the room.
"Just a thought," I said as I walked up to Delia and placed the bag of clothes on the bed. "I figured you could use these. I didn't think anything here would fit so I had Siegfried bring some clothes from your place."
She looked even more shocked. "What have you dragged me into? I should have fled and left you to fend for yourself." Her head drooped and I saw tears well up in her eyes.
"But you didn't," I replied, "and that's got to count for something."
"At what cost, you fool. Do you not remember the words? I do and they burn in my mind.
"Lay down your arms, life I will grant you, but expect not kindness. Where Fae be you must flee and to taste of ichor is forbidden. Where three or more gather, except to hear my words, I will call down my wrath. One in ten may bear life. This I offer, but no more, and death to any that violate this decree. Bound by the blood of your tears it shall be.
"I know them, Fae, and by saving me you have sentenced me to death and place my kind in jeopardy."
Ouch, Bernd hadn't mentioned that part. Before I could say anything in response she grabbed the bag I had brought in and looked inside.
"I am well enough to get dressed," she said and I turned away to give her some privacy. A moment later I heard her behind me. "So, who's this supposed Fae Lord that you work for?"
"That would be me," I said, turning around to face her.
This time she was actually speechless for a moment. "You? What kind of Fae Lord are you?" she finally inquired.
I was just about to answer when I heard Bernd's voice instead.
"He would be the Fae Lord that saved your life," Bernd said as he entered the room.
Like the others had, she fell to her knees. "Father Swart Elf, I meant no disrespect. It was just that..."
He interrupted her. "It was just that you believed him to be as the other Fae you have met, or at least many of them. There is no shame in this," Bernd said, taking her hands and helping her up. "Particularly in light of past experience."
"Then why, father? I admit I thought he meant to trick me. But what has changed? Why does this Fae act as he does?" she asked, looking over at me, the confusion still evident on her face. "He violates his own God's words with such deeds. It would be better I die than the war begin again. Surely you know this."
Bernd walked back over to me. "That would be true," he replied, "if before you stood any other." He grabbed my arm. "Allow me to introduce you to Robert, High Fae and Demeter's heir." Then Bernd winked at me and left the room.
Oops, she was speechless again, but I knew that wouldn't last, just wonderful.
"It was said that the High Fae were no more. Why all the deception?" she asked, recovering. She stood there with her arms crossed, not in a defiant posture, more like a what the hell is going on?' kind. "Tell, me please, what is this about? Why does a High Fae go against his own kind's words? What do you want of the Lilin? I ask you again, what has changed?"
I walked over to the bed and sat down. How to answer? "Well, it's kind of complicated," I finally said, "and that's a lot of questions."
"Everything with the Fae is complicated," she stated in response.
Screw it, maybe I better keep it simple. "Look, it's like this. As far as I am concerned, the Lilin are free. I guess I've got to make it official, but your people are no longer bound by, what did you call them, Demeter's words?"
Well, at least I hope that's true, I thought.
"I'd hope we'd become allies rather than enemies, but there's no strings attached, ok?"
She just stared at me for a moment before responding. "Just like that?"
"Pretty much," I answered. "Yep."
"Then why the deception, and why me? Why didn't you just go to the Elder?"
"The Lilin have an Elder that's in charge?" I asked.
"Yes, why don't you know this? Just what kind of High Fae are you that you know so little about us yet say you will set us free?"
Damn, a "what are you" question again. I hate those.
This was getting too complicated, I shook my head. "Look, that's too much to get into right now, so here's the deal, I don't think you or your people, Lilin, or whatever you call yourselves, should be slaves or treated like that anymore. Hell, I think that's true for everyone if you must know. Why I feel that way doesn't really matter. Besides, you jumped in when the Mages attacked. I appreciate that, so I'm responding in kind. As to your Council, never heard of them and I'd prefer to deal with you. Fair?"
Once again she didn't answer right away. "You are the strangest Fae I have ever met," she finally said in an astonished voice.
"I get that a lot," I murmured. "So do we have a deal?"
"Were it not for the Swart Elf I would think this a Fae trick. But if you speak true then I do not know how to thank you. And yes, I will convey your words to the Council and my people."
"We must go," Bernd interrupted. He motioned to Delia. "You are well enough? It would be best if you came with us."
"As you wish, Father. This one's blood has healed my wounds. Where are we going?" she asked, bowing to the dwarf.
Bernd let out a laugh. "Why to witness the return of the High Fae, of course. Come, come, you are needed." With that said, he waved with his hands and Delia and I followed him into the kitchen where the others were waiting.
Chapter 26
"This is your wish then?" Motgnir asked me as Delia and I entered the room.
I assumed he meant my position on the Lilin.
"It is," I answered.
He turned to Delia. "And what say you, Lilin?"
She paused as she looked at the second Dwarf. "If this is true then I will gladly bring him to the Elder," she answered.
"You must speak for your kind. Do you accept this Fae's words?" Motgnir asked, his hands on his hips.
As he spoke, Bernd walked up to her and took her hand. "Fate has placed you here, Delia. Do not be afraid to seize an opportunity when it presents itself. Besides, were it not for you, none of this would have occurred," he said.
I could tell she was surprised at that and wanted to ask more, but Motgnir interrupted. "You must decide," he said.
I saw Bernd squeeze her hand.
Delia looked
over at the other Dwarf and shrugged. "Agreed, then," she replied.
The Dwarf then raised his hand. "Then we will begin," he declared and walked into the backyard.
"We must go with Motgnir," Bernd said as he motioned for us to follow the other Dwarf.
Siegfried, Diantha and Elithia headed for the doorway with Charlie and Lucy right behind them.
"What are we doing?" I asked Bernd as they headed for the backyard.
"To do what must be done," he answered.
That sounded ominous but then he laughed and I saw a twinkle in his eyes. What the hell, I thought to myself and then followed him into the yard, Delia at my side.
I caught up with Siegfried and gave him a nudge. "You ok?"
"It is much to take in. The Dwarves are sacred to my line, and to meet two..." he said, stumbling over his words.
Diantha just rolled her eyes.
"Don't worry about it. I kinda know how you feel," I said to him as we reached the oak tree in the yard.
Motgnir stood in front of it, watching me and waiting. Elithia, now in Faerie form, flitted around the tree. The rest of us stopped in front of him. He took a moment and looked at us, then he raised his arm and touched the tree, and then we were somewhere else.
This was nothing like my first trip with Meredith. Bolts of electricity were shooting through my body. I felt weak at the knees and had to bend over. It passed quickly but if I ever had any doubt as to what, or who, I had become, I certainly didn't anymore. Every fiber in my body sang. What a rush that had been!
I looked down and saw that I was once again in my Fae persona. Relieved, I also saw that I was still wearing clothes. What was different about this trip? Still bent over I looked around the room we had appeared in.
I'm not sure what I expected but it wasn't this. Maybe it was the dust, or the gloom, but wherever we were it was old and smelled like it, too. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust. We were in some kind of amphitheater, no, that's not quite right, maybe a temple then.