The Portal to Sidhe: Book 3

by Kelsey Schaeffer

  The dark headed man rolled over, and I saw Glenn’s sparkling smile as he said, “Good morning beautiful.”

  I was about to scream again, but I threw my hand over my mouth so I didn’t wake the others, and yanked a blanket from the bed to cover up.

  “No sense in doing that,” Glenn laughed. “I saw everything last night.”

  I wanted to throw up just from seeing Glenn lying in my bed.

  “Get out!” I said.

  “That’s not what you were saying last night,” he said with a smirk.

  “I don’t remember anything from last night!” I hissed, “Leave now, before I make you leave.”

  Glenn sat up and assertively crossed his hands behind his head. As he rose, the blankets fell just above his naked waist, exposing his extremely muscular chest. I paused for a moment in awe of his athletic chest.

  Glenn took notice of my admiration and said, “See. Just like now, you couldn’t resist my body.”

  I frowned and looked towards the wall to avoid looking at Glenn any more than I already had. “Just go,” I pled. “I have a family here. Please.”

  Glenn didn’t move, instead he said, “Me too. As far as I remember, my son lives here.” Then he gave me a sadistic smile and said, “Last night you promised you’d marry me.”

  “No! No!” I cried. “Please go. I would never marry you. I don’t remember anything from last night.” I lied as I was beginning to remember bits and pieces of the night before.

  “Calm down,” he said. “You were having fun…begging for more.”

  “Well,” I said, “Damon threw some kind of dust over us. It made me act the way I did.”

  Glenn’s smile didn’t fade when he said, “Yeah, desire dust.”

  “Yup,” I said, “That stuff can make you out of control.”

  “Well,” Glenn said with a shrug, “maybe. Just depends on what you desire…and apparently you desire me.”

  “No I don’t!” I hissed.

  Glenn shrugged again and said, “Well I know I desire you.”

  “Get out!” I cried again as I flung my hand towards the bed, throwing the covers onto the floor. Glenn was completely naked underneath.

  Glenn laughed and said, “Look at you trying to undress me. I love it when you’re angry.”

  I didn’t give into any more of his flirtatious attempts as I powered up my anger to magically lift his body from the bed and drop him to the ground.

  As his body crashed into the ground, his laughter didn’t cease. He shook off and flashed me another perfect smile.

  “Fine,” I huffed. “You’re attractive. The sex…from what I can remember was good.” Glenn’s smile only grew wider. “But,” I continued, “You’re a horrible father, a horrible husband and I don’t like your personality.” I paused, “And I’m married, so go before you wake up the kids.”

  Glenn’s smile shrunk. “I actually like you,” he said quietly as he stood up and began to find his clothes.

  “I’m actually married.” I said as I headed to the bathroom leaving Glenn behind in bewilderment.

  Chapter 20

  After I showered and returned to the bedroom, I was happy to see Glenn long gone. I quickly dressed and went in search of Ben. I had to talk to him about the night before. When I found Ben in our room, he looked just as ashamed as I felt.

  “Miranda,” he said, “I did something terrible last night.”

  “Me too,” I said, “At least…I think.” I proceeded to tell Ben everything I remembered happening with Glenn.

  “Oh Miranda,” he said, “It’s not your fault. Damon did this to us.”

  “What happened with you?” I asked.

  He told me he hardly remembered a thing, but he had woken up besides the red headed woman this morning and quickly kicked her out.

  “I think…we made love,” he said. “I’m so sorry.”

  “I’m sorry too Ben…I don’t even know what to do.”

  Ben nodded his head and said, “Damon’s leaving today. Hopefully…this nightmare will soon be over.”

  “I’m sorry Ben,” I said. “I’m so sorry.”

  “None of this is your fault,” Ben replied.

  Ben forgave me and I forgave him, as we both knew this was Damon’s doing. I hardly saw Damon on his final day on Sidhe, as he didn’t even come home until later that afternoon. Instead I spent the day with Delia and Nathen, feeling sad that they were leaving too. Even Alice was torn up that her beloved grandparents were leaving, but she was thrilled Damon would be gone.

