by Susan Hayes
“It’s still me, little one.” He lifted a clawed hand in her direction then stilled as if he didn’t want to spook her.
“I know. There’s just a lot more of you than there was a few seconds ago,” she commented and walked up to him, placing her hand in his. His skin was hard as the granite it resembled, but it was warm to the touch, not cold as she’d expected. “What does it feel like?”
He smiled, revealing a wicked set of fangs. “Like being encased in the best armor ever crafted.”
She continued exploring him with her free hand, touching him everywhere. He curled one wing forward and she stroked it, amazed by the way he felt and moved despite being stone. “Why do you have wings, though? You’re far too heavy to be able to actually fly.”
He cocked an eyebrow at her, and she swore his eyes gleamed a little brighter. “A child of magic such as yourself should know better than that, little one. I certainly can fly. Would you like to see for yourself?”
“Yes!” she bounced on her toes and nodded happily. “Yes, yes, yes.”
Vamir was so pleased with her easy acceptance of his dual nature that he would have flown to the heavens to fetch a star for her if she’d asked him to. Even knowing she had spent her life around fae and shifter species, he’d worried that the change would be too much for her. She’d already been through so much in a very short time, but somehow she continued to amaze him with her strength and resilience. He lifted her into his arms, grinning with pleasure as she threw her arms around his neck without reservation.
“Hang on tight.”
He made sure she was snug and secure in his embrace before folding his wings against his back and leaving the bedroom. He carried her down the hall and out onto the terrace, pausing for a moment so that she could get her first look at her new home.
“This is impossible. Where are we?” she asked, her voice hushed with awe as she took in the sights.
The outpost was built into the side of a mountain, every terrace and building carved out of the rock. His quarters were near the top of the outpost, giving him a commanding view of both the outpost and river that curved around the base of the mountain before vanishing from sight. Beyond the river was a shimmering wall that started at ground level and arched upward to form a dome overhead.
“We’re not actually anywhere. Before they sealed the plane, your people created this place as a way to hide the last gateway.” He pointed to the peak of the mountain above them. “It’s up there, under constant guard.”
“What do you mean, we’re not anywhere? This place exists, so we have to be somewhere. And now that I’m not in danger of reporting this to the master, what exactly do you mean when you say there’s a gateway back to our plane?”
He shrugged. “I’m a warrior, not a spell-weaver, but from what I understand, the wall that surrounds us is like a bubble, one that’s invisible to those outside it. It’s nestled against a world that has no idea we’re here, or that we even exist. Their plane has almost no essence flowing through it, making it a perfect hiding place. They have no people gifted enough to sense our presence, and few magic using species ever visit planes like this.”
“And the gateway?” she prompted.
“That’s what we call it. Think of it more like a crack in the walls that protects our plane from invaders. It keeps us tethered to our home, and when the day comes that the walls are no longer needed, it’s how we’ll be able to let our people know it’s safe.”
“I’m not sure I totally understand, but I think I get the gist. If the Magi ever found this place…”
“They’d tear open the crack to get to the richest source of the essence in all the worlds, and destroy everything and everyone we love in the process.”
“And that’s why you’ve all stayed here, alone.”
“For as long as it takes.” He said before stretching out his wings and taking flight. “But I’m not alone anymore. I have you.”
***
Chapter Nine
Gwyn scrunched her eyes shut and clung to Vamir as he carried her aloft. “A little warning next time, please,” she muttered, pressing her face into the curve of his shoulder.
“Sorry. I’m used to flying solo. Never had a passenger before.”
“If you’ve never carried anyone before, how did you know you could fly with both of us? What if I’d been too heavy and we’d fallen?”
He laughed, a booming rumble that rolled right through her. “In this form, I weigh hundreds of pounds, I somehow doubt the magic that allows me to fly would be affected by your insignificant weight. Besides, I’m fairly certain that my sword weighs more than you do.”
