Chapter Four
Christa
“Christa, I said no. The notes that Dakata left clearly state the terms of the contract for Live & Die mean they have to play those ten dates. They can’t now decide to do two fewer because one of the band has met someone and wants to stay in a city for a few extra days getting his cock sucked.” Merihem muttered, like Christa was an errant child.
Merihem had gotten into trouble helping Dakata retrieve Wanda from Dusken. No one had the wherewithal to speak to the king and ask permission to run amok in the demon realm, killing multiple demons. For Merihem’s part, he was now demoted to the human realm and if Christa heard right, had gotten assigned babysitting duties of her and Luka. They had both stepped up when Dakata needed to stay with Silas in the forest.
Things were changing, all because of ‘blissful ones’!
Looking for a distraction, Christa rolled her eyes at him, doing her utmost to piss the other demon off. She did not need to be babysat by anyone and having a…
She turned to Scott, Dakata’s personal secretary, who had come in to take notes of the meeting, giving him a smile that would further annoy Merihem. “He’s got no heart.”
“I’ve plenty of heart,” Merihem growled, his eyes narrowing on her.
Merihem was a terror, yet his lips curved into a small smile that made Christa take notice. She could see, moments later, that he had zoned out on her. Working with him was turning into more of a nightmare than she expected. Something was amiss with his behavior. He had clothes on, something Merihem hated, and hadn’t once bitched about it.
Very damn odd.
It’s not him that’s odd. It’s you using Merihem to distract yourself from Wanda, and you know it.
I wish you’d keep quiet. Christa had become fed up listening to her demon half complain days ago.
She didn’t need to ask Dakata how he had felt when he’d seen and then touched Silas to know what a damn shock it was to feel the very same urges.
What she was struggling with most was how to deal with it when those from her realm had done untold harm to Wanda. Would she accept a demon? Christa’s demon half thought she would, but her human side wasn’t so confident.
Directing her frustration at Merihem when he had clearly zoned out of the meeting, she snapped, “Are you even listening to me?” She eyed him, trying to figure out what gave him the funny expression he now wore. “You’ve a dopey look on your face. What’s with you?”
She glanced at Scott, who remained poised, waiting for them to continue. Nothing about his expression gave away his thoughts. “There’s something up with him, you see it?”
Scott remained silent.
Christa huffed, fluffing her hair. “Demons!”
“You do know you are one?” Merihem pointed out, not hiding his amusement.
The big demon gasped, and then translocated out of the office.
Christa glanced at Scott, wide eyed. “What the hell was that about?”
He shrugged, looking totally disinterested, his hand still poised ready to take notes. “Demons,” she muttered once more, crossly. “Right, let's get back to the contract as it seems I’m making the decisions today.”
When the meeting finished, Christa had a hairbrained idea to share what had happened to her with Scott. Then she eyed the uptight secretary. He was buttoned up too tightly for Christa to think he’d be a good sounding board, and discarded the idea. So she kept her thoughts to herself because she didn’t know how to reveal that she had also fallen victim to Fate. Saying it aloud would make it all too real.
Alone, she continued on through the day, doing her best not to think about the desire to head to the forest and find out how Wanda was.
She needs us.
No, she doesn’t.
They’d gone and peeked, more than once, but the trees still protected Wanda from sight. She was fairly sure the troll that sat guard had known she was there. He’d not looked towards where they’d kept concealed, but something told her nothing got past him.
Every time they had left, her demon’s disgust grew stronger at her cowardice.
As they’d already had their rampage in Dusken once Silas had disappeared with Wanda in his arms, it was much easier to control her demon side— possibly.
We should have saved her, and you aren’t controlling me. I have no wish to frighten our sweet dryad. She has suffered enough at the hands of rampaging demons to last her a lifetime.
We couldn’t save her. We don’t have the power to heal her! Christa snapped, hating the truth of it.
Christa had done her research on dryad’s when Silas and her brother had found their blissful connection. Wanda was irrevocably bound to her trees. They were a part of her soul. Christa had witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of separation with her own brother. The blissful connection tied Dakata to Silas and the mighty oak in the forest. The three were one. They each needed the other to survive, which was why Dakata had moved to live in the forest.
He had resisted initially, even without knowing everything would change. Christa now understood his reluctance, and she had all the facts. To accept a blissful one who was a tree dryad meant tying oneself to a different life. Her demon side cared about none of it, and she nagged incessantly for Christa to return to Wanda and touch her to seal their bond.
I’m not nagging. I know what you feel. The desire for her, to connect with her and her trees. You wish to know what Dakata experiences with Silas and his tree, don’t lie.
Honestly, some days you can be a worse pain in my ass than my brothers.
The tingling laughter grated, and Christa worked diligently to shut out the annoying sound.
Yet her mind returned to Wanda, and those who had dared to harm her. The only solace Christa had was that when she had smelled those who had laid their claws on Wanda, she had taken great pleasure in tearing their fingers from the knucklebones. Their screams gave her some satisfaction, it just didn’t alter her situation.
The reality caused a clutch in her belly with the pure longing to see— touch —Wanda and assure herself she had healed and was safe.
Realizing her mind had wandered once more in a direction that made working impossible, Christa closed down her computer and tidied away the things on the desk, knowing that Scott would do it for her if she didn’t. The demon was all kinds of fussy when it came to things being orderly.
Stalking to the door on six-inch heels, she collected her red woolen coat and slipped it on, flicking out her dark curls. Christa flipped off the light switch and exited the office, her luscious curves swaying as she tied the belt of the coat.