  Finally the evening rolled around, and it was time for Damon and his parents to go. As I waited for everyone to come downstairs, I realized that as our house grew larger, it grew smaller equally as fast. When Delia came down the stairs, she held Isabella in her arms, and when Alice saw her grandparents she ran towards them and threw her arms around them.

  “Can you guys stay here?” she whined.

  “No honey,” she said as she wiped a tear away. “We have to go with Damon to take care of him, but your grandma Lexi and your parents will always be here with you.”

  Alice grunted, but wrapped her arms around her grandmother again.

  “Love you grandma,” she said.”

  I watched in sadness as Alice hugged both her grandparents’ goodbye. Nathen and Delia had always been strong, loving grandparents to my children. They treated all four of my children with exactly the same amount of love, even though three of them didn’t share blood.

  “Just remember,” Nathen said as he hugged Isabella tight, “In three years you’ll be the Queen of Pine Lake…and if we’re still there, we’ll be there for you whenever you need us.”

  Alice wiped a tear away and nodded her head “Okay,” she said.

  After Nathen’s remark, I began to wonder how long Damon would be gone, a few months, a year, or forever. Would Damon ever return? Would we divorce?

  Finally Damon came down the stairs. Although he had cleaned up his beard and hair, he looked pretty mangy from the night before. Delia and Nathen gave their son disapproving glares, and I wondered how the dust had affected them the night before. I wondered if Damon had allowed the magical dust to poison his parent’s brain. I wanted to know, but I didn’t want to ask.

  “Ready?” Nathen asked.

  Delia and Damon nodded.

  As we headed out the door, Nathen held Isabella tight, and Alice clung to her grandmother. Benny was following close behind, and even my mother joined our group to say goodbye.

  When our group arrived at the portal, Delia took Isabella from Nathen’s arms and gave her what seemed like a million kisses. Nathen held Alice tight as they said goodbye. Damon stood alone near the portal, as he looked uncomfortable. Ben finally took initiative. Ben walked up to Damon and gave him a hug. Damon’s face seemed to brighten some, but he still looked depressed.

  As I stood by my mom I overheard Ben say quietly, “I know you’re having a hard time Damon, but you have been there for Miranda her whole life, and when I couldn’t be.” Ben patted him on the back, “Just get better Damon.”

  Damon gave Ben a half grin. As he walked away, I knew it was time for me to say goodbye. When Damon was alone, I walked to his side. I looked at him for a moment before I finally leaned in to hug him. He seemed surprised that I would even come near him after the night before.

  When I pulled away, I felt a tear roll from my eye as I said, “I’m mad at you Damon…really mad, but I love you, and you’ll always be my best friend. I want you to get better.”

  I quickly walked away as I was too hurt to say anymore. Damon went to his parents and quickly gave Isabella a kiss goodbye. Then he went face to face with Alice. The two stared at one another for a moment, before Damon leaned in to hug her. She seemed stiff, but didn’t resist, and when he was done, she quickly clung to her grandmother.

  Before they left, I went to Delia and Nathen and wished them goodbye.

  “It’s not goodbye forever,” Delia cried as she wiped a tear away. “Your ju
st a short portal trip to earth. Come see us anytime sweetie.”

  “You too,” I said as I tried not to cry any harder.

  Nathen wrapped me in his arms as I could hear him crying like a baby. “I’ll miss all my girls,” he said through tears, “Including you.”

  I kissed him on the cheek as I wiped a tear away. My mom, Ben and Benny quickly said their final goodbye, and I held Isabella as Ben peeled Alice away from her grandparents. The six of us stood together as we waved our final goodbye and watched as Damon and his parents slipped through the portal.

  Everything was different after Damon left. It wasn’t better, but it wasn’t worse. It was certainly quiet without Nathen cooking breakfast in the morning with Ben, or Delia playing with the kids. The quietness of their loss however, was replaced by the construction of the new wings, and Benny and Nick who had now taken full residence in our home.

