Alternate Universes Repost 3/8/2014 II
Alternate Universes: How to save a Life
Silver loped beside the horse that carried her human litter mate, feeling the anxious fear increasing with every step. He felt it, too, she could tell by the grim set of his mouth and the way he urged his mount to go faster. They were already ahead of the rest of the contingent from the high Rocky reaches and Silver had heard Bastet tell Eric the Red to let them go, that they were needed.
Silver was unsurprised when another horse, this one with a small girl on his back and a half grown lion cub held against her, broke through the trees and foliage ahead of them. They merely adjusted their pace to keep up.
They halted as one at the entrance to a clearing. Silver could scent the Mackenzie as well as strangers. She stood, panting with weariness as her sib slid down from his horse. The girl on the horse before them was stroking the shuddering neck before her, her face full of sympathy and concern. Silver caught the tickling of a mental conversation and then the girl very carefully held the lion cub and slid to the ground. Green eyes pinned first Silver then her sib.
*Can you help take the packs off so he can change back?* Came the firm voice. *I can’t undo the straps by myself.*
Her sib didn’t say a word, just stepped forward as the girl put the cub down and helped her unbuckle the pack straps on the horse. Once they were done and the packs removed, the horse stepped forward, shuddered and changed into a young man. Silver felt her ears flatten with momentary shock, but her sib didn’t even bat an eye.
“Jason, from the High Rocky reaches.” He stated, extending a hand. The other man looked at it for a second, then took it.
“Kevan, from Dog Valley.” Came out on a grunt, then he looked down at the girl. “This is Jaycee, my alpha’s cub. Jaycee, stay here until we know it’s safe.”
The girl shot him a look of pure exasperation and turned on her heel, flouncing forward into the clearing. Silver felt a faint surge of amusement before the anxious fear returned. She followed the other lion, leaving the two males to stand glaring after them, before they too, followed.
Silver ignored the cries of surprise and made a beeline for the source of the anxious fear gnawing at her heart. Her eyes registered the form of a small Australian Shepard female dog, but her heart told her frightened, half grown cub. Beside the dog crouched a shivering human male not much older than her human sib, his aura full of fear and despair. His hand was just reaching for the knife at his side, his intent to kill his bonded then himself, he was so frightened.
*No, Youngling!* Silver sent and struck the knife from his hand with a paw, her claws still sheathed. *I am here now! It will be fine! Look at me, Youngling! Look in my eyes! My mind to yours, my heart to yours, my soul sings to you!*
Wide blue eyes slammed into hot amber. Silver felt his mind latch onto hers desperately and opened for him despite the pain it caused. She registered Jason beside her, holding the little shepherd, felt him opening for a bond with the dog along their sib link. She felt him reach for her along their link, crying out and without hesitation, opened their sibling bond to encompass both the little dog and the human before her. Somewhere, someone was snarling and a howl of answering fury cut across her physical ears.
Jaycee stared in exasperation and laid her hand on Morgana’s head. She projected calm so hard at the knot of strangers and the others, they fairly froze in place. She concentrated on them while Morgana tried to reach Kevan.
Kevan, for his part, was concentrating on keeping both the human female and the huge shepherd dog from either cutting him with a knife or biting him. All the while, he was keeping his body between them and the pair from the high reaches. Two pairs of furious brown eyes slammed into his own green ones and he felt the battering demand swell against his own mind.
*My mind to yours, my heart to yours, my soul sings to you!* He roared at them and opened his mind. The three of them went down in a tangled heap not two feet away from Jason and Silver.
Kevan tried to ignore the blinding pain as two minds wrapped around his. Their memories flowed through him just as his flowed back to them. He latched onto their names; Sandberg and Saber and sent his in return. He wasn’t sure how, but it was like he was being so closely intertwined with the two that it felt much the way it had when Patches had first chosen him.
He came back to full awareness, his forehead firmly against Sandberg’s, Saber lying half on top of them, half in between them. He sucked in harsh, panting breaths, staring into her very wide eyes. She was breathing just as hard, and tears were starting to gather at the corners of her eyes. He sensed the sorrow beginning to pour out of her. As if he’d been doing it all his life, he kissed her gently on the mouth, sending soothing waves of comfort along their newly established bond.
*It’s alright.* He sent gently, mouth still pressed to hers. A low, soft whine of pain and he brought one hand up to sink his fingers into Saber’s ruff. *It’s alright. I’m here now. I will protect you both with my life. I am yours.*
Her hand joined his on Saber’s ruff, her fingers twining with his. He felt her lips return his kiss hesitantly, then they were back to foreheads pressed tightly together, staring at each other.
*I don’t suppose we can just knock the whole lot of them out?* Came a voice Kevan recognized as the dragon Ian. *And would someone please explain to the little hatchling she can stop now?*
Kevan held Sanberg’s eyes with his own, telling her to stay still, that it was safe and to move now would hurt Saber worse than he already was. She blinked, the tears spilling over, but lay there, not moving.
*I only wanted to protect Mitchell and Rose.* She sent in a shivering tone. *They’re not fighters, not really.*
*No, Girly, Shamans generally aren’t.* Came Tremayne’s weary voice. *They’re healers. Kat, are those two with you?*
*Yes.* Came the soft voice. *Jason and Silver nursed from the Jason’s mother. They’re like sister and brother, and probably the gentlest, strongest souls I’ve ever met. *
*Jaycee, release them.* Came her father’s firm voice.
*Yes, Papa.* Jaycee replied.
And just like, the camp was free to move again.
Kevan felt Sandberg tense up as footsteps came closer and gave the fingers in his a gentle squeeze. He slid his eyes sideways to see Talsien gazing down at him in mild exasperation. He let a small grin tug at his lips, then flicked his gaze to the woman that squatted next to Sandberg’s side.
“How in the Goddess’ name did they manage this?” Kat sighed with faint amusement as she tracked the were’s stallion spirit wrapped around all three.
“Couldn’t tell you.” Talsien replied with a shrug and a grunt. “Probably should leave them be for a bit. It will hurt less if they separate on their own. They need to be kept warm, though.”
Blankets were brought and settled over them. Kevan very gently shifted his legs so that Saber shifted to lie between him and Sandberg, sending comfort and apologies as the dog whined with the pain of moving. Saber heaved a sigh of relief when it was all done, tucking his head down into Sandberg’s chest.
Meanwhile, Silver was sitting placidly flicking her ears and purring while the human called Mitchell buried his face in the fur of her neck, silently weeping. Next to him sat Jason with one arm slung across his shoulder protectively and the little shepherd, Rose, huddled in his lap. Along the new, intertwined sibling link and the bond mate link, Silver could catch snatches of muffled babbling from both the human and the little dog. She didn’t have to make sense of it, she’d seen their memories and knew it was them purging their horror, fear and despair. She merely sat, solid and purring, listening, while Jason acted as a human security blanket, wrapping the two in warmth and comfort.
