Lucian braced her arms with his. He watched in horror as his father sliced through her belly. When he was through, Tiberius reached his hands in and felt for the baby. He removed one and wrapped it in a blanket.
“Lucian, take the baby and clean out its mouth,” said Tiberius. His father moved quick to tie off the cord and cut it.
Lucian grabbed the baby boy from his father and cleaned off his face and mouth. The baby started to cry, and so did Lucian. He looked up at his father, who was removing a second baby, to Lucian’s amazement. Tiberius bundled her up the same way he had done before and began to clean her face and mouth. The baby let out its first cry, and Lucian laughed. Tiberius tied and cut the cord of the baby as well. Lucian’s joy was put on hold as saw Skye lying there bleeding to death.
“Do we not have anything to sew her up with?” Tiberius asked, panicked.
“Look in the sacks,” suggested Lucian as he took the baby girl from his father. Tiberius tossed things out of the sacks with his bloody hands. Lucian felt like someone was watching them and looked around. Then he saw her standing with her companions surrounded by a glowing light. “Father…” he said.
“What?” asked Tiberius, not even pausing to look up.
“Look,” he said, pointing to the trees.
Tiberius turned and looked. Standing in the trees was the queen of the fae and a few other fairies.
“Tiberius,” she said. Her lips curved up in a smile. She had long, flowing blonde hair and bright green eyes like jewels. The tips of her ears were slightly pointed.
“Queen Oona,” he said reverently and bowed his head.
“The forest is alive this evening!” she said with a childlike excitement. “What goes on here?”
“Our friend is dying. We would ask your help, my lady,” Tiberius said as he pointed to Skye.
“I know. We could hear her agony for miles,” said the queen calmly.
“So you will help her,” said Lucian.
The queen turned sharply to look at him. “Why should I?” she asked, uncaring.
“Because she has been cursed by Amara,” said Tiberius.
The queen’s eyes grew wide with anger when she heard Amara’s name. “How so?”
“She has been cursed to lose her memory,” explained Tiberius.
“And why would Amara care about this insignificant girl?” said the queen.
“Watch it,” warned Lucian. He didn’t fear the queen as his father did.
The queen ignored Lucian and waited for Tiberius’s explanation.
“This girl had a lover before. These are his babies. He was sold as a slave when her father found them out. Amara and I purchased him to fight as a gladiator. Amara somehow knew him from before. She desired him and turned him into a vampire when he was mortally wounded. But he loves this girl and would not have Amara. She went mad with jealousy and rage. She placed the curse to steal the girl’s memory and left her to die in Herculaneum along with me. She locked us up in a silver cell. Lucian found us, and we escaped.”
The queen was listening intently. Lucian stared angrily at his father. He knew Araceli’s name and that she had been the wife of the Legatus Antonius. He thought the babies belonged to the legatus. Lucian did not know she knew Androcles and they had been in love. He was furious that his father had kept this knowledge from him.
“If you help her, we will destroy Amara. We will avenge you, your kin, my wife, and ourselves.”
“I cannot unlock her memory. That will only return when she destroys Amara. I know this curse. It is old fae dark magic. Amara must have taken an object sacred to her. She must regain possession of this object and destroy Amara. Only then will the curse be dissolved and her memory restored,” said the queen. She started to move toward the camp as if she were floating across the ground. She crossed through the flames unharmed. Her companions followed behind. “But I can heal her,” she said.
She nodded to a male fairy on her left. Lucian watched as he handed her a flask. The queen moved slowly as she crouched down beside Skye. She opened the flask and poured a glowing blue liquid into her mouth. She massaged Skye’s throat to get her to swallow. Suddenly Skye’s body lit up and glowed blue as the liquid traveled through her. Her body jerked. Lucian and Tiberius both watched in amazement as her open belly began to heal. In a few seconds, the wound was sealed without a hint of a scar. Her stomach looked as though she had never been pregnant. Skye took a deep, gasping breath and opened her eyes. She looked up into Lucian’s eyes, and he smiled with relief. He leaned over and showered her with kisses. He kept saying thank you over and over again.