  Glenn was still taken with me and made every excuse to see me at least once a day. He used his son as an excuse to see me, but after spending only a minute or two with his son, he would spend the rest of the time trying to flirt and seduce me. Glenn didn’t see my human husband as a threat, but when Benny realized what was going on, he stepped in.

  One day, after Glenn made sure to give his son five minutes of his time, he found me in the kitchen icing cupcakes for the kids.

  “Hey beautiful,” he said.

  I tried to ignore him, but he kept coming towards me.

  “Aren’t we ever going to talk about that wonderful night we had…and our wedding?”

  “Glenn, I’m happily married.” I said, “If you don’t want to see your son, just go.”

  Glenn chuckled, “You’re married to two men, and one of them’s gone. Why not marry me too?”

  “I told you,” I said without even looking up, “I don’t like you.”

  Glenn wouldn’t take the hint, and he snuck up behind me and grabbed my bottom.

  “Glenn!” I screamed and turned around.

  Glenn was laughing hysterically, but at that moment, I heard the roaring sound of my son’s voice yell, “Get away from my mother.”

  Glenn jumped from the ground in surprise, and for the first time, I saw fear in his eye.

  “I saw what you did,” my son bellowed, as his eyes grew huge. “If you ever touch my mom again, I will throw you in the dungeon and raise your son myself.”

  Glenn sheepishly tried to back out of the kitchen as my son detained him with his gaze.

  “Get out!” Benny shouted as he raised his fist.

  Glenn didn’t hesitate as he scurried out of the room as quick as his feet would move.

  When Glenn was long gone, I looked at my son and said, “Thanks.”

  “It’s fine mom,” he said, “I’m tired of seeing that snake here. He doesn’t care one bit about his son.”

  “I know,” I said with a sad look on my face.

  “Don’t worry mom,” Benny said, “Brandon and Allison will be living here soon, and he’s got us, he’s part of this family.”

  I nodded my head, “He’s done so much for Alice. I don’t she would have made it without him.”

  Benny nodded his head, “He has. He’s a good kid.”

  As I stood in the kitchen with my son, I suddenly had a weird sensation scamper through my body, and I suddenly felt weak and dizzy. I placed my palm against my head and leaned over.

  “Mom, are you okay?” Benny asked with a look of concern across his face.

  “Yeah,” I said as I tried to stand up. But I wasn’t okay. A sick feeling washed over me as the room grew fuzzy.

  Chapter 21

  Three weeks after Damon and his parent’s departure, Brandon gave me word that Damon would be returning the following day.

  “That seems soon,” I said as a sudden fear washed through my mind.

  Brandon shrugged and said, “He’s having a hard time. He said seeing you and the girls would help.”

  I nodded my head, “Thanks for letting me know.”

  That night before Ben and I drifted off to sleep I told him what Brandon had told me.

  “I’m sure it will be okay,” Ben said as he detected the nervousness in my tone. “We’ll have Lexi stay with the girls, and the two of us will go alone. We’ll have Benny nearby incase he tries to…start something. I’m sure it will be fine. The two of you need to work things out anyway…have a new start.”

  I nodded my head. “Are you sure? Alice seems like she’s finally doing better. She’s eating again and going to classes.”

  “If he pulls something,” Ben said, “He can go right back to earth, and he won’t go near you or the girls until he’s better.”

  I nodded my head. “All right. If you think it will be okay.”

  Ben gave me a hopeful smile and kissed me. I went to sleep that night with a smile on my face and with a strange gut feeling that everything was going to work out.

  The next morning, we left the girls with my mother, and Ben, Benny and I headed off towards the portal.

  Benny stopped at one of his offices nearby the portal and said, “I’ll be in her for a few hours. If anything should happen…”

  “Everything will be fine,” I smiled.

  “Mom…I’m just worried about you,” my son said.

  “We’ll be okay,” Ben reassured our son.

  Benny nodded his head and disappeared into his office. Ben and I continued on towards the portal. I was nervous to see Damon, but excited all at the same time. I hoped our visit today would give Damon all the motivation he needed to get better so he could come home.

