by L M Lacee
“Thank you Ark.” said Reighn.
“He is an asshole” Stated Lars as soon as they were gone. Reighn smiled at his prime.
Agreed, our people did well though!”
“Yes. No one died that I say, was a good meeting.” Grinned Lars.
“Considering who was here. Yes I agree!” said Reighn.
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR:
T hey all went back to Olinda’s and Ash’s apartment and ended up in one of the small lounges. Claire and Sage came in. “The boys are asleep.” Claire told her. Olinda nodded as Sage asked “How did it go?” As she and Claire sat on one of the couches.
Charlie said. “He was an asshole.” Then held her hand up as she said. “I will pay the swear jar but it is hard to see Olinda or Cara as his granddaughters.”
Storm said. “I did not like the male he was sly. It was he who had Olinda hunted.”
Sage and Claire gasped. “The pig!” Said an outraged Sage.
Claire shook her head. “No good will come of that decision for him.”
Ash looked at Olinda. “What did you think?”
“You know what I think. He is no family to me. Before we went in there I was unwilling to take anything from him. Now I believe we should have everything we are owed. Regardless of what I choose to do with it, he will pay.”
“Karma is a bitch!” Said Storm and grinned at the laughter that followed his statement.
Olinda grinned then sobered as she said.
“He has ruled for too long and expects everyone to bow and concede to him, even when he was here.”
“Wrong place for that!” said Sage from her comfortable position in the deep cushioned couch. “Hey if you don’t want this couch. I will take it.”
Olinda shook her head. “Nope, Ash and I love it.”
Ash said. “It is good for… Olinda placed her hand hurriedly over his mouth saying. “Yes we all do not need to know that!”
They all laughed at her pink face and Ash’s laughing eyes. Sage and Claire both jumped up and said. “Ewww!”
“Seriously!” Olinda yelped. “Not that!”
Ash’s. “Not yet!” Caused them to all laugh as Sage and Claire once again retook their seats.
The pent up tension they held from the meeting was gone. “Why did he bring those young males and Jenny with him?” Asked Olinda. “It seems illogical they would not be good advisors. I mean they never even spoke, they just stared at Ash the whole time. Older people would have made sense.”
Storm shrugged. “He wanted you to see the studs you could breed with.”
Again Sage and Claire said. “Eww!”
This time Charlie and Olinda joined them.
Ash looked at Storm who grinned at him. Ash was positive he felt a twitch above his eye. “I think he wanted to show you how valued half-bloods are.”
“But he doesn’t value them. His whole attitude is for pure blood lines.” said Charlie.
“Yes that was the impression I received.” Ash replied.
Olinda frowned. “I feel sorry for them?”
Claire asked. “Who?”
“The three with him.”
“Why?” asked Storm. “They seemed healthy.”
She smiled at him. “Just because they have food and look healthy does not mean they are. To me they looked sad and hungry for acceptance.”
“Really! When did you see that? I didn’t. To me they seemed like trained killers.” said Charlie.
Olinda shrugged. “Well yeah, they were that too. It was just a feeling.”
Claire said. “Well, enough for now. So your cook and housekeeper arrived. They are delightful.”
Two females came into the small lounge. Claire smiled and said. “This is Bay, she is your new chef.” The female was about five foot six or seven, slim and very pretty, she had short blue hair that was spiked, it suited her small round face. She had a lovely smile and her eyes twinkled with humor as though the world amused her.
Olinda, although she had agreed with the plan for both housekeeper and cook, was hesitant. She trusted Ash and Charlie and was coming to trust the others. But she had worried about having others in her home.
Seeing the spunky female standing in front of her, she took all those concerns back and threw them away.
She just felt instantly comfortable with the faerie. Whether it was the blue hair or the amber eyes that made her relax or the jeans and long sleeved shirt, she didn’t know but when she looked at her sister she felt the same. So guessed it was just the females themselves.
Ember was almost identical to Bay except she had long hair which was shocking pink in color and Olinda knew neither color was natural. She had brown eyes that also held humor in their depths and was dressed in almost identical clothes. She smiled sweetly at Olinda and Ash.
Charlie said. “Ladies you know this is your last chance, if you cannot make this work it is back to the High Queens Grove for you.”
They both sighed together as the one named Bay said. “We understand Lady Charlie.”
Olinda grinned at the exasperated tone obviously they’d had this talk already. “Why is it your last chance?” asked Ash, who was unsure if he wanted faeries that were deemed unworthy near his family.
Charlie answered. “The sisters have a slight problem with authority, they have both done guard training and found that too restrictive.”
“Who did you punch?” asked Storm.
Ember tried not to smile, as she said. “Our commanding office.”
“Both of you?” asked a startled Ash.
“He had no appreciation of style.” said Bay.
“He deserved it!” stated Ember.
Storm looked at their hair and the clothes they both wore which consisted of dark colors and jeans so very different to most faeries, like the ones who worked for him and Charlie and grinned. “I see.”
Ember shrugged and looked at Olinda and Ash. “We should tell you we have a hard time fitting into Grove life.”
