by Sumida, Amy
“Impossible,” I whispered. “I was born of a human woman. I know my mother isn't full sidhe, much less dragon-sidhe.”
“You forget,” King Cian shook his head. “Your fey magic comes from your soul, which is pure blood.”
“No,” my heart was racing. “Sabine was human.”
“My lady, I'm so sorry,” he looked confused, “I had thought to give you happy news, I can assure you that all of Faerie rejoices that you are found.”
“King Cian,” I rubbed at my forehead. “What are you talking about?”
“When you told me your story the month before last...”
“I'm sorry, did you the month before last? As in three months ago?” I interrupted. “It's only been a few days here.”
“If you recall, I did tell you of the time difference.”
“Yes, I know, I'm sorry,” I shook my head. “When I returned home only minutes had gone by, when I had spent almost two days in Faerie. I just forgot, please continue.” Three days here, three months there, that was a hell of a time difference.
“Well, the name Sabine struck a chord in me,” the King smiled, “and then when King Arach told me of your lineage, I knew. You are Lady Aednat's daughter. We searched for you before we closed the way to Faerie but with no luck and it was with very heavy hearts that we left you behind. Now I realize that you must have been living in the God Realm by that time, impossible for us to find. It's truly wonderful that Lady Aednat's long lost daughter has finally been found.”
“A nit?” I frowned. “I'm the daughter of a nit?”
“Aednat,” the King gave me a look of frustration. “It means little fire. Lady Aednat fell in love with a human but this was when the dragon-sidhe's were starting to be hunted to extinction. The King of Fire, King Arach's sire, decreed that Lady Aednat could only have her human if she consented to bear a child for the dragon-sidhe first and do her duty to continue the race.”
“Sabine,” I whispered.
“Yes,” the King grinned like this was the best news ever. “She had Sabine with Lord Finnian but she placed a spell upon the child, turning her human temporarily, thinking this would protect Sabine from both the hunters and her human relatives, until which time as they would both return to Faerie.”
“She was going to take Sabine back to the Faerie Realm?”
“Yes, Lady Aednat had planned to return after her human husband died,” the King shrugged. “It sounds harsh but she was being realistic. Humans are mortal, he would have died eventually, at which time she would have removed the spell from Sabine, returning Sabine's fey nature and her immortality to her.”
“But she never removed the spell,” I whispered, thinking back to that magical burst of energy inside of me.
“No, Lady Aednat didn't get the chance.”
“So Sabine should have been immortal. She should never have died.” I frowned, thinking that if only Aednat had been able to remove that spell, I would have still been living with Odin... and I never would have met Trevor or saved my lions. I never would have met Azrael, never would have loved Kirill. Maybe Sabine had instinctively known that her death was necessary. Without it, I never would have existed and Sabine's life would have been lacking.
“Yes,” King Cian cut into my thoughts. “So now you see, Lady Vervain, you are in possession of the magic of a full blood dragon-sidhe, and with us fey, it's the magic that matters. I believe your being reborn into a human body has subdued your magic just as your mother's spell had but after your jaunt to Faerie, your magic has awakened and you can now become what you were originally born to be.”
“And what is that exactly?” I had an awful feeling about all of it.
“A dragon-sidhe, of course,” King Cian peered at me like I'd gone simple.
“No,” I sighed. “What will I turn into? Am I going to look like Arach? Scales on my face and stuff?”
“It is likely,” the King shrugged. “The dragon in you will take over. I find the scales to be quite fetching, you'd look lovely with some accenting your temples.”
“What about my other magics?” I felt a shudder go through me and suddenly knew I'd found the true horror in the situation. “Will they survive this take over?”
“I'm not certain. You're a very unique case, no one has ever faced such a late blooming before and with god magics involved, well, like I said, it makes the outcome uncertain. At least for the adopted magic,” the King continued to look unconcerned. “But does it matter? What do you want with love or lions when you can be a dragon-sidhe? They are some of the strongest sidhe there is. Their magic is old and very powerful. It's said that a dragon helped create the world.”
