Chapter Thirty-Seven: Charlie
A large form lumbered into the arena. He reared up to his full ten feet when he saw the Goblin King inside his magical prison. The bear was scary as shit and the king moved back as far as he could, although he wasn’t in any danger as long as he was safely inside. When Jay looked in my direction he came down on all fours and waited while I moved closer, shifting his weight from paw to paw and bobbing his enormous head.
I walked right up to him, impressing the crowd with my bravery, or so they thought. “Hey, bro. Zerian, Isaiah and I sprung you.” I grinned and patted him on the neck, giving him a hug for good measure. Around his shoulder, a few splotches of dried blood had crusted on his shiny, dark brown coat, but otherwise he seemed healthy. “Are you hurt?” I asked.
Jay growled in answer, lifting his paw and cuffing me with the furry side so I wouldn’t get cut with his razor sharp claws. I stumbled backwards, managing to keep my feet.
I laughed. “Yeah, I deserved that. I’m sorry. I should’ve told you everything.”
He bobbed his head again and then reared up, shrinking before my eyes as he transformed back to human form. More muscular than me, Jay was a very good-looking guy and had always been kind of a chick magnet. Right now he was a naked chick magnet. The crowd cheered, especially the females.
I’d been prepared for the transition. I tossed him a plaid blanket I’d stolen from a chair in the sitting room. “You’re in the presence of a princess. Show a little class,” I teased.
He rolled his shoulders to work out the kinks. “She doesn’t seem to mind,” Jay said, smiling at Zerian and wrapping the blanket around his hips like a kilt.
“To be perfectly honest, I did not mind at all,” Zerian teased.
“See?” Jay made a move to drop the blanket. A few of the goblin females started clapping.
I held up a palm. “Then cover up for me, please.” The same group booed when he tucked it more securely at his waist.
The Goblin King was laughing. Laughing? Wasn’t he supposed to be angry? “Isaiah, this was just too much fun,” he chuckled. With a sweep of his hand, Khent dissolved my bubble.
Uh…what?
“I told you he’d do it.” Isaiah shrugged, patting my shoulder, and then walking toward Khent.
They chatted away in Common Unseelie, some of the crowd beginning to laugh as well. I should have known Isaiah was lying about not knowing the language. They were talking so fast I could only pick up a few words here and there.
Zerian translated for me.
“You called it exactly right.” Khent said.
“I’ve known him for eighteen years,” Isaiah chuckled.
“Zerian’s attitude is a bit of a surprise.”
She interrupted them, speaking in English. “Do not speak as if I were not here.”
“Well, you seem fond of the young demon. Is this true?” Khent pointed toward me. Jay growled. I placed my hand on the hilt of my dagger. Zerian stepped in front of both of us.
“What have you and the demon done, Father?” Zerian asked.
“A little wager is all. Nothing that will upset the spin of the earth or any other such nonsense.” Both males chuckled.
“What kind of wager?” If this was what I thought it was…
“Isaiah believed the half breed would be able to steal you away from Finvarra. I said it was not possible.” The king answered. “I was wrong.”
“What exactly did you wager?” I asked.
“He wagered for my support.”
“For Naberia?” I asked, drawing my blade. I was ready to fight if he decided to keep me prisoner again.
“No. I hate that bitch as much as you do. She had the nerve to show up one day and try to take over. Good thing I’d blocked the demon magic.” He gave Zerian a take that kind of look.
“You will support Finvarra?” Maybe this was it. Maybe I’d accomplished what I’d set out to do after all.
“Fin’s another arrogant ass. No, I will not lend my support to the King of Faerie or any of the High Seelie.”
“You’re not making sense. There’s no one else!”
Isaiah circled me as if I was a horse someone had decided to sell. “Faerie and the Demon Realm have their leaders, but the mortal plain does not. Who will protect the vampires, the werewolves, the shapeshifters, the witches, the sorcerers, or the humans who outnumber them all? Who outnumber us all? They are the most vulnerable of all the species. Helpless if a battle occurs.”
“Fin said he’d try to take the battle somewhere else, or at least to an unpopulated section of our world.”
“Finvarra will attack Naberia where she stands, which must be on neutral ground according to our agreement. Do you imagine Naberia will care about saving the lives of the weaker species? She will bring her armies to a ley line crossroad, where the rivers of demon magic and the magic of the Fae Races are strongest. She will pick an advantageous location, taking into account the strengths and weaknesses of her people. Also the strengths and weaknesses of the fae, and I do not speak only of battle skills. The fae have acquired a new weakness, one that Naberia will make use of to the fullest degree.”
And it all became clear. The fae had opened their doors and their hearts to many citizens of the mortal plain. Naberia would use them against Finvarra. My family and friends were already targets, but when the battle began, we might become an impediment.
