by Jana LaPelle
“All of that can wait till the morrow, now eat young lady. You have a binding ceremony to attend. Visit me tomorrow in the kitchen.” Maith calls back over her shoulder as she and her companion make for the door.
“Jasmine I wish I could hug you right now for being Johnny on the spot. I had no idea you could fly that fast.”
“You and Lex have only just begun to bear witness to the magnificence that is moí.” Jasmine boasts as she lands on the table to strut over to a piece of fruit, and then rethinks her next action. She turns back to me she says, “Ash, I will always have your back. Just thought you should know that. You too, Lex, now I didn’t fly at super speed to the kitchens risking almost certain death to have food brought up here for you to sit around talking. Feed that beast of yours before she decides to come out and have me for a snack.” She says with a cocky grin.
I look over to see Danu and Airmed working with Claire to take in and alter my dress. They are working furiously to complete it in time. I smile at Lexie and Jasmine as I grab a bite to eat. "Well, my super sensational sprite friend, do you have any suggestions on who can help Lex with her hair for tonight?"
“Give me just a few minutes.” She says with a determined look on her face.
"Lex, you really do look amazing. I'm so happy for you, and I know that no matter what, you're going to have an amazing life." I say as my earlier foreboding kicks in, and I push my plate aside.
"What's bothering you, Ash? Other than the obvious, you're not acting like yourself. This should be a very happy occasion, but you've been melancholy since this afternoon." Lexie asks.
"What's not bothering me is more like it, but for tonight? I just have a really bad feeling. I can't put my finger on it. It's just there, and it's gnawing at me. For Alaric and me this is just a formality but for you? I want this night to be perfect. I'll do whatever I can for that to happen. Lex, the spiritual binding is unlike anything you will ever experience. It is so intensely intimate. In a way, I'm glad we experienced that behind closed doors. I just want you to be prepared for the depth of the connection. Once that binding is complete, you will not only feel your own emotions you will feel Declan's as well. It's breathtaking and amazing and overwhelming. Once it's all said and done, you'll never look back because you'll never want to be without your kindred, in mind, body, and soul." I finish, pushing my love for my mate through our connection. I feel him begin to worry at my unease.
“Wow. That seems pretty intense. Do you think I’m ready? That we’re ready? Lexie asks seriously.
"Yes. Yes, I do. Lexie, you're an old soul. Just like me. If you look deep within yourself, you will know that you are ready." I say with a smile as Jasmine flies through the window with help for our hair. "My amazing little friend, look at you," I say as a team of sprites follows behind her to help in our time of need. Before I know it, the team of six sprites have taken Lexie's fiery red unruly hair and intricately braided and pulled it over one shoulder. In the midst of all that hair, they placed a tiara made of interwoven vines and flowers. She looks like a nature princess with wisps of hair falling around her face. Her dress is an off the shoulder number that has a tight fitting bodice that is creped and the skirt flairs just below her hips accentuating her curves to brush just above her toes. She is so beautiful. I wish Mom and her parents could be here to see her.
"Daughter, come, I think we're ready. Unabashedly, I shed my robe and step into the shimmering bronze gown that I have been dying to wear. It's strapless, and the bodice is snug fitting and has a dusting of what looks like gemstones across the top of the bodice to fade away as they travel down to the skirt that begins just below mid hip. The skirt has a look of being bunched and tacked up to create a beautiful creped appearance. As all the buttons up the back are secured, I turn to look at myself. That's more like it. I no longer look like I'm wearing a potato sack.
As the sprites go to work on my hair, I hear my mother say, "Wait! Daughter, you are a princess. I had a circlet made for you. I hope you don't mind, but I would like for you to wear it tonight." She pulls the circlet from thin air. Yes, I forget that she's a goddess. The circlet is beautifully crafted of white gold with a large round amber stone in a setting of Celtic trinity knots in an intricate pattern. She places it on my forehead, and it fits securely as if made for me. The stone rests in the middle of my forehead, and Danu smiles as she says, "It’s perfect. Just like I knew it would be. Ladies if you would?”
