Wyld Wedding 3/4

[pairatime]

Previous Part




The moment the being turned his attention, his focus, on him Jason felt his mouth go dry and his whole body seemed to stop. He wasn’t sure he could stand, hell move, for any reason.

All he could do was watch the King, his King, walk closer. And he knew it was his King. He didn’t know how but he knew, he just did. Just like he knew exactly how to respond when his King called out to him.

Letting his instinct guide him, he rose, grabbing Hoyt’s shoulder when his still wobbly legs almost failed him and gave his love a smile when he glanced away from his king for a couple of seconds. He started walking around the table toward where the being stood but he stopped for just a moment and looked at Hoyt again and held out his hand, “Hoyt,” he whispered.

At first he thought Hoyt wouldn’t, couldn’t, hear him over the general noises of the great hall but when Hoyt’s look turned from one of confusion to trust as he rose and walked toward him, Jason realized there was no other sound in the room, no talking, no clicking of silver on bowls and plates, nothing. Just the sounds of Hoyt’s boots on the floor as he came to him.

Once Hoyt’s hand was in his he glanced at the table long enough to see that, yes, everyone was looking at him before looking back at his king and he continued walking to him with Hoyt by his side until he was only a couple feet from him.

“My King,” Jason said as he lowered himself to one knee, but he never broke eye contact as he did so. He didn’t know why but he knew it wouldn’t be right just like he knew it wasn’t right when he’d seen Hoyt give him an odd look before starting to copy what he had done. “No,” he whispered as he reached out and grabbed Hoyt’s hand again stopping him from kneeling.

“Rise Youngling, is this one a gift?” Finvarra asked as he shifted his focus from Jason to Hoyt and Jason could see Hoyt turn pale and grip his hand harder, almost painfully so, then the words registered, he knew why he’d stopped Hoyt from kneeling.

“NO!,” Jason yelled as he jumped up and stepped between the two, “He’s mine and no one else so much as touches him or they answer to me….even you,” saying the last two words took all of his strength once Finvarra was looking at him again but remembering the looks, the attitude Hoyt had been getting, and feeling Hoyt’s hand in his. He knew he would back it up even if he was sure he’d lose.

“Bold words, are you truly willing to challenge your King over this mortal,” Finvarra demanded to know as he stepped closer to the pair.

Jason could practically feel his bark like skin and smell of the air on a cool day when the leaves are falling and rain is in the air. Finvarra’s presence was almost overwhelming. Every instinct he had was screaming for him to say no and give in but then he took a deep breath and he caught Hoyt’s own scent, one of sweat and wood dust mixed with oil and sunshine, instincts be damned.

“I would my Lord. He’s mine and mine alone for as long as he wants,” Jason said at last.

The hall was silent for a long moment while Finvarra studied him, “Very well Youngling. Present your beloved to me,” he ordered as he stepped back and returned his look to Hoyt with an entirely different look, far friendlier, than before.

Jason just took a breath and swallowed before stepping to the side so he wasn’t between them any longer. “Hoyt this is my King…whose name I don’t know. I should really know that. What is your name, your Majesty?” Jason finished as he glanced up at Finvarra.

Finvarra just let out a rough laugh before returning the look, “Yes, you should, my Youngling. For I am Finvarra Lord of Autumn, King of the Fallen Leaves and Master of the Wyld One,” Finvarra announced to the whole hall.

“Fin-var-a,” Jason pronounced slowly glancing at Finvarra as he did so before turning back to Hoyt, “So Hoyt, Finvarra Lord of Autumn and all that stuff he just said,” he said gesturing at the King. “And Lord Finvarra,” Jason started as he wrapped an arm around Hoyt, “This is Hoyt Fortenberry, all state wrestler and my best friend turned love of my life. We’re engaged even,” he finished not taking his eyes from Hoyt’s face which was turning redder and redder by the word.

“Jas,” Hoyt hissed as he ducked his head as Jason came in for a kiss on his cheek.

“He will do, let it be known that any harm to this mortal will be answerable not only to his beloved but to me as well,” Finvarra said loud enough for the whole of the hall to hear. “But now we have matters to discuss. You and yours will follow,” he ordered before returning through the door in which he came.

***

“Hello Betty, how are you doing tonight,” Jessica said with false cheer as the social worker walked into Merlotte’s.

“To be honest I’ve been better. This whole day….I’ve had better,” Betty answered as she walked up to the bar, “Has there been any word about Hoyt or Jason and Joshua?” she asked both Jessica and Tommy who was behind the bar.

“No, and what a way to spend the half week after finals and before your wedding, missing fucking sucks,” Tommy complained as he started pouring a drink for Betty. “I’m just gald it was after his finals because that would have sucked even more.”

“I hope they find them soon I really need to speak with them,” Betty said worriedly, “and can I get a coke and lime-thank you,” she added as she took the drink from Tommy.

“Is something wrong? Has something else happened?” Jessica asked in concern, she really looked at Betty and let her fake smile fall.

“Well…I should tell you it's confidential and private...” Betty started before stopping and looking down at her hands and the drink she held.

“Now I’m worried. Is it something with Joshua? If there’s anything we can do to help, we will. Jason likes the kid,” Tommy told her as he stopped pouring drinks and focused just on her.

“And Hoyt, you know how much Hoyt cares for him, they’d tell us, you know they would,” Jessica tried to justify. “You’re just cutting out a step that’s all.

