Chapter 38 – Awakening
Maeve
His lips pressed to the top of my head, and I felt the warmth of my mate trying to comfort me.
The rip in my heart threatened to suffocate me as I desperately tried to fill my lungs with air. She was royal … I knew she’d have gold wings in life, but the soft gold of the tree trunk was stunning. It was more pronounced against the smooth, dark black of my father's tree.
No one spoke, though I could feel the intensity of emotion rolling off Remington in waves. It was a force so strong that it would cause devastation if it were unleashed on Earth. I turned to see anguish etched on his face, and for the first time since I’d met him, Remington looked lost for words.
“Uncle?” I whispered, feeling joined in this grief with him.
“It was my fault,” he murmured.
“You didn’t kill them.”
“I may as well have,” his words twisted bitterly. “I thought he was a love-struck fool because I was jealous. Then, when he became human, I resented your mother.”
“It’s not your fault,” I threw my arms around him.
“But it is,” he rasped, hugging me close. “I should have killed Morgana when I had the chance.”
I’d seen him take out the unseelie faeries with ease. Remington was powerful in his demon form. But was a demon strong enough to take out the Fae Queen? The answer whispered back in my mind like a knowing I somehow always knew— Remington is.
“I can feel the magic of the entrance,” Della spoke softly.
“Grandma Dori once told me The Tree of Life was an oak tree because it was one of the strongest and longest-living trees in the Celtic region,” Rex told us. “She said that people believe the tree symbolizes life cycles, and others believe the trees are ancestors that provide a gateway to the spirit world or doorways to other realms.”
“She is one smart gal,” Remington nodded. “Maeve, touch the trees.”
“What?”
“Did you ever bring a tree to life?” He asked knowingly.
“How did you know?”
“It’s… It’s a sandman gift,” he quirked.
There was a rush in my ears as I stepped over the first outer spiral of the stone circle on the ground.
“Maeve!” Rex reached for me.
“It’s okay,” I assured him.
My steps felt slow, but something kept nudging me closer to the center—to the trees. There was ancient magic here, in the ground, in the trees, and in all the life that thrived on this island. The knowing swirled inside me again, and a ragged breath escaped my lungs. The thought sent a chill running down my spine.
“I was born in this circle,” I whispered.
I stood inches away from the trees. The buzz in my head felt dizzying, and the thundering of my heart left me feeling dazed. I looked up to see the magnificent black and gold branches reaching for the heavens. They swayed gently in the wind, basking in the sunlight. I followed the branches down, admiring the tree trunks that were rooted into the ground—roots that reached into the Underworld.
I wasn’t sure if it was instinct or grief, but I threw my arms open and hugged the spot where both trees met. A shuddered breath left me as the tears swam in my eyes. My heart squeezed when I felt the warmth radiating against me like an embrace.
“The entrance!” I heard a gasp behind me.
My eyes snapped open, and a rush of cool air hit me like a fresh awakening. Energy pulsed through me, and I felt it. The seam between the golden tree trunk and the smooth black had started to glow like a tear spilling light from beyond. The secret entrance into the Fae Realm was the exact point where the trees had grown together.
“Maeve, don’t move,” Remington ordered. “Hurry through,” he waved Della and the others forward.
“Thank you, Maeve,” Della smiled as she transformed. The others followed, and I heard their tiny shouts of gratitude as they fluttered past me and disappeared into the Fae Realm.
I stepped back from the tree and watched the light fade, sealing the entrance again. My knees suddenly felt weak, and I took another wobbly step back into Rex. His chest pressed against my back, and his arms wrapped around me.
“It’s okay,” he assured me, burying his head in my neck.
“If the Faerie Pool was dried out the day we visited, and this secret entrance is protected, then how did the unseelie get out to attack us that day?” Kit asked Remington.
“There has to be another way in and out,” I said.
“Morgana will not leave the Fae Realm,” Remington explained as he led us back down the path to the shore. “Few worship Eos here, so Morgana would be vulnerable in this realm.”
“Is there any way we can lure her here?” Mars asked.
“Your haggis might do the trick,” I replied, suddenly feeling famished.
“She sealed off the main entrance to keep herself safe,” Kit scoffed.
“We know where the entrance is,” I suggested excitedly. “Can’t we storm through and kill her? We have Alpha Ares with us… he’s a demigod. The unseelie won’t stand a chance against you and him.”
“Gods cannot cross over into the realm of another unless they’ve been invited or summoned.”
“I’m only a demigod,” Ares said. “I should be able to get in there.”
“But I am not,” Remington replied. “Maeve, I have that meeting with the council and cannot slight them. Stay here until the baby is born. Visit the island often to replenish your strength. Wear your mother’s necklace—”
“My mother’s necklace?”
“Yes, she gave it to your father so he could find the island when they first met,” his eyes softened with a smile. “Jinx will remain with you until you return to the Moon Realm.”
It sounded like he was leaving me. “When will I see you again?”
“Soon,” he smiled. “If you need anything, call the pub. Cadbury will get the message to me.”
“Does she have enough magic to ensure a safe delivery?” Rex asked.
Remington smiled. “The pendant has awakened and recharged its power the moment she touched the trees.” Then he turned and spoke directly to Ares. “The Moon Goddess has asked that you not tell anyone of Maeve’s origins or tell anyone about the baby until it has arrived.”
“Grandma Dori won’t like that,” Ares murmured.
“Rex is in big trouble with her anyway,” Remington chuckled. “Also, Storm will remain in a sleep state until she returns to Paris.”
“What? What’s going on with Storm?” Eudora asked.
“She attacked a demon and accidentally shadow-jumped,” Rex said. “She’s at the cabin sleeping it off.”
“She can’t know about the baby?” I asked.