When Bastet arrived with the rest of both contingents, Kat’s and Kara’s, Silver merely remained where she was, still solid and purring. Mitchell and Rose had long since fallen silent and Mitchell now held Jason’s arm in a near death grip. Bastet came to her, nosed her gently, then Jason, then settled her nose against Rose’s still shivering side. Silver caught a tickle against her mental ears and Rose stopped shivering, tucking her head into the crook of Mitchell’s arm with a deep sigh. Mitchell stared at the rangy cub, and very hesitantly let go of Jason’s arm to reach his fingers toward her face. Bastet nudged her head under them and he scratched behind her ears with a trembling smile. Then she turned away from them and sauntered back toward the central fire and Kat.
*Tremayne, we almost lost those two.* Kat sent softly.
*I know that.* He sent back crankily. *I’m a bit overwhelmed here. I have no fucking clue what the hell I’m supposed to do to keep them all stable.*
*We need to get them to Dragon’s Reach as soon as possible.*
*Let them rest.* Ian broke in quietly. *We can build a gate tomorrow. For now, just concentrate on how to save the lives of all of them. I suggest settling the little hatchling and her bond mate in the center of them, if her sire has no objections.*
*I think he’s a bit too busy trying to figure out how his father’s bond mate had cubs with a high reaches lion.* Kat sent back wryly. *And why he never knew.*
*Wonderful.* Tremayne sighed.
“Ach, cheer up, Tremayne!” Devin called from across the camp, pulling Eric along with him. “This laddie thought to bring a bottle of Meade in his pack!”
Kat sighed as Tremayne eyed the two and swore softly to himself.
Alternate Universes: Not Afraid
The chaos had settled into a peaceful, if somewhat wary, evening routine for them. Guards had been set, food had been cooked, introductions made. It could have been a scene from a meeting between two phalanxes in the field, all things considered.
For Frank Dawson, it was a world shattering type of surreal he’d only ever experienced once; the day his canine partner, Logan, had shown him that the High Council was wrong and magic wasn’t reserved for their special “Master Race”. At first, Dawson had thought it was some sort of nightmare, until Logan pithily told him to stop yelping like a spoiled puppy and then went back to healing the wound on Dawson’s leg; one severe enough that he would have either bled to death in the field or had it amputated at a forward med site. Logan had fully expected him to tell the commander exactly how he’d survived a mortar blast with only minor scratches, but Dawson had merely shrugged and gone to get rations for them both. Later that night, he’d sworn to Logan he’d never say a word, that despite having 4 legs instead of 2, Logan was his brother and one didn’t betray a brother. Logan had regarded him with measuring eyes, and then had very quietly explained how it was he could heal when the priests said the canines in the Dog Soldier partner pairs were merely batteries for enhancing the human’s fighting skills. That had been 4 years ago. Logan was now nearing 6. At 7, canines were “retired” from the Dog Soldiers, and new ones bonded to the human half of the former partnership. If no new bond could be established, the human soldier was “retired” as well.
Dawson thought nothing could surprise or terrify him anymore. The day’s events had proven him wrong on both counts. Even Logan, normally stolid and unflappable, was shaken to the core. It didn’t help that every move they made was being shadowed by a slender lion and a young woman with a scar running down over one eye. At first, he thought they were watching out of some sort of suspicion, but Dawson caught the deep blush that had stained the girl’s face when he managed to catch and hold her gaze.
It confused him. It was grating on Logan’s nerves, and it took a lot to make Logan edgy.
*I’m tired of it.* Logan whispered in his mind.
*I don’t want to start trouble.* Dawson sent back quietly, turning to look his huge husky-malamute hybrid partner in his mismatched eyes.
*We won’t.*
Dawson shrugged and got to his feet, following after Logan. They disappeared behind a tree and Logan instructed him to be still. It suddenly felt like warm Jell-O was surrounding them, but Dawson didn’t move a muscle.
Lauren flowed around the trees, followed by Gavin, her new friend from the high reaches and came to a surprised halt.
*Interesting.* Gavin remarked quietly, ears flicking. *I can still smell them, though. We should just talk to them, Lauren.*
“Like he’s going to want to talk to someone who looks like me.” She snorted with soft bitterness. “Much less bond with me. I can just see it now ‘Hi, I’m Lauren. I can turn into a mutt and I look like a dragon chew toy. I’d like to bond with you.’ That’ll go like a fox in a hen house.”
*You think too little of yourself.*
“Yeah, so how come you won’t just go talk to the dog, then?”
Gavin flattened his ears momentarily, then sighed heavily.
*I’m not really fond of most canines. They tend to attack first and ask questions later. That and they can be a bit stupid.*
Lauren stared at him for a moment, then dissolved into soft snorts of laughter. A moment later, she rippled and turned into a wiry haired, medium sized male dog that looked to be some sort of cross between a cattle dog and a terrier. He then did a half bow with his forelegs down in front of him and his hind end up, tail wagging mischievously. Gavin sat back on his haunches with an eye roll.
*And now you are making my point for me, Buster.* He remarked drily.
The dog opened his mouth in an obvious laugh and bounced forward playfully. Gavin opened his mouth in a mild hiss. The dog yipped, danced back, then quick as lightening, bounded forward to playfully tag Gavin in the side before running off. Gavin gave a hissing growl and leapt to give chase. In short order, they were streaking in and out of the trees, unaware of their cloaked and shielded audience that was stealthily following them. Gavin finally caught him in a pouncing leap, but his gloating hiss turned into a yowl of surprise as he reverted back into Lauren’s human form and caught him, rolling around in the leaves and foliage on the ground with him while being careful to protect him from harm.
*Ahhh! That tickles!* He yelped as her fingers found the sensitive spots on his hips. He brought his back feet up into her belly, careful not to scratch her, and shoved.
Lauren flopped away from Gavin, rolling onto her back and laughing uncontrollably. Gavin sat next to her, eyes narrowed, tail lashing. He glared down at her for a moment, then lay down next to her and began washing her face with a rough tongue.
*How in the world the Goddess thought it was a good idea to pair you two pranksters together is beyond me.* He sighed in mock consternation, then stilled as Lauren’s face went solemn.