My focus returned to the king when he sighed and crossed his arms. “I’ve lost the wage and will now agree to support your efforts in the war to come between Finvarra and Naberia. Only yours, Charles Liam William Cuvier, blood son of Kennet and Jacqueline, Grandson of Finvarra the King of Faerie and great-grandson of Naberia, Archdemon of the Alter Level. You’re as mixed a breed as I have ever encountered,” he said, some admiration coloring his tone. “But as you know mixed breeds are commonplace here in the Unseelie Realm. I am astounded you have survived this long.”
“Did you tell Zerian to gather my blood?”
“Yes. A small amount.”
“Why?”
“For security. I didn’t know you and rumors were flying around like bats in the night, but I believed if I had your blood I could control you and therefore keep my people safe. Isaiah told me of your compassion and how your healing tendencies kept you from turning dark like your father, so I asked him to bring you here so I could see for myself.”
Why didn’t you take my blood while I was here?”
“Your blended magic wove miracles in the arena and after seeing your power I could not keep you caged. Under Isaiah’s guidance, I made certain you stayed long enough to train, then I sent you on what I thought was a fool’s mission. I was certain you would not be able to trick Finvarra into releasing Zerian. He is a creature as ancient as myself, and just as stubborn. Yet you bargained and distracted and charmed and lied and acted every inch a demon while living right smack in the middle of Faerie. It was extraordinary.”
“I’m so proud,” Isaiah said, puffing out his chest.
I was dumbstruck by the whole tale.
“And after you’d created your very lifelike copy of my daughter by melding your Magicks—a magical feat unheard of among our people—you surprised us further by risking your life to bring magic back to the Faerie Realm. It is clear you have great respect for the seelie and their balanced life, but I am happy to see there is too much of the demon in you to accept their narrow views.”
“What if Isaiah was wrong and I couldn’t bring her back?”
“I would have won the wager and…” He hesitated.
“And?”
“You would have been my guest for a very long time.”
My hand tightened on the hilt of my blade. “You… You two bozos wagered against my freedom? You say you will pledge loyalty to me, yet you know the prophecy is bull. This is another joke, right?
“Not at all.”
“I admit I did some magic that maybe no one else ever tried.” I turned away. “It’s better if they don’t.” I moved toward the window, thinking I’d be more than happy if I never saw their faces again. The ocean roiled beneath the large window, waves knocking against boulders the size of cars. It looked furious, probably hating the way the moon and the sun kept messing with it, the same way I was feeling. I’d been sent off for a joke. Ha, ha. Wasn’t it funny the way I’d killed those frog creatures in the tunnels with Hunter and in the mountain tunnels with Finvarra? Or how I’d killed my… Zerian.
“I’m done with killing and I’m done with you and you.” I pointed at Isaiah and the King. “I sure hope you enjoyed your little game, ‘cause Fin is angry enough to chain me up in some freakin’ cell for the next damn decade, all because you wanted to play puppet masters.” I turned on Zerian. “And if you knew about this, I’m done with you too.”
“I knew nothing.” She was telling the truth. “Father. Why did you ask for Charles’ blood, even though you had decided against it?”
“I didn’t think he’d ever come back to our realm. If you’d succeeded, at least I’d have his blood to experiment with.”
“You asked her to gather Charlie’s blood?” Isaiah asked. The king shrugged. “You cheater!”
“My only desire is to keep my people safe.” the king replied.
“C’mon Jay. We’re leaving.” I said.
“About time. I’m starving.”
“Zerian?”
“I will stay. My father lied to me as well, and I have much to discuss with him. He will not behave in such a way again, I can assure you. But if you allow it, I will come for another visit at your home.”
“You are welcome anytime, princess.”
“Are we not past princess and prince? Are we not Zerian and Charlie now?” She smiled shyly.
“Charlie?” I liked the way it sounded when she said it.
“I prefer the name your closest friends use.” Zerian lifted her hands and changed, a slow transition that spread from her finger tips to her toes. Her skin was apricot, unblemished like her father’s. Her hair a golden mass of waves, highlighted with copper. Her eyes matched the copper highlights and her mouth had widened, although not to the extent the Kings did. She retained her height and her willowy form, but other than that, she looked like a lovely goblin princess.
She looked at me shyly. “Here I am in truth.”
Jay and I were grinning from ear to ear. “Wow,” Jay said. “You’re even prettier now.”
“I agree and thank you for trusting me. Please call me Charlie.” I kissed her cheek. She blushed, adding a pinkish glow to her apricot cheeks. “Come visit me.”
“I will. And please tell Grandfather… Please tell him I would love to visit Faerie again, as long as I may leave when I wish to leave.”
