Chapter 35
HEKLA
I spent one last night in the hospital before Doctor Egres and Doctor Elisedd discharged me. Belenus had stayed with me all night, and I suspected that he had done several more rounds of healing because I felt pretty invigorated the following morning. He brought a fresh change of clothes for me and mentioned a meeting we needed to attend in regards to the bat-shifters.
“King Nechtan needs to leave soon, but he wants to meet one last time with us, the shifters, and the lycan king. I believe the wolf queen will be there as well,” Belenus said, smiling down at me as we walked down the halls.
“Oh, wonderful! It was so sweet for you to bring my friends yesterday too. It was very much needed,” I confessed, squeezing his hand and leaning against his shoulder.
“I knew the battle was harder on you than it was on me,” he murmured. “You’ve never decisively killed a person before. That will take a while to accept.”
“But you lost…” I began to say but then failed to finish my sentence. I didn’t know how to acknowledge his loss .
He shook his head, imparting his seriousness through his amber gaze. “She was not my mother anymore, Hekla. I promise you that I won’t lose sleep over it. The whole thing with my father was sad and disappointing, but it has nothing to do with us. We’re here now, and we’re going to take care of our people… and each other.”
“And what about your father? We have to assume he’s still alive from what Emer overheard...”
“He either abandoned us or is there against his will after he went to visit his queen lover,” he sighed. “I’m in no rush to make an inquiry about that, but we’ll address it at some point. I’m more worried about the Spring Court’s reaction to the execution of their princess. Let’s focus on our people first after we get the shifters settled. We have time. There will be a lot of talk before the Spring Court takes any action, and the fae are never in a rush... usually. No doubt we’ll be hearing from the seelie soon as well.”
He stroked my arm to soothe me, which actually made me realize that I was growing anxious. I checked in with my mate’s emotions, and he seemed calm. It was probably for the best that we had a lot to do now. Staying busy would help us move past that bloody day, and there were a lot of positives ahead of us.
We entered a dimly lit meeting room with a long, polished table. Around it sat everyone that Belenus had mentioned—with the addition of Emer who’d sat between Nofre and Luzia. Her involving herself in bat-shifter matters was promising, and I dearly hoped it was a sign that she was planning to accept Nofre as her mate.
“Hi, Queen Hekla,” Ragna sang, grinning and showing a little canine.
“Not yet,” I replied with a chuckle and took a seat next to Belenus.
“We’ll have the coronation when we’ve completed our escort of the shifters,” Belenus explained, rolling up his sleeves to get down to business. “We are acting king and queen since I was the heir, so the ceremony can be delayed without a problem.”
Nofre cleared his throat, glanced at Ferrer and Luzia, then asked, “So now that your reign has been established, where exactly will the bat-shifters be going? Will territory in the Realm of the Humans be hard to come by? We’ll need enough space for all of us and a source of food.”
“King Belenus and I have been discussing that, actually,” King Zorian said, which was great because I hadn’t had a chance to talk about any of it. He twirled a fountain pen in his large hands and tapped it on his stack of notes. “As there are no records of bat-shifters, I was unable to locate your native region. I do, however, have one offer for you, and if it is not acceptable, we can meet with the other kingdoms to see if there is something more appropriate available.”
“What’s this offer?” Nofre asked, leaning forward in anticipation, but he didn’t look as worried or as vulnerable as Ferrer. The bat with the white streaks in his hair had a palm over his mouth.
“Most of my kingdom is already being used. We have many packs and farmland, but there’s a southwestern section that is not yet being legally inhabited.”
“Legally?” Ferrer inquired, furrowing his brows deeper in concern.
“There’s a lot of rogue activity there. Ah, rogues are wolf and lycan shifters without a pack and are usually criminals. With your help, we could drive them out, and I’d grant you rights to settle the land,” King Zorian offered, leaned back, crossed his arms. Red eyes stared at each other across the table.
“We realize it’s not ideal to have to w—” Ragna began saying, but then she got a strange look in her eyes. Her posture straightened, and her mate regarded her with a raised brow.
Hekla, I think the Sky Gods are com— Eventide tried to get in before I felt the gods’ presence ease into my mind. The skies held more than one presence, and the divine unity of countless gods borrowed my flesh to establish Their will. The possession could not be properly described—the silent chorus of a thousand colors. A black void. Cold. Hot. Loud. Moving. Bursting. Collapsing. Dancing. Always moving. Always still.