“Interesting,” said the queen. She nodded to her companions, who took the babies in their arms.
“What are you doing?” asked Lucian, concerned.
“Watch,” said the queen. She poured droplets of the liquid into each of the babies’ mouths. The same blue light glowed throughout their bodies for a few seconds. They did not cry or even seem to notice. “Eternal life,” she said with a wild smile.
The fairies placed the babies in Skye’s arms. Skye looked at them admiringly. She touched their hands and feet and counted their toes and fingers. She kissed their foreheads and inhaled their scent. “What happened?” she asked.
“What is your name, child?” asked the queen.
“Skye,” she answered.
“Skye, I am Oona, queen of the fairy kingdom.
“Fairies?” Skye asked, perplexed. She had no idea what they were.
“Immortal spirits, my child,” she said, smiling gently. “I have given you our essence.”
“Am I a fairy?” she asked, still confused. The other fairies giggled and smirked.
“No, not entirely. But I have gifted you,” said Oona mysteriously. She turned to Tiberius. “Do not forget your promise, old friend.” Then she knelt down and leaned over Skye. Skye watched, half amazed, half terrified as Oona kissed her forehead. “Come and see me sometime, Skye.”
“But—” Skye started to say.
“You will know how to find me,” said Oona, and she stood up. She glided away slowly with the others.
Skye saw that they had small sets of wings fluttering on their backs. They disappeared into the dark woods. Skye could no longer see them or the beautiful light that surrounded them.
“How do you feel?” asked Tiberius.
“Perfect,” Skye replied. She was looking at her babies lovingly.
“What are you going to name them?” asked Lucian.
Skye thought quietly for a moment. “What was your mother’s name, Lucian?” she asked.
“Willow,” he replied.
“That’s pretty,” she said. “I will name her Willow Oona after your mother and the queen, for I owe her my life.” She looked over at her son. “And I will name him Tiberius Lucian after the only father I know,” she said, pausing to look at Tiberius. “And after the father I hope them to know,” she said, looking at Lucian. Lucian was smiling with approval. “But I will call him Wolf for short.”
“Willow and Wolf,” repeated Lucian.
“We need to talk,” Tiberius said to Skye.
“There will be plenty of time for talking,” she said softly, not even looking up from her babies.
“You should rest,” Lucian insisted.
“I feel fine. Really,” Skye said, reassuring him.
“May I?” he said, gesturing to the babies.
“Of course,” she replied and handed him the babies one by one.
“You should at least get cleaned up,” said Tiberius, nodding his head to the bloody mess they’d made.
Skye looked at all the blood with a look of horror on her face. “Is that…all mine?” she asked as a shiver ran through her body. The reality of her near death finally hit her. Tiberius nodded solemnly.
“I had to cut the babies out of you. They could not have been born without help. Forgive me,” said Tiberius.
“There is nothing to forgive. It’s what I would have wanted,” she said and k
issed him on his forehead. Then she walked over to her bag to get out a clean garment.
“There is a stream nearby over there,” Tiberius said pointing to the woods.
Skye looked hesitantly at the woods. This particular stretch of woods felt strange to her.
“Go on. You will be safe,” said Tiberius.
Skye nodded and walked off with her bag in hand. When she reached the stream she stripped from her bloody dress. Skye placed it in the stream with a rock to hold it in place until she could wash it. Then she quickly grabbed a rag and wiped her body down with the cold water from the stream. She dressed quickly, saving the scented oils for another time. Skye heard the breaking of sticks close by and turned around, startled, only to find Lucian walking toward her.
“You are glowing again,” he said.
“What?” she asked and looked down at herself. Her body was giving off a faint light. She touched her hands and arms in awe. Lucian reached out to touch her as well. She glowed brighter for a second, and then it went away. Lucian embraced her.