“I wasn’t always a prankster.” She replied quietly. “I went into the woods to die a year ago. Buster followed me. He was my best friend’s dog and the two of them were always trying to cheer me up. My dad beat me, you see. But, my best friend died and Buster was grieving. My dad was getting worse. The night I got the scar on my face, I decided I’d rather be dead than live. I went hunting a deviant. Found one, too. Then, at the last second, changed my mind and fought it. I was going to lose when Buster joined in. We killed the thing, but it cost Buster his life. It was my fault he died, and when he asked if I would accept him, I just said yes. I didn’t think about it. When Demonsbane found me the next morning, I thought he’d beat me like my dad would. He didn’t. He just picked me up like I was something precious and took me back to the Were’s barracks. I learned how to fight for real and Buster kept talking me into some rather silly things that made people smile, so I learned how to play pranks, too.”
*I will kill your father for you, if you like.* Logan suddenly sent, dropping the shield that had hidden him and Dawson from sight as the two of them crept within two feet of Lauren’s position.
Lauren eeped and rolled to her feet, taking up a defensive position right in front of Gavin. She stared first at Logan, then at Dawson and flushed bright red.
Dawson didn’t hesitate; he stepped right up into her personal space, looking deep into her suddenly wide, blue eyes. His eyes took in every aspect of her face and then it suddenly seemed as if his vision shifted and he could see the swirls of green, silver, gold and pink that floated all around her. He felt a slow smile spread over his lips, the first in nearly two years.
“Beautiful.” He whispered right before he claimed her mouth in a gentle kiss. He felt her shock and surprise, but kissed her again, his hands coming up to tangle in her wild, leaf tangled dark hair. The moment she got over her hesitation and tentatively returned the kiss, he deepened it, feeling an urgent hunger sweep through his blood that sent tingling fire all through his body. In two long, careful strides, he had her backed up against a tree, a sensual growl vibrating from his throat. A moaned word of permission and his hands were at the fastenings of her shirt.
Logan blinked at his human partner in mild consternation; thinking now was not the time to think of mating. Then a pair of green eyes blocked his vision and the lion was in front of him.
*It’s a life mate bonding.* Gavin explained carefully. *Neither one of them will be coming up for air anytime soon. I suggest we go back to camp and see if there is any more deer.*
Logan regarded the big cat steadily, feeling a tickle at the back of his mind. He watched the cat’s ears flick back and forth as if trying to shake off a fly, but no insects were present.
*Does this bonding happen only in humans?* Logan asked in a wry tone.
*Sometimes.* Gavin replied in a hesitant tone, as if there were more he would say.
*Spit it out, Cat. I detest puzzles.*
*I believe you are a compatible life bonded for myself. *
*I see.*
*It’s rare, but not unheard of for brother bonds to happen between those of different species.*
*I see.*
Gavin sat back on his haunches once more, trying to curb his irritation and not listen to the sounds going on behind him. Logan regarded him steadily and Gavin could feel the urge to complete the bond nearly overwhelming him. He was trying to think of a way to better explain it when the dog stepped forward and placed his cold nose on Gavin’s.
*I am neither stupid nor do I ever attack anything or anyone without thoroughly knowing the layout of the battlefield or thoroughly knowing everything I can about my enemy.* Logan stated calmly then opened his mind.
Gavin let out a startled grunt as the dog’s mind seemed to reach for his with the same hunger a newborn cub had for its mother’s breast. He quickly dropped his shields and let the dog in, wrapping his own mind around the other’s, closing his eyes in eager relief. Part of him was surprised at how easily the bond snapped into place, as if they actually had been born brothers.
When Logan sat back with a soft, low whine, Gavin opened his eyes and instantly stepped forward to place himself against the dog’s side in a steadying manner. He turned his head back to look at the dog who was staring at the two humans that now lay on the ground a few feet away.
*I need bleach for my brain, now.* Logan remarked drily and stood to his feet, giving himself a shake. *I could have done without ever seeing just exactly how it is humans mate.*
*I’m sure they feel the same way about us, Brother.* Gavin replied with faint amusement. *Come on, they’ll be at it for hours. Let’s go see if there’s any deer left.*
*Agreed.*
Gavin led the way back to the camp and ignored the general wave of amusement from the rest of the lions as he procured a lightly seared deer steak and laid it down in front of Logan before getting his own. He lay down near the central fire, ignoring the stares of Logan’s comrades and began eating his steak. Logan lay down next to him; his side pressed against Gavin’s and began eating his own meat.
*Logan, report.* Commander Canidae’s voice was weary yet gently firm. *Where is Dawson?*
*Commander, Dawson is further negotiating for asylum with one of Commander Demonsbane’s personnel.* Logan responded drolly.
*Sergeant Logan, explain, please.*
Logan heaved a sigh and looked up across the fire at his commander. He could feel Gavin’s amusement and the confusion from his pack mates.
“Master Sergeant Dawson is currently bonding with Lady Lauren and Buster.* He stated evenly.
He sensed confusion from his commander but then Lauren’s commander suddenly stepped forward from somewhere, leaned down and whispered in his commander’s ear. He watched in fascination as Commander Canidae spewed out the water he was drinking, then looked up at Commander Demonsbane with an expression he’d seen only when the commander was yelling at a new recruit for doing something stupid. He tilted his head in curiosity.
*Don’t think about it too much.* Gavin advised. *It will make your head numb. Just eat your steak.*
Logan gave the mental equivalent of a shrug and did just that. The edginess he’d been feeling over the day’s events was starting to calm down and for once, the idea of a full belly and not thinking about survival won out over all else.
For once in the last 5 years, he was not afraid.
Alternate Universes: Secrets
She wasn’t sure exactly when she decided society as a whole was wrong, just that one day, she realized how utterly irrelevant the values advertised by the high council were.
It had started as a small thing. Her 18th birthday and her grandmother’s noticeable absence from the small celebration her parents had thrown. She’d been marginally unconcerned until she’d overheard a conversation between two of her cousins in which her apparent lack of magical talent had been disparaged. Her father had made light of it, but she’d been more observant of the reactions of others after that.
A short, disastrous marriage had followed between her 19th and 23rd year. Her husband had divorced her when their firstborn child, a girl, had proven to be completely devoid of any magical talent whatsoever. Suddenly on her own and desperate to provide a living not only for herself but for a newborn infant, she’d joined the army in the hopes of obtaining stability. He parents had cared for her daughter during her initial training. When she’d proven to have a required talent for the dog soldiers, she’d applied without a second thought.
Her first partner had been a rangy mutt of indeterminate origins. When the priest had set their bond in place, she’d caught a glimpse of a kind and loving presence that was quickly suppressed. She’d filed it away in a corner of her mind and hadn’t mentioned it.