I have an abundance of hair but the sprites manage to work their majic, and before long they have woven my hair away from my face into an intricate design leaving the majority of my hair flowing down my back. I turn to look in the mirror, and I'm astonished at the image that greets me. I'm looking at myself but not. I look regal and very much like a princess. I have never been so thin, but my curves have definitely not suffered from it. My breasts are pushed high in the gown that I wear, and my waist is accentuated in the bodice of my dress. Tears shimmer in my eyes as I take in my image.
“Wow, I think you all have just transformed me from a simple girl from the Mortal Realm to …” I hesitate to continue.
“High Princess, Ashlinn Ryllae Elan, demigoddess, daughter of the High Queen and goddess Danu and Alpha to the Panther shifter clans of all the Realm, Rhespen Eroan Pan-tarr,” Jasmine says reverently, as she and all six sprites curtsy low on the table before me showing me respect that I’m not sure that I deserve. I look over to see that Claire has dropped into a curtsey as my mother’s smile beams with pride and Airmed inclines her head to me in recognition of my title.
“Jaz. Please, not you too." I say as I fidget with my necklace and then remember that I'm missing my earrings and can't remember where I last saw them. I can't have lost them, and I wish with all my might that I could have them here with me. It takes me a moment to realize that something is in my hand that was not there before, and I open my hand to find my earrings, and my jaw drops open. Danu sees the earrings, and she rushes over to inspect them.
“My, these are beautiful, where did you get these? They’re an almost a perfect match for your talisman.” She says not noticing that I can’t seem to form words. I stare at my hand trying to understand what has just happened. I hear Jasmine and Lexie asking if I’m okay, before I can snap out of it. I look up to my mother with wide eyes as I say almost robotically, “They were a gift from my Mom. How did I do that?”
"Do what, dear?" Danu asks.
“One minute my hand was empty, and the next moment, after wishing that they were here, they appear in my hand,” I say in astonishment.
Danu claps her hands together, and with a huge grin she pulls me into a hug as she says, "You were able to summon. Maybe your majic isn't as tightly bound as we thought. Later I will explain the concept of summoning, but right now we need to get you girls down to the courtyard, or we'll be late. I am so happy for you, really I am." She says, as the women sweep us out into the hallway, down the stairs to the main foyer, and out into the twilight lit sky. I had no idea that it had gotten so late. I reach out to Alaric through our bond, but he feels a million miles away, and I panic just a bit before Airmed says, "We're meeting everyone else in attendance in the sacred meadow. Come, daughter to be, let's make this official. You too, Alexia. Ladies gather around Danu and me.”
“Don’t we need horses to get to the meadow?” I ask.
"Not when you have two goddesses that can trace there in a matter of seconds," Airmed says as she and Danu smile back at us. Alexia, Jasmine, and I gather close. Jasmine once again settles onto my shoulder with her tiny hands in my hair, as Danu reaches out for my hand and Airmed reaches out for Lexie's hand. One moment we're standing in the courtyard and the next we're in the meadow. Lexie and I both spin around in awe that we have just been transported from the Keep to the meadow in mere seconds. Then I hear Lexie gasp as she says, "This place is so beautiful. No wonder you wanted to have the ceremony here, I have never felt such a sense of ser
enity."
The sun is now a giant fiery ball sitting on the western horizon, the eastern sky begins to darken to a shade of brilliant violet. There are glow balls that start to light, hovering in the air around the meadow. The wood sprites and water sprites have all gathered around fluttering about. The dryads shyly begin to make their presence known as they separate from their trees. They have an unnatural beauty with hair that is more twig-like than hair. Their ears are elongated to a point, and they are varying shades of browns and greens. There are many different types of animals around the meadow from bunnies to wombats, what looks like a tiny little white fox with huge ears, and I even see a large tortoise. Then out from the cover of trees I see a white doe step forward toward the pond followed by her white fawn and once again I'm totally entranced by this place. There is a multitude of fireflies in the air as we make our way to the water's edge. The stepping stones from last time are there leading our way out to the Tree where our kindred are waiting for us. In the distance, I see a shape appear out of the water and as I look more closely I realize that I must be seeing a naiad, her form is made of clear water, and her hair swirls around her like tentacles, and she waves to our entourage as we quietly make our way across the water.