“I’ll be delivering your message very soon, I’m sure.” And I was not looking forward to the meeting.
Isaiah blocked my path. “Before you leave, consider this. The wager was made and won. You may call on the king at any time if you need his services.”
“I’ll never need his kind of services. Thanks for nothing, Unc.”
Isaiah grabbed my collar and twisted. “If it weren’t for me bringing you to the UR, you never would have experimented with your magic, or honed your skills with a sword or a dagger or—”
“Killed people. I never would have killed those people.”
“Look to the future!”
“Right now, the future can suck eggs.” I pushed away from Isaiah and took hold of Jay’s arm and we were back in our apartment in LA within seconds. Lots of hugging and pats on the back erupted around me, all of them were welcome and reassuring. I tried to smile, but I was numb on the inside. Garrett told us he’d ordered food and we sat around the kitchen table to eat it, but I was sinking fast and couldn’t taste a thing.
When dinner was over, I excused myself and took the lines to the boardwalk. I had a lot to think about. Samson was still in Faerie and I needed to get him back. Sinlae could get herself back without any problem, but Sam was another story.
And then? There might be more kids that needed saving from witches or some other supe abusing his power. Jay and I had to talk all of this through and I still needed to apologize big time. I should’ve listened to him.
I raked my fingers through my messy hair. Boy, I needed a shower and a long sleep. Maybe even a couple of days of sleep. That sounded really good. I continued to walk past closed shops and all night bars, keeping to the shadows so I wouldn’t attract attention. I hadn’t glamoured myself. When the boardwalk ended I walked out onto the beach, losing my shoes with only a thought.
Maybe I should just sign the business over to Jay and go back home to Crescent City. It hadn’t been so bad to be hanging out there again. I’m sure my room was still…
I groaned and kicked sand in the air. Unfortunately the wind blew it back in my face. Great. Another stellar night on the beach. And this time I didn’t even have Samson with me. I couldn’t face going back to the house—everyone would be asking me how I was and I… I just didn’t know the answer.
I kept walking. The beach was longer than I remembered. The stone arch loomed ahead.
Despite what Fin had told me, the vortex posed no problem since my little bubble and I were easily able to manipulate our way out of the turbulence. Rianne and the demi-fey I’d met when I’d first arrived were waiting for me. So was Fin.
“So you have returned?” The king was decked out in a red tunic, black pants and black boots—plus a crown. He had royal down, all right. “I wondered if you had the courage to face me again.”
“I told you I’d help Faerie.” I gave him a half smile. It was all I could manage. “She’s roped me in.”
His expression remained stern. I fell to both knees in front of him, exhausted, confused, still mourning my second Zerian. “I did not behave with honor while I was here and I wish to ask for your mercy and forgiveness.” Before he could respond I added, “I’d also like my dog back.”
I sighed with relief when Fin’s voice softened. “Samson has been a constant companion. He is quite intelligent.”
“And greedy.” I added.
“He is a dog. We must be true to our nature. None understand that better than animals. It is best not to fight against your truth because it causes illness and upsets your balance.”
“Tell me about it.” I’d been accosted by a demon prince who’d cast a wager with an unseelie king who’d sent me to trick the King of Faerie into allowing me to leave with the unseelie princess. Balance was no longer a word in my vocabulary. “How do I…how do I find my true nature? My balance? I feel lost.”
“Come.” He took my hand and we were back on top of the mountain. A fresh grave had been created, beautiful flowers surrounding it on every side, and a stone at the head. It read Zerian Cuvier. I took two steps back, shocked.
“She was your child, Charles—a creation of your mind and heart together. A miracle, as all children are. It is normal to grieve for a time, but you must move forward. Think of her wishes for you.”
No words came to mind. I stayed silent. The king continued. “When I asked the same question of my father, he told me to find my center, my core of magic, to nourish it and let go of my fears. Then the path would become clear. You are old enough to see the path before you. Take the first step. Then the next. Reach for a hand or two or twelve when you need them, or walk alone when you are able. But always move forward. Regretting the past will chain you to the earth. Cut the chains and take the next step, Charles. So many support you. You are not alone.”
He draped an arm around my shoulder and led me to the edge of the cliff where I’d earlier surveyed the work being done to repair Faerie. I gasped when I glimpsed the green landscape, the crystal lakes and racing streams, the gardens bursting with flowers and vegetables. I heard a noise and looked up, almost landing on my butt when I saw the pair of dragons flying past.
“Those are….dra…dragons?”
“Yes. You told me Naberia had them and I thought they sounded delightful, so I have created a pair. They live here in this mountain and they honor and guard the grave of your daughter.”
I was finding it hard to swallow. “So you have control of Faerie again? The Balance is as it once was?”