“Hello,” Ragna’s body said. “It is good to see the Sky Gods’ task has been completed.”
It took Zorian only a heartbeat to realize what’d just happened. His eyes widened briefly, and he nodded in deference. “Earth Gods… welcome. We were just discussing the bat-shifters.”
“Our children have made it. Our vessel did well,” my mouth uttered, praising me with myself. The Sky Gods spoke through me like the Earth Gods spoke through Ragna. Though I couldn’t see Belenus’s face, I imagined he appeared as shocked as what I was feeling from him. The gods then turned my gaze to the three bats, focusing on each in turn. “We are proud of your survival, children. We regret we had not kept you safe.”
Nofre, Ferrer, and Luzia stared at me in wonder.
“You are addressing the Sky Gods now,” Zorian clarified, gesturing to me. “You know Hekla’s Their vessel.”
“R-right,” Nofre stuttered, then shook his head to gather his wits. “Just never expected to speak to… our gods.”
“Earth Gods,” the Sky Gods inquired, turning my head to the wolf queen, “do you still have it?”
“Yes,” They replied through Ragna. “It is untouched, as you’ve willed. Many have tried to enter, but we turned them around and made them forget. The land is fertile and ready for your children.”
The Sky Gods turned my head to look at my mate. “Do you have a map of the Realm of the Humans?”
Belenus gestured to King Zorian, who pulled one from his bag. “We were looking at it earlier. Spread it out, King Zorian, if you would.”
When the map was unfurled, Ragna stood and moved to my side. The Earth Gods placed her finger on the northwest coast, just over the cat-shifter’s territory. However, her finger remained hovering over the water, confusing everyone at the table.
“There’s no land there…” Zorian murmured, then looked up at his queen from his seat. “Are we missing something he re?”
“The land is there. Cartographers were not allowed near it. We were saving the land for the Sky Gods’ needs,” the Earth Gods replied. “When Their children disappeared, we held onto their territory. We were all responsible for the punishment that led to the witches’ actions against the sky-shifters. It was unacceptable that they targeted the Sky Gods’ children. The rot-witches fight as dirty now as they did then, and they are becoming better at hiding than ever.”
Belenus stood and leaned over to get a closer look at the destination. “I’m sure we have a door that we can use to get them close to their original territory. I’ll have to cross reference it with our maps. Is there anything you can tell us about the land? What natural resources can we expect to find?”
Ragna took a seat and folded her hands. “Clean water in lakes, rivers, and springs. It has been stocked with edible vegetation and wild game, but I understand there seems to be a dietary change. I do not have a solution for that. There are forests and caves, but you will have to build your homes. I would have grown more trees had I known you’d evolved an aversion to sunlight.”
“I can get a team on that, actually,” Belenus said, idly tapping the table by the map. “It’ll be slower outside our realm, but we can still speed up forestation.”
“I am happy to provide several teams to help build homes,” King Nechtan offered unexpectedly, but his green eyes conveyed genuine seriousness. He’d been quiet but seemed intrigued by the project. The bat-shifters at the table murmured their gratitude, looking a little overwhelmed by all the planning.
“We also will have to discuss a means of feeding your people, Nofre,” King Zorian said, lacing his fingers together. “You will need to grow your economy, but perhaps we can develop a volunteer blood donation system. We could design incentives around it, like tax deductions, for example. It will have to be heavily regulated. I’m sure you don’t need me to explain why.” His eyes fell sharply on the bat-shifters, who nodded quickly in understanding. “According to King Keyon, the slave market is finally collapsing in the dragon-shifter kingdom, so many slavers will be eager to find another illegal trade to participate in.”
“We are… grateful that you are even considering that,” Nofre said quietly, humbly. “We do the best we can with animal blood, but it is just not as nourishing.”
“Your biology was not of your choosing,” the lycan king said with a resolute swipe of his hand. “We will work with the Summer and Winter Courts for ideas on starting your economy and establishing trade. Your people won’t be alone.”
“It sounds like our intervention is done, then,” the Earth Gods said through Ragna. They outlined the region on the map with Zorian’s pen. “You have the land. We have removed the barriers, and it is ready for you.” Ragna’s hand was placed on Nofre’s shoulder. “Earthlight preserve you. It passes by you to settle on the dark of the moon, children of the Sky Gods. We are below you always, carrying your weight.”