I look back to see that Lexie is following me quietly. I can see that she is in total awe of this place. However, Airmed and Danu are nowhere to be seen. Turning back to traverse the rest of the way to the Tree I see that the two have appeared under the canopy to stand with Clíodhna and The Dagda. Alaric stands to the left with Āemarick and Rhespen along with Tolin, Lorcan, and Ēolieus. Declan stands to the right with Torin, Nemus, and Fergus. As we get closer to the small island, I quickly make a decision and communicate with Alaric through our bond and see him nod his head as he talks quietly with both my father and his. The sun has lowered to more than half way set, as Lexie and I reach our kindred. Alaric clears his throat to get Clíodhna's attention and says, "Ashlinn and I are here to publicly acknowledge our binding, so if you don't mind we would like to go first so that we may stand in support of Declan and Alexia's binding this evening."
"Then it shall be so, Prince Alaric." She says with a smile to both couples then turning her attention to us. "For those in attendance this evening to witness the public acknowledgment of the kindred binding between Prince Alaric Rhys Faerondarl and High Princess Ashlinn Ryllae Elan, who gives their blessing?" Both my parents and Alaric's parents say in unison, "We do." Clíodhna continues looking directly at the both of us, "It's really very simple. Do you both promise to accept each other as the other half to your soul? Do you accept that you are not complete without the other? Do you promise to always love one another, through good times and bad? Do you promise to honor, cherish, and protect one another always?" She asks.
At some point, Alaric and I had turned to one another, our hands raise as they did during our spiritual binding. My left to his right and we entwined our fingers, looking into one another's eyes we both say, "I do, we do."
Clíodhna continues, "Then by the power vested in me by my Creator, I bless this kindred binding, spiritual and of the body. I bless this shifter mate bond. May your bond be your strength, may it bring you comfort in times of need, may it help you through the dark times ahead and may it never be broken!" With those words, the binding marks flare to life, the tingling in my hand and wrist radiates down my arm straight to my heart. Alaric and I both gasp as we feel the intensity of the blessing that we have just been given flare to life. Through the bond, I can feel the surprise and satisfaction that the ceremony has finally been complete from my mate, but most importantly I can feel an interlocking of strength being added to the binding bond that had not been there before. The Dagda, Danu, and Airmed all three step forward to offer their blessings. Then Alaric and I walk hand in hand to the Tree of Life. We kneel before her, still holding hands we place our other hands on the Tree forming a circle. As a couple, we offer our thanks and gratitude for what she has granted us, and we promise to make things right. In one blinding moment, we receive an image of her pain, and what is to come if we cannot right this wrong and restore balance. It terrifies me, but before I can pull back the image switches to what will come if the balance is restored and the blessings that we can look forward to as well as the rest of the Realms. I pray that between our binding and Declan and Lexie's that we can buy her more time. We stand and make our way back to the rest of our family. Danu gives me a questioning look, but I shake my head and indicate for Clíodhna to continue. There are only a few moments of daylight left before the sun sinks below the horizon.
Declan and Lexie are smiling at one another, and my heart swells as I realize that Lexie who has lost so much has also gained a kindred mating bond, and for the time being I am happy for us both. Clíodhna begins, "Who in attendance will give their blessing of the union between Sir Declan Eldar Revven and Lady Alexia Lilith Rhyder?"
Alaric and I say in unison, "We do."
Clíodhna continues, "Declan and Alexia, please face each other. Alexia, raise your left hand to Declan’s right hand. Do you both promise to accept each other as the other half to your soul? Do you accept that you are not complete without the other? Do you promise to always love one another, through good times and bad? Do you promise to honor, cherish, and protect one another always?"
Alexia and Declan reply, "I do, we do."
