Kallen and I split off from the group in the foyer, going through the large living room and out onto the first floor terrace. From what I can see, it looks like the web is holding. But, through the opaque wall of silk, it looks like a fourth of July fireworks display. One after another, colorful streaks can be seen shooting off in all directions as bomb after bomb hits the external wall of the web. It would be beautiful if its sole purpose wasn’t to kill us.
For several long hours, we watch and listen as the torrent continues. I don’t know what they are making these bombs from, but they seem to have an endless supply. I keep expecting the webbing to burst open and start letting them in, but it doesn’t. It holds hour after hour. Kallen has created a lounge chair and we’re snuggling together on it now that we have more confidence in the web. His arm is around my shoulders and I’m laying my head on his chest.
It’s close to midnight when the bombs begin to let up. Xeniaa and her followers must finally be figuring out that they aren’t going to get through. A few minutes later, they stop altogether.
Relieved, Kallen and I stand up to go in the house and find the others. A loud, sultry voice stops us in our tracks. “Kallen, you will not be able to stay in there forever. You will have to come out sometime. You could end all of this right now by abiding by the hand-fasting that occurred in our infancy. Once Dagda is out of the way, you and I can rule this kingdom together. I will even forgive you for breaking the vows of our hand-fasting with the Witch Fairy that somehow managed to catch your eye. Her magic may be strong, but she has only fought against Cowan Fairies. She will not be able to stand against the army of full-blooded Fairies I have assembled. End this before innocent lives are taken. You and I together will be the strongest rulers this realm has ever seen.”
I look up at Kallen’s angry face. “What did she mean by innocent lives?” I ask.
Through a clenched jaw, he says, “I do not know.”
Well, at least he hasn’t kept anything more from me. “Maybe you should respond to her.”
“I agree,” Isla says from behind me. She scared me to death. She’s way too quiet.
“Grandmother, I do not believe she is willing to hear what I have to say. Nor how I want to say it to her.”
Isla purses her lips, trying to discern how serious he is. “Very well, I will respond. You two may want to cover your ears, this will be quite loud.” As if she’s using a megaphone, Isla’s voice rings out loud and clear. “Xeniaa, this is foolishness. There was not a hand-fasting, and there never will be one, between you and Kallen. End this madness.”
“Dear Isla,” Xeniaa says, the name slipping out of her mouth as if she had just coughed up some bile. “You will be the first to go in my new regime. I know that Kallen cares for you, but he will soon see that this is all for the best. Oh, and Isla, all those precious Cowan Fairies you are always standing up for? I am going to rid this realm of them one at a time. Though, I may be willing to simply let them free when the gateways are reopened if you and Kallen learn to cooperate. If not, I will have to start killing them as soon as tomorrow morning. All Kallen has to do to stop me, is walk out of that atrocity by 9:00am and be ready to repeat our vows of hand-fasting. Otherwise, I believe I will begin cleansing the realm with Alita’s mother.”
Now, I’m really mad. I was pissed just to hear her voice, but now she’s gone too far. She’s not going to threaten to kill Alita’s parents and get away with it. A sob from behind me makes me turn around and gather her in a hug. “It’s going to be okay. I won’t let her hurt them.”
Magic is flowing into me at an alarming rate. I’m going to lose control any second now. Dagda’s smooth voice cuts through Alita’s sobs. “Xandra, we need to be smart about this. You cannot let your magic cloud your judgment. Who knows how many lives it will cost if you go barreling out of here with unchecked magic.”
Wow, who would have thought that Dagda would end up being the voice of reason here? “What do you want me to do then? I know you don’t value human lives, but I do. I will not let her kill Alita’s mother.”
“Nor will I let her take my Kingdom. We have nine hours to figure out how to accomplish both things.”
I want to growl and stomp my foot, I’m so frustrated. Instead, I focus on letting my magic go. It’s so hard. I’m just so mad. I do manage to force it back down eventually.
“Now,” Dagda says as he sweeps his hand towards the doorway, “shall we retreat to the kitchen for sustenance as we plan Xeniaa’s defeat?”
I don’t like him like this. My feelings were much clearer regarding him when I first got here. Now, there’s a teeny, tiny part of me that wants to like him. I’m going to suffocate that part of me and then squash it for good measure. I cannot let my guard down around him. “Fine.” I walk past him towards the kitchen. I’m definitely hungry now that I’m not afraid of further attack right now.
It takes several hours for us all to agree on a strategy. Rhiannon has stayed in her room all day, but I lock her door anyway to keep her from coming out and hearing our plan. When the last detail is ironed out, and each of us has lost our pound of flesh, we retire for the evening. I should say, for the early morning. Either way, I don’t think any of us are going to get much sleep. This is not a situation where we all walked away from the table happy with the plan, even if it is the best plan possible for everyone involved.
