Kindred: Book 1 A Realms of the Otherworld Book (22 page)

“Uncle, one last thing before you go? Ashlinn would like us to break the news to Alexia and Jasmine in person, she thinks of them as sisters and doesn’t want them to be blindsided by this news. Can you send them up to our chambers before you make your formal announcement? Also, on behalf of myself and my kindred tell all those in attendance to enjoy the food and music and we hope to join them soon. After tonight we’ll postpone the rest of the planned festivities until we’ve gotten a better handle on how to proceed. I fully anticipate that Danu’s arrival will be at some point tomorrow. I apologize in advance as all hell will break loose once we deliver the news to her.” With that, Ashlinn is satisfied, she walks toward The Dagda head bowed baring her neck in a submissive gesture and nuzzles his hand in a way of thank you. He returns the gesture and strokes her head.

“You are very welcome my dear. I will take my leave now. See you both tomorrow.” As he walks out I can hear a full belly laugh erupt from him as I hear him mutter, “Danu is going to be seriously pissed.”

Ash’s cat begins to circle me and rub up against me and my desire for her increases. I’m drawn to her on a whole new level. I can’t help myself as I stroke her feline form. Rising up on her hind haunches she pushes me backward with her huge paws pressed to my shoulders so that I’m lying on my back and she crouches over me. I reach up and nuzzle her and whisper, “Not yet, mo grá, we have to greet Lexie and Jasmine.” A low whine issues forth from her as she licks my cheek and I feel my myself growing hard and groan, “Soon, álainn, your killing me here.”

About that time I hear a knock on the outer chamber door and I untangle myself from Ashlinn’s panther form and again a low whine issues from her. Through our bond I can feel how intensely she is being affected by her urge to claim me. I swallow hard as I’m beginning to understand how intense this evening is going to be. The pull through our bond, as our spiritual binding is allowing us to connect on a level that I would not have thought possible before now.

In a gravelly sounding voice I say, “Ash, you are going to have to think of something else while we talk to your sisters that are waiting for me to let them in.” She continues that low pitch whine and begins to pace as I uncomfortably make my way to the door in the outer room. “I take it you aren’t ready to shift back yet?” I hear a snort that sounds almost like a sneeze and I take that for, not likely, in this condition elf man. “I see how it is.” I reach down and caress one of her ears which was really bad of me as I feel another wave of longing push through our bond and instantly feel bad, “Sorry mo grá, that was not very nice of me.” Ashlinn begins her pacing and I know we’re going to have to cut this meet and greet short as I answer the door.

“Alexia. Jasmine. Please come in. Declan I wasn’t expecting you as well.” Suddenly, I understand exactly why Ashlinn reacted to Claire the way she did because I instantly don’t want an unmated male in this room with my mate. I push back my visceral reaction to his being near her as best I can. My physical reaction does not go unnoticed by Deck and he looks at me curiously until his eyes land on Ashlinn’s panther form and his eye’s grow wide with instant understanding.

Jas is flittering about like normal and lands on my shoulder, “Since when do you and Ashlinn have a pet panther? That is serious cool. Where is your better half anyway? We’ve hardly seen her since entering Faerie.” She complains. “You need to learn how to share. Alaric it’s not cool to keep her all to yourself. Claire showed us the dress she designed for her. I bet she’ll look stunning. Everyone’s waiting for you so the party can get underway.” She chatters on. “So does she need help getting ready is that why you wanted us to come up here? Where is she anyway? The suspense is literally killing me.”

Jas is wound up, like always it’s like she’s on a constant sugar high and before I can get a word in edgewise, she takes flight and continues to ramble on all the while performing some interesting acrobatics.

“Come on little kitty, let’s go find Ash. She has to be in here somewhere. Alaric can’t hide your mistress away forever. Tonight is all about her. So what do you say you show me where she’s hiding? You’re such a pretty kitty. Where did you come from anyhow? Are you housebroken? Alaric, is this big kitty housebroken? I can’t imagine what possessed the two of you to take in a panther, of all creatures. Why not a wombat? They are serious cute and probably more manageable as an indoor pet. Nothing against you, you pretty puddy tat, but you will eat us out of house and home. Not to mention the drapes and furniture will endure some serious damage with those massive paws and claws of yours. Wow? Are you smiling? Look at how big your teeth are. Alaric, where’s Ashlinn? What’s taking her so long?” Jasmine finally runs out of breath.

