The Light of My Hearts
Threat

Helia knew this was the reason allowing Gillam to come to her family home would be a pain. Her mother was constantly sermonizing her need to be wed and live a quieter more domestic life than slaying. None of which she had much interest in. The very fact that she brought Gillam along was like holding the promise of a delicious treat in front of a dog’s nose. In her mother’s mind this was the golden opportunity to set her up with an eligible man.

It was mortifying.

"Mo-m...” Helia growled mildly after almost choking on her food.

“What? I’m just curious.” Una argued.

“Isn’t that a bit too personal?” Helia tried to divert the conversation with much forgotten etiquette.

But Gillam piped up, “No. I’m still a bachelor.”

Helia glared at him in a “shut up Gillam” manner.

“I see.” Una replied cheerily, “I thought for certain you would be? Are you looking?”

Helia wanted to slam her head against the table.

Gillam noticed her demeanor but gave a small smile, “Not so much anymore.”

Again, Helia shot him a “shut up” look before her mom decided to ask if they were in a relationship and were planning their futures together. Thankfully she diverted to Gillam’s family, his former job, and other “life story” type of questions; most benign enough. Gillam’s high-born upbringing made the conversation flawless and her mother more impressed by the minute.

“Well, we are so glad you decided to come along with Helia.” She gushed, “Helia! You should take Gillam around and show him Tegath tomorrow.”

Helia nodded, “We’ll be here for a few months, mom. He’ll get to see it all eventually.”

“I would enjoy it.” Gillam agreed.

When the meal concluded, Una began clearing the table. Lachlan took his plate over and then tapped Gillam’s shoulder.

“That’s quite a sword you’ve got.”

Gillam’s star crystal sword was magically disguised to look like a Lower Realm weapon, but its overall shape remained the same.

“Thank you, Mr. Colborne.”

“Would you mind if I take a look at it?” he inquired.

“Why?” Helia asked, growing a tad nervous.

Lachlan gestured, “I haven’t seen a pommel and cross-guard designed like that before. Looks like a custom job.”

Gillam gave a subtle expression of reassurance to Helia, stood up, and slowly drew his disguised weapon. He held it across his fingers and gave it to Lachlan to examine. The older slayer took the weapon with respect and admired the etchings in the handle and blade. The designs were actually mimicking the natural facets of the crystalline nature of the blade which made disguising it less taxing.

“My, my. The artistry in this is amazing. Must’ve cost a pretty penny to have this made?” Lachlan commented.

“You could say that.” Gillam agreed since it was indeed a valuable weapon.

Lachlan scrutinized the blade, “Not a scratch on it. You ever used it?”

Gillam nodded, “Plenty.”

That was one detail he forgot to include in his illusion. The star crystal was very hard and scratching or wearing it down was nearly impossible. It seemed reactive to typical iron weapons when struck but it never faltered.

One of the man’s brows lifted as he stuck out his lower lip in a thinking expression.

Finally, he handed it back to Gillam, “You must take good care of it then.”

“Yes, Sir.” He put his sword back into its scabbard.

Lachlan leaned back in his chair a bit and was about to ask something when Una interrupted, “Oh! You two must be exhausted from your long journey! Why don’t you bring in the rest of your things and we’ll get you set up with rooms. Helia you can have your old room and Gillam I’ll put you in Sessanae’s old room since she won’t be around. Oh dear...I hope that bed will be big enough for you. You’re so tall!”

“I’m sure it will be fine, Mrs. Colborne.” Gillam nodded graciously.

Helia sighed with relief. She was honestly eager to sleep in the familiar bed. The journey to Tegath had been long without many breaks. Even though it was later afternoon she would take advantage of the extra rest.

“Sounds good. Come on, Gillam. Let’s get the rest of our gear.” Helia got up and went outside toward the stables.

Una and Lachlan watched them go.

Una put a hand to her smiling cheek, “He’s quite handsome...and so polite.”

“That he is. Very much so...” Lachlan commented evenly though his eyes gave off a suspicious squint.

Of course, his wife picked up on it, “Lachlan, don’t you dare.”

The bearded man shook his head, “He makes my fingertips itch.”

Over his many years of slaying Lachlan had grown attuned to the warnings his body would signal when something was off; a sixth sense for danger and anomalies. One such tell was his fingertips would begin to itch. This instinct has served him well and never was wrong. However, it would go off for little and severe things; troublesome house sprites to dragons, it didn’t matter. If his fingertips itched, he listened

Una shook her head, “Lachlan, this is the first time Helia has brought a man home and I don’t want you butting in with your paranoia and ‘itchy fingers’. You’re probably just on edge because you’re her father.”