“By the gods, I don’t know what I would have done if I had lost you tonight,” he said and kissed the side of her head. He pulled his head away enough to look at her face for a moment before kissing her. Their kisses grew more intense, and then he broke away when he heard crying.
“Lucian—” Skye started to say.
“Go. We can talk later,” he said. “I will clean your dress.”
“Thank you,” she said, squeezing his hand. She walked back to Tiberius, who was waiting with the babies.
Chapter Thirteen
BRITANNIA, 79 AD
They slept for a while, and sometime before midday they left for Lucian’s mother’s village. Tiberius led the way as usual. Skye rode with Willow strapped to her chest in a makeshift sling, and Lucian rode with Wolf. They reached the village before nightfall. There were many fires already burning and a mix of tents with wooden structures. Skye saw children running around and women cooking and completing other tasks. Tiberius led the way to a group of men standing by a large fire. They turned to look.
“Tiberius,” said one man as he stretched out his arm. Tiberius dismounted his horse and walked to the man. He embraced the man.
“Cale,” said Tiberius. “It’s been a while.”
“Too long, brother,” said Cale.
Lucian dismounted his horse and then helped Skye down. He handed her Wolf and walked over to his mother’s brother. “Uncle,” he said, reaching to embrace the man.
“Lucian, my dear boy,” said Cale. Cale glanced at Skye over Lucian’s shoulder. “Who is that?” he asked cautiously.
Lucian turned his head back to look at Skye. “It’s a long story,” he whispered. “This is Skye,” he said, holding his hand out in a beckoning way. She moved forward shyly.
“Welcome, Skye,” he said. Cale seemed to sniff the air a little. “You are not one of our own, but I definitely smell fae.”
Lucian looked at him sharply. “Uncle, we will talk later. We have come to stay.”
“Outsiders are not permitted after…” Cale said, his voice trailing off. Tiberius’ jaw tightened.
“You must speak with the elders. This is a very different case, I assure you,” said Tiberius.
Lucian moved by Skye’s side and put his arm around her protectively. “Uncle, I would like you to meet my children just born this day. This is Wolf, and this is Willow.” A pained but happy look passed on Cale’s face. Then he smiled and walked toward the babies to have a look.
“They are beautiful, nephew,” said Cale as he looked upon the tiny babies. He looked up at Skye and noticed the familiar pendant hanging around her neck. Cale reached his hand out and touched it with his finger. His eyes closed for a moment, and he had that sad look again. When he opened his eyes, he smiled at Skye. “Come, Skye, and I will find you a tent.”
“You speak Latin,” she commented.
“Yes. I learned from a Roman when he joined our village,” said Cale.
“Willow was your sister?” she asked him.
“My twin sister,” said Cale.
Lucian followed close behind Skye and the babies. Tiberius stayed behind to speak with the elders of the village. They stopped in front of a large tent. Cale opened a flap, and they stepped inside. Skye looked around. There was a large straw bed covered with fur blankets, a small wooden table and chairs, and an area for washing.
“I hope you will be comfortable here for a while. Then we will find you something more suitable,” said Cale. “I will have the women fix you a cradle for the babies.”
“Thank you,” she said. She was suddenly very tired and wanted to crawl into the bed with the babies.
“Go and rest. I will return,” said Lucian.
Skye nodded and walked over to the bed. Lucian and Cale left the tent. Skye set the babies in the bed gently as to not wake them. She hoped she would get to sleep before they woke for their next feeding. She dozed off as soon as her head hit the soft pillow.
The elders were gathered in one of the wooden structures. Tiberius and Lucian were explaining what happened in Herculaneum and about Skye. When they were done the elders talked amongst themselves.
“You say she already knows about us,” said one of the elders.
“Yes,” said Tiberius.
“Tiberius, we understand the situation. But understand we do not want any more trouble with Amara. Are you certain she will not search for you here?” the elder asked.
“She believes me to have perished in Herculaneum,” said Tiberius. “Skye has lost her memory. She does not know her true name and we have only given her pieces of information about her past. We are keeping the truth from her for her safety. There is no danger of Amara or Roman soldiers searching for her here. The pack is safe.