“If you’re finished I will try to explain what’s going on.” I say to the group in front of me.

“Wow, look at your eyes pretty kitty, they’re the same color as Ashlinn’s. Don’t you think that’s a bit unusual? I mean really? Don’t panthers have green eyes? I’ve never seen a panther with amber colored eyes before. That is so weird. Don’t you guys think that is weird?” Jas hardly comes up for air as she chatters on and on. I hear a sharp intake of breath as Lexie makes the connection.

“Jasmine if you would let me explain everything will be clear once I…” She cuts me off once again.

“Wow, that’s just uncanny. It’s almost like I’m looking into Ashlinn’s eyes, but that can’t be right. Alaric what’s going on here?” Jasmine asks as she continues to flitter about in front of Ashlinn.

Ashlinn’s feline nature begins to take over and she begins to swat at Jasmine as she lowers her chest to the floor tail up, whipping back in forth as she begins to shift back and forth on her hind legs reading herself for the chase. About that time Jasmine realizes that the panther in front of her means to pounce. Before I know it Ashlinn is chasing a screeching pixie around the room jumping and playfully pawing at Jasmine. All the while Jasmine is flittering around the room trying to get away from Ashlinn who is toying with her and having some fun.

I sigh heavily and mutter, “This is not going at all how I imagined it would.” Jasmine is screeching like a banshee pleading for someone to intervene while Ashlinn continues to give chase and suddenly I can’t help but laugh out loud. The whole situation is beyond funny.

Lexie elbows me getting my attention. “Tell me that’s not my aunt. It is isn’t it? I mean those eyes really?” She asks me, not really wanting my answer and then directs her attention to Ashlinn. “Ash, quit chasing Jasmine.” She scolds. “Come on over here and let me see you. Ashlinn Ryllae Elan! Stop those antics right now and get over here this instant.”

With that Ashlinn stops what she’s doing and makes her way toward Alexia who is standing next to Declan and the next thing I know a growl issues forth from me making Deck back away from Ashlinn. Ashlinn looks at me with understanding as she sits where she is and waits for Lexie to come to her. Lexie looks back and forth between the two of us and then walks toward Ashlinn, “Well I never dreamed that anything like this could possibly happen, but why not. Once again you never fail to surprise me. Look at you. You’re beautiful.” Lexie says as she drops into one the chairs by Ashlinn and begins to stroke her head. Ashlinn drops her massive head into her cousin’s lap and nuzzles her muzzle into Lexie’s hands seeking some additional attention. Jasmine finally realizes that she is no longer being chased by Ashlinn and comes over to land on the arm of the chair and then ventures over to sit on Ashlinn’s neck.

“Well now princess, you’ve been keeping secrets. You could have let me know instead of scaring the pixie dust out of me. I thought for sure I was going to be snack food.” Jasmine says as the three of them get reacquainted. I take that moment to talk to Declan.

“Deck, this is her first shift, it’s about two to three years early. Her need to claim her mate will not be denied, there is no way we can postpone completing the binding. It’s happening tonight. I need for you and the rest of the Guard to work with The Dagda in making sure that the keep is secure in my absence this evening and possibly tomorrow. We’ll postpone the public binding ceremony if we have to, that remains to be seen. Jasmine will understand about our absence tonight but I will allow you to explain to Alexia. I have a feeling you would prefer it that way.” Declan just grunts then says, “No worries A, you just take care of Ashlinn, we’ve got your back. I have to say I never once anticipated this. I’m kind of blown away.”

I look over to see the three women together, they’re all adapting and getting to know this new Ashlinn and her panther is getting know each of their scents. Jasmine and Lexie are laughing at Ashlinn as she licks each of them showing her affection for them. Poor Jasmine almost ends up entirely in her mouth and she starts in on one of rants all the while Lexie laughs. I smile to myself and could not be happier.

