Chapter 8
She was trembling, but she was trying really hard not to. The adrenaline had worn off and reality hit that her mother had been dragged to hell. Now, she was the leader of the Order. She and Adam were about to face off with Ivar, the very person she was running from. When she manifested herself and Adam in Thunder Bay, she focused on Coraliane because she didn’t exactly know where the secret portal was. She couldn’t visualize it. Coraliane knew and she wanted to march on Ivar’s army with all those who were opposed to him. Coraliane was near her bar and she was assembling a very large mass of other realm beings.
The Tuatha Order was under Aoife’s control and no longer a threat.
Prince Ivar’s only ally in this war was gone.
Adam didn’t say much. His generous lips were pressed firmly in a thin line. His arms crossed and his amber eyes glowing. He’d braided his hair back, but the rest of his fur was standing on end, almost as if sensed something bad was going to happen.
Not that she blamed him. Aoife was worried. There was a definite air of unease and anger, as well as a thirst for revenge permeating the atmosphere.
She wasn’t sure how this was going to play out, but at least she didn’t have any kind of inkling or need to wail. There was no need to play the harbinger at this moment, which meant that everyone in her protection was going to be safe.
Of course, that could all change the moment they faced Prince Ivar.
“Ivar is marching,” Coraliane whispered. “My scouts sent word that they were all gathered here at docks, under my guise of glamour. They’ll be here soon.”
Aoife nodded. “Thank you.”
Coraliane shrugged. “Well, we still have to protect the dim-witted humans…for now.”
Another shudder went down Aoife’s spine at the way Coraliane said for now.
The main thing was that no one wanted Prince Ivar to overthrow his father and become the ruler of all. As Aoife scanned the crowd of beings that had gathered, she could see elves, both light and dark, in amongst the rabble, which was promising. Not all elves were out to control or oppress the rest of the realms.
“He’s here. He’s coming through the bubble,” Coraliane hissed and she walked back into the water, only ankle deep, ready to transform in case things went bad.
Not that Aoife could blame her. In a past life, she might’ve taken off at the threat of danger too. Just like she fled from the confines of the coven. But as she looked up at Adam, she knew that was no longer an option.
He was her mate.
Her world and she would die to protect him.
She would kill to protect him.
The army Ivar had amassed wasn’t as large as she was expecting, but there were a few armored males at the back with their faces covered, and she knew instantly they were Sasquatches, which mean King Tiene wasn’t in charge of the secret Sasquatch army, it was Ivar.
A low growl rumbled behind her from Adam. He’d seen them too. His kind enslaved.
Aoife took a step forward and Prince Ivar in his polished armor rode ahead, atop a unicorn. Another creature being forced to do Ivar’s bidding. Unicorns usually ran free and were seen with fair young maidens.
Not elfin princes.
“I had a feeling you’d be here in Thunder Bay,” Ivar stated coolly. “Where else would a banshee from Canada hide?”
Aoife took a deep steadying breath. “You should leave.”
He glanced over her shoulder and snorted. “I don’t understand the need for this rabble of beings. This is between you and me, harbinger.”
Coraliane hissed and Aoife saw her crouch down, her face distorted, her teeth like knives, sharp and pointy.
“Oh no?” Aoife asked. “You’ve brought an army through a secret portal. What do you expect, a welcome party?”
Prince Ivar snorted, tossing his white blond hair over his shoulder. “Yes? I’ve come to collect my bride. It’s a time of celebration.”
Adam snarled again and took a step forward, as he did, Ivar’s armored soldiers raised their spears in response.
“She’s not yours,” Adam growled.
Prince Ivar barely glanced at him, but motioned for his army to lower their weapons. “You have a little pet. I find them quite useful.”
“You’re not supposed to have a Sasquatch army,” Aoife stated. “Does your father know about this?”
“Why would my father care?” Ivar scoffed.
“Perhaps because you plan to overthrow him?” Aoife retorted.
Ivar’s eyes widened for a moment. His mouth pressed together in a thin line. “That’s treason for you to utter those words.”
“I think it’s more treacherous for a son to murder his father and take over the realms,” Aoife shouted, her voice gaining that metallic pitch as she felt her powers welling up inside her.
“And where did you hear this foolishness?” Ivar asked.
“Me,” Cillian said, appearing suddenly. “I told them.”
Ivar’s face paled. “You…what?”
“Yeah, the princes of darkness found out about your little plan with my mother,” Aoife chided. “The thing is, I’m head of the Tuatha Order now. There’s no marriage agreement. Not anymore. And there”s no point in trying to find my mother.”
“She’s kind of in a bit of hot water right now,” Cillian teased, grinning.
Ivar took a step back.
She could tell that he was rethinking everything. Without the Order and with a bunch of the realm inhabitants knowing what he was up to. She had no doubt he had deduced that he was well and truly fucked.
“And what do you plan to do with this information?” Prince Ivar asked calmly.
“No more restrictions on beings. Let us mingle freely with the mortal realm,” Coraliane shouted. “We’re tired of the rules. Let us be free. All of us.”
There was a large ruckus of others agreeing.
“I can’t do that. Only my father can,” Ivar hissed.
“I bet you can twist his arm,” Aoife stated.