“I'm sure they're powerful but I can't give up my other magic,” I huffed. “I've already told you, I have people who depend on me. My lions would lose themselves and Trevor... I think Trevor would die if I let the dragon in me consume my wolf. In fact, I'm sure of it. So there's your answer, King Cian. I will never risk Trevor or my lions, to become a dragon. No, it's not happening.”
“As a fey,” his voice went hard, “you are my subject, Lady Vervain. I could order you to return to Faerie and take your place beside King Arach. It's an honorable offer,” his voice softened when I stared at him in horror. “King Arach has offered marriage and the union would make you a Queen of Faerie. The first human, at least in body, to ever sit on a throne of Faerie. It does have its benefits.”
“Do those benefits include a werewolf Prince, a Russian werelion, a Viking god, and the Angel of Death?” I shot back. “Because if not, I don't find it to be an attractive offer at all.”
“Lady Vervain,” he sighed. “I understand, I do. I love my wife and would never substitute another for her but this is the continuation of a race, we're talking about. I will not force you but please consider what your decision will cost your people. There are other ways to handle this, King Arach has been clear that he will have you anyway he can. You could keep your dragon-sidhe suppressed and possibly still bear a full blood dragon-sidhe. King Arach is willing to compromise for the sake of his kind, and that is a huge honor from a dragon-sidhe. They just do not compromise and they do not share. Talk to him, see if you can't come to an understanding. This is all I ask.”
“I'll talk to him,” I frowned, I didn't like that he was being so reasonable, it made me sound petty. “But I'm not promising anything.”
“Good,” he nodded. “Now as for the tearing of the wards, I will keep Roarke apprised of any decisions. We are convening a council in two days time to discuss the matter. Until then, be safe and may the sun shine gently on your face.”
“Ah, thank you and may the moon ever smile upon you,” I repeated the blessing I'd heard Fenrir give Fallon and Samantha.
The High King smiled wide in response as his image faded into fog.
“Well done,” Roarke nodded. “You committed to nothing but appeased the High King at the same time. Maybe you could survive in court after all. You definitely have the lineage for it.”
“You knew my parents?” I frowned. This was all so strange but I couldn't help being curious. I was a full blooded dragon-sidhe in a human body! Odin was going to do a lot more cursing in Norse.
“I knew of them,” Roarke shrugged, “they were a little before my time but Lady Aednat caused quite a stir when she ran off with that human and her fling with Lord Finnian was kind of scandalous too.”
“How so?”
“Well Lord Finnian had lost his mate to hunters and dragon-sidhe usually only have one mate, so when the King of Fire made Lady Aednat choose someone to breed with, she chose him, thinking he'd refuse and she could be true to her human.”
“But he didn't,” I guessed.
“To a dragon-sidhe, there is nothing more beautiful than fire and Lady Aednat wasn't named little fire for nothing,” Roarke waggled his eyebrows at me. “She was the most beautiful dragon-sidhe of her time and Lord Finninan wasn't immune to her heat. He did his duty and so did she but the liaison lasted longer than t
he lady had intended. There were rumors flying that she would leave her human after all but I think Lady Aednat decided she could wait for Lord Finnian, her human husband wouldn't live forever and when he died, she could return to Faerie and thus have them both.”
“Huh,” I smirked, “so it's kinda in my blood.”
“What's that?”
“Wanting more than one man.”
“Everyone wants more than one lover,” Roarke smiled lasciviously. “Most just decide it's more prudent to settle on one. You're lucky enough to have an excuse to give in to your desires.”
“Maybe,” I shrugged. I tried to remember her, my faerie mother, but all I got was the flash of a smile and the shine of bright hair. She'd been overshadowed by the mother who raised me in this life. “So what happened?”