  When Ben and I reached the portal, we stood waiting for Damon to arrive. Brandon informed us that Damon would arrive at noon, but it was already fifteen minutes after.

  “We’ll give him fifteen minutes,” Ben said. “Lexi can take the girls to Roger if we need to go back home.”

  I nodded my head. I began to feel impatient and anxious as I began to pace.

  “Are you feeling okay?” Ben asked.

  I nodded my head.

  “Just nervous,” I said.

  “Damon will be so excited,” Ben replied.

  I smiled, and at that moment, the portal began to glow.

  “Here he comes,” Ben said as he moved closer towards me.

  I was nervous, but I smiled in excitement to see my other husband. When Damon was pushed through the portal, I suddenly felt sickened by his sight. In only two weeks his appearance grew worse than before. His hair was a mess and his beard was mangy. It seemed as if he hadn’t showered since his departure, as I could smell him the moment he walked in the room. I rubbed my stomach as I felt it turn when he drew closer.

  Damon didn’t say a word as he dragged himself towards us. As he grew closer, his appearance looked worse. He looked as if he had lost a few pounds, but his face was red and swollen. He had sores on his face, and even some on the exposed parts of his arms. His clothes were mangled and dirty; there was even dried vomit on his pants.

  “Damon,” I cried in concern. “What happened to you? Do your parents know you’re here?”

  It seemed as if Damon had gone deaf as he continued towards us while completely ignoring us. He finally stopped just in front of us and stood still. As he stood in front of us, I felt my stomach growl, and I covered my nose with hand to block the smell. Damon gave me a dirty look, but he didn’t say a word.

  “Are you not going to talk?” Ben said with a look of concern on his face.

  Suddenly Damon growled. Ben stepped back and put his hand in front of me, as if he could protect me.

  “Scared?” Damon finally asked.

  “No Damon,” I said. “Actually, I have some exciting news for you,” I smiled as I thought about the news.

  I waited for Damon to show interest, but instead he gave me strange gaze. It was clear that Damon was heavily intoxicated on alcohol and maybe even potion.

  “We should take him somewhere to sober him up before you tell him,” Ben said calmly.

  �
�You’re not taking me anywhere,” Damon snapped.

  “Okay, okay,” I said.

  “Damon, I’m worried about you,” Ben said.

  Damon growled again.

  “Why did come here?” I asked, suddenly feeling hurt and annoyed.

  Damon let out a creepy laugh as the disgusting scent of his breath flourished through the air. Then he said, “For you.”

  “Damon…” I said nervously, “What’s going on?”

  The look on Damon’s face terrified me as he said, “After you sent me away, I didn’t get better…only worse. I realized that I couldn’t live my life without you.”

  “You don’t have to,” I said trying to force a smile. “Just let me tell you…”

  “Yes I do,” he interrupted. “No one wants me here. Your children despise me. Ben wants me gone.”

  “No I don’t!” Ben interrupted.

  “Just listen!” Damon growled.

  Ben and I stepped back, but Damon took a step forward.

  “Miranda, I finally realized what I have to do…what has to happen.”

  “Damon…” I whispered, as I felt terrified of what he planned to do. I reached my hand out to grasp his arm. I wanted to show him I still loved him.

  Damon looked down at his arm then a single tear fell from his eye. “I don’t want to do this,” he said.

  “Do what?” I began to panic. “Damon, just talk to me. What are you going to do?”

  Tears were falling from Damon’s bloodshot eyes as his face began to tremble. Suddenly his deranged look turned to fear, even sadness. He quickly pulled me in and hugged me. I felt him place a soft kiss on my neck. His foul smell was making me sick, but through fear, I was able to ignore it.

  After Damon’s kiss, I felt him move his lips towards me ear. In a very quiet whisper he said, “I love you Miranda. I always have. I always will.” He paused and I felt the tears fall from his eyes, onto my neck. I was about to pull away, but I heard the whisper of his voice once more as he softly said, “But if I can’t have you, no one can.”

  With his words, I felt the blood in my veins speed to my heart, making it throb against my chest. In that moment, I realized what Damon had come to do. Kill Ben.