I feel her thru our bond as a wave of longing rushes through her. A low incessant whine builds deep in her throat. It’s almost painful to share thru our bond and I watch as she begins to pant. I decide that its time to intervene as Jasmine looks at me with wide eyes. She’s begins to put two and two together. “Okay everyone. It’s time to go enjoy the banquet below and the music and dancing. I need to see if I can coax Ashlinn to shift back.” I say walking to the door. Declan clears his throat getting Lexie’s attention as she and Jasmine say goodbye.

“So we’ll see you in a bit?’ Alexia asks as she makes her way to the door. Jasmine speaks up as they are hurrying through the open door, “About that Lexie, I don’t think we’ll be seeing Ash tonight. I’ll let your kindred explain that one.” I hear as they make their way down the hall to the stairs. Our suite is the only one on this floor of the turret so we should have plenty of privacy as I close the outer door to our rooms.

Chapter 24

(Ashlinn)

I’m quivering in anticipation of what’s to come. I find that my feline is such a hussy I can barely control her as she continues to nuzzle Alaric. His sharp intake of breath alerts me to his own arousal. What I thought earlier before the shift is true. We are two entities sharing one form, me and my panther. Now that I know that she’s there I can’t deny that she has been guiding my instincts for some time. Now her instincts are riding us hard to claim our mate. That doesn’t alleviate my nervousness of what is to come. Not to mention, I have no idea as to how to shift back. I have tried several times now and nothing. My panther is smug in the fact that she’s out and wants to stay out as another wave of need rocks through us and we issue a caterwauling sound that belies how affected we are. Our need to claim has set in. Lexie and Jasmine just left and they took the news better than I thought they would. Alaric breaks through my ponderings as I realize that my feline has pounced on Alaric knocking him back onto the couch in our room. We’re licking his cheek and mewling as he’s stroking us and presses a kiss just below our eye.

Alaric asserts his dominance when he says, “This is so not happening if you stay in your feline form. Shift back for me mo grá.”

As if by majic my shift takes place and suddenly I find myself naked pressed against Alaric as my panther form retreats. He reaches up and cups my cheek, “Welcome back, álainn.”

“Oh my gods, I’m naked and…,” I say as I reach up to cover my bare breast, Alaric covers my naked form with a throw from the back of the couch.

He says in a low gravelly voice, “You have never looked more beautiful.” Alaric drops a kiss on my forehead and then says, “This is not exactly how I pictured things going for this evening. It’s not a bad thing but it just changes how we will approach our mating.”

As he’s talking I find that I’ve moved to straddle him as if I can’t help myself but to move closer to him. I can feel his hard length thru his pants as I press into him. I’m so embarrassed by my actions I feel my entire body flush and I bury my head in the crook of his neck and groan, not only in shame but pleasure as I try to ease my need again by gently rocking into the length of him. Alaric pulls me close and buries his head in my hair while raining kisses down my neck. I fist my hands in his hair urging him to continue. I’m so caught up in the moment I don’t realize until we are moving that Alaric has picked me up and is carrying me to the bathroom.

I lift my head and look at him questioningly and he laughs. “Easy mo ghrá, you’re going to relax in a nice warm bath as I prepare our rooms for us.” Through the open door leading to the terrace I can hear soft music beginning to waft into the room. The celebration on our behalf is beginning to get underway. I hear in the distance a cheer go up as a toast has been issued. A small part of me wishes I were there but the ruling majority is happy that I’m here with only my kindred, my mate.

Alaric sits me on the edge of the tub as he begins to draw the bath and adds some lavender scented bath salts. He pulls me to my feet and at the same time he allows the throw to slip from around me to pool at my feet as his hands rest on my waist almost encircling it entirely. He drags his heated gaze over my naked form, inhaling deeply as his desire ignites in the depth of his eyes. I drop my gaze feeling vulnerable and exposed while simultaneously excited about what this is leading up to. Alaric hooks his index finger under my chin and lifts my gaze to his. He leans down to give me a scorching kiss as he pulls me against him. All too soon he breaks away to lift me up and place me in the tub with a smile, “Okay relax in the bath. Give me a little bit of time, but take as long as you need. Then you can come out and join me.” He says as he places a kiss on my forehead and walks into the other room and I watch him go admiring his exceptionally sculpted backside.