Lord Caelen says it’s going well, and I have to believe him as I have no other choice. He’s able to connect to Liam, who’s speeded through quite a few hours when Jackie had slept, making the total time she’ll be under a little shorter. She’s getting used to Liam’s presence, so it should help her with the more difficult events coming up.
Fae have been stopping by to offer support, some leaving small gifts for Jackie and also for Liam, who is well loved in Faerie. The other three Elders came by, and Lady Dinestri spoke to me for a few minutes about Bridgett moving to Faerie. She said since Jackie and Bridgett hadn’t had much time together, she’d give Bridgett an extra week before she had to start her work. I asked her about William visiting Bridgett once in awhile and she said as long as Jackie and I vouched for him and he stayed in her rooms, it would be fine. She seemed excited to have Bridgett assigned to her. I gave that feeling about a week, then shook my head, a little guilty. The girl had grown up a lot recently, the wolf battle being a perfect example. I hoped the growth spurt would continue.
Brina and her sister Kaera, Farrell, Philladre, and all of the survivors of the kidnapping by Kennet and Bridgett’s father came by to talk to me and wish Jackie and Liam well. Aedus was gone for the day but would be back to visit tonight. I’m constantly amazed by the generosity of this magical race, having seen many times, firsthand, the results of their wrath. Witnessing Caelen, Liam and Aedus torturing their enemies would have turned the stomach even of Eleanor, who’d grown more powerful from the pain and misery of others, becoming a master in the art of inflicting agony.
As extreme as a fae’s anger can be, the same can be said about their loyalty and kindness. The term ‘I’ve got your back’ was invented in Faerie, once you’re looked upon as an ally. Liam, Aedus and even Lord Caelen have supported my causes and protected my ass so many times that sometimes I think I should just move to Faerie so that they wouldn’t have to make the trip to my house. They tell me it’s all to pay me back for what I did for Aedus over a hundred years ago, but I know it’s because we’ve become close friends and enjoy fighting alongside one another. I’m forever grateful that Jackie has been included in this fellowship as well.
Memories of the day when Lord Caelen first approached me about his first born son flooded back. We’d only encountered each other once before and it wasn’t on friendly terms, so I was extremely hesitant to meet with him. His emissary, Liam, whom I’d also never met, assured me I would not be harmed, so I went.
It all involved Eleanor, of course. She’d convinced another extremely powerful, ancient vampire to kidnap a fae with royal blood to use as a blood slave. Vampires are well aware of the power of fae blood, but few ever have a chance to taste it. Eleanor used her seductive wiles on Aedus and lured him to the vampire, where he was shackled in iron, tortured and used for his blood.
At the meeting, Lord Caelen told me of Aedus’ situation and waited for my response. There was no pressure for me to take on the task and very little emotion was evident in his voice. His cold, reserved attitude almost made me refuse him, but I asked for more information, urging him to open up. This was his son, the only child with a mate whom he loved dearly. He didn’t want to start a war between the fae and the North American Vampire Association, which he knew could happen if he personally attacked an ancient. He simply wanted his son returned to him.
I told him I would try to get Aedus released without bloodshed. There was only one way I could accomplish this and that was to work out an agreement with Eleanor. I approached her, and after much haggling and many threats, we reached a bargain. Aedus would be released back to his father if I returned to her for a period of two years. One of my stipulations was that I never be forced to participate in the death of an innocent or a nest mate. She agreed to that, but then forced me to watch every horrible torture she could dream up. There were many dawns over the next two years when I closed my eyes and prayed I would not wake up again, and twice she had to stop me from walking out into the sun. It got to a point where I had round the-clock-guards to keep me from harming myself.
After my two years were up, she was forced to let me go. When I walked into my house, thin, weak and miserable, Liam, Aedus and Lord Caelen were there. They invited me to Faerie and so I went and was made an ally and a friend of the fae. They helped me recover my strength and my will to live and have been my staunchest supporters in my attempt to protect innocent lives ever since. Liam came back with me when I returned home and has guarded me as I sleep almost every day since then.
The Ancient vampire disappeared one day soon after I returned home. No one knows for sure where he went and the general consensus was he simply walked into the sun, not wanting to live any longer. I knew better, because a male who would risk the wrath of Faerie was not ready to die. When the two years were over, Lord Caelen approached me about ending Eleanor’s life, but I told him her death was to be my honor at some future date. He knew about the death of my family and so agreed.
I flashed back to that night in the clearing, when I ripped out her throat in cheetah form, honoring my family’s pain. Even though the loss of my parents and sister still haunts me, now it’s easier for me to remember the happy times we spent together. My deepest regret was that they would never know how my life has changed because of Jackie.
That thought brought me back to look once more at my lovely mate and my closest friend, holding hands like children, seemingly sleeping peacefully but actually reliving the horrors of her captivity. I felt the first sharp pains of the coming dawn and crawled into bed beside her, knowing that here in Faerie, I didn’t have to rest. But then I wouldn’t be at my best if she needed me, since denying myself, caused pain and weakness. I turned on my side to face her and laid my hand gently on her waist, hoping I didn’t disturb her trance, but needing the contact myself. I closed my eyes and allowed the darkness take me.