The bats didn’t bother to hide the tears in their eyes.
Ragna was released and wobbled a little, but her mate caught her and dragged her protectively onto his lap. He fussed over her, pushing her hair from her face and caressing her in comfort. The wolf queen smiled at the smallest growl that bubbled from his chest.
“You continue to do well, King Zorian,” the Sky Gods said through me. “Your efforts are admirable. The Sky-Blessed is also well suited to her new role.” They turned me to my mate. “King Belenus, you have also shown a lot of growth. You put your needs aside for Hekla’s task, and we are duly impressed. Thank you for protecting my vessel.”
“Of course.” Belenus bowed his head in piety. “Though I protect her out of love, not for divine praise.”
“As it should be,” the Sky Gods replied. “The Moon Goddess must be pleased with your successful mating.”
My mate blushed and nodded again, placing his hands behind his back and clearing his throat.
“I will check on you again, children. There is much to be done, and you must all keep your eyes open for the rot-witches. They are learning how to block our eyes.” The Sky Gods nodded a farewell, and I planted my feet once control of my body returned. I was a little more used to being taken over than Ragna.
Belenus wrapped an arm around me and asked quietly, “Are you ok?” I nodded and smiled up at him. It was fatiguing at most, nothing I couldn’t handle.
“Well, it seems like we all have a lot of brainstorming to do,” Ragna declared, sliding off Zorian’s lap so he could stand.
“I’d also like to propose additional trades between the Summer and Winter Courts,” King Nechtan stated, “but those can be discussed another time.”
“I look forward to that discussion,” Belenus replied honestly as he escorted the kings from the room. “Are all your warriors r—” He opened the door and was startled to find Bidelia grinning excitedly and holding Arse.
“Tan! Can we make snow treats again?” Bidelia chirped, grabbing at King Nechtan’s cape. “Archibald thought dragon fruit might be good!”
I almost expected King Nechtan to be embarrassed, but he just looked sternly down at the young folk fae and said, “I must be leaving now, Bidelia. I am returning to the Winter Court with my warriors now that Slaine is able to ride.”
I didn’t think I’d ever seen a more disappointed face than the one Bidelia wore. Her jaw dropped like he’d thrown her snow treat onto the ground and stepped on it. Her cheeks then reddened, her eyes watered.
I sense a tantrum coming, Eventide cautioned.
“It’s ok, Bidelia. I’m sure you’ll be able to vis—” I started saying, trying to get ahead of her explosion.
“No!” Bidelia whined, tossing her head back and stomping her foot. “First Hekla leaves, then Belenus, and now yer leaving me too?” she wailed with tears streaming down her cheeks. She took a big breath and shouted, “I hate y—”
King Nechtan knelt and shushed her before she could finish her fuming .
“Let’s give them a moment,” I said to everyone else, and we escorted the lycan king and the wolf queen to the gate so they could return to their realm.
“I will come visit again,” Ragna promised, giving me a fierce hug before letting me go. “I promise we’ll do everything we can to help your bat-shifters.”
“Thank you… they feel like my pack, in a way,” I admitted. Remembering my status as an alpha now, I eyed Zorian and wondered if I had a snow treat’s chance in the Summer Court at getting him to submit. Maybe I could if I took him by surprise.
I pretended to look at something on my skirt, then whirled and shouted, “SUBMIT!” to Zorian. He just grinned broadly and crossed his arms, utterly unperturbed.
“What in the name of the Sun God was that?” Belenus blurted, gawking at me.
I pressed my lips into a flat line, standing with my finger pointed up at Zorian like an idiot. Ragna was bent over, trying to breathe through bouts of laughter.
“It was a good try, Alpha Hekla. I almost felt something,” King Zorian said, his red eyes glinting with rare good humor.
“Well shit,” I lamented and dropped my hand. “I tried for the sneak attack.”
“Keep practicing.” He smirked, dragging his laughing mate over to the realm door where a guard waited to transport them. “Take care.” He nodded to us and Belenus and stepped through the door.
Before she disappeared, Ragna barely managed to shout around her giggles. “Pack always!”
