Linton
I’m not entirely sure what has been going on until the witch appeared. I have a vague recollection of wanting to mate, and of being close to my Kaitlyn, and of passages, and of the smell of earth.
Then we were out in the open, and the witch gave me something which brought me back, and now she says Long Meg is responsible for what I’ve been doing. That she made me Kaitlyn’s protector, when I have wanted to be with my mate since the moment I first saw her in Lord Guyzance’s castle.
The day she walked out of the kitchens into the main hall where I was watching, and I thought my heart would pound out of my chest. I thought I would reveal myself in order to get to her. The day I knew I would never let her go again. I didn’t need a witch for such bond to exist.
Kaitlyn belonged to me. Only Tam Lin wanted her, and when he took my services, he had no idea I would never give her up.
Next to me, my mate bristles with anger. I can feel it vibrating down her hands which still touch my cheeks. I don’t want her to be angry. I want a smile on her face and joy in her heart.
I do not want Tam Lin to take her.
I do not want her to be unhappy.
I do not want to ever be apart.
“Whatever you wish, my Kaitlyn. I am yours. The moon is full tonight, and we can go anywhere we please.”
I reach out and touch the portal stone. Instantly the world around us dissolves and we are in my lair. Just Kaitlyn and me.
How it should be.
How it should have always been.
“Linton?” she says, her little body shaking harder than my wings. “What happened? Where are we?”
“I used the portal to bring us home, my Kaitlyn.”
“This is your home?” she asks.
I admit, it is dark. Maybe too dark for a human. I uncover one of the glow rocks, the algae which live on it emitting a steady blue light.
“Oh!” Kaitlyn exclaims.
One by one, I uncover the remainder of the glow rocks and light up everywhere. The last time I was here, the Faerie came and took me. In one corner, there is an overturned chair. The rest of the lair is how I left it.
Only it doesn’t seem the same. Not after everything I’ve seen and everything I’ve done. All the blood spilt. All the death.
I am no Barghest, no black dog of death. The Bluecaps brought light and life to the Yeavering, and the Faerie corrupted what we were to mere instruments of doom.
At least I have a lair to come back to.
“It was.”
“I love it.”
“You do?” I watch her as she walks around the space, inspecting it.
“Once, I think, I had a life which was routine. I protected my lair, I assisted those farming my lands, I settled disputes. I shared my scales.” I tell her.
I did things other than killing.
“Why would I not like it?” She returns to me. “It is exactly what I thought it would be.” She smiles, her face lit up. “Thank you for bringing me here.”
“Even if Tam Lin is going to come for us?”
“We have time.” She wraps her arms around my waist, pressing herself against me. “We can figure this out.” Kaitlyn sighs.
“There is nothing to consider.” I brush my lips over hers and revel in the taste and scent of her.
“The Faerie caught me out, along with so many other Bluecaps, because our doors were open, as was expected of us. And they simply walked in. This time, this place will be a fortress they cannot enter.”
I gently move the hair away from her face.
“I will protect you, my mate. The moment I set eyes on you, I knew I had to keep you safe, and I will. It is my bond with you as surely as the moon becomes full.” Kaitlyn gazes up into my face, her eyes wide, full, beautiful.
“I know I’ve never wanted anything more in the entire Yeavering than you, before the wars and after. ”