Blood Lines: Kallen's Tale (Witch Fairy #3.5) (23 page)

Xandra looks up at me and flinches slightly at the murderous look on my face.  “What did she mean by innocent lives?”

Through a clenched jaw, I say, “I do not know.”

“Maybe you should respond to her.”  I can tell the idea does not thrill her.  It certainly does not thrill me.

“I agree,” Grandmother says from behind me.  I had felt her coming so I do not jump as Xandra does.

I do not see the point.  “Grandmother, I do not believe she is willing to hear what I have to say.  Nor how I want to say it to her.”  The words I want to say to her should not be spoken in polite company.  Or even impolite company.

Grandmother purses her lips trying to decide what is best.  “Very well, I will respond.  You two may want to cover your ears, this will be quite loud.”  Grandmother’s voice rings out loud and clear.  “Xenia, this is foolishness.  There was not a hand-fasting and there never will be one between you and Kallen.  End this madness.”

“Dear Isla,” Xenia says, the name slipping out of her mouth as if she had just coughed up some bile.  “You will be the first to go in my new regime.  I know that Kallen cares for you, but he will soon see that this is all for the best.  Oh, and Isla, all those precious Cowan Fairies you are always standing up for?  I am going to rid this realm of them one at a time.  Though I may be willing to simply let them free when the gateways are reopened if you and Kallen learn to cooperate.  If not, I will have to start killing them as soon as tomorrow morning.  All Kallen has to do to stop me is walk out of that atrocity by 9:00am and be ready to repeat our vows of hand-fasting.  Otherwise, I believe I will begin cleansing the realm with Alita’s mother.”

Mine is not the only face with murder on it.  Xandra looks like she is ready to tear down the web and begin this war right now.  A sob from behind us clears her mind and she turns to gather Alita into a hug.  “It’s going to be okay,” she says.  “I won’t let her hurt them.”

Her face may appear calmer but her magic is not.  She is pulling it an alarming rate and I am not completely certain she realizes it.  I am about to say something when Dagda’s voice cuts through Alita’s sobs.  “Xandra, we need to be smart about this.  You cannot let your magic cloud your judgment.  Who knows how many lives it will cost if you go barreling out of here with unchecked magic.”

She turns her irate eyes in his direction.  They look like emeralds in a fire.  “What do you want me to do then?  I know you don’t value human lives, but I do.  I will not let her kill Alita’s mother.”

“Nor will I let her take my Kingdom.  We have nine hours to figure out how to accomplish both things.”

I am not sure what way she is going to go with this.  She is so close to losing control.  After a moment, she begins to rein in her magic and we can all breathe a little bit easier.  It is a slow process but she eventually pushes it back to the earth.

“Now,” Dagda says as he sweeps his hand towards the doorway, “shall we retreat to the kitchen for sustenance as we plan Xenia’s defeat?”

Distrust flashes in Xandra’s eyes.  I am now seeing the uncle that I grew up loving but she is still seeing the monster he became when he let his pride rule him.  Dagda has a long road in front of him in regards to her trust.  With a snarky, “Fine,” Xandra walks past him towards the kitchen.  I am grateful for it because I am starving.

Gathering around the kitchen table, we begin to devour sandwiches and strong black tea.  After a few minutes, in what I consider an off topic discussion, Dagda leads with my relationship with Xandra.  “Xandra, you were not raised in this realm so I cannot expect you to know the norms for decorum and restraint.  But that is not the case with you, Kallen.”

I place the sandwich I had halfway to my mouth back on the plate.  “Perhaps the Cowan realm has a more reasonable set of norms.”  I feel my cheeks turning red.  I said it but I am not sure that I believe it.  Xandra and I have not exactly been innocent in our behavior.  But neither have we been excessive in our behavior.  Much.

Dagda’s eyes narrow in my direction.  “Whether that is the case or not, I will not debate that topic at the moment.  I am going to address the fact that your behavior undermines not only my authority but Isla’s as well.”

I glance at Grandmother and her lips are in a grim line.  She agrees with him.  A peek at Tabitha at the counter making tea tells me that she is trying to ignore the conversation.  She does not want to anger one of us.  Even Xandra is quiet.  That is strange.  I turn back to Dagda.  I already know the answer to this question but I ask anyway.  “How exactly does this affect your authority?”

The raised brows on Dagda’s face say it all.  He knows that I know how it is affecting his authority.  “Kallen, you are an educated young man.  Please do not act as if you are not.  You two have put Isla and me in a position where it appears that we have no control over your behavior.”

“Because you don’t,” Xandra mumbles under breath.  When Dagda turns his eyes to her, she becomes defensive.  “What?  You don’t.  I understand what you’re saying but I’m not going to pretend to do what you tell me to if I don’t like it.  I don’t care how it looks.”

Dadga sighs.  He opens his mouth to speak but Grandmother cuts him off.  “Then perhaps you will consider my position in the realm.  As High Chancellor, I am required to uphold society’s standards.  That includes banishing those who do not adhere to the standards of courting.  Your behavior performed by any other Fairy would have already resulted in a hand-fasting.”

Xandra is getting angry.  “Where exactly are you going to banish me to?  If you want me to go home, just say so but I am not getting married because it looks bad if I don’t.”  I think it best to keep my mouth shut at the moment.  I want her anger directed at them, not me.