“Very well. You may rejoin the pack, and Lucian as well. Skye and her children are welcome to stay so long as they please and will be considered members of the pack.”
“My children,” said Lucian firmly.
The elders looked back and forth between themselves and finally nodded. “You must make her your wife,” said an elder.
Lucian nodded. Tiberius stood silent next to his son with a concerned look on his face.
“You are dismissed,” said the elders.
Lucian left quickly to find Skye. Tiberius stayed behind. Lucian walked quickly to their tent. Suddenly he heard a woman’s voice.
“Lucian,” she said.
Lucian turned to look and saw her. “Kara,” he said, surprised. He did not care to speak with his former betrothed at the moment. All he wanted to do was be with Skye. “How are you?”
“I am well,” she said smiling. She was no longer an immature adolescent. She was a woman. He looked at her long, dark, flowing locks, dark eyes, and pretty face. “You have returned for good?” she asked hopefully.
“Yes, with my family,” he said.
“Oh,” she replied, slightly taken aback. “I see.”
“We will see you later tonight at the festivities,” he said cheerily. Lucian felt bad for the girl. She had always wanted him, but he had never wanted to be with her, let alone marry her. It was a match set up by the elders.
Kara smiled and nodded and then walked away. Lucian jogged the last bit to their tent. He walked in quietly and found Skye asleep with the babies. A cradle had already been placed in the tent by the bed, but Skye had the babies with her. Lucian smiled, crawled into the bed, and cuddled up next to her. He knew he needed to talk to Skye about what he was and about the village. He also wanted to discuss marriage with her. Skye woke up. She turned her head back and kissed him. Lucian kissed her back gently as he stroked her arm.
“Skye, I need to talk to you,” he said.
“What is it?” she asked.
“What you saw in the woods…my people…we are werewolves. Do you know anything about werewolves?” he asked her. Skye shook her head no. “Our origins are foggy. Some of us think it a gift and others a curse. On the full moon we
change form from human to wolf. We can change voluntarily at other times, but during the full moon we cannot choose.”
“But—” Skye started to say.
“What you saw—me changing—it takes a lot of strength, and there are consequences,” said Lucian. “I saw how terrified you were of me. I would never hurt you. We are not monsters.”
“I have seen a lot of strange things lately,” she said. Skye laced her fingers through his. “How could I ever have been afraid of you? I know you, Lucian. I know you would never hurt me, my love.”
Lucian tilted her face to his and kissed her gently. Willow was awake and cooing. Lucian laughed at her sweet sounds. “You should feed them. We are leaving them with the elder village women tonight. All the children and the elders do not participate.”
“Participate in what?” she asked with a look of concern.
“The rituals,” Lucian said mysteriously. “We have three days of rituals, the night before, the night of, and the night after the full moon every month.”
“Oh,” she said, not sure what to say.
“I told you before there were consequences if we do not phase. Every time we fight the phase we age. Otherwise we are immortal. There are some of us, those who have lived very long lives, who decide to start resisting the change so they may age and die like a human. Forever is too long for some. The elders are choosing their path. Neve is my great-grandmother. She will be watching Wolf and Willow. They will be perfectly safe with her.”
“All right,” Skye said reluctantly. She cradled Willow to her bosom and fed her. Wolf was still asleep. Lucian sat next to her and watched lovingly. He stroked Willow’s forehead. Her blue eyes were wide open and alert as she nursed. A few minutes passed, and Willow fell asleep again. Lucian took her and held her.
“Come here, sleepy head,” Skye said to Wolf as she picked him up. She gently tickled his feet with her finger until he opened his green eyes. When he did, it was as if Skye had a vision. She saw a pair of bright green eyes, a man’s eyes, though she could not see his face.
Lucian saw Skye staring off into space. “Skye, what’s wrong?”
“Did you say something?” Skye asked as she snapped back to the present. She looked around, confused.
The Immortal Scrolls Page 14