“Well that is true but I don’t think you can do anything…It’s Georgia, they won’t place a child out of state until adoption is very likely and well after the last few months we were able to convince them that it wasn’t off the table but,” Betty stopped and drained her glass, “single people can’t adopt in Georgia for any reason. The state will only adopt to married couples because of some stupid backwards law.”

“Well that’s not a problem. They’re getting married this weekend…or they were,” Jessica said frowning.

“Yes, and that’s why it wasn’t a problem but then May, Ms.Weir, let me know that because of state deadlines and other legal things the Marriage certificate needed to be filed no later than Monday. And I was going to let them know and try and get it done before the wedding even but now…” Betty finished trailing off.

“What happens if they don’t get it done, can they file for an extension or something?” Tommy asked as he poured Betty other drink.

“Yeah, the government gives those out all the time right?” Jessica said cheering up.

“Not in this case, so many rules have been bent and overlooked already to make this happen. Head of Social Services back in Atlanta has made it clear there won’t be any more. It’s been hard enough between it being out of state, not married yet, them both being guys and believe me legally that may not be a problem but it still is,” Betty complained as she took the second drink.

“So if they don’t get found, come back whatever in time to file…” Tommy queried half scared of the answer.

“Then either Joshua goes back or…they’ll call it a kidnapping.”

***

“Where are they coming from?”

“These are the woods of Endless Autumn. There are always more leaves to fall,” Finvarra explained to Hoyt as he led the three from the cave and into the forest.

“Autumn, so part of your kingdom right?” Jason asked as he walked beside Finvarra.

“The heart of my domain lays within these trees, for what is fall but the time in which trees hibernate and shed their leaves.”

“Boring,” Joshua whispered to Hoyt as the two fell a few paces behind the Wyldfaes. “I thought going with him would be cool not just lots of talk about trees and leaves.”

“It was your choice,” Hoyt said with a chuckle, “you had one at least. At least he’s willing to hear my questions,” he added sourly.

“Yeah, the others are kind of dicks. You think these wyldfae will be any better?” Joshua asked kicking at the leaves on the ground.

“Can’t be too much worse and just how deep are the leaves?” Hoyt wondered as he saw nothing but more leaves under the layer Joshua had kicked.

“I don’t know, want to find out?” Joshua suggested excitedly as he dug his foot into the leaves under them and kicked up sending leaves everywhere, but not showing any dirt under them.

“Tempting, but I think we should catch up. Maybe if we get a bit ahead of them,” Hoyt offered as he started walking faster to gain on Jason and Finvarra who were a fair bit ahead of them.

“Bon Temp needs more leaves,” Joshua countered as he started bouncing forward to catch up as well.

“So where’s the other King? Are we going to meet him?” Jason asked just as he turned to give Hoyt a smile before looking back at his King.

“You have already met him. You and your chosen,” Finvarra answered as he shifted his eyes from Jason to Hoyt.

“Who’d we meet?” Hoyt asked his previous question forgotten.

“The spring guy, or is it another Queen? And when did we meet?” Jason answered then asked.

“It was he that the Dark Ones were trying to restore with the deaths of both your sister and the young Sidhe you have taken in,” Finvarra answered as he gestured to Joshua who had his hands in the leaf covering, about to throw them up into the air.

“That bitch and bastard,” Joshua spat out as he dropped the leaves, “I thought they wanted their father back not some King?”

“The thing in the circle was…like you?” Jason said stopping and just staring at Finvarra his mouth hanging open.

“The thing, Jason…,” Hoyt started to say before turning pale at the memory of that night.

“Yes, that creature was Alberich, Lord of the Dark Ones and once King of Spring,” Finvarra proclaimed before adding in a cold tone, “he is not like me.”

“Right you’re a King he’s not…and he’s dead, twice?” Jason corrected then asked.

“Yes, he was killed long ago when the Dark Ones left these realms to go to the mortal one. The mortal realm changed them, they stopped being true Fae,” Finvarra explained while walking forward once more.

“Is that why they won’t leave Hoyt and Me alone? I stopped their Lord from coming back?” Jason asked as he finally started walking again to follow.

“Yes, your actions have made it so that all their planning and preparations to return their Lord to them is for naught. He can not be returned to any realm now, save by tearing down the walls themselves. He is forever trapped in the lands of death as is right. The dead should not return,” Finvarra told them as he reached out to one of the trees and pulled down an apple and held it out to Jason. “Life and death is a balance, one that even we must obey Youngling, in our own way.”

“Our own way? Huh?” Jason repeated his confusion evident in his voice.

Any further comment from Jason was cut off when a small brown thing popped out of the leave in front of them and squeaked and chirped something at Finvarra until the King waved him away then it disappeared under the leaves as quickly as it had appeared to begin with.

“I must go. Follow the trees and you will find my Court. Make your way there in your time Youngling, Mortal, Sidhe,” Finvarra said before he vanished in the wind.

***

“Any sign of her,” Eric demanded to know the moment he dropped from the sky.

“No, Eric, nor of her brother, that boy he’s marrying or the child they are caring for,” Bill told Eric as he looked around the roadside.

“I don’t care about them, I care about Sookie,” Eric growled as he cast his eyes about the woods, “and why are we here, of all places?”

“You may not care about them but Sookie would and this is where they were last. If they were taken-”

“Then she may have followed,” Eric finished for Bill as he frowned, “Then it seems I must care about them. They were attacked by the same creatures as during the fall, correct? The creatures had a fondness for the mystical arts, perhaps magic was used here as well,” Eric proposed as he quit looking around, “And even if not I’m not going to waste my time hunting around in the grass.”