“No. That’s a whole other feeling. Tyler didn’t make my fingertips itch.” Lachlan argued.

A determined finger poked under his nose accompanied by stern blue eyes, “Do NOT mess this up for her, Lachlan. I MEAN it!”

He sighed and flipped a hand. His fingers still itched.

...

...

The Parliel Realm after the brunch...

Whilst Kendrick was having brunch with her mother, Twillow was meeting with her brother Hugo to sort out a means of keeping Kendrick’s curse longer than a week or perhaps finding an alternative spell. Hugo appeared in the atrium doorway, they greeted, and took a seat at the long table.

“So have you found out anything?” Twillow asked eagerly.

Hugo gave a frown and sighed, “Unfortunately, most size altering spells are not very safe for frequent use. Puts too much wear and stress on the body. I tried researching Changelings since they have an innate ability to change their form. But they can’t go from our size to your giant’s size.”

Twillow sighed, “I was afraid of that. This curse always seems to hurt Kendrick.”

“Well, as long as it’s not too often he should be able to handle it. You seemed to have a few stones from the first bag left.” Hugo commented.

“We used it once or twice a month.” She admitted.

Hugo smirked and then pulled a golden wrist cuff with a large, round, yellow crystal embedded into the top from his wide sleeve, “However, I did manage to work this up.”

Twillow took the offered piece of jewelry and she could feel the magic warmly through the metal, “An enchanted bracelet?”

“If Kendrick wears that it will keep his curse for as long as he wears it.” He gestured subtly, “However, should he be overdue to change and that cuff is removed he’ll change immediately.”

Twillow made a face, imagining the destructive consequences that could wreak should her mate be in their house or in a crowd of people should the bracelet fall off at the wrong moment. Though it looked like it would be difficult to remove accidentally.

Hugo flicked his fingers, “But, you don’t have to use it. I just thought it might make a few things easier if you kept him “fun-sized”.”

Twillow laughed quietly.

He glanced around, “Where is your beau by the way? He’s usually not far from you.”

“He and mother are having a brunch...ironing things out.” Twillow admitted.

“Oh...you left him with our dear mother? I thought you loved him?” Hugo commented with a muffled giggle.

Twillow sighed with a roll of her eyes, “Of course I do. I just think they need to talk without me influencing things.”

“Hopefully she’s not pitching him over the Estate fence.” Hugo remarked.

They talked a bit longer when the side door to the veranda opened and in strode Kendrick.

Twillow blinked and stood up, “Sweethearts, I was about to come out there.”

“Why didn’t you tell me about the Life Water?” he asked hollowly.

“What didn’t I tell you?” she was confused.

“That your Life Water might not be viable because I’m...not a fae.” He demanded, though tried not to sound upset.

Twillow exhaled deeply and Hugo had an expression that looked uncomfortable.

The tall fae rose from his chair and excused himself with a nod toward Kendrick, “Good to see you’re intact.” He waved his arm and just before he disappeared he said, “I’ll go see if there’s any brunch left.”

When Hugo was gone Twillow looked at her mate whose amber eyes seemed distressed.

“Is that what she had to say to you?” Twillow sounded like she was going to get angry again.

“I wanted the truth...for us the speak plainly” He insisted, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

The pretty fae backed up and returned to her seat with a gesture for Kendrick to sit as well. He did so and stared at her seriously. She reached to him and touched his hand.

“When I told you I was carrying Life Water you were so happy. I didn’t want to place those worries in your head because you get so anxious about anything that pertains to me.” Twillow confessed.

He moved his mouth with frustration, “I would’ve rather heard the truth.”

“It...is a risk, Kendrick.” Twillow admitted as she pointed to both of them, “But our species’ coupling has never happened before so this entire scenario is unwritten.”

“But there is a strong possibility that there will be no child.” Kendrick stated bitterly.

Twillow shook her head, “It’s unwritten, Sweethearts. No one knows the outcome of offering their Life Water to the Tree of Eilithysis.”

His eyes blinked then fell, “But...what if...I can’t give you a child?”

“Then we’ll try again...as many times as it takes.” She took both of his hand with hers, “And...even if that isn’t in our fate, I will still love you.”

His eyes stung briefly. She always seemed to know what to say to relieve him. He gave her a short nod. But... the gremlin of doubt had more ammunition to throw at him.

