Chapter 22
Tosh, Cosh, and Valentine joined Evandalyn as she headed to her father's house. Edmon, Demeatral, and Gerald went with Lauren. Lauren had also brought her twin dragon eggs for their safety. Oliver and Beatrice led the way. Oliver told Lauren that she couldn't stay too long but that she could bring comfort to Evandalyn and then leave. So, they traveled to the heavenly realm.
The trip was different than most, I mean, flying through nothingness and bright white light could be very unnerving. A sudden crackle of lightning caught the group's attention and the grunt of pain startled Lauren. Once they broke through the vale, she saw Tosh and Cosh propping Evandalyn up, basically carrying her.
"What happened? Lauren asked as she moved closer to Evandalyn.
"There was an energy surge. She was hit." Tosh replied.
Oliver moved to Evandalyn's side. "She will recover. Quickly, let's get her to my home." The group moved quickly and in no time, Evandalyn was in the care of healers.
"I wonder where that surge came from. Who else knew you would return today?" Cosh asked.
"I didn't have a set time to return. Someone was either waiting for me or it was just a surge of energy from nature." Oliver replied.
"How often are there energy surges from nature in the path that leads here? Gerald asked." No. Someone was trying to hurt you, Evandalyn, or someone in this party. This party does contain several powerful and important beings in it. We must look into this."
"Calm down everyone," Beatrice said. "I know you are concerned about this but now is not the time to argue or threaten. Let's get you all settled and then come back together and discuss this."
Everyone agreed and Beatrice led them to rooms on the second floor. Tosh, Cosh and Valentine stayed in a room together and Edmon, Demeatral, Gerald and Lauren stayed together. There was an adjoining sitting room and restroom between the two rooms.
Gerald paced back and forth at the window. He hated that Lauren and the dragon eggs could be in danger. She could have been hit by the surge and there's no telling what would have happened to the eggs. Lauren watched him and sent calming thoughts across their bond. He stopped mid-step and looked up at her. "I'm sorry. I just hate not having control of things."
"It's okay," Lauren replied. "I think Cosh and Tosh are more agitated than you are. They were on each side of Evandalyn and didn't even see the attack coming. Evandalyn will be okay and we will figure out what is going on before we move too far away from her. I know Oliver and Beatrice may not want us to but I will not leave until I know she and they are safe. As you said, anyone could have been the target. I want to reach out my powers with your help and see what I can feel."
"Of course," Gerald said. She took his hands and closed her eyes. Lauren opened her mind so that he could see what she was going to see. She expanded her sight and moved back in time to before they left Librarius. The hugs and conversations, setting the group's order of flight, the light shining down from the heavens, and their travels. She slowed events down. Gerald and Lauren studied things, looking for the tiniest clues. There, high in the left corner, was a small person that looked about the size of a light bulb, sending a blast of energy straight at Oliver. Evandalyn seemed to sense the energy and pushed Oliver forward. That was how she got hit. Lauren drew her energy back inside herself and came back to reality.
"Oliver was the target. Is that why they didn't want to talk about it? Did he already know?" Gerald questioned.
"I'm not sure but we will find out. Right now though, I want to rest for a bit. That took a lot." Lauren replied.
Valentine was livid. "How can Oliver not tell us that he is in danger? I can't leave Evandalyn in an area of danger."
"Calm down before you ash away. We will not leave her here. Lauren is well trained in weapons and fighting and we already know she is much more trained than she is letting on, so as not to break Evandalyn. Cosh and I will stay here until she can come back to the castle. We are her personal guard and her sprites are also here." Tosh said.
"Good. That would be good. The nine of you would be enough to keep her safe and be her company. I don't care if Oliver and Beatrice try to argue, It will be so." Valentine stated. She calmed her flames and settled for a nap. Cosh and Tosh laid on each side of her.
Later that evening, everyone gathered for dinner. "I am sorry for earlier today," Oliver said. "I should have been more honest about the threat I have toward my person. I didn't think I would be attacked in the pathway. It had never happened before. Of course, I hardly leave my home, so there are hardly any chances to attack."
"What is going on?" Lauren asked. Why are the pixies trying to kill you?"
"How did you know it was the pixies? Never mind. It doesn't matter. There's not much of a situation." Oliver said. He wouldn't look at her though. "I have been accused of starting a revolt within their kingdom."
"I'd say so," Beatrice said with a giggle.
"I just don't think they are respected or treated well. I mean they are forced to use their powers to do things they don't want to and can't choose where they want to live. They are tied to the place where they are born by their queen and punished severely when they say they won't do something they think is wrong. I really just want to help them."
"Did they ask you for your help?" Lauren asked bluntly.