“With Lady Aednat and Lord Finnian? What happened?” Roarke frowned at me. “They all died is what happened. Did you not get the part about you and King Arach being the last two? Lady Aednat never made it back to court.”
“Well, I have no intention of ever returning to court either,” I huffed. “I barely made it out alive the first time.”
“Pish posh,” he sniffed. “You killed two goblins, they should be more afraid of you than you of them.”
“One of them tried to make me into soup,” I griped. “I've met some horrible people and even some terrifying gods, but none of them have ever threatened to make me into soup.”
“I believe he had more of a stew in mind,” Roarke cocked his head in consideration. “Or maybe just drying the meat and skillet frying. He never actually said soup.”
“That makes such a difference,” I gave him an irritated look.
“Would you like to contact King Arach now?” He looked a little chastised but it might have been an act.
“I guess so,” I sighed, “but I doubt there's anything new for us to discuss.”
“Would you like to attempt the calling this time?”
“Yes, actually,” I held my hand out for some eyebright and he placed a pinch in it. I rubbed it over the mirror as he had. “King Arach of the House of Fire!”
The mirror did the same foggy trick and then cleared to show an empty room. I frowned and looked over to Roarke. He shrugged and then his eyes went wide. I looked back over and caught the tail end of Arach's transformation back to human. Literally, the tail end. I saw a long, red tail swish past the glass and then shrink away. After a few moments, Arach appeared in a velvet robe, belted low to show off an incredible chest, smooth and hairless but accented by shimmering red scales.
I had to swallow a few times before I started speaking. “Uh, hi.” Yeah his chest was that incredible.
“Vervain,” his voice did this sexy kind of rumbly thing, “and Roarke. Why are you there, cat-sidhe?”
“The High King sent me,” the cat smirked but lost the expression under the malice in Arach's eyes. “I'll just wait in the other room while you two talk.” He quickly scampered away.
“If that feline dares to...”
“To what?” I stopped him. “If you aren't getting into my pants, he sure as hell isn't.”
“Into your pants?” He raised an eyebrow and tried to peer over the edge of the mirror. “Looks as though you're wearing a dress.”
“Pants as in underpants,” I sighed. Man, I thought it was hard to talk to gods sometimes. “We call them panties now, at least the ones the women wear.”
“Ah,” he smiled wickedly, “might I see these panties?”
“No, and that's my point,” I pointed a finger at him. “This can not go anywhere. I'm sorry, I know you want to save your species and all but I can't be the one to help you. It will ruin my life.”
“I can give you a better life.”
“No, you can't,” I laughed at his shocked expression. “I live pretty damn well here and I've seen where you live. No thank you.”
“You have awakened your powers,” he leaned closer to the glass, “I've felt them. You will need my help in managing them.”
“I haven't had any problems besides a short fainting spell,” I shrugged. “I think I'm good.”
“It's only just begun,” he shook his head. “You're totally unprepared for things only I can assist you with. Dragon-sidhe powers are not to be trifled with, you could be a danger to yourself and all those around you.”
“And you wouldn't lie to me to get me to be more agreeable,” I grimaced.
“It will all become evident in a matter of days,” he waved his hands out. “I have no need to lie, you will see proof for yourself and then you will call me and I will help you.”
“If?”
“If, what?”
“You'll help me if I do what?”
“I will help you to ensure that you will survive, because your survival is important to me,” he answered grimly. “But I hope that my help will endear you to me enough for you to consider a compromise.”
“King Cian mentioned a compromise as well,” I sighed. I couldn't believe I was about to ask. “What exactly do you have in mind?”
“An arrangement,” he shrugged. “We fey can be practical creatures. There is no love between us but I don't require love from you. I need only a few encounters that will hopefully bear fruit. After you deliver the babe, you can bring the child to me and I will raise it. You have no need of being further involved.”
“How exactly will this save the race?” I started to actually consider it, which scared the shit out of me. “All that you'll have is one more dragon-sidhe who won't have a mate.”