Olinda said. “I can imagine, it would annoy you. Especially if they have rules like dress codes?”
They both beamed a smile at her. “It did. We don’t mind rules that make sense but seriously some of them are just so old fashioned, it is time they realized what century we live in.” Grumbled Bay.
“Yes well I am trying.” said Charlie.
“Oh we know you are Lady Charlie.” Ember told her.
As Olinda looked around the room which she knew Ash and she had left in a mess, she saw it was tidy and clean. Just then a heavenly smell wafted in from the kitchen. “Bay is making cookies.” said June as she entered.
Olinda said. “You are hired. Both of you.”
“Thank you.” said Ember. “We really like the hatchlings and think we will all get along.”
“Well welcome to our home. Ash hon, are you okay with that?” she asked.
“If you are happy, I am. Welcome ladies.”
June told Olinda and Ash. “The castle pays their wages. I have spoken to the sisters about their pay and time off.”
“Oh good and food we have not shopped.” said Olinda.
Bay said. “I have ordered all the supplies, they were delivered while you were at your meeting. If it pleases you, may we sit later and go over what type of meals you and Lord Ash require.”
Ember said. “At the same time, we can discuss what duties you wish of us both.”
“Oh good idea!”
With that settled, Ash lead them all into the kitchen telling Bay and Ember. “We eat mostly in here, the formal dining is I suppose for formal dinners.” he scratched his cheek.
Storm said. “Seems reasonable to me. I think we have one of those as well.”
“Good, so I am right!”
The ladies all hid their laughter when they realized they were serious.
Several minutes later Bay and Ember brought coffee and tea to each of them with freshly baked cookies. Charlie sat sipping coffee then asked. “You think he meant it about leaving them alone?
”
“Did he lie?” asked Ash.
“No!”
“Then he meant it.”
“Sad for him.” Sage murmured.
“His own fault he left that sweet baby to be hurt. He owes her.” Stated Olinda.
“All because she was not a male.” Growled Charlie.
“Really?” Asked Claire.
Olinda told them quietly. “Yes if either I or Cara had been a male he would have snatched us up minutes after we were born. Or if we had developed abilities.”
“Sexist asshole.” mumbled June.
Storm said. “No he is a purest.”
Ash nodded. “Not just for blood lines. Abilities as well. Even you my soul said you saw your father until you turned five when they say your gifts should have appeared.”
“That is true after I turned five I never saw him again.”
Sage asked. “Do you have gifts? I did not know that.”
“She is also Goddess touched. I should imagine a Goddess could mask any gifts.” Storm said with a glint in his eyes…
Olinda laughed. “Yes I do and I bet she did. I think it was to make sure I arrived here for Ash and the boys.”
“But why? I mean why you?” asked June. “Obviously your father makes you royal for Unicorns but what about your mother.” asked Sage.
Olinda shrugged. “She was human. I don’t recall her telling me she was anything different. Look at my father, she never said anything about what he was!”
Ash said gently. “You are forgetting you are three quarters Unicorn, so she must have been half herself.”
“Oh I had forgotten that. I wonder why she never told me, it seems wrong that she kept that secret. Although she may have not wanted to admit it!”
Sage said. “Maybe she was frightened for you?”
“Do you think he knew and chose her because she was half Unicorn?” Asked June.
“Makes a kind of logical sense.” said Keeper as he and Ella arrived.
“Why not impregnate a full blood then?” asked Olinda.
Ella said slowly. “Was he angered at his parent and out of that sought out your mother to cross his father?”
“Maybe that could be true but does not explain Cara?” said Storm.
Olinda said. “I wish to think it was for love, he and her mother fell in love.”
“Well I like that version too. So when she asks we will tell her that!” said Charlie.
“Yes we will.” said Olinda. Even though they all knew it was a lie. He mated an elf for the abilities they hoped the child would develop. He was after all his father’s only son.
“So maybe that is why you have gifts and the Goddess liked you?” said Claire.
“Huh! Because I am three quarters Unicorn? Why not?”
“It is one of the reasons I like you!” Ash said as he wiggled his brows up and down. She laughed as did the other females to the groans of the two brothers.
“Or it could be she has the ideal temperament and gifts to raise two special dragons.” said Claire.
“Well yeah it could be that.” said Sage.
“So you are saying she hid all Olinda’s abilities from her father.” asked June.
“Yes!” answered Ash.
Olinda thought about that then said. “Well that would explain a lot actually.”
Sage asked. “What about Cara?”
“Her gifts if she has any, will develop around five.” Charlie told them.
“So he died around the same time Cara was born otherwise he would have had contact with her like he did with Olinda.” said Claire.
Sage asked. “Do you know how your father died?”
“Yes he was an enforcer for his father. He was killed in the line of duty. That was all it said in the report.”
“Will he really send you money?” asked Axl as he and Ark walked in from the babies’ room.
Olinda thought about it. “I don’t know?”
Reighn said as he entered the kitchen. “He will send it, as King he cannot be seen not too.”
