Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Harper
B eing in a tiny bed with Aaran is how I want to sleep every night for the rest of my life. It’s not realistic, but it’s a good dream.
Nancy’s voice cuts through the perfect moment. “You two should come upstairs. We’re pulling into the cove.”
Aaran sighs. “I wish we could stay like this, mo chroi . You fit in my arms like you were made to be here.”
“You say nice things.” I push myself to sit and put on my sneakers. It shouldn’t ache so much to move away from him. Wanting to take in one more deep breath and fill my senses with his woodsy essence is not a reasonable desire. Yet, it’s there gnawing at me. Rolling my shoulders makes me wince.
“It’s a nasty bruise. I can see it through that shirt. Let me heal it.” He runs his hand along my neck and pushes my long-sleeve sleep shirt down, exposing my shoulder.
His touch burns through me like wildfire in summer. The tingle of his magic gives me goose bumps.
The pain ebbs, and I roll my shoulder again. If I stay like this much longer, I’m going to throw myself at him. “Thanks.” I get up. “That’s much better.”
Without daring to look at him, I step into the galley. Gathering my damp clothes, I wish Aaran was a human man I met at the DMV and went to coffee with. I wish he and I were ordinary people getting to know each other. With a sigh, I fill my duffel. Nothing about us is normal, not how we met or who we are. For sure this journey isn’t average.
Before I think too much, I climb the steep stairs to the bridge. Bright sunlight streams in, and the sea is as still as I’ve ever seen it. “It’s like none of it ever happened.”
“A new day.” Bert stands at the helm and studies the water and land outside the windows as he slows the engines. He maneuvers his boat through a narrow break in what looks like a cliff and calls out to Nancy to throw the anchor.
As he cuts the motor, the anchor catches on the bottom and there’s a slight jerk.
I lose my balance, but Aaran’s arm wraps around my waist, steadying me. Heat flushes my cheeks, and he pulls away. Being near him is all I want and also too distracting. If I’m going to be part of saving his world, it should be for the right reasons. After the battle with the shadow demon, there’s no doubt I’m meant to be here.
The sheer cliff rises beside the boat. I step onto the deck. “How will we reach the top?”
Nancy studies me for a long moment. Perhaps she’s making sure I’ve recovered from my episode after killing the demon. She points to the cliff. “There are steps carved into the wall.”
I follow her finger and see the steep stairs. “How did anyone manage that?”
“Magic.” She shrugs. For her, such things are simple.
For me, I’m in a state of constant amazement.
Bert steps out, followed by Aaran. “It’s a long climb.”
Hugging him, Nancy says, “I’ll come back when I can. You know I have to go.”
The way Bert smiles at her, his dark eyes full of love, makes me yearn for what they have. He cups her cheek. “You don’t think I’m letting you go without me, my Nancy?”
She shakes her head. “It’s dangerous. You could be killed in a war that’s not yours.”
“I told you last night, your war is my war. We go together, or not at all.” There’s grit in Bert’s voice that wasn’t there before.
With a nod, Nancy kisses him hard on the lips. “Together then. What about the boat?”
“I called Bill while you slept and told him we’d be away a while. He’ll come and fetch her.” He gives the boat one more look, grabs a duffel from inside, and heads for the port side closest to the steps.
Dashing a tear from her cheek, Nancy follows. “Did you tell him to look after Moe’s for us as well?”
“I did. I suppose we can call you Nainsi again, love.”
Her laughter floats down the cliff.
I accept Aaran’s steadying hand, and he holds mine, keeping me on the boat. “Thank you, Harper.”
“You already thanked me for killing the demon.” Holding his hand, alone on the boat, if only for a moment, feels intimate.
“I appreciate you saving me, but you know we’ll face far worse where we’re going.” His bright blue eyes shine with warning.
“I know.” I’m not sure what his world holds for me, but war is dangerous, and I have no doubt I’m heading into a war with magical beings.
Leaning in, he kisses my cheek. “You are the bravest woman I’ve ever met. I will do all in my power to keep you safe and get you back to your mother.”
I pull him in and press my lips to his. Sparks of what might have been under normal circumstances flash between us. His lips are strong and soft, and once I taste them, I don’t want to stop.
“You’re coming up or staying below?” Nainsi calls from halfway up the cliff, which ends our kiss.