BELENUS
The bat-shifter colony was understandably impatient to leave for their rightful land, to stop the long march and settle into a new life. Nofre had made it clear that the sooner they were settled and able to work on getting their community comfortable, the sooner they’d be able to focus on long-term goals. The idea of getting a blood donation system running made the majority of the bats dissolve into tears. They’d fought for too long against their instincts, and it seemed to them like the world finally cared again. No, Hekla and I would make certain they’d never feel forgotten again.
It was pretty obvious that the other kings were invested in easing their suffering. King Zorian also mentioned that this seemed like a project that the new queen of the dragon-shifters would be interested in joining. He wasn’t sure how the cat-shifters would react to their new neighbors, but that’d be a worry for another day. Right now, it was more important to get them settled.
We completed our final escort preparations by nightfall, and all four hundred and twenty-four bat-shifters lined up at the realm door closest to the castle, eyes shining with anxiety, excitement, and yearning.
Hekla’s eyes scanned the crowd, and she pointed to some new additions among them. “I’m seeing some fae among the colony. Belenus, are they…?”
I slid a hand across her back to grab her waist and tuck her against my side. I’d been feeling her excitement, but I’d also been feeling a lot of her anxiety. What she’d noticed was a good development, though, and I hoped it’d soothe her worried heart.
“Some found their mates over the last day or so. I imagine some must have snuck into the city out of curiosity or wandered around the castle grounds,” I answered, enjoying the deep satisfaction of seeing members of this endangered group find mates of their own. It did surprise me how quickly it’d come for them; some fae waited hundreds of years for a fated mate, if they were even lucky enough to find theirs. Either way, I took it as a good sign. They needed—and deserved—all the boons coming their way.
She fidgeted a bit and worried at her hands. “I want to register them when they leave through the portal and check on them when we send supplies. We’ve seen firsthand how they can be with feeding, so I need to make sure that they develop laws that protect everyone in the colony.”
I knew it wasn’t particularly helpful, but I couldn’t resist leaning over and whispering, “Every time you say something that makes you sound like the queen you are, my pants suffer greatly for it.” I grinned when her mouth broke into a goofy smile, and she glanced covertly around to see if anyone had heard that. It was likely, but I didn’t care. I didn’t have to hide my love for her anymore. I had plans to parade her around for centuries to come.
“You did say you needed pants that fit better,” she muttered out of the corner of her mouth, looking up at me with impish amusement. I laughed, leaned her back dramatically, and kissed her on the lips, smiling when I heard some whoops and clapping from onlookers. I released my breathless, aroused mate and gestured to the guards and volunteers who’d arrived with packhorses.
“Did we get everything?” Hekla inquired, rosy-cheeked.
The fae and held up their checklist. “Tents, medicine, sleeping pads and bags, clothes for different climates, tarps, rope, torches, lanterns… and everything else we discussed. Many of these are divided into the bags left by the realm door for each shifter. Everything else will be carried by the horses. We saved a lot of space by not needing cooking gear.”
A voice piped in from the right. “Their mates will though.”
I turned to see my half-sister approaching with a small smile, a bag slung over her back. Did that mean what I thought it did?
“Ah! I hadn’t thought about that,” Hekla said, palming her face. “That’s a good point, Emer. Perhaps we can send another group tomorrow with those things. I thought it’d be just Emer, b— Er… I…” Hekla stumbled when she realized she didn’t know if Emer was actually going with Nofre or not. It looked to be the case, but until she spoke the words aloud, neither of us could bring ourselves to assume.
“No, it won’t be just me,” she replied sheepishly, looking down at her toes while rocking on her heels. I took in a deep breath and released it, feeling another weight slip from my shoulders. “I’ve decided I’m going to accept Nofre as my mate. Seeing the old queen—the odd, empty state she was in before she died—I realized that anyone could have done better than her in raising a family. It made me want to embrace what I have with Nofre.” She shook her head thoughtfully. “I know I can be better. We’re not doomed to be like our parents. It just took me a while to realize that. Nofre’s…” she said, trailing off as she watched him converse with Ferrer, “he’s the best male I’ve ever met.”
Hekla strode forward without a word and embraced her soon-to-be sister-in-law. In a thick voice, Hekla choked out, “I will make sure you get the best frying pan we have!” Emer burst into laughter, which seemed to diffuse some of her tension and timidity over the subject. Hekla held her out at arm’s length. “In that case, can we rely on you to represent the mates who’ve joined and will someday join the colony? I want to make sure the couples are equally represented in having their needs met.”