“Nothing is ever as it was the day before. We move forward with every second, but yes. You and I moved forward together, did we not? Step by step. I hope to do so with you many times again.”
“Are you still angry with me?”
“Oh yes. I am angry because you lied to me. Because you did not trust me. But mostly, because you endangered our people and took Zerian away from the safety of her home.”
A deep lungful of air boosted my courage to make a decision I was sure at that moment I wouldn’t regret. Tomorrow all bets were off. I got to my knees again. “I wish to swear fealty to you, King Finvarra. I would be your loyal subject.”
He’d punish me for what I’d done and then I’d never have to create another creature, or make another life altering decision, or—”
He laughed and laughed, a true belly laugh. “And I will not accept your request, because I wish to renew our alliance, Charles Liam William Cuvier.” He pulled me to my feet. “You are no king’s subject and you have always known this to be true. What kind of grandfather would I be to take advantage of this moment of sentimental gratitude and attempt at avoiding responsibility for your actions now and in the future?”
He kissed my forehead and mussed my hair. “You will yet be a king in your own right, if not in title, then in deed. I hope to be there to see it happen.” He stepped away, his gaze turning serious. “I owe you an apology as well, because I tried to keep you from following your true nature. Can we agree to be honest with each other? Lies can bury trust and trust is the foundation of respect and love.”
“I swear. Even if I know you won’t like what I say.”
We both grinned, unsheathing our ancient fae daggers at the same time, the metals and hilts of the weapons glowing with our auras and vibrating with the excitement of this singular moment. We cut our own palms and wove our hands together, speaking an oath that only death could ever break.
Acknowledgements:
Thank you for joining me on another adventure!
To my daughters I’m sending out multiple hugs and kisses. You’re the reason I’m writing. Up to the moon. :0)
To my amazing readers, I want you to know how much I enjoy your comments. Keep them coming. Thank you for taking time out of your day to read my stories.
I’d also like to thank my editor, Debbie Williams for her keen eyes and excellent suggestions. You have the patience of a saint and I appreciate that you very rarely scold me when I write gibberish or forget to finish sentences. You can find out about Debbie’s editing service here https://thepedanticpunctuator.wordpress.com/ And a huge shout out to my fabulous cover designer, Tatiana Villa, who never lets me down. Check out her gallery here: http://www.viladesign.net/
I’d also like to thank my SVRWA writing buddies: Kristina W., Sue S., Rachel S., Susan P., Kate A. Nicci C., Hannah J. and the Wednesday Le Boul crew. You keep me focused on my end goal and I appreciate and enjoy every very productive hour we spend together writing. The members of Silicon Valley Romance Writers of America rock big time!
And last but not least, enormous hugs to my amazing beta readers. This time I made them fill out a form with a lot of questions but not one of them complained. Thanks again for your insights and your encouragement. Beta readers extraordinaire: Chelly Fowler, Angela Jackson, Kari Lynn Jeffress, Wanda Jewel, Kim Knollenberg, Arnie Lachner, and Regina Roy.
About the Author
I'm fortunate to currently be a resident of a lovely town in Northern California, a magical place within the context of the mortal plain, where flowers bloom all winter long and people actually smile and say hello when they pass you on the sidewalk.
I've spent most of my professional life working with community theatre groups in NYC as a costume designer, production manager, stage manager, etc... Over time I've adopted the philosophy that life is one enormous theatrical extravaganza and I'm merely doing my best to keep it interesting for myself, my family, my friends and hopefully my readers.
I've read fantasy my entire life and still read into the wee hours. Steven King said something about not having the tools to write if you don't spend a good amount of time reading. Well, I'm doing my best on that front.
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The Rogues Shifter Series: A young adult fantasy series
Rebirth: Book 1 – Free at all vendors! Sixteen-year-old Jackie discovers she's not human, but instead part of a large supernatural community. She trains with a group of young shapeshifters who become her close friends, and also meets Garrett, the magically powerful vampire who teaches her to use her unique energy and then manages to steal her heart. Together they face off against his destructive maker, the 500-year-old vampire, Eleanor Howard.
Stalked: Book 2
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Blown Away: Book 4
Caught Between: Book 5
Torn Apart: Book 6
Cut Off: Book 7
Blood Spelled: Book 8 - Available March, 2016
Winter Solstice Wishes: A Rogues Shifter Series Short Story Book 7.5
The Triad Series: A Young Adult Fantasy based on characters from The Rogues Shifter Series
Breaking Out: Book 1
Falling Out: Book 2
Spinning Out: Book 3 – Available Fall, 2016
The Theta Series: A paranormal romance set in a futuristic world where supernatural creatures rule, but revolution is a magical certainty.
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Excerpt from Winter Solstice Wishes by Gayle Parness