Cheeks burning, I press my forehead to Aaran’s chest.
He kisses the top of my head. “We’d better get going, mo chroi .”
The steps are uneven but well carved. Still, the sheerness of the view to my right makes me dizzy. I grip the rock and keep climbing.
“Don’t look down.” Aaran chuckles from a few steps below me.
“Why do people always say that when it only makes someone want to look?” Still, I take the advice and keep my eyes on the steps in front of me. My legs and ass are on fire when we reach the top, but then the view is spectacular.
The ocean and green land are like something out of a Gothic novel. Even with the heat of the sun, the wind is cool and steady. My hair flies into my eyes. We cross a flat area to three standing stones.
Nainsi grips Bert’s hand. “Last chance to change your mind, my love.”
“I go where you go,” he says. There’s no wavering in his tone. He’d run through fire for her.
My parents had a love like that, and I’d always dreamed I would find the same. After almost ten years of dating, I’ve fallen into doubt.
Standing in front of the stones, Aaran says words I don’t understand and raises his hands. As he lowers them in an arc, a hole opens. It’s black inside, and the wind whips erratically as it did the day I first met him.
Without a word, Nainsi and Bert step through and disappear.
Aaran looks back at me and offers his hand.
Swallowing down the lump of fear in my throat, I place my hand in his and step into the swirling wind. Inside the portal, it’s as if I’m falling and flying at the same time. Stars zip past me at lightning speed and in every direction. There are colors and pitch darkness. My stomach roils, and I can’t catch my breath. It feels as if my flesh is being ripped from my bones. I’m dying. There’s no doubt in my mind. All of this, and I die with this portal chopping me to bits.
Then it all stops and Aaran grips my elbows to keep my knees from buckling. “We’re here. Can you stand?”
“What the fuck was that?” Testing my legs, I lift one foot, then the other. “I think so.”
“That was a portal. It’s not pleasant.” Sympathy fills those beautiful eyes.
“So when you came through the wall, it felt like you were being ripped to pieces.”
He gave one little wince. I feel like my face will permanently show the agony of that horrible thing.
“That portal was made with oracle magic. It’s not as bad.”
“Why didn’t it bring us to the mound near the old city?” Nainsi helps Bert stand and shakes off the effects.
Easing his hands away, Aaran makes sure I can keep my feet. “My mother altered the exit point so that it would always bring those in the light to a safe place. Every time a portal or the surrounding area is touch by dark magic, the spell alters the exit point. So, we don’t always know where we’ll land. The old city is never safe anymore. The witch queen has ruined it and much of the eastern continent with dark magic. This is better. At least we won’t need another portal to bring us across the ocean.”
Another sea, which is the darkest navy with a purple sheen, spreads as far as I can see. Above, three planets or moons shine in the pale blue sky.
My mouth is open, and I force it closed. “This is Domhan?”
Taking my hand, Aaran leads me away from the sea. “Part of it anyway. This is Clandunna in the south. It’s not where I left from, nor where I expected us to arrive. I’d hoped we’d be closer to home.” He points to a river flowing in the distance. “There’s a village near the river. We should be able to get a meal and rest there We can get home via the river.”
He says home as if I’m part of the place where his people are. My home is so far away now, I may never see it again. I release him and stare back at the flow of the foreign sea. It’s beautiful, but the air rings with danger and death. The shadow demon I killed screams in my head, and I shake the memory away. That is what this place will become if I don’t at least try. My heart aches for my world, for my mother. Soon I’ll meet the people here and add them to my worries. Harper, you made your decision. Pull up your big girl panties and see this through.
Wrapping me in his arms from behind, he whispers, “Do you see the planets?”
I nod and shift my gaze from the ocean to the sky. It would probably be better if I didn’t let him hold me, but I’m not strong enough to forgo his touch as well as my life in the human world. Aaran is the only thing about this journey that feels right.
“The larger orb is Eridan. The shadow of that world colors our sea. The smallest is her moon.”
Everything is different. I have no idea what direction I’m facing in this new world. “What about the third?” I lean into his chest.
“That is Arcania. The Queen has taken that world and breeds her demons.” Disgust roils through him, and I feel it through my senses more acutely than I’ve ever sensed anyone’s feelings.
