Kindred: Book 1 A Realms of the Otherworld Book (29 page)

“You are amazing! Thank you so much. I look forward to seeing you tonight in my chambers. I have faith that if you can design a dress like that you can work majic with my hair. There is so much of it I have no idea what to do with it.” I thank her again and then quickly make use of the wash room and make my way back to the dining room. Wouldn’t you know it? Everyone is in attendance as I try to nonchalantly make my way to the buffet. I’m so hungry I could easily eat one of everything. I see Danu and Airmed both have started on their less than full plate of food. Remembering this morning I’m feeling self-conscience so I grab a little bit of salad greens and some sliced grilled chicken and a bit of fruit careful to not fill my plate and then make my way toward Alaric. As I take my seat I smile hesitantly at his parents who are sitting across from us. Rhespen is again sitting to my right and Alaric is sitting to my left as I dig into my salad.

“Ashlinn, is that your first course? You need to eat more than that.” Alaric says.

“I’ll be fine.” I say in a clipped tone.

“Daughter, I agree you will not make it out of this room if that is all you’re going to eat.” Rhespen says to me.

“I’ll be okay!” I snap in a hushed whisper.

“Is there something going on that we need to be aware of?” Airmed asks.

In unison Alaric and I say no and yes at the same time. I shake my head at him but he continues. “As you know Ashlinn is Danu’s daughter but what you do not know is that she is also a shifter, her father is Rhespen, alpha to the panther shifters of the realm. Since her first shift her metabolism has begun to increase. She needs to take in more food and she’s embarrassed to do so having just met you. There’s much to catch you up on as a lot has happened in a relatively short amount of time. There will be time for that later as we’re all going to regroup in the library after our mid-day meal and we clean up from this morning’s training session.”

I have never felt more self-conscience in my life and honestly I don’t like the feeling. I want so very much for them to like me but I’m afraid that I won’t measure up to their standards. Staring down at my hands I’m afraid to look up to see their reaction to what Alaric has just said and in my agitation my cat is pushing to the surface. My entire body begins to tremble and I’m now locked in an internal battle of trying to contain my other half. She is agitated and instinct is pushing her to the surface. Alaric is quick to respond to my distress as he pulls me to his side and pushes comforting thoughts thru our bond, drawing lazy circles on my back. Rhespen is ready to intervene if needed.

I hear Danu speak up, “Airmed, I know that you and I have had our differences in the past. I’m hoping that we can put those differences aside for the sake of our children. I certainly hope that the fact that Ashlinn is also a shifter is not going to be a problem. She has been through quite a lot over the last several weeks. Her entire life has been turned upside down along with that of her niece Alexia. Due to the stress and emotional turmoil of everything that has happened she experienced her first shift just a few days ago. This is unusual as it is several years early by shifter standards. Let us not forget that she has just recently turned eighteen. Ashlinn is more than capable of expressing herself. Believe me I know, but I have never seen her as uncertain as she is now. So please Airmed go easy on my daughter. ” Danu says coming to my defense. The whole room has gone utterly silent as everyone waits for Airmed’s reaction. The tension hangs heavy as I struggle to maintain control.

“Ashlinn, my dear girl, please look up at me as what I’m about to say requires your undivided attention.” Airmed says. I take a deep breath and will myself to bring my gaze to hers firmly pushing my feline to the background. “Do you know how long it has been since I’ve seen Alaric smile like he did when he was introducing you as his kindred?” She pauses for just a moment before continuing. “The answer to that question is never. I have never seen him so very happy and I owe his happiness all to you. I have to admit that when the two of you recognized each other as kindred I worried that this path would not be a good path for my son. As time passed and your awakening drew near I could practically feel the anticipation rolling off him in waves. It was then that I realized that my son was never really whole, not without you. The only thing that would remedy that was your union. I also realized that my Creator would never give my son someone that was not perfect for him in every way. So, Ashlinn, I want to officially welcome you to the family. We look forward to getting to know you and will do whatever we can to aid you and Alaric in the quest ahead.” She says with sincerity.

I swallow hard and drag my gaze from hers to Alaric and back again as I say in a rush, “I have so much learn. I don’t even know the proper court protocol for any situation, I can’t even properly curtsy.”

“But she can drop Tolin to the ground in hand to hand combat with moves we’ve never seen.” Ferg interjects.

“She can persuade a Fomorian to talk during an interrogation when nothing else would.” Lorcan says.

“She can weld any type of bow with deadly accuracy and so can Lexie. She’s brave enough to step up and even take an arrow while giving the rest of us time to get back to Faerie.” Torin speaks up.

“She also has a tendency of taking charge and putting us in our places.” Tolin says.

I smile at all of my guys as they’re singing my praises and coming to my aid trying to make me feel better, “Ferg, You know that Tolin totally deserved what he got earlier today. Lorcan, as long as there is light in our enemies I will not condemn them. Torin, we are a team, all of us, and I will take an arrow any day if it is my calling and that day it was my calling to make sure that we all made it through the portal to Faerie.” I pause and turn my attention to Tolin with a grin, “Tolin you sometimes need to be put in your place more than the others.” Turning my attention back toward Alaric’s parents I say, “I don’t even know how to address you. In the Mortal Realm, I would address you as Mr. and Mrs. Faerondarl until we were better acquainted.”

“Ashlinn, please address me as Airmed and Āemarick you can address as Rick. If and when you feel comfortable you may address us as Mother and Father. Now Ashlinn, please be yourself and that means you need to eat. Those strange looking pants are practically hanging off you so I assume that you have lost weight in the last few days.”

I smile and say, “Thank you both for accepting me, it means a lot to me. You have no idea how much. I only want for Alaric to be happy. I know that things are not going to be easy. I want you to know that I will do what needs to be done to protect the realm and Alaric.”