Irritation flared, and she slapped his chest before remembering that he was currently impervious to such a minor show of force. All she got for her trouble was a stinging palm. “I’m getting very tired of people saying I’m too skinny.”
“I don’t think you’re too skinny, little one. I think you’re perfect. Though, I’m not sure why you wanted to fly with me if you’re not even going to open your eyes.”
She swallowed once to settle her stomach and then peeked over his shoulder at the vista laid out below. “Your home is beautiful.”
“Our home, Gwyneth. Until we can return to Essa, this is our home.”
Gwyn stared down at the gleaming marble and granite buildings carved out of the mountainside. Then she let her gaze follow the silver path of the river that wound its way through the lush green valley that ended at the base of the wall protecting the area. “Our home,” she murmured as contentment filled her.
The bubble was larger than she’d imagined, and from their current height, she could see that the valley and the river continued for several miles, with the mountain sitting in the center of it all. It was a self-contained world and a lovely one. She glanced up at the shimmering shield overhead, then at the land below.
“Where does the sunlight come from? Is it ever night here?”
“The shield allows the sunlight to pass through from the outside, moonlight, too, though it took a while to get used to not seeing the sun or moon, only the light they cast.”
“A sky with no moon or stars? That will be strange. The temperature doesn’t change much, either. It’s as warm up here as it was in your room.”
“It changes a bit, but not much. And while we don’t have stars, the glow of the shield makes for a rather nice light display. You’ll see it tonight. And when you want to see stars again, we’ll travel to another world to look at theirs.”
“Do you do that often? Go to other worlds?” she asked.
“I rarely leave the outpost, but my men go out often for supplies, for a change of scenery, and of course, to look for the Magi.”
He dipped a wingtip so that they were flying back toward the outpost again, and Gwyn saw several other winged figures flying up to meet them.
“Hells, they’re never going to leave me alone, now,” Vamir grumbled as he spotted the others.
“Who isn’t leaving you alone? And why are they supposed to?”
She tried not to laugh as Vamir’s stony face twisted into a pained expression, and he nodded at their fast approaching company. “The two in front would be Tyrion and Tanor Lamir. They appointed themselves my personal honor guard a great many years ago. I finally had them trained to give me a little space, and then your master summoned me. Now, they’re back to shadowing my every move.”
“Can you blame them? Their friend and leader vanished one day, and there was nothing they could do. If I were them, I’d feel the same way.”
“I’m glad you think so, because the two Garda who just took wing and are on their way up here are your new shadows, Aztar, and Akhal. They haven’t left my door since I sent word I’d found you and brought you home. Congratulations, you have your very own honor guard.”
“I…what?” she spluttered, suddenly nervous. Flying through the air was not exactly how she’d envisioned meeting her old protectors.
“They look irritated…” h
e mused as they came closer. “Maybe I shouldn’t have ditched them by going out the balcony.”
She giggled, the sound so unfamiliar she hardly recognized her own voice, but it did distract her from her nervousness. “You’re terrible.”
“I’m their damned commander, not some snot-nosed recruit. I do not need a pair of fucking nursemaids.”
The first two Garda flew into earshot, both of them grinning. “I told you he’d be bitching about us following them,” one said to the other, his voice nearly as deep and booming as Vamir’s. They were so similar to each other that Gwyn couldn’t tell them apart, especially not when they both appeared to be carved out of solid stone.
“Is there some reason you’re up here? Do you really think I’m going to be attacked in the middle of our own outpost?” Vamir drawled, impatience dripping from every syllable.
“I don’t know, Vam. You managed to get abducted right out of your clothes in the middle of a market. With you, anything seems to be possible.” The twin on the left commented before they both somehow managed to come to a halt in midair to hover a few feet in front of them.
“Yeah, and who had to pick up your shit? We did. Weapons, clothes…even your boots. My friend, I have to tell you, it’s time to buy new footwear. Those things went out of style millennia ago.”