“Not even to find Sookie?” Bill questions as he looked up from the tall grass he was looking through.

“I don’t need to play in the dirt, that’s what I have you and Pam for,” Eric smirked back dropping his fangs when Bill glared at him for the comment. “Make sure you tell me anything you find…and I do want her found.”

“I won’t be doing it for you, but for her,” Bill answered back defiantly.

“As long as you do it. Lafayette will be here to help you very soon…as soon as I wake him up,” Eric ordered as he took off to the sky.

***

“Woo Hoo.”

“Well, he’s having fun at least,” Jason said with a smile as he watched Joshua kick up a pile of leaves and then watching them join the other leaves in fall all around him.

“Like you didn’t love doing the same thing, I even remember hearing all about you and a cheerleader doing it under a pile of them,” Hoyt reminded Jason with his own smile as he too watched Joshua.

“Man, bubba, you remember who I fucked better than I do,” Jason said with a laugh before he stopped to think. “What was her name…Cindy…no….Mindy, Mindy Carson that was a good night,” he added with a smirk.

“You told the story enough times, Jas I couldn’t help but remember,” Hoyt answered back as he looked away from Jason.

“It’s more than that, isn’t it,” Jason asked as he narrowed his eyes at Hoyt.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. So your King… shouldn’t we,” Hoyt started asking as he gestured to the clearing were Finvarra had gone ahead after a small tree like creature had spoken to him.

“He said no rush, and you’re taking me having a King much better than I would ‘ve guessed. Hell I’m taking it better than I thought. I mean this whole thing is fucking weird isn’t it?” Jason just asked shaking his head.

“I’m sure I’ll have my ‘what the fuck’ moment later. For now it’s just so much crap at once I don’t think it’s all hit me,” Hoyt said with a nod, “and you are taking the King thing well. When you stood up after he basically called you his…I thought you were going to fight. Although after what it felt like when he just focused on you I’m glad you didn’t. I-I don’t think I would have been any help,” Hoyt answered as he stopped next to a large light colored maple and leaned against it.

“I felt it too. That was fucking intense and I knew it was true, that he was my King. I could feel it in my gut and…I just had to do what I did,” Jason tried to explain as he wrapped his arms around Hoyt and pressed into him, forehead to forehead. “I didn’t even want to fight him, not until he tried making a move on you, then you being right there with me…you helped Hoyt. Trust me,” he finished before leaning in for a slow kiss.

“I do,” Hoyt whispered back once the kiss had ended.

“Then don’t be jealous. I’d love to have you fuck, no, make love to me in a pile of leaves, Bubba,” Jason said with a lusty smirk.

“You just had to make that offer surrounded by leaves and the kid didn’t you?” Hoyt groaned as he playfully shoved Jason off him.

“Well, I’ll just have to ask if we can come back, alone, sometime,” Jason laughed as he watched Hoyt turn red.

“Don’t you fucking dare. But let's find your King so we can deal with our problem. Then we can get home and deal with my problem,” Hoyt half heartedly growled as he pushed off the tree and called for Joshua.

“This place is a blast,” Joshua exclaimed as he bounced next to them. “I can’t believe your sister didn’t want me to come with you guys.”

“She was just worried about you, kid,” Jason said as he draped a hand over each of the other two’s shoulders, “I guess your kind of fae don’t spend that much time around my kind,” he repeated as Joshua slid out from under his arm and raced a few feet ahead.

“Whatever,” was all the teen said in response as he reached the edge of the clearing and stopped. “Wow!”

“What’s with the wo-well damn.”

“You can say that again,” Hoyt echoed Jason as he was able to really look at the clearing.

***

“Kevin did you leave Jason’s door open?” Kenya asked as she stepped out of the patrol car as Kevin stepped out of the otherside in front of Jason and Hoyt’s place.

“No, I made sure it was locked,” Kevin answered while he exchanged a worried look with his fellow deputy as they both reached for their guns, “and I’m pretty sure the door…isn’t even there anymore.”

“Damn I was afraid you’d say that,” Kenya cursed as she stepped closer to the stairs leading to the front doorway, “radio Karl,” she added in a low voice.

“Yes ma’am,” Kevin responded as he grabbed his mic to obey.

Kenya kept her eyes locked on the doorway as she inched closer, taking the old wooden steps one at a time until she was creeping into the home, her gun raised.

“You shouldn’t be here. My father will kill you if he finds you here.”

“Police! Don’t move!” Kenya yelled as she spun to face the green creature that had floated up from behind the overturned couch.

“He will kill the fae and any mortal that gets in his way,” Diana repeated as she took on her more human form, “I have no wish for unneeded bloodshed. They must die you do not. Leave, now.”

“I don’t know what in God’s name you are but this is my friend's’ home. You’re the one leaving,” Kenya ordered back as she took a step toward Diana.

“Mortals are fools,” Diana whispered to herself as she raised her hand at Kenya and sent a pulse of green light at her.

“What the-“ Kenya scarcely had time to utter the two words before the light struck her and sent her flying back toward the doorway and right into Kevin who had been standing in it. The two deputies were then tumbling down the steps and into the grass and dirt below.

“What the fuck was that?” Kevin cried out as he tried to untangle himself from Kenya.