When Kallen and I reach the top of the stairs, no one says anything about him following me to my room. Good thing, because I’m not in the mood to argue about it right now. Closing the door after him, Kallen gathers me in his arms and holds me tight. “I am sorry you have been put in the middle of this.”
I can’t help a short laugh. “I believe I’ve put you in the middle of several dangerous things.”
He chuckles softly. “Are you saying we are even?”
I nod my head against his chest. “Yes. Would you mind terribly if I take a hot bath?”
Stepping back, he says, “Of course not. That will do wonders for your current anxiety.”
Me? Anxious? Nah, this is becoming my normal state of being. I give him a smile that I hope isn’t sad and I retreat to my bathing room. Taking off the clothes Tabitha had made for me, I slip into the water and lay my head back against the tub.
About five minutes later, I’m surprised when the tub fills with perfumed bubbles. I smile. These must be Kallen’s doing. I lean my head back again and close my eyes, enjoying the relaxing scent of lilacs.
That’s why I’m so startled when Kallen says next to my ear, “If I promise to stay on my side of the tub, may I join you?”
My eyes fly open and the first thing I check is how exposed I am. Looking down, all I can see is bubbles, thank goodness. That must be why he created them; so I wouldn’t be embarrassed when he came in. It didn’t work.
“Um, okay.” I notice he has swimming trunks on. That makes me feel a little better. And now I’m wearing a bikini as well. I smile. “You think of everything.”
He grins as he steps into the tub and sits opposite me. The tub is so large, our feet don’t even touch in the middle. “I did not come in here to pressure you into a compromising situation. I simply want to relax with you.”
I understand that, but I still frown. “Wouldn’t Isla consider this a hand-fasting offense?”
He closes his eyes as he leans his head back. “Regardless of what happens between us, I will not force you into a hand-fasting and neither will my grandmother.” He opens his eyes again and looks at me with his serious eyes. “The only way you and I will ever be hand-fasted is if you are one hundred percent sure that is what you want. Not a moment sooner.”
It’s my turn to grin. “You’d risk Isla’s wrath for me?”
He smiles and closes his eyes again. “Of course. I have you to protect me.”
I laugh and splash some bubbles at him. “What would all the female Fairies in this realm think if they knew you had to have me fight your battles for you?”
With a haughty v
oice, he says, “They would still find me irresistibly attractive and swoon at my feet.” That earns him another splash. He ignores it like he did the first one. “You know, it is not fair that you have the warm side of the tub.”
I cock my head to the side. “Really?” I’m not that naïve. “Sure you just don’t want to join me on my side?”
He opens his eyes and with his best offended face, says, “That would be highly inappropriate. Just the fact that you suggested it has me dismayed.” Splash. He looks hurt now. “You doubt my intentions? I am deeply saddened that you would think such a thing. I was simply stating a truth.”
“Of course you were.”
“You could always see for yourself. This side of the tub is practically frozen. I am surprised I have not turned into an icicle yet.”
Ah, that’s his plan. “Maybe I should just take your word for it.”
“And have you forever doubt my intentions. I could not live with that.”
“Fine, I’ll come half way and see for myself.”
“I am glad to hear that.”
I stand up from the underwater bench that runs along the sides of the tub and wade to the middle. In a flash, Kallen has ahold of my arms and draws me closer to him.
“Do you see what I mean?” he asks innocently as he sits me on his lap.
“Actually, it seems fine to me.”
“Perhaps you are colder blooded than I am.”
Turning around so that I am straddling his lap, I whisper, “Shut up.”
I kiss him for a long time before releasing his lips. “It is amazing how warm the water is now,” he murmurs.
Capturing my lips with his again, he deepens the kiss to a mind blowing level. I feel his hands working to untie the straps of my bikini top. When his hands replace it, I moan softly against his mouth. We stay in the tub a long time, going no further than this, regardless of the urges we both feel. And we enjoy every second of it. I don’t care what he says, if Isla finds out about this, she’ll make sure there’s a hand-fasting. I guess we’ll have to make sure she doesn’t find out.
When our bodies are as close to being prunes as we dare let them become, we finally make it out of the tub. Drying my hair with a towel, I quickly braid it so it doesn’t get my pillow as wet. While I’m doing that, Kallen changes into his pajama pants. For me, he creates a beautiful black nightgown that only falls to mid-thigh and plunges low in the front. Maybe I need to start giving him specifics on what I wear. Nah. This is just fine.
When we finally tumble into bed, we are both so exhausted that sleep finds us quickly.
Chapter 17
The time to wake up comes way too soon. Tabitha bustles into the room as she has every morning and tells us to rise and shine. Yawning, I sit up and stretch, trying to wake up.
When Tabitha sees my nightgown, she narrows her eyes at Kallen. He has the decency to be embarrassed. “Apparently, Xandra needs a new tailor. Your services will no longer be required.” Kallen mumbles something about checking on the others and leaves as quickly as he can.