When Dylan had taken a mortal wound in a battle she thought too stupid to name, she’d heard him voice a question in her mind that she hadn’t hesitated to answer. A piece of him had come to reside in her mind, hidden from the probing of the priests and she fiercely guarded it with every fiber of her being from that moment onward. Not even her second partner had known of it, despite the fact that the bonding required total merging of spirits between human and canine.
When commander Canidae had ordered them into the scorched woods of the Fey, Dylan’s aspect had awoken, warning her to be on her guard. Al, her current canine partner, had merely stated they ought to be observant and hadn’t said much else.
She’d watched in a detached sort of manner as Mitchell and Rose were chosen by strangers and then Sandberg and Saber fought with the one that was like her but not. Their bonding was nearly her undoing.
She’d stood fast, watching and observing and marking who she could most likely trust and who might be a problem as the evening wore on. She acknowledged the bonding to the war queen almost as an afterthought. Dylan had wryly remarked that it would be interesting to see if the war queen c could accept what the high human council considered an abomination of the worst order.
Al had regarded her with steady honey brown eyes, as if waiting for something. She’d tamped down the sensations of feeling as if she’d burst out of her own skin and stood fast, taking her cue from the commander.
So when the strange gray eyed female had come to stand before her with a gentle smirk, she’d felt a pang of sudden fear.
In the next instant, she’d been standing in the middle of a silver mist, Dylan and Al behind her as she confronted the being in front of her, a snarl of defiance bubbling in her throat.
“Oh, my.” The gentle voice state in absolute wonder. “She’s so beautiful. Do you think she’d make a good guardian for my brother and sister?”
“Her aura is primarily gold and black” Another more masculine voice answered. “Loyalty and courage. She would die for those she loves.”
“I don’t want her to die. I want her to be loved and know family. “
“Then you must instruct her, Daughter.”
“Very well.”
And then she was shown a scene with a girl no older than her baby daughter, trying to close the breach between hell and the world as she knew it. She heard the question clearly “Would you die for her? To seal the breach and save humanity, would you die for her>”
Without hesitation, she’d answered. Of course she would die to ensure the ultimate salvation of not only her daughter, but everyone she’d ever known and then some.
In her mind’s eye, she felt Dylan wrap around her soul and she leapt to defend the child before her from the monsters emerging from the hellish portal. Her own war cry rang out, along with Al’s full throated battle roar. She tackled the being, bearing it back through the portal even as her hand scrabbled for the knife she wore at her side. Al was right there with her, snarling teeth closing upon whatever he could reach.
In the next instant, the monsters were gone and she stood over an exhausted girl in a defensive stance. When she saw there were no more threats, she immediately drew off her jacket and drew it over the girl’s shoulders, pulling her up into a protective embrace.
“This is no place for you.” She heard herself saying. “Where are your guardians?”
“I am the guardian.” The girl answered her, emerald green eyes boring into her own as strong hands came up to clamp around her forearms. She felt her world tilt on its axis and fear snaked through her veins.
She couldn’t control it. Her bones snapped, crackled and changed without warning. She howled with the agony of it even as Dylan howled in fury in her mind. She heard Al’s startled yip, then felt him leaning against her legs, snarling in a protective rage of his own. She tried to pull away from the hold the other girl had on her, but couldn’t. She screamed in primal fury and fear.
And came back to herself, the gray eyed woman holding her wrists in a strong grip, someone else at her back, keeping her in position.
“Shhhh, my beauty.” A musical voice crooned in her ear as she whimpered and struggled. “Hush, now, hush. ‘Tis a lovely, lovely creature ye are an’ a fit watcher for my trouble maker of a daughter. She’ll love ye something fierce, she will. Hush, now. Shhhh.”
“Kara.” The gray eyed woman’s voice was calm and controlled; totally at odds with the situation. She struggled harder, but the arms holding her were unyielding.
Another set of grey eyes entered her vision and she paused for an instant, for the eyes were set in a face that was both human and not. She froze, staring in disbelief.
The face was a mixture of human and beast. In her mind, she heard Dylan give a snort of shock. Through the link she shared with Al, she felt surprise and relief.
“What are you?” She growled out on a gasp.
“I’m not a what.” The answer was laced with faint amusement and tasted of sadness. “I’m a who. My name is Kara. Kara McLaren. What’s your name?”
“Reggie.” She whispered in return. “Regina Sinclair.”
“Hi, Reggie. I’m Kara. This is Kat. The gentleman making sure you don’t completely implode is Devin McKenzie. He’s Kat’s, by the way. Can you tell me the name of the one you bonded with that lets you be furry like me?”
*She’s like us.* Came Dylan’s wondering voice inside her mind. *I did not think there were others.*
“Dylan.” Reggie Sobbed out and felt Al leaning hard against her legs. She looked down at him and was amazed to see that he was unrestrained, his focus solely on her face. “Oh, my god. Al.”
*It is alright. I knew.* His voice was strained inside her mind. *I’ve always known. You are my chosen. I do not care what the priests said or believed. Tell me what to do.*
“I don’t know!” She moaned out in defeat.
*Well, for starters, you trust my mother.* Came a wry, feminine voice that sparked a warmth in her belly she’d never felt before. *Next, you can get yourself a decent meal. Lexxie thinks you’re too skinny and I have to agree. *
*My Queen?* Al’s mental voice was reverent and almost frightened.
*Yes?* Came the wry voice again.
*We will be welcome and safe within your borders?*
*Alvin, I promise you, you will have sanctuary. All of you. You are already tied to me. I know all of your secrets. I’m gonna give all my secrets away to you. You are mine and I am yours. Is this not enough?*
*Our kind are considered abomination.*
*Not by me. Not by my allies. And, most especially, not by my Life Mates.*
A glimpse of a horse creature that shimmered and melted into a being much like the Fey in the camp with them and Al’s entire frame shook with relief.
Reggie took a deep breath and took back control, raising her gaze to the eyes of the woman in front of her.
“We’re Alexandria’s.” She gasped out. “Please.”
She watched as the tears welled and spilled out of the first woman’s gray eyes and felt a momentary pang of confusion. The strong masculine arms keeping her in place tightened briefly and the one called Kara merely tilted her head, a slight smile twitching at her lips.
“I think you and I have a lot to talk about.” Kara informed her and with a nod, Regina found herself free. “Come on. Let’s go get you three something to eat and I’ll explain things to you.”
Reggie let herself be led away, willing herself not to turn at the sound of quiet tears behind her, nor the sounds of a masculine voice whispering soothingly.
“Ah, donna cry my wee little witch.” His voice sent shivers up her spine. “’Tis a fine, fine guardian our Angel has caught for our Lexxie. Wait and see, ‘twill be fine.”