Emer’s eyes gleamed at the question, and she sobered. Perhaps now she realized that she could contribute—that she was in an ideal position to make a huge difference in the lives of others.
“I will,” she accepted with a set jaw and a squaring of her shoulders. “I’ll gladly represent and see to their needs.” Her eyes flickered to me, and I nodded. We were on the same page. She knew this was how she could grow up and fill an essential role. She was ready to be responsible for something now, even a task as colossal as this.
“I’m proud of you, Emer,” I told her, unable to bring myself to say anything more at the moment. So much had changed over the last couple of days, and I was still reeling. I’d be sad to see my only blood relative leave, but I was glad for the reason. Visiting also shouldn’t be too difficult. However it had been arranged, the Moon Goddess obviously had plans for her. With a calm heart, I watched my half-sister stroll over to Nofre, Ferrer, and Luzia, only to take her mate’s hand and lead him away for a private conversation. The bat-shifter was about to get some exceptionally good news.
“I think we’re ready,” Hekla muttered nervously, wiping her palms on her hips.
“Yes, this will take a while. Let’s get started,” I agreed, and we marched up with our first team to follow them through the realm door.
We landed on starlit, springy pine needles amongst giant, ancient redwoods. It was immediately obvious that no one had touched these lands for the entirety of the shifters’ absence. Where we’d arrived appeared pristine, with no signs of littering or habitation.
“Oh, it smells delectable!” Hekla gushed, taking in a huge lungful of air. “Eventide is fighting to get out.” She laughed in glee and took my hand. Yes, even Escort yearned to feel the pine under his own paws. Perhaps I’d bring my mate here for a run instead of the gardens—a surprise outing for Eventide and Escort. They’d like that.
Our first team, a large group of soldiers, spread out to set up a perimeter and check for nearby predators. We also brought scouts and hunters to get an initial lay of the land and look for a source of water. Volunteers then crowded around the pack animals, removing lanterns and torches to light up the campsite.
Hekla and I made sure they didn’t set up too close to the realm door because we’d be bringing a lot of supplies over in the coming weeks and more once they discovered a place to start building their homes. We both agreed we’d continue to support them in sending resources and able-bodied volunteers until they were self-sufficient. Though she’d seen her task through to completion, Hekla didn’t feel like she could ever walk away from them, and I respected—if not adored—that about her.
Since I had help this time, it wasn’t long before we got all the bat-shifters teleported over into their original realm. I would never forget their expressions. I could only describe it as them coming to life for the very first time. On the march, they’d improved, but there had been a listlessness that lingered. Here? Something here stirred their souls.
Luzia and Ferrer walked over to us wearing identical looks of wonder. The she-bat breathed, “There’s something so bone-deep familiar about this place.”
“Maybe your ancestor was a messenger pigeon-shifter,” I said wryly, and Hekla chuckled at my side.
“I don’t know what that is, but… I’ll take it as a compliment?” she replied uncertainly. “Everyone seems to be settling in fine. The rucksacks you’ve provided each of us contain good supplies that will last for a while. We are… grateful, to put it mildly.”
“Luzia will be more grateful when she can experience what other people in this realm taste like,” Ferrer intoned dryly. Her nostrils flared, and she punched him in the shoulder.
“You weren’t supposed to share that, you clot!” she hissed angrily. He just gave her a bleak side-eye and crossed his arms. Luzia jerked a thumb at Ferrer and said, “Well, this one is pining for a mate. He’s acting like a naive, romantic pup. You should see how he mopes whenever he sees Nofre and Emer.”
“Incorrect. I don’t need anything or anyone, and I do not mope!” Ferrer seethed through his fangs and stalked off with clenched fists. Luzia snorted and walked off in a different direction.
“Just like siblings.” I chuckled, shaking my head. “Why do I suddenly feel like a parent?”
“Probably because you’re going to be one,” Hekla said quietly from my side.
What? Escort asked.
“What?” I echoed, snapping my gaze down to look at her. Her smooth hand found mine and squeezed it. “What was that, Hekla?” I asked again, not sure if I’d heard her correctly.