His eyes narrowed. “What if I just take you now? My men can take all of you. Even your yeti pet.”
Aoife’s blood fired with anger. “You mean my mate.”
“What?” Ivar asked, disgusted.
Adam stepped closer to her, snarling and baring his teeth. “Mine.”
“I carry his young,” Aoife said, the urge to howl threatening to erupt, and she knew it was dead set on the course of keening for Prince Ivar if he didn’t change his mind. “If you do not leave this place, and destroy your secret portal under the falls, I will wail and it will be for you, because I will tell King Tiene about your plans. I have a wraith backing me up.”
“She does,” Cillian answered. “And we don’t usually like to interfere, but she is blood after all, and doesn’t want to take over hell, like you do. So, I think I would acquiesce to their demands and leave this place.”
Prince Ivar frowned and nodded to his men to stand down. “I can’t allow the entire world to live freely, but I will hand over this northern territory to you, Aoife.”
“That’s not good enough,” Aoife said.
“That’s all I can offer,” Ivar snapped.
She turned to look at Coraliane and the others. There were subtle nods of agreement, even Adam nodded slightly. If she couldn’t save all the realms, she could save their small slice.
“Fine. For now.”
“I will grant you this if you keep your promise to me that you will not tell my father.”
“And what of the Sasquatch army? That has to stop,” she stated.
Prince Ivar sighed. “I will free them, but only if they wish to go and they are only protected in your territory.”
“Draw her a contract. A map,” Coraliane hissed. “I want the waters of the north protected. No more Elven rule.”
“I happen to have such a map,” Cillian announced, snapping his fingers. There was a puff of fire and smoke and scroll hovered in the air. “Just sign with your blood and it will allow those who live within these borders to be free of you and your father. You can tell him that you made a deal with the Tuatha Order’s leader. Your father has no interest in anything beyond Ireland and the elves.”
“Very well.” Ivar slipped off his unicorn and Cillian pierced Ivar’s fingertip. Blood beading at the tip of his index finger. Ivar signed his name and Aoife saw that the territory spread over what the humans called Canada. Was it really that simple?
As they stood there, the northern lights burst across the sky, bright like a tsunami of light and fire. It cascaded down, acting like a protective barrier.
The scroll rolled up and Cillian handed it to her.
“The Tuatha Order can keep this safe,” Cillian stated.
Aoife understood and she tucked it away.
She really didn’t want to govern a territory, but hopefully they could make this work for everyone here. So they could all live in peace. It was already worth it because she was free and wouldn’t be forced to marry Ivar. Best of all, Adam and his brothers would be safe.
“I will leave now,” Ivar stated. “If you do not keep your end of the bargain…”
“I will die. I know it,” Aoife agreed. “Cillian used my blood to write the contract.”
Cillian smiled. “See. It’s binding. You’re safe, for now, Prince Ivar. Go home and don’t darken this territory again. Hell and the princes are watching.”
Ivar sneered at all of them and motioned to his retinue. They disappeared, going back through their secret portal.
Aoife took a deep breath of relief. It was hard to believe that it was over.
“Well, my work here is done,” Cillian announced, clapping his hands together. “Keep the territory safe and your mouth shut, dear sister, or there’ll be hell to pay.”
Adam growled at him, baring his teeth.
“I will. Thanks for your help again, Cillian. Though I haven’t figured out what’s in it for you,” Aoife queried.
Cillian shrugged. “Time will tell. It’s a big territory.”
He disappeared in a puff of smoke.
“I have sent a team of kraken to dismantle the portal, once Ivar and his soldiers are through,” Coraliane stated. “We have to form a government.”
“I’m aware,” Aoife sighed. “We’ll vote on a leader. I don’t want to rule a territory. It’s bad enough I run a coven.”
Coraliane smiled. “I knew I liked you, little banshee. Go home and rest. If you do carry a Sasquatch young, you will need all the sleep you can get. I will handle arrangements here. We’ll talk in a few days.”
Aoife nodded and then turned to Adam. “I’m sorry I couldn’t free all the Sasquatches, but your brothers are safe.”
“You’ve done enough. We have to take things slow.” He reached out and touched her face gently. “Did you mean what you said?”
“About our child?” Aoife asked.
He nodded, his voice shaking. “Yes.”
“I do carry your young. Our last time was a frenzy. The potent pheromones of the Sasquatch love spell taking over.”
Adam chuckled, his eyes twinkling. “I am pleased, but I’m still scared. I wanted a mate and young ones, but I was terrified of losing them.”
“A family was the last thing on my mind,” she teased. “I am glad it’s with you, though. I promised to protect you, just as you promised to protect me.”
“And I hold true to that. You’re my mate. Mine.” He scooped her up in his strong arms, holding her close. “My life is yours.”
“You’re mine too.” She pressed a gentle kiss on his mouth. “I love you, Adam.”
“I love you too, my mate, and I will show you just how much I love you when we get home.”
Her heart fluttered in excitement. “Home. That sounds heavenly, and we banshees don’t usually talk about heaven much.”
Adam chuckled. “Then let’s go home.”
She leaned her head against his shoulder and glanced up at the remnants of the northern lights. She finally had found that thing she had craved most of her life. A place where she was safe, people she loved.
She had a family.
A real one.
And finally, a home.