Reggie certainly hoped so.
Silver loped beside the horse that carried her human litter mate, feeling the anxious fear increasing with every step. He felt it, too, she could tell by the grim set of his mouth and the way he urged his mount to go faster. They were already ahead of the rest of the contingent from the high Rocky reaches and Silver had heard Bastet tell Eric the Red to let them go, that they were needed.
Silver was unsurprised when another horse, this one with a small girl on his back and a half grown lion cub held against her, broke through the trees and foliage ahead of them. They merely adjusted their pace to keep up.
They halted as one at the entrance to a clearing. Silver could scent the Mackenzie as well as strangers. She stood, panting with weariness as her sib slid down from his horse. The girl on the horse before them was stroking the shuddering neck before her, her face full of sympathy and concern. Silver caught the tickling of a mental conversation and then the girl very carefully held the lion cub and slid to the ground. Green eyes pinned first Silver then her sib.
*Can you help take the packs off so he can change back?* Came the firm voice. *I can’t undo the straps by myself.*
Her sib didn’t say a word, just stepped forward as the girl put the cub down and helped her unbuckle the pack straps on the horse. Once they were done and the packs removed, the horse stepped forward, shuddered and changed into a young man. Silver felt her ears flatten with momentary shock, but her sib didn’t even bat an eye.
“Jason, from the High Rocky reaches.” He stated, extending a hand. The other man looked at it for a second, then took it.
“Kevan, from Dog Valley.” Came out on a grunt, then he looked down at the girl. “This is Jaycee, my alpha’s cub. Jaycee, stay here until we know it’s safe.”
The girl shot him a look of pure exasperation and turned on her heel, flouncing forward into the clearing. Silver felt a faint surge of amusement before the anxious fear returned. She followed the other lion, leaving the two males to stand glaring after them, before they too, followed.
Silver ignored the cries of surprise and made a beeline for the source of the anxious fear gnawing at her heart. Her eyes registered the form of a small Australian Shepard female dog, but her heart told her frightened, half grown cub. Beside the dog crouched a shivering human male not much older than her human sib, his aura full of fear and despair. His hand was just reaching for the knife at his side, his intent to kill his bonded then himself, he was so frightened.
*No, Youngling!* Silver sent and struck the knife from his hand with a paw, her claws still sheathed. *I am here now! It will be fine! Look at me, Youngling! Look in my eyes! My mind to yours, my heart to yours, my soul sings to you!*
Wide blue eyes slammed into hot amber. Silver felt his mind latch onto hers desperately and opened for him despite the pain it caused. She registered Jason beside her, holding the little shepherd, felt him opening for a bond with the dog along their sib link. She felt him reach for her along their link, crying out and without hesitation, opened their sibling bond to encompass both the little dog and the human before her. Somewhere, someone was snarling and a howl of answering fury cut across her physical ears.
Jaycee stared in exasperation and laid her hand on Morgana’s head. She projected calm so hard at the knot of strangers and the others, they fairly froze in place. She concentrated on them while Morgana tried to reach Kevan.
Kevan, for his part, was concentrating on keeping both the human female and the huge shepherd dog from either cutting him with a knife or biting him. All the while, he was keeping his body between them and the pair from the high reaches. Two pairs of furious brown eyes slammed into his own green ones and he felt the battering demand swell against his own mind.
*My mind to yours, my heart to yours, my soul sings to you!* He roared at them and opened his mind. The three of them went down in a tangled heap not two feet away from Jason and Silver.
Kevan tried to ignore the blinding pain as two minds wrapped around his. Their memories flowed through him just as his flowed back to them. He latched onto their names; Sandberg and Saber and sent his in return. He wasn’t sure how, but it was like he was being so closely intertwined with the two that it felt much the way it had when Patches had first chosen him.
He came back to full awareness, his forehead firmly against Sandberg’s, Saber lying half on top of them, half in between them. He sucked in harsh, panting breaths, staring into her very wide eyes. She was breathing just as hard, and tears were starting to gather at the corners of her eyes. He sensed the sorrow beginning to pour out of her. As if he’d been doing it all his life, he kissed her gently on the mouth, sending soothing waves of comfort along their newly established bond.
*It’s alright.* He sent gently, mouth still pressed to hers. A low, soft whine of pain and he brought one hand up to sink his fingers into Saber’s ruff. *It’s alright. I’m here now. I will protect you both with my life. I am yours.*
Her hand joined his on Saber’s ruff, her fingers twining with his. He felt her lips return his kiss hesitantly, then they were back to foreheads pressed tightly together, staring at each other.
*I don’t suppose we can just knock the whole lot of them out?* Came a voice Kevan recognized as the dragon Ian. *And would someone please explain to the little hatchling she can stop now?*
Kevan held Sanberg’s eyes with his own, telling her to stay still, that it was safe and to move now would hurt Saber worse than he already was. She blinked, the tears spilling over, but lay there, not moving.
*I only wanted to protect Mitchell and Rose.* She sent in a shivering tone. *They’re not fighters, not really.*
*No, Girly, Shamans generally aren’t.* Came Tremayne’s weary voice. *They’re healers. Kat, are those two with you?*
*Yes.* Came the soft voice. *Jason and Silver nursed from the Jason’s mother. They’re like sister and brother, and probably the gentlest, strongest souls I’ve ever met. *
*Jaycee, release them.* Came her father’s firm voice.
*Yes, Papa.* Jaycee replied.
And just like, the camp was free to move again.
Kevan felt Sandberg tense up as footsteps came closer and gave the fingers in his a gentle squeeze. He slid his eyes sideways to see Talsien gazing down at him in mild exasperation. He let a small grin tug at his lips, then flicked his gaze to the woman that squatted next to Sandberg’s side.
“How in the Goddess’ name did they manage this?” Kat sighed with faint amusement as she tracked the were’s stallion spirit wrapped around all three.
“Couldn’t tell you.” Talsien replied with a shrug and a grunt. “Probably should leave them be for a bit. It will hurt less if they separate on their own. They need to be kept warm, though.”
Blankets were brought and settled over them. Kevan very gently shifted his legs so that Saber shifted to lie between him and Sandberg, sending comfort and apologies as the dog whined with the pain of moving. Saber heaved a sigh of relief when it was all done, tucking his head down into Sandberg’s chest.
Meanwhile, Silver was sitting placidly flicking her ears and purring while the human called Mitchell buried his face in the fur of her neck, silently weeping. Next to him sat Jason with one arm slung across his shoulder protectively and the little shepherd, Rose, huddled in his lap. Along the new, intertwined sibling link and the bond mate link, Silver could catch snatches of muffled babbling from both the human and the little dog. She didn’t have to make sense of it, she’d seen their memories and knew it was them purging their horror, fear and despair. She merely sat, solid and purring, listening, while Jason acted as a human security blanket, wrapping the two in warmth and comfort.