“The day I start taking fashion advice from you, Tanor, is the day I’ll resign as commander and hand it over to you and your lunatic brother. If you’re done chattering like a pair of magpies, I’d like to introduce you to Gwyneth. Little one, this is Tanor and Tyrion Lamir. They’re a source of never ending headaches for me, and two of my greatest friends. Tanor and Tyrion, I would like to introduce you to Gwyneth Annaren, my soulbound.”
Two sets of wings did a double sweep and two pairs of glowing eyes widened. “You’re what, now?” Tyrion finally spoke.
“She’s mine, now and forever more.”
Gwyn turned her head to frown at Vamir. “Didn’t you tell them about us?”
Vamir saw the hurt and doubt in his beloved’s eyes and quickly realized his mistake.
“I’ve barely left your side since we got here. I wasn’t going to announce our bonding until you were standing with me. I wanted everyone to see what a beautiful woman the fates had gifted me.”
Tyrion and Tanor looked at each other, then back at Vamir. “Holy shit, that was actually smooth. Who are you and what have you done with our commander?” Tanor quipped.
“Shut up, the pair of you, or I’ll assign you to guard duty out there.” Vamir jerked his head in the direction of the shield wall, and both men winced.
“It’s nice to meet you both.” Gwyneth waved from her perch in Vamir’s arms. “I would shake your hands, but I think I’m going to stay right where I am for now. Maybe when we’re back on solid ground.”
“Only if they promise to behave themselves. I may trust these two dogs with my life, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to trust them around you. Despite a century’s worth of work, they’re barely housebroken.” Vamir caught himself growling as a surge of raw possessiveness came over him.
“And he’s back. There’s the grumpy bastard we’d follow into the nine hells,” Tyrion said before managing a decent bow between sweeps of his massive wings. “It’s an honor to meet you, Gwyneth Annaren.”
Tyrion glanced at his brother and arched a brow. “Do you think he knows that he just fulfilled another part of the prophecy?”
“What prophecy?” Gwyneth asked.
Tanor grinned. “The one he doesn’t believe in. Won’t even read it. It’s written that one day a Garda will be born without a twin. Then there’s a bunch of stuff about greatness, leadership, honor, and him claiming a soulbound not of our race. After that it goes on about—”
“It goes on forever and says nothing helpful. I don’t need to read it to know that, because that’s what all prophecies are like. A rambling riddle that could mean anything, or nothing,” Vamir interrupted.
“And despite the fact our beloved commander won’t read it, he keeps fulfilling it anyway.” Tyrion said. “He’s supposed to be the one to end the war and open the gateway home again. When the others hear you’ve found your soulbound…”
Vamir sighed. “And that is the other reason I hadn’t told anyone about us, yet, little one. Can you blame me?”
She opened her mouth to answer, but at that moment two more Garda joined them.
Vamir felt Gwyneth tense as she turned her head to look at Akhal and Aztar. They both looked wary as the hovered silently, their gazes locked on Gwyneth.
“I remember you,” Gwyn said and pointed to Akhal. “You’re Ak. You used to hum me a lullaby to help me sleep sometimes. And you’re Az. You would let me sit on your shoulder so I could reach the apples in my parent’s orchard.”
“It is you,” Aztar rumbled, his expression morphing into a rare smile. “Fates be praised.”
“You look so much like your mother, and not much like the little girl we guarded.” Akhal flew a little closer, his eyes glowing with warmth.
“You two look exactly the same. It’s good to see you both again.” She patted Vamir’s forearm. “I think it’s time we returned to our rooms. It’s difficult to talk up here.”
Aztar arched a brow at her statement and opened his mouth, then shut it again without speaking.
Vamir nodded. “Home it is. By now, there should be a meal waiting for us. You must be starving.”
“Famished,” she admitted.
Vamir nodded to the others and then began a slow descent back to the outpost with the others flying in formation behind him. The whole way down, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was about to go sideways.