"Well, no, but I can't stand to see them in such pain," Oliver said.
"Really?" Beatrice said. "Why don't you tell them everything?"
"Bea, I …" Oliver was cut off.
"He created them," Beatrice said. "He put the limits on the creatures and now he regrets it. The queen has grown beyond his control and won't release the creatures from the rules he set for them when he created them. I mean, she benefits from the old-fashioned ways. Why should she want to?"
"Oh." Lauren tried not to laugh.
"I must change this. I have to set this right." Oliver said.
"Okay. I see the problem. We will see what we can do to help you set your creation free." Lauren reassured him.
"Thank you," Oliver said. "But that will be done tomorrow. Let's enjoy our meal."
After dinner, people broke into small conversational groups. Edmon and Demeatral walked toward the garden together deep in conversation. Lauren saw how close they were and liked the feelings that flowed from them. They really seemed to love each other. This made Lauren happy.
Tosh, Cosh, and Valentine went into the room where Evandalyn was. She had awakened and was laughing with her sprites. It was wonderful to hear. The twins informed Oliver and Beatrice that they were not going to leave Evandalyn. Valentine would return to Librarius with the others so she could continue Lauren's education.
Lauren and Gerald walked to the lake side of the yard. They sat down on a deck and took out her dragon eggs. They had deepened in color and sparkled. "They are almost ready to hatch," Gerald said.
"Really? How much longer?" Lauren asked.
"If we stay in the heavens, an hour or two. The energy here is a lot like that in the dragon realm. It is speeding up their development. It is good." Gerald said. He took her hand and pulled her closer to him. I'm glad we are able to spend this time alone. I'm also happy to be your first bonded partner. I know you will have others, but I will always be your first." He said with a smile.
"Yes, you will," Lauren replied laughing. "You made it quite pleasant." They sat quietly cuddled together with their eggs between them, waiting for them to hatch.
Edmon was a bit wary to speak his mind with Demeatral. He had felt a connection to her for the longest but was afraid to broach the conversation. but lately, he had been feeling her pull toward him. He had to take the chance. "Hey, Demeatral, are you betrothed back at home?" There was no need to bring up his feelings if she was.
"No. I refused to allow my parents to set a marriage for me. I want to marry for love as is my right. My position, thankfully, gives me the power to deny any request." She replied.
That was good to know. "I never accepted any invitations of marriage either. They tried to push a few ladies towards me but I too want to marry for love." Edmon stated. "I would love to get to know you better. Being close to you drives me… I am drawn to you."
Demeatral blushed. "I am drawn to you also. I wonder though, would we cause problems in the realm if a fairy and light elf joined?"
"So, you have been thinking about this too?"
"Yes, but in our culture, the man should reach out to the woman."
"As in ours. Would you want to contact our families and see what they think before we get any deeper into the feelings we seem to have for each other? It's not like we can ignore our feelings when we are this close all the time."
"True. Can you contact your family from here?"
"Yes," Edmon replied.
"Let's do it then. We can do it now and discuss it after."
"Why not let each other hear what is said? I don't want any secrets between us from the beginning." Edmon said bluntly.
"Okay." Demeatral opened her channel first. She explained the situation and then awaited a reply.
Edmon stayed near Demeatral as she spoke to her father. "Is he royalty? You know you can't marry below your station." Her mother asked bluntly.
"Yes. He is the king's eldest son but no longer the crown prince. As in my situation, he will let the second brother take the throne unless a tragedy occurs."
"Then, if he is in the same situation as you, I have no problem with it." Her father replied. "The choice to work with the keeper was not because of nefarious reasons, was it? Her mother asked.
"No, mother. He is in good standing with his family. I just wanted to ask you if there would be any problems if we chose to get to know each other better and if things led to marriage. We are just getting to know each other though so don't start the rumor mills."
"No one will say anything until you give us more news. Thanks for bringing it up to us and asking for our consent before you explored your feelings." Her father said.
Demeatral disconnected from her family after saying I love you. "Your turn."
"I'm glad that went well," Edmon said. He closed his eyes and connected with his family. "Good evening."
"Hello, son. It has been a while since we have spoken. This must be important." His father said.
"It is for me. I have found my soulmate." He stated plainly. The statement shocked Demeatral. He didn't say he felt she was his soulmate. "However, she is a light elf. She is Princess Demeatral. She works with the keeper just like I do. I want to get to know her and I want to know if this would cause unrest in the kingdom."
His father sat silently for a moment. His expression never changed and Edmon didn't say anymore, just waited. Finally, his father spoke. "The difference in species is not a problem. Light elves are our distant relatives. The fact that she is royalty is definitely a plus. Your mother feels reservations in that we have not met her or her family. We must get a reading done soon. If she is your soulmate, we will not interfere but if she is not, you will have to come back home and take your place as crown prince. You will not see her again and you will search for your real soulmate. Is that clear?"