When Bastet arrived with the rest of both contingents, Kat’s and Kara’s, Silver merely remained where she was, still solid and purring. Mitchell and Rose had long since fallen silent and Mitchell now held Jason’s arm in a near death grip. Bastet came to her, nosed her gently, then Jason, then settled her nose against Rose’s still shivering side. Silver caught a tickle against her mental ears and Rose stopped shivering, tucking her head into the crook of Mitchell’s arm with a deep sigh. Mitchell stared at the rangy cub, and very hesitantly let go of Jason’s arm to reach his fingers toward her face. Bastet nudged her head under them and he scratched behind her ears with a trembling smile. Then she turned away from them and sauntered back toward the central fire and Kat.
*Tremayne, we almost lost those two.* Kat sent softly.
*I know that.* He sent back crankily. *I’m a bit overwhelmed here. I have no fucking clue what the hell I’m supposed to do to keep them all stable.*
*We need to get them to Dragon’s Reach as soon as possible.*
*Let them rest.* Ian broke in quietly. *We can build a gate tomorrow. For now, just concentrate on how to save the lives of all of them. I suggest settling the little hatchling and her bond mate in the center of them, if her sire has no objections.*
*I think he’s a bit too busy trying to figure out how his father’s bond mate had cubs with a high reaches lion.* Kat sent back wryly. *And why he never knew.*
*Wonderful.* Tremayne sighed.
“Ach, cheer up, Tremayne!” Devin called from across the camp, pulling Eric along with him. “This laddie thought to bring a bottle of Meade in his pack!”
Kat sighed as Tremayne eyed the two and swore softly to himself.
Alternate Universes: Not Afraid
The chaos had settled into a peaceful, if somewhat wary, evening routine for them. Guards had been set, food had been cooked, introductions made. It could have been a scene from a meeting between two phalanxes in the field, all things considered.
For Frank Dawson, it was a world shattering type of surreal he’d only ever experienced once; the day his canine partner, Logan, had shown him that the High Council was wrong and magic wasn’t reserved for their special “Master Race”. At first, Dawson had thought it was some sort of nightmare, until Logan pithily told him to stop yelping like a spoiled puppy and then went back to healing the wound on Dawson’s leg; one severe enough that he would have either bled to death in the field or had it amputated at a forward med site. Logan had fully expected him to tell the commander exactly how he’d survived a mortar blast with only minor scratches, but Dawson had merely shrugged and gone to get rations for them both. Later that night, he’d sworn to Logan he’d never say a word, that despite having 4 legs instead of 2, Logan was his brother and one didn’t betray a brother. Logan had regarded him with measuring eyes, and then had very quietly explained how it was he could heal when the priests said the canines in the Dog Soldier partner pairs were merely batteries for enhancing the human’s fighting skills. That had been 4 years ago. Logan was now nearing 6. At 7, canines were “retired” from the Dog Soldiers, and new ones bonded to the human half of the former partnership. If no new bond could be established, the human soldier was “retired” as well.
Dawson thought nothing could surprise or terrify him anymore. The day’s events had proven him wrong on both counts. Even Logan, normally stolid and unflappable, was shaken to the core. It didn’t help that every move they made was being shadowed by a slender lion and a young woman with a scar running down over one eye. At first, he thought they were watching out of some sort of suspicion, but Dawson caught the deep blush that had stained the girl’s face when he managed to catch and hold her gaze.
It confused him. It was grating on Logan’s nerves, and it took a lot to make Logan edgy.
*I’m tired of it.* Logan whispered in his mind.
*I don’t want to start trouble.* Dawson sent back quietly, turning to look his huge husky-malamute hybrid partner in his mismatched eyes.
*We won’t.*
Dawson shrugged and got to his feet, following after Logan. They disappeared behind a tree and Logan instructed him to be still. It suddenly felt like warm Jell-O was surrounding them, but Dawson didn’t move a muscle.
Lauren flowed around the trees, followed by Gavin, her new friend from the high reaches and came to a surprised halt.
*Interesting.* Gavin remarked quietly, ears flicking. *I can still smell them, though. We should just talk to them, Lauren.*
“Like he’s going to want to talk to someone who looks like me.” She snorted with soft bitterness. “Much less bond with me. I can just see it now ‘Hi, I’m Lauren. I can turn into a mutt and I look like a dragon chew toy. I’d like to bond with you.’ That’ll go like a fox in a hen house.”
*You think too little of yourself.*
“Yeah, so how come you won’t just go talk to the dog, then?”
Gavin flattened his ears momentarily, then sighed heavily.
*I’m not really fond of most canines. They tend to attack first and ask questions later. That and they can be a bit stupid.*
Lauren stared at him for a moment, then dissolved into soft snorts of laughter. A moment later, she rippled and turned into a wiry haired, medium sized male dog that looked to be some sort of cross between a cattle dog and a terrier. He then did a half bow with his forelegs down in front of him and his hind end up, tail wagging mischievously. Gavin sat back on his haunches with an eye roll.
*And now you are making my point for me, Buster.* He remarked drily.
The dog opened his mouth in an obvious laugh and bounced forward playfully. Gavin opened his mouth in a mild hiss. The dog yipped, danced back, then quick as lightening, bounded forward to playfully tag Gavin in the side before running off. Gavin gave a hissing growl and leapt to give chase. In short order, they were streaking in and out of the trees, unaware of their cloaked and shielded audience that was stealthily following them. Gavin finally caught him in a pouncing leap, but his gloating hiss turned into a yowl of surprise as he reverted back into Lauren’s human form and caught him, rolling around in the leaves and foliage on the ground with him while being careful to protect him from harm.
*Ahhh! That tickles!* He yelped as her fingers found the sensitive spots on his hips. He brought his back feet up into her belly, careful not to scratch her, and shoved.
Lauren flopped away from Gavin, rolling onto her back and laughing uncontrollably. Gavin sat next to her, eyes narrowed, tail lashing. He glared down at her for a moment, then lay down next to her and began washing her face with a rough tongue.
*How in the world the Goddess thought it was a good idea to pair you two pranksters together is beyond me.* He sighed in mock consternation, then stilled as Lauren’s face went solemn.