“Orders of the Moon Goddess,” Remington shrugged. “Gods can be so finicky.”
“What about Eos?” Ares asked.
“The Moon Goddess has set her plans in motion,” his eyes flashed with terrifying excitement. “When the time comes, I’ll personally escort Eos to a special place in the pits of Tartarus before I make Morgana pay for what she’s done.”
Remington took a few steps back and started to shimmer before he took the shape of a white, iridescent horse. He bowed his head to me before galloping and prancing at the sandy water shore. The magnificent horse raced along the water's surface before diving down and disappearing.
“Now that was an exit!” Eudora laughed.
“Apollo will show you an exit,” Ares nipped at his mate's ear.
“Speaking of exit,” Cadbury chuckled. “We can float out through the veil in the mist, so we’ll just wait at the cabin to transport you back to Paris.”
“We should get Storm back before she wakes up,” Kit laughed as they evaporated.
“That shadow-jumping could be real fun,” Ares chuckled, and I couldn't help noticing the silence from Rex.
“Whose boat is that?” Eudora pointed to another boat tied to a protruding rock down the shore. “We only came with two boats, didn’t we?”
Rex stiffened, and his eyes started swirling, fully alert. He set me down gently beside his parents before running forward for a closer inspection. His footsteps were quick and light.
“A’h knew ye wur a changeling,” I heard the accusation roar from him. “Th' kelpie a’h saw wis efter ye because yer cursed.”
Jack was jumping over rocks in the thicket, ranting about changelings, kelpies, and curses before he started mumbling about the veil, Merlin’s enchanted forest, and pack secrets.
“Let me guess,” Alpha Ares said. “This must be one of the cousins?”
“He must have slipped under the veil when Maeve lifted it for us to get through,” Rex sneered at Jack.
“Alpha King,” Jack lowered his head when he saw Ares. “Maeve is a witch! She bewitched th' trees tae attack me.”
Alpha Ares looked at me with a questioning brow and then gave a slow nod. “Sounds like an elemental gift,” he returned his focus to Jack. “You’re not suggesting everyone with an elemental gift is a mage, are you?”
“Jack!” Rex roared. “What did I tell you about harassing my mate?”
“Yer mate?” He gawped at Rex. “That's nae possible.”
“My real mate claimed me, Jack,” I pushed my hair away from my neck so he could see my mark. “Looks like someone wanted this fat Hielan Coo after all.”
“You called my beautiful mate a fat Highland cow?” Rex snarled as his claws shifted.
“That was before he tried to force himself on me.”
“She’s lying,” Jack eyed the long lycan claws nervously. “She tried tae seduce me.”
“Ay, que pendejo,” I heard Eudora scoff something in Spanish that sounded like idiot.
“Well, today is your lucky day,” Ares grinned. “Lycans can read minds. Did you know that, Jack?”
“Whit?” Jack’s face turned red, and his legs wobbled.
“Ye’ve a face like a skelpit arse, Jack!” I mocked with a Scottish accent. “Legs a bit shoogly thare?”
“Shut yer geggie,” he fired back, telling me to shut my mouth.
“Aye, tis wull be pure dead brilliant whin he sees whit ye did.”
“What will I see?” Rex snarled, leaping for Jack. “What did you do?”
“A’h didnae dae anythin'… a’h swear!” Jack pleaded.
With that, Rex plunged both of his claws deep into Jack’s thighs as fur rippled over his face. Rexy was pushing for control, wanting to tear up the male who tried to touch me. That tried to hurt his mate.
A roar of outrage seemed to shake the ground, and I knew what Rex had seen. The moment he tracked me in the woods and ripped my clothes away, how he tried to claim our pup and force himself on me. He knew what Jack was saying about me, the torture I had suffered, and how he tried to hunt me down after I left.
Rex ripped his claws out of Jack’s legs, and he fell to the ground crying in agony. He snarled and shook in anger before lifting his foot and stomping down on Jack’s throat. Rex’s swirling eyes met mine, and I knew he wanted to rip Jack apart into bite-sized pieces but refrained because I was watching.
Alpha Ares used his fire element to quickly discard the remains of a rugby superstar who would soon be reported missing. He could have buried him, but I didn’t want Jack’s remains contaminating the island.
We returned to our boats, and Alpha Ares used his water element to glide us back.
“Maeve,” Eudora started hesitantly, “The demon…”
“Remington is her uncle,” Rex told them.
“What?” Ares looked from Rex to me. “Your mother was a faerie princess, and your father was a demon?”
“The black tree was beautiful,” Eudora told me.
“My father was a benevolent demon who fell in love with my mother. They met in human form and conceived me when they were human,” I told them.
“Your uncle isn’t just a demon,” Ares murmured.
“What do you mean?” Rex asked.
“I… I’m not certain, but Apollo is telling me he’s more,” he replied pensively.
“More?” Rex asked. “Could he be the Demon King?”
“The Demon King?” Eudora asked, wide-eyed.
“The Demon King is said to rule the Dark Realm,” Ares said. “Did you sense lycan in him?”
“He said the Moon Goddess is his aunt,” Rex replied.
“Anubis was his grandfather,” I added.
“That’s why I saw his eyes glow with rings,” Rex said.
“WHAT!” Ares looked stunned, trying to connect the dots.
“Amor?” Eudora questioned.
“Are you certain you saw his eyes glow?” Ares asked.
“Yes,” Rex said with certainty. “He was talking to me when it happened. Actually… he was threatening to send me to the pits of Tartarus if I hurt Maeve.”
“He did what?” I almost laughed, but I knew Uncle Remington would follow through on the threat if my mate ever hurt me.
“Dad?” Rex murmured.
“Remington isn’t just some demon… he’s the God of The Underworld.”