She moved in front of me and slid her arms around my back, laying her head against my chest. I felt her take a long, calming breath. “Doctor Egres brought a report earlier this evening right before we left. My bloodwork tested positive for offspring.” She tilted her head up to look at me, resting her chin on my chest. “I’m still processing it myself,” she added with a chuckle, then placed a finger across her lips and looked up at me expectantly.
My throat went dry, and I could barely hear Escort over the deafening hammering of my heart. “Pups?” I whispered hoarsely, feeling warmth glow in my abdomen like the sky before a sunrise.
“Or faebies, as my grandmother likes to call them,” she with a laugh, and I could feel some of her tension fade away to be replaced by excitement.
And grandpa, Eventide added.
Oh my shit, Escort blubbered. When?
Hekla shrugged and smiled up at me in growing bliss. “Can’t really say.”
Probably the first time, which was Eventide and me, Escort said immediately, only because he knew it’d trigger the shit out of me.
Belenus, we don’t know. It could have been any of the first few times. Be a good boy, Escort, Eventide commanded with a bit of alpha coming through her tone.
Big shit knows I’m just messing with him. Escort laughed.
I shook my head to take a step back and get perspective. “Why in the name of the Sun God do I care? I’m going to have an heir! I’m going to be a father! I… I can’t… Hekla, forgive me.”
She opened her mouth in surprise when I hoisted her up like a trophy and paraded her around the campgrounds. “My mate, my queen is pregnant!” I announced.
The entire colony of shifters, their mates, and our volunteers filled the night air with screams, hoots, yells, and clapping. The woods was in an absolute uproar, and I feasted on Hekla’s amusement and mild embarrassment. Oh yes, the parading had begun.
I continued marching my cackling mate around, yelling, “I love this female! We fought for our love and our kingdom. You helped us claim a place where we no longer have to hide that love, and you all helped create a place where my heir will grow up in safety. For that, we give you our thanks and our continued, devoted support! ”
“Then name ’em after me!” one older shifter hollered through the celebrating, waving a hand in the air to get my attention.
“What’s your name?” I asked loudly, chuckling as I turned to fully face him.
“Fulgencio!”
I immediately shook my head and shouted, “Nope!” The crowd laughed, and some slapped a grinning Fulgencio playfully on the back. I spied Nofre chuckling with an arm around Emer, who was cackling as hard as my Hekla, fanning her red face. My heart warmed to see them closer, and I wondered how long it would be until I became an uncle. After living with such a fractured sense of family, I nigh glowed to see a healthier one on the horizon. I owed far too much to the Moon Goddess and made a note to build a larger shrine to Her.
When Hekla started squirming, I settled her feet on the ground but didn’t let go. I couldn’t. I crashed my lips into hers, delivering my deepest affection with a kiss equally deep. My palms found her smooth cheeks, cupped them, and caressed lovingly. After getting the taste I needed, I tore myself away, but just for a moment to whisper, “Gods, I love you. I love you so much, my precious female. Look at you, giving us an heir as soon as we claimed our home.”
“H-home…” she panted breathlessly into my lips, ignoring the rowdy cheering and whistling, or maybe not hearing them altogether. I nodded and kissed her again as soon as she finished getting the word out of her mouth. Joy swept through us both, and I couldn’t tell who was feeling more of it. The bond told us we simply shared the same euphoria, and my chest tightened. Emotional now, her confession had me thinking of her fatigue. I wanted to take her home. She’d been awake all day, and I wanted her to rest. There was more work to do tomorrow, but now I had to make sure she didn’t take on too much. I smiled again, mentally preparing myself to fight my female on that.
I scooped her up into my arms again, despite her protests about being a strong alpha, and bowed my head to the colony around us. “We’re going to take our leave now, but we’ll continue to send supplies and check on you. I need to take my pregnant mate home to put her to bed.”
“I bet you will!” someone called out, which triggered more raucous laughter. I grinned into Hekla’s hair, kissed the top of her head, and turned, striding toward the realm door to go home.
The halls of the castle no longer witnessed dirty looks, and the folk fae—though some were still a touch nervous with the change—walked about with proudly displayed wings, tails, and horns. The overall mood of the servants and other inhabitants was one of good cheer and gratitude, something I’d never seen before in my life.
Though Hekla and I had years of work to do, the castle was finally a safe place to call home—for everyone.