“Ash,” Alaric growls, “we’re a team and don’t you forget it.”

Trying to change the subject I say, “What I wouldn’t give for a couple of fully loaded pizzas with extra cheese right about now.” Alaric chuckles and lets me know he’ll talk to the cook.

“What is pizza?” Alaric’s father askes with a quizzical look on his face; it’s the first thing I have heard him speak. His question has the guys and Lexie all talking at once amongst themselves about how they like their pizza. I grin widely as I say, “It’s only the best concoction every made. Before everything changed and my life was normal back in the Mortal Realm we would have pizza night at least once a week. One large fully loaded pizza was always too much for Mom and me but now I think I might be able to devour two large pizzas on my own.” About that time my stomach rumbles loudly and that’s my que to get some real honest to goodness food. As I load up the conversation is centered on everyone’s favorite type of pizza and all the anxiety that I was experiencing just a few minutes’ earlier dissolves away as everyone joins in. The only person missing is Jasmine.

Chapter 28

(Alaric)

After our midday meal Ashlinn and I go up to our chambers where I intend to remind her that she’s not in this alone, not ever. We have an hour and a half, more than enough time to drive that sentiment home. Before I can do or say anything she turns to me and says, “What do you have in mind, Elf Man? I know that you’re thinking wicked thoughts… Bring it.” She says in a low husky voice. I have every intention of giving into.

We make use of the time that we have alone together before cleaning up. Before we head down I pull Ashlinn to me, “After your comment at midday meal, I need to remind you that you are not alone in this quest. Tell me that you understand that we’re a team. We do this together no matter what.” The thought of Ashlinn going off on her own has me agitated to the point that I feel that unfamiliar presence within trying to break through. I can see that Ashlinn senses what is happening as she reaches up to cup my jaw in her hand.

“Alaric, I will always feel the need to protect you, no matter what. As you will always feel the need to protect me. We are a team. I don’t know what I would do without you. She says as she calms the leashed beast inside me. I know that Rhespen wants to be there for my first shift but I’m not sure how much longer I can hold my beast back. This is as new to me as it is for Ashlinn, at least I have the foreknowledge of what is about to happen. She calms me and I pull her to me breathing in her scent.

“Come on Álainn, we’re going to be late.” Ashlinn is my world. I’m not sure how I would cope if anything took her away from me. Even though we have clearly completed the bond I am looking forward to the formal ceremony tonight. Until then it will not seem real to me. She’s mine and I want everyone in the Realm to know.

As we enter the library Ashlinn surprises me as she says, “Bring Garrick to this meeting before we start.”

“Are you sure that is wise?” I ask.

“Who will he tell? Where’s he going?” She asks me.

“So be it.” I say.

A few moments later Garrick is brought into the library. He looks well and is in clean clothing and his bruising from the beatings he took is beginning to fade. Ashlinn addresses him, “Garrick, I’m glad you could join us. I trust that your stay with us has been comfortable.”

“Thank you my lady, for your hospitality, I am fine. I trust that you are well.” He says.

“Yes, thank you for asking Garrick. Things have been sorted. I need to ask something from you Garrick and you may not be able to answer right now and that’s okay. Do you know who you are? Do you know where you stand? Do you stand with your queen? Or can you see that the path she is on will become a destructive one?” Ashlinn pauses as she waits for his answer. The room is quiet as everyone stills.

“No my lady, I… I’m uncertain. The only time I seem to be clear of my path is when you speak to me. It’s almost like I’m drawn to follow your path. I can’t explain the confusion that I feel over my allegiance to my queen and the pull to follow you.” Garrick says.

“Well Garrick, I would like for you to stay as this is a meeting to work through the issues that we face moving forward. We have a lot to discuss this afternoon. Hopefully, as the afternoon progresses you will have a better understanding of what we are up against and where your allegiance lies.” Ashlinn says to Garrick and then turning to everyone in the room she addresses everyone else, “We will speak freely in front of Garrick and we will all treat him with respect. I know that will be difficult for some of you as you still see him as a threat so I will ask that you do this as a favor to me.” Ashlinn then introduces Garrick to everyone in attendance, when she gets to Danu, Dagda, Clíodhna, my parents, and her father Rhespen, Garrick’s eyes go wide as understanding sets in of the backing Ashlinn has in her quest to save the Realms.

About that time Jasmines enters flying into the library from the open terrace doors at full tilt. She’s barely able to come to a halt before Ashlinn and Lexie, hands on hips. “I miss all of the fun! You couldn’t have waited for me to get back to poke the bear Ash? I have to hear from the kitchen staff that Declan lost it when you revealed that Lex may be a druid and then came to an epiphany and now there’s a double binding ceremony? You know how I like it when that stuff happens.” She says with a pout to Ashlinn and then turns to Lexie to include her as she continues in true Jasmine fashion, “I’m so happy for you both! This is so awesome! A double binding ceremony at the sacred meadow, do you know how long it’s been since there has been a binding ceremony there? Everyone is so excited. The meadow is a buzz and everyone promises that it will be ready at sunset. I promise it will be perfect in every way.” Then her face turns solemn as she turns to everyone in the room as she looks to Danu and then back to Ashlinn as she says, “I think you both should know that for the first time ever, the Tree has shed some leaves. Not many, just a handful, but that has never happened before. Not ever. Everyone in the meadow is talking about it. They know it’s not a good sign and before long news will spread. Is there anything that we can do to help in the interim?”

“Jasmine, we think that the binding ceremony could help, Ashlinn came up with a theory that makes total sense once we discussed it a little more in depth amongst ourselves. We all agree that the Tree has been growing weaker and weaker as the years go by with no binding ceremonies being held there in the meadow.” Danu says looking to Clíodhna to continue.