“Were there other people there that she destroyed?” I already know the answer, but I need to hear him say it.
“They were an elf-like race, though not as far along in their evolution as us. They were peaceful, and now they are oppressed and bespelled.” He steps back.
“Is there no way to save them from her magic?” It seems unfair to give up on them.
His jaw ticks, and his shoulders are rigid. “None that we have found. All the light is gone from those who are turned.”
“Where does the light go?” The suffering of Arcania flows across space and time, filling me with regret. If I had known sooner, could I have saved them?
Aaran shrugs. “Away.” He reaches for my hand. “We should go to the village and rest. The journey from here to my home in Tús Nua will be difficult.”
With a last look at the glowing sea and the celestial scenery of Domhan, I put aside light and dark thoughts and walk across the green grass between jutting rocks toward a valley where homes look like dollhouses from this distance.
Nainsi and Bert are far ahead, walking side by side.
At the edge of town, Nainsi speaks to a tall elven couple who nod slowly at whatever she’s saying.
They turn to look in our direction, and I hesitate.
Aaran squeezes my hand. “It’s fine, Harper. These are good people.”
Like Nainsi and Aaran, the elves of Clandunna are tall and beautiful. They look as if they’re perhaps thirty, but Aaran looks far younger than his age, so these new elves might be much older.
As we approach, the woman smiles at Aaran. “You are well, my friend Riordan?” She takes both of his hands in hers and kisses his cheek.
“Well enough, but not where I expected to be. As nice as it is to see you, Selina, I thought I’d be closer to home.” He turns to the man and gives the same greeting. “Jax.”
Jax bows his head smoothly. “Aaran Riordan, you are welcome, as are those who travel with you. Clandunna is honored to have you here with your long-awaited friend.” Though he calls me friend, he looks at me warily at best. His lips are pulled in a tight line, his eyes sharp with concern.
“Thank you. May I introduce Harper Craig of the human world? She has agreed to help us in our hour of need.” He draws me closer with a hand at the small of my back.
Unsure how to greet these elves, I smile and wait.
Aaran says, “Harper, this is Selina and Dax of the Clandunna. They are the caretakers of this place. In your world, a mayor of sorts.”
I offer my hands. “Caretaker sounds far nicer. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Taking my hands, Selina smiles, making her even more beautiful. “We’re happy you’re here, Harper. We’ve waited many suns.”
Once they both kiss me on the cheek, we walk into the village. Dozens of stone houses are organized in groupings that I imagine are families as they expand and grow. It’s organic and makes sense at the same time.
A group of little boys play in a nearby field. No girls. Only beautiful male children. Even if by some miracle we defeat the witch queen, break the curse, and save this world, it will take a generation to regain what they’ve lost. So many questions roll around in my head, but I’m being introduced to every elf we pass as we make our way to the center of town, where we sit at a large table.
“Your father was here when the moons were full,” Selina tells Aaran. “It was kind of him to come all this way to check on us.”
“He and my mother are worried for all of Domhan.”
Jax brings a large pitcher and glasses and pours enough for everyone before he sits. “Your mother bid him come to tell us about the portals, and I think to make sure we were still here and had not fallen to darkness.”
The drink is a cider, definitely alcoholic, and the fruit is similar to an apple, but different. I can’t remember when I ate last, so I sip slowly. “Does the witch queen come or send shadow demons?”
Jax’s eyes darken, and his knuckles whiten on the glass. “Her minions are getting closer, but our magic is strong. Nothing without light can enter our domain. Selina has seen to it with the oracle’s help.” He looks at her with loving eyes.
“I pray the magic will hold long enough.” Selina’s lips pull into a frown. “Your father didn’t have news of you or your brothers. I hope they too have found a human woman willing to help.”
The Jersey Girl in me has her doubts. I mean, it’s one thing to convince one human woman to risk her life for an alien world, quite another to convince three. I may have come all this way for nothing, and with the portals out of whack, the chances of my getting home are even smaller.
Despite all there is to see and hear, my eyelids start to droop.
Selina gasps. “You’re exhausted. I’m sorry. We shall show you where you can rest, and have a fine feast tonight to celebrate your coming.”
The gray stone house is cool and comfortable, with three bedrooms joined by a large living area. Two couches and a chair are covered in moss-green cloth, and a braided rug in the center of the room reminds me of the one in my grandmother’s house when I was little.