“That was more of that fucked up Stackhouse shit, that’s that what that is,” Kenya finally managed to answer as she pushed her and Kevin apart. “Now get on the radio and tell Andy we’re coming back in and we need to get us some more fire power or something.”

“On it,” Kevin answered while he tried to brush away the dirt from Kenya’s uniform only for her to push him away.

They both gave the place one last look before climbing back into the patrol car. Neither said anything about the soft green light they could see from the window, but they both saw it.

***

“I just have a bad feeling about this. I mean I love him but I know my brother. I should have gone with him,” Sookie fretted as she kept looking from the feast toward the back wall where the doorway the others had gone through had been, until she looked away and then it had simply vanished.

“Do you have any idea just how dangerous that would be? Sidhe do not attend the Wyld court unless invited just as no Wyldfae would show themselves at any of the Queen’s courts without leave,” Claudine explained carefully while eating her meal.

“But Joshua’s, then he’s-” Sookie said in alarm as she started pushing herself from the table.

“Was invited as Jason’s guest as was Hoyt,” Claude told her as he grabbed her shoulder and pushed her back down into her seat.

“Neither the Queens or Claude would have let Joshua go with Lord Finvarra if there was any doubt of his safety,” Claudine lightly chastised Sookie, “Now finish your meal it’s likely you may not have time to eat right upon your return to the mortal world,” she added.

“Why wouldn’t I have time, it’s the middle of the…I forgot all about the time difference. Well shit. They might be late for their own weddin’,” Sookie complained as she gave the wall another look, “Arlene’s going to kill me.”

***

The seemingly endless trees and falling leaves gave way to a large and spacious Hall of grass and leaves with a small cluster of ancient trees near the center, the entire space filled with…beings.
Where most of those who had filled the great hall of the Citadel had looked human or were human shaped at the least the ones here were not so.. Most were the size of children or smaller, with most of them looking more animal than human but there were also those that were tall and looked more like trees than anything else. The three stood out the moment they entered the clearing as of the dozens of beings present only two others in sight could even try and pass as human and neither would if the other person really looked.

“Is it just me or are all eyes on us guys?” Jason said a moment later once the trio had walked a few feet from the tree line and everyone and everything in the Hall had stopped what they had been doing and turned their way.

“Dude, not all of them have eyes…I don’t think,” Joshua whispered with a frown as he looked at some of the more tree-like faes.

“But I think you're right they’re all looking at us…or you,” Hoyt offered as he scanned over the field.

“Yeah,” Jason said quietly as he kept walking toward the center of the clearing, “Hi there, names Jason,” he added with a wave as the being parted giving him, and the other two, a corridor to the center.

“Come forward Youngling, and be greeted by the Daoine court. My court,” Finvarra called to them from his oaken Throne within the arbor.

Jason didn’t answer Finvarra aloud, he just squared his shoulders, took a breath and started through the arbor slowing only for a moment to motion for Hoyt and Joshua to keep up with him when neither of them moved to keep up with him, “Come on guys. I don’t want to keep him waiting.”

“I thought he said take our time,” Hoyt asked softly as he took a few large steps to reach Jason’s side.

“That was before he saw us,” Jason answered just as quietly while glancing over at his boyfriend. “And relax. I won’t let anything happen to you and I have a… feeling, I can take most of these…guys,” Jason stumbled over the last word, not sure what to call them all.

“That could be awesome to watch. The fight with those green guys was cool, you think these guys will put up more of a fight?” Joshua asked after half running to catch up with them.

“Try not to test that tonight, Jas. I really don’t want to be here without you,” Hoyt half pleaded while looking at all the being that lined the walkway they were on. The looks and stares he was getting were even worst then at the other court.

“Never,” Jason answered point blank as he reached out and mingled his fingers with Hoyt’s as they finally stepped through the line of trees forming the arbor.

The three men had only taken a couple steps forward then a hall become filled with the brittle sound of wood creaking and cracking accompanied by the rustling of leaves as if wind was rushing through the trees. The sound filled the air but yet not a single leaf or tree seemed to move.

“What?” Jason said as he turned toward one of the tall tree shaped being whose twisted branches and dry leaves looked just right for making the sound he had just heard, “Say that again I didn’t catch it all,” he asked.
“Who would stand before the King of Autumn and Master of the Wyldfae,”
The tree being again voiced only this time slower letting the words become clear.

“Right,” Jason told the creature before turning back toward the throne and Finvarra, “My name is Jason Stackhouse, this is Hoyt Fortenberry and the kid is Joshua Tate and well we’re here, in front of you…Sir” he added with a smile.

“Welcome to my court Youngling and claim your birthright as part of it. For all Wyldfae are of my court,” Finvarra proclaimed as he waved a bear like creature closer before taking something from her. “If you will stand before me and receive my symbol. Join my court Jason Stackhouse.”

“Really? Cool,” Jason responded as he glanced at both Hoyt and Joshua then started leading them forward to the edge of the raised platform that the Throne rested on.

“Not the mortal,” came a hiss from the crowd as a scaled hand clawed at Hoyt.

“Fuck,” Hoyt cursed as he jumped back but not before the razor sharp points raked across his forearm leaving three red lines behind. He let out his own hiss of pain as he saw the other hand coming toward him and raised his hand to block the lizard-like fae, only Jason beat him to it.

“What the fuck, you over grown gecko,” Jason yelled as he batted the hand away from Hoyt while he used his other hand to shove the lizard-like being away from Hoyt and Joshua and into the crowd which parted to form a ring around the two, “What’s your problem.”