“I wasn’t always a prankster.” She replied quietly. “I went into the woods to die a year ago. Buster followed me. He was my best friend’s dog and the two of them were always trying to cheer me up. My dad beat me, you see. But, my best friend died and Buster was grieving. My dad was getting worse. The night I got the scar on my face, I decided I’d rather be dead than live. I went hunting a deviant. Found one, too. Then, at the last second, changed my mind and fought it. I was going to lose when Buster joined in. We killed the thing, but it cost Buster his life. It was my fault he died, and when he asked if I would accept him, I just said yes. I didn’t think about it. When Demonsbane found me the next morning, I thought he’d beat me like my dad would. He didn’t. He just picked me up like I was something precious and took me back to the Were’s barracks. I learned how to fight for real and Buster kept talking me into some rather silly things that made people smile, so I learned how to play pranks, too.”
*I will kill your father for you, if you like.* Logan suddenly sent, dropping the shield that had hidden him and Dawson from sight as the two of them crept within two feet of Lauren’s position.
Lauren eeped and rolled to her feet, taking up a defensive position right in front of Gavin. She stared first at Logan, then at Dawson and flushed bright red.
Dawson didn’t hesitate; he stepped right up into her personal space, looking deep into her suddenly wide, blue eyes. His eyes took in every aspect of her face and then it suddenly seemed as if his vision shifted and he could see the swirls of green, silver, gold and pink that floated all around her. He felt a slow smile spread over his lips, the first in nearly two years.
“Beautiful.” He whispered right before he claimed her mouth in a gentle kiss. He felt her shock and surprise, but kissed her again, his hands coming up to tangle in her wild, leaf tangled dark hair. The moment she got over her hesitation and tentatively returned the kiss, he deepened it, feeling an urgent hunger sweep through his blood that sent tingling fire all through his body. In two long, careful strides, he had her backed up against a tree, a sensual growl vibrating from his throat. A moaned word of permission and his hands were at the fastenings of her shirt.
Logan blinked at his human partner in mild consternation; thinking now was not the time to think of mating. Then a pair of green eyes blocked his vision and the lion was in front of him.
*It’s a life mate bonding.* Gavin explained carefully. *Neither one of them will be coming up for air anytime soon. I suggest we go back to camp and see if there is any more deer.*
Logan regarded the big cat steadily, feeling a tickle at the back of his mind. He watched the cat’s ears flick back and forth as if trying to shake off a fly, but no insects were present.
*Does this bonding happen only in humans?* Logan asked in a wry tone.
*Sometimes.* Gavin replied in a hesitant tone, as if there were more he would say.
*Spit it out, Cat. I detest puzzles.*
*I believe you are a compatible life bonded for myself. *
*I see.*
*It’s rare, but not unheard of for brother bonds to happen between those of different species.*
*I see.*
Gavin sat back on his haunches once more, trying to curb his irritation and not listen to the sounds going on behind him. Logan regarded him steadily and Gavin could feel the urge to complete the bond nearly overwhelming him. He was trying to think of a way to better explain it when the dog stepped forward and placed his cold nose on Gavin’s.
*I am neither stupid nor do I ever attack anything or anyone without thoroughly knowing the layout of the battlefield or thoroughly knowing everything I can about my enemy.* Logan stated calmly then opened his mind.
Gavin let out a startled grunt as the dog’s mind seemed to reach for his with the same hunger a newborn cub had for its mother’s breast. He quickly dropped his shields and let the dog in, wrapping his own mind around the other’s, closing his eyes in eager relief. Part of him was surprised at how easily the bond snapped into place, as if they actually had been born brothers.
When Logan sat back with a soft, low whine, Gavin opened his eyes and instantly stepped forward to place himself against the dog’s side in a steadying manner. He turned his head back to look at the dog who was staring at the two humans that now lay on the ground a few feet away.
*I need bleach for my brain, now.* Logan remarked drily and stood to his feet, giving himself a shake. *I could have done without ever seeing just exactly how it is humans mate.*
*I’m sure they feel the same way about us, Brother.* Gavin replied with faint amusement. *Come on, they’ll be at it for hours. Let’s go see if there’s any deer left.*
*Agreed.*
Gavin led the way back to the camp and ignored the general wave of amusement from the rest of the lions as he procured a lightly seared deer steak and laid it down in front of Logan before getting his own. He lay down near the central fire, ignoring the stares of Logan’s comrades and began eating his steak. Logan lay down next to him; his side pressed against Gavin’s and began eating his own meat.
*Logan, report.* Commander Canidae’s voice was weary yet gently firm. *Where is Dawson?*
*Commander, Dawson is further negotiating for asylum with one of Commander Demonsbane’s personnel.* Logan responded drolly.
*Sergeant Logan, explain, please.*
Logan heaved a sigh and looked up across the fire at his commander. He could feel Gavin’s amusement and the confusion from his pack mates.
“Master Sergeant Dawson is currently bonding with Lady Lauren and Buster.* He stated evenly.
He sensed confusion from his commander but then Lauren’s commander suddenly stepped forward from somewhere, leaned down and whispered in his commander’s ear. He watched in fascination as Commander Canidae spewed out the water he was drinking, then looked up at Commander Demonsbane with an expression he’d seen only when the commander was yelling at a new recruit for doing something stupid. He tilted his head in curiosity.
*Don’t think about it too much.* Gavin advised. *It will make your head numb. Just eat your steak.*
Logan gave the mental equivalent of a shrug and did just that. The edginess he’d been feeling over the day’s events was starting to calm down and for once, the idea of a full belly and not thinking about survival won out over all else.
For once in the last 5 years, he was not afraid.
Alternate Universes: Secrets
She wasn’t sure exactly when she decided society as a whole was wrong, just that one day, she realized how utterly irrelevant the values advertised by the high council were.
It had started as a small thing. Her 18th birthday and her grandmother’s noticeable absence from the small celebration her parents had thrown. She’d been marginally unconcerned until she’d overheard a conversation between two of her cousins in which her apparent lack of magical talent had been disparaged. Her father had made light of it, but she’d been more observant of the reactions of others after that.
A short, disastrous marriage had followed between her 19th and 23rd year. Her husband had divorced her when their firstborn child, a girl, had proven to be completely devoid of any magical talent whatsoever. Suddenly on her own and desperate to provide a living not only for herself but for a newborn infant, she’d joined the army in the hopes of obtaining stability. He parents had cared for her daughter during her initial training. When she’d proven to have a required talent for the dog soldiers, she’d applied without a second thought.
Her first partner had been a rangy mutt of indeterminate origins. When the priest had set their bond in place, she’d caught a glimpse of a kind and loving presence that was quickly suppressed. She’d filed it away in a corner of her mind and hadn’t mentioned it.