Tabitha takes her time creating the perfect outfit for me today. She tries a couple different ones before we both find one we like. It’s an island style dress in dark shades of purple, blue and red. It’s a stark contrast with my pale skin and flatters my dark hair and brows. The bottom is like a sarong falling just above my knees. The top is halter style and its straps crisscross in the back, exposing a lot of skin.
My long black hair is pulled back into a ponytail and then braided again. Soft wisps of hair frame my face. Tabitha adds a bit of color to my eyes and lips. I don’t want the full makeup like I had the other day. Finally, I’m ready to go downstairs.
Everyone else is congregated in the large living room scattered out on various chairs and couches. Except Rhiannon. We’re not going to let her spoil our plans. She’s still up in her room, where she’ll stay until I let her out.
At five minutes to eight, we are all in place on the beach. We’re assuming that Xeniaa is as well. Isla is standing close to me, with the hope being that her reputation as a truly powerful Fairy will mask my use of magic. People will assume it is her.
“Are you ready to say the spell?” she asks.
“Can I say no?”
“No.”
“Then I guess I’m ready.”
She hands me the grimoire and I begin to read. “As the wind blows south, east, north, and west, I call again my plea to the great mistress. During this, my hour of need, when malicious forces came to feed, you granted your power and wisdom, allowed in this realm a protective schism, between virtuous and baneful, well-being and peril. My sacrifice made, my blood paid, your eight legged creatures I had bound, the magic now to be unwound. Finding my heart to be just and pure, my safety you did help ensure. Please guide me now in tearing down this wall; the time has come to answer thy enemy’s call.”
I’m guessing from the shrieks coming from the other side of the web, the spiders are on their way back as magic rushes through me to them. Isla had explained to us last night that spiders like to recycle their webs by eating them. They then use the proteins they digest from it to create more silk. There’s no way the spiders would just give up this much of their spun gold. They want it back now that we’re done with it.
The wall comes down a lot faster than it went up. These spiders must be famished. When Isla said that we would only need about an hour for it to happen, we all scoffed. Here it is, ten minutes to nine and we see the heads of people on the other side of the wall. They look angry, but not as angry as they are scared of the spiders. By nine, the wall’s completely gone. A huge sigh of relief can be heard on both sides as the spiders retreat to the woods and sand instead of trying to make any or all of us their next meal.
When the last of the spiders are gone, it’s time to take stock of the enemy. There are at least fifty Fairies who have come to either kill me or kill Dagda. Probably both. After a moment, the crowd parts and one of the tallest women I have ever seen walks through them. She may even be taller than Kallen.
I guess I just expected her to be beautiful, because that’s how it happens in the books I read, but she’s not. She’s pretty, but she’s not drop dead gorgeous. Even though she’s tall, she’s not willowy. She looks pretty sturdy, and if those arm muscles mean anything, she’s strong, too. Her hair is in a short bob and her eyebrows have been plucked into a perfect arc over her eyes. They sort of make her look like she’s surprised all the time. Her dress is light pink and gauzy, as if she is trying to be the sweet girl next door. She’s not really pulling that off. There’s a cruelty in her eyes that won’t be masked by a pink dress.
“Kallen,” she says in the same sultry voice she used yesterday. “I am so happy you chose to do what is best for our kingdom.” Turning to Dagda, who is on the other side of me to further cloak my magic, she says, “Oh, Dagda, whatever are we going to do with you? You and I have had our fun, but now, I am afraid I just do not need you anymore.”
I look up at Dagda with disgust written all over my face. He was sleeping with her? I thought he was hand-fasted? He doesn’t acknowledge my look at all. Instead, he says to Xeniaa, “I am afraid you are giving the wrong impression of our relationship. I was your mentor, nothing more.” Yeah, right. Mentoring her in sex?
Isla nudges me slightly to get my attention back to what’s really important here. That slight movement brings Xeniaa’s eyes right to me. “I cannot believe, Dagda, that you have been trapped in a house for two days and have not found the opportunity to kill your little mutt. Another weakness on your part. One that we will take care of shortly. We will also find your wife, though you did hide her very well, I will admit.” Oh, yeah, I wondered where she was. Okay, now I’m even more annoyed he was sleeping with this Fairy.
I start pulling magic, so Isla and Dagda do as well. I try really hard to keep from pulling enough to drop her in her spot, but there’s a bigger picture here. It’s not going to be enough to simply get rid of Xeniaa. Someone e
lse will just step into her place. We have to make sure that it is understood that rebellion will not be tolerated by anyone.
“Tsk, tsk, you two. You may be strong, but we outnumber you greatly.” Xeniaa has a malicious smile on her face. The only part of it that reaches her eyes is the malicious part.
She takes a couple of steps forward. Presumably to get a better look at me. This is what I’ve been waiting for. In order for our plan to work, she needs to be a little ahead of her pack. Okay, that made her sound like a dog or a werewolf or something; but she did call me a mutt.
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