Grandmother’s eyes are sparking.  Her thoughts are pretty clear at the moment and they are not favorable towards Xandra.  Now it is Dagda’s turn to interrupt her though before she is able to speak her mind.  “I believe I have a solution to all of our problems.”

I am ready to latch on to anything to prevent the magical war between Xandra and Grandmother.  “What is your suggestion?” I ask him.  Both women’s eyes flash fire in my direction.  So much for not having anger directed towards me.

“A left hand-fasting.”

Grandmother’s mood dials down a few notches as she considers his suggestion but Xandra has no idea what he is talking about.  “I just said I’m not getting married because it looks bad for you two.”

Tabitha bustles back to the table with a platter of cookies which she drops noisily in the middle of the counter.  Between the noise and the sweet smell, she instantly has all of our attention directed towards her.  “If you would hush for a moment, someone could explain to you what a left hand-fasting is.  And you two,” she glares at Isla and Dagda, “need to consider the fact that she is
completely
ignorant of our customs before you start throwing ideas out there.  Xandra does not know the extent of damage her behavior can do for either of your reputations and if you would not lead with words like hand-fasting, maybe you would not make her so skittish she is not willing to listen to either of you.”

To my great surprise, both Grandmother and Dagda look a bit sheepish.  It is hard to keep the smirk off my face but I see Tabitha eyeing me and the back of my head does not need another smack.  I keep my face a blank page.

“Of course, Tabitha,” Grandmother says with a nod in her direction.  Turning to Xandra, she says, “A left hand-fasting is a promise.  It is similar to an engagement in your realm.  You and Kallen would pledge to each other that you intend to become right hand-fasted but are not ready to do so yet.  This gives you each more freedom in regards to behavior with one another.  The left hand-fasting can last for up to two years and at that time, or sooner if you choose, you must decide to become right hand-fasted or separate forever.  However, if your relationship is consummated…”  Xandra’s face has just flushed a deep red.  “Then you will be required to move your relationship to a right hand-fasting immediately.”

Xandra looks like she is about to be attacked by a Tasmanian devil.  “Um, that’s a lot to take in right now.  Can’t we just talk about what we’re going to do in the morning?”

Dagda sighs.  “Xandra, please, listen to what we are saying.  If we are going to create a united front it must be on Fairy terms or it will not be recognized by the rebels.  This is not something that will bind you two together forever, it simply gives you time to consider the depths of your relationship.”

I keep silent while the emotions play out on her face.  I would say yes to this in a heartbeat, but it must be her decision.  I will not push her. 

With a creased brow, she says, “It would only become permanent if we want it to or if we have sex?”

Grandmother nods.  “Yes, that is correct.”

“But, couldn’t we just lie about the sex thing?”  A snicker escapes Kegan’s mouth but he sobers quickly after a piercing glance from Grandmother.

“No,” Grandmother says.  “This is powerful magic.  A spell is woven into the rings you will exchange and if your relationship is consummated they will glow brightly until the right hand-fasting is performed.”

Xandra’s face has gone from deep red to being blanched.  Turning to me, she says, “What do you think about this?”

I was hoping she would not put me on the spot like this.  “Xandra, I want this to be your decision.  I do not want you to feel pressured into it.”

She scowls at me.  “Thanks, that was helpful.”

I sigh.  “Xandra, is there really a doubt in your mind what I would choose?”

After a moment, she shakes her head.  “No, there isn’t.”  Turning to Dagda, she says in a snarky voice, “Fine, you get to have your way this time.”

Well, that felt like a bucket of luke warm water being thrown in my face.  “Thank you for that rousing enthusiasm at the idea of being engaged to me.”

Her turn to look sheepish.  “Sorry.”  She leans over and gives me a kiss on the cheek.  “I am happy to be engaged to you.”  Then with raised brows and a twinkle in her eye, she says, “Though you didn’t really propose to me.  Your uncle and your grandmother did.”

Kegan nods solemnly.  “She is right cousin.  You really should do this properly.”  I want to punch him but he is too far away.

I glare at him before looking back at Xandra.  She has a look of impatient expectation on her face.  She is really going to make me do this in front of all of these people.  Well, two can play this game.  “In your realm, is it not just as acceptable for a female to propose to a male?  I would hate to sully a custom of your realm by not considering all options.”

She shakes her head.  “Nope, sorry.  I’m a traditionalist.”  That earns her several eyebrow raises around the counter.  Which she ignores.

If this is what I have to do to hold her in my arms every night, then I am happy to do it.  Even if this is usually done without an audience.  Rising from my stool, I stand in front of Xandra and take both of her hands in mine.  Then I go down on one knee.  “Xandra, my love, my heart, you are the most precious gift the universe could ever bring into my life.  You are my future’s breath, my past’s conscience, and my present’s divining grace.  You bring light to my soul and the smile to my face.  I would die for you, I would kill for you, I would destroy realms to save you.  You have bewitched me, you have held me with your Angel charm and you are the most beautiful, intelligent and charming Fairy whom has ever lived.  I am humbled by the fact that you love me.  With my heart in my hands, I offer it to you hoping you will cherish it as I do yours.  Will you do me the honor of pledging your love for me?”