“One more than we have now,” he shrugged, “and one that I can pass my throne to, if the need ever arises.”
“And all I'd have to do is have sex with you, go through childbirth, and then hand my baby off to you.” I felt a tremor course through me. I didn't see a way for me to raise children in my current life but that didn't mean I wanted to hand over a child of mine to that blood-licking dragon-sidhe.
“The child would be treasured,” he gentled his tone. “The last heir of the dragon-sidhe and the next ruler of the House of Fire. I am better equipped to guide and protect the child than you are but you would be welcome anytime you chose to visit.”
“I don't think I could do that.”
“Then marry me and we can raise our offspring together,” he grinned broadly.
“Not gonna happen,” I groaned. “We can't compromise because a compromise is about both parties getting a little of what they want and I don't want any of this. I think this discussion is over.”
“Don't you want to know how to bleed off the dragon heat?” His eyes started to do the dragon slant.
“What I want to know is how to suppress the dragon because I can't allow the dragon to consume my other magic.”
“Why ever not?”
“Because it would kill the man I love,” I growled, “ and I would lose my lions, who I also love. I just can't be a dragon-sidhe.”
“You are a dragon-sidhe, whether you suppress it or not,” he frowned, considering. “Fine, keep your other magics, I don't need you to shift forms to bear my child, your magic knows what it is. Still, if this is your decision, you'll need my help even more.”
“Vervain,” Azrael came into the room and stopped dead in his tracks when he saw the mirror. “Who the hell is this?”
“Ah, one of your lovers?” Arach looked him over and dismissed him in a blink.
“Azrael, Archangel of Death and ruler of Shehaquim,” yes, I deliberately used all of his titles to impress the dragon, “this is Arach the Annoying.”
“King Arach,” Arach drew himself up straight and glared at me. “Of the House of Fire and Leader of the Host.”
“Oh, you,” Azrael narrowed his gaze on the man in the mirror and strode forward to confront him. “Stay away from my woman, Tinkerbell. You think you're hot stuff? I'm an archangel, we were made to kill dragons. I've even got a special spear for it.”
“Holy shit,” I laughed. “First of all, bravo on the Tinkerbell thi
ng, I called the High King that too but no one was there to understand the joke. Second, you have a dragon killing spear? Why didn't I know about this?”
“I have no problem facing you and your puny spear,” Arach interrupted me. “Angels are just Atlanteans trying to imitate their betters and failing miserably.”
“Ho, damn,” I exclaimed. “That was a pretty good comeback. Unfortunately, you're not helping your case by insulting my angel. I happen to love this guy,” I pointed back at Az. “You, not so much.”
“Carus,” Azrael purred and wrapped his arms around me from behind. “I love you too.”
“I gotta go,” I shrugged at Arach.
“Fine,” he glared at the angel over my shoulder. “For now, but this is not over, A Thaisce.”
The mirror went foggy and he disappeared.
“It is so over,” I grumbled, “and what the hell is an ah hash ka?”
“Ah hash keh,” Roarke sounded it out as he walked back in. “ A Thaisce, it means, my treasure or in your case, it means you're screwed because dragons never give up treasure. Did I say that right? I just learned another sexual word from your lions.”
“Yes, you said it right,” I sighed. “Dragons and treasure, he really isn't going to stop, is he?”
“Nope, never,” Roarke nodded gleefully.
“We'll deal with lizard dick later,” Azrael took my hand and led me over to the little sitting area. “I have to tell you something and you'll probably want to call your little god group after I'm done.”
“God Squad,” I corrected, “and awesome nickname. I'm so using lizard dick the next time I talk to him.”
“Vervain,” Azrael sighed, “this is serious.”
“Okay, I'm sorry. You're just so much like me sometimes, I have to revel in it. Go ahead.”
“I was called for a pick-up this morning,” he started.
“Is that what you call transporting a soul?” I blinked at him. “That's a little cold.”