“Well...did my mother at least apologize to you?” Twillow asked with hidden irritation.

“Yes, she did.”

Twillow nodded, seeming to simmer her temper over the situation, “She’ll warm to you eventually.”

Kendrick gave a deep scoffing laugh, “Yeah...right.” He shook his head and leaned closer to her, “It doesn’t matter to me, my light. Your love and approval are all I need.”

He kissed her.

When he pulled away, he noticed the golden cuff bracelet next to her, “What is that? New jewelry?”

She held it out for him to see, “Hugo brought this for you.”

“Me?”

Her finger grazed the yellow and orange stone adorning the top, “Hugo said if you wear this bracelet it will keep your curse longer than the five days.”

Kendrick nodded, “That might be handy.”

“But...if you are past the five days and it comes off, you’ll change back immediately.” Twillow warned.

He raised his eyebrows and exhaled, “That...wouldn’t be so handy.”

Twillow made a thinking face, “I guess you can wear it if you want to. I think you’ve got two days left?”

He nodded then slowly grinned, reached up and playfully tickled her neck, “I could think of a few reasons to keep wearing it.”

The fae ducked her head and giggled, “Could you?”

“Oh yes.” He replied as he leaned in and kissed her neck then nibbled her earlobe. “So many reasons...”

Twillow laughed, trying to stop him before someone spied them.

That night...

The floating city of Oberit was several miles from Marlayla. Known for its orbiting “moons” adorned with lavish gardens, the city specialized in fine silks, herbal medicines, and fine wines. It was a rich city, mostly populated by elves and fae. Unlike Marlayla which was bisected by the great Bircheron Tree, Oberit was completely disconnected from the ground of the Parliel Realm. Only those who could fly or arrange special transport could reach Oberit. It was a prosperous place, a safe place. Or so it was believed.

Pricille was a winged fae, tall, beautiful, and carrying Life Water for the second time. She and her husband had born a child centuries ago and time saw fit to bless them with a second. As far as she knew she was only one of two fae women carrying Life Water in Oberit; it was a rare event. Time was drawing near for her to expel her Life Water as her body began to grow weak and devote all energy to the precious fluid that would become her second child.

The doctor had ordered her to remain in bed until the expulsion ceremony to conserve her energy. Thankfully, her husband had been doting and cared for her every need.

Pricille was awakened by her husband rising from their hanging bed and opening his wings, “What’s wrong?”

He touched her hand reassuringly, “Nothing. I’m just thirsty. I’ll be back. Can I bring you something?”

“I could drink some more elixir, I think.”

Her husband nodded and fluttered down to the floor to retrieve the drink from their kitchen. Pricille sighed, thanking the stars she had such a dutiful husband. She almost fell asleep again when she felt a gentle rustle of air. Her eyes opened, expecting to see her husband flying up to her with the elixir.

But suddenly a sharp pain shot into her neck.

White lights of pain exploded through her head. She gasped and before she realized anything was wrong her whole body went numb. No matter how hard she tried she couldn’t move even a finger. Blinking her eyes even felt slow. Her voice couldn’t work beyond squeaking.

What was happening?!

At that moment she felt the weight of something prodding her and then a bony, sharp hand as cold as ice gripped her shoulder. It pulled her over onto her back. Pricille wanted to scream as a gangly shadow shifted on the ceiling above her. She couldn’t see it well but in the dark, she could make out a large glistening set of black eyes hovering inches from her. A fast, chittering, clicking noise made her mind go blank with horror.

Something slimy and wet prodded her belly. Suddenly, though it didn’t hurt, she felt something slide through her skin and penetrate her stomach. Pricille wanted to fight back, wanted to summon her defensive magic, wanted to scream for her husband, but she could do nothing. She was frozen, paralyzed to watch whatever had done this complete its grisly goal.

Tears flowed down her face when she felt a hollowness invade her abdomen. Before she always felt full, warm, and tingling with the magic of her Life Water. Slowly, the warmth was fading, growing empty and dark as the eyes that watched her.

Time seemed to drag on until Pricille gasped and suddenly she heard her husband shout below. Everything was a blur. The shadowy assailant retreated with unnatural speed across the ceiling and out the window. Pricille never even heard it open. The flash of her husband’s magic followed it. He was shouting, screaming but Pricille couldn’t comprehend his words.

The numbness began to fade and prickle at her toes. But the only thing the fae could feel was the coldness. Her insides were a tomb. Her Life Water was gone. Something had taken it all from her.

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