When Dylan had taken a mortal wound in a battle she thought too stupid to name, she’d heard him voice a question in her mind that she hadn’t hesitated to answer. A piece of him had come to reside in her mind, hidden from the probing of the priests and she fiercely guarded it with every fiber of her being from that moment onward. Not even her second partner had known of it, despite the fact that the bonding required total merging of spirits between human and canine.
When commander Canidae had ordered them into the scorched woods of the Fey, Dylan’s aspect had awoken, warning her to be on her guard. Al, her current canine partner, had merely stated they ought to be observant and hadn’t said much else.
She’d watched in a detached sort of manner as Mitchell and Rose were chosen by strangers and then Sandberg and Saber fought with the one that was like her but not. Their bonding was nearly her undoing.
She’d stood fast, watching and observing and marking who she could most likely trust and who might be a problem as the evening wore on. She acknowledged the bonding to the war queen almost as an afterthought. Dylan had wryly remarked that it would be interesting to see if the war queen c could accept what the high human council considered an abomination of the worst order.
Al had regarded her with steady honey brown eyes, as if waiting for something. She’d tamped down the sensations of feeling as if she’d burst out of her own skin and stood fast, taking her cue from the commander.
So when the strange gray eyed female had come to stand before her with a gentle smirk, she’d felt a pang of sudden fear.
In the next instant, she’d been standing in the middle of a silver mist, Dylan and Al behind her as she confronted the being in front of her, a snarl of defiance bubbling in her throat.
“Oh, my.” The gentle voice state in absolute wonder. “She’s so beautiful. Do you think she’d make a good guardian for my brother and sister?”
“Her aura is primarily gold and black” Another more masculine voice answered. “Loyalty and courage. She would die for those she loves.”
“I don’t want her to die. I want her to be loved and know family. “
“Then you must instruct her, Daughter.”
“Very well.”
And then she was shown a scene with a girl no older than her baby daughter, trying to close the breach between hell and the world as she knew it. She heard the question clearly “Would you die for her? To seal the breach and save humanity, would you die for her>”
Without hesitation, she’d answered. Of course she would die to ensure the ultimate salvation of not only her daughter, but everyone she’d ever known and then some.
In her mind’s eye, she felt Dylan wrap around her soul and she leapt to defend the child before her from the monsters emerging from the hellish portal. Her own war cry rang out, along with Al’s full throated battle roar. She tackled the being, bearing it back through the portal even as her hand scrabbled for the knife she wore at her side. Al was right there with her, snarling teeth closing upon whatever he could reach.
In the next instant, the monsters were gone and she stood over an exhausted girl in a defensive stance. When she saw there were no more threats, she immediately drew off her jacket and drew it over the girl’s shoulders, pulling her up into a protective embrace.
“This is no place for you.” She heard herself saying. “Where are your guardians?”
“I am the guardian.” The girl answered her, emerald green eyes boring into her own as strong hands came up to clamp around her forearms. She felt her world tilt on its axis and fear snaked through her veins.
She couldn’t control it. Her bones snapped, crackled and changed without warning. She howled with the agony of it even as Dylan howled in fury in her mind. She heard Al’s startled yip, then felt him leaning against her legs, snarling in a protective rage of his own. She tried to pull away from the hold the other girl had on her, but couldn’t. She screamed in primal fury and fear.
And came back to herself, the gray eyed woman holding her wrists in a strong grip, someone else at her back, keeping her in position.
“Shhhh, my beauty.” A musical voice crooned in her ear as she whimpered and struggled. “Hush, now, hush. ‘Tis a lovely, lovely creature ye are an’ a fit watcher for my trouble maker of a daughter. She’ll love ye something fierce, she will. Hush, now. Shhhh.”
“Kara.” The gray eyed woman’s voice was calm and controlled; totally at odds with the situation. She struggled harder, but the arms holding her were unyielding.
Another set of grey eyes entered her vision and she paused for an instant, for the eyes were set in a face that was both human and not. She froze, staring in disbelief.
The face was a mixture of human and beast. In her mind, she heard Dylan give a snort of shock. Through the link she shared with Al, she felt surprise and relief.
“What are you?” She growled out on a gasp.
“I’m not a what.” The answer was laced with faint amusement and tasted of sadness. “I’m a who. My name is Kara. Kara McLaren. What’s your name?”
“Reggie.” She whispered in return. “Regina Sinclair.”
“Hi, Reggie. I’m Kara. This is Kat. The gentleman making sure you don’t completely implode is Devin McKenzie. He’s Kat’s, by the way. Can you tell me the name of the one you bonded with that lets you be furry like me?”
*She’s like us.* Came Dylan’s wondering voice inside her mind. *I did not think there were others.*
“Dylan.” Reggie Sobbed out and felt Al leaning hard against her legs. She looked down at him and was amazed to see that he was unrestrained, his focus solely on her face. “Oh, my god. Al.”
*It is alright. I knew.* His voice was strained inside her mind. *I’ve always known. You are my chosen. I do not care what the priests said or believed. Tell me what to do.*
“I don’t know!” She moaned out in defeat.
*Well, for starters, you trust my mother.* Came a wry, feminine voice that sparked a warmth in her belly she’d never felt before. *Next, you can get yourself a decent meal. Lexxie thinks you’re too skinny and I have to agree. *
*My Queen?* Al’s mental voice was reverent and almost frightened.
*Yes?* Came the wry voice again.
*We will be welcome and safe within your borders?*
*Alvin, I promise you, you will have sanctuary. All of you. You are already tied to me. I know all of your secrets. I’m gonna give all my secrets away to you. You are mine and I am yours. Is this not enough?*
*Our kind are considered abomination.*
*Not by me. Not by my allies. And, most especially, not by my Life Mates.*
A glimpse of a horse creature that shimmered and melted into a being much like the Fey in the camp with them and Al’s entire frame shook with relief.
Reggie took a deep breath and took back control, raising her gaze to the eyes of the woman in front of her.
“We’re Alexandria’s.” She gasped out. “Please.”
She watched as the tears welled and spilled out of the first woman’s gray eyes and felt a momentary pang of confusion. The strong masculine arms keeping her in place tightened briefly and the one called Kara merely tilted her head, a slight smile twitching at her lips.
“I think you and I have a lot to talk about.” Kara informed her and with a nod, Regina found herself free. “Come on. Let’s go get you three something to eat and I’ll explain things to you.”
Reggie let herself be led away, willing herself not to turn at the sound of quiet tears behind her, nor the sounds of a masculine voice whispering soothingly.
“Ah, donna cry my wee little witch.” His voice sent shivers up her spine. “’Tis a fine, fine guardian our Angel has caught for our Lexxie. Wait and see, ‘twill be fine.”
Reggie certainly hoped so.