“Lowly mortals have no place before the king,” The lizard hissed as he swung out at Jason forcing the other fae to jump back to keep from being sliced.

“You better watch your mouth you fucking lizard, that’s my fiancé,” Jason growled back as he glared at his opponent but he didn’t make any move to attack.

“You would couple with a mortal. You are no better than those mortal scum,” The lizard kept going, and he would have said more but Jason cut him off.
“Don’t you dare call him scum,” Jason demanded as he leaped forward catching the lizard’s arm as it swung for him again, “I’m tired of everyone giving him the evil eye,” a twist of the arm forced a cry from the lizard, ”or death glares,” grabbing the other arm and bending it across it’s back to another scream, “that is when everyone’s not flat out ignoring him, even when he’s talking to them,” a shove to the ground, “I don’t like bigots. Black, white, gay. You’re not that different from us humans after all,” Jason ended as he slammed his foot in the small of the lizard’s back.

“You would compare us with mortals,” The anger in the howl that came from one of the tree fae was clear to everyone, but it didn’t stop Jason, didn’t even slow him.

“I call it like I see it, tree, so unless you want to join the lizard, back off,” Jason ordered as he forced himself into the tree being’s face and glared.

It didn’t take more then a moment for the creature to shrink back from Jason, “that’s what I thought. All of you get this. I love him, he’s mine. You mess with him you’re messing with me,” he added as he glared his way from one end of the crowd to the other.

“Jas,” Hoyt whispered through his pain while watched the man he loved change again. Again he could clearly see both Jasons overlapping each other but this time his Jason seemed closer somehow, the other fae was harder to see where his Jason become clearer with each declaration.

And then it was over and Jason was just Jason again and kneeling at Hoyt’s side where Joshua was holding something against Hoyt’s wounded arm.

“It won’t stop bleeding,” Joshua said, his voice laced with fear, as he pressed his jacket over the wound but blood was still flowing.

“Fuck, anyone have a first aid kit?” Jason called as he glanced around before looking up at his King, “help him,” Jason all but ordered.

Finvarra let out a low chuckle before he rose to stand over them, “It had been too long since a mortal born attended my court. Your unpredictability, your wildness is refreshing. Phellos healing leaves for the mortal,” he ordered as he pointed to a willow like tree being, “Galway see that the mess is cleaned up,” he ordered a wolf like creature as he waved at the ground where the Lizard lay.

“At once Lord Finvarra,” came a soft wind through the leaves sound as the tree came forward and sent out a branch to Jason, it held a few large green leaves, “bind these over your beloved’s wound, child.” She said even as the wolf just lowered its head in a bow before leaping over to the scene of the fight and out of view.

“Thank you,” Jason said as he took the leaves and nodded to Joshua to remove his coat from Hoyt’s arm. “Fuck me,” he added when he saw the wounds.

The three gashes were deep and bleeding freely with blood covering his arm and dripping into the leaves under them.

Jason pressed the green leaves to the cuts and pulled Hoyt into him when the other man let out a low whimper at the pain, “Fuck, this is my fault. I said you’d be fine, fuck.”

“Hey, Hey Jas, look at me,” Hoyt ordered as he wrapped his good hand around Jason’s neck and held it there until Jason looked up at him and not his arm. “I’m tougher than I look. And my arm is feeling better,” he stopped then looked at his arm, “It really is feeling better, thank you,” he said as he turned toward Phellos.

“You are welcome, mortal,” Phellos answered before retreating back into the small crowd.

“The healing leaves of the forest are very potent,” Finvarra told them as he motioned them closer to him, “Stand before me, Wyldfae.”

Jason never let go of the other two as they finished their short walk to the Throne, all the while his eyes never stopped watching everyone that lined the path. “You said he’d be protected, not just by me but by you,” Jason accused as the three finally stood before Finvarra.

“I did, Youngling, and so the one that attacked your beloved will pay the price, a steeper price than mere humiliation at your hands,” Finvarra made clear as he stepped to the ground, still towering over the three. “And now I ask you, Youngling, before my Daoine court will you join us and bind yourself to the Throne of Autumn,” the Fae King asked, his voice booming through the clearing.

Jason shifted his gaze from Finvarra to the oaken Throne behind him. He hadn’t given the Throne itself much thought so far, he hadn’t really had time to give much of anything a lot of thought. Now that he looked at it, focused on it, and let his eyes drift over the cravings and etching of all manner of creatures he could feel a pulse in the air coming from it.

He gave Finvarra a glance before he stepped forward and reached out his hand, stopping himself just before he touched it looking back at Finvarra, but the Wyld King did and said nothing so Jason stretched out his fingers and then he felt it.

It was a pulse, he could feel it and he could feel everywhere it flowed. He could feel the whole forest, every forest. He felt its patience, its calmness. The dark wooden chair seemed to radiate tranquility. It had always been and it always would be, it just was.

And like Hoyt, it accepted him for who he was.

***

“This is taking forever,” Lafayette complained as he chucked another book across the table and glared at the map of Bon Temp which just sat there.

“Location spells are never easy, not without a part of the person,” Jesus reminded his boyfriend as he flipped the pages of his own book.

“Just hand me the next spell, bitch, and get this over with. I’m going to need my fucking beauty sleep after this shit,” Lafayette snapped as he held out his hand.