My head feels fuzzy, and I’m not sure if it’s the cider, exhaustion, or that I’m going mad from so much information so quickly.
An elf with brown hair and green eyes shows me to my room. “My name is Baily, Miss Craig, and should you need anything, I live in the house to the right. There’s cider and wine in the cold box, as well as bread and butter in the larder if you’re hungry.”
“Thank you. I think, for now, I just need to rest. You can call me Harper.” Through the open door, the white fluffy bed almost screams out for me. I drift in its direction.
“Harper it is, then. I’ll let you rest. We’re all very glad you’ve come.” Her voice is filled with hope.
My heart clenches. At the bedroom door, I turn back toward her. “I’m glad to be here, but I’m just a woman. I’m no warrior, Baily. I have no idea how to stop a witch or break a curse. I came because Aaran asked, and he saved my mother’s life. I came because I don’t want this world to die because I was too afraid to try.”
What I admitted should terrify Baily, but she grins wide. “Maybe that you care about a race of people you knew nothing of is a kind of magic too, Harper. You’re part of the prophecy, and nowhere in it did it say go to the human world and find warrior women. It said to find the right women. I believe Aaran did that tenfold when he found you.”
I’m going to cry if I stay here another moment. “Thank you.” I back into the bedroom and close the door.
I have no idea how long I’ve slept when Aaran’s arms slip around me. “Is it time to get up?”
“No, mo chroi . Sleep. I just wanted to…”
My body responds as if he said make love, even though he didn’t. I roll toward him. “To what?”
A sliver of sunlight slips through the curtains and shines across his bright blue eyes, but there’s fear there too. “Know that you’re safe, you’re real, you’re here in Domhan.”
Somehow his fear makes me feel better. I’d hate to think I was the only one. I smooth his hair away from his forehead. “I’m real enough.” I touch his lips and press my hips forward.
He eases his knee between my thighs. “Why, Harper?”
“Does there have to be a reason?” Threading my fingers through his hair, I kiss his throat.
His cock is thick and hard against my hip as he leans in and grips the back of my head. Close enough to kiss me, he holds back. “There’s always a reason. I want you. You must know that. I’ve wanted you almost from the first moment I saw you.”
“Then why are we talking?” I kiss his chin then suck his bottom lip into my mouth.
Warm and welcoming, his mouth caresses mine, drawing low moans from us both. He breaks the kiss. “If you’re giving yourself to me out of fear, I’d rather wait for another emotion. Desperation, fear, and loss are the emotions I feel flowing from you, Harper, and I understand them. You’re far from home and everything you know. I want to comfort you. I want to be what you need. But sex should be more between us.”
“So elves only have sex for morally suitable reasons?”
His laugh is sexy as hell. “No, we have sex for all the reasons, including fun and lust.” The look in his eyes is intense as he stares into mine. I hear his voice in my head. “I just want it to be more between us.”
“You’re in my head? I heard you.” My pulse speeds.
“What did you hear?”
Maybe I have lost my mind. “You said you wanted there to be more between us. But you didn’t say it out loud.”
He kisses my cheek, my nose, and my lips. “That’s something new. Hearing entire sentences isn’t even something I’ve ever been able to do. Mostly I just sense feelings and the occasional ‘I’m going to hit him with a bat.’”
That seems like so long ago. “I would hate to die and never to have known what it was like to be with you.”
Aaran leans in and rolls his hips just enough to add fire to the spark between my legs.
An enormous crash jerks us both upright and breaks the moment.
“Hell!” Bert’s voice carries from the living room.
After kissing my nose, Aaran gets out of bed. “I suppose that was a sign of sorts.”
I swing my legs over the side of the bed. “It must be.”
We step out of the bedroom, and Bert is in the kitchen with glass and cider on the floor and blood seeping from the bottom of his bare feet. His dark hair is sticking out in the worst bedhead I’ve ever seen, and he’s wearing his boxers and nothing else. “I wanted a piece of bread and knocked over the pitcher.”
Nainsi rubs her eyes and joins us. “Well, you’ve got yourself in a fine pickle, Bertram Donaldson.”
“Yes, well when the lot of you are done gaping, maybe you could help a fellow out.”