Clíodhna continues, "Then by the power vested in me by my Creator, I bless this kindred binding, spiritual and of the body. May your bond be your strength, may it bring you comfort in times of need, may it help you through the dark times ahead and may it never be broken!" We hear Alexia gasp as the bond begins to click into place. Her knees start to buckle, and Declan wraps his arm around Lexie holding her petite frame upright. Once again The Dagda, Danu, and Airmed step forward to offer their blessing. Lexie has recovered her legs, and she and Declan move forward to the Tree, it is an intimate moment that no one wants to intrude upon.
As deep purple morphs to midnight blue skies, the stars begin to pop out to be seen, and they are amazing. I have to admit that I've never seen anything like the stars in the skies of Faerie. The moon is enormous, half again as big as the moon of the Mortal Realm. It's a full moon and the night sky is lit by its silvery rays, lending us the light we need to make our way back to the shore, but we're taking a different route than before leading us to the waterfalls that feed the lake. Nemus is leading the way, so I figure that he has a plan for the incantation for Lexie. As we approach, I see that there is a moonbow. Back home, I saw this phenomenon but never to the brilliance that I'm witnessing at this moment. I look over to my mate and smile, "Have I told you how beautiful your home is?"
He replies, “It’s your home too, Άlainn. You’re just discovering its beauty for the first time.”
Nemus clears his throat and focuses his gaze on Alexia as several other robe-clad figures emerge from the shadows, hoods drawn up over their heads hiding their features in shadows. "Alexia Lilith Revven, are you ready?" Nemus asks.
Lexie replies, “I am.”
“Please step forward into the circle,” Nemus instructs.
Lexie looks nervously toward Declan, and he nods his ascent. She steps forward as the moon has risen to its apex and it shines down on Lexie. The Druids begin to chant. Lexie begins to shake, and Alaric and the guys move to restrain Declan as Lexie drops to her knees in obvious pain clutching her head. Then suddenly she throws her head, and arms back, head lifted towards the heavens and joins the chant of the Druids before us. Her eyes are a solid opaque white, and I panic for a moment. I'm so scared that something has gone horribly wrong when Danu steps forward and whispers, "She is Druid. Mother to all Druids incarnate." I swing my head around to see all the Druids here kneel down to her as she continues to chant in a language not known to me. She stands and begins to spin within the circle as her chanting begins to crescendo before collapsing seeming to be spent. I rush to her only to be beaten out by Declan who g
ently picks her up and pulls her close.
I step back to find Alaric there. “She’s good mo grá. Declan will take care of her.”
I reply, “I know, it’s just hard to let someone else take over the job that has been mine for my entire life.” Before I have time to think I hear Nemus call out to me directing me to stand within the center of the circle. I look up to Alaric, and he nods. I know that this must be done. I move forward as does Danu and Alaric. Inside the ring, I look up to see the full moon shining down on me, and for a moment it is just me and the moon, and then I hear the Druids begin to chant, and my mother joins in. I feel a tightening in my chest, and my legs feel weak and wobbly. The pressure in my chest is overwhelming as I bend to its will. Suddenly there is a pop, and I feel as if the top has been popped off of the center of my being. I feel a flood of energy that is overwhelming, and I feel close to collapse as Alaric gathers me up in his arms. I would spend an eternity in his arms if only I could. As beautiful as the evening has been, my dread is back, and it has multiplied to the point that I can barely breathe.
Chapter 30
(Ashlinn)
As we all trace back to the Keep with the assistance of Dagda, Danu, Airmed, and Clíodhna, we arrive in the courtyard which has been transformed into a beautifully lit outdoor reception area under the amazing moon lite sky. There's music playing, and the atmosphere is festive. It looks as if the celebration has already gotten underway. The tables have all been set as kitchen staff bustles about at Maith's direction. When she sees us, she waves us over to let us know that dinner will be served in the next few minutes. For once I have no appetite, and I feel like the other shoe is about to drop. Alaric pulls me into his arms and whispers, "What is it, Ash? What has you on edge? I felt the change in you as soon as the druids completed their rite. This should be a happy occasion, mo grá." He says as he gently kisses my forehead. I lean into him and take comfort in him.