" I understand. We will come to the fairy ring as soon as we finish this task." Edmon replied. He said his goodbyes and closed the connection. He hung his head afraid to look at Demeatral.
"So, soulmate? You left that out when we talked."
"I didn't want to run you off. It's a big deal. I don't take it lightly."
"Yes, soulmates are rare and cherished in our culture as well. I mean we are distant cousins." Demeatral giggled. "I do have a very strong pull towards you. I hope we are soulmates. Soul bonds are not just felt in my culture but they have to be accepted if they are to be completed. It is not just from the gods."
"So, would the bond show up if we have not accepted each other?"
"I'm not sure. Let's get to know each other and decide if this is what we want. Before we go see your parents, we will decide if we will choose each other and say the words for the bond in my culture."
"Words? Okay, for now, let's just hangout and relax the tension between us."
"Good." They sat the rest of the evening talking to each other and telling the stories of their lives. They discussed their likes and dislikes. They also discovered that they had many future dreams that were the same.
When the sun rose the next morning, they woke up cuddled together. "I can't believe how comfortable this is. I could get used to this." Demeatral said.
"I hope you will. My feelings for you have not changed. They have only deepened. I want you in my life forever."
"I agree." Demeatral took his hands and looked into his eyes. "Repeat after me, okay." Edmon nodded his head. "You're my light. I accept my light and give you my light. We are one, bound together and now one light."
He repeated the words and heat fell over them. When they opened their hands, a flame was in their entwined fingers. Edmon leaned over to Demeatral and brushed a soft kiss on her lips. She reached her free hand out and grabbed his neck to pull him closer. She kissed him deeply and he returned the kiss. The flame grew in their hands. It grew from their hands and spread over their bodies. They glowed and their eyes carried the flame inside them. Edmon looked deeply into her eyes and magically they were in his mental bubble. She looked around to see a beautiful garden filled with flowers and lush green trees. They were lying on a king-sized bed. Edmon's hands caressed her upper thigh, slowly running his hand along the top of her thigh and then down along her thigh. He kept his touch light and unobtrusive so as not to move too fast. She laid her leg over his so he would know she didn't mind his touches. She removed his shirt and ran her fingers over his chiseled chest. He breathed deeply and sighed in relief because she was so receptive and giving. He wanted her and if she would allow him the pleasure, he was going to make that dream come true.
Before he could breach the subject, Demeatral whispered, "Join with me or the bond will not be complete. I want you."
A wave of pleasure and pressure of desire flowed through Edmon. He magically removed their clothing and sent energy through Demeatral. He gripped her with a gentle but firm grip while looking at her from top to bottom, lingering on her hardened nipples and swollen, wet core. He soothingly ran his fingers around her breasts and then pinched her nipple. Her heart pounded harder and her senses heightened. She was sensitive to his every touch. He leaned down and took one of her breasts into her mouth. Her back arched in response and she reached up to run her fingers through his hair. He put his weight on her, allowing her to feel the extent of his longing. She parted her legs in invitation. Slowly and considerately, he slid into her, pausing to allow her to adjust to him being there and to make sure he could keep control.
The feeling was so wonderful that he struggled. He lowered his weight on her and whispered, "You are a virgin aren't you?" She nodded. "Am I hurting you?" She shook her head no. "Do you want me to move?" She wrapped her legs around him and locked them around him to keep him right where he was in response. He giggled. "I don't mean to get up or out. I mean, move." He pulled back a little and then forward a bit more than he was the first time. She moaned in pleasure and relaxed her legs so he could move again. "So, you like this?" He stroked her again. She nodded yes. "Can you talk to me?" She shook her head no. He laughed again. "Very well. Do you want me to keep going?" She tightened her grip on him and shook her head yes. With her affirmation, he continued his slow short strokes until he was all the way in her. He then stopped and looked her in her eyes and said, "You're my light. I accept my light and give you my light. We are one, bound together and now one light." This time she repeated him. Again a flame formed between them and then in their eyes. They laid their joined together physically and spiritually. The flame engulfed them and they glowed within the light. Edmon began to stroke Demeatral. Pressure built between them with an intensity that made them hold each other tighter. Suddenly, they both released at the same time. Magic swirled around them. It mixed and mingled then gushed back into them. A unity heart was suddenly burned into their skin right above their hearts. Once the flames went out, Edmon released the magical bubble and brought them magically to their room. After using his mental magic to make sure their door was locked, they collapsed back on the bed in a tangle and fell asleep.