The corridors were empty, and the darkness outside the window revealed the lateness of the hour. At the curb minutes later, she considered her options. She had a home in the human realm and kept one in the demon realm, spending equal amounts of time in both.
The idea of going to the demon realm held no appeal when it meant she became cut off from Wanda. It was irrational when Wanda didn’t know she existed.
Had she felt anything in their presence?
We won’t know if you don’t go and see her. Take something to show we’re interested in getting to know her. A box of cakes, maybe? Chocolate?
I’m not taking dating advice from you.
She’s our blissful one, who said anything about dating? Those other women you went on dates with… if dates are what you want to call them, they were only interested in—
Don’t go there.
Why? They love what you can do with our tongue.
Christa’s cheeks warmed like the sun had touched them and her body tingled at the thought of… You’re doing this on purpose. Making me think about touching Wanda’s lush body.
It’s what is usually on your mind.
It is not.
With a thought, Christa translocated to the forest, her mind set on proving a point. She conjured a box of sweet pastries that she found particularly tasty, blocking her demon side. In her other hand she conjured a small bouquet of summer daisies.
“What would you be doing in the forest in those heels? You’ll break an ankle,” the troll murmured. He was sitting at the firepit close to the peach trees, which scented the air with their fragrance. Under it, though, was the scent of Wanda. A mix of peach and something soft and earthy.
“I came to see how Wanda is doing. I’m Dakata’s sister, Christa. I helped to rescue her.” Did that sound lame?
Dark, busy brows merged over stunning eyes that held Christa’s gaze.
“Is that so?” He lifted a mug in offering. “Care for some of my brew? Wanda isn’t up to taking visitors just yet. She may be in a little while, if you care to wait for her?”
It was a test. Christa couldn’t say how she knew, just that something told her the troll wanted to see what she’d do. She stepped around larger twigs on the ground and perched next to Dougal on the log, who offered her a mug he conjured at her nod, of a sweet smelling brew. “Thank you.” She glanced about for a place to put the pastries and flowers, then left them on her lap when the only option was the orchard floor, only then taking the drink Dougal held.
“I’m Dougal. Nice to meetcha, Christa.” His gaze dropped to the box and flowers, his smile broad. “Something smells good inside the box. As does that pretty posy.”
“I bought these… for Wanda,” she shrugged nonchalantly and took a big gulp of the brew without thinking, due to feeling awkward—like she was meeting a parent of the girl she wanted to date—then coughed violently with an aggression that left her glad she was seated.
It’s not dating.
Be quiet, Christa hissed back, while attempting to cough up a lung in the most unladylike way.
“Put hairs on your chest, my homebrew,” Dougal chuckled playfully.
When Christa had herself back under control, she wiped at her wet eyes, careful to not to smudge her make-up before glancing in Dougal’s direction. “I’ve never been partial to hairy chests, I prefer the softer curves of a woman.”
There was a sound of a sharp inhale, and Christa’s demon fought hard to escape when they looked towards the trees. There, in a hollow, sat Wanda. Cast in the firelight, her brown curls hung beyond her shoulders and held a crown of leaves. The long flowing, peach and cream gown had a lace trim that layered the top of the dress. The gown accentuated her small, pert breasts that rose and fell so fast her chest practically fluttered like a butterfly’s wings.
Was she frightened of them?
Placing the mug down with shaking fingers, Christa clutched what she’d brought and rose to allay whatever fear Wanda might have. “I’m Christa, Dakata’s sister. I came when… you know, to help,” she finished, unsure what else to say, not wanting to make Wanda think of things that surely hurt her.
Beautiful eyes, the color of forest leaves, swept over Christa. “I’m sorry, I don’t remember seeing you. Things were a little…” Soft curls swayed around her delicate shoulders as a branch moved and stroked down her arm. “Thank you,” she finished in a soft murmur, staying where she was, more branches reaching to touch the healed, radiant skin.
“You’re welcome.” Realizing she was clutching the box and flowers, she took a step closer, compelled to be nearer and not only because her demon wanted it. There was something alluring—commanding—about Wanda’s presence. “I brought you a gift… some flowers.”
Wanda was beautiful before she smiled, but Christa lost all rational ability at the soft curve of lips into a surprised smile. “You did?”
Aware Dougal was watching, Christa resisted the urge to demand he leave them. Instead, she walked to the tree and offered the box and the posy of daisies. “Yes.”
The brush of tiny fingers catching Christa’s as Wanda took the gifts shook Christa to her very core. She never noticed the branch reach into her coat pocket, placing several leaves in there. All her senses honed on the dryad, whose eyes widened.
“What was that?” Wanda whispered, breathlessly.
“Our blissful bond,” Christa murmured without thought or hesitation, because all her doubts disappeared in that one moment. Their connection snapped in the scented air, fizzling with life so boldly everything else became meaningless.
The fear that came from Wanda stole Christa’s joy when it doused the air with its stench. Christa could taste its bitter flavor in her mouth as she inhaled.
“No. No. No. I don’t want it .”
The words, said so full of terror, left Christa and her demon side crushed. Yet what Wanda needed most of all, was for Christa not to deny her.
“As you wish,” she murmured past a ball of emotion. Working on pure instinct to protect Wanda, she ignored her own desires and how the action of leaving tugged at her soul painfully, she translocated.
In her home in the demon realm, Christa screamed until her throat was raw. Tears streamed down her pale cheeks. The merest of touches sealed her fate and she could not regret it, even when her soul became tortured with the belief their blissful one didn’t want them.
They had been rejected.
She shuddered, collapsing to her knees and clutching the hand that smelled of Wanda to her chest, lost in misery. “What are we to do now?” she cried out in agony. “What?”