He kissed Sage and took a seat next to her as Lars did likewise to Claire. Bay and Ember came with more cookies and drinks.
Reighn said. “Ladies I hear you are to work for Lady Olinda and Lord Ash?”
“We are my lord.” said Ember.
He looked them over and smiled. “I like a person with style. You should fit in well at the castle. You know who their hatchlings are?”
Smiling at the compliment and slightly relieved he was not going to make them leave. Bay answered for them both. “We do my Lord, Lady June and Lady Charlie explained it.”
“You feel capable of defending them?”
“Oh yes my Lord.”
Their serious faces showed they meant it. He nodded. “Good!”
Ash said. “Ladies join us. You will need to know what we are to discuss here today.” They bowed their heads to him grabbed a cup of tea and sat on the bar stools at the breakfast bar.
Olinda asked. “‘Was that there this morning?” Meaning the breakfast bar.
Ash grinned as he told her. “No, it is an addition.”
“Oh okay, did I want that?”
He eyed his shadow and said. “No I did!”
“Well good choice. I like it, the builders are very quick!”
“Magic.” he stated.
Olinda opened and closed her mouth then said faintly. “Oh okay.”
“So getting back to the Unicorn Ri’. Who will know if he doesn’t pay?” asked Sage.
“People will know. It always gets out.” Reighn assured her as he placed two cookies in his mouth…
“So Olinda. Is Cara safe?” asked Charlie.
“Yes, how can she not be? She has the whole dragon nation in front of her. Plus her family and me, then there is her deadly mother and father. Your daughter is safe but do not be surprised if he tries to reach out again.”
“We will deal with that when it happens.
What do we do for Cara now?” asked Storm.
“As I have gifts given by our father even though they will not admit it. It is possible she will too, but we have the added complication of half Elf.”
“We have three years to search out and find out about the elves.” Said Reighn. “My niece is safe and will remain so. If we cannot find the elves we will ask the Elementals to find them. Seeing as they saw fit to come today, they must know something!”
“Plus we have time for Olinda and I to learn all there is about Unicorns. I swear we will find out everything we can about them and Elves.” said Keeper.
Charlie hugged Olinda as she said. “I know you will Keeper. I would prefer not to go to war with the Unicorns. Sage and Cara will really be upset, they still like them. So learn all you can.”
Olinda laughed. “Got it and I am Unicorn too!”
“There will be no war.” said Reighn. “The Elementals will not allow it!”
“Oh yeah! Forgot about them.” Charlie told the room. They spent a leisurely hour or so filling the faeries in on what they knew about Unicorns and the sun dragons and discussing the meeting with the Ri’
When the babies whimpered the impromptu meeting broke up. Parents to see to their young and others to go back to work.
Keeper had asked Olinda before they left if she felt well enough to start work in two days she agreed.
She told Ash after Keeper had left that she was excited about the prospects of being back in the library.
Ash and Olinda sat with Bay and Ember as they fed the twins and discussed how they were to work together.
It was easy for Ash to see that Olinda liked the faeries and for that he was happy. If he had to leave home for any length of time she would be surrounded by people she enjoyed and who would protect her.
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE:
F inlay Slorah known by his friends as Fin, walked the hallways of the castle. He had been told Lady Edith had her studio on this level so he had decided to find her and ask her some pertinent questions.
&nbs
p; He walked slowly looking at the tapestries and paintings lining the hallways. He was in no hurry, he had nowhere he needed to be and no one had work for him at the moment plus many concerns to ponder.
Ella and Keeper were at a meeting and if he was honest with himself, he was totally bored and feeling useless. It did not sit well with him. Idleness, he could not remember a time he had felt like this. So he had decided to do something about his situation.
In his short time here he had observed the dynamics of the family, his Ella had found herself belonging to, and by extension himself.
He had thought about each person and what they were like, what attributes they had that could help him. After careful consideration he had discarded all but three, maybe four people who he could ask for help.
He had three options he could talk to the Dragon Lord or his Prime which was in truth talking to Reighn. Or he could talk to the delightful Grace, she was a wise female and very charming but not really helpful for a former Shield.
The same could be said for Reighn and Lars, he did not want to return to service in any form. He wanted to retire at Dragon’s Gap and hopefully court a certain female wolf, when he had settled his immediate future.
His dragon unlike some he had seen, and heard of, was a long time campaigner of wars and a very wise battle strategist.
So he too knew the value of planning for the future which helped in taking his time before he went into battle to secure his shadow.
Fin had decided to talk to the grounder that resided here. So Lady Edith was his best option, she would know what he needed he hoped as he turned into the room that was opened and had easels in positions all over it. He could not see the reason as to why the paintings were there but they obviously needed work.
He eyed the female as she sat on a stepladder in front of a large painting.
“Good afternoon Lady Edith.”
Edith grinned she had known he was there her bear had warned her of his approach. “And to you, Commander Fin.” she replied as she started her descent down the ladder. Fin closed his hands stopping them from reaching for the female and hauling her to her feet, which he was fairly sure she would not appreciate at all!
“May we dispense with the title?”