“You don’t need sleep for that,” Jesus flirted as he handed the book over.

***

“Why have we been summoned Korrigan? Has your family at last restored his majesty Lord Alberich to us?” asked a twisted creature of translucent green flesh and bone.

“If we had it would be he that stood before you, my brethren, but instead I do. To tell you that our King will never return because of the cursed fae. All our plans will FAIL for he is twice killed,” Korrigan called out to the dozens of his kind that surrounded him.

“What! Explain yourself,” one of the dark ones yelled over the uproar that followed the proclamation.

Korrigan turned about and looked over the field that his kind had over run until he spotted the one that had yelled above the other, “Quiet and I will. Quiet,” he ordered striking the ground causing it to quake slightly, and the others to grow silence.

“Last year the stars and fates aligned and it was Vartai mirties. That moment when the walls between life and death are at their thinnest. Two of my line came to this town with the hopes of using the blood of one of the cowardly fae to bring him over from the Realm of Death which he now rules back to this realm. The realm denied him when the blasted fae murdered him. They had a circle, they had the blood of not one but two mortal fae,” Korrigan told them all, smiling darkly as they listened to him. “And then a twice cursed Wyldfae interfered.”

“What? One of the traitors. What happened? Explain,” The crowd shouted as they all demanded that he keep going.

“The Wyldfae broke the circle, with a mortal at his side,” he spat out before letting the crowd cures at the news, “Then he killed them, killed them all. My sister and brother were killed but what he did to our King, he ripped him apart while he was still crossing over and unable to defend himself,” he told them and felt a thrill at the uproar.

“Yes, he killed our King ruthlessly in a way that keeps us from ever returning him to life and now…and now he has returned to the other realm, the realm of the damned fae, and beyond our reach. They sent him. The bastard King sent one that should never have belonged to him to kill our King,” Korrigan yelled at the crowd.

“They must pay. Like they should have paid when they first killed him,” yelled out large twisted dark one. “We must kill them all.”

“Yes, all the fae should be sent before our King. Sent to his realm,” Korrigan yelled as he raised his fist high, “The Thrones must burn!”

***

***

“A few years ago I’d call you both nuts,” Andy complained as he frowned at his two remaining deputies, “I mean supernatural monsters, green lights that throws you around, it’s like something from a fairy tale.”

“Sir, I know it sounds strange-“ Kevin started to explain until Kenya cut him off.

“It happened, deal with it,” she said bluntly as she stared him down.

“Don’t you think I fucking know that? Hell, after the last few months it’s not really that weird. That doesn’t mean I have to like it. Why can’t all these fucking monsters just stay in their damn story books like they’re supposed to and leave us normal folks in peace,” Andy ranted while he started pacing his office.

Kenya crossed her arms as she tracked Andy with her eyes for a moment before speaking, “Well they aren’t and we have to deal with them. So what’s the call, Sheriff.”

“We need help that’s what,. The FBI and State Patrol will just laugh us right out the building and Sookie’s one of the missing one so that leaves…fuck my life this is just damned messed up,” Andy kept ranted as he marched out the door.

“What, who does it leave Kenya?” Kevin asked as he and Kenya started following Andy to the cars.

“It leaves the vampires, Kevin. That’s who it leaves,” Kenya answered.

***

“Do you truly think he will be the champion? He is coupling with a mortal,” Tatiana asked her disdain clear.

“I do believe the King will choose him. And he may be with the mortal now but it will not last. His wyld nature will see that the mortal does not last long once he comes into his own,” Mab answered as she picked up a flower that was growing in the field the Queens were walking through.

“And if he goes the other way?” Tatiana questioned as she watched the blossom frost over in Mab’s hand.

“Finvarra would not make him the Fae champion if he does that…who would ever choose the mortal over all this?” Mab said as she dropped the frozen flower to the ground.

“I do not know. If only the King had been slower to arrive. We had so little time to talk with the Wyld one,” the Summer Queen complained.

“If he is named Champion we will have our moment, and before that he will have to return if he wishes to see his sister,” Mab said with a wicked smile turned toward the other side of the field were Sookie sat with Claudine by the lake.

***

“You need not fear in these woods again, or from any Fae. Few would dare risk receiving my attention in such a way,” Finvarra promised as he held out something for Jason to take.

“If anyone or anything tried they’re going to answer to me,” Jason threatened flatly as he reached for the items in his King’s hand, smiling the moment he saw them. “Whoa, cool, Bubba, check these out.”

“What are they,” Hoyt asked as he leaned over Jason’s shoulder, not that he had far too lean, and looked at the items.

Jason’s palm held two small wooden leafs. The dark wood was carved to perfectly resemble real leaves, from the jagged edges to the veins running over its surface.

“Wear it and all creatures that are in tune with the forces of nature will know you are projected. Even you, mortal,” Finvarra said as he looked at Hoyt.

“Well damn that would be nice. Do bad that doesn’t mean most humans, I’d be the safest cop ever,” Jason joked as he curled his hands around one as he held the other one up between his thumb and finger, “They can go through the wash right, just in case one of us forgets?” Jason asked while he pressed one against Hoyt’s chest and grinned when it stayed there.

“He didn’t mean that, sir,” Hoyt said quickly to Finvarra before glaring at his love, “We’re not going to forget them.”