****
The aroma of freshly baked bread tickled Gwyn’s nose before they’d even touched down. Her stomach rumbled with hunger, and by the time, Vamir had set her feet back on solid ground, she was painfully aware that it had been a long time since her last meal. She turned to watch as Vamir resumed his human form, fascinated by the magic that flowed around and through him during the change.
The others landed moments later, all of them shifting back to human once they were back on the ground. She was surprised to note that Tyrion and Tanor were blondes while Az and Ak were dark-haired. She considered going to greet them properly, but Vamir threaded his fingers between hers and held fast to her hand, keeping her at his side.
Ak glanced down at their joined hands and frowned. “Why are you holding onto the commander? Are you feeling weakened? Do you need his support?”
“I’m fine, Ak. Or I will be once I have something to eat. I’m not using Vamir because I need his support. I’m holding his hand because he is my soulbound, and I enjoy having him close.”
Both Aztar and Akhal scowled, but it was Akhal who spoke. “Your soulbound? Vamir, you claimed the daughter of Gandor and Ilya Annaren, two of the most powerful members of our creator’s race?”
“We claimed each other. It was fated, my friend. Gwyneth is mine,” Vamir said, his words edged with warning.
“She is but a child! One with a birthright far above us all,” Aztar exclaimed, his eyes glowing like embers now.
Akhal gestured to Gwyn, but she knew he wasn’t truly seeing her. He was seeing the child that had vanished. “She is too young to know what is best for her. You took advantage of her. She was a slave because my brother and I failed in our duty all those years ago. We will not fail her again. We made a vow to find her and send her home, and we will.”
“None of us can go home. Not until the threat is over. And you will not come near my soulbound, either of you. That’s an order.”
Aztar nodded once, but there was a dark determination in his eyes that reminded Gwyn of the master. “You’re right. None of us can go home, but she can. Gwyneth is special. Her parents created all this.” Az gestured around them, his movements wild and angry. “Did you think that they wouldn’t find a way for us to return their only child to them once we found her? She can pass
through the portal and return to Essa. She will return to Essa, where she belongs. Where she will be safe.”
Her protectors took a step toward her, and Vamir snarled at them before moving so that he stood between her and the men who had once guarded her dreams, releasing her hand as he did so. “Never,” he snarled.
Gwyn stood in silence as once again her life was being decided by others. It didn’t matter their reasons, or how good their intentions were. She had spent most of her life unable to make more than the smallest decisions. She would never allow anyone to take that freedom from her again.
“Stop it,” she said, but neither side listened to her.
Tanor and Tyrion had taken up position on either side of Vamir, guarding his flanks, and none of them were paying her any attention at all.
“You have to stop this.” She spoke again, louder this time.
They continued to ignore her.
“You need to do what’s best for her and let us send her home,” Aztar shouted.
Gwyn’s patience snapped. After years of subservience and degradation, she was finally free to stand up for herself.
“No! No one is doing anything for me or to me. Not ever again.” She stepped out from behind Vamir, the air around her crackling as she summoned the essence and used it to amplify every word she uttered. “I am not the little girl who vanished all those years ago. I am a grown woman, and I will not allow anyone to tell me what to do.”
“We made your parents a promise, and we intend to keep it. Don’t you want to see them again, Gwyneth?” Az asked, taking another step toward her.
“Why would I want to see them? I barely remember them! They left me with him. I have spent the last hundred years under the control of a Magi.” She tugged angrily at her torc. “You see this? I’ve worn it since the day I was taken. I’ve been starved, beaten, degraded, and made to take part in his ceremonies. I’ve delivered countless slaves to their new masters, been ordered to do terrible things, and have been punished for even the slightest hesitation in obeying. So no, I don’t want to see the ones who abandoned me to that life. I want to stay with the one who freed me. Vamir is my soulbound. Where he goes, I go. That means I will not return to Essa until we can all go home.”