“I have no fear of that,” Finvarra laughed, clapping Hoyt on the back, and almost knocking him over, “But no more of this for now. There will be serious conversations soon enough. For now it is time to make merry, feast and enjoy for we have a new member of this court,” Finvarra ordered as he headed off toward a massive bonfire, roasting something, that now filled the large hall beyond the arbor.

“Fuck me, where did that come from?” Jason asked eyeing the fire for a moment before pressing one of the leaves into the breast of Hoyt’s shirt.

“Magic?” Hoyt answered as he tracked Finvarra, frowning at the leaves before looking back up at the fire.

***

“Okay, so we have everything but this last form filed?”

“Yes, Hoyt’s been on top of it from the beginning. It’s just neither of us thought the timetable would be this tight,” Betty answered Jessica as she looked at the form in question.

“I really don’t think he planned on going “poof” into thin air the week of his wedding,” Tommy cut in before shooting Jessica a dark look when the whole table jumped.

“Well what does this form need. Lets get this paperwork done so we can get focusing on what’s important. Namely my wedding,” Arlene ordered as she grabbed the form.

“Your wedding,” Jessica repeated as she narrowed her eyes at the other redhead.

“Their wedding, fuck sake I-we’re- doing all the work, I’ll call it what I want,” Arlene said back before flicking the form away. “They have to sign it. Damn.”

“Can’t we just sign it and say they did. They won’t mind, right,” Jessica suggested after a moment of silence.

“Great idea Jess, I can sign Jason no problem,” Tommy offered as he reached for the sheet only for Betty to get it first.

“You can’t do that, it needs to be notarized and the person who performs the service needs to sign it too. And they’re going to want to see the Grooms,” she reminded him as she held it in front of herself.

“Fuck, she’s right, Pastor Blaylock won’t sign without actually performing the service,” Jessica fretted.

“Don’t worry, Jess, we’ll find them or they’ll show up,” Tommy said trying to reassure his girlfriend.

“You really think so?” she asked softly turning toward him.

“Yeah, you know Jason he’s always late but Hoyt will make sure he’s on time. It’ll work out,” Tommy responded smiling when she smiled at that.

“Yeah you’re right.”

“It fucking better,” Arlene threw in before getting back to work.

***

“Sheriff Bellefleur,” Bill said in surprise as he opened his door moments after sunset to see the three officers of the law on his porch. “This is an unexpected surprise.” He added as he looked between the three of them. They had clearly been waiting for some time.

“Yes well, we would have called first but we didn’t know if you’d answer during the day and I wanted to talk to you first thing, Mr. Compton,” Andy explained as he walked over to Bill.

“I do thank you for not waking me but I’m just leaving and I am in a hurry so I’m afraid I can’t talk at the moment,” Bill said as he stepped out of his home and turned to lock the doors.

“It’s about the Stackhouses and Fortenberry. You’re looking for her. Well so are we and it’s about time we stopped fucking around and worked together,” Andy said bluntly as he glared at the vampire.

“I’m afraid to say there isn’t much you can do. Honestly there's not much I can do. Eric and I are doing everything we can to find her but…,” Bill said trailing off.

“You know about the green things, right?” Kevin asked from where he and Kenya were standing.

“Yes, Jessica told me. But other than they employ magic we know little about them,” Bill answered honesty.

“Then what are you planning on doing. You’re not giving up?” Kenya asked as she stared at Bill.

“No…I was planning to see if Lafayette had uncovered anything during the day. Eric asked him to look into it with his gifts,” Bill explained.

“Well we know where to find one of them. Think that will help?” Andy asked cutting to the point.

“Yes, yes, it may. Tell me where, I will see what I can find,” Bill ordered as he pulled out his phone.

“Don’t you mean what we’ll find,” Kenya said back as she kept her eyes, and frown, fixed on Bill.

“What? You can’t mean you plan to-” Bill asked confused before he was cut off.

“We’re coming with you,” Andy ordered before turning around and heading for the patrol car.

“Wait, I never said you could join me, Sheriff. It likely won’t be safe,” Bill said trying to bargain with them.

“I didn’t ask, we are going and our jobs are never safe. It’s something we live with just being cops,” Andy said tensely as he turned around and looked at the older creature, “And I’ve lost enough deputies to know that better than you. I’m not losing another and sure as hell not two days before his damned wedding. We’re helping, so get in the blasted car before I have Terry blow you up or something,” he finished before stomping off toward the car.

“Well are you going to tell us where the hell we’re going to find Lafayette or not?” Kenya questioned as she glared at the stunned vampire.

***

“I do miss this place...is it funny that I miss a place I only spent a few hours in?” Sookie asked as she looked up from where she was skimming her hands over the large lake to look at Claudine.

“You’re part of this place. You’ve always missed it, you just didn’t know until your first visit, Sookie,” Claudine answered with a smile as she flicked a drop of water at the lake and watched the water ripple everywhere.

“Maybe…how does my brother know your brother?” Sookie wondered aloud as she lay back on the grass still watching her fairy godmother.

“Your brother was aware of Claude because my sibling can’t seem to stop himself from meddling in and with people he truly shouldn’t,” Claudine answered after a moment of silence, “it’s a troublesome problem he has.”

“But why Jason? It’s not like anyone kne-wait; did you know Jason was a Wyldfae, Claudine?” Sookie asked sitting up quickly to stare at the women.

“I…I knew it was possible. But I thought it unlikely, most mortals born with Wyld blood in them never become true Wyldfae,” Claudine answered slowly as she turned from the lake and looked toward Sookie. “Most live out their lives never knowing, never awaking, that side of themselves. I expected your brother to be among them.”

“But not Jason, he just had to…how did he become, I mean how did it happen? When?” Sookie asked, still unsure.

“I’m afraid that is not something I can fully answer. All I can tell you is that for a mortal to become Wyldfae they must invoke their gifts three times. Three moments that awaken their hidden nature. And in the garden of that vampire your brother did embrace his for the third time to protect you and his beloved from the Dark Ones,” Claudine explained to her charge.

“But when were the first two times? Fall I’m guessing for one, but the other?” Sookie asked as she looked out at the lake trying to think of another time he may have done something.

“I only witnessed him invoke his Wyldfae nature once, when you and Joshua were held by the Dark couple. I have seen him do it no other time, Sookie,” Claudine told her as she rose, “but enough of this. The fruit of the grove looks especially delicious this night,” she suggested looking toward one of the pear trees not far from them.

“I’ll just talk to Jason about it later and yes they do. Race you,” Sookie challenged before running for the tree.

***

“This was the spot. Korrigan. This is where Lord Alberich touched his world again. After so long an exile,” the large twisted Dark One said as he dug his hand into the earth near the center of the broken circle.

“Yes, Andvari, this is the place where the traitor killed our King,” Korrigan confirmed as he looked from Andvari to his fellow Dark Ones that filled and space, “we must have our revenge, our blood cries out for it. In this space we will cross over,” he cried out.

“Burn the woods of the fallen King.”
“The murderer must die.”

“Death to the Fae.”

“Spill their blood.”

Korrigan’s lips curled into a dark grin as he listened to the shouts from his fellow creatures, “Can you open the doorway, Andvari?” he asked of the sorcerer.

“Yes, the moon is full tonight and with it I can rip open a hole to the cursed forest of the king slayer,” Andvari answered, his expression equally dark.

“Let us see just how eternal it really is then,” Korrigan said as he began to laugh, a laugh soon echoed by the all those in the broken circle.

***

“You don’t seem to be enjoying yourself as much as the others are, mortal,” Finvarra commented as he stopped next to where Hoyt was leaning against a tree watching Jason dance around the bonfire while Joshua sat with another group listening to a story.

“Your ah...Majesty,” Hoyt stuttered as he stood straight and swallowed realizing just how close the King was.

“Be calm mortal, I have no need for such formalities in this informal setting,” Finvarra told Hoyt, his voice laced with humor. “Why do you not join him by the flames?”

“I can’t even understand most of them, they’re not even using words but he knows what they’re saying. Just the smell of your liquor was giving me a buzz and he’s already had a dozen mugs full. He’s one of you…it’s not like the football team this time, I’m not…I’m mortal,” Hoyt answered softly leaning back against the tree.

“And is there something wrong with that?” Finvarra questioned, “And yes he is one of us. He is a Wyldfae. The first mortal born in a great many years for he is mortal born. He is one of us, but he is also one of your kind. He is both. But then, you have seen that, have you not, mortal?” Finvarra said at last turning to look right at Hoyt.

Hoyt didn’t say anything at first, just looked back at Finvarra for a long moment before looking back at Jason. “There’s two of him. No one else sees it. Sookie and Joshua should have been able to but they didn’t. And Jason…he doesn’t know. He can’t tell when it's happening can he?”

“It is as natural to him as breathing. Why would he give it any thought?” Finvarra asked without expecting an answer. “No, he does not know nor do any of the others. Only you can see that part of him. Only you are close enough to him to see the change.”

“You’re not talking about distance are you?” Hoyt asked giving the Autumn King another glance before looking back at Jason.

“No, mortal, I am not.”

***

“Why the hell did we come to this dump? And what the fuck’s with the doughnut gang?”

“Yeah, why are they, or us, here Bill,” Jesus asked repeating Lafayette question in a more polite way as he joined his boyfriend in eyeing the three cops.

“They spotted one of the creatures here and declined the offer to stay behind,” Bill explained as he sped to the porch of Jason and Hoyt’s house and took in every detail he could.

“One was here? Is it still here? Fuck, warn a guy when there’s monsters around,” Lafayette yelled as he pulled something from his pocket and held his fist out toward the building.

“What the hell is that,” Andy demanded to know as he looked at the cloth and herb covered stick in the witch’s hand.

“Protection. Hey, fangy, it still here?” Lafayette answered then asked as he slowly moved closer to Jesus, and further from the house.

“No, I can sense nothing,” Bill answered as he walked up the steps and through the doorway.

“Let’s hope they didn’t leave too long ago. Hey, Lafayette, did you grab that energy tracking spell,” Jesus asked as he quickly followed Bill.

“Oh hell, this ain’t goinna be good, bitches,” Lafayette said to the three officers as he reached through his car’s window and pulled out the book.

***

“It is ready,” Andvari said as he slowly looked around the broken circle of stones and magic one last time. “The damage done to it will keep the doorway from being open long.”

“It does not need to be long, just long enough for us to do what must be done,” Korrigan answered as he beheld the small globe of green energy that floated before the two Dark Ones.

“Then on your command we will cross over,” Andvari responded before holding out his hand toward the light making its pale glow increase until it filled the circle.

“The time is at hand. Let the doorway be opened and let the Fae realms know war once more,” Korrigan cried out as he shed any semblance of human form and soared into the air over the orb. “Open it.” he commanded.

Without a word Andvari reached out and touched the globe.

Next Part